Mary Washington - Board of Education

St. Mary’s County Board Of Education At A Glance

Please Join Us

I want you to know that you're always welcome to join our meetings. All of our meetings are open, public sessions. Local newspapers are notified about the meeting’s time, place and agenda so everyone can be informed of our actions. Special meetings are held when school system matters need our immediate attention. Meetings are scheduled at the Moakley St. Office Building, Leonardtown, Maryland.

The Agenda

You can follow discussions with a meeting agenda, available in local newspapers and at the meeting. The agenda contains the following: approval of the last meeting’s minutes, reports, items for action, and a place for audience and Board concerns to be addressed.

We may have reports from staff members at the beginning of the meeting in an attempt to keep the board apprised of different situations. The Budget Director provides financial reports and asks for necessary appropriation modifications, amendments, or transfers. The Superintendent reports any new business, including personnel recommendations, curriculum changes, requests for large purchases and approval of new and existing programs.

Executive Session

Sometimes the Board of Education schedules private discussions. These meetings are called executive sessions and are permitted by Maryland law. During those sessions, the law allows discussion of personnel matters, property purchases, possible legal action, employee negotiations, and other items the law says must be kept confidential. Since Maryland law says that all Board voting must be done in public, executive sessions are for discussion purposes only.

Who We Are

St. Mary’s County voters choose Board of Education members. Members are elected in a staggered pattern in the November general election every two years. We meet during the first fifteen days of every December and elect a chairman and vice-Chairman to serve for the coming year.

What We Do

As Board Of Education members we:

1) Make rules and regulations necessary for the government of the St. Mary’s County Public School System, its employees, the students, and all persons entering school grounds or premises.

2) Make sure all our students are provided with the best educational opportunities available.

3) Appoint a superintendent of schools and invest such powers in the superintendent as may be legally delegated.

4) Act on personnel and policies recommended by the superintendent of schools.

5) Ensure the annual school budget is prepared and submitted to the St. Mary’s County Commissioners.

6) Adopt a master calendar annually.

7) Enter into contracts with all personnel in the manner required by Maryland laws.