[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6328066,"mediaKeyId","2321716-ce23db8f9f92a553509a4d6b541942ed","parentId",2321716,"title","District expands principal pipeline; launches residency and emerging-leaders programs","audioSeconds",443,"startMs",4997000,"endMs",5440000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321716-ce23db8f9f92a553509a4d6b541942ed&start=4997&end=5440","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321716-ce23db8f9f92a553509a4d6b541942ed/thumbnail_4997000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328066/Maryland/District-expands-principal-pipeline-launches-residency-and-emerging-leaders-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328066-057c0056547542fddc88537b316c8397/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440508&Signature=XxLnZ0MXuAPdt6VC4MjV-vW1LP7is3-IJdOsAwc2jRPg9TaETJ8IH8qje9jB-29nc2-~8p7cySQB~SoJEJ9rjNCc9ghIGJ454G8Dmt0mfDDLJENkVXqlP0~KjrzIy7q3aturjlSn3XE2jQ75hxIJ~b1ztu052yA2hQIv-4D0cKvigaSkMDts-17ePZCFh9raSZMpPkX8X-hQ75Wu-qDF8DGSplH6JPC6tHZZc2Z~sr~gtoQtqxiMksnTIEweALnVjHwawUr5fOUp78hU~DqKVwtaar-24yquH6PEI35vpBIEM2n1c2P4Uk90UkE9pndQegTduLRMFmmED2ZV1U2Big__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Baltimore City Public Schools","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","Baltimore City Public Schools reported expanded principal-pipeline activity and new supports for aspiring and early-career leaders at the Feb. 11 board meeting, describing a mix of coaching, residency placements and collaboration with university partners.

Tracy Frazier, director of Educator Pipelines and Induction, said the pipeline team now supports 176 early-career leaders across the district, up from roughly 100 earlier in the grant period. The district launched its inaugural City Schools residency this year and revived an Emerging Leaders cohort; this year the district reported nine emerging leaders and five resident principals, with roughly 25 additional candidates in the broader pipeline. Frazier said the department's coaching team grew to four certified coaches and that the work includes a focus on equity, wellness and targeted experiences for assistant principals to broaden instructional leadership experience.

Frazier said survey results and program metrics show positive signals: 64 percent of early-career principals in the program reported increased student achievement in one or more categories (attendance, i-Ready math/reading, graduation rate or chronic absenteeism). Participant self-reports showed growth across leadership domains: 91 percent in instructional leadership and talent development, 88 percent in vision and engagement, and 83 percent in strategic and operational management.

Coach Sam Rather and assistant principal Brent Dawson described Talent Development Tuesday sessions and one-on-one coaching as highly valuable. Dawson, an assistant principal, said monthly coaching visits are \"indispensable\" and that cohort connections formed at Talent Development Tuesday provide practical peer support.

Frazier said the district is planning sustainability efforts to continue the work beyond the Wallace Foundation grant, including integrating key initiatives into district operations, ongoing university collaborations and strategic allocation of resources to prioritize leadership development.

Ending: District leaders said the expanded pipeline and residency model are intended to strengthen internal recruitment and to build a steady supply of principals who are prepared for Baltimore City schools.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Board Meeting 02/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The district reported growth in its principal pipeline programs, including a new City Schools residency, expanded coaching and a rise in early-career leaders receiving support; staff cited Wallace Foundation support and said they are working to sustain the programs after the grant period.","taxTitle","Baltimore City Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",70831,"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},6328072,"City Schools presents proposed 2025-26 calendar; board to vote Feb. 25 after additional outreach",820,5300000,6120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321716-ce23db8f9f92a553509a4d6b541942ed&start=5300&end=6120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321716-ce23db8f9f92a553509a4d6b541942ed/thumbnail_5300000.jpg","/articles/6328072/Maryland/City-Schools-presents-proposed-2025-26-calendar-board-to-vote-Feb-25-after-additional-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328072-c804f2fb08c44d956aca19751c162647/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440508&Signature=gUYxO5PKHYgDCrGZY8hM9k2l-B0oZHrlYNKOhog~RqYJ-NWU2tLeUpStGOWFFRMuAMP654K~WjYagLH5aZ60TCvlamga0RNN47RAtCjUS93vrMrGL~cd1LZaspLqyZxbI-H8oorLw~Hf1vwfK385ujWuuDTXeN43h8NL4zJoKguyddAA0GY3FuWxZKgLhhT0~~5f-QlK5IplqOVQbUOHcqJIraGvbGQrbJoVoPrMuGhubH~J52JQRxj02eQPKc2xI9muk15AP2yLyoYccHBhlXJt~YKzOC~v4z0VBhl0JG5pBYe8O3eXcVKDxgJ7CprNNxp6-c1QImgqno7la2ZosA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Baltimore City Public Schools presented a proposed 2025-26 school calendar on Feb. 11, outlining dates and practices designed to protect instructional time, expand distributed professional learning and address stakeholder requests for wellness and religious-observance accommodations.

Deputy Chief Academic Officer Taisha Swinton Buck and Simon Berenbaum, director of grading, assessment and scheduling, said the district's calendar planning balanced state requirements (minimum 180 school days and 1,080 instructional hours), contractual obligations (a maximum of 90 teacher workdays including 10 professional learning days) and stakeholder feedback gathered through town halls, surveys, PASSA text responses and meetings with faith leaders. The district reported nearly 1,500 staff responses and more than 8,000 parent PASSA replies.

Key elements of the proposed calendar include: returning staff on a Tuesday before school begins; the first day of school on the Monday before Labor Day; a winter break from Dec. 24 to Jan. 4; a last in-person student day of Tuesday, June 9 (with make-up days running to June 12 if needed); three inclement-weather make-up days (with additional make-ups to be virtual, pending MSDE approval); one wellness day added (the day before Thanksgiving); and 10 systemic professional learning days arranged so five district-led PD days fall on the first Friday of selected months to provide consistent, predictable scheduling for families. The plan would keep the current number of early-release days but move them to Fridays at the end of each quarter to give teachers dedicated time for grading and report preparation.

On religious observances, staff recommended continuing current practice of excusing students for religious-observance absences and not scheduling tests, evening events, field trips or major extracurricular events on major observance days. Staff also committed to more proactive communication: publishing observance days in school leader updates and the assessment calendar, updating field-trip forms to exclude observance days and consulting local faith leaders before finalizing Muslim holiday dates. The district noted it uses the MSDE list of observance days as its starting point.

Several commissioners requested additional outreach before final action. Commissioner Mohammed said Muslim community leaders who showed up in force last year to request Eid recognition had not been fully engaged in the staff's outreach and asked staff to coordinate with the board's recognized group representing those community members. Commissioner Redding Lawlinger and others sought more granular data on attendance patterns, early-release-day attendance and program variation across schools. Staff agreed to reopen asynchronous feedback and to provide the board additional attendance and survey analyses before the Feb. 25 vote, which the CEO noted will be held off-site at Digital Harbor High School.

Ending: The proposal is an information item; the board will consider final approval on Feb. 25 after staff provides additional outreach and data requested by commissioners.","The district presented a proposed 2025-26 school calendar that preserves 180 instructional days, shifts some professional learning into the school year, adds a wellness day before Thanksgiving and proposes early-release Fridays for end-of-quarter grading; board members asked for more outreach on religious observances before a Feb. 25 vote.",{"_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},6328077,"City Schools reports highest kindergarten readiness rate in nine years; pre-K students show larger gains",78,3082000,3160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321716-ce23db8f9f92a553509a4d6b541942ed&start=3082&end=3160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321716-ce23db8f9f92a553509a4d6b541942ed/thumbnail_3082000.jpg","/articles/6328077/Maryland/City-Schools-reports-highest-kindergarten-readiness-rate-in-nine-years-pre-K-students-show-larger-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328077-daa918b802c97492f55ed53d0442e230/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440508&Signature=gYEjT2FUvqDJBWUWrdBGlPLFcIHgwP8N5-Wb1HEFxmTPwDyWEpP0O2GT1ckoHsuE362zI7FfTiF3wfbq4gH3disNpmb6ysYxGTnnEafiaQbBi1ZHAqZYS9aaNpK20ChprCwRsQLAfPglKVaVYKomQ4i2JQjnWuLCgJvUeA3J~Ur~PWPnyq7doHYzlkmJhI9V7nd3OgZ4vrHsc4HKaqoeFmIyYbSLDjPg2f4x0jsbm9rKirfGNL2cIAW8pXsFblCDQ053bqBgRBUkVTKksesIledVHJfnCzn0nB8LUNYz4xYFWvNJvCe7DV2S-L4j0wN-ss2MTzFhWbeRqyxS16YGbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Baltimore City Public Schools reported its highest overall kindergarten readiness rate in nine years at its Feb. 11 board meeting, with the strongest gains among students who attended district pre-K programs.

Crystal Francis, executive director of the Office of Early Learning, told the board that students who attended City Schools duty-center pre-K programs demonstrated readiness at 53.4 percent on the district's kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA). Students who attended any City Schools pre-K program demonstrated readiness at 52 percent, while all City Schools kindergarten students scored 45 percent demonstrating readiness. The district reported a 6 percentage-point increase from last year and said pre-K-connected scores have risen more sharply since the pandemic, with a 16-point increase over a prior post-pandemic year and a 22-percent increase on earlier comparisons cited in the presentation.

District staff emphasized that Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) did not administer the statewide KRA this year; City Schools chose to administer the assessment locally to track progress. Staff said the district's pre-K curriculum adoption (Frog Street), professional learning tracks for teachers and paraeducators, play groups for children ages 0-3, extended-learning programs such as Camp Curiosity and frequent classroom walkthroughs contributed to gains.

Chief Academic Officer Joan Dabrowski and Francis also said City Schools will switch next year to the Renaissance assessment suite, which includes Renaissance Literacy and Star Math and offers teachers more real-time access to assessment data. The district plans to inventory classroom technology and work with MSDE for professional development tied to the new tool.

During board Q&A, Commissioner Redding Lawlinger asked about curriculum strengths and weaknesses; Francis said one recurring challenge has been items requiring phonological awareness such as rhyming but said interventions and vertical planning between pre-K and kindergarten teachers have been used to address gaps. Staff credited attendance and consistent participation in City Schools pre-K programs as significant contributors to readiness gains.

Ending: District leaders described the results as evidence that investments in pre-K curriculum, training and family-focused early learning supports are producing measurable improvement in kindergarten readiness.","City Schools said its locally administered kindergarten readiness assessment showed gains: 53.4% readiness for students who attended district duty-center pre-K, 52% for students in City Schools pre-K, and 45% for all kindergarten students.",{"_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},6328082,"Teachers union and multilingual community urge City Schools to expand Multilingual Family Engagement Office",1385,1268000,2653000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321716-ce23db8f9f92a553509a4d6b541942ed&start=1268&end=2653","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321716-ce23db8f9f92a553509a4d6b541942ed/thumbnail_1268000.jpg","/articles/6328082/Maryland/Teachers-union-and-multilingual-community-urge-City-Schools-to-expand-Multilingual-Family-Engagement-Office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328082-01c4019e46b0116ef75d027611a05ada/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440508&Signature=l78v9T2T4b1w0droIWrx3MVeExSYoTX6dplZrc3s9527rPgl~HGYspoLmBLXEfVlZ8AEpw80bKN2AeNJXWhURkjQSZz9VA~eME1qkU6NKA98dvHKi2hv9NDBKd7B5rgS~S8XsEwNj0x9SOHggLb1YbaQ0PU1gqDta8o2-6VLVA4Qp1buvhbUUjEziIUEccpAy3NiT~qGQgOnJj1LUc4D2WQC~4-EM6vIcEnv4OYWwKxIh2g9umqOhXqtvf~DjBF~ppfhuCCjuFX~6-IIe8Z1TDlJ2EALt9~wK4S3i-oiRxHpKUxcTM-kKW4j4lBzgJK2ts2NG6gVAj12tpM9h4~bgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers representing the Baltimore Teachers Union and members of the district's multilingual community asked the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners on Feb. 11 to increase staffing for the district's Multilingual Family Engagement Office and to expand services for multilingual students and international staff.

Christina Duncan Evans, teacher chapter chair for the Baltimore Teachers Union, urged the board to \"dramatically increase\" investment in the Multilingual Family Engagement Office (MFEO), calling for the office to grow from its current two positions to six. Evans said the MFEO connects families to language tools such as Language Link and Axio and provides programming for newcomer families; she told commissioners that current staffing is insufficient to serve a growing immigrant student population and that additional positions are needed to provide language access and family engagement.

During public comment, teacher Shelly Ann Higgins of Excel Academy at Francis Scott Key High School described specific needs for the international staff and families her school serves: more translated materials on the City Schools portal, greater multilingual support for ESOL special education students and families, transportation assistance for staff traveling to off-site professional development, and a larger MFEO staffing complement. Higgins said the district currently lists \"only 2 staff members\" supporting nearly 200 schools and that increasing the office to at least four additional staff would allow more robust services.

The remarks were part of a broader set of public comments clustered around support for multilingual families and school communities; multiple commenters requested expanded translation, newcomer programming and clearer communications about immigration enforcement protections the district has issued. The Baltimore Teachers Union statement also cited the American Federation of Teachers resolution supporting newcomers, asylum seekers and refugees when urging systemic supports.

No board action to change MFEO staffing was recorded at this meeting; the comments were received during the public comment period and will inform the board and staff as they plan resources and programming.

Ending: Speakers asked the board to make the MFEO a higher staffing priority and to provide clearer, proactive communications and operational support for multilingual families and international staff across the district.","Public commenters and the Baltimore Teachers Union called on the district to increase staff in the Multilingual Family Engagement Office from two positions to six and to improve translation, newcomer supports and transportation for international staff.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328087,"Board approves routine items; reopens meeting and adopts consent agendas",1865,830000,2695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321716-ce23db8f9f92a553509a4d6b541942ed&start=830&end=2695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321716-ce23db8f9f92a553509a4d6b541942ed/thumbnail_830000.jpg","/articles/6328087/Maryland/Board-approves-routine-items-reopens-meeting-and-adopts-consent-agendas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328087-2cdcb63d0bd883cddec124ac0eb4c5c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440508&Signature=nZHzdFd3rWOQwxzssOTfbRUkaB9~mvBp8vSmVvhpNTOOIUUZnw1LzAofASry4RBFWbqunDYLde5RoG91TgORIlrK09Jdwiny0hsfutoA5iE5joLeHGNQz6TamzsBoUrVtteZxgILX8QfBYILiBw8EKTP7PYGhJslgLpe1k-XrKL4HZgd38Fo3xstdVTWGXVoP5QU35UwvMuQf4cimO4QkvHZ5sxSrEz-MHa7CrGMnNnZtE9hZlly6uZ8-9kWyeYhwQpCjmwf1KI~JdwpX3a15nXrvqL~JjxKdi3NGL-vobhMTq2Ig9RhrpZXDKbb3k8i1OVyMDqYU1cqraGKHzoWMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners voted on a series of procedural and consent items during its Feb. 11 virtual meeting, approving motions to reopen the meeting, adopt prior open- and closed-session summaries and approve multiple consent agenda items.

Those votes were procedural and took place early in the session and during the consent portion of the agenda. Board Chair Robert Selli called for motions; commissioners moved and seconded each item, and the chair called the roll for recorded aye votes.

Votes recorded on the transcript include: reopening the meeting (moved by Commissioner Esposito, seconded by Commissioner Ames Messinger; recorded ayes from Commissioners Ames Messinger, Coy, Esposito, Mohammed, Redding Lawlinger, Slater Harrington and Chair Selli); approval of the prior open-session minutes (moved by Commissioner Kenyatta Bey, seconded by Commissioner Esposito; recorded ayes by the same named commissioners); approval of closed-session summaries (moved by Commissioner Esposito, seconded by Ames Messinger; recorded ayes); approval of the personnel, employment and payroll agenda (moved by Commissioner Kenyatta Bey; seconded by Esposito; recorded ayes); and approval of the remaining consent agenda (moved by Ames Messinger, seconded by Kenyatta Bey; recorded ayes).

The consent agenda included a supplemental appropriation for elevators (item 6.01), an item involving Coppin State University (11.01) and community school support (19.01), among other routinely listed items. No board member asked to remove items from the consent agenda before the vote, according to the transcript.

These procedural approvals set the board to move on to information presentations and public comment later in the meeting.","At its Feb. 11 meeting the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners voted to reopen the meeting and approved a series of procedural and consent items, including prior open- and closed-session summaries and the consent agenda.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District expands principal pipeline; launches residency and emerging-leaders programs

City Schools presents proposed 2025-26 calendar; board to vote Feb. 25 after additional outreach

City Schools reports highest kindergarten readiness rate in nine years; pre-K students show larger gains

Teachers union and multilingual community urge City Schools to expand Multilingual Family Engagement Office

Board approves routine items; reopens meeting and adopts consent agendas