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Committee approves exploring whether Purple Star Schools can include nonpublic schools; regulation will add National Guard language
Summary
MSDE proposed a small amendment to the Purple Star Schools regulation to add 'National Guard of any other state' (Space Force is already included). The committee also voted to ask the full board to consider whether Purple Star eligibility can be extended to nonpublic schools and asked staff to return with legal feasibility and two draft texts.
Mary Gable presented amendments to the Purple Star Schools regulation (COMAR) focused on military‑connected students. The specific, legislatively requested edits are limited: Space Force has already been added in earlier updates, and the proposed revision adds "National Guard of any other state" to ensure students whose families are temporarily in Maryland for National Guard deployments or mutual‑aid arrangements are recognized under the program.
Mr. Paul and other members asked practical and statutory questions about how National Guard service from other states would be handled; MSDE staff said the change reflects the interstate compact practice of supporting military students who move into Maryland temporarily.
Separately, Dr. McCarthy raised whether Purple Star eligibility could be extended to nonpublic schools. Staff and counsel (Amanda) clarified the enabling statute (Education Article §7‑1‑29) and COMAR language currently refer to public schools; extending the program to nonpublic schools would be a substantive change that could require statutory review or other legal steps. The committee voted to recommend that the full State Board consider the question at a future meeting and asked MSDE staff to prepare two draft versions of the regulation (current and public+nonpublic) and an analysis of statutory authority and feasibility.
What’s next: MSDE will bring two draft texts and a legal feasibility memo to the next relevant meeting so the State Board can decide whether to direct staff to pursue an amendment or leave the regulation as written.
