Calvert Board Of Education Repeals Anti-Racism Policy

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County’s Board of Education (BOE) voted on Aug. 7 to repeal Policy 1018, the anti-racism policy. This policy was adopted in 2020 to acknowledge historical and systemic racism and take steps to combat it in schools.

BOE President Jana Smith-Post began the conversation around this agenda item by recapping that the board requested the policy be brought up for discussion ahead of its normal review time so board members would have time for conversations around the policy. Smith-Post said that after some of her “personal thoughts,” she wanted to make a motion to repeal the policy. The motion was quickly seconded by board member Melissa Goshorn.

“I want to be clear that we have a discrimination policy in place that covers all forms of illegal discrimination,” Smith-Post said. “So having a separate anti-racism policy is redundant, first and foremost, but second, it sends the message that we elevate one form of discrimination over other forms of discrimination and that is simply not that fact. All illegal forms of discrimination, we recognize, and want to make sure we are adhering to all of the laws at all times.”

Board member Lisa Grenis added, “We can all agree that racism in any form is wrong and cannot be tolerated. Since the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, all forms of racism and discrimination have been against the law. At the state level, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights investigates and enforces anti-racism and anti-discrimination laws. The Maryland State Board of Education has well-established anti-racism and anti-discrimination policies and regulations that are strictly enforced across all school districts. Additional policies are redundant.”

The board voted to repeal the policy 5-0.

This decision comes on the heels of the June 2025 vote to remove the anti-racism resolution from the code of conduct.

The board did not expand on their rationale behind why they selected this particular policy for review, nor why having “redundant” policies on the books is detrimental to student learning or teachers’ success.

The decision was followed by a packed public comment period that included numerous speakers, including several from the Calvert County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Community members shared their personal experiences with racism in schools and accused the BOE of not having a firm understanding of systemic racism and the hurdles marginalized students face. They also accused the board of following a political agenda.

Edsel Brown came to the meeting representing the Southern Maryland Minority Chamber of Commerce. “This decision signals to every student of color, every marginalized family, and every community ally that their lived experience may no longer be seen, acknowledged, or protected by the school system,” Brown said.

Another speaker, Michael Hawkins, requested that the board respond to the NAACP, in writing, with answers to questions about the board’s rationale for repealing the policy, how the policy repeal supports educational equity, and a plan for students of color. Hawkins also requested data and metrics to show that the decision was evidence-based.

Calvert County had 15,179 enrolled students as per 2023 enrollment data. Of those, 34.7% were students of color.

The board members did not respond to public comment, as is the procedure for business meetings.

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