[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6098953,"mediaKeyId","2821982-e3a1913a552fa5c0233bd429013350e8","parentId",2821982,"title","Policy committee advances revised school-sponsored media policy, recommends first reading at board","audioSeconds",919,"startMs",36000,"endMs",955000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2821982-e3a1913a552fa5c0233bd429013350e8&start=36&end=955","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2821982-e3a1913a552fa5c0233bd429013350e8/thumbnail_36000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6098953/Maryland/Policy-committee-advances-revised-school-sponsored-media-policy-recommends-first-reading-at-board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098953-2a2bd84dac432303a18853c67c8ce4e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771043505&Signature=A-5FL87VnpnjqQ4Zh4NXcTUXYZ29YUoNiAhEJ88e6Fi8Eyj2AsJUDCptzXg4UaSOT8iRrAjZTox6uSIfRkpYkfLZ11FMU-ppWv~hs0mJq3Y-P2HetnpzPBJFRqSsbaWBgKfks6OU6hTWNFD7YwWE9Fhkgw4xPNocGRkzcPdnGEYtEBrJAxnhv3jE6gC4qvYiUVDrXNwNBJGJkKFukvaPKqIpKJPM9ZlinQHgOXDRujfTVzqGDaf6koT~iBU7ruEPLBxn~EearL6WtYvvjN4IGvbFF9zfYzxV8DFgL8K~hPNjDMUhB-qgYVQhTZ24uY4Up~HKdPnILdNgSwVLw2RVGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Frederick County Public Schools","date","2025-03-31T00:51:11.727Z","article","The Frederick County Public Schools Policy Committee advanced revisions to its school‑sponsored media policy on March 26, recommending the draft go to the full Board of Education for a first reading.

The revisions rename the rule from \"school sponsored publications and media/student journalists\" to \"school‑sponsored media,\" aligning the policy's language with a broader range of digital and multimedia student expression. Staff told the committee the policy updates aim to recognize students' constitutional rights, encourage student journalism and preserve principals' authority to manage school operations while clarifying definitions and adding a companion regulation to address operational details such as academic honesty and AI use.

Why it matters: The committee framed the change as an update to align policy language with current practice and law, including U.S. Supreme Court precedents that limit and define schools' authority over student speech. Staff emphasized that many provisions are derived from Education Code requirements, not new policy innovations.

Committee discussion focused on three main points: (1) removing a paragraph that had listed activities not permitted on school property, (2) confirming that all school‑sponsored media will have a student media adviser, and (3) leaving technical and operational items (academic honesty, AI, and adviser guardrails) to a regulation rather than the policy text. Staff said the recommended deletion of the \"activities not permitted\" paragraph was driven by concern that the language could be read to overreach and risk infringing students' First Amendment rights in a changing legal and statutory environment. \"We were really concerned about infringing upon the First Amendment rights of the students,\" a policy presenter said, adding that the principal’s authority and the student media adviser role provide the appropriate framework for adjudicating disputes.

Committee members pressed staff on how principals would judge content: one asked whether review would focus on tone and intent or simply on the subject matter. Staff replied that such judgments would be case‑by‑case and would rely on the principal’s assessment of anticipated disruption, the student code of conduct and adviser input. Committee members also asked that language referring to \"teacher\" review be changed to \"student media adviser;\" staff agreed to make that edit.

Staff recommended, and the committee approved unanimously, forwarding the revised policy to the board for first reading with the edits discussed.

Provenance: The discussion of this item begins in the committee transcript where staff presented the draft policy and runs through the committee's vote to advance it. The committee record shows the motion to advance the item and a second; the vote was recorded as unanimous.

Actions taken: The committee voted to advance the revised school‑sponsored media policy to the Board of Education for a first reading; the motion and second are recorded in the committee minutes, and the tally is recorded as unanimous. No final board adoption occurred at this meeting.

Ending: Staff will update the draft to replace references to \"teacher\" with \"student media adviser,\" add the proposed regulation references for AI and academic honesty, and forward the revised policy to the Board of Education for a first reading.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Policy Committee Meeting - March 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Frederick County Public Schools Policy Committee advanced revisions to its school‑sponsored media policy and voted unanimously to forward the draft to the Board of Education for first reading.","taxTitle","Frederick County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",14207,"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},6098935,"Committee begins update of fundraising policy; staff to draft revised policy and tighter regulation language",3159,5146000,8305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2821982-e3a1913a552fa5c0233bd429013350e8&start=5146&end=8305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2821982-e3a1913a552fa5c0233bd429013350e8/thumbnail_5146000.jpg","/articles/6098935/Maryland/Committee-begins-update-of-fundraising-policy-staff-to-draft-revised-policy-and-tighter-regulation-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098935-bb048e82ba0534cb8a33416614a40b7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771043505&Signature=hzhZDC94nP2Q~3F-IclUVDPRYJsoNcvbw1dAEL~qrzI6w1GVa8y06R~LUlk2z3dRU1poqleAyNcaPdgEvAacx9L1tTjPyVnnssGkl1JpMZMHdVHKIVZozTAwvFEHyy63Vskt3wau2jVNyjgHTOYKGMFspNNzER0lKH1eFqGaepFvxPLGMV~WEX-wp0JN-CZrdSM5hwi~gMcBajmSWXy7X8yMLaEyTUv7JlNl0i2XlBXbVXeuYHTJJOWx2SI8cGOk9lnbAYqvKDRJwK6wGXv4V-KV8pi2BKMvQ4bcRnlpwlkv~LqVGq-TZeYA6iPmU5kLpxaBCAo7OoLsTgKIxxqe2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Policy Committee opened a broad review of FCPS fundraising and donations policy on March 26, asking staff to draft a revised policy and updated regulations that clarify the district’s expectations for fundraising, auditing and booster partnerships.

Why it matters: Fundraising and donations touch school finances, facility modifications, Title IX compliance and equitable access to resources across schools. The committee underscored the need for clear roles, audit controls and pre‑approval processes so volunteer groups can partner without creating unanticipated obligations for the district.

Discussion highlights
- Controls and training: Fiscal staff said internal controls are placed in regulation and in the Student Activity Fund (SAF) manual; the district recently added a compliance officer to bring SAF audit and review work in‑house. Staff described mandatory trainings for school secretaries, principals and activity staff and one‑on‑one follow‑up visits for high schools; the committee pressed to keep pre‑approval requirements workable and to avoid adding administrative burdens on school leaders.
- Boosters and independence: The committee discussed the line between independent booster organizations (501(c)(3)s) and school‑sponsored activities. Staff said boosters should remain at arm’s length but that the regulation requires principal approval for use of school logo/trademarks and building use; donation and building modification proposals must follow facilities and capital modification rules and be pre‑approved.
- Equity and capital projects: Members raised equity concerns about boosters in affluent schools funding scoreboards, curtains or turf fields while other schools cannot. Staff noted that booster funding can free district funds for other priorities but cautioned about future maintenance obligations and Title IX impacts (e.g., athletic facilities improvements should preserve parity between comparable male/female programs).
- Fundraiser types and restrictions: Committee members asked for clarity on door‑to‑door fundraising, raffles/silent auctions, alcohol‑related items and food‑service rules tied to federal regulations; staff said regulations and the boosters manual will address those specifics and required approvals.
- Emerging issues: Members flagged name/image/likeness (NIL) activity among elite high school athletes and asked staff to monitor whether booster or third‑party NIL deals will require policy attention.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a draft policy and accompanying regulatory language to return to committee for action in June; the committee flagged that the goal is to provide clear, concise top‑level policy statements while retaining operational detail in the regulation and manuals.","After an extended discussion of booster clubs, student activity funds, audit controls and Title IX implications, the policy committee directed staff to draft a revised fundraising policy and related regulation; the committee emphasized safeguards, pre‑approval for building modifications, and clearer roles for schools and independent boosters.",{"_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},6098940,"Policy committee advances combined data security policy, emphasizes low risk tolerance and expanded definitions",1173,3957000,5130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2821982-e3a1913a552fa5c0233bd429013350e8&start=3957&end=5130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2821982-e3a1913a552fa5c0233bd429013350e8/thumbnail_3957000.jpg","/articles/6098940/Maryland/Policy-committee-advances-combined-data-security-policy-emphasizes-low-risk-tolerance-and-expanded-definitions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098940-e73155b20074440a102b2397c5628cec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771043505&Signature=YibXMfmYx98mxCJyZfTcEjHK3AhGKKmCIXFp8QPeKUAEbnjZA5ZNzrZIgTIM5KqPihSa0NDfndn8zE18RYRZn9KvpWKcB6~BUzBfIGFrdcXpXWEa~2BPiZkH1FDtcrnH~-y3w7mdwOg6G0XvPoJpMItMArCTuVs7j~FHMp9rohE9nC2DpKuUGuy6VBxovS6mza0VyQoMgJQ8K9Z76CI4KuXDe2DvCBoH5mqiKlW0I1~x0lkC5DZCbjqBV371NuC~yZr3a5ukGjSfZqYoSBLw37PYj4JFMyQU9wCvupuxzLYEfF24s~V3Jc2ArxxNAsc9L1PiLWIi6-Tn7uyBjfMIQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Frederick County Public Schools Policy Committee voted unanimously to advance a revised, consolidated data security policy that combines prior policy language on data privacy and information security and expands the district’s definitions, governance framework and expected safeguards.

Staff and IT subject‑matter experts told the committee the update responds to evolving state requirements (including the Local Cybersecurity Support Act) and modern cybersecurity practice. The draft broadens the scope beyond student data to include staff, operational and sensitive data categories (e.g., federal tax information, payment card information and health records) and stresses that protecting information is administrative, physical and technical.

Why it matters: The policy touches school and central operations and governs how the district protects large volumes of sensitive data. Staff told the committee the policy underpins a 300‑page written information security program that aligns with the State of Maryland Department of Information Technology and federal frameworks such as NIST.

Committee highlights
- Definitions and scope: IT staff expanded definitions to capture different data types and to emphasize behavioral and administrative controls as well as technical measures.
- Training and testing: Staff said FCPS requires annual training (via Safe Schools) for all staff and runs mandatory phishing tests; staff reported the district’s most recent phishing failure rate was about 9 percent (improved from roughly 20 percent when the program was paused during COVID) and that repeat failures trigger follow‑up training.
- Risk tolerance: IT staff asked the board to state a risk posture. Committee members agreed to incorporate language signaling a low risk tolerance for information security; IT recommended that a low tolerance (target failure/reporting thresholds) guide operational choices.
- Governance and audits: Staff said the district maintains a written information security program aligned to Maryland auditing expectations and that the department submits annual data points to MSDE and the Maryland Center for School Safety; drill/incident reporting infrastructure is centralized.

Outcome: The committee approved advancing the consolidated policy to the board with the recommendation to include a clear statement about district risk tolerance and to keep technical detail in regulation or supporting documentation the district can update as standards evolve.","The committee unanimously advanced a consolidated data security and information governance policy that expands definitions, incorporates Maryland cybersecurity law and clarifies training and recordkeeping expectations; IT staff urged a low risk tolerance and called for expanded behavioral and technical safeguards.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6098945,"Committee refocuses 'fire drill' policy into broader school safety drills, asks staff to place detailed drill definitions in regulation",1344,2424000,3768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2821982-e3a1913a552fa5c0233bd429013350e8&start=2424&end=3768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2821982-e3a1913a552fa5c0233bd429013350e8/thumbnail_2424000.jpg","/articles/6098945/Maryland/Committee-refocuses-fire-drill-policy-into-broader-school-safety-drills-asks-staff-to-place-detailed-drill-definitions-in-regulation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098945-a264c315719355abb99640c97058ccad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771043505&Signature=Bh~qtmxchkx86T4rh1~6b3lNRReLchwUk0NCV068KvXKmdBpygzDDiXE3nEy1jKTIdNTTNcaW3OfnufkPs2uoAvRC5NXWTOgNt3~driMN3KKueESZDWxZIFYH2mT~BnaB6AR~A0busJLYOskhqdevZ1Q5-TqeK2ADHS1VK3QnSaD7lhjyUdDL6FBYo-Z2uN~SxW3y6XD5s9qaaOdDAXV1qCCtjact9n1NWwKxJYCt1l4G7DmeWG4UJUPWWfiPfgRMP5jry5Xh8WQo-NRX43~DTFPTTzvE6gRoq~qQcQCInNmkQ67GWXkhywngk-oRcz1sBmu9Dygmh0oDnhAf48UeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The policy committee on March 26 agreed to refocus an earlier fire‑drill policy into a broader \"school safety drills\" policy and advance the revised draft to the full Board of Education.

Staff said the rewrite responds to guidance from the Maryland State Department of Education and reflects a broader scope that includes fire drills, active assailant drills and other emergency exercises. The committee favored moving operational definitions and specific drill lists out of the policy text and into a regulation the superintendent will maintain so that the district can update drills and terminology without returning to policy each time guidance changes.

Why it matters: The rewrite clarifies the board’s commitment to emergency preparedness while preserving flexibility to adapt to evolving best practices and state guidance. Committee members asked staff to ensure the regulation includes definitions (e.g., lockdown, hold, shelter) so that parents and staff can find consistent, public explanations.

Key discussion points
- Title and purpose: Staff proposed renaming the policy from a fire‑drill focus to \"school safety drills.\" Committee members suggested rewording the policy purpose to use an active verb; one member recommended \"the Board of Education is committed to promoting a safe environment and culture within Frederick County Public Schools.\"
- Definitions and regulation: Committee members asked that standard drill terminology be defined in regulation and linked publicly. Staff recommended directing the superintendent in the policy to include drill definitions in the regulation and to reference the standard response protocol used by FCPS.
- Minimum drills and sprinkler exception: Staff flagged a statutory distinction: buildings fully covered by sprinkler systems require fewer fire drills under current law (five vs. eight). Staff recommended setting the district standard to eight drills for consistency and putting specifics in regulation.
- Records and notifications: Staff said FCPS will maintain drill and incident records centrally in the Safety and Emergency Management Department and will continue statutory notifications (parent notification for active shooter drills and information about firearms storage laws).

Outcome: The committee voted unanimously to advance the policy to the board, with staff directed to include definitions and drill details in the accompanying regulation and to note where records will be maintained.","The policy committee unanimously advanced edits to combine and reframe the fire‑drill policy as a broader school safety drills policy, directing staff to include operational definitions and drill details in regulation and to ensure records and notifications meet statutory requirements.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":104,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6098948,"Policy committee advances updated school calendar policy; committee narrows parameters language",1435,989000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2821982-e3a1913a552fa5c0233bd429013350e8&start=989&end=2424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2821982-e3a1913a552fa5c0233bd429013350e8/thumbnail_989000.jpg","/articles/6098948/Maryland/Policy-committee-advances-updated-school-calendar-policy-committee-narrows-parameters-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098948-7daf79ee0c5cb5dd356dda58bf8618e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771043505&Signature=PMaDPxjeFjn4ITd9iKCrANx6jc4MqiMWbuyG7ZFhA0TYoa2YgwKxDCIzKGraZ5IKxqqGzwdtDDo7FBlSO8vBEzfVstk5XJNXDoyUAYYqVh-p6fqk8N1rxtlZN6Wv6S9kzo-L~3-lQRFGMUacoIyLRU94R7eLZK1vT-IqSOxkgTzp5hIqiwZQkbn9e9~quCWeeGCBaMoKHpL2rhhz0rK5QhmyJ-KSTg9CheGl~aAehAh3s7GduonbyQlIWSA6o97Y1FtZmSaHwA07BdEfqpLKNbpFMK4VWKKjqELBXp5ZITOQ3YWyZtBArZjnjks8ifjfXoNAi0jR84ah8ekNcEOl8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Frederick County Public Schools Policy Committee voted unanimously on March 26 to advance an updated school calendar policy to the Board of Education for a first reading, after a discussion about how prescriptive the policy should be.

The draft codifies the existing practice of developing calendars two years ahead and emphasizes consistent instructional time, professional learning days and compliance with COMAR and state law. Staff presented the draft and asked the committee whether the policy should list specific \"parameters\" the calendar committee must consider or instead keep the policy’s language intentionally broad so the board can adjust specifics annually.

Why it matters: Calendar decisions affect instructional time, family scheduling and the district’s compliance with state rules on attendance and holidays. The draft also updates the policy to reference state requirements for holiday observances and to add Juneteenth and Black History Month language aligned with Education Code guidance.

Key changes and committee discussion
- Schedule adoption: Staff recommended codifying the practice of adopting calendars two years in advance and providing an example timeline in the policy text. Committee members supported keeping an illustrative example rather than a binding sequence.
- Parameters and best practices: The draft originally listed eight parameters (start date, professional days, use of built‑in inclement days, maximizing five‑day weeks, Fair Day, etc.). Committee members debated whether listing those parameters would unnecessarily bind future calendar choices. The committee removed two items (G and H, described in discussion as vaguer best practices) and agreed to reframe the remaining items as scheduling \"best practices\" or to say \"which may include\" to preserve flexibility.
- Religious observances and state bill: Staff noted related Education Code provisions and referenced pending legislation (House Bill 1169) that would mandate additional religious observances; the committee discussed the bill’s fiscal implications and operational challenges.
- Principal and community input: Committee members asked whether the policy should require community input. Staff noted the calendar committee already serves as an advisory board and that related procedures are addressed in regulation.

The committee approved forwarding the revised policy to the Board of Education with the edits discussed (language keeping parameters illustrative, removal of G and H, and an edit to include early dismissals in the notification header). Staff will incorporate committee direction into the board draft.

Provenance: Discussion of the calendar policy begins in the transcript where staff presents the draft and continues through block where the committee votes to advance the policy; the committee recorded the vote as unanimous.

Actions: Committee voted to advance the school calendar policy to the board for first reading; the motion carried unanimously.","The policy committee unanimously forwarded revisions to the FCPS school calendar policy to the board, recommending the policy keep calendar‑committee parameters flexible and codify schedule adoption two years in advance; the committee removed two 'best practice' items and discussed community input and religious observance language.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Policy committee advances revised school-sponsored media policy, recommends first reading at board

Committee begins update of fundraising policy; staff to draft revised policy and tighter regulation language

Policy committee advances combined data security policy, emphasizes low risk tolerance and expanded definitions

Committee refocuses 'fire drill' policy into broader school safety drills, asks staff to place detailed drill definitions in regulation

Policy committee advances updated school calendar policy; committee narrows parameters language