NAACP Randallstown
P.O. Box 1144
Owings Mills, Maryland 21117
January 21, 2013
Re: Elected Board of Education in Baltimore County
To Whom It May Concern:
The Randallstown Branch of the NAACP has recently reactivated and looks forward to
providing a proactive voice in the Baltimore County community. As of the most recent census,
there are over 32,000 citizens in Randallstown. Although Randallstown has become a majority
African American community, the citizenry still represent a broad range of ethnic diversity and
play a substantial role in Baltimore County. To reinforce that fact, the Randallstown NAACP
membership is comprised of citizens who represent segments from Randallstown as well as other
areas throughout the county.
What brought us here? Over 20 years ago, community members began working in an attempt to
bring parity in racial representation to the Baltimore County Board of Education. That goal was
accomplished with the help of Governor William Donald Schaeffer and continued in subsequent
administrations. At that time parity could only be attained through the process of an appointed
Board. However, over the years, attitudes and situations have changed. To illustrate this fact,
Baltimore County has become a majority minority school system. In addition, community
groups have demonstrated a willingness to work together on behalf of all children, regardless of
background.
Along that line, the Randallstown NAACP has re-examined our position on an appointed Board
of Education vs. an elected Board. We have also looked at the potential for politicizing selection
of Board members. There is evidence to suggest that that has already happened with the current
Board. And, we find that holding the Board answerable to the public outweighs and may
decrease the likelihood of that circumstance. We further find that use of the appointment
protocol is no longer effective in maintaining its original intent and purpose. The Randallstown
NAACP poses that it is better to have Board members who have been properly vetted before and
selected by the public than those who are appointed politically without public involvement and
who act as though that they do not have to answer to the public.
We feel that government should intervene and provide means to ensure equality and equity when
other methods fail. In the past, minorities felt excluded from full participation in the Board
selection process. We felt that the process did not optimally permit minority representation on
the Board. At the time, an appointed Board seemed to be the most expedient and effective
solution. However, this is a new day, and the time calls for new approaches. Now is a time
where all factions must come together and depend on the collaboration of the citizens in an open
process. Accordingly, the Randallstown NAACP recognizes the public’s right to have a say in
how the Board is configured and who should serve.
We are aware that it is ever important that appropriate steps be taken so people do not perceive
themselves as marginalized or disenfranchised. We trust that community members across the
county will join to assure that this does not become an issue. We also realize that persons from
different backgrounds socially, racially, and economically can bring quality representation to
persons from other groups. With the continued intense growth among minority students in the
school system, we urge that all measures considered to form an elected board include steps that
optimize diversity in representation. We take comfort in the hope and expectation that this can
happen through democratic election of Board members in Baltimore County. All of the above
considered, the Randallstown NAACP, after polling members, overwhelmingly supports
establishment of procedures to secure a duly elected Board of Education in Baltimore County.
Furthermore, we urge that legislation to this end is adopted.
Respectfully,
Dr. Ella White Campbell
Acting President
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