Tag: “Julie Henn”

Henn Files for Re-Election on School Board


BCPS School Board of Education Vice Chair Julie Henn has filed for re-election. She serves in the 5th District that covers Perry Hall, Parkville, Towson and Kingsville. She is a resident of Perry Hall.

Henn made the official announcement on her social media page.

“Today I filed my candidacy to seek re-election to continue to represent the Fifth Council District on the Board of Education of Baltimore County,” Henn said. “I have cherished working with, and for, the students, families, educators, and staff of Baltimore County Public Schools. It has been the ultimate honor to serve the community that has been home to my family for four generations.”

Henn was appointed to the BCPS Board by Gov. Larry Hogan in 2016 and was one of the first elected members in the inaugural school board election in 2018. Henn and all school board candidates must run as a non-partisan candidates.

“The greatest gift we can offer our children is ourselves – our time and talents. I am thankful for all who serve the students of BCPS. Every adult on every child’s path to success matters. The past year has taught me how badly we need one another to lead students to meeting their college or career goals – as one team,” Henn added.

“I am excited to continue the work we’ve started. I will do my best to listen, learn and lead from the perspective of those who make a difference in our students’ lives.”

Makeda Scott Elected as BCPS Board Chair

Perry Hall Resident Julie Henn Reelected Vice Chair


Makeda Scott, who was elected to the Board of Education of Baltimore County in 2018, was chosen Board chair at the group’s Dec. 8 meeting, becoming the first African American woman to lead the county’s school board. The Board also elected to retain Vice Chair Julie Henn in that role for another year.

“I am honored to be selected by my peers for this important role,” said Scott. “The events of the last year have reinforced how critical public education is and how essential it is that public school systems are led with vision and expertise. I look forward to working closely with my fellow Board members and Superintendent Williams to guide the system through this challenging period and to ensure its strength and flexibility for the future.”

Board members are tasked with electing new leadership annually during their first meeting in December. Scott was nominated for the post by Student Member of the Board Josh Muhumuza, a senior at Dundalk High School. In a social media post, Muhumuza referred to the nomination as “one of his proudest moments” as student member of the Board.

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams congratulated both Scott and Henn for their leadership and service. “It has been my pleasure to work with Ms. Scott as a Board member and now as Board chair. She continually demonstrates her unwavering commitment to the children and families of Baltimore County,” he said. “Ms. Henn brings her experience as a Board officer and will continue to be a strong advocate for Baltimore County’s schools and students.”

An Owings Mills resident, Scott is a communications professional with more than 20 years of experience. She has worked for WSB-TV (Atlanta, Ga), the Enterprise Foundation, American Federation of State and County Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the British Embassy, U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes, and the Baltimore City Housing Authority.

Henn has served on the school board since being appointed by the governor in 2016. When the Board transitioned in 2018 to a hybrid (part-elected, part-appointed) assembly, Henn was elected to serve on the Board representing the county’s Fifth District.

Henn, a Perry Hall resident, is an enterprise information technology professional who has served in leadership roles with Baltimore City Community College, QM Quality Matters, Computer Generated Solutions, the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and Prometric.

Henn Shares Proposed FY2021 State Capital Budget Request

Fifth district BCPS Board Member Julie Henn shared the proposed FY2021 state capital budget request includes the following projects in her district:

NE Area Elementary @ Ridge Road ($17,320,000)
NE Area Middle ($43,213,000)
Perry Hall High Chiller Replacement ($1,680,000)
Towson High Replacement (Planning Approval)

“The recommendation will be presented to the Board on Tuesday, August 6 and will be discussed at the work session on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, and is scheduled for Board action on Tuesday, September 10, 2019,” Henn said in a social media post.

“State-funded project requests require verification of county matching funds before final state approval (May/June 2020).”

Local Officials Plan Strategy for Middle School Funding

Parents of Perry Hall Middle School have complained about the overcrowding of their middle school and were excited when Baltimore County announced plans to build a new middle school in Nottingham Park on King Avenue and to expand Pine Grove Middle School in Carney.

Those plans got delayed when Baltimore County announced a budget shortfall. There was a bill introduced in the General Assembly that would have given Baltimore County an additional $400 million in school construction but that bill never received a vote in the Maryland Senate.

Councilman David Marks and Baltimore County Board of Education Member Julie Henn held a town hall meeting on Tuesday to discuss the next steps in securing the funding for the new northeast area middle school.

They were joined by Delegates Joe Boteler, Harry Bhandari, and Kathy Szeliga. Marks was impressed with the dozens of residents that came out on a hot and stormy night.

“Despite anger at the delays to the proposed Nottingham Middle School – frustration that I share as a parent – people are engaged and ready to work,” Marks said.

Henn advised Perry Hall residents to attend BCPS school board meetings and to email school board members so they can prioritize the building of the new northeast middle school.

“The Board will receive the Superintendent’s proposed FY2021 State Capital Request in August. The Northeast Area Middle School must remain high on the Board’s list of priorities,” Henn said. “Show up! Be heard! Follow this page for updates and join our email list for more opportunities to help us advocate for our new northeast middle school. “

Marks added that this year’s school construction bill will be submitted early and should be SB 1. Szeliga said that the bill should receive an early bill hearing around mid to late January and advised parents to go down to Annapolis to testify on the bill.

After the new middle school is built, Henn explained that it will remove 300 students away from Perry Hall Middle. One parent said that is minimal and would still like to see a boundary study conducted and feels it is the only way to alleviate overcrowding.

Marks said some of the problems of today are from the past decisions to expand Perry Hall middle and high schools instead of rezoning but said the community needs to focus on the future.

“We came up with a plan to testify throughout the budget process. The handout is (below). Email me at dmarks@baltimorecountymd.gov to be added to the distribution list.