Owings Mills Woman Elected First Black Female Chair Of BCPS Board

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — An Owings Mills woman has been elected the chair of the Board of Education of Baltimore County.

Makeda Scott is the first Black woman to lead the school board after an election by the school board members Tuesday.

"The events of the last year have reinforced how critical public education is and how essential it is that public school systems are led with vision and expertise," Scott said in a statement. "I am honored to be selected by my peers for this important role."

Each year, the school board selects new leaders at its first meeting in December. Josh Muhumuza, a senior at Dundalk High School who is the student member of the board, nominated Scott for the position of chair.

Members of the Baltimore County delegation signed a letter in support of Scott before the meeting.

"In a school system where the majority of students are Black, Hispanic or Asian and over half of all students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, her perspective would be invaluable as chair," stated the letter, signed by Senator Shelly Hettleman and Delegates Lisa Belcastro, Jon Cardin and Dana Stein. "As chair of the [BCPS] Equity Committee, Ms. Scott has been a champion of ensuring all students have access to a quality education."

Scott is a communications professional with decades of experience in government and nonprofit work. Her career has included work for Congressman John Sarbanes and the Enterprise Foundation, among other agencies.

"I look forward to working closely with my fellow Board members and Superintendent [Darryl] Williams to guide the system through this challenging period and to ensure its strength and flexibility for the future," Scott said.

Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams issued a statement of support, saying Scott "continually demonstrates her unwavering commitment to the children and families of Baltimore County."

Julie Henn, a Perry Hall resident, will continue on as vice chair of the school board for another year. She was elected to serve on the board in 2018 after being appointed by the governor in 2016.

She is an enterprise information technology professional whose background includes working for Baltimore City Community College and the Archdiocese of Baltimore as well as for private companies, according to a statement from Baltimore County Public Schools.

Said the superintendent: “Ms. Henn brings her experience as a Board officer and will continue to be a strong advocate for Baltimore County’s schools and students."