Garrett County Schools Respond to Concerns Over Elimination of Special Programs Coordinator Role, Parents Say Key Questions Remain

Garrett County News reached out to the Garrett County Board of Education after parents and community members raised concerns about the elimination of a district-level administrative position connected to student support services, including 504 plans.

In a statement provided to Garrett County News, the school system emphasized that services will continue.

“The Garrett County Public School System remains committed to meeting the needs of our students. That commitment continues to extend to students who qualify for 504 services. While an administrative position is being eliminated, we will continue to provide rich 504 services to our students who qualify.”

Why the change is drawing attention

Community concern escalated after a widely shared post warned that the eliminated role was not “just another administrative position,” but one that helped coordinate and guide multiple support systems relied on by students, families, teachers, and administrators.

Parents say the position historically supported oversight and coordination across areas including:

• 504 Plans providing accommodations for students with disabilities
• IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) providing specialized instruction and services
• Behavior intervention planning for students who need structured supports
• Medical and health plans for students managing serious conditions and allergies
• Student intervention programs aimed at preventing students from falling behind
• Transition planning for students with disabilities preparing for life after graduation
• Training and guidance for staff navigating complex state and federal requirements
• Compliance oversight tied to laws such as Section 504 and IDEA

What the district addressed — and what parents say is still unanswered

While the district statement specifically referenced continued commitment to 504 services, parents say the response did not address several other concerns raised publicly about the broader scope of duties connected to special programs and compliance.

Families and community members say they are still seeking clarity on questions such as:

• Who is now responsible for countywide oversight of 504 processes and implementation consistency across schools?

• Who will ensure IDEA-related compliance and coordination for IEPs and special education services, beyond 504 plans?

• Will responsibilities be reassigned to existing staff, and if so, which roles or departments will absorb them?

• Will case management workloads increase for school-level staff, and how will the district prevent delays in evaluations, meetings, updates, and documentation?

• How will teachers and administrators receive guidance and training when laws, documentation standards, and best practices change?

• What safeguards are in place for medically complex students, where plans must be updated, communicated, and followed precisely?

• What metrics will the district use to show services remain “rich,” and will the public be able to see those outcomes (response times, compliance findings, staffing ratios, etc.)?

• How will parents be notified of process changes (contact points, timelines, escalation steps) if the structure has changed?

Several parents also expressed that the issue is deeply personal, describing how coordinated planning between health providers, family members, and school supports can be critical to a child’s stability and academic success.

Budget questions and community trust

The public discussion has also included broader questions about budget priorities, with some residents asking why cuts would affect roles tied directly to student support, especially for students who already face additional challenges.

Others have called for increased transparency about how decisions are made and what protections are in place to ensure services remain consistent across the county.

What’s next

Garrett County News will continue seeking additional details from the school system and the Board of Education, including how oversight duties will be reassigned, what operational changes families should expect, and how the district plans to measure and communicate continuity of services beyond 504 plans.

Community members who have raised concerns are asking for direct, specific answers — not only reassurance — about how responsibilities will be handled moving forward, and how families can be confident that students’ legal protections and support systems remain fully in place.