LEONARDTOWN, Md. (Oct. 5, 2009)—Mrs. Cathy Allen, vice chairman of the Board of Education of St. Mary's County, has been named president of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE).
"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Maryland Association of Boards of Education and to join the many individuals from St. Mary's County Public Schools working at the state level on behalf of children" said Mrs. Allen.
Founded in 1957, MABE is a private, non-profit organization to which all school boards in the state voluntarily belong. MABE sponsors in-service activities for board members through an annual conference, orientation programs for new board members, and workshops on key topics. MABE's elected Board of Directors hold regular informal meetings with the State Board of Education. MABE represents the school board point of view with the Maryland General Assembly and the United States Congress through its Legislative Committee and Federal Relations Network.
MABE also monitors and reports to its members and the public about current education issues through its publications: The Monitor, MABE Matters, MABE Brief, Directory, and School Board Manual. MABE maintains a collection of current policy manuals from the local boards of education, as well as a reference library of education governance materials. MABE, an active member of the National School Boards Association (NSBA), maintains close contact with other organizations interested in public education.
Mrs. Allen has served on numerous MABE committees over the years, both within the organization and at the state level, and has served on MABE's Board of Directors for the past four years. Her term as president of MABE will be for one year.
"Cathy Allen has been a vital part of MABE's leadership team since her election to the Board of Directors," said Mr. Carl Smith, executive director of MABE. "We are very excited to have Cathy as our president and look forward to her articulate and inspired leadership as we advocate for the needs of public schools in Maryland and promote the integral role of local boards of education in fashioning effective policies and providing affirmative leadership in these challenging economic times."
Source: St. Mary's County Public Schools