January 3rd, 2019 by WCBC Radio

Less than five minutes after being sworn into office, members of the new Allegany County Board of Education were already at odds, with a disagreement over when and where to hold the first meeting of the year. Clerk of Court Dawn Lindsey, in a brief ceremony at the board’s central office, administered the oath to holdover Wayne Foote, and new members Debra Frank, Robert Farrell and David Bohn. With the outgoing board voting late last month to ask the state to remove Foote from office for misconduct- Farrell and Bohn, who campaigned with Foote,  are anxious to hold a special meeting to elect new officers and to consider rescinding the December resolution. Farrell recommended a special meeting be held this Friday- however Comar regulations do not permit board officers to be elected until the second week of January. Upon learning of that obstacle-  Farrell, after informal discussions in the hallway, agreed that the regularly scheduled meeting set for January 8^th  would be acceptable- but asked that it be moved from the Central Office to the Career Center. When board members Tammy Fraley and Deb Frank suggested that it’s too late to change the time and location- Farrell reiterated his desire that the meeting be held at the Career Center. Foote said he seconded that proposal and both men then walked away from the conversation, abruptly leaving the building. Fraley, who continues as board president until the election of officers, said that the board president and superintendent decide when and where meetings will be held- and she plans on next week’s meeting being at the Central Office.  As far as plans to possibly rescind the move against Foote serving on the board, Dr. Bohn said the issue needs to be put to rest as soon as possible…

Frank, who was the top vote getter in November’s election, told WCBC News that rescinding or reversing the board’s December action would be a disservice to the contiuents…