Help wanted on Wicomico Board of Education

With the recent resignation of board member Brian Kilgore, the local GOP has a rare opportunity to have a say in the workings of local education. Because Kilgore was a Republican appointee it falls to the Wicomico County Republican Central Committee (of which I’m a part) to recommend a replacement for Kilgore. (It doesn’t mean our selection will be picked, but a good candidate having our backing should be able to convince Senator Stoltzfus, who also has input, of his or her qualifications and desire to serve.)

As our Vice Chair, Dave Parker, notes:

There’s a lot of important stuff to do, so it does take a reasonable amount of time.  Interest and a commitment to education are required, but NOT direct experience in the educational process.

Among other items, the Board controls about half of the county’s budget. Obviously some of that outlay is governed by collective bargaining agreements, but this could be a golden opportunity for someone who wishes to reform the educational process to have their say.

While I don’t speak for the body as a whole, in my eyes an applicant should have an idea of how the county can spend that vast amount of tax money which goes to education at a level closest to the child. If it takes being tough on the teachers’ union the next time their contract comes up and making a few who have cushy administrative jobs whine, so be it. They will anyway.

It would also be nice to figure out how to keep Fedzilla (and Annapolis) off our back and cut the strings they’re strangling local control with but unfortunately we’re probably way too beholden to them at this time to change that fact within the remainder of Kilgore’s unexpired term, which runs until 2013. That and you’ll have three Democrat appointees (one of whom will also be new as they also have an opening) to deal with.

However, if you’re willing to play Don Quixote for awhile and perhaps put some good ideas into motion eventually, you can contact either our WCRCC Chair, Dr. John Bartkovich at (410) 742-5399, or Senator Lowell Stoltzfus’ office at (410) 742-3999.

Author: Michael

It's me from my laptop computer. View all posts by Michael