Carroll County Board reviews high school literature curriculum including Bloodchild debate

The Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) Board of Education convened on June 11, 2025, to discuss several key issues, including the review of curriculum materials and budget adjustments for the upcoming fiscal year.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the inclusion of the book "Bloodchild" by Octavia Butler in the tenth-grade curriculum. Board members expressed mixed feelings about the book's mature themes, which include alien surrogacy and unsettling ethical dilemmas. While some members, like Dr. Dorsey and Ms. Summer, defended the book's literary value and educational potential, others raised concerns about its appropriateness for high school students. Ultimately, the board voted to include the book in the curriculum, with a 4-0 vote and one abstention.

In addition to curriculum discussions, the board addressed various budgetary matters. They approved several adjustments to the FY 2025 operating budget, including recognizing $8 million in prescription drug rebates to offset employee medical insurance costs. This adjustment was deemed necessary to align the budget with actual revenues and expenditures. The board also approved the use of fund balance for one-time expenditures, including $800,000 for increased utility costs and funding for new curriculum materials related to the science of reading.

Furthermore, the board ratified contracts with the Carroll County Education Association (CCEA) and the Association of Supervisors and Administrators of Carroll County (APSASCO), which included a modest 1% salary increase for employees in the upcoming fiscal year. Board members acknowledged the challenges of maintaining competitive salaries and expressed a commitment to improving employee compensation in the future.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the board's ongoing efforts to balance educational quality with budgetary constraints, as well as their commitment to addressing the needs of both students and staff in Carroll County.