March 27, 2026: Highlights from the Superintendent’s March 2026 Press Conference
Watch the Press Conference
Dr. Myriam Rogers held a media availability on March 27 to provide updates and information for Team BCPS. Dr. Rogers was joined by County Executive Kathy Klausmeier.
Maryland Emerging Science of Reading School
- Earlier this week, the Maryland State Board of Education and the Maryland State Department of Education recognized Sandy Plains Elementary School as one of five Maryland Emerging Science of Reading Schools,
- Dr. Rogers joined state Board president Dr. Michael and state superintendent Dr. Wright in recognizing the tremendous work of Principal Christina Davis and her staff. Sandy Plains was selected as a Maryland Emerging Science of Reading School for demonstrating a strong commitment to high-quality literacy instruction. They had exceptional participation in the SUNY New Paltz Science of Reading microcredential course with more than 70 percent of staff completing the training and earning a 70 percent or higher passing rate.
- Only five schools statewide reached this level of participation and performance, and we are proud that Sandy Plains is one of the schools leading the way. Their commitment to high-quality literacy instruction is to be commended and that commitment is shared across all BCPS schools. BCPS has worked diligently over the last three years to build a strong foundation and ensure that all students have access to high-quality evidence-based curriculum that has helped raise student achievement in literacy.
- Those efforts have included providing comprehensive Science of Reading training and professional development for teachers and administrators which has helped improve students' early literacy skills acquisition, support striving readers, and increase overall reading proficiency across BCPS schools.
- Last August, we shared that BCPS students made gains in performance on the English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics state assessments for the second year in a row. BCPS has shown the greatest gain in ELA achievement since 2019 and the BCPS rate of improvement in ELA for 2025 (3.1 percent) exceeds the statewide improvement percentage (2.4 percent).
- Congratulations to Principal Davis and the staff, students and families of Sandy Plains Elementary School. This recognition is especially meaningful as March is National Reading Month, a time dedicated to promoting and strengthening literacy across the nation.
Rising Together Mental Health Screening Program Pilot
- Last week, Dr. Rogers and Baltimore Ravens legend Ray Lewis announced the launch of the Rising Together Schoolwide Mental Health Screening Program.
- This multi-partner program will help our schools identify mental health risks earlier and connect students and families with resources.
- The Rising Together program, which will be offered in 15 BCPS schools, connects students ages 8–18 with confidential mental health and wellness screenings designed to identify depression, anxiety, and other risk factors early. Schools will receive data-driven insights that help guide interventions, referrals, and ongoing support for students and families.
- Addressing youth mental health requires strong partnerships between schools, families, and community organizations. We are thankful for the partnership of the Ray Lewis and the Ray of Hope Foundation, Possibilities for Change, J&B Medical, and the Stephen and Renee Biscotti Foundation. Their support has made this program a reality for BCPS students.
- Over the past three years, BCPS has expanded direct access to student mental health services and invested more than $15 million in resources to meet the needs of our 108,000 students.
Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Enrollment
- Registration for prekindergarten and kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year opened on March 24 and will continue through the summer.
- We encourage families to get a head start on the registration process.
- All elementary schools will host a prekindergarten and kindergarten enrollment event this spring. These events will provide families with the opportunity to enroll children for the upcoming school year and connect with key school personnel, including administrators, teachers, school counselors, pupil personnel workers, and more.
- Families can contact their zoned-school or the Department of Early Childhood for more information.
End of Third Marking Period
- Wednesday, April 1, marks the end of the third marking period. Report cards will be distributed on April 23.
- We have roughly 2.5 months left in the school year, and we encourage our students to complete the year strong and on a positive note!
- Your attendance matters! We know the “Spring Slump” is a real challenge for students and our schools are working proactively to collaborate with students and families and implement engaging activities.
- Administrators are utilizing data to identify trends and intervene early with students at risk of chronic absenteeism.
- We remain committed to fostering a culture of attendance excellence, promoting equitable access to education, and implementing innovative strategies to ensure that every student attends school regularly and reaches their fullest potential.
Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget
- Dr. Rogers, in collaboration with County Executive Klausmeier, provided an important update on the FY 27 operating budget.
- The county executive will allocate $9.3 million in additional funding for BCPS in her proposed FY 2027 operating budget. We are grateful to have a true partner in C.E. Klausmeier.
- With the $9.3 million in additional proposed funding from the county executive, BCPS will restore 140.3 school-based positions. This includes:
- 92.8 classroom positions in elementary schools. There will be no changes in elementary school staffing allocation formulas for grades 1-5.
- 37.5 classroom positions restored at the middle school level. This allows the staffing allocation to shift from 1:25 to 1:24.
- 10 assistant principal positions restored, which will provide critical administrative support in schools, primarily at the high school level.
- This update wouldn’t be possible without the county executive’s willingness to deliver on shared dedication to the students of Baltimore County and commitment to ensuring that they have the resources that they need to continue to make forward progress.
- In January, Dr. Rogers made a formal request to the county executive for additional funds above the 2 percent target. She explained in detail the funds needed, outlined the system’s successes and painted a clear picture on why and how the additional funding would make a difference.
- Our substantive gains in elementary student progress made a clear case for prioritizing elementary investments. Over the last three years:
- We added nearly 2,100 seats in prekindergarten.
- We implemented new elementary literacy curriculum aligned to state standards and teaching the science of reading, which has resulted in a decrease in the number of students needing end-of-year intensive reading support.
- We were recognized by MSDE as 1 of 7 school systems with a five percent increase in student literacy proficiency rates from 2023 to 2025.
- We have 9 out of the top 10 elementary schools in the state.
- Academic achievement, academic progress, school quality and student success improved for elementary schools on the 2026 MD Report Card.
- These are just a few highlights of our system’s accomplishments and why this work to fast forward students in BCPS matters.
- While the additional funds are limited, these targeted investments at the elementary, middle and high school levels made possible by the commitment of CE Klausmeier set a strong foundation and position BCPS to continue this critical work.
- As a reminder, the Board’s adopted budget includes the full compensation enhancement package for Team BCPS staff – years 2 and 3 honoring the daily contributions of staff and keeping BCPS competitive.
- Dr. Rogers thanked County Executive Klausmeier for her partnership and acknowledge that while they could not address all the system needs, what she has proposed moves the system closer and provides BCPS with a budget that supports efforts to fast forward student success.