Advocacy
from our PTA Council of Howard County representatives from CLES
Blene Bekure and Corinne Happel (ptachc@clespta.org)
HCPSS Budget Priorities Survey
Feeling scared about possible future school budget cuts? What are your priorities for the 2025-26 Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) operating budget?
Please take a moment to either email our PTACHC representatives at ptachc.rep@clespta.org or to fill out this form:
https://forms.gle/EC9QqJ3STaJDrqWU9
You can fill out the form anonymously if you prefer. We would like responses by 1 PM next Monday, November 4th.
The PTA Council of Howard County will be meeting that night and would like to hear opinions from our PTA. We plan to take your ideas to the meeting. Superintendent Barnes will give his budget presentation to the Board of Education on January 9, 2025. The time is now to give opinions about what matters to the community.
Background:
HCPSS has two budgets that are created and reviewed each year: (1) the operating budget and (2) the capital budget. The superintendent is currently listening to priorities from the community as he writes the budget.
(1) The operating budget covers all recurring costs like paying staff, school maintenance, printing, school bus service, and programming (e.g. offering certain opportunities like 3rd grade orchestra, G/T seminars). Any specific programming and/or services required by law cannot be eliminated. Conversely, any programming and/or services that are not required by law can be changed to cut cost (e.g. Class size can increase). Last year, we came very close to losing 3rd grade orchestra and a portion of elementary GT programming by cutting teacher positions; advocacy efforts helped prevent these teacher & program cuts for now, but the services that were on the chopping block last year may be on the chopping block again this year.
(2) The capital budget pays for non-recurring costs like school renovations, additions, and playgrounds. This is not what we will be discussing on Monday. You are always welcome to share your opinions on either the operating or the capital budget with the Board of Education BOE@hcpss.org.
Participate in Advocacy for Our Schools
The PTA receives questions like:
Why are all our fifth graders in portables this year?
How can we get a new playground and more green space for children to play outdoors in the shade?
Why isn’t Centennial Lane Elementary School on the 10-year long-plan master plan for capital funding in Howard County?
How can we share our thoughts about student cell phone policies?
Renovations are needed for the high school our children are districted to attend in a few years; these have been pushed back until 2036 when current kindergarteners will be high school seniors. What can we do to advocate for funding for important projects like this to happen sooner?
Whether you’ve asked these questions yourself or have other school-related concerns on your mind, joining the PTA is a great way to stay informed and to work with others to advocate for all students in Howard County. For concerns specifically about CLES, our principal, Mrs. Albright (tracey_albright@hcpss.org), is always a great first contact for your questions as well.
Starting this school year, we’ll be sending updates at least quarterly to registered PTA members with answers to common questions that families are asking and key points from PTACHC meetings.
The PTA Council of Howard County (PTA-CHC) welcomes our participation on advocacy issues throughout the year. There are usually shortages of community members advocating to fund our school system both at the local (Howard County) and the state level. Multiple issues are raised each year; the PTA-CHC cannot tackle all of them. School PTAs can pursue their own advocacy efforts. Individuals are also encouraged to advocate as needs/concerns arise.
Please contact our PTACHC representatives (ptachc@clespta.org) for any advocacy related ideas or concerns. They can work with you on advocacy issues or bring them up with PTA-CHC.
All school community members are welcome to register to speak in person or virtually at school board meetings that are usually held twice monthly. You can register to speak up to 3 minutes at each meeting on almost any topic that you have concerns about. There are also opportunities to speak to the Howard County Council and state legislature. All are welcome.
Announcements for October 2024
Are you worried about Overcrowded schools? Increasing class sizes? Redistricting pressure? Educational funding?
APFO covers all these topics – Our Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFO) are the one thing that ensures that the county has the infrastructure to support new development and redevelopment. APFO obligates the government and developers to provide adequate schools, roads, and other resources.
PTACHC is hosting a 90 minute session "APFO 101" to cover concepts and answer questions on Friday, November 1, 2024 at 7:00 PM in an online session (link to follow). See attached flyer for more information.
Election Day is Nov. 5, 2024. Vote on Board of Education candidates
Most CLES families are in either District 1 or District 5, but other districts are also represented.
If you are not sure which Howard County district you are in, you can search for your address here: https://data.howardcountymd.gov/DataExplorer/Search.aspx?Application=CouncilMember)
Contact us.
Blene Bekure
Corinne Happel
CLES PTA representatives to the PTA Council of Howard County