[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6100482,"mediaKeyId","2813413-b46ad3d7873bd14fd9f169d956fef04a","parentId",2813413,"title","SMCPS expands teacher pipeline, launches apprenticeship and plans teacher draft fair","audioSeconds",137,"startMs",1419000,"endMs",1556000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813413-b46ad3d7873bd14fd9f169d956fef04a&start=1419&end=1556","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813413-b46ad3d7873bd14fd9f169d956fef04a/thumbnail_1419000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6100482/Maryland/SMCPS-expands-teacher-pipeline-launches-apprenticeship-and-plans-teacher-draft-fair","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100482-438a8373ab59e738f33fcb97291e8320/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407306&Signature=JHaKa6ARWP7qzBmFpuo3v1Ul8LizG0f7ibFzZSeqNCt7ksOpYgMJB6rnyzSdTNHZeeLnY8E7kZdCD49eEIbWjRH13CaO0mLlh8r~q8PqUm1RWDpZbyOVRNpFr3b53Ru5qBD5drSixYT3nMLP69E-IP0qsf17Fp6Zq6lsFfpe-1RwxBwMhJjaCFzHKw-cTalzbQDvYmF6g7RyHHe95ChPt7V79zxpkK7ECj4FQ3HIiCAqxYY8PXXRZecc9DhIAyZdoHY3s~DUw0t9I4afirzCRG6aCzqLyHUvz38NKzHQOn4ZAVa0k5iQVDpAcpQPZA40DfTcvmpazufgPaqSprp6xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-29T00:50:23.987Z","article","District staff told the Board of Education on March 26 that St. Mary's County Public Schools is expanding multiple “grow‑your‑own” pathways to address teacher shortages in Southern Maryland, including high‑school Teacher Academy programs, registered apprenticeships and partnerships with regional higher‑education institutions.

Presenters said the district is the first in the county to register a teacher apprenticeship with the U.S. Department of Labor and that an apprenticeship innovation grant will provide additional tuition support and expanded mentoring. The district has worked with the College of Southern Maryland and Towson University on a 2+2 pathway and hybrid cohorts that allow paraprofessionals and apprentices to complete coursework outside the duty day. Staff called attention to barriers identified by paraprofessionals — scheduling, tuition cost, mentorship needs — and said negotiated agreement changes increase tuition reimbursement for staff in certification pathways.

Officials also announced a teacher draft fair on Saturday, March 29, at Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary School; as of the March 26 meeting they said 68 candidates had signed up for interviews with principals and school leaders. The draft fair is intended to identify candidates for openings and reduce classroom vacancies at the start of next year.

Dr. Farrell (district staff) summarized the region's pipeline challenge: statewide teacher‑preparation enrollments have declined and Maryland has seen a 50% drop in the number of candidates entering teacher preparation in the last decade, presenters said. Locally, SMCPS started last school year with 15 classroom vacancies — improved from prior years — and the district is pursuing multiple routes to produce more certified teachers who can return to the county.

District staff said they will continue to partner with higher‑education institutions, strengthen induction and mentoring for conditionally licensed teachers, and use the apprenticeship grant and other supports to reduce barriers to credentialing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Mary's County Public Schools Board of Education Meeting - 03/26/25","oneSentenceSummary","District officials described regional partnerships, an SMCPS‑registered apprenticeship program, tuition support and a teacher draft fair on March 29 with 68 candidates scheduled for interviews as part of efforts to recruit and retain teachers.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",14203,"location","Maryland","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6100488,"Proposed A–D elementary special schedule draws large public opposition; district opens feedback period",8187,3735000,11922000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813413-b46ad3d7873bd14fd9f169d956fef04a&start=3735&end=11922","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813413-b46ad3d7873bd14fd9f169d956fef04a/thumbnail_3735000.jpg","/articles/6100488/Maryland/Proposed-AD-elementary-special-schedule-draws-large-public-opposition-district-opens-feedback-period","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100488-a9da8ffb0d18c31f78f702cdddcf8efd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407306&Signature=KhVZNWtbkeqndfDkTev~Epp4s7Hrn3Krf1Dan51R1gjQfxWQZx0CtLZCMTVD37YoZO99VU3X0hZLk4mC~P5EC2u7VeyzSWBdegm-K2ZxPwkdCC8UgBB7iWt6u8~2Uzd2MAh-zW9hm1TJW0KgcP0lbYvh0gGLEJbgFs8H0aiTR98s7MtiCDUj1xfW2taxsYzwIer0w5stEkX87cFIMlusnx4Kcj34E7PzGigYONZ4h52~IzHiM7qBT0qr6aCVy3AUU7wZ~4SIwrzYWI5HtTHuYDnTAhaVkWHWZB-NrsSfUbcLG3BBfgDsvoK8m2BiUpRpZ5hmRkuf4hynL7qaZ~4b~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Mary's County Public Schools staff on March 26 publicly released a proposal to move elementary schools to a four‑day cohort special‑area schedule (A–D rotation) that would require many third‑ through fifth‑grade students to choose a single music option rather than participate in multiple ensemble and general‑music opportunities.

Presenters described the change as a way to equalize special‑area minutes across schools and reduce the number of itinerant staff rotating between buildings. Under the proposal, third graders would choose general music or orchestra; fourth and fifth graders would choose general music, band, orchestra or chorus. Staff said the model would be phased in over three years and that principals would be able to see draft schedules; the district will collect public and staff feedback through March 31 before presenting a refined plan.

The public comment portion of the meeting turned into a near‑uninterrupted chorus of opposition. Dozens of teachers, media specialists, music educators, parents and students described the proposal as a threat to programming they said is essential for literacy, social‑emotional development and student engagement. Identified concerns included loss of pull‑out small‑group instruction, fewer opportunities for students to try multiple ensembles before middle school, reduced time for library programming and the impact on students who rely on specials as a safe, successful experience.

Michelle Smith, media specialist at Mechanicsville Elementary, said the proposed A–D schedule “would limit access, weaken programs, and hurt all students,” and she warned that inconsistent weekly media days would reduce book circulation and equity of access. Renee Campbell, a Piney Point Elementary music teacher of more than 30 years, said pilot changes already implemented this year in some schools produced disciplinary and scheduling problems; she urged the board to stop the changes and “sit down and discuss the concerns” before adopting any systemwide change.

Music educators and students described concrete academic and attendance benefits tied to consistent, frequent music instruction. Nathan Early, an elementary music teacher, said the current pull‑out model can produce “no statistically significant negative effects on overall student academic achievement,” and that research supports maintaining pull‑out music instruction. Student speakers, including fifth‑grade and middle‑school performers, described the emotional and social value of music and arts exposure.

Presenters explained some operational details: the current 10‑day rotation typically gives PE and music three sessions per 10 days, art and media two sessions; the proposed cohort model would provide roughly equalized frequency across specials (three sessions in a 12‑day cycle). Staff acknowledged that a cohort model implemented exactly as presented would limit some students from taking multiple music offerings and said the district will consider scheduling and curriculum changes to try to preserve critical experiences. The district also proposed an itinerant strings specialist model and placement of media clerks by enrollment and program need.

Board members and staff said they would review survey responses and meeting feedback, analyze staffing implications and return to the board with a revised recommendation. There was no vote on the scheduling proposal; it remained an informational item and staff said they will synthesize input gathered through March 31 before moving forward.","District staff presented a proposed four‑day cohort schedule that would require most third‑ through fifth‑grade students to choose a single music option; dozens of teachers, students and parents urged the board to preserve pull‑out music, media and other \"specials.\" District will accept feedback through March 31 and has not taken action.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6100493,"St. Mary's County schools say state and county funding shortfalls threaten services, programs",11850,151000,12001000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813413-b46ad3d7873bd14fd9f169d956fef04a&start=151&end=12001","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813413-b46ad3d7873bd14fd9f169d956fef04a/thumbnail_151000.jpg","/articles/6100493/Maryland/St-Marys-County-schools-say-state-and-county-funding-shortfalls-threaten-services-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100493-57e832aae56fc1b48b1cbc02c46811bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407306&Signature=Kayer4GkVq1SWHrDO44L4ON7ONlnk7lWt0-NDkLvc9~-~PQ8VIR901Ye1GW-Y5zseYC2UswPGzFv7B9ild8WJufW1kzNI1Z-YNuJeZb~1y6V8RNkU8lECQ6lrI3R97AvlnZ46D7gBf6sxzRzgu6tmb7P9knrJzWtc6wCfM30b9v9APL1R5XP1-hQ6r-oiAzx8e5FdG4ir39VKD2vh6hm4uy2GCAuac3OiWamR6Q8-BRYtWIwVqJPinfmcuPyXEsSS4PzgokIYby5-Bs64S4rP~OItGMlPLmOEtUZD1adB2L02fCLpz6TGuLsKZBLBetYRHQZoKGhpeTfVIxiCtJPOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March 26 meeting of the St. Mary's County Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Smith said the school system faces a multi‑million dollar shortfall after the state trimmed an expected payment and the County Commissioners advanced a budget that flat‑funds the district.

Dr. Smith said the district had been told in January to expect $147,500,000 in state funding for the coming year but that a governor's proposal reduced that amount by $2,200,000; after legislative changes and further adjustments the superintendent said the system was now “$2,500,000 in the hole.” He added that the county has advanced a flat funding plan for public hearings even though county officials are projecting about $15,500,000 in new revenue. “The county commissioners … they are flat funding the school system,” Dr. Smith said.

The shortfall matters to educators and families because, Dr. Smith said, “foundation funding is where we find all of our money for the arts, extracurriculars, and most importantly, teacher salaries.” He told the board the district has proposed a $195,000,000 budget for fiscal 2026 and currently shows about $7,900,000 less revenue than that proposal. He also said St. Mary's is close to the bottom of Maryland districts on per‑pupil funding — “we are $200 from being the lowest funded per pupil in the state of Maryland.”

The superintendent framed the funding picture as the result of state and local actions. He told the board that an income tax change that took effect Jan. 1 increased the county rate from 3.0% to 3.2%, but that the county's current five‑year budget proposal would leave the school system funded at the same dollar level as the prior year. He warned that the state will pass additional retirement cost increases down to local jurisdictions, a charge the county is expected to cover.

Several public speakers who had come to the meeting for unrelated items used their three‑minute public comment slots to press the board and the community on budget implications. Cindy Pyle, a retired teacher and county resident, urged the board to “support creative arts” and to consult teachers about how to preserve programs while meeting budget constraints. Brandon Russell, citing federal reorganization and potential federal funding shifts, urged the board to prepare concise materials the public can use when advocating against cuts to federal grants that support special education, food and Title I programs.

Board members said the district will continue to press county and state leaders for additional funds and reminded the public that a county budget public hearing is scheduled for April 22 at Leonardtown High School. Board and district leaders also encouraged residents to submit feedback and to testify at upcoming hearings.

Discussion points: board members asked for further budget detail and called for public engagement; no formal budget vote occurred at the meeting. The superintendent said staff will return with more detail as state and county numbers are finalized.","Superintendent Dr. Smith told the Board of Education on March 26 that reductions in expected state aid and a county decision to flat-fund schools have left the district facing a multimillion-dollar gap that could affect arts, extracurriculars and staffing. County and state hearings are upcoming.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

SMCPS expands teacher pipeline, launches apprenticeship and plans teacher draft fair

Proposed A–D elementary special schedule draws large public opposition; district opens feedback period

St. Mary's County schools say state and county funding shortfalls threaten services, programs