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January 2009 News Releases
January 30, 2009 (#2008-100)
Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting and Public Hearing on Policy 6020, School Construction Program
The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
Both the afternoon and the evening session, which convenes at 7:30 p.m., will begin with a “Public Forum,” when members of the public may address the Board on any topic other than those for which a formal public hearing process exists. Advanced sign up is preferred.
During the evening session, the Board will hold a public hearing on Policy 6020, School Construction Program.
Individuals who wish to testify at the hearing are asked to limit their presentation to three minutes and to provide 15 written copies of their testimony at the time of the hearing. Pre-registration will take place during business hours up to the close of business on the last working day before the hearing.
To sign up to testify at the hearing or to speak at Public Forum, contact the Board’s office at 410-313-7194.
Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.
January 27, 2009 (#2008-099)
Community Advisory Council Reschedules Tonight's Meeting
The meeting of the Community Advisory Council to the Board of Education scheduled for this evening (1/27) at 7:30 p.m., has been cancelled due to inclement weather. The meeting has be rescheduled for Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Howard County Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
January 23, 2009 (#2008-098)
Public Invited to Gifted and Talented Student Showcase
Interested parents and community members are invited to join elementary students from across Howard County as they share their projects at the Elementary Gifted and Talented Education Student Showcase. Student presentations will highlight the various elementary G/T Education Program offerings. Those who attend will have an opportunity to interact with the students and experience their intellectual curiosity about advanced-level topics such as oceanography, politics, engineering, ancient civilizations, environmental science, archaeology, creative writing, mathematics, and technology.
The showcase will take place on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009, between 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Bushy Park Elementary, 14601 Carrs Mill Road in Glenwood. In the event of inclement weather, the showcase will be held on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009.
January 23, 2009 (#2008-097)
Board of Education’s Legislative Committee to Meet
The Howard County Board of Education’s Legislative Committee will meet on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, at 8 a.m. in conference room ML-2, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
January 16, 2009 (#2008-096)
Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting
The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 2:30 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
January 16, 2009 (#2008-095)
Centennial Seniors Named Semifinalists in Intel Science Talent Search
Centennial High School seniors Peter Kamel and Henry Zheng are two of only 300 students nationwide to be named semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search. Intel announced the semifinalists in America's oldest and most prestigious pre-college science competition on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009.
Zheng's research on the application of data fusion for prosthetic systems and Kamel's on artificial tissue design earned each student a $1,000 award with an additional $2,000 for the school. The students' research has been conducted under the guidance of Gifted and Talented Resource Teacher Michelle Bagley, as well as their mentors, Dr. Soumya Acharya at the Johns Hopkins University Thakor Lab and Dr. Emad Boctor at Johns Hopkins Hospital, respectively.
On January 28, 40 of the 300 semifinalists will be named as finalists and compete in a week-long event in Washington, D.C. where they will compete for a grand prize of $100,000. Each finalist will receive at least $5,000 and a new laptop powered by the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor.
This year’s semifinalists were selected from 1,608 entrants, and come from 36 states, the District of Columbia and accredited overseas schools in India and South Korea.
January 13, 2009 (#2008-094)
Board of Education to Hold Public Work Session II on Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2010 Operating Budget
The Howard County Board of Education will hold Public Work Session II on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2010 Operating Budget in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. The work session, originally scheduled to take place from 1-5 p.m., will take place from 2-6 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009.
Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.
January 13, 2009 (#2008-093)
Board of Education to Hold Public Work Session on Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2010 Operating Budget
The Howard County Board of Education will hold Public Work Session I on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2010 Operating Budget in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. The work session will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009.
Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.
January 12, 2009 (#2008-092)
Board of Education to Meet with County Council
The Howard County Board of Education will hold their quarterly meeting with the County Council at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
January 12, 2009 (#2008-091)
Board of Education to Hold Public Hearing on Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2010 Operating Budget
The public will have and opportunity for input on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2010 Operating Budget during a public hearing of the Howard County Board of Education. The hearing will take place at 7 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
Individuals who wish to testify at the hearing are asked to limit their presentation to three minutes and to provide 15 written copies of their testimony at the time of the hearing. Pre-registration will take place during business hours during the three weeks prior to the hearing, up to the close of business on the last working day before the hearing.
To sign up to testify at the hearing, contact the Board’s office at 410-313-7194.
Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.
January 12, 2009 (#2008-090)
Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting
The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
Both the afternoon and the evening session, which convenes at 7:30 p.m., will begin with a “Public Forum,” when members of the public may address the Board on any topic other than those for which a formal public hearing process exists. Advanced sign up is preferred.
To sign up to speak at Public Forum, contact the Executive Assistant to the Board at 410-313-7194.
Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.
January 12, 2009 (#2008-089)
Program takes a look at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
It's a new year on HCPSS-TV and the January Parent Teacher Connection begins the year with a look at how the school system helps students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their parents. Parent host Jennifer Johnson talks with Dr. Gerry Giola, national expert on ADHD, and Dr. Cynthia Schulmeyer, HCPSS Coordinator of School Psychologists, about the latest findings and treatments for ADHD and how parents can get help from their school if their child has this disorder.
In a rebroadcast of a segment on lifetime fitness, PTA reporter Mary Ellen Creasy, talks with Glenelg High School students and teachers about how they track their fitness progress using heart rate monitors along with a computer program.
Also this month, HCPSS Webmaster Brian Duvall shows technology host Jennifer Elam the new elementary and middle school website design that now includes more pictures and helpful features for parents.
Parent Teacher Connection is broadcast on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at noon and 5 p.m. on Comcast cable channel 95 and Verizon channel 42.
January 8, 2009 (#2008-088)
Techlab Partners with Lime Kiln Middle School to Document Service Learning Highlights
Lime Kiln Middle School students will create an online visual record of service learning projects with help from digital imaging professionals, thanks to a new partnership between the school and Techlab Photo & Digital Imaging. The partnership will be formalized with an official signing at the Waterside Restaurant in the Sheraton Columbia Hotel on Monday, January 12.
The goal of the partnership is to help Lime Kiln students demonstrate how the concepts that they study in science, history and culture apply to the “real world” of work and independent living. The partners will collaborate to create a website of high quality digital images to document the school’s service learning projects for each grade.
Techlab has agreed to help with digitally recording service activities at the school, and to upload images to a pictorial website. The company will also train students and teachers on photography techniques to enhance image production.
At 8:30 a.m., Dan Gaffney, Owner, Techlab Photo & Digital Imaging, will join Brenda Thomas, Principal, and Robert Keddell, Teacher, Lime Kiln Middle School; and Mary Schiller, Manager of the Partnerships Office to sign the formal partnership agreement.
With facilities in Baltimore and Fulton, Techlab Photo & Digital Imaging (www.techlab2000.com) has been filling the needs of the serious amateur, pro photographer and businesses that take their photos seriously since 1988. The company has grown beyond on-site processing to meet customer needs in today’s digital world.
The Howard County Public School System’s Partnerships Office (www.hcpss.org/aboutus/partnership) unites businesses and community organizations with schools to enhance the educational experience. Partnerships benefit schools, businesses, and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.
January 8, 2009 (#2008-087)
Board of Education’s Legislative Committee to Meet
The Howard County Board of Education’s Legislative Committee will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, at 4 p.m. in Board Room A at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
January 6, 2009 (#2008-086)
Economic Environment Shapes School System’s Budget Request; “Tough economic times do not lessen our obligations…”
In presenting his fifth operating budget as superintendent, Sydney Cousin characterized his fiscal year 2010 request as “responsive, responsible and fiscally prudent.” The $659 million budget proposal presented to the Board of Education last evening, represents a $1.9 million dollar, or 0.3%, increase over the current year’s operating budget. Cousin attributed the small increase to strategic decision-making and the repurposing of existing funds to areas of critical need for next year. He indicated that this is the most conservative budget request in recent history.
Cousin said it is important to note that the budget as presented does not include any salary increases for employees. Negotiations are currently underway with employee groups and he anticipates that any additional costs associated with negotiated agreements will be submitted with the Board of Education budget request in March.
The school system relies on the County for approximately 70 percent of its operating funds. Between 25 and 30 percent of its funding comes from the state and approximately 1.0 percent from the Federal government and other sources.
Current state revenue estimates indicate that the Howard County Public School System will receive a $3.5 million increase in state funding; a substantially smaller increase than in recent years. In fiscal 2008 Howard County received nearly $27 million more in state funds, a 17% increase over 2007. In fiscal 2009 that increase dropped to $13.3 million; a 7.5% increase. For fiscal 2010, the school system is slated to receive an increase of only $3.5 million from the State, which represents only a 1.8% increase. This projection, coupled with a predicted decrease of nearly $4.0 million from Federal and other sources, creates a bleak revenue picture.
To compensate for anticipated revenue reductions, school officials identified short-term and strategic cost savings across the budget. This includes
• Eliminating 10.5 unfilled central administration and support positions
• Cutting funds across the budget for meetings and conferences by 50 percent
• Reducing contributions to the Workers Compensation Fund by $800,000
• Deferring the purchase of 15 replacement cars, trucks and vans for a $417,700 savings
• Reducing funds for maintenance of buildings and grounds by a total of $1 million
• Closing all schools and offices during winter break in 2009 for a savings of $100,000 in energy costs.
Cousin noted that the current financial downturn comes at a time when Howard schools and students are achieving at the highest levels ever. The school system’s challenge for the immediate future is to protect the tremendous gains that have been made and to overcome remaining challenges with limited or no additional funding.
“Tough economic times do not lessen our obligations as a public school system. This budget preserves our classrooms, protects class sizes and funds small strategic improvements -- all with an eye toward maintaining the gains we have made and meeting our challenges,” said Cousin.
Cousin said schools across Howard County are making great strides on both of the system’s strategic goals -- academic achievement and safe schools. He singled out Hammond Middle School, recently named a 2008 Maryland Blue Ribbon School, Bryant Woods Elementary, and Worthington Elementary for the academic achievement of their students and recent gains on the Maryland School Assessments. He remarked that schools across Howard County are realizing equally impressive results.
At the high school level, nearly 93 percent of the county’s Class of 2009 met the High School Assessment graduation requirement by the end of 11th grade. Students in the Class of 2008 significantly outperformed their counterparts in Maryland and across the nation on the SAT. All 12 of Howard’s high schools were recently ranked in the top 7% of high schools nationally in the Washington Post’s Challenge Index.
According to Cousin, these accomplishments are due, in large part, to the community’s commitment to quality education and its willingness to fund education at a level necessary to achieve it. “The fiscal 2010 budget was shaped with all these factors in mind. Every effort was made to protect the initiatives and programs we know are making a difference in the academic achievement of our students while responding to fiscal realities,” he said.
The proposed budget adds 44 teaching positions to address enrollment and program growth. It also funds the second year of a 2-year update of technology education labs, provides media furniture and shelving for one elementary and one high school, and upgrades Mt. Hebron High School’s media collection. Funds are added to expand mastery classes and other programs to assist high school students who fail the state High School Assessments. Funds are also provided to cover an increase in summer school enrollments and to expand Evening School to include students age 18 and older for the first time.
The Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on February 3 at 7 p.m. The hearing is followed by four public work sessions. On February 24, the Board approves its budget request, which is then forwarded to the County Executive.
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