Update - May 18, 2026:
Miller was confirmed by the Harford Council and is now an official member of the County School Board.
Original Story:
Could a third time be the charm?
Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly made two previous school board appointments in an effort to fill Ex-President Aaron Poynton's seat.
First Terri Kocher was rejected by the County Council, then Liliana Norkaitis was confirmed.
Another vacancy was created when Mark Korn stepped down due to health resons.
Cassilly nominated Jonathan T. Streett to the seat, but the Council denied it.
On Tuesday Cassilly nominated BangTam Miller, a retired Harford County Public Schools teacher and former assistant principal.
Miller still needs to be approved by the County Council which has proven to be difficult.
Cassilly blames Council President Patrick Vincenti, who is running against him in the upcoming election, for the blockade.
“I am disappointed that Council President Vincenti has led the effort to reject two of my prior well-qualified appointees to appease union leaders, making it unnecessarily difficult to get qualified community members to volunteer for public service,” Cassilly said. “I would like to thank BangTam for her courage in stepping up and I encourage the council to confirm this highly qualified candidate without delay.”
Editor's Note: This article previously reported inaccurately that Liliana Norkaitis was denied confirmation. We've since revised noting that Norkaitis was confirmed to replace Poynton while Jonathan T. Streett was rejected for Korn's seat, whom Miller is now trying to succeed.
