The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners (also called the School Board or Board) is the governing body of Baltimore City Public Schools. They are unpaid volunteers who aim to ensure a quality education for every Baltimore City Public Schools student. Through visionary governance, the Board provides quality instruction, manages administrative systems, and sustains a culture of excellence.
The Board consists of 12 members:
Nine members are appointed by the Mayor of Baltimore City.
Two members are elected in a citywide election every four years.
One student commissioner is elected by fellow high school students every year.
Board's Goals
These Focus Areas and Values collected during the CEO search community engagement will become the new Board Goals and inform the next Strategic Plan.
Focus Areas |
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Students with Diverse Learning Needs
Improve services and outcomes for students with disabilities and diverse learning needs.
School Portfolio Strategy
Evaluate and revise our School Portfolio Strategy to ensure meaningful, high-quality options that are the preferred choice for Baltimore students and families.
School Climate and Student Well-being
Cultivate school environments that are safe, promote belonging, and nurture the whole child
More High-Performing Schools
Increase the number of Baltimore schools that are consistently performing at a high level and delivering high-quality academic outcomes.
Community Values |
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Uplift Student Perspectives
Student opinions are taken into consideration when making all school and district decisions.
Pursue Operational Excellence
Operations and systems run smoothly, so that staff and the community can focus on student outcomes and success. This includes all areas of our work, especially human capital, procurement, and facilities.
Communicate Clearly and Transparently
Decision-making processes are clearly and publicly explained. The CEO, the Board, and staff take time to publicly examine the rationale and impact of City School’s actions, and answer questions.
Seek out Staff Expertise
The perspectives of staff at all levels of the organization help inform decision-making to improve policies and practices.
Budget Resources Equitably
The annual budget and financial decisions are public processes, with sufficient time for board goals and community values to be reflected. City Schools actively advocate for sufficient funding from the state and city to mitigate historic and systemic disinvestment.
The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners is committed to conducting a thorough search for a new CEO, emphasizing transparency and community trust. Students, parents, staff, and leadership must be heard throughout the hiring process. The new CEO is slated to begin on July 1, 2026, or sooner. We aim for the district to be served with excellence for many years.
Updates, timelines, and more can be found on our CEO Search webpage.
The Board Office provides managerial, administrative, and operational support to the Board, oversees management and implementation of the district’s legislative agenda, and serves as the point of contact for intergovernmental affairs.
200 E. North Avenue
Room 406
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 443-984-2000
Fax: 410-545-3613
Email:
Key staff:
Email Yousuf Ahmad, Board Executive Officer
Email E. Darrell Hope, Director, Internal Audits
Email Olympia A. Scatliffe, Manager, Internal Audits
Email Dawana Sterrette, Director, Legislative and Government Affairs
Every year, the General Assembly convenes at the State House in Annapolis for a Legislative Session. This session is pivotal because the General Assembly modifies, introduces, and abolishes laws by presenting and approving bills or drafts of proposed legislation. These bills shape education policy, funding, and the business operations of school systems. This year, over 400 education-focused bills will be presented.
The 2026 Legislative Session is the 448th session of the General Assembly and convened in Annapolis, Maryland, from January 14 to April 13, 2026.
To summarize what happened during the 2025 Legislative Session, the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners presented a 2025 Maryland General Assembly End-of-Session report. To view the report and more, please click the links below.
If you have any questions, please contact Dawana Merritt Sterrette, Esq., Director, Legislative and Government Affairs.
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School Board Beat is an interactive newsletter that provides subscribers with information and resources strictly related to the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners. Learn more about Board events, meetings, organizational updates, and more! Information is shared quarterly (every three months).
