Students ask Howard County board for two excused civic-engagement days; parent urges Centennial renovations

Two Howard County high-school students asked the Board of Education on Thursday to change attendance rules so students are guaranteed two excused days for civic engagement rather than leaving such time subject to discretionary approval.

"Providing these dedicated days will ensure that students in Howard County can actively participate in civics without the fear of falling behind," said Sachi Shatar, a rising 10th grader at Glenel High School, during the public‑comment portion of the meeting.

Myer Falata, a rising 11th grader at Wilde Lake High School, said the change should include a requirement for students to provide proof of civic engagement after the two days and that further absences would revert to existing discretionary‑day rules. "Discretionary day absences may include but are not limited to visits to post‑secondary institutions, scheduled interviews with prospective employers, and civic engagement," Falata told the board while asking it to explicitly guarantee two civic‑engagement days.

The students asked the board to move civic activity out of a catch‑all discretionary category that currently leaves excused status to the discretion of principals or district designees. They said the current rules can discourage student participation when schools have already granted other discretionary excused days.

During the same public forum, Karen Bitterman, speaking as an individual, pressed the board to prioritize a large high‑school renovation project at Centennial High School. Bitterman cited a chiller that was found irreparable, a temporary portable chiller occupying parking space, and outdoor porta‑potties used near the stadium level. "How can this major health and safety concern be overlooked for 50 years?" she asked, detailing sanitation concerns and urging that renovation planning not skip schools in concentrated areas of poverty.

Board members did not take immediate formal action on either request during the meeting. Chair Mallow thanked the speakers and noted public comments do not represent the board or superintendent. The public‑comment period will resume later in the meeting calendar for additional submissions and groups.