The Cecil County Board consists of six members as follows: One voting member elected from each of the five commissioner districts; and One nonvoting student member. The five voting members of the county board shall be elected at a general election as required by subsection (c) of this section. A member from a county commissioner district shall be a resident of the district. A member from a county commissioner district who no longer resides in the district may not continue as a member of the county board. A candidate elected to the county board shall be a registered voter and resident of Cecil County for at least 3 years. Except as provided under subsection (e) of this section, each voting member serves for a term of 4 years beginning on the first Monday in December after the member’s election and until a successor is elected and qualifies. A voting member may not serve for more than three terms. The Governor shall appoint a new member to fill any vacancy on the county board for the remainder of that term and until a successor is elected and qualifies. The terms of the voting members are staggered as follows: Members of the county board from commissioner districts 3, 4, and 5 shall be elected at the 2006 general election and every 4 years thereafter; and Members of the county board from commissioner districts 1 and 2 shall be elected at the 2008 general election and every 4 years thereafter. The student member shall: Be an eleventh or twelfth grade student in the Cecil County public school system elected by the high school students of the county in accordance with procedures established by the school system; Serve for 1 year beginning on July 1 after the election of the member; Be a nonvoting member; and Advise the county board on the thoughts and feelings of students. Unless invited to attend by an affirmative vote of a majority of the county board, the student member may not attend an executive session.

The State Board may remove a member of the county board for any of the following reasons: 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. Before removing a member, the State Board shall send the member a copy of the charges against the member and give the member an opportunity within 10 days to request a hearing. If the member requests a hearing within the 10–day period: The State Board shall promptly 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. A member removed under this section has the right to a de novo review of the removal by the Circuit Court for Cecil County.

At its first meeting in December of each year, the county board shall elect a president and vice president from among the board members. The county board shall meet at least once each month.

Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the members of the county board shall receive compensation set by the county council. The president of the county board is entitled to receive a minimum of $5,500 annually. The other voting members of the county board are entitled to receive a minimum of $5,000 each annually. The president of the county board and other members are entitled to reimbursement not to exceed $1,000 a year for travel and other expenses.