Left to right, New Calvert Board of Education members Bill Phalen, Pamela Cousins and James Piatt.
Prince Frederick, MD – For the third time since Calvert County transitioned to an elected schoolboard during the late 1990s, incoming members will hold a majority on the Board of Education (BOE). The previous times this has happened were 1997 and 2009. Of the three new board members sworn in Tuesday, Jan. 6, two were elected to at-large seats and the third was appointed to fill a vacancy in the First Election District due to a resignation.
The late afternoon swearing in ceremony at the Brooks Administration Building in Prince Frederick was well-attended, with four county commissioners and a former commissioner among the well-wishers.
The newest BOE members are Pamela Cousins, Bill Phalen and James Piatt. Cousins and Phalen were winners in the November General Election, outpolling then-incumbents Dr. Eugene Karol and Dawn Balinski in the nonpartisan race. Piatt was appointed by the previous board of county commissioners to fill the unexpired term of Joseph R. Chenelly, who resigned after moving out of the county for family-related reasons.
Calvert County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel Curry pointed out that Piatt’s appointment was the first time the commissioners had an opportunity to handpick a schoolboard member.
After the oath was administered by Calvert County Clerk of the Circuit Court Kathy Smith [D], the new members addressed the audience.
Cousins recalled receiving encouragement from her daughter, Samirah, when weighing her decision to seek a seat on the BOE two years ago.
“I am going to be accountable,” Cousins told the audience. “We will work together for the betterment of the community.”
“I took the road less traveled,” said Piatt, who applied for the board vacancy and was selected from 12 other candidates. “I moved here six years ago. The county means a lot to me.” Noting that four of the commissioners who voted for him were in the room, Piatt expressed his appreciation “for your vote of confidence.”
Phalen, who brings nearly 20 years of prior school board experience to the new panel, stated, “a board is five people working with the superintendent.” As for the board achieving success, Phalen declared, “it doesn’t come just by showing up. It takes hard work.” He added that school system officials are not charged with the education of a few or even a majority of students. “It’s every single child in Calvert County,” said Phalen.
Cousins, Piatt and Phalen join incumbents Kelly McConkey and Tracy McGuire. The new BOE’s first meeting is Thursday, Jan. 8.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
