To view the agendas for the Board of Education meetings, please click here.

To view the minutes from the Board of Education meetings, please click here.

In Frederick County, a seven-member Board of Education sets policy not otherwise controlled by federal and state laws. It reviews and approves education budgets that are presented to the Board of County Commissioners for funding and oversees local education expenditures from county, state, and federal sources.

The Board of Education also monitors the implementation of the school system's master plan, reviews the work of the superintendent of schools, and gives final approval to curriculum matters and materials, grant applications, staff additions and replacements, equipment purchases, land acquisitions, and school construction, repairs, and alterations.

Until the November 1998 elections, Board members were appointed by the Governor of Maryland. ÊAt the polls in November, Frederick County voters came out in favor of an elected school board.Ê Here's how the vote affects our seven-member board of Education.

Elected board will serve four-year terms, with a two-term limit.Ê The County Commissioners will fill midterm vacancies.

The first election will be in November 2000. Three positions will be up for election then and every four years thereafter.Ê The first election will bring to an early close the terms of Maureen Lapsa (whose term as an appointed member would have expired in June 2001) and Ronald Peppe II and Dr. Earlene Thornton (whose appointed terms would have ended June 2002).Ê Their elected successors will take office December 2000.

Voters will elect the remaining four positions in 2002 and every four years thereafter.Ê The 2002 election will affect the appointed terms of office scheduled to end on July 1, 2003-2005. Jean Smith and Anne Hooper will serve until their elected successors assume office in December 2002. Gordon Cooley and Deborah Augenbaugh (whose terms expire in July 2000) may be reappointed for abbreviated two- and three-year terms, respectively, rather than for the full five years.

The elected board's compensation will be established in the Frederick County Operating Budget.

Board of Education meetings are conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order. At times the business may seem to move quickly and without much discussion. It is important to know that board members spend many hours in committees studying agenda material prior to board meetings. A great deal of study on the part of each board member takes place before an item is voted upon.

Any citizen or organization may submit in writing to the superintendent a request to have a matter included on the agenda of a board meeting. This request must be discussed with the superintendent or a designated representative at least one month prior to the scheduled meeting of the board, unless an emergency exists. The matter may be included on the board's agenda. The Board of Education also invites public comments at any regular Board of Education meeting.

Information about the Board of Education meetings is available weekdays at 301-694-1315.