Meeting Synopsis: HoCoJAG and HCPSS Leadership

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HoCoJAG recently met with key leaders from the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), including Superintendent Bill Barnes, Chief Equity and Innovation Officer Caroline Walker, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Judith Jones, and General Counsel J. Stephen Cowles. The meeting centered on HCPSS’s Title VI Resolution Agreement with the Department of Education OCR and creating a collaboration between HoCoJAG and HCPSS to proactively address antisemitism.

During our discussion, HoCoJAG emphasized the importance of adopting a clear and actionable definition of antisemitism—one that not only protects Jewish students, but can also serve as a model for addressing other forms of hate, bigotry, and racism. We stressed the value in HCPSS adopting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, joining 37 US States, the US State Department, Montgomery County, almost all major Jewish organizations including the Jewish Federations of North America, JCRC of Greater Washington, Union for Reform Judaism, American Jewish Committee, and Anti-Defamation League, as well as Harvard University as part of its own recent Title VI OCR agreement. We also shared the broader principle that antisemitism includes rhetoric or actions that legitimize or normalize the demonization of Jews.

We were encouraged when Superintendent Barnes agreed with HoCoJAG’s recommendation that external nationally recognized experts on antisemitism advise HCPSS on implementation of the OCR Agreement rather than leaving it in the hands of the same people who failed to recognize and prevent the hostile environment for Jewish students.

Additionally, we discussed school walkouts and the importance of developing a consistent, district-wide approach—a “playbook”—that protects free expression while appropriately regulating the time, place, conduct, and manner of walkouts, thus preventing the creation of a hostile environment for students in moments of high tension or conflicting viewpoints.

We are heartened by HCPSS’s willingness to engage in discussions on the ideal manner of implementing the OCR Agreement, and their commitment to collaborating with HoCoJAG to create a more inclusive and respectful school environment. As a result of this meeting, and to continue these important conversations, we will be meeting with HCPSS leadership quarterly.

“HoCoJAG remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for the Jewish community in Howard County,” said Trevor Greene, President of HoCoJAG. “Together, we are working to ensure every Jewish student feels as safe, supported, and seen as all students should.”

Trevor Greene, HoCoJAG President urges HCPSS to Protect Jewish Students

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Following the Office of Civil Rights’ determination that HCPSS has inadequately handled antisemitism complaints, Trevor Greene from HoCoJAG urges the school system to demonstrate its commitment to protecting Jewish students. As part of the testimony presented to HCPSS, we are calling for four immediate actions, including engaging national experts, adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism, amending Policy 9020.D, and mandating universal training for faculty and staff. Read the full testimony here. Watch the full testimony here.

HoCoJAG calls on HCPSS to demonstrate its commitment to protecting Jewish students with 4 immediate actions.

What you need to know about the Office of Civil Rights Letter to HCPSS

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Every student deserves a school environment where they feel safe, respected, and free to learn without fear of harassment or discrimination. The OCR agreement is an essential step in ensuring this for Jewish students in Howard County Public Schools. You can find the letter to Superintendent Barnes here.

Key points:

    • Recognition of Harm: The OCR’s findings validate the experiences of Jewish students and families who had repeatedly reported feeling unsafe or marginalized due to antisemitic bullying and harassment.
    • Requiring Transparency: The OCR agreement requires HCPSS to start properly tracking and reporting incidents of hate/bias including to OCR so that systemic issues are not swept under the rug.
    • Training and Mitigation: We welcome the OCR agreement, but are concerned that the same team that ignored or dismissed the problem for so long may now be tasked with implementing the solution. HoCoJAG believes training and mitigation must be guided by nationally recognized experts on K-12 antisemitism such as the CAMERA Education Institute, The Brandeis Center, the Anti-Defamation League, or the American Jewish Committee.
    • Accountability: HCPSS must hold faculty, staff, and student organizations accountable for acts that create a hostile environment for any protected class. Violations of HCPSS bullying, harassment, and anti-discrimination policies must come with consequences. 
    • Title VI Responsibilities: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act requires schools to counter a hostile environment for any protected class (including Jews) regardless of how that environment was created. OCR is very clear that even if the hostile environment is caused by protected political speech, it does not relieve the school of its obligations.

    The K-12 Antisemitism Crisis

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    HoCoJAG and Temple Isaiah are proud to welcome Rebecca Schgallis of the CAMERA Education Institute to Howard County. Ms. Schgallis is an educator and renowned expert on K-12 antisemitism. She will be presenting information that every Jewish parent should know on Sunday October 20th at 9:30AM. The event is free, but registration is required. Please sign up here.

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