The Allegany County Board of Education: A Comprehensive Overview

The Allegany County Board of Education plays a central role in shaping the educational landscape of Allegany County, Maryland. This article delves into the structure, history, and responsibilities of the Board, providing a comprehensive overview for residents, educators, and anyone interested in the governance of public education in the county.

Historical Roots and Evolution

The evolution of the Allegany County Board of Education reflects the broader development of public education in Maryland. Its origins can be traced back to 1816 with the establishment of the State School Fund Commissioners, marking the beginning of a formal public school system in the county.

Early Beginnings: State School Fund Commissioners (1816)

In 1816, the General Assembly appointed nine commissioners in each county to oversee the State school fund, as outlined in Chapter 256 of the Acts of 1816. These commissioners were tasked with establishing a central free school in each election district and reporting to the General Assembly on the use of funds. It's worth noting that the term "free" in the colonial period referred to a curriculum that included subjects like "Latine, Greek, Writeing, and the like," although it's unclear if this definition applied in the 1816 law. The Treasurer of the Western Shore was responsible for distributing Allegany's share of the school fund directly to the Levy Court, which held the same authority as the State school fund commissioners.

Transition to County School Commissioners (1825)

A significant shift occurred in 1825 when a statewide public education system was formed (Chapter 162, Acts of 1825). This led to the appointment of nine school commissioners by the justices of the levy courts in each county, who were responsible for dividing the county into school districts. Additionally, up to eighteen inspectors of primary schools were appointed for each county. These inspectors played a crucial role in examining teachers, issuing certificates, visiting schools, providing guidance to teachers and school trustees, and reporting to the county school commissioners.

The voters of each school district elected three trustees who were tasked with purchasing schoolhouse sites, repairing and furnishing the schoolhouses, and hiring all teachers within the district. A district clerk, also elected by the voters annually, was responsible for maintaining records of school commissioner meetings. A district collector collected monies from school taxes.

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Allegany County Commissioners and School Governance (1836)

In 1836, Allegany County Commissioners were authorized to appoint three school commissioners for each election district (Chapter 106, Acts of 1836). This further solidified the county's role in overseeing public education. By 1849, the Mayor and Council of the Town of Cumberland were designated as a "board of trustees" to erect the Allegany County Academy near the courthouse (Chapter 105, Acts of 1849). The Academy received a portion of the State fund allocated to Allegany County schools.

Reorganization as Board of Commissioners of Public Schools (1860)

In 1860, the Allegany County school commissioners underwent a reorganization, becoming the Board of Commissioners of Public Schools (Chapter 335, Acts of 1860). This board retained its previous duties but gained the authority to select three "discreet and well qualified men" to serve as a board of examiners. These examiners were responsible for interviewing, testing, and certifying teachers. The Board of Commissioners of Public Schools consisted of five members, one from each election district, who were appointed annually by the Orphans’ Court.

Centralization and State Oversight (1865)

The year 1865 marked a turning point with the State Board of Education calling for a "uniform system of Free Public Schools" (Chapter 160, Acts of 1865). This led to a more centralized public school system, with "supervision and control of Public Instruction" vested in the State Board of Education. The State Board appointed boards of county school commissioners in each county to serve four-year terms. However, this centralization was short-lived.

Reassertion of County Control (1868)

Three years later, in 1868, boards of county school commissioners regained control and supervision over county schools (Chapter 407, Acts of 1868). The public school system was no longer directly accountable to the State Board of Education. Within each county, voters elected county school commissioners from each election district to two-year terms. These school commissioners were responsible for schoolhouse property and teacher salaries.

Further Reorganization and Appointment of Commissioners (1870-1892)

In 1870, the school commissioners across all counties, including Allegany, underwent another reorganization (Chapter 311, Acts of 1870). County circuit court judges were tasked with appointing three school commissioners for their respective counties. This process changed again in 1892 when the Governor gained the authority to appoint county school commissioners (Chapter 341, Acts of 1892). That year, three school commissioners were appointed for Allegany County to serve six-year terms.

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The Modern Board of Education (1916-Present)

The name "Board of Education" was adopted in 1916, replacing the title of county school commissioners (Chapter 506, Acts of 1916). In 1951, the Allegany County Board of Education was composed of five members, with specific requirements for representation, including at least two women and at least two members representing the minority political party (Chapter 605, Acts of 1951). By 1974, the Board became an elected body (Chapter 491, Acts of 1974), requiring prospective members to submit a petition signed by at least 200 county voters to the Board of Elections.

Composition and Structure

Today, the Allegany County Board of Education consists of five members elected by voters on a nonpartisan basis to serve four-year terms (Code Election Law Article, secs. 8-801 through 8-806). The Convention of Allegany County Association of Student Councils also elects a student member to the Board each year. The President of the Board of County Commissioners serves as a nonvoting member. A president and vice-president for the Board are chosen annually in January (Code Education Article, secs. 3-201 through 3-204; 4-107). The Superintendent of Schools acts as the Board's executive officer, secretary, and treasurer (Code Education Article, sec. 4-102).

As of July 2006, the Board members included:

Chair: Jason M.
Jason C. Buckel
Michael W. McKay
Craig A. Robertson
One vacancy

Responsibilities and Authority

The Allegany County Board of Education holds significant authority over educational matters within the county (Code Education Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-126). This includes:

Developing and implementing educational policies
Approving the curriculum
Overseeing the hiring and evaluation of school personnel
Managing the school system's budget

While the Board has considerable autonomy, it is also subject to oversight from both the Allegany County government and the State Department of Education. The County government exercises authority through the review and approval of the annual operating and capital budgets. The State Department of Education establishes and monitors financial and academic policies and regulations, ensuring compliance with federal law.

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Former and Current Personnel

Over the years, numerous individuals have contributed to the Allegany County Board of Education in various capacities. Some notable figures include:

Superintendents: The Superintendent of Schools serves as the executive officer, secretary, and treasurer of the Board.
Staff: Key staff members support the Board's operations. As of July 2006, staff included Yvonne M., Anne M. Brown, Melanie Chapman, Luanne Cook, and Tanya Kessell.
Directors and Managers: Several directors and managers oversee specific areas within the school system. Adam Patterson served as Director, and there was a vacancy for a Manager.
Specialists: Specialists provide expertise in various areas. Jennifer Howell served as a Benefits Specialist, and Kristi D. Liller as Director.
Other Personnel: The school system employs a wide range of personnel, including transportation planners like Roy S. Cool, and code enforcement officers like J. Edward Stanley.

School District Trustees and Their Evolution

The role of school district trustees has evolved significantly alongside the Board of Education.

Early Role of School District Trustees (1825)

District boards of school trustees were authorized in 1825 (Chapter 162, Acts of 1825). They were to represent the voters of the school district. For all Maryland counties, including Allegany, legislation was enacted in 1825 providing that three school district trustees were to be elected annually by the voters in each school district (Chapter 162, Acts of 1825). These trustees were authorized to purchase schoolhouse sites, build, furnish and repair schoolhouses, provide books, hire all teachers and make semi-annual reports to school commissioners. From the school commissioners, State monies were distributed to the school district trustees, who, in turn, were to pay teacher salaries.

Expansion of Trustee Powers (1836-1838)

In 1836, the Allegany County School District Trustees were granted school funds from the County as well as the State (Chapter 106, Acts of 1836). Two years later, five trustees were to “superintend the school”, furnish the collector with a list of taxpayers from whom to collect revenues, and receive monies from the treasurer of the County school fund (Chapter 204, Acts of 1838). The Trustees also were to hire certified teachers and meet quarterly to discuss school conditions.

Transition to Directors (1860)

In 1860, Allegany County’s School Commissioners appointed three directors for each school district (Chapter 335, Acts of 1860). The directors assumed duties previously entrusted to school district trustees. In addition, directors were expected to call meetings of voters within the school district to decide which teachers would be hired and which textbooks purchased.

District Commissioners and County School Commissioners (1865)

Statewide, duties held formerly by school district trustees were assumed by the county school commissioners in 1865 (Chapter 160, Acts of 1865). County school commissioners served as “district commissioners” for school districts under their jurisdiction. They advised teachers on discipline, examined pupils, and were to convince the public of the value of education.

Re-establishment of District Boards (1868)

By 1868, school district trustees for all counties regained their former powers (Chapter 407, Acts of 1868). Reorganized as school district boards, they again assumed responsibility for all schoolhouses, land, and the hiring of teachers in their districts. Each board had three members: the county school commissioner of the “election district in which the school-house [was] situated”, and two members elected annually by the voters of the schoolhouse district. The elected members of the school district boards were to be representatives of the voters.

Further Reorganization and Evolution (1870-1916)

In 1870, school district boards were renamed boards of district school commissioners (Chapter 311, Acts of 1870). Thereafter, they were appointed annually by county boards of school commissioners. Boards of district school commissioners again reformed in 1892 as boards of district trustees (Chapter 515, Acts of 1892). They were allowed to choose their own officers.

By 1904, boards of district trustees lost their authority to appoint teachers (Chapter 584, Acts of 1904). In 1916, boards of district trustees reformed as district boards of school trustees (Chapter 506, Acts of 1916). Appointed to three-year terms by county boards of education, district school trustees were charged to suspend or expel students. Principal teachers, once appointed by district school trustees, now were appointed by county superintendents. District school trustees continued to represent the voters in the education system and retained custody of school property.

Powers and Limitations (1918)

By 1918, district boards of school trustees, by unanimous vote, could “refuse to accept the original assignment of any teacher” to schools under their jurisdiction (Chapter 381, Acts of 1918). County superintendents, however, only were required to name three teachers to the school trustees for appointment. In times of emergency, school trustees were authorized to dismiss pupils or close schools.

The Superintendent of Schools: A Key Role

The role of the Superintendent of Schools has also evolved over time.

From School Inspectors to County Superintendents (1825-1904)

The duties of county superintendents of schools first were assigned to school inspectors in 1825 (Chapter 162, Acts of 1825). Levy courts were to appoint annually up to eighteen inspectors of primary schools for each county. The inspectors determined teacher qualifications, examined teachers, and issued teacher certificates. They also were expected to visit schools and offer suggestions to school district trustees. In 1904, county examiners were renamed county superintendents of public education (Chapter 584, Acts of 1904).

Modern Superintendent Responsibilities (1916)

By 1916, county superintendents of public education were renamed superintendents of schools (Chapter 506, Acts of 1916). The new superintendents were authorized to execute the laws of the State Board, interpret all school laws, and decide disputes of the county boards of education about rules and regulations. In addition, superintendents could recommend to the county boards of education that schools be repaired or condemned. They could nominate all principals and assistant teachers for appointment by the county boards, grade and standardize public schools, create a textbook list, and determine school.

Allegany County Public School System Today

In Fiscal Year 2021, the Allegany County Public School System comprised twenty-two schools: 3 high schools, 4 middle schools, 14 elementary schools, and one career and technical school.

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