ACEA Statement on ACBOE Resolution to Remove Wayne Foote
The Allegany County Board of Education voted four to one at its emergency meeting in December to petition the Maryland State Board of Education for the removal of Board member Wayne Foote. ACEA leadership has no opinion on the merits of the charges against Mr. Foote, though we certainly understand and appreciate the serious nature of them.
Though Mr. Foote chose not to participate in ACEA’s candidate recommendation process and therefore could not receive our recommendation, the voters of Allegany County voted overwhelmingly to elect Mr. Foote for another term. ACEA is an organization that deeply values the democratic process in our own operations and as part of the voting constituencies of Allegany County. To that end, we have serious concerns with the nature and timing of these charges.
We understand clearly that the members of the previous Board felt morally compelled to bring the charges against Mr. Foote and we respect that they felt compelled to act. ACEA has no intention of being involved in Mr. Foote’s situation beyond that which we may be compelled by law to do. We must, as an organization, respect the process that is now underway.
However, ACEA must be and is committed to working with the current Board to achieve the best possible outcomes for our educators, students and schools. In as much as Mr. Foote is a duly elected member of the Board, we are committed to working with him individually toward the same goals.
Though Mr. Foote chose not to participate in ACEA’s candidate recommendation process and therefore could not receive our recommendation, the voters of Allegany County voted overwhelmingly to elect Mr. Foote for another term. ACEA is an organization that deeply values the democratic process in our own operations and as part of the voting constituencies of Allegany County. To that end, we have serious concerns with the nature and timing of these charges.
We understand clearly that the members of the previous Board felt morally compelled to bring the charges against Mr. Foote and we respect that they felt compelled to act. ACEA has no intention of being involved in Mr. Foote’s situation beyond that which we may be compelled by law to do. We must, as an organization, respect the process that is now underway.
However, ACEA must be and is committed to working with the current Board to achieve the best possible outcomes for our educators, students and schools. In as much as Mr. Foote is a duly elected member of the Board, we are committed to working with him individually toward the same goals.