Let Your Voice Be Heard - The Future of Baltimore County's School Board

Dear Friends,

    The future of Baltimore County's School Board has been a hot topic of debate for years.  There is currently a task force seeking input from citizens of Baltimore County and I encourage you to let your thoughts be known.  As you may know, I have been a proponent of moving toward a democratic process for selecting our school board members.  I have been the lead sponsor of creating a 'hybrid school board,' made up of both elected and appointed members.  Currently, Baltimore County is one of a small fraction of counties in our state and across the nation that have absolutely NO elected representation on its school board.

    Unfortunately, several members of the task force have sought to use parliamentary maneuvers and tricks to thwart what appears to be consensus among Baltimore County citizens on this issue.  Those members seek to keep the status quo in our County despite overwhelming testimony of the need for change.  You can read about what has transpired in several publications including the Baltimore Sun and the online "patch.com."  Regardless of whether you believe that the board should be fully elected, partially elected through a 'hybrid' process, remain the same, or some other creative idea, that decision belongs to the citizens of Baltimore County and not a few politicians in Towson or Annapolis.

     I am proud that a majority of the Baltimore County Council has already endorsed moving toward a hybrid school board and that a majority of the Senate delegation has endorsed that idea as well.  I assure you that, despite the efforts of a few to subvert the will of the people in Baltimore County, we will continue to press forward with this important reform to create real accountability for those making decisions for our children.

     In the coming legislative session, I will once again join colleagues in introducing a bill to create a hybrid school board in Baltimore County.  In addition, if that legislation does not succeed this year, I will push for a straw vote on the next election ballot so that the citizens of Baltimore County can be heard on this issue.

     I invite you to share your thoughts about the Baltimore County School Board and its selection process.  Although people may disagree on the issue, I hope we can all agree that the decision belongs to the people and not to a few politicians.  Please join me in sharing your views by responding to this email, taking the online poll at Patch.com, or contacting other members of the task force to share your thoughts. 

     It is an honor to serve you in the Maryland State Senate and I look forward to hearing from you on this or any other issue of interest.

 Sincerely,

Bobby Zirkin, Senator