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David R. Brinkley, Maryland State Delegate.

February 8, 2001 - The Gazette (MD)

Delegation supports eliminating school board term limits

by Sherry Greenfield
Staff Writer Feb. 8, 2001

Voters may decide how long members should serve on the Frederick County Board of Education.

Frederick's eight-member delegation to the Maryland General Assembly voted 6-2 on Friday to eliminate term limits for people elected to the school board.

Upon a request from the school board, members of the Frederick Board of County Commissioners included the bill in their 2001 legislative wish list.

Commissioners said school board members who are doing a good job should be allowed to continue serving.

Delegation members agreed.

"Now we have the opportunity to let the voters decide," said Del. David Brinkley (R-Dist. 4A) of New Market.

His thoughts were echoed by Del. Joseph Bartlett (R-Dist. 3) of Middletown. "A well-educated populace is the best term limits we can have," he said, of letting the voters decide how long members should stay on the school board

Sen. Alex Mooney (R-Dist. 3) of Frederick and Del. Donald Elliott (R-Dist. 4B) of New Windsor both voted against the legislation.

"I don't see a reason to change," Mooney said.

In 1998, Frederick County voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum to create an elected school board. The first three elected members took office in December 2000, alongside four who were appointed by the governor. Those four positions will appear on the ballot in 2002.

The current legislation stipulates that the three elected school board members -- President Ronald W. Peppe II, Linda S. Naylor and Stephen Crawford -- will serve no more than two consecutive four-year terms.

Appointed members serve no more than two consecutive five-year terms.

Until the bill is written, it is unclear when the legislation would take effect.

Peppe is pleased commissioners and the delegation both support the proposal.

"I think this is truly a switch to allow the public to choose," he said. "On education issues, it shows that the commissioners, the delegation and the school board really stand together."

The elected school board in Carroll County does not have term limits.

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Authority: Friends of David R. Brinkley - Sallie M. Brinkley, Treasurer