Maryland’s state school board will allow noneducators to be appointed as superintendents of school systems.
The board approved the new regulation last week in the face of protest from state educators and the association representing local school boards.
Last year, the board set up a task force to look at allowing local school boards to find “exceptional” leaders outside education circles.
The backlash did lead to amendments that would require nontraditional candidates to serve as an interim superintendent for one year, during which time they must take six credits of graduate coursework in public school administration, supervision, and teaching methods.
