Governor Names Bill Manlove, former Cecil County Commissioner, to School Board
Governor Martin O’Malley has named William Manlove, a former long-time Cecil County Commissioner, to a vacant seat on the county school board.
Manlove served four non-consecutive terms on the County Commissioners’ panel, becoming President of the board before he retired in 2008. He also ran an unsuccessful campaign for the House of Delegates in District 36, running against incumbent Republican Michael Smigiel, in the 2010 election.
The seat Manlove will take was surrendered by Christopher Loller in July, after he moved out of the district. Loller, a restaurant manager from Earleville, was elected to the school board in 2008 to represent District 1.
Manlove, a lifetime Earleville resident whose family has farmed in the area for many generations, represented the Commissioners’ First District. During his tenure as a commissioner, he was a strong advocate of the county public schools, supported expansion of the School of Technology and advocated for significant improvements at Cecil College.
In an interview with Cecil Times Tuesday, Manlove joked that he got the appointment “because no one else wanted it.” He said he looked forward to serving on the school board and having the opportunity to see the “other side” of education issues.
The 1st District seat on the school board is up for election in November, 2012, and Manlove said he had not yet made any decision on whether he would be a candidate for election to the seat after his appointed tenure ends.
Lauren Camphausen, President of the school board, applauded the selection of Manlove for the seat, writing on Cecil Times’ Facebook wall that “We look forward to welcoming Mr. Manlove to the Board! I am honored at the opportunity to serve with him and to learn a thing or two from his experiences.”
The addition of Manlove to the school board represents a political bonus for the panel as they deal with the county commissioners during budget discussions. The current board of commissioners cut the schools in the current budget year, forcing layoffs of some schools employees. Manlove brings intimate knowledge of the county budget process to the table.
“We are extremely appreciative of Mr. Manlove’s willingness to serve and believe that his extensive experience in holding elected office will be of great benefit to the school system,” said Dr. D’ette Devine, county superintendent of schools.
In announcing the appointment of Manlove, Gov. O’Malley said he was “proud” to appoint him to the slot and “he has demonstrated a strong commitment to the people of Cecil County.”
Manlove will be sworn into his position on the school board on Friday, 11/11/11.
