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BILL: HB 137 TITLE: Public Schools - Children Charged with a Crime of Violence - Prohibition on In-Person Attendance (School Safety Act of 2025) DATE: January 23, 2025 POSITION: Letter of Information COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four public school superintendents, is providing this letter of information for the Committee’s consideration regarding House Bill 137. This legislation prohibits a child who is suspected of a specified crime of violence from in-person attendance at a public school until the child is found not delinquent, or the charge is dismissed. The bill further directs local education agencies (LEAs) to provide alternative education options separate from students. The public education system in Maryland is responsible for providing a free and appropriate education for every student in the State. Local superintendents take this responsibility very seriously and balance this tremendous duty to educate, with the need to provide a safe and supportive educational setting for students and staff. To ensure the highest standards of safety for schools, it is imperative that information regarding students’ criminal involvement and interactions with law enforcement is appropriately shared with school personnel. This information-sharing is integral to ensure proper physical safeguards in school buildings, while also protecting student confidentiality, and allowing due process for all parties involved. The current flow of information between law enforcement and schools is disjointed and needs to be vastly improved; however, we do not believe this proposed legislation satisfies the comprehensive information needed by school administration. PSSAM appreciates the opportunity to work with the Committee to craft the most responsible and appropriate policies that allow for: ● More appropriate and comprehensive information regarding juveniles who transfer between local school systems, including programs hosted by the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) and the Juvenile Services Education Program and Board (JSEP); ● Expanding information shared by law enforcement to local superintendents or school systems within twenty-four hours of any arrest of a student with details pertaining to school safety, including whether any victims were students and the type of weapon(s) involved if applicable. Further, enhancements to the “reportable offenses” law should include the tools necessary for seamless communication between education systems, and allow for a central repository via the Maryland State Department of Education or a similarly appropriate entity. For instance, often a local superintendent, school security personnel, or a school principal will receive information as described in the current reportable offenses statute for a student that is NOT currently enrolled in that county. LEAs do not have the information to notify the appropriate district where the student is enrolled. To fill this communication gap: ● Information should be promptly shared with the MSDE (or an appropriate central repository) to facilitate notification of the school or jurisdiction of attendance. Local superintendents and districts are not privy to statewide attendance records and this information must be coordinated at the State level. We also support the concept of “mandatory information sharing among local superintendents” that was embedded in the emergency regulations passed by the State Board of Education in the fall of 2024. However, to reiterate, local superintendents and school personnel do not have access to the necessary data sources to know where a student has transferred. In addition, there are many cases where a juvenile under the supervision and jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is transferred to a LEA but no information is shared about the student’s individual circumstances, or the student’s previous educational setting. Therefore, the law must be amended to compel the DJS to: ● Notify the local superintendent and the principal of a school in which the student is enrolled, or which that student has been transferred, of the student’s reportable offense or offense that is related to the student’s membership in a criminal organization, the disposition of the offense, and the law enforcement report or description of the offenses including details pertinent to school safety, including whether any victims were student and the type of weapon(s) involved, if applicable. Local superintendents support increased communication between law enforcement and the appropriate, but limited, school personnel needed to ensure the safety of students in school settings, as well as protecting the privacy and due process of those awaiting disposition of criminal investigations. We appreciate this Committee’s examination of these important education and safety issues and look forward to continued dialogue on this, and other related legislation.

BILL: HB 147 TITLE: County Boards of Education - Elementary and Middle Schools - Student Technology Use Policy DATE: January 23, 2025 POSITION: Oppose COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents opposes House Bill 147. This bill requires county boards of education to develop and adopt a policy that prohibits elementary and middle school students from using a cellular phone or personal electronic device during school hours. Such policy may not prohibit a student from using a cellular device for any purpose documented in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan, to monitor or address a student’s health issue, or when directed by an educator or administrator for educational purposes. This act shall take into effect July 1, 2025. Maryland superintendents appreciate the good intentions of this bill; however, PSSAM steadfastly opposes any legislation that imposes statewide mandates on local school systems or local boards of education, especially on policies that have previously been deliberated at the local level with all affected stakeholders, such as the case regarding student uses of cell phones. In the past several years, superintendents, school boards and advisory groups in 19 out of the 24 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) have taken proactive action to establish, update, or study district-wide cell phone policies. These efforts include establishing new policies specific to the use of cell phones, updating board policies, revising the district’s code of conduct or student handbook regarding the use of technology to include cell phones or “smart” technology, and/or introducing pilot programs. Currently, 5 LEAs also have pilot programs underway to study the impact of varying levels of cell phone restrictions during the school day. Much of the local work in establishing these policies was aided through surveys to parents, teachers, and students, as well as extensive public meetings. In addition, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), under the State Superintendent’s leadership, has recently convened a broad workgroup of stakeholders, including superintendents, to study the use of cell phones in schools with the goal of recommending guidance for State Board adoption in the next few months. We support this workgroup and its on-the-ground membership to study this complex issue. The workgroup will anchor its work utilizing the newly released guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as reflecting on the experiences of the local school districts who have already delved deep in their communities to determine the appropriateness of the use of cell phones and “smart technology” in the classroom and in schools. PSSAM remains committed to focusing on empowering local decision-making to ensure education policies that are relevant, flexible, and reflective of the unique needs of each community. Again, we appreciate the bill’s good intentions, but ask the Legislature to allow the education experts at the local level, as well as the MSDE-convened workgroup, to continue to examine this issue to determine the most effective public policies. For these reasons, PSSAM opposes House Bill 147 and kindly requests an unfavorable report.

Maryland Association of Counties: Conduit Street By: Sarah Sample December 24, 2024 Stay informed with this interesting read on the 2025 education policy issues in Maryland from Conduit Street. " Legislative changes to education policy in Maryland will likely focus on adjustments to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint), with a number of stakeholders interested in a broad range of issues.  The major public education reform initiative that has been underway in Maryland will undergo some tweaking during the 2025 legislative session. After three years of implementation, local and state education experts are planning to come to the table with an array of options. A few organizations, associations, and elected officials have recently announced legislative initiatives that provide some insight as to the types of considerations that will be in the mix. This issue preview will dive into the legislative platforms of the major stakeholders. Governor Moore recently announced changes focused on pillar two of the Blueprint, which covers benefits and strategies for getting and keeping good teachers. A major component of this pillar is something called collaborative time, where teachers get more time in their day for planning and learning with peers. According to Governor Moore, this change will require the hiring of 15,000 more teachers to make up for the classroom time that still needs to be covered. Teacher shortages have plagued this effort and the Governor’s proposal is to pause this effort until more significant progress can be made on getting and retaining more certified teachers. The Maryland State Educators Association (MSEA) is also very focused on the staffing issues. Addressing the shortage of teachers and the workloads of educators was the second major legislative priority on the association’s platform. This was listed only second behind a call for the current funding commitments to remain in place. All six elements of MSEA’s platform include: keep existing funding commitments to public education addressing educator shortage, retention, and workload improving school safety and climate holistically measuring school success education support professionals Bill of Rights protecting freedoms for teachers and students From the MSEA section on teacher shortages: Maryland’s educator and support staff shortages remain at crisis levels. While the legislature and governor have made progress on this front in the last few years, the pipeline of educators continues to be insufficient due to challenging working conditions and years of inadequate pay. We must continue to take steps to reduce excessive workload to ensure that we retain our education workforce while making the profession more desirable and attainable. The Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland (PSSAM) published what is probably the most comprehensive and impressive education policy platform for the 2025 legislative session. The publication included 30 policy points with all of the suggested Blueprint changes categorized by urgency level. Broadly the superintendents have been focusing on changes that give local school systems more flexibility due to challenges around the “one size fits all” nature of the Blueprint.  Also previously covered on  Conduit Street, PSSAM sent a letter to Governor Moore, requesting collaboration on Blueprint changes that would prioritize student growth and achievement by: ensuring investments are linked to measurable student success leveraging money and staff effectively to produce results assessing progress and changing course in the face of challenges The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has also come out with a list of focus areas for Blueprint changes. The very top of that list is what the State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Carey Wright, has insisted needs to be at the center of the agencies work, which is improving student achievement. From her initial appointment to just last week during a recorded podcast discussion at the 2024 MACo Winter Conference, Dr. Wright has reiterated the importance of boosting proficiency in math and literacy. The recent legislative session issue paper from the Department of Legislative Services highlighted one of Dr. Wright’s first big changes along these same lines, by calling for the adoption of Science of Reading as the official reading instruction strategy for educators statewide. This also came with stricter standards for achievement in the third grade . The full list of MSDE policy focus areas include: increase academic achievement bolster investments in public education affirm a politically independent state education governance structure build capacity at MSDE reduce creation of new unfunded legislative mandates resist curricular mandates lead with an equity focus prioritize fiscal accountability Finally, and as previously mentioned, the Department of Legislative Services issued the agency’s annual Issue Papers which give a preview of major topics they expect to be discussed during the 2025 legislative session. The education section of the report touched on a handful of issues including school funding, cell phone policies, the aforementioned literacy strategy, and potential adjustments to pre-kindergarten (pre-K) expansion. In particular, the mixed delivery pre-k expansion plan has seen inconsistent progress across the state and is a priority topic for almost all stakeholders focused on early childhood elements of the Blueprint plan. As a primary funding partner for public education, MACo will keep a close eye on developments in education policy this session. Advocacy efforts will focus on getting a clear understanding of Blueprint implementation costs. With a better understanding of the financial demands and how implementation has gone to date, policy requests will focus on how fiscal clarity can lead to the preservation of better student outcomes on behalf of county residents and taxpayers." Source: Maryland Association of Counties: Conduit Street

December 18, 2024 The first annual Women's Leadership Conference, hosted by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) announced registration is now open! "Empower, Elevate, Lead: Women Uplifting the Future of Education" will be hosted on March 20, 2025 at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum, Maryland. The Keynote speaker will be Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Carey M. Wright . To learn more about offered sessions, other speakers and registration details visit the event website .

The Baltimore Sun By: Matt Hubbard December 10, 2024 Joppatowne High School senior Franzy Stervano meets with Maryland Governor Wes Moore during National Apprenticeship Week after she was named Maryland’s Apprentice of the Year. (Joppatowne High School photo) Joppatowne High School senior Franzy Servano was named Maryland’s 2024 Youth Apprentice of the Year. Servano is a student in the school’s Pathways in Technology Early College High School program where, in partnership with Harford Community College and the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command on Aberdeen Proving Ground, students are offered paid internships and individualized mentorships. Throughout the year of her apprenticeships, Franzy rotated among four defense contractors learning about cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure and troubleshooting. “This apprenticeship has been a transformative experience, proving me with skills, mentorship and real-world insights that will guide me as I pursue my future career,” Franzy said. “Receiving the Maryland Youth Apprenticeship of the Year award is an incredible honor.” After graduation, Franzy plans to study cybersecurity and digital forensics. “Franzy’s dedication to her apprenticeship and her passion for learning are inspiring,” said Harford schools’ Superintendent Sean Bulson. “Her success demonstrates the power of connecting students with hands-on experiences that prepare them for high-demand careers.” Source: The Baltimore Sun

Maryland Matters By: William J. Ford December 09, 2024 Public Schools Superintendents’ Association of Maryland to unveil legislative and policy recommendations this week on Blueprint The Blueprint for Maryland's Future education reforms have "inspired significant optimism and progress" in schools, but may need to be tweaked to keep going as the state faces a fiscal crisis, school administrators say. Screenshot. Some state school superintendents are saying it’s “clear that adjustments are needed” on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plan as the state faces a looming fiscal crisis, and are asking to work with the Moore administration on potential changes. The Nov. 27 letter from the Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland comes as the association is preparing to release legislative and policy recommendations this week to Gov. Wes Moore (D) and other state officials on some changes they believe are needed on the Blueprint. The letter, signed by five of officers of the association – Baltimore County Superintendent Myriam Rogers, Calvert County Superintendent Andraé Townsel, Cecil County Superintendent Jeffrey A. Lawson, Charles County Superintendent Maria Navarro and Washington County Superintendent David Sovine – is careful to note support for the Blueprint, which the  superintendents say has “inspired significant progress and optimism.” But it also notes “clear that adjustments are needed” in the plan, “not to compromise the mission of the Blueprint, but ensure its long-term success.” “We can offer modifications to the Blueprint that are grounded in real-world experiences, data analysis, and the guiding principle of enhancing student growth and achievement,” the letter says, asking the administration to collaborate with superintendents on changes. Mary Pat Fannon, executive director of the superintendents’ association, said in an interview Friday that the superintendents want to help find ways for state lawmakers to prioritize spending on the plan as they grapple with a budget crisis in the 90-day legislative session that begins Jan. 8. “This is a letter of partnership and cooperation and not like a flamethrowing exercise,” Fannon said. “We’re three years in [on implementing the Blueprint]. We’ve identified some issues and some refinements that we think would go a long way for student improvement and operations in the system.” The letter was also distributed to the legislature’s presiding officers, chairs of the Senate and House committees on fiscal and education policy, and other state officials. The letter and planned release of legislative and policy recommendations from the association come as two other superintendents – Sean Bulson from Harford County and Derek Simmons from Caroline County – are scheduled to talk about the Blueprint plan Thursday at the Maryland Association of Counties ( MACo ) winter conference in Cambridge. The superintendents will be joined by local school district Blueprint coordinators from Garrett and Charles counties. Fannon acknowledged one state lawmaker who has been outspoken on the plan’s lack of local autonomy: Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-Lower Shore), who will moderate the Blueprint discussion at MACo. That session, entitled “What We’ve Learned About Learning: The Blueprint in Year Three,” is slated to highlight how Blueprint successes in one jurisdiction represent challenges in another based on the plan’s five pillars, or priorities: hiring and retaining high-quality and diverse teachers, early childhood education , providing additional resources for students in need , preparing students for college and technical careers , and governance and accountability. “When you give the local flexibility and the local authority [to school leaders], they are in the best position to know of the Blueprint goals,” Carozza said Friday. “It’s needed even more so because of the budget challenges that we currently face in the state of Maryland.” Source: Maryland Matters

The Honorable Wes Moore Governor of Maryland State House, 100 State Circle Annapolis, MD 21401 November 27, 2024 Dear Governor Moore, As the top public education leaders in Maryland, and strong supporters of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, we are writing to respectfully request the opportunity to collaborate with you on potential adjustments to the Blueprint in light of its impact on the State’s looming fiscal crisis. The bold trajectory set forth by the Blueprint has inspired significant progress and optimism; however, the challenges we face require partnership and pragmatic solutions to ensure both the sustainability of the Blueprint, the fiscal health of the State, and most importantly, the academic success of our students. As the chief executives of our school districts, we understand and respect your difficult budget dilemma. In addition to being the chief fiscal stewards of our districts, we are also on the ground dutifully implementing the Blueprint, while continuing to battle the ongoing academic and societal challenges caused by the pandemic. Despite these setbacks, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing the Blueprint’s transformative goals. We are your commanders in the field, and we offer our experiences and expertise regarding any modifications as we navigate this critical moment. After three years of implementation, we can celebrate early successes, but it is clear that adjustments are needed. Adjustments are not to compromise the mission of the Blueprint, but ensure its long-term success. The Blueprint has set an ambitious and innovative path forward, and while every pillar of the plan is transformative, the collective implementation has proven complex and uneven across Maryland’s diverse school districts. We can offer modifications to the Blueprint that are grounded in real-world experiences, data analysis, and the guiding principle of enhancing student growth and achievement. As stewards of this historic investment in education, we must ensure that: ● The return on investment for every Blueprint initiative supports measurable student success. ● Human and fiscal resources are being utilized effectively to produce results. ● Ongoing evaluation and “course corrections” are embraced to adapt to emerging challenges, while maintaining the innovative spirit of the Blueprint. We urge you to work with us to assess whether current and future expenditures under the Blueprint are producing the intended outcomes and to explore adjustments that align with the State’s financial realities. We stand ready to work with you, legislative leaders, and our State Board of Education and Accountability and Implementation Board partners to evaluate progress, identify inefficiencies, and prioritize spending where it will have the greatest impact on student achievement. In addition to ensuring the academic success of Maryland’s students, we must voraciously advocate for adequate funding of public schools. In fact, this critical responsibility is enshrined in COMAR 4-205(g)(5): The County Superintendent shall try in every way to awaken public interest and improve educational conditions....and in COMAR 4-205(k)(2): The County Superintendent shall seek in every way to secure adequate funds from local authorities for the support and development of the public schools.... We take these responsibilities seriously and will continue to advocate for necessary resources to ensure student success. Governor Moore, the stakes are high, but the opportunities are immense. We urge you to let us be your partners to address the State’s budgetary challenges while safeguarding and strengthening the future of Maryland’s public education system. We look forward to your partnership. Our Executive Director, Mary Pat Fannon, will be in touch to continue this important conversation with our organization, representing Maryland’s twenty-four public school superintendents. Sincerely, Cc: The Honorable Bill Ferguson, President of the Senate The Honorable Adrienne Jones, Speaker of the House Maryland Local Superintendents Dr. Carey Wright, State Superintendent, MSDE Members of the State Board of Education (via Zachary Hands, Executive Director) Members of the Accountability and Implementation Board (via Rachel Hise, Executive Director) The Honorable Guy Guzzone, Chair, Senate Budget and Taxation Committee The Honorable Jim Rosapepe, Vice Chair, Senate Budget and Taxation Committee The Honorable Ben Barnes, Chair, House Appropriations Committee The Honorable Mark Chang, Vice Chair, House Appropriations Committee The Honorable Brian Feldman, Chair, Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee The Honorable Cheryl Kagan, Vice Chair, Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee The Honorable Vanessa Atterbeary, Chair, House Ways and Means Committee The Honorable Jheanelle Wilkins, Vice Chair, House Ways and Means Committee Helene Grady, Secretary, Department of Budget and Management Source: Public School Superintendents' Association of Maryland original letter

November 20, 2024 The Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP) in conjunction with the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) announced registration is now open! "Mastering the Balance: Leadership Tools for the Modern Assistant Principals" will be hosted on February 25, 2025 at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum, Maryland. The Keynote speaker will be Calvert County School Superintendent Dr . Andraé Townsel. To learn more about offered sessions, other speakers and registration details visit the event website .

November 2024 The Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP) announced 14 Maryland elementary school principals in September 2024 as recipients of the 2024 Connected School Leader Award. The awardees were recognized and celebrated at the Maryland United MAESP Fall Leadership Conference last week in Ocean City, MD. Additionally, the cohort of leaders will participate in the Connected School Leader speaker series, a virtual speaker session series for school leaders across the state. Source: Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals

Cecil County Public Schools Press Release November 08, 2024 Ocean City, Maryland - It was announced Thursday evening that Cecil County Public Schools’ Superintendent, Dr. Jeffrey Lawson, has been selected as the Maryland Superintendent of the Year. The Superintendent of the Year is chosen annually by a panel of other Maryland superintendents following an extensive application process; the winner then goes on to represent the state in the National Superintendent of the Year process, all of which is a program of AASA: The School Superintendents Association. The announcement was made at the concluding banquet of the Maryland Negotiation Service (MNS) Conference, an affiliate of the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland (PSSAM). Featuring Maryland's 2025 Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Jeffrey A. Lawson, Cecil County Public Schools Photo Courtesy of Jen Shaw, Cecil County Public Schools Public Information Officer “It’s a privilege to serve the students, faculty, staff, and community in Cecil County. I am proud to represent our district across the state and share the amazing work happening each day to support our nearly 15,000 students,” said Lawson. “Throughout my career, I have placed value on serving others and supporting our students and staff to achieve excellence. This recognition belongs to each part of our amazing system as they are worthy of such celebration,” he continued. Dr. Lawson is in his forty-first year in public education. Dr. Lawson began his career in education as a math teacher in Delaware. After serving in a variety of roles in the Red Clay School District in Wilmington as well as the State Department of Education in Delaware, he transitioned to Cecil County Public Schools in 2009. In 2018, he was appointed Superintendent of Schools and was re-appointed to a second term in 2022. Dr. Lawson has been a highly successful mathematics teacher, high school assistant principal, middle school principal, high school principal, executive director, and associate superintendent before accepting the superintendent position. Dr. Lawson earned his associate’s degree from Delaware Technical and Community College, his bachelor’s degree from Wilmington University, his master’s degree from Delaware State University and his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Delaware. During his tenure as Superintendent, Dr. Lawson has worked to advance achievement outcomes for students across the district. Additionally, he has prioritized partnerships with a number of public and private institutions including Cecil College, the Cecil County Public Library, North Bay, Fair Hill Nature Center, the Cecil County Farm Museum and others. Dr. Lawson has also supported advocacy efforts to inform the community of the needs of our district and to advocate for adequate funding. President of the Board of Education, Ms. Diana Hawley, said this of Dr. Lawson: “Dr. Lawson is a genuine and very ‘present’ servant leader and a tireless advocate for public education, always putting the well-being of students, staff, and families first. His active approach, focus on quality curriculum, and commitment to transparency have impacted our district and beyond. Dr. Lawson's experienced, trusted voice has also helped guide the realistic and effective implementation of Maryland's educational reform changes, earning him the respect of leaders across the state.” Superintendent of the Year Dr. Jeffrey A. Lawson (center), joined in celebration with State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright & fellow Maryland Superintendents Left to Right: Dr. Maria Navarro, Dr. Mary McComas, Dr. David Sovine, State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright, Dr. Ava Tasker-Mitchell, Dr. Sharon Pepukayi, Dr. Andra é Townsel, Dr. Patricia Saelens, Dr. Myriam Rogers, Dr. Cheryl Dyson, Mr. Jeffrey Blank, Dr. Cynthia McCabe, Dr. Jymil Thompson, Dr. Brenda McCartney, Dr. Sean Bulson, Dr. Scott Smith Photo Courtesy of Jen Shaw, Cecil County Public Schools Public Information Officer Executive Director of the Public School Superintendents' Association of Maryland (PSSAM), Mary Pat Fannon, stated, "Dr. Lawson was an amazing hands-on leader while he was President of PSSAM. Even though he faced incredible budget and political battles in Cecil, he spent countless hours on behalf of his superintendent colleagues, meeting with state officials, legislators, and policymakers. Dr. Lawson's deep understanding of the complexities of the Blueprint and its differing impacts on districts made him the perfect voice for the diverse needs of our 24 school systems. We have been honored to have Dr. Lawson as our PSSAM President and offer our strongest congratulations on this much-deserved award." Dr. Lawson has been an education leader across the State of Maryland. He is the past President of ESMEC (Eastern Shore of Maryland Educational Consortium) and past President of PSSAM (Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland. He is a member of the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce, the Cecil Economic Development Commission, the Government Relations Committee, BEPAC (Business Education Partnership Advisory Council), and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MEHC) Financial Assistance Advisory Council. Dr. Lawson regularly consults with and advocates on behalf of Superintendents across the state of Maryland. Dr. Lawson is married to Dr. Lisa Lawson, Superintendent of the Brandywine School District in Wilmington, DE, has three children and one granddaughter. Each State Superintendent of the Year is judged on the following AASA's selection criteria: Leadership for Learning: Creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in his or her school system. Communication: Strength in both personal and organizational communication. Professionalism: Constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team. Community Involvement: Active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues. Source: Cecil County Public Schools

Anne Arundel County Public Schools Press Release October 15, 2024 Continuing to deliver on his promise to show appreciation and value for members of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) workforce, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell today announced a $2,000 retention bonus for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) employees. The bonuses – proposed by Dr. Bedell and agreed to by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1693, which represents FNS employees, and the Board of Education – will be paid in two installments. The first of those installments will occur tomorrow for most FNS employees. “I have said since I got here that to be a premier school district we need to put systems in place to keep the people we have and attract more people to deliver on our mission to help every single student belong, grow, and succeed,” Dr. Bedell said. “The people who work to provide meals to our students have short shifts in the middle of the day and most are ineligible for health care. They do what they do because they love our students, and they are essential to our success. I am grateful to the Board of Education and AFSCME for their work to reward these employees.” Dr. Bedell said the bonuses should also help AACPS decrease the number of FNS vacancies, which currently stands at 117. They follow similar moves in addition to systemwide compensation increases over the last two-plus years that have included bonuses for all employees, a stipend for special education teachers, and an initiative to sharply increase first-year teacher salaries and pay for contracted bus drivers. Current FNS permanent and temporary employees who were employed by AACPS in the 2023-2024 school year and are not on a Leave of Absence will receive their first $1,000 bonus tomorrow. The second $1,000 bonus will be paid on July 9, 2025, for employees who complete their contractual duty year for 2024-2025. New and recently hired permanent and temporary FNS employees who begin employment during the 2024-2025 school year will receive a $1,000 hiring bonus after three months of employment. Retention bonuses for those employees will be based upon their length of service, with employees hired by December 22, 2024, eligible for the full $1,000. “I’m excited to share that we’ve successfully worked with AACPS to secure a retention bonus for our amazing food service workers,” AFSCME Local 1693 President Delonya Akindoyo said. “These are the folks who show up every day to make sure our kids get nutritious meals, helping them focus and thrive in school. This bonus is a way to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication. We’re committed to supporting them and making sure they feel valued, so they can keep doing what they do best — taking care of our students. This is a big win for everyone, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together.” The Board and AFSCME are actively exploring additional options to address compensation, retention, and recruitment strategies with the goal to continue provide the support necessary to maintain a stable and committed workforce. Source: Anne Arundel County Public Schools

The Southern Maryland Chronicle by David M. Higgins II, Publisher/Editor October 25, 2024 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) recognized outstanding contributions of its building service teams during a recent awards ceremony hosted by the district’s operations and supporting services department. The awards, announced during an October 14 meeting at Westlake High School, highlighted custodial achievements across categories including Manager of the Year, Assistant Manager of the Year, and Building Service Worker of the Year. Honorees were selected based on preopening inspections conducted across the district, a tradition led by April Murphy, CCPS supervisor of operations. CCPS building service manager and assistant managers held a meeting earlier this month during which awards were given out in various categories. Murphy emphasized the commitment of building service staff in ensuring facilities are in peak condition each year. “We sit down and talk about what schools looked exceptional and in what areas they truly shined,” she said of the inspection process, which helps identify standout efforts before the school year begins. Awards were introduced in October 2022 and have since become an annual acknowledgment of excellence within CCPS. This year’s honorees included: Manager of the Year : Joseph Brawner from Henry E. Lackey High School Assistant Manager of the Year : Keya Young from Westlake High School Building Service Worker of the Year : Gloria Ventura of North Point High School and Kevin Proctor of St. Charles High School Green Thumb Award : Recognizing grounds maintenance, awarded to the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, Gale-Bailey Elementary School, and North Point High School Platinum Building Award : Awarded to Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School for exemplary building maintenance Outstanding Floor Care : Billingsley Elementary School During the awards presentation, Murphy described the thoughtfulness behind the Green Thumb Award at North Point, where Building Service Manager Victor Woodland ensures grounds maintenance is timed to showcase the property for potential homebuyers over the weekend. “The grounds at North Point are elaborate,” Murphy noted. “Woodland and his staff do a great job keeping it up to par.” Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., superintendent of schools, second from right, congratulates the building service staff of the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building who recently received the Green Thumb Award from the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Office of Operations and Supporting Services. From left are Ikechukwu Bradley-Alakwe, Marie Woodland, assistant manager, William “Gary” Proctor, manager, Navarro, and Carla Fenwick. At the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, the team managed a sprawling property that includes multiple annexes and a maintenance shop. “The building service team at Starkey is a small group but they are responsible for maintaining a large property,” Murphy said. She commended their dedication to tasks like trimming, edging, and overall curb appeal, demonstrating a clear pride in the facility’s appearance. The prestigious Platinum Building Award went to Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School, reflecting a high standard of building maintenance. Murphy highlighted the efforts of Manager Norbert Farmer and Assistant Manager Leland Burns, who lead by example and strive for perfection. “It is obvious when you pull in the parking lot, and it becomes more obvious when you walk in the door,” she said. “The team at Dr. Mudd is very intentional with their work, and it shows with the appearance of the building.” In addition to individual awards, schools achieving a perfect score in their preopening inspections were also recognized. Schools awarded 100% ratings will have their achievements marked on a plaque displayed across all CCPS locations. Schools recognized with 100% inspection scores include: Elementary Schools Billingsley Elementary School Gale-Bailey Elementary School Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School Malcolm Elementary School T.C. Martin Elementary School Mary H. Matula Elementary School Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School Middle Schools Matthew Henson Middle School General Smallwood Middle School Benjamin Stoddert Middle School High Schools Henry E. Lackey High School Maurice J. McDonough High School North Point High School St. Charles High School Thomas Stone High School Westlake High School Centers F.B. Gwynn Educational Center Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center Early Learning Center, La Plata Robert D. Stethem Educational Center Murphy concluded the ceremony by commending all building service staff for their unwavering commitment, which she described as essential in creating welcoming environments for students and staff. “Every award recipient today embodies a dedication that doesn’t go unnoticed,” she said. Source: The Southern Maryland Chronicle