This is simply outrageous! Baltimore County School Board and Representatives: Put a stop to this. One shoe after another continues to drop...and Ms. Dezmon seems to be involved every time. She continues to insert herself into BCPS affairs. How can things ever turn around if the system is more concerned with the personal benefits to adults and their businesses (American Reading Company, Dezmon Instructional Strategies, Science Weekly, AssessTrax, Dell, on and on) rather than the kids? Why did the superintendent ever allow the end of his tenure to be tarnished by these decisions? More importantly, why does it continue? We need a new superintendent ASAP and one that has NO ties to Miss Dezmon.

How can the board let this go unanswered? Politicians, where is your outrage? Thank you, Ms. Bowie. Perhaps your article will finally get the attention of taxpayers who should demand the best for their children with taxpayers' money. How unfortunate that the county must suffer through 8 more months.

What a huge embarrassment for BCPS. Why doesn't the Board simply remove the puppets who continue to do what Ms. Dezmon orders. Must we really wait 7 more months? It has to end now.

I am sitting here watching the board report on the education channel and Joe Hairston just said that we have not had the quality of personnel in Language Arts...I hope that he is referring to his friend, Barbara Dezmon and those she continues to direct on her behalf. The era of Dezmon has caused a great deal of destruction which I hope will end before Mr. Hairston retires. We cannot afford any more effects of the Dezmon regime. Get rid of those who still answer to her. I hope that we can begin rebuilding soon. The waste of resources at the direction of this woman, with the approval of past board members and the superintendent, is imply without excuse! When I think about ordering a one-time printing of a 1983 grammar book for more than 2 million dollars, I am reminded of a quote that the superintendent likes to say: "Teach us where we are, not where you have been." How awful that money was spent in such horrendous ways at the direction of such a destructive force in the system.

I am sitting here watching the board report on the education channel and Joe Hairston just said that we have not had the quality of personnel in Language Arts...I hope that he is referring to his friend, Barbara Dezmon and those she continues to direct on her behalf. The era of Dezmon has caused a great deal of destruction which I hope will end before Mr. Hairston retires. We cannot afford any more effects of the Dezmon regime. Get rid of those who still answer to her. I hope that we can begin rebuilding soon. The waste of resources at the direction of this woman, with the approval of past board members and the superintendent, is imply without excuse! When I think about ordering a one-time printing of a 1983 grammar book for more than 2 million dollars, I am reminded of a quote that the superintendent likes to say: "Teach us where we are, not where you have been." How awful that money was spent in such horrendous ways at the direction of such a destructive force in the system.

This has got to end. Please let the
Board prove that they are going to do the right thing this time. They have let the crazies run the asylum for too long.

This has got to end. Please let the
Board prove that they are going to do the right thing this time. They have let the crazies run the asylum for too long.

I am wondering whether any of those books were on display for the public as indicated in the district's own policies and procedures...the answer-no! Had the public oppportunity to view the 1983 grammar books at the tune of 2.7 million dollars, they would have been disgusted that the system was purchasing this very dated and unneeded resource simply because Ms. Dezmon wanted it. It seems that a simple review of who approved the purchases would send the board and politicians in the right direction. The attempts to place blame on anyone but Ms. Dezmon and the people who have supported her in spite of the ethical and financial concerns is unfortunate. We must pray that a new superintendent would not be so beholding to those who seek to undermine the education of our children. I honestly don't know how these people sleep at night. The worst kind of leadership imaginable....please, Board of Education and elected officials....please...stop this now!

The article's use of the word "misstep" is grossly euphemistic. This issue runs so much deeper than anyone knows. Keep looking. The relationships and ensuing corruption that are going on behind the scenes do not reflect any care about or dedication to the education and interests of the kids of BC or the taxpayers. It's a shame to see this level of manipulation and deceit in a public school setting. As a retired employee, Dezmon should not even be involved, but she always is and inappropriately so. Hairston should be ashamed of himself. Everybody is now just worried about covering themselves. Board of Ed --- you need to do your job to protect the interests of those who do not even know what's going on behind the scenes.