ACI, Sexual Harassment of MCPS Employees
On April 20, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) adopted technical amendments to Policy ACI, Sexual Harassment of Employees, to update directory information to reflect changes in the MCPS organizational structure, and reference implementing procedures developed by the superintendent of schools, as required in Policy ACI section E.1.b.
On April 20, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) adopted amendments to Policy BBB, Ethics, to include new conflict of interest provisions and additional disclosures that boards of education must incorporate into their ethics policies. In addition, the Montgomery County Board of Education Ethics Panel recommended two additional amendments regarding unsolicited gifts an official may accept.
On February 7, 2023, the Montgomery County Board of Education amended Policy ABA, Community Involvement, to change the name to Policy ABA, Community Engagement, as informed by research-based guidelines for community engagement processes that articulate clear purposes for engagement, and affirm the Board’s commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive, and antiracist engagement guidelines, structures, and practices to inform Board decision-making processes.
KBA-RC, Translation and Interpretation
On June 8, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation KBA-RC, Translation and Interpretation, was developed to establish procedures for translating vital documents into languages spoken by limited English proficient populations that constitutes three percent of the Montgomery County population as established by the U.S. Census. The new regulation provides reasonable and meaningful access to MCPS services, programs and activities.
JPD-RC, Emergency Care for Individuals Experiencing Symptoms of Opioid Overdose
On May 1, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation JPD-RC, Emergency Care for Individuals Experiencing Symptoms of Opioid Overdose, was developed to provide needed guidance to respond to individuals reasonably believed to be experiencing opioid overdose on MCPS property. The new regulation addresses training of MCPS staff and education of students, stocking procedures for naloxone, emergency administration of naloxone, documentation, and parent/guardian notification. The regulation also informs the MCPS community of the conditions set forth in Maryland law that an individual is not civilly liable for any act or omission for providing assistance or medical aid to a victim at the scene of an emergency
ACI-RA, Investigation of Title IX Sexual Harassment of MCPS Employees
On February 1, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation ACI-RA, Investigation of Title IX Sexual Harassment of MCPS Employees, was developed to provide procedural guidance needed to implement Policy ACI, Sexual Harassment of Employees, adopted by the Board of Education in June 2021. The new Regulation ACI-RA clarifies the roles of offices involved in investigating allegations of Title IX sexual harassment of employees, in alignment with updates to the MCPS organizational structure.
On June 8, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation JGB-RA, Search and Seizure, was revised to clarify procedures for searching a vehicle on MCPS property, and other technical updates (e.g., directory information).
COC-RA, Trespassing or Willful Disturbance on MCPS Property
On May 2, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation COC-RA, Trespassing or Willful Disturbance on Montgomery County Public School Property, was revised to clarify that a student who is not a currently registered student at that school and who does not have a lawful business to pursue at that school may be disciplined for trespassing or causing a willful disturbance, consistent with Maryland law and the Student Code of Conduct in MCPS.
JPC-RA, Administration of Medication to Student
On April 27, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation JPC-RA, Administration of Medication to Student, has been revised to provide guidance related to medical marijuana and naloxone on MCPS property and other clarifications regarding seizure medications and the duties of Certified Medical Technicians.
ACA-RA, Nondiscrimination, Equity, and Cultural Proficiency
On February 21, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation ACA-RA, Human Relations, was retitled MCPS Regulation ACA-RA, Nondiscrimination, Equity, and Cultural Proficiency, and revised for several purposes. First, the updated title and content reflects its close alignment and implementation of Board Policy ACA, Nondiscrimination, Equity, and Cultural Proficiency. Secondly, the regulation now contains implementing procedures for student and employee complaints of discrimination, and clarifies the roles of offices involved in responding to such complaints. The revised regulation further implements requirements in Maryland law regarding reporting and publishing of the MCPS Nondiscrimination Statement in MCPS publications.
ECG-RA, Parking Facilities and Student Driving
On February 21, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation ECG-RA, Student Driving and Parking Facilities, was revised and retitled to address a need for guidance regarding towing from MCPS parking facilities. The revised draft regulation adds new towing guidance and updated existing guidance about student parking.
IKC-RA, Grade Point Averages (GPAs) and Weighted Grade Point Averages (WGPAs)
On February 3, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation IKC-RA, Grade Point Averages (GPAs) and Weighted Grade Point Averages (WGPAs), has been revised at the request of the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs to clarify guidance about high school credits earned in classes with weighted grade points earned by a student in middle school. The updated guidance clarifies that for students who entered Grade 6 during or after the 2016-2017 school year, the final grade for high school courses successfully completed in middle school will be automatically applied to the student’s cumulative GPA/WGPA, if the course grade improves the GPA and WGPA.
ACF-RA, Investigation of Title IX Sexual Harassment of MCPS Students
On February 1, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation ACF-RA, Sexual Harassment, was revised to provide procedural guidance needed to implement Policy ACF, Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment of Students, and federally-established Title IX sexual harassment investigation procedures. Regulation ACF-RA has been retitled "Investigation of Title IX Sexual Harassment of Students" and repurposed to focus exclusively on allegations brought by students that claim harassment under Title IX. Sexual misconduct allegations and sexual harassment allegations that are not filed under Title IX continue to follow existing MCPS investigation procedures set forth in Regulation JHF-RA, Student Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation. The provisions of sexual harassment under Title IX are set forth in Board Policy ACF, Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment of Students, that was amended by the Board in June 2021.
On February 1, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation ACG-RA, Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications for Individuals with Disabilities with Regard to Employment, Services, Programs, and Activities, was revised to clarify the roles of offices involved in responding to employee requests for accommodations, in response to updates to the organizational structure of MCPS. Specific functions previously assigned to the former Office of Employee Engagement and Labor Relations have been redistributed through a process of close collaboration with the Department of Compliance and Investigation and Department of Labor Relations.
On February 1, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation COB-RA, Incident Reporting, was updated to comply with Maryland law that requires schools to report of the use of force by MCPS school security employees to the Maryland Center for School Safety. Additional updates clarify procedures for reporting other types of incidents in a manner that is aligned with the April 4, 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between the Montgomery County Policy Department and MCPS and Other Agencies Regarding the Community Engagement Officer Program and Other Law Enforcement Responses to School-Based Incidents.
GKA-RA, Administrative Complaint
On February 1, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation GKA-RA, Administrative Complaint, has been revised to clarify the roles of offices involved in administrative complaints, in response to updates to the MCPS organizational structure. Specific functions previously assigned to the former Office of Employee Engagement and Labor Relations have been redistributed through a process of close collaboration with the Department of Compliance and Investigation and Department of Labor Relations.
FFA-RA, Naming School Facilities
On October 31, 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation FFA-RA, Naming School Facilities, was revised to provide procedural guidance needed to implement Board Policy FFA, Naming School Facilities. The updated regulation establishes guidelines for community engagement procedures specific to naming new schools, renaming existing schools, naming portions of school facilities, and selecting mascots.
JEA-RA, Student Attendance
On August 5, 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation JEA-RA, Student Attendance, was revised to comply with a new Maryland law that requires MCPS to inform a parent/guardian of behavioral well-being resources when a parent/guardian notifies the school that a student’s absence was due to a behavioral health need. Additional updates emphasize school-level processes for promoting student attendance, and eliminate grade penalties for attendance so that absences are addressed in a matter that is consistent with standards-based grading.