News Details (Posted: June 17, 2007):

Board of Ed: Blacks upset board changes lack support

Full Description:

Black leaders were dismayed last week, struggling to understand why the governor and county executive, who have both sought to groom support among blacks, could put forward two individuals for the county school board without seeking community support. "I'm just appalled by this," declared Ella White Campbell, a Randallstown resident and longtime education advocate. She and county NAACP president Patricia Ferguson said they were put off by Gov. Martin O'Malley's choice of Donna Flynn and Earnest H. Hines for the Board of Education. The governor appointed Flynn and Hines to fill seats being vacated by Donald L. Arnold and Warren Hayman, who each served the allowed two five-year terms. The black leaders say board appointee Flynn, who was a northwest-area school superintendent several years ago, was not aggressive enough in addressing the paralyzing effect of black student expulsions and suspensions. The large number of suspensions was noted year after year in school reports, and it kept black parents anxious for change. By: BAXTER SMITH