Anne Arundel County School Board members Monday defended the pending firing of a couple of top school district employees.
Board of Education President Konrad Wayson said the board has no control over the hiring and firing of employees.
But some County Council members said they were disappointed by the school district?s tactics.
Late last week, Budget Director Dennis Hirsch and Government Services Director Bob Leib were told they would be fired by the end of the month to make room for the new superintendent?s own budget director and chief of staff.
The board is scheduled to approve incoming Superintendent Kevin Maxwell?s contract at its regular meeting Wednesday. Maxwell will replace Eric Smith, who resigned last fall after a public disagreement with the school board.
But reports hinted that Hirsch and Leib had been targeted for their loyalties to Smith.
“Do I have any facts? No. But do I have a lot of suspicions? Yeah,” said Richard Kovelant, the two men?s lawyer.
Wayson said the incoming superintendent has every right to bring in his own staff.
“That is such a red herring,” said school board member Eugene Peterson. “My one concern is to get it done, raise the test scores. These are the closest thing to at-will employees we have in the district. It?s not unusual for a superintendent to comein and make changes.”
County Council Chairman Ed Reilly agreed that the new superintendent had the right to bring in his own top people but questioned the timing and wisdom of it.
“He?s already coming in when there?s a gap between the board and the council,” Reilly said. “I think he?s got his work cut out for him.”
Maxwell, currently a Montgomery County Public Schools community superintendent, was offered the job in late April. The board must hire a new superintendent by July 1.
? The Associated Press contributed to this story.
