HCPSSPress Releases
Board of Education Adopts Requested FY 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets, and FY 2024-28 Capital Improvement Program
The Howard County Board of Education on February 24, 2022, unanimously adopted its Operating and Capital Budget Requests for the 2022-2023 school year (Fiscal Year 2023). The FY 2023 Board of Education Requested Operating Budget totals $1.1 billion, which is a $139.3 million, or 14.5% increase over the FY 2022 Operating Budget. The Board’s request reflects the school system’s funding needs to begin implementing Maryland’s Blueprint for the Future and continue providing students the support necessary to advance their educational excellence in the face of the challenges created by the pandemic.
The Board of Education’s budget will be submitted to the County Executive during the week of March 1, 2022
Modification to HCPSS 2021-2022 Academic Calendar, Impacting May 2022
Schools now will be closed for students Monday, May 2 and open on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Monday, May 2 will be a Professional Learning Day for staff and offices will remain open.
Howard County Board of Education Votes to Lift Universal Indoor Mask Mandate, Effective Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Effective Tuesday, March 1, the universal indoor masking in HCPSS buildings is no longer required. Any student, staff or visitor may choose to wear a mask, and should feel comfortable doing so.
Howard County Reports Record High Graduation Rate for Class of 2021
The Howard County Public School System Class of 2021 achieved a graduation rate of 94.05%, which exceeds the Maryland average of 87.2 percent and the highest rate since 2011. The 2021 graduation rate is a 1.26 percentage point increase from the Class of 2019.
Howard County Board of Education Renews Contract for Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Martirano
At its Feb. 10, 2022, meeting, the Howard County Board of Education voted to renew the contract of Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Martirano through the 2025-2026 school year.
Board of Education to Add Superintendent Contract to Meeting Agenda for Feb. 10, 2022
The Board of Education will announce a decision related to the Superintendent Contract during its Feb. 10, 2022, meeting.
HCPSS Staff to Receive $1,800 Public Employee Commitment Bonus
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the Howard County Public School System today announced that all full-time HCPSS employees will receive a $1,800 Public Education Commitment Bonus this school year, among the highest bonuses in the State. Bonuses will be prorated for part-time employees.
Howard County Public School System Increases Substitute Pay By 25 Percent
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is implementing a 25% increase to the daily rate for substitute teachers, as approved by the Board of Education. This increase, which takes effect January 13, 2022, will be funded as part of the Howard County Public School System’s (HCPSS) FY22 Operating Budget. High demand for substitute teachers exists throughout Maryland. The new pay increase places HCPSS among the highest paying districts in the state for substitute teachers, helping to attract top candidates to the position.
Board Schedules Jan. 12, 2022 Meeting on COVID-Related Updates
The Howard County Board of Education will hold a hybrid session on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, from 3-5 p.m. to discuss school system updates related to the COVID pandemic.
Nominations for Friends of Education Award Accepted Through Feb. 7, 2022
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2022 Friends of Education Award. Any Howard County resident or non-profit group, organization, association, or business located in or serving Howard County may be nominated for the award. Previous award recipients are not eligible. The nomination deadline is Monday, Feb. 7, 2022.