Leonardtown, MD — St. Mary’s County Board of Education member Marilyn Crosby will be retiring on Sept.30 due to health reasons. Crosby made the announcement at the Sept. 9 regular school board meeting. She said she is suffering from Ataxia, a neurological disorder, and will require treatment at John Hopkins Hospital.
Crosby is near the end of her second term and would have been up for re-election next year. The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County will have to make an appointment to replace Crosby until the next election.
Crosby, in a prepared statement, said, “I want to thank the voters of St. Mary’s County for giving me the very special privilege of serving the students of St. Mary’s County Public Schools as a board member. I began my service with the promise of putting education first and bringing greater transparency to board of education decisions. I am proud of my accomplishments and I can assure you that I made every decision with the best interest of our students first and foremost in my mind. While disappointed that I will not be able to complete my second term in office, I leave with great appreciation for my almost seven years of public service. I was inspired every day by our amazing students and the dedicated teachers and staff who face each challenge with grace and dignity. I truly understand the important role our community plays in the success of our students.”
“I am deeply grateful for my family, and community members who gave me the courage to always put children first and I will continue to do so in my future endeavors.”
School Board Chairman Karin Bailey thanked Crosby for her service and said honors would be bestowed on her at the next school board meeting on Sept. 24.
School board member Cathy Allen echoed Bailey’s sentiments. “I wish you the best in regaining your health,” she said.
School Superintendent Scott Smith noted “the cost of service.” He added, “I applaud everybody sitting here.” He told Crosby, “May you find health and happiness ahead.”
Crosby’s second term has been a rocky one. The majority of the board brought charges against her to the state school board for allegedly releasing to the press confidential employee personnel information. The issue related to the candidacy of then Assistant Superintendent Brad Clements to become interim superintendent and his subsequent withdrawal from consideration. Clements has since retired. Those charges against Crosby were subsequently withdrawn.
Then School Board Vice Chairman Rita Weaver charged that Crosby had threatened her in an email. The email from Crosby was reportedly over concerns about a retirement recognition ceremony. In the email Crosby wrote: “I helped you and I trusted you. I have a team that will take care of you.”
Subsequent to the ensuing controversy Crosby said the statement was not meant as a physical threat but a political promise to get Weaver defeated in the next election. State’s Attorney Rick Fritz reportedly investigated the email and concluded there was no criminal action on Crosby’s part.
Weaver however temporarily stepped aside as vice chair but continued to attend meetings and has characterized the situation as having been resolved.
On her Facebook page Crosby describes herself as a “Top Secret Spy on the Board of Education.”
Crosby is a retired teacher with 24 years of experience and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She was nominated for the Agnes Meyer Teaching Award. She and her husband Tom live in Lexington Park. Their children attended Town Creek Elementary School, Esperanza Middle School and Great Mills High School. She has two grandchildren attending St. Mary’s County Public Schools and a third grandchild will start kindergarten in 2016.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com