HCPS Board of Education Public Comment Request Form

Harford County Public Schools Responds to County Executive’s Proposed FY27 Budget

The County Executive’s proposed HCPS FY27 budget falls critically short of the Board of Education’s request by $15 million. The proposed budget is insufficient to cover the rising costs of maintaining current services, meeting State requirements under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, addressing the evolving needs of our students, and fully supporting all of our staff by funding the Board of Education’s wage package negotiated with our unions.

While the County Executive asserts that the proposed budget fully funds teacher salaries, that claim does not reflect the full financial reality facing Harford County Public Schools. The budget must first cover required, nondiscretionary costs, including special education non-public placements and other statutory obligations. Because these obligations must be funded, presenting the remaining funding as fully available for salaries is misleading. The funds are insufficient to support all of HCPS fiscal needs and the full negotiated compensation package for educators and staff. The County Executive’s stated intentions exclude valued and necessary staff in and out of the classroom. Whether you drive a bus, keep our students safe, or ensure students have meals, all HCPS staff support teaching and learning.

In County Executive Cassilly’s press release on April 15, 2026, he references a budget agreement made between himself and a former superintendent. We are seeking to move forward; County Executive Cassilly is intent on remaining in the past. Our focus is the current needs of our students, and on working collaboratively with present leadership to address them.

It is also important to remember that in the 2023 budget cycle, Bob Cassilly used maintenance of effort legislation to historically reduce funding to HCPS. The impacts of that decision continue to reverberate throughout HCPS. When the County Government compares current year's percentage increases to other counties, it fails to transparently acknowledge that the starting lines are not the same, and this tactic purposely misleads the public about HCPS financial realities.

More broadly, the County Executive’s approach creates unnecessary division at a time when collaboration is essential. This is reflected not only in public messaging but also in the framing of the proposed budget as fully supportive of HCPS. We hold a different view of what meaningful support looks like. It includes direct and ongoing dialogue, respect for the contributions of all staff who support teaching and learning, and clear, transparent communication with the public about both the resources provided and the obligations we must meet.

When developing our budget, our community has made clear its expectation that HCPS protect instructional quality, class size, safety and security, programs, and our aging buildings. These are local priorities that require local funding.

The Board of Education’s proposed budget maintained current class sizes and levels of service across the school system, sought minimal additional resources to support early learning, and supported a wage package negotiated within Board parameters that would allow HCPS to meet the Blueprint-required minimum starting salary of $60,000 for new teachers.

If County Executive Cassilly’s proposed budget is approved, balancing the budget will require difficult tradeoffs that directly impact services for our students, staff, and community. Insufficient funding from the county means HCPS and the Board of Education now face critical decisions.

“We are being asked to do more for students in a rising-cost environment, with more complex needs, while maintaining high standards for teaching, learning, safety, and community partnership. That requires funding that reflects today’s realities,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Dyann Mack.

HCPS remains committed to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. We carefully evaluate spending, identify efficiencies, and prioritize resources where they will have the greatest impact. Behind every dollar is a student counting on us to get it right.

“Teaching and learning is happening in Harford County Public Schools. We will continue working collaboratively with the Board of Education to advocate to all county leaders for the resources our students deserve,” Dr. Mack added. “Our focus remains on ensuring every student in Harford County has access to the high-quality education they need to succeed.”

Please mark your calendars for these important dates:

April 17, 2026: FULL DAY of School for students and staff (the early dismissal was cancelled as part of the waiver request approved by the Maryland State Department of Education, or MSDE)
May 22, 2026: FULL DAY of School for students and staff (the early dismissal was cancelled as part of the waiver request approved by MSDE)
June 12, 2026: FULL DAY of School for students and staff (June 12 is no longer the last day of school, so it will be a full day of school)
June 16, 2026: Last Day for Prekindergarten Students
June 18, 2026: Last Day for Students K-11 (as it is the last day of school, it will be a 3-hour early dismissal)

We encourage families to plan ahead and ensure students finish the year strong. For a full calendar and updates, please visit hcps.org.

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HARFORD COUNTY
PUBLIC NOTICE

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2026

OPEN SESSION: 5:00 PM – 5:05 PM

This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid fashion in advance of the 6:00 PM work session.
*The only item the Board will consider during this open meeting is consideration of meeting in a closed session.

CLOSED SESSION: 5:05 PM – 5:45 PM

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BOARD WORK SESSION: 6:00 PM – ADJOURNMENT

This work session will be conducted in a hybrid fashion and will not include public comments, Board member comments, a consent agenda, or decision items.
Public attendance will be permitted as explained below:

DOORS WILL OPEN AND THE SESSION WILL BEGIN AT 6:00 PM

The Board of Education of Harford County will hold a hybrid Work Session on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Board Room of the A.A. Roberty Building, with Board Members and staff in attendance, both in-person and virtually. Public attendance seats will be available on a first come-first served basis and is only for observing the Work Session.

There is no time allotted for public participation or comments during the Work Session.

The meeting will be streamed live and archived for later viewing on the HCPS Website.

*The next full Board meeting is set for Monday, May 4, 2026.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has approved the Superintendent’s request for a three-day waiver to the state’s 180-day instructional requirement for this school year.

As part of the waiver request, April 17, 2026, and May 22, 2026, will shift from early dismissal days to full instructional days. In recognition of the impact of this change on educators and staff, HCPS will waive the final teacher workday to honor staff time.

With the approved waiver and these adjustments, if no additional inclement weather closures are needed for the remainder of the year, the last day of school for students will be an early dismissal on Thursday, June 18, 2026. TEACHERS LAST DAY will be at the end of the day, Thursday, June 18, 2026.

The last day for PreK is always 2 days prior; this year, the last day for PreK will be Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

The following press release was sent to all media partners on Thursday, March 5, 2026:

HCPS Announces Kindergarten Registration Dates
Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) is pleased to announce important dates for kindergarten registration, early entrance to kindergarten applications and advanced placement to first grade applications for the 2026-2027 school year.
Starting on March 6, 2026, families can complete the kindergarten registration online at hcps.org. Early entrance to kindergarten and advanced placement to first grade applications will also be available online or may be printed at each elementary school beginning that day. Prekindergarten applications will be available starting on May 1, 2026. More details on prekindergarten applications will be shared once they are available.
Families interested in registering for kindergarten are encouraged to visit hcps.org on March 6, 2026, where they can complete the registration process online. Early entrance to kindergarten and advanced placement to first grade applications will be available to view and print online. To apply, follow the directions on the cover sheet of the printed application. Printed copies will also be available at each elementary school beginning on March 6, 2026.
To ensure all families in the community are informed, HCPS encourages the sharing of this information. HCPS remains dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students and is excited to welcome the Class of 2039 in the coming school year.

The following will be sent to families of students with IEPs on March 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. via email and text message.

Good evening,

Parents and guardians of students receiving special education and related services are asked to complete the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. Surveys were mailed by the Maryland State Department of Education and should be in your mailbox soon if you have not already received it. Please return your completed survey in the provided envelope by June 5, 2026. If you did not receive a copy of the survey in the mail from MSDE, you can complete the survey online at https://www.mdparentsurvey.com. Additional information is in your survey packet and on the website.

Your feedback will be shared with the Maryland State Department of Education and help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in Harford County Public Schools. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other students across the State of Maryland.

Thank you for your time and consideration.
The Harford County Public Schools Department of Special Education

The following message is being shared on behalf of Board of Education of Harford County President, Dr. Aaron Poynton.

HCPS Community,

As many of you are aware, it has been reported by various media outlets that our superintendent may have been involved in a reported robbery while on a work-related trip in 2024. This has understandably raised questions regarding the nature of the incident and whether any Harford County Public Schools property or student information may have been compromised.

An internal review confirms no student data was compromised. The Board has now ordered an independent investigation into the entire matter.

The attention and distraction surrounding this reported incident has created challenges for the school system at a time when our focus must remain squarely on students, staff, and the uninterrupted operation of our schools. After careful consideration and a majority vote, the Board has determined that the best course of action at this time is for our superintendent to be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

In the meantime, Dr. Dyann Mack, our current Deputy Superintendent, will serve as Acting Superintendent to ensure continuity, stability, and effective leadership across the district.

The Board has full confidence in our leadership team and remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and the highest standards of governance. We will continue to focus on what matters most: supporting our students, empowering our educators, and serving the families and community of Harford County.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

Dr. Aaron Poynton
President, Board of Education of Harford County

Parents and guardians: The Portable Communication Device Policy was updated in June 2025. If your school provides a student planner, it may have gone to print as early as April- before the policy was updated. This means your student planner may have an outdated version of the Portable Communication Device Policy. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask that you utilize the most up to date policy that is available here. This is the policy we will adhere to this school year.

The following message is being sent via email to all families and staff on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.:

We want to share important updates to two Board of Education of Harford County policies—Portable Communication Devices and Student Backpack Use—approved by the Board of Education on June 9, 2025. These changes go into effect for the upcoming school year and are designed to support a safe and focused learning environment.

Portable Communication Devices

Students may bring cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, and other portable communication devices to school; however, their use is limited during the school day:

Elementary School: Devices must be deactivated and stored in student bookbags upon arrival.

Middle School: Devices must be deactivated and secured in lockers for the duration of the school day.

High School: Devices must be kept in the student’s locker and deactivated during class time.

Smartwatches and similar wearables may be worn but must remain deactivated at all grade levels.

For more details and exceptions, please review the policy in its entirety via the attached document or on our website.

Student Backpack and Bag Policy

The updated backpack and bag policy outlines expectations for storage to ensure clear pathways, student safety, and emergency preparedness:

Bookbags do not need to be clear, but they must be stored appropriately.

Elementary School: Bookbags must be placed in designated classrooms or cubby areas upon arrival.

Middle and High School: Bookbags must be stored in lockers during the school day.

Students may carry a nontransparent bag no larger than 4.5x8.5-inch with them for personal hygiene purposes.

Athletic bags and musical instrument cases at all grade levels must be taken directly to the appropriate storage areas upon arrival and not carried throughout the school day.

For more details and exceptions, please review the policy in its entirety via the attached document or on our website.

What Families Should Do

Review these updated policies with your student before the first day of school.

Make sure your child knows where and how to store their devices and bags.

Both policies will be actively enforced at the start of the school year.

Thank you for your partnership in helping maintain safe, organized, and distraction-free schools.

Sincerely,
Dr. Aaron Poynton
President, Board of Education of Harford County