News

The 2025-2026 salary and step information is now available for employee review. Please use the attached Workday instructions to generate and review the Compensation Review report with your compensation information.  

Contact the Office of Human Resources at salaryinquiries@hcpss.org with questions.

NOTE: Leave balances may be accessed by viewing Time Off in Workday. This information reflects leave balances for the 2025-2026 school year.

The following information is relevant to all certificated staff.

As a reminder, effective April 1, 2024, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) made changes to their regulations regarding educator certification/licensure. The key changes include:

• An educator certificate is now referred to as an educator license.
• Educator certificates issued prior to July 1, 2024 will continue to be held to the legacy system (6 credits) unless the educator chooses to opt into the new Professional Development Point (PDP) system.
• Educator licenses issued on or after July 1, 2024 will be required to submit 90 PDPs.

In addition, MSDE has transitioned to a new Educator Information System named The Educator Application and Credentialing Hub - or TEACH. Educators will need to submit an application through the portal for any action related to their certificate/license.

How are PDPs calculated? 

• 1 clock hour is equivalent to one PDP
• 1 semester hour is equivalent to 15 PDPs
• 1 MSDE CPD credit is equivalent to 15 PDPs
• 1 continuing education unit is equivalent to 10 PDPs

What else should I know about the new PDP system?

The 90 PDPs submitted must include at least one clock hour in each of the following areas: 

• Content of pedagogy related to an area on the educator’s license
• English as a Second Language, Sheltered English, or Bilingual English
• Strategies for teaching students with disabilities, or differentiated instruction for students with diverse learning needs
• Culturally Responsive Teaching, or diverse student identities in Education

How can I check my license validity period? 

To check your status, go to the Staff Hub, then follow these steps: 

1. Login to Workday.
2. Select your profile picture
3. Select View Profile
4. Select Careers in the left navigation
5. Select the Certifications Tab

Where can I find more information? 

For more information, visit the Continuing Professional Development Canvas page and the MSDE website.

In addition, there will be school-based information sessions in all schools on August 20. Information on how to register will be shared in an upcoming Staff Hub post. You may also reach out to your employee credentialing specialist for assistance.

The following applies to 10- and 11-Month Hourly employees for the 2025-2026 school year:

• 10-month employees will continue to have the option to escrow their pay over 10 or 12 months, as per current practice. If you wish to keep your current option, there is nothing you need to do.
• 11-month employees will continue to be paid over 12 months, as per current practice.

Per the Payroll Update for 10-Month Employees posted and emailed via the HCPSS Staff Hub, if you wish to change your current option, you may do so in Workday until July 31, 2025.

Should there be any future changes to this process, employees will receive prior notification, along with the necessary training and resources to help you understand and adapt to any new procedures.

The salary payment option update timeframe will be June 1-July 31, 2025. This annual opportunity allows 10-month employees who would like to change their current election to select either a 10-month or 12-month salary option for the upcoming school year. Eligible employees will receive a Workday notification to perform the update.

Please note:

• If you wish to continue your current pay option, NO action is required.
• If you wish to change your current pay option, the salary payment option election MUST be completed no later than July 31. Workday will be updated with your new pay option no sooner than August 14, 2025.

If you are not sure of your current pay option, please follow these directions:

1. Log into Workday (Staff Hub > Services dropdown > Workday)
2. Select your profile picture at the far right and then select view profile
3. Select Job from the left side blue navigation menu
4. Select the Organizations tab at the top
5. Your current pay option displays in the first line 

Staff are reminded that employee retirement and fond farewell celebration announcements can be found online. You can find that link anytime by going to the Staff Hub, scrolling down to Resources, and then selecting the Retirement Announcements link under Communications.

To share an open celebration for an employee who is retiring or leaving the school system, email communications@hcpss.org with the following:

• Who: Name of employee being celebrated; include their current title and location
• When: Date and time
• Where: Location, including address
• Cost: If applicable, and how to contribute
• RSVP: If applicable, to whom, by when and how

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?
My parents played a major role in my decision to work in education. My mom immigrated to the United States from Trinidad as an adult and always wanted her children to have the opportunities that she did. My dad was in the military and stressed the importance of service to others. Neither of my parents attended college but they stressed the importance of education. As a result I loved school and serving others, which is why I decided to be a social worker in a school setting.

What is your role within HCPSS?
As the coordinator of Social Work Services, I oversee the work of school social workers and manage the School-Based Mental Health Services Program. I work collaboratively with student services colleagues, administrators, and community partners to address and support the mental health needs of our students by expanding mental health services in schools.

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
The best professional advice I've ever received is to always remain open to opportunities for growth no matter where you are in your career, and to treat everyone with respect.

What is something you like a lot that would surprise people?
I have a high sense of adventure. I once took pilot lessons and flew a small Cessna-style plane.

What is on your bucket list?
I love to travel. Traveling to as many countries as I can is on my bucket list.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
The most interesting place I've ever been is Maho Beach in St. Maarten. St. Maarten is a small island with over 30 beautiful beaches, friendly people, and great food. The island also provides two different cultural experiences, as one side is Dutch and the other side is French. Maho Beach, in particular, is very interesting because it is so close to the airport that when the planes are landing, they fly so low to the beach that you feel like you could hit it with a rock! It's thrilling to experience! I would highly recommend visiting!

Join in celebrating HCPSS Principal of the Year Lisa Smith (Hammond Middle School), and HCPSS’ Teachers of the Year Tyrone Page (Oakland Mills Middle School) and Natalie Pretzello (Hammond 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 (Page) and Maryland State Department of Education Teacher of the Year (Pretzello).

Learn more about these outstanding staff members 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?
I knew I wanted to be a teacher at a very young age. I had a love of learning and reading combined with the world's greatest kindergarten teacher. As I got older, my reason for sticking with education evolved. While I loved school and found a deep sense of belonging in the schools I attended, I realized that wasn't the same for everyone and hoped to change that for the students I worked with.

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
During my first year of teaching, the TDL at my school (who became a close friend and mentor) gave me the advice to "find my marigolds" from an article published by the Cult of Pedagogy. Marigolds are people who are positive and encourage you and help you grow. I love sharing this article with new staff as a reminder to find people who will both push you and care for you.

I also have taken some of my best professional advice from the show Ted Lasso, specifically "be curious, not judgmental." Curiosity allows for deeper understanding, builds relationships, and helps escape the pitfall of making assumptions without knowing the entire story.

What is something you like a lot that would surprise people?
I love playing the various New York Times puzzle games and I'm a great baker!

What is on your bucket list?
There are a lot of countries I want to visit, especially Greece and Italy. My mom has always wanted to take a cruise to Alaska so I also would love to do that with her.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
I was very lucky in high school to go on a trip where we explored both Spain and France. I would recommend anyone that has an opportunity to travel to another country and immerse themselves in a different culture and experience do so!

The 2025 National Board Certification (NBC) Scholarship is now open. This scholarship fully covers the cost of NBC candidacy.

For those ready to apply:

1. Attend an information session – This is the essential first step for all applicants.
2. Join the NBC Canvas community – Stay informed and supported.
3. Visit the Potential Candidates page – Access key information and step-by-step directions to complete your application.

Preferred deadline is May 16.

Application Questions: casey_schurman@hcpss.org | NBC Program Questions: jennifer_hlavka@hcpss.org

UPDATE July 29, 2025
Recognition and Support for Maintenance of National Board Certification
 

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.