The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners voted June 10 to approve Arts for Learning Maryland’s conversion of Thomas Jefferson Elementary/Middle into a charter conversion called Dream Academy effective July 1, 2026, but deferred a separate, contested waiver request that would eliminate the school’s neighborhood enrollment zone and replace it with a 35% geographic attendance-area preference until July 8.
The board presented Roger Shaw with a lifetime achievement award and staff outlined reengagement-center metrics including intakes, home visits and student supports for the past two years.
Baltimore Teachers Union urged the district to improve onboarding for international educators arriving on J‑1 visas and called for steps to address a districtwide shortage of speech-language pathologists that is delaying legally required services for students.
District staff described partnerships with Continuous Growth, Holistic Life Foundation and the Movement Team to support student well-being, restorative practices and reengagement; staff cited reductions in administrative referrals and reported outcomes for students in partnered programs.
The board welcomed newly elected student commissioner Zaira Chicas Guzman and honored outgoing student commissioner Dylan Rooks with a mayoral certificate and board proclamation recognizing his service.
On the consent agenda, the board approved a contract with Alma of Alizari Group to lead the national search for the districts next CEO; the search process timeline and community engagement plans were posted on the district website.
District staff presented proposed revisions to policy JFE (students experiencing homelessness) to align with COMAR, clarify definitions and streamline best-interest determinations; the board received the update as a first reader.
Multiple teachers, parents and students told the board they want Waverly Elementarys current principal to remain, citing improved test scores, morale and stability; speakers said the reassignment occurred without sufficient explanation or teacher input.
The Baltimore City School Police presented proposed revisions to general orders addressing organizational structure, take-home vehicles, nepotism, secondary employment, overtime, and a new community relations unit that will run outreach programs including a "haircuts" mentorship initiative.
A Commodore John Rogers Elementary-Middle School team became the first Baltimore City Public Schools team to win a VEX IQ world championship trophy; the board presented awards and kits to team members and coaches.
