Multiple Maryland Organizations File Appeal Over Somerset County Media Policy
Somerset County, Md. — The Maryland State Education Association (MSEA), Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASL), and the ACLU of Maryland filed a joint appeal to the Maryland State Education Board Wednesday asking the board to strike down controversial Somerset County Board of Education (SCBOE) Media Policy 500-19.
In a press release the groups called the media policy, which would limit access to certain young adult books for minor students, “illegal and unconstitutional.”
The groups said they are representing several parties, including the Somerset Education Association (SEA), MASL, and a Somerset County School parent Joesph Hylton.
The policy was approved as amended by the SCBOE on August 18, though Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Carey Wright quickly placed a 60-day stay on the policy to review its legality. Now, before the review period has ended, these groups are asking the state board of education to step in.
Opponents of the policy claim that it targets books based on viewpoint, removes teens’ access to age-appropriate books, and threatens educators with potential discipline for doing their jobs. The SCBOE rejects these arguments, stating in a letter that it believes the policy compliant with state law.
“The Board welcomes the State Superintendent’s review and believes the 60-day period provides an opportunity to distinguish the actual language and implementation of Policy 500-19 from inaccurate characterizations circulating publicly,” the SCBOE said in an Aug. 21 press release.
The appeal comes a few weeks after MSEA sent a letter to the SCBOE on Aug. 6 in which the organization stated if Policy 500-19 was adopted, they would challenge the policy through every available avenue.
“This extremist policy attempts to bar student access to age-appropriate books, silence educators from sharing legally protected concerns, and shamelessly violates Maryland’s
Freedom to Read Act,” said MSEA Executive Director Sean Johnson. “We appreciate Superintendent Wright’s 60-day stay of the policy and are proud to stand with SEA, ACLU, and MASL to defend the rights of students and educators.”
“The Board remains committed to protecting students, respecting parents’ rights, responsibly managing taxpayer resources, and ensuring that students have access to appropriate and meaningful educational materials,” the SCBOE said in a press release.
