PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The Calvert County Board of Education proposed four new policies for development at the end of its May 8 meeting. It also reviewed three additional policies and recommended revisions for all three, citing the need to tighten language and strengthen procedures.
Policies 1460, 3215, and 3710 were on the table at this month’s meeting.
For Policy 1460, regarding the Maryland Child Abuse and Neglect Law and Calvert County Public Schools, the board suggested:
- Increasing the frequency of training on mandatory reporting for volunteers and adding either an acknowledgment or assessment that they understood the training.
- Closing loops on reports made by volunteers in internal investigations.
Cecelia Lewis, director of student services, proposed the following updates to Policy 3215, regarding student behavior interventions:
- Adding the definition of restorative approaches to the definition section.
- Adding the acronym MSDE following the term Maryland Department of Education in Policy Statement A.
- Adding a new section (B) to explain restorative approaches and how they align with MSDE guidelines.
The board made suggestions to ensure language aligns within the proposed updates and with the student conduct policy (3162).
The following changes to Policy 3710, regarding enrollment in Calvert County Public Schools — academic evaluation, placement and awarding of credits — were presented by James (Scott) McComb, director of system and instructional performance:
- Edits to specify language around where students are enrolling from (other school districts, home instruction) and where they are enrolling (Calvert County schools).
- Edits to the definition of a transcript as an official record.
McComb provided insights into the processes of evaluating students who come into the district, particularly from a homeschool environment.
The board also passed four motions to discuss creating and developing the following policies at future meetings:
Member Paul Harrison moved to discuss a flag display policy at future meetings to “establish clear guidelines for flags displayed on school property, ensuring consistency, neutrality, and compliance with legal standards.” This policy would apply only to physical flags, not flag images or flag symbolism.
Member Joseph Marchio moved to develop a neutrality policy at future board meetings that would outline expectations for maintaining political, ideological, social, and religious neutrality and ensuring a focused and inclusive space for all students. Marchio also moved to discuss the existing equity policy (1015) at a future meeting.
Member Melissa Goshorn moved to discuss a policy at future board meetings to create a reporting system of all student disciplinary actions, including detention or referral, suspensions, and expulsions.
Additionally, Goshorn moved to request more information from staff on mandatory reporting, as discussed during the Policy 1460 review.
Each motion passed with a 5-0 vote amidst vocal dissent from members of the public in attendance.
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