February 2025

Vol. 3 Issue 2

While school is in session, A Voice for Parents will publish separate newsletter(s) monthly, detailing happenings at the recent meeting(s) of the HoCo Board of Education. 

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

AMONG THE COMMENTS SUPERINTENDENT BARNES reported to the Board were:



"I have directed my leadership team to provide clear and concise communications that detail how we respond when there are changes to federal, state, or local policies or practices."

"I want to provide clarification related to guidelines provided to school leaders in the event federal agents show up at a school unannounced. When the agent

arrives at the school, they are met by a school administrator who collects all

relevant documentation and calls our General Counsel’s office. If the

documentation turns out to not be lawful, then the agent is turned away. If the

documentation is lawful, school leaders will cooperate with the order."

"Student Use of Technology During School"

o  The proposal being considered by the Board was the result of the recommendations by the Advisory Work Group and refinements made by staff. The essence of the changes are:

(1) Devices not to be seen by students or staff and are set to make no noise, 

(2) Certain waivers were included and

(3) Staff will be allowed to confiscate the phone until the end of the day for a first violation, and to hold the phone until a parent/guardian came to pick it up in the event of a second or more violation.

o  Member McCoy raised a concern that March 1 was too soon to start; she preferred to wait until the next school year.

• BRIAN BASSETT, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT explained that this policy is not final. The next four months will offer an opportunity to test how well the changes work and make adjustments as necessary for the start of the next school year.

o  Chair Moseley objected that the policy was too restrictive and pointed out a number of positive uses students might want their phones for in class

o  The Board voted 7-1 to adopt the policy to start on March 1. Chair Moseley voted no.

To see the changes made to Policy 8080, click here

Black Lives Matter Week in School

Following a number of WHEREAS clauses extolling the actions of Black Lives Matter, the Board approved the following Resolutions:

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Howard County Board of Education welcomes the participation of staff and students in school and community-based activities and events related to the Black Lives Matter at School ”Week of Action” and the “Year of Purpose”; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Howard County Board of Education invites staff across grade levels and content areas to use resources that are inclusive of all our diverse learners and in accordance with HCPSS Policy 8040 (Selection of Instructional Materials) to enrich instruction throughout the entire year; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Howard County Board of Education intends for meaningful activities to take place in classrooms and schools. The Board also encourages staff and studentsto utilize HCPSS resources, where applicable, for activities and events related to the Black Lives Matter at School.

To read the entire resolution, click here

Just some of the more controversial decisions were decided as follows:

o  Require Board members to complete Anti-Bias training: OPPOSE

o  Solar canopies for school parking lots: OPPOSE

o  Expand voting rights of student member: SUPPORT

o  Seat belts in school buses: OPPOSE

o  Authorization for counties to impose a special tax on Commercial and Industrial Property: SUPPORT

 The primary reason for opposing bills expressed by most members was their commitment to local control.

to see the complete report, click here

Among the first steps taken by the Department was to survey the community to determine "Values Important to the HCPSS Community"

Community Staff & Community were asked: What set of values should HCPSS use to guide actions, behaviors, and decision-making processes? (Chose 5).

Students were asked: What values do you think are the most important for your school? (Choose up to 5)

Below are the results

As results from Staff and Students responses above suggest, the Strategic Plan focuses heavily on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). Unfortunately, it's Mission and Vision statements are based on a concept that has no actual data to support it. The statement reads:

Continuing along these lines is the list of "The Priorities" which read:

1.   Ensuring equitable opportunities and access

2.   Creating innovative learning and working environments

3.   Nurturing an inclusive culture of belonging

Recognizing that Mission/Vision Statements and Strategic Plans are generally feel-good works of fiction, they do display what the school system believes is important and what consumes a significant portion of both teacher and student time; Unfortunately, this time does not advance the academic success of our students.

To see a more complete summary of the Strategic Plan, click here

The good news is: Howard County has lowest chronic absentee rate in the State.

The bad news is: we have an 18.4% chronic absentee rate.

To see the entire Report, click here

This report was prepared to answer questions from the Board about the vital need for many more Special Education teachers and staff, specifically in the 42 Elementary Schools. 

The teachers provided a detailed power point presentation showing the specific workloads for Special Education teachers and the workload for case Managers which, in elementary schools, also have to be performed by the Special Ed teachers. The teachers made note of the fact that Middle and High Schools already have Non-Instructional Team Leaders.

o  The purposes of the presentation were listed as:

1.       To provide answers to the questions raised during the January BOE meeting

2.       To clarify the role of the elementary special educator who also serves as the case manager, and

3.       To highlight how a non-instructional Team Leader (ITL) will alleviate the workload and changes faced b special educators.

o  The requests being asked of the Board are as follows:

1.       Non-Instructional Team Leader for Special Education (42 total)

2.       Increased Special Education Support Staff

3.       A Special Education Teacher Per Grade Level K-5.

Twenty-six witnesses testified either in person and/or in writing. Here is a breakdown of the topics most mentioned and how many witnesses mentioned the topic if more than one:

• Need for Athletic Trainers – mentioned by 8 witnesses
• Special Education – mentioned by 14 witnesses and included the following requests:
• 15 additional English Language specialists (ELD)
•  10 additional; Occupational Therapists
• More Psychologists
• 15 new speech therapists
• More focus on student mental health
• More resource teachers
• Better safety (not impressed with description of 33 new “safety” positions)
• Don’t hire more safety officers; rely instead on restorative justice
• One student asked for funds to support the Student Association of Councils.
• A teacher from Dunloggin Middle School asked for 3 new safety positions, and an additional Assistant Principal (because of increasing fights in the hallways). She also pointed out that teachers and staff may not be equipped to break up fights among 200-pound students.

(Note that not one person testified in favor of more attention to

diversity, equity, or inclusion)

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