Watch CBS News

Baltimore County Hires 30-Year-Old Schools Chief

TOWSON, Md. (AP) -- A 30-year-old Houston schools administrator has been chosen to lead Baltimore County's school system.

School board President Lawrence Schmidt said Tuesday that S. Dallas Dance accepted the position Monday night. He was also being considered for the schools superintendent job in Howard County.

Dance has only two years of teaching experience. That meant he needed a waiver from interim state Superintendent Bernard Sandusky, which he received. State law requires superintendents to have at least three years' experience.

Schmidt tells The Baltimore Sun the school board was impressed with Dance's poise and maturity. Schmidt says the school board expects questions will be raised about Dance's age since he is younger than most people he will lead.

Teachers union President Abby Beytin says she's disappointed the selection was a closed process.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.