Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Acting Superintendent Michael Martirano announced plans for a reorganized central office, structured to drive his vision for a robust instructional program that ensures equity and enables all students to reach their greatest potential.
The new model is aligned to several core principles that include school responsiveness, continuous improvement, employee and community engagement, and transparency in every aspect of school system operations.
The new organization provides a flatter leadership model that fosters cross- and vertical collaboration and opens lines of communication at all levels throughout the school system. With a focus on instruction as a birth-through-graduation continuum, the new structure better positions the school system to address and overcome factors that contribute to the achievement gap.
Martirano’s senior leadership team will consist of the following.
• Karalee Turner-Little, assistant superintendent for administrative affairs, overseeing systemic processes, legislative services and policy management.
• Mark Blom, general counsel, overseeing all legal matters and public information act request fulfillment.
• Kevin Gilbert, director of diversity, equity and inclusion, overseeing the integration of these principles throughout the educational program and school system culture.
• Helen Nixon, chief human resources and professional development officer, overseeing recruitment, hiring, compensation, and staff and leadership development.
• Anissa Brown Dennis, chief operations officer, overseeing capital planning, infrastructure development, facilities management and safety.
• A chief academic officer, overseeing shared accountability, curriculum and instruction, special education and student services. (Position open.)
• A chief business and technology officer, overseeing all financial and technology operations and ensuring responsible stewardship of school system resources. (Position open.)
• A chief communication, community and workforce engagement officer, overseeing communications, workforce engagement and partner engagement. (Position open.)
• A chief school management and instructional leadership officer, overseeing a vertical educational delivery model that encompasses preschool through Grade 12.
• Three new community superintendent positions, each overseeing a regional cluster of elementary, middle and high schools, who will report to the chief school management and instructional leadership officer. These positions are currently open.
Additional new positions to be filled include the following.
• Industrial hygienist/indoor environmental quality manager, reporting to the chief operating officer, to ensure the safety and health of all classrooms and work areas.
• Performance, equity and community response officer, reporting to the community superintendents, to collaborate with principals in implementing instructional and curricular programs.
• Policy manager, reporting to the assistant superintendent for administrative affairs, to oversee planning, revision and management of all HCPSS policies.
• Special education parent liaison, reporting to the interim superintendent, to increase responsiveness to parent concerns.
“A superintendent rarely has the opportunity to effectuate change at this level and scope,” said Martirano. “I am grateful for the tremendous support from our Board of Education, county leaders, parents, teachers and staff, and entire community that make this new direction possible.”