I am disturbed that Joe Hairston thinks that a special interest group and a few legislators are the problem. I am neither a union member (I assume that that is the group he is speaking about) or a legislator, and I have grave concerns about the way business is conducted in Baltimore County. Thousands of teachers, parents, and citizens demonstrated their concern regarding AIM, and Joe Hairston's dismissive attitude is disrespectful and arrogant. We taxpayers foot the bill for education and we have the right to expect those who lead the system to act in ethical ways for the benefit of our children and certainly to answer questions about concerns. Continue to hold Joe Hairston accountable. It is clear that he is annoyed that he must answer to the citizens of Baltimore County. It is time for him to go.

The letter from the superintendent describes AIM as a software suite. Who created the software? TOTALLY the result of BCPS resources. Liz, have you ever asked to see what it is that Barbara Dezmon "created" and copyrighted in the 80's? If it was anything of value then, why did the county spend years and resources on it? What was copyrighted...the paper-pencil idea or the software created by BCPS employees? What exactly was submitted for ownership and how much of AIM was the hard work and years of time paid for by the citizens of Baltimore County? And, getting lost in all of this, is the fact that precious resources were diverted from the students to work for Barbara Dezmon. In this economy, it is sad that so much money went in support of this individual rather than the children for whom it was meant. Hold the superintendent accountable. Somebody should...the board will not!

AIM in no way meets the requirements for accountability as intended by the federal government. Teachers input the data. There is no objective data connected to an AIM checklist. I don't think people understand that what Dezmon "created" was a series of three boxes marked A, I, and M. Nothing more. Baltimore County curriculum is the content and Baltimore County resources were used for the technology. The drive to make AIM a product that Barbara Dezmon can sell has been the goal all along. It has NEVER been about the education of our kids. I noted that Joe Hairston said that AIM checklist is not "presently" being used. Barbara Dezmon was the one who "mandated" the use of AIM last winter and she will continue to pull the strings. Joe Hairston seems to feel obligated to help this individual sell a product. He needs to cut all ties with her and get back to leading a school system with integrity. This man's tenure will not be remembered fondly. The last third of his tenure has been most detrimental to the system.

This is not acceptable. Joe Hairston signs a contract that obligates employees and resources paid for by taxpayers to another employee for personal benefit? Where is the product Miss Dezmon attempted to copyright and trademark? Apparently, no follow through there. Could it be that you cannot copyright a form/checklist or an idea that has been done multiple times in better ways? (report cards and any number of electronic grading systems) Could it be that the first trademark was amazingly like the symbol (AIMMS) used by the state department of education? Oh, and the acronym too! Does the 1980's elusive version look anything like the software totally structured by BCPS employees? How nice that Mr. Hairston just signs away the work of BCPS employees! What was the vetting process Mr. Hairston speaks of? Who was involved? What other programs were evaluated? This is a disgrace and taxpayers can no longer trust this man with the education of our children. Does anyone find this acceptable? I applaud those legislators who will not be intimidated. Intimidation, bullying, and harrassment are the modes of operation for the current administration.

Liz, could you explain why the letter from the Attorney General's office footnotes the fact that there is no copyright for AIM and the pursuit of the trademark was abandoned? When the superintendent advised Miss Dezmon get a lawyer, what contract was written up between Hairston and Dezmon? Did the county's attorney do the sole work on this? Where is Miss Dezmon's lawyer? Why aren't the documents presented? I have little faith in the system's people who rendered the ethics decisions. Who do they work for and answer to? Everyone else in the system understands that it is career suicide to not follow the orders of Miss Dezmon and Mr. Hairston. By the way, employees also know that none of the directives will be in writing so that others can fall on the sword when the truth is revealed. I cannot believe this mode of operation continues without a peep from the board. What is wrong with them? If an elected board is not put in place, I hope that the Governor and Executive know how important their appointments will be. I hope that they think long and hard before making appointments. And...it is imperative that a few current members NEVER get reappointed. They have proven unable or unwilling to do the right thing for the families in Baltimore County.

Liz, could you explain why the letter from the Attorney General's office footnotes the fact that there is no copyright for AIM and the pursuit of the trademark was abandoned? When the superintendent advised Miss Dezmon get a lawyer, what contract was written up between Hairston and Dezmon? Did the county's attorney do the sole work on this? Where is Miss Dezmon's lawyer? Why aren't the documents presented? I have little faith in the system's people who rendered the ethics decisions. Who do they work for and answer to? Everyone else in the system understands that it is career suicide to not follow the orders of Miss Dezmon and Mr. Hairston. By the way, employees also know that none of the directives will be in writing so that others can fall on the sword when the truth is revealed. I cannot believe this mode of operation continues without a peep from the board. What is wrong with them? If an elected board is not put in place, I hope that the Governor and Executive know how important their appointments will be. I hope that they think long and hard before making appointments. And...it is imperative that a few current members NEVER get reappointed. They have proven unable or unwilling to do the right thing for the families in Baltimore County.

Dr. Hairston's squirming under the light of truth, which culminated in a predictable whine of "racism", should only alert everyone more vehemently of the need for a complete overhaul of the system and the board of education.

Fortunately, regardless of him and his ilk, Baltimore County students and teachers continue to make us proud in their achievements and contributions to society, even as they muddle in the muck created by this man.

First, the superintendent of the school system where my children attend school is featured in a headline that says he refuses to answer the questions of the Attorney General. Then, in a letter to the editor, the man who leads the school system deflects and excuses his behavior. Now, the head of the school system goes on television and accuses anyone of wanting answers about questionable behavior and expenditures of taxpayer money of being racist. An unfair accusation that cuts to the heart of all decent people in the hope of once again acting with hubris and without accountability. This is unacceptable behavior and solely meant to avoid giving answers to questions that every Baltimore County citizen has the right to ask. It is a sad day for BCPS and I am disappointed and ashamed that someone who my children should respect and honor could act in such a disrespectful and dishonorable manner. I expect more from my superintendent. What a shame!

Now he's saying people are picking on him because of his race. This man is batty! http://wjz.com/local/joe.hairston.2.1995096.html

I have continued to watch this entire drama unfold since last school year. Every time we turn around, the man at the top is avoiding the TRUTH. It's such a shame our children and teachers are suffering for the greed of two people with inflated egos. I think pulling the "race card" is a last-ditch effort to deflect our attention from what is at the root of all of this. LIZ - KEEP DIGGING. Thank you, LEGISLATORS, for continuing to keep the pressure on! I am so happy my child has moved on to college, but it breaks my heart for the little ones coming through the system. BOARD - WAKE UP!!!!

The present state of the Hairston superintendency is a distressing moment for that system and the man. It is time for him to remember his record and remove himself. It is unlikely he can recover his footing, having so gravely compromised himself. It is also time for that system, which has a long tradition of accepting patriarchal leaders, to remember what accountability is about. If Dr. Hairston is reluctant to do the right thing, the community should make clear to him what that is.