(a) The State Board may remove a member of the county board for any of the following reasons:
(1) Immorality;
(2) Misconduct in office;
(3) Incompetency;
(4) Willful neglect of duty; or
(5) Failure to attend, without good cause, at least 75% of the scheduled meetings of the county board in any 1 calendar year.
(b) Before removing a member, the State Board shall send the member a copy of the charges against the member and give the member an opportunity within 10 days to request a hearing.
(c) If the member requests a hearing within the 10–day period:
(1) The State Board shall promptly hold a hearing, but a hearing may not be set within 10 days after the State Board sends the member a notice of the hearing; and
(2) The member shall have an opportunity to be heard publicly before the State Board in the member’s own defense, in person, or by counsel.
(d) A member removed under this section has the right to a de novo review of the removal by the Circuit Court for Cecil County.