Harford County Public Schools

On June 22, 2026 the Board of education of Harford County Board formally approved and signed the contract for Superintendent of Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) with Dr. Dyann R. Mack, marking a significant milestone for the school system and the community it serves.

During the Board’s meeting, members also presented Dr. Mack with a special proclamation recognizing her historic achievements and deep-rooted connection to Harford County. Dr. Mack is the first graduate of Harford County Public Schools to return as Superintendent, the first graduate of Joppatowne High School to serve in the role, and the first Black Superintendent in HCPS history.

“Dr. Mack’s journey from HCPS student to Superintendent is both inspiring and historic,” said Board of Education President Lauren Paige. “Her leadership reflects a deep understanding of our schools, our students, and our community. We are proud to welcome her into this role and confident in her vision for the future of Harford County Public Schools.”

Dr. Mack’s appointment underscores HCPS’s commitment to fostering leadership from within and celebrating excellence across the district. In accepting the proclamation, Dr. Mack expressed gratitude and a strong commitment to continuing the work of strengthening HCPS for all students.
“It is an incredible honor to serve as Superintendent of the school system that helped shape me,” said Dr. Mack. “I am deeply grateful to the Board for their trust and to this community for its support. Together, we will continue to build on our successes and ensure every student is Ready by Design.”

The Board’s proclamation highlights not only Dr. Mack’s professional accomplishments but also the significance of representation and the powerful message her leadership sends to current and future students across Harford County.

Dr. Mack will begin her tenure July 1, 2026, as Superintendent under the newly signed contract, working in partnership with the Board of Education, HCPS staff, students, families, and the broader community, to advance the district’s mission and goals.

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HARFORD COUNTY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PARTICIPATION
MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2026

OPEN SESSION: 5:00 PM – 5:05 PM
This meeting will be conducted virtually with no public attendance due to the brief nature of this meeting
and the logistical issues regarding allowing public attendance in advance of the 6:00 PM meeting.
*The only item the Board will consider during this open meeting is consideration of meeting in a closed session.

CLOSED SESSION: 5:05 PM – 5:55 PM

BUSINESS MEETING: 6:00 PM – ADJOURNMENT
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid fashion and public attendance will be permitted as explained below:

DOORS WILL OPEN AT 5:55 PM AND THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 6:00 PM

The Board of Education of Harford County will hold a hybrid Business Meeting on Monday , June 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Board Room of the A.A. Roberty Building with Board Members, staff, and presenters in attendance both virtually and in-person. Seats will be available on a first-come-first served basis. The meeting will be streamed live and archived for later viewing on the HCPS Website.

Public Comment Participation Call-In and In-Person Process
Individuals or groups recognized by Harford County Public Schools (i.e. – PTAs, unions, and other school system stakeholders) wishing to speak on an agenda item or to comment on an education-related matter not on the agenda may request to do so by sending an email to publiccomment@hcps.org or calling 410-588-5347.

Call-In Registrations must be received by 12:00 PM on Monday, June 29, 2026. All fields on the registration form must be completed.

First and Last name / if speaker is a Group Representative, then please state the name of the Group
Local Address
Email Address
Phone Number
Agenda item or subject your Public Comment pertains to
Will you provide in-person or virtual Public Comment
Registration forms are limited to one (1) per person

*Failure to provide complete information as required above will void the request to provide Public Comment.

Registered virtual speakers will receive an email from HCPS with a Call-in Phone # and a Conference ID #.
Registered speakers are required to call-in and enter the conference ID# at 6:00 PM on Monday, June 29, 2026.
Important: If you are unable to take your phone off mute, you may need to dial *6.
If you are admitted from the virtual lobby to the meeting, you will be greeted by an HCPS staff member when it is time to begin your public comment. Expected hold time in the virtual lobby may vary based on number of registered speakers. The maximum wait time in the lobby is 30 minutes; should you be disconnected please call back.
"Request to Appear Before the Board" cards will be available for in-person attendees prior to the Board Meeting for sign-up and must be submitted prior to the opening of the meeting.

The Board has authorized public comment in accord with its policy Public Participation at Board Open Meetings or Public Hearings and as summarized below:

Each speaker shall be limited to no more than three (3) minutes for individuals and five (5) minutes for individuals representing groups. Speakers must state his or her name, and, if representing a group, must identify the group he or she represents. If a speaker identifies themselves as a representative of a group, then only one (1) representative from the group may provide comment for the identified group.

The Board presiding officer may reduce the amount of time allocated to each speaker if allocating 3 minutes to each speaker will impede the Board’s ability to complete scheduled business.

The Board will receive in-person public comment first and virtual public comment second. The Board expects that all comments will be submitted with the decorum and respect appropriate to the conduct of public business.

Topics such as personnel matters, pending appeals, specific student disciplinary matters or which constitute commercial solicitations are not permitted.

Disparaging comments, personal attacks, and inflammatory remarks about specific schools, personnel, any person, or group are not permitted. Speakers who engage in these comments will be reminded of the rules and the Board reserves the right to remove the speaker. In addition, public comment is an opportunity for members of the community to address the Board of Education. Please direct your comments to the Board and not to other members of the public in the audience.

All public comments submitted will be part of the records maintained by the Board office.

Harford County Public Schools is participating in the Summer Food Service Program again this summer, offering free SUN Meals at library and school locations throughout Harford County beginning June 22, 2026. SUN Meals To-Go weekly meal kits are also available for pickup at Dublin Elementary School on Wednesdays starting July 1, 2026. Pre-registration for SUN Meals To-Go is required and available by clicking here.

For information on our Summer Meals Program, click here.
For information on our SUN Meals To-Go Program, click here.

If you have any questions, please call Harford County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services at 410-638-4078.

The Harford County Board of Education is a nonpartisan body entrusted with a singular mission: serving every student in every community throughout Harford County.

Each member of the Board takes an oath to put students first. That responsibility requires us to make decisions based on what we believe is best for students, families, staff, and the long-term success of our school system, regardless of political pressure.

Recent events surrounding both the superintendent search and budget process have been disappointing. Throughout the superintendent search, the Board followed a thoughtful process that included a unanimous vote for a trusted state search organization, a Board vote on candidate qualifications, multiple public meetings with public comments, community surveys, stakeholder engagement opportunities, candidate interviews. More than 1,200 community members, students, and employees participated in surveys and feedback opportunities before the Board selected Dr. Dyann Mack as superintendent.

The search process produced multiple qualified candidates, and the Board ultimately selected a leader with three decades of experience in Harford County Public Schools and extensive expertise in instruction, operations, student services, budgeting, and system leadership. I am proud to support a leader who has been working to steady a system in turmoil, and who leads with integrity and intentionality.

Throughout the process, I experienced pressure and communications that I believe crossed appropriate boundaries between county government leadership and an independent Board of Education. Efforts to intimidate Board members undermine the independence necessary for effective school governance and the public's trust in that process.

My responsibility is to exercise independent judgment and vote in what I believe is the best interest of Harford County Public Schools. That obligation exists regardless of political pressure or potential personal consequences. Even with personal consequences and retribution within my own political party, I know I fulfilled my duties as a Board member and Board president. I respect the right of political organizations to make their own decisions. However, my responsibility as Board President is not to a specific elected official. My responsibility is to the students, families, educators, and taxpayers of Harford County, and I will continue to put those interests first.

I am proud to be a conservative leader in public education. My values include strong parental involvement, transparency, accountability, fiscal responsibility, respect for local communities, safe schools, and a balanced curriculum that prepares students for success in life. Those principles have guided my service on the Board and will continue to do so.

Those same values also require me to oppose efforts to inject partisan politics into decisions that should be centered on students. This brings us to the FY27 budget.

I am grateful to members of the County Council who have worked to identify additional funding that will help preserve teaching positions and support students. Their efforts recognize the reality that the funding increase frequently cited by county officials does not fully reflect the gap between the County Executive's proposal and the Board's budget request. The Board's proposed budget was built to maintain class sizes, protect student programs, support employees, and invest in the future of our community through early learning and workforce preparation.

Harford County deserves thoughtful conversations about educational priorities, fiscal realities, and community expectations. They do not deserve political threats on future funding or attempts to divide our community.

I remain committed to working with the County Executive, County Council, community members, parents, employees, and stakeholders of all political viewpoints. I welcome respectful conversations about how we can continue improving Harford County Public Schools while reflecting the values and priorities of our community.

At the end of the day, our responsibility is to students and that will guide all Board of Education decisions, budgets, and priority setting.

I want to thank the Harford County Council for its continued efforts to identify additional resources to support Harford County Public Schools and preserve our ability to retain excellent educators and educational programs.

If the Council proposes to appropriate additional funding, it would help offset some of the reductions HCPS faces under the County Executive's proposed budget and would preserve teaching positions. While these additional resources may not fully restore the Board of Education's proposed budget, they do represent support for students and staff.

In a recent press release, the County Executive states he provided a 9.2% increase for the school system. This is not accurate and includes funds that do not go directly to HCPS and instead go directly to the State. The actual 6.6% increase to the HCPS operating budget remains substantially below the Board of Education's requested budget, which was designed to preserve class sizes, protect student programs, support staff, and make targeted investments in early learning that improve long-term student outcomes. The Board's budget also reflected the increasing costs of special education services, transportation, safety, and State requirements under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.

County Executive Bob Cassilly shared with me that if the County Council funded HCPS above his proposed budget, the school system would face flat funding in future years under his leadership.  I have offered time to discuss the operating budget with Mr. Cassilly, but if his position on flat funding is ultimately carried out, it raises troubling questions about whether local education funding decisions are being driven by student needs, local fiscal capacity, community expectations, and the actual cost of operating a modern public school system, or whether they are being influenced by political posturing.

Harford County Public Schools is one of the county's most important economic engines. Our graduates fuel the local workforce, earn industry-recognized credentials, participate in apprenticeships at one of the highest rates in Maryland, and choose careers in military and public service. Investment in public education is an investment in the future economic strength and quality of life in Harford County. Our students, families, and staff deserve a funding process that is focused on educational outcomes and designed in collaboration rather than politics or a predetermined funding amount.

I recognize the limitations of the County Council's authority within the county budget process and appreciate the efforts of Council members who have sought solutions within those constraints.

Moving forward, HCPS faces difficult decisions in the weeks ahead. However, any additional funds will make a meaningful difference for students and schools throughout our county. My focus remains on providing students with outstanding educational opportunities, supporting our dedicated staff, and ensuring taxpayers receive maximum value from every dollar invested in public education.

The Harford County Board of Education has appointed Dyann R. Mack, Ed.D., as the next superintendent of Harford County Public Schools (HCPS). The Board voted during an open session on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, to confirm Dr. Mack’s appointment following a comprehensive search process.
The search, led by the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE), included stakeholder engagement, such as community forums and meetings with staff, families, and local leaders. This collaborative process ensured valuable input from across the Harford County community.
Dr. Mack has served as interim superintendent since January 2026, providing steady leadership for the school system. With decades of experience in public education, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to student achievement, operational excellence, and collaborative leadership.
“Dr. Mack has proven herself to be a thoughtful, experienced, and student-centered leader,” said Board President Lauren Paige. “Throughout this process, it became clear that her vision, leadership, and deep understanding of our school system make her the right choice to lead Harford County Public Schools forward. We are confident in her ability to build on our strengths and guide HCPS into the future.”
Dr. Mack’s career in education spans a wide range of leadership roles, where she has consistently focused on improving outcomes for all students, supporting educators, and fostering strong partnerships with families and the community.
Dr. Mack will officially assume the role of superintendent following the Board’s appointment, continuing her leadership of the school system with a focus on excellence, equity, and opportunity for all students.
The Board’s selection is contingent upon the successful negotiation and finalization of a mutually agreed-upon employment contract and approval from the Maryland State Department of Education.

On April 27, 2026, the Board of Education of Harford County approved updates to the 2026–2027 school calendar to better plan for inclement weather days.

Three days during the school year—March 1, June 1, and April 12, 2027—have been set aside as potential inclement weather makeup days (in that order). These replace the previous plan of adding makeup days to the end of the school year. *If no weather-related school closures occur before these dates, schools and offices will be closed on those days.

This change follows a resolution from the Maryland State Board of Education, which requires school systems to build inclement weather makeup days into the school year rather than placing them at the end. The state also allows up to three additional inclement weather days to be handled through virtual instruction, for a total of six possible makeup days (three in-person and three virtual).

Making these changes allows HCPS to remain eligible to request a calendar waiver from the state, if needed, and ensures the school system is able to consider virtual instruction as an option for inclement weather. As soon as details regarding potential use of virtual instruction for inclement weather become available, the details will be shared with the HCPS community.

As a result of this update, the last day of school for students in kindergarten through grade 11 will be an early dismissal on Thursday, June 17, 2027.

The full, updated 2026–2027 school calendar is available here. En Español.

The following message will be shared in the Wednesday Wire on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, with all families:

On April 27, 2026, the Board of Education of Harford County approved updates to the 2026–2027 school calendar to better plan for inclement weather days.

Three days during the school year—March 1, June 1, and April 12, 2027—have been set aside as potential inclement weather makeup days (in that order). These replace the previous plan of adding makeup days to the end of the school year. *If no weather-related school closures occur before these dates, schools and offices will be closed on those days.

This change follows a resolution from the Maryland State Board of Education, which requires school systems to build inclement weather makeup days into the school year rather than placing them at the end. The state also allows up to three additional inclement weather days to be handled through virtual instruction, for a total of six possible makeup days (three in-person and three virtual).

Making these changes allows HCPS to remain eligible to request a calendar waiver from the state, if needed, and ensures the school system is able to consider virtual instruction as an option for inclement weather. As soon as details regarding potential use of virtual instruction for inclement weather become available, the details will be shared with the HCPS community.

As a result of this update, the last day of school for students in kindergarten through grade 11 will be an early dismissal on Thursday, June 17, 2027.

The full, updated 2026–2027 school calendar is available here. En Español.

The following press release was sent to all media partners on Thursday, March 5, 2026:

HCPS Announces Kindergarten Registration Dates
Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) is pleased to announce important dates for kindergarten registration, early entrance to kindergarten applications and advanced placement to first grade applications for the 2026-2027 school year.
Starting on March 6, 2026, families can complete the kindergarten registration online at hcps.org. Early entrance to kindergarten and advanced placement to first grade applications will also be available online or may be printed at each elementary school beginning that day. Prekindergarten applications will be available starting on May 1, 2026. More details on prekindergarten applications will be shared once they are available.
Families interested in registering for kindergarten are encouraged to visit hcps.org on March 6, 2026, where they can complete the registration process online. Early entrance to kindergarten and advanced placement to first grade applications will be available to view and print online. To apply, follow the directions on the cover sheet of the printed application. Printed copies will also be available at each elementary school beginning on March 6, 2026.
To ensure all families in the community are informed, HCPS encourages the sharing of this information. HCPS remains dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students and is excited to welcome the Class of 2039 in the coming school year.

The following message is being shared on behalf of Board of Education of Harford County President, Dr. Aaron Poynton.

HCPS Community,

As many of you are aware, it has been reported by various media outlets that our superintendent may have been involved in a reported robbery while on a work-related trip in 2024. This has understandably raised questions regarding the nature of the incident and whether any Harford County Public Schools property or student information may have been compromised.

An internal review confirms no student data was compromised. The Board has now ordered an independent investigation into the entire matter.

The attention and distraction surrounding this reported incident has created challenges for the school system at a time when our focus must remain squarely on students, staff, and the uninterrupted operation of our schools. After careful consideration and a majority vote, the Board has determined that the best course of action at this time is for our superintendent to be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

In the meantime, Dr. Dyann Mack, our current Deputy Superintendent, will serve as Acting Superintendent to ensure continuity, stability, and effective leadership across the district.

The Board has full confidence in our leadership team and remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and the highest standards of governance. We will continue to focus on what matters most: supporting our students, empowering our educators, and serving the families and community of Harford County.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

Dr. Aaron Poynton
President, Board of Education of Harford County

Parents and guardians: The Portable Communication Device Policy was updated in June 2025. If your school provides a student planner, it may have gone to print as early as April- before the policy was updated. This means your student planner may have an outdated version of the Portable Communication Device Policy. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask that you utilize the most up to date policy that is available here. This is the policy we will adhere to this school year.

The following message is being sent via email to all families and staff on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.:

We want to share important updates to two Board of Education of Harford County policies—Portable Communication Devices and Student Backpack Use—approved by the Board of Education on June 9, 2025. These changes go into effect for the upcoming school year and are designed to support a safe and focused learning environment.

Portable Communication Devices

Students may bring cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, and other portable communication devices to school; however, their use is limited during the school day:

Elementary School: Devices must be deactivated and stored in student bookbags upon arrival.

Middle School: Devices must be deactivated and secured in lockers for the duration of the school day.

High School: Devices must be kept in the student’s locker and deactivated during class time.

Smartwatches and similar wearables may be worn but must remain deactivated at all grade levels.

For more details and exceptions, please review the policy in its entirety via the attached document or on our website.

Student Backpack and Bag Policy

The updated backpack and bag policy outlines expectations for storage to ensure clear pathways, student safety, and emergency preparedness:

Bookbags do not need to be clear, but they must be stored appropriately.

Elementary School: Bookbags must be placed in designated classrooms or cubby areas upon arrival.

Middle and High School: Bookbags must be stored in lockers during the school day.

Students may carry a nontransparent bag no larger than 4.5x8.5-inch with them for personal hygiene purposes.

Athletic bags and musical instrument cases at all grade levels must be taken directly to the appropriate storage areas upon arrival and not carried throughout the school day.

For more details and exceptions, please review the policy in its entirety via the attached document or on our website.

What Families Should Do

Review these updated policies with your student before the first day of school.

Make sure your child knows where and how to store their devices and bags.

Both policies will be actively enforced at the start of the school year.

Thank you for your partnership in helping maintain safe, organized, and distraction-free schools.

Sincerely,
Dr. Aaron Poynton
President, Board of Education of Harford County

News Alert for 5/4/2026

Notice of BOE Open/Closed Session and Business Meeting, May 6, 2026