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.
(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 |
|---|---|---|---|
JFBB – Students in State-Supervised Care | 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 in State-supervised care in Baltimore City. B. The Board is also committed to having staff identify and assist all children and youth in State-supervised care and enrolled in Baltimore City Public Schools (“City Schools”) in maintaining a stable educational environment as part of a school regular academic program. | Highlight the role of the Foster Care Liaison. Incorporate City Schools protocols for best interest determinations for students in State-supervised care, consistent with MSDE guidelines. Clarify the role of the Office of Enrollment, Choice, and Transfer and the Office of Health and Specialized Student Services in the support of students in State-supervised care. Align the policy and administrative regulation with our MOU with DHS and add a section of transportation of students in State-supervised care. | May 21, 2024 – Policy Committee Meeting Fall 2024* – First and Second Reader |
DIC – Fiscal Management | The purpose of this financial controls policy is to ensure that adequate fiscal responsibility and financial controls are maintained for all financial assets entrusted to Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) | The purpose of the proposed updates is to ensure our policies and regulations are aligned with Maryland law and our current practices. Some of the key features of the proposed revisions include the incorporation of pre-existing Board Rules within the following areas:
| June 18, 2024 – Policy Committe August 27, 2024 - Board Meeting – First Reader October 8, 2024 - Board Meeting– Second Reader |
General Order – Body Worn Cameras | Amend General Order 10-37 to prepare for implementation of Maryland law requirement to deploy body-worn cameras (BWCs or bodycams) for all officers by July 2025. | Revisions will align with federal and state law, as well as Board policy, safeguarding student privacy and recognizing the unique role of School Police in school settings. Provides detailed guidelines for when BWCs should be activated (e.g., imminent threat, active criminal investigation) and specific instances when BWCs should not be activated (e.g., routine administrative tasks, during contacts with confidential informants). Benchmark best practices from Baltimore City Police Department and other jurisdictions (e.g., Coatesville, PA, and Birmingham, AL). | August 28, 2024 - Policy Committee September 24, 2024 - First Reader October 22, 2024 - Second Reader |
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. | To clarify and enhance system-wide supports to prevent and respond to the challenges social media and cell phones pose to the learning and social-emotional well-being of students. Current considerations include:
| December 17, 2024: Policy Committee 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:
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.