Howard County Schools Renew MOU with Police for High School Resource Officers

The Board of Education of Howard County convened on August 21, 2025, to discuss several key topics, including the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Howard County Police Department regarding school resource officers (SROs) and the strategic focus for the upcoming school year.

The MOU, which expired in June, has been extended until September 9, allowing for the continuation of SROs in high schools. The superintendent emphasized the importance of transparency in this agreement, stating that any future changes to the scope of SRO use would involve the Board of Education and be conducted in a public forum. The superintendent also acknowledged previous communication issues regarding the MOU and expressed gratitude to the police department for their collaboration.

In addition to safety measures, the meeting highlighted the district's strategic plan, which outlines five key priorities aimed at improving student outcomes. These priorities include enhancing attendance, reading proficiency by grade three, middle school mathematics, college and career readiness, and effective discipline practices. The superintendent stressed the need for focused efforts in these areas to achieve significant progress.

Four specific areas of concentration were identified for the upcoming year: supporting multilingual learners and students with special needs, enhancing safety and community engagement, improving staff well-being and retention, and optimizing capital planning for school facilities. The superintendent called for strong family and community partnerships to support these initiatives.

The meeting concluded with a message of appreciation for the educators and staff, wishing them and the students a successful school year ahead. The Board expressed gratitude for the superintendent's emphasis on the MOU and the importance of addressing such informational items in a timely manner.