Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michael J. Martirano, announces the administrative appointments made by the St. Mary’s County Board of Education at its meeting on Oct. 29.
 
The SMCBOE appointed Susan Ballinger to the position of assistant principal at Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary School. Ballinger joins the school system from the Charles County Public School System where she most recently served as an IEP facilitator.

In the United States, an Individualized Education Program, commonly referred to as an IEP, is mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The IDEA requires public schools to develop an IEP for every student with a disability who is found to meet the federal and state requirements for special education.

Ballinger’s experience also includes serving as a special education resource teacher, a lead teacher, and an elementary classroom teacher. Ballinger earned a Master of Science degree in human resources development and educational leadership from Towson University and a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from the University of Maryland.

In 2002, Ballinger was awarded a Christa McAuliffe Fellowship from the U.S. Department of Education and the Maryland State Department of Education. She earned National Board Certification in the area of early childhood through young adult exceptional needs from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The certification is valid from 2001 to 2011.
 
SMCBOE also appointed Dean Gass to the position of programmer/analyst in the Department of Technology. Gass currently serves as a software developer for L-3 Communications Titan.

L-3 Communications Titan is a provider of comprehensive information and communications products, solutions and services for National Security. The company serves the Department of Defense, intelligence agencies and other government customers including Naval Air Station at Patuxent River.

Gass’ experience also includes serving as a Web site development manager, a management information systems specialist, a network administrator and engineering technician.

Gass served in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Air National Guard. He is certified in electronics and ground radio communications.

Both Ballinger and Gass bring an exceptional level of experience and talent to St. Mary’s County Public Schools. Ballinger and Gass should be reporting to their new positions next week.