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It just got tougher to ban books in Maryland school libraries

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It just got tougher to ban books in Maryland school libraries


Maryland’s school board on Tuesday approved changes in state regulations to align with a law that prevents removing books from school libraries without due process.

The move adds another layer of protection for school library books in Maryland amid attempts by conservative activists to pull books they view as inappropriate. The change will go into effect after a regulatory review process.

Last year, state lawmakers passed the Freedom to Read Act. It prevents school and public library books from being removed because of an author’s background as well as partisan, ideological or religious disapproval.

Under the law, school systems are required to implement a policy that explains how members of the public can challenge a book they disapprove of. And school systems cannot remove a challenged book until after the review process is complete.

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The law and state regulation do not cover classroom books or materials.

The Freedom to Read Act was a response to attempted book bans in public school districts, including in Carroll County, where a local Moms for Liberty chapter, a conservative parental rights group, campaigned to remove library books that it considered inappropriate. It resulted in the temporary removal of over 50 books. Some stayed off the shelves for good after a review process. Carroll’s school board also tightened its policy so that no textbooks or library books deemed sexually explicit could be available in the schools.

Parents and educators who opposed those moves argued that decisions about books should be left to the professionals — librarians.

Carroll County commissioners threatened to pull funding from its local library system because library staff advocated for the bill in Annapolis. The commission president even referred to the Freedom to Read Act as an anti-Carroll County bill.

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Tuesday’s vote by the state school board was unanimous.

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The proposed changes in the state regulation include updated definitions, examples of professional development available to school library staff, and the need for schools to have a certified librarian on staff.

Kimberly Cowles, the state’s educational program specialist for school library media, said at the meeting that she doesn’t see the Freedom to Read Act as something that’s for or against book bans.

“It just adds transparency to the whole process, so parents and teachers, or whoever has an objection to a book, that they know exactly what the process is,” she said.

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Josh Michael, head of the state school board and the executive director of the Sherman Family Foundation, a financial supporter of The Banner, affirmed that although Maryland has a culture of local control when it comes to its school systems, it is important that the standards set by the state are upheld.

About the Education Hub

This reporting is part of The Banner’s Education Hub, community-funded journalism that provides parents with resources they need to make decisions about how their children learn. Read more.





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Maryland

Severn scratch-off makes player a millionaire as Maryland Lottery pays $31.8M in prizes

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Severn scratch-off makes player a millionaire as Maryland Lottery pays .8M in prizes


A scratch-off ticket sold in Severn turned one Maryland Lottery player into a millionaire, leading a week in which the Lottery paid out more than $31.8 million in prizes statewide.

Maryland Lottery and Gaming said it paid more than $31.8 million in prizes from Feb. 23 through March 1, including 36 tickets worth $10,000 or more.

The top scratch-off prize claimed during that period was a $1 million winning $1,000,000 Crossword ticket sold at the Walmart at 407 George Clauss Boulevard in Severn. Another top winner was a $100,000 Red 5’s Doubler ticket sold at the Carroll Motor Fuel station at 2535 Cleanleigh Drive in Parkville.

Other scratch-off prizes claimed Feb. 23 through March 1 included two $50,000 winners: a 200X the Cash ticket sold at the Wawa at 7501 Pulaski Highway in Rosedale, and a $5,000,000 Luxe ticket sold at the Spring Hill Lake Mini Market at 9240 Spring Hill Lane in Greenbelt. A $30,000 Diamond Bingo 6th Edition ticket was sold at Tempo Lounge at 402 Back River Neck Road in Essex.

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The Lottery also reported three $20,000 scratch-off winners, all on $1,000,000 Crossword tickets sold at Geresbeck’s Food Market at 8489 Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena; Hillandale Beer and Wine at 10117 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring; and Paddock Wine and Spirits at 7627 Woodbine Road in Woodbine.

The Lottery reminded players to sign the backs of tickets and keep winning tickets in a safe location.

The Lottery said the last dates to claim scratch-off tickets are posted on the scratch-offs page at mdlottery.com.

More information is available at mdlottery.com.

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SUN: Dozens of vehicles moved to planned Maryland ICE facility; advocates concerned

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SUN: Dozens of vehicles moved to planned Maryland ICE facility; advocates concerned


Advocacy groups are raising concerns over a warehouse in Washington County that is slated to become an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility after dozens of black SUVs were moved to the warehouse’s parking lot on Sunday.

“When federal enforcement vehicles begin lining the warehouse lot, it sends a clear message about what’s taking shape in our community,” said the organizer of Hagerstown Rapid Response, Claire Connor. “We refuse to let ICE quietly plant roots in Washington County without transparency, accountability and community consent.”

The 825,620-square-foot warehouse is located at 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport. Access to the facility was blocked by orange traffic barriers and signs outlining regulations and “governing conduct on federal property” with the Department of Homeland Security emblem at the top of the page.

In late January, Washington County issued a news release stating that on Jan. 14, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent a letter to the county’s historic district commission and department of planning and zoning regarding the property.

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Read the full story on the Baltimore Sun’s website.



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Howard County police investigate fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia

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Howard County police investigate fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia


An adult man was killed in a police-involved shooting in Columbia early Sunday, prompting an investigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division.

Howard County police said officers were called on March 1, at about 12:09 a.m., to an apartment building in the 6400 block of Freetown Road for a report that involved an adult male threatening to harm himself.

According to police, at about 12:22 a.m., officers encountered the man outside the building. The man approached officers while holding a knife and ignored commands to drop the weapon, police said. Officers then shot the man.

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Officers attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officersrecovered a knife near the man.

No officers were injured, and the officers were equipped with body-worn cameras.

The Independent Investigations Division is investigating.

Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576–7070 or by email atIID@oag.maryland.gov.

The IID willgenerally releasethe name of the decedent and any involved officers within two business days of the incident, although that period may be extended, if necessary,pursuant toIID protocol.

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TheIID willgenerally releasebody-worn camera footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.



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