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WBAL Radio 1090 AM - Howard County adjusts start and end times for schools

WBAL Radio 1090 AM - Howard County adjusts start and end times for schools

On Tuesday, Howard County parents and neighbors are coming together for a town hall to brainstorm solutions for Howard County School bus issues.

Despite continued low enrollment growth in the last few years, compared to pre-pandemic student levels, half of Howard County’s public schools are projected to be above 100% capacity for next school year, according to an annual feasibility study presented to the Board of Education.

Howard County public schools' Simulated Congressional Hearings ask all fifth graders to provide oral testimony on U.S. history and democracy to a panel of adult judges.

Howard County schools' budget relies on nearly $30 million of one-time funds to cover recurring costs and includes $47.4 million to fund staff compensation increases, $7.5 million for transportation costs related to new school start times and $2.5 million to open Guilford Park High in Jessup.

The Howard County Board of Education failed to adopt a budget balancing scenario at its Monday work session, potentially jeopardizing its fiscal 2024 budget adoption timeline.

Members of the Howard County Board of Education expressed opposition Wednesday to schools Superintendent Michael Martirano’s proposal to increase class sizes and cut more than 101 full-time equivalent staff positions to balance the public school system’s fiscal 2024 budget.

While Howard County’s population has grown increasingly diverse in recent years, 78.6% of all certificated county teachers still identified as white in 2022.

The school board voted unanimously to shift high school bell times from 7:25 a.m. to 8 a.m., a 35-minute difference that officials hope will make a positive impact on students’ health.