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I give thanks to live in a county that values education.

I give thanks to the many teachers who care about our kids day after day

I give thanks for my own wonderful family that makes each of my days a joy.

I give thanks for the opportunity to help keep our schools true centers of learning.

On Friday, Nov. 17, Howard County School Superintendent, Michael Martirano, announced he is leaving his position as of January 10, 2024. Just last year, the HoCo Board of Education renewed Martirano's contract for an additional four years at a salary of $290,743.

Dr. Martirano's decision indicates that he is retiring, and he certainly deserves to do so following a long and mostly exceptional career in education. Nonetheless, his retirement has no doubt been hastened by the series of unfortunate and unfavorable events that have occurred this school year, in addition to the likelihood of an upcoming, unusually difficult budget process

The school board plans to select an interim superintendent to oversee the school system for the remainder of the school year, and while it begins a nationwide search for a new permanent superintendent." READ MORE

Here are some suggestions for what the Board should be seeking in a new Superintendent. He or she should be able to provide:

• Clear leadership.
• Fiscal Responsibility.
• Focus on academics and character building.
• Bring back an emphasis on civics, and the study of our founding documents.
• Improve reading and math proficiency. 
• Apply grades based on merit, not equity. 
• Address unruly, disruptive, dangerous behavior.
• Re-evaluate the special education program. It is dysfunctional and a disservice to our special education students, teachers, and the general population of students. 
• Provide an SRO for all schools.
• Support sports, music, and art in all schools.
• Support bus services for all children that live over 1 mile from their school.
• End equity based redistricting and focus on building communities around schools.
• Remove identity politics and political ideologies from the school system.   [SEE BELOW]

Students at Glenelg, River Hill, Howard, and Atholton walked out of class in order to express their support for Palestine. The administrators in each school supported this action.

Why?

Why should our schools support political protests of any kind?

Why should our schools permit an event that ignores the schools' policy of being "safe spaces" for all student minorities?

Why should schools engage in any kind of identity politics

Howard County is among the top five wealthiest counties in the Country.

So why can't we afford to fix our schools?? Here are some reasons:

"Even with the lower than anticipated enrollment numbers, school officials warned that significant investments in capital projects were needed, given the system’s overcrowding, spiraling deferred maintenance costs, and capacity additions mandated by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future." READ MORE

Blueprint mandates override HCPSS Priorities.

During this year's session of the General Assembly, our Board of Education fought hard against a bill that would have given the State Board of Education strict control over local Boards of Ed.

The bill failed; the idea did not. Howard County and the other 22 counties are beginning to experience the unfortunate local impacts of the $32 Billion Blueprint.

1. A loss of local control. The millions of dollars being funneled to the counties generally come with specific requirements as to how the counties must spend the money. Existing programs often have to be scrapped and reimagined and reincarnated as envisioned by the Blueprint
2. Financial expenditures by the county. At this point in the roll-out, the counties will have to match whatever money the state provides. significantly impacting the normal operating budgets of the counties.

How can anyone believe that a one-size-fits-all approach to education can possibly work for school systems as disparate as Howard County and Baltimore City?

Rumors abound during times of fiscal crises. The most pernicious rumor thus far is that HCPSS plans to cancel the 5th grade program known as the "Simulated Congressional hearings." This 20-year-old program has been a shining star in providing a modicum of American history to students in Maryland. Year after year, history and social studies focused on America's past has been pushed to the side. Assessment tests fail to consider it. The Blueprint addresses the major areas of study -- but there is not one word about American history.

The Simulated Congressional Hearings - or "We the People," instills an in-depth knowledge of and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution. It also provides students with an opportunity to learn to work in a group, to practice public speaking, and to answer questions from adult "judges."

We cannot let this program be cancelled!