Students, teachers urge conflict-resolution, LGBTQ protections and civic education during AACPS public comment

Students, teachers and parents used public comment time at the Feb. 24 Anne Arundel County Board of Education meeting to press the district for more instruction in conflict resolution, clearer protections for LGBTQ students and expanded civic education and engagement opportunities.

Lena Abduche, a junior at Arundel High School, told the board she has seen fights in middle and high schools and urged the district to integrate conflict-resolution and wellness lessons into the health curriculum so students learn mediation and referral options before disputes escalate. "If we want to prevent violence before it happens, we need to teach students how to navigate conflict in a mature and constructive manner," she said.

Student advocates also spoke about LGBTQ student safety. Cooper Speech, 14 and a member of the Coalition for LGBTQIA+ Students of Anne Arundel County, urged board members to keep LGBTQ students in mind when making district decisions and to support advocates and allies. Teacher and GSA sponsor Katie Russo told the board she has listened to students "deeply rooted in feelings of hopelessness, fear, and pain" in light of federal actions affecting transgender rights; she asked the board to affirm and administer existing protections for LGBTQ students and staff with fidelity.

Other student speakers asked the board to expand civic education. Adagio Baldwin, a junior at Old Mill High School and a student volunteer during redistricting discussions, asked the district to add interactive civic units—classroom volunteer projects, debates and simulations—so students leave high school better prepared to participate in community life.

Educators also used public comment to press budget priorities. Christina Corona, TAC president and a high school English teacher, thanked the superintendent for proposed additions to special-education staffing but urged the board to prioritize remaining amendments that reduce caseloads for counselors, psychologists, social workers and bilingual facilitators. Multiple teachers and parents testified in favor of county funding to repair school instruments and to compensate teachers for overnight trips to Arlington Echo.

The board heard both in-person and virtual testimony. Superintendent Dr. Bedell and board members acknowledged the student speakers during the meeting and said public comment would inform their budget deliberations. Several of the topics raised — student mental health, LGBTQ protections and civic learning — reappeared during the budget debate and in staff and board remarks later in the meeting.

Ending: The board moved from public comment into formal budget deliberations and later approved multiple staffing and program amendments that directly address some of the issues raised in public comment, including additional counselors, social workers, bilingual facilitators and dedicated program funding for music and CASE agriculture.