ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The Board of Education oversees educational matters that affect Worcester County (Code Education Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-126).

Ten members constitute the Board. Seven are elected by district by the voters to serve four-year terms (Code Election Law Article, secs. 8-801 through 8-806). Three are nonvoting student members, each elected annually by their respective high school student council (Code Education Article, secs. 3-101 through 3-105; 3-108). Annually, the Board selects the President and Vice-President. The Superintendent of Schools serves ex officion as Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Officer of the Board (Code Education Article, sec. 4-102).

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Worcester County Public School System is governed by the County Board of Education (Code Education Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-126). In addition, through the review and approval of the annual operating and capital budgets, Worcester County government exercises authority over the County Public Schools. Moreover, through the establishment and monitoring of various financial and academic policies and regulations, the State Department of Education also has considerable oversight of county public schools. Indeed, under Maryland law, the State Department of Education works with county public schools to comply with requirements and mandates of federal law.

In Worcester County, the Public School System has fourteen schools: 3 high schools, 1 middle school, and 6 elementary schools, 2 combined schools, 1 vocational and technical school, and 1 special education center. In Fiscal Year 2021, some 6,803 students were enrolled in the County's public schools.

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
The Superintendent of Schools administers the County Public School System. The Superintendent also serves as executive officer, secretary, and treasurer of the Board of Education.

Since 1916, the Superintendent of Schools has been appointed by the Board of Education to four-year terms (Code Education Article, secs. 4-102; 4-201 through 4-206).

WOR-WIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Wor-Wic Community College started in 1975 as a postsecondary vocational and technical school for residents of Worcester and Wicomico counties. A two-year public community college, it moved to its present site at Salisbury in 1994.

BOARD OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEES

With Senate advice and consent, the Governor appoints Board members to six-year terms (Code Education Article, secs. 16-101 through 16-103).

LIBRARY

In 1959, the municipal libraries at Berlin, Ocean City, Pocomoke City, and Snow Hill joined together to establish the Worcester County Library. An additional branch opened at Ocean Pines in 1999.

Snow Hill Branch, Worcester County Library, 307 North Washington St. Snow Hill, Maryland, June 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

[photo, Pocomoke City Branch, Worcester County Library, 301 Market St., Pocomoke City, Maryland]

BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES

Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to five-year terms, the Board consists of seven members (Code Education Article, secs. 23-401; 23-403 through 23-405).

Pocomoke City Branch, Worcester County Library, 301 Market St., Pocomoke City, Maryland, June 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

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WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH