The directive to clean and disinfect schools was mandated by the State of Maryland, and HCPSS has ensured the products being used to clean and disinfect are not hazardous to our staff. HCPSS Operations are utilizing staff members from the offices of Custodial, Grounds and Maintenance clean and disinfect of the schools, in accordance with guidelines provided by the Howard County Health Department and Maryland State Department of Education.

To date, Custodial Services has successfully implemented and maintained daily cleaning and disinfection protocols to support small group instruction, student assessments and daycare programs. Additionally, to minimize the chance of infectious transmission, all custodial staff follow the HCPSS COVID-19 Work Practices guidelines, which emphasize hand washing, social distancing, wearing face coverings, and refraining from sharing equipment and tools. Staff will continue to uphold these enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols as HCPSS transitions to a hybrid learning model. 

We appreciate the offers of help from our community. HCPSS and Bright Minds Foundation, the school system’s educational foundation, have launched an emergency Access to Learning Fund to raise money for critical education access supports for HCPSS students during the extended coronavirus school closure.

Most offices are in the process of making arrangements to conduct interviews using alternative methods. If you haven’t heard from the person with whom you had an interview scheduled, please email that person to reschedule.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made this an especially stressful time for many, especially those already impacted by mental health concerns. Help is available online, over the phone, and face-to-face if needed. Please note that Medicaid is covering temporary telehealth sessions during the state of emergency.

As of April 1, 2020, as a result of the recently signed Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), permanent HCPSS employees will have new daily leave and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) options. Employees may log in to the Staff Hub for a complete explanation about these daily leave and FMLA provisions.

Maryland unemployment benefits are available to individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own. If an employer must temporarily shut down operations and no work is available, individuals may be eligible for unemployment benefits if:

Generally, all 10-, 11- and 12-month employees will be paid throughout the duration of the closure. The only employee groups that are not guaranteed to be paid during the closure are temporary employees who have non-guaranteed hours, including Substitute Teachers, Lunch and Recess Monitors, Temporary Office Clerks and Home & Hospital Teachers.

Employees who are contracted and paid through an outside agency also may not be paid, depending on the terms of the company contract. People working for an outside contractor should contact the contractor to learn specifics.

Yes, HCPSS employees will be paid as scheduled. Employees may access payroll calendars in the Workday Canvas Community.

The Payroll Office implemented procedures to process payroll remotely during this closure. Currently, 100 percent of HCPSS employees have elected to receive direct deposit. Questions regarding employee pay may be emailed to payroll@hcpss.org.

Yearbooks are handled at the school level. Parents/guardians or students should contact your school for details on how yearbooks are being handled, distribution and more. Contact information for all schools can be found online. Please email the school principal or applicable staff member, if known.