Online registration was open to the public one week prior to tonight's Board meeting and was closed at 3 p.m. yesterday for anyone wishing to speak at this evening's meeting.  Each speaker is allowed three minutes to address the Board.  No speaker substitutions will be allowed. 

Based on Policy 8315 (as amended on July 11, 2023), representatives from the following categories are invited to address the Board during the public comment period of the Board's meetings. A maximum of five (5) spaces will be allocated in each of these categories:

1.  School system-affiliated groups

2.  Unions

3.  Nonprofit community groups

4.  Individual citizens or students 

So that a diversity of viewpoints receives the opportunity to address the Board, when there are more requests than available spaces in any of the categories, first priority will be given to those groups or individuals who have not spoken during the two prior Board meetings.  When the spaces reserved in any of the four categories are not filled, those spaces will be offered, on a first-come, first-served basis, through the wait-list sign-up sheet.

If not selected, the public may submit their comments to the Board members via e-mail at boe@bcps.org.  

The Baltimore County Police Department's Homeland Security Unit and Office of School Safety has recommended the following safety and security protocols:

• Participants should be seated in the room during meetings.  Individuals who need to stand should go into the hallway to do so.
• Participants should not approach the table unless called upon to speak and should not approach the dais.
• Materials brought to the table are limited to electronic devices, presentation papers, and posters no larger than 11 by 14 inches.  Other items should be left in the seat.
• Documents to be given to the Board are to be handed to the staff member who is seated in the front area of the meeting space.  Information for other attendees is to be left on the designated table outside in the hall.
• In the event of an emergency that requires an emergency response such as a lockout, lockdown, or evacuation, staff from the Office of School Safety will direct participants.

More information is provided on the Board's Web site at bcps.org, under Board of Education, Participation by the Public.

The new Northeast area middle school is scheduled to open to begin the 2024-2025 school year. Board of Education Policy and Superintendent's Rule 7520 addresses the naming of a new school. Two surveys on the naming of the new Northeast area middle school were issued. The first was available from November 6, 2023, through November 20, 2023, and included an open-ended question for stakeholders to make recommendations on a school name based on criteria identified in Policy 7520.  The first survey yielded two recommendations – Northeast Middle School and Nottingham Middle School.

The second survey was available Tuesday, November 28, 2023, through Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Based on the results from the second survey, a recommendation is being made to the Board of Education to name the new Northeast area middle school Nottingham Middle School.

Public comment was solicited during the Board meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, and the Board is scheduled to vote on the recommended school name at their Tuesday, February 13, 2024, Board meeting.

A special project request has been submitted for the planting of trees (21 trees) to be donated and planted by Howard EcoWorks, Inc. The addition of these trees would add shade and additional landscaping around the campus of Catonsville ES. At the present time, these areas are covered with grass and are available for tree planting. In addition, Catonsville Elementary School is a green school and having additional trees would provide students with opportunities to contribute to green school initiatives.

The Catonsville ES PTA has received a grant to maintain the trees and landscaping. The school Green Team will also continue maintaining the landscaping as part of their action plan.

Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) - 2024 Legislative Priorities and Positions

Attached is an update on the 2024 Legislative Session House and Senate bills that have been introduced and presented during the session.  Bills are being tracked by the Department of Governmental Relations and Constituency Services.