Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun

The Baltimore Sun announced the pending retirement of Nancy Grasmick, the nation’s longest-serving superintendent. “Her ability to survive in that job, given the nature of politics in Maryland, is pretty incredible,” said Donald Norris, chair of UMBC’s department of public policy. He reflected, “There’s been speculation that once the governor was able to appoint a majority of the board, she’d be gone,” but she has remained in place due to strong support from state school boards. Norris continued, “She’s certainly had quite an impact on K-12 education in Maryland—not without controversy—but an incredible impact.”