School Board Requests $1.01B Budget from County

Improvements at Arnold Elementary could be in the pipeline thanks to the newest schools budget.

Three Broadneck Spelling Stars Chosen for Upcoming Competition

The winner of the 25th annual Anne Arundel County Spelling Bee will compete in the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.

Thirty-two area students, including three from schools in the Broadneck community, will show off their spelling skills at the 25th annual Anne Arundel County Spelling Bee on Feb. 23. Eighteen public school students, 13 private school students, and one home-schooled student will vie to become the county champion, according to a news release. The winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, to compete in the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee from May 28-30. Students representing Broadneck schools include:  There will be prizes for other top spellers as well, including monetary awards from the 21st Century Education Foundation, Encyclopaedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster reference books, gift certificates, plaques, and a…

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Proposed Policy Aims to Define, Limit Social Media

The school board will review proposed guidelines for usage of social media by Anne Arundel County Public School students and employees.

Anne Arundel Schools Cancel Thursday Activities

Due to the forecast for inclement weather, all public school-sponsored activities scheduled for Thursday afternoon and evening are canceled.

School Officials Hosting Meet-Ups at Arundel Mills Food Court

Anyone hoping to ask questions or voice concerns can do just that on Saturday. Just be ready to brave the weekend shopping crowds.

Two Anne Arundel County Board of Education members are inviting parents to meet with them and discuss issues facing the school system at a unique location this Saturday—inside the food court at Arundel Mills mall in Hanover.  According to a press release from Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS), on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., Board President Andrew Pruski and student member of the board Nick Lefavor will be at a table in the food court at Arundel Mills mall, available to answer questions and discuss various issues. “There will be a table with a Board of Education banner,” AACPS spokesman Bob Mosier said. “It’s a really informal, open dialogue type thing just for conversations. You don’t have to sign up for a 5-minute block or …

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AACPS Extends First Marking Period to Nov. 7

Report cards will still be go out on Nov. 16, as previously scheduled.

In the wake of the post-tropical storm known as Sandy, Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) announced the first quarter marking period will be extended to Nov. 7, two class days later than the previously scheduled Nov. 2 deadline.  Because Sandy's effects cancelled classes for two days, delayed openings on Wednesday and left 17 schools without electricity, teachers will have an additional three days to complete testing and assessments to end the marking period.  "Obviously our decision to close schools on Monday and Tuesday has impacted the plans of many teachers heading into the end of the first marking period, which had been scheduled for Friday," said Superintendent Kevin Maxwell in a letter sent home to parents. "In order to …

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AACPS: 2-Hour Delay Wednesday, 17 Schools Without Power

Parents are urged to use caution when getting their children to bus stops on Wednesday.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) will open two hours late Wednesday for students and staff in the wake of the storm impact of Sandy, according to a press release. However, there are some schools that will be closed because they don't have power. With the late start, all morning half-day kindergarten and ECI classes are cancelled. However, students in full-day kindergarten will have class, but should report two hours late. The end of the marking period was scheduled for Friday, but that deadline could change if officials so desire. The decision will be made later in the day Wednesday, according to the press release. AACPS officials urge local parents to be careful and exercise good judgment when getting their children to bus stops…

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Board Approves 1.25% Teacher Pay Increase

Teacher association officials said they were "satisfied" by the school board's decision, but said there is still much to do.

The Board of Education approved a 1.25 percent mid-year pay increase for all teachers in Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) on Wednesday night. The mid-year increase comes as part of an amendment to a tentative agreement between the Board of Education and the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County (TAAAC) for fiscal year 2013, which started on July 1. Educators won’t begin receiving the increase until halfway through the year, so educators will only technically see a 0.62 percent increase during the current school year, AACPS spokesman Bob Mosier said.  All AACPS employees in "unit one"—a category that includes teachers and guidance counselors—will receive the 1.25 percent raise. "Those employees will also have a two-day …

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Hamilton Tyler

11:13 am on Monday, October 15, 2012

As a county employee who does not get a raise (and has had a 5% cut the two years prior to this one through furloughs), I strongly disagree with the comment above concerning teachers should get a raise because the are teachers. We all have our jobs to do. I go above and beyond in my job and that means great savings to the taxpayers of this county. Since I am not a teacher, does that mean the …   more ›

Severe Weather Forecast Cancels All After-School Events

The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy winds with gusts as strong as 40 mph.

Tuesday's severe weather forecast caused Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) officials to cancel all after-school activities, including five back-to-school nights. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a coastal flooding advisory Tuesday morning due to anticipated rain and wind gusts that could reach 40 mph.  The closing affects all after-school sports events, band practices, rehearsals and the like. Parents with children in after-school day care should check with corresponding agencies to learn of any closings, AACPS officials said.  Five back-to-school nights were scheduled for Tuesday night:

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School System Still Battles Referral Gap

Auditors report that African-American students make up 22 percent of total enrollment, but receive nearly 45 percent of all referrals issued by educators.

A recent audit has revealed that Anne Arundel County schools continue to have a disparity in the percentage of disciplinary referrals issued to African-American students. School officials who conducted an audit of disciplinary referrals—specifically towards African-American students—presented their findings to the Anne Arundel County Board of Education on Wednesday. Leading the audit team was Arlen Liverman, AACPS deputy superintendent of schools, and Carlesa Finney, AACPS director of equity assurance and human relations. From December 2011 to May 2012, the team conducted an “audit of student records and a review of the electronic data of discipline referrals for disrespect, insubordination, disruption and inappropriate language,” …

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Melanie Johnson

8:11 am on Monday, September 17, 2012

Ann the issue is not about disciplining children who have done something wrong. The issue is referring students of color more than the other students. That is the real issue. All students who misbehave should be disciplined. But tolerance for misbehaviors should not be extended to non-white students just because they mirror the teaching staff. The non-white students should not be made to feel …   more ›