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Mixed public reaction at Cecil County School Board meeting over proposed Cecil Classical charter school
Summary
Supporters at the June 10 meeting said the proposed Cecil Classical charter school would prioritize foreign languages and reduced classroom technology; opponents and parents raised concerns about possible exclusionary enrollment practices and repeated failures to address bullying and student safety.
At the Board of Education of Cecil County’s June 10 meeting, public comment on a proposed Cecil Classical charter school reflected sharp differences among speakers over curriculum, technology use and concerns about inclusiveness.
Tabitha Bathgate, identified as board president for the proposed charter, told the board the school would follow a time-tested classical model with limited technology use, strong parental involvement, and hands-on learning through a greenhouse and makerspace. Bathgate said the charter’s selection process would comply with COMAR 13A.02.10 and promised a random lottery for student selection, noting the proposal was intended to serve unmet needs and to attract families back to public schooling.
Michelle Marks, a parent supporter, emphasized the school’s planned foreign-language instruction (Latin and Spanish) and the desire for less daily screen time in instruction. Marks said many families favor a teacher-led approach and limited classroom technology and that the charter would offer a public-choice option for those preferences.
Opposition voices raised different concerns. Leah Ido described repeated failures by district staff to enforce anti-bullying policies in individual cases that involved her daughter; she said students who defended themselves had been suspended and that standard response protocols were not consistently executed. Sofia Ida, who identified herself as someone directly affected by a classmate’s suicide related to bullying, urged the board to treat bullying and student safety as urgent operational issues.
Lindsay Bergman Devis, a former teacher, criticized the charter’s founding membership and alleged ties to national organizations that she said have advocated for book bans and policies harmful to LGBTQ students. She also flagged a provision in the application that may allow up to 35% of seats to be reserved for founding families, staff and certain local residents, which she characterized as a loophole that could undermine inclusivity.
Proponents pushed back, saying the charter intends to serve all students fairly and to increase access to public options. The board did not take an action on the charter application at the meeting; multiple commenters said they would follow up with written materials and outreach.
The board’s public participation clerk (Miss Olsen) reminded speakers of the three-minute time limit and procedures for public comment. Several speakers said they would submit additional documents to the board office.
