Md. Schools Will Hire Firm to Find New Superintendent

according to a Friday Md. Education Dept. announcement

Maryland schools ranked No. 1 in the nation by Education Week for three consecutive years and No. 1 in AP Success in the College Board’s “Advance Placement Report to the Nation: 2011,” during the last part of her tenure.

So finding the state's next superintendent of schools is a major initiative.

The Maryland State Board of Education announced Friday plans to hire a search firm to assist in the process of finding the new state superintendent of schools, who will replace retiring Superintendent Nancy Grasmick.

The Board made the decision during a Thursday teleconference, but has not yet settled on a particular firm or a target date to conclude the search. “No timelines have been determined,” said Maryland State Department of Education representative Maureen Moran. “That will all come to fruition when the search firm is hired.”

Grasmick, 72, is the nation’s longest-serving appointed state superintendent, having held the title of Maryland Superintendent of Schools since 1991. Grasmick will retire on June 30, with another year left on her contract.

The timing for her retirement is right, she told reporters last month, considering the recent accolades and the imminent completion of a particularly important piece of reform -- a teacher evaluation system that factors in student achievement.

Grasmick is willing to offer her advice to anyone engaged in the search, reported The Baltimore Sun last month.

Board representatives were not able to confirm if and to what degree she will be involved in the search for her replacement.


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