Parent questions at council hearing press MCPS grant privacy and opt‑out details

A public hearing at the Montgomery County Council on Oct. 29 drew pointed questions about parental notification, data collection and opt‑out rights related to a proposed federal grant for improving adolescent health and well‑being in Montgomery County Public Schools.

Brenda Diaz, the sole registered speaker on the item, said she supported attention to student mental health but asked detailed questions about how the grant would be implemented: "How would MCPS be collecting this data from our children? Will parents be made aware that MCPS will be collecting this data? Will parents have access to the questions and the opportunity to opt their children out of participating?" (Brenda Diaz)

Diaz also asked whether parents would be notified when referrals to behavioral or mental‑health services are made, and whether referrals such as STI screening would proceed without parental notification or opt‑out options. She challenged use of instructional time for program activities and criticized political rhetoric by a councilmember in the context of an upcoming Board of Education race; the council president reminded the speaker that the public hearing is not an occasion for debate with councilmembers and closed the hearing after her remarks.

Council response and next steps: Council staff said the grant would be considered by the Education & Culture committee on Oct. 31 and that those wishing to submit material should do so by close of business that day. The clerk had previously announced that the source of funds is a federal grant and listed a committee work session date in the staff packet.

Taken together: The testimony focused on the operational details that parents and advocates commonly ask about — data privacy, opt‑out procedures and notification when minors are referred to services — and the council directed that committee and staff processes follow up on those implementation questions.