Title 3. Establishment of County Boards of Education — Subtitle 13A. Wicomico County

The Wicomico County Board consists of:

Beginning with the general election in 2026, the seven elected members shall be elected from each of the seven councilmanic districts in the county, elected by the voters of that district.

A candidate who becomes an elected member of the county board must be a resident and registered voter of Wicomico County.

If the boundary line of a Wicomico County councilmanic district is changed, the term of an incumbent elected member of the county board who no longer resides in that councilmanic district because of the change is not affected during this term.

At the general election in 2018 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter; and

In accordance with § 3–13A–01 of this subtitle and Title 8, Subtitle 8 of the Election Law Article.

The terms of the elected members are as provided in this subsection.

Each term of office begins on the first Monday in December after the election of a member and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

The term of office of each member is 4 years.

There is a Wicomico County School Board Nominating Commission.

The purpose of the Commission is to select nominees to recommend to the Wicomico County Council as qualified candidates for appointment to fill a vacancy of an elected member on the Wicomico County Board.

Within 60 days of a vacancy on the county board, the Commission shall:

To the extent practicable, the Commission shall reflect the gender, ethnic, and racial makeup of the county.

The County Executive of Wicomico County shall appoint the members of the Commission, with the advice and consent of the County Council, from the names submitted by the organizations, entities, or communities of interest listed under paragraph (5) of this subsection.

The term of a member of the Commission is 4 years.

The Commission shall select a chair and vice chair from among the members.

If a vacancy for an elected member occurs before the date that is 30 days before the date for filing a certificate of candidacy for the primary election in the presidential election year, the individual appointed under subsection (a) of this section shall serve only until a successor is elected by the voters at the next general election.

Candidates for the vacated office may be nominated at a primary election in the same manner as for any other position on the county board.

Immorality;

Misconduct in office;

Incompetency;

Willful neglect of duty; or

Failure to attend, without good cause, at least 75% of the scheduled meetings of the county board in any 1 calendar year.

The State Board promptly shall hold a hearing, but a hearing may not be set within 10 days after the State Board sends the member a notice of the hearing; and

The member shall have an opportunity to be heard publicly before the State Board in the member’s own defense in person or by counsel.

Each student member shall:

Unless invited to attend by an affirmative vote of a majority of the elected members of the county board, a student member may not attend a closed session of the county board.

The chair of the county board is entitled to receive annually as compensation the greater of:

The vice chair of the county board and the other elected members of the county board are entitled to receive annually as compensation the greater of:

On the submission of expense vouchers, a student member is entitled to reimbursement for travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties for the county board.

A student member may be granted a scholarship as authorized by the county board.

A student member is not entitled to any compensation or payment other than that specified under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection for the student member’s work as a student member of the county board.