Public school board members are the crucial links between system administrators and the public.

The also serve as advocates for education, and represent the public in situations where policies are being decided and plans are being made that will affect local education.

Among the members’ duties:

• Establish the curriculum.
• Prepare and submit the annual school system budget.
• Acquire land for school sites and contract for facility construction.
• Appoint the county’s schools superintendent.
• Review annual audit and financial reports.
• Approve school system purchases in excess of $25,000.
• Implement a comprehensive master plan for student and school accountability.
• Approve contracts to hire and employ school personnel; negotiate with employee organizations.
• Select and purchase textbooks.

Wicomico County Board of Education Mission, Vision, Educational Philosophy and Beliefs

Mission Statement

The mission of the Wicomico County Public School System is to provide all students an educational foundation and a set of skills which will enable them to become responsible and productive citizens in our society.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to educate each student to his or her full potential.

Educational Philosophy

Public education in Wicomico County is based on the democratic principle that students have, by right, the opportunity to develop their potential to the fullest. While the pursuit of education is a right, a privilege and a responsibility that is shared by the school, the student, the home, and religious and other community entities, the primary responsibility for this educational development lies with the student and the school.

It is acknowledged that individuals vary greatly in their needs and abilities. Consequently, the school system has the obligation to provide diversified and well-balanced programs.

Education in Wicomico County is concerned not only with the intellectual and skill development of the students but also with other aspects of their growth. Since education is a continuous process, it is the responsibility of the school system to make its instructional program relevant to the present as well as applicable and useful for the future.

In our school system, education should be a dynamic process subject to evaluation, revision and updating of existing programs based upon the needs of students, the latest knowledge and current scientific information as to how individuals learn.

In conformity with this philosophy, the Wicomico County School System will:

• Provide a safe environment that will insure the physical and emotional well-being of students as they pursue their education.
• Help students acquire knowledge, habits, and attitudes necessary to become responsible and productive citizens.
• Provide a rigorous academic curriculum which challenges all students to develop their intellectual capabilities to the fullest.
• Devise techniques of teaching that will prepare students for a world of rapid change requiring continuous learning.
• Maximize the potential of each student by adapting teaching methods to the diversity of learning styles and capabilities of students.
• Create an environment designed to encourage a student's development and maintenance of a positive self-image and attitude toward school.
• Assist students and staff in developing an understanding of and an appreciation for persons of different social, economic, cultural, and ethnic groups.
• Provide encouragement of and opportunities for creativity.
• Assist in the development of sound health habits and an understanding of the conditions necessary for the maintenance of physical and emotional well-being.
• Prepare students to take advantage of present and future career opportunities.
• Work cooperatively with other public and private community entities to enhance and support student learning experiences.
• Enhance community interest in and understanding of the purposes and processes of public education.

Beliefs

We, the members of the Wicomico County Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools, believe the following:

• All students can learn.
• Each student should be challenged to reach his or her full potential.
• The diversity of each individual, including his or her unique and innate characteristics, should be respected.
• Students should be exposed to a wide array of academic, co-curricular and extracurricular experiences.
• Students should experience rigorous content and achieve high standards.
• Each student should acquire a core body of knowledge and a set of definable skills prior to graduation.
• Community-based values should be reinforced.
• Parents or guardians should be intimately involved in the education of their child(ren).
• Schools should welcome and encourage parental and community involvement.
• Students benefit when those closest to the action are involved in the decision-making process.
• Continual evaluations of the school system should be made to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of high quality public education.
• Public education should be governed by local boards of education.
• The Maryland State Board of Education, the Maryland State Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education should be supportive of the local boards of education.