Salisbury attorney Charles “Chip” Dashiell, who was appointed recently to the Maryland State Board of Education, spent all day Monday in Baltimore getting acclimated to his new post.

First he met with Maryland Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon and was then given a lot of materials to read in advance of his first board meeting Tuesday.

“I have a lot of homework to do,” he said, laughing.

Dashiell retired in December from the law firm Hearne & Bailey, but said he was determined not to be a couch potato. “It’s given me the opportunity to do some things such as this,” he said.

He also serves as chairman of the Salisbury-Wicomico County Planning and Zoning Commission, and plans to remain on that board.

Born and raised in Salisbury and educated in Wicomico County schools, Dashiell said he views education as a way to make a positive difference in students’ lives. Both his wife and his mother were educators in the county.

“I’m interested in doing this primarily to help kids get the best education they can,” he said of his appointment.

Dashiell said he is looking forward to learning more about the Kirwan Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education’s recommendations for Maryland’s public schools that include universal pre-kindergarten.

“It’s an exciting time to serve on the state board,” he said.

Wicomico County hasn’t had a representative on the state board in many years, and his appointment means there are now two members from the Lower Shore.

Warner Sumpter of Princess Anne has served on the state board since May 2018 and became its chairman in July.

“I’m just very happy there’s other representation from the Eastern Shore,” Sumpter said. “The rural areas need to be included.”

Most of the board’s members are from the metropolitan areas of Maryland since that’s where most of the state’s students live, he said.

Dashiell said he, too, is happy the Eastern Shore has another voice in Baltimore.

“I’m really pleased to represent our county on the state board,” he said.

Dashiell was appointed to the board by Gov. Larry Hogan and sworn in last week, but his appointment still needs to be confirmed by the state Senate when the Maryland General Assembly convenes in January.