(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.