PRESS RELEASE :: MAY 22, 2014
Calvert County Board of Education
Names Finalists for Next Superintendent
The Calvert County Board of Education is nearing the conclusion of an exhaustive, thorough search for a new Superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools.
Over the past several months, the Board, with the assistance of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education, has reviewed more than a dozen applicants from across the state and even the nation.
Superbly qualified applicants have made it clear Calvert County Public Schools is a highly desirable destination, a testament to the county’s longtime dedication to top-notch education.
At this point in the selection process, which has already included two in-person interviews, the Board is proud to announce its three finalists for further consideration to be the next Superintendent beginning July 1, 2014. The finalists are:
•Dr. Daniel Curry, who is currently Superintendent of Lake Forest School District in Felton, Delaware.
•Dr. Deborah Munk, who is a consulting principal with Montgomery County Public Schools.
•Mrs. Diane Workman, who is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Operations for Calvert County Public Schools.
Attached to this release are one-page biographies for each of the three finalists, as provided by the finalists.
These finalists are scheduled to meet with multiple stakeholders and focus groups assembled specifically for this process from across the county over the next week. Those meeting with the finalists will be asked to provide their observations to the Board of Education.
Mrs. Nancy V. Highsmith served admirably and competently as Interim Superintendent for the Calvert County Public Schools during the 2013-2014 school year. Under Maryland law, however, Superintendents must hold a “superintendent’s certificate,” and the requirements for that certificate will not be waived by the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, who has the final say in approving any appointment of a Maryland school superintendent.
Although the lack of a superintendent’s certificate makes her ineligible for the position, it does not reflect badly upon her. Mrs. Highsmith was fully certified as a high school principal when she was asked to take on the additional challenges of being Interim Superintendent during a period of great need. During that time, Ms. Highsmith brought her full commitment to the rigors of that difficult job, and the Board is highly appreciative of her service.
Mrs. Highsmith has been asked to and plans to stay with the school system. She is prepared to offer her expertise and deep organizational knowledge to assist in a smooth transition.
“I am fully supportive of the new superintendent, whomever that may be, and look forward to helping with a smooth transition,” Mrs. Highsmith said. “Calvert County Public Schools will always be in my heart and soul. We have a great system, and I only wish for its continued successes.”
The Calvert County Board of Education wishes to express its deepest appreciation and respect for Mrs. Highsmith and her outstanding work in leading the county’s crown jewel through incredibly difficult challenges in the past year. The county will forever be indebted to Mrs. Highsmith.
- CCPS -
Daniel D. Curry, Ed.D.
Dr. Dan Curry has been Superintendent of Lake Forest School District in Felton, Delaware since 2003. Under his leadership Lake Forest has grown to be known for its logo brand – Your Best Choice. He has been a highly visible and active member of the community and the state. In a district known for voting against new taxes, he helped to develop the necessary community support that led to the passage of one operating and two construction referendums.
Since taking the reins, student achievement has grown and staff training has been upgraded to meet the demands of new tests and new performance measures. Lake Forest Schools have been recognized for the differences they are making for children from all backgrounds. In the fall of 2013 when the state leaders announced the top 17 “reward and recognition schools” with $50,000 awarded to each, three of those schools were Lake Forest Schools.
Dr. Curry was named Delaware Superintendent of the Year for 2011. He is Past President of the Delaware Chief School Officers and presently serves on the Executive Committee of the American Association of School Administrators representing Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
He grew up in Fairmont, West Virginia and majored in Elementary Education and minored in Speech and Drama at Fairmont State College. He earned masters and doctorate degrees in Education Administration from West Virginia University. He taught 4th and 6th grade. He was an elementary and middle school principal. He worked in the central office in a variety of assignments and even drove school bus when substitute drivers were not available. He was named superintendent in Pocahontas County at age 34. He also served as superintendent in Hancock County and Wood County. He served a total of 29 years in West Virginia prior to moving to Delaware - 15 of those years as school superintendent in county school districts from 1500 to 15,000 students.
Dr. Debra S. Munk
In fourth grade I wrote in my journal that I wanted to be a teacher. I have never waivered from that calling. Although for most of the past 29 years I have worked in administrative positions in schools and central offices, I have always considered myself a teacher – sometimes on special assignment. My passion for teaching and learning has been a driving force throughout my career.
My journey in education has taken me to three school districts and a variety of interesting positions. As the Montgomery County Public Schools secondary English supervisor, I oversaw the development of a new grades 6-12 English curriculum and trained over 400 teachers to implement it in 55 middle schools and high schools. Additionally I was responsible for the development and scoring of reading criterion-referenced tests for Grades 3-8. While serving as the principal of a middle school and then two high schools in Frederick and Montgomery Counties, I discovered that I have a talent for improving students’ academic achievement and closing the achievement gap. During my tenure at Rockville High School, the school experienced a significant decrease in suspensions and ineligibility, and a dramatic increase in AP performance and participation, SAT scores, and graduation rate – particularly among African American and Hispanic students.
For this reason I was assigned to supervise and evaluate twelve new middle and high school principals this year. I have helped them develop and execute school improvement plans, refine school processes, bolster their instructional programs, and address leadership challenges. Working with these outstanding new principals has given me the opportunity to operate again at a system-wide level, hone my supervisory skills, and share what I know. Additionally I consult nationally with Research for Better Teaching on teacher evaluation and instructional improvement.
I walk three miles every day and enjoy reading and quilting. I love to travel and have visited all 50 states and many countries. My husband, Russell, an attorney at the U.S. Treasury Department, is my cheerleader and best friend. Together we have seven children who are grown and thriving.
Diane Workman
Mrs. Diane Workman is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Operations for Calvert County Public Schools.
Originally from Sayre, Pennsylvania, she began her career as a special education teacher in Anne Arundel County Public Schools in 1980.
In addition to her work as a classroom teacher, she served as a teacher specialist in special education, assistant principal, principal and Director of Special Education. In 2007, she came to work in Calvert County Public Schools as the Assistant Director of Special Education.
Since 2007, Mrs. Workman has served in many capacities, including Assistant Director of Instructional Support, principal and most recently Director of Instruction before being named Assistant Superintendent of Operations. She currently oversees the Departments of Information Technology, Instruction, Special Education, and Student Services, as well as building-based administrators.
Mrs. Workman earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from Bloomsburg State College in 1980 and a Master’s Degree in Reading from Towson University in 1986. In addition, she earned a certificate in Educational Administration and Supervision from Bowie State University in 1997.
Mrs. Workman lives in Arnold, MD with her husband, Dennis. They have three children, Kelli in Pittsburgh, Alex in Philadelphia and Christopher at home.