From what I understand, Mr. Lawrence spoke up about AIM, asking questions, possibly even questioning the purpose of it (unlike Hairston's other cronies at Greenwood). Kudos for him and another sad moment for BCPS. I am beginning to be ashamed to be a teacher here and worried about the o the education of my children as well!

The rumblings that I'm hearing on the ground Liz are that he spoke out against AIM. Seeing as how Hairston encourages a culture of sycophancy, this really isn't all that surprising. Hairston is steadily enacting a Stalinist purge of those who speak out against him and his insane policies. How many more years until he's gone?

Don't we live in a Democracy? The big fish runs this school system as if he's a true dictator. Who does he answer to? Bill Lawrence was demoted and is a prime example of why staff under the dictator shouldn’t speak out to the media. The principal of Arbutus Middle School was ripped from her position and thrown into an area superintendant job with less than 25 school days until MSA testing. After all the B.S. that the higher-ups make us do with MSA I just find it ludicrous that the big fish would make such drastic changes because of a personal vendetta towards someone. He couldn’t even wait until after testing, that shows how much he really cares about the schools that he supervises What about the kids and the teachers? He's nothing more than a spoiled baby that has tantrums when things don't go his way. Unfortunately nobody can do anything because he apparently doesn’t have to answer to anyone. I really wish someone would look into the way he does things.

It is a very sad day when someone as professional and intelligent as Bill Lawrence is demoted because he refuses to go along with a program that makes NO sense! We really need our elected officials to step up and do what is right!

Bill Lawrence is one of the few executives who really likes and respects teachers. He is the type when he visits a school will actually talk with teachers and listen to what they have to say. He is the area superintendent who worked the most with AIM and is the one who spoke out against it. Maybe if Dr. Hairston listened to Mr. Lawrence he would not have rolled out this disastourous program.

Another bad day for AIM. Who is next on the checklist to go.

I heard the same- that he spoke up about AIM. What a shame. Well, it sure sounds promising for all of those teachers being recruited for the new AIM Committee. (please note the sarcasm) There's nothing better than trying to make changes for the better while working, teaching, and living in a climate of fear. Way to go BCPS!

No question, this is Hairston's revenge on those who dare to question him. Mr. Lawrence was well respected and and had been doing a good job for the NW area. The timing of his "reassignment" is quite suspicious and should be questioned by the Board and if not then by the Sun. Someone needs to get the truth out about Hairston before we lose too many more qualified and dedicated educators.

This is horrible!! Bill Lawrence is one of the most well respected peoplein Baltimore County. I fear this is just the beginning of a real fall out!!! There are rumors of much more going to happen. Anyone in authority that has stood up for the teachers thank you so much....but watch out!! We have got to stick together. Where is the ethics committee?? Where is the Board of Education??

I agree with Ray that the reassignment was due to his questioning of AIM. From what I know Bill Lawrence worked diligently for the students and parents of BCPS and it is a shame that open debate and free thinking are not tolerated at the top of the BCPS educational system.
The quote below is Dr. Hairston's in the Scholastic Administrator:
"But more importantly, you have to involve the people who have to be part of the change."
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3752571

Apparently, the only people who are involved are those who agree with Dr. Hairston or Dr. Dezmon or are cowed into submission through fear.

Should not lets do what is best for students always be our guide? How is collecting even more data best for students? When is enough data enough? How many more people need to lose their positions? Where is the Board of Education? Why is Dr. Dezmon given free reign to move from Equity Assurance to Curriculum and Instruction?

It is of concern that the only authority in the system rests with one person, Dr. Dezmon. If people's perspectives were to be solicited, respected, and considered, the county would do so much better in many ways. Bill Lawrence is a competent educator who has helped many educators in his capacity as assistant superintendent. Fear does nothing for improvement. I trust that there can be real dialogue to make this a better school system.

I do love being a teacher! I really care for my community and take my responsibility to educate children seriously. I am so honored to have had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children I teach. Sadly, it is time to leave Baltimore County and seek a position where teachers are respected and it is the goal of the school system to commit to the best education for every child. That is not Baltimore County in 2010! It seems that I am not alone. Many of the best and brightest leaders that I have ever had the honor to work with and for have left this system...driven out, fired, "reassigned", or just had too much integrity to go along with the unethical, bullying, and self-serving behavior of the current superintendent and his assistant. Liz, are you aware that a key position of leadership (cited as a priority by the very costly PDK audit) has been vacant since the last of a string of people left in June? ? Do you know who is making all the decisions with the support of the superintendent and the inept board? That's right the owner of Dezmon Instructional Strategies, LLC...conflict of interest????? I had always believed that people who went into education had a heart for kids...they wanted to contribute...apparently, I was wrong. While that is true of most teachers and administrators that I have had the pleasure to work beside; it is most certainly not true of the board and the superintendent. There are no checks and balances in this school system and taxpayers and parents would be horrified to know how their county is being run. Perhaps, it is time for an elected board that must answer to those they serve. I know that ten years is enough of the current superintendent. He should have left several years ago with his reputation intact. Now, his legacy comes under a cloud of questionable ethics and decisions. Citizens of Baltimore County, my children and yours deserve so much more. NO CONFIDENCE!

Baltimore County Board of Education: Can there be any doubt that the description of a climate of fear and retribution in BCPS is true? It is a disgrace that the superintendent, not leader, of Baltimore County would act in such a manner. The board of education has done absolutely nothing to right the many wrongs in BCPS. You were not appointed to the board to serve Joe Hairston and Barbara Dezmon...you are supposed to serve the citizens and act in the best interest of the children in our county! Where have you been? I am sure that you comfort yourselves by believing what the superintendent (whose contract you extended...you should have listened to the few board members with the courage and intelligence to do the right thing in suggesting and voting for a national search) tells you. The truth is....it is not the teachers who are misinformed,,,it is you, the board. I have to believe that or I must believe that you are simply closing your eyes to the unethical and dictatorial administration that currently exist in BCPS. Where is your integrity? Where is your sound decision-making? Why haven't you made an effort to seek the truth and be informed? Why is your first priority to Joe Hairston and Barbara Dezmon over the children of Baltimore County? I can only hope that some day you will be forced to deal with the choices you have made to support your friends over those you were selected to serve. This is a disgrace and I weep for Baltimore County.

We like Bill Lawrence at PHHS. He was a fine and fair NE director. The water-cooler talk is that he wasn't a 'yes' man when it came to AIM. Now, I wonder how many deals/much money was truly anticipated after the roll out of AIM throughout the system.

Although I do not teach in Baltimore County, I had met Mr. Lawrence on several occasions through my husband in a social setting. I found him to be a thoughtful and intelligent man who had an excellent grasp of the role that teachers, parents and administration all had to serve in the education of our students. What a shame that he has become a target for a personal vendetta.

I am stunned that Joe Hairston and Barbara Dezmon continue to be allowed to ruin the reputation of our county school system as well as treat the resources of the county as their own. Not one teacher, technician, or administrator signed on to work for Dezmon Instructional Strategies, LLC. It is simply incomprehensible that this board permits their chosen superintendent to sign a contract with another Baltimore County employee to commit the resources of this county for the personal advancement of his assistant's LLC. I have watched this board debate refusing dinner because it may give the appearance of conflict of interests...Where are the high and mighty speeches from Ms. O'Hare regarding the millions of dollars worth of resources invested in AIM, and the employee who holds the copyright? Certainly, this is an obvious conflict of interest and is certainly worthy of being on "the board's radar." I am still hopeful that Joe Hairston and Barbara Dezmon will be held accountable for what they are doing in BCPS; however, this board has not demonstrated that they have the will or integrity to do what is right by the students of Baltimore County. I am begging someone on the current school board to stand up and do the right thing. Earn the respect of the people of Baltimore County! Taxpayers, county council members, and County Executive Smith...look over that budget very carefully. AIM is not the only waste of money that has been forced on the system. The board will just give Mr. Hairston and Ms. Dezmon all that they ask for without question...that is the track record. I understand that it is not within the purview of the council and the County Executive to make curricular decisions; however you do hold the purse strings. Please insist that not one more dime be spent to support the personal initiatives and businesses that advance themselves or their friends personally and then hold them accountable.I have to believe that right will win in the end. The last two years have been a disaster. Why is Barbara Dezmon running the system with Joe Hairston? Did the board appoint her as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction? If they did not, why is she running it...If they did, most certainly, it is unethical for the one who holds the copyright for AIM to also be in a position of power to dictate what happens within the areas of curriculum and instruction. It is time for new leadership in Baltimore County Public Schools...we need a new beginning based on trust, integrity, collaboration, and making the children of Baltimore County the priority.

A previous blogger gave me a great idea. When I teach George Orwell's satirical novel, Animal Farm, in GT7 English, we can substitute the parallels we usually make to early 20th century totalitarian Russia with the equivalents in the BCPS corruption and politics of today. Here's how it fits:

Napoleon (dictator Stalin) is Dr. Hairston; Squealer (the Pravda propaganda machine) is Dr. Dezmon; the murdering dogs (the KGB) are the school board members; Snowball (Leon Trotsky, the threat to Stalin) is Bill Lawrence!

As a former BCPS teacher I did not always agree with Bill Lawrence but I did always respect him. He was visible in schools and talked with teachers and students as well as administrators. He truly believed in the students ability to improve not the systems ability to lower the bar. The citizens of Baltimore County should be irate at the demotion of this fine man. Please continue to follow this story.

This demotion is just more smokescreen and scapegoating. The problem with AIM is not with principals, Area Superintendents, teachers, or central office support. The problem is with AIM and its creator.

The problem is that Dezmon wants this program rolled out at whatever costs and will destroy anyone who would dare oppose her.

She knows it will take teachers hours to complete the reports. She doesn't care. She knows it will take tons of money to print and maintain the reports. She doesn't care.

All she cares about is herself and this product.

Thankfully, this controversy has assured that no other school system in its right mind will touch AIM with a 10 foot pole.

Good job, Dezmon.

When the dust settles, several more good people have been lost and AIM still fails, who will take the fall then?

This latest incident, related to Bill Lawrence, is shameful. I have worked in NE BCPS most of my career, and although I did not always agree with Bill, found him to be a man of integrity and honesty. Making Bill a scapegoat and sacrificial lamb is NOT going to create additional fear and intimidation. It is creating outrage. I have worked in the BCPS for most of my life. I have always taken pride in working for BCPS; no longer.

I worked with Mr. Lawrence when he was the Area Superintendent for schools on the other side of the county (Kenwood, Eastern, etc.). We did not always agree with one another, but I believed that he was in education for the right reasons, and that he was sincere in his beliefs. I am sorry to see that he has -- from appearances -- been scapegoated. I wish him all the best, and I hope that there will come a time when those in power see the value of all voices, including those of reasonable dissent.

I generally don't sign my name when I post comments, but in this case I want to make an exception. Thank you, Mr. Lawrence, for the time you gave in support of a school I loved.

In Baltimore County Public Soviet, everything is fine. You not like, you must be crazy or inept. It is time for the people of Baltimore County to demand ownership and control of their children's schools. Look at the proposed budget for next year,there is a line stating about 80 teaching positions are being cut to create positions at Greenwood. And then there is the line about more observations to ensure the curriculum is being taught. Sounds like a secret police is being formed.

Recent discussions at a PTA meeting with Joe Hairston were disheartening; however, not unexpected. As he stated, Joe Hairston likes to view himself as a CEO who will make every decision regarding the system because he knows best; however, CEO's answer to the shareholders (stakeholders) and this man answers to noone. Nor does he consider the input of those stakeholders who have much invested in the system. Teachers, parents, administrators, taxpayers...all need to be heard. This man is driven by his personal aspirations to be viewed as an important man. He ignores the stakeholders and those he was selected (not elected) to serve. It is important that those we do elect understand what is really occurring in BCPS. This is beyond unbelievable... Where is the contract between Joe Hairston and Barbara Dezmon (she was quoted in the Sun as saying that they signed a contract)? Does this contract obligate BCPS regardless of the negative effects of implementing AIM? It was not the procedure for implementation of AIM that was wrong, it was the consideration of using AIM in the first place. It is not a useful tool for improving instruction (stated by the superintendent himself at a board meeting). It does not meet the spirit and intent of programs be used for Race to the Top funds because there is NO information that comes from AIM...there is only input into AIM. Any connections to assessTrax are unnecessary...assessTrax already provides a parent report. What the BCPS technology people (used to work on AIM) presented at the board meeting was more unnecessary or ineffective work to make AIM palatable; however, looking at a single or two test items to determine a mark is as foolhearty as "just point and click." The tentacles of AIM are everywhere and it is done with the intent of forcing its use.
I am frustrated and I am worried about the direction of this school system that seems determined to act on the personal aspirations of two adults rather than what is best for the children of Baltimore County. This is a very real crisis despite Joe Hairston's cry to the contrary. This county has way too much to lose to allow two people to lead it down the wrong path for our kids.

Time for the Board to do its duty and remove Joe from his position. He is loathed by most Baltimore County Teachers.

The concerned citizens of Baltimore County need to badger O'Malley to replace the entire board. In order for this to happen they must have good nominees that would serve in the best interest of the students and NOT in the interest of the superintendent. Please start making your lists, NOW!

I wish Hairston would get reassigned instead. The kids of BCPS have suffered enough over his time as "leader". He has turned Baltimore County into a laughing stock in the state. What a joke.

Memo to Governor Martin O'Malley:
Do not hesitate to challenge Joe Hairston and his political machine. You are responsible for the workings of the entire state including all 24 school systems. Joe Hairston is overpaid as superintendent of 1/24th of our school systems. Yet he is paid about $100,000 more than you earn. If your salaries were reversed, he would still be overpaid.
CC: County Executive Jim Smith and Baltimore County Council

At recent PTSA meeting, Dr. Hairston says AIM will be implemented this spring. Come on folks, it isn't just about AIM. The man takes a raise and denies it to the educators. Who pays for the lunches at the Crown Plaza? What about Assesstrax? How about the musical chairs at Greenwood and the refurnishing? I can appreciate Dr. Hairston saying he is in charge of a business. What business, AIG, GM?

Ethics Shmethics

Sheila in the 'hood
Buying up all that bling,
Helping out a boyfriend
While shopping through the fling.

Joe and Barb at Greenwood
Dreaming up big cha-ching,
Helping out each other
While really mis-AIMing.

Judge and jury to Sheila:
Into retirement you are sent.
Public outcry to ex-Mayor:
Will you ever truly repent?

Teachers and parents to Barb and Joe:
Into retirement AIM should be sent.
Public outcry to the Bd of Ed:
Will Barb ever repay all BCPS has spent?

If you put yourself first
Before the people you should serve,
The public outcry is going to be:
You have some unmitigated nerve!

I wholeheartedly agree that BCPS has becoming a sad place to work. NO ONE who values their job is able to speak against any idea that Dr. Hairston and his confidante, Dr. Dezmon approves. When Dr. Diaz was fired (remember her)
the rumor began in earmest that no chief academcic officer would ever be able to counter the puzzling influence of Dezmon. The Board needs to understand the effect this is having on the upcoming generation of teachers, the footsoldiers that will carry the education of the next generation forward. Only the current economic climate keeps them in our county. Other systems will soon benefit from the upcoming exodus.

This whole situation is completely laughable! Hairston and Dezmon have an agreement to put AIM in BCPS and she retains the copyrights and in exchange she is going to let us use it for free! HAHAHAHA ! Talk about a conflict of interest! She created AIM on County time and then somehow gets it copyrighted so she can turn around and make a bundle on it. Why is this illegal on Wall Street, but somehow legal in Balt. Co.? And poor Bill Lawrence. I applaud you for doing the right thing. You are my hero. It is just a shame that you had the misfortune of serving under a self-serving, totalitarian dictator. If the Board had any guts, they'd throw Hairston and Dezmon out on their cans and promote Lawrence to Superintendent! As a BCPS teacher, this, sadly, is just another reason I already have my children in private school. I don't want them affected by the policies, grand-standing, and stupidity of BCPS. I pray for the students of BCPS.

I wonder who will suffer the "fall-out" from the legislative meeting with Hairston, Murphy, and Parker. You can bet someone will suffer the wrath of Hairston/Dezmon.