News

As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen account security, HCPSS will enable Duo Number Matching for multi-factor authentication (MFA), effective this Friday, October 31, 2025.

This enhancement, also known as Verified Push, adds a short verification step to help prevent accidental or fraudulent approvals during login.

What’s Changing?

When logging in with Duo Push, you may occasionally see a three-digit number on your computer or device screen. To approve the login, simply select or enter that same number in the Duo Mobile app.

This feature helps ensure that only legitimate login attempts are approved, significantly reducing the risk of phishing or “push fatigue” attacks.

What You Need to Know

• The change takes effect Oct. 31, 2025.
• The number prompt may appear intermittently when using Duo Push through the Duo Mobile app.
• Duo Number Matching only applies to Duo Mobile push notifications, not YubiKey USB keys. If you use a YubiKey (USB key) for MFA authentication, this change does not affect you.

Call to Action

No immediate action is required. On Friday, Oct. 31 when you next login and are prompted for number matching, simply follow the on-screen instructions.

If you have any questions, contact Technology Support at (410) 313-7004 (option 4) or TechSupport@hcpss.org

Together, we can make HCPSS more secure — one smart click at a time.

The annual Benefits Open Enrollment period will be held Oct. 27-Nov. 14. Open Enrollment is the annual time period where benefits-eligible employees may make changes to their benefits elections for the upcoming plan year. Employees should review their personal information, the benefits being offered by HCPSS, and the plans that they are enrolled in to determine if they would like to make any changes. HCPSS will continue to offer the same comprehensive benefits program in Plan Year 2026.

Benefits Information

Details regarding Open Enrollment are posted online, including:

• Open Enrollment Page
• 2026 Open Enrollment Newsletter
• 2026 Benefits Enrollment Guide

Benefits Selections

All benefit selections must be made in Workday. Each benefit category will have its own benefit tile, making it easier for employees to navigate and to enroll/make changes to benefit elections. 

To review, enroll and/or make changes in Workday:

1. Log in to Workday using your Active Directory user name and password
2. Go to your Workday inbox and select the Open Enrollment task.
3. Click on “Let’s get Started” and follow the prompts to proceed with your enrollment.
4. Upon making changes to your benefit elections you must click ”submit” for the changes to take effect for 01/01/2026.
5. Print a copy of your benefits confirmation page for your records.

Virtual Benefits Fairs

Employees will have the opportunity to learn more about their benefit options by attending a Virtual Benefits Fair. Carrier representatives and HCPSS Benefits staff will be available to meet, provide information and answer any benefit questions. Please note that the virtual fairs and accompanying chat rooms are accessible to all HCPSS active employees and families and are not confidential so please be mindful of disclosing any personal information.

Virtual fairs will be held from 10:30 a.m.-noon, and from 1-4:30 p.m. on:

• Wednesday, October 29
• Tuesday, November 4
• Monday, November 10

The Virtual Benefits Fairs will be accessible by visiting www.employeewellnesshub.com/hcpss. (Note: this is a third-party website that is not managed or supported by HCPSS)

Additional Information

• Open Enrollment will not be extended. The last day for Open Enrollment is Friday, November 14, 2025.
• For staff who do not wish to make any changes to your medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, supplemental life, critical illness, accident and /or whole life insurance benefits, your benefits elections will continue for Plan Year 2026.
• All staff must make a new election for flexible Spending Accounts, if you wish to enroll. Your 2025 FSA election(s) will not carry over to Plan Year 2026. HCPSS has a new FSA provider, Flexible Benefit Administrators, effective 01/01/2026.
  • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - 2026 FSA annual maximum is $3300.
  • Dependent Care FSA - 2026 New Annual maximum is $7500 per household.

Questions?

HCPSS Benefits Call Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. by calling 410-313-7333, Option 1. You also may email questions to benefits@hcpss.org.

Office Hours are available by appointment on Wednesdays. Schedule an appointment by calling (410) 313-7333 Option 1.
 

The following is shared on behalf of the Maryland State Department of Education:

Phones in Focus is a national research study led by University of Pennsylvania Professor Angela Duckworth and other researchers. Its aim is to give educators an opportunity to inform and improve school cell phone policies and their implementation.

Last school year, 7,863 Maryland educators took the survey, ranking Maryland #2 in the nation for participation. Now, Maryland educators are asked to again join this landmark study on school cell phone policies. 

Access the survey at www.phonesinfocus.org.

• Just 5 minutes
• Completely confidential
• Be entered to win one of ten $500 gift cards
• Instant snapshot of national results
   

Do you enjoy singing? Please consider joining the Howard County Employee Chorus. No previous chorus experience necessary; just a love for singing. 

Learn more about and/or sign up for the Employee Chorus at the following:

• Employee Chorus video
• Registration form

Contact Caleb Lee with any questions.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and this week’s focus is on Artificial Intelligence and Social Engineering, two growing tactics used by attackers to trick users into revealing sensitive data. By understanding how AI-driven scams and social engineering schemes work, you can help safeguard both your personal information and HCPSS systems.

Call to Action - Take a few minutes to review these quick awareness modules in KnowBe4 to learn how to recognize and report potential threats. Go to the Staff Hub and selecting Services > KnowBe4 > Library to find the following resources:

• AI and Sensitive Info Don’t Mix (2 mins)
• AI, Phishing, and Cybersafety (5 mins)
• Insights From a Hacker: Social Engineering Red Flags (10 mins)

When in the KnowBe4 Library, use the arrow on the right to see additional awareness modules.

If you have any questions, contact Technology Support at (410) 313-7004 (option 4) or abuse@hcpss.org

Together, we can make HCPSS more secure — one smart click at a time.

Due to rapidly escalating benefits costs, effective March 31, 2026, the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) has made the decision to discontinue coverage of GLP-1 medications used for weight management. Additionally, no new prescriptions for GLP-1 medications for weight management will be approved after Dec.1, 2025. 

Employees receiving GLP-1 medications for diabetes treatment will not be impacted by this change in coverage.  

This change in coverage may be a difficult transition for some people. Those who currently use a GLP-1 medication for weight management are encouraged to utilize the time before March 31, 2026, to discuss treatment options with their provider.

The HCPSS Benefits Advisory Committee (BAC) has been deeply involved in evaluating the impact of escalating costs associated with GLP-1 medications and recommended the discontinuation of coverage for weight management. The BAC is composed of representatives of the Board of Education, each of the employee bargaining units, and from the retired employees’ association.

Throughout the past two years, the cost to HCPSS for coverage of GLP-1 medications for weight management has increased from $485,000 over a three-month span, to over $3.6M over three months. Without adjustments, employee premiums were projected to increase by 19.5% and the increase for HCPSS for fiscal year 2027 would have been 25.5% or $47 million. With the proposed changes, the employee premium increase will be 13.3% and the HCPSS increased allocation will be around $30 million.  

With this change in coverage, the CVS Weight Management Program, which was previously announced with the goal of reducing GLP-1-related benefits costs, will no longer be in place.

The annual benefits Open Enrollment period will run Monday, Oct. 27 through Friday, Nov. 14. This is the annual time period where employees can make any changes to their benefits for the 2026 plan year. If you do not wish to make any changes to your current benefits, then you do not need to take any action; your current benefits will roll over into the new plan year. The only benefit you must actively re-elect is your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Health Care FSA amounts and Dependent Care FSA amounts must be elected each plan year, if you wish to participate in this benefit.

Employees will be able to make changes to their benefits through Workday during the Open Enrollment period. More information will be shared once Open Enrollment begins, and throughout the Open Enrollment period. Information about Open Enrollment will be posted on the Benefits website prior to Oct. 27, and shared via the Staff Hub throughout the process.

Questions about Open Enrollment can be directed to benefits@hcpss.org or 410-313-7333.
 

A new circular is now available for all staff. Circular #2017 - Asbestos Notification 2025-2026 serves as notification, as required by law, of the availability for public review of Asbestos Management Plans for the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS).

HCPSS circulars are to share information when that information is needed by staff systemwide and is not specific to a particular school/location or position/job class. All HCPSS staff are responsible for adhering to the guidelines and procedures outlined in the circulars. Circulars are released on July 1, and subsequently as needed throughout the year. When a new circular is added, staff will be notified via Staff Hub post/email. Circulars are available anytime in Canvas (staff login required), which also can be accessed from the Staff Hub under the Services dropdown menu.

Helping people use their strengths to overcome obstacles and unlock their potential is Barbara Baker’s passion. That same passion to help people problem-solve and achieve has driven Baker’s nearly 20-year career with the Howard County Public School System.

Learn more about Barbara and how her passions drive her role as HCPSS’ Facilitator of Extended School Year Services in this HCPSS Staff Focus article.

This following information is applicable to veterans only. 

As we prepare to honor Veterans Day, we would like to recognize and celebrate the veterans among our HCPSS staff. To do this, we are collecting information from staff members who have served in the military. If you are a veteran and would like to share this information, please complete this brief form if you have not already done so.