HCPSSPress Releases
Partnership with Indian Cultural Association of Howard County Supports Inclusion and Engagement
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) has partnered with the Indian Cultural Association of Howard County (ICA) to encourage collaboration and facilitate communication among families with Indian background and HCPSS students and staff. Under the terms of the agreement, the HCPSS International Student and Family Services Office will collaborate with ICA to offer an International Parent Leadership program for Indian families. The program is designed to increase the leadership capacity of international parents as advocates for their children by helping them understand the framework of the U.S. educational system and aspects specific to HCPSS.
Board Considers the 2021-2022 School Calendar Proposal
The Howard County Board of Education is considering the proposed 2021-2022 academic calendar presented at the November 19, 2020 Board meeting. Under the proposed calendar, the first day of school for students for the 2021-2022 school year would be August 30, 2021, and the last day of school for students on June 14, 2022.
HCPSS to Remain Virtual Through April 14, 2021; Will Enhance In-Person Small Group Options
During its work session on Monday, November 16, 2020, the Howard County Board of Education voted to continue the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) in a virtual instructional model through the third academic quarter, which ends April 14, 2021.
HCPSS Receives Unmodified Opinion in FY20 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report; Reports Reduction of Health Fund Deficit from $39.2 million to $18.7 million
HCPSS has received an unmodified opinion from CohnReznick, LLP, included in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal year 2020, certifying that the auditor found all audited financial statements, in all material respects, to be in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.
HCPSS Invites Stakeholder Input on the School Resource Officer Program
The Howard County Public School System invites students, parents and guardians, staff members and community stakeholders to share their input about the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program in HCPSS schools. Feedback about the program may be provided by emailing SROinput@hcpss.org.
HCPSS Seeks Members for Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Policy Advisory Committee
HCPSS is currently seeking candidates for membership on the 2020-2021 Policy Advisory Committee for Policy 9020, Students’ Rights and Responsibilities. This committee will include one member representing the general resident stakeholder group.
HCPSS Board of Education Honors 2020 Friends of Education Award Recipients
The Howard County Board of Education will recognize The Nora Project and Terri Jones with Friends of Education Awards during the 4 p.m. virtual Board meeting on Thursday, October 22, 2020.
Board Approves Capital Budget Request
The Howard County Board of Education approved the Superintendent’s Proposed Capital Budget for the July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022 fiscal year (FY 2022) and State capital priority list, following a public hearing and work session on the capital budget during the Board’s regularly scheduled virtual meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2020. The FY 2022 Capital Budget request totals $108.0 million.
HCPSS Initiates School Resource Officer Program Review
Superintendent Michael J. Martirano presented “School Resource Officers in Schools,” a report to the Howard County Board of Education during the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, September 24. In presenting the report, Martirano initiated the first step in a highly-anticipated, extended conversation about the roles, purpose and outcomes of School Resource Officers (SROs) in Howard County schools, which will involve all school system stakeholders.
Mount View Middle School Named 2020 National Blue Ribbon School
The U.S. Department of Education recently recognized Mount View Middle School as one of 367 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. Mount View was selected for the Exemplary High Performing Schools category, which honors the state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.