Latest news with #HowardCountyCouncil
CBS News
5 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Howard County school board votes to eliminate 127 positions in order to close funding gap
Howard County Public Schools cutting more than 120 jobs as school boards slashes budget Howard County Public Schools cutting more than 120 jobs as school boards slashes budget Howard County Public Schools cutting more than 120 jobs as school boards slashes budget The Howard County school board voted Wednesday to eliminate 127 positions in an effort to close a funding gap in the county's FY2026 budget. The move would cut $11.3 million in costs. Last month, the Howard County Council voted to approve more than $2.7 billion in operating and capital funds. While the district received more than what was originally proposed, it still was not enough to fill the spending gap and balance the budget. What budget cuts positions were eliminated? Budget cuts approved by the board include eliminating third grade orchestra, 21 elementary school media paraeducator positions, and 12 high school secretary positions. The board also decided to reorganize the health assistant and float nurse staffing model by eliminating vacant positions. To save $1 million, the board will also reduce the employee benefit credit, which provides employees with payments each pay period to help cover out-of-pocket healthcare expenses such as prescriptions and copays. Wednesday's decision is not a final vote. The board will meet again next week to formally adopt its operating and capital budgets. Budget challenges for Howard County Schools Previously, the school board asked Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to include $107.3 million more than what the county is legally required to contribute in the FY 2026 budget proposal. Instead, Ball recommended $39 million in new funding for the school system and $6.7 million to pay for education pensions. When that proposal fell short, Ball then filed emergency legislation to increase that amount by $14.5 million using one-time surplus funds. That emergency funding request was approved on Wednesday. In total, the school board is set to receive $816 million.
CBS News
04-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Howard County elementary school receives state, national honors
A Howard County elementary school celebrated a big honor last week with its entire student body. Worthington Elementary School in Ellicott City not only received a Maryland Blue Ribbon award but also a National Blue Ribbon award. The distinction is a bright star demonstrating the school's academic achievements, also showing the school is making strides to close achievement gaps. Honors to celebrate To celebrate, Howard County education leaders, the Howard County Council, and other guests joined the school's staff and students in the gymnasium. Some students read essays about what they love about the school. "All the students have worked together to achieve great test scores. They hold friendships that may last a lifetime," one student said. "Work and encourage each other to do their best. They take after their teachers while learning incredibly fast." Robert Bruce, Worthington's principal, said the school learned about its state Blue Ribbon in January 2024. An application had to be filled out to get the national one. "We formed a committee of parents and staff to write that application. There was so much to consider, and so much to write about Worthington Elementary," Bruce said. Bruce adds that the awards are a testament to the school's community. "It's like a family environment," he said. "Our community supports the school, and this school wants every child to reach their fullest potential." Worthington learned of its National Blue Ribbon status in September. It's one of four public schools in the state to get this award for 2024.
CBS News
01-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Proposed Howard County budget has educators concerned about contract renegotiations
With Howard County facing budget shortfall, teachers may have to renegotiate contract With Howard County facing budget shortfall, teachers may have to renegotiate contract With Howard County facing budget shortfall, teachers may have to renegotiate contract As the fight continues to get more funding for Howard County's school district, educators worry their recently approved contract will have to go back to the negotiating table. In his proposed operating budget, County Executive Calvin Ball allocated $800 million to the Howard County Public School System. This is much lower than the more than $1.2 billion that district leaders requested. School district leaders, staff, faculty and families had their first opportunity to advocate for more funding at a public hearing with the Howard County Council Wednesday. Many in the audience were educators who said they need more money not only to stay in their jobs, but also to bring in others to help address the issues in the school district. Howard County teachers' contract in limbo For the first time in years, the Howard County Education Association (HCEA) has a multi-year agreement for salary. It was overwhelmingly approved by the union's more than 6,300 members, after they came to an agreement with the Howard County Board of Education last month. Benjamin Schmitt, HCEA's president, said the agreement improves the Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA, step pay, and it improves pay for special educators. "Hopefully, it provides some security to membership to know that not only is everything locked up in the contract for the next three years, but that also includes health care," Schmitt said. But now, the contract's future is up in the air, as the county's budget process is underway. Under the current allocation for the school system, at least $29.3 million more is needed to cover employee pay and benefits – which include HCEA's contract." Overall, though, the district is hoping for at least $54.3 million to close the gap and balance its budget. When he unveiled his proposed FY26 operating budget last week, Ball said the school district's allocation is sufficient. "Our top priority in the FY26 budget was to direct significant resources to the Howard County school system, to support our unparalleled education system," Ball said on April 21. The need to retain teachers Better pay is essential for recruiting, as the district struggles to keep teachers. One of the ripple effects is overcrowding. "My son spent his fourth-grade year crammed in a resource room. The students' desks were crammed together without any space for kids," Amy Shane said during Wednesday's public hearing. Teachers are also being forced to take on more, with some teachers being shuffled around the school district as well. Annie Long is a social studies teacher at River Hill High School. She said during the last school year, 17 teachers were transferred out. This year, five more teachers are expected to be transferred out. Because of this, Long said she'll have to teach four courses next year, three of which are brand new to her. "I need time to plan and prepare, not spin my wheels learning curriculum standards for yet another new course or searching for materials," Long said. It took five months to come to an agreement over HCEA's contract. Schmitt said his union doesn't want to go back to the table with it. "I'm fairly certain central office leadership and the superintendent does not want to get into a situation where we are renegotiating. At the same time, we don't either," Schmitt said.
CBS News
17-03-2025
- CBS News
Proposed Howard County Bill aims to tackle sex trafficking by prohibiting hourly motel room rentals
Howard County Council members are working to tackle sex trafficking. A proposed bill, CB19-2025, would prohibit employees of lodging establishments from offering rooms on an hourly basis. The restriction would apply to any hotel, motel, or similar business with at least four rooms available Introduced on Feb. 3, the bill is set to be heard on Monday. The legislative proposal comes after a Baltimore man , Robert Bennett Jr.,was charged for allegedly conducting a sex trafficking operation at the Terrace Motel in Elkridge. Investigators allege Bennett arranged prostitution encounters for several adult women, assaulted them, and stole their money, sometimes at gunpoint. According to police, he controlled victims by providing drugs and making threats. Bennett is charged with sex trafficking, prostitution, armed robbery, theft, and weapons violations. He remains held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center. Bennett's arrest follows another recent Maryland sex trafficking case. On March 3, Kenika Leach, 33, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for trafficking women from Hagerstown to hotels in Baltimore and Anne Arundel County. Prosecutors said Leach exploited victims' drug addictions and used physical violence to maintain control.
