State law provides that the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, with the advice of the CEO, determines the district's educational, management, maintenance, and operational policies. Policies are aligned with the Board's mission and goals, as well as with applicable federal and state laws. Administrative regulations guide how policies are implemented. Adopted policies are available on BoardDocs, the Board's governance website.

Policy Development Process

Policy development is a step-by-step process designed to be comprehensive, consistent, and open:

Policy language is drafted and revised by staff with stakeholder input.
Proposed policy language is presented to the Board's Policy Committee.
Public comment is accepted for 30 days after the presentation, with staff members compiling a list of issues raised.
1st reader: Policy language is presented to the Board of School Commissioners, along with recommendations from the Policy Committee and a summary of the public comment received.
A public forum or work session may be held to discuss the policy language.
2nd reader: Policy language is presented to the Board of School Commissioners, along with recommendations from the Board.
The Board votes on the policy.

How Board Of School Commissioners Develops Policies

(Note that the Board may alter or suspend these procedures with a majority vote)

Providing Feedback on Board Policy

Public feedback plays a crucial role in the Policy Development Process. It allows the district to make effective and well-informed decisions while remaining accountable for the concerns shared by our students, staff, families, and communities. As a valued stakeholder, City Schools needs your feedback on the Board policies currently under revision. Using the Board Policy Feedback Form, you can directly share your thoughts on policies that affect you.

Policy Under Review	Purpose of Policy	Proposed Changes	Timeline for Policy Development
ADH – Community Schools Strategy	The Purpose of Policy ADH is to establish the framework, responsibilities, and commitments needed to support implementation of the community school strategy in Baltimore City. The Purpose of the Community School Strategy is to ensure all students in City Schools are learning and succeeding over the course of their lives, through an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, child and community development, college and career readiness, and authentic family and community engagement.	City Schools is revising Policy ADH to align with new language on community schools developed by the legislature in H.B. 200 and H.B. 428. These revisions are minor, and ADH was previously revised in 2023 with broad and substantive input from stakeholders.	November 19, 2024: Policy Committee January 28, 2025: First Reader March 25, 2025: Second Reader
JICJ – Student Use of Portable Electronic Devices	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
JJIC – Academic Eligibility for Interscholastic and Interscholastic Athletics	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

*SY 24-25 Policy Committee Calendar is still under review for approval.

Board Policy Feedback Form

Visit BoardDocs

Policies and Administrative Regulations

Policy Development Calendar