Published: October 24, 2008 10:13 am      

School board contenders asked about consolidating Allegany, FH

CUMBERLAND — Allegany County Board of Education candidates discussed on Thursday the slots referendum on the Nov. 4 election ballot as well as the possibility of consolidating Fort Hill and Allegany high schools.

Incumbents Jeff Metz and Fred Sloan, along with challenger Tim Iman, also offered their positions on the school district’s lawsuit with local radio station WCBC during a 70-minute community forum at Allegany College of Maryland.

Each question, submitted in advance by members of the public, was asked of each candidate. One question was whether board members should have stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating as far as it did.

Sloan, currently the board president, said he didn’t feel Superintendent Bill AuMiller shouldered 100 percent of the blame regarding the free speech lawsuit against the radio station. Sloan said “mistakes were made.”

“Was he alone in the decision-making process,” Sloan asked rhetorically. “We have to assume our share of the responsibility” for legal fees, which topped $112,000.

“It was wrong,” Sloan said. “The mistake was made. Events like that have a very negative impact (on the school district). I would apologize, on behalf of myself, for that event going” as far as it did.

Responding second, Iman said he believed the board should have stepped in.

“The superintendent works for the board, not the other way around,” Iman said. “(AuMiller) has been able to do and say things he shouldn’t (have).”

Metz, like Sloan, said mistakes were made and that he would “take my share of responsibility.”

“Sometimes, mistakes are made,” Metz said, “but to single out one person, you can’t do that. There’s blame to go around.”

Candidates also were asked about the slots referendum, identified as Question 2 on the ballot. Iman, responding first, said he didn’t support legalizing slots in Maryland.

“I feel it’s going to be bad for the economy,” Iman said. “I can’t, in good conscience, support something that’s going to create a lot of problems ... and spend more money to fix the problems.”

Metz said he supports the referendum both as a board member and an individual and dispelled the notion that a slots parlor at Rocky Gap State Park would cause new gambling addictions.

“I think it will pass,” Metz said. “Gambling occurs everyday in Allegany County. Is it the best source of revenue? Of course not. But it’s reality.”

Sloan, in part, agreed and said that “Maryland’s been a big-time gambler anyway,” a reference to the state lottery system.

Metz said it’s important lawmakers ensure, if the referendum does pass, that a dedicated funding stream to education remain in place for education. If education is to recoup even a portion of the projected $400 million to $800 million in revenue, “then it would certainly be in our best interest to say yes.”

The final question of the night was heard, at least in person, by less than a dozen people at the college. The question: Could the two high schools in Cumberland be consolidated?

Sloan said “all things are possible” and said he’s seen the closings of Valley and Bruce high schools and schools in Flintstone and Oldtown.

“I would be a big liar to sit here and say that wouldn’t be a possibility as well,” said Sloan, noting the county’s decreasing population. In 1970 when Sloan entered the field of education as a teacher, the county had more than 18,000 students. There’s but half that number now, he said, and some project the figure to drop to “the low 8,000s.”

Iman said he’s “not a real big fan on school consolidation” and he said the board needs to attempt to keep three public high schools operational.

Metz, an opponent of school consolidation, said he doesn’t see that as a direction the board would take. He said he’s “optimistic” that Allegany County has “turned the corner” in many ways.

“I’m an optimist,” Metz said. “I don’t see it.”

The three candidates are seeking two open seats on the Allegany County Board of Education. The two leading vote-getters will each begin their four-year terms on Jan. 5, 2009.

The community forum was co-sponsored by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce and WCBC.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.