Keith Scroggins, the retired Chief Operating Officer for Baltimore City Public Schools and Baltimore Curriculum Project’s (BCP) educational partner, brings extensive school system expertise to the board and a deep passion for improving opportunities for young people in his hometown. We spoke with him about his BCP service and his vision for Baltimore’s educational landscape.
How long have you been a BCP board member?
I joined the board in 2019 after retiring from my position as Chief Operating Officer with Baltimore City Public Schools, where I had worked for 12 years. Stuart Simms, a BCP board member and now a partner at Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP urged me to join. He had previously served as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety, and the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. Stuart asked me to join and he wasn’t going to take ‘No’ for an answer. [Chuckles.] He is truly an impressive individual.
When I agreed, I hadn’t really given any thought to the fact that BCP was a charter school operator. I just saw it as a program dedicated to helping children get a better education. I wanted to be a part of something that gave back to students in Baltimore.
What does it mean to you to serve on the BCP board?
I grew up in Pimlico and went to Pimlico Junior High. I went to Boys’ Latin School of Maryland for high school. I then attended and graduated from the University of Maryland. I received my Master’s from The College of Notre Dame, Maryland in Baltimore (now Notre Dame of Maryland University). Before I worked for Baltimore City Schools, I was bureau chief for the City’s General Services Bureau under Mayor Martin O’Malley and worked closely with the school system to address their facility needs.
I believe that BCP is the preeminent organization in Baltimore for City Schools. As a member of the BCP board, I’ve gotten to see the valuable support they provide to the students in their network of schools. BCP exemplifies a commitment to education that is not driven by financial gain; rather, it reflects a deep dedication that starts at the top.
How is this service different from your other civic/volunteer activities?
It’s different in that it involves actual schools that are providing instruction and wrap-around services for students. I also have served for 21 years on the board of the C.D. Mote, Jr. Incentive Awards Program at the University of Maryland. This program provides nine full scholarships annually to Baltimore City School students. My involvement with this program was before I even considered serving as the COO for Baltimore City Schools, but it was a way to give back to the community where I grew up.
Recently, I completed four years as the director of education for my fraternity chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, in Harford County, where I live. I also just finished my term on the board at Cecil Community College. As the previous director of education for the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, I worked to ensure the fraternity continued its tradition of providing full scholarships for young African-American men from Harford and Cecil Counties. It’s crucial to help young males get the most out of their education and support them on their journey.
Now that I am retired, I spend my free time playing golf, and I am taking a computer class at Harford Community College. I plan to enroll in more courses to improve my personal education.
