More lawmakers in more Maryland jurisdictions are calling for an elected school board as opposed to a panel appointed by the governor.

In Anne Arundel County, some prefer a board that operates with a combination of elected and appointed members. Currently, only a handful of school systems are operating with what's called a "hybrid" board.

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The makeup of the Anne Arundel County Board Of Education may be the last thing on the minds of board members, who seem more concerned with making ends meet, WBAL-TV 11 News Education Alert reporter Tim Tooten said.

However, it has become an issue with delegates like Anne Arundel County Delegate Steven Schuh, R-District 31. Schuh is supporting a bill that would gradually change the Board of Education to one where the majority of the members are elected. He said he believes parents should have the last word.

"It's important that parents have a direct say in who rules and governs our school system. In Anne Arundel County, currently under the appointed system, parents have no say in the selection of the school board members," Schuh said.

The current Board of Education and superintendent declined to take a stand on the issue. Instead, they said they're working on more critical issues affecting children.

"As far as the superintendent goes, he has worked with elected boards, he has worked with appointed boards; it doesn't really matter to him," Anne Arundel County Public Schools spokesman Bob Mosier said. "The key part of all of this is the relationships that people develop and the passion that they have for advocating for children once they get on the board. It's not how you get on the board."

The hybrid board concept is already in place in Harford and Caroline counties, which is why Schuh said he thinks it may be worth a try in Anne Arundel.

"We don't want to implement radical surgery on the composition of the school board," Schuh said. "What we think should happen is that five of those members, over time, as their terms end, should be replaced by elected members. So, it'll take some years to implement this plan."

The bill's sponsor is convinced this would be a change for the better, but not one totally free of politics. Lawmakers in Baltimore City and Baltimore County are also seeking changes to the boards.