Wicomico County Council proposes “hybrid” school board

The Wicomico County School board is currently made up of 7 people. To fill those positions, the county’s central committee selects a group of people as a potential pool from which the governor chooses from.

However, one member of the central committee tells 47 ABC despite the nominations sent to Annapolis, in the past, the governor has just chosen whoever he wanted to fill those positions, outside that suggested list. Representatives from the county and parents say this point has led to major issues.

Karen Bromley, Pittsville Elementary and Middle School PTA President says, “Parents feel there isn’t enough communication, there isn’t transparency, and that right now there is no accountability among the entire board of education members.”

Bromley says for years parents have been asking for an elected school board and it looks like they have a chance of getting what they want. The county council submitted a proposal to Annapolis for a hybrid school board. This means there would be five elected members and two appointed members.

The county scheduled a public hearing so the community can weigh in.

John T. Cannon, the Wicomico County Council President says, “We found out through our deliberations that with a hybrid board we maintained a local autonomy, and also felt that it led to more diversity.”

With this hybrid board proposal, the county executive would appoint the two at large members. The legislation was submitted before the meeting because it had to be filed before January 22nd.

However, this plan is contingent on public participation at the hearing. If community members are on board with the proposal, then the decision will be up to voters as a referendum on the 2016 general election ballot.