From Patti Garland:
To Citizens of Harford County,
Many of you have experienced the kindness, knowledge, encouragement, professionalism and support of a very special elementary principal in our county. Actually, I call him Harford County’s very own living legend. He has been a principal at three different elementary schools in our county and has been an integral part of HCPS for 50 years. How many people do you know that have lasted 50 years at any job, let alone one that involves children between the ages of 4-11 years old? He has lasted that long, because he has always loved his job and has given 100+% of himself , 365 days a year, not just during the regular 10 month school year. He rarely misses a day of school and spends late nights and weekends getting the job done. I am sure many of you already know who I am describing … yes, it is Mr. Dale Hunsinger. Every year, probably for the past 20 years, everyone asks Dale, “so are you retiring this year?. He just chuckles and says “no, not yet”. This man seriously loves his job and takes pride in what he, his staff members and students accomplish each year.
Well, two weeks ago his dedicated, devoted and diligent staff suddenly was told that Mr. Hunsinger was put on administrative leave for the remainder of the school year. No explanations or reasons were given, just that it was not for medical reasons. So, being the dedicated staff they are, they carried on educating and nurturing the young minds at their school. Even though, so many of them were distraught and worried about their leader, they knew that Mr. Hunsinger would want them to go about their job and take care of the kids first and foremost. I know this because I was one of the teachers that opened North Bend Elementary with Mr. Hunsinger in September 1991. The students were always his number one priority and their best interests always came first. The very best thing about Mr. Hunsinger is that he made everyone feel special and important, from the kids with disabilities of any kind to the shy introverted ones, who sometimes just needed a hug or high five. Every child, staff member and parent mattered to him.
Tomorrow (Monday) there will be a Board of Education meeting at 6:30 pm at the A.A. Roberty building in Bel Air. To show your support for Mr. Hunsinger please try to attend and wear his school color, red. HCPS employees who want to show their support should wear red to school tomorrow, also. Let’s show the Board of Education, HCPS Superintendents, Executive Directors and all of HCPS that we know and appreciate what Mr. Hunsinger has given to so many people over his 50 years of service to our schools. He has touched countless lives and had a positive impact on his staff members, students, families and communities.
Patti Garland (Retired educator with 38 years of service to HCPS)
How can one be supported without knowing the reason for administrative leave?
None of us know the details or reason for Mr. Hunsinger’s administrative leave. The whole thing has been very secretive. We just want to uphold and defend his character as we know it. We feel that it is important, even before the reason is exposed, to show that he has made a positive impact on thousands of Harford County citizens.
People said the same for Bill Cosby and Stephen Collins, and look who they turned out to be…
I am not sure what the purpose of this meeting will be. He has retired. It would have been nice when he was originally put on leave to come out, but that didn’t happen. Mr. Hunzinger was a great educator and leader. He will be missed.
Reread the first two sentences in the second paragraph. I’m sure that if his staff could have had their voices heard at the time they would have!
The meeting was already scheduled and is listed on HCPS website. It is about budget issues and promotion/transfer of administrators in the school system. The public is invited and some time is given to anyone who wishes to speak. A group of people who know and respect Mr. Hunsinger as a leader in our school system, decided that this meeting could be used as an opportunity to show support as to his good character, moral ethics and positive influence to so many. And, BTW, Mr, Hunsinger has not retired, he is on leave at this time.
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/08/31/the-rubber-room
I wish we knew the reason for administrative action, but in this case I’ve heard so much over the years about how wonderful Mr. Huntsinger was, I prefer to honor his longtime service. I can’t make the board meeting but will send an email instead, encouraging the board to stand by their dedicated employee and not make a rash decision.
Mr. Hunsinger is a credit to our profession and a Harford County Treasure. How can you measure the lives he has impacted over the course of fifty years of service.
Mr. Hunsinger cleaned out his office on Saturday. Believe me he is retired or is retirring. He is a great educator and has touched the lives of so many people. That should not be diminished. He should be recongized for all of his achievements. He is a great man.
Yes, for sure, Mr. Hunsinger is a great man. That is the reason we are asking for people to remember him as such. There will never be another principal like him. And, of course, everyone realizes he will now retire, why would he stay with a school system who treats him with such disrespect? He deserves so much better. I hope Dagger Press readers will respond to my letter by leaving comments telling of the wonderful things this man has done for our county and its citizens!
Although I cannot make the gathering this evening, I just wanted to express my feelilngs about a wonderful human being. I first began working with Mr. Dale Hunsinger in 1989 and continued with him when North Bend opened in 1991. I was very upset when he was moved to be Principal of Homestead in 1998 because NB was losing a fantastic leader, confidant, and genuinly kind and understanding person. He is truly a family man and in turn made EVERYONE at NB his extended family. It does break my heart that such a fine upstanding man would have to end his long career with HCPS in this manner. Although, we do not know the details of the situation, it hurts me that he and his family need to endure the this stress and disappointment in their lives. My prayers and thoughts have been with them and will continue to be with them.
It is not just his school either. The staff at Halls Cross Roads has suffered the same fate. Their Principal was also removed and the staff not given any respect at all by any powers-that-be! The behavior is out of control-staff morale is down and the staff is exhausted from the new VP on down! When you allow parents and children to run a school-this is what happens.Mr. HUNSINGER is a wonderful man-and the HCPS superintendent should be ashamed. What the heck is going on? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone like the gentleman in this article will never be replaced. The school system probably don’t care, either.
They just need bodies with the experience/qualifications and no apparent criminal activity past or present.
50 years is too long to be in any position. HCPS needs to step up to the plate and clear out more of the dead wood.
For those of you leaving the idiotic and speculative comments, shame on you! It’s obvious that you do not know Dale personally so keep your garbage off of this page. Dale Hunsinger has spent a lifetime putting students, faculty, and staff before himself. He always has a smile on his face and he always looks for equitable solutions no matter how small or large a problem. Generations of children and teachers have flourished under his amazing leadership, including my mother as a teacher and both of my children when they attended North Bend.
Harford County Board of Education and the main office has a history of making poor decisions regarding many different aspects of the education system in Harford County including the hiring and firing of Principals, teachers, and other staff, building schools (everyone remember the North Harford High debacle?), cutting programs, and not even initiating programs that other successful Local Education Agencies have moved forward with…
What ever happens to Dale everyone should remember all of the great things he has done, the children he has educated, and the teachers he has inspired. Love you Mr. Hunsinger! Bobbie’s daughter and Garth and Kalie’s Mom! Cindy
Don’t tell people what to do. Are you da’big boss? Lame.
Besides reading your word smithed text book reply, hello? This is the internet, not a Board of Education meeting.
If you don’t like what you are reading, don’t read it. People are so damn weird, I think it is a fetish for a lot to purposely read/reply to comments they don’t like.
Anyone from with an internet connection on Earth can post here.
You’re not the boss of me! You can’t tell me what to do! Nobody is the boss here! Now do what I tell you!
Wait. What?
To be removed so close to the end of the school year seems odd, could it not wait till schools were closed for the summer?
While fifty years is a long time, Dale is anything but “dead wood”. The years have only made him more insightful, understanding, and knowledgeable about education and the needs of children and teachers. New doesn’t always mean better. New is cheaper and more easily molded to the current thinking. We al know how well those current theories are working out…..
I could not agree more with this comment. Mr. Hunsinger has dedicated his life to the school system. No one knows more about what is best for the students, staff and community. My thoughts and prayer are with him and his family at this difficult time.
Our family was so fortunate to have gone to Homestead Wakefield for 3 yrs. MR. HUNSINGER, is a great caring man & principal. Our child has anxiety issues and Mr. HUNSINGER & his wonderful staff made his first 3 yrs of school better than expected. This wonderful man knows his students and is always there for his students and their families.
Dale Hunsinger has been a friend for over fifty years and we admire his fortitude and dedication throughout this arduous, ridiculous situation. The Board should be ashamed of their actions and the embarrassment and humiliation they have caused the entire Hunsinger family. This whole situation could have been handled in a more professional manner. We can only be disappointed with the actions displayed by the administration.
I have known Dale all my life when we grew up together in northeastern PA. He has always cared for people especially children in his 50 years of being an educator. He is the one that brought my wife and I to Harford County to teach. As my wife and I have gone around the county people always ask if we are related to dale. That should tell you something about him and his great reputation in the county within education. Shame on the board of education for how they have treated Dale and his family. The administration should be admonished for their actions in this situation. Please salute dale for what his has done for the children of Harford County for the past 50 years. Best wishes to him in his retirement.
I recently attended Jeanette Jenning’s retirement dinner. She, too, was removed from her principal’s position, like Dale, in the Fall 2014. This important quotation was shared at the dinner and we should give it much thought and consideration:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I am not a Socialist.
Next they came for the Trade Unionist, and I did not speak out–Because I am not a Trade Unionists.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out–Because I am not a Jew.
Then they came for me, and there was not one left to speak for me.
Think about the message of this quote. Where is the voice of the people in HCPS? Where is the common sense and kindness that was the school system I worked in for many, many year. Why are rules and guidelines ignored for the good ole boy network? Why was a principal put at Hickory that WAS NOT in the Principal’s Pool? Why was the candidate in the Principal’s Pool skipped over for Mr. Stinar? Why are rules not followed? Why do Supervisor tell administrators who to hire and not allow veterans teachers the opportunitiy to have new experiences in order to grow? We have a big problem in HCPS. Wake up parents! Wake up School Board! The current leadership and Nancy Reynolds are one big happy family and just keep giving the O.K. to proceed. DDangerous!
Let’s find out what the administrative leave is for before you all get your lanterns and pitch forks.
Shut your hole, you troll. You’ve got a lot of nerve hiding behind that pseudonym while casting aspersions on Principal Hunsinger. Think he’s been stealing money from the school system? Think he’s been diddling little kids in the principal’s office? Nobody is talking about what went down, not Hunsinger, and not the school board, whose cunt of a lawyer tried to hush people for even voicing how they felt about their principal. You can’t even mention his name without being ejected from a school board meeting! Ridiculous. More likely Hunsinger said something uncharacteristically frank or gave an ultimatum or simply retired. But to suggest that the cause of the “administrative leave” is anything but the benefit of the kids is cowardice. Shame on you. You make me sick.
Jackass, I form an unbiased observation and like to know facts.
+3,000 teachers/administration/staff, is it unreasonable to not assume some of them aren’t the greatest people alive? How many get arrested/charged/conviction for criminal acts every year, how many get fired, how many have grievance’s against them?
Not saying this applies to the Principal in the article but it certainly applies to some.
No one here is assuming anything but you, people want information released.
I
You don’t have the facts, so shut your hole. All you have is a big mouth. Big and mighty behind that username! You are a coward.
Wait, what?
The afgument by numbers is stupid. Because there are a lot of people, there are bad people. Because there are a lot of people there are good people. What if the bad people were the ones who fired the good people?
Let’s turn it back on me. “There are a lot of people on the website. Some of them are bad. Not saying this applies to me, of course.”
There is criminal activity everywhere, people always act like it never happens within the school. Thousands of employees, some of them are/have engaged in unlawful acts deemed by COMAR and Federal law.
Why is that stupid? Its the truth.
I’m not implying or pointing “finger” at anyone specifically.
If Dale has 50 years in the school system that would put him around 72 years old. I don’t know if HCPS has a mandatory retirement age for its administrators, but I have to say a 72 year old principal is pushing it. He is old enough to be his students great grandfather. Dale should retire and enjoy some leisure time – its not like he isn’t going to be collecting over $100K a year not to work between his pension and social security. And after seeing what happened to his old buddy Steve Hardy a few months after retirement, you would think Dale would want to enjoy the remaining years God is giving him, rather than work for a school system that shows its staff zero respect. Maybe he refused and HCPS had to take action.
In truth, this is what I hope, because it is the second best option. (The first best is having Hunsinger looking after our kids still).
Wait, what?
First they came for the Socialist, and I did not speak out—Because I am not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out–Because I am not a Trade Unioinist
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out–Because I am not a Jew
Then they came for me, and there was not one left to speak for me.
What is happening at HCPS?
Too bad they didn’t stop after the Socialists and Trade Unionists. I was with them up to that point.
Squirrel!
he was removed for something that was occurring by someone in his office, under his watch, that he presumably had no knowledge of.
I fully support the original intent of Ms Garland’s letter and ask that anyone who is speculating on the circumstances step back and wait until they hear all the facts. Those of us who know Mr Hunsinger know that he is an upstanding citizen, a dedicated professional, and an honorable human being. He is not being treated fairly by the superintendent, and while he is being asked to remain silent about the circumstances at this time, the students/parents/staff of his school are all suffering as well from his absence in their lives. No educator has given more of himself for 50 years than Mr Hunsinger. He knows his students and their families and genuinely cares for each and every one. He treats every staff member with respect from his teachers to his custodial staff. I hope that everyone who has ever had a positive connection to this great educator will remain steadfast in their support of him through this difficult time. You will not regret remaining faithful supporters. You know that Mr Hunsinger would be there to support you, your child, or your family members should you be treated unfairly. Please join me in being there for him.
I am in agreement with your post and feel you have stated everything I was thinking. I worked at HWES before my retirement and feel privileged to have spent many of those years under Dale Hunsinger’s leadership. Dale, his family and his HWES family are in my prayers.
Why isn’t Mr Hunsinger out front and center telling the world what happened ? It’s not like he’s going to lose his job.
Something is terribly wrong here.
Put your name on your comment instead of a ?
What difference does that make? Its the internet. How do you know who’s name is real or not?
It doesn’t make you more of a “man” or not since no one (really) cares in the end, anyway.
yes it does. You don’t have to follow everyone on the net. Be a man with a name
The entry box says “Name” it doesn’t say your Christian born name. How you interpret it is different than others.
In your opinion it makes someone a “man” but you’re “debating” with people on the internet, its like winning nothing.
You are right. I can’t help it, though.
Sophistry. You are not Silence Dogood. You are a coward. Crawl back under your bridge.
Go away, Jack. You aren’t helping your butt buddy by using explicitive and vulgar language, ASSumptions.
Come back and tell me what to do so you can feel proud you are clappity clappity clapping on the keyboard.
Look at me! I’m on the internets!
Wait. What?
Why?
Never mind. Bye guys, my mom is calling me.
I’m 4 years old!
Getting desperate, former user “Jack Nerad”?
Calling someone a troll, then resorting to said troll tactics after you get butthurt?
To? Don’t you think if he could, he would? So maybe at this point, it’s not his job he is needing to protect, but maybe there are other aspects of this story that he was told to keep quiet for. When the time is right, the whole story will come out. Those who know Mr. Hunsinger know that he will do what needs to be done to get the job done right…no less.
Unless he is Snowden, the first amendment specifically stops the government (school system) from impinging on his right to free speech. The dagger can censor you along with any private business but the government can;t and if they are I hope Mr Hunsinger takes legal action.
Unfortunately I doubt that is the case.
First Amendment rights at an HCPS board meeting? Didn’t you witness that sleaze board attorney shut down speakers with shrill calls of being “out of order”? If anyone should be put out on the street it is Patrick Spicer.
The government can’t suppress your speech on a public street, but they don’t have to grant you a venue to speak during the conduct of official business.
Actually that was kind of funny to hear that shrill voice of PS… “out of order” and then no one paid any attention to him and kept talking! haha . I guess he doesn’t realize he is the laughing stock of the local practicing attorneys!
All HCPS employees are bound by (and entitled to) certain confidentiality agreements, particularly as they regard personnel matters. It is quite likely that this is the reason that Mr. Hunsiinger cannot speak about his situation. While it is purely speculation, and with no disrespect intended, it sounds like something occured that could be considered a fireable offense, and HCPS removed him from the school and allowed him to retire so long as he made no public comment, rather than be fired and having details of the situation become public knowledge.
I have a lot of respect for the Superintendent and her leadership. I am confident that she had to make this tough decision. One that was not easy to make. I respect Dale a great deal and know he has done great things for HCPS, but I also know he has a responsibility to follow county expectations. It doesn’t make him exempt because of his amount of years of service or because he is the only thing Homestead knows.
Do county expectations take into account that maybe he was a victim? If someone’s goal is to deceive another, and goes to great lengths to hide their criminal activity, can the victim be held accountable? Should parents be held accountable and liable for the actions of their adult children? Certainly not!, so why should a principal be held responsible for something purposefully and criminally done by someone else? It is not like something was overlooked or ignored. There was a calculated plan to keep information hidden from him…and others. It is just not right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He is not the first and won’t be the last. Roye-Williams principal was given the same fate, at the same time last school year, after 40 years of service. Hickory’s principal… Hall’s Cross Roads principal… all put on “administrative leave” with no notice or explanation given to the staff. And they wonder why morale is low with everyone fearing for their job and seeking employment elsewhere either in education out.
Employment law is tricky, disclosing the reason for disciplinary action isn’t always a smart move.
It was disciplinary action then? So good to finally hear some actual facts. What kind of disciplinary action was it? Administeative? Civil? Legal?
an ex-employee of the school, not him, is being investigated for theft. It happened under his watch which is what the problem is.
It is no wonder the kids have no chance. When the educators aren’t stealing from the taxpayers, they are trying to bone our kids. They are worse than the priests.
If this is true (not saying one way or the other), then the precedent from the Patterson Mill fiasco would state that Mr. Hunsinger should be praised for his years of service, the whole matter ignored, and allow him to continue in his position as if nothing happened.
????? You are wrong! There are times during a criminal investigation when you cannot speak about a case. It’s called a gag order.
Gag, exactly what people do when the Mayor or DA of Baltimore City get on camera.
Recently, a teacher at Patterson Mill High School was removed in handcuffs from the school. The teacher had an inappropriate relationship with a female student. The teacher was female as well. Since the parents of the student are not pressing charges, that teacher was reassigned to Southampton Middle School. Parents of female students beware. The teacher is a health and physical education teacher. I don’t think I would like my impressionable middle schooler to have this women as a teacher. What is HCPS thinking?
+3,000 teachers in HCPS, some of them aren’t the greatest people ever as evident by revealing criminal actions every year.
Criminal actions are occurring all the time in Harford County, why are you complaining about the teachers? Harford County’s Law Enforcement, Courts and Government do it on a regular basis because quite frankly they are nothing but legalized criminals who assault the public on a daily basis. Yes, the BOE is part of the government. Under your current State’s Attorney’s Office, the State is allowed to basically use any means necessary to destroy those who they have chosen to be destroyed. This will not change because the people of Harford County want it to happen. Stop complaining, you guys put Cassilly in office so now deal with his lack of judicial integrity. Bunch of Republican idiots…….
What are they thinking? They aren’t thinking and are hoping you either won’t notice or won’t care enough to do something. Anyway, the media only get excited when it is men preying on boys.
Sounds like rumor control of “he said she said”. Quite Franky, there are lots of persons employed in the education field who live with the shame and secrecy of whatever it is they did and did not get “caught.”
Whuahhh? Yes, everything from unprofessional integrity/conduct/internal issues (swept under the rug) to Police involved criminal investigations.
Unfortunately without “circumstanial evidence” and the victim(s) staying quiet, no amount of Police investigation, psychologist, etc. will ever know the 100% truth until someone creates the technology to read another’s thoughts.
I think it would be more productive if we just mind our own business and wait for Mr. Hunsinger to let us know the situation if he indeed tells anyone. If we just pay attention to ourselves there would be more peace and less gossip.
Sup? Just saw on the news a former secretary stole $100,000 from Wakefield by altering checks. LOL
Guess that’s why your boy got told to retire?