News

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month held each October raises awareness about the importance of cybersecurity across our Nation. This year’s theme Building a Cyber Strong America highlights the need to strengthen the country’s infrastructure against cyber threats, ensuring resilience and security. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month encourages everyone to take increased ownership of enhanced online activity and the important security practices that come along with it. CISA’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month website and Cyber Essentials – basic cyber best practices for business leaders offers resources that you can utilize to keep yourself safe online

This month especially, we ask that you talk to others about how to “Be Cyber Smart” and be sure to share Cybersecurity Awareness Month resources throughout your community. 

! CALL TO ACTION ! Explore the resources available on the HCPSS KnowBe4 cybersecurity training platform under the Library menu. If after reviewing the resource you have any questions, contact Technology Support at (410) 313-7004 option 4 or TechSupport@hcpss.org

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, HCPSS staff who are members of CVS/Caremark plans and diabetic will have access to engage in the Transform Diabetes Care program to help take care of their diabetes and overall health.  

The program provides members with:

• Support from a Certified Diabetes Care Nurse;
• Two digital vouchers annually for preventive diabetes and hypertension monitoring visits at any MinuteClinic, the walk-in medical clinic located inside many CVS Pharmacy locations; and
• Access to the Health Optimizer mobile app which helps members monitor their blood glucose and blood pressure as well other interventions and supports.

Eligible members will receive more information from CVS/Caremark by mail in the upcoming months.

Contact the Benefits Office at benefits@hcpss.org or 410-313-7333 for questions. 

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, HCPSS staff who are members of CVS/Caremark plans and interested in pursuing weight loss with or without GLP-1 medications will be required to enroll and engage in the CVS Weight Management program. This program will be offered at no cost to those enrolled and provide additional support to help members meet their goals and maintain healthy changes. Members will receive personalized nutrition counseling from a registered dietician in a virtual setting.  

Members who choose not to enroll in the program will need to pay the entire cost of the medication and it may not count towards their deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

CVS/Caremark will notify impacted members and their prescribing providers by mail.  This notification will include information about how to download the Health Optimizer app to enroll in the CVS Weight Management program.  

Contact the Benefits Office at benefits@hcpss.org or 410-313-7333 for questions. 

During the Thursday, Sept. 25 Board of Education meeting, the fiscal outlook for the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Operating Budget was presented. This presentation is the first of many discussions with the Board and other stakeholders that will continue over the next few months prior to the presentation of the Superintendent’s Proposed Operating Budget in January 2026. 

Read the full news item.

The Howard County Board of Education at its meeting on Sept. 25, 2025, approved the appointment of Dr. Melissa Brunson as the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Executive Director of Special Education effective Nov. 3.  

“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Brunson to the HCPSS team,” said HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes. “She is going to be a valuable addition to our community and help lead us forward as we implement the necessary adjustments and improvements within the Department of Special Education to better serve every student, staff member and family member.”  

Dr. Brunson currently serves as the Director of Special Education for Washington County Public Schools and brings more than 28 years of experience as a special education teacher, school-based leader and principal, and central office leader.  

“I am eager to collaborate with Dr. Brunson to advance the HCPSS Department of Special Education strategic plan priorities,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jennifer Webster. “Under her leadership, we will work diligently to accelerate student learning, increase staff support, and strengthen family and community engagement.”

Jennifer Riccardi, Acting Executive Director of Special Education, will continue to serve in this role until Nov. 3 and then will transition to her position as the Director of Elementary Special Education.  

“Jen has been a steadfast leader during this transitional time and I am truly grateful for the integral role she has played in supporting our special education community over the past several months," said Superintendent Barnes. “Her professionalism, expertise and passion will have a lasting impact on student outcomes, and I look forward to continuing our work together."

Here’s a little more about Dr. Brunson in her own words:

What attracted you to HCPSS? 

As both an educator and a parent in Howard County, I’ve had the opportunity to experience HCPSS from different perspectives. I’ve always admired the system’s commitment to innovation, inclusive practices, and genuine engagement with families and community partners. What stands out most to me is the dedication to meeting the diverse needs of every student. Those values deeply resonate with me, and they inspired my desire to bring my leadership experiences to HCPSS to help build on this strong foundation. 

What professional accomplishment from your career are you proud of? 

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is leading the creation of a central office support system designed specifically for schools. By putting collaboration protocols in place, making regular school visits, and facilitating structured consultations, we were able to provide job-embedded training and tailored supports that directly aligned with each school’s needs. This work strengthened the skills of staff working most closely with students, especially our neurodivergent learners, and built a stronger sense of shared responsibility. It not only deepened understanding of each school’s unique context but also helped create a culture where everyone felt accountable for supporting students with disabilities to succeed.

What do you hope to accomplish on behalf of students, staff and families in Howard County?

As the Executive Director of Special Education, my goal is to build on HCPSS’s strengths while making sure that every student, staff member, and family feels seen, heard, and supported. I want to ensure that decisions are always grounded in what is best for students, and that our schools continue to be places of belonging, growth, and opportunity. Ultimately, I hope to help create an environment where everyone—students, educators, and families alike—has the tools and support to thrive. 

The following information is applicable to the certificated staff listed below. 

Teachers, administrators, school psychologists, school counselors, liaisons, student engagement teachers, social workers, pupil personnel workers, community school site coordinators, and related service providers, should register on Frontline for HCPSS Systemic Professional Learning: Unified By Design (PIP Session) (3 PDPs) (TPD8511). These school-based sessions will be held during PIP sessions in October, December, March and May. 

Staff will receive 0.75 professional development points (PDPs) towards licensure renewal for each session they attend. Staff must preregister for each session and are required to sign in on the day of the event in order to receive PDPs. Sign-in sheets will be cross referenced against Frontline Professional Learning Management (PLM) system registration to verify attendance, participation and PDPs.

Health Checks

As the fall season gets underway and many activities move indoors, we often experience an increase in the spread of the flu, colds, COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. 

All staff should conduct daily health checks prior to entering any HCPSS building and/or school bus, and are reminded to stay home if they are experiencing symptom(s) associated with any communicable disease. 

Infection control prevents or stops the spread of infections, and may include standard precaution methods. Learn more about HCPSS protocols, how these conditions are managed at school, and how they can be handled at home. 

Vaccination Clinics

Due to extenuating circumstances, HCPSS will not offer in-school/office seasonal flu or COVID vaccination clinics this year. Staff are encouraged to contact their doctor for vaccination information, or consider accessing vaccinations from local pharmacies, urgent care centers, retail stores, etc. Additionally, the Howard County Health Department will offer free flu shots at various community events this fall. 

This following information is applicable to veterans only. 

HCPSS is interested in identifying which staff members have served in the U.S. Armed Forces for recognition purposes only. If you are a veteran and would like to share this information, please complete this brief form.

Staff are reminded that HCPSS policies provide expectations for staff who post to social media, even for personal reasons. Staff who are recognized as employees of HCPSS may be held accountable for inappropriate, harmful, and illegal content posted on social media and other online platforms.

Specifically, Policy 8080 - Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media states: “An employee’s use of personal social media may not disrupt the work/school environment, impair their ability to perform their HCPSS duties effectively, undermine supervisory authority, and/or compromise working relationships within HCPSS schools and offices. Any postings by employees will not reference, link or contain statements that could be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening or intimidating; that disparage students, employees, parents or community members; or that could be viewed as harassment or bullying.”

Additionally, Policy 7030 - Employee Conduct and Discipline states that disciplinary may be warranted for “Inappropriate use of email, internet, or other electronic communication.” and “Conduct negatively affecting an employee’s fitness to perform their duties and responsibilities, including serving as a role model for students.”

Ultimately, it is the expectation of the Board of Education and Howard County Public School System that all staff conduct themselves at all times, including online, in ways that will not cause harm to students or disruption to the school and work environment.

Beginning 1/1/2026 under Secure Act 2.0, new IRS rules will impact all HCPSS 403(b) plans.  All 403(b) plans will be required to offer a post-tax Roth account.  Additionally, there are changes to the catch-up provision for employees age 50 and older.  

The new catch-up provision will be as follows:

• Individuals ages 50-59 can contribute an additional $7,500 annually in catch-up
• Individuals ages 60-63 can contribute an additional $11,250 annually in catch-up
• Individuals ages 64+ can contribute an additional $7,500 annually in catch-up

Individuals earning $145,000 or more must make any elected catch-up contributions to their Roth (post-tax) account.

More information will be provided in upcoming weeks and during Open Enrollment.  Workday will be configured to ensure that employees do not exceed their maximum allowable contributions.

The Benefits Office will implement a blackout period for changes to 403(b) contributions during the month of December 2025 to ensure Secure 2.0 limits are accurately reflected for 2026.