Citing scheduling conflicts and a lack of time, Howard County school board member Linda L. Johnston said this week that she will not seek re-election when her term ends in December.

Johnston, a federal employee in the Department of Health and Human Services, said juggling a full-time job and family responsibilities prevented her from attending school board meetings during the day.

"I don't know that the time commitment was more than I expected but the schedule just doesn't mesh well with the schedule of having a full-time job," said Johnston, who was elected in 1992. "Unless you have a very flexible full-time schedule, it's very difficult."

Johnston did not attend two school board work sessions with the County Council during the recent school budget battle.

"This was a hard decision," she said. "I don't take public service very lightly."

The terms of two of the board's five members -- Johnston and Sandra H. French, who is running for re-election -- expire this year.

The deadline to apply for the election is July 6. A primary election will be Sept. 15 and the general election Nov. 3.

Pub Date: 6/11/98