There was no white smoke rising from a chimney, but the word spread quickly within the Calvert County Public Schools’ community on the afternoon of Thursday, June 12 that “we have a superintendent.” The new super is Dr. Dan Curry, currently the top school administrator in Felton, DE. Curry will officially take over the reins of Calvert’s public school system on July 1.
Prior to the official announcement and unanimous vote by the Calvert County Board of Education (BOE), Curry met with members of the press. Curry said he applied for the superintendent’s job because he was impressed that Calvert is such a “high-performing system. I have been studying Calvert for quite a while.”
The new superintendent added that he had “no immediate administrative changes” planned for the day he assumes leadership of CCPS. “There’s no need to,” said Curry, who explained during his initial days in office he would “take time to meet people.”
Curry immediate successor is Interim Superintendent Nancy Highsmith, who the new superintendent stated will, initially, play an important role in the transition. “She’s done a great job,” said Curry. “She can show me around. I imagine everyone will stay right where they are.”
After being introduced to attendees of the BOE’s June business meeting, Curry talked about driving around Calvert when he initially visited the area during the selection process. He decided to get a haircut at a shop in Lusby and struck up a conversation with the woman cutting his hair. “She said her family moved to Calvert for the schools,” he recalled.
In his introduction of the selectee, BOE President Dr. Eugene Karol explained the arduous search and selection process the school board embarked upon last year following the sudden resignation of Dr. Jack Smith, the former superintendent. A total of 16 individuals applied for the vacancy. Karol noted Curry had been “highly visible and active” in his Delaware school district, which has seen heightened student achievement and improved staff training during his tenure.
Karol also noted that in an emergency situation, Curry “drove a school bus.”
“I think we’re going to be in great shape,” said Highsmith, who had been one of the 16 applicants but did not meet the Maryland State Department of Education’s superintendent academic qualifications.
Calvert Education Association (CEA) President Debbie Russ praised Highsmith “for working with teachers, students and children.” Regarding Curry, the CEA president stated, “we look forward to working with him.” Russ noted the CEA still does not have a contract ratified for the upcoming school year and lamented that Curry is taking over the leadership of CCPS during a t
