Saturday, March 3, 2007

Recent letters-to-the-editor

Letters to the Editor: Maryland Gazette, March 3, 2007, p. A8

School board
It seems that County Executive John Leopold and some of our state delegates have no confidence in the ability of their constituents. It seems that the citizens, after waiting for decades for a better process, may be getting a selected school board instead of an elected school board. More than 90 percent of the school boards in the United States are elected. Proposing a selected school board is an insult to the intelligence of the citizens of this great county.

--RICHARD S. ZIPPER Crofton


Your say: Which school board system do you prefer, elected or appointed? The Maryland Gazette, March 3, 2007, p. A8

To me, it has always defied any democratic principle why Anne Arundel County citizens allow the voters of Montgomery, Prince George's and the city of Baltimore to essentially pick their Board of Education members, and superintendent as well for that matter. Why then would the good citizens have any reasonable expectation of accountability from an organization they have no say in how it is composed? Local residents are expected to financially support the county educational system through taxes and fees, but have zero say in the ultimate determination of who is responsible for their children and young adults education. Absolutely no member of the Anne Arundel County public school system is selected, appointed or anointed by anyone elected solely by the voters of Anne Arundel County. This goes against all concepts of a democratic society and is absolutely wrong.

--DAVE DYKE Pasadena

(County Executive John) Leopold's plan (to create a commission that would name candidates for the governor's choice) is much more preferred. All one has to do is look at the unhappy staff working under the superintendant chosen by and elected board in Montgomery County.

--JAMES A. MCALPINE Linthicum

I believe an elected school board has merit. I would like to learn more about the referendum (proposed by state Sen. Bryan Simonaire) and read the details of how that would be implemented, such as length of terms, candidate requirements, etc. Having an elected school board versus an appointed board would help to isolate the board from political influences and pressures and open the positions to a more favorable forum for selection.

--BEN WINSTEAD Glen Burnie

I don't see anything wrong with the people submitting names for the job, but the final says has to be in the hands of the governor. This way it makes someone accountable for their actions. All one has to do is look at the shame our elected officials are pulling in Annapolis. At the next election they will all say they didn't want to raise taxes. It was the other guy. When will the people of this state understand a one party system doesn't help anyone but the people in power.

--EARL HILDEBRAND Pasadena

I am in favor of Bryan Simonaire's idea to have an elected school board. I feel that it is important to let the people have their say, and have elected officials, rather than appointed members.

--LISA DUNHAM Glen Burnie

Why on earth should the governor be appointing local school board members? Does the president appoint the school board members of Washington, D.C.? Whether they're chosen from a list of suggestions, (as now) or from a list with no alternatives, (as Mr. Leopold supports) the governor has no business in such local affairs. School board members must be accountable to the families and taxpayers they serve. Elections of board members along county district lines is the best way to ensure their full accountability to all the people of Anne Arundel county, and not just the Severna Park elite. Bring on that referendum.

--GEORGE HARRIS Pasadena


Letters to the Editor: The Capital, February 28, 2007, p. A10

School board
It seems that County Executive John Leopold and some of our state delegates have no confidence in the ability of their constituents. It seems that the citizens, after waiting for decades for a better process, may be getting a selected school board instead of an elected school board. More than 90 percent of the school boards in the United States are elected. Proposing a selected school board is an insult to the intelligence of the citizens of this great county.

--RICHARD S. ZIPPER Crofton

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