Speakers urge state board to protect access to inclusive books, expand Narcan education and address racial gaps

Public commenters at the Maryland State Board of Education’s August meeting urged action on student safety, library access and racial equity.

Angela, a junior from Montgomery County representing Maryland Students Against Drugs, asked the board to add Narcan education to middle‑school health curricula so students and staff know when and how to use the opioid reversal drug. “What is the point of giving students Narcan if they don’t know when or how to use it?” she said, noting a petition and sample presentation submitted to the board.

Several speakers also addressed library and curriculum controversies. Aubrey Ellison, a Carroll County parent, criticized Superintendent Cynthia McCabe’s decision to remove 53 books from upper‑school libraries outside the established reconsideration process and called on the State Board to create or enforce policies that preserve students’ access to accepted instructional and library materials. “I call on Superintendent McCabe and the Carroll County board of education to immediately reinstate all erroneously removed books,” Ellison said.

Laura Stewart, vice president for advocacy for Free State PTA, told the board her organization passed a resolution supporting inclusive texts and urged clear local processes for challenges and appeals. “Books for young people should serve as both mirrors and windows to reflect and represent children and people in our society,” Stewart said.

Valerie Davis, convener of the Black Coalition for Excellence in Education, urged the board to require disaggregated race‑based student learning data and set more ambitious targets for Black students, proposing a 10‑percentage‑point annual improvement goal rather than the 3–5 point increases in the strategic plan. “We ask that the board accelerate the learning and set a 10 annual increase,” she said, and asked the board to advocate with legislators for funding full‑time boards of education.

Several speakers raised concerns about teacher supports and credentialing. Cheryl Bose, president of the Maryland State Education Association, said recently published certification and licensure regulations contain unclear definitions and administrative demands that could burden applicants and administrators; she asked that terms such as “agency” and “professionally licensed mentor” be clarified.

The board acknowledged the commenters and said it would take the remarks under advisement and distribute submitted materials through Dr. Lawson. The public comment period preceded a full day of board business, including presentations on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and statewide assessment results.