Education Archives

State Department of Education Reports Private Provider Pre-K Still Lacking

At the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year, school system reports show that private pre-kindergarten providers are still insufficient to meet even the revised requirements. In a recent presentation to the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE) Shayna Cook, Assistant State Superintendent of Schools in the Division of Early Childhood Education, provided an update on the expansion of pre-kindergarten (pre-k). According to state officials, it was made clear that only four jurisdictions were able to…

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October 16, 2024

MACo Adopts 2025 Legislative Initiatives

In the 2025 General Assembly Session, MACo will prioritize flexibility with local revenue structures, restoring equitable transportation funding, aligning the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future with fiscal realities and economic conditions, and advancing solar siting with a balanced approach. This week, the MACo Legislative Committee adopted the Association’s Legislative Initiatives for the 2025 Maryland General Assembly Session. MACo’s Legislative Committee will take positions on hundreds of bills, but these four issues serve as the Association’s priorities…

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October 16, 2024

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor

New Heat Illness Regulations Take Effect in MD

Maryland’s new Heat Illness Prevention Standard took effect on September 30, 2024. The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) Division has implemented the Heat Illness Prevention Standard, now published under the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) chapter 09.12.32. It requires employers to protect workers from heat hazards in indoor and outdoor settings where the heat index reaches 80°F or higher. The regulation mandates the creation of a written Heat-Related Illness Prevention and Management Plan. According…

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October 10, 2024

County News / Education / News You Can Use

Baltimore City Teacher Shines as 2025 MD Teacher of the Year

Kat Locke-Jones, a seventh-grade English language arts teacher at Hampstead Hill Academy, was named the 2025 Maryland Teacher of the Year. Locke-Jones was selected among seven finalists for the award, announced Friday at the 34th Annual Teacher of the Year Gala. “Kat Locke-Jones has demonstrated her skill as an educator in the classroom and her passion for helping the community through her mental health nonprofit,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. “She is…

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October 10, 2024

Education / Policy Deep Dive

Wraparound Services for Students: Are They Working?

Pillar 4 of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future covers a wide range of wraparound services for student-specific needs. Early signs show significant progress in areas of concentrated poverty, unclear statewide progress on service delivery for special education and multilingual learners, and broad supplemental support from county and state agencies on student mental and behavioral health needs. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is based on five primary pillars, each covering a touch point of the education…

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October 10, 2024

County News / Emergency Management / Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / News You Can Use

MD Dept of Health Offers Cancer Screening to MD Firefighters

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) issues a Request for Applications for firefighter cancer screening technologies. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has announced a new funding opportunity to improve cancer screening for firefighters. The department encourages professional and volunteer firefighter organizations to apply through its latest Request for Applications (RFA) focused on innovative cancer screening technologies. This initiative reflects a continued commitment to supporting the health and safety of Maryland’s firefighter community. Firefighters can…

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October 7, 2024

Education

State Department of Education Proposed 2025 Legislative Platform

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) proposed eight legislative principles intended to guide the State Board and State Superintendent during the 2025 legislative session. With the upcoming session on the horizon, state and local agencies are organizing priorities ahead of the Maryland General Assembly reconvening in January. During a meeting in late August, MSDE submitted a draft of legislative priorities to the State Board of Education for approval. The first draft includes eight broad…

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October 4, 2024

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources

MD Dept of Labor Takes a Step Toward Making FAMLI a Reality

The Maryland Department of Labor is moving forward with the State's Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) system. Earlier this week, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved two contracts to develop the digital infrastructure necessary to administer the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) system. This initiative is set to impact 2.5 million workers and 180,000 employers across the state. The FAMLI system will begin implementation with employer payroll deductions starting July 1, 2025,…

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October 4, 2024

Education / School Construction and Capital Budgets

Progress Continues on New Cecil Middle-High School Complex

Local collaboration and coordination in Cecil will bring the new Northeast Middle School (NEMS) and Northeast High School (NEHS) building online sooner than expected, with a forecasted $8-10M taxpayer savings. According to a recent Cecil Whig article, the early stages of construction on the new joint middle-high school complex in the county are continuing at a noticeable pace. Work crews began in July to begin clearing the site of the new 294,000-square-foot NEMS/NEHS building. The…

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October 1, 2024

County News / Education / General Assembly News / News You Can Use / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

State Panel Weighs School Construction Priorities in Final Debt Recommendations

As Maryland counties face increasing demands for infrastructure, including school construction, the Capital Debt Affordability Committee (CDAC) plays a pivotal role in evaluating the State’s debt capacity. During its recent meeting, the CDAC discussed Maryland’s fiscal outlook, debt capacity, and the urgent need for school construction funding. These discussions will shape the Committee's recommendations for the governor and General Assembly as Maryland navigates balancing debt management with critical infrastructure investments. Maryland’s Debt Capacity and Fiscal…

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October 1, 2024