The Board is composed of seven members. Formerly, five were appointed by the Governor to five-year terms. Since 2012, however, three members have been elected by the voters to four-year terms, and two members have been appointed by the Governor to four-year terms (Chapter 633, Acts of 2009, ratified by voters Nov. 2, 2010). Two student nonvoting members continue to be chosen by County high school student councils and serve one-year terms (Code Education Article, secs. 3-3A-01 through 3-3A-06).
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Caroline 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, Caroline 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 Caroline County, the Public School System has twenty-two schools: 2 high schools, 2 middle schools, 5 elementary schools, and 1 career and technology center. It also is responsible for a career and technology academy, and a special education center. In Fiscal Year 2015, some 5,592 students were enrolled in the County's public schools.
![[photo, old Caroline County High School, 512 Franklin St., Denton, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/caro/images/1198-1-07765b.jpg)
Opened in 1901, the first high school in Caroline County was the Caroline County High School in Denton at 512 Franklin Street. It closed about 1988.
Today, two high schools serve the County. In Federalsburg, the Colonel Richardson High School opened in 1962 at 25320 Richardson Road. In Ridgely, the North Caroline High School is at 10990 River Road.
Old Caroline County High School, 512 Franklin St., Denton, Maryland, August 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
With the approval of the State Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education appoints the Superintendent of Schools to four-year terms.
The Board consists of ten members: two from each supporting county. They are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor with House of Delegates advice and consent. The President of Chesapeake College serves as secretary/treasurer to the Board (Code Education Article, sec. 16-406).
The Central Library is based in Denton, and two branches serve the main Library. The Federalsburg branch opened in 1974, and the North County branch at Greensboro began in 1997.
The Library is a life-long learning center and community center for County residents. It offers books, magazines, newspapers, and movies in a variety of formats. It also provides public access to computers and the Internet, information and instruction, a variety of cultural and educational programs, and the latest in technologies.
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the seven members of the Board of Library Trustees serve five-year terms (Code Education Article, secs. 23-401; 23-403 through 23-407).
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BOARD OF COLLEGE TRUSTEES
For Chesapeake College, the Board of College Trustees is the governing body.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
By authority of the Board of County Commissioners, the Caroline County Public Library was created in 1961. Originally run from a Denton storefront, it moved to its present main site in 1971.
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The Board of Library Trustees sets policy for the Caroline County Public Library.
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