In surprise announcement, Howard County schools superintendent to retire in January

In a sudden announcement, Howard County Public Schools Superintendent Michael J. Martirano will retire in January after nearly seven years in the job. He will leave his job on Jan. 10, 18 months into a four-year contract that would have ended in June of 2026. The Howard County school board gave no reason for Martirano’s retirement in a news release Friday afternoon. He was seen as a steadying influence after the departure of Renee Foose, a former superintendent who had battled with the board. Foose was paid $1.6 million in salary and benefits to leave, according to The Baltimore Sun.