Harford Executive Cassilly Hails Successful Start to the School Year

The 2023-24 school year started Monday in Harford County Public Schools with full staffing of bus driver positions and plans by County Executive Bob Cassilly to fund additional school resource officers requested in Aberdeen.

At the school system?s first-day celebration at Forest Hill Elementary School, County Executive Cassilly joined with school and community leaders to welcome students back. Buses arrived at school on time, bringing some excited - and some nervous - children who were met with applause, high-fives, and good wishes for the coming year.

Over the summer, County Executive Cassilly was made aware of a potential bus driver shortage and directed his administration to work with the school system and private bus contractors on solutions, including advertising and hosting a bus driver job fair in July to help fill vacancies. As of the first day of school, Harford County Public Schools reported that all bus driver positions had been filled.

In addition, a serious shortage of school resource officers (SROs) in the Aberdeen area was brought to County Executive Cassilly?s attention last week. He quickly convened a meeting including the superintendent of schools, the mayor of Aberdeen and law enforcement, and he immediately authorized the Harford County Sheriff?s Office to hire four additional SROs to help keep students safe.

?When there?s a problem in Harford County, especially when it involves our students and public safety, we work together to solve it,? County Executive Bob Cassilly said. ?I would like to thank Harford County Public Schools, Aberdeen Mayor Patrick McGrady and our partners in law enforcement for working together for a safe and successful beginning to the new school year.?