Harford County Schools Tighten Hiring Rules After Controversial Hire

Harford County's schools are implementing significant changes to their teacher hiring process following a disturbing discovery.

Background

A recent news report exposed that a man with serious charges was hired to teach, prompting School Board President Aaron Poynton to create a stricter policy.

New Policy Highlights

• Mandatory Full Board Vote: Any candidate with serious charges (e.g., fraud, theft, or crimes reflecting poor moral character) must be approved by the entire school board.
• Transparency & Accountability: Poynton believes this will reassure parents and taxpayers.

The Lawrence Smith Case

• Who is Lawrence Smith?
• Former police officer and football coach.
• Hired to teach 8th-grade English while awaiting trial.
• Admitted to stealing $215,000 from Baltimore City Schools.
• Faces up to 25 years in prison.

Current State Laws vs. Harford County's Stance

• State Laws: Allow individuals like Smith to still qualify for teaching jobs.
• Poynton's Push: Advocates for stronger state laws. If the state doesn't act, Harford County will enforce its own rules to protect students.

Poynton's Motivation

• Personal Stake: Has three children in Harford County schools.
• Core Values: Wants teachers who are not only qualified but also honest and trustworthy.

Next Steps

The new policy will be presented to the full school board in January.