January 2012 News Releases

January 30, 2012 (#2012-112)

Board of Education's Legislative Committee to Meet

The Board of Education's Legislative Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, February 29, 2012. The meeting will take place in the Lobby Conference Room ML 2, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

January 30, 2012 (#2012-111)

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2012 in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Both the afternoon and the evening session, which convenes at 7:30 p.m., will begin with a "Public Forum," when members of the public may address the Board on any topic other than those for which a formal public hearing process exists. Advanced sign up is preferred.

To sign up to speak at Public Forum, contact the Board's office at 410-313-7194.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

January 30, 2012 (#2012-110)

Board of Education Meets to Adopt Budgets

The Howard County Board of Education will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, to adopt the FY 2013 Operating and Capital Budgets and the FY 14-18 Capital Improvement Program. The meeting will take place in the Board Room, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

January 30, 2012 (#2012-109)

Board of Education to Hold Public Work Session IV on Superintendent's Proposed FY 2013 Operating Budget

The Howard County Board of Education will hold Public Work Session IV on the Superintendent's Proposed FY 2013 Operating Budget at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2012, in the Board Room, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

January 30, 2012 (#2012-108)

Board of Education Audit Committee to Meet

The Audit Committee of the Board of Education will meet at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, February 16, 2012, in Conference Room ML2 at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

January 30, 2012 (#2012-107)

Board of Education's Legislative Committee to Meet

The Board of Education's Legislative Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, February 15, 2012. The meeting will take place in the Lobby Conference Room ML 2, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

January 30, 2012 (#2012-106)

Board of Education to Hold Public Work Session III on Superintendent's Proposed FY 2013 Operating Budget

The Howard County Board of Education will hold Public Work Session III on the Superintendent's Proposed FY 2013 Operating Budget at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, in the Board Room, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

January 30, 2012 (#2012-105)

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2012 in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Both the afternoon and the evening session, which convenes at 7:30 p.m., will begin with a "Public Forum," when members of the public may address the Board on any topic other than those for which a formal public hearing process exists. Advanced sign up is preferred.

To sign up to speak at Public Forum, contact the Board's office at 410-313-7194.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

January 30, 2012 (#2012-104)

Board of Education to Hold Public Work Session II on Superintendent's Proposed FY 2013 Operating Budget

The Howard County Board of Education will hold Public Work Session II on the Superintendent's Proposed FY 2013 Operating Budget at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, in the Board Room, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

January 27, 2012 (#2012-103)

Board of Education to Hold Public Work Session I on Superintendent's Proposed FY 2013 Operating Budget

The Howard County Board of Education will hold Public Work Session I on the Superintendent's Proposed FY 2013 Operating Budget at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2012, in the Board Room, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

January 27, 2012 (#2012-102)

Board of Education's Legislative Committee to Meet

The Board of Education's Legislative Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. The meeting will take place in the Lobby Conference Room ML 2, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

January 27, 2012 (#2012-101)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a closed meeting on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at 6:15 p.m. in the Board Planning Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

January 26, 2012 (#2012-100)

Howard County Teachers to Model Science Instruction for Korean Visitors

Elite Korean science teachers will shadow their counterparts in Howard County Public School System's elementary, middle and high school classrooms next week. The experience culminates a four-week immersion in the best instructional methods used in American classrooms, led by the National Science Teachers Association and sponsored by the South Korean Minister of Education.

The eighty-eight Korean teachers selected to participate started with a week of lectures and labs at UMBC, followed by two weeks of instruction at the Maryland Science Center. On Monday, January 30, the Korean teachers will meet their shadow counterparts at an evening reception at the Maryland Science Center, then join them in the classroom on Tuesday, January 31 and Wednesday, March 1, to experience how the educational techniques are implemented in actual science classes. Howard County schools will host 64 of the Korean teachers, with the remaining visiting Montgomery County schools.

While Korean students rank among the highest in the world in science test achievement, the Korean educational system is heavily geared toward rote memorization in preparation for intensely competitive entrance examinations to elite schools and universities. In contrast, "our curriculum is based much more on inquiry and creativity," according to Mary Weller, Coordinator of Secondary Science for the Howard County Public School System. "We give opportunities for all kids to get hooked on science."

Tom Saunders, Principal of Wilde Lake Middle School, which will host two of the Korean teachers, agrees. "Our best practices center on inquiry-based instruction, where students use manipulatives and do experiments to solve questions in science," he explained. Korean educational leaders hope to better stimulate creativity and talent development in the classroom by exposing science teachers to this more interactive approach.

Weller and Saunders acknowledged the honor to Howard County teachers that the Korean visit implies. "It sends an important message to our teachers that Korea, which is considered at the top in science education, is coming here to Howard County to see what we are doing," Weller said.

Saunders noted the educational benefits for both the visiting teachers and their American hosts. "Whenever you get teachers together, there is always an exchange of ideas," he said. "I had an opportunity last year to visit schools in South Korea, and found that whenever you enter a well-run classroom, you see kids engaged. You'll see activities going on that spark kids, so the language isn't really a barrier."

January 26, 2012 (#2012-99)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a closed meeting today, January 26, 2012, at 1:45 p.m. in the Board Planning Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

January 25, 2012 (#2012-98)

Board of Education to Hold Public Hearing on Superintendent's Proposed FY 2013 Operating Budget

The public will have an opportunity for input on the Superintendent's Proposed FY 2013 Operating Budget during a public hearing of the Howard County Board of Education. The hearing will take place at 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Individuals who wish to testify at the hearing are asked to limit their presentation to three minutes and to provide 15 written copies of their testimony at the time of the hearing. Pre-registration will take place during business hours during the three weeks prior to the hearing, up to the close of business on the last working day before the hearing.

To sign up to testify at the hearing, contact the Board's office at 410-313-7194.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

January 23, 2012 (#2012-97)

Financial Skills are Focus of PNC-TriadelphiaRidge Elementary Collaboration

PNC Bank and Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School will work together to help students learn the importance of personal financial planning and to develop the mathematical and economics skills needed for daily life. The collaboration will be formalized with an official signing on Wednesday, January 25 at the Sheraton Columbia Waterside Restaurant, 10207 Wincopin Circle in Columbia.

Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, PNC will create an in-school bank for Triadelphia Ridge students and staff. Selected fourth and fifth grade students will be trained as tellers, and will tour a bank to learn how the institution operates.

Bank representatives will also collaborate with teachers to give students additional opportunities to practice math skills related to money, decimals and fractions, and to share information about careers in the financial industry.

At 8:30 a.m., M. Lourdes Montes-Greenan, Community Consultant, and Jonathan Williams, Glenelg Branch Financial Sales Consultant for PNC Bank will join Ellen Flynn Giles, Howard County Board of Education member, and Peggy Dumler, Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School principal, to sign the collaboration agreement.

PNC Bank (www.pnc.com) offers a wide range of services for all customers, from individuals and small businesses, to corporations and government entities. The company has all the products, knowledge and resources necessary to help customers of all types achieve financial success.

The Howard County Public School System's Partnerships Office (www.hcpss.org/aboutus/partnership) unites businesses and community organizations with schools to enhance the educational experience. Partnerships benefit schools, businesses, and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.

January 23, 2012 (#2012-96)

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2012 in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Both the afternoon and the evening session, which convenes at 7:30 p.m., will begin with a "Public Forum," when members of the public may address the Board on any topic other than those for which a formal public hearing process exists. Advanced sign up is preferred.

To sign up to speak at Public Forum, contact the Board's office at 410-313-7194.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

January 23, 2012 (#2012-95)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a closed meeting on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, immediately following (approx. 9:45 a.m.) the BOE/County Council Quarterly Meeting. The closed meeting will take place in the Board Planning Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

January 23, 2012 (#2012-94)

First Lego League Robotics Advancers

Howard County Students advance to state Robotics Competition!
Two teams from Mount View Middle School advanced to the Maryland First Lego League (FLL) State Championship. Competing in a field of 13 schools, both teams scored among the highest and qualified for the state event. They will join 64 teams from across the state to participate in the championship this Saturday, January 28, 2012 at University of Maryland Baltimore County. More information about the competition can be found online at http://www.mdfirst.org/index.php.

FLL challenges youth ages 9-14 in areas including:  robot performance, robot design, research project, and core values.  Each September, a new Challenge is unveiled to FLL teams across the world. Over the ensuing 8 weeks, the teams strategize, design, build, program, test and refine a fully autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS™ technology. The teams also do their own research, talk to professionals, and develop compelling presentations that relate to the Challenge. At FLL competitions, the teams are evaluated on their robot's performance, their presentation, teamwork and robot design.

Twenty MVMS students volunteered to join the program in September to plan their season and study the challenge. These students met once a week to work in small groups, some working on a food safety-related project, some working on a website and public relations, and some designing, programming, and operating a robot. The students worked under the coaching guidance of Gifted and Talented (GT) Resource Teacher Shelley Stout, who supervised both teams with parent support and participation.

January 20, 2012 (#2012-93)

Board of Education to Meet with County Council

The Howard County Board of Education will hold their quarterly meeting with the County Council at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. The meeting will be held in the George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD.

January 20, 2012 (#2012-92)

Bright Minds Awards $10,000 in Grants

Bright Minds, Howard County's Education Foundation, has awarded grants totaling nearly $10,000 to fund innovative projects in Howard County public schools and at the Howard County Conservancy. This year's grant recipients are:

• $1200 - Using MOBI to Move Forward with STEM
  Susan Cochran, Hollifield Station ES


• $1680 - Domo Arigato Lego Roboto
  Pattie Holy-Ilenda, Elkridge Landing MS


• $1275 - Cross Age STEM Collaboration
  Gina Massella, Howard High School
  Kathy Orlando, Worthington Elementary School


• $2000 - STEM for Inquiry Based Learning
  Jamie Proctor, Wilde Lake HS


• $1811 - Concentrating Efforts on Concentration!
  Erin Radebe, Long Reach HS


• $2000 - Next Steps with GPS
  Ann Strozyk, Howard County Conservancy

Bright Minds was created in 2006 by the Howard County Board of Education. Recognizing the initiatives of community volunteers to help in public schools, the board members know that the system would remain among the best in the nation by focusing additional resources where some family resources were limited.

Bright Minds is an independent, non-profit foundation formed to address equity and equality, to promote educational innovation and to support skills that serve students throughout their lives. The foundation funds programs, services and ideas that can make a difference in a student's life and awards grants for projects that would not be funded through the school system's budget.

January 17, 2012 (#2012-91)

Nineteen Teachers Achieve National Board Certification

Superintendent Sydney Cousin announced today that 19 Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) teachers achieved their National Board Certification (NBC) this past November. Seventeen of those teachers were first-time achievers. Two teachers achieved NBC 10 years ago and successfully renewed their certification this year. This brings the number of National Board Certified teachers in the HCPSS to 103.

• Laura Baker, Ilchester ES
• Dominique Bucci, Triadelphia Ridge ES
• Callie Casper, River Hill HS
• Antonella Colella, Talbot Springs ES
• Diane Curry, River Hill HS
• Andrea Dickie, Hammond HS
• Patricia De Orio, Glenwood MS/Gorman Crossing ES
• Danielle DuPuis, Hammond HS
• Lauren Grant, Reservoir HS
• Audra Hunsberger, Elkridge Landing MS
• Ruifan Li, Reservoir HS
• Loraine McLarty, Folly Quarter MS
• Sarah Norton Gourley, Gorman Crossing ES
• Jennifer Schoemaker, Forest Ridge ES
• Kathleen Shields, Lisbon ES
• Leslie Spencer (Schnebly), Veterans ES
• Gretchen Schroeder Gray, Phelps Luck ES
• Melissa Waggoner, Oakland Mills MS
• Clair Wise, Hollifield Station ES

These teachers will be recognized and congratulated on January 26, 2012 with a reception at the Department of Education, followed by a formal recognition by the Board of Education at its regular meeting that afternoon.

National Board Certification is a process designed by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, which was established by educators and policymakers in 1987. The National Board is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan, and nongovernmental organization. To advance the quality of teaching, the board has developed professional teaching standards, created and administered National Board Certification, and integrated certified teachers into educational reform efforts.

Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, self-assessment, peer review, and expert evaluation. To qualify for this certification a teacher must achieve a high score on six written assessments on content knowledge and four formal portfolio entries that include videos and written analyses of one's instruction and contributions to education.

January 17, 2012 (#2012-90)

Board of Education's Legislative Committee Meeting Canceled

The Board of Education's Legislative Committee meeting that was scheduled for 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 has been canceled.

January 17, 2012 (#2012-89)

Junior Achievement Partnership Boosts Financial Literacy in Middle School

The Board of Education will hold a work session on the Middle School Program of Studies Proposal at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 19, 2012.

The meeting will take place in the Board Room, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

January 12, 2012 (#2012-88)

Junior Achievement Partnership Boosts Financial Literacy in Middle School

All HCPSS eighth graders will complete JA Finance Park, a comprehensive economics education program, thanks to a new educational partnership between Junior Achievement of Central Maryland (JACMD) and the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS).

On January 11, both organizations formalized the partnership by signing an official partnership agreement, followed by a demonstration of JA Finance Park's online personal finance simulation by students at Lime Kiln Middle School in Fulton.

JA Finance Park teaches many skills and concepts including credit and debt, saving and investing, taxes, income and social security, budgeting, money management and career goals. The program culminates in an online personal finance simulation where students apply learned concepts in a life-like "virtual" community. JACMD developed the program to help schools fill a shortage of financial education resources available for the middle school grades. The non-profit trains teachers in use of the program, provides all curriculum materials, and offers ongoing support as needed.

"Establishing this educational partnership with Junior Achievement allows us to support teachers and families with multiple resources related to financial education," said HCPSS superintendent Sydney Cousin. "This interactive approach to learning brings personal finance to life for our students with help from community experts."

"We welcome the opportunity to partner with Junior Achievement, which has been making financial education interesting and engaging for children in Maryland for more than 50 years," said Sandra French, chairman of the Howard County Board of Education. "Our community partnerships are vital because they support teachers by reinforcing the skills students are currently learning in the classroom."

"This partnership showcases the Howard County Public School System's commitment to ensuring every student receives financial education,"said Jennifer Bodensiek, president of Junior Achievement of Central Maryland. "We applaud their initiative as a leader in this effort."

JA Finance Park instruction commenced in September and already has generated positive outcomes, agree Lime Kiln Middle School students and teachers.

"The simulation game taught me how to calculate things related to money such as my stock portfolio," said Richard Do, an eighth grader at Lime Kiln Middle School. "It reinforced concepts to remember later in life."

"Since JA Finance Park gives me real-life examples, I have a better understanding of what I have to do when I get older," said Claire Napoli.

"The program lets you see everything in 'a real-life' view," said Natalie Rivera.

"This is a great program that teaches how to budget and make wise spending and investing decisions," said Cynthia Dupski, related arts team leader, Family and Consumer Science teacher. "Ultimately, it gives the students insight into their financial decision making future."

"We teach financial literacy in sixth through eighth grade," she added. "The simulation game culminates everything."

Moving forward, JACMD will collaborate with HCPSS to find meaningful ways to engage community volunteers and parents to support the student learning process, bringing relevant examples into the classroom and extended learning opportunities home.

Junior Achievement of Central Maryland (www.jamaryland.org) is dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for kindergarten through 12th grade students that focus on work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Founded in 1957, the non-profit organization annually serves more than 20,000 students throughout Central Maryland.

The Howard County Public School System's Partnerships Office (www.hcpss.org/aboutus/partnership) unites businesses and community organizations with schools to enhance the educational experience. Partnerships benefit schools, businesses, and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.

January 11, 2012 (#2012-87)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a second closed meeting on Thursday, January 12, 2012, immediately following the 4:00 p.m. session in the Board Planning Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

January 10, 2012 (#2012-86)

Board of Education Accepts Oxford Square School Site

The Board of Education of Howard County is excited to announce that it has received a school site in the Northeast Route 1 corridor. On January 5, 2012, Board officials officially accepted the grant from Kellogg-CCP, LLC of the 20.2-acre site located within the proposed Oxford Square development in Hanover, Maryland.

Obtaining sites suitable for schools can be expensive and difficult, so the Board of Education is very pleased to have received this site from Kellogg-CCP, LLC, along with a commitment to provide a monetary donation of up to four million dollars toward the development and construction of the school.

Board of Education Chairman Sandra French said, "We want to thank David P. Scheffenacker, Jr., of Preston Scheffenacker Properties, Inc. for recognizing that increasing residential development puts pressure on school system facilities and for greatly assisting us with this problem through his generous donation."

Increasing residential development in this area over the past several years has caused overcrowding at schools in the region, which the Board has been trying to address through the acquisition of new school sites. The Oxford Square property can serve as a site for either an elementary school or a middle school.

Ken Roey, Executive Director of Facilities, Planning and Management says, "The Oxford Square site is one of the best suited for construction the school system has had in recent memory in terms of level and stable soil structure, utility hook ups and accessibility to major road networks and the school system is taking the necessary steps to make immediate use of this property."

In October 2011, the Board officially approved the property as the site for new middle school #20, but staff is considering whether to request the Board's approval to use the site as an elementary school.

"I want to thank Kellogg-CCP, LLC for its donation to the school system and its commitment to being a good partner with the school system and County," said Sydney L. Cousin, Superintendent of Schools.

January 10, 2012 (#2012-85)

Parent Teacher Connection Features Discussion on Changes to Middle School Reading

HCPSS TV's Parent Teacher Connection begins the new year with Howard County Public School System leaders Clarissa Evans and William Ryan explaining the proposed changes to the middle school curriculum that would alter middle school schedules and integrate reading into content area courses starting next school year. Host Jennifer Johnson also talks with Transportation Director David Ramsey about school bus driver training and the process behind the decision to close schools due to bad weather.

Additionally host Bruce Johnson travels to Worthington Elementary School to report on teacher and student reaction to the new solar panels located next to the school that are now providing up to 90 percent of the school's electricity needs.

Parent Teacher Connection is broadcast on Wednesdays at 4pm, 7pm, and 10pm; Saturdays at 3pm; and Sunday at noon and 5pm on Comcast cable channel 95 and Verizon channel 42. The program can also be viewed online at http://hcpsstv.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=763.

January 9, 2012 (#2012-84)

Educators Receive Kaplan Scholarships for Online Degrees

Kaplan University announced that three Howard County (MD) public school teachers have been awarded its School of Graduate Education scholarship, a full tuition award that will help them earn master's degrees to enhance their teaching skills and advance professionally as they continue to serve area students.

Scholarship winners include:

• Jamie Bowman, a teacher at Oakland Mills High School, pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Education
• Jennifer Miller, a teacher at Lake Elkhorn Middle School, pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Education in Instructional Technology
• Kathleen Ellis, a teacher at Reservoir High School, pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Education

The scholarship is designed to help teachers advance their education while exploring ways to become more effective leaders in their classrooms, schools, and districts. Earning a degree online and on a full scholarship removes obstacles that might keep teachers from pursuing their own professional growth.

Scholarship recipients were selected based on their undergraduate GPA, demonstrated leadership, participation in school and community activities, and an essay, among other criteria.

January 9, 2012 (#2012-83)

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2012 in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Both the afternoon and the evening session, which convenes at 7:30pm, will begin with a "Public Forum," when members of the public may address the Board on any topic other than those for which a formal public hearing process exists. Advanced sign up is preferred.

During the afternoon and evening sessions, the Board will hold a public hearing on the Middle School Program of Studies and during the evening session, the Board will hold public hearings on the following policies:

• Policy 6050 Naming or Renaming of School Buildings
• Policy 8090 Non-School Hour Participation Requirements for Elementary and Secondary Curricular Programs
• Policy 10030 Participation in Contests

Individuals who wish to testify at the hearings are asked to limit their presentation to three minutes and to provide 15 written copies of their testimony at the time of the hearings. Pre-registration will take place during business hours prior to the hearings, up to the close of business on the last working day before the hearings.

To sign up to testify at the hearings or to speak at Public Forum, contact the Board's office at 410-313-7194.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

January 9, 2012 (#2012-82)

Superintendent Presents His Final Operating Budget

Fiscal Year 2013 Request Totals $697 million

Last Thursday evening, Sydney Cousin unveiled his eighth and final operating budget as Superintendent of the Howard County Public School System. Cousin will retire from the Howard County Public School System on July 1, 2012.

The proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 totals $697.1 million, which represents an increase of $13.3 million, or 1.9 percent, over the approved fiscal year 2012 budget. Cousin indicated that the proposal protects the classroom by maintaining current class sizes, adding teaching positions to address enrollment growth, and funding instructional resources.

The school system expects to enroll over 800 additional students next year and $4.9 million of the increase addresses costs associated with growth. The budget adds a total of 79.2 new positions, including 68.9 to specifically address growth. While the budget includes few new initiatives, it does focus existing funds on those programs that will ensure the school system maintains momentum toward world-class status.

The school system hopes to receive $476 million in funding from the county. That figure represents Maintenance of Effort plus $3.3 million for technology, which was previously funded through the capital budget. The increase of $8.0 million represents a 1.8 percent change in county funding. The remainder of the increase would come in the form of state and federal funding.

Cousin said school officials began the budget development process anticipating that funding would be limited due to the sluggish economy and uncertainties about state funding.

The $13.3 million increase includes:

• $6.4 million to cover mandatory increases and items that are negotiated or required by recent legislation, including funding the second year of the salary step increase for employee groups, effective June 30, 2012.
• $5.3 million to support the continuation of current programs such as the technology replacement cycle.
• $4.9 million to provide for enrollment growth including 68.9 new classroom positions.
• $700,000 is dedicated to program enhancements including positions to support the second year of the elementary World Language Pilot, an HSA mastery teacher for the Homewood Center and a teacher for the new Homeland Security Academy.

To offset the increase, the budget reflects $4.0 million worth of reductions.

"We have positioned the system well financially over the past several years by adopting long-term, cost-saving measures that continue to positively impact the current budget as well as this proposal," said Cousin.

The Superintendent characterized the funding request as both realistic and fiscally responsible. He said it reflects the system's priorities as well as a commitment to good stewardship and it ensures schools will have the funding necessary to provide the world-class education Howard County students deserve.

Although the Howard County Public School System is considered among the best in the nation, Cousin said the school system has an obligation to its students to strive for world-class status.

"For this generation of students to stand shoulder to shoulder with their peers in other nations, they must receive instruction that is rigorous and meets the highest international standards," Cousin said.

"Our challenge will be to stay the course and not let the current economic climate deter our progress. Funding, or the lack of funding, cannot and will not be used as an excuse for providing anything less than a world-class education for our students."

Cousin remarked that he is most proud of how well the school system has managed during tough economic times. He said that the system used the challenge as an opportunity to become more focused and more efficient.

"I am confident that I am leaving the Howard County Public School System well positioned for the future," he concluded.

The Board will hold a public hearing on the budget on Tuesday, January 31, beginning at 7:00 p.m., followed by public work sessions on February 2, February 7, February 14 and February 16. The Board will approve both its operating and capital budget requests at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21.

January 5, 2012 (#2012-81)

HCPSS Offers the Road to Kindergarten Parent Workshops

Ellicott City, Maryland --The Howard County Public School System's Office of Early Childhood Programs and the Howard County Transition to Kindergarten Workgroup are hosting a series of workshops for Howard County parents with children who will be five years old by September 1, 2012 and entering kindergarten in the fall.

No registration is required, the sessions are free and childcare for children (ages 2 and older) will be provided at some locations.

• Thursday, January 19, 2012, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Howard High School
• Monday, January 23, 2012, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Wilde Lake High School
• Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at River Hill High School
• Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Marriotts Ridge High School
• Monday, February 6, 2012, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Hammond Middle School

Parents need only to choose one session to attend. Full details are available at www.hcpss.org/schools/kindergarten.shtml.

January 4, 2012 (#2012-80)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session on Thursday, January 12, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. in the Board Planning Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

January 4, 2012 (#2012-79)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session after the Presentation of the Superintendent's Proposed FY 2013 Operating Budget on Thursday, January 5, 2012, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

January 4, 2012 (#2012-78)

Board of Education's Legislative Committee to Meet

The Board of Education's Legislative Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. The meeting will take place in the Lobby Conference Room ML 2, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

January 4, 2012 (#2012-77)

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2012 in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Both the afternoon and the evening session, which convenes at 7:30pm, will begin with a "Public Forum," when members of the public may address the Board on any topic other than those for which a formal public hearing process exists. Advanced sign up is preferred.

To sign up to speak at Public Forum, contact the Board's office at 410-313-7194

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.