Harford County Superintendent Announces Retirement

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Superintendent Barbara Canavan announced that she will be retiring as of July 1. Canavan has been the superintendent of Harford County Public Schools since 2013.

Before that, she was an educator in the school system for 40 years.

In her retirement, Canavan said she looks forward to "spending precious time with my family."

Canavan issued the following statement to staff on Monday, Jan. 8, according to Harford County Public Schools:

“It has been my honor to serve the students, staff and community of Harford County as your Superintendent of Schools. Harford County Public Schools is truly an exemplary school system; however, after forty-eight years of public service, forty-five of which have been in Harford County, I have decided to retire effective July 1, 2018.

"While I look forward to the opportunities retirement will offer, it still saddens me to be leaving the organization. Harford County Public Schools has blessed me with the privilege of working with an exceptional staff and a caring and supportive community. Collectively we have provided an exceptional experience for the students in our care. I will forever cherish our accomplishments.

"In closing, although I look forward to spending precious time with my family, I remain committed to serving faithfully through the duration of my contract and working with the Board of Education and the leadership of Harford County Public Schools to ensure a seamless transition for the future Superintendent.”

SEE ALSO: Harford Schools Name 40-Year Veteran as Interim Superintendent

The head of the Board of Education for Harford County issued a congratulatory statement.

“We thank her for her five years of service to the students and staff of Harford County
as superintendent, but more importantly for the 45 years she devoted to Harford County Public
Schools. She will be greatly missed,” Board President Joseph Voskuhl said in a statement.

“On behalf of the Board of Education of Harford County, I would like to wish Mrs. Canavan all
the best as she moves on to enjoy a well-deserved retirement,” Voskuhl said.

The school system will announce plans for a superintendent search as they develop.

Photo courtesy of Harford County Public Schools.