The Harford County Board of Education voted 6 to 1 to approve a budget for next year containing 2% salary cuts for all HCPS employees. The vote came at a board business meeting Monday in Bel Air. Board Member Don Osman cast the only no vote, citing opposition to the salary cuts.
But the move by the school board is far from the last word on the FY11 budget, because funding from state and local government is not yet known.
The school board’s recommended budget goes next to County Executive David Craig, who will hold a series of public hearings on the county budget later this month. Craig will set local funding levels and as state funding is determined, the school board will realign their recommended budget accordingly. Added to the mix are salary negotiations, which occur concurrently with the budget process.
The final county budget, which includes ...Continue Reading
Tags: board of education, budget, cut, Osman, salary, vote
In public comments at a school board meeting Monday, several Havre de Grace parents spoke about Drama Therapy. Support for the students was nearly a universal theme, most parents called for better oversight and no one said the program should be abolished, but opinions varied widely on just about everything else.
Parent Tom Barnes said he had been abused as a child and that a program like Drama Therapy would have made an impact on his life, “I would not have attempted suicide in my later teens. I would have found help.” Parent Glenn Gorleski said the program should be improved and expanded “This program gives a voice to many to be heard. These are real issues and we need to listen.” Student Justine Cerruto, who performed in one of the plays, said that the treatment of students with disabilities improved at Havre de Grace HS as a result ...Continue Reading
Tags: board of education, drama, Havre de Grace, high school, Osman, therapy, Volrath
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 into his second term as president.
Hess is expected to explain that he is resigning from the school board to focus on his business. He is the president and chief executive officer of Operations Management, Inc. /WDPB, Inc., which operates a number of Denny’s franchises in the area.
Hess is also believed to have political aspirations within the county.
No official announcement was made of Hess’ resignation prior to the Monday meeting, but the move explains why the board’s published agenda leads off with the following:
7:00 P.M. Call to Order – Robert M. Tomback, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools ...Continue Reading
Tags: board of education, hess, merrell, Osman, tomback, Wolkow
ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 2, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the appointment of Donald R. Osman to the Harford County Board of Education.
“I am proud to appoint Donald R. Osman to the Harford County Board of Education,” said Governor O’Malley. “I am confident that Mr. Osman possesses the skill and the leadership necessary to ensure every child in Harford County receives the quality public education they deserve.”
Donald R. Osman is a Teacher Mentor at Elkton High School, Perryville High School, Perryville Middle School and Rising Sun Middle School. Prior to that, Mr. Osman was an English teacher at Havre de Grace High School where he taught for 32 years. He was also an English teacher at Havre de Grace Middle School from 1967 to 1973, and prior to that was a teacher at Oakington Elementary School. Mr. Osman is the coordinator of the ...Continue Reading
Tags: board of education, Havre de Grace, o'malley, Osman, teacher
