2009-10 Annual Report - Harford County Public Schools

Harford County Public Schools 

Annual Report 

2009-2010 

102 S. Hickory Avenue • Bel Air, MD 21014 

410-838-7300 • 1-866-588-4963 • www.hcps.org 

Published by the Harford County Public Schools in partnership with Homestead Publishing Marketing Department and HAR-CO Maryland 

Federal Credit Union.

2 BOE | DECEMBER 2010 

Board of Education 

of Harford County 

Mark M. Wolkow, Board President 

Leonard D. Wheeler Ed.D., 

Board Vice President 

Ruth R. Rich, Board Member 

Alysson L. Krchnavy, Board Member 

Donald R. Osman, Board Member 

Thomas P. Evans, Board Member 

Caitlin R. Dooling, Student Representative 

Inside 

Strategic Plan ...................................... 4 

HCPS at a Glance..................................5 

Contact us.............................................6 

Recruitment and Retention .....................8 

Assessment Data ..................................10 

Financial information ...........................12 

2009-2010 Year in Review .....................16 

HCPS Hall of Fame ............................. 20 

Robert M. Tomback, Ph.D, Secretary- 

Treasurer & Superintendent of Schools

DECEMBER 2010 | BOE 3 

From the 

Superintendent's Pen 

Robert M. Tomback, Ph.D. 

Superintendent of Schools 

Throughout the school year, 

each of our more than 5,000 

employees of the Harford 

County Public Schools (HCPS) 

takes on the challenge of 

working towards our common 

goal of connecting with 

our students and preparing 

them for success. As your 

superintendent, I will work 

to accomplish our goals as 

effectively and efficiently as 

possible. We are all committed 

to inspiring each of our 38,000 

students to become life-long learners and responsible 

citizens. 

Educators in Harford County have the opportunity to 

impact the future of thousands of students every year; 

after all, school-age children spend almost as much time 

in school or in school-related activities as they do at home. 

Our faculty and staff are involved in every aspect of a 

child’s academic life. Our dedicated professionals write 

curricula, provide high quality classroom instruction, serve 

as advisors for extracurricular activities, mentor students, 

and provide additional tutoring - indeed, HCPS personnel 

support student achievement in and out of the classroom 

during and beyond the school day. Everyone in HCPS shares 

a common mission - working together to provide the best 

education possible to all students in Harford County. 

In addition, HCPS employees and students continue 

to work diligently to meet rigorous federal and state 

education requirements, resulting in many successes 

over the past year. The information in this annual report 

will show you some examples of our successes, as well as 

our challenges. 

I am committed to ensuring that every child, in each of our 

53 schools, is afforded the best educational opportunities 

possible. I encourage you to join all of us in the Harford 

County Public Schools as we provide all students with the 

knowledge and means to succeed in a diverse society. 

Sincerely, 

Robert M. Tomback, Ph.D. 

Superintendent of Schools 

Vision: Harford County Public Schools will 

be a community of learners in which our public 

schools, families, public officials, businesses, 

community organizations, and other citizens work 

collaboratively to prepare all of our students to 

succeed academically and socially in a diverse, 

democratic, change-oriented, and global society. 

Mission: The mission of the Harford 

County Public Schools is to promote excellence 

in instructional leadership and teaching and to 

provide facilities and instructional materials 

that support teaching and learning for the 21st 

century. The Harford County Board of Education 

will support this mission by fostering a climate 

for deliberate change and monitoring progress 

through measurable indicators. 

We Believe... 

• All of our decisions should be based on the best 

interests of our students to prepare them for 

success in the 21st century. 

• We must embrace the differences among 

our students and train our staff to meet their 

individual needs. 

• All of our students can meet high standards; 

and we will hold all students to those high 

standards. 

• We must attract, recruit, assign, develop, 

reward, and retain effective staff. 

• Effective communication with internal and 

external stakeholders is essential to the success 

of our students. 

• Input and support from our community will 

improve the quality of our schools. 

• Our students must attend schools that 

support 21st century learning, that offer 

equitable access to technology, and that are 

environmentally efficient.


Harford County Board of Education 

STRATEGIC PLAN 

Board of Education members, along with 

consideration of community input, established 

four goals and thirteen focus areas. 

Goal 1: To prepare every student for success in 

postsecondary education and a career. 

• Review and analyze available data to 

ascertain graduates’ career and postsecondary 

educational success. 

• Provide the necessary support for 

low-performing students of diverse 

backgrounds. 

• Provide opportunities for students to 

earn college credits prior to high school 

graduation. 

Goal 2: To encourage and monitor engagement 

between the school system and the community to 

support student achievement. 

• Increase engagement opportunities which 

will allow Harford County families to 

become active partners in the learning and 

development of their children. 

• Provide ongoing opportunities and 

structures for two-way communication 

between the school system and the 

community. 

• Utilize multiple methods of communication 

in order to effectively reach stakeholders 

with pertinent information and provide 

the opportunity to engage with the school 

system. 

Goal 3: To hire and support skilled staff who are 

committed to increasing student achievement. 

• Increase student achievement by providing 

all Harford County Public Schools’ staff 

with the skills and content knowledge 

necessary. 

• Evaluate all Harford County Public Schools’ 

staff appropriately. 

• Provide all staff with professional 

development, resources, and services. 

• Fill all staff vacancies in accordance with 

urgency and system needs. 

Goal 4: To provide safe, secure, and healthy 

learning environments that are conducive to 

effective teaching and learning. 

• Provide functional and efficient school 

buildings and support facilities. 

• Promote programs that support student 

wellness. 

• Provide safe and secure learning 

environments.


HCPS AT A GLANCE 

The School System: 

32 Elementary Schools 

9 High Schools 

9 Middle Schools 

1 Special School 

1 Vocational/Technical High School 

1 Alternative Education Center 

TOTAL 53 

Transportation (2010) 

• 34,236 students transported 

• 495 buses 

• 39,934 miles traveled daily 

• 6,682,399 miles traveled annually 

• 2,765.9 hours of driver time daily 

• 471,539 hours of driver time annually 

Food Service 

• 400 staff members 

• 956,592 breakfasts served 

• 3,586,382 lunches served 

• $14.5 million for the year in sales 

• $3,376,769 in a-la-carte sales 

• August 2009 District of Excellence 

Recognition – to extend to August 2012 

FACTS 

• Approximately 79% of students have never 

been involved in violations of school or 

system-wide rules. 

• Approximately 94% of students have never 

been suspended from school. 

Facilities (2010) 

• 84.77 acres of parking lots 

• 25.2 miles of driveway 

• 4,076,240 sq. ft in built-up/shingle roofing 

• 550,017 sq. ft in metal roofing 

• 968,584 sq. ft. of carpeting 

• 6,209,636 sq. ft. total building footage 

• 5,914,631 sq. ft. school buildings 

• 225,021 sq. ft other buildings 

• (81) 69,984 sq. ft. relocatables 

• 2,406 classrooms 

• 186 buildings (including relocatables) 

• 33 wells 

• 115 main boilers 

• 1,654 acres of land 

• 329 custodians 

Property Value (as of 10/1/10) $909,906,000 

This information was updated with the following projects: 

Bel Air High School athletic field buildings 

Edgewood High School/athletic field buildings 

Deerfield Elementary School/storage building 

Ring Factory Elementary shingle roof to metal roof


CONTACT US 

Employment opportunities 

Office of Certificated Personnel 410-588-5238 

Office of Supporting Services 

Personnel (clerical, custodial, 

technical, etc.) 

Substitute Teaching 

410-588-5238 

www.hcps.org 


General information, assistance, complaints, 

material distribution 

Partnerships (material distribution) 410-588-5331 

Communications Office 410-588-5203 

TTY 7-1-1 

Website/Emergency Notification 

www.hcps.org 

Fraud Hotline 410-809-6056 

HCPS Central Office Switchboard 

Local Number 410-838-7300 

Toll Free 1-866-588-4963 

Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline 1-800-422-0009 

Psychological Services, Student Services 

Office of Student Services 410-588-5334 

Aberdeen Office 410-273-5514 

Bel Air Office 410-638-4143 

Edgewood Office 410-612-1521 

Fallston Office 410-638-4124 

Havre de Grace Office 410-939-6612 

Magnolia Office 410-612-1531 

North Harford Office 410-638-3662 

Patterson Mill Office 410-638-4215 

Southampton Office 410-638-4153 

Hickory Elementary (Child Find) 410-638-4386 

Office of Curriculum 410-588-5298 

Office of Elementary School 

Performance 


Office of Secondary Performance 410-588-5228 

Office of Community Engagement & 

Cultural Proficiency 


Office of Special Education 410-588-5246 

Office of Transportation 410-638-4092 

Customer Action Line 410-638-0022 

Use of School Facilities - Principal 

Volunteer Work 

The school concerned 

Your local school

On the cover 

Top left: Lisa Mullen, 2010 Teacher of the Year 

Top center: Thomas Dennison, Kindergarten Teacher at 

Havre de Grace Elementary School 

Top right: Rachel Coutts,Language Arts Teacher at Havre de 

Grace Middle School 

Bottom left: The students of William Paca/Old Post Road 

Elementary School who participated in the Pinwheels 

for Peace project. This project occurs yearly on the 

International Day of Peace ("Peace Day"). 

Bottom center: The 2010 Harford County Environmental 

Scholarship Recipients:Ryan Dowdy, Aberdeen High School; 

Rachel Kierzewski, Bel Air High School; Brittany Dooling, 

C. Milton Wright High School; Caitlyn Shires, Edgewood 

High School; Katherine Stump, Havre de Grace High School; 

Ashwyn Massey, Joppatowne High School; Megan Angelini, 

Patterson Mill High School; and 

Ronald Troutman, North Harford High School 

Bottom right: Students from Mrs. Malek's Language 

Arts classes who wrote persuasive essays to support the 

physical education department at Patterson Mill Middle 

School and to reach the school’s fundraising goal of 

$15,000.00 for Hoops for Heart. 

PARENTS... 

have you ever 

missed a phone 

call from HCPS? 

No 

worries! 

You can listen to the 

messages online, simply 

by entering your phone 

number. 


Visit www.alertnowmessage.com to 

replay your automated phone notification 

messages or visit www.hcps.org.


HARFORD COUNTY TEACHERS CONTINUE TO EXCEL 

The importance of recruiting and retaining 

a highly qualified and diverse workforce 

is illustrated in Harford County Board of 

Education’s Strategic Plan: Goal #3 To hire 

and support skilled staff who are committed to 

increasing student achievement. During the last 

12 months ending June 1, 2010, Harford County 

Public Schools (HCPS) hired approximately 428 

employees. 

Teacher Education Characteristics 

Bachelor's Master's Master's+30 or Doctorate 

4% 

highest in the metropolitan area. The primary 

reason for HCPS teachers leaving is retirement. 

The percentage of teachers who retired last school 

year (2009-2010) is about 38%. 

The number of highly qualified teachers, as 

defined in the No Child Left Behind Act, 

reached an all time high of 94.9% overall and 

100% in Title 1 schools. This high percentage is 

attributed to the collaborative efforts between 

our Recruitment and Staff and Certification 

departments. 

As HCPS continues into the 21st century, we look 

forward to the school years to come and know the 

need for a diverse and highly qualified workforce 

will be a priority. 

34% 

62% 

HCPS Teacher of the Year Finalists 

As the HCPS community continues to grow, the 

need for qualified individuals increases. In order 

to create a diverse work force in the school system, 

a comprehensive recruitment and marketing plan 

is important. During the first half of 2009, HCPS 

representatives attended 32 teacher job fairs in 

eight states. Attendance at college fairs is targeted 

to include college/universities with teacher 

education programs in critical shortage areas. 

System-wide and school-based initiatives continue 

to support new teachers in HCPS. At 94%, our 

teacher retention rate continues to be among the 

Number and percentage in each age 

bracket 

120 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

Average Age of Teacher Population 

0 

20‐26 27‐36‐ 37‐46 47‐54 55+ 

Age 

Number of Teachers 

% of Teachers 

(from left to right) Brian Folus, Jacquline Smith, Rachel Coutts, 

Susan Harvan, Brooke Fisher, Sandra McMichael, Lisa Mullen 

(TOY) Thomas Dennison, Melissa Surgeon, and Jeffrey Winfield 

2010 Teacher of the Year finalists 

pose for a photo outside of the 

Bayou Restaurant, in Havre de 

Grace, before the HCPS Teacher of 

the Year banquet in April 2010.

HCPS TEACHER OF THE YEAR 

Lisa C. Mullen, language 

arts teacher at North 

Harford Middle School, 

was named the 2010-11 

Harford County Public 

School (HCPS) Teacher of 

the Year. 

Today, she is a dedicated 

teacher, having been in 

the field for more than 22 

years, serving in Harford County for 18 of those 

years, using creative tactics to ensure that each 

student is able to learn. 

Ms. Mullen earned her master’s 

(4.0 GPA) in Leadership in 

Teaching from the College of 

Notre Dame where her thesis 

was accepted with honor, and 

she received the Academic 

Achievement Award for 

Leadership in Teaching. She 

graduated cum laude from 

the University of Pittsburgh 

with a Bachelor of Science 

in Elementary Education 

and received the School of 

Education’s Student Leadership 

Award. In addition, she has 30 

credits beyond her master’s. 

From 1988-1992, she taught 

outside of Harford County before moving to 

HCPS in her current role at North Harford 

Middle School teaching language arts where she 

has been since 1992. Throughout her career with 

HCPS, she has written curriculum for the English 

“Ms. Mullen helps all of her 

students understand what 

she is teaching,” said North 

Harford High School ninth 

grader, Morgan Wirtz, who 

nominated her for the award. 

“She has new and creative 

teaching styles that show 

how fun learning can be.” 


Office, presented professional development 

programs and performed as a mentor for student 

teachers. She also served as a Team Leader, Team 

Recorder and as a School Improvement and 

School-Based Instructional Decision-Making 

Team member. 

“Ms. Mullen integrates her daily lessons 

with enthusiasm, real-world applications and 

cooperative group work,” said Mrs. Susan 

Brown, HCPS coordinator of intervention. 

“Through her Student of the Month and 

Student of the Quarter incentive programs, she 

encourages all students to not 

only strive for their best, but to 

develop into responsible young 

adults.” 

As the Harford County Teacher 

of the Year, Ms. Mullen received 

free use of a new car for a year 

courtesy of Jones Junction, a 

Dell laptop computer, a watch 

from Saxon’s Diamond Centers, 

an engraved globe and plaque; in 

addition, she was awarded many 

dinner and bank gift certificates, 

local merchant gift cards and 

$1,200 from HAR-CO Credit 

Union provided to all 10 finalists. 

Ms. Mullen also competed for 

the title of Maryland Teacher of 

the Year to represent teachers across the state as 

an education spokesperson. 

Read Ms. Mullen’s Teacher of the Year blog at 

www.hcps.org.

10 BOE | DECEMBER 2010 

HCPS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SCORE BIG 

SAT & AP Exams 

Harford County students scored above the state 

and national averages on the Critical Reading and 

Mathematics sections of the SAT Reasoning Test, 

according to data released by the College Board. 

Compared to 2009, Harford County test-takers’ 

overall performance held steady in Critical 

Reading (507), increased two 

points in Mathematics, and 

dropped by five points in Writing. 

Harford County mean scale 

scores exceed the state in Critical 

Reading (507 versus 501) and in 

Mathematics (523 versus 506) 

while remaining below the state 

in Writing (483 versus 495). The 

mean SAT Composite earned by 

Harford County students in 2010 

was 1513 compared to the state’s average of 1502. 

The graduation rate 

among HCPS students was 

88.3 percent for the class 

of 2010, an increase of 

1.65 percent compared to 

2009, outpacing the state 

average of 86.6 percent, 

according to recent data. 

The number of test-takers in Harford County 

also increased in 2010 with 1,440 graduates 

participating, an increase of 90 students from the 

previous year. 

“We are pleased with the progress made with 

regard to student participation on the SAT and 

AP exams,” said Superintendent Robert M. 

Tomback. “Harford County scores continue to 

outpace the state and the nation, however, we will 

strive to increase rigor based on the needs of our 

students and set expectations even higher for all 

instructional areas, specifically the core subject 

areas.” 

Harford County participation in Advanced 

Placement (AP) assessments saw a 14 percent 

increase from 1,255 students in 2009 to 1,427 

students in 2010; while at the same time total high 

school enrollment in the county remained steady. 

As a part of school improvement efforts, schools 

are accelerating opportunities for students to 

ensure greater participation in AP 

courses, as well as increased scores 

in every tested area of the SAT. In 

particular, the school system will 

continue to focus on supporting students 

in mastering coursework, as well as 

increasing achievement on these rigorous 

assessments. 

Graduation & HSA 

The graduation rate among HCPS 

students was 88.3 percent for the class of 2010, 

an increase of 1.65 percent compared to 2009, 

outpacing the state average of 86.6 percent, 

according to recent data. The 2010 graduation rate 

increase represents the second highest graduation 

rate ever achieved for the county and the third 

consecutive year of improvement in that area. 

In order for students to graduate from HCPS, 

all need to pass each of the four High School 

Assessment (HSAs). 

They need to achieve 

a combined score 

of 1,602 on all four 

tests, participate in a 

Bridge Plan project 

or receive a waiver. 

Countywide, 95.7 

percent of students met the requirements of the 

test and exceeded the statewide average by 10.7 

percent. For the second year in a row, no HCPS 

student failed to graduate because of the HSA 

requirement. 

Individual high school scores, system-level and 

state Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) data are 

available on the Maryland State Department of 

Education's report card website 

www.MDReportCard.org.


HCPS MIDDLE/ELEMENTARY SCORES REMAIN HIGH 

Harford County 

Public School 

students 

continued 

to perform 

well on the 

Maryland School 

Assessments 

(MSA) taken by 

third through 

eighth graders in reading and math, despite 

the increasingly rigorous targets. According to 

the Maryland State Department of Education 

(MSDE) data regarding the 2010 MSAs, nearly 

75 percent of all Harford elementary and middle 

schools combined made Adequate Yearly Progress 

(AYP). In addition, previously underperforming 

sub-groups are making great strides, and in many 

cases narrowing the achievement gap. Student 

proficiency rates in both reading and math remain 

high. 

Moving toward the 2014 goal of 100 percent 

proficiency, the performance target established by 

MSDE is increasing rapidly each year. Harford 

County schools are making progress toward this 

goal. In 2010, among the 32 elementary schools, 

reading proficiency rates for the total population 

rose to more than 90 percent in 20 schools, 

and mathematics proficiency rates for the total 

population exceeded 90 percent in 21 schools. 

Of the nine middle schools, reading proficiency 

remained stable with five schools reaching 90 

percent. 

“Our teachers are focused on continuing 

to increase student achievement across the 

board, and we will remain working tirelessly 

toward the goal of 100 percent proficiency,” 

said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert M. 

Tomback. 

Edgewood Middle School (EMS) was among the 

schools with the most impressive improvement. 

For the second consecutive year, EMS met AYP in 

every sub-group area exiting them from the School 

Improvement List. This year, of the middle 

schools on the 2009 Schools in Improvement 

List, in addition to Edgewood Middle, Fallston 

and North Harford middle schools also achieved 

AYP. Fallston Middle exited the list this year; 

however, North Harford will need to make AYP 

again in 2011 in order to be removed from the list. 

Reaching more than 93 percent in reading and 85 

percent in math, Southampton Middle continues 

to meet and exceed the Annual Measurable 

Objectives (AMO), achieving AYP again this year 

for the eighth consecutive year. While realizing 

significant gains but failing to meet the AMO, the 

remaining middle schools will focus on improving 

the achievement of all sub-groups. 

At the 

elementary level, 

“I’m particularly proud of 

nearly 85 percent the strides we have made in 

of schools made narrowing the achievement 

AYP. Edgewood gap for students, especially 

Elementary, a 

our special education and 

school where 

students in low socio-economic students. 

poverty comprise Our students should be 

65 percent of commended for responding to 

the population, 

and, in many cases, exceeding 

realized the 

most significant the high expectations set for 

improvement 

them.” 

in reading 

Dr. Robert M. Tomback 

proficiency with 

an increase of 

more than 11 percent from the previous year. 

Each of the five elementary schools that failed to 

achieve AYP realized improvement in many subgroup 

areas. However, William Paca/Old Post 

Road Elementary achieved a 10.7 percent increase 

in math proficiency by the African-American 

sub-group. Bakerfield Elementary also realized 

a 10 percent increase in the students of poverty 

sub-group area in reading. Achieving 100 percent 

proficiency in two sub-group areas in reading and 

two in math. 

For more information regarding Harford County 

and State MSA and AYP data, visit the Maryland 

Report Card website at www.MDReportCard.org.


HCPS FISCAL YEAR 2010: FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

Maryland school systems are revenue dependent 

upon the state and local governments. State 

funding is primarily established during the annual 

legislative session of the Maryland General 

Assembly during January through April of 

each year. State funds are administered through 

the Maryland State Department of Education 

(MSDE). 

Federal Sources 

$6,860,266 

1.2% 

Special State & 

Federal Programs 

$33,329,650 

5.8% 

StateSources 

$247,758,182 

42.8% 

FY 2010 Actual Revenues 

Earnings on 

Investments 

$39,799 

0.0% 

Charges for Services 

$7,838,875 

1.4% 

Miscellaneous 

Revenues 

$7,351,539 

1.3% 

Local Sources 

$275,213,332 

47.6% 

The superintendent submits the recommended 

budget to the Board of Education during the 

second school 

The HCPS Finance 

Office received the 

FY 10 GFOA Certificate 

of Excellence in 

Financial Reporting 

Award for the sixth 

consecutive year! 

board meeting 

in December. 

The board holds 

public hearings 

for stakeholders 

and work sessions 

during January to 

consider modifying 

the budget prior 

to submittal of the 

board’s proposed 

budget to the county 

executive by January 31st. The county executive 

has until April 1st to establish funding levels 

for the next fiscal year. Once the board receives 

the funding level from the county executive, the 

operating budget is modified for submittal to the 

County Council in line with the projected state 

and county funding levels. The County Council 

receives the county budget on April 1st and 

Special State & 

Federal Programs 

$33,329,650 

5.8% 

Community 

Services 

$352,180 

0.1% 

Fixed Charges 

$115,721,145 

20.2% 

Cost of Operations - 

Food Services 

$14,314,608 

2.5% 

Maintenance of Plant 

& Equipment 

$11,013,736 Operation of Plant 

1.9% 

$29,129,358 

5.1% 

FY 2010 Actual Expenditures 

Capital Outlay & 

Construction 

$83,661,805 

14.6% 

Pupil Transportation 

Services 

$27,655,271 

4.8% 

Health Services 

$3,255,200 

0.6% 

Administrative 

Services 

$10,708,101 

1.9% 

Student Personnel 

Services 

$1,615,403 

0.3% 

Mid Level 

Administrative 

Services 

$25,417,187 

4.9% 

Instructional Salaries 

$166,083,827 

29.0% 

Instructional 

Textbooks & 

Supplies $7,757,879 

Special Education 1.4% 

$39,030,095 

6.8% 

Other Instructional 

Costs 

$2,903,516 

0.5% 

holds public hearings and work sessions during 

April and May. The council may add to the 

county executive’s funding level only by reducing 

the funds for other functions of the county 

government, or having the county treasurer 

revise projected revenues upward indicating that 

additional funds will be available for the next 

fiscal year. 

The Board of Education submits the revised 

proposed budget to the County Council in 

mid-April and the County Council has until May 

31st to determine final funding levels for the 

county allocation. The County Council adopts 

the county budget by May 31st. At that point 

the county government funding is fixed for the 

school system. Once this allocation is approved, 

the Board of Education will revise the budgeted 

expenditures to equal the total approved revenues. 

The board approves the final budget by the end of 

June, prior to the start of the next fiscal year, July 

1st. The Board approved budget then goes back to 

the county for final approval certification, required 

by state law, which often occurs in July. This 

completes the budget development and approval 

process. 

Throughout the budgetary process, expenditures 

are aligned by Benefit Adjustments, FY 09-10 

Cost Reductions, Cost of Doing Business 

Expenses, Special Education Requests, and 

Operating Impact of New Construction Projects. 

Proposed new expenditures are categorized by a 

Board of Education goal.


FISCAL YEAR Budget Calendar 

OCTOBER 

Budget requests and narratives from budget managers due. 

Initiate per pupil staffing budgets and baseline cost of doing business 

estimates prepared; September 30th enrollment data is used. 

NOVEMBER 

DECEMBER 

The County Executive advises the president of the Board and 

Superintendent of Schools of budget constraints for the year and any 

due to economic realities. 

After review by the Superintendent, the Budget Office prepares the 

Superintendent's recommended FY operating budget. 

Superintendent's recommended FY budget is presented to the Board of 

Education. 

Preliminary state funding estimates for FY will be made available by 

Maryland State Department of Legislative Services. 

JANUARY 

The Board of Education accepts public comment on the 

budget and reviews the Superintendent's recommended 

budget. 

Board proposed budget is approved. 

FEBRUARY- MARCH 

Board of Education presents proposed budget to the County Executive. 

Meet with County Executive to receive the proposed local funding level. 

APRIL 

Board revised budget is presented to the County Council. 

MAY 

County Council approval of final funding and adoption of 

Appropriations Bill. 

JUNE 

Budget Office reviews and prepares funding alternatives for the 

Superintendent and the Board. 

The Board of Education approves a balanced budget. 

SEPTEMBER 

Receive FY budget approval certification from the County Executive. 

Final budget hearing and approval certification by County Council. 

Each year, a budget calendar is prepared and presented to the senior staff and budget managers as a suggested schedule 

to follow in order to produce the final budget document. The calendar is driven by the Board review, County Government 

review, County Council review, and state and local funding and reporting requirements.


BOARD OF EDUCATION'S ADOPTED BUDGET 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - FISCAL YEAR 2011 

State 

Approved 

Local 

Approved 

Other 

Sources* * 

Total 

Approved 

Capital 

Funding 

Bel Air HS Replacement (1) $11,450,000 $0 -$11,450,000 $0 

Relocatable Classrooms $0 $0 $300,000 $300,000 

Deerfield ES Replacement $2,384,534 $5,795,000 $0 $8,179,534 

Edgewood HS Replacement $0 $7,000,000 $0 $7,000,000 

Red Pump Elementary School (2) $0 $8,070,000 $507,400 $8,577,400 

Ring Factory ES Roof Replacement $0 $0 $632,600 $632,600 

Bel Air Elementary Chiller Replacement $0 $0 $360,000 $360,000 

Dublin Elementary Boiler Replacement $0 $0 $250,000 $250,000 

Campus Hills Elementary School $0 $0 $0 $0 

Youth's Benefit ES Replacement $0 $0 $0 $0 

Homestead / Wakefield ES Project $0 $0 $0 $0 

John Archer School at Bel Air MS $0 $0 $0 $0 

WP/OPR ES Replacement $0 $0 $0 $0 

ADA Improvements and Survey $0 $0 $0 $0 

Athletic Fields Repair & Restoration $0 $0 $70,000 $70,000 

Backflow Prevention $0 $0 $0 $0 

Bleacher Replacement (4) $0 $0 $100,000 $100,000 

Building Envelope Improvements $0 $0 $200,000 $200,000 

Career & Technology Education Equipment $0 $0 $100,000 $100,000 

Energy Conservation Measures $0 $0 $250,000 $250,000 

Environmental Compliance $0 $0 $100,000 $100,000 

Equipment & Furniture Replacement $0 $0 $100,000 $100,000 

Fire Alarm & ER Communications $0 $0 $75,000 $75,000 

Floor Covering Replacement $0 $0 $0 $0 

Locker Replacement $0 $0 $0 $0 

Major HVAC Repairs $0 $0 $450,000 $450,000 

Milestone Project $0 $0 $0 $0 

Music Equipment Refresh $0 $0 $50,000 $50,000 

Music Technology Labs (5) $0 $0 $65,000 $65,000 

Outdoor Track Reconditioning $0 $0 $25,000 $25,000 

Paving - New Parking Areas $0 $0 $0 $0 

Paving - Overlay and Maintenance (6) $0 $0 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 

Playground Equipment $0 $0 $350,000 $350,000 

Replacement Buses (7) $0 $0 $490,000 $490,000 

Replacement Vehicles $0 $0 $945,000 $945,000 

Security Cameras $0 $0 $225,000 $225,000 

Septic Facility Code Upgrades $0 $0 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 

Special Education Facility Improvements $0 $0 $0 $0 

Swimming Pool Renovations $0 $0 $100,000 $100,000 

Storm Water Management $0 $0 $75,000 $75,000 

Technology Education Lab Refresh $0 $0 $250,000 $250,000 

Technology Infrastructure $0 $0 $2,080,000 $2,080,000 

Textbook/Supplemental Refresh $0 $0 $300,000 $300,000 

Total $13,834,534 $20,865,000 $0 $34,699,534


HCPS Operating Statement 

Financial 

Financial 

Data - 

Data 

Fiscal 

Year 

Year 

Ended 

Beginning 

June 30, 

July 

2010 

1, 2010 

Food Capital Total 

General Services Projects Governmental 

Fund Fund Fund Funds 

Revenues 

Intergovernmental Revenues 

Local sources $ 214,061,789 

$ 20,865,000 $ 234,926,789 

State sources 199,663,261 318,240 13,834,534 $ 213,816,035 

Special state and federal programs 34,521,098 - $ 34,521,098 

Federal sources 650,000 5,998,409 - $ 6,648,409 

Earnings on investments 150,000 25,000 - $ 175,000 

Charges for services 2,570,958 - $ 2,570,958 

Student Payments 8,459,585 - $ 8,459,585 

Miscellaneous revenues 5,633,714 - $ 5,633,714 

Total revenues 457,250,820 14,801,234 34,699,534 $ 506,751,588 

Expenditures 

Administrative services 11,334,110 - $ 11,334,110 

Mid level administrative services 25,760,132 - $ 25,760,132 

Instructional salaries 167,034,492 - $ 167,034,492 

Instructional textbooks and supplies 7,969,580 - $ 7,969,580 

Other instructional costs 3,347,357 - $ 3,347,357 

Special education 38,960,597 - $ 38,960,597 

Student personnel services 1,654,612 - $ 1,654,612 

Health services 3,334,606 - $ 3,334,606 

Pupil transportation services 29,291,690 - $ 29,291,690 

Operation of plant 31,545,767 - $ 31,545,767 

Maintenance of plant and equipment 11,697,674 - $ 11,697,674 

Fixed charges 89,715,918 - - $ 89,715,918 

Community services 520,473 - $ 520,473 

Special state and federal programs 34,722,098 - $ 34,722,098 

Capital projects - - 34,699,534 $ 34,699,534 

Costs of operation - food services - - $ - 

Capital outlay 361,714 14,801,234 - $ 15,162,948 

Total expenditures 457,250,820 14,801,234 34,699,534 $ 506,751,588 

Source: HCPS Budget Office/Communications Office


2009-2010 A School year in review... 

Alex Griffith of North Harford 

provides playgroud to 

Russian Hospital 

As part of a Boy 

Scout project, 

Alex Griffith, of 

North Harford 

High School, donated hundreds of hours and 

raised tens of thousands of dollars to build a 

new playground for the L.S. Berzon City Clinical 

Hospital No. 20 in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. 

Alex devoted 2 ½ years to his 

Krasnoyarsk Playground Project. 

In addition to recruiting more 

than 500 volunteers in five 

countries, he raised more than 

$60,000 by soliciting help from 

local Rotary Clubs and joining 

forces with other Boy Scouts 

for candy sales, car washes and 

barbeque fundraisers. Alex oversaw every aspect 

of production of the playground, from designing 

and purchasing the playground to shipping 

equipment overseas. In August 2009, Alex and a 

small group of volunteers traveled to the hospital 

to set up the playground and held a dedication 

ceremony. The project was a huge success! 

Edgewood administrator 

second on Amazon's Hot New 

Book Releases 

Sherry Bosley, 

assistant principal 

at Edgewood 

High School, 

wrote a book 

titled Toepicks, Cadaver Dogs, and Sports with No 

Balls. The book was published August 23, 2009, 

and was an instant hit! During the weekend of 

September 19, the book rose to number two on 

Amazon’s Hot New Releases in Books list and 

included positive customer reviews. 

In her book, Sherry takes a 

unique look at parenting and 

the world of ice dancing. With 

a daughter actively involved in 

skating, a son who is not, and 

a husband who doubts the 

reality of sports with no balls, 

her life often spins out of 

control and she takes readers 

along for the wild ride. It’s a 

hilarious read that’s sure to be enjoyed! 

On September 

30, Joppatowne 

Elementary School 

Joppatowne Elementary 

School in the Spotlight 

was in the spotlight on Good Morning Maryland 

@ 9 on ABC! Meteorologist Justin Berk and his 

camera crew traveled to Joppatowne Elementary 

to give Ms. Evans' 5th grade class a front-row 

seat as he explained the ABC's of weather. 

The students 

participated in 

live weather 

updates 

throughout the 

hour, and in 

between the onair 

shots, Justin shared activities with the students 

and answered questions. 

Bel Air High School & 

Joppatowne Elementary 

Dedicated 

The official 

dedication 

ceremony for 

the new Bel 

Air High School (BAHS) was conducted on 

Sunday, October 11th, with a formal program 

held in the recently completed auditorium and 

the cornerstone laying taking place immediately 

following at the front entrance of the school. 

The new 262,424 square foot building opened in 

time for the first day of the 2009-10 school year, 

replacing the former 1949 building, which is 

currently being demolished to make room for new 

athletic fields. 

Another dedication 

ceremony was held 

for the renovated 

and modernized 

Joppatowne 

Elementary School 

(JOES) in October, with a 

formal program held in the recently completed 

gymnasium and the cornerstone laying taking 

place immediately following at the front entrance 

of the school. Renovations to the ‘new’ building 

were completed in fall of 2009, increasing the 

building footprint to nearly 90,000 square feet and 

increasing enrollment capacity to 653.



Public Schools 

Superintendent 

Robert M. 

C.Milton & Fallston High 

honored for Top 1500 Award 

Tomback, Ph.D. and Board of Education Member 

Leonard D. Wheeler, Ed.D. visited both C. Milton 

Wright High School and Fallston High School 

during faculty meetings in October to recognize 

the schools for having achieved Newsweek’s Top 

1500 Public Schools list for 2009. 

The Newsweek 

list, known as 

the “Challenge 

Index,” 

identifies 

schools that offer a rigorous instructional program 

based on high numbers of students taking either 

Advanced Placement (AP) or International 

Baccalaureate (IB) tests. 

The legendary pioneer of Harford County school 

desegregation passes away at the age of 95 

Dr. Percy Vandella Williams was a true giant in 

the field of public education, 

not only in Harford County, 

but also in the state and nation. 

Dr. Williams spent an entire 

lifetime proving that education 

is the key to equality for all. Dr. 

Williams, a long-time Havre de 

Grace resident, passed away in 

November. A teacher, supervisor, 

principal, and state assistant superintendent 

of schools, Dr. Williams also spent ten years 

as a member and two years as president of the 

Harford County Board of Education. He was also 

president of the Maryland Association of Boards 

of Education for one year. 

Comptroller visits Deerfield 

Elementary 

In March, Comptroller of 

Maryland Peter Franchot visited 

Deerfield Elementary School to 

see first-hand the improvements that 

were underway at the school. The school broke 

ground on the renovations June 3, 2008, and 

the new building opened in October 2010. The 

$19,251,117 project will increase the size of the 

facility from 57,529 square feet to 103,052 square 

feet and will make the state rated capacity 793. 


Public Schools HCPS Hosts Futures11 Event 

partnered 

with the Harford County Office of Economic 

Development, Harford Community College and 

Aberdeen Proving Ground to host a Futures11 

networking and career event at Harford Tech/ 

Harford Community College in March. 

Futures11 was a resource for 

high school juniors representing 

the high schools throughout 

our district, more than 400 

students attending the event 

and participating in a series of 

informative workshops touching on topics 

relevant to high school juniors. In addition, 

students networked with more than 25 business 

and education representatives setup on site. 

Futures11 was not a traditional job fair, but 

more of a lightning rod for students to begin 

considering in earnest their post secondary school 

career options. 

John Archer Students go on 

a field trip 

One of the goals 

for John Archer School students is to have them 

recognized as part of their community and to have 

the community provide them with reasonable 

accommodations to fully participate and 

engage in community 

activities. 

One step towards 

reaching this goal was 

to implement a schoolwide 

field trip. In May, the students of 

John Archer visited Regal Cinemas in Bel Air 

to watch the Disney movie Oceans. This film 

met the educational and sensory needs of the 

students, and Disney provided the school with 

formal lesson plans that could be connected to 

the curriculum and taught as follow-up lessons to 

the field trip experience. This was the first schoolwide 

field trip for the John Archer students and 

staff. The school was supported on the trip by 

many parents, and great fun was had by all. 

Want more stories like these? 

Visit www.hcps.org for more information on these and other news 

making events from the 2009-2010 school year.


CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 

NOW OPEN Edgewood High School 

Construction for the project began in 2008. The replacement Edgewood 

High is a four story structure was being constructed behind the existing 

school. This approximately 268,000 square foot building has updated 

technology, a triple gymnasium, auditorium, and designated space for the 

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The complex provides 

for a new stadium with an artificial turf field. The new high school 

opened in the fall of this year and the existing high school is scheduled 

to be demolished. The site will be restored with additional parking and 

practice fields with final completion in 2011. 

NOW OPEN Deerfield Elementary School 

This approximately 102,000 square foot building has current 

technology, an enlarged gymnasium, and a stage that is between 

both the cafeteria and the gymnasium, music rooms, art room, 

and computer lab. The school features space that is designated 

as a day care for non-school age children. The enlarged 

gymnasium is made possible through a partnership with Parks 

and Recreation, who have added $600,000 to this project. The 

previous elementary is scheduled to be demolished. The site will 

be restored with additional parking and a bus loop with final completion in 2011. 

OPENING FALL 2011 

Red Pump Elementary School 

The Board 

of Education 

of Harford 

County 

approved 

contracts 

for the 

construction 

of the 

new Rep 

Pump Elementary School at it's September 

2009 business meeting. Construction of the 

new 100,600 square-foot school facility began 

in October 2009 and is budgeted for $28.9 

million. The project will include facilities for 

the Department of Parks and Recreation and is 

anticipated to be completed in June of 2011. The 

entrance to the school and park complex will be 

off Red Pump Road and the school’s mailing 

address will be 600 Red Pump Road. The image 

to the above is a rendering of how the new 

elementary school will look.


School Profiles 

Have you ever wonder how to find out the 

latest information on a Harford County 

Public school? 

Our “School Profiles” link includes a profile for 

each of our schools. Information that can be 

found: 

• A letter from the principal 

• Directions 

• Attendance areas 

• Bus routes 

• A link to school's official website 

• School testing data and demographics 

Visit www.hcps.org to find a school profile. 

Stay in the... 

LOOP 

Stay connected to the 

Board of Education 

news... 

A summary of action items and 

presentations are posted after 

every meeting on www.hcps.org. 

Click on the "In the Loop" link on 

the home page of our website.


HCPS EDUCATOR: Hall of Fame 

September 

Ms. Beretta Goodwin had a 

passion for making a difference 

in the lives of teachers and 

children, and had the rare 

ability of doing just that as an 

administrator and principal for 

Harford County Public Schools for more than 20 

years. In those 20 years, Ms. Goodwin served 

as an elementary supervisor at Havre de Grace 

and Meadowvale elementary schools and many 

other schools in the area. Ms. Goodwin went on 

to become Principal at Riverside Elementary until 

her retirement in 1997. 

October 

Dr. Sandra Wallis served as an 

outstanding reading specialist and 

educator for 28 years. Dr. Wallis 

began her career with HCPS as 

part of the teaching core at Bel 

Air Junior High School (now 

Southampton Middle School). 

Dr. Wallis then went on to became a reading 

specialist, teaching sixth through eighth graders 

who had difficulty reading. In 1989, Dr. Wallis 

was promoted to Supervisor of English/Language 

Arts and Reading. During her tenure, Dr. Wallis 

was awarded Outstanding Reading Teacher of 

the Year for Maryland by the State of Maryland 

Reading Council. Dr. Wallis retired in 1998. 

November 

Mrs. Audrey Solomon’s 

commitment to every aspect of 

school, her quiet enthusiasm 

and her inherent interpersonal 

skills earned her both respect 

and admiration from the 

staff and students for 38 

years. Mrs. Solomon taught at Deerfield and 

Homestead Wakefield elementary schools and 

later became an Assistant Principal at Youth’s 

Benefit Elementary. Nine years later, she went 

on to transfer to Deerfield Elementary and lead 

the new technology committee and the school 

improvement teams. Following six years at 

Deerfield Elementary, Mrs. Solomon finished her 

career at Prospect Mill Elementary School. 

December 

Mrs. Pauline Frantz motivated 

students throughout her 21 year 

teaching career. She taught social 

studies and spent her entire career 

at Magnolia Middle School. As 

a social studies teacher, she was 

active in curriculum writing, the social studies 

steering committee, mentoring student teachers 

and leading staff development sessions. Mrs. 

Frantz also held the position of department chair 

for 18 years. She severed on several committees 

during her tenure with HCPS, including a 

committee to determine the scope and sequence 

of social studies in grades five 

through nine. Mrs. Frantz retired 

in 2005. 

January 

Mrs. Sara Margaret Hodge taught 

students to appreciate music for


more than 38 years. She began teaching music 

at Churchville Elementary School in 1962. Mrs. 

Hodge spent the next 39 years and the remainder 

of her career there, becoming famous with the 

school community for her spectacular winter and 

spring concerts. During her career, Mrs. Hodge 

helped write one of the first elementary school 

music curriculums for the county – an undertaking 

that took 14 years to complete! In 1982, Mrs. 

Hodge was awarded Maryland 

Music Educator of the Year. 

Mrs. Hodge retired in 2001 

after 45 total years of teaching. 

February 

Mrs. Cathy Price taught with 

compassion for 39 years. Mrs. 

Price began teaching at Aberdeen Junior High. 

She taught seventh grade social studies, serving as 

the department chair and team leader for several 

years. In 1991, Mrs. Price became principal of 

Aberdeen Middle School and after 32 years at 

Aberdeen Middle, she moved from the classroom 

to the HCPS Central Office. Although retired, 

Mrs. Price is still very active in the school system 

and the community. She worked part-time as the 

coordinator of equity and cultural proficiency for 

HCPS and serves as the vice chair of the Harford 

County Human Relations 

Commission. Mrs. Price retired 

in 2010. 

March 

Mrs. Gladys Pace motivated 

students to achieve goals for 

36 years. Mrs. Pace began 

teaching at Hall’s Cross Roads 

Elementary School in 1969. She later transferred 

to Aberdeen Middle School. Mrs. Pace taught 

for 21 years before moving to administrative 

positions. In 1990, Mrs. Pace was promoted to 

assistant principal of Aberdeen Middle School 

and in 1995; she was promoted to principal 

of Aberdeen Middle School. In addition to 

spearheading several after-school and weekend 

programs, Mrs. Pace served on many committees 

promoting diversity. She was also the recipient 

of several awards throughout her career. Mrs. 

Pace retired in 2006 after 36 years in the Harford 

County Public School system. 

April 

Mrs. Ann Ramsay motivated 

students to achieve their 

goals. Mrs. Ramsay 

began her teaching career 

with HCPS at Bakerfield 

Elementary School. After teaching for four 

years at Bakerfield, she became a part-time 

assistant principal. Later on, Mrs. Ramsay 

moved to Edgewood Elementary School as an 

assistant principal, and two years later, moved 

to Norrisville Elementary School as the new 

principal. In 1979 Mrs. Ramsay then transferred 

to Homestead/Wakefield Elementary School 

as an assistant principal. Before retirement, 

Mrs. Ramsay’s last position, was principal of 

Darlington Elementary. During her career, she 

was a member of several committees and in 1989, 

after 25 dedicated years of service retired as a 

teacher and administrator. 

May 

Mr. Frank Tull motivated students 

to achieve their goals for 31 

years. He taught at William 

Paca/Old Post Road Elementary 

School, and transferred to 

Edgewood Middle School. After 

earning his master’s in Administration, Mr. Tull 

became assistant principal at Edgewood Middle 

School. In 1989 Mr. Tull served as principal of 

Havre de Grace Elementary School. He stayed at 

Havre de Grace until 1997 when he moved back to 

William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School 

as principal. Mr. Tull remained in this position 

until he passed away in 2006 after 31 years of 

dedicated service. 

The Hall of Fame honors those who have given their professional 

lives building a school system which consistently ranks in the 

top 25 percent in student achievement among Maryland school 

districts, Harford County Public Schools, in cooperation with the 

Harford County Retired School Personnel Association (HCRSPA), 

began the HCPS Educator Hall of Fame in October 2000. The retired 

educators are chosen by HCRSPA in recognition of their outstanding 

contributions to the system to be enshrined in the “Hall of Fame.” 

The men and women chosen also receive a plaque noting his/her 

accomplishments. Several criteria have been established to guide 

the HCRSPA in its selection process: the educator may be living or 

deceased, but must be retired as an educator; the educator should 

have devoted the majority of his/her career to teaching and/or being 

a school or central office administrator in the Harford County Public 

Schools; the nominee must have been an educator in the HCPS 

system for at least 20 years; and, the educator does not have to be a 

member of the HCRSPA. Visit our website at www.hcps.org to read 

more about our “Hall of Fame” members!


REDISTRICTING information 

For the latest information on the HCPS redistricting process: 

Go to www.hcps.org 

Click on the blue box “Elementary Redistricting” on the left. Information found on the website includes: 

• Redistricting program profile 

• DRAFT of redistricting plan 

• Harford County government growth profile 

• School Locator 

• Frequently asked questions 

Important updates will be sent regularly via email as well to all HCPS parents. 

To sign up for HCPS email alerts see our homepage. 

Feedback and questions should be directed to: ElementaryRedistricting@hcps.org 

Harford County Public Schools 

www.hcps.org 410-838-7300


Get Ready for Inclement Weather! 

How to get notied about school closings and delays: 

AlertNow (phone) 

Announcements will go out at 5:45 a.m. and are normally complete by 6:05 a.m. 

Email 

Announcements are sent to parents via email through the email address(es) 

you have on le with your school(s). To update this address, contact your 

school. Announcements will go out by 5:15 a.m. 

Television Television stations announcing school closures and delays: (Please remember we 

are at the mercy of the stations as to when it is posted and how accurate it is.) 

WMAR (Channel 2); WBAL (Channel 11); WJZ (Channel 13); WBFF (Channel 45) 

Radio (AM/FM) AM radio stations: WAMD (970); WBAL (1090); WCBM (680); WSBA (910) 

FM radio stations: WLIF (101.9); WPOC (93.1); WQSR (102.7); WWMX (106.5); 

WXYV (105.7); WERQ (92.3); WARM (103); WXCY (103.7); WDAC (94.5) 

HCPS Website www.hcps.org (Replaces banner of photos at top of page). 

The website should be updated by 5:15 a.m. and as 

needed when messages change. 

Voicemail Switchboard: (410) 838-7300 or 1-(866) 588-4963 

AlertNow Mailbox: (410) 809-6340 

These mailboxes will be updated no later than 5:15 a.m. 

Re-play messages at www.alertnowmessage.com! 

Press “1” to replay the 

message if it cuts off!

24 BOE | DECEMBER 2010

2009-10 Annual Report - Harford County Public Schools

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