HCPSSNews Stories
Staying Healthy and Safe This Summer
July 3rd, 2025
We hope all students and their families are enjoying the summer break and staying safe. With the upcoming Independence Day holiday this week, HCPSS collaborated with the Howard County Health Department, Police Department, and Department of Fire and Rescue Services to uplift a few safety reminders to ensure everyone stays safe this summer. Staying Safe […]
HCPSS Seeks Members for World Language Advisory Committee by Aug. 11, 2025
July 1st, 2025
HCPSS seeks new members for its World Language Advisory Committee. Interested stakeholders should complete a brief online interest survey no later than August 11, 2025.
HCPSS Implements New Special Education Positions and Programming, July 1, 2025
July 1st, 2025
Superintendent Bill Barnes and Acting Executive Director of Special Education Jennifer Riccardi announced a plan to increase the capacity of special educators to help meet student needs through the addition of new and repurposed positions.
Update to Board of Education Policy 9060, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Compliance: Section 504, Implementation Procedures, June 30, 2025
June 30th, 2025
The following was shared directly with families whose students have a Section 504 plan.
Board of Education Adopts FY26 Operating & Capital Budgets
June 16th, 2025
On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the Howard County Board of Education adopted its Operating and Capital Budgets for the 2025–2026 school year (FY 2026).
Howard County Students Take Home Top Honors in 2025 State MESA Competition
May 28th, 2025
Several Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) schools took home top honors at the Maryland State Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Day competition held at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in May. The competition brings together students from eight Maryland school districts and some private schools. HCPSS students participated in several different science, […]
Budget Update from the Superintendent, May 27, 2025
May 27th, 2025
The following was issued by Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Superintendent Bill Barnes on May 27, 2025
Budget Update from the Superintendent, May 13, 2025
May 13th, 2025
The following was issued by Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Superintendent Bill Barnes on May 13, 2025: Yesterday, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced that he filed emergency legislation with the Howard County Council to provide up to $14.5 million in additional funding to the Howard County Public School System’s Fiscal Year 2026 Operating […]
New Outdoor Classroom Opens at Swansfield ES
May 7th, 2025
May 3 was a big day for students in Swansfield Elementary School’s (SES) Environmental Interest seminar, as well as the entire student community. Working with representatives from the Community Ecology Institute (CEI) Nourishing Gardens program, the seminar students—who call themselves the “Green Beanz”—helped install a new outdoor classroom at the school alongside other SES students, parent volunteers, and representatives from CEI.
HCPSS FY 2026 Operating Budget Update, May 6, 2025
May 6th, 2025
This update summarizes the County Executive’s proposed budget and recaps both presentations delivered by HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes to open the work sessions.