The following message is being shared on behalf of the Board of Education of Harford County.

The Board of Education is releasing the full findings of the Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education (OIGE) report. 

MARYLAND
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR EDUCATION

Investigative Synopsis
OIGE Case 26-0003-I
Issued: January 12, 2026

MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR EDUCATION
Richard P. Henry, Inspector General

January 12, 2026

To the Citizens of Maryland and Harford County,
The General Assembly, at its First Session after the adoption of the Maryland Constitution, 
established throughout the State a thorough and efficient System of Free Public Schools and shall 
provide by taxation, or otherwise, for their maintenance.¹ The Maryland Office of the Inspector 
General for Education (OIGE) plays a crucial role in protecting State funds allocated to local 
school systems. Our primary goal is to prevent and uncover fraud, waste, abuse, and educational 
mismanagement within School Boards, the Maryland State Department of Education, the Interagency 
Commission of School Construction, the twenty-four (24) local education agencies, and non-public 
schools that receive State funding across Maryland.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Office of the Inspector General for Education (OIGE) was contacted by Harford County Public 
Schools Board of Education President Dr. Aaron Poynton (Poynton) regarding an allegation that a 
computer and phone issued to the superintendent were stolen during an out-of-state conference. 
(Additional items listed as possibly stolen included a personal cellular phone, an iPad, an Apple 
Watch, and a wallet.) Dr. Poynton further stated that the equipment had been issued to Harford 
County Public Schools (HCPS) Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson while he was attending and presenting 
at a conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, and that it may contain student information.

Background
The National School Board Association (NSBA) hosted its annual conference at the NOLA Ernest Morial 
Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, from April 6 to April 8, 2024. Selected members of the 
Harford County Public School system and the Board of Education attended the conference. In addition 
to the personnel in attendance, Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson (Bulson), Deputy Superintendent Eric 
Davis (Davis), and HCPS-BOE member Carrol Mueller were scheduled to present at the conference on 
April 6, 2024.

¹ Constitution of Maryland, Article VIII, Education, Section 1

Methodology
The OIGE conducted a limited-scope review of the handling of Harford County Public Schools 
(HCPS)-issued equipment while the Superintendent was on official travel. OIGE’s review focused on 
safeguarding the equipment, reporting the missing items to the New Orleans Police Department, 
recovering the items, and the actions taken by HCPS personnel to secure, review, and reactivate the 
equipment. This review did not examine the specific circumstances surrounding how the items became 
misplaced before their recovery, as matters related to individual conduct or personnel 
accountability fall within HCPS’s administrative authority and are outside the scope of this 
investigation. In conducting this review, OIGE conducted interviews and reviewed documents and 
audio recordings relevant to this matter.

Interview - Dr. Sean Bulson, Ed.D.

OIGE interviewed Bulson regarding the reporting of HCPS-issued equipment and the steps he took to 
notify HCPS personnel about the missing items. Bulson advised OIGE that he had checked into the 
Marriott Hotel on Friday, April 5, 2024, to attend the NSBA Conference. On the morning of April 6, 
2024, he awoke to find he could not locate his HCPS-issued cellular phone and laptop, nor his 
personal cellular phone, Apple Watch, and iPad. Bulson believed the items may have been stolen. 
After unsuccessfully searching for the items, he left his room and went to Deputy Superintendent 
Davis’s room. Bulson said he went to Davis’s room to use his phone and told him about the loss. At 
approximately 9:20 AM, Bulson used Davis’s HCPS-issued phone to make two calls. The first was a 
personal call to his wife, and the second was to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) to report 
that items in his room had been stolen. NOPD recorded this conversation, and the person heard on 
the audio reporting the missing items was Bulson.

Bulson stated that after reporting the items to NOPD, he then contacted the HCPS Director for the 
Office of Information Technology (ITD) and advised him that his HCPS-issued laptop and phone were 
missing and possibly stolen. Bulson stated that he asked the ITD to disable (lockdown) access to 
the laptop and HCPS phone, whether directly or remotely. After receiving assurance from the ITD 
that the laptop and phone were disabled, he then proceeded to the conference to give his 11:00 AM 
scheduled presentation.

Bulson stated that at the conclusion of his presentation, he met with the HCPS BOE President, 
Poynton, and informed him of the missing items. At that time, Bulson stated that Poynton advised 
him to notify HCPS’s IT Division of the incident and to report it to the police. Bulson advised 
that he had already taken those steps, and both continued to attend scheduled conference events. 
Bulson said that the following day (Sunday evening), his service provider replaced his personal 
phone (2).

Bulson stated that on Monday, April 8, 2024, he was returning from the conference to Harford County 
in his car with Davis when he received a call on his personal phone from a Marriott Security 
representative. The representative advised Bulson that they had recovered personal property from the safe in his assigned hotel room. The representative advised Bulson that a laptop, two phones, an iPad, and an Apple Watch had been recovered from the room safe (3). Bulson said he coordinated with Marriott to return the items via FedEx. Bulson stated that he used his personal funds to have the items delivered to his home, not to his HCPS office.

Bulson stated that the items were delivered by FedEx a few days later and that upon receiving them, 
he contacted the ITD. Bulson noted that he asked the ITD to review the items to ensure they had not 
been accessed while they were missing. Bulson stated that the ITD conducted a review and determined 
they had not been accessed or compromised. Bulson stated that the ITD reactivated the equipment, 
and he resumed using the items. Bulson further noted that he continued to use the items for 
approximately six months. Bulson said that the laptop was replaced as part of HCPS’s equipment 
replacement cycle. Bulson further stated that the two phones were also replaced with newer versions 
as part of the same replacement process.

² Bulson used Deputy Superintendent Davis’s HCPS-issued cellular phone to continue school 
system-related activity until he received a replacement phone from his personal cellular provider.
³ Bulson recovered his wallet in his motel room. He had not been issued an HCPS purchase card, nor 
did he possess one.

Interview – Dr. Arron Poynton, D.P.A.

OIGE interviewed Poynton as to when he was first notified of the missing HCPS equipment, and he 
stated that he was informed the equipment had been recovered and returned to service. Poynton 
stated that Bulson approached him after he had concluded his presentation and advised him that he 
believed he had been “rolled” the last night and that his laptop, phones, and other items might 
have been stolen from his hotel room. Poynton stated that if he had not already done so, he should 
contact the police and notify the HCPS IT Director.

Poynton stated that upon his return from the conference, he learned that Marriott had contacted 
Bulson, found the missing property in his room safe, and returned it to him. Poynton stated that he 
did not pursue the matter further because the item had been returned and Bulson was using it.
Poynton further stated that, due to the recent media coverage of the events surrounding the 2024 
NSBA conference, he contacted the ITD to confirm that the equipment Bulson stated had been returned 
was, in fact, the same equipment issued to him before the conference. Poynton stated that ITD 
confirmed that the equipment issued to Bulson before April 6, 2024, and reported as returned, was 
the same equipment he reviewed and reactivated.

Interview - HCPS Director - Office of Information Technology

The IT Director (ITD) stated that he was notified of the missing HCPS laptop and cellular device on 
April 6, 2024, around mid-to-late morning. He stated that the call came from a phone number he 
recognized as his supervisor, Eric Davis's, even though the caller, Superintendent Sean Bulson, was 
using that device. The ITD said that upon receiving the notification, HCPS immediatelydisabled the Superintendent’s Active Directory account and deactivated the device to prevent any 
potential unauthorized access.

The ITD stated that the recovered laptop was physically inspected by an HCPS technician 
approximately three to four days after it was reported missing. According to ITD, there was no 
evidence of physical tampering, such as forced access or removal of the hard drive. The ITD noted 
that HCPS does not use diagnostic tools to determine whether a device has been accessed without 
physical tampering; however, he emphasized that, absent such tampering, access would not have been 
possible once the account and device were disabled.

The ITD recalled that when the Superintendent returned to the office on Monday, April 8, 2024, he 
was issued a loaner device and a new cellular device. The ITD stated that the Superintendent 
advised him that the hotel had possession of the missing laptop and phone and that the items would 
be overnighted back. The Superintendent would only need the loaner laptop for a short time. The ITD 
indicated he was not told the devices had been stored in a hotel safe and could not confirm whether 
they were shipped directly to HCPS or to the Superintendent.

The ITD confirmed that the missing items were an HCPS-issued laptop and a cellular device, both 
protected by passwords or passcodes. He stated that HCPS’s immediate response included deactivating 
the account and device, and that the Superintendent’s limited access privileges, combined with 
two-factor authentication and data storage controls, mitigated any risk of unauthorized access. The 
ITD concluded that HCPS has no reason to believe a data breach occurred due to the missing 
equipment, given the numerous steps taken upon the device's reporting as missing.

Marriott Response

Marriott Corporate Security confirmed that an entry was made in their “Lost and Found” log for 
items recovered from Bulson’s hotel room safe. These items included the identified alleged lost 
items and a laptop computer with a property identification sticker affixed, indicating it was the 
property of Harford County Public Schools.

FINDINGS
1) OIGE confirmed that Bulson contacted NOPD and reported that his accountable HCPS items had been 
stolen.
2) OIGE confirmed that the voice heard and recorded by the NOPD 911 system on April 6, 2024, was 
that of Bulson.
3) OIGE confirmed that Bulson contacted HCPS Director ITD about the missing laptop and phone, and 
that the ITD disabled Bulson’s account and devices. Bulson’s HCPS account was disabled from April 
6, 2024, until April 8, 2024. The laptop was disabled from April 6, 2024, until it was returned to HCPS on April 12, 2024. Verizon disabled the HCPS issue phone on April 6, 2024. (Confirmation Number: 3116128682)
4) OIGE confirmed that Bulson notified HCPS BOE President Poynton of the alleged theft of the 
accountable HCPS items.
5) OIGE confirmed that Marriott Security contacted Bulson regarding the recovered items from his 
assigned hotel room and that they were returned to him.
6) OIGE confirmed that the HCPS-issued laptop and phone were returned to the ITD on April 12, 2024, 
and that the laptop was reactivated. The HCPS phone was returned and remained in HCPS inventory 
until November 19, 2024. At that time, HCPS sent the phone to its vendor, e-Cycler (a recycling 
company), for destruction as part of HCPS’s end-of-cycle process. Following the initial report that 
Bulson’s phone had been stolen, ITD ordered a new phone for Bulson, which HCPS received on April 8, 
2024. HCPS’s provider, Verizon, confirmed that the phone was suspended on April 6, 2024.
7) OIGE confirmed, through our interview with the ITD, that there was no evidence that Bulson’s 
laptop or phone had been tampered with.

CONCLUSION

The OIGE’s investigation found that Superintendent Bulson contacted 1) local law enforcement and 2) 
HCPS Board President Poynton to advise them of the April 5, 2024, incident and the alleged stolen 
property. Our investigation further indicated that Bulson contacted the ITD and requested that his 
HCPS-issued laptop and phone be immediately disabled. OIGE confirmed that Bulson was notified that 
the items initially identified as stolen were recovered from his Marriott hotel room and returned 
to him on or about April 11, 2024. Our review also confirmed that the laptop and phone were given 
to ITD on April 12, 2024, and that ITD confirmed the laptop had not been tampered with.
OIGE found that the incident surrounding the 2024 NSBA conference and the return of the alleged 
stolen items were considered a “dead issue” by BOE President Poynton and other board members. OIGE 
also found that board members were aware of what has been described as “rumors,” or that nothing 
occurred because there was nothing reportable. Dr. Bulson has continued in his role for 
approximately 20 months after this incident without any further concerns from the board.
OIGE found that it was not until a copy of the NOPD audio recording of this incident, in which 
Bulson reported the alleged stolen items, became available that the board’s suspicions concerning 
that event again came to light. OIGE found that, once the existence of the audio recording was 
known, posted on a social media site (Facebook), and reported on by a local news agency (Fox 45), 
the board learned more about the events reported to have occurred on April 5 and 6, 2024.
OIGE is aware of the totality of the events that occurred on April 5, 2024. However, those events 
fall outside the Inspector General’s statutory authority and do not constitute fraud, waste, or
abuse. OIGE views the events of April 5, 2024, as a personal matter involving an individual 
reporting a crime. The conclusion of this matter is reserved for Dr. Bulson to share with the 
citizens of Harford County.

OIGE recognizes that information may be updated or changed after an investigation is complete. OIGE 
thanks the members of the Harford County Public School system, the Harford County Board of 
Education, the Harford County Public Schools Office of Information Technology, the Office of the 
State Inspector General for the State of Louisiana, the New Orleans Police Department, 
representatives from Marriott’s Corporate Security, Dr. Sean Bulson, and Dr. Aaron Poynton for 
their cooperation during this investigation.

Respectfully,

Richard P. Henry Inspector General

Cc: Dr. Dyann R. Mack, Ed.D., Interim Superintendent – Harford County Public Schools

In response to the Investigative Summary, Case 26-0003-I by the Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education, the following is shared on behalf of Interim Superintendent, Dr. Dyann R. Mack:

“My focus remains on leading Harford County Public Schools forward with stability, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and families. The Office of the Inspector General’s report has been received, and it is appropriate that the Board of Education carefully review its findings and determine what additional actions or decisions may be necessary. As that process moves forward, my priority is ensuring the continued effective operation of our school system and maintaining trust through transparency and accountability.”
 

This message is being shared on behalf of Dr. Aaron Poynton.

Dear HCPS Community,

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the students, staff, and communities of Harford County. Working alongside each of you in support of public education has been deeply meaningful, and I am proud of the dedication this Board has shown to our schools, educators, and families.

Service on the Board of Education is a volunteer role that nevertheless requires a substantial and growing time commitment. With the added responsibilities of the presidency, the workload has increased to a level that has effectively become more than a full-time role. As a result, I have found myself increasingly stretched and unable to give appropriate attention to other important aspects of my life, including my family and my professional responsibilities.

I recognize that this decision comes at a time of turbulence for Harford County Public Schools. However, I want to be clear that my decision was not influenced by the recent challenges facing the district. For several months, I have been in discussions with a new employer regarding a Chief Executive Officer role, and I am scheduled to begin that position next week. This role will require my full-time attention and frequent extended travel outside of Harford County. In light of these commitments, I have concluded that I can no longer fulfill the duties of this position at the level of focus and availability it deserves.

With that in mind, I have no choice but to resign from my position on the Harford County Board of Education, effective today.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served and for the trust placed in me by my fellow Board members, HCPS, and by the community. I will continue to support Harford County Public Schools and its mission from a distance, and I wish the Board and the district continued success in the important work ahead.

With respect and appreciation,
Aaron Poynton

The following message is being shared on behalf of Board of Education of Harford County President, Dr. Aaron Poynton.

HCPS Community,

As many of you are aware, it has been reported by various media outlets that our superintendent may have been involved in a reported robbery while on a work-related trip in 2024. This has understandably raised questions regarding the nature of the incident and whether any Harford County Public Schools property or student information may have been compromised.

An internal review confirms no student data was compromised. The Board has now ordered an independent investigation into the entire matter.

The attention and distraction surrounding this reported incident has created challenges for the school system at a time when our focus must remain squarely on students, staff, and the uninterrupted operation of our schools. After careful consideration and a majority vote, the Board has determined that the best course of action at this time is for our superintendent to be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

In the meantime, Dr. Dyann Mack, our current Deputy Superintendent, will serve as Acting Superintendent to ensure continuity, stability, and effective leadership across the district.

The Board has full confidence in our leadership team and remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and the highest standards of governance. We will continue to focus on what matters most: supporting our students, empowering our educators, and serving the families and community of Harford County.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

Dr. Aaron Poynton
President, Board of Education of Harford County

The following wass sent to all contacts via email on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email

 

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has asked us to share that they are accepting public comments on the proposed revisions to COMAR 13A.04.18 and the Comprehensive Health Education Framework.  

 

The Comprehensive Health Education Standards & Frameworks Validation Committee (SFVC) webpage on MSDE’s website has direct links to drafts and MSDE's online survey. You can also access the drafts and survey links below: 

 

Draft MSDE Revised Regulations 

Draft MSDE Revised Framework 

MSDE Online Survey 

 

MSDE has noted that all comments must be received by February 9, 2026. For additional information, including the submission of formal letters from an organization, please email healthandpe.msde@maryland.gov. 

 

*This feedback request is being sent on behalf of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Any feedback should be directed to MSDE as outlined above. 

The following information was sent to parents, guardians, and staff on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 via phone, email, and text message

As we enter inclement weather season, a few reminders for returning families, and important info for new families. 

HCPS staff evaluate weather conditions daily. When HCPS operates, approximately 5,000 staff members and approximately 40,000 students are on Harford County roads. This can be via a personal vehicle, riding a bus, or walking to school. To ensure the safety of staff and students, HCPS has several options to adjust operating schedules in the case of inclement weather. 

DELAYS:

• A 1-hour delay 

• A 2-hour delay 

• A 3-hour delay *NEW* THIS YEAR

CLOSURES can be determined: 

• The night before;  

• The morning of by 5:15 A.M.; 

• By 5:45 A.M. if a 1-hour delay was first implemented; 

• By 6:45 A.M. if a 2-hour delay was first implemented;  

• By 7:45 A.M. if a 3-hour delay was first implemented 

Please note: Closures need to be made up, and HCPS will utilize inclement weather days that are built into the end of the school year (blue outline on the color-coded version of the calendar). 

1-, 2- and 3-hour delays do not need to be made up; when schools are open, it counts towards the state mandated 180-day school year. 

With a delay, take your students' normal schedule, and add the delay time to adjust your schedule. For example, if you normally arrive at the bus stop at 6:30 a.m., with a 1-hour delay, arrive at 7:30 a.m. On a 2-hour delay, arrive at the bus stop at 8:30 a.m. and on a 3-hour delay, arrive at the bus stop at 9:30 a.m.  

Early Learner and Learning Together Programs:

• 1-hour delay - Early Learners and Learning Together will also delay one hour

• 2-hour delay - NO AM Early Learners and Learning Together; PM WILL meet.

• 3-hour delay - NO Early Learners and Learning Together.

When schools are delayed, every effort will be made to make a reassessment by 5:45 a.m. for a 1 Hour Delay, by 6:45 a.m. for a 2 Hour Delay, and by 7:45 a.m. for a 3 Hour Delay. Communication will ONLY be sent if there is another change to the operating schedule. 

The decision to dismiss early for inclement weather will be made as close to 9:30 a.m. as possible for any variation of time for an early dismissal, whether 1-, 2-, or 3-hours early. 

Where will this information be posted? 

As soon as the Communications Office is made aware of operational changes due to inclement weather, written messages will be posted, followed by direct messages. Please note: if you download the HCPS app, you will get the push notification FASTER than the phone call! Also, closures and delays that are provided the night before, or morning of, are not sent to emergency contacts. We WILL utilize emergency contacts, if students are at school and sent home early to ensure someone is aware that they will arrive home before their normal dismissal time.

Want to download the HCPS app?

Click here if you have an Android device

Click here if you have an Apple device

 

The following message was sent to select families who have not yet purchased a Device Protection Plan, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call and text:
 

Good evening, 

All Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) students were assigned an iPad, Chromebook, or Dell laptop for the 2025–2026 school year. Your student’s device came with a Student Device Agreement and Protection Plan. As stated in the agreement, parents or guardians are responsible for any damage or loss to the school-owned device, whether it happens at school or at home. 

HCPS offers an optional device protection plan to help cover accidental damage. You can purchase it in your School Cash Online account. If you have already purchased the plan, the option to purchase a plan will no longer appear in your School Cash Online account. 

Important Information: 

• Cost: $20 through October 31, 2025, or $50 from November 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026. 

• Without the plan: Repairs cost $150. An invoice will be sent from StudentDevices@hcps.org to the email on file for each parent or guardian. 

• Free and Reduced Meals: Students approved for free or reduced meals will automatically receive the protection plan. Click here to apply for free and reduced-price meals. 

The protection plan covers two incidents of accidental damage per school year, if the device is submitted for repair with the service tag visible. It does not cover intentional damage, lost devices, or stolen items. 

Replacement costs for items not covered by the device protection plan: 

• Charger – $36 

• Chromebook/laptop – $300 

• Dell Precision laptop – $1,400 

• Apple iPad – $399 

We encourage you to review the optional plan and decide if it’s right for your family before the due dates. Click here to watch a short video about optional purchases for families. 

Click here for a downloadable copy of the Student Device Agreement and Protection Plan. 

If you have questions, email studentdevices@hcps.org. 

The following message was sent to parents/guardians of students in Grades 1-9 on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. via email:

Harford County Public Schools is continuing to use the i-Ready Diagnostic assessments for reading and math. This assessment helps determine your child’s strengths and provides data for teachers that helps them better support your child.

The i-Ready Diagnostic is a computer-adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions based on student responses. Each question a student receives is based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly more difficult questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier questions.

With i-Ready Diagnostic comes a feature called Family Center. If your child was tested during the fall window, their score report is now available. It is important to note that your child will need to log into their HCPS device for you to view their reports. Detailed instructions on how to access the Family Center once your child logs into their HCPS device are attached to this email, or you can click here. Spanish translated instructions can be found in the Resources for Parents page on hcps.org. Further information about these assessments can be viewed here. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.

The winter testing window will begin on January 5, 2026, and run through February 6, 2026. Testing dates may vary, as each school will schedule specific testing dates within the county window.

Parents and guardians: The Portable Communication Device Policy was updated in June 2025. If your school provides a student planner, it may have gone to print as early as April- before the policy was updated. This means your student planner may have an outdated version of the Portable Communication Device Policy. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask that you utilize the most up to date policy that is available here. This is the policy we will adhere to this school year.
 

The following message is being sent via email to all families and staff on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.:

We want to share important updates to two Board of Education of Harford County policies—Portable Communication Devices and Student Backpack Use—approved by the Board of Education on June 9, 2025. These changes go into effect for the upcoming school year and are designed to support a safe and focused learning environment. 

Portable Communication Devices  

Students may bring cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, and other portable communication devices to school; however, their use is limited during the school day:  

• Elementary School: Devices must be deactivated and stored in student bookbags upon arrival.  

• Middle School: Devices must be deactivated and secured in lockers for the duration of the school day.   

• High School: Devices must be kept in the student’s locker and deactivated during class time.  

• Smartwatches and similar wearables may be worn but must remain deactivated at all grade levels.  

For more details and exceptions, please review the policy in its entirety via the attached document or on our website.   

Student Backpack and Bag Policy  

The updated backpack and bag policy outlines expectations for storage to ensure clear pathways, student safety, and emergency preparedness:  

• Bookbags do not need to be clear, but they must be stored appropriately. 

• Elementary School: Bookbags must be placed in designated classrooms or cubby areas upon arrival.  

• Middle and High School: Bookbags must be stored in lockers during the school day.  

• Students may carry a nontransparent bag no larger than 4.5x8.5-inch with them for personal hygiene purposes.  

• Athletic bags and musical instrument cases at all grade levels must be taken directly to the appropriate storage areas upon arrival and not carried throughout the school day.   

For more details and exceptions, please review the policy in its entirety via the attached document or on our website.    

What Families Should Do  

• Review these updated policies with your student before the first day of school.  

• Make sure your child knows where and how to store their devices and bags.    

Both policies will be actively enforced at the start of the school year. 

Thank you for your partnership in helping maintain safe, organized, and distraction-free schools. 

Sincerely, 
Dr. Aaron Poynton 
President, Board of Education of Harford County