The Howard County Public Schools Board of Education held a virtual work session on February 6, 2025, to discuss the Superintendent's proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2026. A significant focus of the meeting was on the proposed addition of a new security position within the school system, which aims to enhance safety and security protocols in schools.

During the session, board members expressed varying opinions on the necessity and implications of this new role. One board member emphasized the importance of collaboration between security personnel and student engagement staff, highlighting that the new position should not operate in isolation. The discussion underscored the need for security staff to build relationships with students and address their social-emotional needs effectively.

Concerns were raised regarding the qualifications for the current security assistant positions, which require a high school diploma and two years of experience in security-related roles. Some board members questioned whether these qualifications would change with the introduction of the new position, expressing skepticism about the appropriateness of hiring individuals with backgrounds in law enforcement for middle school environments.

Another board member shared a positive example of a current security assistant who successfully transformed the culture at a middle school by building strong relationships with students. This anecdote was used to illustrate the type of candidate the board hopes to attract for the new role.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the administration to revise the job description for the new security position to better align with the board's vision for fostering positive relationships within schools. The board members expressed their desire to see a proposal that reflects these values before making a final decision on the budget allocation for the new position.

Overall, the discussions highlighted the board's commitment to enhancing school safety while ensuring that security measures support a positive educational environment. The next steps will involve reviewing the updated job description and further discussions on how to implement these changes effectively.