[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",6608559,"mediaKeyId","2939204-2b762f5eff2818eca349708651b9fd61","parentId",2939204,"title","Public speakers defend challenged books and urge protection for DEI-funded services","audioSeconds",247,"startMs",3278000,"endMs",3525000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939204-2b762f5eff2818eca349708651b9fd61&start=3278&end=3525","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939204-2b762f5eff2818eca349708651b9fd61/thumbnail_3278000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6608559/Maryland/Public-speakers-defend-challenged-books-and-urge-protection-for-DEI-funded-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608559-d44e35c60d3ed9680773d40dd04b2fea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968105&Signature=goicORQt7iuH1GG1im9idqwJyluYyXyNPttptxOcbOMCgbrdg944u3fM1FgYaOBO7RGb3Malz13kM9ZH7goxywZzUDSWnSDby0Lvl~kfqVVH5HCHYOCVOrC5HbmWtDjanwp81yXRirAL5j~oOBypViPUv-vrPy3UzXpzi3YLCla-LN597uBHdiCzyWb27NUQO5zYjpVhLuD42f6LaeUZ12HXOkEoeN~0rgBDbHe~eOh1C1glRvCMZPKk-gKWrLWLT3NxEy3fFKPbvQOXWRd9GBm-fqMzR5qJv8dTlgyqKVQ0dZ6YyuBUQHKBmZXjaANLA26jab1EfxERIbLPkLqRqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cecil County Public Schools","date","2025-04-09T00:00:00Z","article","During the meeting’s public participation period on April 9, speakers addressed the district’s book-review process and potential federal pressure on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming.

Sean Brim of Northeast provided board-reviewed statistics on challenged books between October 2022 and August 2023, noting the number of titles removed was a very small fraction of district holdings. “If my math is right, books removed amounts to .002% of the book titles in collections,” Brim said. He urged parents and the public to continue using school libraries and criticized attempts to broadly remove materials: “Books save lives, so keep reading.”

Lindsay Bergman Devis warned the board about federal policy pressure that could be used to cut funds such as Title I if districts are targeted over diversity and inclusion work. She said the threat of withheld federal money is being used as a political lever and urged district leaders to continue supporting programs that help marginalized students. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion isn’t some scary political agenda. It’s the work of ensuring that all students feel seen, safe, and supported,” she told the board.

The board’s policy on public participation was read aloud before the speakers: comments are limited to three minutes per person, the board does not render decisions during the public comment period and personnel, pending appeals and specific student disciplinary matters are out of order.

Board staff noted the district must follow state and federal rules on curriculum and parental opt-outs; Superintendent Lawson later referenced recently passed state legislation (House Bill 161) clarifying that the state can escalate enforcement steps if required curriculum standards are not delivered, while reaffirming the district’s practice of offering parental opt-outs for family life instruction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cecil County Public Schools - Board Meeting - Apr 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At public participation, a resident cited board data showing very few books removed from collections and praised the review process; another speaker urged the district and state to resist federal threats to cut Title I and other funding tied to diversity, equity and inclusion programs.","taxTitle","Cecil County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",38256,"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},6608564,"Construction update: Northeast Middle/High making progress; chiller near completion at School of Technology; Perryville fieldhouse expected by mid-May",163,1471000,1634000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939204-2b762f5eff2818eca349708651b9fd61&start=1471&end=1634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939204-2b762f5eff2818eca349708651b9fd61/thumbnail_1471000.jpg","/articles/6608564/Maryland/Construction-update-Northeast-MiddleHigh-making-progress-chiller-near-completion-at-School-of-Technology-Perryville-fieldhouse-expected-by-mid-May","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608564-dd28a29928416412f7dcdfc1ee2fccb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968105&Signature=Rhdg5LxF~OrawyrzBhNoZOIMuP0LgzXPt4nRX1WCvMw0-yZ8eGiAGIT9Kssy9gz2eGz5bI~CBI1aVhiTDg5-~0EphtZXWtjDJwFgAZ6ZGQfVvvys8qycHPZh~dNz10pNe5v2HMLsXB2YM1tCtvIcKShTlJdxQweWpFOGQx-y5xUwsELz8twG5r~qjhKXRXLjN5k-OWT7sd6mIiQuLAm9ZvyRLc80ONG3WOllNR4g0kV3Pruk7wNo74S2M2Wa9PpJM1gMAEH1i9mrZhw8UfxCcwIgOoA6rHo-sfHW3LcwKbMRaaTCcyWT1qfSfpeBy9W~gpYyJfzl7imiXOWYnOs3OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Cecil County received a construction update April 9 describing progress on several district capital projects.

Dr. Boyer showed photographs and maps of the new Northeast Middle/High School site and said footer and block work is complete in sections and that steel erection is expected within two to three weeks. “It’s really coming along. They are on schedule. We are probably two to three weeks away from seeing steel erected,” Dr. Boyer said as images of the three-story footprint were displayed.

Staff also reported that the air-conditioner chiller replacement at the Cecil County School of Technology had been completed and was expected to be operational as soon as weather permitted. The district’s presentation noted additional concrete work, backfill operations and site grading in the weeks ahead.

The Perryville High School fieldhouse project was described as nearing completion with an expected finish date of mid-May. Dr. Boyer cited several other county-supported projects that will take place over the summer, including sidewalks, parking-lot work and roofing projects.

Board members asked clarifying questions and Dr. Boyer said the district is optimistic about the new county administration’s early support for capital projects. The construction update was informational; no board action was required.","District construction report showed the new Northeast Middle/High building work is nearing steel erection, the School of Technology chiller replacement was installed, and the Perryville High School fieldhouse is expected to finish by mid-May.",{"_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},6608569,"Cecil County board approves $247,319 capital amendment and $438,097 operating amendment",58,4840000,4898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939204-2b762f5eff2818eca349708651b9fd61&start=4840&end=4898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939204-2b762f5eff2818eca349708651b9fd61/thumbnail_4840000.jpg","/articles/6608569/Maryland/Cecil-County-board-approves-247319-capital-amendment-and-438097-operating-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608569-55ead92e863ae9af16aec63b2f4a4434/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968105&Signature=XifKyIPH7ZjlLpQOPm9nmF3ePM1MjedtIN8EK4TazR8wM5PAgK46ETeIqFmbtMSXKoroSr2YayrkN2TMBwoOHX0Yilni9Mkvwirr-2gp1btFLHAjqd-UKTBjC129QySsssVEUQIuiSpQBK9Xed3zXj0DHbQvBlCvLvELR8L3Uq6msEklqeaYxIhPzUVHnHnnv5ilrZPZTQUXYOpTislOh50YaVie~tbQTsaMeXClxrJn1s8GyJAZ0B3TQAQCU90KV9R6U8F-vsTK5KgPBT-pUGwMFcahUEE8SziammfPh0wQKoIuGOHEE35J1Am1VHUcK3IQHXdD~TR-rsPcyjh97w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Cecil County voted April 9 to approve two budget amendments: a capital budget amendment of $247,319 and an operating budget amendment of $438,097.

Chief Financial Officer Denise Sopa recommended the capital amendment after the Interagency Commission on Public School Construction notified the district that the grant for a chiller at the Cecil County School of Technology was federal, not state, funding and that additional funding was available. “I recommended the Board of Education of Cecil County approve the school capital budget amendment for $247,319 as presented,” Sopa said. The motion to approve was made and seconded; the board voted in favor and the motion carried.

Sopa summarized the operating amendment and other restricted revenue changes that prompted the $438,097 adjustment: a CareFirst employee wellness incentive ($33,000), an Aetna wellness incentive ($34,000), a $5,000 donation from APGFCU for the teacher of the year gala, a $10,000 gift from the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 15 to Charlestown Elementary School, and a $250 donation from the Women’s Civic League of Northeast for Elk Neck media books. The district also recorded additional school safety grant funds (about $59,000), including $25,000 toward two-way radios at Elkton Middle and $200,000 toward camera upgrades in all middle schools except the new Northeast Middle building. Federal restricted revenue was noted for the JROTC program at Elkton High (a federal contribution toward a teaching position).

Sopa said some previously listed state grant dollars were reclassified as federal funds for the chiller project; the amendment raised the district’s FY25 capital budget to $36,656,163. After a motion and second, the board approved the operating amendment; a roll-call was not read into the record at the public microphone but board members indicated approval and the motion carried unanimously.

Board members asked clarifying questions about revenue sources and how one-time settlement funds would be used; Sopa confirmed the JUUL (vaping) settlement funds will be used to augment vape-detection systems in high schools. The board’s vote on both amendments concluded the finance items on the April agenda.","The board approved a capital budget amendment increasing FY25 capital to $36,656,163 after the chiller grant for the Cecil County School of Technology was reclassified as federal funds and expanded; the board also approved a $438,097 operating amendment that included wellness grants, donations and targeted school-safety and technology funds.",{"_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},6608573,"MABE executive director tells Cecil board rising insurance costs linked to climate and cyber risks; Time to Care rollout delayed",1263,1667000,2930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939204-2b762f5eff2818eca349708651b9fd61&start=1667&end=2930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939204-2b762f5eff2818eca349708651b9fd61/thumbnail_1667000.jpg","/articles/6608573/Maryland/MABE-executive-director-tells-Cecil-board-rising-insurance-costs-linked-to-climate-and-cyber-risks-Time-to-Care-rollout-delayed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608573-369476d7f03f5c511e0a90eb1f7deac5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968105&Signature=FyM~o7nzGsnHQWQWP1G0qG9YHNqYWeDJxUZPFwo6vuLAASgMDyMPQrNNmJ82iCT6UDI-fe5lxVOupy4zwbaWUPbeX8VXWs-G2FyMAAvnzJyuXRaOFMq08BCtpYhQVeetPxO~2jknfTCltykIogaVSpXgRjLaZ7L29sVYHZDEuGoXuvH0vfT6UCrcChZqOxgOIZH2mWrltFAYEUwuc1ETUnb5sKyq0KvyAuLq7Wou5MR79BFfWJ-cO8dHxTOewYBsImRtWiq-eZiOMBTIFp-CbIeAb8UeyEeF~hY5GRXTflTe4xYF0etTETj3nmR7ABm6QWG3tohD1eRnMBpEd~aORg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Milt Nagle, executive director of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE), told the Board of Education of Cecil County on April 9 that increases in property and cyber insurance costs for school districts are driven by national trends — chiefly an increased frequency of billion-dollar weather and climate disasters and a constrained insurance market for cyber coverage.

“We want to advocate for local control,” Nagle said, describing MABE’s role supporting boards and staff across Maryland. He explained the MABE group insurance pool’s structure — 19 of 24 Maryland school systems participate — and how pools self-insure to a point and purchase excess coverage on the commercial market. “When cyber events were up, we saw a 50% decrease in the number of insurance companies willing to bid on the insurance we needed,” he said, adding that limited market capacity drives up price even for members with good loss histories.

Nagle described how climate-driven losses elsewhere in the U.S. affect pricing for all government property policies, noting a rise in billion-dollar weather/climate disasters: from an average of 8.5 events annually (1980–2023) to 20.4 events in recent years and 27 such events in 2024. That increased market demand, he said, contributes to higher premiums in property lines.

Nagle told the board MABE runs a workers’ compensation fund and an OPEB (other post-employment benefits) investment trust; he described OPEB as the fund that holds future retiree health liabilities outside the general operating fund. He also summarized MABE’s outreach and services (legal/policy desk book, conferences, professional development and board training).

On the Time to Care Act — the state program to provide paid leave — Nagle said the Department of Labor pushed an administrative change that sets implementation for January 1, 2028. MABE and a large collaborative of local governments and boards (106 entities statewide) are working with the Maryland Insurance Administration and the Department of Labor on plan design and procurement to avoid a state-run default plan.

Regarding near-term budgetary effects, Nagle said the pool’s actuaries had at first projected significant increases but that carriers have recently “softened” and the outlook for FY2026 appears more favorable. Board members asked questions about the pool’s governance and the trustee structure; Nagle said every member district has an equal trustee vote and that Cecil County has historically been an active trustee participant.

No district action was taken on April 9; the presentation was informational and MABE materials were placed on the board docket for reference.","MABE executive director Milt Nagle briefed the board on group insurance pool mechanics, drivers of rising premiums — including climate-driven natural disasters and reduced market capacity for cyber coverage — and a collaborative approach to implementing the Time to Care Act; the pool expects softer rates for FY2026, officials said.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6608578,"Cecil County proposes boundary changes for Northeast Elementary as Southfields development grows",1046,3060000,4106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939204-2b762f5eff2818eca349708651b9fd61&start=3060&end=4106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939204-2b762f5eff2818eca349708651b9fd61/thumbnail_3060000.jpg","/articles/6608578/Maryland/Cecil-County-proposes-boundary-changes-for-Northeast-Elementary-as-Southfields-development-grows","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608578-4c4a6663edcf6c4d30a048cd316d8a79/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968105&Signature=ENs9b-GE010LKUeXaESkG0kexgCCAs1PoD8umM2eSfWaXXVOwDXy5mR8mvkfjA9U8Ai2Ycb4vNKgEqcGy9va88nM5xsi4L8p35V8sldk-AKnlYutr-MkyQmIzaCFcJSNzugthL~b9VEZoIQ5-7~zThamc8x-AdSzGdtJH4Snea5lLvhaukMFyjX7~1utn2k6GiTK9EAkygXW571B2TXqygEPFRaFjiKqyYGd6mozGhKSAz63ZJ7soT2GrS41h~IkIv0tmDE3Wn3CsNxYO~QnwOBkHP0oLBE2URfpEe1hBkTTYWQN5sRp~EaNFHbwMicnxXfWXNP8rGDsPBglAxEy7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Cecil County on April 9 was presented with recommended boundary-line changes to relieve overcrowding at Northeast Elementary School and to route students from the new Southfields housing development into Elkton Middle and Elkton High.

The district’s chief operating officers said the recommended plan would shift some students from Northeast Elementary to Bayview and Elk Neck elementary schools and move the new Southfields subdivision into the Elkton feeder for middle and high school. “We are recommending to you this evening that those students identified here in blue would now attend Elk Neck Elementary School; these students that are in yellow would attend Bayview Elementary School,” Dr. Buckley told the board as he showed GIS maps of residential addresses.

District officials said the changes aim to maintain safe, equitable learning environments and reduce transportation inefficiencies tied to current routes. Dr. Buckley said the plan uses road corridors and bus-routing logistics to avoid student crossings on busy roads and minimize disruption: the east side of Mechanics Valley Road (Route 7 to Route 40) would be assigned to Bayview so students riding the bus would board on the right side without crossing the highway; areas south of the intersection of Route 272, Hansen’s Point Road and Shady Beach Road would be reassigned to Elk Neck.

Board members and staff described the process and timeline. The district will present a final vote on May 14; if approved, families will receive mailed notices the next day and the changes would take effect for the next school year. Dr. Buckley said rising fourth- and fifth-grade students at Northeast and their siblings would be allowed to remain at Northeast if families choose, but transportation could be affected. “If all fourth and fifth grade students and their siblings opted to stay at Northeast, it would be 52 students tagged for Bayview and 44 for Elk Neck,” Buckley said, giving a low-end estimate. He said the district’s range of possible movement is between 96 and 149 students depending on how many families opt to remain.

District transportation staff and planners described projected impacts from the Southfields development. “We tested this at Charlestown Crossing and Ridgely Forest,” Director of Transportation Dr. Helm said. The county’s formula for new development estimates 0.474 students per new home across grade levels; for Southfields the team’s modeling projects roughly 0.12 additional middle-school students and 0.21 additional high-school students per housing unit as phases are occupied.

Officials emphasized that the recommendation tries to minimize disruption and provide advance notice so families moving into Southfields know their feeder pattern. The board will accept public comment and staff said they will post non-interactive map images for public review; a previously held public meeting at Northeast elicited “a few questions” that staff have answered, Dr. Buckley said.

The board did not vote on the boundaries on April 9; a formal vote is scheduled for May 14. If approved, the district will implement the new zones for the 2025–26 school year and ship letters to affected families. Staff said they will continue to monitor enrollment and transportation needs and may adjust staffing and stop locations as exact student counts become final.

For now, staff flagged several follow-on areas under watch for future capacity issues, including Bohemia Manor/Elkton feeders and Rising Sun, where building capacity and portable-classroom counts are being monitored.

Board members asked about Title I status and services for reassigned students; district instructional leaders said Title I designations are at the school level and that Bayview and Northeast will remain Title I under current projections, while Elk Neck is unlikely to become Title I.

The board will consider staff’s recommendations and community feedback at next month’s public meeting on May 14.","School officials proposed redrawing attendance boundaries for Northeast Elementary to relieve overcrowding and assign new Southfields development students to Elkton Middle and Elkton High; board will vote May 14 and families with rising 4th–5th graders may be allowed to remain at their current school.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public speakers defend challenged books and urge protection for DEI-funded services

Construction update: Northeast Middle/High making progress; chiller near completion at School of Technology; Perryville fieldhouse expected by mid-May

Cecil County board approves $247,319 capital amendment and $438,097 operating amendment

MABE executive director tells Cecil board rising insurance costs linked to climate and cyber risks; Time to Care rollout delayed

Cecil County proposes boundary changes for Northeast Elementary as Southfields development grows