The deputy superintendent of operations for Harford County Public Schools, Eric Davis, has been placed on paid administrative leave as details remain unclear as to what happened involving him and Superintendent Sean Bulson during a New Orleans education conference in April 2024.
On Monday a state Inspector General’s Office investigation found that Bulson used Davis’ personal cellphone to call 911 to report an alleged theft while the two were at the New Orleans conference.
According to the school system’s manager of communications, Jillian Lader, Davis was placed on leave Sunday — four days after the Board of Education voted to place Bulson on paid administrative leave.
Lader was unable to say who voted to place Davis on leave, how long his leave will be, and whether his leave is contingent on an internal investigation.
The Board of Education’s actions stem from a phone call Bulson made to New Orleans Police on April 6, 2024, while Bulson, Davis and other Harford Schools staff attended a National School Board Association conference.
Bulson reported that a woman he had invited into his hotel room stole his wallet, his personal cellphone, an Apple watch, an iPad, and his school-issued cellphone and laptop after he fell asleep around 2 a.m.
Numerous state and local officials called for Bulson’s resignation after the 911 recording was released and former Board of Education President Aaron Poynton asked the state inspector general to investigate allegations made against Bulson early Jan. 7. Later that day, the board voted during a closed meeting to place Bulson on a 30-day paid administrative leave.
The Maryland Office of the Inspector General of Education’s investigation report into the situation found that Bulson contacted his wife, New Orleans Police and the school system’s IT department using Davis’ personal cellphone — implicating Davis.
The report concluded that nothing was stolen from the hotel room and that the items Bulson reported as stolen were actually in a safe in the room. According to the report, Bulson paid to have the items shipped to his home and the school-issued cellphone and laptop were returned to Harford County Public Schools on April 12, 2024.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Davis began his role as the deputy superintendent last June. Before that he was the chief of administration for six years. Harford Schools did not respond to a request for Davis’ salary. The role of assistant superintendent of operations was paid a salary of $188,247 in fiscal 2024.
What’s next?
The Board of Education has the option to extend Bulson’s leave past the 30 days. The board could also unilaterally terminate Bulson’s contract — which is set to expire June 30 — but would be required to pay Bulson his salary and benefits through the end of June. Bulson’s salary is $293,220.
The Board of Education may fire Bulson for “immorality, misconduct in office, insubordination, incompetency or willful neglect of duty,” according to his contract, but the state superintendent has to approve that decision.
Bulson can wait out his administrative leave, try to negotiate a severance package with the Board of Education, or unilaterally terminate his own contract.
Harford County Council President Patrick Vincenti — who is running for county executive in 2026 — ordered the county auditor to conduct an investigation into the alleged theft after the 911 call surfaced last week. The council was scheduled to discuss funding the audit late Tuesday.
Have a news tip? Contact Matt Hubbard at mhubbard@baltsun.com, 443-651-0101 or @mthubb on X.
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