OPINION: A Visionary Blueprint For Education

The Transition Report prepared for Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dallas Dance contains valuable recommendations for improving our school system.

At the October 9, 2012 meeting of the Baltimore County Board of Education, members received a briefing regarding the Transition Report prepared for Superintendent Dallas Dance. This detailed study contains a series of 42 short-term (2012 - 2013) and 40 long-term (2013 - 2015) recommendations with regard to a total of ten different focus areas. In reviewing this report, it becomes apparent that the members of the transition team conducted a thoughtful review of the strengths and areas in need of improvement within Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS).  I wanted to highlight what I consider the "top four" recommendations this group put forward.  "Establish an organization and culture where the primary work of the district takes place in …

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The Spirit of Community

OPINION: Former Superintendent Joe Hairston's Latest Bombshell

Even after his departure as superintendent for Baltimore County Public Schools, Joe Hairston still manages to generate controversy.

Readers of Patch received news last week of another sad chapter in the history of Joe Hairton's tenure as the Baltimore County Public Schools superintendent.  As in the past, this latest bombshell is indicative of an administrator who felt he was entitled to unilaterally make crucial decisions—without consultation with the Board of Education—and with little or no regard for the citizens he was supposed to serve. In early July 2011, Superintendent Hairston finalized new employment contracts with two top-level school employees: Chief Communications Officer Phyllis Reese and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Donald Peccia. These contracts were negotiated during a period when there was broad speculation regarding Hairston's future …

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Paul Amirault

3:46 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

And if they lose???   more ›