[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6600418,"mediaKeyId","3065601-f9b1739400f10dc28d28dcb81f264a4d","parentId",3065601,"title","Superintendent outlines FY26 budget choices; central‑office reductions and labor contingency highlighted","audioSeconds",901,"startMs",4989000,"endMs",5890000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3065601-f9b1739400f10dc28d28dcb81f264a4d&start=4989&end=5890","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3065601-f9b1739400f10dc28d28dcb81f264a4d/thumbnail_4989000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6600418/Maryland/Superintendent-outlines-FY26-budget-choices-centraloffice-reductions-and-labor-contingency-highlighted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600418-6f6f8a32ba91a3cf97e404eeb08d77a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771034148&Signature=ah7oy-vhyRi4rO6WG~UoWFi~6auijrdQTS0ISip-YF-nxYAdNXrpMkOgqKajz062In~cqwHvBxVCsyRUo7in~iO3BaYVPwd3CmEbS5ajidc18Gz3fFoKUcFp2A3gT-YGbwbUhB5RPmA8B-Lcye3egDAg5C65irwWuR3xstfuwEnGQqdOeNkRGZSqgT5twxaiIpmI13YT7ZmKstokWP17XgA752HQoLnehAkbtbUrAUFzuBgKYLkJpUZFoxt1OYAq3qlIbm7DYDlWuwYFLRkadHMAdsw3gZBRE~rKZ1ky0-yS85Sv4ZWevPXL2fxO4QSLPs5t1p5RLlY2kvSFrR~k3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Baltimore County Public Schools","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Superintendent Miriam Rogers provided a synopsis of the district’s FY26 budget approach and next steps, telling the board the district has taken multiple non‑labor and structural steps to close budget gaps and will continue to assess the local impact of state and county budget actions.

Rogers said the district has frozen hiring for two years, allowed contracts to expire to renegotiate terms, used fund balance with county approval, trimmed central‑office administrative positions, consolidated departments and squeezed supplies and non‑labor expenses. She said the district has reduced supplies and materials by $14 million over two years, cut conference travel by 79% and travel by 85%, and reduced cell phone stipends by 42%.

The superintendent said the district abolished 70 central‑office supervisory positions over two fiscal years (a reported 24% reduction), including positions at chief, executive director, director, coordinator and specialist levels. Rogers said the district now has the smallest cabinet among medium‑ and large‑sized school systems in Maryland and that many remaining central‑office functions directly support school operations (payroll, transportation, IT, special education oversight and compliance work).

Rogers told the board that research and budget practice require addressing non‑labor and structural steps first, and that if the gap remains larger than about 2–3% districts must consider labor changes. She said the district has not yet implemented significant labor reductions but warned that state and county budget decisions over the coming days could require returning to the bargaining table. Tabco (the teachers’ union) representatives present during public comment had said funding uncertainty could threaten negotiated multi‑year contracts.

The superintendent also reviewed progress on the 2021 efficiency study: of 97 recommendations, 93 had final outcomes; some recommendations remained “no” because they were either process changes, required additional funding, or fell outside the district’s purview. Rogers said the district has implemented many of the report’s recommendations and would continue to examine remaining items.

Rogers outlined next steps in the budget calendar: the county executive will release a budget proposal (April 11), and the County Council will take final action (May 3). She asked the public to remain engaged and promised further updates as state and county budget clarity emerges.

Why it matters
The superintendent’s briefing outlined multi‑million‑dollar adjustments already made and signaled the district’s limited remaining non‑labor options, while flagging that unresolved state or county funding could force negotiations affecting labor costs. The board and unions will continue monitoring state and county budget actions in the coming weeks.

What’s next
County executive’s budget release on April 11 and County Council action on May 3; district will update the board and stakeholders as funding clarity develops and will proceed with negotiated processes if labor adjustments are necessary.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - Apr 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Miriam Rogers briefed the board on the FY26 budget outlook, detailing two years of central‑office supervisory reductions, $14 million in non‑labor reductions, and contingency plans that could affect labor if state or county funding falls short.","taxTitle","Baltimore County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",17213,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6600423,"Board says OIG report found no contract violation; superintendent says she lives in Baltimore County",317,4452000,4769000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3065601-f9b1739400f10dc28d28dcb81f264a4d&start=4452&end=4769","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3065601-f9b1739400f10dc28d28dcb81f264a4d/thumbnail_4452000.jpg","/articles/6600423/Maryland/Board-says-OIG-report-found-no-contract-violation-superintendent-says-she-lives-in-Baltimore-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600423-c690d6818bbf6e2e6c3c8bbb1146e933/orig.mp4?Expires=1771034148&Signature=Hen4qOtysbuRdPFU1X9YufeI8Z6wCh3c59k9P8cD2W7VrCvYYDhT4F1r5893~NFnQEe3G5Z33GN6C89dJW60GytJ5DoWNGOwO3SIrNA84XcJV6M6Ixd6cOO8lOXmHa3Ns7i681tU4T6QuZOWGDFCnzZBaSy3NTuveJP9E3hHUEIXEToJi3sdBSv-zIZY-H4ajscozol7mXUCGzX-ugvWqUpKGEXQa-k1OELOcHSUN5XZcmBIHzvtPpD2BYpvHj2ZVK1OriHRXsC5tETKg-ge0xZzdRFfKX-OMgWPzLvLcK8vUsJ2L1Kq4NdnRUlala~J7Feb9wRWlSiRXJX7YbpwPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board chair Jane Lichter reported the board met in closed session to review the April 1 Office of Inspector General (OIG) report and to receive legal advice. In open session Lichter said the OIG report “concluded without making any findings of a contract violation” and had been formally closed.

The board said Dr. Miriam Rogers completed her move into Baltimore County on Sept. 14, 2024. Chair Lichter summarized the district’s review of the contract provision, saying the employment contract required the superintendent to establish residency in Baltimore County by June 30, 2024, that board leadership had approved a verbal extension while logistical issues were resolved, and that the expense documentation related to the relocation had been signed by board leadership. Lichter said the contract does not require the superintendent to live alone or to have her name on a lease; it requires that she maintain residency in the county.

Superintendent Rogers addressed the board and the public, reiterating that she is a Towson resident and that she had consulted law enforcement and board leadership about personal safety and logistics before taking the position. Rogers said she completed her move and has maintained residency in Baltimore County since Sept. 14, 2024. She also thanked lawmakers, community members and staff for outreach and support during recent public controversy.

The chair said the board received three internal recommendations from the OIG report for internal consideration; the board will take them under advisement. The chair’s report highlighted the superintendent’s outreach and engagement activities — town halls, community conversations, curriculum nights, special education evenings, budget input sessions and PTA roundtables — and cited recent district performance measures that the board described as early signs of improvement in attendance, graduation rate and MSDE star ratings. Lichter and Rogers emphasized the focus on continuing to center students in the district’s work.

Why it matters
The board’s open‑session report is its public response to media attention and community questions about contract compliance; the board recorded that the OIG did not find a contract violation and described the matter as appropriately handled in closed session because it involved personnel matters and legal advice.

What’s next
The board said it will take the OIG’s internal recommendations under advisement and continue its oversight role. The superintendent and board leadership said they will continue community engagement and report on district priorities including academic progress and the FY26 budget process.","Board chair and Superintendent Miriam Rogers addressed public controversy over the superintendent's residency: the board said the OIG made no finding of contract violation and the superintendent confirmed she established residency in Baltimore County on Sept. 14, 2024.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6600426,"Board approves Puzzle Pieces Learning Academy charter application",83,6251000,6334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3065601-f9b1739400f10dc28d28dcb81f264a4d&start=6251&end=6334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3065601-f9b1739400f10dc28d28dcb81f264a4d/thumbnail_6251000.jpg","/articles/6600426/Maryland/Board-approves-Puzzle-Pieces-Learning-Academy-charter-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600426-2a4c45731d4ff372ca4d5e8f8c7daec9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771034148&Signature=ATSpS5QDfPiL-o8WY-WA73lpKKw4hFp~cdMVj4zcK9QU8XqpfOCFanzfdflZjkjDYMFvg8EDvEaUdbqTN9u~qnujVEl3iO~AWVIIj3PRsrPEqd5Ue640oxiFHpodG2AFInADUsNvnE1EqJKcwJjwolXvku3cohXM5EI7jlfioV9G8eKCj2rX-LHu89gLHbz~k70MQc~AaE0GjMbb4B7AF84PJuqQVozTz-kSloKntwB2ieygCj-T-56fePo0UL2AYyYHy9T9zVTkFjklnZG56oR8cijznqTBt6xL1eFnuc56TX6XiURnx9ladkIVBGdi45WiZwFBkduC4TUgdwU~fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Baltimore County voted to approve the charter school application from Puzzle Pieces Learning Academy.

At the April 8 meeting, Dr. Elmendorf (charter application review lead) presented the charter application review team's evaluation and recommended action under Board Policy and Rule 1600, which require the board to approve or deny an application within 120 calendar days of receiving a complete application. The board then moved to vote on the Puzzle Pieces application; a roll call vote followed and the motion passed.

The board’s action aligns with the procedural timeline in Policy 1600 and means the district will proceed with whatever next steps the policy and rule specify for an approved charter application.

Why it matters
Approval authorizes Puzzle Pieces Learning Academy to proceed under the terms and conditions that will be set by the district and the school’s charter agreement. The board’s vote was presented as a compliance decision under established charter review procedures.

What’s next
Staff will follow the charter‑approval process described in Policy and Rule 1600 to finalize any required documentation or conditions attached to the approval and to proceed with implementation steps set by the board and the charter review team.","The Board of Education of Baltimore County voted to approve the charter application for Puzzle Pieces Learning Academy following the district's charter review process and evaluation under Policy and Rule 1600.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6600431,"Board sends revised student behavior code back to committee after public comment on cell phones and wearables",3779,3467000,7246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3065601-f9b1739400f10dc28d28dcb81f264a4d&start=3467&end=7246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3065601-f9b1739400f10dc28d28dcb81f264a4d/thumbnail_3467000.jpg","/articles/6600431/Maryland/Board-sends-revised-student-behavior-code-back-to-committee-after-public-comment-on-cell-phones-and-wearables","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600431-53ce3e6b7613fb63228556590c0e236d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771034148&Signature=lQyoY6wZROghKbUkrfLY23jWOjA09KAgNgi7n2lRpVMNEZ4QlL7jVFv95J1CYGLjqcO5065ne36oyBrUrBXamcHo3sFS0ORb7Vwz6IpvaWC~KaMEQW7DRtGlDGH1fvN99NDmww1DykVE6U4HbpFc44BZxsjqGfNIyQnKeHLmt7QBvEc7UYbolFDoN61cqZy1SR7Ok8UDybHugMPb-20AmAQw0jolC6AXgh2h0apmBIbvwHWK~xt8aOfH2v7kdfcL52BVYZqlJqAGC0H9o-UxxDMZle4hjyDxgmE8wdFi1wkUJZ-d8IhoQntHcNNX1x~l-IycgPoOmDdf4scytHdrTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Baltimore County voted to send proposed revisions to Board Policy 5550, the Student Behavior Code, back to the Policy Review Committee for further consideration.

Public comment at the April 8 meeting included multiple presentations that urged clarity and exceptions in the policy’s treatment of electronic devices. Speakers from the PTA Council of Baltimore, school library staff, advocacy organizations and parents said cell phones are both a distraction and — for some students — an important tool. Several speakers, including school library media specialists, highlighted the role of licensed media specialists and raised concerns about equitable access to library services; other commenters urged that the policy explicitly address wearable devices and emerging technologies.

During the board’s discussion, Policy Review Committee members and other board members debated proposed language that would add “wearable technology” to the policy’s list of covered devices. At one point a member moved to insert the words “wearable technology” after “tablets” in section 2.d; the motion to amend was seconded but later withdrawn by the maker. The board then considered a motion from a member to return the policy to the committee to address outstanding issues including the definition of “wearable technology” and a definition for “culturally responsive.”

Board members said they wanted the committee to clarify the interplay between Policy 5550 and Rule 5552 (which already addresses electronic devices), standardize language, and provide more detail that would inform the rule that outlines enforcement and day‑to‑day logistics. Several board members asked staff to consider how the rule would be enforced in practice (for example, how administrators would handle smart watches or VR headsets during instructional time) and to ensure protections for students who use devices as assistive tools.

The motion to send Policy 5550 back to the Policy Review Committee passed on a recorded roll call vote. Committee chair Christina Pumphrey said the amendment to add wearable technology would likely be considered by the committee along with a clearer definition of culturally responsive practice and suggested implementation language for rules that accompany the policy.

Why it matters
Policy 5550 governs student conduct across BCPS schools and the board’s decision to return the draft policy to committee reflects requests from parents, educators and community organizations for clearer language about devices, exceptions for students with special needs, and stronger definitions for cultural responsiveness. The board did not approve the policy tonight; further drafting will take place in committee before it returns as a formal board item.

What’s next
The Policy Review Committee will redraft the language, consider definitions (wearable technology, culturally responsive), and prepare accompanying rules that address enforcement logistics. The committee will also incorporate public comment from this meeting into its revisions and return the revised policy to the full board for future consideration.","After extended public comment on cell phone rules and wearable technology, the Board of Education of Baltimore County voted to return proposed changes to Board Policy 5550 (Student Behavior Code) to the Policy Review Committee for further work.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6600436,"Baltimore County board approves purchase of My Perspectives ELA materials for grades 6–12",449,7084000,7533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3065601-f9b1739400f10dc28d28dcb81f264a4d&start=7084&end=7533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3065601-f9b1739400f10dc28d28dcb81f264a4d/thumbnail_7084000.jpg","/articles/6600436/Maryland/Baltimore-County-board-approves-purchase-of-My-Perspectives-ELA-materials-for-grades-612","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600436-2067ece89ae74bd88cf9dfcc3753ba41/orig.mp4?Expires=1771034148&Signature=AFN0~MkKeygLBRTuDUQ2dpPOwxp0FLWZ9DchqTwH3wolkVqDFBC7vTeDqOcFZUIvRmtNjzP0IfSAFeCye49J0YyjgqGkPHDfdVVl10UF7-jyvmrO~pe3hAp7q53Ni12FoyD-8a7RzD~xsr5rQ~-LG3XSjdtL39x-xUTAEM54T9yJT1pUipIyL3bMRGNj2FKJDzacVNOJis-1varplXm~nfn3NoDvMV7sSq5QeFpuInAQThwx2oDfMC8d0N-raqJhoLSeOd5Hf3ftQ4JLBdEjVzbgNyU-8b8ctMEVXneC6nEiAs2cR6cOm95dUPZbziK-POetxgjBEnsag8W73xxfpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Baltimore County voted to approve a contract to purchase My Perspectives as the district's high‑quality instructional materials for grades 6 through 12.

Board members approved Contract CWA 120‑224 after presentations from system staff summarizing a yearlong pilot, teacher and student survey results, and implementation planning. The first‑year cost presented to the board for implementation was just under $2 million, with a requested total spending authority of $14 million over a seven‑year contract.

District staff told the board that the pilot included vendor‑led coaching, weekly drop‑in curriculum support sessions, demonstration classrooms, and quarterly feedback from teachers and students. In presentations, staff said 70% of teachers in the pilot agreed the materials supported reading instruction and 61% agreed the materials promoted active engagement with text; about 60% of students surveyed said topics and learning experiences supported their learning. Staff cited a Cincinnati district as a comparable example provided by the vendor, which the vendor said showed a roughly 6 percentage‑point gain in proficiency over three years in that district.

Board members asked about costs, implementation supports and evidence from other districts. Staff said they evaluated options (digital only, print only, mixed formats) and recommended retaining both print consumables and digital access because the vendor pricing difference between formats was small and consumables provide students with the ability to annotate texts. Staff also described an implementation plan aligned to research‑based keys for curriculum adoption, including principal and teacher professional learning, classroom coaching, look‑for tools for principals, and demonstration classrooms where central‑office specialists co‑plan and model instruction with teachers.

During discussion, several board members emphasized that success depends on consistent, systemwide professional development and fidelity of implementation, and asked staff to continue monitoring supports for multilingual learners and students with disabilities who, staff acknowledged, continue to lag behind peers.

The motion to approve the contract was forwarded from the Building and Contracts Committee and passed by roll call. Board members recorded the vote before the board moved on to additional contract approvals covering items M‑2 through M‑14.

The board approval allows superintendent and procurement staff to finalize the contract and begin vendor‑supported implementation work with selected pilot schools and a broader rollout schedule.

Votes at a glance
Contract CWA 120‑224 (My Perspectives ELA)
Motion: Approve contract CWA 120‑224 to purchase My Perspectives for grades 6–12 (first‑year cost just under $2,000,000; spending authority requested up to $14,000,000 over seven years)
Mover: Chair/committee recommendation (Building & Contracts Committee)
Second: Not required (committee motion)
Outcome: approved
Vote tally (as recorded at the meeting): yes 10, no 2, abstain 0 (transcript note: “Favor is 10” recorded after roll call)

Contract approvals M‑2 through M‑14
Motion: Approve contracts M‑2 through M‑14 as forwarded by the Building & Contracts Committee
Outcome: approved (roll call vote recorded in meeting minutes)

Why it matters
The Board’s action commits the district to a single high‑quality English language arts curriculum for secondary grades and launches a multi‑year implementation process that the district said includes sustained professional learning and classroom coaching. Staff told the board the materials are intended to align instruction, reduce variation across classrooms, and provide vendor supports that supplement central‑office coaching.

What’s next
District staff will finalize the contract with the vendor, continue scheduled professional learning (including demonstration classroom visits and vendor coaching), and monitor implementation, with periodic reports back to the board on teacher uptake, student engagement, and assessment outcomes.","After a system pilot and presentations of teacher and student feedback, the Board of Education of Baltimore County voted to approve Contract CWA 120‑224 to purchase My Perspectives ELA instructional materials for grades 6–12; the contract authorizes roughly $2 million in year‑one spending and up to $14 million over seven years.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent outlines FY26 budget choices; central‑office reductions and labor contingency highlighted

Board says OIG report found no contract violation; superintendent says she lives in Baltimore County

Board approves Puzzle Pieces Learning Academy charter application

Board sends revised student behavior code back to committee after public comment on cell phones and wearables

Baltimore County board approves purchase of My Perspectives ELA materials for grades 6–12