Howard County school board promotes acting superintendent Bill Barnes to full-time job
The Howard County Board of Education promoted interim superintendent Bill Barnes to the full-time job Thursday.
Barnes has been acting in the role since January and is the district’s eighth superintendent since 1949, according to a news release.
“We look forward to his commitment to change in instructional leadership as well as his ability to innovate and fulfill the promise of the Blueprint for Education,” board chair Jen Mallo said in the news release. “He demonstrated agility as he stepped into the Acting Superintendent role, collaboratively worked with our county funders, and demonstrated heartfelt compassion during challenging budget times.”
The agreement is pending contract negotiations and approval by the Maryland superintendent of schools, Carey Wright.
Barnes is a former high school math teacher who joined the district in 2008 as a coordinator of math and curriculum and was named the district’s chief academic officer in 2017. He has an undergrad degree from Towson University and a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins, according to the news release.
“My work will remain grounded by the students, teachers, support staff, families, and community members I show up for each day and whose voices and perspectives will inform our journey forward,” Barnes said in the release.
Former superintendent Michael Martirano announced his retirement in November despite having almost three years left in a four-year contract.