Waldorf, MD – In the room full of dignitaries such as State Senator Arthur Ellis, county commissioners Gilbert “BJ” Bowling and Thomasina Coates, Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry, various town council members and the mayor of La Plata Jeannine James; the focus of the evening was put on the newly-elected Charles County Board of Education (CCBOE). On Dec. 17, the new board comprised of four newcomers and three holdovers, were sworn-in at North Point High School by the Charles County Clerk of the Court Sharon Hancock.
In her introductions for the new board, CCBOEStudent Member Krisha Patel, lauded the diversity coming into office. “Each member brings varied experience and the new board includes former teachers, a retired principal, an engineer, a retired military officer, an agency director and two small business owners,” Patel listed. “They are parents, grandparents, and volunteers. We ask you to be the difference for the children of Charles County.”
In her remarksm Jennifer Abell, recalled when she first pledged to help act as an “educational advocate on behalf of [the] community” 14 years ago. She hopes to keep making progress in schools, like all other members.
Newcomer Tajala Battle-Lockhart gave a visually emotional, “from the heart” message about how she hopes to treat the school system like her own child. With her 12-year-old daughter by her side on the stage, Battle-Lockhart emotionally proclaimed “If I can get it right for her, I [can] get it right for every single person in Charles County Public Schools.”
Retired teacher and five-time president of the Education Association of Charles County Elizabeth Brown was sworn in for her first term as a CCBOE member. Brown put most of her emphasis on how she hopes to build a successful board and a successful school system through “a partnership between parents, students, and teachers.”
Owner/manager of Hancock Family Farms in La Plata and school board newcomer David Hancock found his way up to the podium. Hancock, like Brown, discussed the importance of how teachers and taxpayers alike have “skin in the game” and rightfully deserve a voice. “I don’t believe in an ‘us versus them’ mentality. I believe we all play for the same team and I believe that going forward I want to bring everyone together.”
Engineer Michael Lukas was sworn in for another term. Having served as chairman and vice chairman in the past, Lukas has a clear passion for his position. In his remarks, Lukas explained the necessity “to build bridges and not walls so our children can succeed.”
Retired principal Virginia McGraw made her walk across the stage. McGraw recognized some of the hurdles the new board will face, but remained very optimistic of what can still be accomplished by listening to community members and students.
Last but not least, president of the Port Tobacco River Conservancy and newly-elected CCBOE member Latina Wilson, reiterated how her passion matches up to that of all members on this 17th board. She “feels confident” that the board will manage to accomplish great things over her tenure because they all have a “passion” for education.
Although only three members of the board are holdovers from the previous panel, they all clearly shared a unified excitement to have the opportunity to improve Charles County’s educational system. This was clearly seen at the conclusion of the ceremony when the board huddled up and shouted “Team!”
The new board has their first meeting tentatively scheduled for Jan. 8 where they will hope to elect their chairman and vice chairman for a year-long term.
