ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

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).

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 2021, some 3,502 students were enrolled in the County's public schools.

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
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).

With the approval of the State Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education appoints the Superintendent of Schools to four-year terms.

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.

In the mountains of western Maryland, Garrett College overlooks Deep Creek Lake.

BOARD OF COLLEGE TRUSTEES

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

The Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County is the public library for Garrett County. It originated in 1915 as the Oakland Free Public Library run by the Oakland Civic Club. It was renamed the Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County in memory of Ruth Enlow, whose father was a major benefactor of the new library. Opened in 1950, the central library is based in Oakland. Today, it has branches in Accident, Friendsville, Grantsville, and Kitzmiller.

Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County, 6 North Second St., Oakland, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

[photo, Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County, 102 Parkview Drive, Grantsville, Maryland]

BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES

Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County, 102 Parkview Drive, Grantsville, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

[photo, Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County, 106 South North St., Accident, Maryland]

Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the seven members of the Board of Library Trustees serve five-year terms (Code Education Article, secs. 23-401; 23-403 through 23-407; County Code, secs. 32.55 through 32.59).

Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County, 106 South North St., Accident, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

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