Harford County superintendent placed on administrative leave amid investigation
Harford County Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson has been placed on administrative leave, with pay, after several county officials called for an investigation, following allegations that school-owned property was stolen from him during a work conference in 2024.
The school board met in closed session on Wednesday to discuss the report of an incident that happened while Bulson was attending the National School Board Association Conference in New Orleans. The school board said an independent investigation is being conducted.
Dr. Dyann Mack, the county's current deputy superintendent, will serve as acting superintendent.
Meanwhile, county leaders, including Executive Bob Cassilly, are calling for the superintendent to resign or be terminated.
Before the closed-door session on Wednesday, board members publicly discussed approving, funding, and conducting an investigation into Bulson and any other board member who was potentially involved in the April 2024 incident.
Two members, Board President Aaron Poynton and Board Member Wade Swell, chose to abstain, and the motion did not pass.
On his Facebook page, Harford County councilman Tony Giangiordano wrote, "I again call for Dr. Bulson to step down, Aaron Poyton to resign, and Wade Swell to resign as well. Our students, families, and taxpayers deserve leaders who put the best interests of the community first, not individuals who appear focused on protecting one another instead of protecting the integrity of our school system."
Call to New Orleans police surfaces
Giangiordano is one of several Harford County leaders calling on Bulson to resign after a non-emergency call to the New Orleans Police Department surfaced online.
The caller identifies himself as Sean Bulson, who reports that an unknown woman he let into his hotel room stole his wallet, two phones, an Apple Watch, a laptop, and an iPad -- valued at $8,000.
WJZ is still working to authenticate that call.
"Shock, disbelief, that you'll let somebody in your room, at whatever time in the morning it was, you don't know their name, you don't know their age, you don't know anything about them, and then that you fall asleep, and whether you fell asleep or something else happened, it was kind of like, 'Wow, I think everybody else probably had that same thing,'" Giangiordano said. "Kind of disbelief."
The call allegedly came in while Harford County board members were attending the National School Board Association Conference in New Orleans… according to a pamphlet from the conference,
Bulson, Deputy Superintendent Eric Davis and board member Carrol Mueller were scheduled to speak at the National School Board Association Conference in New Orleans, according to a pamphlet from the conference.
"I think it needs to be investigated beyond him, and what happened, who was there, you know, if there was anybody else involved," Giangiordano said. "I mean, I think we need to know it all. I mean, you know, you were down there on, Harford County, taxpayer, whether it's Harford County Public Schools, you were down there on our dime, so yeah, we need to know."
In a statement, County Commissioner Cassilly called Bulson to resign, and school board vice president Lauren Paige, along with County Council President Pat Vincenti are calling for an investigation to determine the facts.
"I recognize the gravity of the recent allegations involving Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson," Paige stated. "These claims must be addressed with the seriousness they deserve. The Superintendent's conduct is a direct reflection on our school system, a trust we cannot take lightly. My highest priority, now and always, is the well-being and success of our students, teachers, and the staff who support them."
Giangiordano said that any decisions will ultimately be up to the Harford County School Board.
Review: No student data was compromised
Harford County Board of Education President Aaron Poynton said an internal review showed that no student data was compromised.
Poynton said that during the independent investigation, Bulson has been placed on administrative leave following a majority vote during Wednesday's closed-door meeting.
"The attention and distraction surrounding this reported incident have created challenges for the school system at a time when our focus must remain squarely on students, staff, and the uninterrupted operation of our schools," Poynton said. "After careful consideration and a majority vote, the Board has determined that the best course of action at this time is for our superintendent to be placed on administrative leave during the investigation."
Poynton said the school board has the confidence that Dr. Mack will "ensure continuity, stability, and effective leadership across the district."
"The Board has full confidence in our leadership team and remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and the highest standards of governance," Poynton continued. "We will continue to focus on what matters most: supporting our students, empowering our educators, and serving the families and community of Harford County."