[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6636134,"mediaKeyId","2615947-e86f6ead026c542b3f1367b0787e67e3","parentId",2615947,"title","Calvert County board posts multiple policies for 30-day review; debates board role in procedure drafting and weapons reporting","audioSeconds",2410,"startMs",1665000,"endMs",4075000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615947-e86f6ead026c542b3f1367b0787e67e3&start=1665&end=4075","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615947-e86f6ead026c542b3f1367b0787e67e3/thumbnail_1665000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6636134/Maryland/Calvert-County-board-posts-multiple-policies-for-30-day-review-debates-board-role-in-procedure-drafting-and-weapons-reporting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636134-95ccff7e5b392482b78debb2e3520a67/orig.mp4?Expires=1770594085&Signature=fk4ZDvEV4Ia2Gzkh8GxMn6ecdm7JiRVOVZCCw88Q-ixsv-FGkumzb38NuHW8lZi~4TMW4YKU3~oAe118WRJAlhQ~zKNWjdUdcEi-xmdhmqH22PAk3BJiP2JkkXTKjwE91x~nYV-ye~uELq8OrLbm~9eT1kd3Wwa82e5UGLYvQrHtaO6quIQxfZPoRRkoaBma8YipYiEWEFI1bci3iZEASyQSwhyhSiX2yE7ds~Xqx8IJT0vbIp4Xfsec6ynOVWDV55bfQWTCa8JVmtpiQ~ANXvN47r5TTc9CMdEoYfIDqSbxI6FYg37JUBwoXutLFOoeEUclmuwS6leGFR~7c1zktw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Calvert County Public Schools","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Calvert County Board of Education on March 13 voted to post multiple proposed policy updates for a 30-day public review and discussed clarifications to how the board will interact with administrative procedures, notification about look-alike weapons, and language on nutrition and mental health.

Board members directed staff to post proposed revisions to policies including 10-12 (policy development and delegation of authority), 111100 (communications), 1110 (Board of Education meetings), 14-50 (nutrition and wellness), 15-15 (weapons), 3440 (fitness and athletic equity for students with disabilities), 3452 (academic eligibility for athletics), 5550 (transporting students in private vehicles), and 72.1 (real estate acquisition) for the standard 30-day review period, with staff presenters summarizing edits and answering questions.

Why it matters: the items under review affect how district leadership develops and communicates administrative procedures, how schools define and respond to weapons or look-alike objects, the district’s nutrition and physical-activity goals, and volunteer transportation and liability practices — all of which bear on student safety and daily operations.

Among the most debated changes was policy 10-12, which adds the sentence that “the superintendent, with optional board member participation, is directed to develop administrative procedures to implement this policy.” Board members asked whether that language formalizes an existing practice and who would initiate participation. Susan Johnson, chief operations officer, said staff drafted the change to make the possibility of board input explicit and that participation would be at the initiative of individual board members, not at staff direction. She said the board’s input remains advisory and that the superintendent and staff retain authority to write and revise procedures.

On policy 15-15 (weapons), Cecilia Lewis, director of student services, and Larry Titus, the district’s community resources and school safety specialist, presented a revised definition of “look‑alike weapon” to include items designed to imitate a functional weapon. Lewis said the change was intended to clarify examples such as replica firearms and replica devices that deliberately imitate guns. A Board member asked whether routine items such as brightly colored water toys (e.g., Super Soakers) would trigger notification. Lewis and others said the distinction depends on whether an item is intentionally designed to imitate a real weapon; administrators are instructed in the district’s administrative guide to treat clearly identifiable toy guns differently from objects meant to resemble functional weapons.

Board member Lisonbee Jones (student member absent from policy vote) and others pressed on a new sentence added to policy 15-15 that requires notification of the sheriff’s office via the school resource officer (SRO) when look‑alikes are found. Jones (who later spoke in other parts of the meeting) and others asked whether notification would prompt SRO intervention or merely serve transparency and data collection. A board member who requested the insertion said the sheriff’s office recommended notification for situational awareness; the speaker clarified the language is for notification only, not an automatic call for law-enforcement response.

On nutrition and wellness (14-50), Valerie Palmer, supervisor of the Child Nutrition Program, and Scott McCollum, director of system and instructional performance, described edits that add CDC recommendations and language about “current scientific evidence” and propose that the district “make every effort possible” to meet CDC guidance of 60 minutes per day of physical activity for students. Board members asked that the policy explicitly link physical activity and nutrition to student mental health; Palmer and McCollum agreed to add mental‑health language to the policy statement.

Transportation and volunteer liability (5550) generated questions about volunteers transporting students in private vehicles. Susan Johnson said proposed procedures will emphasize background checks for volunteers and that staff plan to recommend in procedure language that, whenever practicable, a second adult accompany a volunteer transporting students to reduce risk. Board members discussed the limits and practicalities of requiring two‑adult transport in exceptional circumstances (for example, when an administrator gives a child a ride home).

Other technical updates included: inserting statutory language and updated citations to the Maryland Open Meetings Act and COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations) in the meetings policy; mirroring annotated code language in the fitness-and-equity policy to ensure compliance for students with disabilities; and updating references to the Interagency Commission on School Construction in the real-estate acquisition policy (72.1).

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda: motion passed (no roll-call recorded). The board confirmed the consent agenda by voice vote.
- Resolution commending Northern High School marching band: motion to adopt passed by voice vote (no roll-call recorded).
- Policies posted for 30-day review: Board approved posting (voice assent) for policies 10-12, 111100, 1110, 14-50, 15-15, 3440, 3452, 5550, and 72.1.

What’s next: Each posted policy will undergo the district’s public review period for approximately 30 days; staff said revised language resulting from public comment or legal review will return to the board at a future meeting for additional consideration or adoption.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Calvert County Public Schools - Board of Education - Mar 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Calvert County Board of Education on March 13 voted to post a package of proposed policy updates for a 30‑day public review and debated limits on board participation in drafting administrative procedures, notification to law enforcement when look‑alike weapons are found, and new nutrition and physical‑activity language.","taxTitle","Calvert County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",17515,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6636126,"Superintendent announces Windy Hill waiver approval, student achievements and plans for leadership academy",515,1128000,1643000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615947-e86f6ead026c542b3f1367b0787e67e3&start=1128&end=1643","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615947-e86f6ead026c542b3f1367b0787e67e3/thumbnail_1128000.jpg","/articles/6636126/Maryland/Superintendent-announces-Windy-Hill-waiver-approval-student-achievements-and-plans-for-leadership-academy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636126-3ec6c5067619e5995df22eaff1e9c375/orig.mp4?Expires=1770594085&Signature=Snziz32Iy8d2b75tRhg7Z4Kko8U3CsC7Sb5zqv13GBb5pQ~P5PnPyIAs4hIucQLCjbzYJ5rGWiUsGLcl2x8jLc2VYGug5pAU8gykp1RhhoWIid-5TiO8Z4yqI4uGHQlngZmrID~R5oahUHqAaoqYPcDVTKu7b2KLF7vudZIR0FemaK84KBP07W-T~oEr6T4hGPSuaV937d4dxiMLtEFX9nO~xxwUkRPfhYciRWW~0yeWoKq6TVO5epUiJES-e0Em8MkILBrfAV~XlMZGJiMDjyAA8MSneiYujIC03X1cpqyzPrTaLIbY10BSL85nOIAgZ4tHl5-wuc4D~lskOyVVSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Townsville told the board March 13 that Calvert County Public Schools submitted a waiver to the Maryland State Department of Education after Windy Hill Elementary and Windy Hill Middle School closed for an additional day because of a water main break. He said the state superintendent recently approved the district’s waiver, which — if included on the March 25 state board agenda and confirmed — would mean Windy Hill students would not need to make up the missed day and, if approved, the district’s last student day could move to June 13 (from June 16) with the last teacher day adjusted accordingly.

Dr. Townsville also highlighted student success and upcoming events: the Calvert Cruisers won the 1080 STEM Challenge grand champion award in Chicago and earned invitations to nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway; Northern High School’s marching band placed first in the 2024 US Bands Maryland State competition and placed fourth at a regional national competition; and the district hosted its 30th annual history fair. He congratulated teachers recognized by the Maryland Association for Career and Technical Education and listed district events such as a math learning festival on March 19 and Mount Harmony Elementary’s National Mall Night on March 14.

He described a new district mobile app design and said he’s launching a “Reading Across Calvert” book tour. He also previewed plans for a superintendent‑led Leadership Academy for students in April or May, noting logistics are under development.

On safety and climate, Dr. Townsville said the district has recorded about 1,000 fewer incidents compared with the same time last year and attributed improvement, in part, to new board policies on cell phones, electronic devices and dress code. He said that trend, he believes, supports better curriculum and instruction outcomes, but he did not provide an itemized incident breakdown.

Why it matters: the waiver affects the school calendar for Windy Hill families; the superintendent’s account of incident data and the planned Leadership Academy indicate district priorities on safety, student supports and leadership development.

No formal board action was taken on the superintendent’s general remarks. The board received notice of the waiver submission and the superintendent’s summary of events and initiatives.","Superintendent Dr. Townsville reported state approval of a school‑closure waiver for Windy Hill campus due to a water main break, highlighted student competition wins and district events, and previewed a superintendent‑led student Leadership Academy.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6636129,"Student member urges board to study later school start times and improve mental‑health access",316,805000,1121000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615947-e86f6ead026c542b3f1367b0787e67e3&start=805&end=1121","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615947-e86f6ead026c542b3f1367b0787e67e3/thumbnail_805000.jpg","/articles/6636129/Maryland/Student-member-urges-board-to-study-later-school-start-times-and-improve-mentalhealth-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636129-225de897584ea5609c303aac5804da25/orig.mp4?Expires=1770594085&Signature=Ufgkl1ut7wXwyVVk5N2cvVc~m-wz9wMW6XKIN~44quYtVWoQ9gvW2meam~ThodvzOCDpQE1U10mFeZFV32pY0lrynPTdG9FI8AMJhg~OeapdyJb3bteDJCE54yW18eVkYG~FqIWn5hiuu4wqk96zagzdJ1ti2u3muW6o-f~HS4RQOypCNe2niYoEqE3GTOnZak4UqCshd5gfPh~xXPuAZmc13w3ViUYAb5vYqJeXjb5phpTRclvVU39OeIHKLBZHZ9Ywt5ftVUns-EsWGAIy95qiicZi6f8OLUyhuF8WBJV4oZwy5w0LD6dEp1edTegwa4ulU1kUsoXUoTcZ9ZpxQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lisonbee (Grace) Minkowski, the student member of the Calvert County Board of Education, told the board March 13 that she participated as one of the county’s student pages at the Maryland General Assembly and provided testimony on legislation related to later school start times and student mental health.

Minkowski said she testified before the Senate Education, Energy and Environment Committee on Senate Bill 468, which examines the effects of later school start times on student mental health and well‑being, and urged the local board to open a district‑level discussion weighing impacts on transportation and budget. She also said she supported House Bill 56, which her summary described as reducing procurement barriers that can limit local “farm to cafeteria” programs.

Minkowski, who co‑chairs the Student Rights and Responsibilities Code of Conduct Work Group, summarized the work group’s priority areas — student mental health, school safety, discrimination and productive technology use — and said members plan student roundtable discussions at each high school to gather student input for the code-of-conduct review. She said students at her advisory meeting reported difficulty accessing school counselors and psychologists and that some students believed their 504 accommodations were not being taken seriously.

Why it matters: changes to start times, student‑support staffing and the code of conduct could affect curriculum delivery, transportation schedules and supports for students with disabilities.

Minkowski asked the board to consider transportation and fiscal impacts if it were to study later start times for Calvert County Public Schools. She said she will share notes from her student advisory council meeting with board colleagues and the administration.

No formal board action was recorded on the items Minkowski raised; she requested further discussion and the administration noted logistical and fiscal factors would be part of any study.","The student member reported work with the Maryland General Assembly and a local student work group, urging the board to examine school start times and student access to counseling and special‑education supports.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Calvert County board posts multiple policies for 30-day review; debates board role in procedure drafting and weapons reporting

Superintendent announces Windy Hill waiver approval, student achievements and plans for leadership academy

Student member urges board to study later school start times and improve mental‑health access