Barbara S. Palko, candidate for Charles County Board of Education


Barbara “Barb” Palko is currently the Chairman of the Charles County Board of Education. She was unanimously elected as Chairman in January 2018 after serving as Vice Chairman. Barb retired in 2012 after a 35-year career with the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS). During her career, she was a teacher, instructional specialist, and, in her last position before retiring, the Career & Technology Education coordinator.

Barb is a member of both the Charles County and Maryland Retired School Personnel Associations. As a Board member, she has served on the Governor’s Task Force on Adult High Schools and the Maryland Association of Boards of Education Ad Hoc Committee to the Kirwan Commission.

Barb earned her master’s degree in human development-early childhood/special education and her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a science major. Her two sons graduated from Charles County Public Schools. One is a CCPS educator, and his brother is an attorney and Army Veteran.