William J. Barnes
William J. Barnes is the Howard County Public School System Superintendent. He began his term July 1, 2024, after serving as Acting Superintendent from Jan. 10-June 30, 2024.
As the HCPSS Chief Academic Officer since 2017, Barnes oversees the departments of Special Education, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and Program Innovation and Student Well-Being. He has prioritized recruiting, developing and retaining leaders throughout those departments. He began his career with HCPSS in 2008, serving as the Coordinator of Secondary Mathematics and Director of Secondary and Pre-K-12 Curricular Programs. Prior to that, he served as a high school math teacher. Throughout his extensive career in education, he has held multiple leadership roles on state and national committees, panels, and groups; primarily focused on mathematics education. He has committed his entire career to enhancing educational outcomes for all students.
As a teacher, Barnes received National Board Certification and was awarded Maryland’s prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2003, the highest award bestowed upon a mathematics teacher in Maryland.