News

Several circulars recently have been posted/updated:

• #0004 – Policies 1070, 3000 & 9050; Updates for 7070 IP & 8080 IP
• #0005 – Campaign Activities by Staff on School Property
• #0011 – Religious Cultural Observances 2026-2027
• #4003 – 2026-2027 Furnishing School Book Covers

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 circular is added or updated, staff will be notified via Staff Hub post/email. 

Circulars are available anytime in Canvas (staff login required), which can be accessed from the Staff Hub under the Services dropdown menu, or Hub homepage Featured Applications button.

Several new features are now available in theLightspeed Parent Portal that increase parental oversight at home. Parents/Guardians can now create internet activity schedules, block specific groups of websites and create a custom block list. As a reminder, settings created by parents in the portal are active when students are logged into HCPSS Chromebooks off the school system’s network. Learn about all the features of the Lightspeed Parent Portal on the HCPSS website and direct parents to the website to learn how they can sign up.  

As a reminder, Lightspeed Classroom is a software application that allows teachers, during specified timeframes, to control how a student uses their HCPSS-issued Chromebook, including viewing student screens, sharing resources, locking devices, reviewing class activity, and restricting some non-instructional sites. Teachers who wish to use the tool must complete the required Classroom Management professional learning module to ensure compliance with student data privacy policies and access, and learn how to use the application.

Nominations are now open for the Howard County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) 3rd Annual Gladiator Awards, which celebrate individuals who go above and beyond to support, advocate for, and uplift students within special education.

Recognize someone who has made a meaningful impact by completing an online nomination form, which closes Friday, May 15 at 5 p.m.

More information is available online.

Recognition and Support for Maintenance of National Board Certification

The information below reflects changes in the Low Performing Schools identified for the 2026-2027 school year following the vote at the Jan. 29, 2026, Board of Education meeting, and supersedes any previous details shared.

Background

In 2021, the Maryland State Legislature passed the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which raises the status of the teaching profession and encourages professional development through a performance-based Career Ladder with salaries comparable to those in other professional fields with similar education requirements. Through Blueprint, teacher salary progression and classroom performance will be linked to teacher achievement of National Board Certification (NBC).

Impacted Staff

In partnership, HCPSS and HCEA have determined this includes all staff who have the following workflows in the Frontline Employee Management and Evaluation System:

• Non-tenured teacher
• Tenured teacher
• Elementary library media specialist
• Infant and toddlers teacher

This includes all staff that have Student Learning Objectives.

It does not include staff who have the following workflows:

• Alternative education teacher
• Central office leader
• Instructional specialist
• Pupil personnel worker
• Related service provider
• School counselor
• Secondary library media specialist
• Social Worker/Mental Health Therapist
• Support teacher

NBCT Pay Increase Details

Teachers successfully completing the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certification program (NBPTS), also known as National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs), who are not primarily responsible and accountable for teaching students in the classroom, shall receive an annual supplement of $2,000 each year their NBPTS certificate remains in good standing.

In accordance with the Blueprint law, teachers successfully completing the NBPTS, who are primarily responsible and accountable for teaching students in the classroom, shall receive an annual supplement of $10,000 each year their NBPTS certificate remains in good standing. To view these scales, see the Board of Education/HCEA Master Agreement, Appendix B (this document will be updated when the master agreement is ratified).

Additionally, NBCTs who teach at schools that are low performing, as defined by the Blueprint law, shall receive an additional annual supplement of $7,000. The NBCT will continue to receive these monies even if the school ceases to be low-performing while the teacher is at the school and remains in an eligible position.

See the Master Agreement, Notes: Article 20, Salary Schedules (this document will be updated when the master agreement is ratified) for complete details.

NBCTs Working at a Low Performing School

NBCTs staying or moving to a Low Performing School will receive an additional $7,000 added to their salary. As long as they stay at that school, an NBCT will continue to earn the salary increase, even if the school shows improvement and is no longer identified as a low performing school.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) created two categories of Low Performing School identification: 

• State Defined (Required) - schools identified as 1-star and 2-star schools that are not alternative schools. 
• Local Flexibility (Optional) - bottom 10% of local schools in the state accountability system..

The HCPSS schools designated as locally Low Performing Schools for the 2026-2027 school year are: 

• Cedar Lane School (State Defined)

More information on the HCPSS NBC program can be found on Canvas.

The HCPSS Rethink Professional Learning Strategy Team is reimagining professional learning (PL) for staff. The core goal is to create a robust PL environment that elevates student achievement through ongoing, job-embedded learning that supports the actualization of the HCPSS Strategic Plan. 

The Rethink Team is seeking input from educator participants in this year's school-based systemic PL sessions (PIPs/Faculty Meetings) aligned with the districtwide professional learning plan. If you are interested in participation, please use this form to register for a virtual feedback session. 

HCPSS Superintendent William J. Barnes today announced the recipients of the school system’s annual principal and teachers of the year award:

• Principal of the Year: Dan Notari, Cradlerock Elementary
• Teacher of the Year: Samantha Mathis, West Friendship Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Kacy Valentine, Lake Elkhorn Middle School

Each recipient was named during surprise visits at their respective schools, and will be recognized at an upcoming Howard County Board of Education meeting. The three also serve as the HCPSS nominees for Washington Post Principal of the Year, Washington Post Teacher of the Year (Mathis) and Maryland State Department of Education Teacher of the Year (Valentine).

Congratulations to these outstanding employees, and all those nominated!

HCPSS educators interested in pursuing National Board Certification (NBC) are invited to attend an upcoming virtual information session, scheduled to be held: 

• April 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• May 6, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
• May 18, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Registration is required for each session. 

Attendees will gain: 

• A basic understanding of the National Board Certification (NBC) process and benefits;
• Knowledge of HCPSS candidate supports including a Towson University post-baccalaureate certificate program aligned with the work of NBC; and
• Information to access and complete the scholarship application. 

Additional information, including details on NBC eligibility and how to log into the sessions, is available online and in the NBC Canvas community. 

Contact Jennifer Hlavka, coordinator of National Board Certification and Teacher Career Pathways, with questions.

The Howard County Parents for School Music is accepting nominations for the 2026 Music Educator of the Year through Friday, May 1.

Any HCPSS full-time music teacher with three years of full-time experience in Howard County by the time of nomination is eligible. Teachers who have received the award may be considered again after five years. Teachers who have been finalists may be nominated again the following year.

Nominations may be made by anyone familiar with the teacher's work - parents, students, other teachers, site-based or central office administrators, and Board of Education members.

Complete details are available online.

This is a reminder that staff IDs must be worn and visible at all times while inside all HCPSS buildings. The intent is for all staff to be easily identified by students, visitors, and other staff throughout the day. 

Please note: 

• IDs should be worn on a lanyard or clipped to clothing so it can be easily seen. 
• IDs should not be covered, turned around, or placed in a pocket, bag, or desk. 

These expectations support safety, accountability, and the ability to quickly identify authorized individuals in our buildings. 

Additional information on obtaining a staff ID can be found online. 

Thank you for helping ensure our school and office environments remain safe and secure. 

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Class of 2026 graduation ceremony schedule is now available and listed below.

All ceremonies are scheduled to take place at Merriweather Post Pavilion, with the exception of Cedar Lane School, which will be held at that school. Graduations will be available for viewing live online and on-demand following each ceremony, and will be rebroadcast on the HCPSS local cable channel in Howard County (Comcast 95, Verizon 42).

Senior activities and exams will be Monday, May 18-Friday, May 22. Tuesday, May 26 will be the last day for all seniors.

High schools will share specifics with their staff and families, as details become available. Additional graduation details and information are available online.

The schedule of graduation ceremonies is as follows:

Tuesday, May 26

• 10 a.m., Cedar Lane School (at Cedar Lane)

Thursday, May 28

• 11 a.m., Mt. Hebron High School
• 3 p.m., Oakland Mills High School
• 7 p.m., River Hill High School

Friday, May 29

• 11 a.m., Reservoir High School
• 3 p.m., Wilde Lake High School

Monday, June 1

• 11 a.m., Atholton High School
• 3 p.m., Guilford Park High School
• 7 p.m., Centennial High School

Tuesday, June 2

• 11 a.m., Marriotts Ridge High School
• 3 p.m., Hammond High School
• 7 p.m., Glenelg High School

Wednesday, June 3

• 11 a.m., Long Reach High School
• 3 p.m., Howard High School