Harford County Schools Tighten Hiring Rules After Controversial Hire

Harford County's schools are making big changes to how they hire teachers. This comes after a news report revealed that a man with serious charges was hired to teach. The school board president, Aaron Poynton, created a new policy to make sure this doesn't happen again. The new rules say that if someone has serious charges, the whole school board must vote to hire them. This includes crimes like fraud, theft, or anything that shows bad moral character. Poynton thinks this is common sense and will make parents and taxpayers feel better.Poynton started working on this policy after a news report about Lawrence Smith. Smith was a former police officer and football coach. He was hired to teach 8th grade English while waiting for his trial. Smith later admitted to stealing $215, 000 from Baltimore City Schools. He could go to prison for up to 25 years. Under current state laws, Smith could still get a teaching job. Poynton wants to change this. He thinks the state laws need to be stronger. If the state doesn't change the laws, Harford County will make its own rules to protect students. Poynton has three kids in Harford County schools. He wants the best teachers for them. But he also wants teachers who are honest and trustworthy. The new policy will be introduced to the full school board in January.