Angelica Ramos
Contributing Writer
MONTGOMERY COUNTY- The Montgomery County Public Schools School Board conducted a second read of the hate speech policy at the end of January.
The Hate Speech Policy for Montgomery County Public Schools has been in the works since the summer of 2024. Over the months of December and January, the school board has been reading the drafted policy, giving feedback and having lawyers look over the policy to provide guidance. During the Jan. 21, 2025 school board meeting, the board conducted their second read through after hearing public comments from their constituents.
Martha Anne Stallings, who was recently recognized by the school board, spoke during public comment.
“I have great interest in this policy as one – a leader in Dialogue on Race and the education group, two – a longtime educator with Montgomery County Public Schools for 25 years and three – as a local community member who values diversity equity and inclusion and believes that hate speech attacks values and human rights,” said Stallings. “The policy states that it outlines the definitions, procedures and actions related to hate speech used by anyone within the school system and that’s a good thing.”
“This evening, I would like to address the following: once again as an elementary teacher over the years, I do appreciate how the elementary offenses are treated differently and what I perceive as appropriate,” she continued. “The education piece is a big part of the plan, and time and resources need to be given to that development and identification of such practices that are age appropriate. Under actions of the policy, what is the diversity and inclusion program that is a possible action for repeated violations? I assume that it will be developed with input from the equity office, but what are the specifics that are needed for this under the support for the affected students?”
Stallings also encouraged the school board to keep working on this policy, that it is important and that it is their dedication to protect their students. She ended her public comment by saying, “Please let’s get it right and let’s finally make our division what it needs to be.”
Other citizens that spoke to the hate speech policy said that they feel the word “race” should be added to the definition of hate speech in the policy as it encompasses the harm done by hate speech. The action plan is also a part of the policy that residents believe needs specificity in revision.
The school board discussion on the second read was lengthy and thorough, revolving around verbiage and definition clarity, policy clarity and lawyer review. The school board also wants the policy to be clear in terms of what roles and procedures administration and faculty play in a potential hate speech situation so that no incident or event falls through the cracks. A worry that circulated through the board was potential misinterpretation of the policy from both faculty and the student body. With revisions, the Hate Speech Policy was approved with amendments.