FCPS policy committee advances several policy revisions, decommissions two old policies

The Frederick County Public Schools policy committee on Feb. 11 voted to advance multiple policy updates and to decommission two long‑standing policies, sending the changes to the full board for final action.

At the start of the meeting the committee approved the minutes from its Jan. 21 meeting. Staff then presented a package of policy work spanning virtual education, nondiscrimination, bullying and harassment, character education, assessments, materials distribution and special education.

Staff recommended decommissioning Policy 5.06, titled "evening high school," because its substance has been absorbed by the Frederick County Virtual School and by newer regulations governing virtual instruction. Watson, identified in the discussion as the principal of the virtual school, and Dr. Mirsha, introduced as the sale director overseeing high schools, described the program’s evolution from an in‑person evening dropout‑prevention model into a broader virtual‑school model and supported advancing the committee’s intention to decommission the old policy. The committee moved and seconded that recommendation and the motion passed.

The committee also advanced a set of edits to the nondiscrimination policy (former Policy 309, proposed renumbering to 1.20) and to Policy 4.37 (bullying, harassment and intimidation) for a first reading at the full board. Staff said the edits align local language with the Maryland model policy and add a stand‑alone mutual‑respect statement, clarify definitions and incorporate provisions on cyberbullying, age as a protected class and implementation requirements such as annual training and support services. Members discussed refinements — including removing a redundant clause (C1c), ensuring the policy captures electronic conduct, and how the board should balance no‑trespass authority with First Amendment concerns at board meetings — and asked staff to return corrected packet files to the public record before the board hearing.

Separately, the committee’s social‑emotional learning (SEL) work group recommended decommissioning the district’s older character‑education policy (Policy 503) because SEL concepts are now taught across curriculum and programs. The committee voted to advance that recommendation to the full board.

Committee members discussed but did not take action on Policy 511 (assessments), Policy 513 (distribution of informational materials) and Policy 508 (special education). On assessments, staff proposed a crosswalk of existing documents and suggested returning a drafted revision in May to clarify assessment definitions for the public. On materials distribution, staff noted that detailed implementation rules live in a recently updated regulation; members asked the policy to explicitly state that outside materials (including religious materials) are not endorsed by the board and to surface key procedural points for community groups. On special education, members urged a clear anchor policy emphasizing commitments such as child find and FAPE (free appropriate public education) and suggested renaming the policy to highlight students with disabilities and to better link related regulations.

The committee set a tentative next policy meeting for March 25 and adjourned at 10:56 a.m.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve Jan. 21, 2026 minutes: passed (unanimous; mover/second not specified in minutes). - Motion to advance intention to decommission Policy 5.06 (Evening High School) to the full board: moved and seconded; passed. - Motion to decommission Policy 503 (Character Education) and advance to full board: moved and seconded; passed. - Motion to advance proposed edits to Policy 1.20 (formerly 309) and Policy 4.37 to the full board with discussed edits: moved and seconded; passed.

What happens next The committee’s recommendations will appear on a future board agenda for first reading or action; staff said corrected packet documents will be uploaded to the public record and that several items (assessments, special education drafting) are expected to return with written drafts in May.