How can I begin my retirement proceedings?
To notify HCPSS of your Intent to Retire, please fill out this form.
Staff may access the HCPSS Maryland State Retirement Agency Service Retirement Packet online.
Will students with IEPs at the Digital Education Center be on the DED special educator caseload and receiving services at the DEC?
Students with IEPs at the DEC will no longer be on the caseload of the special educator at their designated home school. The student will receive a new case manager and will receive most of their services at the DEC. Some related services, such as OT, PT and speech, will still be provided by the student’s designated home school.
Will the Digital Education Center follow the HCPSS calendar?
Yes, the DEC will follow the HCPSS calendar including inclement weather days.
Will the staff at the Digital Education Center be provided training prior to the start of the 2021-2022 school year?
Staff will be invited to participate in professional learning during the HCPSS pre-service week in August. Additional professional development will be provided throughout the year as necessary
How many preparations can a teacher have at the Digital Education Center? WIll teachers be given collaborative planning time with teachers who teach similar subjects and grade levels?
The number of preparations that a teacher at the DEC will have will not exceed the number of preparations outlined in the negotiated agreement. If possible, collaborative planning time will be scheduled for teachers teaching similar subjects and grade levels.
What instructional materials will be available to teachers and students at the Digital Education Center?
All instructional materials that are available to the teachers and students at the comprehensive school will be provided to the teachers and students at the DEC. Additional materials and equipment may be purchased for the staff at the DEC to ensure that all instructional objectives can be taught at a high level in a virtual environment.
How will the staff at the Digital Education Center be evaluated?
DEC staff will be evaluated in a similar manner to how they are evaluated at any HCPSS comprehensive school per the negotiated agreement. Teachers will remain on the same step of the cycle on which they left their previous school.
Will the classroom teacher at the Digital Education Center be expected to keep in communication with their students’ designated home schools? (articulation)
The students at the DEC will be reassigned to the DEC, therefore communication with the students’ designated home school will not be required during the year. Opportunities will be made for the classroom teacher and administrative team to articulate with the home school prior to the start of the school year and throughout the school year as necessary to gather more information about the students and their needs.
What courses and levels will be offered at the Digital Education Center, and will students be grouped by level?
The course offerings, levels of courses, and groupings at the DEC will be determined by the course requests of the students enrolling at the DEC.
What are the expected class sizes at the Digital Education Center and how many courses will a teacher be teaching?
Class sizes at the DEC will follow the class size limits set by HCPSS and the number of classes that a teacher will teach will follow what is outlined in the teacher negotiated agreement.