In a sudden turn of events, Superintendent Renee Foose has announced her resignation as Superintendent of Schools for Howard County, only a year into her new four year contract.
Rumors began circulating on the Baltimore Sun early Tuesday afternoon that Dr. Foose had informed her staff of her resignation. Following a closed board meeting, the official statement was released at 5:00 pm. Foose’s statement, which can be found on the HCPSS website, expressed her gratitude to teachers for supporting her and her hope that excellence in public schools will continue.
The news comes as no shock to much of Howard County, as the embattled superintendent has taken much heat for poor decisions made, especially in the last few months developing the new budget. She was signed in 2012, and her four year contract was renewed in 2016. In the past five years, two petitions have circled the Web, demanding that Foose be fired. The Board has also taken steps to try to force her out, including electing new members. More recently, Foose sued the Board in January for meeting in secret and hiding documents from her.
Her successor as Acting Superintendent, also named Tuesday, is Dr. Michael J. Martirano. Dr. Martirano, according to the Baltimore Sun, is no stranger to Howard County, having worked here several years ago as the supervisor of elementary schools. More recently he served as statewide superintendent for West Virginia and St. Mary’s County, and recently returned to his former home of Howard County.
Dr. Martirano is guaranteed the job through June, while the Board of Education scrambles to find a new superintendent before the 2017-2018 school year. He kicks off his first day as Acting Superintendent visiting Wilde Lake Middle School, Mt. Hebron High School, and Manor Woods Elementary School. He is also hosting an informal meet and greet for HCPSS staff tonight for 6 to 7.