Wicomico says elected, not selected for school board

Wicomico County residents made their opinion heard at the polls Tuesday that they want to vote on who will sit on the county’s board of education members. This making Wicomico the last county in Maryland to change over to an elected school board.  

Prior to this all seven members were appointed with approval given by the governor.  Now five members will be selected on a district-by-district basis and two will be voted in at large. 

The first chance voters will have to elect new members won’t come until 2018, but current superintendent Dr. Donna Hanlin said whoever is elected needs to keep one thing in mind.  

“I believe that the most important thing is that no matter whether it’s elected or appointed that individuals are serving on the board because they have the interest of students in mind,” Hanlin said.

Hanlin who has experience working with both elected and appointed school boards says neither is better than the other in her opinion.