Anne Arundel readiness report: staffing gains, new Canvas LMS and transportation plans ahead of fall start

Superintendent Dr. Bedell told the Anne Arundel County Board of Education that the district is largely prepared for the 2025–26 school year, citing improved hiring, facilities work and the launch of Canvas, the district’s new learning management system.

The readiness presentation — led by Dr. Bedell and cabinet members including Dr. Heizer (chief operating officer), Jessica Kuches (human resources) and Miss Catalano (academics leadership) — outlined hiring figures, facility upgrades, transportation routing and student-program expansions that district leaders said position the system to open on schedule.

District leaders said the system has hired 544 new teachers so far from a pool of 2,161 applicants and reported 120 fewer resignations compared with the same date last year. Dr. Bedell highlighted the retention trend and the scale of the district, noting, "the obstacles they have overcome will only make them stronger," while describing summer programs and staff development.

Board members were given a set of operational and program numbers: the district serves nearly 85,000 students; the division of specialized instruction filled 127 positions this summer (30 new); the district served about 6,000 students in summer learning across 40…