From Harford County Public Schools:
The Board of Education of Harford County (Board) today appointed Sean Bulson, Ed.D. to a four-year term as Superintendent of Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) during its business meeting.
Following a rigorous screening and selection process designed by the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE), as well as review and consideration of stakeholder input, the Board determined that Dr. Bulson best meets their criteria for the next superintendent in Harford County.
The appointment is effective July 1, 2018, following the June 30 retirement of current Superintendent of Schools Barbara P. Canavan.
Dr. Bulson’s contract agreement includes a $207,500 annual salary and notes that he must establish residency in Harford County by August 20, 2018.
“We spent many hours discussing the feedback we received from the students, staff, and community and feel that Dr. Bulson is the right choice for Harford County Public Schools,” said Board President Joseph L. Voskuhl.
“Once again, I would like to thank Superintendent Barbara Canavan not only for her dedication and work as superintendent, but for the 40 plus years she has devoted to tirelessly serving the families and students of Harford County Public Schools.”
In February of this year, the Board contracted with MABE to help facilitate the Superintendent Search process. The process included the development of ideal criteria for the next superintendent of schools, first and second round interviews with the Board, a tour of the county and schools, and stakeholder input sessions. Feedback gathered, both internally and externally, indicated resounding support for Dr. Bulson.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to build on the great work already occurring in Harford County on behalf of students,” said Dr. Bulson. “From my own research and in the questions asked of me during the interview process, I see a community motivated to do more to focus on career preparation, equity, safety, and partnerships. I look forward to advancing that work.”
Dr. Bulson’s first steps involve addressing the immediate needs of the district and beginning a plan for the future. With students returning on September 4, he wants to ensure the district’s readiness for a safe, organized, and energized school opening.
Dr. Bulson will also begin a listening and learning tour to become acquainted with the community. He plans to complete the first phase of this process in early fall. It will produce a comprehensive summary of district strengths, opportunities, and recommendations for next steps while also establishing a foundation for ongoing productive relationships with key stakeholders.
Dr. Bulson holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from American University, a master’s degree in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Instruction from Marymount University, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from George Washington University.
He began his career in education in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) where he was an ESOL teacher; principal of Bethesda–Chevy Chase High School, an International Baccalaureate World School; Director of School Performance; and Community Superintendent, supervising 36 schools with approximately 24,000 students. Dr. Bulson served a total of 16 years in MCPS before relocating to North Carolina.
In 2011, Dr. Bulson became superintendent of Wilson County Schools in North Carolina, supervising 12,000 students and 25 schools. He led the development of a district-wide strategic plan to improve both accountability and transparency, and co-led the establishment of a community wide youth plan which yielded benefits in health, safety, and workforce development. To better prepare students seeking employment after high school, he engaged both the business community and the community college to envision, plan, and open the Wilson Academy of Applied Technology, an early college high school which prepares students for careers in advanced manufacturing. During his tenure, Dr. Bulson served on the North Carolina House Education Innovation Committee, and presented at national and state conferences on topics such as Developing a Youth Master Plan, Creating a Welcoming School District Environment, and Teacher Leadership.
In 2016, Dr. Bulson joined the University of North Carolina System to lead an initiative aimed at opening laboratory schools at UNC institutions to serve students from low-performing schools. He leaves his position as Interim Vice President for the Division of University and P-12 Partnerships to join HCPS.
We wish much success and pray that he holds administrators accountable for their actions.
I agree – I also hope he finally holds teachers accountable.
Now if we can only hold parents accountable….
The epidemic of Parental Impairment Syndrome is staggering.. It’s not a teachers position to teach your kid manners, morals, values, work ethic, respect, and how they shouldn’t run to Mommy & Daddy when a teacher calls them on it. You couldn’t get me to teach for $100k with this geneation..
“I agree – I also hope he finally holds teachers accountable.”…..now stop telling my kid where to park the BMW I bought him.
For what?
Prediction: Bulson will be gone in 4 years. His MO is to stay just long enough for resume purposes before moving on to something else. Wilson is a tiny school district with a $70 million budget, low teacher pay which was frozen during most of his tenure and low assessment performance. I suspect he talks a good show, but other counties such as Cecil figured out the substance was lacking. Harford has a long history of very poor outside superintendent hires (Keech, Grotsky, Tomback). I hope this isn’t another, but I would not be surprised if it does not work out. With teacher morale continuing to spiral down after decades of being disrespected by various administrations, he will certainly have his hands full.
LOL
Is there anyone in the working world who isn’t inclined to “climb the ladder” and make themselves more profitable on paper and experience? Maybe people are happy with their 20/30 year regular employee pension, who would turn something down if youre gonna’ be making more money and your “qualified” to do it.
Let’s be real, regardless your profession, it’s all about the money. Hence why teachers seek employment elsewhere.
The working conditions are the same, same shitty coworkers, bosses, parents, but that bling bling every 2 weeks direct deposited in your checking account is more. LOL
A $200K salary seems high and I make a very good salary (not that good) in what I do. I hope he performs and is accountable. Especially in light of the continued pay issues with the School Board. Personally I would rather see money in the pockets of teachers not a high paid administrator.
Admittedly, I don’t have dog in this fight as we decided to homeschool our children, but I do pay taxes.
Don’t you think that teachers have been disrespected by the current homegrown administration?
Like, is Harford County the only school district in this country that has drama and people crying about their employment status?
Teachers leave Harford County to go teach somewhere else, why is there such an abundance of employment availability if these other places are so great? LOL
Ya’know, people quit and find new jobs everyday for various reasons but what I’ve learned is that usually if you quit over personal drama, pay, et Al you’ll only find it again at the next job.
I think EVERYONE should get what’s promised to them, but bro, teachers aren’t the only ones that haven’t gotten a raise. It’s just that peeps love to see the teacher drama.
Good luck!
Absolutely. Neither Haas nor Canavan supported classroom teachers. Neither did Keech, Grotsky or Tomback. Its been decades since Harford teachers felt respected by the administration. I think the rift started with the 1976 teacher strike and has been going down hill ever since. Being a teacher is absolutely one of the worst professions I can think of (my wife was a teacher for a period of time). That was not always the case, but now a days they are under virtually daily attack by administrators, parents and even students.
Over $200K – for freakin’ what? Give more bucks to the teachers and less to the bureaucrats. what bull. who sets these salaries we have to pay?
This person is responsible for operating a system with over 5,000 employees, 60 locations and a $450M budget. Name a CEO with the same responsibility making less than $500K, let alone the $207,500 this person is earning. The public, parents and students are rightfully demanding certain standards in the education system, be willing to pay enough to attract someone capable of doing so.
Donald Trump is President of the United States of America and takes no salary.
Bulson was desperate to get out of NC. After he left Wilson to go to a nonprofit that ended shutting down, he was unemployed for a while and moved back up north. Since my Cecil County friends tell me he wasn’t getting the job there, Harford could have easily picked him up on the cheap and did not need to spend $200K plus – but then again since the sex pervert employed by HCPS makes close to $200K, they needed to pay Bulson more.
Bulson was noted for being very soft on discipline – arbitrarily cutting suspensions times across the board. He would rather the troublemakers be in the schools causing mayhem then out on the streets causing mayhem. That’s not good for the teachers and vast majority of the students who go to school to learn. We shall see, but I expect this softness will lead to severe classroom management issues for teachers at a time when more discipline is desperately needed.
Donald Trump is a billionaire (or at least a hundreds millionaire depending on who you listen too.) The POTUS salary is peanuts compared to his wealth and it’s not like he and his family aren’t lining their wallets through their business dealings while he’s in office. Trump ran because of his ego and desire for power. He’s not there for a salary…no one runs for POTUS for the salary.
I think he is a good candidate. We need someone ready to PUT PEOPLE first, pay our teachers… that should be the FIRST PRIORITY of the budget. Put PEOPLE before objects/things. The Board of Ed needs to do that just like Sheriff Gahler did for his people. I was at the Board of Ed meeting and watched teachers, media techs and mentor teachers begging to keep their jobs… some in tears. That is not how we should treat the people that are teaching our children and the FUTURE of our county. We need to vote in candidates in this election this year that are going to do that. I am running for County Council District F and I will advocate and fight for this. Contact me with any questions — voteamyjahnigen@gmail.com
Sam Adams — who is the “sex pervert employed by HCPS makes close to $200K,”? Curious as to why our school system would employ someone like that, especially if they deal with children…. scary stuff. I have a kid in the school system… is this a principal??
Joe Licata..essentially the second in command under both Haas and Canavan. Arrested for perverted sex practices.
Wow!!!!! How is he still working for the school system?