[{"_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",6521642,"mediaKeyId","5086483-9408ede81a8fff61e11e252175cbd9d4","parentId",5086483,"title","Votes at a glance: Board approves agenda, personnel and consent items; adopts proclamation honoring student member James Abasiolu","audioSeconds",282,"startMs",99000,"endMs",381000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5086483-9408ede81a8fff61e11e252175cbd9d4&start=99&end=381","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5086483-9408ede81a8fff61e11e252175cbd9d4/thumbnail_99000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6521642/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-approves-agenda-personnel-and-consent-items-adopts-proclamation-honoring-student-member-James-Abasiolu","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521642-527c8bbb83433ec5716840193b7c6f06/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442303&Signature=Jhu39tKP81Fh64nuvAhFcXHfoQh2PcpZtZENlBiMxZvFiUH29EiTDW5x36LLLisbfreMaj0YW92fwHJQFWAn4E88zGMdu6W~934w76l-ffAvE0Fc5wlHcB-r7QSCMcGJncMsAHjAmh64u-F8FcSOIB-~E-kodabTQw-0jOr5p6JN8JazmUzsK2l6bUcokkVbS-VoarcQNpyEN0Fg69CcXOg~vn7mOegnm7m2KTf475e52XDxKuAfhWDwrhABKnp0wsRmsSpH77f7bDqk9o7A9Vs6KR1ihjw6NGmklSIdybarwzjXN5em~aU-ODu2rXpqXlWHbWUtIv7KJL2fgcsatA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Howard County Public Schools","date","2025-06-26T00:00:00Z","article","The Board of Education of Howard County recorded several formal votes during its June 26 meeting. The board approved routine agenda items, personnel actions and the consent agenda and adopted a proclamation honoring the outgoing student member of the board.

Key votes and outcomes recorded in the meeting transcript:

- Agenda approval: Motion to approve the meeting agenda carried (recorded as \"motion carries 6 0\" in the transcript after the roll call sequence).

- Proclamation honoring the student member of the Board of Education, James Abasiolu: The board moved, seconded and voted to adopt a proclamation recognizing Abasiolu's service; the chair announced, \"Motion carries 7 0.\" The proclamation notes Abasiolu's service as the 2024–25 student member, his advocacy work, participation on the policy committee, and a list of academic and extracurricular honors; the proclamation directs that a copy be entered into the official record and given to Abasiolu.

- Personnel agenda: The personnel agenda was moved, seconded and approved; the transcript records \"Motion carries 5 0 1.\"

- Consent agenda (after PR 67 was pulled for further information): The consent agenda, as amended, was approved later in the meeting; the transcript records \"Motion carries 7 0.\"

The transcript also records discussion and a motion to approve PR 67 (a bids and contracts item related to a lobby-guard/sign-in vendor) that was pulled by a board member for more information; the mover and seconder were on the floor but the second was withdrawn and the motion removed so no approval for PR 67 occurred at the meeting.

No ordinances or resolutions requiring multi-step legislative action were on the docket; the votes described above were routine agenda, personnel and consent approvals and a ceremonial proclamation adopted unanimously.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Howard County Public Schools - June 26, 2025 4 p.m. Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County - NO EVENING SESSION Jun 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the June 26 meeting the Howard County Board recorded routine approvals of the agenda, personnel and consent items and unanimously adopted a proclamation honoring outgoing student board member James Abasiolu.","taxTitle","Howard County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",17367,"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},6521647,"HCPSS officials report early progress on \"Be Great Together\" strategic plan; board seeks measures of implementation and equity",688,4955000,5643000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5086483-9408ede81a8fff61e11e252175cbd9d4&start=4955&end=5643","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5086483-9408ede81a8fff61e11e252175cbd9d4/thumbnail_4955000.jpg","/articles/6521647/Maryland/HCPSS-officials-report-early-progress-on-Be-Great-Together-strategic-plan-board-seeks-measures-of-implementation-and-equity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521647-48edf5f2b4bef9c1529de81b9a469897/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442303&Signature=SBMo8tU5WnVVSvNPTFWwJis6JxqAh2wXDsou8lpcOBaTWm-2U1TcDEOIU3SIRgaFopIxbnrl4~kib5M7UkOKK~2RsQjLMH0h~XVcLyNxf1u~juNbNc6Qix8ZbKCoP~kB7YOBrpp7AoT7rW6h8o-Wo~GioFqzz1WNGAwBZ6pV~QhxUJ8YB0K4~Awzu4qnCEqJZnOan15hYFPePYxZsTz6G304qy1iEwBt-WnwIKVIO-DN~w9E2lKW3KVqilihTsl1A4r-ww0gegoDptyTWJhd7Ud0t82RfsLeVyCrv-U58wRGxt8DKSomRj3jCR~XIS8D7-KIzwcRflmRbcCQByf1sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District leaders presented an annual update on Howard County Public Schools' Be Great Together strategic plan on June 26, reporting early implementation activity across the plan’s five priority areas and outlining a multi-year professional-learning schedule.

Dr. Mary Cliap, coordinator of data literacy and coaching, and co-presenters Allison Mitchell (coordinator, School Climate and Culture) and Dr. Caroline Walker (chief of equity and innovation) described the plan’s vision and five priorities: strengthen learning and instruction; cultivate belonging and well-being; foster staff growth and engagement; improve systemic planning and procedures; and enhance family and community partnerships.

Presenters highlighted small gains in middle-school mathematics and a modest reduction in chronic absenteeism in quarter 3. For staff development, the district identified 18 hours of dedicated, systemwide professional learning for the 2025–26 year, to occur in countywide days and program-implementation periods and supported by a recent MSDE grant to fund teacher-leader release time.

\"We are designing a system of professional learning for staff that is relevant, coherent and meaningful,\" Dr. Cliap said, and said the plan will be monitored through executive sponsors, strategy teams and quarterly reporting to the board.

Board members pressed staff on sequencing and emphasis. Member Miss McCoy said relationship-building and culture should be a higher early priority because teacher mindsets and adult behaviors shape classroom outcomes. Dr. Cliap and Ms. Mitchell said the plan embeds relationship work through job-embedded, team-based learning and a focus on data literacy and instruction early in the scope; culture and environment will be a more explicit focus in year three but will be addressed earlier through team routines.

Superintendent Barnes said the district is documenting implementation and will align budgets to priorities when possible; board members asked for clearer links between dollars spent and outcomes.

Staff announced next steps including an oversight committee, an advisory committee to broaden perspectives, and public posting of annual reports and measures on the HCPSS strategic-plan web page.

","District staff presented the first annual update on the Be Great Together strategic plan, highlighting early gains and a four-year professional learning scope while board members pushed for faster emphasis on culture, relationships and measurable outcomes for priority groups.",{"_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},6521651,"Parents and neighborhood group press Howard County Board to avoid disruptive redistricting; propose rebalancing pre-K locations",561,909000,1470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5086483-9408ede81a8fff61e11e252175cbd9d4&start=909&end=1470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5086483-9408ede81a8fff61e11e252175cbd9d4/thumbnail_909000.jpg","/articles/6521651/Maryland/Parents-and-neighborhood-group-press-Howard-County-Board-to-avoid-disruptive-redistricting-propose-rebalancing-pre-K-locations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521651-d23569bd656d6d4a487df7fb82c782ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442303&Signature=JD3qg3b3T65FWsBI0t0qx~bWh-KneSHmmJ1QVMAUwIgq5qX58gg50XlLr3vdEXP7TT7ipV~FbpBKm73YsJmMXuF-8kfuj1-R5MiJZjb6Zej-xUEfTN1p5WOcMejregS7qjTsRFOMSc33WbqmpzJMU0IdG44UfCaxTnHw51dfFYnRPjYWgiSW2sEO9gdCVPDXa8Cox8UBUAqlwTyLeRQDPWskUYH-W6Uyv6cns55v6KduP9~ntZ7z1xr3WiPcfHd7KbOkIm9ojb5EvQ4~1WXPQt3m5Uiodj6oTaQTCFWbMcEVLJFeUfUkh6CqmYRM-RIVZpOCE3fsCzORw7mBweO1sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple parents and community advocates spoke during public forum June 26 to urge the Board of Education to seek alternatives to redistricting that would reassign K–12 students, saying the district could rebalance pre-K programs to schools with available capacity.

Cindy LaFollette, incoming PTAC liaison at Centennial Lane Elementary School (CLES) and a member of the Alliance for Neighborhood Schools, said her group launched a petition on May 20 that had collected more than 1,100 signatures by the board meeting. She urged the board and district to consider relocating pre-K rather than reassigning established K–12 students.

LaFollette told the board the 2025 Educational Facilities Master Plan mentions placing some CLES students in other schools in West Columbia, which she and others fear could overcrowd those receiving schools and prompt another round of redistricting. \"Redistricting is premature and disruptive and does not solve the long-term need to provide quality pre-K programs to Howard County families,\" she said.

Rakesh Sheth, a Centennial Lane parent and former county child-protective-services investigator, called for the district to prioritize students' emotional and mental health and to explore alternatives including portable classrooms and rebalancing pre-K placement to neighborhood schools with capacity.

Board members did not take formal action on redistricting at the meeting. Speakers asked the board to direct Howard County Public Schools to review the petition and study pre-K relocation as a targeted strategy for relieving overcrowding at Centennial Lane and Bryant Woods elementary schools without disrupting K–12 peer networks.

","Several parents and Alliance for Neighborhood Schools representatives urged the board to direct the district to consider relocating pre-K programs or using existing capacity rather than reassigning K–12 students through redistricting.",{"_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},6521656,"Teachers' union urges board to reject proposed 4-by-4 high school schedule, cites workload and student learning risks",383,3236000,3619000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5086483-9408ede81a8fff61e11e252175cbd9d4&start=3236&end=3619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5086483-9408ede81a8fff61e11e252175cbd9d4/thumbnail_3236000.jpg","/articles/6521656/Maryland/Teachers-union-urges-board-to-reject-proposed-4-by-4-high-school-schedule-cites-workload-and-student-learning-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521656-96570ddddc5f1e506c1bc67958b5b30d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442303&Signature=JdDWXn1VGtuHgrJrTyC-PLiusCwJaX3stfK~eS5QwmkroTmGkJRcZdgmkYLoGuCqoVJJLaJBwYfJGqnnwgrC8jVIHZHyfTw9nwzpJYpwZ1mG1RE7pJV1Hv8wgNo9YUueiIYdUcHi~uBM03ET-Y6JqJ-ubIix8MXAUkCuIOn-exZKJRzczd9mLz-OvsUtNkluBIoGgRgHlDVPP9g4S8Xf~n7QLcL6A1pbfjIFeE4fFs17XRK-uC-55koRK4L3x~GVzeullLvU4Bbql0h~Qw3PMIZwx5nADKQbt-s41gLKW8d9ne600TmdPeJMHE-KEb3Cb6XBLkL88j5bIMQ296695Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from the Howard County Education Association (HCEA) told the Board of Education on June 26 that their high-school membership opposes district proposals to reconfigure the high-school day into a four-period model with 90-minute classes.

Ben Schmidt, HCEA president (presenting remotely), and high-school teachers Julia Carter and Robert Kennedy described survey results and modeling that they say show major workload increases for teachers and potential harms for students.

\"Changing to either of the 4-by-4 formats would result in a 20% increase to educator workload,\" Carter said, summarizing the union's analysis. The HCEA presentation argued that teachers would face more sections and more preps, increasing students per teacher (estimated by the presenters to rise from 165 to 198 students for a typical teacher) and producing larger grading loads.

The HCEA said it surveyed high-school members and received 424 responses; 61% said they opposed the change, the presenters said. The union's representative council voted to oppose both year-long and semesterized 4-by-4 proposals and to organize an educator response group if the district pursues the schedule change.

Speakers warned of effects on students in advanced placement (AP) classes and on students who struggle academically. Board members asked for more information and for operational materials before considering the proposal. Superintendent Barnes characterized the discussion as operational and indicated the district has not presented final models to the board.

\"We urge HCPSS leadership to listen to the voices of those most impacted—classroom educators,\" the HCEA presenters said.

Board members acknowledged concerns about AP sequencing, teacher preparation, and student attention during extended class periods, and several asked for evidence of effects on diverse learners. The board did not vote on any schedule change at the meeting.

","Howard County Education Association building reps presented opposition to district proposals for a 4-period/90-minute class schedule, saying surveys of educators show majority opposition and predicting increased workload and harms to students.",{"_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},6521661,"Howard County Board reviews first months of stricter student personal-device rules, recommends continued enforcement",474,4001000,4475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5086483-9408ede81a8fff61e11e252175cbd9d4&start=4001&end=4475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5086483-9408ede81a8fff61e11e252175cbd9d4/thumbnail_4001000.jpg","/articles/6521661/Maryland/Howard-County-Board-reviews-first-months-of-stricter-student-personal-device-rules-recommends-continued-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521661-2ffe700e9d62a50d08c5c693f57a1104/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442303&Signature=XWSFzxewmxvBEO9byVmbuuDxnscERnzjDEKzYz9YERAovgdoiOdP24loxHfxVykvLrx9h~KZkL6cLB-bJ2u8C4jfP50qL6KR4fBh0fzYrttzc~b1jtcGvRsuVkd5F1dujZMom2lEsQg3K4ti3Fk4dl-Xfazz6HH2n3uzLj4~y5Y~TDRpbuJ8qrxynX3Ejt89ioXSZNHSvfzMmCTNDy7Gca-s7dM09T1tbdJ4BYuBKgAlLnrYdPHeTQkZvlbMQNAYcUR89sOJs8uS8IAFJmVi1W6X6fp~v4mMk0qm8eQUWsZ8ex1u~enEe9pDvS2VuhJLqLekQD-PM~XMw3IpuzsxNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Howard County Board of Education on June 26 reviewed the first three months of its revised student personal-device policy, which went into effect March 3, and the advisory work group recommended the district maintain the policy while strengthening consistent implementation and data collection.

Board members heard a presentation from Brian Bassett, director of communications and engagement and chair of the advisory work group, who said the district collected more than 8,000 survey responses in the spring and about 4,000 device confiscations were recorded systemwide between March 3 and the end of the school year on June 18.

The advisory group reported that parents and teachers were generally supportive of the policy, while students were less supportive and administrators were mixed. Bassett said confiscations were concentrated in high schools, particularly among freshmen, and that the number of confiscations dropped month to month after March.

\"Students were continuing to access non-educational content on school devices and finding ways around firewalls,\" Bassett said. He added that the district needs better, more consistent methods of recording confiscations so staff can track trends.

Jen Robinson, the district's chief schools officer, told the board enforcement is not optional: implementation is a system expectation and staff will hold administrators accountable where the policy is not being applied consistently. \"If anyone sees or feels something different, we certainly need to know that,\" Robinson said.

The advisory work group considered seven possible adjustments, including allowing students designated times to check phones in high school, expanding the list of staff authorized to confiscate devices, permitting wireless earbuds or phone photographs for instructional use, and changing consequences for violations. The work group voted to recommend keeping the policy as adopted by the board and focusing instead on consistent implementation and better data collection.

Bassett noted small operational adjustments already made during implementation, such as permitting wired headphones for instructional uses on district Chromebooks, and said curricular offices acquired alternate devices (for example digital cameras) to support instruction where phones had previously been used.

Board members raised questions about assistive-technology needs for students with IEPs or 504 plans and urged the district to ensure staff and teachers receive IEP/504 information in time to implement accommodations. Robinson said the district will continue to work with special education stakeholders; advisory-group co-chairs from the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee participated in the review.

The board did not change policy language at the meeting. Superintendent Barnes and the advisory group asked staff to broaden education and outreach before the 2025–26 school year, improve data collection on confiscations and continue collaboration with bargaining units and student groups on consistent enforcement.

The board directed staff to return with additional implementation guidance and improved data early in the next school year so the district can evaluate trends after a full year of the policy.

","After three months of the revised personal-device policy, staff reported fewer confiscations and mixed feedback from students, parents and administrators; an advisory group recommended keeping the policy as adopted and improving implementation and data collection.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Board approves agenda, personnel and consent items; adopts proclamation honoring student member James Abasiolu

HCPSS officials report early progress on "Be Great Together" strategic plan; board seeks measures of implementation and equity

Parents and neighborhood group press Howard County Board to avoid disruptive redistricting; propose rebalancing pre-K locations

Teachers' union urges board to reject proposed 4-by-4 high school schedule, cites workload and student learning risks

Howard County Board reviews first months of stricter student personal-device rules, recommends continued enforcement