Superintendent Update on the Special Education Program Review, Feb. 20, 2025

The following message was sent to the HCPSS community by HCPSS Superintendent William J. Barnes on Feb. 20, 2025: In November, Research Triangle Institute (RTI) was approved to perform the program review, and their work has been progressing. They have had several conversations with staff and developed a staff survey which was distributed and received […]

HCPSS Superintendent Presents Proposed FY 2026 Operating Budget

Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Superintendent William J. Barnes presented his proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 (FY 2026) to the Board of Education on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.

Message from the Superintendent: Follow Up to Jan. 8 School Closing

The following was sent to the HCPSS community by HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes on Jan. 8, 2025: I hope you and your families are staying safe during this weather event. I wanted to share additional information regarding my decision to close schools today. It is always my intention to open schools on scheduled days and […]

Update from the Superintendent on School Safety, Oct. 24, 2024

The following message was shared by HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes on Oct. 24, 2024

Message from the Superintendent: School Safety Follow Up

Español | 中文 | 한국어 The following message was shared by HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes to staff, students, families and community on Oct. 17, 2024: Yesterday I emailed our staff and families with disturbing news that a student had been arrested as a suspect in a recent homicide. Today I was invited by Howard County […]

Superintendent Statement on Controversial Issues and Student Rights

The following message was issued by HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes on Sept. 25, 2024, and shared with HCPSS staff, students, families and community members. As I begin my term as Superintendent, I am grateful for the continued collaboration and advocacy of stakeholders on behalf of students. Most times, our collaborative efforts align seamlessly and have […]

Superintendent Message on Student Transportation, Aug. 9, 2024

The following message was shared with HCPSS families by HCPSS Superintendent William J. Barnes on August 9, 2024.

HCPSS Extends Application Deadline on Two Executive Vacancies

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) extended the application deadline for the following positions to Friday, June 21, 2024: Chief Academic Officer Chief Equity and Innovation Officer The positions were originally posted requiring certain certifications not required for the position. While those credentials are commendable and would increase the appeal in a candidate, they […]

New HCPSS Organizational Alignment

The following message was issued by Acting HCPSS Superintendent William J. Barnes on June 6, 2024: As the 2023-2024 school year soon ends for all students, my work as Superintendent is just beginning. And while the transition of leadership will, in many ways, result in incremental changes, there are many improvements that must be made […]

Howard County Board of Education Names Bill Barnes as Superintendent

The Howard County Board of Education announced today (05/23/2024) at a public meeting that current Acting Superintendent for the Howard County Public School System, William J. Barnes, will become the permanent superintendent, effective July 1, 2024.