[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6328081,"mediaKeyId","2321697-ea63da770d66544982681dce7942e44b","parentId",2321697,"title","Board hears staff and community justify FY26 operating request focused on special education, compensation and infrastructure","audioSeconds",2682,"startMs",7458000,"endMs",4776000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321697-ea63da770d66544982681dce7942e44b&start=7458&end=4776","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321697-ea63da770d66544982681dce7942e44b/thumbnail_7458000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328081/Maryland/Board-hears-staff-and-community-justify-FY26-operating-request-focused-on-special-education-compensation-and-infrastructure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328081-298925fa02de13dd4078bb41aa63d51a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155410&Signature=XzzHa9n-jgKgNiA-GM8P6ltzpz1egEzG~vzt4XrDoXLaQwArfAJpTrz491VvNp~Gc1QSF3vN0ctf8Bzui0R7NB70TJMStD6KJgZUmDOvipziXxglvoyy-q3gwNBAwvcNz7RM6JMhO8kRXm4MpD2xManqRVTsLOZe0m8CEJomi5vK8Qpx89Met-fft8HGmrNJtDqxAv4n28FehJTnn2kkwfrUarzmIH2ib~MQy6pWbcZSeRSXBoj1OfG9FkWtWPDD55R9rc1I9eJPyU4c-ZCZ0Y27H3O9p8S7fJFKCilM3cm2SAFUXA7K47pX5ZuTZ8ZzYJ8ZkqEwvxFGtqGjCXKFMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Baltimore County Public Schools","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","Superintendent Dr. Rogers presented the proposed FY26 operating budget during a Feb. 11 work session and answered board members’ questions about major drivers of the request, including compensation, special education costs, energy prices and multi‑year technology upgrades.

Dr. Rogers summarized the largest components of the FY26 request: year-two compensation adjustments for five bargaining units, a request to “right‑size” special education related services (including occupational, physical and speech therapies) and non‑public placements, increased projected costs for gas and electric, and ongoing multi‑year investments in enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other infrastructure. Rogers told the board that the system requested roughly a 6.2% operating increase from the county (part of a larger 21.7% package that includes capital components) and outlined roughly $23.2 million in special education budget increases and roughly $56 million for year‑two compensation steps, plus associated benefits and other costs.

Community speakers urged full funding of the proposed budget. Cindy Sexton of TABCO said the 3‑year contract’s commitments must be funded so staff can remain in classrooms. Wendy Stringfellow of the Student Support Network described rising poverty levels in BCPS and requested increased funding and flexibility for essential items in community schools. Marietta English for the NAACP and Clarissa Taylor Jackson of Sigma Gamma Rho urged full funding for community schools, early childhood expansion and special education.

Board members pressed staff about specific line items and implementation details. Questions included whether the district could avoid part of the Open Court K–3 purchase by delaying purchases of student consumables (staff said some consumables were required but they were seeking savings where possible), whether portrait/photo services contracts included technical standards for photographing darker skin tones (staff said they would follow up), and if some infrastructure investments could have been funded from federal ESSER grants in prior years (staff said prior funding decisions were made earlier and that some current items are one‑time capital or security upgrades).

Board members also asked for additional transparency on staffing shifts. Staff reiterated that staffing allocations are driven by enrollment and that teachers affected by school-level changes are placed on the spring priority transfer list; school staffing ratios were not changed in this FY26 request. The superintendent said the district will continue to meet with the county executive and county council as budget deliberations proceed; the board is scheduled to vote on the FY26 operating budget request at the Feb. 25 board meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - Feb 11, 2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Dr. Rogers presented the proposed FY26 operating budget at a Feb. 11 work session, saying the largest drivers are year‑two compensation for bargaining units, right‑sizing special education services and rising utilities, alongside multi‑year investments in ERP and safety infrastructure.","taxTitle","Baltimore County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",17213,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328085,"Community groups and superintendent urge protections for immigrant students after classroom privacy concerns",2676,329000,3005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321697-ea63da770d66544982681dce7942e44b&start=329&end=3005","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321697-ea63da770d66544982681dce7942e44b/thumbnail_329000.jpg","/articles/6328085/Maryland/Community-groups-and-superintendent-urge-protections-for-immigrant-students-after-classroom-privacy-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328085-92a0b485e4d541204158673d7e89ea0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155410&Signature=UmptQ1aN-mTE9RWMhgwGHq68gbkVm2crFhXV-WaFVWxATI0vpt27N0Gxmy~ODCjqJ2DqnwNUK1MxHILSakVwiBwz8aC4ofIALYFS~glA9Arv2NviSf37Tkesey8-avYP7~TIFmJR8fuF8TZtrBHoHVjtUOritC5U8t45lEo-H2c2oT-GqOP1rZsCzteSHyKYzDGTCvrBvId~Q0wZVQqENfcRoTM5KsuYzqIlvMVGvaFMcUmIC~7S8fqar6JZampY7tQPuzyq2Yul-xNfibcGrbhpUNRx162aFyryonlPIapzqRrJI~HxHRW7rIaSF7zAq81tx9eByhzQyuARH8sQbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A series of community speakers at the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) board meeting on Feb. 11 pressed the school system to adopt clearer policies, staff training and multilingual communications to protect immigrant students and families.

Edwin Perez, chair of the Multilingual Community Partnership, said schools must ensure student privacy and provide multilingual communication channels, and urged “extensive training for all school staff on the rights of immigrant students and families.” Lisa Los Santos, director of Casa Baltimore Central Maryland, said a recent incident at Overlea High School — where a teacher publicly offered to share students’ names with Immigration and Customs Enforcement — made urgent the need for district-wide guidelines to protect immigrant students’ personal information.

The community calls came before the superintendent’s report, in which Superintendent Dr. Rogers described steps BCPS has taken to align guidance with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), to post vetted resources online and to provide principals with training and Office of Law and Office of Safety support. Rogers said immigration status is not part of BCPS enrollment determinations and that federal laws protect education records; she added that BCPS staff follow local board policy and superintendent rules on conduct and privacy.

Rogers told the board that Maryland ICE Director Ellison told state superintendents that Maryland’s ICE operations are “target enforcement actions only outside of schools,” and she said the director provided a direct contact line for superintendents. Rogers said BCPS has procedures for verifying any adult who appears at a school and that staff will involve the Office of Law and Baltimore County Police when needed to verify identity and purpose.

Speakers asked the board to take additional steps: a multilingual media campaign restating the district’s commitment to inclusion; clear, efficient protocols for contacting immigrant families in their native languages; regular training in confidentiality and cultural sensitivity; and formal partnerships with community organizations to provide wraparound supports. Several speakers framed the need as general to all students’ trust in educators, saying students learn best when they feel safe.

The board did not take a formal vote this evening on a new policy; Chair Lichter said she had asked the Policy Review Committee to consider a policy to protect immigrant students and ensure schools remain safe and equitable. Rogers said any reported incidents are investigated and that consequences follow due process when staff break policy.

The board meeting included other public comment items and a budget work session; members of the public were reminded that the public comment period is not the forum to raise individual student personnel matters, and that three-minute limits apply to speakers. The superintendent and board members said they would continue outreach and report back as additional guidance or actions are developed.

","A series of community speakers at the Baltimore County Public Schools board meeting on Feb. 11 pressed the district to adopt clearer policies, staff training and multilingual communications to protect immigrant students and families after an Overlea High School teacher publicly offered to share student names with ICE, according to several speakers.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328070,"Board approves personnel consent items, multiple policy amendments, closed‑session action and a slate of contracts; roll‑call votes recorded",3543,143000,3686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321697-ea63da770d66544982681dce7942e44b&start=143&end=3686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321697-ea63da770d66544982681dce7942e44b/thumbnail_143000.jpg","/articles/6328070/Maryland/Board-approves-personnel-consent-items-multiple-policy-amendments-closedsession-action-and-a-slate-of-contracts-rollcall-votes-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328070-d354ffcde5bba59fd5de8ba3081047a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155410&Signature=RAvmDw8wst9YSrtFP0ZSnOsQLKMToYyRlGzhKitJvMoZa4Vc6192f1Ief0zabHMCg8DqlzJdgtWH8VkjkYu3MSFuncBChiwbWkGiWm01Rts2NzSC16z9fRBo8AYfjMvJkBRLdAvIIU-mMew8NDsjtKbeR8az7DNUvSWF-UA6vVu3v1kBoWdm7YtCrNQN8tQTO0wjWsuwKfeO8In-auNbI~wYsFlcjTSYML9FsmWN-48G~APhnV2LVT4qG3jQ3Iv8hPb0gKkEbSOIQEPIyuFCFVB3KUblMbh7pyFjCmaiLT1swwDCrcLHOK1i2pByPO62BXTYOk7rwf4-kesDbIbG4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Baltimore County took several formal actions during its Feb. 11 meeting, including approval of personnel consent items, acceptance of policy amendments at second reading, ratification of action taken in closed session, and authorization of multiple contract awards recommended by the Building and Contracts Committee.

Personnel matters: By roll call the board approved the consent agenda of personnel matters (retirements, resignations, leaves, recognition of service, and certificate appointments) as presented in Exhibits D1–D5. The chair called for a roll‑call vote and the motion carried.

Policies (second reading): The board accepted the Policy Review Committee’s recommendation to amend board policies: 3‑113 Transfers and Supplements; 3‑121 Funds Management and Classification of Expenditures; 3‑123 Financial Reporting; and 3‑125 School Activities Funds. The policies were presented as Exhibits I1–I4 and were approved by roll call.

Closed session action: The board reconvened from closed session and voted to approve the action taken in hearing examiner case SD20232024‑04 and authorized Ms. Gover to sign for members not physically present.

Contracts: The Building and Contracts Committee forwarded K‑1 through K‑16 to the full board with separations. The board approved most items in grouped roll‑call votes and separated others for individual votes. Staff recorded individual board questions and follow‑ups for several contracts (for example, questions about portrait services’ handling of diverse skin tones, and about combining county and Comcast fiber services into one procurement). The board approved the listed contracts after discussion; several contracts had member abstentions or recusals recorded in the roll call.

The board did not take final action on the Northwest Area boundary recommendation or the proposed acceleration of Canfield Early Learning Center closure; those items were set for public hearing and future votes.

","The Board of Education approved consent personnel matters, amendments to financial and activity fund policies, authorized action taken in closed session, and approved multiple contract awards in a series of roll‑call votes. Several contracts were approved after separation and specific member votes included yes, no, abstain, and recusal notations.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328075,"Board reviews Northwest elementary boundary recommendation and staff proposes earlier Canfield Early Learning Center closure",1176,5997000,7173000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321697-ea63da770d66544982681dce7942e44b&start=5997&end=7173","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321697-ea63da770d66544982681dce7942e44b/thumbnail_5997000.jpg","/articles/6328075/Maryland/Board-reviews-Northwest-elementary-boundary-recommendation-and-staff-proposes-earlier-Canfield-Early-Learning-Center-closure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328075-dd9a91eaf5176ed90e9aa491648f38c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155410&Signature=gzpRj6ZQs5L6ePOAx2kC2MXxPNYfqZrqX35Cp6mdaLj86FCBAvWf-XWX8x4cdDnX1ymWco0UG6Ta2MsRccen9qu57m8JAecGDb9cjOgTI4dJKiqjRQJPQMwJzCzuemfc4kwhTnOAbtW8CohmcMmoRbiesv1cfmBIO7HOXCLySHTJHKVEFZk~2hM~t8HF3BhJNYtDeyjrcF5j7yvPllJ6sxKVCD3qfjAWZcQRp9Au8YC~XV4xWgxtUYPfwAiBhzpiL198bUyKH-A7B~RkHTLbDh-HBdebT5pL-LdlnTCTMF4FJuHXrPbusIWaDPAvCt2DB0C6OvsEWqtbevJ3BYJ0QA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","BCPS staff presented the Northwest Area Elementary School boundary committee’s recommendation at the Feb. 11 board meeting and also proposed accelerating the planned closure of Canfield Early Learning Center.

The boundary committee met five times after a spring 2024 planning period and considered 16 options; five options were shared at the public information session and four were voted on by the committee. Committee members selected Option B2 — with one small planning‑block modification considered but not adopted — as the plan that best balanced capacity, proximity and Blueprint early‑childhood expansion goals. Staff said the recommended option would affect an estimated 452 students and create a fifth elementary‑to‑middle feeder split (Deer Park would have an 80/20 split between Deer Park/Birch (?) Magnet and Northwest Academy under the recommended plan).

BCPS staff and planners stated that the Northwest area has seen multiple capital projects (including new or expanded Deer Park and Scotts Branch schools) that increase capacity and make reassignment possible. Staff said the boundary study included outreach such as streamed committee meetings, public information sessions and surveys. The board will hold a public hearing on the proposed boundary recommendation on Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Milford Mill Academy; the Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the boundary change on March 11, 2025.

On the Canfield Early Learning Center, Dr. Grimm told the board that the board previously approved Canfield’s closure with an anticipated end date at the close of the 2025‑26 school year. Staff now propose accelerating the closure so that students move to their home schools or nearby regional programs at the end of the current coming school year, a year earlier than originally planned. Staff said the acceleration is possible because of transitions already completed (over 200 kindergarten and pre‑K students transitioned during the current year) and the timely completion of nearby capital projects that free capacity. Staff said fewer than 60 students are projected to remain at Canfield for the next school year if the earlier closure is approved; impacted staff would be prioritized for transfers in the spring.

Board members asked detailed questions about state‑rated capacity adjustments, whether relocatable classrooms would remain available, and how the projected enrollment accounted for nearby housing construction. Staff said the state‑rated capacity (SRC) can be adjusted by the state based on project scope and provided initial enrollment forecasts that account for known future development; planners told members that the recommended option provided the best overall balance among options considered.

No final boundary vote or final decision on Canfield’s earlier closure was made tonight. The board will take public comment at the Feb. 26 hearing and consider a final vote on March 11, 2025.

","BCPS staff recommended the committee's Option B2 for Northwest Area elementary boundaries, which the committee selected by vote. The proposal would affect about 452 students and create an additional elementary-to-middle feeder split; the board scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 26 and will consider a vote on March 11. Staff also proposed","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears staff and community justify FY26 operating request focused on special education, compensation and infrastructure

Community groups and superintendent urge protections for immigrant students after classroom privacy concerns

Board approves personnel consent items, multiple policy amendments, closed‑session action and a slate of contracts; roll‑call votes recorded

Board reviews Northwest elementary boundary recommendation and staff proposes earlier Canfield Early Learning Center closure