November 11th, 2019 by WCBC Radio
3:30 PM UPDATE
Former Allegany County Commissioner Bill Valentine says he has filed the paperwork and NOT withdrawn his name from consideration.
WCBC News has further learned that the window for application has been extended until November 15th, and that Governor Hogan hopes to name a replacement within a week.
INITIAL REPORT:
Former Allegany County Board of Education member Wayne Foote has decided not to seek another term on the board. Foote, who was removed from his position by the State Board of Education for neglect of duty and misconduct in office, apparently has decided to no longer pursue the issue and has told friends he won’t be a future candidate. After a series of hearings and decisions in a process that began in December of last year led to his removal- Foote was left with the option of appealing the state board’s decision in Circuit Court- or he simply could have filed to run for re-election as early as next year. Although Foote has not returned recent calls from WCBC News for comment- a check of court records show that he has not filed an appeal. In addition, several close friends of Foote who have reached out to him in recent weeks describe him as having been devastated by the decision- and is telling them that he definitely has no plans to run again. Meanwhile the governor’s office is providing little detail during this replacement process- indicating that this is viewed as a personnel matter and therefore will not say who or how many candidates have emerged and when a decision may be announced. WCBC’s News has learned that at least two people have submitted their names for consideration. Of those rumored to have an interest: former local and state board member Ed Root and retired teacher Linda Widmyer. <<< SEE UPDATE >>> Former County Commissioner Bill Valentine had expressed an interest in the position but sources say he has withdrawn from the process. The governor’s office continues to accept applications at govappointments.maryland.gov to replace Foote.
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November 11, 2019 at 5:58 am, mac said:
With one man and one woman as possible replacements I don’t see the new spirit of cooperation lasting much longer at the BOE.
If the man is appointed the women will cry foul and vice versa.
November 11, 2019 at 10:10 am, Kevin said:
> So you propose filling the post with a transgendered person? Good luck. There has never been a division on the board due to gender until the three amigos made one. Farrell has a lawsuit pending and Bohn wants expanded benefits for his fellow chiropractors who accept BOE insurance. Eliminate the money and crony issues and everything falls into place.
November 11, 2019 at 9:06 am, Cassie said:
If you knew anything about Dr. Root you would know this would not be the case. Unlike the other males on the BOE he actually cares about the students and education. He will vote with the students as his first and only priority. The two remaining men will have a problem with him though because as I said before he votes with the students as his first priority.
November 11, 2019 at 9:30 am, mac said:
> You’re right I know nothing about Dr. Root.
My interest is the cooperation promised by the current members. Hopefully this will continue without all of the needless friction and drama displayed in the recent past.