Questions or Concerns

Janet Shipman
Supervisor of Behavioral Health and Student Services
(301) 644-5220

Debbie Foreman
Student Services Associate
(301) 644-5239

Everyone has the right to feel respected and be treated with dignity. At FCPS we believe schools must be safe, provide an optimal environment for achievement and be free from violence.

FCPS teachers establish clear behavior standards and make every effort to:

  • Be aware of problems
  • Provide proper guidance and supervision
  • Consistently and fairly enforce policies

Bullying incidents, however, tend to occur out of sight of school staff. Research and experience show that a comprehensive approach that includes students and parents has the most promise in reducing bullying and the harm it causes.

If you have a concern or disagree with a decision made about your child’s safety, instruction, discipline or other matter, FCPS is ready to work with you to resolve the issue. Usually issues are most quickly resolved closest to the source of the concern.  Therefore, we recommend following this sequence, starting with #1 and proceeding to the next level as necessary until your concern is satisfactorily resolved:

  1. Your child’s teacher or school counselor, as appropriate
  2. School assistant principal or principal
  3. Central Office School Administration and Instructional Leadership (SAIL) director or the appropriate department supervisor if your concern is about a non-school matter such as transportation or food service
  4. Chief of Schools or Chief Operating Officer
  5. Deputy superintendent
  6. Superintendent
  7. Board of Education

Report Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation
It is not helpful to simply tell a child to ignore bullying or encourage a child to fight the bully.

Children need a trusted adult to turn to when they feel threatened. It is important to contact the school counselor, administrator or teacher to report bullying because it may not stop without help.

To report bullying, use the FCPS Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation Reporting Form available under Resources on this page and in school offices.

If bullying happens outside of school, families can call:

  • 211 for community resource information
  • Law enforcement if threats or physical harm occur

Learn more about bullying and harassment in the FCPS Prevent Bullying brochure, linked under Resources (above right). Information is also in the FCPS Calendar Handbook and Regulation 400-48.

Community Concern Informal Resolution Process

The informal concern resolution process assures prompt and equitable solutions for the community. Depending on the nature of the concern, it may involve Staff Level Discussion, Principal Led Discussion, or Director Let Discussion. This process does not suspend the right to file a formal complaint. Use the Community Concern Process Map below to guide you through the process.

Note: PDF forms must be downloaded and saved before filling out and returning.

The Office of the Ombuds is also available as a confidential resource to discuss options.

Restraint and/or Exclusion Complaint Process

Any student, parent, guardian, staff member, or other individual can freely express concerns regarding the use of Physical Restraint and/or Exclusion Practices. The complaint procedure is intended to provide prompt and equitable resolution of complaints related to Physical Restraint and/or Exclusion practices.

Complaints may be submitted orally or in writing by any student, parent, guardian, staff member, or other individual.

To make a written complaint, individuals can complete the Physical Restraint and/or Exclusion Complaint Form and submit the form through any of the following means:

  1. Hardcopy Form Submission (English Restraint and/or Exclusion Complaint Form, Spanish Restraint and/or Exclusion Complaint Form)
    1. Forms will be available at every school building in the front office.
    2. Once completed, the individual can insert it in a locked dropbox in the school’s front office. Dropbox completed forms will be sent to the Supervisor of Behavior Analysts.
  2. Digital Form Submission - Forms may be completed using the online form.
  3. Email Form Submission - Forms may be submitted by email to the Supervisor of Behavior Analysts at BCBA@fcps.org.
  4. Postal Mail Submission - Forms may be sent by U.S. Mail to:

Supervisor of Behavior Analysts, Office of Special Education
Frederick County Public Schools
191 South East Street
Frederick, MD 21701

To make an oral complaint, individuals can provide information through the following means:

  1. The FCPS Supervisor of Behavior Analysts may be contacted at (301) 644-5250. Individuals may speak directly with the FCPS Supervisor of Behavior Analysts. This person will investigate all complaints and follow up with the individual in working to resolve the concern.
  2. The Ombuds for Frederick County Public Schools may be contacted at (301) 696-6852. Individuals may speak directly with the FCPS Ombuds. The Ombuds will get information on your complaint and work with the Supervisor of Behavior Analysts and you to address and resolve the concern.

The Supervisor of Behavior Analysts will complete the following steps in order to promptly respond to complaints:

  1. Investigate all complaints, including requesting additional information from complainants and affected parties if necessary.
  2. The Supervisor will provide a written determination simultaneously to all parties no later than sixty (60) days from the receipt of the complaint.

Retaliation, harassment, or negative educational consequence is strictly prohibited against any complainant (or any member of their family) for filing the complaint or otherwise participating in the complaint process.

FCPS is committed to continuous process improvement. More importantly, we are dedicated to serving the whole child; academically, socially and emotionally. FCPS will continue to work closely with our community and the United States Department of Justice to improve practice, and design programs and strategies that support the diverse needs of our student population.