In reference to comments made by some of the county commissioners at their meeting yesterday, I would like to state that the Board of Education has been 100% committed to working with the Commissioners in finalizing and establishing the budget for the FY 2013 school year. We have attended every meeting at which budget issues were being discussed and finalized. Yesterday’s County Commissioner meeting was to formalize all of those prior decisions that had already been determined by County Commissioners and Board of Education members alike. Our Superintendent of Schools, our Chief Finance Officer, and our Chief Operating Officer have been consistently involved in formulating and finalizing the FY 2013 school budget and it was appropriate that they be there to represent our decisions.

As a reminder, as stated under Section 4-101 of the Education Article to the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Board of Education is a State Agency and all educational matters shall be under the control of the county Board of Education. The Superintendent shall represent the Board of Education on budget and instructional matters of the school system, including being responsible and accountable for the total operation and implementation of established policy.

The Superintendent of Schools is a member of the Board of Education and serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the
Board and represents the elected board on all budget and instructional matters of the school system. Dr. Martirano, Mr. Nourse, and Mr. Clements did an excellent job representing the elected board of education and presenting the budget.

The Board of Education has always been committed to embracing accountability and has worked hard to develop a positive and open atmosphere of successful engagement and collaboration with the BOCC. This Board will continue, as in the past, to be accountable for all functions of the public school system.

The Board of Education is committed to working with the BOCC in a positive, respectful, and civil manner to improve the education for all children in the public school system of St. Mary’s County.  The Board of Education is looking forward to a successful collaboration with the Board of County Commissioners in the future.

We continue to thank the County Commissioners for a smooth budget cycle this year and for providing the necessary funds
Early on to meet the needs of the school system. The Board of Education will continue to seek in every way to demonstrate a high level of civility in promoting the interests of the schools under its jurisdiction.