A Letter To The Editor On Elected School Board

Elected School Board – No Thanks!

GA Harrison’s post earlier today calling for an elected school board in Wicomico County was well intentioned, but off the mark even though it’s one of his pet peeves.  We agree on many/most issues, but not on this one.

He is entirely correct in stating that an elected board is not a panacea; on that we agree.  I concur that our current process is not completely ideal, but contend that substituting one form of projected imperfection for another is not the way to optimize the use of finite resources, nor is it the way to maximize results (from students, staff and administrators).

Our current WCBOE system has those interested in board appointment contact their respective political party when an opening occurs for one of the positions reserved for it; the opening is advertised.  The seven members on the board are split between the two parties; the positions themselves are apolitical.  The local party interviews candidates and forwards recommendations to the Governor, who then makes a 5 year appointment of one of the candidates.  The board member may be re-appointed for an additional 5 year term and after that someone else will be appointed.  This ensures that board members don’t turn into “lifers” and that the board is refreshed on an ongoing basis.  I find no record indicating that WCBOE members are paid for their service, but could be wrong.

The positions expire on a rolling basis minimizing effects of a mass exodus or influx.  This selection method does not cost the potential board member money out of pocket and is conducted quietly and efficiently.  Potential members are not required to have a specific agenda and don’t have to campaign; a desire to serve can remain their motivation.

I spent several decades living where local boards were elected and I find our current, albeit imperfect, system to be superior.  Shortly after I graduated high school one of my homeroom teachers ran as part of a ‘reform’ slate of candidates and was elected.  The slate’s election was a prelude to very tumultuous times on the board and within the community because of their agenda (and not because he was a teacher).

There are several compelling arguments against an elected board:

1.   Inevitably turns political and creates friction rather than unity.

2.    Many otherwise excellent board candidates will shun the campaign experience and associated electioneering and expense; their skills and contributions will be lost to the district.  Here’s an interesting challenge: survey all folks who’ve previously been on the board during the past 20 years and see how many would have been willing to mount an election campaign for the post.  My prediction- very, very few.

3.     Locally, (within the city, towns and county) we’ve seen many, many candidates who ran well enough to be elected but who were/are complete disasters as elected officials.  We can offer the same conjecture about any number of folks who ran but were defeated at the polls.  The cautionary statement “Be careful what you ask for, you might get it” clearly applies.  Imagine a board comprised of your personal list of elected duds and defeated duds….it could happen.

4.    Cost to staff the board.  The current system imposes no selection costs on the populace.  An elected board will require at least one and perhaps two county-wide elections whenever a vacancy occurs, depending on the fine points of the final scheme.  If the current staggered terms are retained, this could happen every year since one or more member terms expire each year.  Someone will have to pay for all elections which don’t coincide with normal election schedules.

5.    Potential establishment of electoral districts for the board versus our current all members-at-large makeup.  Opens the door to a wide array of decisions driven toward “my local district” wants/needs as opposed to what is best for the school district as a whole.  Recall that the member wants to be re-elected so they have to bring home ‘bacon’ of some sort or another to their local district voters.

6.    All of the tasks required of the Superintendent and lesser officials will continue; most of them are driven by state or federal mandates as opposed to local preferences.  In other words, changing the board selection process won’t change most of the tasks the board oversees.

7.    Our current County Council already has the functional equivalent of a veto pen for a wide array of board spending proposals since it can cut funds from the budget proposed by the County Executive; he in turn assembles his budget numbers after reviewing the requests from the Board of Education.  So if the county council has a genuine objection they can delete the funds from the executive’s budget and he, in turn, can trim the WCBOE funds.

Public education generates lots of discussion; parents want what is best for their kids (me, too; mine went to Wicomico schools and have done well in college and beyond) and want an education that is comprehensive and cost-effective; those without kids in school still pay and want cost-sensitive management.

Each WCBOE board member is listed on the district’s web site, along with contact information.  When was the last time you shared your concerns in a calm, collected fashion?  I served on appointed public boards for a number of years, and resigned when the time commitment dug too deeply into time with my young family.  I think we are fortunate to have talented folks willing to devote personal time to public ventures for no personal gain.  Those who abuse our trust are deserving of scorn, of course.

We have many significant public and quasi-public boards without publicly elected board members; think PRMC, Wor-Wic, SU and UMES, Library, Zoo, etc. They also tend to function well. Most welcome volunteers who are interested in their ‘mission’ and would welcome the extra, motivated assistance from folks who would like to be part of a solution to any perceived shortcomings. 

An Interested Reader