A proposal that would allow county school students three excused absences each year to take part in political events or civic engagement activities has stalled.
On the heels of more than 20 comments opposing a proposed change to the school system’s policy that would allow students excused absences for civic engagement or political events, such as protests and lobbying, the school board’s Policy Management Committee stalled forward progress Tuesday.
The committee said it wants pursue more discussion with the full eight-member board.
Comments submitted to the school board over about two months largely focused on the policy’s impact on student attendance, with some constituents saying students already have too many days off of school for holidays and can attend protests or other events outside of classroom instruction time.
A policy allowing excused absences for civic engagement would put Montgomery County Public Schools among a “very small” group of school systems nationwide with such initiatives, according to school district staff.
“Allowing students to protest and receive excused absences for such is the last thing MCPS should be considering,” wrote Ginny Bunke, who said her son attends classes at James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring. “Please consider doing what you are suppose to be doing which is teaching students how to read, write, perform arithmetic and most important teaching US civics. That would be most helpful to our students and our community.”
Similarly, county principals voiced support for student engagement in political and civic activities, but said in written testimony submitted to the school board the unintended consequences of missing classes would be a detriment to student success.
The policy changes were suggested in September by former school board member Jill Ortman-Fouse following a series of school walkouts by county high school students after a school shooting in Florida that left 17 dead.
The local policy was sent out with revisions, including clarifications about how schools would be notified of a student’s participation in civic engagement events, for a second round of public comment in November.
Following the Florida shooting last winter, the National School Boards Association issued guidelines for school districts to consider when planning for and responding to students attending protests or participating in spontaneous walkouts.
The association urged local school boards to develop a protocol for all potential protest scenarios, be clear with students about what consequences, if any, there will be for participating in a spontaneous event and be inclusive of all political viewpoints.
One commenter in the county debate, identified as Robert Bell, said instead of a policy allowing three absences, the school system should instead allow students to attend nationwide protests on a case-by-case basis.
The self-identified Democrat said the proposed policy change “erroneously assumes” protests have educational value.
Fellow commenter Andrea Harabin said students should participate in civic engagement when “they have become educated and have experience in life.”
Two comments were received in favor of the policy, a contrast to the first time the policy was sent out for public comment, where an even split of opponents and proponents reviewed the policy.
The school board will continue discussions about the policy in February.
Caitlynn Peetz can be reached at caitlynn.peetz@moco360.media
