In recognition of his exemplary leadership and service to excellence in public education in Maryland, Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, III has earned MABE’s distinguished Excellence in Education Award. The award will be presented to Dr. Hrabowski during MABE’s 2022 Annual Conference, to be held October 6-8 in Annapolis, MD.

Dr. Hrabowski passionately believes in transforming lives through education. His leadership at UMBC transformed the institution into one of the most innovative research institutions in the United States. He is a passionate advocate, mathematician, author and renowned speaker, who believes in transforming lives through education. Importantly, his much-valued work has helped lead to higher graduation rates and a growing focus on STEM fields of study. You can read more about Dr. Hrabowski’s fascinating background and track record of success in this related press release.

“Dr. Hrabowski’s efforts continue to inspire and influence countless students and educators,” noted MABE President Virginia (Ginny) McGraw. “His work serves as a valuable reminder of just how much true progress can be made by one dedicated individual devoting his life’s work to such a noble and worthy mission.”

Our sincere congratulations go out to this incredibly talented, dedicated individual, who has helped shape so many lives and minds.

A concerning reality in recent years is that the need for services to help secure schools continues to grow. Indeed, Education Week recently reported that “following the return of most U.S. schoolchildren to full-time, in-person learning, a raft of anecdotal reports indicate that violence may be rising in K-12 schools.”

According to this daunting statistic from the Report on Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2020 published by the Institute of Education Sciences, 80 percent of public schools reported during the 2017-18 school year that “one or more incidents of violence, theft, or other crimes had taken place, amounting to 1.4 million incidents.”

At Eastern DataComm, our goal is to keep the schools we serve connected and protected. We firmly believe that when it comes to school safety, we are all in this together.

As we continue to collaborate with schools throughout the U.S., our conversations inevitably turn to lockdowns and how quickly and effectively school officials or staff can alert everyone on school property about what is going on, and about what steps to take. This is understandably a real problem for most schools that often struggle to find a reliable and comprehensive system – one that will work regardless of the severity of a school’s situation on any given day.

Response to crisis situations must be immediate, automatic, and reliable, and it needs to cover every area of school grounds – inside and out. That’s where we come in. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about our patented LENS +OPTICS technology, featuring our Lockdown and Emergency Notification System and Continuous Monitoring Service, and to read related testimonials from satisfied education customers.

We can’t end all crises, but knowing your school’s safety technology is best prepared to handle the worst provides invaluable peace of mind. For further information, please contact Paul Jenne at (201) 457-3311 ext 131.

MABE’s Conference Program Committee is finalizing details for our Annual Conference 2022 agenda, and we look forward to sharing related information soon with MABE members. Please note that due to the Yom Kippur holiday, this year’s Conference dates will be October 6-8, 2022. The Conference will again be held at The Westin Annapolis.

Pamela L. Cousins, President of the Calvert County Board of Education, notes her positive experiences at past MABE Annual Conferences. “I have attended seven consecutive MABE Conferences,” she notes. “Leaders gather to learn best governance practices and learn new programs and technology that can help enrich student learning. Inevitably, I glean practical solutions applicable to a current challenge facing my district. I look forward to building relationships with my Maryland school board colleagues every year.”

This year’s agenda, topics and speaker lineup are shaping up to be dynamic, timely, and focused on the most pressing issues affecting school board members’ vital efforts for public school students throughout Maryland. Don’t forget to mark your calendars!

MABE Annual Conference 2022

October 6-8, 2022

The Westin Annapolis

100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis

Talbot County Public Schools is seeking an adept instructional leader with broad Pre-K-12 experience who believes that achievement for all students is the top priority; is knowledgeable of current educational issues, programs and technology; is committed to a culture of diversity, inclusion and equity; is a decisive administrator who will respect, inspire and empower our highly driven team of educators; will communicate effectively and honestly with all stakeholders to build support for and trust in public education; and will advocate for the financial and budgetary needs of the school system.

Talbot County offers an exceptional Pre-K-12 public education system dedicated to serving a diverse population of 4,533 students in eight schools throughout the county. Our team of educators, leaders, managers and administrators provides quality instruction, skills and guidance to foster highly engaged learners and to support student success and achievement. With one of the lowest drop out rates in Maryland and a graduation rate above 96%, Talbot County Public Schools is committed to ensuring every student graduates prepared for college, or a career.

A great place to live, work, and play, Talbot County is a rural community with charming small towns. The county is nestled along the Chesapeake Bay with 603 miles of waterfront as its backdrop. Talbot County is an art and nature enthusiasts’ paradise, offering coastal attractions, scenic views, parks, trails, and recreational and outdoor activities. Convenient to Annapolis, Baltimore, Washington, DC and the Eastern Shore beaches, it is an ideal place to raise a family or enjoy being an empty nester.

For further details and requirements, visit this page, or call William Middleton at (410) 841-5414.

Are you an experienced administrative leader with broad pre-k-12 experience who’s able to act as a decisive, visionary leader, one who respects, motivates, and empowers staff? Do you have a solid grasp of the opportunities and challenges a district with a diverse student body has? Are you a skilled relationship builder, one with Maryland Superintendent Certification? Then you’ll want to check out the new position posting from The Wicomico County Board of Education for Superintendent of Schools.

Wicomico County’s Public School System of 14, 744 students, located on Maryland’s beautiful Delmarva Peninsula, is an integral part of a large, diverse, innovative, and supportive community of nearly 104,000 people. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Wicomico County offers an appealing, natural setting close to major metropolitan areas.

Applications for this key position are now being accepted; the application deadline for first consideration is March 23, 2022. Interviews will be conducted in April/May 2022, and the position start date is July 1, 2022.

For a detailed flier with additional position details as well as related application materials, visit https://www.mabe.org/services/current-maryland-vacancies/. For further information, contact Dr. Terrance Greenwood, MABE Consultant.

The incoming Executive Director provides the highest levels of program direction and guidance to the officers and members of the Maryland State Board of Education (State Board) to ensure the effective and independent functioning of the State Board, which sets educational policy and standards for Maryland’s 1,400 public schools in 24 school systems, serving over 800,000 children, as well as Maryland’s childcare industry.

The position also serves as the executive liaison between the State Board, Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), its advisory bodies and the public in fulfillment of the State Board’s statutory, policy making, regulatory, and administrative responsibilities. The position works proactively with the State Superintendent and the MSDE executive leadership team to carry out the policies, goals, and initiatives of the State Board, and also represents the State Superintendent in communicating with MSDE staff the expectations and informational needs of the State Board. This position is located in Baltimore City.

You can access additional details via the Office of the State Board of Education’s position listing here, or by visiting the organization’s website at http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/.

January 2022 marks the formal launch of the MABE Pharmacy Purchasing Collaborative, an innovative project between MABE and Keenan Pharmacy Services, recognized as an expert in pharmacy benefit management and improvement strategies. Geared toward ensuring high-cost medications are dispensed at the lowest net cost possible for counties and school systems throughout Maryland, the MABE Pharmacy Purchasing Collaborative can save Maryland counties and school systems an impressive 10% to 30% on their prescription drug program costs.

The Collaborative also is unique in that it includes full-service pharmacy benefits and consulting, as well as performance guarantees,” notes Milton E. Nagel, CPA, MABE Deputy Executive Director. “The MABE Pharmacy Purchasing Collaborative means fully disclosed pricing, active physician engagement, and clear communication about lower-priced alternatives,” he said. “Strengths like these are needed more than ever by counties and school systems that are understandably mindful of budget, while also eager to incorporate not only considerable savings but greater clarity and accountability in their prescription drug-related programs.”

The MABE Pharmacy Purchasing Collaborative is just one of the consumer-friendly coverage products and services MABE offers. Its Workers’ Compensation Fund provides statutorily required workers’ compensation coverage for all employees of the member school systems, should they suffer compensable work-related injuries; and its OPEB Pooled Investment Trust provides participating school systems a structure to invest funds while working together reduces investment costs and shares administrative expenses. Additionally, MABE’s Group Term Life provides group life insurance benefits, including Basic Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment for employees of the participating school systems. Student Accident Coverage and Catastrophic Coverage also are components of MABE’s trusted insurance portfolio.

Particularly noteworthy is MABE’s Group Insurance Pool, which provides property, casualty and liability coverage in an effort to assist in protecting MABE member school systems from the many risks associated with running school systems. Founded in 1986, the Group Insurance Pool has attracted the membership and support of an impressive 19 of Maryland’s 24 school systems.

“One of MABE’s core values is creating and encouraging collaborative relationships,” Nagel added. “It’s with this in mind that we continue our dedicated efforts to provide school systems and counties throughout Maryland with best-in-class coverage options. Our new MABE Pharmacy Purchasing Collaborative provides a solid case in point. Through it, clients receive highly competitive discounts and rebates typically only available to health plans, with the reassurance that their physician is engaged, and the assurance that information on a variety of lower-priced options are on the table.”

For further information about the MABE Pharmacy Purchasing Collaborative, or information about any of MABE’s insurance products or services, contact Milton Nagel at Ph: 443.603.0385 or mnagel@mabe.org.

We’re greatly appreciative that School Boards in all 23 Maryland counties plus Baltimore City are members of MABE. We value their tireless efforts in serving as champions for excellence in public education, and learn each day from their creativity, skills, and devotion.

One of the things we admire most in our work at MABE is how even in the face of COVID-19 and an increasingly complex, turbulent environment, School Board members throughout Maryland have unwaveringly stuck to putting the needs and goals of students first. Today’s growing challenges have meant more hurdles, more time, more work — yet Maryland’s School Boards have tackled these growing demands and more. School Board member efforts so often go unnoticed, yet benefit so many people throughout our State.

With this in mind, we are glad to share that U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) recently submitted a statement in the Congressional Record praising Maryland School Board members’ dedication, resilience, and vital work, and naming January as “Maryland School Board Recognition Month.” This time each year will honor the dedicated Marylanders who serve on their local School Boards in our State, and represents an opportunity each year to thank them for serving school systems and countless students. As Senator Van Hollen notes, “they may not agree on every issue, but they unite and volunteer to serve under the strong conviction that Maryland students come first.”