October Focus Groups Will Discuss HCPSS School Resource Officers

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The education board voted last week not to remove school resource officers from Howard County Public School System schools and the feedback on this move has varied so much that the district will be hosting focus groups in October for students, families, school staff and others to discuss school resource officers. There also will be a public town hall meeting held in November. Dates have yet to be determined.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Howard County Public School System Superintendent Michael J. Martirano and Howard County Board of Education Chair Mavis Ellis shared a joint statement about this subject.

“The well-being and safety of our students, staff and school community is our number one priority and any decision will be made with that priority in mind. Earlier this summer, following a national discussion on the role of police officers in public schools, there were calls to remove Howard County Police Department School Resources Officers from the Howard County Public School System. In response, we began planning a comprehensive community dialogue to examine our SRO program," they said. "Together, through the lens of both safety and equity, we will find the right balance to maintain our county’s excellent reputation for diversity, inclusion and academic success. We look forward to this public engagement process and making a final decision once we’ve completed this due diligence.”