November 19, 2024 Staff & Community Update: Highlights from the Superintendent’s November 2024 Press Conference
Watch the press conference
Dr. Myriam Rogers held a media availability today, November 19, to share updates, information and important reminders for Team BCPS. The first marking period ended on October 31, and BCPS students and staff have worked hard over the last three months to establish routines and fully engage in the instructional program. Dr. Rogers will continue to provide updates on student performance throughout the school year and she encourages the community to review the new BCPS Progress in Action reports that are shared at the Board of Education meetings. These reports provide information on the work of the school system to fast forward student achievement and spotlight the accomplishments of our schools.
American Education Week
- November 18-22 is American Education week, a time where school systems across the nation celebrate public education and honor the individuals who work in our nation’s public schools and support students’ academic and social-emotional growth. BCPS has observed AEW for many years, providing opportunities for families, stakeholders, and members of the Team BCPS community to see learning in action and participate in engaging activities and celebrations. We are excited to join in on the national celebration this year with countywide and school- based activities.
- All schools are setting aside specific times for parents and caregivers to visit their children’s classrooms and attend special events either this week or later in the school year.
- BCPS strives to embody the spirit of American Education week each school day and making our schools even more inclusive and welcoming for our students, staff, families and community members is a top priority for our system.
- Our schools will continue to develop additional year-round opportunities for family and community engagement to ensure more meaningful and frequent connections with Team BCPS families.
- Year-round, we encourage our parents and caregivers to support their schools through their parent teacher organizations and by serving as volunteers. Community members are also welcome as volunteers and businesses are encouraged to explore partnership opportunities. If we work together, we can continue to engage and empower our students to excel.
National Apprenticeship Week
- November 17-23 is National Apprenticeship Week. Nationwide employers, industry representatives, labor organizations, community-based organizations, workforce partners, educational institutions, and government agencies host events to showcase the successes and value of apprenticeships for strengthening our economy by developing a highly skilled workforce.
- BCPS participates in the Apprenticeship Maryland Program, and through it, juniors and seniors can be hired by approved employers to work in eligible career track occupations. The paid workplace experience of at least 450 hours is supplemented by training in employability, interpersonal, and social skills.
- This school year, 82 BCPS students from 18 high schools are participating in the program. Apprentices are assigned to BCPS schools and offices, and various agencies, businesses and organizations including the Maryland State Highway Administration, National Security Agency, Middle River Aircraft Systems, Northwest Hospital, and more.
- We are proud to have a growing number of students participating in this program designed to provide opportunities for students to “learn while they earn.”
Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget
- The Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget process is officially underway, and we are pleased to share information about this important process and our commitment to providing Team BCPS stakeholders with multiple opportunities to get involved and share their thoughts on how BCPS can Fast Forward to meet the needs of all students and staff.
- Work on the operating budget for the next fiscal year began in the summer, and we anticipate having a preliminary budget estimate completed by the end of fall. After considering all requests from BCPS offices and reviewing recommendations from schools, executive leadership, and stakeholder groups, Dr. Rogers will submit a proposed budget to the Board of Education in January.
- For the FY 26 Operating Budget, student learning will remain our main priority and at the core of our work. Our operating budget lays out the strategies we intend to use to bolster student achievement and matches them with the investments we need to implement the strategies.
- Thanks to record investments by our county leaders, we made great strides with the FY 25 budget—targeting funds for critical areas of need including reducing class sizes in elementary intermediate grades, providing additional teachers in key content areas, expanding access to full-day PreK, providing step and cost of living increases for all staff, and much more.
- We encourage our community to be a part of this critical process. We want to hear from our staff, families, students and community members, and will provide multiple opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ideas on the areas we should prioritize in the budget and investments we should make that will help us provide the greatest public education to every student. These opportunities include:
- An operating Budget survey that was sent to all staff, parents, and stakeholders last week and closes today, November 19.
- Four “Community Conversations” on the operating budget. The third one will take place on Thursday, November 21 at Cockeysville Middle School and the fourth at Perry Hall Middle School on November 25.
- Board of Education public hearings
- Area Advisory Council meetings on the budget, and
- An updated “Budget 101” website that provides information and an overview of what’s in the BCPS operating budget.
- Dr. Rogers shared at the November 4 Board meeting that all signs are pointing to another difficult budget cycle for BCPS and other LEAs across the state. Several outlets have reported that Governor Moore has hinted that the state will need to make difficult decisions as it relates to Blueprint funding. BCPS had anticipated an increase in Blueprint funds, but with these forecasted adjustments, we will most likely need to refine our plans amid state funding concerns.
- Last Tuesday, the Spending Affordability Committee met and discussed the enormous gap in the five-year state budget projections. Of note to school systems were specific comments about the Blueprint including the state will exhaust the money set aside to cover the costs of education reforms and will require money from the general fund by Fiscal Year 2028.
- We are uncertain about the amount of funding that we will receive and are ensuring in light of these challenges we give extra scrutiny to all budget submissions to help identify potential savings that can be redirected to offset potential shortfalls.
- Our priority is academic achievement for all students. This means that we will have to focus on recruiting and retaining highly effective staff. From a budgetary standpoint, that includes funding year two of our compensation package, maintaining operations of our schools and offices, addressing student needs and maintaining classroom teachers.
- We look forward to engaging with the Team BCPS community on this important process that will help shape the future of our school system.