Maryland School Board Delays Decision on State Superintendent Choudhury’s Contract Amidst Growing Controversy

Choudhury’s current contract is set to expire on June 30, 2024, and the board had the option to offer him a new four-year contract during the Tuesday meeting. However, the decision was deferred, indicating that the concerns raised by employees and community members have left a significant impact on the board’s considerations.|Deputy Superintendent Sylvia Lawson’s Defense of Choudhury, Viewed by MSDE Employees As the Superintendent’s “Henchwoman”, Casts Doubt on Decision-Making Process

Citizen Commentary:  One Year After Carroll Passes School Flag Policy, Anne Arundel Looks To Do The Same

Overall, I’ve been extremely pleased with our county’s flag policy and keeping our public schools focused on academics.  I would highly encourage the school board members of Anne Arundel County to follow our county’s lead.

Commissioners On Path To Protect Agriculture From Commercial Solar; Preserving Quarter-Billion Dollar Ag Investment

Critics claim decision to prevent commercial solar on farm land sets county behind in green revolution, but may be surprised by where Carroll County actually stands. | Carroll County is home to the largest rooftop community solar project in the United States.  The Hampstead facility powers more than 1,300 residential and small commercial subscribers.  

Carroll is also ranked 10th among Maryland counties for solar installations according to a 2021 source.

With Carroll’s position in both agriculture and solar energy as #1 and #10 in the state respectively, it shows that the county is able to balance the priorities of local agriculture while still being able to successfully participate in green energy production.

Whistleblower: “Ethics Violation” in MD Superintendent Choudhury’s Ties to Firm Granted Half-Million Dollars in Exclusive Contracts

A former Maryland State Department of Education executive has come forward accusing State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury of impropriety regarding business dealings with a consulting firm awarded sole-source contracts totaling a half-million dollars.|“The State Board of Education should immediately open an internal investigation.  Blueprint is the most important initiative for our public education system. The bar should be set high for any contractual services supporting the program.  For Superintendent Choudhury to bypass proper vetting and grant a sole source, half-million dollar contract to a personal friend is at best unethical and reflects poor judgment.  The gross misuse of taxpayer funds puts Maryland’s Blueprint at risk and shakes the public’s confidence in the Superintendent.” 

What was State BOE President Crawford thinking when he hired scandal-ridden Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury?

History would be made when State BOE President Clarence Crawford hired Mohammed Choudhury as Maryland Superintendent, but not for the reasons you think.|Former colleagues who knew and had worked with Choudhury during his days as Associate Superintendent in the San Antonio public school system said they weren’t surprised by what was happening in the MSDE. 

“Complaints were filed against him in San Antonio.  He would railroad others, there were accusations of sexism.  His behavior is nothing new, makes me question the search process in Maryland,” said a source.

Fox 45’s Project Baltimore to Cover Informed Carroll’s Story on State Superintendent of Schools

The source, who has also spoken with Informed Carroll, has also confirmed they will be covering State Superintendent’s misconduct as reported last week by Informed Carroll, where the former executive and several other sources shared stories that described an organization in disarray.|Christ Papst of Fox 45 asks the source, “Had Project Baltimore had not done the story on those 23 schools in Baltimore City, with zero students who tested proficient in math, do you think that data gets changed?”

“I think the data would have stayed the same.  I think they’re trying to hide that the public school system is in worse shape than what we thought.” said the former executive.

Former MSDE Executive: “Choudhury’s leadership puts Education Blueprint at risk”

A former MSDE executive close to the situation had this to say:

“For me the worst thing about Blueprint is the leadership who’s left leading it.  They are effectively flying blind…Simply put, Choudhury’s leadership puts Blueprint at risk.”

Frederick County: School district policies on sex, gender are concerning

A high school ordered the book “Gender Queer: A Memoir” for its library. Current Board President Sue Johnson found it “enlightening and thought-provoking” – it includes cartoon depictions of naked people engaged in sex acts, a vibrator, a depiction of menstruation, and the use of a sex toy.