February 21st, 2012 by WCBC Radio
The issue has pitted parents against the school board; the school board against the county commissioners; and now delegation members against other delegation members. The issue is the controversial decision by the Allegany County Board of Education last year to phase out the so-called Washington County option that had allowed students in Little Orleans to attend school in Hancock. House Bill 335 introduced by Delegate Leroy Myers would essentially reverse that action- and last week the House Ways and Means committee conducted a hearing on the bill. Among those testifying- Allegany County Commissioner Bill Valentine in support of the bill, and Delegate Kevin Kelly opposing the legislation. Valentine tells WCBC News that he was not happy with the coverage of the event provided by the local newspaper- noting that neither he nor any of the commissioners were asked for a comment to balance the story. Particularly irritating was a reference to his “plotting” with parents against the school board via a series of emails. He said he was simply offering suggestions to those parents who contacted him- and was not involved in any plot against the board….
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February 21, 2012 at 8:04 am, Linmarie said:
Concerning the Controversy Over Little Orleans students in order to balance this out the students need to be allowed to voice their concerns.I think that the Delegates, Commissioner’s and School Board need to board a school bus at 6:30am and go to and from New Orleans to really understand how this changes the learning ability of the students.
February 21, 2012 at 9:33 am, Linmarie said:
Please correct New Orleans to say Little Orleans. Sorry.
February 21, 2012 at 10:53 am, Jim Bernard said:
Bill Valentine and the County Commisioners should be ashamed of themselves for their actions regarding the entire Little Orleans situation last year and in particular their support of HB335. The current commisioners ran and were elected based in large part for their opposition of the previous commisioners ‘meddling’ in other elected officials affairs (the Sherrif/BOP issue). By attempting to control the elected BOE the current commisioners are doing the same exact thing.
When one removes all of the bickering and fighting associated with this bill we are left with the following:
The current Allegany County Commissioners are in support of a statewide bill that will send Allegany County Taxpayer dollars to another county.
Other than Kevin Kelly, the other members of the Western Delegation have been conspicuosly silent on this issue as well. As Allegany County representative (and Garrett as well). Beitzel and Edwards should be furious over this bill.