This section does not apply to Baltimore City. Subsections (b), (c), (d), and (f) of this section do not apply in Prince George’s County. The term of a county superintendent is 4 years beginning on July 1. A county superintendent continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. By February 1 of the year in which a term ends, the county superintendent shall notify the county board whether the superintendent is a candidate for reappointment. In the year in which a term begins, the county board shall appoint a county superintendent between February 1 and June 30. However, if the county board decides to reappoint the incumbent superintendent, the county board shall take final action at a public meeting no later than March 1 of that year. If a county board is unable to appoint a county superintendent by July 1 of a year in which a term begins, the provisions of subsection (d) of this section apply. An individual may not be appointed as county superintendent unless the individual: Is eligible to be issued a certificate for the office by the State Superintendent; Has graduated from an accredited college or university; and Has completed 2 years of graduate work at an accredited college or university, including public school administration, supervision, and methods of teaching. The appointment of a county superintendent is not valid unless approved in writing by the State Superintendent. If the State Superintendent disapproves an appointment, the State Superintendent shall give the reasons for disapproval in writing to the county board. If a vacancy occurs in the office of county superintendent, the county board shall appoint an interim county superintendent who serves until July 1 after the interim county superintendent’s appointment. Subject to the provisions of this subsection, the State Superintendent or a county board may remove a county superintendent for: Immorality; Misconduct in office; Insubordination; Incompetency; or Willful neglect of duty. The State Superintendent may remove a county superintendent under this subsection if the State Superintendent provides the county superintendent with: The reason for removal, chosen from one or more of the items in paragraph (1) of this subsection; Documentation supporting the case for removal; and The opportunity to request a hearing within 10 days before the State Superintendent in accordance with this subsection. The county superintendent may appeal the decision of the State Superintendent to the State Board. If the county superintendent requests a hearing before the State Superintendent within the 10–day period: The State Superintendent promptly shall hold a hearing, but a hearing may not be set within 10 days after the State Superintendent sends the county superintendent a notice of the hearing; and The county superintendent shall have an opportunity to be heard publicly before the State Superintendent in the county superintendent’s own defense, in person or by counsel. A county board may remove a county superintendent under this subsection if the county board provides the county superintendent with: The reason for removal, chosen from one or more of the items in paragraph (1) of this subsection; Documentation supporting the case for removal; and The opportunity to request a hearing within 10 days before the county board in accordance with this subsection. The county superintendent may appeal the decision of the county board to the State Board. On notification of pending criminal charges against a county superintendent as provided under § 4–206 of this subtitle, the county board may suspend the county superintendent with pay until the final disposition of the criminal charges.

This section applies only in Prince George’s County. Subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, the County Superintendent of the Prince George’s County public school system shall be: Selected by the County Executive in accordance with subsection (c) of this section; and Appointed by the county board after agreement on contract terms negotiated by the chair of the county board. The County Executive shall select a County Superintendent from a list of three nominees recommended by a search committee that is composed of: One member of the State Board, appointed by the State Superintendent; and Two residents of Prince George’s County, appointed by the Governor. The search committee shall be chaired by a member selected by the State Superintendent. The term of the County Superintendent is 4 years beginning on July 1. The County Superintendent continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. By February 1 of the year in which a term ends, the County Superintendent shall notify the County Executive and the county board if the County Superintendent is a candidate for reappointment. In the year a term begins, the County Executive shall select a County Superintendent between February 1 and June 1, and the county board shall complete the appointment on or before June 30. If the County Executive decides to select the incumbent County Superintendent, the county board shall complete the reappointment no later than March 1 of that year. If the county board is unable to appoint a County Superintendent by July 1 of the year a term begins, the provisions of subsection (f) of this section apply. An individual may not be appointed as County Superintendent unless the individual: Is eligible to be issued a certificate for the office by the State Superintendent; Has graduated from an accredited college or university; and Has completed 2 years of graduate work at an accredited college or university, including public school administration, supervision, and methods of teaching. The appointment of the County Superintendent is not valid unless approved in writing by the State Superintendent. If the State Superintendent disapproves an appointment, the State Superintendent shall give the reasons for disapproval in writing to the county board and the County Executive. If a vacancy occurs in the office of County Superintendent, the County Executive shall select and the county board shall appoint an interim County Superintendent to serve until July 1 after the appointment. On notification of pending criminal charges against the County Superintendent as provided under § 4–206 of this subtitle, the county board may suspend the County Superintendent with pay until the final disposition of the criminal charges.

Each county superintendent is entitled to the compensation set by the county board. The salary of a county superintendent may not be decreased during the superintendent’s term of office. Each county superintendent shall devote full time to public school business. In Anne Arundel County, the county board may not pay monetary compensation to the county superintendent for sick leave benefits earned while employed by any other board of education or public school system but may allow the county superintendent to use the sick leave in the same manner as sick leave accrued while employed by the county.

Each county board shall provide the office of the county superintendent with adequate quarters and clerical equipment. The county superintendent and the superintendent’s professional assistants shall be provided with the transportation necessary for the effective and efficient performance of their official duties. The county superintendent and the superintendent’s professional assistants are entitled to reimbursement for travel and other expenses. These expenses may not be included in or counted as a part of their annual salary.

Acting under the rules and regulations of the county board, the county superintendent is responsible for the administration of the superintendent’s office. As the executive officer of the county board, the county superintendent shall see that the following are carried out: The laws relating to the schools; The applicable enacted and published bylaws of the State Board; The policies of the State Board; The rules and regulations of the county board; and The policies of the county board.

In addition to the other powers granted and duties imposed under this article, the county superintendent has the powers and duties set forth in this section. The county superintendent may administer oaths to witnesses in all appeals or cases that come before the county board. Subject to the authority of the State Board under § 2–205(e) of this article, each county superintendent shall explain the true intent and meaning of: The school law; and The applicable bylaws of the State Board. Subject to the provisions of § 6–203 and Title 6, Subtitle 4 of this article and without charge to the parties concerned, each county superintendent shall decide all controversies and disputes that involve: The rules and regulations of the county board; and The proper administration of the county public school system. A decision of a county superintendent may be appealed to the county board if taken in writing within 30 days after the decision of the county superintendent. The decision may be further appealed to the State Board if taken in writing within 30 days after the decision of the county board. A contract made by a county board is not valid without the written approval of the county superintendent. Acting as the executive officer of the county board, the county superintendent shall: Conduct all correspondence; Receive all reports from principals and teachers; and See that all reports are made and submitted properly. The county superintendent shall prepare and submit to the county board for adoption: All reports required of the county board by the State Board or the State Superintendent; and The annual report to the people of the county required by § 5–111(b) of this article. The county superintendent: Shall advise teachers as to their further study and professional improvement; Shall develop a program of in–service training for all public school personnel; and May require attendance at an institution of higher education for future certification and professional improvement instead of in–service training. The county superintendent and the superintendent’s professional assistants shall: Visit the schools; Observe their management and instruction; Give suggestions for their improvement; Consult with and advise principals and teachers; and Try in every way to awaken public interest and improve educational conditions in the county. In accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the State Board, the county superintendent periodically shall: Evaluate the program of instruction in the public schools of the county; and Report the superintendent’s findings and recommendations to the county board. The county superintendent shall prepare and recommend for adoption by the county board: Curriculum guides; Courses of study; Resource material; and Other teaching aids. The county superintendent shall prepare lists of the following items needed by the schools: Textbooks; Supplementary readers; Materials of instruction; Visual and auditory aids; Stationery and school supplies; and School furniture, equipment, and apparatus. The county superintendent shall recommend the purchase and distribution of these items by the county board. The county superintendent shall: Take the initiative in the preparation and presentation of the annual school budget; and Seek in every way to secure adequate funds from local authorities for the support and development of the public schools in the county. The county superintendent shall recommend to the county board: Condemnation of any school building that is unsanitary and unfit for use; and Any repairs of or the purchase and sale of land, school sites, or buildings. Subject to the provisions of § 2–303(f) of this article that relate to approval by the State Superintendent, the county superintendent shall prepare all plans and specifications for remodeling an old building or constructing a new building. The county superintendent shall recommend to traffic safety officials of the State Highway Administration or of the county appropriate locations for posting flashing caution signs at or near the site of: A school; School construction; or School condemnation. The county superintendent shall provide the clerical help that is needed to issue work permits in accordance with § 3–206 of the Labor and Employment Article.

A county superintendent shall immediately notify the county board in writing of any criminal charges that are punishable by a period of incarceration brought against the county superintendent. The notification required under subsection (a) of this section shall include a copy of all charging documents served on the county superintendent or the county superintendent’s counsel. Any county superintendent who violates subsections (a) and (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 and revocation of any professional certification issued by the Department.