The Blueprint Quarterly

Blueprint Reflection and Update

Hello! I am Dr. Sarah Sirgo, the Chief of Staff and Blueprint Implementation Coordinator for Frederick County Public Schools. Welcome to the April 2026 issue of The Blueprint Quarterly - a communication tool dedicated to providing our students, staff, families, and community members up-to-date information about the Blueprint implementation in FCPS.

Frederick County Public Schools - Blueprint Expenditure Audit

FCPS Blueprint Audit Finds Full Compliance

A draft audit conducted by the MSDE's Office of Audits found that FCPS fully complied with all applicable requirements for Blueprint grant expenditures from FY2020 through FY2023. The audit reviewed multiple funding areas - including programs supporting students in poverty, instructional services, mental health, and teacher incentives - and identified no findings or compliance issues. Overall, the results affirm FCPS's strong fiscal management and adherence to state guidelines in administering Blueprint funds. You are invited to review the data linked below.

FCPS Blueprint Expenditure Audit

Career Ladder and Level 4 Lead Teacher Rollout

Preparing for Level 4 Implementation

FCPS launched the Career Ladder on July 1, 2025. The draft requirements for the next phase of the Career Ladder initiative under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. For the next phase of Career Ladder implementation, school systems must prepare to introduce Level 4 roles for the 2027–2028 school year. This effort requires that each school system select one of two pathways; either participating in the State’s Level 4 pilot program at at least one school, or implementing a locally developed, AIB-approved Level 4 plan in at least one school

At this time, our intention is to build a level 4 candidate pool during the 2026-2027 school year, for implementation during the 2027-2028 school year. A level 4 teacher is required to have their National Board Certification (NBC) in order to apply to be part of the candidate pool for these positions.

FCPS will submit a "Declaration of Intent" by July 1, 2026, identifying our selected pathway (with the option to revise the decision until December 11, 2026). To learn more about our career ladder, please review our Career Ladder Booklet.

Career Coaches and Memorandum of Understanding Updates

Career Counseling MOU Sets Framework for Student Success (2026–2029)

The career counseling work is grounded in partnership. The program emphasizes collaboration and requires a formal agreement between the county school board, Local Workforce Development Board, and the local community college to deliver services. At the state level, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB), the Governor's Workforce Development Board, the Maryland Workforce Association (MWA) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) work together to provide guidance, support, and accountability.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has established a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to outline how school systems, workforce partners, and community colleges will work together to deliver Career Counseling services under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future from 2026 through 2029. The agreement continues our shared approach to helping students in grades 6–12 develop and carry out six-year academic and career plans. It emphasizes coordinated support, ensuring students have access to career exploration, work-based learning, and clear pathways to college, workforce training, and careers.

Key highlights of the revised MOU include:

Collaborative delivery model: School systems, workforce partners, and community colleges each play defined roles in providing career advising, labor market insights, and postsecondary connections.
Student-centered supports: Career counselors will work directly with students on planning, career exploration, and readiness for postsecondary pathways.
Integrated systems: Career counseling will be embedded within broader student support services, not operating in isolation.
Accountability and continuous improvement: Partners will collect and review data, report annually, and adjust programming to improve outcomes and ensure equitable access.
Sustainable funding and oversight: The MOU outlines how Blueprint funding will be managed, monitored, and aligned to program goals.

Overall, the MOU creates a consistent, statewide structure while allowing flexibility for local implementation, ensuring all students have access to high-quality career counseling and clearer pathways to future success.

Blueprint Committee Member in the Spotlight

Lauren Perry - Early Childhood Education Program Quality Coordinator

Lauren Perry serves as the Early Childhood Program Quality Coordinator for Frederick County Public Schools, where she leads critical efforts to expand access to high-quality Pre-K programming across the county.

In alignment with Pillar One of the Maryland Blueprint for the Future, Lauren developed and oversees the Centralized Enrollment Process for all Pre-K applicants. This comprehensive system ensures that every application is reviewed through eligibility criteria established by the Maryland State Department of Education, creating a fair, consistent, and equity-driven experience for families.

Behind the scenes, Lauren collaborates closely with her team—Alyssa Palermo, Early Childhood Education Centralized Registrar, and Sandy Truax, Administrative Assistant—to screen and place thousands of applicants each year. Beyond enrollment, this system plays a vital role in informing data-driven programming decisions, strengthening collaboration with community stakeholders, supporting Child Find and Special Education efforts, and advancing partnerships with private childcare providers as they move toward a mixed-delivery Pre-K model.

In addition to enrollment leadership, Lauren supports all FCPS Pre-K programs through the Maryland Accreditation and EXCELS processes. She works alongside educators in a year-long cycle of reflection, growth, and program enhancement. This continuous improvement process ensures programs maintain the high standards required for Maryland Accreditation, which must be renewed every five years. By May 2026, all elementary schools offering full-day FCPS Pre-K will have successfully completed their first Accreditation cycle—an important milestone achieved ahead of the 2027–2028 Blueprint requirement.

Lauren brings a wealth of experience to her role, having previously served as an Inclusion Pre-K Coordinator within the Special Education Department, as well as both an inclusion and self-contained Pre-K teacher in Frederick and Prince George’s Counties. Her career has been grounded in a commitment to high-quality, inclusive instruction that ensures meaningful access for all learners—a belief that continues to guide her work with educators, staff, and community partners.

Outside of her professional role, Lauren is a mother of four and a dedicated advocate for young children. She remains deeply committed to being a champion for early childhood within her community.

Maryland Education in the News

Maryland Matters

Senate, House advance measures to boost number of school psychologists - legislation advanced to boost the number of school psychologists by joining a multistate compact that allows reciprocal licensing with states that have comparable standards.

Half of Maryland's school districts still not at $60k teacher salary threshold - July 1 deadline approaches, leaving half of the state's districts working to meet the mandate.

House approves trio of child care bills, as new scholarship enrollments remain frozen - one bill would lift the yearlong enrollment freeze on the state's scholarship program and open spots for up to 3,700 families currently on the waitlist.

Maryland State Department of Education

MSDE Launches State-Led Teacher Coaching Pilot to Strengthen Literacy Instruction - calls it a major step toward improving educator support and accelerating student achievement.

MSDE Releases High Schools Graduation Rates for SY24-25 - The 2025 four-year cohort graduation rate was 86.4%, maintaining the state's overall high position, although slightly lower than the 87.6% rate in 2024.

New 50-State Study Highlights Maryland's Progress in Modernizing High School - Study identifies 10 policy actions to make high school more rigorous, engageing, and career connected. Four policy actions currently in place and another underway, Maryland is building a strong foundation.

Accountability Implementation Board Updates

January AIB Meeting Actions and Highlights

The AIB held their first board meeting of 2026 on January 29th. All FY26 Blueprint funds have been released for all 24 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) after this meeting. The AIB thanks all LEAs and partners for their continued support in Blueprint implementation in completing all comp0onets in the process.

At its January 29th meeting, the AIB unanimously approved several key actions supporting statewide education efforts. The Board accepted the 2025 PreK-12 Comprehensive Mathematics Plans for all 24 LEAs and the Juvenile Services Education Program, advanced FY26 Blueprint funding for all districts, including final approvals for Baltimore City and Prince George's County, and approved a Level 4 Pilot for Prince George's County. The AIB also extended the deadline for LEAs to submit final root cause analyses related to academic progress to April 1, 2026, with draft submissions due March 2, and amended the Minimum School Funding policy to give districts an additonal year to meet requirements.

The AIB also engaged in several important discussions focused on ongoing implementation of the Blueprint. The Board heard a presentation from Somerset County Public Schools regarding its request for a Minimum School Funding waiver and will announce a decision at a future meeting. Members also reviewed the new Statewide Progress Highlights one-pager, part of a recurring "Blueprint Progress Spotlights" update, with district-level highlights to be released soon. Additionally, AIB staff shared key trends from recent Progress Monitoring Conferences and provided an update on the 2026 Maryland Legislative Session, including relevant legislation and the AIB's rolle during the session.

AIB February Meeting Highlights Progress and Key Policy Updates

The Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) meeting on February 26 meeting, highlighted the release of new LEA Blueprint Implementation Progress Highlights one-pagers showcasing progress across all 24 districts, alongside an updated statewide snapshot.

During the meeting, the AIB unanimously approved several key actions, including pausing the Expert Review Team program for the 2026–27 school year and redirecting funds to support the state’s teacher coaching efforts through the Academic Excellence Program. The Board also amended the Career Ladder policy to extend the Level 4 Pilot through the 2027–28 school year and expand participation requirements for districts, and approved audio/visual investments for its new office space.

Discussion topics focused on ongoing Blueprint implementation efforts, including highlights from recent Level 4 Career Ladder Pilot site visits, updates on progress monitoring data and the annual Blueprint Comprehensive Plan update process, and the latest developments from the 2026 legislative session.

Additional updates included the receipt of recent reports on career counseling and career and technical education, as well as a reminder that the next AIB meeting will be held virtually on March 26, 2026.

Policy Amendment Eases MSF Requirements for Next Two Fiscal Years

On March 26, 2026, the AIB approved an amendment to Joint Implementation Policy #2 regarding the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Minimum School Funding (MSF) requirement, following approval by the Maryland State Board of Education on March 24. The amendment temporarily suspends specific MSF requirements for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027, rendering previously submitted waiver requests unnecessary and eliminating the need for AIB action. Local education agencies are expected to fully meet MSF requirements by FY 2028.

Your Feedback is Requested!

We want to hear your thoughts on the FCPS implementation of the Blueprint. Please click on one or more of the links to share thoughts on the Blueprint pillar areas of focus. The responses to any of the following will be reported back to FCPS staff directly.

Pillar 1: Early Childhood (Pre-K expansion, Kindergarten Readiness, Judy Centers) Pillar 1 Reflections
Pillar 2: Elevating Educators (Career Ladder, Diversity Recruitment and Retention, Talent Pathways) Pillar 2 Reflections
Pillar 3: North Star (College & Career Readiness, Post-CRR Pathways, Support Pathways, Career Coaching, High-Quality Curriculum) Pillar 3 Reflections
Pillar 4: Student Supports (Behavioral and mental health, Special Education, English language learners, Students experiencing homelessness, Communities experiencing poverty, Community Schools) Pillar 4 Reflections