By Norma Sorto
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The Baltimore County Board of Education passed a $1.7 billion operating budget Tuesday night after getting parents’ input on school policies on school climate, student dress codes and possession of tobacco products.
On a unanimous vote, the board passed the budget, which includes a $114 million increase that would require an 11 percent increase from county taxpayers. In a statement, County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. described the budget as “aspirational, with admirable goals that will require several budget cycles.”
Parents at the meeting focused on three school policies that officials said may be renamed, updated and confirmed with the Policy Review Committee. One policy, known as 5510, outlines expectations for appropriate and positive students’ behavior and helps to promote behaviors that will support each student’s academic success.
“If the children feel safe, comfortable and the climate in their schoolhouse is positive,” said parent Diana Berk, “they look forward to coming into the building. Some of the things that are important to maintain that’s positive in the schoolhouse is to actually dedicate the time to make sure the students have the tool to solve and resolve conflicts among themselves.”
A second policy, named 5520, focuses on student dress code. Students are prohibited from wearing gang-related clothes or outfits with lewd messages or slogans that promote tobacco, drugs, alcohol or other illegal harmful products.
“I honestly think a dress code that is uniformed and simple will work better,” said a parent from Towson, “because when my kids went to Baltimore County Public Schools and they were affected by the same culture around them, some of them did dress inappropriately …. If they [students] have a uniform and if the girls don’t have showing clothes that distract others in class and invite things, and if the male students have a dress code that is conservative in nature, I think that will teach them something beyond then the dress itself.”
The parents all seemed to agree that the dress code needs an update for Baltimore County public schools. Officials said the policy was first revised on July 12, 2011 and must be adopted again this year.
For the third policy, the board members proposed to make changes to 5530, which notifies students that smoking, including e-cigarettes and other vaping devices, is prohibited anywhere on school property, at any time.
“I would like to see some language in the policy, definitely in the rule, addressing and defining dipping and to educate students the harm of dipping,” said Berk, referring to the smokeless tobacco process of placing a pinch, or “dip,” of tobacco between the lip and the gum.
Board members said the policies will be revised and scheduled a second vote for March 10.