Long After Grasmick Clash, O'Malley Appointees Take Over

Gov. Martin O'Malley's supporters quietly assumed control yesterday of the Maryland State Board of Education, seven months after the board's decision to reappoint a superintendent over the governor's objections.

The panel selected Prince George's County businessman James H. DeGraffenreidt Jr. as its president, capping a sometimes tumultuous period during which the Democratic governor's appointees were outnumbered by those of his Republican predecessor.

The unanimous vote for DeGraffenreidt, the chairman and chief executive of WGL Holdings, the parent company of Washington Gas, lacked the drama that divided the panel in December when it granted a four-year contract extension to Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick.

At that point, the 12-member board, whose members serve staggered terms, was still controlled by appointees of former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., who was close to Grasmick and once considered her as a political running mate.

Yesterday, the first meeting since his 2006 election at which O'Malley appointees constituted a majority, the board also selected Montgomery resident Blair Ewing, another O'Malley appointee, as its vice president.

Aides to O'Malley -- who openly sparred with Grasmick during his tenure as mayor of Baltimore -- said the long-serving superintendent's future is probably secure for now. O'Malley and Democratic Senate leaders were set to introduce legislation to oust Grasmick in January but backed off, with O'Malley and Grasmick pledging to work together.

There was no mention of the rancor yesterday as DeGraffenreidt moved to the chairman's seat. He did say that he will work "to continue Maryland's tradition of excellence in education."

In a symbolic display of unity, the outgoing board president, Dunbar Brooks, nominated DeGraffenreidt to succeed him. Brooks, an Ehrlich appointee, presided over the board in December as it offered Grasmick the new four-year contract for $195,000 a year.

In a statement, O'Malley said he was "confident that under President DeGraffenreidt and Vice President Blair, the state of Maryland will continue to provide our teachers and students with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom, and that the accelerated success rates we celebrated today will continue."

O'Malley was referring to the release of test scores that showed strong gains in reading and math among Maryland students. It was the latest of several bursts of good news about education in the state that have seemed to buoy Grasmick in her dispute with O'Malley.

Their relationship soured considerably in 2006, when O'Malley was running for governor and Grasmick sought to seize control of 11 struggling Baltimore schools. O'Malley characterized it as a move to embarrass him and his city as he ran against Ehrlich.

In addition to his positions with WGL Holdings, DeGraffenreidt serves as chairman and chief executive of Washington Gas, which has more than 1 million customers in the Washington area. He also serves on the boards of several businesses and nonprofit groups.

Ewing was on the Montgomery County Board of Education from 1976 to 1998 and on the Montgomery County Council from 1998 to 2002.