January 2025

Vol. 3 Issue 1-19

Contents:

  • 2024 -- Looking Back - A recap of some major stories
  • 2025 - Looking Forward - What will we be likely to see this coming year
  • OPINION: Whose safety matters?

2024 -- Looking Back




  • Cell phone use in classrooms becomes a huge concern (second story). With more than 76% of teachers unhappy over the negative effects of cell phone use in the classroom, the HoCo BOE put together a plan to review the issue, while some jurisdictions are piloting solutions.


2025 - Looking ahead

  • Title IX regulations: (The Biden administration’s Title IX rules expanding protections for LGBTQ students have been struck down nationwide after a federal judge in Kentucky found they overstepped the president’s authority. In a decision issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves scrapped the entire 1,500-page regulation after deciding it was “fatally” tainted by legal shortcomings.


  • Budgets & the Blueprint: With the State facing a $3 Billion shortfall, local school systems try to figure out how it will affect them. Here are some of the Governor's proposed budget that affect the Blueprint:
  • Provides for a 6% increase in funding overall
  • Slows down its implementation saving $2.5 billion by 2030.
  • Community Schools will not be funded after this year
  • A temporary limit to be placed on the number of families who can enroll in the child care scholarship program
  • Locals to pick up a total of $93 million more of teacher pension costs
  • Cuts $25 million for the cost of students with severe disabilities who need a non-public school placement


  • New Standardized Tests will be going into effect in 2026, after 2025 provides a full year complaints, hearings, discussions and decisions.


  • New State-mandated in-school Telehealth program. This new program will add one more thing that removes students from class. It also augments the opportunity for parents to be eliminated from decisions about their children's health care.

Opinion: Whose safety matters?

Last October, police entered and arrested a student inside Howard High School and found a loaded gun in his backpack. At the time, the student was under the supervision of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and on an ankle monitor for a previous incident in another jurisdiction. 


When Superintendent Barnes discussed this incident with the Board of Education, his focus was on the safety of the students. He emphasized the need to get relevant information on students first registering or transferring in who have committed certain ‘reportable offenses.’   The importance of having this information is to allow him to evaluate whether the student can safely be integrated into the regular school or should be placed in an alternate learning situation (often an online platform). 

The response from the Board Members, however, was to focus on safeguarding the rights of students who engage in reportable offenses. This focus has sparked concern among many stakeholders, as it seemingly neglects the welfare of the countless students who uphold positive behavior and contribute to a safe school environment. The lack of attention to the majority of students, teachers, and staff raises critical questions about the Board's priorities and approach to student safety.


The implications of this are profound, as it creates an environment where misbehavior is frequently excused or rationalized, while the legitimate concerns of victims and law-abiding students are sidelined. This approach not only fosters a sense of injustice but also risks undermining the very principles of safety and respect that should be foundational in educational settings.


Moreover, the Board's tendency to attribute criminal behavior to external factors, such as challenging home environments or systemic failures related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion DEI, raises further concerns. While acknowledging the complexities of students' backgrounds is important, it should not come at the expense of recognizing and addressing the need for a secure and supportive learning atmosphere for all students.



The community is left to ponder: how can we ensure that all students feel safe and valued in our schools? It is imperative that the Board of Education reevaluate its stance and adopt a more balanced approach that prioritizes the safety and well-being of every student, not just those who have strayed from the path of acceptable behavior.

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