FCPS Racial Equity Committee hears ICE guidance, HB1386 update, dress-code second-reading set for Feb. 12; adopts minutes and agendas

The Frederick County Public Schools Racial Equity Committee met Feb. 5 and heard updates on guidance for immigration enforcement in schools, the state anti-discrimination training requirement enacted by House Bill 1386, the district’s upcoming dress-code second reading and annual hiring report, and logistics for a countywide community forum and student events.

The meeting opened with a public comment from Patty Worsley, who said she has worked as a teacher and tutor and read passages from the Maryland Constitution and a thinking-skills book to the committee. "Don't be reasonable," Worsley said, urging careful consideration of facts rather than assumptions.

Committee members turned to policy and operational items. Ray Gallagher, president of the Board of Education and liaison for the meeting, said the school system has been in contact with the state-level ICE director, Chief Ellison, and relayed that the director "has now publicly stated that ICE will not be going into school." Gallagher said the district has asked for a written public statement from the ICE director and is monitoring developments at the federal level.

On operational guidance for schools, Gallagher said the district's current direction is clear: "contact our legal counsel immediately" if law enforcement appears on campus, and that any enforcement action will generally require a judge-signed warrant before schools should comply. He emphasized that school staff should not be put in the position of deciding how to proceed without legal counsel.

Scott Murphy, director of curriculum and instruction, highlighted student work on a countywide rotating Black History display, saying, "The displays were designed by our students" and noting the district is inviting public review of high-school English language arts materials under consideration for adoption.

Student member Elijah Steele described student-organized Black Student Union activities and county collaboration, saying the TJ feeder pattern is "collaborating with Walkersville Step and Urbana Step" and noted a feeder-pattern program scheduled for Feb. 20 at 9 a.m.

Committee members discussed the draft public comment the Racial Equity Committee plans to present at the Board of Education meeting on Feb. 12. Co-chair Camille Bell said the draft remains in revision and asked members to submit suggested edits on the printed copy or via email; members advised adding brief context about where particular incidents occurred and clarifying wording (one member suggested changing "non conforming" to "transgender nonconforming"). The committee limited extensive debate on that draft because it remains preliminary and will be circulated for further revision before the Feb. 12 presentation.

The committee received a state-policy update from Keith Harris, chief of equity and organizational development, who said House Bill 1386 took effect in July 2024 and requires each local education agency to participate in anti-discrimination training at least once every two years. Harris said the state is developing training and that FCPS already requires multiple annual trainings addressing discrimination, bias and related topics.

On the board calendar, members were told Policy 4-39 (dress code) — which the Racial Equity Committee previously reviewed — is scheduled for a second reading before the full board at its Feb. 12 meeting. The committee was also reminded the board will receive the district’s annual hiring report at the Feb. 12 evening session.

Planning for the committee’s community forum continued: committee members circulated a mock-up flyer and a contact list for community organizations and asked colleagues to use personal connections for outreach where possible. Committee leadership and membership changes were discussed; elections will occur at the May 14 meeting and the committee will hold a summer transition for new leaders. Student subgroup updates included a request to identify funding for buses so students can attend a regional program (referred to in the meeting as "MSP"); last year a grant paid for buses, and the committee noted funding for transportation will be needed again.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved prior meeting minutes and several agendas and adjourned. Motions to adopt the Nov. 13, 2024 meeting minutes; the Jan. 15, 2025 meeting minutes; the Jan. 15, 2025 proposed agenda (retroactive approval); and the Feb. 5, 2025 meeting proposed agenda all carried. The committee also voted to adjourn at the end of the session.

The committee will not meet in April because the community forum will replace that meeting; members were asked to make themselves available for planning and to submit feedback on the draft public comment ahead of the Feb. 12 board meeting.

(Reporting note: the Racial Equity Committee limited public Q&A during public comment; public comment is capped at three minutes per speaker.)