Policy Under Review

The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners (“Board”) and Baltimore City Public Schools (“City Schools”) recognize the ever increasing importance of technology in students’ lives and the beneficial role it can play with responsible use. The Board and City Schools want to encourage the responsible use of portable electronic communication devices while ensuring that the possession and use of such devices by students does not interfere with academic instruction, student safety and a positive school climate.

• Updating the definition of “portable electronic communication (“device”) to include any device carried, worn or transported by an individual to receive, communicate or record voice, image and/or text content.

• Prohibiting the use of devices during the school day, including passing periods, recess, and lunch.

• Ensuring that devices are powered off, away, and are secured through the school day at all grade bands.

• Clarifying City School’s systemwide rules for securing devices with the manner in which devices are secured varying by grade band.

• Highlighting how schools can seek approval from the Schools Office to use alternative methods for securing devices.

• Clarifying student use of a device for instructional purposes.

• Introducing guidance on how schools and staff will communicate with families and the public during emergency situations.

• Clarifying how students will be able to communicate with parents/guardians during the school day.

• Providing additional guidance on staff cell phone use.

December 17, 2024: Policy Committee - Presentation on the Proposed Revisions to Board Policy JICJ

 February 25, 2025: First Reader​

April 8, 2025:  Second Reader​

The Board believes that scholastic athletics are a valuable component of the total educational experience. The Board considers participation in scholastic athletics as a student privilege, not a student right.  Therefore, in order to participate in scholastic athletics, a student must maintain specific academic standards, as part of a well-rounded education.

Current considerations include:

• Barriers to participation

• Equity and access

• Impact on student well-being and engagement

• Effectiveness of academic probation

• Extracurricular alignment; and

Other barriers to athletic participation

January 21, 2025: Policy Committee

March 11, 2025: First Reader

 April 22, 2025: Second Reader

The Board is committed to providing safe, academically engaging, positive, and inclusive climates for all students. All students, including those with disabilities, are held accountable for actions that impede instruction and other students’ ability to learn.

Minor changes are being proposed to: 

• Align with recent changes to state regulations (COMAR) regarding exclusion and physical restraint, and reportable offenses.

• Clarify the appeals process for in-school suspensions.

• Clarify how City Schools responds when notified of a reportable offense

February 18, 2025 – Policy Committee Meeting

April 22, 2025 – First Reader 

June 10, 2025 – Second Reader

To create and maintain safe learning environments. We accomplish this by developing positive relationships and delivering high-quality professional police services with equity and impartiality.

Administrative Regulation ECAE-RA provides: 

• School Police will adhere to the General Orders as approved by the Board 

• General Orders reviewed on a biannual basis with feedback from stakeholders 

• 2025 General Orders review resulted in prioritized updates to 12 of the General Orders:

10-4 – Organizational Structure
10-5 – Command Supervision & Direction
10-12 – Departmental Vehicles
10-39 – Nepotism and Fraternization
10-41 – Secondary Employment
10-43 – Vacation, Personal, and Holiday Leave
10-44 – Medical 
10-53 – Light Duty
10-56 – Overtime
13-4 – Internal Investigations
13-17 – Search & Seizure (focusing on wellness checks)
18-01 – Community Relations

February 18, 2025 – Policy Committee Meeting 

May 13, 2025 – First Reader 

July 22, 2025 – Second Reader

The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners (“Board”) is committed to ensuring that all children and youth have equal access to educational programs and school-related activities. To that end, the Board seeks to eliminate all barriers to the enrollment of children and youth who are experiencing homelessness and eligible to attend public schools in Baltimore City to ensure that they have an opportunity to meet the same challenging State student achievement standards to which all students are held.

 The Board is also committed to having staff identify and assist all homeless children and youth enrolled in Baltimore City Public Schools (“City Schools”) in maintaining a stable educational environment as part of a regular academic program that is not separate or segregated.

The Board is committed to ensuring minimal interference with the regular delivery of instruction while students transition in or out of their school origin.

• Cross-referencing relevant policies regarding attendance, graduation, transportation, enrollment, etc.

• Confirming alignment with internal guidance about the Best Interest Determination and Homeless Status Review.

• Highlighting how City Schools supports students experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied homeless youth.

• Changing homeless students to “students experiencing homelessness,” “unhoused students,” and “unaccompanied youth.”

• Replacing Homeless Education Liaison with McKinney-Vento Liaison.

• Adding language about waiving outstanding fines or fees for students experiencing homelessness.

• Clarifying how students experiencing homelessness are supported through the school choice process.

March 18, 2025 – Policy Committee Meeting

May 27, 2025 – First Reader

July 22, 2025– Second Reader