Local leaders speak out against legislation to restructure Wicomico BOE

A measure that would restructure the Wicomico County Board of Education is not sitting well with some local leaders.

Currently, the board is made up of seven members. The county’s central committees create the pool of candidates and send three names to the Governor. He makes the final selection which is usually someone from the list, but that is not always the case.

Senate Bill 730 would change the board to eight people, consisting of five elected members and only two appointed members, but by the County Executive. There would also be one student member.

Local PTA members tell 47 ABC, parents have been asking for years for an elected school board. However, Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton worries about keeping the state out of the decision.

“The state of Maryland pays 75% percent of all of the expenses for Wicomico County schools and 95% of all of the construction for Wicomico County schools,” says Mayor Ireton. “I don’t think were ready for it, I’d like to see the bill killed completely.”

Mayor Ireton says he is also worried about how the legislation will affect diversity on the board. He feels that it could potentially take away the balance that the current board has.