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Board of Education Member · District 2 · Wicomico County · 2026 Primary
Members of the Board of Education oversee the local public school system by setting educational policies, approving the annual operating budget, and hiring the superintendent. They make key decisions on matters such as student curriculum, school boundaries, and the maintenance of school facilities. This office is important because its members determine how tax dollars are spent to support student learning and the overall quality of schools in the community.
View all candidates in this raceGene Malone is a 65-year-old native of Wicomico County who serves as chair of the Board of Education following a unanimous election in December 2025. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Salisbury State College and works as vice president and senior commercial loan officer at First Shore Federal Savings & Loan Association. Malone previously served on the board for six and a half years before seeking reelection to finish his term interrupted by the pandemic. A graduate of the county's public school system, he expressed a desire to give back to the institution that supported his family's success. He views high-quality public education as the strongest economic driver for the county and aims to continue improving schools after pandemic-related interruptions. Critics have noted discrepancies between his 2022 campaign positions on book removal and his current actions as board chair. Malone maintains a passion for making the school system the best it can be while managing routine governance matters like contracts and policies.
Public Education Quality
Malone emphasizes continuing to improve schools and views them as an economic driver for the area.
“"The strongest economic driver for any area is the quality of their public schools. I want to be a part of continuing to make ours the best!"”
School Media Policy
Critics note Malone's current stance differs from his 2022 campaign message regarding book removal and taxpayer involvement.
“"Malone stated he was inclusive when he was running for reelection, but now putting forth efforts to exclude resident-taxpayers in board policy from having any say of what's in the school system - from obscene books to indoctrinating curriculum."”
External coverage reports that Malone was unanimously elected board chair in December 2025 and approved routine consent business including electrical and fencing contracts. Critics highlight a contrast between his 2022 campaign message regarding book removal and his current stance, alleging he now excludes resident-taxpayers from policy decisions on curriculum and media content. News profiles describe him as an experienced board member seeking to finish a term interrupted by the pandemic while emphasizing public education's economic impact.
“"The strongest economic driver for any area is the quality of their public schools. I want to be a part of continuing to make ours the best!"”
Source“"now putting forth efforts to exclude resident-taxpayers in board policy from having any say of what's in the school system - from obscene books to indoctrinating curriculum."”
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