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Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Elected School Board Bill Ballot Passes Senate, Faces Amendment in House

Last month we told you about HB 1324, a bill to allow Wicomico voters to decide whether or not they want an elected school board.  Since that time, Sen. Jim Mathias (D-38) and Sen. Richard Colburn (R-37) have introduced SB 981, which is the same bill originally put forward as HB 1324.  The Senate bill passed on March 26 by a unanimous vote.

Thanks to Senators Mathias and Colburn!

Over in the House, Wicomico Democrats are pushing to queer the bill by introducing multiple options, including a hybrid.  Shouldn’t the voters decide?  Of course they should.  However, this is a bald political ploy to water down the vote for an elected school board.  The chief proponents of this measure are the same folk who want to keep an appointed board – 7 people who spend millions of our tax dollars with absolutely ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY to the voters.

While the amendment has not been formally introduced, the Wicomico County Council will discuss whether or not to support the amendment at tonight’s meeting.  If we are serious about introducing accountability and fiscal responsibility into Wicomico’s education system then it important that the County Council reject the proposed amendment and notify the Wicomico’s House delegation IMMEDIATELY!  Remember, the legislative session ends on April 11.

Note:  The office of Del. Norm Conway (HB 1324’s chief sponsor and also author of the amendment) has assured me that he will not introduce the amendment IF the county council rejects it.

4 comments:

  1. Why are people afraid of options? Do you think the voters aren't smart enough to pick the one you want? It's like telling a jury you can find 1st degree murder or not guilty, when the real verdict should be manslaughter. What you end up with is unsatisfactory to all.

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  2. 1052

    The BOE voters and the teachers union don't want things to change.

    This little ploy was cooked up by a racially motivated special interest group that the Democrats want to keep happy at all costs. The NAACP. They don't want a school board elected by the people because it MIGHT mean one less black person on the BOE.

    So they put pressure on the Democrats to give the people three choices instead of two. This will mean that the hardcore majority will vote for no change, and the vote for a hybrid or fully elected board will lose out will lose out becuase the vote will be split.

    Evil people these Democrats I say.

    So you and your BOE thugs and teachers union pals enabled by the racists at the NAACP are going to lose.

    The power needs to be in the hands of the people. Let the people decide between a fully elected board or no change at all.

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  3. 1:28, being neither union, teacher, democrat nor racist, I agree that folks must be afraid of something. I think a combination is a choice many people would select. Perhaps those who don't want to allow all the choices are just trying to manipulate the vote in their direction. Great analogy, 10:52.

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  4. Wake up and face reality. The establishment has and always will control the important choices made for the good of the people.This is the American way and the best way. Look at history and the progress this country has made. There shouldn't be any doubt. Most people are not well-read nor knowledgable about politics or the facts to make a sound judgement. Just to vote blindly is an absurd blunder.Only the informed can make good choices and good decisions.

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