HB1084

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As I read this bill, it would permanently exempt MCPS from the State’s school day requirement applying to all other schools. It has nothing to do with a waiver or severe weather. Unlike every other school in Maryland, MCPS can do 170 days or so rather than 180 days. How’s this happening as emergency legislation. Am I missing something? Have educational experts been invited to testify?

Legislation was passed in July, giving Anne Arundel county permission to go by hours. MCPS is simply following on their heels, and will likely be followed by other counties in Maryland. Not sure why the legislature just didn't change the law last summer. It seems odd to do it piecemeal for each county. In this case, I think the "emergency" status relates to the legislature addressing it more quickly than it might have so that it can aid the county this year due to the extreme weather.

The original bill gave MCPS far more latitude than Anne Arundel, but it looks like what passed second reading today is more restrictive -- its only allowing them to do it in the case of inclement weather and they still need a minimum of 175 days. I'm okay with that...

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/amds/bil_0004/HB1084_51312501.pdf

Thank you! That’s not great but not as bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As I read this bill, it would permanently exempt MCPS from the State’s school day requirement applying to all other schools. It has nothing to do with a waiver or severe weather. Unlike every other school in Maryland, MCPS can do 170 days or so rather than 180 days. How’s this happening as emergency legislation. Am I missing something? Have educational experts been invited to testify?

Legislation was passed in July, giving Anne Arundel county permission to go by hours. MCPS is simply following on their heels, and will likely be followed by other counties in Maryland. Not sure why the legislature just didn't change the law last summer. It seems odd to do it piecemeal for each county. In this case, I think the "emergency" status relates to the legislature addressing it more quickly than it might have so that it can aid the county this year due to the extreme weather.

The original bill gave MCPS far more latitude than Anne Arundel, but it looks like what passed second reading today is more restrictive -- its only allowing them to do it in the case of inclement weather and they still need a minimum of 175 days. I'm okay with that...

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/amds/bil_0004/HB1084_51312501.pdf

And my reading is that it expires at the end of next school year.

[Anonymous]

What does the second reading mean? I agree it is not as bad as before but it is still bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As I read this bill, it would permanently exempt MCPS from the State’s school day requirement applying to all other schools. It has nothing to do with a waiver or severe weather. Unlike every other school in Maryland, MCPS can do 170 days or so rather than 180 days. How’s this happening as emergency legislation. Am I missing something? Have educational experts been invited to testify?

Legislation was passed in July, giving Anne Arundel county permission to go by hours. MCPS is simply following on their heels, and will likely be followed by other counties in Maryland. Not sure why the legislature just didn't change the law last summer. It seems odd to do it piecemeal for each county. In this case, I think the "emergency" status relates to the legislature addressing it more quickly than it might have so that it can aid the county this year due to the extreme weather.

The original bill gave MCPS far more latitude than Anne Arundel, but it looks like what passed second reading today is more restrictive -- its only allowing them to do it in the case of inclement weather and they still need a minimum of 175 days. I'm okay with that...

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/amds/bil_0004/HB1084_51312501.pdf

And my reading is that it expires at the end of next school year.

Where do you see that? And why are they extending it to next year if they want a simple fix for this year only?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As I read this bill, it would permanently exempt MCPS from the State’s school day requirement applying to all other schools. It has nothing to do with a waiver or severe weather. Unlike every other school in Maryland, MCPS can do 170 days or so rather than 180 days. How’s this happening as emergency legislation. Am I missing something? Have educational experts been invited to testify?

Legislation was passed in July, giving Anne Arundel county permission to go by hours. MCPS is simply following on their heels, and will likely be followed by other counties in Maryland. Not sure why the legislature just didn't change the law last summer. It seems odd to do it piecemeal for each county. In this case, I think the "emergency" status relates to the legislature addressing it more quickly than it might have so that it can aid the county this year due to the extreme weather.

The original bill gave MCPS far more latitude than Anne Arundel, but it looks like what passed second reading today is more restrictive -- its only allowing them to do it in the case of inclement weather and they still need a minimum of 175 days. I'm okay with that...

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/amds/bil_0004/HB1084_51312501.pdf

And my reading is that it expires at the end of next school year.

Where do you see that? And why are they extending it to next year if they want a simple fix for this year only?

At the very end.

It shall remain effective through June 30, 2027, and, at the end of June 30, 2027, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect.

[Anonymous]

Jfc is their plan to just get the law changed "temporarily" every time they are refused a waiver? This is so embarrassing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jfc is their plan to just get the law changed "temporarily" every time they are refused a waiver? This is so embarrassing.

Once it’s done they will just keep reupping it - saying they couldn’t possibly be expected to meet the 180 day requirement when they have only had to meet 175 in prior years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As I read this bill, it would permanently exempt MCPS from the State’s school day requirement applying to all other schools. It has nothing to do with a waiver or severe weather. Unlike every other school in Maryland, MCPS can do 170 days or so rather than 180 days. How’s this happening as emergency legislation. Am I missing something? Have educational experts been invited to testify?

Legislation was passed in July, giving Anne Arundel county permission to go by hours. MCPS is simply following on their heels, and will likely be followed by other counties in Maryland. Not sure why the legislature just didn't change the law last summer. It seems odd to do it piecemeal for each county. In this case, I think the "emergency" status relates to the legislature addressing it more quickly than it might have so that it can aid the county this year due to the extreme weather.

The original bill gave MCPS far more latitude than Anne Arundel, but it looks like what passed second reading today is more restrictive -- its only allowing them to do it in the case of inclement weather and they still need a minimum of 175 days. I'm okay with that...

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/amds/bil_0004/HB1084_51312501.pdf

Thank you! That’s not great but not as bad.

Yeah, I don't love it, but I'm not nearly as concerned by this language.

[Anonymous]

Will not be voting for any elected officials that support this bill

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will not be voting for any elected officials that support this bill

I probably won’t either. They seem controlled by special interests at expense of education.

[Anonymous]

During today’s meeting (March 26), the Montgomery County Board of Education approved MCPS’ 2026–2027 Inclement Weather Virtual Instruction Plan, which meets Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements and will be submitted for final approval.

The plan ensures continuity of learning during multi-day disruptions, while recognizing that students learn best in person. It includes at least four hours of live instruction, continued student services, and access to devices and internet. Importantly, this is not a replacement for snow days — virtual learning would only be used after closure days are exhausted and during predictable, multi-day weather events.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:During today’s meeting (March 26), the Montgomery County Board of Education approved MCPS’ 2026–2027 Inclement Weather Virtual Instruction Plan, which meets Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements and will be submitted for final approval.

The plan ensures continuity of learning during multi-day disruptions, while recognizing that students learn best in person. It includes at least four hours of live instruction, continued student services, and access to devices and internet. Importantly, this is not a replacement for snow days — virtual learning would only be used after closure days are exhausted and during predictable, multi-day weather events.

The documents presented today indicate a return to 1:1 chromebooks for elementary and middle school students for these virtual snow days. What an absurd waste of money.