Howard County Executive Calvin Ball joined forces with educational leaders and elected officials to exhibit the strides made in the Blueprint for Maryland's Future education reform. The detailed outcomes were spotlighted during a recent presentation, images of which are accessible via the county's news release. The initiative, born out of efforts by the Kirwan Commission, received a hefty budget increase from $862 million in 2020 to an estimated $1.15 billion for 2025 under Ball's oversight.
Touching on each of the Blueprint's five pillars, the published report illuminated a series of enhancements across Howard County's educational landscape – early childhood education has seen a bloom in the availability of full-day Pre-K seats bolstered by $23 million in renovations directed by Ball at the Faulkner Ridge Center, and teacher salaries starting at $60,000 mark a more than 25% increase since Ball took office. Students get a head start with college through high school programs that allow them to earn up to 60 college credits before graduation. Ball's administration has earmarked significant funds for resources, technology, and support for students with special needs, nearly doubling the funding to more than $180 million annually.
The Howard County news release quoted several key figures acknowledging the concerted effort required to drive such systemic changes. Superintendent Bill Barnes expressed gratitude for the partnerships that identify strategies to implement the Blueprint's components. At the same time, Board of Education Chair Jennifer Swickard Mallo underscored the value of investing in students and educators now for better future outcomes.
Aligning with collaborative sentiments, Daria Willis, President of Howard Community College, emphasized the student-centered approach to growing the public school system and spoke of the value of coalition building between the many stakeholders in the county's educational sphere. Contributions from the workforce development sector have also been highlighted. Stephanie Adibe, Administrator of the Howard County Office of Workforce Development, noted the importance of workforce training and apprenticeships in readying students for success beyond academia.
