The Howard County commission established to address some citizens' concerns about racial and geographic diversity on its school board decided Monday night to place term limits on the two appointed seats that it is recommending be placed on the board.
The county's School Board Study Commission was formed last month by county executive Ken Ulman, who had given the panel until Monday to craft a final recommendation. The commission voted last week to recommend the board be changed from a seven-member, at-large elected body to one comprising five members elected by districts and two appointed members.
The board voted Monday night to recommend giving appointed members a four-year, one-term limit. They also recommended the school board structure be re-examined periodically and that the public be involved in the appointment process.
County PTA Council President Chaun Hightower, who sat on the commission, read to the panel a council resolution stating it does not support the recommendation to place appointed members on the school board. Hightower said the council resolution requested that the commission take additional time to revisit its recommendation, but the commission would not.
Joseph.burris@baltsun.com