BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, June 17, 2021) — Mayor Brandon M. Scott today announced the re-appointment of Vernon Reid to a second, three-year term on the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners. The Mayor also launched the search to fill three School Board vacancies created by the departures of outgoing Board Chair Linda Chinnia and Commissioners Martha James-Hassan and Michelle Harris Bondima, all who have served for five-plus years.

“I am pleased to re-appoint Commissioner Reid to a second term. His continued service, particularly in the areas of operational and financial oversight, is critical now as City Schools rethinks delivery of instruction in the wake of COVID-19. Stewardship of the district will require more resourcefulness and discipline than ever, and Commissioner Reid, with his deep experience in finance brings those qualities in spades,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “I am also grateful for the service of Commissioners Chinnia, James-Hassan and Bondima. The School Board leads our work as a city to make sure all our children access an excellent education, so there really is no more important role when it comes to supporting our young people. I thank them for their dedication and leadership.”

Commissioner Reid currently serves as chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Operations Committee. He brings to the Board of Commissioners a lifelong career in investment portfolio management—most recently as Vice President and Senior Trader at T. Rowe Price Associates—and a long record of civic leadership. In addition to his current School Board role, Commissioner Reid currently serves on the boards of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust (BEST) and Harford Mutual Insurance Group. His past board service includes roles as Vice President/Treasurer, T. Rowe Price Foundation; Vice President, Board of Finance of Baltimore City; Vice President, Walters Art Museum; Trustee, Jemicy School; Member, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks Advisory Board; and Board Member, Afro-American Newspapers. He is also a proud product of City Schools and hopes to continue “ameliorating ‘structural deficits’ in operational and capital budgets, which have resulted in facility disrepair and a lack of educational achievement.”

The School Board is responsible for both raising the level of academic achievement of the 78,000 students enrolled in Baltimore City Public Schools, and for improving the management and administration of the public school system. It is composed of 10 commissioners, including nine adults who serve three-year terms and one student who serves a one-year term. In 2022, an additional two elected commissioners will join the board, making for a 12-member body. The Mayor appoints commissioners from candidate pools recommended by a community panel, the final step in a larger application process led by the Mayor’s Office of Children & Family Success.

Mayor Scott’s appointment of new School Board commissioners is key to realizing his commitment to strengthening the City’s partnership with City Schools to prioritize Baltimore’s young people and invest in their promise instead of their failures.

“I look forward to identifying new commissioners in the coming weeks and partnering with the School Board to move our public education system forward,” the Mayor continued.

The search for three new commissioners opens today with the launch of an online application. The recruitment and application window runs through Friday, August 20, at which point an application review begins, followed by interviews with a community panel that will make recommendations for mayoral consideration and selection.

To be eligible for appointment, candidates must be residents of Baltimore City and at least 18 years old. Additionally, one or more of the following qualifications is preferred:

1. High level of knowledge of and expertise in administering a large business, nonprofit or government entity, and high-level management experience within such an entity
2. High level of knowledge of and expertise in education
3. Knowledge of, or personal or professional experience in, education of children with disabilities
4. Parent of a child currently enrolled in City Schools

The Mayor’s Office of Children & Family Success will hold a Board of School Commissioners Information Session on Monday, June 28 from 5-6 p.m. for those who are interested in learning more about the commissioner role and expectations, and hearing from current commissioners about their experiences on the Board of Commissioners. (Webex link here. Event #:173 907 3440. Password: schools)

School Board members are expected to attend regular public meetings of the School Board on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, as well as committee meetings several times each month, often during normal business hours. Commissioners are appointed for three-year terms of office and receive no financial compensation for their service.

Key Details: 

• Apply online at mayor.baltimorecity.gov/board-of-school-commissioners
• Attend the information session on Monday June 28 from 5-6 p.m. (Password: schools)
• Submit an application before the deadline, Friday, August 20.

For more information, visit mayor.baltimorecity.gov/schoolboard.