Board ratifies multiple labor agreements, approves custodial contract and administrative hires

The Board of Education of Harford County approved several contract and personnel items during its March 24 business meeting, including ratification of tentative agreements with bargaining units, a contract award for custodial services, and the appointment of candidates to principal and assistant-principal pools.

The actions came during the board's consent agenda and separate votes. The board voted to ratify multiple tentative agreements covering recognized bargaining units and later approved a contract award for custodial services after a failed motion to postpone the custodial award until May. The board also voted to approve three administrative and supervisory appointment pools (elementary and secondary principal pools, assistant principal pools and a pupil personnel worker pool).

Why it matters: The ratified agreements set multi-year pay and step provisions that affect supervisor and administrative pay ranges, and the custodial contract will change how substitute/short-term custodial needs are filled systemwide. The administrative pools give the superintendent a roster of board-approved candidates for immediate hiring decisions.

Key outcomes - Ratification of tentative agreements (consisting of multiple bargaining units): approved by roll call (8 yes, 2 no). Board members voting yes included Carol Bruce, Miss Kocher, Dr. Mueller, Miss Pizzoke, Miss Perry, Mr. Sewell, Miss Strauss and the board president; Miss Alvarez and Vice President Hahn voted no. The item was presented as Consent Item 1 and was pulled for separate roll-call consideration.

- Custodial services contract (Consent Item 2): after a motion to postpone the vote to May failed on roll call (motion to defer: 1 yes, 10 no), the board subsequently approved the custodial services contract by voice vote. The contract authorizes an outside vendor to provide substitute and supplemental custodial staffing…