Clearing the record on school misinformation

Editor,

As Superintendent of Worcester County Public Schools, I feel it is necessary to address the rhetoric and misinformation about our schools that is circulating throughout this election cycle. While candidates are entitled to their own opinions, I will not stand idly by while our students, teachers, and staff are attacked with hateful and inaccurate discourse.

To learn that some Board of Education candidates and their supporters have referred to our school system as a “swamp” that needs to be drained or implied that our dedicated teachers are “poisonous apples” or used hateful language against some of our most vulnerable students is beyond distasteful or demeaning. This rhetoric clearly shows a willful ignorance to what is actually occurring in our schools simply to mislead community members who are not connected to or informed about our schools in order to gain votes on election day.

So, let’s clear the record:

Worcester County Public Schools is the highest performing school system in the State of Maryland. While we acknowledge there is always more work to do, our success is the envy of the State, and you can see it for yourself on the Maryland State Report Card website (https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov). To get a first-hand perspective on how we support students’ success, I encourage you to speak with your neighbors and friends who are actual parents/guardians in our school system.

Worcester County Public Schools continues to provide safe and welcoming learning environments for all students. Our data continues to trend in a positive direction in terms of school safety with 2023-2024 data showing a 28% decrease in incidents. Our work in implementing Standard Response Protocols for safety incidents was recently highlighted by the Maryland Center for School Safety.

Worcester County Public Schools has robust policies and procedures in place to vet and review instructional and school library materials. All instructional and school library materials are vetted prior to being implemented by our school system. Additionally, families that have concerns about any materials have a process available to them to initiate a review of said material. Parents/guardians also have the right to restrict what their child(ren) are able to check out from the school library as a part of this process.

Lastly, in Worcester County Public Schools, we believe every student is deserving of respect and care. I want to use this opportunity to impress upon everyone in our community that as we talk about issues related to students or any subset of students, at the heart of these discussions are children. No child should be villainized or looked at as less than a valued member of their school community. To that end, any accommodations made for children in our schools are done in compliance with the law while ensuring the safety and well-being of all students. A great example of this is the availability of a private restroom(s) to all children at all schools.

While I could continue, I hope that instead, you will take this information and use it as a springboard to educate yourself on the non-partisan candidates running for election to the Worcester County Board of Education. Reach out to them, find out where they stand on the important issues facing our schools today, and cast your vote on November 5, (or before) for those you feel best represent the path forward for our school system.

Louis H. Taylor
Newark