Why are we redistricting?: 
This boundary adjustment is to open high school 13 in Jessup and to make use of additional seats being added to Hammond High School.   
Where in the process are we are now?: 
The online survey has been extended until July 22.  
What lies ahead?:
In September (currently scheduled for September 1 at 4pm) the superintendent will present his plan to the BOE.  
The BOE will then hear from the community at public hearings as well as via mailed or emailed testimony.  The final decision will be made by the BOE in November to go into effect for the 23-24 school year.  
How can you be involved?:
If you haven't already, fill out the online survey.  ​encuesta en español
You don't have to comment on every aspect of the plan or choose one of the four.  There is space for free response to share your thoughts and concerns.  It is really important to be involved early because new law requires additional public hearings if new areas not in the original plan are added after the initial hearings.  It seems unlikely to me that they will want to make a lot of changes after the superintendent's plan is released.  You can also email the board and superintendent now if you have helpful input in creating the best possible plan. 
[email protected]
[email protected]
mailing address:
Chair
Board of Education
Howard County Public School System
10910 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Important Dates (visit hcpss.org for the most up to date info, dates may change):
​July 22- Last day to do online survey
Sept 1- Superintendent presents preliminary boundary adjustment plan to BOE, 4pm
Sept 7- Public Hearing #1, 7pm
Sept 14- Public Hearing #2, 7pm
Sept 21- Work Session #1, 4pm
Sept 28- Work Session #2, 4pm

It was an even fuller house this time around at the 4pm session of the BOE meeting.  Many were in attendance to honor the outgoing student member of the board, Peter Banyas, and to honor and recognize those who had been promoted to administrative leadership positions.  There were many family members in attendance, including kids of all ages getting the opportunity they might not have had in a long time of sitting quietly through a mostly boring to them meeting.  (It's hard when you can't see over the person in front of you!)  It was incredibly sweet to see so many proud family and friends.  

Public Forum topics included:
gratitude for HCPSS an Howard County library system partnership and materials representing all families
Healthy school start times- asking for robust communications plan, highlighting the benefits and need for school start time changes

Next up was the signing of the contract with American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

The SMOB gave his final report, recapping the highlights and accomplishments of his year on the board.  

The superintendent's report started with the recognition of many who were promoted.  He touched on summer programs that had already started and those that would be starting soon.  He mentioned the summer meals program, the availability of take home covid tests for those participating in summer programs, and the extension of the deadline to express interest in participating in virtual focus groups on redistricting.  (The new deadline is Friday, July 1, by 5pm.  The form is at the end of the feasiblity study survey.)

A report was presented on the program evaluation that was performed on Ukeru.  Ukeru, which means "receive" in Japanese, is a comforting and restraint free crisis management program.  It was being evaluated as an alternative to restraints.  Hanover Hills, Thunder Hill, and Waterloo Elementary schools were program implementation sites.  There were a lot of questions and discussion on this program, the currently used program, safety care, and what should be done going forward.  If you'd like to view the discussion in full, on this or any other item, you can go directly to that portion of the agenda in the meeting video by clicking on the agenda item (it's 8. A Program evaluation of Ukeru System).  

School Start Times Update
The consultants gave their update on the process and sought the board's direction on the transportation service model and technology improvements.  Here is the full report.  Here is the power point presentation.  The recommendations were approved.  

I did not attend the 7pm session in person, I instead headed over to Long Reach HS for the first redistricting community session, which I will comment on in my next post.  I did catch the 7pm session online at a later time and took these notes.  

There was no one signed up for public forum.

Bids and Contracts were approved.  The next quarterly agenda was approved with a discussion of cell phone usage at school to be added.   

The audit plan was also approved.  The Operating Budget Review Committee (OBRC) gave their final report for this school year.  The board did their evaluation of the OBRC and rechartered it for next year.  There was some discussion on what groups should be potentially added or removed from having a seat on the OBRC but no changes passed at this meeting.  

The final report of the night was on instructional use of technology.  There was a motion to look into the feasibility of not charging families for damage to chrome books which passed.  

I attended the 4pm meeting in person but had to catch up virtually with the 7pm session due to our middle school orchestra concert.  
It was nice to be back in person to observe the meeting.  The last time I had been there had been for public forum in May 2021, speaking for the last time as PTA President on behalf of the EES PTA.  At that point people were allowed in to testify or speak at public forum by appointment, and ushered out at the conclusion of their remarks.  

The meeting began with public forum during which topics covered included support for Pride Week and LGBTQ students, concerns about restraint and seclusion, gratitude for additional summer meals site, and concern over backlash against LGBTQ affirming events.  

The superintendent announced many new administrative appointments and promotions as well as administrative transfers.  Current Long Reach High School principal, Joshua Wasilewski, was announced as the first principal for the 13th high school which will open in school year 23-24.  

The student member of the board recapped the board's visit to the three school construction/renovation projects currently underway in his report.  

The superintendent's report included an in person celebration of teacher and principal of the year winners from 2020, 2021, and 2022.  Other topics mentioned included high school graduations, the Bright Minds Foundation Celebration, a meeting with Congressman Sarbanes and County Executive Ball on expanding mental health supports, the state superintendent visiting HCPSS, and a celebration of 237 staff who are retiring.  The superintendent also made mention of the naming process for the new high school, which is governed by policy 6050.  A naming committee will be convened in September which will submit a recommendation to the board in January.  

A report was presented on school start times.  The final bell times schedule will not be set until redistricting is complete but a first draft will be shared in July.  Bus routing will take place in late fall and early winter.  Approximately 4000 students could be affected by the change to the walk zones in the proposed updates to policy 5200.  Walking distance is measuring walkable paths.  Two action items will be presented at the next board meeting.  

Policy 4060 Medicaid Reimbursement for Health-Related Services - approved effective immediately
Policy 6060 Community Improvements to School Sites or School Facilities- approved effective July 1, 2022
Policy 4050 Procurement of Goods and/or Services- approved effective July 1, 2022
Policy 8020 Grading and Reporting: Middle and High School- Report  Proposed Changes **Public hearing will be July 14 and Board action on August 16**
Dr. Walker mentioned that course lists for next year are now available on synergy under more options, 2022-2023 courses (for the grades that have class choices).  I immediately looked up my rising 9th grader's classes.  Schedules and teacher assignments will be available late summer.

Feasibility study presentation began.  

7pm session
Public forum topics included concern about restraint and seclusion, supporting LGBTQ students, and concerns about school shootings

The redistricting consultants continued the presentation, covering the portion with potential redistricting scenarios.  
There is an online survey, community input meetings during the summer, planned focus groups that people can apply to participate in, and then public hearings in the fall.  

I will have lots more to share about redistricting in a future post.

-Meg