WILSON’S TERMINATION. COUNTY EXECUTIVE BOB CASSILLY TELLS WBAL TV 11 NEWS THURSDAY HE BELIEVES SUPERINTENDENT DOCTOR SEAN OLSON HAS VIOLATED PUBLIC TRUST BY NOT SHARING WITH THE PUBLIC WHAT HAPPENED DURING THAT ALLEGED ROBBERY BACK IN 2020. FOR SHOCK, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE YOU DON’T. YOU DON’T THINK THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN A SMALL COMMUNITY. SO WHEN YOU HEAR SOMETHING LIKE THIS, YOU’RE DEFINITELY TOTALLY SURPRISED. ACCUSATIONS CONTINUE TO SWIRL AROUND HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT DOCTOR SEAN OLSON, NOW PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE PENDING AN INVESTIGATION ORDERED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. THESE ALLEGATIONS OUT THERE JUST TOTALLY DISRUPTING THE SCHOOL. IT’S TERRIBLE. IT’S A TERRIBLE ENVIRONMENT TO HAVE THAT OUT THERE. HARFORD COUNTY EXECUTIVE BOB CASSILLY WANTS TO SEE OLSON FLAT OUT TERMINATED AFTER HEARING A RECORDING OF AN ALLEGED 911 CALL FROM THE INCIDENT UNDER INVESTIGATION. HE SAYS IT INVOLVES A TAXPAYER FUNDED TRIP TO AN EDUCATION CONFERENCE IN NEW ORLEANS. WBAL TV 11 NEWS HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN OR VERIFY THE RELEASED AUDIO. HE BREACHED HIS OBLIGATION TO THE KIDS, TO THE PARENTS, TO THE TEACHERS. IT WAS A GROSS BREACH OF THAT OF HIS RESPONSIBILITIES AND A LEADER OF THAT KIND OF ORGANIZATION OUGHT TO STEP UP TO THE FRONT RIGHT AWAY AND SAY, HERE’S WHY THIS IS FALSE, OR I’M OUT OF HERE. AND TO SAY, I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS. YOU DON’T HAVE THAT OPTION. SO IT’S TIME TO GO. ONE DAY AFTER THE INVESTIGATION IS ANNOUNCED AND NOW FORMER BOE PRESIDENT AARON BOYNTON SAYS HE IS RESIGNING, ATTRIBUTED TO THE WORKLOAD AND A NEW CEO ROLE. HE STARTS NEXT WEEK. HE SENT OUT A LETTER WEDNESDAY REGARDING THE INVESTIGATION. IN IT, HE EXPLAINS THAT OLSON MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A REPORTED ROBBERY WHILE ON THAT 2024 WORK TRIP. BOYNTON SAYS THERE WAS CONCERN, BUT AN INTERNAL REVIEW CONFIRMS NO STUDENT DATA WAS COMPROMISED. TO HEAR THAT KIND OF THING, AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHETHER IT’S JUST A LITTLE SMOKE OR WHETHER IT’S A BIG FIRE THAT WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL, THAT IT’S UNJUSTLY. THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT WILL NOW BE THE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT. A NEW BOARD MEMBER WILL BE VOTED IN TO FILL THE VACANCY OF THE PRESIDENT. BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY WILL BECOME THE PRESIDENT. THAT MUST BE VOTED ON LATER ON. WE DID REACH OUT TO OLSON, AND WE DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE FOR COMMENT. IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE FULL STATEMENTS FROM THE BOARD AND FROM THE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT, YOU CAN FIND THEM ON T
Harford schools under ‘time of turbulence’ with superintendent on leave, board president resigning
A “time of turbulence” intensified for the school system in Harford County, where the superintendent is on leave and the Board of Education leader immediately resigned.Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Sean Bulson was placed on administrative leave amid a new investigation into a reported robbery with which he’s involved. Deputy Superintendent Dyann Mack is currently serving as the district’s acting superintendent.After hearing a recording of an alleged 911 call related to the investigation, Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly told WBAL-TV 11 News on Thursday that he wants to see the superintendent terminated.”These allegations out there are totally disrupting the school. It’s terrible. It’s a terrible environment to have that out there,” Cassilly told WBAL-TV 11 News.Cassilly said he believes Bulson violated public trust by not telling the public what happened during an alleged 2024 robbery that he said involves “a taxpayer-funded trip to an education conference in New Orleans.”WBAL-TV 11 News has not been able to obtain or verify the released audio.”There was not one specific thing on the call that stood out. Rather, it was the totality of the call and the circumstances the superintendent described as occurring during a taxpayer-funded trip that led to my decision,” Cassilly told WBAL-TV 11 News. “As the leader of HCPS, he is held to a high standard of ethical and moral conduct, and it was clear to me that he failed to meet that standard.”The county executive commented further, saying Bulson breached his obligations.”He breached his obligations to kids, to the parents, to the teachers. It was a gross breach of his responsibilities,” Cassilly told WBAL-TV 11 News. “A leader of that type of organization ought to step up to the front right away and say, ‘Here’s why this is false,’ or, ‘I’m out of here.’ And, to say, ‘I’m not talking about this,’ you don’t have that option. So, it’s time to go.”County residents with whom WBAL-TV 11 News spoke expressed surprise.”Shock. Of course, you don’t think this is going to happen in a small community. So, when you hear something like this, you’re definitely totally surprised,” said Linda Stamper, a Harford County resident.HCPS statement on Bulson investigationWBAL-TV 11 News obtained a letter sent Wednesday to the district community from Aaron Poynton, the outgoing president of the Harford County Board of Education, saying that Bulson “may have been involved in a reported robbery” while on that 2024 work trip and that there was concern, but an internal review confirmed no student data was compromised. The letter follows in its entirety.”As many of you are aware, it has been reported by various media outlets that our superintendent may have been involved in a reported robbery while on a work-related trip in 2024. This has understandably raised questions regarding the nature of the incident and whether any Harford County Public Schools property or student information may have been compromised.”An internal review confirms no student data was compromised. The board has now ordered an independent investigation into the entire matter.”The attention and distraction surrounding this reported incident has 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. 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.”In the meantime, Dr. Dyann Mack, our current deputy superintendent, will serve as acting superintendent to 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. We will continue to focus on what matters most: Supporting our students, empowering our educators, and serving the families and community of Harford County.”Bulson has not responded to requests from WBAL-TV 11 News for comment.HCPS leaders commit to investigation, ensuring stabilityMack released a statement in regard to her appointment as interim superintendent, saying:”I have dedicated my entire professional career to the students of Harford County Public Schools, serving in a wide range of roles from classroom teacher to school leader to district administrator.”I am honored by the Board of Education’s confidence in me and their decision to appoint me as interim superintendent during this time. My focus is, and will remain, on ensuring stability, and steady, strong, and thoughtful leadership for our school system.”Harford County Public Schools is supported by dedicated educators, leaders, and staff who work every day on behalf of students. I am committed to working alongside them to maintain safe, supportive, and high-quality learning environments, to ensure instructional progress, and to move the system forward with integrity, collaboration, and care for our community.”Harford County Board of Education Vice President Lauren Paige released a statement, saying:”As vice president of the Harford County school board, I recognize the gravity of the recent allegations involving Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson. 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.”Therefore, in light of the public information available, a full and impartial investigation is essential to determine the facts. Once the findings are thoroughly reviewed, we must take appropriate and decisive action to ensure accountability. I am committed to overseeing a responsible process, ensuring our community is kept informed, and steering our focus back to the fundamental interests of our students and schools.”A new board member will be voted on to fill the vacancy, but that does not mean the new member will serve as president.A statement shared on behalf of the Board of Education states: “The Board of Education of Harford County supports a thorough review of the matter and is taking the necessary steps to ensure stability and strong leadership moving forward. This includes working with the county executive to appoint a new board member and confirm the next board president, while remaining focused on supporting students, staff, and families and maintaining the effective operation of Harford County Public Schools.”
A “time of turbulence” intensified for the school system in Harford County, where the superintendent is on leave and the Board of Education leader immediately resigned.
Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Sean Bulson was placed on administrative leave amid a new investigation into a reported robbery with which he’s involved. Deputy Superintendent Dyann Mack is currently serving as the district’s acting superintendent.
After hearing a recording of an alleged 911 call related to the investigation, Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly told WBAL-TV 11 News on Thursday that he wants to see the superintendent terminated.
“These allegations out there are totally disrupting the school. It’s terrible. It’s a terrible environment to have that out there,” Cassilly told WBAL-TV 11 News.
Cassilly said he believes Bulson violated public trust by not telling the public what happened during an alleged 2024 robbery that he said involves “a taxpayer-funded trip to an education conference in New Orleans.”
WBAL-TV 11 News has not been able to obtain or verify the released audio.
“There was not one specific thing on the call that stood out. Rather, it was the totality of the call and the circumstances the superintendent described as occurring during a taxpayer-funded trip that led to my decision,” Cassilly told WBAL-TV 11 News. “As the leader of HCPS, he is held to a high standard of ethical and moral conduct, and it was clear to me that he failed to meet that standard.”
The county executive commented further, saying Bulson breached his obligations.
“He breached his obligations to kids, to the parents, to the teachers. It was a gross breach of his responsibilities,” Cassilly told WBAL-TV 11 News. “A leader of that type of organization ought to step up to the front right away and say, ‘Here’s why this is false,’ or, ‘I’m out of here.’ And, to say, ‘I’m not talking about this,’ you don’t have that option. So, it’s time to go.”
County residents with whom WBAL-TV 11 News spoke expressed surprise.
“Shock. Of course, you don’t think this is going to happen in a small community. So, when you hear something like this, you’re definitely totally surprised,” said Linda Stamper, a Harford County resident.
HCPS statement on Bulson investigation
WBAL-TV 11 News obtained a letter sent Wednesday to the district community from Aaron Poynton, the outgoing president of the Harford County Board of Education, saying that Bulson “may have been involved in a reported robbery” while on that 2024 work trip and that there was concern, but an internal review confirmed no student data was compromised. The letter follows in its entirety.
“As many of you are aware, it has been reported by various media outlets that our superintendent may have been involved in a reported robbery while on a work-related trip in 2024. This has understandably raised questions regarding the nature of the incident and whether any Harford County Public Schools property or student information may have been compromised.
“An internal review confirms no student data was compromised. The board has now ordered an independent investigation into the entire matter.
“The attention and distraction surrounding this reported incident has 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. 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.
“In the meantime, Dr. Dyann Mack, our current deputy superintendent, will serve as acting superintendent to 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. We will continue to focus on what matters most: Supporting our students, empowering our educators, and serving the families and community of Harford County.”
Bulson has not responded to requests from WBAL-TV 11 News for comment.
HCPS leaders commit to investigation, ensuring stability
Mack released a statement in regard to her appointment as interim superintendent, saying:
“I have dedicated my entire professional career to the students of Harford County Public Schools, serving in a wide range of roles from classroom teacher to school leader to district administrator.
“I am honored by the Board of Education’s confidence in me and their decision to appoint me as interim superintendent during this time. My focus is, and will remain, on ensuring stability, and steady, strong, and thoughtful leadership for our school system.
“Harford County Public Schools is supported by dedicated educators, leaders, and staff who work every day on behalf of students. I am committed to working alongside them to maintain safe, supportive, and high-quality learning environments, to ensure instructional progress, and to move the system forward with integrity, collaboration, and care for our community.”
Harford County Board of Education Vice President Lauren Paige released a statement, saying:
“As vice president of the Harford County school board, I recognize the gravity of the recent allegations involving Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson. 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.
“Therefore, in light of the public information available, a full and impartial investigation is essential to determine the facts. Once the findings are thoroughly reviewed, we must take appropriate and decisive action to ensure accountability. I am committed to overseeing a responsible process, ensuring our community is kept informed, and steering our focus back to the fundamental interests of our students and schools.”
A new board member will be voted on to fill the vacancy, but that does not mean the new member will serve as president.
A statement shared on behalf of the Board of Education states: “The Board of Education of Harford County supports a thorough review of the matter and is taking the necessary steps to ensure stability and strong leadership moving forward. This includes working with the county executive to appoint a new board member and confirm the next board president, while remaining focused on supporting students, staff, and families and maintaining the effective operation of Harford County Public Schools.”