BOARD OF EDUCATION
Educational matters that affect Garrett County come under the control of the Board of Education (Code Education Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-126).
![[photo, Board of Education, 40 South Second St., Oakland, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/ga/images/1198-1-06626c.jpg)
The Board is composed of six members. Five are elected by the voters to four-year terms (Code Election Law Article, secs. 8-801 through 8-806). A nonvoting student member, chosen by the Board of Education, serves a one-year term (Code Education Article, secs. 3-601 through 3-604).
Board of Education, 40 South Second St., Oakland, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
In the area that became Garrett County, the first schoolhouse was built in 1793 at Blooming Rose in the northwest of the County.Today, the Public School System is governed by the County Board of Education (Code Education Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-126). In addition, through the review and approval of the annual operating and capital budgets, Garrett County government exercises authority over the County Public Schools. Moreover, through the establishment and monitoring of various financial and academic policies and regulations, the State Department of Education also has considerable oversight of county public schools. Indeed, under Maryland law, the State Department of Education works with county public schools to comply with requirements and mandates of federal law.
In Garrett County, the Public School System has twelve schools: 2 high schools, 2 middle schools, 7 elementary schools, and one combined school. In Fiscal Year 2025, some 3,405 students were enrolled in the County's public schools.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
With the approval of the State Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education appoints the Superintendent of Schools to four-year terms.
In the mountains of western Maryland, Garrett College overlooks Deep Creek Lake.
For Garrett College, the Board of College Trustees is the governing body.
Seven members constitute the Board. They are appointed to six-year terms by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. The President of Garrett College serves as secretary/treasurer to the Board (Code Education Article, sec. 16-101 through 16-107).
Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County, 6 North Second St., Oakland, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the seven members of the Board of Library Trustees serve five-year terms. Annually, the Board chooses the President (Code Education Article, secs. 23-401; 23-403 through 23-407; County Code, secs. 32.55 through 32.59).
Grantsville Library, 102 Parkview Drive, Grantsville, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
In December 1977, the Accident Branch Library opened to the public at its present site next to the Accident Town Hall.
Accident Library, 106 South North St., Accident, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
The Friendsville Branch Library started in 1970 at its present site in the former Friendsville Town Hall.
Friendsville Library & former Town Hall, 313 Chestnut St., Friendsville, Maryland, October 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
In April 1959, the Grantsville Branch Library opened in the Broadwater Store. The Library moved to the Liberty Trust Building on Main St. in 1967, and to its present location in January 2004.
Grantsville Library, 102 Parkview Drive, Grantsville, Maryland, March 2026. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
KITZMILLER LIBRARY
The Kitzmiller Branch Library at 288 West Main St. is in the old School building on the banks of the Potomac River.
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The Superintendent of Schools administers the Garrett County Public School System, and serves as executive officer, secretary, and treasurer of the Board of Education (Code Education Article, secs. 4-102; 4-201 through 4-206).
GARRETT COLLEGE
Garrett College was founded as Garrett Community College in 1967, and opened in September 1971. It was renamed Garrett College on July 1, 2002.
BOARD OF COLLEGE TRUSTEES
From 1971 to 1976, the Board of Education served as the Board of Community College Trustees for Garret Community College. In 1976, a separate board was established. When the College adopted its present name in 2002, the board became known as the Board of College Trustees.
RUTH ENLOW LIBRARY OF GARRETT COUNTY
The Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County is the public library for Garrett County.
![[photo, Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County, 6 North Second St., Oakland, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/ga/images/1198-1-06622c.jpg)
Based in Oakland, the central library originated in 1915 as the Oakland Free Public Library run by the Oakland Civic Club. Renamed the Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County in memory of Ruth Enlow, whose father was a major benefactor, the Library opened in 1950. The central library has branches in Accident (1977), Friendsville (1970), Grantsville (1959), and Kitzmiller.
![[photo, Grantsville Library, 102 Parkview Drive, Grantsville, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/ga/images/1198-1-06718b.jpg)
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The Board of Library Trustees plans and sets policy for and operates the Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County.
![[photo, Accident Library, 106 South North St., Accident, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/37mun/accident/images/1198-1-06737b.jpg)
ACCIDENT LIBRARY
106 South North St., Accident, MD 21520
![[photo, Friendsville Library and former Town Hall, 313 Chestnut St., Friendsville, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/37mun/friendsville/images/1198-1-07403b.jpg)
FRIENDSVILLE LIBRARY
313 Chestnut St., Friendsville, MD 21531
![[photo, Grantsville Library, 102 Parkview Drive, Grantsville, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/37mun/grantsville/images/1198-1-11354b.jpg)
GRANTSVILLE LIBRARY
102 Parkview Drive, Grantsville, MD 21536
288 West Main St., Kitzmiller, MD 21538
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