Parents lobby Annapolis for elected board

“I know that it’s not likely to get passed this year,” Muhammad said, acknowledging failed efforts in other jurisdictions to move from an appointed to an elected, or hybrid mix of elected and appointed, school board members. “But we believe a majority of people want it, and this is part of our strategy.”

Since 1996, the mayor and governor have jointly appointed school board commissioners.

House Bill 954, introduced by state Dels. Jill Carter and Curt Anderson, would alter the makeup of the board by requiring that appointed members be subject to the approval of a specified organization while also providing for the election of a specified number of other board members who meet certain requirements.

Carter said current school board Chair Brian Morris and recently appointed Board Member Robert Heck testified against the bill Wednesday afternoon.

“I thought their testimony was awesome,” Carter said. “They were well-prepared, offered statistics about how bad the system is and how the children are negatively affected.”

Muhammad still hopes to get legislation passed this session that will put an elected board referendum on the ballot in November — along with the candidates for mayor — and that was part of her aim in testifying.

Senate Bill 782, introduced by state Sens. Joan Carter Conway, Verna Jones, Nathaniel McFadden and Catherine Pugh, appears to be stalled, but if passed would also put a question on the ballot in the 2007 general election to determine if city voters favor a mixed system.

Although the local delegation clearly favors at least putting a referendum on the ballot, Gov. Martin O’Malley has already said publicly he does not support an elected board and wields veto power that would be difficult to overcome.

rcassie@baltimoreexaminer.com