Read more about the article Maryland County Employees Complete NACo Leadership Academy
County News / Education / Leadership / News You Can Use
Maryland County Employees Complete NACo Leadership Academy

More than 20 Maryland county employees have completed the National Association of Counties (NACo) High Performance Leadership Academy, strengthening leadership skills that support county governments and the communities they serve. The April 2026 graduating class includes employees from Baltimore, Charles, and Harford counties, representing a wide range of professions including public works, information technology, public health, human resources, recreation, utilities, engineering, animal control, and environmental programs. Congratulations! Baltimore County Jameca Craig, Public Health Nurse Supervisor…

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July 14, 2026
Read more about the article I, Teacher…Education in the Virtual Age at #MACoCon
Education / Summer Conference
I, Teacher…Education in the Virtual Age at #MACoCon

The future of education will be driven by advancements in and applications of innovative new technologies. At #MACoCon local leaders will come together to discuss the benefits and potential costs of integrating those resources.  As counties continue to invest in the future of public education, understanding the rapidly evolving role of technology in classrooms is essential. This session will provide county leaders, education stakeholders, and policymakers with valuable insight into how artificial intelligence, digital learning…

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July 13, 2026
Read more about the article Maryland School Systems Navigate Recent Federal Decisions on Transgender Athlete Policies
Courts / Education / Health and Human Services
Maryland School Systems Navigate Recent Federal Decisions on Transgender Athlete Policies

A new US Supreme Court decision and recently launched investigation by the US Department of Education into multiple Maryland school systems could complicate local education policy implementation. Local administrators though remain committed to balancing the protection of all students while staying in compliance with federal laws and regulations. A recent US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decision allows states to enforce laws restricting transgender students from participating on girls' athletic teams while related litigation continues. Although Maryland…

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July 9, 2026
Read more about the article Howard To Launch Maryland’s First County Financial Empowerment Center
County News / Economic Development / Education / Housing and Community Development
Howard To Launch Maryland’s First County Financial Empowerment Center

Howard County is set to launch Maryland’s first county-based Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), providing residents with free, one-on-one financial counseling and coaching through a new partnership supported by a $250,000 grant. Funded by the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Fund through the Wells Fargo Foundation, the new Financial Empowerment Center will be housed within Howard County’s Office of Consumer Protection and will offer professional financial counseling to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in…

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July 9, 2026
Read more about the article Can Ambient AI Enhance Classroom Learning Without Compromising Privacy?
Education / Summer Conference
Can Ambient AI Enhance Classroom Learning Without Compromising Privacy?

The deployment of ambient AI in classrooms holds promise for educational outcomes but privacy tradeoffs create serious challenges to implementation.  According to a recent EdTech article, a new generation of tools known as “ambient AI” could represent the next major evolution in classroom technology. Unlike traditional AI applications that require users to actively enter prompts or interact with a screen, ambient AI operates in the background, using data from classroom environments, learning platforms, and student…

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July 8, 2026
Read more about the article Research Finds AI Is Changing Jobs More Than Eliminating Them
Information Technology / Labor
Research Finds AI Is Changing Jobs More Than Eliminating Them

Artificial intelligence has become an easy target as hiring slows and job seekers face a more competitive market, but new research suggests the technology is not the primary reason for today's employment challenges. As covered in a Baltimore Banner article, a collaborative study led by researchers at the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business analyzed 155 million US job postings between 2018 and 2025 and found no evidence that AI is reducing…

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July 8, 2026
Read more about the article Blueprint in Action: Building on Success and Finding Common Ground at #MACoCon
Education / Summer Conference
Blueprint in Action: Building on Success and Finding Common Ground at #MACoCon

State and local leadership come together at the 2026 MACo Summer Conference to discuss k -12 education reform progress in Maryland and implementation outlook. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint) represents one of the most significant transformations of the state’s education system in generations, with direct impacts on county governments, local school systems, budgets, workforce development, and community outcomes. This session provides county leaders and stakeholders with a valuable opportunity to hear directly from those…

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July 7, 2026
Read more about the article Research Examines Data Center Job Creation
Economic Development / Energy / Labor / Summer Conference
Research Examines Data Center Job Creation

Data centers can bring significant investment to a community, but permanent job creation may depend on the type of facility being built. A Governing article encourages local governments to take a close look at projected employment benefits before approving projects or negotiating incentive agreements. From the article: The large facilities most often pitched to communities under financial pressure are colocation centers — essentially landlord operations that rent space, power and cooling to multiple tenants who bring…

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July 2, 2026
Read more about the article Cafeteria to Classroom: How School Meals Improve Student Outcomes
Education / Summer Conference
Cafeteria to Classroom: How School Meals Improve Student Outcomes

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference Solutions Showcase features thought leaders and industry experts presenting resources and best practices to assist local governments. Check out this session hosted by American Heart Association!  About American Heart Association:  The six cardiologists who founded the American Heart Association in 1924 would be amazed. From humble beginnings, the American Heart Association has grown into the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. A shared focus on cardiovascular health unites our more than 35 million volunteers…

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July 1, 2026
Read more about the article Education Reform Oversight Board Seeks Feedback to Update Blueprint Comprehensive Plan
Education
Education Reform Oversight Board Seeks Feedback to Update Blueprint Comprehensive Plan

A recent Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board meeting covered progress on career ladders, prekindergarten expansion, test scores, and annual updates to the Blueprint Comprehensive Plan. The Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) continued its work to refine and oversee implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future during its June 18 meeting, with much of the discussion centered on updates to the Blueprint Comprehensive Plan (BCP). AIB staff presented recommended revisions developed after reviewing public comments…

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June 29, 2026
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