[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6293693,"mediaKeyId","2522944-3daa712a3b621a52a44362741e1dde7b","parentId",2522944,"title","Anne Arundel NAACP urges transparency after racist video at Crofton High School","audioSeconds",233,"startMs",3966000,"endMs",4199000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2522944-3daa712a3b621a52a44362741e1dde7b&start=3966&end=4199","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2522944-3daa712a3b621a52a44362741e1dde7b/thumbnail_3966000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6293693/Maryland/Anne-Arundel-NAACP-urges-transparency-after-racist-video-at-Crofton-High-School","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293693-c393f7758c2c07744f341ef5bdb5c508/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174696&Signature=Ub7lJGdCT0KZ8385Vu7AhWoOike7k7WGL5gBFgOJr5JG5wDcWxodvpXGnVlmyEq1cX5sbJYHeax2j4rtYCMUb57S-5eXP5o7hmcuLLj91qS0rSctiAknsOcLtl1lqtri~lw8UWO43NLHPKcSkvKLBVOmcalE760eCrD4vmOTzJq~jZteewqq~hYmMrUyvhMk~-eAfcUpeoCGO4ldqsvloVHApaoYrrBTOomlXslLMlPzHosjZVt398oDJtt-aZSzUiSQ9VcU6QPawl1wvU0NgL0Z0CtbYgCg1IXRLjllGkqhrUNxRFS6B9cr~Mzy0RwtFh5TXFDGp9cJNAPTo5UtLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-06T06:19:09Z","article","Mary Dudone, speaking on behalf of the Anne Arundel County NAACP at the board’s March 5 meeting, called for transparency and swift action after an “egregiously racist” video circulated at Crofton High School.

Dudone read a prepared statement, which she said was reviewed by Branch President Stephen Waddey, and said the branch is “beyond alarmed about the ongoing societal attacks on students of color.” She asked the district to provide “as much transparency as AACPS can provide on this event and the issues it raises as quickly as possible,” and said the NAACP stands ready to engage with the school system to “ensure the dignity and affirm the value of all students.”

Nut graf: The public comment asked for detailed information “down to the lowest level you can provide” about consequences, causes and remediation steps while acknowledging limits on privacy and personnel protections.

The speaker asked for transparency consistent with student privacy and contractual protections for staff; she requested information about consequences and remedial steps but did not ask the board to name individual students or staff. The public comment concluded shortly before a motion to enter closed session for legal and negotiation matters.

Ending: The board accepted the public comment and then moved to a closed session later in the meeting to consult with counsel and discuss pending legal and negotiation matters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Public Session 3-05-2025","oneSentenceSummary","A representative of the Anne Arundel County NAACP urged the board to be as transparent as possible about an ‘egregiously racist’ video circulated at Crofton High School and asked for information about consequences, causes and remediations.","taxTitle","Anne Arundel County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",14430,"location","Maryland","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6293698,"Superintendent reports staff vacancies, says district is aggressively recruiting",240,2739000,2979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2522944-3daa712a3b621a52a44362741e1dde7b&start=2739&end=2979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2522944-3daa712a3b621a52a44362741e1dde7b/thumbnail_2739000.jpg","/articles/6293698/Maryland/Superintendent-reports-staff-vacancies-says-district-is-aggressively-recruiting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293698-28ac7faa144249ddd7e7d22e159fe1af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174696&Signature=Y4Uu5u0yPzDRmb9ycq8r8jjDl9PIfCke10XhJrktql~Fyg-U~S7Uxd-q9Ba2ArP-PiMemuj9-2hUczpzmu0SX73Gzy41Wrqw3jpt9Q70EncI4N8MLEbrymqoHD0wiZeUqgfRPAXI~~VT0yDws3BpdWmc4IoMSz2P~QEcOssvWvlmMY5AVcu6v24u9CbuXemb~5KKGzwlK6WIcA3emxUyu-mpKEfskwiLNhH3QNcBirRXhh4JIMjRprIfQ-R2ROzkgc-l972LVwLYWqF~2T01yy9Qrja9ogms~Xu5XNtRZBbseNakebcbX~UF1jD6tAwWHi0KfcKcqrkbUepWTEThnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Bedell updated the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County on staffing and recruitment efforts at the March 5 meeting, saying district leaders are working “aggressively” to fill vacancies across several categories while also highlighting recent gains in family outreach.

Dr. Bedell said recent efforts by bilingual facilitators and international family outreach staff have reduced the number of families for whom English is not a first language accessing the parent portal, calling the work “a huge positive impact.” He recognized Karen McDonald, manager of international family outreach programs, and several staff members for the outreach work and community honors they and others received.

On staffing numbers, Dr. Bedell stated that “our teacher vacancy rate was at 55” and that “teacher assistance was at 50,” and he listed other workforce areas with smaller counts for vacancies. The transcript does not specify whether those figures are counts or percentages; board discussion treated the numbers as counts reported by central office. Dr. Bedell said bus driver vacancies for internal (not vendor) positions were reported as 4, food services vacancies had been reduced through an incentive program, and custodial and crossing guard vacancies were being addressed.

Nut graf: The superintendent framed recruitment and retention as active priorities. He credited human resources and outreach staff for progress in translation and family engagement and told the board staff would continue recruitment work and report results.

Board members asked for and received clarifying remarks from Human Resources staff about contracting for special education positions; Jessica Cutches, identified as chief human resources officer, told the board contracting is used only as an exception when internal hires cannot be made to prevent gaps in federally and state‑mandated services.

Ending: Dr. Bedell closed by thanking HR for ongoing work and by saying staff will continue recruiting to reduce vacancies and stabilize operations for the upcoming school year.","Superintendent Dr. Bedell told the board that the district continues active recruitment to fill teacher, assistant and other operational vacancies and described recent reductions in non‑English parent‑portal access through bilingual outreach work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6293702,"Anne Arundel school board approves contracts, personnel and facility projects; backs Maryland data-privacy bill",37,3492000,3529000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2522944-3daa712a3b621a52a44362741e1dde7b&start=3492&end=3529","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2522944-3daa712a3b621a52a44362741e1dde7b/thumbnail_3492000.jpg","/articles/6293702/Maryland/Anne-Arundel-school-board-approves-contracts-personnel-and-facility-projects-backs-Maryland-data-privacy-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293702-db968af8041ea40cd70a1509dd2d178b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174696&Signature=VMQ1ePRA6gQYDQ67LWnOraxMJVmEjFduLjdJEjS1PZfn9oONw1uFoXNLifC7aCjsAj7cEDtOAm-am1Zm8o~dWwbJHOF7p7kzusR3R4jB~wTXEYkadCxiNSPYerFc8P5YMJ5Xp0YGet8gANX4w1yJHXgwfy9RcL3IoBwKYltVkFtCX1s-VAaPPKwVOIqjB-B4L4kU6r0tB2hM4UiyZB24zirDsXpSIvYey-Ao38O8C8ng56KUOI64V2mUJ6NVSkzZ4eRF4a1k2wWw8dUcWxK5w9UFGg7ZZGuK4v13~tw88iR4PVZz27XyBxOLtOEazkZOTEk25wsAJ7Y8hUxLpSeZ5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County on March 5 authorized a set of bundled contract awards, approved multiple personnel actions, advanced policy revisions and unanimously adopted a support position on the Maryland Data Privacy Act (Senate Bill 977).

Board President Mister Silkworth opened the consent bundle and the board voted by consensus to approve contracts listed as consent items 5.01 through 5.06. Superintendent Dr. Bedell recommended the awards. The board then approved administrative personnel appointments and other personnel actions presented by the superintendent.

Nut graf: The meeting combined routine approvals with several items that require follow-up or implementation by system staff — including facility design approval for Carver Early Education Center and a third‑party pavilion project at Northeast High School — and a board motion to support state-level data privacy legislation that would limit disclosure of student and district records to immigration enforcement absent a court order.

Votes at a glance

- Consent bundle (Items 5.01–5.06): motion to bundle and authorize award of contracts; outcome: approved by consensus (motion recorded as passing 8–0). Evidence in meeting transcript shows the bundle motion and the superintendent recommending award of contracts.

- Administrative personnel appointments (Item 6.01): motion to approve personnel listed on the attached sheets; outcome: approved (motion passes 8–0).

- Personnel actions (Item 6.02): routine personnel approvals; outcome: approved (motion passes 8–0).

- Policy revision — Emergency plans, Code EH (Item 6.03, third reading): superintendent recommended approval subject to final style/format corrections; outcome: approved (motion passes 8–0).

- Policy — Reporting child abuse and neglect, Code JEF (Item 6.04, second reading): brought for second reading after a 30‑day comment period; no final board vote recorded at this meeting (second reading only).

- Items of legislation (Item 6.05): staff recommended the board take a position of support on Senate Bill 977 (Maryland Data Privacy Act); motion to support SB 977 passed unanimously (8–0).

- Northeast High School third‑party pavilion (Item 6.06): superintendent recommended approval; motion passed (8–0).

- Carver Early Education Center schematic design (Item 6.07): superintendent recommended approval of schematic design; motion passed (8–0).

- Motion to go into closed session (later in the meeting): motion passed by consensus; the board stated the closed session would cover legal advice, pending or potential litigation, and collective bargaining matters.

Details and context

Superintendent Dr. Bedell presented the recommendations for the consent bundle and personnel items, saying the system recommended awarding contracts and approving personnel listings “as discussed in executive close” (transcript). Jessica Cutches, identified in the meeting as chief human resources officer, answered questions from board members about the use of contracted special education staffing, explaining that contracting is used as an exception when the system cannot fill positions internally so that federally and state‑mandated services are not interrupted.

Board members recorded aye votes during roll call on multiple motions; the meeting record shows votes were unanimous (8–0) on the items that concluded with recorded tallies.

Ending: Several approved items require implementation steps by system staff. The board also asked staff to continue routine follow-up and to present further information as needed; for items that remain at second reading the board signaled further review will occur at a future meeting.","At its March meeting the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County authorized bundled contracts, approved personnel actions and schematic designs for two projects, and voted unanimously to support the Maryland Data Privacy Act (SB 977). Several policy items were also advanced.","actionData","errors"]

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Anne Arundel NAACP urges transparency after racist video at Crofton High School

Superintendent reports staff vacancies, says district is aggressively recruiting

Anne Arundel school board approves contracts, personnel and facility projects; backs Maryland data-privacy bill