Baltimore County lawmakers demand answers from Hairston
In the wake of my colleague Liz Bowie's story that revealed the $214,000 salary of a recently hired Baltimore County schools deputy superintendent, the backlash from taxpayers and lawmakers has been-a-brewing.
There has been a strong reaction to the salary, which comes as the county is leaving teaching positions vacant, while the county's administrative costs were found to be among the highest in the state.
On Friday, we wrote about how several county lawmakers expressed their concern to county schools superintendent Joe Hairston. They said that county residents understandably find his filling a $214,000 position in this economic climate "appalling."
They also demanded that Hairston address how communications team chooses to deal with the media--namely that it takes a month to get one salary, and that access to information about taxpayer-funded activity must be made in writing. Other media outlets have also made public their conflicts with the county school system.
It will be interesting to hear if Hairston responds, and what his explanations will be. I'm sure Liz will keep you all updated.
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
Thanks to the Sun reporters for speaking the truth when others are silent in fear., I hope that Mr. Hairston does the right thing. It has been a long time in coming. It's time to start anew.
Posted by: Thank you | March 20, 2011 6:54 PM
So many different reprehensible actions and excuses coming out of Greenwood in recent years. Pile it all up and the conclusion is obvious: Joe Hairston, PLEASE STEP DOWN NOW.
Posted by: concerned parent | March 20, 2011 8:35 PM
Good. Joe Hairston should finally be feeling some heat because he has become WAY too comfortable in his current position. The only time that he allows information out of Greenwood is when he is forced to. Overall, the schools in Balto County are very good, but Hairston has become a distraction and it's time to let someone else take over. Joe Must Go!
Posted by: Jeff | March 21, 2011 8:26 AM
Bosley Avenue is the problem in general, too many administratoras and not enough teachers. The social studies administrators do nothing. National History Day is Saturday at CCBC and the Maryland state finals are in April at UMBC. Bosley Avenue does NOTHING to communicate or promote History. Bet you will not see Dr. Joe or Rex S. at these events.
Administration gets in the way. Dr. Alanzo please come and save us!
Posted by: Sally | March 21, 2011 12:18 PM
Please social studies/history is not a tested area... do you really expect more....
Posted by: A Former Teacher | March 21, 2011 12:53 PM
Thank you, Liz for bringing this to light. I hope that county and state lawmakers demand more accountability from Hairston et al. There is too much waste in BCPS budget and teachers and students are paying the price.
Posted by: concerned1962 | March 21, 2011 2:19 PM
Dr. Hairston's only boss is the school board. If you believe our school board in Baltimore County should be more responsive, consider joining the facebook group "Citizens for an Accountable Baltimore County School Board" (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=327032815811)
Posted by: Towson Parent | March 22, 2011 10:21 AM