Conservatives Ascendant in Charles Schools

"There's a huge element of humility in praying, seeing the teacher being humble before a higher authority,'' he said. There are of course legal limitations in public schools, Crawford added, but "not nearly what we're taught to think."

Crawford's faith also conflicts with the school system's science curriculum, which he said negates the existence of a creator by teaching evolution as outlined by the Maryland Department of Education. Crawford said he is not advocating the inclusion of other theories, such as intelligent design, but he wants teachers to raise more questions about evolution.

Though Young is outspoken about her beliefs and decision to home-school her children, Bailey dislikes public attention. At board meetings, he is the self-effacing number cruncher who peppers school officials with questions.

But Bailey, 51, is transformed when he speaks to troubled teenagers at the Cheltenham Youth Facility in Prince George's County during a Bible study class that he has led for more than 20 years. He paces the circle of nine boys, rattles off memorized verses and picks up their casual language to try to help them find faith as he did at age 27.

At home, on the walls of the basement office where he runs a lumber sales business, there is a mix of Bible quotes, a poster for a Promise Keepers rally and a Westlake High School calendar.

Bailey quotes from the Bible to explain why he ran for school board in 1994. He seems taken aback by the question and responds with his own question: "Don't you care about your fellow man?"

Although Bailey and his wife attended Charles County public schools, they decided to teach their children at home, partly because of his flexible schedule and his wife's interest in education.

"They're like their dad and have a hard time sitting still," he said of his three sons, jokingly. He added, "People are different and have different needs."

Although Bailey's daughter is enrolled at a public high school, he has also had his motives challenged in previous years.

"I love the Lord. He's blessed my life," Bailey said. "But I understand the role I'm in."

Still, Bailey can be vague about what he wants to accomplish. He shared with a reporter a booklet from the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools, and it is not uncommon for Bailey to pass on information to his colleagues about religious education alternatives, such as events or speakers on the topic of creationism.

When asked whether he supports such efforts, Bailey said: "We need to be knowledgeable about all things affecting education. Just because I share information with somebody doesn't mean I support it."

For Young, the decision to remove three of her children from public schools stemmed from her own education in Prince George's in the 1970s, which she said was lackluster. Young struggled at the University of Maryland after acing her high school courses. When her eldest daughter started bringing home "A" papers with spelling and grammar mistakes, Young decided to try home-schooling for her younger children, who now attend Catholic school.

After the storm about its list of suggestions last year, the board has tried to be meticulous in clarifying its actions. Even if the board wanted to offer temporary vouchers at crowded schools, Bailey explained, such a program would require action by county commissioners or legislation in Annapolis.

Still, the questions keep coming. The union has warned of a legal challenge to any voucher proposal. At last week's meeting, Barbara Allen, who has taught elementary school reading for 10 years, addressed her comments to Young.

"She who will not even send her own children to our public schools has no business making decisions about a population she doesn't know and doesn't want to know," Allen said.

Superintendent James E. Richmond, who serves at the board's discretion, has not been shy about clashing with board members on issues such as curriculum or how many students should take the SAT. He has a different view of the diverse opinions on the board, calling the debates a "healthy discussion."

"It's heated," he said, "because it's what we believe."