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Public commenters urge end to DEI efforts and oppose Lifewise Academy pilot; board hears a range of views
Summary
Thirteen community members and group representatives spoke at Harford County Public Schools' March 10 meeting, with many urging the board either to remove DEI‑related activities and curriculum elements or to reject Lifewise Academy’s proposed released‑time religious instruction; librarians and educators urged reliance on professional review processes for library materials.
Thirteen public speakers — including four group representatives — addressed the Harford County Board of Education during the March 10 public‑comment period. The remarks covered a range of issues; recurring topics included diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), school funding, and a proposal to allow Lifewise Academy (a faith‑based released‑time program) to operate in some schools.
Several speakers and groups urged the board to eliminate DEI programming, social‑emotional learning, and gender‑identity guidance from school materials and training. A representative of the local Moms for Liberty chapter argued the district has “drifted” from academics and criticized central‑office staffing and DEI efforts. Other public commenters echoed concerns about books and materials in school libraries that they described as explicit or ideologically driven.
Community members and an advocacy group called Together We Will urged caution about Lifewise Academy, a program described by the speaker as off‑site religious instruction during the school day; they asked how the district would handle missed instructional time, transportation, supervision and legal liability. A former principal and other speakers requested the board consider implications for instructional minutes and local control if the district permitted an Ohio‑based released‑time program in Harford County.
Other speakers urged budget focus and advocacy with the county executive for additional funding to protect classroom staffing. Educators and a representative of the Harford County Association of School Librarians (HCASL) described the professional training of school librarians, explained selection and reconsideration procedures, and urged the board to rely on trained media specialists and established review sources when evaluating library materials.
Board members thanked speakers and said they would continue to weigh public input as part of deliberations on policy and budget priorities. No formal board actions were taken as a direct result of public comment during the meeting; staff and board members noted the topics raised would inform continuing policy and budget conversations.
