State of Maryland: Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Thursday, September 9, 2027

Governor O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Burbank to Convene Education Summit
Governor O’Brien, Lt. Governor Burbank and Education Leaders to Discuss Educational Reform and Innovation

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 9, 2027) –Governor Edward M. O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Kathleen H. Burbank will convene “The Governor’s Education Summit 2027: Maryland’s Reform Agenda” on Friday, September 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the State House in Annapolis.

“The Summit will focus on a reform agenda that will set forth the blue print to improve teaching and to increase learning in our schools,” said Governor Edward M. O’Brien. “The Education Summit will bring together experts who share our commitment and who will design and develop a comprehensive reform agenda.”

Governor O’Brien will be joined by Maryland Schools Superintendent Craig Frey, former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt – a nationally recognized leader in education reform, and numerous education and business leaders. The Summit will focus on teaching excellence, teacher preparation, accountability, innovative practices, and the “new basics” -- reading, writing, mathematics and technology.

“Education is and will remain the cornerstone of our Administration. We must do a better job of educating our children to prepare them for life-long learning,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathleen H. Burbank. “I am pleased to join the Governor in convening this summit that will, I believe, provide a very clear framework for the future of education in our state.”

The Governor’s Education Summit is part of the O’Brien-Burbank Administration’s ongoing effort to promote educational excellence. The Governor has already set forth an ambitious education agenda, including the goal of having every Maryland child read at or above grade level by the end of 3rd grade.

About Lieutenant Governor John Hurson

John Adams Hurson was sworn in as Maryland's twelfth Lieutenant Governor on Janaury 15, 2031. Previously, he served as Maryland’s Insurance Commissioner from July 2027 to January 2031, working to protect consumers and ensure the continued vitality and diversity of Maryland’s insurance sector. Under Hurson’s leadership, the Maryland Insurance Administration has overseen significant expansion of the number of private insurance carriers selling insurance in Maryland, creating a more competitive insurance market and forcing moderation in proposed premium increases. Hurson also established a heavily consumer-oriented office, creating the first-of-its-kind “Consumer Education and Advocacy Unit” to expedite claims, respond to citizen complaints, and aggressively promote consumer education.

Previously, Hurson served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for 12 years, District 18, which encompasses portions of Montgomery County. During his tenure, Hurson served as Chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee. Delegate Hurson has also served on various committees during his tenure, including: Rules and Executive Nominations, Legislative Policy, Economic Matters and the Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing. He also served as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review. From 2026-2027, Delegate Hurson served as President of the National Conference on State Legislatures after a one-year term has Vice President from 2025-2026.

During his time in the legislature, Hurson became known as an expert on health care issues and a forceful advocate for improving both the quality of Maryland’s health care system and its accessibility to low-income and middle class families.

Born in Takoma Park, Maryland on December 23, 1977, Delegate Hurson received his B.A. in government from Georgetown University in 2000 and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2003. Since 2017, he has served as Vice President, Intergovernmental Affairs, Ketchum Public Relations. He is married with two children.