March 22nd, 2023 by WCBC Radio
The Allegany County Public School system sent a letter home in February notifying parents of students who receive outside mental health therapy- that those students will no longer be excused. The board offered parents instead the option of having their kids meet with school counselors. After hearing concerns expressed by some parents- the Board of Education has released a statement regarding the decision and updated the situation. The statement read that the school system works cooperatively with a number of local private and governmental health and mental health organziaitons that serve its students. The state and local board policies state clearly that outpatient appointments should not materially interfere with the education process. According to the release, all but one local agency works with ACPS to schedule appointments in a manner that avoids excessive conflict with the school day, so that students can receive the healthcare they need without interfering with those students’ education process. In addition, ACPS had deemed the transportation provided by this agency to be unsafe. State law provides that ACPS is responsible for the safety of students during the school day. ACPS cannot release students to unsafe transportation situations provided by third party entities. To that end, ACPS does not release students to outside agencies who cannot provide a Maryland State Department of Education inspected and approved school bus or van.
ACPS Addresses Attendance and Safety Concerns
Allegany County Public Schools (ACPS) works cooperatively with local private and governmental health and mental health organizations that serve its students. ACPS also complies with all federal and state laws to accommodate students with disabilities and other special needs through the individualized education program process. Maryland’s Constitution provides that children in the State are entitled to a free public education and State law provides that school attendance is required.
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and ACPS policies excuse absences for medical and mental health appointments; however, outpatient appointments should not materially interfere with the education process. Scheduling multiple outpatient appointments weekly at the same time of the school day for the entire school year has a material impact on the educational development of children.
All but one local agency works with ACPS to schedule appointments in a manner that avoids excessive conflict with the school day, so that students can receive the healthcare they need without interfering with those students’ education process. In addition, ACPS had deemed the transportation provided by this agency to be unsafe. State law provides that ACPS is responsible for the safety of students during the school day. ACPS cannot release students to unsafe transportation situations provided by third party entities. To that end, ACPS does not release students to outside agencies who cannot provide a Maryland State Department of Education inspected and approved school bus or van. This rule does not apply to parents/guardians.
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