Contractors claiming that the bidding process for Red Pump Elementary School was handled improperly lodged formal protests with Harford County Public Schools over contracts worth almost half the value of the base cost to build the school and planned to object at the December 15, 2008 school board meeting where $23 million in construction contracts […]
Hess on Cancellation Of Red Pump Elementary: “It Was The Financially Correct Thing To Do”
“No. No. No.” That’s former Harford County Board of Education President Patrick L. Hess reacting to allegations that Red Pump Elementary School was cancelled after problems with the bid process led to protests, and the potential for legal action against Harford County Public Schools. Hess told The Dagger that the school board cancelled Red Pump […]
Did Bidding Irregularities Stall Red Pump Elementary?
When the Harford County Board of Education cancelled plans to build Red Pump Elementary School last December, the school board was just days away from approving nearly $23 million in construction contracts that would have put shovels in the ground. The decision sparked a public debate over the fate of the school. Now The Dagger […]
Fallston Representative Needed for Harford School Board
Patrick L. Hess resigned unexpectedly from the Harford County Board of Education in July, leaving the Fallston area with no representation on the school board. That’s one reason Governor Martin O’Malley should act quickly to appoint a new member to serve out Hess’ term, which expires in 2011. Legislation passed earlier this year calls for […]
President Hess Set To Resign From Harford School Board Monday Night
The Dagger has learned that Harford County Board of Education President Patrick L. Hess will resign from the board during a regular business meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. tonight (Monday) in Bel Air. The abrupt departure comes prior to the expiration of Hess’ second term on the board in 2011 and less than three months […]
Red Pump It Is: Board of Ed Votes 5-2 To Proceed With Vale Road School
Ending a face-off with the Harford County Council over which of two planned elementary schools would be built first, the Harford County Board of Education voted 5 to 2 last night to proceed with Red Pump Elementary. Red Pump has also been approved for construction funding by the council, paving the way for relief of […]
Many HCPS Graduates Not Ready for Harford Community College
Hundreds of freshly minted Harford County Public School graduates head off to Harford Community College each fall only to discover that they’re not necessarily ready for college level work. Collectively, these students pay hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to take taxpayer-subsidized, transitional courses and re-learn what they ought to have learned in high […]
“Green Is For Go – Go Build A School” Or Face Countywide School Redistricting?
Harford County Board of Education President Patrick L. Hess and Interim Superintendent Patricia L. Skebeck said in a letter dated April 27th that school boundaries will be adjusted countywide if an agreement cannot be reached in the debate over which new elementary school will be built to relieve overcrowding in the greater Bel Air area. […]
