HCPSS officials report early progress on "Be Great Together" strategic plan; board seeks measures of implementation and equity
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Summary
District staff presented the first annual update on the Be Great Together strategic plan, highlighting early gains and a four-year professional learning scope while board members pushed for faster emphasis on culture, relationships and measurable outcomes for priority groups.
District leaders presented an annual update on Howard County Public Schools' Be Great Together strategic plan on June 26, reporting early implementation activity across the plan’s five priority areas and outlining a multi-year professional-learning schedule.
Dr. Mary Cliap, coordinator of data literacy and coaching, and co-presenters Allison Mitchell (coordinator, School Climate and Culture) and Dr. Caroline Walker (chief of equity and innovation) described the plan’s vision and five priorities: strengthen learning and instruction; cultivate belonging and well-being; foster staff growth and engagement; improve systemic planning and procedures; and enhance family and community partnerships.
Presenters highlighted small gains in middle-school mathematics and a modest reduction in chronic absenteeism in quarter 3. For staff development, the district identified 18 hours of dedicated, systemwide professional learning for the 2025–26 year, to occur in countywide days and program-implementation periods and supported by a recent MSDE grant to fund teacher-leader release time.
"We are designing a system of professional learning for staff that is relevant, coherent and meaningful," Dr. Cliap said, and said the plan will be monitored through executive sponsors, strategy teams and quarterly reporting to the board.
Board members pressed staff on sequencing and emphasis. Member Miss McCoy said relationship-building and culture should be a higher early priority because teacher mindsets and adult behaviors shape classroom outcomes. Dr. Cliap and Ms. Mitchell said the plan embeds relationship work through job-embedded, team-based learning and a focus on data literacy and instruction early in the scope; culture and environment will be a more explicit focus in year three but will be addressed earlier through team routines.
Superintendent Barnes said the district is documenting implementation and will align budgets to priorities when possible; board members asked for clearer links between dollars spent and outcomes.
Staff announced next steps including an oversight committee, an advisory committee to broaden perspectives, and public posting of annual reports and measures on the HCPSS strategic-plan web page.
