Joe Hairston, Former Baltimore Co. Schools Superintendent, Dies

BALTIMORE, MD — Joe Hairston, the first African-American superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools and champion of equality in schools, died Friday in Baltimore from complications related to a previous illness, according to reports. He was 71 years old.

Hairston served three terms as superintendent from 2000 to 2012, the Baltimore Sun reports. He guided the school system through demographic shifts and championed for quality education for all students, regardless of socioeconomic background.

Under Hairston's leadership, Baltimore County Schools grew and became more diverse as academic achievement and graduation rates remained strong. Advanced Placement exam participation almost tripled, school officials said. Among his achievements was establishing a virtual learning environment at Chesapeake High School, forming key partnerships to promote college attendance and launching the system’s first school-wide STEM academy.

Current Baltimore County Superintendent Darryl Williams said in a statement that while he did not have the opportunity to work with Hairston, the former superintendent exuded the “quiet confidence" that he often advocated, working to ensure high-quality education for every child regardless of race or zip code.

"His strongest mark on Baltimore County Public Schools was his recognition of the 'seismic shifts' coming in education and his devotion to every child," Williams said in the statement. "'All means all' was his mantra, his commitment and his goal. He will be missed, but his legacy lives on in the lives of every student, educator, and community member who benefited from his service."