Harford Co. Education Board President Resigns

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — The president of the Harford County Board of Education has resigned the day after the school superintendent was placed on leave following an incident that happened at an out-of-state education conference in 2024.

Aaron Poynton stated that his resignation comes at a "time of turbulence" for Harford County Public Schools. He emphasized that his decision to resign was not influenced by "recent challenges facing the district."

"For several months, I have been in discussions with a new employer regarding a chief executive officer role, and I am scheduled to begin that position next week. This role will require my full-time attention and frequent extended travel outside of Harford County. In light of these commitments, I have concluded that I can no longer fulfill the duties of this position at the level of focus and availability it deserves," he said in a statement released by the school district. "With that in mind, I have no choice but to resign from my position on the Harford County Board of Education, effective today."

Related: Harford Co. Superintendent On Leave Amid Controversy

Poynton said the workload as board president has become more than full-time and is a volunteer role, one he can no longer handle.

" As a result, I have found myself increasingly stretched and unable to give appropriate attention to other important aspects of my life, including my family and my professional responsibilities ... It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the students, staff and communities of Harford County. Working alongside each of you in support of public education has been deeply meaningful, and I am proud of the dedication this board has shown to our schools, educators and families," Poynton said in the statement.

Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Sean Bulson was placed on leave Wednesday. Early on Wednesday, Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly called for the resignation of the Harford County Public Schools superintendent after learning about a reported theft that happened at an out-of-state education conference in 2024. Cassilly cited a lack of trust in the school leader in a statement he released.

Late that same day, Harford County Education Board President Aaron Poynton released a statement confirming that an internal review showed no student data was comprised after electronic devices were reported stolen by Bulson from his hotel room, according to the transcription of a 911 call shared by the firm Turnbull Brockmeyer Law Group. Poynton said the education board has now ordered an independent investigation into the incident.

While Bulson was on a taxpayer-funded trip to an education conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, an incident happened involving a woman in his hotel room according to a 911 call circulating online in which the caller, self identified as Bulson, reported a theft. The caller said a woman was in his room and left while he was asleep with items from his room.

The firm Turnbull Brockmeyer Law Group stated on Facebook that it obtained the 911 call first and released a transcript of it to the public on social media. The law firm also said in its post that the theft included phones, an iPad, a laptop, an Apple Watch and technology that "appears consistent with employer-issued devices. Technology that, if issued by Harford County Public Schools, would have carried secured and confidential information."