Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB1395

Introduced

2/9/24

Refer

2/9/24

Caption

Anne Arundel County Board of Education - Ombudsman - Establishment

Impact

By instituting this position, HB1395 seeks to facilitate better engagement between the school board and local community members. The ombudsman will not only assist community constituents in navigating the educational services but will also work to engage local organizations to further the strategic goals of the school system. Additionally, the bill stipulates that the ombudsman will receive an annual salary of $120,000, further highlighting the commitment to providing resources for effective community outreach and support.

Summary

House Bill 1395 aims to establish an ombudsman position within the Anne Arundel County Board of Education. The bill mandates that the Board hires an ombudsman before the onset of the 2024–2025 school year. This role is intended to serve as a bridge between the county board and the community, focusing on enhancing communication and accessibility to educational services provided by Anne Arundel County Public Schools as well as other state and county education-related services.

Contention

While the bill is largely supported for its aim to improve community relations with the school board, there may be concerns regarding the implications of hiring an ombudsman, including the associated costs and the effectiveness of an additional layer of administration. Debates could arise over the necessity of this position and whether the resources allocated would yield significant improvements in community engagement and service delivery.