February 25, 2026 Staff & Community Update: Highlights from the Superintendent’s February 2026 Press Conference
Watch the Press Conference
Dr. Myriam Rogers held a media availability on February 25 to provide updates and information for Team BCPS.
Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget
- On February 24, the Board of Education voted to approve an amended $2.495 billion Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget request. The Board’s request will now be sent to County Executive Klausmeier and the County Council for consideration and approval.
- We will keep our community informed as we move through this process with our county leaders. The county executive has expressed her desire to provide additional resources to the system despite fiscal challenges at the state and local levels. We are grateful for her ongoing partnership and commitment to working with us to find the best possible solution that will ensure maximum funding for our school system.
- BCPS families, staff, and stakeholders are encouraged to stay engaged in the budget process and to utilize BCPS’ official budget information sources, including Budget 101 and the Operating Budget website for the most accurate and up-to-date information. The County Executive has three upcoming budget forums scheduled where you can provide input and advocate for BCPS. More information about the town hall meetings is available on the Baltimore County government website.
Maryland State Department of Education Presentation
- On February 24, Dr. Rogers provided highlights of the system’s work to fast forward student achievement at the Maryland State Board of Education meeting.
- During her presentation, Dr. Rogers spoke about the investments the system has made in key priority areas that have led to two consecutive years of gains on multiple measures of performance. Dr. Rogers focused on system efforts on literacy and professional development.
- Dr. Rogers also spoke about concerning trends that BCPS, and other school systems in the state, are seeing with enrollment, attendance, graduation and dropout rates for multilingual learners. She thanked State Superintendent Dr. Wright and her team for their advocacy and for the support, resources and regular updates they have provided school system. The state has convened a group of superintendents who are actively looking at this issue and collaborating on solutions.
Watch the presentation
Class of 2025 Graduation Rate
- The Maryland State Department of Education recently released data on the four-year cohort graduation rate for the Class of 2025.
- The BCPS graduation rate is 84.3 percent, a decrease of 1.54 percentage points from the previous year. The decrease in the graduation rate for the Class of 2025 corresponds with decreases seen in other school systems across the state and in the statewide rate. BCPS saw the greatest decline in graduation rates for multilingual and Hispanic student groups, and we share the concerns of State Superintendent Dr. Wright and State Board president Dr. Michael about how the sharp uptick in immigration enforcement activity in local communities is impacting student attendance and engagement.
- Dr. Rogers thanked Board Member Christina Pumphrey for raising awareness and leading the effort to address the impact on our students through policy. We need all our students in school on a regular basis to ensure that they are learning at high levels. We also acknowledge that they need to feel safe and activities happening in the community are having an impact on families. We share a commitment to addressing factors impacting attendance and educational opportunities.
- It is equally important to recognize and celebrate where students made gains in the graduation rate. Rates increased for African American students, economically disadvantaged students, and students receiving special education services. Seven high schools reported an increase in their graduation rate, and five high schools reported the greatest one-year decrease in dropout rates.
- We must highlight these gains and provide accurate information about our schools’ accomplishments because more than 7,000 students walked across the stage, diploma in hand, ready to pursue post-secondary opportunities and begin their careers. Their stories and accomplishments matter, and we will continue to leverage targeted strategies and interventions that will help improve the graduation rate for all student groups.
- Class of 2025 Graduation Rate News Release
- December 2, 2025, Board of Education Presentation on Attrition
- December 2, 2025. Board of Education Meeting Presentation Recording
- November 18, 2025, Board of Education Presentation on Multilingual Learners
- November 18, 2025 Board of Education Presentation on Multilingual Learners Recording
BCPS/CCBC Direct Admit Program
- Earlier this month, CCBC president Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis and Dr. Rogers announced the launch of a new partnership called Direct Admit.
- Dr. Rogers thanked Team BCPS staff and CCBC partners who have met over the last year to build the infrastructure for this effort.
- Direct Admit guarantees every BCPS graduate a clear next step — regardless of GPA or background. Beyond guaranteed admission, students receive early, personalized guidance on financial aid resources, opening doors to CCBC’s tuition-free opportunities.
- In just a few weeks, BCPS seniors will receive a Direct Admit email in their BCPS account with instructions to complete a short confirmation form for acceptance. That will be followed by official CCBC admission information and next steps about advising, enrollment, and tuition-free opportunities they may qualify for, including Maryland and Baltimore County College Promise programs.
- BCPS is thrilled to partner with CCBC on this initiative that will remove barriers and simplify early college admission.
2026 BCPS Climate Survey
- The annual BCPS Climate Survey is open through March 6. Focusing on school climate and engagement, this survey is for all stakeholders: students in grades 3-12, parents/caregivers, staff, and community members!
- This annual survey is an important way for us to hear from the BCPS community, learn your views and experiences, and be responsive to your feedback by taking action to improve our schools and school system. Survey feedback is used by our schools to refine School Progress Plans as well as by the system to measure our progress toward accomplishing our goals
- The survey, which is available in multiple languages, takes three minutes or less to complete and is anonymous. Last year, we had the greatest number of respondents, and we hope to surpass that number this year. Previous Climate Survey reports are available on the BCPS website.
Virtual Learning During Inclement Weather
- It has been an active winter season and we are hopeful that Spring and inclement weather-free days are just around the corner!
- To date, we have had three virtual learning days after using our three traditional inclement weather closures.
Please note that any additional weather-related closures will result in a shift to virtual learning. Students will be reminded to bring devices and other instructional materials home, and staff will prepare lessons and materials. Schools will communicate their specific plans with their families.