Sen. Hayes proposes public hearings and mayoral appointment flexibility for Baltimore City school board

Sen. Antonio Hayes told the Ways and Means Committee that Senate Bill 554 would change how Baltimore City school board commissioners are selected by repealing a closed community-panel requirement and replacing it with a mandatory public hearing in which community organizations and the public may present their views. "We're replacing a closed panel selection process with a mandatory transparent public hearing," Hayes said.

The bill preserves the statutory qualifications for nominees — including representation from education, business, parents and advocates for children with disabilities — but gives the mayor expanded flexibility to consider a wider pool of candidates rather than being restricted to a preselected list. Nominees would still be subject to confirmation by the Senate of Maryland. Hayes said the bill also establishes guaranteed post-term support for student members in the form of a scholarship; the committee discussion did not adopt or dispute specific compensation figures presented in the testimony.

Committee members asked clarifying procedural questions about when hearings would occur and how the mayor might request additional candidate lists; Hayes said the mayor may request another list from the recommending body but could also consider candidates beyond that list under the bill’s changes. The hearing concluded with no vote taken; Hayes asked for a favorable report.