So Few Candidates Disappointing to School Board Process

The Sun reported this morning that only three candidates filed to seek the two vacant seats available on the County School Board this year:

Two parents are vying for a soon-to-be-vacated seat representing Annapolis and parts of South County on the Anne Arundel County school board.

Pamela K. Bukowski of Annapolis and Arnold resident Enrique M. Melendez have both been nominated for the District 30 seat to replace Michael J. McNelly, who will finish his second five-year term this summer.

Board President Edward P. Carey of Brooklyn Park, who was appointed to replace the late Janet Bury in 2002, has announced his intent to run for the District 31 seat he now holds. No challengers filed by the March 1 application deadline.

Last year, there were four cacndidates for the open at-large seat. In 2003, eight challengers (including myself) filed for the open at-large seat. It is disappointing to see that so few chose to take this opportunity and serve on the board, especially after the uptick in participation after the situation regarding the 2002 nominating process.

The convention could be even more disappointing if it turns out the candidates do not put accountability and fiscal responsibility as key components of their platform, but we will not know that until the hearings begin in April.