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Dozens of public commenters urge board to reinstate anti‑racism policy; other speakers praise board's political neutrality
Summary
Public comment at the Sept. 11 meeting focused heavily on the board's recent actions concerning an anti‑racism policy. Dozens of speakers urged reinstatement and cited data on racial disparities; other speakers supported the board's removal of the policy and praised efforts to remove politics from classrooms.
More than two dozen members of the public addressed the Calvert County Board of Education on Sept. 11, with the majority of speakers urging the board to reinstate an anti‑racism policy and others praising recent board steps to emphasize political neutrality in classrooms.
The board did not take action on an anti‑racism policy at this meeting; commenters referred to the policy's repeal or earlier board actions and described the community response.
Why it matters: public comment highlighted a sharply divided community response to the board's recent policy decisions, with speakers on both sides invoking student safety, achievement gaps and the role of schools in addressing race and identity.
Voices calling for reinstatement and stronger equity measures Several speakers, identifying themselves as parents, community leaders and representatives of local organizations, asked the board to restore policy 1018 (anti‑racism) or to reinstate stronger equity measures.
• Deborah Harris, speaking on behalf of the NAAC, said the board's actions are "dismantling DEI in our schools" and urged attention to students' well‑being.
• Leolia (Lee) Reed of Closing the Gap Coalition asked the board to "give very serious consideration to reestablishing this policy," citing the coalition's work on longstanding racial disparities in achievement and discipline.
• Edsel Brown Jr., representing Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Southern Maryland Minority Chamber of Commerce, called the repeal a removal of a safeguard and urged the board to reconsider.
• Community speakers including Nancy Kraus, Pamela Cousins and Ash Ashleman cited district data and personal accounts, saying a general discrimination policy does not address subtle or systemic forms of racial bias that the anti‑racism policy targeted.
Several speakers highlighted district data showing disparities and argued that proactive policies, bias training and targeted data tracking were necessary to close achievement and discipline gaps.
Voices supporting board changes and political neutrality Other speakers praised recent board actions to restrict political expression in classrooms and to emphasize a neutral, academic focus.
• Miriam Canning and Beth Bubser said the board's policies move the district away from activism and toward academic priorities; Bubser described support for political neutrality and said students should not know teachers' political views.
• Board supporters at public comment framed the removal of the anti‑racism policy as aligning with other counties and argued that existing discrimination and conduct policies already protect students from unlawful harassment.
Tone and turnout Public commenters repeatedly urged the board to prioritize student safety, academic outcomes and clear, consistent policies. Several speakers called out specific board members by name and some urged resignations; others emphasized gratitude for board service and welcomed the new superintendent.
What the board did at the meeting During the meeting the board approved routine items earlier in the agenda: the consent agenda passed 5–0. The board also approved appointments to the citizen advisory committee and voted to participate in the Presidential Youth Fitness Program; those motions carried 5–0.
Ending: The meeting closed after board comments and did not include a board vote on policy 1018 on Sept. 11; several public speakers said they expected continued advocacy and follow‑up from the community.
