February 27, 2025 Staff and Community Update: Highlights from the Superintendent’s February 2025 Press Conference
Watch the press conference
Dr. Myriam Rogers held a media availability today, February 27, to share updates and information for Team BCPS.
Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget
- On February 25, the Board of Education voted to approve a $2.98 billion Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget request. The Board’s request will now be sent to County Executive Klausmeier and the County Council for consideration and approval.
- Despite the fiscal uncertainties at the state and local level, the County Executive has indicated her commitment to Team BCPS. Dr. Rogers thanked the county executive and her team for working with the system to find the best possible solution that will ensure maximum funding for BCPS students and staff.
- Dr. Rogers encourages Team BCPS to stay engaged in the budget process. The county executive is hosting a series of Budget Town Halls for residents of Baltimore Couty to provide their input into the budget planning process, and we need our staff, families and community members to advocate for the Board’s budget request. A fully funded budget will help us fast forward student achievement and address the significant needs of our system.
Graduation Rate
- Every dollar we request as a school system is critically important for the work we do to prepare students to graduate, ready to thrive in college or in careers. Recently released data from the Maryland State Department of Education shows that the county’s investment is paying off. BCPS’ graduation rate rose—for the second year in a row—to 85.84 percent. The rate increased by nearly one percentage point from the previous year.
- Our data is trending in the right direction, and we are especially pleased with the improvements in both the graduation rate and dropout rate. 12 high schools saw an increase in their graduation rate, 11 schools saw a decrease in their dropout rate.
- The four-year graduation rate improved for nearly all student groups, broken down by race/ethnicity. Hispanic/Latino and multilingual students reported the largest increase in graduation rate, at 6.69 and 8.31 percentage point increase respectively.
- The top 3 most improved schools were Parkville, Owings Mills and Woodlawn High School – for the second year in a row. Woodlawn also had one of the largest one-year decreases in 4-year dropout rates.
- We celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2024 and recognize the tireless efforts of the administrators and staff who helped them reach this significant milestone.
Community Conversation on Special Education
- Family and community engagement remains a top priority for the system and this spring, we will kick off a series of events with a Community Conversation on Special Education on March 13.
- The event will be held at Nottingham Middle School from 6 to 7 p.m., and families and stakeholders are invited to learn more about BCPS’ special education services and ongoing efforts to ensure students have a range of comprehensive supports and resources for growth and achievement.
- Dr. Rogers looks forward to connecting with members of the special education community
Upcoming Job Fairs
- Please spread the word—BCPS is hiring! We will have our annual systemwide job fairs on March 11 at Dundalk High School, March 12 at Catonsville High School, and March 13 at Goerge Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology.
- BCPS is hiring for instructional and support positions. Staff will offer on-the-spot interviews and are prepared to award conditional open contracts to new employees on-site.
- Our efforts to recruit are year-round and we invite all interested candidates to attend and learn more about joining Team BCPS.