Ellicott City, MD: "Surge in students with special needs"; district budget hasn't kept pace
- The end of childhood
- Feb 25
- 2 min read
Feb 21, 2025, WBAL TV: 'Fed up': Parents, teachers say Howard County special education in crisis, failing students
HCPSS data reveals 69% of 116 school-based staff vacancies are in special education
ELLICOTT CITY, Md.
Special education issues have festered for years at one of Maryland's top public school districts, leading to a domino effect that resulted in a staffing crisis and left students with special needs falling behind, 11 News Investigates has learned through dozens of interviews and a review of district data.
Howard County Public Schools, one of the state's crown jewels for public education, has been a destination district for students with special needs for years, and its special education enrollment reflects that, increasing nearly every year since 2015. . . .
Data: Budget falls behind surge of students with special needs
11 News Investigates obtained HCPSS data showing that the district's budget for special education has increased each year since 2015, but it hasn't kept pace with the surge in students with special needs. As a result, five of the last 10 school years saw a decrease in per-pupil special education funding, including decreases in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
A current district proposal would increase per-pupil special education funding next year by 2%.
HCPSS data obtained last week by 11 News Investigates also shows that of the 116 school-based staff vacancies, 69% of those openings are in special education.
"Our educators are screaming the same thing that these poor parents are," Schmitt told 11 News Investigates.
'This is unacceptable': Impact of short-staffing on students
More than a dozen parents and grandparents told 11 News Investigates that the system's special education program was a source of frustration, anger and heartbreak. . . .
Union: Special educators paid less despite higher workloads
"(We have the) most five-star schools, most Blue Ribbon schools, you name it — but our staff aren't being paid like that," Schmitt told 11 News Investigates.
Schmitt said HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes' stated goal of hiring 149 special education staff by next school year is "not happening." . . .
Barnes was named acting superintendent of HCPSS in January 2024, taking over the full-time job last summer. But as the district's chief academic officer since 2017, he has seen the problems in special education grow.
"I'm confident this specific organizational structure was designed for a different era," Barnes said about the district's special education program. "Things decay in school systems."
Barnes acknowledged that, at this time, there's no monetary incentive for current district staff who have the requisite training to switch to special education, which could help fill holes in staffing. . . .
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