Education Archives

Somerset County Increases Discretionary School Funding for FY27 by Almost $1M

For the FY27 budget the Somerset Board of County Commissioners approved just over $13M of local government funds for the local school systems operating budget. In an early summer vote by the Somerset County Board of Commissioners, county leadership approved an appropriation of $13,065,071 to the Somerset Board of Education for FY27. This is just shy of a $1M increase over the prior year budget of $12,100,404 and is considered the maintenance of effort (MOE)…

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July 28, 2026

Baltimore County Launches Paid Healthcare Workforce Training Program

Baltimore County has launched a new workforce partnership to address healthcare staffing shortages and create paid career pathways for residents interested in becoming certified nursing assistants (CNAs). The initiative brings together the Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development (DEWD), MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, and the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) to provide eligible county residents with paid CNA training at no cost. Funded through Baltimore County's Strategic Workforce Innovation Fund (SWIF), the…

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July 23, 2026

County News / Education / Environment / Parks and Recreation

Wicomico County To Gain First State Park

When Wetipquin Creek State Park opens, Wicomico County will become the final Maryland county to have a state park, marking a statewide milestone in access to public lands. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently celebrated the acquisition of the 445-acre Wetipquin Creek property, which will become Maryland's newest state park. Located along Wetipquin Creek near the Nanticoke River, the property includes marshland, forests, and the historic Long Hill house, a mid-18th century home…

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July 23, 2026

Education / Summer Conference

US House of Representatives Panel Advances Plan to Reshape Federal Education Oversight

A congressional committee has approved legislation that would permanently redistribute many of the U.S. Department of Education's responsibilities to other federal agencies, advancing a broader effort to redefine the federal government's role in education. The US House of Representatives Committee on Education and Workforce has advanced a package of bills intended to codify the Trump administration's initiative to discontinue the operations of the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). The effort permanently transfers many of the…

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July 21, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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