Calvert County Public Schools’ (CCPS) Interim Superintendent Nancy Highsmith presented the local school board an update on revisions to administrators’ procedures if a weapons policy violation occurs. The update was discussed during the Calvert County Board of Education’s (BOE) Thursday, Nov. 14 meeting. Handouts of the current draft being written by a committee of school principals and other administrators were given to the four elected board members in attendance—Joseph R. Chenelly was unable to attend—and student member Edward Town. Highsmith said CCPS officials have until Dec. 10 to change the procedures. The revisions, said Highsmith, would give school administrators “more latitude” in handling situations where students are in possession of “look-alike weapons,” such as toy guns.

During the discussion Highsmith indicated administrators working on the draft could consider additional language that would take into account the “different educational levels” of the students facing potential disciplinary action.

The revised procedure would also mandate notifying parents “in a timely manner” if an incident had occurred and their child was the center of an investigation.

“That’s pretty vague,” said BOE Vice President Kelly McConkey about the “timely manner” declaration.

“The worst thing we could do is not do a thorough investigation,” said Highsmith, who indicated notifying the parents of every child involved in the investigation of an incident to request permission to question them would likely be a logistical nightmare.

“We become the surrogate parents when the child walks through the door,” said Highsmith.

“I really don’t recommend any further changes,” said Town, who is a senior at Huntingtown High School. Town added that parents will need to have confidence in school administrators to conduct a proper investigation of an incident.

Highsmith said parents would always be notified when a disciplinary decision is made by administrators. “They can always appeal,” she said.

Some board members indicated they would prefer out-of-school suspensions only go into effect when the appeals process has been exhausted.

–>