The Howard County Board of Education on February 13, 2020, adopted its Operating and Capital Budget Requests for the 2020–2021 school year (Fiscal Year 2021), and Capital Improvement Program for FY 2022–26. The FY 2021 Operating Budget Request totals $947.8 million, which is a $46.5 million, or 5.2% increase over the FY 2020 Operating Budget.
The Board will submit its budget requests to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in early March, who will in April submit his proposed budget to the County Council, which will adopt the Howard County budget in May. The Board is scheduled to approve its final budgets May 28.
District
HCPSS recently launched a color-coding notification system for emergency and other non-scheduled school closings, including for inclement weather. The new system standardizes the school system’s operational status to five possibilities to enhance consistency, while promoting the safety of HCPSS students and staff, and adhering to negotiated agreements on staff availability.
Students
In this Guest Voices piece, Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Regional Administrator Raymond Lucas details the importance of MESA programs, the types of projects students work on, and how the programs align to the school system’s Strategic Call to Action.
Partnerships
Running Brook Elementary School has partnered with Residences at Vantage Point to create social connections, build a strong sense of community, and learn from one another through intergenerational activities and programs.
ThreeMt. Hebron High School seniors recently won the 2019 Congressional App Challenge for Maryland’s 7th Congressional District for their application, Safe Haven. The app is designed to provide safe, comfortable temporary homes through crowd-sourced volunteers for people who have been displaced by natural disasters.
SHAPE Maryland recently honored Centennial High School Health Education Teacher Rob Slopek as Health Education Teacher of the Year; and Health Education Teachers Laura Johnson (Patapsco Middle School) and Brittany Smith (Burleigh Manor Middle School) as Simon A. McNeely Award recipients.
Mayhew strives to give her students “an access point to what’s happening in the classroom, so they can be successful and move on to high school and beyond.” She helps supports students by keeping in touch with families, co-teaching classes, and collaborating with teachers to provide differentiated learning opportunities and incorporate diverse texts into the curriculum.
1st Grade Art Showcase, Through April 14, 2020
A Story Called Kindness Poster Contest, Entries Due April 1, 2020
HCPSS Recognizes Seven Art Educators at February 13 Board Meeting
Unheard Perspectives Showcase, February 29, 2020
International Parent Leadership Program Applications Due March 3, 2020
Apprenticeship Maryland Academy Information Session, February 20, 2020
HCPSS