News

For the past two years the HCPSS Benefits Team, with the support and advisement of our Benefits Consultant, Gallagher, and the Benefits Advisory Committee (BAC), has completed a deep-dive analysis of our current 403(b) program.  This analysis included a review of our 403(b) vendors, their associated fees, the services they offer our employees, and overall compliance with IRS regulations. 

As a result of this review, HCPSS has made some changes to the HCPSS 403(b) program with the goal of reducing costs for employees and providing more oversight of the fund investments to ensure that HCPSS employee and retiree contributions are responsibly invested.

See attached for complete details.

Email Benefits@hcpss.org with any questions.  

Please see the attached document for information on understanding your W-2.

Reminder that W-2 forms are available in Workday.

Per Article 15.E. of the HCPSS/HCEA Master Agreement, "Any unit member who retires or resigns effective July 1 of any year and who files the necessary documents committing to such intent no later than March 1 of that year will receive termination pay matching the greater of the following two options:

1. $500 or
2. Pay equal to two percent (2%) of accumulated unused sick leave as of the date of retirement or resignation, up to a maximum of $1200.”

As such, certificated instructional staff (teachers, counselors, etc.) should complete the Intent to Retire form by March 1 in order to receive the additional pay listed above upon their retirement or resignation.

The HCPSS Intent to Retire form can be found on the Staff Hub > Services > Employee Resources > Retirement and requires Active Directory login.

Please note! This notification bonus is for certificated staff only and does not apply to non-certificated staff (paraeducators, secretaries, student assistants, custodians, etc.), or supervisory staff (principals, assistant principals, directors, coordinators, etc.).
 

The following employee groups may now submit voluntary transfer requests for the 2025-2026 school year. Requests must be made in writing, using the established online system (Workday), and must be submitted by April 23, 2025:

• Audiologists, behavior specialists, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, school social workers, cluster nurses, teachers, reading specialists, school counselors, paraeducators, health assistants, security assistants, security officers, and student assistants.

Instructions on how to access the voluntary transfer request forms can be found here. The forms are accessed through Workday. 

Complete the form that identifies your desired position. There are four (4) different forms, and the positions identified in the four (4) forms include:

1. Teachers
2. Audiologists, Behavior Specialists, Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Psychologists, School Social Workers and Cluster Nurses
3. Paraeducators, Health Assistants, Security Assistants, Security Officers and Student Assistants
4. School Counselors and Reading Specialists

Voluntary Transfer Request forms will be accepted through April 23, 2025. 

The Office of Human Resources will host optional virtual information sessions via Google Meet to discuss the voluntary transfer process and answer questions. The sessions are scheduled for:

• February 27, 4:30pm-5:30pm
• March 26, 3:00pm-4:00pm
• April 7, 4:30pm-5:30pm 

Details regarding how to register will be forthcoming.

Please Note:  

• Submissions will only be accepted via the established online system (Workday).       
• You will have the option to submit a copy of your resume and/or cover letter by providing a link to a Google Doc.
• Your request does not constitute a change in your current assignment as all assignment changes are based on the needs of the school system. 
• The placements of employees listed above in #2 will continue to be made by program supervisors. 

The following employee groups may apply for a voluntary transfer anytime during the school year when an appropriate position is available. Employees will use the Jobs Hub worklet in Workday to apply for an open position.

• Secretarial, clerical, floating nurse, food and nutrition service assistants, central office technical personnel and liaisons. 

Questions may be sent to the Office of Human Resources’ Position Control and Staffing Team via email at staffing@hcpss.org. 

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.

Dr. Jeffries recently was named the HCPSS executive director of Special Education. He previously served as the Special Education administrator for the Edmonds School District in Washington state.

Why did you choose to work in education?
I believe in the transformative power of learning and teaching.

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
Do not rush into making decisions.

What is on your bucket list?
The Old Course [golf course] at St Andrews, Scotland.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
Cuba

Workday is the official employee system of record for all HCPSS staff. All employees should ensure both their personal and professional contact information is up to date by logging in to Workday and making any necessary edits.

Keeping your personal contact information current ensures that when employees retire or leave the system, they can still review pay stubs, W-2 forms, etc., by using their personal email address.

Central Offices staff please take note that the public CO Staff Directory automatically pulls its information from Workday so it's crucial to have your work contact information correct there.

Directions on viewing and/or modifying contact information can be found in the Workday Canvas Community.

In addition to being eligible to join the Howard County Education Federal Credit Union, HCPSS staff now have the option to join the Educational Systems Federal Credit Union. Both offer savings and checking options along with a variety of loan options. 

Details on both credit unions are available online.

Howard County Council Bill 14-2023 established the Student Loan Assistance Program for HCPSS teachers. The program provides $225,000 per year for five years to help eligible certificated HCPSS staff repay their student loans.

To be eligible for funding through the Student Loan Assistance Program, an HCPSS employee must meet the following the criteria: 

• Be a current, full-time, permanent HCPSS employee
• Be a member of the Howard County Education Association (HCEA) certificated bargaining unit.  
• Have received a graduate, professional, or undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university
• Have been employed with the HCPSS full-time for 5 school years
• Possesses one of the following certifications:
  • Professional Eligibility Certificate (PEC)
  • Standard Professional Certificate I (SPC I)
  • Standard Professional Certificate II (SPC II)
  • Advanced Professional Certificate (APC)
• Not currently in default on any of their student loans
• Have incurred at least $20K in student loan debt for any education loan used for undergraduate or graduate study obtained for tuition, educational expenses, or living expenses.
• Have a remaining balance of $5K or more on their student loan

Applications for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program will be accepted between February 3 and March 31, 2025. The application will be posted on the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program website.

The amount of money awarded to each applicant will be determined by the Howard County government. Applicants will receive an email no later than May 31, 2025, outlining the amount of their award. 

More information about the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program is available in these FAQs and on the HCPSS website.

Should you require assistance, please email TeachersLoanAssistance@hcpss.org with your inquiry.

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?  
To help students reach their full potential.

What is your role within HCPSS?
[One of two Directors who] supervise and support elementary schools.

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
Treat others how you want to be treated.

What is something you like a lot that would surprise people?
Taking long walks with my goldendoodle Bentley.

What is on your bucket list?
A European vacation.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
Turks & Caicos

Reminder! HCPSS recently transitioned its application system from Frontline to Workday Recruiting. Current HCPSS employees, including temporary employees, should visit the Jobs Hub in Workday. Answers to frequently asked questions about employment with HCPSS can be found here.

HCPSS hiring managers should join the Human Resources course in Canvas to access information and training resources for Workday Recruiting. 

External applicants may view and apply for current openings via the HCPSS external career site.