I calculated the student population based on the polygon numbers proposed by the Office of School Planning for the following 5 years, including 2018-2019 year.
High School Level
With this proposed boundary, we have extra 1400 students over the capacity when the school opens in 2023. So there is a lot of work to do to narrow down the boundary. We need avoid moving students multiple times.
Middle School Student Number within this boundary
Elementary School Student Number within this boundary
The superintendent’s proposal for 2020 redistricting has come out on August 22, 2019. I am hearing some are saying this is not bold enough and more people saying their children will be negatively impacted.
I have been contacted by many people. I talked to many people. I also met many people. I am writing down almost all polygon numbers. I read every email. As long as my time permits and you represent a large group of parents/students, I would love to talk, even meet your group.
I wrote a software program in Python to analyze the polygon move in the high school level and its ramification through each move. I don’t have many data as OSP, but the public shared data already helps me a lot. A move in one direction will affect many in other directions.
I strongly suggest every one shares your feedback (redistricting@hcpss.org) on the superintendent’s plan, the feasibility study plan and even your own big/little plan. Following policy 6010, make your case, for example,
students being moved multiple times,
feeder system improvement,
a highway or natural boundary separating the community,
HS 13 boundary map,
a continuous community being split,
an alternative and good FARM rate reduction approach/move,
a better demographic diversity improvement approach
a detailed resource to help disadvantaged students,
new housing development plan affecting in the capacity soon,
etc.
Please remember : don’t say bad words of other schools or communities. That will not advance your advocacy. Please note: all public and written testimonies will be public online for many years in the future and everybody will be able to read them. So try not to include your private information there.
Furthermore, what is your thought on future redistricting plan (we will discuss it in 2022 if HS 13 construction is done in 2023 ) based on the current direction on capacity and equity from our superintendent?
This was posted on my facebook. I think I should post it here too. The post was updated on September 10, 2020 based on staff info.
Many people asked me on school budget. Here are numbers(estimated). We will get better estimate during budget work session on 4:00-6:00PM September 10, 2019.
The school needs balance its’ budget such that we spend what we have.
For Fiscal Year 2021, starting from the beginning, we need extra 12 million for operating budget which is from this year deficit (we are funding some operating budget this year with one time funding), 10-11 million due to extra student growth(800 students*15000 per year=12 million), 25-28 million for teacher and staff salary increase (negotiated 4% as last year, not approved yet), 7-8 million dollar health care cost increase.
Furthermore, health care fund still has that 37 millions deficit hanging there. This 37 million dollars maybe go up/down. We will get an update on this number by the end of September 2019.
So in total, we need extra 59 million for operating budget, one time 37 million to pay down health care deficit. So the total is around 96 million dollars at least.
Other obligations that we know will have a budget impact but do not have estimates at the this time:
Thinking about during this year’s budget discussion, we were looking at saving 10,000 here and there. We are not sure how the economy will turn out in the next 12 months. We are also not sure how much the county and state would love to fund HCPSS.
We have a really tough, tough 2021 budget in front of us. I love to hear your ideas how to balance the budget.
Your comments can be sent to redistricting@hcpss.org.
Here are some timelines for the process.
Public Hearing:
All public hearings will be held at the Department of Education, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, with satellite rooms available for overflow.
Tuesday, September 17, 7 p.m.
Families currently zoned for Centennial HS, Howard HS, Mt. Hebron HS, Oakland Mills HS
Tuesday, September 24, 7 p.m.Families currently zoned for Atholton HS, Hammond HS, Long Reach HS, Wilde Lake HS
Thursday, September 26, 7 p.m.
Families currently zoned for Glenelg HS, Marriotts Ridge HS, Reservoir HS, River Hill HS
Board Work Session
The Board of Education is currently scheduled to have seven public work sessions to discuss the suggested boundary review. The public may attend a work session but may not participate. The BOE is expected to make a preliminary decision during their final work session on November 18.
Thursday, October 10, 6:30 p.m
Thursday, October 24, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 30, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 5, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 12, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 14, 6:30 p.m..
Monday, November 18 Preliminary decision
Board Final Decision
The Board of Education is scheduled to make their final decision on any boundary line adjustments.
Here is another animation which shows how our school population changes over the last 11 years in Howard County. The red dots highlights higher student populations.
Public input.
The four public input sessions have concluded; however, you can continue to provide feedback to help inform the Superintendent’s recommendations, by completing the online survey or submitting alternative boundary solutions by August 1.
Superintendent Proposal on August 20
The Superintendent will make his recommendation to the Board of Education on Tuesday, August 20. The Board will gather feedback from the community during public hearings on September 17, 24 and 26, and will hold work sessions on October 10, 24 and 30, and November 5, 12, 14 and 18. Find more details including how you can provide testimony.
BOE Nov. 21 Decision
On Thursday, November 21, the Board will make a decision on redistricting for the 2020-2021 school year.
How to find the triangle between technical correctness, organizational implementation and political support and provide opportunities for all students is always a challenging work.
Technical correctness analysis needs establish a baseline for the outcome we expect. For example, when we talk about 100% high school graduation rate, we should know that is not technical correct. However, it will gain political support. A controlled study for technical correctness will be an important study to create a baseline.
Organizational implementation needs check the reality due to the limited budget the school has. How to pull the resources together to support the equity work is not straightforward. Then organization change may happen if a new superintendent comes online. We should remember nationally a superintendent’s tenure is 3.2 years which is less than a four year contract. So a sustainable long term, organizational implementation plan should be created.
There is no doubt that political support is always here. However, due to different understanding on how to achieve the goal and help our students’ to achieve their full potential, there is a high possibility that different opinions will arise. How a program should start and be implemented will vary. Unfortunately these different opinions may be viewed as not supporting school equity. We need overcome this type of accusation.
The Attendance Area Committee (AAC) began its work Tuesday, June 18 to review options presented in the 2019 Feasibility Study and make recommendations to the Superintendent. The AAC’s recommendations will help inform Dr. Martirano’s proposal to the Board of Education, scheduled to be presented during the August 20 Board meeting.
Led by Scott Leopold from Cooperative Strategies, LLC, the meeting began with group introductions, followed by an explanation of the role of the committee and legal obligations under the Open Meetings Act, and a review of HCPSS Policy 6010 – School Attendance Areas. The committee then became familiar with the options described in the Feasibility Study. Draft meeting minutes and upcoming meeting agendas can be found online.
Per Board of Education Policy 6010, the Superintendent appointed to the AAC individuals who represent every planning region in the county and have previously served HCPSS in advisory roles, as a member of an advisory committee or partner community organization. Group members include a former HCPSS administrator and a current student. Two individuals were tapped from one of the last three AACs to provide historical perspective.
AAC meetings will not be streamed online but are open to any member of the public who wishes to observe. AAC meetings will be held at Atholton High School at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, Tuesday, July 2 and Tuesday, July 9.
Community Input Sessions
Four community input sessions have been scheduled for community members to receive information related to the boundary review process and provide their input for the Superintendent’s consideration prior to his August 20 recommendation to the Board.
Families are encouraged to attend the session associated with the region in which they live based on School Locator. Those who cannot attend their region’s session should attend the county-wide session at Long Reach High School on Saturday, July 13 or may attend one of the other regional sessions. While RSVP is not required, it is highly encouraged. Online RSVP Form
Wednesday, July 10, 7–9 p.m. at Oakland Mills High School
Families currently zoned for Centennial HS, Howard HS, Mt. Hebron HS, Oakland Mills HS
Saturday, July 13, 9–11 a.m. at Long Reach High School
Available to any family that is unable to attend their regional meeting.
Tuesday, July 16, 7–9 p.m. at Atholton High School
Families currently zoned for Atholton HS, Hammond HS, Long Reach HS, Wilde Lake HS
Thursday, July 18, 7–9 p.m. at River Hill High School
Families currently zoned for Glenelg HS, Marriotts Ridge HS, Reservoir HS, River Hill HS
Online Input Forms Now Open
Members of the community may provide online feedback on the 2019 Feasibility Study to help inform the Superintendent’s recommendations to the Board of Education or submit alternate boundary options to be considered as part of the boundary review process.
These online input options will remain available until August 1. Following the Superintendent’s presentation to the Board on August 20, the Board will provide additional input and feedback options.
More information on the Boundary Review process can be found at the HCPSS website.
It is my first school budget. The process is painful and the result is painful.
It was so painful that I have to see so many dedicated technology teachers, math support teachers, reading support teachers, math instruction support teachers, and paraeducators will lose their positions due to our vote. Fortunately they will not lose their job and income.
It is not your fault at all. When a math resource teacher called me and cried, I really don’t know what to say that point. We don’t have much choices.
increasing class size, cutting music teachers, cutting GT teachers , cutting technology teachers, cutting paraeducator, cutting math support teachers or reading support teachers or more. There is no good choice and we have to balance the budget.
I am looking forward to seeing how to make next year budget better. The reality is very tough. We will have a 37 millions dollar health care deficit and around 12 million dollar operating budget deficit starting at our next budget discussion.
We need revenue and find efficiency. We need clean our house first before any new initiatives.
Managing our temporary worker system will bring some money.
Charging daycare center running on school facility will bring some money. Right now, the rent is 1 dollar.
Charging some school facility usage fee will bring some revenue
We need increase school fundraising effort. (added after the post loaded here)
We need examine every aspect of our operation.
We need figure out how to increase our starting teacher salary to 50k to make our salary competitive . We need examine our health care benefit and reform it, and make it more sustainable as soon as possible. Our teachers and staff need our support.
Running a school system is also like running a business. We need find efficiency. We need find result. We need innovate.
Furthermore, we need our county executive and county council’s continuous and strong support.
We need increase our development impact fee to at least 8 dollars per square fee, which is still lower than neighboring counties. This will bring tens of million dollars to the county revenue and ease the school over-crowding a little bit. This will decrease our need to rely on debt to fund county capital budgets.
If people consider increasing property tax and other tax, please make sure the development impact fee will be increased first
also make sure the increased revenue will go into education. We should always be mindful increasing tax will create an extra financial burden to many families too.
The school system can only do so much with limited revenue. I will make sure our school system will not go back to the same faulty path as previous school administration.
We don’t have a rosy road ahead of us at all. Let’s all work together to fix the problem, bring our school back to the right track gradually and still be one of the best.
On January 24, the Board of Education directed that HCPSS initiate a systemwide school boundary review, which could potentially impact any or all of the 74 comprehensive schools in our system for the 2020-2021 school year. This review is critical due to population growth that has resulted in crowding at many schools while schools in other areas are underutilized.
This boundary review will be structured differently than in the past, with process improvements to ensure that feedback is focused on the ideas presented in the Feasibility Study and provided in a format that staff can use to improve solutions. I want to emphasize that I value the needs and perspectives of all of our students, families and staff. I also want to make it clear that I will assign no special consideration for the priorities of any individual or specific planning area representatives, no matter how vocal or well-organized. Every stakeholder will have multiple and equitable available ways to receive accurate information and provide input.
Feasibility Study
The boundary review process will begin on June 13 with the release of the 2019 Feasibility Study. Community members will be invited to share feedback and recommendations through an online input form, four community input sessions, and three public hearings. The 2019 Feasibility Study:
Provides possible options based on data and available capacity for boundary adjustments.
Is a comprehensive look at the 10-year student enrollment projections for county schools.
Is based on the most currently available data, including population growth based on students yielded from sales of existing housing and from projected new housing units, and FARMs program participation.
Data Integrity
The 2019 Feasibility Study includes data that is carefully analyzed by independent consultant Cooperative Strategies, LLC. Pending available funding in the FY2020 budget, Cooperative Strategies, LLC, will also serve as a neutral facilitator for the process. The consultant will oversee the AAC’s work, test alternative scenarios, collect and compile public input, respond to questions and information needs, and advise me on a solution.
Attendance Area Committee (AAC)
This advisory committee reviews options presented in the Feasibility Study and makes recommendations to me to help inform my proposal to the Board, scheduled to be presented on August 20.
Members will represent community diversity and every planning region in the county, and include individuals who have served HCPSS in advisory roles or as partners.
The AAC reviews Policy 6010-School Attendance Areas and the contents of the Feasibility Study, and reports its recommendations to me in July.
AAC meetings are public, but the AAC is not responsible for gathering public input or developing attendance area scenarios.
Public Input
Community members have multiple opportunities and ways to provide input and recommendations.
Superintendent’s Recommendation Public Input Opportunities*
Online input form: open June 14 through August 1
Community input sessions – to provide feedback to me (Families may attend the session associated with the region in which they live based on the school locator map. Those who cannot attend their region’s session may attend Long Reach HS on Saturday, July 13. Families should attend only one session.)
Wednesday, July 10, 7-9 p.m. at Oakland Mills High School
Families currently zoned for Centennial HS, Howard HS, Mt. Hebron HS, Oakland Mills HS
Saturday, July 13, 9-11 a.m. at Long Reach High School
Available to any family that is unable to attend their regional session
Tuesday, July 16, 7-9 p.m. at Atholton High School
Families currently zoned for Atholton HS, Hammond HS, Long Reach HS, Wilde Lake HS
Thursday, July 18, 7-9 p.m. at River Hill High School
Families currently zoned for Glenelg HS, Marriotts Ridge HS, Reservoir HS, River Hill HS
*Outside of these opportunities we will not be scheduling special town halls and meetings specific to a geographic or planning area.
Stakeholders who lack access to technology and are unable attend an input session may mail feedback to the School Planning Office, 9020 Mendenhall Ct., Columbia MD 21045. Print copies of the online feedback form will be provided in limited quantities to school offices.
Board of Education Public Input Opportunities
Board public hearings:
Tuesday, September 17, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, September 24, 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 26, 7 p.m.
Full information and updates, including a schedule and answers to frequently asked questions, will be available on the HCPSS website. We will also provide regular updates via our weekly HCPSS News emails and social media accounts. Additionally, we would like to receive your questions related specifically to the way the boundary review process is being conducted and communication and engagement efforts.
Language supports will be available upon request for any stakeholder. This letter will be provided to school administrators, community liaisons and the International Student and Family Services office to share with families who may lack Internet access.
A successful outcome for this process depends directly on the level of respect, empathy and careful listening that we as adults model for our children. We must remember that they will follow our lead in responding positively to the challenges and changes that are inevitable throughout life. I ask our community to practice civility during what can be an emotional process.
Every child in Howard County public schools will continue to have access to an excellent education. HCPSS is not a system of individual schools, but a cohesive school system with consistent curriculum, excellent teachers, and comparable opportunities at every school.
River Hill (Wednesday, 5/29/2019, 7:00PM-9:00)/ Mount Hebron (Thursday, 5/30)
By Dr. Chao Wu
It is a great honor to speak with you, our seniors. You will soon fly around the world to find your passion, work on your dream and enjoy a new chapter of your life. I would like to encourage you to “embrace the change”.
As one of the great ancient Chinese philosophers, Lao Zi in Taode Jing, 2400 years ago, wrote:
Dao that can be talked about is not the eternal Dao itself; A name that can be given is not the eternal thing itself.
I am extending a little bit here: you today will not be the same you tomorrow. Change always happens.
My life has been full of changes.
I did not have a high-school graduation ceremony, neither did some of the parents here. When I was in high school, our main purpose was to work hard and to get into college because there were very few other opportunities. At that time, there were only 30% or less high school graduates who can go to a college.
Then I received a really great score from the three-day college entrance exam and entered one of the best universities in China. It opened the door to me for many more opportunities. Later I went to Singapore and then came to University of Maryland. Then I settled in Howard County and ran for the school board in 2018. With a dedicated campaign, I won a seat on the school board eventually.
In my life, I have been working really hard and preparing for the opportunities when it becomes available. There is no other way around since I came from a very humble, unprivileged family. I kept moving forward, and adapted myself to the three different societies that are quite different in culture, economic and political environments.
I strive to be the better of myself.
Change is permanent in our lives. Embrace the change.
The same for you, our proud and young graduates. Your new chapter of life will be different. You will not be under your parent’s radar any more. You will face never-ending changes and encounter differences in all spectrums. You will have countless opportunities to shape your own future.
The world is so big. You will be like a water drop in the ocean. However, please don’t forget your High School friends. Remember: your classmates next to you, may be your colleagues or even start-up co-founders. Can you have a hug with them now?
Embrace the change and follow by action
Embrace the change, understand the challenge and lead by action, not just words. Trust me, your future will be mainly decided by your own action.
The society is changing so much in recent years which is driven by the societal, economic and political landscapes not only in this country, but across the globe.
You are not immune to this change. For example, Artificial Intelligence will remove many repetitive, and non-challenging jobs. The call center and online service centers have been downsized dramatically. We need to educate and inform ourselves to avoid the risk going in this type of industry that is soon obsolete.
So invest yourself in the areas which require creativity and passion. Make sure those jobs will not be easily displaced by robot and AI.
Please take care of yourself, find new friends, and pursue the purpose of the life. It can be long. It can be complicated. It can have set-backs. However, never ever lose hope and call home often for support.
Finally, congratulations. The New World is waiting for you!
Photo credit to Deb Jung, Howard County Council Member District Four.
This is the presentation delivered to the school board by Mr. Mark Blom, General Counsel. He presented this at the National School Boards Association’s annual conference on Promoting Student Diversity through Student Assignment Initiatives.
HCPSS Seeks Members for Policy Development/Revision Committees
Applications Due by May 31, 2019
Ellicott City, Maryland —The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) invites citizens to take an active role in developing and revising school system policies as members of policy development/revision committees.
HCPSS is currently seeking candidates for membership on the following 2019-2020 Policy Development/Revision Committees:
Policy 1050 Tobacco-Free Environment/Policy, and Policy 9230 Alcohol, Other Drugs, Prescription Medication and Over the Counter Products (one committee will review both policies)
Policy 4010 Donations/Policy 4020 Fund Raising (one committee will review both policies)
Policy 4030 School Activity Funds
Policy 7000 Workplace Diversity
Policy 7120 Coaches and Advisors of High School Extracurricular Activities
Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology and Social Media
Policy 9010 Attendance
Each committee will include one member representing the General Citizens stakeholder group. Each policy committee typically meets 3-5 times, beginning in August or September, to discuss and make policy recommendations regarding educational programs and school system operations. Selected citizens will be contacted by July 1 with tentative committee meeting dates.
The knowledge, experience and perspective shared by community stakeholders are used to improve the policy review process and ensure transparency at every stage of the committee’s work. All current HCPSS policies can be viewed online.
Howard County citizens interested in participating may submit a statement of interest online, or contact the Policy Office at policy@hcpss.org or 410-313-8954. Please complete and submit a separate statement of interest for each policy committee of interest. The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 31, 2019.
I would like to tell a story: A poor family had five kids. One year, there was a shortage of food because of the natural disaster. They had to make a tough choice:
Every family member had less food and work through the tough year together.
Give two children to other families such that with less people they can have more food for each remaining family member.
This was a true story happened in my “Wu” family two generations ago. Due to severe food shortage, one of my grandfather’s brother was given to another family and even changed his family name. It was 70 years ago. My great grandparents regretted that decision when the family condition changed for better later. Now all of them experienced that passed away.
Now 70 years later in Howard County, we are facing a very tough budget shortfall. At the same time, we are facing a tough choice. Are we going to surplus our teachers out, who are our best assets and make our classrooms even more crowded, or all of us stay together and find a way to get through the tough time? Or every stakeholder shares the burden collectively?
Wednesday afternoon’s work session on the FY2020 school budget was tough. After the discussion, here are some highlights:
After the discussion, increasing class size by 2 and surplusing teachers (123.7 cut: elementary technology teacher from 62.2 to 42; music teacher from 52 to 26; GT elementary from 79.5 to 42; GT middle from 60 to 20) and para-educators (104 cut: elementary paraeducator from 216 to 132; middle school math paraeducator cut 15, middle school reading paraeducator, cut 5), are on-hold with a 10 million dollars deficit. There are a small number hiring increase (para-educator) in several areas too because of cutting teachers.
At the same time, we are increasing the health care deficit with another 7 million dollars to 44 million dollars next year. We are creating an operating budget deficit for FY2021 since we are using a 10 million fund balance to fund incurring operating cost.
We are not able put extra fund on the student mental health and well-being, restorative and inclusive support. program innovation, deferred maintenance and balancing capacity and changing school start time.
We are now waiting for the county council to give us extra 10 million dollars if they can.
The school budget discussion will be difficult for this year and many years forward.
