1394

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 539

of which shall be a State Board of Education.]

3.

[The State Board of Education shall be composed of
seven members, who shall be appointed from the citizens
of the State by the Governor for overlapping terms of
five years, from the first Monday in July next succeeding
their appointment, and they shall hold office until their
successors qualify. Of the members initially appointed,
one shall be appointed for a term of one year, one for
two years, two for three years, one for four years, and
two for five years; and thereafter all terms shall be for
five years. The members of the Board shall be appointed
solely because of their character and fitness, but no
person shall be appointed to the Board who is in any way
subject to its authority, and the Governor and the State
Superintendent of Schools shall not be members of this
Board. The Governor may remove any member of the Board
appointed under the provisions of this section for
immorality, misconduct in office, incompetency, or wilful
neglect of duty giving him a copy of the charges against
him and an opportunity of being publicly heard in person
or by counsel, in his own defense, upon not less than ten
days' notice. If any member shall be removed, the
Governor shall file in the office of the Secretary of
State a complete statement of all charges made against
such member, and his findings thereon, together with a
complete record of the proceedings. Vacancies on the
Board for any cause shall be filled by the Governor for
the unexpired term and until a successor shall qualify.
Any member of the Board shall be eligible for
reappointment unless otherwise disqualified by the
provisions of this section; provided however

(1)    That no person shall be eligible to serve more
than two consecutive terms and

(2)   That incumbent members of the State Board
serving a full term as of July 1, 1969, shall be eligible
for one additional full term.]

6.

[The State Board of Education shall, to the best of
their ability, cause the provisions of this article to be
carried into effect. They shall determine the
educational policies of the State; they shall enact
bylaws, rules and regulations for the administration of
the public school system, which when enacted and
published shall have the force of law. For the purpose
of enforcing the provisions of this article, and the
enacted and published bylaws, rules and regulations of
the Board, the State Board of Education shall, if
necessary, institute legal proceedings. The State Board
of Education shall, without charge and with the advice of
the Attorney General of Maryland, explain the true intent
and meaning of the law, and shall decide all