Two members of the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE) displayed open hostility towards the Wicomico County Council this afternoon. Board president Michelle Wright and board member Ron Willey expressed aversion at having to provide the council with requested information.
Willey argued that since the WCBOE had provided information last year regarding travel expenses, they should not have to do so this year:
“We’re getting grilled. I feel like you are just looking to put your finger on something. You asked for travel last year and now you are asking for them again. You asked for salary information again.”
Councilwoman Stevie Prettyman (R-2) explained that all county departments had to answer the same types of questions each year:
“It is not only our responsibility, it is our duty to scrutinize every penny that the county spends.”
Wright’s response to all county departments having to provide such information was:
“We’re not a county department!”
Wright then attempted to argue that they did not come to discuss the budget. However, Council President Gail Bartkovich pointed out that this date was the only one which the WCBOE could all come to discuss the budget. It was their (the WCBOE’s) decision to meet on the budget Tuesday, not the council’s.