Dr. Martirano presented his proposed operating budget for the Howard County Public School System fiscal year 2020–2021 (FY 2021). The proposal totals $964.1 million and represents an increase of $62.7 million, or 7% over the FY 2020 budget he budget proposal reflects the school system’s commitment to fiscal responsibility by fully funding health care costs and reducing the Health Fund deficit, finding savings and efficiencies in all programs, and seeking budget-neutral means to accelerate the system’s diversity, equity and inclusion work.
System
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
The Board of Education revised school attendance areas for the 2020-2021 school year in order to relieve overcrowded schools, more effectively balance capacity utilization among schools throughout the district, and address inequities in the distribution of students affected by poverty.
Partnerships
The Interfaith Center will provide support for Wilde Lake High School events and programs, including providing volunteers for junior interviews, mentors for student internships and donations to fund Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports initiatives.
Hollifield Station Elementary School technology teacher Heidi Shorter was recently named an Innovative Educator by Tech4Learning. The award recognizes Shorter’s commitment to utilize technology as a tool for students to creatively build their content knowledge and understanding of academic subjects.
Howard County staff recently earned the two top awards at the high school level from the Technology & Engineering Educators Association of Maryland. Mt. Hebron High School’s Project Lead the Way engineering academy was named as the program of excellence and Glenelg High School’s Project Lead the Way teacher Raymond Gerstner as the teacher of excellence.
David Floyd’s unique approach to teaching technology in the general classroom has seen students who are more engaged and ready to learn. The 2019 Maryland Tech Council STEM Educator of the Year, Floyd continues to seek out ways to motivate students through the use of digital tools.
Howard County School Health Council General Meeting, February 5, 2020
Superintendent Presents 2020 State of the Schools
Nominations for Friends of Education Award Accepted Through February 24, 2020
Apply for Student Member of the Board of Education by February 6, 2020
HCPSS