HCPSS MPIA Request #2026-135

Requestor
Darria Wise
Organization/Agency
SECAC
Requested Information
On behalf of the Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee (SECAC), and as authorized by the Maryland Public Information Act (Md. Code, Gen. Prov. § 4-101 et seq.) and the Maryland Open Meetings Act (Md. Code, Gen. Prov. § 3-101 et seq.), we hereby request the records identified below related to the Board of Education’s closed session held on January 12, 2026, and any personnel actions discussed, decided, or referenced during the January 15, 2026 public meeting.


Scope of Search
This request applies to records maintained by or on behalf of the Board of Education, including but not limited to the Board Administrator, individual Board members, the Superintendent, the Superintendent’s Cabinet, Human Resources, Legal Services, and any district staff involved in agenda preparation, closed-session coordination, personnel recommendations, or meeting documentation.

Records Requested
1. Any written recommendation(s) submitted by the Superintendent to the Board concerning suspension, transfer, or termination of a staff member whose disciplinary matter was discussed during January 2026, including any recommendation issued after the completion of a suspension and approved transfer.

2. The closed-session agenda, summary, minutes, notes, or certifications for the Board meeting held on January 12, 2026, including:
o the statutory authority cited for entering closed session.
o the specific personnel matters discussed; and
o whether any actions, directions, or decisions were taken.

3. All materials provided to Board members on and in advance of the January 12, 2026, closed session relating to personnel matters, including action memos, briefing documents, emails, or draft recommendations.
4. Records identifying how and by whom any personnel matter was escalated, modified or reconsidered by the Board following the Superintendent’s initial recommendation, including the date, rationale, and authority for such action.
5. Records reflecting how personnel matters discussed during the January 12, 2026, closed session were referenced, presented, or acted upon during the January 15, 2026, public meeting, including motions, scripts, voting language, or explanatory materials.
Date Received
Status
Submitted

*Some request language is summarized to include the requester's specific document requests and legally protected information (such as personally identifiable information of a student) or personal, defamatory and malicious content removed at the discretion of the school system.

**Responses containing legally protected information available only to the person of interest are omitted from the above report.

***Howard County Public Schools reserves the right to remove erroneous or outdated documents from this site.