Board hears first reading of proposed student‑debt policy as committee plans detailed regulations

On July 30 the Saint Mary's County Board of Education heard a first reading of a proposed new policy, JFI, that would establish district expectations and procedures for managing school‑related student debt. The draft policy defines student debt to include meal-account deficits, lost or damaged technology and school property, extracurricular fees, library fines and other approved charges. The policy’s stated goals are transparency, fairness and support for students while maintaining fiscal responsibility; the board would delegate development of specific regulations to the superintendent and staff if the policy is adopted. The draft includes several operational points: the district will communicate amounts owed and reasons to families; efforts will be made to assist households (payment plans or alternative options) to avoid undue hardship; collection practices must be fair and nondiscriminatory; the district may restrict participation in extracurricular activities or other privileges until debts are resolved; and debt information will be kept confidential. District staff and board members discussed definitions and wording — in particular whether the policy should use “may” or stronger language such as “shall”/“will” when committing the district to assist families. Board members asked staff to refine language about when and how restrictions on extracurricular participation would apply, suggesting a provision that restrictions be lifted where a satisfactory payment plan or other acceptable resolution is in place. Staff provided preliminary figures requested by the board: technology debt for active students (aggregated since districtwide 1:1 device distribution) was reported at approximately $240,184.15; unresolved print‑resource debt for active students about $27,450; and meal/lunch debt approximately $135,000 for the district. Staff noted additional school‑level debts (uniforms, equipment) are still being tabulated by the work group. The policy committee will continue work through FY26. The board set a public‑comment opportunity for Aug. 13 and planned possible action on Aug. 27. District staff said they will draft implementing regulations and present them to the board after public comment so the regulations are consistent with the board policy.