News

This information has been updated to reflect the changes in the Low Performing Schools identified for the 2025-2026 school year following the vote at the April 9, 2025 Board of Education meeting.

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

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 in 2019 and 2022 accountability. HCPSS had no State Defined schools in 2022-2023 & 2023-2024. 
• Local Flexibility (Optional) - bottom 10% of local schools in the state accountability system. HCPSS does not have any Local Flexibility schools for the 2025-2026 school year.

The HCPSS schools designated as locally Low Performing Schools for the 2025-2026 school year are: 

• Harper’s Choice Middle School (State Defined)
• Lake Elkhorn Middle School (State Defined)

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

Last month, HCPSS implemented adjustments to Board of Education Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media; specifically, guidelines pertaining to student use of personal devices during the school day.

! Share Your Feedback ! 
HCPSS staff are encouraged to provide input on implementation, and any impact they may have seen as a result. Please complete a brief online survey by Wednesday, April 16.

Staff input and reflections on the policy adjustments and implementation is crucial to help inform any necessary modifications moving forward.

More information is available online.

The HCPSS Get To Know series was created to help staff learn more about system leaders in schools and offices with whom they may not typically interact. HCPSS leaders answer a mix of personal and professional questions in an effort to let all employees get to know them better. Please use this form to nominate an HCPSS leader to be featured in the series.

Why did you choose to work in education?
For decades, I’ve had the privilege of working in the school system—not as an educator, but as someone coordinating student transportation. Ensuring students are safely transported to and from school is a vital responsibility, one I take seriously. My early exposure to this field began with my family who own a school bus company. As a child, I would often ride along, meeting new students and school staff members. This experience instilled in me a deep understanding of the importance of exceptional customer service, even in the face of challenges.

Over the years, I’ve learned the critical value of practicing effective time management, addressing problems holistically, and finding innovative solutions to unexpected issues. Most importantly, I’ve embraced the mantra that it’s always better to arrive early than late—understanding how even small delays can ripple through schedules and cause larger complications.

One vivid memory from my childhood stands out: my first day riding a school bus. My dad was providing transportation for The Maryland School for the Blind. I was captivated by the students, their energetic spirits, and positive attitudes. At that age, I didn’t fully comprehend disabilities but I instinctively wanted to help. For the student without a voice, I felt compelled to speak up. For the student with limited mobility, I wished to assist with movement. Though it didn’t entirely make sense to me then, as I grew older, I realized that my desire to help and inspire those unable to help themselves was a core part of who I am.

I never imagined that providing transportation services would become the mechanism to achieve this goal yet it has allowed me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of so many.

What is your role within HCPSS?
As a coordinator in the Office of Student Transportation, I oversee staff to ensure the successful implementation of initiatives with a primary focus on specialized services and training. One of my key responsibilities includes coordinating specialized services with school officials, department leaders, and other stakeholders to meet the transportation needs of our students. I also facilitate meetings and oversee professional development for school vehicle drivers and attendants to address issues, develop solutions, support staff, and represent the district. These tasks demand a significant investment of time and effort, reflecting the critical nature of my role in ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient transportation for all students.

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
The best advice I have received is to always treat others the way you want to be treated. Staying Focused, Fruitful, Faithful and grounded can really keep you on track and ready for whatever life throws your way. So stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.

What is something you like a lot that would surprise people?
I like giving back to my community by volunteering and helping others in need.

What is on your bucket list?
Someday, I hope to travel abroad with my family, exploring different countries and immersing ourselves in their unique cultures.

What is your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is by Maya Angelou: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Reminder!

HCPSS staff members who fall into one of the following categories, and who are parents or legal guardians of graduating seniors, may choose to present the diploma to their child(ren) at the student's commencement ceremony. 

• Current Permanent Staff
• Elementary Lunch/Recess Monitors who have been a Lunch/Recess Monitor since September 30, 2024
• Substitutes who have consistently supported HCPSS by substituting 100+* days since the start of the 2023/2024 school year (*8/28/2023-2/26/2025)

Parents/guardians who wish to present diplomas must notify your child's graduation coordinator by April 11.

As was previously shared with all staff, at its Feb. 27 meeting, the Board of Education approved making March 31 a full day for students, shifting the scheduled Professional Work and Development Day for school staff to Monday, April 14, which is the first day of spring break.

Please review the expectations for staff work on Monday, April 14:

• All staff are scheduled to work on 4/14 except Student Assistants, Interpreters and 10-month Food Service Workers, as they were not scheduled to work on 3/31.
• All school-based staff who were not previously scheduled to work on 4/14 (10- and 11-month staff and administrators) will be able to work virtually that day.
• Registrars who were already scheduled to work on 4/14 on their “X Calendar” will need to work with their supervisor to schedule an additional workday.

Lightspeed has launched a new Class Highlights feature. Class Highlights will appear minutes after the class session has ended. In the new Class Highlights tab, teachers will see the following: 

• Most accessed sites: Top accessed sites that class session, if they’re an educational site, and the number of students who accessed it. Helps teachers understand key tools or resources their class is engaged with.
• Most accessed non-educational sites: Top accessed sites that class session that were specifically non-educational. Helps teachers identify potential distractions or determine if these sites were used appropriately.
• Class insights: Predetermined prompts that teachers can select to get AI-generated insights about class engagement to inform how teachers can improve learning effectiveness.
  • Prompt 1: Help me understand when my students are most and least engaged during class.
  • Prompt 2: Help me identify websites that should be added to my block list to minimize distractions.
  • Prompt 3: Help me identify off-task students who might need extra support to stay on-task based on their browsing habits.

Considerations

• AI Interpretation: Remember that AI interprets the data and does not have full visibility into classroom dynamics. Teachers should use professional judgement along with classroom observations to verify and confirm the AI-generated insights.
• Data Privacy: The AI tool cannot access students' personally identifiable information (PII). To ensure student privacy, the analysis is based solely on anonymized data.

Sample:

The HCPSS Class of 2025 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).

The last day for all seniors will be Tuesday, May 20.

Additional graduation-related details are available online.

The schedule of graduation ceremonies is as follows:

Wednesday, May 21

• 10:00 a.m., Cedar Lane (at Cedar Lane School)
• 3:00 p.m., Wilde Lake High School

Thursday, May 22

• 11:00 a.m., Oakland Mills High School
• 3:00 p.m., River Hill High School
• 7:00 p.m., Long Reach High School

Tuesday, May 27

• 3:00 p.m., Hammond High School
• 7:00 p.m., Reservoir High School

Wednesday, May 28

• 11:00 a.m., Mt. Hebron High School
• 3:00 p.m., Centennial High School
• 7:00 p.m., Howard High School

Thursday, May 29

• 11:00 a.m., Atholton High School
• 3:00 p.m., Glenelg High School
• 7:00 p.m., Marriotts Ridge High School

HCPSS is committed to providing all educators with the access and opportunity to pursue National Board Certification and receive the best support in the nation from HCPSS National Board Certified teacher leaders. Educators who will be tenured as of July 2025 are encouraged to attend an upcoming 2025 National Board Certification Scholarship & Information session (see attached). Attendees will learn more about the National Board Certification process, how to receive a full candidacy scholarship, and an exciting Towson post-baccalaureate certificate opportunity aligned with the work of NBC that also fulfills requirements toward a master's degree.

RSVP Today!

Login with your HCPSS credentials to RSVP for an upcoming virtual information session. Remaining sessions will be offered April 2, 28 and 30.

Did You Know?

• National Board Certification achievement is the highest national certification for teachers and recognizes and rewards highly accomplished teaching (highly valued in HCPSS and across the country).
• Studies show the substantial impact NBCTs have on their students and the process is cited as the “single best” professional learning experience many HCPSS teachers have ever experienced (with real results!).
• Teacher Candidates receive 3 CPD credits (45 hours) for completing the process and an additional 3 CPD credits (45 hours) when they achieve (which satisfies MSDE licensure hour expectations for a recertification cycle).
• Eligible teachers receive an income adjustment upon achievement- $10,000 - $17,000.
• A partnership between HCPSS and MSDE and scholarship process pays for the entire cost of submission.
• The NBC process builds artifacts towards the HCPSS Teacher Evaluation process.
• HCPSS has the best support program in the state to help you through the process along with many leadership opportunities upon achievement.

Email Jennifer Hlavka with any questions and join the HCPSS NBC Canvas community to stay connected!

The HCPSS Get To Know series was created to help staff learn more about system leaders in schools and offices with whom they may not typically interact. HCPSS leaders answer a mix of personal and professional questions in an effort to let all employees get to know them better. Please use this form to nominate an HCPSS leader to be featured in the series.

Why did you choose to work in education?
I am the oldest of seven children born to teen parents. My mom always wanted to be a teacher but due to adversity in her life, this dream was never possible. She would often share with my siblings and I that education was our "ticket" to a better life and endless possibilities. In high school I knew that a life in education was my dream as well, so I pursued this path in college. My goal each day both as a teacher and as an administrator was and continues to be to ensure that my students look forward to coming to school each day.

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
I would often seek out leadership opportunities early in my career. A mentor of mine shared that the best way to be recognized and offered leadership opportunities is to be the best teacher you can possibly be. He elaborated by sharing that rather than looking for the next opportunity, love what you do each day, give it your all, and the rest will take care of itself. 

What is something you like a lot that would surprise people?
At one point I had the goal of running a marathon in every state. I was able to check off many states prior to having a family of my own but things slowed a bit once my wife and I began having children. To date, I have run 24 marathons, five 50k races, and four 50-mile races. My kids have told me I should run at least one more, so I’m thinking of doing another 50-miler in the near future.

What is on your bucket list?
I would love to take a trip to Italy to visit extended family.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
While in college, I sold spring break trips for a travel company. I received free trips as a reward for hitting certain marks. One place I visited that I loved was Mont Tremblant in Québec, Canada. The village we stayed in was like something you'd see in a movie. The snowboarding was amazing as well!

Reminder! Effective April 1, all employee expense report payments will only be issued as direct deposits.

Why is this change happening? The decision to move completely to direct deposits was made to streamline our process, ensure faster and more secure payments, and reduce the environmental impact and administrative costs associated with paper checks. Direct deposit provides several benefits, including:

• Faster access to funds - Your reimbursement will be automatically deposited into your account on the date paid.
• Increased security - Direct deposit minimizes the risk of lost or stolen checks.
• Convenience - No need to visit the bank or use your app to deposit a physical check.

Next steps for employees:

• Ensure your direct deposit information is up to date. If you have not yet enrolled in direct deposit for expense reimbursements or need to update your banking details, please do so no later than March 31. If this is not updated by this date, you will receive an error when creating future expense reports that will prevent you from submitting the task.
• Instructions are available in the Workday Canvas Community under “Add A Payment Election for Expense Reimbursements.”

Additional information about expense reimbursement reports can be found in Canvas under Expense Report FAQs.