Sheila A. Tome

Maryland Public School Board Members are mostly elected and at the county level of government, however, some counties have appointed board members, and the Baltimore City Public School District is on the municipal level of government and all members are appointed by either the Maryland Governor or Baltimore Mayor. Board of Education members are responsible for the public schools within their respective counties. There are 24 counties in Maryland (including Baltimore City, which is generally included with Maryland counties) and 21 of them have some elected representatives on the board. There are over 860,000 Maryland students in public schools, with the county school boards having a large function in supplying the vision for their school districts, hiring and professional observation of senior level staff for schools, and making budgetary decisions for the district.