• About The Dagger
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

The Dagger - Local News with an Edge

  • Local
  • Politics
  • Schools
  • Sirens
  • Health/Food
  • A&E
  • Sports
You are here: Home / Schools / Small Crowd Offers Big Input On Harford’s School Superintendent Search

Small Crowd Offers Big Input On Harford’s School Superintendent Search

January 29, 2009 By Cindy Mumby 16 Comments

I braved the weather and attended the community meeting seeking input on the search for the new Harford County Superintendent of Schools on Tuesday night at Fallston High School. I was one of four participants. Reports from Wednesday night’s meeting in Havre de Grace indicate that turnout was also in the single digits.

Was it the weather?

Or does access to the Internet change people’s calculations about schlepping to meetings when there are plenty of other places to be? After all, you can email a comment but as far as I know you can’t email your kid to basketball practice (oh, if only…)

Or, is there a lack of confidence that community input plays a role, aside from window dressing, in decisions made by the Harford County Board of Education?

Maybe it’s all of the above. The folks from the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) who were hired to conduct the search correctly made it clear that hiring a new superintendent is a school board’s responsibility alone. But the Harford County Board of Education is gathering input from a variety of stakeholders, including parents, teachers, administrators, elected officials and other community leaders. The plan is to use that input to advertise the position nation-wide and have MABE do some initial screening to narrow the list of finalists down to a handful. Then, a series of day-long interviews will take place sometime in May, between each candidate and the various stakeholder groups. But the final decision, expected on or before July 1st, belongs to the seven members of the school board.

Still, I have to say that what our little Tuesday night group lacked in numbers, we made up for in productivity. We filled the entire hour with answers to all 3 questions and then answered some questions that weren’t even asked, just for good measure. Themes emerged such as the need to involve parents, teachers and hard data in decision-making, improve communication from the ground up, support special ed and gifted students, review all aspects of CSSRP and to seek a qualified person who will be able to work well with our diverse population, from the rural areas, to the towns, to the newcomers from BRAC.

All were parents as far as I could tell and none was shy about speaking her mind. Yes, all were women. All except for one attendee, a high school principal who took notes but never uttered a word. Was he there out of curiosity? Does he want the job for himself? Or was he reporting back to someone who does? Just because a search goes national, doesn’t mean an insider is out of the running.

Hopefully, the school board will get more input by email than they did in person. As promised, I told MABE’s Bea Gordon, who is in charge of the search, that I would forward her our comments here on The Dagger. Please feel free to add to them by emailing Bea Gordon directly at bgordon@mabe.org Just be careful you don’t email her your star basketball player by mistake.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

About Cindy Mumby

Education Editor
cindy@daggerpress.com

Comments

  1. Sandy says

    January 30, 2009 at 8:35 am

    I had a conflict or I would have been there. I have to admit, it wasn’t much of a priority for me. My main concern for a new superintendent is someone who will oversee the administration, who will manage their reports, and will be honest with the public about those reports. I want someone who isn’t willing to experiment on our children, someone who will make reading and math a piority over clusters and LICW, someone who feels teachers are more important and will cut down on administrators. Our appointed BOE would never hire someone like that.

    Log in to Reply
  2. Renandstimpy says

    January 30, 2009 at 10:37 am

    I get worried when we are supposed to just email our thoughts to HCPS because who know where that e-mail goes. I fear that all of it goes to the trash section automatically, I truly do because HCPS and the BOE have repeatedly shown that they will do what they want to.

    I want an Superintendent that truly values the opinions of the parents and the teachers. It is these groups that know the kids as they spend the time in and out of school with the kids. Those that did experiment with our kids through the HS Reform are out of the classroom, some for many years, and lack the real life affect their changes and plans have on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis.

    So, I want a Superintendent that has enough guts to truly look at the State of HC Public Schools, CSSRP report and the recommendations and what is currently being done at our schools. After an honest evaluation, I want the Superintendent to have enough guts to ask. “What is in the best interest of the students?” I think if that is done, then he/she would have to make some changes. I do not want someone that is scared to make changes and just stay the course.

    I mentioned a little about this earlier but a new Superintendent should also show that he/she values the teachers of Harford County. A key part is communication but beyond the shear ability to get information out, is the fact that a Superintendent should listen to teacher input as to the type of schedule, creation of classes (LICW) and other things because the teachers have the pulse of the schools and the pulse of the true education process. The teachers in Harford County know that it doesn’t matter what they say on a survery, interview or e-mail because those in their nice new administration building will do what they want. They will then say they got input from the teachers and parents but ultimately do what they want to, which is why there was so much frustration and apathy with the past administration. The teaher’s voice didn’t count for anything. Ex: the block schedule was decided well in advance no matter how the parent and teacher meetings went.

    These are some things that I feel are important.

    Log in to Reply
  3. HCPS Taxpayer says

    January 30, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    I think the best possible candidate for Superintendant would be the current principal of Aberdeen High School. Tom Szerensits.
    If you look at what he has done for that school in the last 5 years it’s unbelievable. They are now the only rt. 40 “corridor” school passing the HSA (meeting annual expectations).
    He has also won an award for best staff development programs.
    He gets students to pass and teachers to teach their best. He turned that school around 180 degrees. What more do you want from a Superintendant?

    Log in to Reply
  4. Kate says

    January 30, 2009 at 4:22 pm

    What effect has the Science and Math Academy had on test scores in Aberdeen? If you took those kids out of the test score equation, what would the difference be? Not saying there isn’t improvement but those students must have helped.

    I think there is a lot more to being a superintendent than turning around one school. What kind of staff development programs did he implement? What is he doing differently than other principals? I do think a principal can have a profound positive and/or negative effect on a school and the staff so I am curious as to what specifically he has done. If it is so effective, why aren’t other schools doing it too? In my opinion, a good superintendent would look at what is working and why and see if it could work in other schools. One of the classes that is such a problem in the school system (Living in a Contemporary World) was being taught at Aberdeen without a curriculum and then brought into every school in the county so that is an example of the opposite occurring.

    Looking forward to hearing what is going on in Aberdeen because I don’t hear too much about that school…

    Log in to Reply
  5. Another parent says

    January 30, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    I made the trek to Fallston High School on Tuesday night, primarily because I wanted to see first hand how sincere this effort really is. I have to say the folks from MABE appeared to be focused and presented themselves and this meeting as an earnest effort ( to them it is not window dressing). (Remember they had to come out in the “inclement weather” also.)-but that is just my two cents.

    Please note any comments were to be emailed directly to MABE so hopefully folks did not hesitate to send them in. (I understand what Ren is saying, but in this case it’s not going to the black hole on Hickory Ave!)

    As the article indicates the MABE folks made it quite clear this is ultimately the board’s decision-so I would hate to think the BOE is wasting this kind of money if they aren’t sincere about listening to this group and their recommendations.

    What I find most ironic is that basically Gov O’Malley is selecting HCPS’ next superintendent. If you stop and think that he made the most recent 2 appointments ignoring the recommendations of the independent Board of Ed recommendation group last July. Ultimately his selection for the 2 vacant seats is now playing a pivotal role in selecting our new superintendent. Go figure! I would have appreciated Nancy Reynolds’ vote on this matter- who was a respected educator and administrator in HCPS. But once again this is futher evidence that having an appointed board demonstrates how political this current process really is.

    I hope that regardless of the quantity of comments MABE receives whether via the community meetings or emails, that they value the quality of the comments. I think parents and teachers are frustrated and feel like their opinions are not listened to, or wanted for that matter.
    Maybe a new superintendent can change the perceived climate currently in place.

    Log in to Reply
  6. Margaret says

    February 1, 2009 at 10:14 am

    If you go the the MABE website, mabe.org. They are currently involved in searches for 3 other Maryland superentendents, Alleghany, Cecil, and Prince Georges Counties. I was impressed with how PG county is going about notifying its stakeholders about the meetings and the process. If it hadn’t been for “Dagger” I would not have known about the meetings or the online form. I also noticed that the residents of PG county got the same questionaire we did. Maybe the reason the meeting was held in bad weather is because MABE is involved in 3 other searches.

    Is there going to be a point in this process where there will be public meetings to meet the candidates and ask questions? Or was last week the only time the public gets to make comments? I can’t find anything on the HCPS web site that talks about the selection proceess and how it’s going to work.

    Log in to Reply
  7. Cindy says

    February 2, 2009 at 9:32 am

    The plan is to allow some members of the public to meet and talk with the final candidates for superintendent, but they will be an invited group of 12-15 people, forming one of the stakeholder groups that will participate in the day-long interviews noted in the story above.

    But that begs the question – who will be doing the inviting, MABE or the BOE? I’ll try and find out. I’ll also ask for these details in written form. I picked them up from MABE’s presentation at the last BOE meeting and also at the stakeholder input meeting.

    Log in to Reply
  8. Renandstimpy says

    February 2, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    I went on to Cecil County Schools site and they have a Superintendent in place at least that is what it appears on their site. I like how they have or are transitioning to a fully elected school board. You can go and read the bios of the school board members and easily e-mail them. I guess, I wished we had that elected school board and it was more open.

    Log in to Reply
  9. joanS says

    February 2, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    So what makes some one a “qualified” super?

    Log in to Reply
  10. Cindy says

    February 2, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    According to MABE’s presentation to the BOE last week, the state requirements for a superintendent are:

    Teaching certification, K-12
    3 years teaching experience
    2 years administrative experience
    Masters degree and 60 hours of administration and supervisory course work

    Whichever candidate the BOE selects, State Superintendent Nancy Grasmick must certify that he or she meets the above requirements. Grasmick can also issue a waiver, but Bea Gordon from MABE said Grasmick was not in the habit of granting waivers.

    I also thought it was interesting that MABE says they have already gotten calls from interested candidates and that they recommend advertising the position in national, but not state or local publications.

    I’m still trying to get all of this in writing. HCPS is planning to expand the link on their website at some point and I also have an inquiry in to MABE.

    Log in to Reply
  11. Rose says

    February 8, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    In searching for a new superintendent, I encourage the committee to take “classroom experience” a step further. The candidate’s classroom experience should be in an academic subject which is “tested.” Teachers in the “tested” disciplines experience greater accountability, intensity, and more precise planning ; all of which is important for a superintendent to understand.

    Log in to Reply
  12. Renandstimpy says

    February 10, 2009 at 8:01 am

    I thought it was a bit funny that the delegates from Harford were spouting out about how they wanted someone locally to get the job. The article on this was in the Aegis. These are people who can’t even agree on who is in charge of the chair and vice chair of the delegation yet they want a local individual to be the next superintendent.

    I definitely want someone outside of Harford County to come in as he/she would have no vested interest in what has been going on over the last 3 years. They would not feel allegiance to just continuing down the same path, no matter what the CRSSSP (spelling is off, sorry haven’t had my coffee) reports or recommends. That is the problem, will it be the good old boy system to a certain point? It certainly could be and I just don’t trust anyone from Harford to have the guts to say we made some mistakes and we must correct them. I know that sounds bad but nobody has yet to listened to parents, teachers and students so I just don’t see why someone from Harford would all the sudden start to.

    Hope you all have a good day!

    Log in to Reply
  13. Cindy says

    February 10, 2009 at 9:18 am

    Update on the superintendent search: Bea Gordon from MABE said she received responses from about 200 stakeholders, 80 were from the general public – she called it a very large response from her experience, telling the BOE last night “people were interested in participating” in the process.

    Log in to Reply
  14. Cindy says

    February 10, 2009 at 11:36 am

    Here’s a link to the update on the superintendent search, thanks to HCPS:

    http://hcps.org/boe/docs/exhibits/2008-2009/2-9-2009/Harford%20County%20FeedbackPPT.ppt

    Log in to Reply
  15. Margaret says

    February 10, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    My favorite part is how the Board thinks the Superentendent should do more succession planning. Kinda late on that one.

    Absolutely, the new Sup. needs to come from outside Harford. Outside Maryland would be even better. You get a diffent view of the world when you’ve lived in different parts of the country.

    Hopefully, the high response rate sends a message to the school Board that we the parents and taxpayers want some change on Hickory Ave. If you want to read about a great Superententdent, read the 3 part series in the Sun on Andres Alonzo. Think about what someone like that could do in Harford County, where we are already starting out with great advantages.

    Log in to Reply
  16. Holly says

    February 18, 2009 at 9:27 am

    Instead of a small group of 12-15 people being involved in that process, Would it be possible to reserve a larger venue such as a local auditorium? Have all the candidates come on the same day and have sort of a live interview with candidates fielding questions from those the “stakeholders” that attend? Allow for time after the session for stakeholders to email their input.

    I believe the feeling in our current system is one of desperation and as time passes despite their efforts that sentiment grows.

    A truly QUALIFIED candidate, without any special interest besides our children!! That is what I as a mom of 4 would look for in the next superintendent!

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply to Holly Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sounding Off

  • “I can't wait to see what is in these emails that Bob is not wanting to share.”

    Bob Watch | Harford County Sheriff’s Office: Cassilly Administration in Violation of Maryland Public Information Act

  • “I like Gahler as well but don't forget he is backing his Sgt.Pennman who sits on the County Council. Pennman…”

    Lalta Durbal | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “This Cassilly/Penman spat I believe was initiated, at least in part, by the possibility of public housing projects being built…”

    Open Your Eyes | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “A plat revision reducing the number of lots is hardly worth you weeing your shorts over.”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “You do know there is a system in the county called “Fast Track”. Ask your buddy Euler, he’s already used…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Nothing at all suspicious about a property that has sat around for generations and then gets approved in record pace…”

    Bob Watch | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “The supposed development that everyone is referring to goes back generations. When 95 was built there were lots created by…”

    Dragonman | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Right you are. Pretty comical that Bob Cassilly has a business registered at his home address that is not his…”

    Bob Watch | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Quite a display of clownsmanship from Penman at last nights council meeting. Is he off his meds? You’re not in…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “I don’t have a dog in the fight regarding the Cassilly v. Penman conflict. I hope it is resolved in…”

    Open Your Eyes | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Shenanigans? You’re hilarious.”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Yeah, that's the whole point. He is not any other county resident, he is the county executive and he and…”

    Happy Bob Real Estate | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “The amount of disinformation here is staggering. The land that is owned by Bobs family was actually platted for 14…”

    Dragonman | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “$145,000 for a part-time job and then demand more money? Pretty cushy spot he's in...maybe he needs to spend his…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Cassilly makes way over 145k and in fact took a cola double of what he gave county employees. You are…”

    JJ | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “@money tree OMG! Penman is paid the same sergeant's salary that every one else earns and a rate that is…”

    Where there is Smoke | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Good lord man, go back and read the claim being made. You folks are all over the map. First it's…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “@Money Tree Since you are so much in the know, Did Bob authorize the Administrator to sign as Bob Cassilly,…”

    Where there is Smoke | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “All that money must have you high. No one said executive forged a document. It is Bob claiming someone else…”

    Bob Watch | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “I will repeat - you are aware that any approvals for development go through various county agencies to ensure whatever…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “He had plats expedited and also some things allowed to get more lots. His Planning Advisory Board appointee Amy O’Neil…”

    JJ | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Claiming the county executive forged a document could wind you up in civil court if you care to say that…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “You must be Bob with the name money tree since it seems to be raining down money on you and…”

    Bob Watch | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Ethics complaint stating Cassilly signed off on a plat for development that involves his family which has already been easily…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “I read the Aegis article and it looks like Penman made his ethics complaint on Feb. 14 and Cassilly made…”

    Bob Watch | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

Recent Posts

  • Trio Arrested In Connection With Alleged Assault, Kidnapping In Darlington March 17, 2025
  • 3P: “Developers’ Exploitation Led to Missed Opportunity for Harford County” December 19, 2024
  • 3P Protect Perryman Peninsula: Developers Exploit Horse Training Facility to Push Illegal Freight Terminal Project September 5, 2024
  • Arrest Made in Aberdeen Triple Homicide; Victims Identified April 30, 2024
  • Harford County Sheriff’s Office: Cassilly Administration in Violation of Maryland Public Information Act March 25, 2024
  • Harford County Executive Cassilly: “Once Again I Find Myself in the Position of Having to Fend Off Personal Attacks” March 20, 2024
  • Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly February 28, 2024
  • Harford County to Purchase Land of Abandoned Eva Mar Development for New Public School in Bel Air February 27, 2024
  • Harford County Executive Cassilly Initiates Legislation for Comprehensive Zoning Review February 22, 2024
  • Edgewood Man Pleads Guilty to 1st Degree Murder February 22, 2024
  • Violent Carjacking in Aberdeen Leaves Man Injured; Victim Clings to Hood as Stolen Car Speeds Away February 17, 2024
  • Bel Air Man Found Guilty of Rape, Sex Offense, Assault; Faces Immigration Consequences February 9, 2024
  • Harford County Councilman Penman: “King Cassilly’s Intent is to Bully the County Council and Mislead our Community Members” February 6, 2024
  • Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly Announces Opposition to Legislation Allowing Freestanding Accessory Dwelling Units in Residential Areas January 16, 2024
  • Harford’s Cassilly Delivers State of the County Address: Redirecting Government to Serve People; No Tax Increases, Public Safety Upgrades, New County Parks January 12, 2024
  • Confrontation Leads to Gunshot, Murder in Bel Air December 30, 2023
  • Woman Charged with 1st-Degree Assault for Threatening Rental Company Employees in Aberdeen December 19, 2023
  • Edgewood Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Rape and Intent to Distribute Cocaine December 11, 2023
  • Mother Charged with Homicide in Death of 3-Yr-Old Son in Bel Air December 4, 2023
  • Longtime Employee of Harford County Manufacturer Sentenced to 42 Months in Federal Prison for $20 Million Kickback Scheme December 1, 2023

Archives

Extras

  • About The Dagger
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Sign up for The Daily Dagger Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to The Daily Dagger and receive new articles by email.

Copyright © 2025 ·Dagger Press LLC · Log in

%d