Klausmeier, Olszewski Jr. Propose Summer Study on School Board Appointments
Supporter of hybrid school board proposal says nothing will be learned by waiting.
UPDATED (3:58 p.m.) — Sen. Kathy Klausmeier and Del. John Olszewski Jr. introduced bills today that would create a task force to examine how to fill future vacancies on the Baltimore County school board.
The task force would consider alternative methods of selecting school board members. They could be elected, appointed or a hybrid of the two. The county may also return to using nominating conventions.
The governor now appoints the members of the school board. Some legislators say a change is needed because the school board has become less responsive and less accountable to the public.
Klausmeier, a Perry Hall Democrat, was not immediately available for comment.
Olszewski said the idea is to get interested groups together to discuss the various options and arrive at a consensus on legislation.
The bill requires at least one meeting of the task force but allows for more.
The 12 members of the group would be made up of four senators and four delegates, each appointed by Klausmeier and Olszewski, who chair their respective delegations.
Olszewski, who is a resource teacher in Baltimore County, has not taken a public stand on the issue of changing school board appointments. He said he would likely not appoint himself to the panel should the bill pass.
Three other members would be appointed by the county executive and the final member would be appointed by the County Council, which is chaired by John Olszewski Sr., the delegate's father.
If passed, the law would take effect July 1 with a final recommendation expected by Oct. 1.
At least seven members of the panel would need to approve any proposed changes for it to be considered the group's official recommendation.
County delegates and senators have debated how school board members are chosen since 2005.
The two delegations are expected to take up the issue again this session.
Sen. Bobby Zirkin, a Democrat, said he intends to continue to push a bill that would create a partially elected and partially appointed school board. He does not favor a summer study group.
"You're not going to learn anything other than maybe the information that the new county executive wants to present," said Zirkin, adding that all the contention over making a change is unwarranted.
"It's only complicated if you don't trust the voters of Baltimore County," Zirkin said. "It's only complicated if you have a bourgeoisie view of the world where benevolent leaders make decisions for the masses."
Del. Steve Lafferty also said last week he expects an effort to change the current process of appointing school board members will be taken up by the county's 21 delegates.
Del. John Olszewski Jr. said the bill he and Klausmeier are sponsoring "is not an attempt to hold up any changes."
"My hope would be that next year we could have a bill that would pass both chambers and this issue would be settled finally," Olszewski Jr. said.
Klausmeier, in a Jan. 28 interview, said the task force would likely be a summer work group.
The delegation talked several years ago about creating an informal summer work group, with hearings around the county, but those meetings never materialized.
“I have heard a wide range of opinions on this topic when I talk to parents, teachers, administrators and other interested individuals,” Klausmeier said in a statement. “I think it is time for us to convene a group to formally hear what people have to say and make a decision about how to move forward.”
County Executive Kevin Kamanetz is said to support Klausmeier and Olszewski's efforts.
"School board selection is a complex issue, and the chairs of the county delegations recognize how important it is to have all of the data presented and hear from important stakeholders prior to making any legislative changes," Kamenetz said in the statement released by Klausmeier.
In the past, Kamenetz has said he would support an elected school board only if the board were also given its own taxing authority.
owingsmillsvoter
5:07 pm on Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Thank you
owingsmillsvoter
5:09 pm on Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Sorry. Thank you Senator Brochin and Senator Zirkin on your stand on this issue. How long does it take to figure out if we should elect our school board? Give me a break Kamenetz.
Charlie M
9:52 pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011
Agree. Agree. Agree. I think the school bd should be fully elected but I understand the idea behind the mixture. Harford co has the mixed board as well I believe. I appreciate Zirkin pushing the idea. Senators can get whomever they want appointed and he is essentially giving up his own power here. Not bad for a Democrat.
Buzz Beeler
11:43 pm on Wednesday, February 2, 2011
"School board selection is a complex issue, and the chairs of the county delegations recognize how important it is to have all of the data presented and hear from important stakeholders prior to making any legislative changes," Kamenetz was quoted as saying in the statement released by Klausmeier.
Say what? Why is Klausmeir speaking for the county executive. To busy with the PUD's I guess.
Let the voters decide who runs their schools. The voters, as in taxpayers and citizens, foot the bills.
Just like owingsmillsvoter said,"how long does it take to figure out if we should elect our school board?"
Stan Modjesky
12:58 pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011
"Zirkin said. 'It's only complicated if you have a bourgeoisie view of the world where benevolent leaders make decisions for the masses.' "
That's a curious misuse of the word "bourgeoisie," which in itself is outdated.
Buzz Beeler
1:25 pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011
Like Zirkin? Does outdated equally apply as well?
Charlie M
9:49 pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011
Actually I think its pretty clever.
Stan Modjesky
11:32 pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011
OK. If it's clever, what does he mean, in plain language?
I think he meant to say "bourgeois." But even so, I cannot parse any concrete meaning from that sentence.
Whether or not--as you have said elsewhere here--Mr Zirkin has supported an elected school board is not relevant to my original comment, which was only that he said something peculiar and meaningless.
I would much prefer to hear your opinion about my other statement, regarding "stakeholders."
Stan Modjesky
1:05 pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011
Regarding the Kamenetz statement about "stakeholders" -- that word is a relatively new eupemism for "insiders." When it comes to public education, every county resident has a stake in its quality and cost, whether s/he is a parent, a student, or a childless adult. The notion that some people's interests outweigh others runs counter to the principles of our form of government.
Where school boards are concerned, the ideal board would include some outsiders--people who are not employed by the system and are not parents--because they can bring some objectivity to otherwise emotional discussions. This is among the reasons that only an elected board--certainly not a "hybrid"--will have an impact.
When decisions about government policy and spending are made only by people who have an interest to protect, those decisions will reflect that interest, not necessarily the interest of the people at large. This is the rationale behind the popular sentiment against career politicians.
Buzz Beeler
1:22 pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011
Well stated. The last sentence said it all.
It might be a good idea to propose a petition and gather signatures for a referendum to placed on the ballot limiting the number of years an elective official can serve.
If its good enough for the county executive, it should be good enough for the council. It would give credence to the word public service.
Stan Modjesky
2:20 pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011
We are all realists here. Any time a politician suggests a "study group" or "blue ribbon commission," he is hoping to kick the problem down the road until people lose interest in it. And saps that we are collectively, that can be depended upon to happen.
I am especially wary of a MD state legislator making a suggestion for a summer study during our (mercifully) brief legislative session. This one will be on vacation, that one will be in Timbuktu on a Fulbright, and by the time everyone's schedule clashes are sorted out, there will be three people left, all of them part of the Same Old Crowd.
Charlie M
9:48 pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011
Mr. Modjesky
Senator Zirkin and Delegate Morhaim have been pushing for elected representation for years. I for one am glad Zirkin has the guts to stand up on this issue. His comment makes sense to me and he seems to be the one out there pushing for elections to the school board. I know Dr. Dan very well and he is a believer on this issue. He has told me that Zirkin has been pushing hard to get elections for the school board. And Mr. Beeler, I often agree with your comments on line but as relates to Senator Zirkin, I think he has been a refreshing change from what I usually see in politics. I've never seen anyone out there so much and he seems completely unafraid on big issues. Just my thoughts.
Stan Modjesky
11:36 pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011
Fine. But what is your opinion about "study groups," especially when undertaken outside the period of the legislative session? And what's your opinion as to who is a "stakeholder" and who is not? These are the operative comments here. If you say that Zirkin and Morhaim have been courageously supporting an elected school board, I won't argue with that. I never asserted otherwise.
Buzz Beeler
11:52 pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011
If I remember and my recollection is correct, the president stated that robust debate among an informed electorate is essential to good government.
carroll reid jr.
12:19 am on Friday, February 4, 2011
If you think a elected school board will do better than what we havenowyour wrong. It will be a popularity contest. right now the board is appointed by the governor so no one party is in control a elected board will just be like what we have in anopolis trying to get relected instead of working for your children. The children are or should be our top priority not getting elected....
Buzz Beeler
12:56 am on Friday, February 4, 2011
It's not called popularity contest its called an election, by the people and for the people. It is at the cornerstone of our democracy.
You trust Governor O'Malley to do the right thing for our children? He has cut the educational budget and left CASA alone. That is watching out for our children.
As an appointed member where is the accountability? The coach never has to win if he never gets fired.
Look at what you have now. Dr. Hariston's arrogance regarding AIM and his refusal to speak to our AG Doug Gansler. The $7 million construction mistake. The school sign issue and the recent decision in relationship to communities utilizing the facilities for certain activities.
Did I mention that Councilman Gardina tried for years to get the board to answer about the number of non-resident students they were teaching at our expense at a cost of about $10 million a year? He was ignored. I guess Dr. Hariston feels he is a monarch.
O'Malley can't mange the states budget and you're going to trust him with county schools.
Stan Modjesky
5:48 pm on Friday, February 4, 2011
So, Mr. Reid -- do you prefer a situation where the citizenry has LESS say over what the government does? That is what I infer from your comment.
carroll reid jr.
12:49 am on Friday, February 11, 2011
No I DO NOT I BELEIVE THAT THEY HAVE TO MUCH NOW.Our children should be our top worry. An elected board would be just like we have now 1 party rule. Baltimore County has enough problems do not need to add that one. If the council has a problem then they should question and not approve the school budget without getting answers. I do not trust Omally with education thankfully we have grasmick in the middle . He has still made cuts but i think it would be worse without her there.
John
8:12 pm on Wednesday, February 23, 2011
I like Klausmeier and Olszewski Jr., but the time for talking and investigating the issue has passed. The Baltimore County Board of Education is not doing what is best for the students in our schools. They serve the will of the superintendent, they do not do they job they were appointed to do. They, not the superintendent are the final authority in school policy. "He" works for them not the other way around, but maybe they don't teach that at Board of Education training classes. The current board seems to think they are the puppy in the back of the car whose head bobs up and down agreeing to anything and everything Hairston wants. They don't question or think for themselves. Yes, doc. Yes, doc. If doc says so that's good enough for us.
We need an elected school board that answers to the tax payers in Baltimore County.
John
8:14 pm on Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Grasmick? Really? Don't get me started about her-----just don't get me started.
Buzz Beeler
9:24 pm on Wednesday, February 23, 2011
John, guess what you are really stating is that you have some issues with Ms. Grasmick.
I also thought that O'Malley wanted to oust her at one point.