Interim Superintendent Of Harford Co. Schools Graduated From Joppatowne HS

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Dr. Dyann R. Mack has been appointed interim superintendent of Harford County Public Schools effective Thursday.

The former president of the Harford County Board of Education, Dr. Aaron Poynton, resigned Thursday - the day after the former 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."

Related: Harford Co. Education Board President Resigns

Mack has nearly 30 years of experience with Harford County Public Schools and is a graduate of Joppatowne High School. In her most recent role as deputy superintendent for academics, she provided systemwide leadership in curriculum, instruction, professional learning and student support services. Mack previously served HCPS as executive director and director of elementary school instruction and performance, providing leadership and support for 34 elementary schools serving more than 35,000 students.

Her career in HCPS started as a classroom teacher at Prospect Mill Elementary School, followed by roles as achievement gap coordinator, assistant principal and principal.

Mack holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Walden University, a master’s degree in
educational leadership from Loyola College, and a bachelor of science in early childhood and
elementary education from Lincoln University. She is a graduate of the Public Schools Superintendents Association of Maryland Aspiring Superintendent Cohort and holds multiple state and national leadership and coaching certifications.

“I am honored to serve as interim superintendent of Harford County Public Schools,” Mack said. “I look forward to working alongside our students, staff, families and community to foster safe and high-quality learning environments where every student and staff member can be seen, valued and heard.”

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 ordered an independent investigation into the incident.

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."

Related: Harford Co. Superintendent On Leave Amid Controversy