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Harford school board hires MABE to run superintendent search; contract capped at $38,000
Summary
The Harford County Board of Education approved hiring the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) to conduct its superintendent search, approving a contract capped at $38,000 (including up to $3,000 travel). Supporters cited need for structure and community input; some public commenters urged an internal appointment instead.
The Harford County Board of Education voted on March 9 to hire MABE to assist with its superintendent search, approving a contract with a not-to-exceed amount of $38,000 that includes up to $3,000 for travel.
Board members and MABE representatives said the outside firm would provide a search team of retired senior education executives and superintendents, help the board develop candidate criteria, run confidential outreach to stakeholders, and manage scoring and interview phases. "It's important to really think about how you want to get stakeholder input," MABE consultant Dr. Kelly Griffith said during the presentation.
The board discussed a compressed timeline — aiming for a candidate in place by June — and emphasized the need for a transparent process that includes community and staff input. A board member clarified that the $38,000 figure is a maximum, not a floor, and covers advertising and related expenses.
Public commenters offered contrasting views. Neil Thompson, a grandparent, urged the board to reconsider spending on an external firm and asked if the interim superintendent could be considered internally before signing a contract. By contrast, Mark Hamilton, president of the Harford County Elementary School Administrators Association, told the board his members "wholeheartedly" support interim Superintendent Mack and said continuity matters.
The motion to hire MABE was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote; a formal binding contract remains to be signed. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the success of the motion was announced verbally.
