Howard County Board of Education
The mission of the Howard County Board of Education (BOE / Board) is to provide leadership for excellence in teaching and learning by fostering a climate for deliberative change through policy and community engagement.
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Current Board
About the Board
About
The Howard County Board of Education is responsible for setting local education policy consistent with state and federal laws governing public education. Board governance will be carried out in compliance with the education and other relevant provisions of the Maryland Annotated Code and Code of Maryland Regulations.
The Board adopts the vision, mission and overarching commitments of the Superintendent’s strategic plan and, in support of them, formulates and adopts educational policies that focus on student-centered practices, inclusive relationships, and responsive and efficient operations.
Policies and Procedures
School Board governance and operations details can be found in the Policy 2000 Series.
Full Board of Education districtwide policies are available on the HCPSS Policy website.
Board Members
The Board is composed of eight total members—seven adult members and one student member.
The seven Board members are elected by Howard County residents to four-year terms. Five members represent specific Howard County districts, while two are elected at-large countywide. (View past Board of Education members)
The student member (SMOB) is elected annually by a majority of votes cast by middle and high school students systemwide under the oversight of Howard County Association of Student Councils (HCASC). The SMOB may vote on all matters except those related to personnel matters and contract negotiations. (View past Student members)
Friends of Education
The Board annually recognizes those who have made exemplary contributions to Howard County public education with its Friends of Education Award. Learn more about the award and view past recipients online.
Board Meetings
The Board holds regular meetings once per month, unless otherwise scheduled. The Board is in a hybrid meeting format with members and participants both in person and virtual. Any meetings that are fully virtual will be identified as such.
Board meeting documents are available to the public for viewing on the Board’s Community website three days prior to the meeting.
Watch
The public may attend open Board meetings, public hearings and work sessions in person at the Department of Education, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City; live online by going to the HCPSS homepage; on-demand online 24 hours after a meeting; and during and after each meeting on Howard County Comcast channel 95 or Verizon channel 42.
Individuals may request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education by completing this request form at least 14 days in advance of a meeting.
Participate
Members of the public may participate in Board meetings by speaking at Public Forum, testifying at a public hearing, and/or providing written testimony.
Public forum is held at the beginning of regular Board meetings. For meetings with afternoon and evening sessions, public forum is included at both times. Public hearings are held on various topics throughout the year, as stand alone sessions and included during regular Board meetings. Members of the public who are unable to testify in person or virtually may submit written testimony instead.
Meeting Minutes
Approved meeting minutes for all Board of Education meetings, including regular meetings, closed meetings, committee meetings, BOE/County Council meetings, and the legislative breakfast meeting, are available on the Community website.
Board Calendar
The Board’s regular meetings and budget work sessions/public hearings are incorporated into the HCPSS online calendar. Users can subscribe to just Board calendar and/or the HCPSS calendars on the HCPSS Calendar webpage.
Complete Board calendar/schedule information is available on the Community website, including monthly meetings, quarterly agendas and committee meetings. Updates and changes to agendas and schedules will be reflected on the Community site. Users also can subscribe in Community to receive updates about meetings.
Upcoming Board of Education Meetings:
- Thursday, September 24, 4 & 7 p.m. – Regularly Scheduled Meeting
- Thursday, October 29, 4 & 7 p.m. – Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Board Committees
Each year, Board members are assigned to serve on Board of Education committees, committees of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE), the Legal Services Association, and county government. In addition, a Board Member serves as liaison to the Community Advisory Council (CAC), the PTA Council of Howard County (PTACHC), Special Education Community Advisory Committee (SECAC) and HCASC.
Current Board committee assignments are available on the Community website.
Board Committees
Operating Budget Review Committee (OBRC)
The OBRC provides input and recommendations to the Board regarding the school system’s operating budget, including funding priorities, new initiatives, and other budget-related matters. The OBRC includes individuals appointed by community organizations and individuals appointed by Board members.
Community Advisory Council (CAC)
The CAC is a state-mandated advisory group that reports to the Board. In addition to providing the BOE with feedback, the CAC helps disseminate information about HCPSS to the public. Representatives of the CAC sit on various policy reviews and education initiative committees in order to share our concerns, offer constructive solutions, and later provide feedback to the BOE.
Audit and Finance Committee
The Audit and Finance Committee seeks to serve to promote the independence and objectivity of the internal audit function, ensure broad audit coverage, adequate consideration of reports, and appropriate action on recommendations.
Legislative Committee
The mission of the Legislative Committee is to ensure that the Board is informed about local, state, and federal legislation and remains proactive in legislative decision making.
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee develops effective long-term approaches to policy development and revision. It also studies policy reports referred to it by the Board in greater depth in order to make recommendations to the full Board.
Contact the Board
The Board of Education office may be reached by calling 410-313-7194 or emailing boardoffice@hcpss.org.
Contact for individual Board members may be found on the Community website.