HCPSS Announces Leadership Changes

August 14th, 2019

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) announces recent changes to its leadership team.

Anissa Dennis is the new Chief School Management and Instructional Leadership Officer. Dennis oversees a vertical educational delivery model that encompasses preschool through Grade 12. Dennis most recently served as HCPSS’ Chief Operating Officer, following roles of Administrative Director of Middle Schools and Coordinator of Leadership Development. Before joining HCPSS, she held leadership positions at Baltimore County Public Schools, which included Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal and Director of Professional Development.


Scott Washington has become Acting Chief Operating Officer. He oversees school facilities, capital planning and operations, purchasing, and environment and risk management. Washington most recently served as HCPSS Director of Capital Planning and Construction, following other roles including Director of School Construction and Manager of Design and Preconstruction Services. He has spent most of his career in school construction, with HCPSS for more than 18 years.

Additionally, the Division of Business and Technology has been realigned.

Jahantab Siddiqui, formerly the Chief Communication, Community and Workforce Engagement Officer, assumes the role of Chief Administrative Officer for HCPSS. Siddiqui will provide chief level coordination and leadership for the system’s business functions while continuing to lead the communication, community and workforce engagement work. Siddiqui has been responsible for leadership and oversight of the school system’s budget, payroll and accounting functions since June 28, 2019. Before joining HCPSS, Siddiqui served as the Deputy Chief of Staff with Howard County Government and as senior management and budget specialist with Montgomery County Government.

The Department of Information Technology will now be overseen by Karalee Turner-Little, Deputy Superintendent and the Benefits Office by David Larner, Chief Human Resources and Professional Development Officer.

The school area assignments have also been revised for the 2019-20 school year to better ensure the school system is learning and leading with equity within all systems of operations.