Howard County Board of Education: A Comprehensive Overview
The Howard County Board of Education (BOE) plays a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape of Howard County, Maryland. This article delves into the history, structure, responsibilities, and key aspects of the BOE, offering a comprehensive understanding of its function within the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS).
Historical Context
The evolution of education in Howard County reflects a rich history of community involvement and changing governance structures.
Early Educational Endeavors
The seeds of education in the region were sown in 1777 when the Ellicott family, founders of Ellicott City, established a school. This school was exceptional for its time, embracing the Quaker principles of equality by educating both boys and girls. The Ellicott family, committed to providing quality education, brought in the best teachers from across the State and funded the school themselves, focusing on practical and useful knowledge.
From County Commissioners to School Boards
Early efforts to fund education involved distributing money through county commissioners for free schools as early as 1816. In 1825, a general primary school system was created by State law to make public instruction available. Initially, Levy Court judges appointed commissioners of primary schools to inspect schools and designate school districts. Howard District was created within Anne Arundel County in 1838, later becoming Howard County in 1851.
The responsibility for overseeing schools then shifted to the Board of County Commissioners by 1853. In 1865, the State Board of Education began appointing members to the Howard County Board of School Commissioners. However, this period of State control was short-lived, as the Maryland Constitution of 1867 returned control of public education to local government.
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Transition to Modern Governance
In 1870, the Circuit Court appointed three members to the Board of County School Commissioners, reducing membership and shortening terms. This board was tasked with supervising schools, paying teacher salaries, providing textbooks, and determining the location of schoolhouses. By the turn of the century, the Board gained more control over its schools, although the State continued to provide financial support.
In 1916, boards of county school commissioners were reformed as boards of education. These new boards had the power to appoint and determine the qualifications of all board employees, including principals, teachers, and staff.
Current Structure and Responsibilities
Today, the Howard County Board of Education is responsible for overseeing educational matters that affect Howard County.
Composition and Selection
The Board consists of eight members: seven elected by voters to four-year terms and one nonvoting student member chosen by County students for a one-year term. Members of the board are elected to four-year terms on a staggered basis.
Powers and Duties
The Board has the authority to supervise County schools, pay teacher salaries, pay for and distribute textbooks, and choose the location of schoolhouses. When needed, the Commissioners levy property taxes and are empowered to change school districts boundaries.
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The mission of the Howard County Board of Education (BOE) is to provide leadership for excellence in teaching and learning by fostering a climate for deliberative change through policy and community engagement.
Superintendent of Schools
The Superintendent of Schools administers the Howard County Public School System and serves as the executive officer, secretary, and treasurer of the Board of Education. The Superintendent is appointed by the County Board of Education with the approval of the State Superintendent of Schools. William J. Barnes is the current superintendent of Howard County Public Schools, appointed on July 1, 2024, after serving as acting superintendent. Michael J. Martirano previously held the position, serving from July 2018 to January 2024.
Key Aspects of the HCPSS Governance
Oversight and Collaboration
The Howard County Public School System is governed by the County Board of Education. In addition, through the review and approval of the annual operating and capital budgets, Howard County government exercises authority over the County Public Schools. The State Department of Education also has considerable oversight, establishing and monitoring financial and academic policies and regulations. Under Maryland law, the State Department of Education works with county public schools to comply with requirements and mandates of federal law.
School System Overview
The Public School System in Howard County consists of seventy-seven schools: 12 high schools, 20 middle schools, and 42 elementary schools, one alternative school, one special center and one career academy.
Community Engagement
The Board encourages participants of public forum to refrain from using language, imagery, or symbols that are indecent, profane, or threatening in nature. Individuals, groups, and organizations, including any representative of the news media, may record, photograph, or videotape the proceedings of an open session of the Board as long as it is not disruptive.
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Historical Milestones and Developments
Early Schools and Funding
Early schools were funded and managed independently through towns, investors, the state and churches. Some early examples were St. Charles College, incorporated in 1830 near Doughoregan Manor, Patapsco Female Institute (1833) in Ellicott City, and Mount St. By 1853, the law required each school to have three trustees and one clerk appointed in one year terms by vote. In 1864, Maryland created the state board of education for public education, leaving counties to control their own school boards.
Key Figures and Events
In 1885, former Maryland Governor John Lee Carroll joined the school board along with J. T. Williams and John W. In 1894, Chairman Robert A. In 1922, the State of Maryland authorized $600,000 in bond sales for Howard County expenses. By the mid-1920s some children rode to school on private produce trucks.
Rosenwald Schools and Segregation
During the period, 156 Rosenwald Schools were built in Maryland for teaching African American children. In Howard County, the five-teacher school in Cooksville, the two-teacher Guilford school was constructed, and the one-room Elkridge school. In early America, Howard County did not provide any education to African Americans. Dedicated schools began with the building of the Ellicott City Colored School in 1888.
Desegregation and Integration
In 1954, the US Supreme Court declared segregation illegal in Brown v. Board of Education. On July 13, 1963, the board of education put together a plan to desegregate schools, which was put into effect in November 1963 with a plan to continue partial segregation until 1967. The county's official plan to eliminate segregation was approved by Francis Keppel, the United States Commissioner of Education, in July 1965.
Development of Columbia and School System Expansion
With the development of Columbia, the school system shifted its emphasis on neighborhood schools. The school board faced complaints of children from new developments in Columbia being districted in outlying underutilized schools because the developer promised a "Columbia School System" in its sales marketing.
Modernization and Innovation
In 2017, the construction of the newly rebuilt Wilde Lake Middle School was finished. It was the first net zero energy school in Maryland, and the biggest in the United States.
Challenges and Controversies
Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO)
As Columbia reached its maximum planned capacity, developers turned to the eastern portion of Howard County served by public water and sewer for infill development opportunities. The Howard County School system increased substantially in size, but development in the county outpaced the number of seats available for students. In 2006, an adequate public facilities ordinance (APFO) was enacted. It temporarily limited development in elementary school districts only which were over 120% capacity.
Ethical Concerns and Disputes
On May 8, 2014, the Board of Education approved a resolution by a 6-2 vote that accused member Cynthia L. Vaillancourt denied any wrongdoing and said that the resolution implied that she was the subject of an ethics investigation. Vaillancourt alleged that the allegations had negative political motivations because the resolution was approved 45 days prior to an election where she was seeking re-election. Board member Allen Dyer served one term on the board from 2008 to 2012. His fellow board members asked the Maryland State Board of Education for Dyer's removal and voted for his impeachment in 2011. Dyer was accused of bullying, misconduct, and releasing confidential information. He served out the remainder of his term while appealing his removal.
Notable Schools and Their History
Howard County has a rich history of school construction and adaptation. Several schools have unique stories and historical significance.
Early Schoolhouses
Examples include the Alpha Colored School, discontinued in 1938 with the establishment of first bus service, and the Annapolis Rock School, a one-room schoolhouse built in 1894. The Atholton Colored School, a one-room school house next to Locust Church, was approved by the board in 1883.
Rosenwald Schools in Howard County
Several Rosenwald Schools were built in Howard County, including the Colesville Colored School and the Elkridge Colored School. These schools played a crucial role in educating African American children during segregation.
Schools with Unique Histories
The Cooksville Colored School became the first and only County African American high school by offering classes up to grade 11 in 1935. Elkridge High School was 45% funded with a 1935 Federal Emergency Agency grant. The Ellicott City Colored School was the first African-American schoolhouse in the county.
Board Meetings and Public Access
Board meetings may be viewed live or on-demand online, and during and after each meeting on Howard County Comcast channel 95 or Verizon channel 42. Board meeting documents are available to the public for viewing on BoardDocs three days prior to the meeting. Approved Board schedules can be found in the links below.
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