HCPSS Newsletter: Artificial Turf and Cyberbullying

Speak up about the artificial turf joint use agreement and learn about cyberbullying, sexting and more.

Coffee, Conversation and More: HCPSS Newsletter

Meet with the school board, learn about career academies and more.

Report: Howard County Picks Foose as Superintendent

Renee Foose, deputy superintendent of schools in Baltimore County, will take office after Sydney Cousin steps down.

The Howard County Board of Education has selected Renee A. Foose as the new superintendent of schools, according to the Howard County Times. Foose had been serving as the deputy superintendent of schools in Baltimore County since April, 2011. Prior to that, Foose worked in several capacities for the Montgomery County School System, including as a teacher, director of school performance and assistant superintendent. "She is our first choice, and we are so thrilled she said yes," French told the Times of the board's unanimous decision to choose Foose. After contract negotiations and an official approval from the state superintendent, Foose will step into the position July 1, when current superintendent Sydney Cousin steps down.  Residents …

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JaySmith

7:14 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012

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Talk of New Superintendent Lights Up Internet

The congratulations were plentiful, but criticisms of the BOE's appointment of a new superintendent took center stage online.

The Howard County Board of Education (BOE) has chosen a new superintendent. According to a statement from the Howard County Public School System and BOE Chairperson Sandra French, Renee A. Foose will assume the superintendent position July 1. The announcement was sent at noon, about 12 hours after board members finished their deliberation, which included input from the community, according to board member Allen Dyer.  “I got home at about 12 a.m.,” he said. Howard County residents have taken to the Internet to discuss the appointment. Scores of "Congratulations" and "Look forward to working with you" tweets peppered Twitter, but elsewhere residents expressed concerns. One blogger questioned the announcement Monday of the other finalist, S…

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Snow Will Affect Afternoon Commute; School Programs Canceled

Motorists are advised to avoid the highways during the Wednesday afternoon rush hour to allow plows to clear the roads.

As snow falls across central Maryland, the Maryland State Highway Administration is encouraging motorists to avoid traveling during the normal rush hour so crews can begin clearing roads. In Howard County, all community and school-sponsored events, including high school athletic practices and games, scheduled for public school facilities Wednesday afternoon and evening are canceled, according to a statement from the Howard County Public School System. Aftercare programs sponsored by the Columbia Association and the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks will be held. Snow is expected to fall across central, northern and western into Wednesday evening, with moderate snowfall expected during the rush hour. “SHA will continue to …

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News Roundup: School Board, System in Much of Past Week's News

Board of Education votes to delay middle school proposal and vows to improve emergency communications; a lawsuit against the schools system was dismissed.

Here's a look past at some of the top headlines across Howard County Patches: School Board Votes to Delay Middle School Decision The Board of Education on Thursday voted to delay its decision on the Howard County Public School System's proposed middle school changes. The proposal, which got off to a rocky start with the perception that school officials began rolling out the program before presenting it to the board, met with unified opposition from classroom teachers. Many parents believe they were left out of the communications loop as well. The motion to approve the program changes failed on a 4-4 vote. On votes that include the student member, five votes are required for passage. Student member Tomi Williams voted against adoption of …

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Week in Review: Email Lockout, Lost Goat, Cops in Middle Schools

Here's a look back at a busy and varied week in Howard County.

It was a weirdly busy week in Howard County, with a lost goat named Tuscany showing up near Elkridge, a neighborhood's proactive approach to fighting crime resulting in the arrest of a burglar and the email lockout — and subsequent account reinstatement — that prevented Howard County Education Association President Paul Lemle from communicating with his members for four days. Animal rights activists are upset that animals are being sold at a new pet store, while police searched for — and ultimately located — a former animal rescue worker wanted in connection with 40 dead animals found in a Columbia townhouse. Howard County Education Association President's Email Access Cutoff HCEA President Paul Lemle's email was cut off ‚ at the direction…

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Citing 'No Violation,' Education Association President's Email Account Restored

Howard County Public School System Superintendent Sydney Cousin restored service Tuesday morning after meeting with education association President Paul Lemle.

Howard County Education Association President Paul Lemle's access to his Howard County Public Schools System's electronic communications service has been restored. Superintendent Sydney Cousin ordered the account closed Thursday based upon a perceived violation of terms of use, according to school system emails obtained by Patch. The account provides a vehicle for email, emergency alerts and the ability to conference among small groups. The account was restored Tuesday morning after a meeting between Lemle and Cousin. Lemle, an outspoken critic of proposed changes to middle school reading instruction, originally said he thought the account was closed because of an email he sent to Board of Education members Jan. 12. He planned to testify …

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Plan to Cut Middle School Reading Classes Vetted in Packed Hearing

The school board now must decide whether to move ahead with the plan.

Educators, parents and students have made known their feelings about a Howard County Public School System plan to cut middle school reading classes, and the Board of Education will make a final decision in less than two weeks. A public hearing was held Thursday in two segments. One at 5 p.m. was added to the agenda to accommodate the expected large crowd of educators, parents and students. The hearing continued at 7:30 p.m. after the school board's dinner break. Between the two sessions, nearly 30 speakers spoke out againt the proposal that calls for the elimination of standalone reading classes, additional physical education instruction time and the addition of world languages to the sixth-grade curriculum, according to Howard County …

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Howard County School System Presents Proposed Operating Budget

Superintendent Sydney Cousin submits FY2013 operating budget request of $697.1 million, a 1.9 percent increase over FY2012.

Howard County Public School Sysytem Superintendent Sydney Cousin has proposed a fiscal year 2013 operating budget of just slightly more than $697 million, a 1.9 percent increase ($13.3 million) over the current budget. The budget proposal was presented to the Board of Education Thursday. "First and foremost, this budget protects the classroom by maintaining current class sizes, adding teaching positions to address enrollment growth and funding instructional resources," Cousin said in his message that accompanies online budget documents. "While this budget includes no new initiatives, it does focus existing funds on those programs that will ensure we maintain our momentum toward world-class status." School officials anticipate an enrollment…

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