Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Handbook topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reviews student handbook draft; nondiscrimination language updated to align with state law on gender identity
Summary
The board took a first read of the 2025–26 student handbook. Staff said the nondiscrimination statement was updated to align with state and federal law and specifically references gender identity per COMAR requirements; the handbook will return for adoption next month.
The Garrett County Board of Education reviewed the draft student handbook for the 2025–26 school year in a first-read presentation.
Staff said a committee reviewed the handbook and made mostly minor, routine annual updates. During the review the board learned the nondiscrimination statement required additional edits to align with state and federal law; those updates were made and posted to the version on BoardDocs and hard copies of the revised pages were provided to board members.
A board member asked why the handbook uses the term "gender identity." The presenter replied, "That's the term that is used in the state law and in the, federal laws," and noted that Maryland State Department of Education guidance and COMAR (citing MSDE law 13A.01.07.03) requires inclusion of gender identity in the handbook definition.
The board treated the handbook as a first read; members were advised they will receive a final version and vote on adoption at the next meeting.
