By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Oct. 29, 2020) Worcester County voters will elect three members of the Worcester County Board of Education in the general election next Tuesday.

On the ballot will be candidates for school board District 2, District 3 and District 5.

Rodney Bailey and Donald Smack Sr. are vying for the District 2 seat that had been held by Barry Brittingham Sr.

Smack encourages voters to stay safe while voting.

“God bless them,” he added.

In District 3, former county school superintendent Dr. Jon Andes and Anjali “Angie” Phukan-Chantelle are competing for the seat held by Sara Thompson, who is retiring in December.

“As a product of a rural public-school system, I personally and deeply understand the incredible value and essential role that public schools play in a rural community. The public-school system is the talent incubator of rural communities” Andes said. “In Worcester County, we take great pride in our schools. Our daughter and son are both graduates of Stephen Decatur High School. Our graduates continue to make significant contributions to our region, state and nation.

“We have incredibly talented students and staff,” he continued. As a member of the board of education, I will devote my time, energy and experience to work with our school system leadership and our community to make sure that each student achieves and succeeds. I will listen, ask the right questions, seek innovative solutions and make sure that the investment of tax dollars is spent to address student needs. By working together, we can address our challenges and build on our excellence developing the incredible talents of every child.”

As the election approaches, Phukan-Chantelle tells voters, “Godspeed [and] thank you for your time.”

Elena McComas, who is running unopposed, is seeking re-election in District 5.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve District 5 on the Worcester County Public Schools Board of Education these past four years,” McComas said. “It is gratifying to be part of such an excellent school system.  And in these unprecedented times, our teachers, administration and staff have risen to heroic levels to help our students continue their education while providing a safe environment to do so. Also many thanks to our community for their patience and support as this unexpected year unfolded.

“As we continue to navigate through uncharted waters over the next year, I will continue to address unexpected situations as they arise and do whatever is best for our kids and our WCPS staff. Hopefully, as we move through all this to normalcy, we can once again focus on other educational issues, including curriculum and excessive testing. [I am] looking forward to a challenging and exciting year.”

No write-in candidates filed by the Oct. 19 deadline.

The Worcester County Teachers Association recommended Smack for the District 2 seat and Andes for the District 3 seat.

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, absentee voting is being encouraged for the general election.

The Maryland State Board of Elections reminds voters to use black ink to fill out the ballot, sign the return envelope, seal the return envelope and send in the ballot using the postage-paid return envelope.

Mail-in ballots must be postmarked or placed in a designated drop box by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Putting the ballot in a mailbox on Nov. 3 is not sufficient.

Ballot drop off boxes are located at the Worcester County Board of Elections, 201 Belt St. Suite C in Snow Hill, and the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway in Ocean City.

Early voting is underway until Nov. 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ocean City convention center.

Worcester County residents can cast ballots at four voting centers for the 2020 general election: Pocomoke Community Center, 1410 Market Street in Pocomoke City, Snow Hill Middle School, 522 Coulbourne Lane in Snow Hill, Stephen Decatur Middle School, 9815 Seahawk Road in Berlin and the convention center on 40th Street in Ocean City.

Instead of the 16 polling places based on precincts, the voting centers allow voters to cast their vote regardless of where they live in the county.

In-person voting on Election Day will be available 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The elected board members will be sworn in at the regular board meeting on Jan. 19, 2021.