Harford County school superintendent is out after board declines to renew contract
Harford County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson's contract will not be renewed when it expires in June, the school board announced on Monday.
The school board is exercising the unilateral termination clause in his contract and is separating from Bulson immediately. He will be getting paid through the end of his contract.
The school board's vote comes after Bulson came under fire last month following an investigation into a non-emergency call he placed to police while attending a work conference in 2024.
The controversy led to dismay within the school board after it was revealed that some of the members knew about the incident before it became public.
"After carefully weighing these realities, I supported and voted to end Dr. Bulson's contract under the unilateral termination clause in this contract," said Lauren Paige, the President of the Harford County Board of Education. "This course of action minimizes unintended consequences, allows the school system to move forward in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner."
Paige defended the board's actions and said firing Bulson for violating his morality clause would have been a more difficult process, which would've involved the state superintendent's approval. If the state did not approve of the termination, Bulson would have resumed as district superintendent.
"I voted no to pay Dr Bulson through the remainder of his contract. I believe that we should be held accountable for our actions, and I do not feel that rewarding moral behavior with a buyout," said Melissa Hahn, a board of education member.
Harford County schools leadership elections
At Monday's meeting, the Board of Education elected Lauren Paige as Board President and Wade Sewell as Board Vice President.
Liliana Norkaitis was also sworn in as the newest appointed member of the Board of Education.
Dr. Dyann Mack will continue to serve as the acting superintendent.
The Board of Education says it will begin a search for a new superintendent immediately
Superintendent investigation
Bulson was on paid administrative leave after school-owned property was reportedly stolen from him while he was attending the National School Board Association Conference in New Orleans in 2024.
The investigation by Maryland's Inspector General for Education (OIGE) found there was no data breach.
The OIGE report determined that staff members at the hotel recovered the items from the superintendent's hotel room and returned them. The report said the items, which allegedly included a laptop, iPad, Apple Watch and cellphones, were examined for signs of tampering, and the school district's IT director determined that there was no breach.
Bulson allegedly made a non-emergency call to police, reporting that he let an unknown woman into his hotel room and she stole several items.
Multiple investigations revealed that most of the board members knew about the alleged incident but failed to report it.
Controversy within the school board
The aftermath of the incident led to Harford County Board of Education Aaron Poynton resigning, but he said he decision was not related to the "recent challenges facing the district."
Lauren Paige was elected as board president Monday after previously serving as vice president.
Deputy Superintendent Eric Davis was also placed on administrative leave.
However, the OIGE report revealed that Poynton was aware that the items were reported stolen, found, examined, and replaced 20 months before the request for an investigation was made.
Additionally, in a 10-page report from the Harford County Auditor, the auditor "considered that a few officials could conspire to cover up the events leading up to the devices being lost," but that ultimately fell outside the scope of their review.
The auditor's report also looked into the money spent by school board members while at the conference in 2024. However, the auditor said $24,000 in taxpayer dollars spent on the trip was "appropriate and supported."
Calls for superintendent's resignation
The investigation has led to not only school board and county leaders calling for Bulson's resignation or termination.
"To me, the termination doesn't need an investigation," Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly said. "His own words were there; his failure to show leadership at a critical juncture, we don't need an investigation."
County councilmember Tony Giongiordano called on Bulson, Poynton and school board member Wade Swell to step down.
"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," Giongiordano said.
Last month, school board vice president Lauren Paige, along with County Council President Pat Vincenti, pushed for an investigation.
"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."
