Dear Howard County Public School System community,

As I began my tenure as the HCPSS Superintendent, my highest priority was to ensure we are preparing every student to realize success and fulfill their dreams. Our students are our highest priority, and we put them at the top of our organizational structure. This paradigm shift can only be accomplished when staff and collaborative partnerships exist with parents/ guardians and community members to ensure our staff and students are successful.

I believe we are not a great school system until we are great for all.

To achieve this ambitious goal, we embarked on a comprehensive strategic planning process. Students, staff, families, and community partners were engaged to gather their values, insights, and aspirations. Through a survey, interviews, and community input sessions, we listened to all voices and incorporated this feedback into the plan.

This strategic plan is more than just a document — it’s a five-year roadmap for reimagining education in the Howard County Public School System, challenging the status quo, and creating a great and robust learning experience for all. We cannot do this alone. We need the collective effort of our entire community to make this vision a reality.

Together, we will ground ourselves in the following commitments to make progress toward being a great system for every individual:

• We will ensure each student has equitable access to high-quality instruction and support services.
• We will embrace cutting-edge ideas and innovative practices.
• We will nurture a culture of belonging by creating welcoming, safe, affirming, and supportive environments for all.

Each year, we will measure progress made toward meeting each goal included in this plan. We will provide public reports so all members of the community can evaluate our success in a fully transparent way that ensures accountability and shines a light on areas that require additional attention or a change in direction.

Ultimately, it is my goal that, during my tenure as Superintendent, we will move much closer to being a great school system for every member of our learning community.

Together, we will build a legacy of excellence that benefits generations to come. Let’s fearlessly pursue our dreams and together we will BE GREAT!

William J. Barnes, Superintendent

Watch Superintendent Bill Barnes introduce the new strategic plan →