May 1st, 2020 by WCBC Radio
Comments by Allegany County Board of Education member Ed Root set off a fire storm on social media this week as frustrated parents took to Facebook voicing mostly strong opposition to a possible reopening of schools this school year. Root, speaking during a Tuesday afternoon meeting of the school board, was referring to a conversation he had last week with Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr Karen Salmon. After WCBC News ran a story which included Root’s comments- the state superintendent’s office was inundated with calls of protests leading to both the state board and local boards issued “clarification” releases. In the release from the Allegany County Board, it states that Root’s proposal that he discussed with Salmon did not suggest half days. This is Root’s actual comment from Tuesday’s session…
The board’s clarification release goes on to say that “while Dr. Salmon was accepting suggestions, it does not mean that those suggestions are now being considered”. Dr Root’s actual quote from the meeting: “she thought it had some possibilities. They’ve added that to the list of options they ARE considering”. Dr Root declined a request from WCBC to comment on the situation.
May 01, 2020 at 7:18 am, mac said:
The School Board. Looking out for our children.
May 01, 2020 at 8:56 am, Jay said:
You kinda knew that Root’s proposal was ill-fated. It’s the Ready, Shoot, Aim philosophy.
May 01, 2020 at 9:16 am, Ken said:
I thought educational professionals were suppose to be smart.. they do realize that these meetings are recorded conversations, correct?
Sounds like someone at the board needs to take some remedial reading comprehension to fully understand the recorded comments of Dr. Root’s.
May 01, 2020 at 10:33 am, mac said:
> I think he’s one of those stable geniuses.
May 01, 2020 at 6:16 pm, Charlie said:
Dr Root should have never made the comments to begin with, very unprofessional. He took an opportunity and politicized the issue, disappointing. Then of course other Board members had to chime in about being in a meeting or also on the call, etc. just grandstanding, did not want to be left out, children… The reality is the state Board along with the Gov will make the call.