Charles County, MD – Wednesday, February 17 was the 100th day of school for the 2015-16 school year and the Board of Education of Charles County is celebrating by announcing its 100-year anniversary.
Members of Board XVI met at the Port Tobacco one-room schoolhouse today to kick off a series of activities designed to raise awareness of the Board of Education, its rich history and its role in the success of Charles County’s public school system. The theme for the celebration is Chalkboards to Tablets: Looking Back, Moving Forward.
The Board of Education of Charles County, along with Boards of Education across Maryland, was legally organized as a Public Body Corporate in 1916. Previously, a Board of School Commissioners governed the county’s schools, most of which were one-room schoolhouses. The first Board meeting minutes reflecting the change were taken Oct. 17, 1916, and signed by Superintendent of Schools Thomas M. Carpenter.
Between now and October, the Board will host a number of activities, including a four-part educational lecture series, an interactive history and event search, historic displays, and a reception recognizing the contributions of past Board members.
Additionally, the Board is compiling historical information and archives. Board Member Vicki Kelly, at the February Board meeting, said, “The Board’s history is made up of thousands of stories. Those stories include the people who have served as Board members, and also those who studied here, taught here and trained here.” She asked the public to share their stories and photos with the Board through email (boardmail@ccboe.com) or the Charles County Board of Education Facebook page. “We are excited about providing Charles County residents with opportunities to learn more about the Board of Education and Charles County Public Schools. We hope you will join us throughout the year at activities we think will be both educational and fun,” Kelly said.