The Harford County Board of Education meeting June 27 was the last for a few longtime members.

The terms of former president Mark Wolkow, as well as Donald Osman and student representative Caitlin Dooling ended June 30. Thomas Evans, another departing school board member, was out of town for that meeting, which would have been his last.

Wolkow, the longest serving board member with nine years, announced in late March he would not seek a new term. His term was set to expire at the end June, but under the new law, he may have been able to seek reappointment.

Regardless, he took a position as the director of education outreach with the National Security Administration, which he said in March would interfere with school board duties.

Before the June 27 meeting started, Wolkow spoke about his departure.

"I served on the board for a long time and I greatly enjoyed it," he said, "and now it's time for others to carry on."

As the Edgewood representative on the board, Wolkow was also a strong advocate for Route 40 area schools, which he said have "been doing great."

His new position is in the education field as well, a change from his 20-year career in finance. Wolkow said he is "enthusiastic" about the position, which he has already started, because it gives him an opportunity to work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, or STEM, and encourage students to pursue careers in those fields.

His time on the board also helped him secure the new job, he said, adding that is a "great opportunity" and was "part of something bigger than just any one school district or state or any one agency."

Board Vice President Leonard Wheeler and Superintendent Robert Tomback presented Wolkow with a plaque.

"This may not be the last time I call you 'Mr. President,'" Wheeler said, "because your ambition is unfathomable."

Board members Osman and Evans left as well. Osman's term expired and Evans is being replaced by Cassandra Beverley, who in November was elected in the first school board elections. Evans opted not to run for the school board seat the Fallston and Abingdon areas of county council District B.

Osman, too, commented at the meeting about his last day on the school board, saying the past years on the board were the most challenging in his career and it has "truly been an honor to serve the residents of Harford County."

The departure of these three, especially Wolkow, who left an empty president's seat, will lead to a change in board makeup. As of Friday afternoon, Communications Director Raquel Guillory of the Governor's Office said they had not made any appointments to fill the two seats left open by the departures of Osman and Wolkow.

The process, she added, would take a few more weeks. Two members – Joseph Hau and Nancy Reynolds — were already appointed in April to help bring the board to a full nine-member group under the 2009 law that created a partially elected and partially appointed board. Those two and Beverley are expected to be sworn in at the July 11 board meeting.

For the incoming members, Wolkow gave a piece of advice.

"I would recommend that they keep a razor focus on the kids," he said. "If it's good for kids, it's probably the right decision."

He also added that they'll have "a lot of work to do."

For his seat in particular, board members will need to appoint a new president, which usually takes place in July. Wheeler confirmed recently that he was interested. Wolkow held that seat twice.

Wolkow also offered advice for the new president, saying they need to "delegate wherever possible" among other duties.

"Make sure we keep or improve our relationships across the board, with all stakeholders, with all elected officials," he said.

The retirement of David Volrath, the executive director of high school performance, was also effective July 1.