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Board adopts resolution affirming immigrant students’ rights and protections for student records
Summary
The Board of Education unanimously adopted Resolution 2025‑01 affirming that all students, regardless of immigration status, have the right to access Baltimore County Public Schools programming free from fear and directing the superintendent to provide communications and training on student records protections.
The Baltimore County Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution on March 11 affirming the rights of immigrant students to access Baltimore County Public Schools programming without fear and directing district staff to continue communications and training about data privacy and student rights.
Why it matters: The resolution explicitly cites the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 20 U.S.C. §1232g), relevant federal regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 99), and COMAR 13A.08.02. It directs the superintendent to provide periodic communications and training to schools, students and parents about student rights and student-record protections.
What supporters said - Irvin Gonzalez, Deputy Director of Services at CASA (Central Maryland region) and resident, told the board: “No student, no parent, and no one should have to go through something like that. Our school should be a safe space and a space where students can learn without fear or intimidation.” He asked the board to adopt the resolution to prevent use of school resources for immigration enforcement and to safeguard student privacy. - Lloyd Allen, an educator speaking as an individual, urged that the district explicitly support students and staff perceived to have immigrant status and noted existing BCPS rules (Rule 55‑80 on harassment and Rule 23‑73 on sociological information) while pushing the board to clarify whether those rules go far enough. - Student speaker Madeline (Adeline) Vasquez asked the board to pass the resolution so that young people could feel safe and focus on school rather than fear of enforcement action.
Board action The motion to adopt the resolution (mover: Christina Pumphrey; second: Chike Kulu) passed by unanimous roll call. The resolution states the board’s commitment to protect student data privacy consistent with cited federal and state authorities, to support existing anti‑bullying and anti‑harassment policies, and to direct the superintendent to continue providing training and communications.
Next steps: The resolution directs the superintendent to provide ongoing communications, training and support for schools, staff and families; the Office of the Superintendent and the Office of Student Records are assigned follow‑up responsibilities.
Ending: Board materials and the full text of the adopted resolution are posted on BoardDocs. The superintendent’s office will report back periodically as directed by the resolution.
