Harford Co. Superintendent On Leave Amid Controversy

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Sean Bulson has been placed on leave, effective 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.

“Schools Superintendent (Sean) Bulson has violated the public trust. He must resign or be terminated by the School Board. Harford County and our students deserve better," Cassilly said.

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.

"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," Poynton said.

In the meantime, Dr. Dyann Mack, 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," Poynton said in the statement.

County Councilman Tony Giangiordano in the past called for Bulson's resignation in a Facebook post, citing the claim that $8,000 in items, including school district property, had been stolen from Bulson's hotel room in April 2024.

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."

Board of Education Vice President Lauren Paige is calling for a "full and impartial investigation" of the allegations, WMAR reported.

"These claims must be addressed with the seriousness they deserve," Paige said in a statement. "Once the findings are thoroughly reviewed, we must take appropriate and decisive action to ensure accountability."

Bulson was named Maryland Superintendent of the Year by the Public Schools Superintendents’ Association of Maryland in 2023.