[{"_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",6660264,"mediaKeyId","2437774-a3a64670ab9a968f6323e55cdc2bc4e0","parentId",2437774,"title","Board opposes statewide superintendent buyout bill; approves legislative positions with amendment to confidentiality for weapon‑detection studies","audioSeconds",1155,"startMs",7233000,"endMs",8388000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437774-a3a64670ab9a968f6323e55cdc2bc4e0&start=7233&end=8388","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437774-a3a64670ab9a968f6323e55cdc2bc4e0/thumbnail_7233000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6660264/Maryland/Board-opposes-statewide-superintendent-buyout-bill-approves-legislative-positions-with-amendment-to-confidentiality-for-weapondetection-studies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660264-9e9fdd7983bb345369b52180b15da1bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770526423&Signature=iVH7Fw6SDA3lncyrXwYehqruUMO7TwF1r9S17ayAJOPQsgFb12fJIO9korB4TSHMmR8u1ZJ3su-xjCLrSuDeTt7ot0MtgpJafDP6a3VwvOzRZofYbTHw2hBkUP2U3m~zX-uQAFwlxgyFoJZP9VripyFDRiSC8CSmWtUgW62N03A2DBiaYSOIPUA1hdhMRBB4rkL3E5bxK9k8g~PsuoCL62lkmW~KXPHDx5SWelB3ABeettEy-MG8d5ZOSOy8~eVYaOfAvv5yiUghDEdKDJmcK1g3HuYIF467Y1-JqBXZTaODCRLqJHSCnaZa-hb4phCeULkNOXrEX7Q-k690ZDh9JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Howard County Public Schools","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Howard County Board of Education on Feb. 27 voted to oppose HB1317, a bill that would cap certain superintendent severance payments and set parameters for buyout and health‑benefit payouts.

Danielle Luking, legislative and legal affairs officer, asked the board to note a correction in staff materials: the statewide bill's payout formula differs from a withdrawn local Howard County draft. Under the statewide bill as described to the board, if a superintendent contract has less than a year remaining the payout equals the remaining contract amount; if more than a year remains the payout would be one year's compensation plus one month's compensation for each full year remaining on the contract. The board discussed potential recruitment and retention impacts of statutory caps.

Miss Mallow moved that the board oppose HB1317; the motion passed 5–2. Board members who spoke against the bill said they were concerned the change could reduce the state's competitiveness for superintendent candidates and create unintended consequences for local contract negotiations. Ms. Mallow and other members argued the board should retain local control over superintendent contract terms.

The board then voted to approve the remaining legislative positions recommended by the legislative committee. Trustees added an amendment to the board's position on HB0782 (a deadly‑weapon detection study) to include language preserving confidentiality of security‑vulnerability information for safety reasons; the amended position passed as part of the group.

Speakers
- Danielle Luking, Legislative and Legal Affairs Officer, Office of General Counsel, HCPSS (government)
- Board members: Miss Mallow (mover), Miss Watts (second), Doctor Chen, Miss McCoy, Miss Chamblee, Miss Ricks, Miss Mosley

Authorities referenced
- HB1317 (statewide bill on superintendent buyouts) — described in staff report
- HB0782 (deadly weapon detection/study) — staff recommended support with amendments to preserve confidentiality

Actions
- kind: resolution; identifiers: {agenda_item_id: \"HB1317_position\"}; motion: \"Oppose HB1317 (statewide superintendent buyout limits)\"; mover: Miss Mallow; second: Miss Watts; vote_record: [{\"member\":\"Miss Watts\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Doctor Chen\",\"vote\":\"no\"},{\"member\":\"Miss McCoy\",\"vote\":\"no\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Chamblee\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Ricks\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mallow\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mosley\",\"vote\":\"yes\"}]; tally: {\"yes\":5,\"no\":2}; outcome: \"approved\"; notes: \"Board opposes statewide statutory limits on superintendent buyouts; staff corrected drafting details for the statewide bill during the report.\"

- kind: resolution; identifiers: {agenda_item_id: \"legislative_positions_remaining\"}; motion: \"Approve remaining legislative committee positions, with an amendment to HB0782 to maintain confidentiality of security vulnerability data\"; mover: Miss Malo (motion recorded); second: (recorded); vote_record: [{\"member\":\"Miss Watts\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Doctor Chen\",\"vote\":\"abstain\"},{\"member\":\"Miss McCoy\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Chamblee\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Ricks\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mallow\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mosley\",\"vote\":\"yes\"}]; tally: {\"yes\":6,\"no\":0,\"abstain\":1}; outcome: \"approved\"; notes: \"Amendment requested to preserve confidentiality of security‑related vulnerability information for safety reasons.\"

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion: Board discussed the statewide bill's payout formula and possible effects on recruitment and local control; staff clarified differences between a withdrawn local draft and the statewide proposal.
- Decision: Board adopted a formal opposition to HB1317 and approved the remainder of the legislative committee's recommendations with the confidentiality amendment for HB0782.

Clarifying details
- Category: hb1317_formula; detail: \"Statewide bill as described to the board would pay remaining contract dollars if less than a year remains; if more than a year remains, payout equals one year of compensation plus one month per year remaining.\"; source_speaker: \"Danielle Luking\".

Proper names
- {\"name\":\"HB1317\",\"type\":\"other\"},{\"name\":\"HB0782\",\"type\":\"other\"}

Community relevance
- geographies: [\"Howard County, MD\",\"Maryland state legislature\"],
- funding_sources: [\"State statutory provisions affecting contracts\"],
- impact_groups: [\"superintendents\",\"county boards of education\"]

Meeting context
- engagement_level: {\"speakers_count\":6,\"duration_minutes\":25,\"items_count\":1},
- implementation_risk: \"low\",
- history: [{\"date\":\"2025-02-27\",\"note\":\"Board considered legislative committee packet and adopted positions.\"}]

searchable_tags:[\"legislation\",\"HB1317\",\"superintendent contracts\",\"HB0782\"],

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"block_7253.175\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Good evening Chair Moseley, members of the board, Superintendent Barnes. I am Danielle Luking, legislative and legal affairs officer... I do want to highlight 1 bill from the report before you vote to make a correction to the information. This is hb1317 on superintendent buyout limits... the statewide bill should instead read that if less than a year is left on a contract, the payout is the remaining amount of the contract.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"block_8369.6045\",\"local_start\":0,","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Howard County Public Schools - 4 & 7 p.m. Budget Deliberations and Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County - Feb 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees voted to oppose HB1317 (statewide limits on superintendent buyouts) and approved the remainder of the legislative committee's recommendations, adding language to preserve confidentiality for security‑related studies.","taxTitle","Howard County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",17367,"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},6660267,"Board approves design‑development for Faulkner Ridge Early Learning Center, moves project to construction documents",744,9989000,10733000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437774-a3a64670ab9a968f6323e55cdc2bc4e0&start=9989&end=10733","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437774-a3a64670ab9a968f6323e55cdc2bc4e0/thumbnail_9989000.jpg","/articles/6660267/Maryland/Board-approves-designdevelopment-for-Faulkner-Ridge-Early-Learning-Center-moves-project-to-construction-documents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660267-7e73688bd4d9b20e8ccd4ebe0333fd8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770526423&Signature=dvNpJnGNcXTCU0wTgGu3weRSCFksD4t0ZKSd1ajHSiMu3F6GQ9woJ3QnS~DKn3Q25nJ1cFmfn0CS9Pl3W0sKMOhC2IHj4oUwc5UTzhAuAdH9Gdq5aJDLeCO32xAXRfdmaDb35nFyltWS8XtPkm8fo9~WzNciuOGmrZWosoF0fbWY5ktSCK8uueLVCd9Ibr8FCDkSNngJFvbJXTolqg7QuLmexSCjdJnf3AY1Tq5fPbhnWtDNrFeoyoID7NPgssVWt4SuDIzwaqVbm1EdtmmBSi4wIPhzX029khSfnBik-NgyeyDcI3smUExj~QMb7punUDHoIQEqHy3FKOk7rk1Fjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Howard County Board of Education on Feb. 27 approved the design‑development (DD) submission for the Faulkner Ridge Early Learning Center and authorized the project team to proceed to the construction‑document phase.

Andrew Jinx, school construction manager, and Ryan Beneman of GWWO architects presented the DD package. The project will repurpose the former Faulkner Ridge Elementary building, build small mechanical and security additions, provide new windows, accessibility improvements and modern mechanical systems, and create dedicated pre‑K classrooms with adjacent outdoor play areas. An optional alternate would add a Head Start suite of three classrooms.

Beneman said the DD cost estimate from the construction manager, Oak, showed the project slightly over the SD budget by less than $1 million; the team said they expect to refine design and value engineering during CDs to bring the project within budget. Hazardous‑materials abatement and early demolition work was scheduled to start the day after the meeting.

Board members asked about site circulation, drop‑off and the ability to add the Head Start space later if needed. The project team said the design can be phased so the Head Start component can be constructed later without reworking the primary building circulation. Trustees also asked that the Head Start entrance and its vestibule be reviewed for secure access; staff agreed to evaluate the vestibule arrangement.

Votes and next steps
The board approved the DD submission and the project budget path for the Faulkner Ridge Early Learning Center by unanimous vote and authorized staff to submit the DD package to the state for review. The team will proceed to construction documents, finalize furniture/equipment lists and work with the construction manager to refine costs prior to final approval.

Speakers
- Andrew Jinx, Manager, School Construction, Howard County Public Schools (government)
- Ryan Beneman, GWWO Architects (business/consultant)
- Oak Construction (construction manager; referenced by presenters)

Authorities referenced
- State construction approval process (SD/DD/CD submissions) — MSDE review process referenced by project team

Actions
- kind: other; identifiers: {agenda_item_id: \"Faulkner_Ridge_DD\"}; motion: \"Approve the design development submission for the Faulkner Ridge Early Learning Center and authorize staff to proceed to construction documents and to submit the DD package to the state; approve associated project path and early abatement work.\"; mover: (recorded motion); second: (recorded); vote_record: [{\"member\":\"Miss Watts\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Doctor Chen\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss McCoy\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Chamblee\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Ricks\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mallow\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mosley\",\"vote\":\"yes\"}]; tally: {\"yes\":7,\"no\":0}; outcome: \"approved\"; notes: \"DD approved; early hazardous‑materials abatement to begin; cost refinement to occur during CDs.\"

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion: design elements (fenestration, mechanical additions, classroom layouts, playground configuration), site circulation and secure vestibule for Head Start entrance, DD vs. SD budget delta and plan for cost refinement in CDs.
- Decision: board approved the DD submission and to proceed to CDs; staff may value‑engineer to meet budget.

Clarifying details
- Category: budget_delta; detail: \"DD estimate is slightly over the SD budget by under $1,000,000; team expects to refine the design and costs during construction documents to bring the project within budget.\"; source_speaker: \"Ryan Beneman\".
- Category: phasing; detail: \"Head Start addition has been priced as an alternate and the design can be phased to add it later without reworking primary circulation.\"; source_speaker: \"Ryan Beneman\".

Proper names
- {\"name\":\"Faulkner Ridge Early Learning Center\",\"type\":\"facility\"}
- {\"name\":\"GWWO\",\"type\":\"business\"}
- {\"name\":\"Oak Construction\",\"type\":\"business\"}

Community relevance
- geographies: [\"Howard County, MD\",\"Faulkner Ridge site\"],
- funding_sources: [\"Capital improvement funds (local/state)\"],
- impact_groups: [\"pre‑K students\",\"Head Start families\",\"local neighborhood\"]

Meeting context
- engagement_level: {\"speakers_count\":3,\"duration_minutes\":25,\"items_count\":1},
- implementation_risk: \"low\",
- history: [{\"date\":\"2024-10-XX\",\"note\":\"Schematic design presented (SD) at previous board meeting.\"}]

searchable_tags:[\"Faulkner Ridge\",\"early learning\",\"pre-K\",\"capital project\"],

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"block_9989.95\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":60,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Good evening, chair Moseley and board. My name is Andrew Jinx, I'm the manager of school construction... present the DD board report for your review and approval.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"block_10712.36\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":60,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"So as you can see, we're now in February of 2025 bringing you the design development submission... Hazardous materials are going to be starting to be removed out of the building and the early demolition packages starting, tomorrow morning.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]},

salience:{\"overall\":0.55,\"overall_justification\":\"Capital project approval advances a local facility for early childhood services; important to affected neighborhood and pre‑K families.\",\"impact_scope\":\"local\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Single facility serving local pre‑K population.\",\"attention_level\":\"medium\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Project moves to a construction phase with budget refinement needed.\",\"novelty\":0.3,\"novelty_justification\":\"Repurposing a long‑vacant building to pre‑K is notable locally but routine in capital planning.\",\"timeliness_urgency\":0.6,\"timeliness_urgency_justification\":\"Hazardous materials abatement and early demolition begin immediately; state review pending.\",\"legal_significance\":0.1,\"legal_significance_justification\":\"Standard state review process for school construction.\"}} ,{","The Board approved the Design Development submission and budget path for the Faulkner Ridge Early Learning Center, authorizing staff to submit the DD package to the state and begin hazardous‑materials abatement and early demolition.",{"_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},6660272,"Students, parents and staff urge changes to new personal‑device policy as public comment centers on Spotify ban and safety concerns",8978,191000,9169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437774-a3a64670ab9a968f6323e55cdc2bc4e0&start=191&end=9169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437774-a3a64670ab9a968f6323e55cdc2bc4e0/thumbnail_191000.jpg","/articles/6660272/Maryland/Students-parents-and-staff-urge-changes-to-new-personaldevice-policy-as-public-comment-centers-on-Spotify-ban-and-safety-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660272-61ee2a86bad7eb5f51ce79d717f5109f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770526423&Signature=FVZaI7tPw4j~Lqlo6T6WKealaw7a3XjDsExznhPSZzKPTTdWdAqW3bOZINn0MFrTlcfgyx7qz0IBHBGEl9YF66ejN4bYkqE9nGio9hlLwykNj~CVYNyEmQFkXJADsfdd~9S8s4QBlDhrThFTKHG1Nza072cpA0m2HBQh-jtR~7ddnlW4QiSGzYrqm-VOyPB3130GmSeeTvKZqlHe5~LahFgUCX4IvsYwBza1A2TTj1lsjSyt8c5KKY5pxFN4GVgAqiHMRaMS67cnCMNuiA2es4O4l0QEg8SeMOPaTJUsW1dyxWA0gr-O338ffJc~yJz-ZNlhJ3l-n2jzHe8Vk~YhvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several students, parents and contractors used the public‑comment portion of the Howard County Board of Education's Feb. 27 meeting to press the board on the recently revised personal‑device policy and related technology restrictions.

Gavin Falcone, a student at Long Reach High School and first vice president of the Howard County Association of Student Councils, said students want the board to reconsider parts of the policy that remove apps such as Spotify from school devices and limit personal device access. \"We greatly appreciate\" board members who attended HCAAS meetings, Falcone said, and asked the board to \"come to us, please,\" arguing music helps him manage anxiety and focus in class.

Neil Shindelia, a sophomore at Howard High School, told trustees he surveyed students, teachers and parents and asked the board to allow phone use during early release, lunch and to simplify medical exemptions for devices used for health monitoring. \"Students with chronic conditions rely on heart‑rate monitors, digestion tracking, and insulin apps, real time health needs that should not require daily clearance,\" Shindelia said.

Other student speakers asked the board to add targeted exceptions for specific programs and classes. Aaron Alister, a junior at River Hill High School, said some digital‑education and performance classes rely on smartphone cameras and apps for coursework and submitted examples where Chromebook cameras and built‑in scanners do not produce usable images.

Parents and community members at the forum framed the device debate within broader concerns about curriculum and equity. Speakers from Moms for Liberty and similar groups criticized classroom materials they called \"critical race theory\" and threatened OCR complaints; the board did not act on those requests at the meeting.

Superintendent Michael Barnes and staff said the district will implement the board's policy beginning Monday and monitor implementation, with a plan to collect data and return recommendations if changes are warranted. Barnes told the board the district will use the implementation period to identify legitimate health and instructional exceptions, but he warned that inconsistent exceptions could undermine fidelity of the policy.

What the board heard
- Students: requested access during non‑instructional time (between classes and lunch), exceptions for instructional use in certain classes (e.g., performance, photography), and clearer student‑voice engagement in policymaking. Several student speakers said district communications failed to reach many students about the public comment opportunity.
- Parents/advocates: raised concerns about curriculum and filed notice that federal OCR guidance will be used to file complaints; separate commenters urged broader safety measures and more support for staff.
- Coaches and activity leaders: student athletes said coaches often notify teams by text about last‑minute cancellations and changes; without phone access some students may be left without transportation.

Implementation and next steps
Superintendent Barnes said staff will track implementation and return data and recommendations to the board after the pilot period. Board members signaled support for reviewing the implementation data and for clarifying procedures for medical exemptions and for classes that have legitimate instructional need for phones.

Speakers
- Gavin Falcone, Student, Long Reach High School; HCAAS first vice president (citizen)
- Neil Shindelia, Student, Howard High School (citizen)
- Aaron Alister, Student, River Hill High School (citizen)
- Lisa Garrity (Moms for Liberty representative) (citizen)
- Daniel Gunther, Vice President, MBG Enterprises (business) — spoke on separate item (transportation contractors) but also present during public forum
- Superintendent Michael Barnes (government)

Authorities referenced
- Board policy 2040 (public forum rules) — referenced at start of public forum
- Board policy 1000 (behavior in public comment) — referenced by chair/staff

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion: multiple stakeholders raised concerns and proposed exceptions; students asked for broader inclusion in the policy process.
- Direction: staff instructed to implement the board policy and collect data; board asked staff to clarify medical exemption processes and to return recommendations for potential revisions.
- Formal action: no immediate policy reversal or amendment was taken at the meeting.

Clarifying details
- Category: medical_exemption_process; detail: \"Board asked staff to streamline the medical exemption process for students who use health‑monitoring apps so daily approvals are not required; staff will report back with procedures.\"; source_speaker: \"Neil Shindelia\".
- Category: instructional_exceptions; detail: \"Students said performance, photography and digital‑education classes rely on phone cameras and apps; staff to review class‑level exceptions.\"; source_speaker: \"Aaron Alister\".

Proper names
- {\"name\":\"Howard County Public Schools\",\"type\":\"agency\"}
- {\"name\":\"HCAAS (Howard County Association of Student Councils)\",\"type\":\"organization\"}
- {\"name\":\"Long Reach High School\",\"type\":\"school\"}
- {\"name\":\"River Hill High School\",\"type\":\"school\"}

Community relevance
- geographies: [\"Howard County, MD\"]
- funding_sources: []
- impact_groups: [\"students\",\"students with medical needs\",\"student athletes\",\"teachers\"]

Meeting context
- engagement_level: {\"speakers_count\":10,\"duration_minutes\":40,\"items_count\":1}
- implementation_risk: \"medium\"
- history: [{\"date\":\"2025-02-14\",\"note\":\"Spotify removed from school computers (referenced by public comment).\"}]

searchable_tags:[\"personal devices\",\"phones\",\"Spotify\",\"students\",\"health exemptions\"],

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"block_191.56\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Good afternoon, Chair Moseley, Vice Chair Chen, Superintendent Barnes, and distinguished board members. My name is Gavin Falcone. I'm a sophomore at Longreach... and today I'm not speaking on behalf of any organization specifically, but the hundreds to even thousands of students, parents, and teachers who have brought concerns regarding the most recently phone policy and the Spotify ban.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"block_9169.9\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Good evening, Chair Mosley, Superintendent Barnes, and esteemed members of the Board of Education. My name is Aaron Alister, a current junior at River Hill High School... In my own experience, I'm part of 2 digital education classrooms... the scanner on the Chromebooks results in really blurry images that teachers can't read.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]},

salience:{\"overall\":0.8,\"overall_justification\":\"Policy affects daily student experience and health accommodations; many public commenters and students testified.\",\"impact_scope\":\"local\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Directly affects students and staff in Howard County schools.\",\"attention_level\":\"high\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Contested policy with active student protests and public comments.\",\"novelty\":0.3,\"novelty_justification\":\"Phone policies are common, but rollout and Spotify removal raised new controversy.\",\"timeliness_urgency\":0.8,\"timeliness_urgency_justification\":\"Implementation imminent; board requested monitoring and possible revisions.\",\"legal_significance\":0.2,\"legal_significance_justification\":\"Potential OCR complaints mentioned by public commenters but no formal action by board at meeting.\",\"budgetary_significance\":0.0,\"budgetary_significance_justification\":\"Policy does not itself have direct budgetary impact at adoption stage.\",\"public_safety_risk\":0.2,\"public_safety_risk_justification\":\"Speakers linked policy to ability of student athletes to receive timely practice cancellations and to health monitoring devices.\"},

engagement_forecast:{\"newsworthiness\":{\"national\":0.02,\"regional\":0.2,\"local\":0.85,\"justification\":\"High local interest due to student protests and implementation impact.\"},\"notify_recommendation\":{\"audience\":\"city\",\"reason\":\"Notify local education reporters, school principals and parent groups to track implementation questions.\"},\"notify_thresholds\":{\"local_min\":0.5,\"regional_min\":0.7,\"national_min\":0.9},\"predicted_interest\":{\"national\":0.02,\"regional\":0.2,\"local\":0.85,\"justification\":\"Students and parents will engage online and at schools.\"},\"predicted_click_through\":0.25,\"predicted_click_through_justification\":\"Controversial, emotionally resonant topic for families and students.\",\"predicted_read_time_minutes\":3.5,\"predicted_shares\":120,\"predicted_shares_justification\":\"High share potential among community members and student networks.\"},

graph_signals:{\"jurisdictions\":[\"US-MD-HOW\"],\"jurisdictions_justification\":\"Howard County\",\"ontology_topics\":[\"student_policy\",\"technology_in_schools\",\"health_exemptions\"],\"entities\":[{\"id\":\"Gavin_Falcone\",\"name\":\"Gavin Falcone\",\"type\":\"person\"},{\"id\":\"Neil_Shindelia\",\"name\":\"Neil Shindelia\",\"type\":\"person\"}],\"events\":[]} },{","Public forum speakers at the Howard County Board of Education meeting urged revisions to the newly adopted personal‑device policy and raised related issues including a Spotify removal from school devices, health‑monitoring exemptions, student mental health and safety.",{"_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},6660276,"Howard County Board increases FY26 compensation request, approves several budget add‑backs amid state funding uncertainty",4354,1022000,5376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437774-a3a64670ab9a968f6323e55cdc2bc4e0&start=1022&end=5376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437774-a3a64670ab9a968f6323e55cdc2bc4e0/thumbnail_1022000.jpg","/articles/6660276/Maryland/Howard-County-Board-increases-FY26-compensation-request-approves-several-budget-addbacks-amid-state-funding-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660276-3e0d222f0fb101c94af3f492f673c725/orig.mp4?Expires=1770526423&Signature=RimP96EC6-qq~tjF~0hLILIaSoqyF398-RGp4C~S~b1w2a5SKU9R8b1mQ4WLL-~ogHknqoNqx-H6RW7ylbnrqpnyTgXZb4jSLgu8BmUpgRUVQra1jzeEWnSGvR0PQ61puR3XugeVcOEyxmj-zx3llPCfGxXY9KS5P3UXqw7BGM6ejNr4XZkzCzpu8730n39lya2nX~Cq99ge3xGo3CGVHUzRTDqxN2LRwe8D39o189uHBO73G1dJXKkquldVEzu-WELK4dd4QqUT7tOW3yvgVghZjWks4hvBXWN758ooNC2za1Mxw--hPY3KeZD0R9pEBufG7WOZyQ3m0WB6GUldcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Howard County Board of Education on Feb. 27 voted to increase its FY 2026 above‑maintenance‑of‑effort (MOE) request and approved several proposed program and staffing additions while staff warned that proposed state budget changes would reduce projected revenues.

Brian Holt, chief financial officer for Howard County Public Schools, told the board the superintendent's proposed FY 2026 operating budget totaled $1.22 billion with $74.3 million in new expenditures and an above‑MOE request of about $67.1 million. Holt said a set of developments since the superintendent's January proposal — including the governor's proposed budget and preliminary estimates from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) — combined to increase the board's above‑MOE request by roughly $18.2 million, to about $85.3 million.

\"The combined impact on our projected revenue is a decrease of approximately $6,200,000,\" Holt said, and \"the combined impact on our projected expenditures is an increase of about $12,000,000.\" He described a likely range of outcomes depending on county action and the final state budget, and said some items in the request remain contingent on legislative outcomes.

The board approved a staff motion, 7–0, directing staff to: incorporate potential impacts of the governor's proposed budget into the FY26 requested operating budget and the above‑MOE request; raise the employee compensation marker; and make several technical amendments. The motion combined three staff requests and passed unanimously.

The board then considered a sequence of board members' budget amendment motions. After discussion and requests for staff to validate costing estimates, the board approved, among other items:
- Funding for 32 elementary special education student assistant positions targeted to schools with 500 or more special‑education weekly hours (vote: 6–1).
- Funding for eight additional middle school assistant principal positions (vote: 6–1).
- Addition of non‑instructional special‑education instructional team leads (ITLs) at elementary schools that host regional special‑education programs (vote: 7–0).

Board members and staff repeatedly noted the significant uncertainty created by the governor's proposed changes, including a proposal described by staff that would delay the Blueprints per‑pupil collaborative time initiative and shift additional nonpublic placement and pension costs to local governments. Darren Conforti, executive director of budget, told the board that the governor's proposal could add roughly $6.8 million in pension‑related liabilities for Howard County if enacted as drafted.

Board members emphasized two tradeoffs: asking for needed resources now so the county and public understand the full request, and the likelihood that the final adopted budget will require adjustments once county and state actions are finalized. Several board members said they wanted staff to return precise cost validation for each approved add‑back before March 4, when the board will vote on the proposed FY26 budget.

Votes at a glance
- Staff combined motions (incorporate governor impacts; raise compensation marker; technical amendments): passed 7–0.
- Ricks motion: add 32 elementary special‑education assistants (schools with 500+ weekly hours): passed 6–1.
- Ricks motion: add eight middle school assistant principals: passed 6–1.
- Motion to add non‑instructional special‑education ITLs to elementary schools with regional programs: passed 7–0.

What this means
The board increased the district's ask of the county as a hedge against state proposals that would reduce state aid or shift costs locally. Staff said they will return final validated cost estimates for each add‑back and recommended items that passed, and the board will consider final adoption of the FY26 budget on March 4.

The board emphasized that most of the governor's proposals remain subject to change during the General Assembly session; staff said they expect final legislative outcomes in April and will adjust the request if the state changes the cost allocations.

Speakers
- Brian Holt, Chief Financial Officer, Howard County Public Schools (government)
- Darren Conforti, Executive Director of Budget, Howard County Public Schools (government)
- Superintendent Michael Barnes (identified in transcript as Superintendent Barnes) (government)
- Board members (as recorded): Miss Watts; Doctor Chen; Miss McCoy; Miss Chamblee; Miss Ricks; Miss Mallow; Miss Mosley (government)

Authorities referenced
- MSDE preliminary state aid estimates (referenced by Brian Holt)
- Board policy references (internal budget/policy process) — referenced by staff

Actions
- kind: budget_adoption; identifiers: {agenda_item_id: \"budget_deliberations\"}; motion: \"Approve and direct staff to incorporate the potential impacts of the governor's proposed budget into the FY26 Board of Education requested operating budget, increase the employee labor compensation marker, and make the necessary technical budget amendments\"; mover: Miss Watts; second: (recorded: second); vote_record: [{\"member\":\"Miss Watts\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Doctor Chen\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss McCoy\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Chamblee\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Ricks\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mallow\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mosley\",\"vote\":\"yes\"}]; tally: {\"yes\":7,\"no\":0}; outcome: \"approved\"; notes: \"Combined staff technical amendments, compensation marker increase, and governor impact inclusion; staff to return validated cost estimates before March 4.\"

- kind: budget_adoption; identifiers: {agenda_item_id: \"Ricks_3_elementary_sped_assistants\"}; motion: \"Incorporate additional funding for elementary special education student assistance for schools with 500 or more special education weekly hours, including 32 positions\"; mover: Miss Ricks; second: (recorded: second); vote_record: [{\"member\":\"Miss Watts\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Doctor Chen\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss McCoy\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Chamblee\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Ricks\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mallow\",\"vote\":\"no\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mosley\",\"vote\":\"yes\"}]; tally: {\"yes\":6,\"no\":1}; outcome: \"approved\"; notes: \"Cost to be validated by budget office.\"

- kind: budget_adoption; identifiers: {agenda_item_id: \"Ricks_4_middle_school_APs\"}; motion: \"Incorporate additional funding for middle school assistant principals including 8 positions\"; mover: Miss Ricks; second: (recorded: second); vote_record: [{\"member\":\"Miss Watts\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Doctor Chen\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss McCoy\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Chamblee\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Ricks\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mallow\",\"vote\":\"no\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mosley\",\"vote\":\"yes\"}]; tally: {\"yes\":6,\"no\":1}; outcome: \"approved\"; notes: \"Cost estimate to be confirmed by budget office.\"

- kind: budget_adoption; identifiers: {agenda_item_id: \"non_instr_ITLs_elementary_regional\"}; motion: \"Add elementary school non‑instructional special education instructional team leads (ITLs) to schools with regional programs\"; mover: (motion recorded); second: (recorded); vote_record: [{\"member\":\"Miss Watts\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Doctor Chen\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss McCoy\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Chamblee\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Ricks\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mallow\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Miss Mosley\",\"vote\":\"yes\"}]; tally: {\"yes\":7,\"no\":0}; outcome: \"approved\"; notes: \"Applies to 17 schools with regional programs; exact costing to be validated.\"

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion: staff presented revenue scenarios and the effect of the governor's proposed budget on state aid and pension cost allocation; board members asked for verification of cost estimates and raised concerns about ability to afford all requests if county funding is lower than requested.
- Direction: board directed staff to include governor impacts and to increase the compensation marker; staff was asked to return validated cost estimates for each added item.
- Formal action: multiple motions described above were approved by recorded votes.

Clarifying details
- Category: pension_shift; detail: \"Governor's proposed shift of additional teacher pension costs could add approximately $6,800,000 in county liability for Howard County (staff estimate).\"; source_speaker: \"Brian Holt\".
- Category: above_MOE_total; detail: \"Board above‑MOE request increased by approximately $18,200,000, moving total to about $85,300,000 (staff estimate).\"; source_speaker: \"Brian Holt\".
- Category: compensation_marker; detail: \"Board directed increase of compensation marker (staff cited figure ~$36,600,000 as new marker).\"; source_speaker: \"Brian Holt\".

Proper names
- {\"name\":\"Howard County Public Schools\",\"type\":\"agency\"}
- {\"name\":\"Maryland State Department of Education\",\"type\":\"agency\"}
- {\"name\":\"Blueprints initiative\",\"type\":\"program\"}

Community relevance
- geographies: [\"Howard County, MD\"]
- funding_sources: [\"County general fund\",\"State education aid (MSDE)\"]
- impact_groups: [\"K-12 students\",\"students receiving special education services\",\"school staff\"]

Meeting context
- engagement_level: {\"speakers_count\":10,\"duration_minutes\":130,\"items_count\":1}
- implementation_risk: \"medium\"
- history: [{\"date\":\"2025-01-09\",\"note\":\"Superintendent released proposed FY26 budget.\"}]

searchable_tags:[\"budget\",\"FY2026\",\"MOE\",\"special education\",\"compensation\",\"Howard County\"],

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"block_1022.96\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":190,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Good afternoon, chair Moseley, members of the board of education, superintendent Barnes, deputy superintendent doctor Turner Little. I'm Brian Holt, chief financial officer. Over the past 7 weeks, the board has heard from the superintendent and staff about the proposed budget.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"block_5470.85\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":40,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Motion carries 7 0.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]},

salience:{\"overall\":0.85,\"overall_justification\":\"Major fiscal decisions and staffing additions with county and state funding implications; multiple recorded votes.\"}

","At its Feb. 27 meeting the Howard County Board of Education directed staff to include potential impacts from the governor's proposed state budget, raised the compensation marker and approved several targeted staffing additions while noting state and county revenue uncertainties that could require later reductions.","actionData","errors"]

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