Hairston, Legislators Could Meet this Week

Legislators could get their meeting with Baltimore County Schools Superintendent Joe A. Hairston as early as this week.

Del. John A. Olszewski Jr., a Dundalk Democrat and chairman of the county's House Delegation, said Friday that a meeting has tentatively been scheduled for some time this week.

The House Delegation typically meets on Fridays.

Olszewski said it was unclear whether the meeting would happen during the delegation meeting or at some other time. Also not clear was whether or not the meeting would be open to the public.

Hairston could meet with legislators individually or in small groups.

Olszewski and Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, a Perry Hall Democrat and chairwoman of the Senate delegation, sent Hairston a letter on March 18 requesting a meeting in the wake of the hiring of Deputy Superintendent Renee Foose.

The schools system delayed releasing information on Foose's $214,000 salary to The Baltimore Sun for nearly a month. The schools system continues to deny the release of that same information to Patch and is demanding a written request even though a document is not being requested.

Patch requested the salary information from Phyllis Reese, a schools spokeswoman, on March 11—24 days ago.

Salary information of government employees is public by law. Most state and county agencies release it to the public upon request.

Olszewski and Klausmeier, in their letter, said they were concerned with the salary given that the schools system plans to eliminate nearly 200 teaching positions.

The legislative leaders also said they were concerned with Reese's comments to Patch, including saying that it "will be a cold day in hell before you get the information" without a written request and that the schools system "was not like everyone else" when it comes to releasing salary information.  

On Thursday, Hairston  appeared on WBAL radio and told Clarence Mitchell IV that recent criticisms leveled at himself and the schools system .

"It's people with a personal agenda," Hairston said. "It's people with animosity against the organization or me personally."

Hairston told Mitchell a meeting was likely before the General Assembly concludes its business on April 11. He also said he had a good relationship with legislators.

But Klausmeier said that relationship is becoming strained as Hairston acts in ways that cause parents, teachers and legislators concern.

"Perception is reality," Klausmeier said.

"I've always tried to work with the man but it gets harder and harder when he does some of the stuff he does," said Klausmeier.