Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly has nominated Liliana Norkaitis to fill a school board vacancy left by former Board President Aaron Poynton's resignation. This is the second attempt at filling the seat—the county council rejected Cassilly's first nominee, Terri Kocher, citing concerns about the lack of an application process before her selection.
Norkaitis is a Bel Air resident and alumna of Harford County Public Schools, with a recent degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. She works as a communications and outreach director in the Maryland General Assembly and brings hands-on experience from both state and federal legislative offices. Beyond her state job, she serves as vice chair of the Harford County Commission for Women. Notably, she's already filed her candidacy to run for an elected school board seat representing District C in the 2026 election—a fact that caught Cassilly's attention when evaluating applicants.
The school board faces significant decisions ahead, particularly about renewing the superintendent's contract. Cassilly emphasized that Norkaitis brings "experience in government, fiscal conservatism, and a fresh voice to our public schools." Her nomination now goes to the Harford County Council for final approval. If confirmed, she'll serve out the remainder of Poynton's term. The council hasn't yet announced when they'll vote on her nomination, but with budget and contract renewal discussions on the horizon, the timing could be important for the county's schools. This appointment comes as school systems across Maryland, including Harford County itself, continue managing winter weather challenges and scheduling adjustments.