LA PLATA, Md. — On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, during the Charles County Board of Education meeting, Education Association of Charles County (EACC) President Sean Heyl provided an update addressing legal and staffing concerns affecting school safety and discipline in elementary schools.
Heyl clarified public misunderstandings regarding Maryland law, noting that kindergarten through second grade students can be suspended when a school psychologist determines that suspension is necessary to prevent an imminent threat. He explained that “imminent” is subjective and contributes to inconsistent application across schools.
He pointed to the growing strain on school psychologists, citing guidelines from the National Association of School Psychologists, which recommend a ratio of 500 students per psychologist. In Maryland, particularly in Charles County, the ratio often ranges from 1,001 to 1,500 students per psychologist. Fourteen elementary schools in the county, including the new Thornton Elementary School, currently exceed the recommended enrollment level.
Heyl emphasized that overburdened psychologists cannot attend all required meetings or provide adequate student support. He said this shortfall contributes to increased incidents of violence, including staff being hit, bitten or otherwise assaulted by students, as well as repeated classroom disruptions that create trauma for students and staff.
The EACC plans to participate in a statewide summer review of student behavior laws with the goal of proposing changes that support safer and more effective learning environments in Charles County and throughout Maryland.
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