The Howard County School Board is considering establishing more committees to keep it better informed as it expands to seven members after the fall election.
“The concept has been successfully used by other larger school systems … Baltimore, Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Prince George?s counties,” said School Board Chairman Joshua Kaufman.
School Board members are meeting Thursday to discuss the board?s expansion of the audit committee; policy issues; redistricting and school construction; and curriculum and assessment.
Board members are expected to ask school staff to develop charters for the board?s committees, outlining members? responsibilities and other key items, after the meeting, Kaufman said.
Board Members Patricia Gordon and Diane Mikulis meet quarterly along with other staff members to receive updates on the school-based internal audits being conducted by John Connors.
“It has been very effective,” said Gordon, about the audit committee.
Gordon said when the board expands, the members will have a greater understanding of school issues. Three board members are expected to serve on each committee.
“We?ll have a better basis for making decisions,” she said.
The committees will keep the entire board informed through regular reports, and votes would continue to be taken by the entire board on school issues, Mikulis said.
If you go
» The Howard County School Board will meet to discuss forming board committees at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 Ellicott City.
» The board will meet at 4 and 7:30 p.m. the same day for its regular afternoon and evening session board meetings.
