[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6383977,"mediaKeyId","2123219-854d8eceb3cf00e9dfade2596237bdc2","parentId",2123219,"title","Parents raise concerns about long‑term substitute placement at Dow Elementary","audioSeconds",174,"startMs",9221000,"endMs",9395000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2123219-854d8eceb3cf00e9dfade2596237bdc2&start=9221&end=9395","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2123219-854d8eceb3cf00e9dfade2596237bdc2/thumbnail_9221000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6383977/Calvert-County/Maryland/Parents-raise-concerns-about-longterm-substitute-placement-at-Dow-Elementary","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383977-7f72089ffc58adfb7618ad4afcf9989b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936403&Signature=Ak31OLnuO2iMD5xlYb3Y3tV8Zwgett381f4QJjY~ZC8uJkZPLuVZ04Y07izzjUpvx3FSNCEfCegEZmEtoPXjlsDr25bTjyThIrXJST6hZM3B3sBmx5LarHmMKBlKTzUGApIpnYu~28sOlM6oTNBmSWkTLhiALz6ApMFnOl9SaRr3A8dm2NuXxxdmtP3PL-kXHBUlxAzxoG4xIXs-00rFq~gwi41YXyrKD~VjlTxs8RwPW8zz6jCjPrlJSaHM6XqBd6r6m1dkBT0D-HIupZewrqWCpQvZFIMatm9744XTqEWYZ7zjOm3lX9K-r7cUL8Rl85IpfrE5K476iG3RxcIohQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Calvert County, MD","date","2025-01-14T00:00:00Z","article","A Dow Elementary parent addressed the Board of County Commissioners during public comment on Jan. 14 to report concerns about placement of a long‑term substitute teacher in a first‑grade classroom.

Nicole Daub said a 19‑year‑old with no formal teaching qualifications or “meaningful classroom experience” was placed as a long‑term substitute for a five‑week assignment and that parents were notified just one day before winter break. She told the board the family had not received a substantive response from the superintendent and asked the district to place a qualified educator, to adopt clearer standards for long‑term substitutes and to improve communication with parents.

Her husband, Daniel Bowman, added a brief comment and provided the board with the teacher introduction the school sent to parents. County officials said they would forward the concern to the superintendent; no board action was taken during the meeting.

Why it matters: Parents said the assignment raised questions about district standards and transparency for long‑term substitutes in early elementary grades, a stage parents described as critical for development and classroom stability.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting - 01/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At public comment during the Jan. 14 meeting a parent raised concerns that a 19‑year‑old with no teaching credentials was placed as a long‑term substitute in a first‑grade classroom and asked the school district to set clearer standards and improve transparency.","taxTitle","Calvert County, Maryland","taxId",61673,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6383981,"Commissioners confirm appointments, approve consent agenda and pension‑board nominees",228,2265000,2493000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2123219-854d8eceb3cf00e9dfade2596237bdc2&start=2265&end=2493","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2123219-854d8eceb3cf00e9dfade2596237bdc2/thumbnail_2265000.jpg","/articles/6383981/Calvert-County/Maryland/Commissioners-confirm-appointments-approve-consent-agenda-and-pensionboard-nominees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383981-2abda8bfa9fa2cbd5fa507057b36f6bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936403&Signature=J9hHnGpB69n3kjGueO4ZYI-iyMcUMzAKhHIKwEyCbDmUhL0khQYoi5ygXJZfCBZtbOUs~p5janvFIVbperXbnP0RWgy~7qUD9eHRazwwsUoz7gVS1wSHXD1GtpfRcqWH0IGIRknvogfKyZ2C~jitbB9jSW5TWaomNeebgr0B~ekX86TTlGlTp09V56On4sS2j92O5QoQrizHMW0wiPYKlA70btCbYKtkkVcr7RhBSn5ver1gxo5qN1ygf9f-r6qjZwA2kjwXWyEVCusy1UnrwQStOvRwIAMFKB~I1rVY2f95eem8uvjjA8dK1~y~LI4NBESIVoBQXRW~tKwHpw-qIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 14 approved several administrative appointments and consent items, and confirmed new representatives to multiple boards.

Appointments and confirmations included redesignating Calvert County’s representative to the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Control Committee from Jessica Catano to Amaya Plek Tom (planner III) and replacing the Social Services Advisory Board representative from Jennifer Moreland to Jacqueline Culver (deputy director, Department of Community Resources). The board voted to confirm the recommended changes.

The board adopted the consent agenda, which included: a Department of Economic Development budget amendment for Economic Development Authority loan applications; a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Community Resources and the Calvert County Health Department for the 2025 Highway to Health program; the Department of Planning and Zoning’s Calvert County Flood Mitigation Plan annual update; and approval of the Department of Community Resources agency safety plan for bus transit.

On the Sheriff’s Office Pension Plan Board of Trustees, the board approved citizen appointments Suzanne Benedict, Megan Sutphin and John Trust to three vacant citizen positions and appointed Bobby Jones as the retired member; Commissioner Ireland recused himself from that vote. The board also reappointed William Bass to the Historic District Commission.

Each motion carried on voice vote. No fiscal appropriation beyond the consent items listed in the packet was debated separately during the meeting.","At the Jan. 14 meeting the Board of County Commissioners confirmed several committee designees, approved consent agenda items, and approved citizen and retiree appointments to the Sheriff’s Office Pension Plan Board (with Commissioner Ireland recused).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6383984,"Calvert County Police Accountability Board reports 26 complaints in 2024, highlights training and interagency agreements",819,4985000,5804000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2123219-854d8eceb3cf00e9dfade2596237bdc2&start=4985&end=5804","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2123219-854d8eceb3cf00e9dfade2596237bdc2/thumbnail_4985000.jpg","/articles/6383984/Calvert-County/Maryland/Calvert-County-Police-Accountability-Board-reports-26-complaints-in-2024-highlights-training-and-interagency-agreements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383984-f8fe9864ff39b5b4190430ef571a6108/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936403&Signature=VegccSghNW6nP2yhnF0rowm059306hOiZRiSar1XhAwFR0AHj2FiVF4Jyre3oRXMHisPTQ9xXSxTOOMAXhBRf9V4DxrBZMzhBggdbUyuFgPpF5OQ0m94PtA8Q82QUyekArj~iX0k13F10SGcsvbDKXZo9kRBbg8QRXzMlClhQFu-nRF0608ismoE4BAGWwkt2N~TbttpvzgRC4hb5aKE-M2-YV82FZw0N8Z8HsnHz4pIb2YWmHSH~cL1-dTfHIBvU95mL3TyDf92mBNvoO6jmKeSnkKkqkamE7Ypnhli4ZnV0tZoWGQmkpmTBkQUTqNNmdasLwuDDdTXV1cY50dpRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calvert County Police Accountability Board (PAB) and the county’s Administrative Charging Committee (ACC) presented their 2024 year‑end report to the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 14, noting 26 citizen complaints in 2024 (down from 29 in 2023) and continued emphasis on training, interagency memoranda and community outreach.

PAB chair Wilson H. Perron and ACC chair Edward Baylor described the board’s responsibilities: the PAB receives complaints and forwards them to the sheriff’s office, the ACC reviews completed investigations and determines administrative charges using an adopted statewide discipline matrix, and a trial board (not yet convened in Calvert County) would hear appeals if invoked.

The presenters highlighted a March statewide review by the Police Executive Research Forum that led to training improvements: PAB members received an all‑day training session after consultants found uneven training across jurisdictions. The ACC has completed multi‑day training sessions and uses a standardized matrix to promote consistent discipline recommendations.

Perron and Baylor described successful memoranda of understanding with the state’s attorney and the sheriff’s office to improve case routing, clarify criminal versus administrative pathways, and to share expectations on confidentiality and evidence handling. The PAB chair also described public outreach efforts, including presentations to local civic groups to explain PAB/ACC roles and the complaint process.

The board noted the downward trend in complaint numbers and credited improved body‑camera coverage, clearer complaint requirements (including identifying officers or incidents) and more public education for the decline. Commissioners and presenters discussed comparisons with larger jurisdictions and stressed the PAB/ACC’s continuing focus on transparency and fairness.

No trial board hearings were reported for 2024; the PAB and ACC said they remain available to assist other counties with implementation questions and will continue quarterly public meetings with the sheriff’s office.

The board received the report as informational; no formal action was taken.","The Police Accountability Board (PAB) and Administrative Charging Committee (ACC) presented their 2024 year‑end report to the Board of County Commissioners, reporting 26 complaints in 2024, continuing interagency memorandums of understanding, expanded training and quarterly collaboration with the sheriff’s office.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6383985,"Calvert County creates AI advisory committee, adopts AI use policy",1878,7381000,9259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2123219-854d8eceb3cf00e9dfade2596237bdc2&start=7381&end=9259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2123219-854d8eceb3cf00e9dfade2596237bdc2/thumbnail_7381000.jpg","/articles/6383985/Calvert-County/Maryland/Calvert-County-creates-AI-advisory-committee-adopts-AI-use-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383985-dd0676595b9aa8bc766e612cf41e92f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936403&Signature=e3MSpo000axw-TpVLyuwS9Is8YvoqQheQ0WFwe8m3L623ssknXvTWEKlVcpsDCWyPlzgeweBX5Y3MM-~EUv619~gH~30iUlac~ICs6E-v79qWmA1rQiyJLTthO~pOfPoKmVb4JrAy-t3Nj39o39V7rxNXntF0MOUc4BtA1QvCpTTvmSDRm32pBDJu8GUSrxE9wSGMtVJjPUTfcX-n53riiqde4M3v5Sz8vddPXO7QpcAhup2nf2UbgTMzu7JrZGWL2d5gRfRVDcQhi6i8DLhhHbMRRy~MF-yIBVjEAEgM2tLIEUzTjgzkqV2zdXWsuMsU0A7tFnjsjqIIGTuzAOpzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Calvert County commissioners voted Jan. 14 to approve a countywide artificial intelligence (AI) use policy and create an AI advisory committee to oversee responsible deployment of generative and other AI tools across county departments.

The committee will advise the county administrator on AI initiatives, recommend training and governance, and evaluate specific tools after cybersecurity screening. The board voted unanimously to adopt the policy and establish the committee.

Why it matters: County staff said AI has the potential to increase productivity, improve service delivery and cut costs, but it also presents privacy, security and fairness risks that require governance, training and human oversight.

Technology services leadership described the policy as a two‑part structure: an internal use policy that sets rules and a recurring advisory committee that will evaluate tools and use cases. The policy includes a risk matrix to guide permissible inputs (public versus sensitive data), requires cyber security vetting before wider adoption, and calls for “human‑in‑the‑loop” review for outputs used in decision‑making.

Technology staff said the county is already using some AI tools (including licensed ChatGPT instances in pilot form), and that buying managed licenses would increase logging and control. The committee will include representatives from the county administrator’s office, legal, human resources, communications, and technology services; subject‑matter experts would join meetings as needed. The policy requires mandatory training for staff granted AI access.

During discussion commissioners asked about workforce impacts, safeguards for residents’ data and how appeals among department heads, HR and the county administrator would be resolved. County administrators said finance and budgeting present among the largest potential efficiency gains.

The motion to approve the AI policy and establish the advisory committee passed on voice vote. Staff will begin committee recruitment and a phased rollout of training and vetted tools.","The Board of County Commissioners voted to approve an artificial‑intelligence use policy and establish an AI advisory committee to vet AI tools, recommend training and advise the county administrator on authorized AI implementations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6383986,"Calvert County commissioners direct staff to prepare consolidated industrial zoning ordinance for public hearing",2441,2513000,4954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2123219-854d8eceb3cf00e9dfade2596237bdc2&start=2513&end=4954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2123219-854d8eceb3cf00e9dfade2596237bdc2/thumbnail_2513000.jpg","/articles/6383986/Calvert-County/Maryland/Calvert-County-commissioners-direct-staff-to-prepare-consolidated-industrial-zoning-ordinance-for-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383986-0f4755083dbf60a7405d89b28076fb7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936403&Signature=Q97mcWDzxCFLoVLskb655T9J3ph2ztG5ZNu53Mo64yAo4iKJ8ERbaq9sRyc3hH0sw6xcWaESZ-OWzhCeUJohl~RP1xrxQxi5vgBQ5URAtm~-XJzaIyPXB9DZbAIa9ekQ3qTYbyet6Oj8yqbzygGX-8c~GZZ1xZCTugUfHugoLKobbRnCnkqJjJ8aZKmUDsAnMqTA11Dt0-TkuHU8xGwJDGHcuwD7P8xIXOfPbfqb0wDzJ2YJTX1I7h3hpZoUUTB97Lv64iNL0hvYhcydAQDU5-IDsR7utTuD24NJ1pIzoluVDHKco8sCqdrSd81tbUayfobIB4vvXifDS5O8H2FZIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Calvert County commissioners on Jan. 14 voted to send a revised zoning ordinance to public hearing that would merge the county’s light industrial (I‑1) and industrial mixed‑use (IMU) districts into a single industrial district and add a special‑exception route for heavy industrial uses.

The measure, moved during the board’s discussion of the Planning and Zoning department’s draft update and approved by the full board, directs staff to prepare a hearing draft that harmonizes permitted and conditional uses in the two districts and preserves existing conditions such as a 25,000‑square‑foot cap for “home improvement centers” located outside town centers. The board also directed that heavy industrial uses be treated as a special exception routed to the Board of Appeals.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the consolidation aims to reduce public and staff confusion about which district existing businesses fall into and to limit large “big‑box” footprints on industrial land while preserving options for appropriate industrial development.

Planning staff told the board the November 2024 draft zoning ordinance and the Planning Commission’s December 30 recommendation prompted the discussion. Staff outlined distinctions between I‑1 and IMU uses — for example, some waste‑handling and commercial fuel storage uses are listed only in I‑1, while a range of retail and civic uses are allowed in IMU. Planners and commissioners said those differences have led to inconsistent interpretations for existing sites.

Commissioners pressed staff on safeguards. The board reaffirmed the 25,000‑square‑foot limit in the draft for home‑improvement‑center development outside of town centers (the cap, staff said, mirrors existing draft language) and directed that any heavy industrial activity that might pose greater impacts be subject to the Board of Appeals via a special‑exception requirement. Staff and commissioners also discussed buffers, setbacks and conditional use standards for data centers and other heavier industrial categories that may require additional review.

Several commissioners voiced concern about unintended outcomes and called for explicit review triggers and stronger public‑notice or community‑engagement steps for particularly large or sensitive projects. Planning staff said most projects will still require a site plan and multiagency staff review before Planning Commission consideration; they also said text amendments remain an option for uses not explicitly captured in the revised use table.

The motion — “that we prepare zoning ordinance for the public hearing that we consolidate I‑1 and IMU mixed use district in a single district with the uses proposed for the I‑1 and IMU allowed in the same conditions and requirements reflected in the current draft and zoning ordinance, and add a special exception for the heavy industrial uses in the light industrial district” — passed on voice vote. The board did not record a roll‑call tally in the meeting minutes.

The board also asked staff to continue outreach to potential applicants and to make clear how business owners can request interpretations or text amendments if their proposed use does not fit the revised categories.","The Board of County Commissioners voted to prepare a revised zoning ordinance that combines the I‑1 (light industrial) and Industrial Mixed Use (IMU) districts into a single industrial district, preserves size limits for ‘home improvement centers,’ and makes heavy‑industrial uses subject to a special‑exception (Board of Appeals) process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents raise concerns about long‑term substitute placement at Dow Elementary

Commissioners confirm appointments, approve consent agenda and pension‑board nominees

Calvert County Police Accountability Board reports 26 complaints in 2024, highlights training and interagency agreements

Calvert County creates AI advisory committee, adopts AI use policy

Calvert County commissioners direct staff to prepare consolidated industrial zoning ordinance for public hearing