Sandra French was named the new chairperson of the Howard County Board of Education at the board's meeting Thursday, Dec. 8. Frank Aquino was selected as the vice-chairperson.

French's appointment came without a vote, as no other board member was nominated for the position by their peers.

A vote was taken for the election of the board's vice-chairperson, a roll previously held by French. Ellen Giles nominated Frank Aquino for the position and Allen Dyer nominated Cindy Vaillancourt.

Dyer disagreed with the act of voting by secret ballot for the vice-chairperson, and said he'd reserve his right to challenge the action in court, even though Giles said notice had come from the Maryland Open Meeting Compliance Board that the manner in which the secret ballot was conducted was legal.

Former chairperson Janet Siddiqui had each board member reaffirm his or her vote to avoid a lawsuit, she said.

A show of hands revealed Aquino won his position by a 5 to 3 vote, with Dyer, Vaillancourt and student member Tomi Williams voting for Vaillancourt.

While Siddiqui reflected on her term with a list of things accomplished — a world language program in two elementary schools, redistricting and the acquisition of two school sites in the northeast region — Aquino looked ahead.

"We will collaborate to come to the best decisions for the students and people of Howard County," he said.

French was first elected to the board in 1992, and has served as board chairperson in 1998, 2000 and 2003. Aquino has served on the board since 2006, and was elected board chairperson in 2007 and 2008. The positions of chairperson and vice-chairperson are one-year terms, voted on annually at the first meeting in December.

As chairperson, French serves as the public face and voice of the board. The board chairperson receives a yearly stipend of $14,000; $2,000 more than other members.