State Board of Education Approves Off Ramps for Masking in Schools
Coronavirus / County News / Education
State Board of Education Approves Off Ramps for Masking in Schools

The State Board of Education voted to approve emergency regulations to allow for off-ramps for masking in school facilities. This morning, the State Board met virtually to consider a number of topics, with updates to the State's COVID-19 mitigation policies front-and-center. With only one member voting in opposition, the Board recommended a new set of emergency regulations that keep masks in schools, but provides several pathways for local education agencies (LEAs) to reverse the mandate.…

Comments Off on State Board of Education Approves Off Ramps for Masking in Schools
December 7, 2021
Harford Pays Down Student Loans for 66 First Responders
County News / Education / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections
Harford Pays Down Student Loans for 66 First Responders

Harford County’s NEXT GEN Responder Program Helps Recruit, Retain Fire & EMS Volunteers. Harford County is helping 66 first responders pay down their student loans. This is the first set of student loan repayments up to $5,000 per year in Harford’s NEXT GEN Responder Program for volunteer fire company members. “In addition to working paid jobs or going to school, our volunteer fire & EMS responders face increasingly rigorous training standards and give countless hours…

Comments Off on Harford Pays Down Student Loans for 66 First Responders
December 3, 2021
MD Sports Wagering On Track for December Launch
County News / Education / General Assembly News / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues
MD Sports Wagering On Track for December Launch

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission today announced that Riverboat on the Potomac and Long Shot’s meet the qualification requirements for sports wagering licenses. “We’re extremely happy to see these two locally owned businesses move forward, and we’re eager to continue working with them in the coming weeks to launch their sports wagering operations,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin. According to Maryland Lottery and Gaming: The two venues are among the…

Comments Off on MD Sports Wagering On Track for December Launch
December 2, 2021
School Construction Work Group Makes Major Decisions on Funding and Assessments, but Work Remains
Education / School Construction and Capital Budgets
School Construction Work Group Makes Major Decisions on Funding and Assessments, but Work Remains

The Workgroup on the Assessment and Funding of School Facilities made major decisions on school construction and funding at its December 1 meeting, but work remains. Among the decisions made were those involving the Revolving Loan Fund, cost share formulas, and school facilities assessments. These decisions come after months of meeting and deliberation. The work group was created via legislation in 2021. It was tasked with evaluating multiple components of school construction projects and facilities conditions by the…

Comments Off on School Construction Work Group Makes Major Decisions on Funding and Assessments, but Work Remains
December 1, 2021
State Board of Education Asks MSDE to Create Emergency Regs with Off Ramps for Masking in Schools
Coronavirus / Education / Winter Conference
State Board of Education Asks MSDE to Create Emergency Regs with Off Ramps for Masking in Schools

The State School Board of Education voted to have the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) develop a new set of emergency regulations that would establish localized off ramps for masking in public school facilities. After a robust discussion, the State Board voted 12-2 today on a process to establish off ramps for its current masking mandate in school facilities. MSDE will now draft a new set of emergency regulations (with a 180 day cap) that includes considerations…

Comments Off on State Board of Education Asks MSDE to Create Emergency Regs with Off Ramps for Masking in Schools
December 1, 2021
Frederick Students Must Present Vax or Testing Records to Participate in Extracurriculars
Coronavirus / County News / Education
Frederick Students Must Present Vax or Testing Records to Participate in Extracurriculars

Starting today, December 1, Frederick County public school students wishing to participate in extracurricular activities must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test. Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) now requires students participating in an array of extracurricular activities to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test. The Frederick County School Board narrowly passed the mitigation policy back in October. The Return to Play Committee explained the new rules: Who: Students taking…

Comments Off on Frederick Students Must Present Vax or Testing Records to Participate in Extracurriculars
December 1, 2021
Howard Community College and MD Dept. of Labor Partner on $250,000 Apprenticeship Program
Education / Labor
Howard Community College and MD Dept. of Labor Partner on $250,000 Apprenticeship Program

Howard Community College (HCC) announced that it has partnered with the Maryland State Department  of Labor to expand apprenticeship programs via a $250,000 state grant. The expanded program will include two new career pathways for students and aspiring professionals: a new surgical technician apprenticeship program to support the increased demand for skilled workers in healthcare and a new CompTIA technology support apprenticeship program for information technology. According to a HCC press release: The expansion of HCC’s apprenticeship program will…

Comments Off on Howard Community College and MD Dept. of Labor Partner on $250,000 Apprenticeship Program
November 30, 2021
Blueprint Accountability Board Holds Second Meeting
Education / Winter Conference
Blueprint Accountability Board Holds Second Meeting

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) met for the second time on November 29. The second meeting comes after the AIB got a late start, only holding its first meeting on November 15, several months after the intended start. The November 29 meeting opened with a presentation from Kirwan Commission Chair Brit Kirwan on the background of the Blueprint and the subsequent reforms to Maryland's public education system. The AIB was then briefed…

Comments Off on Blueprint Accountability Board Holds Second Meeting
November 30, 2021
State to Consider Next Steps for Masks in Schools at Dec. 1 Meeting
Coronavirus / Education / Winter Conference
State to Consider Next Steps for Masks in Schools at Dec. 1 Meeting

On Wednesday, December 1, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and State Board of Education (SBOE) will meet to discuss public input and next steps on masking in schools. The virtual meeting, which was announced earlier this week, is a follow-up to a November 16 meeting that featured public input and testimony from local education leaders and national public health leaders. Maryland’s current mask mandate requires masks to be worn in all public school facilities, a measure…

Comments Off on State to Consider Next Steps for Masks in Schools at Dec. 1 Meeting
November 26, 2021
Frederick and Prince George’s Counties Address School Staffing Challenges
Coronavirus / County News / Education / Winter Conference
Frederick and Prince George’s Counties Address School Staffing Challenges

Frederick and Prince George's Counties have taken steps to address school staffing shortages and burnout via financial and other incentives. As school systems throughout Maryland continue to struggle with understaffing, burnout, and the myriad of challenges presented by COVID-19 teaching, Frederick and Prince George's Counties are upping pay and building in more flexible calendar days. Yesterday, the Frederick County Board of Education voted to  increase minimum pay for all school staff positions and to provide retention…

Comments Off on Frederick and Prince George’s Counties Address School Staffing Challenges
November 23, 2021
Older Posts →

© 2019 All rights reserved

Close Menu