On Thursday, January 27, the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee will convene virtually at 1 p.m. to hear from State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury. While the agenda currently only lists, “Introduction of and Remarks by State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury,” it is feasible that the following issues will be of top-concern:

• Ongoing COVID-19 mitigation policies, including virtual and hybrid learning;
• Learning loss resulting from the pandemic and challenges with not being in the classroom;
• Continued staffing shortages and challenges plaguing public education

Also next Thursday, the House Ways and Means Committee will be briefed at 11 a.m. on the hot topic of school resource officers (SROs) and school security employees in public schools. During the 2021 legislative session, the General Assembly considered HB 1089, which would have redirected state funds that are used to provide law enforcement coverage in schools. MACo raised concerns with the bill, which ultimately did not make it out of committee.

Visit the General Assembly’s website for scheduled hearings and briefings and meeting materials.