Leggett returns to Blueprint board

Gov. Moore reappoints former Montgomery County executive to 6-year term

By William J. Ford - Maryland Matters &

July 28, 2026 1:13 p.m.

Blueprint for Maryland's Future Accountability and Implementation Board Chair Isiah "Ike" Leggett, left, at a September hearing with AIB Vice Chair William "Brit" Kirwan. Leggett, who has been on the board since its creation, was recently reappointed to it by Gov. Wes Moore. (File photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)

It’s as if they never left.

When the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Accountability and Implementation Board meets Thursday in a virtual session, board members Isiah “Ike” Leggett and Robin Werner will be back in their seats, after they were reappointed by Gov. Wes Moore (D) to new six-year terms. Leggett’s and Werner’s previous appointments expired July 1.

Leggett, the first Black county executive in Montgomery County, has served as the Blueprint board’s chair since it first convened in November 2021. Werner, a director of teaching and learning for public schools in Talbot County, was appointed in August 2025 to replace Mara Doss, a former associate vice president for teaching, learning and student success at Prince George’s Community College.

Leggett and Werner were among 29 people who applied to serve on the board, which is charged with overseeing implementation of the state’s multiyear, multibillion-dollar education reform plan, the Blueprint. The list of applicants was narrowed down to four finalists by the AIB Nominating Committee last month and sent to the governor, who makde the final selection.

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When the board meets online Thursday, its agenda includes proposed updates to the Blueprint comprehensive plan, which serves as a guide for state agencies, the 24 school districts and other stakeholders to follow and help implement the statewide plan. Any updates to the plan must be done annually by Aug. 1. Some of the changes include new or revised policies adopted by the General Assembly during the 90-day session.

The board will not meet in August but then reconvene on Sept. 17.

Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: editor@marylandmatters.org.

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Originally published at Bethesdamagazine