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Advisory panel recommends a districtwide mental‑health implementation plan and a code‑of‑conduct review; members press for clearer timelines and softened draft‑
Summary
The advisory committee backed a coordinated mental‑health plan to be led by the local behavioral‑health authority and recommended a comprehensive code‑of‑conduct rewrite by July 1, 2027; members urged the draft language be softened from mandatory to recommended and called for public participation and clearer staffing numbers.
The committee reviewed consolidated recommendations aimed at expanding mental‑health visibility and accessibility and strengthening student conduct policies.
Presenter S3 summarized language in the draft calling for “by 07/01/2027 the LBHAHealth Department will lead a coordinated effort with CCPS Student Services…to release the 1st comprehensive community aligned mental health and wellness implementation plan for CCPS.” The plan is intended to identify priority needs, recommend programs and provide a phased implementation timeline with evaluation measures and annual updates.
Members said the plan should use existing structures and avoid creating duplicative bureaucracy while ensuring accountability. The chair highlighted survey data presented to the committee, saying that “60 plus percent of our students indicated that they had been bullied during the past school year,” which many members said creates urgency to begin earlier interventions and communications this school year.
Code of conduct and language: the draft also recommends a comprehensive code of conduct revision by 07/01/2027 to make expectations developmentally appropriate and to standardize enforcement. Multiple members urged adjusting prescriptive language in the draft (changing “will” to “recommends”) to avoid implying the advisory committee could impose mandates on the elected Board of Education. Members also discussed how public participation and legal constraints (state guidance and COMAR) should inform the revision process.
Why this matters: members framed the recommendations as responses to student survey data, inconsistent implementation across schools and gaps in staff and services. They asked staff to bring back evidence of what CCPS already has in place so the committee can avoid duplicating existing programs and concentrate on gaps.
Next steps: staff will invite appropriate district staff—superintendent or designated student‑services leaders such as Dr. Newsom or Suzanne McGann—to the next work session to clarify current programs, staffing levels and timelines; the committee will refine language and prioritize recommendations before the next meeting.
