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Racial Equity Committee says it will continue as members raise concerns about newly elected board members
Summary
Committee members at Frederick County Public Schools reaffirmed the Racial Equity Committee will remain active after several members expressed alarm about newly elected school board members' campaign platforms and discussed how the board could change committee structure.
The Racial Equity Committee of Frederick County Public Schools said it will continue its work after members voiced concern about the platforms of several newly elected school board members during a committee meeting.
The committee’s work matters because members said it directly affects student experiences and district policy. “It is essential to FCPS; equity and particularly racial equity is a priority for Frederick County Public Schools,” President Gallagher, Board President, told the committee, adding she will remain the Board of Education liaison to the Racial Equity Committee for the coming year.
Committee members described recent campaign platforms by some new board members as troubling and inconsistent with the committee’s mission. One committee member (unnamed) said the platforms described in recent reporting were “extremely concerning and disheartening and frightening and disgusting,” and that the committee should make sure new board members see the committee’s work in person.
Members discussed ways to respond without assuming outcomes. President Gallagher advised continued engagement and education: board members receive invitations to county events and the MLK celebration, she said, and attendance can help them see committee work firsthand. Gallagher also encouraged committee members to email the full board when they are comfortable doing so.
Committee members asked whether the Racial Equity Committee could be eliminated by a future board vote. A staff member (unnamed) clarified that policy 101, “Organization of the Board,” governs board committees and that changing or eliminating a committee would require a policy change through the board’s process. “Policy 101 … delineates the board committees,” the staff member said, noting that a change would require the board’s established policy process and votes.
Procedurally, members explored whether they should invite new board members to attend committee meetings as observers; Gallagher said invitations could be extended but not compelled and cautioned about quorum rules. Members also discussed drafting a public comment or statement for an upcoming Board of Education meeting to reiterate the committee’s continued role.
The committee did not take a formal vote to change its status; members agreed to continue outreach and to prepare a draft statement for board-level public comment at a later date.
