[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6748045,"mediaKeyId","5617545-c52dd26933a0e40aded9a9fbe2a8e211","parentId",5617545,"title","Howard County unveils multiyear special education strategic plan, pledges staffing and implementation steps","audioSeconds",2959,"startMs",3160000,"endMs",6119000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5617545-c52dd26933a0e40aded9a9fbe2a8e211&start=3160&end=6119","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5617545-c52dd26933a0e40aded9a9fbe2a8e211/thumbnail_3160000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6748045/Maryland/Howard-County-unveils-multiyear-special-education-strategic-plan-pledges-staffing-and-implementation-steps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6748045-3382f07371eacc2ee6bd13d6ea192d7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447735&Signature=eripjRS2xI7QH7jztPaB8myJhBYPI9JKSqupNGx6cLBlJ6O4~YZmLPQouAFEOs7DiLRgdsUs9T2h0Z-HgmgDjctLJvbB-LzJHS2MVXzP8tkZVJO8Dc7rcnmro0TWuhoEwWOTLLyIbiBUYmai6k52jDfl5TmotyxLG8NkZNy9w9wYZKvwufH1J9iW3v0~BIQ3BGNC3tL8YkcSWjyi52RC6F4lnEXFfiXQl8836Hb5MAMP~ETazWogUNifGfVLmpFCIYhlP4GigaBvNtOD6k6dtr3GjgK8GgsbxKwGlWOT3qVbXN7f3zhidW9JmivwPVXMtjQNd4jqXp~WrA-p1YizGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Howard County Public Schools","date","2025-08-21T00:00:00Z","article","Dr. Jen Webster, the chief academic officer for Howard County Public Schools, and Jen Riccardi, acting executive director for special education, presented a multiyear Special Education Strategic Plan on Aug. 21 that officials said will guide changes to staffing, instructional practice and family engagement across the district.

The plan lays out five interconnected themes: consistent instructional implementation, enhanced supportive and safe learning environments, improved staff support and professional learning, organizational and staffing-formula changes, and stronger family and community engagement. Presenters said the work will be executed as a phased, multi‑year effort with measurable indicators such as IEP goal progress, reductions in suspensions for students with IEPs and improved graduation and college‑and‑career readiness rates for students with disabilities.

\"We are already establishing implementation plans that will help us achieve the desired outcomes of the plan,\" Dr. Webster said when she introduced the plan, calling the presentation a first year of a longer implementation cycle. Riccardi described concrete first‑year steps including the addition of three coordinators to provide direct support to resource teachers and facilitators, and a \"quick response team\" to deliver rapid, time‑limited in‑school support to school staff who are managing complex student needs.

The plan stresses consistent tier‑1 instruction for all students plus stronger tier‑2 and tier‑3 interventions for students who need additional support. Riccardi cited targeted interventions for students with autism and for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia and those described as \"twice exceptional.\" Measured outcomes for year one include improved IEP goal progress and increases in grade‑level achievement and graduation among students receiving special education services.

Board members questioned how the plan would affect staffing and daily classroom practice. Several asked about staffing formulas and whether intervention groups would be appropriately small for intensive interventions (for example, dyslexia interventions commonly require smaller group sizes). Riccardi said the central office will examine existing staffing formulas and noted a staffing‑formula committee and other stakeholder groups will inform the work; Dr. Webster added that resource teachers and instructional facilitators will be focused more on time in classrooms and \"just‑in‑time\" support.

On family communication, Riccardi said the system will publish simplified summaries and a glossary on the district website and provide clearer guidance so families can find resources and follow up. Board members pressed for clearer onboarding for classroom teachers — including how case managers will share IEPs and 504 expectations before students arrive — and presenters said building administrators and special education leaders have an expectation that necessary documents and contact information be shared at the start of the year.

Several board members and educators urged a shift away from compliance‑heavy professional development toward job‑embedded, applicable training, and the presenters said professional learning will include participation and evaluation metrics and reflection data on staff confidence.

Implementation monitoring will use a mix of student progress metrics, participation and satisfaction data from staff professional learning, reductions in centralized placement referrals and family complaint rates to the Maryland State Department of Education. Presenters and the superintendent emphasized the plan is a starting point and will be adjusted through year‑by‑year implementation and community feedback.

\"This is the beginning of a lot of hard work,\" Superintendent Barnes said. \"Implementation and accountability are where we will be judged.\"

The board did not take a formal action on the plan at the Aug. 21 meeting; staff said they will return with implementation updates and ongoing metrics as the plan is executed.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Howard County Public Schools - 4 & 7 p.m. Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County Aug 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dr. Jen Webster, the chief academic officer for Howard County Public Schools, and Jen Riccardi, acting executive director for special education, presented a multiyear Special Education Strategic Plan on Aug. 21 that establishes five theme areas and short‑term actions — including three new coordinator positions and a \"quick response team\" — to address instructional consistency, staffing, and family engagement across the district.","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},6748040,"HCPSS proposes $27.1M in state‑eligible FY2027 projects; local match would bring total to $48.4M",370,7249000,7619000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5617545-c52dd26933a0e40aded9a9fbe2a8e211&start=7249&end=7619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5617545-c52dd26933a0e40aded9a9fbe2a8e211/thumbnail_7249000.jpg","/articles/6748040/Maryland/HCPSS-proposes-271M-in-stateeligible-FY2027-projects-local-match-would-bring-total-to-484M","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6748040-7fb5db5f22024583bbe1776fa1dd3dd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447735&Signature=kjfiDXXv7ctrVkJDenUf5zhIUX1i3rAxFIIW37snDKvzScKgxCuNkYCC3HvqUUL~igMKKoMwCZCVVPnQn9tWpMWY3AhhrLW~s~vM99QdcwjfPzyqMwOGTw1Qm0OAEigDoJYqmy-qLTPh0G7W2CBQpPDvxlJpxCwiRhSP2oTAf7KW83Ek7c6tv1k4ApnoVkW3M6hzxZAEWQjnKZN7x5nhCd2-SzyCtlBLt6Bl00qONlvipDXEEcufwMUe~vAd7EHOGHzs1bsV5zAW9VRHp4MYVj6aE7SEdXH6~e3HLqy3Qztj7Lo7JWMfg4CX894SuSvZ09DStMkYLowHTbO-RtR~og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Howard County Public School System officials presented the superintendent's FY2027 state capital budget request on Aug. 21, identifying 17 state‑eligible projects and asking the state for approximately $27,137,000 in FY2027 capital dollars. The corresponding local match for those state‑eligible projects was listed as approximately $21,283,000, producing a combined FY2027 request of $48,420,000 for projects that staff described as focused on security, deferred maintenance and systemwide needs.

Chief Operating Officer Cornell Brown and Daniel Lubley, executive director for capital planning and construction, described how the request fits the state's funding windows and eligibility rules. Lubley outlined the district's FY2027 state funding estimates used in planning: an annual CIP target allocation of roughly $14.4 million, an enrollment‑growth/relocatable allocation of $3.6 million, and an estimated $5.9 million in HCPSS state reserve funding (unused prior allocations and other adjustments). Those amounts sum to the roughly $27.1 million the system listed as the state portion of the FY2027 request.

The 17 projects are included primarily under two educational project lines: E1058 (systemic renovations and modernizations) and E1059 (roofing projects). Projects cited in the presentation include four secure vestibule projects (two middle schools, two elementary schools), a full HVAC renovation at Ilchester Elementary School, two roofing replacements (Fulton Elementary and Gorman Crossing Elementary), and 10 gym HVAC/AC projects the district asked the state to consider for reserve funding.

Lubley and Brown emphasized process changes this year: the district has assembled an education facilities master plan that follows state content guidelines, initiated a facilities sufficiency study (procurement nearly complete), and is separating the state funded‑project discussions (this presentation) from the locally funded capital requests (to be presented in October) so the district and county have clearer conversations about matching and timing.

Board members asked multiple process and prioritization questions. Dr. Chen and others pressed how the prioritization list will interact with projects already in motion (for example, Oakland Mills High School and Dunlogan Middle School) and sought clarity on how the new sufficiency study and prioritization process will change project order. Brown said projects that have committed local design funds will continue; the sufficiency study and new data will inform future ordering and public communication.

Lubley said the FY2027 state capital improvement plan request totals $27,137,000 and the district planned a $21,283,000 local match; that total combined FY2027 request equals $48,420,000. Staff said larger renovation projects that are not yet at state submission milestones will continue through design with local funds and will be included in future state requests once they meet state submission requirements.

District staff said they will return to the board in September with a public hearing and recommended action on the state projects and will present locally funded projects in October so the board and public can see the full FY2027 capital budget picture.

","Howard County Public School System officials proposed a FY2027 state capital budget request totaling about $27.14 million in state funds — $48.42 million once local matching funds are included — aimed at security vestibules, systemic renovations, roof replacements and gym HVAC projects.",{"_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},6748028,"Votes at a glance: routine approvals, consent items and Be Smart resolution (Aug. 21, 2025)",2949,275000,3224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5617545-c52dd26933a0e40aded9a9fbe2a8e211&start=275&end=3224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5617545-c52dd26933a0e40aded9a9fbe2a8e211/thumbnail_275000.jpg","/articles/6748028/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-routine-approvals-consent-items-and-Be-Smart-resolution-Aug-21-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6748028-167fdeaa7316e25517174858d5864f40/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447735&Signature=JQ5BSxMmtfM~Df0OByDUuQ2UULmvcs2H0rAabJqfGnDDmwdS~GnBJhZ7FYjnPzEUMGZ-dGZZmOfWupg6WZ4OrGzZTEPgJj3pqQbVmhJDob89hUYoZN-wwabU2QUr~~P51m9SpGcIsJwJxsnLKq~G5RAt9yV3v0ME-xkVnK83b4wXpEgfBaF1Nc8LFTfzxGGK~dIFdvC0PLosx4fhpXtI7se4gt8VpC2QvMnAg3NdVfvaEF6Z76LwCSeqbAsVfa1Xp1PqlkzoFe30SiaoNNo8tSIJij9kkBVPaq7AVDoogaiUXlMintnOiic85RAs~eHk8mr5SAoAOuCwhIp1UpVwdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Howard County Board of Education recorded these formal outcomes during its Aug. 21 meeting.

- Approval of agenda: motion carried 7–0 (recorded during roll call and agenda approval).
- Consent agenda (restricted): motion carried 6–0 (as announced by the board clerk during the meeting).
- Consent agenda (full): motion carried 7–0 (as announced by the board clerk).
- Resolution recognizing August as Be Smart week (secure firearm storage education): approved, tally recorded 5 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain.

Procedural notes: several personnel and administrative items were presented and discussed during the meeting; staff read aloud promotion and transfer actions for transparency. The board did not vote on the Special Education Strategic Plan or the superintendent's FY2027 state capital request at the Aug. 21 meeting; both items were presented for review and will return for further action (capital items will be the subject of a September public hearing).","The board approved routine agenda and consent items during the Aug. 21 meeting and adopted a resolution recognizing Be Smart week. Tally highlights: agenda approved 7–0; consent agenda restricted item carried 6–0; full consent carried 7–0; Be Smart resolution approved 5–1–1.",{"_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},6748036,"Board recognizes 'Be Smart' week after public testimony and debate on firearm storage",9499,764000,10263000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5617545-c52dd26933a0e40aded9a9fbe2a8e211&start=764&end=10263","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5617545-c52dd26933a0e40aded9a9fbe2a8e211/thumbnail_764000.jpg","/articles/6748036/Maryland/Board-recognizes-Be-Smart-week-after-public-testimony-and-debate-on-firearm-storage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6748036-5b307bd8fe0a9dc1b4ef584b6ad2c98d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447735&Signature=fZUyROcuYBvLKy-n93U9gDYvvoxXgqAU~GM5MeZO6lx43m5DD-qMVxJUdhhs0mtbSHoxPTljW0Z3EtHkfsFWY~EvO1Cpe1FWbOEgemngWsA0YgfkZyVCJXBgzVcznDhNIDGvSDPdW0RfE4WmVitx5bX3LbAWsfk7tfQIox0KGzGWIxPwr-DTsEu0kYRt4cuqyf7mB3GPZPN9jD8zt5tr5jSwnIeYEW4usmaENmyA-FmCo0lSb3Ja3guNVqBuF5ljyLmdNk7dCQwpRfSYaGJcVhGR6Frju-Sk45CNZCp2wmXiAYDPoPX9GAnt5MC8jLkL1V2MkipgfuSNDjyn0Qh5fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board member Miss Chamblee moved and Chair Mosley seconded a resolution recognizing August as Be Smart week, a countywide effort to encourage secure firearm storage in homes to reduce child and teen access to unsecured guns. The motion followed public testimony from multiple speakers including teacher Jessica Nichols, physician and gun‑safety advocate Dr. Andre DeStefano and a representative of the Howard County Education Association who urged the board to raise awareness and provide resources for families.

Teacher Jessica Nichols recounted an Oct. 4, 2022 lockdown hoax and said, \"Be Smart is a non partisan, common sense initiative that addresses a simple truth. Unsecured firearms are 1 of the greatest risks to our children both in and out of the classroom.\" Dr. Andre DeStefano, a physician and gun safety researcher, called for the district to inform families about evidence‑based secure storage practices and noted other Maryland jurisdictions that have distributed guidance.

Board members debated procedure before the vote, with one member asking that the board set a formal process for resolutions going forward; another member said the resolution stood on its own merit. When the motion was called, the vote recorded as follows: Miss Chamblee — yes; Miss Ricks — yes; Miss Watts — abstain (questioned procedural timing); Mr. Alistair — yes; Dr. Chen — no; Miss McCoy — yes; Miss Mosley — yes. The board clerk announced, \"Motion carries 5 1 1.\"

The resolution recognizes the value of educating families about secure storage practices and directs staff to provide information to families and the school community. Board members and presenters said the resolution is intended to be informational and to increase awareness; it does not change law or district policy.

","After public testimony from teachers, physicians and the Howard County Education Association urging secure firearm storage and education, the board moved and approved a resolution recognizing August as Be Smart week. The resolution passed 5–1–1 (five yes, one no, one abstention).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Howard County unveils multiyear special education strategic plan, pledges staffing and implementation steps

HCPSS proposes $27.1M in state‑eligible FY2027 projects; local match would bring total to $48.4M

Votes at a glance: routine approvals, consent items and Be Smart resolution (Aug. 21, 2025)

Board recognizes 'Be Smart' week after public testimony and debate on firearm storage