RadioOnFire.com - Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent S. Dallas Dance abruptly announced he'll resign after the school year.
Dance, who took the helm of the school system in 2012, said in a statement his five years as superintendent "have been the best years of my professional life" and hailed progress made on "large complex issues" facing the school system on his watch. He offered no specific reason for his resignation, which is effective June 30.
"While there is more work to be done; Team BCPS is certainly on the right track under the leadership of a phenomenal group of chiefs, top-notch school leaders, dedicated and caring teachers, and thousands of committed support staff all throughout our organization," Dance said. "I truly believe BCPS is in a better place today than when I first arrived. To that end, I now transition to another chapter of my career where I will specifically use my passion for equity and access to a quality education to ensure it is provided to all students through school, district, and community leadership."
A BCPS spokesman said Dance's abrupt exit--just one year into a new four-year contract--wasn't spurred by a job offer.
Dance, whose tenure began in 2012, is responsible for overseeing the instruction of 112,000 students and leading and managing a $1.87 billion budget, more than 18,500 employees, and 173 schools, centers, and programs. Baltimore County's school district is the 25th largest in the country.
"We have a lot we've done and hopefully a lot more we can do, and I think he can certainly rest on his laurels," County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said. "Just really has been this dynamic, energetic superintendent."
Kamenetz said he valued his close relationship with Dance and all they did together to get 16 new schools, renovations and new technology into buildings while also improving the graduation rate. He implied "personal decisions or family issues" may have played a role in Dance's departure.
"We've had some conversations over the past year and I know sometimes the various pressures of the job were mounting and he talked to me briefly before he made up his mind, but I think he made a decision over the weekend and we're going to appreciate the job that he did," Kamenetz said.
Kamenetz said he doesn't think Dance has any specific plans beyond remaining in the county.
Source WBAL
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