Annapolis City Council Support for Maryland House Bill 226/Senate Bill 569 (2025)
For the purpose of showing the support of the Annapolis City Council for Maryland House Bill 226 and Senate Bill 569 (2025) - Anne Arundel County - Public Schools - School Schedule Options authorizing the Anne Arundel County Board of Education to eliminate early dismissal days if Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) has met the State requirement for annual school hours.
City Council of the
City of Annapolis
Resolution 9-25
Introduced by: Alderwoman Pindell Charles
Co-sponsored by:
Referred to: Annapolis Education Commission
A RESOLUTION concerning
Annapolis City Council Support for Maryland House Bill 226 and Senate Bill 569 (2025)
FOR the purpose of showing the support of the Annapolis City Council for Maryland House Bill 226 and Senate Bill 569 (2025) - Anne Arundel County - Public Schools - School Schedule Options authorizing the Anne Arundel County Board of Education to eliminate early dismissal days if Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) has met the State requirement for annual school hours.
WHEREAS, Currently, Maryland public schools must be open for at least 180 days and 1,080 school hours at elementary and middle schools or 1,170 hours at high schools during the 10-month school year;
WHEREAS, AACPS uses early dismissals to ensure that the State days and hours requirement for public schools to be open are met.
WHEREAS, The Anne Arundel County school calendar for the 2024-2025 school year includes 12 early dismissal days, the same number as the 2023-2024 school year.
WHEREAS, The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County notes that early dismissal days have been disruptive for students, families, and employees. Student attendance rates are lower on early dismissal days and families often need to find alternative childcare when schools close early.
WHEREAS, HB226 and SB569 would allow more flexible school scheduling, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for early dismissal days in the school calendar while still requiring the existing instructional time for students.
WHEREAS, The Anne Arundel County Board of Education states that HB226 and SB569 will allow AACPS to establish a school year calendar that meets state education requirements without depending on early dismissal days.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that: the Council supports passage of HB226 and SB569 (2025) by the Maryland General Assembly and requests Governor Moore sign the legislation if adopted.
AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that this resolution shall take effect upon passage.