Activist groups in the Harford County education community are split on whether Superintendent Sean Bulson should be removed from his role following recent claims that he called 911 to report a potential theft of school property during an educational conference in 2024.

Bulson was suspended by the school system with pay Wednesday evening, pending the results of an investigation into the incident. Harford County Council President Pat Vincenti ordered the county’s auditor earlier that day to launch the investigation.

On April 6, 2024, a person who identified himself as Sean Bulson called 911 from the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street, according to a recording of the call obtained by FOX45. The caller said an unknown woman stole a wallet, a laptop, two phones, and iPad and an Apple watch from his hotel room. During this time, the superintendent was attending the National School Boards Association Conference.

Suzie Scott, chair for the Harford County chapter of Moms for Liberty, said she believes the district should investigate whether there was any knowledge about the 2024 incident before this week.

Moms for Liberty members have called for the resignation of Bulson over concerns about the district’s hiring of educators. Scott said her chapter stands with concerned parents and community members who have called for the immediate dismissal of Bulson, for cause.

“We demand accountability to ensure our schools remain focused on educating and protecting our children,” she said.

Other groups say the school system should wait for the investigation to conclude before deciding whether Bulson should keep his job.

The local chapter of Together We Will Harford County Indivisible, a national group supporting grassroots progressive activism, said in a written statement that it believes it is essential the school board follows the defined process, rules and laws, which include Bulson’s right to seek counsel and his recounting of events.

The chapter said it was “completely premature” for County Executive Bob Cassilly and others to “draw conclusions” and “demand” for Bulson to resign or be relieved of his duties.

“In this country, any individual is innocent until proven guilty,” the statement said. “Dr. Bulson deserves due process.”

In the statement, the organization added it believes it was important for Harford County Public Schools to be represented at the National School Boards Association Conference as they “want our school officials to be engaged in positive discourse with our education professionals from around the country.”

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