The Howard County government meeting on January 23, 2024, highlighted several key achievements and initiatives within the local education system. Superintendent Troy Norton announced that the Montblanc Blue basketball team is currently undefeated with a record of 12-0, and player Evans Sterling has reached a significant milestone by scoring his thousandth point, becoming only the third student in 40 years to achieve this.

In addition to sports achievements, the meeting addressed educational goals, particularly the aim to reduce chronic absenteeism by 50% by spring 2026. The superintendent noted that progress is being made, and a revised goal may be set for the following year. The discussion also included insights into parent-teacher conference attendance, which typically declines as students progress to higher grades, with elementary levels seeing participation rates close to 100%.

The meeting also celebrated the success of Cape Cottage Hill School's third-grade teachers, who achieved a 100% attendance rate for parent-teacher conferences. Other schools reported similar successes, showcasing the commitment of educators to engage families.

Keith, an administrator, reported on the annual food drive at Academy Hill, which collected approximately 795 food items for local charities. He also shared details about a successful family math night that attracted over 100 participants, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement in education.

The implementation of the BAR (Behavioral Academic Response) program was discussed, with positive impacts noted on attendance and a decrease in disciplinary referrals. The program is currently in place for sixth graders, with plans to expand it to seventh and eighth grades.

Finally, updates on the Buren Center construction project indicated that it is ahead of schedule, with completion expected by May 1, 2024. The meeting concluded with discussions about community engagement initiatives, including partnerships with local organizations to provide educational sessions for parents on topics such as cybersecurity and nutrition.

Overall, the meeting underscored the commitment of Howard County's educational leaders to foster student achievement, community involvement, and continuous improvement in school performance.