Jul 15, 2021 Board of Education

[2. Business Meeting - 3:30 p.m.]

[00:00:07]

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>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE CALVERT COUNTY MEETING TO ORDER.

TODAY IS THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021.

[2.01 Pledge of Allegiance]

[2.02 Moment of Silence]

[2.03 Mission Statement]

[SILENCE] >> THANK YOU.

YOU MAY BE SEATED.HE MISSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS TO ENSURE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION FOR OUR STUDENTS.

[2.04 Eagle Scout Recognition]

THE EAGLE SCOUTS. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

I DO HAVE RESOLUTION I WOULD LIKE TO READ.

AND CERTAINLY CELEBRATE THIS MAN'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

JOHN AUSTIN BAND OR, IS HE HERE BY ANY CHANCE? HAS DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF AMONG THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA BY BEING ELEVATED TO EAGLE SCOUT, THE HIGHEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCOUTING. HIS PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT DEMONSTRATED LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO THE PRINCIPLE OF SCOUTING AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

IT HAS BROUGHT HIM THIS HONOR. TO ATTEND A RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT, HE HAS EARNED 51 MERIT BADGES.

SOME OF THEM EQUATED AND OTHERS BY HIS CHOOSING.

JOHN AUSTIN COMPLETED HIS PROJECT WHERE HE BUILT MASON BEEHIVES FOR SOTTERLEY PLANTATION ? I DON'T KNOW IF I'M PRONOUNCING THAT RIGHT. JOHN AUSTIN EARNED THE DEN CHIEF AWARD, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SCOUT RANGER AWARD'S AWARD, WORLD CONSERVATIVE AWARD, NATIONAL OUTDOOR AWARD, AND MESSENGER OF PEACE AWARD. JOHN AUSTIN GRADUATED FROM PATUXENT HIGH SCHOOL IN 2021. I RESOLUTE THE CALVERT COUNTY BOARD JOINED THE BOY SCOUT TROOP TO COMMEND JOHN AUSTIN ON THIS OCCASION OF HIS ATTAINING EAGLE SCOUT.

AND FURTHER, THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WISH AND EVERY SUCCESS IN ACHIEVING HIS PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS.

NOW, YOU KNOW, I DO A LOT OF SCOUT STUFF.

ACTUALLY, I HAD FOUR GIRL SCOUTS THAT I SHOULD'VE BROUGHT HERE TODAY TO READ THEIR NAMES. THESE PEOPLE PUT OUT A LOT OF WORK TO ACHIEVE EAGLE SCOUT, GIRL SCOUT FIRST CLASS.

THEY SAVE THE COMMUNITY TONS OF FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT THE COUNTIES AND COMMUNITIES WOULD HAVE TO DO ON THEIR OWN.

SO, JOHN AUSTIN, CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES. AND KEEP DOING ALL THE GOOD THINGS. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> NEXT WE WILL MOVE INTO

[3. Consent Agenda]

CAN I HAVE A MOTION? >> SECOND.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

[4.01 Public Comment]

>> I. >> THE CONSENT AGENDA HAS BEEN APPROVED. NEXT WE TURN TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENT LIST. DR. CURRY?

>> MR. CURRY: FIRST I WANT TO SAY JUST BECAUSE I'VE ANSWERED A COUPLE OF EMAILS THIS MORNING WITH REGARD TO ASKING FOR A

[00:05:19]

THERE IS NOTHING ON THE BOARD'S AGENDA TODAY ABOUT ADOPTING A CURRICULUM ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND THERE ARE NO PLANS TO PRESENT ANY KIND OF CURRICULUM TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE TEACHING CHILDREN OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY. I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE TO COMMENT ON THAT. AND LET ME ALSO SAY THAT FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO BROUGHT WRITTEN COMMENTS, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE THEM IN THE BACK, THE BOARD AND I WILL GET COPIES

OF YOUR WRITTEN COMMENTS. >> SIR, YOU MAY NOT ASK QUESTIONS DURING OUR BUSINESS MEETING.

THANK YOU. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PERMITS THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON ISSUES OF CONCERN.

THE NUMBER OF COMMENTERS WILL BE LIMITED TO 10.

THOSE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD DURING THE OPEN FORUM ARE ASKED TO SIGN IN UPON APPROVAL. WHEN YOU ARE CALLED TO SPEAK, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES. IF YOU OFFICIALLY REPRESENT AN ORGANIZATION, YOU MAY SPEAK FOR FIVE MINUTES.

PERSONS ON THE SIGN-UP SHEET MAY NOT CONVEY, TRANSFER, OR RELINQUISH ANY PART OF THEIR SPEAKING TIME TO ANOTHER PERSON OR GROUP. IF YOU HAVE HANDOUTS OR WRITTEN TESTIMONY, PLEASE BRING NINE COPIES AND GIVE THEM TO STAFF UPON ARRIVAL. STAFF WILL DISTRIBUTE TO BOARD MEMBERS. TO PROTECT INDIVIDUAL CONFIDENTIALITY, PLEASE DO NOT MENTION SPECIFIC STUDENTS OR STAFF MEMBERS IN YOUR REMARKS. LL COMMENTS ARE TO BE MADE IN A CIVIL MANNER. ANYONE NOT FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE ASKED TO STOP SPEAKING AND MAY FORFEIT THEIR RIGHT TO SPEAK AT FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WHILE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION VALUES YOUR COMMENTS AND CONCERNS, THIS IS A BUSINESS MEETING.

AND THE BOARD CANNOT RESPOND TO YOUR QUESTIONS OR ENTER INTO A DISCUSSION WITH YOU DURING THE MEETING.

CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL RESPOND TO THE ISSUES YOU RAISE, SO BE SURE TO PROVIDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION WHEN YOU SIGN IN. WRITTEN COMMENTS ARE WELCOME AT ANY TIME. PLEASE EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS TO BOE MEETING FACILITATOR@CALBURNETT.K 12 DEBT MD.US. OR YOU MAY MAIL TO CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 1305, FARRIS BEACH ROAD, PRINCE FREDDRICK MARYLAND, 2678. ATTENTION BOARD OF EDUCATION ? IF YOU NEED THE ADDRESS, YOU MAY FEEL FREE TO SEE MS. MAXEY IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM. OR IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, FEEL FREE TO CALL 443-550-8006.

SO NOW WE WILL CALL OUR FIRST PERSON FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> LET ME ALSO ADD THAT THE SPEAKERS WILL COME TO THE TABLE APPEAR WHERE THE MIC IS.USH THE BUTTON AND IT WILL TURN GREEN. I WILL BE KEEPING TIME ON MY COMPUTER. IT'S NOT REAL LOUD, BUT WHEN YOU HIT THREE MINUTES, WE ASK YOU TO WRAP IT UP.

>> HELLO MY NAME IS CAM SCRIBNER AND I'M A PARENT OF A STUDENT AT BARSTOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THE BOE ACKNOWLEDGING INEQUALITIES FACING STUDENTS OF COLOR IN OUR COUNTY.

THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT CRITICISM OF THE BOARD'S EFFORTS AT PAST MEETINGS AND ON PUBLIC FORMS. AND WHILE I APPRECIATE PEOPLE'S WILLINGNESS TO STATE THEIR POSITIONS, MOST OF THIS CRITICISM STRIKES ME AS CONSTRUCTIVE, CONSPIRATORIALLY MINDED AND LARGELY INCOHERENT.

AS I UNDERSTAND IT, OPPONENTS TAKE ONE OF TWO POSITIONS: ONE, THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE OUTCOMES AND ASSUME THEY REFLECT THE SHORTCOMING OF INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS RATHER THAN SEVERAL BIASES IN THE SYSTEM. GIVEN THAT THESE OUTCOMES ARE RACIALLY DETERMINED, WE COULD CALL THIS THE RACIST POSITION.

OR, TOO, THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE ARE RACIST DISPARATE OUTCOMES BUT REFUSE TO CORRECT THEM BECAUSE THEY FAVOR COLORBLIND FORMS OF EQUALITY. KNOWING THAT THIS POSITION RINGS HOLLOW IN THE FACE OF LONG-STANDING INJUSTICES, THE SAME PROBLEM WITH DIVERSIONARY SLOGANS LIKE ALL LIVES MATTER,

[00:10:04]

RATHER THAN IMPOSE ANY MEASURES TO IMPROVE TEST SCORES, GRADUATION RATES OR SCHOOL DISCIPLINES, THEY MAKE BASELESS CLAIMS ABOUT REVERSE DISCRIMINATION.

WE COULD CALL THIS THE REACTIONARY POSITION.

EQUALITY IS A MORAL IMPERATIVE TO WHICH WE SHOULD BE COMMITTED AND COLORBLINDNESS IS AN IMPORTANT DESPERATION.

BUT OF CRITICS NEED TO OFFER THE BOARD A CLEAR STANDARD TO WHICH THEY KNOW IT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED.

TO MY MIND, THAT MEANS BEING SERIOUS ABOUT THE RESULTS OF BOARD POLICIES RATHER THAN FEAR MARKETING ABOUT COMMUNISM.

TO THAT END, IN ADDITION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A CLEAR DISPLAY OF RELEVANT DISEASE STATISTICS, PREFERABLY ALIGNED WITH THE EQUITY POLICIES GUIDELINES SECTION. SO THAT VOTERS FULLY UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF RACIAL INEQUALITIES IN OUR DISTRICT AND DEBATE ABOUT SOMETHING MEANINGFUL.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> IN OUR RECENT ANTIRACISM VERHAUL, THE BOARD HAS GONE THROUGH VARIOUS ELEMENTS WERE PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE UNDERACHIEVING OR UNDERREPRESENTED AND MADE THE CLAIM THAT IT IS DUE TO CURRENT POLICIES AND STRUCTURES OF SYSTEMIC RACISM. DELIBERATELY RACIST OR DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES DO NOT NEED TO BE IDENTIFY AS A PROOF OF RACISM BRISTLY. [INDISCERNIBLE] THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE ENTIRE BASIS FOR THESE POLICIES ARE ROOTED IN THE ASSUMPTION THAT OUR SYSTEM WAS SET UP TO BENEFIT WHITES AND PERPETUATE WHITE SUPREMACY, MEANWHILE NONWHITE MIGRANTS COME TO THIS COUNTRY.

ANY RACIAL GROUP COULD JUST AS EASILY COME TO THE SAME DATA AND SAY THAT THESE SYSTEMS SUPPRESS ASIAN SUPREMACY.

WE WHOLLY REJECT THE ANTIRACISM ENVIRONMENT THAT THE CALVERT COUNTY SCHOOLS INSTILLS IN OUR CLASSROOMS. TO ALIGN YOURSELF WITH ANTIRACISM DOCTRINE IS TO SAY THAT YOU BELIEVE ALL SYSTEMS ARE RACIST DUE TO UNEQUAL OUTCOMES AND ACHIEVEMENT. AND ? ? BEING ANTIRACIST RETRACTS A MERITOCRACY.

IF PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH THIS THEY MUST BE RACIST.

THE ANTIRACISM MOVEMENT BEGINS WITH THEIR CONCLUSION ? AMERICAN SYSTEMS ARE RACIST AND NEED TO BE DISMANTLED, NOT REFORMED. ANTIRACISM HAS ALREADY TOLD YOU BUT THE TRUTH IS AND WHAT THE ACTION STEPS SHOULD BE.

YOU WILL FALL IN LINE OR FACE THE SOCIAL REPERCUSSIONS.

THESE POLICIES ARE MEANT TO DIVIDE AND SHAME IN WHITES.

THE ANTIRACISM MOVEMENT IS ROOTED IN MARXIST CRITICAL THEORY.N THE BOOK HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST, THE ONLY REMEDY TO PRESENT DISCRIMINATION IS FUTURE DISCRIMINATION.

PARENTS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN SUBJECTING THEIR CHILDREN IN A REVOLVING DOOR OF UNENDING DISCRIMINATION.

DIG A LITTLE DEEPER INTO THE BOOK AND YOU WILL NOTICE THE AUTHORS ANTICAPITALIST. HE ALSO REFERS TO THEM BOTH AS QUOTE CONJOINED TWINS. HIS BOOKS ARE RECOMMENDED READING FOR OUR FACULTY. MUCH OF HIS VISION IS REPRESENTED IN OUR TEACHING TRAINING MANUALS.

THIS IS NOT ONLY POLITICALLY CHARGED, BUT PARTISAN.

RON HASKINS AT THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTE TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS PROVIDING A PLAN TO STAY OUT OF POVERTY WHICH INCLUDED THREE OBJECTIVES ? GET A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, WORK FULL-TIME, AND WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE 21 A MARRIED PRIOR TO HAVING A BABY. ? ? WE KNOW YOU ARE NOT TEACHING THE STUDENTS CRT IDEOLOGY, BUT YOU ARE USING THE IDEOLOGY TO TRANSFORM CLASSROOMS INTO ANTIRACIST ENVIRONMENTS, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS PEDAGOGY.HESE ARE RECYCLED BAD IDEAS THAT HAVE FAILED ACROSS TIME WITH VASTLY DIFFERENT CULTURES. OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEED TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS WHERE WE EMPHASIZE CRITICAL THINKING AND NOT CRITICAL THEORY. WE CARE ABOUT OUR BLACK

[00:15:02]

? ? ANDREW SULLIVAN IN HIS PIECE REMOVING THE BEDROCK OF LIBERALISM STATES THIS DOES NOT MEAN IGNORING OR OVERLOOKING THE REAL STRIKERS THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS HAVE ENDURED AND CONTINUE TO ENDURE. WE CAN DO BETTER WITH THE SELF-CORRECTING OPEN LIBERAL SYSTEM WITHOUT SURRENDERING TO TRIBALISM OR UTOPIAN ATTEMPTS TO ENFORCE RACIAL JUSTICE, WHICH VIOLATE THE GUARD RAILS AGAINST TYRANNY THAT WE RELY UPON FOR DEMOCRACY.HIS DEBATE IS NOT ABOUT IF YOU ARE A RACIST OR ANTIRACIST. AND IT I HAVE NO DOUBT WHERE I STAND. PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND COMMUNITY, IF YOU ARE DISTRAUGHT, PLEASE JOIN US IN ACTION AT ? ? WHERE WE BELIEVE IN FREE SPEECH AND A RIGHT TO A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM POLITICAL BIAS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO. I AM A MOTHER AND PARENT OF THREE GIRLS AT CCPS. I'M HERE TODAY FOR SEVERAL REASONS. I WOULD LIKE TO PUBLICLY THANK BOARD MEMBER NUTTER. SECOND, I APPRECIATE DR. CURRY AND HIS TEAM FOR ADDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE FALL REOPENING TO THE AGENDA FOR TODAY'S MEETING.

I'M AFRAID MOST PARENTS NEED A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION, AND I HOPE IT CAN MAYBE BE A PART OF THE DISCUSSION TODAY.

WILL THE START AND END TIMES GO BACK TO PRE-COVID? WILL MEALS BE FREE? WHAT BEFORE AND AFTER CARE BE AVAILABLE AND WILL THERE BE LIMITATIONS? WILL STUDENTS BE ABLE TO STAY AT SCHOOL AND WAIT FOR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES?WILL SPORTS AND CLUBS HAVE REGULAR SCHEDULES? REGARDING MASKS ? IT STATES THAT MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED BUT IT ALSO STATES YOU WILL WORK WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO MAKE FUTURE DECISIONS.

I AM REQUESTING THAT YOU SUPPORT MASKED CHOICE UNLESS A STATE OR FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES MASKS TO BE WORN.

GIVE PARENTS AND STAFF THE RIGHTS TO DECIDE WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM. IN REGARDS TO LIMITING ATTENDANCE AND PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THESE MEETINGS ? MORALLY I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT. I AM REQUESTING THAT ONE OF YOU MAKE A MOTION HERE TODAY TO HOLD A PUBLIC COMMENT TOWN HALL WITH NO LIMITS ON THE COMMENTERS BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR STARTS WITH THE 6:30 PM START TIME.

PEOPLE TAKE OFF WORK AND TAKE TIME AWAY FROM THE FAMILIES AND IT IS UNFAIR FOR THEM TO TAKE THEIR TIME AND NOT GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. WE THE PEOPLE VOTED MOST OF YOU INTO THESE SEATS. AND WE WILL ENSURE MOST OF YOU WILL NOT BE VOTED BACK IN THIS ROLE OR IN THE COUNTY IF YOU CONTINUE TO KEEP US QUIET. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS AND I WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE TO EDUCATE. CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS AND HAS BEEN TAUGHT IN LAW AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS FOR DECADES.

IT LOOKS AT US LAW AND HOW IT INTERSECTS WITH RACE.

OBVIOUSLY WE ARE NOT TEACHING FIRST-GRADERS ABOUT LAW.

HOWEVER, THE IDEAS ARE PUT INTO PRACTICE THROUGH EQUITY PROGRAMS AND ANTIRACISM POLICIES.

IF IMPLEMENTED CORRECTLY, THESE ARE GREAT.

BUT WHEN THEY ARE IMPLEMENTED INCORRECTLY, THEY DO THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY ARE DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE.HAT WE WANT IS A POLITICALLY NEUTRAL CLASSROOM.

ONE WHERE STUDENTS DIFFERENCES ARE CELEBRATED AND THEIR SHORTCOMINGS ARE IDENTIFIED EQUALLY.

WE WANT EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS.

WE WANT A COMMITMENT FROM DR. CURRY AND EMOTION FROM THIS BOARD THAT CCPS WILL NOT PUT CHILDREN IN BOXES BASED ON SKIN COLOR. WE WENT THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANYTHING BASED ON RACE IS DISCRIMINATION AND CCPS WILL NOT STAND FOR ANY DISCRIMINATION.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> HI AM KEVIN DEMON.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE CHART IN THE BOARD OF ED'S

[00:20:23]

THIS IS A CHART THAT WAS USED TO INDOCTRINATE TEACHERS IN CRITICAL RACE THEORY SO THEY CAN IN TURN INDOCTRINATE THE CHILDREN. THE CHART IS ABOUT INTERSECTS ANALOGY. THE CONCEPT OF INTERSECTION ANALOGY WAS DEVELOPED BY PROMINENT CRITICAL RACE THEORIST KIMBERLY CRENSHAW. THE CHART LOOKS LIKE THIS.

THE CHART HAS SEVERAL COLUMNS. ONE COLUMN STATES THE TYPE OF OPPRESSION BEING AFFLICTED AND ANOTHER COLUMN HAS THE GROUPS THAT ARE BEING OPPRESSED. THE THIRD COLUMN IDENTIFIES THE OPPRESSORS. THE OPPRESSORS ARE GROUPS SORTED BY RACE, GENDER AND OTHER CRITERIA SUCH AS RELIGION. THE CHART STATES THAT THE OPPRESSORS ARE WHITE, MALE, HETEROSEXUAL, PROTESTANT, MIDDLE-CLASS, COLLEGE EDUCATED AT THE TOP 20 TO 40 COLLEGES IN THE US. BORN IN THE US.

ENGLISH SPEAKING AND ARE ADULTS AGE 39 AND YOUNGER, WHO ARE ABLE-BODIED. PEOPLE OF COLOR, WOMEN, NONHETEROSEXUAL PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND PEOPLE OVER 40, AND ALSO CHILDREN ARE THE OPPRESSED.

BUT ONE OF THE OPPRESSED GROUPS ACCORDING TO THIS CHART ARE ASIANS. THE AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME OF ASIAN HOUSEHOLDS IS $10,000 MORE THAN WHITES.

HOW CAN THAT HAPPEN TO AN OPPRESSED MINORITY? AND CATHOLICS ARE ALSO OPPRESSED ACCORDING TO THE CHART. IN THIS CASE, I GUESS THE AUTHORS OF THE CHART DIDN'T GET THE MEMO THAT WE HAVE A CATHOLIC AS THE PRESIDENT OF OUR COUNTRY.

TWO THIRDS OF THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES ARE CATHOLIC, AND CATHOLICS ARE OVERREPRESENTED IN CONGRESS COMPARED TO THEIR NUMBERS IN OUR POPULATION. THE CHART IS COUNTERFACTUAL AND POORLY THOUGHT THROUGH. YET THE SCHOOL BOARD IS USING IT TO INDOCTRINATE OUR CHILDREN.

THE CHART PURPOSE IS TO DIVIDE AMERICANS INTO RACIAL GROUPS AND SET THEM AGAINST EACH OTHER.

IN A WORD, IT IS A RACIST VEHICLE TO INDOCTRINATE OUR CHILDREN IN CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

BUT CRT IS NOT REALLY A THEORY. IT IS A SET OF EVIDENCE FREE ASSERTIONS. ANY THEORY THAT DIVIDES SORTS AND CLASSIFIES INDIVIDUALS INTO GROUPS BASED ON RACE IS RACIST.

NY POLICY THAT REWARDS OR PUNISHES, FAVORS OR DISFAVORS, INCLUDES OR EXCLUDES BASED ON RACE IS RACIST.

IF THAT IS WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ACCORDING TO A RECENT POLL, CRT IS QUITE UNPOPULAR. A RECENT AND VERY REPUTABLE POLL FOUND THAT 50 PERCENT OF AMERICANS HAVE AN UNFAVORABLE VIEW OF CRT VERSUS 38 PERCENT WHO VIEW IT FAVORABLY.

>> YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. >> I EXPECT CALVERT COUNTY VOTERS WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR OPINION OF CRT NEXT YEAR.

[APPLAUSE] >> GOOD AFTERNOON, PANEL.

CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO ME. A BRIEF EXPLANATION ? I CHOSE THE AMERICAN REDNECK COMPANY IS THE NAME OF MY COMPANY BECAUSE TO ME REDNECK IS A LIFESTYLE AND NOT SKINTONE SPECIFIC.

I'M NOT HERE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST CRITICAL RACE THEORY, AS I THINK IT'S MOSTLY BEEN MISUNDERSTOOD.

I'M HERE MORE TO TRY TO END RACISM AND CALVERT COUNTY.

I'M NOT SAYING COLORBLIND. I CAN LOOK AT EVERYBODY ON THE BOARD AND NOBODY MATCHES THE DESCRIPTION OF BLACK OR WHITE AS WE DEFINE IT. I'M SAYING AND RACE AS A DIVISIVE TOOL AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE.

SO FIRST IS IT'S INACCURATE. NOBODY HERE ON THE BOARD OR IN THE ROOM MATCHES BLACK OR WHITE.

SECOND, I WILL TALK ABOUT ITS ORIGINAL NATION.

RACISM HAS BEEN CREATED HERE. THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT FORMS OF RACISM, BUT AS WE USE IT HERE, CREATED AROUND 1500 A.D.

WHEN WE WERE STILL A COLONY. THE IDEA WAS TO MAKE IT TO WHERE PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME COULDN'T INTERACT WITH PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE MR. KELLY. THE IDEA IS IF WE GOT TOGETHER

[00:25:01]

THE WAY TO DISMISS IT WAS BLACK ON BLACK CRIME.

? ? I LIKE TO GIVE AN ALTERNATIVE.

? ? RACIST ? BLACK AND WHITE. THIS TAKES AWAY THE COLOR ASPECT. IF YOU GOOGLE THE DEFINITION OF A BLACK MAN RIGHT NOW, YOU'LL GET SOMEBODY OF SOME SUB AFRICAN OR SUB-SAHARAN DESCENT. LASTLY, I THINK ANYBODY WHO IDENTIFIES AS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN SHOULD BE CALLED AMERICAN. I INSIST ON PEOPLE CALLING ME AMERICAN AND I CALL EVERY AMERICAN AMERICAN.IF YOU PREFER NOT TO BE CALLED AMERICAN, I'LL CALL YOU NON-AMERICAN. BUT I LOOK AT YOUR CHART HERE ? AND I BELIEVE IT WAS GIVEN OUT TO TEACHERS.

IF WE TEACH KIDS BLACK OR WHITE ? AND TALK ABOUT ALL THE EVIL DETAILS THAT ARE TIED TO THAT ? THEN THEY CANNOT HELP BUT HAVE THOSE CONNECTIONS OF GUILT OR ANGER OR SHAME.

BUT BY CALLING OURSELVES AMERICANS AND EXPOSING THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WHO USED TO CALL THEMSELVES WHITE IN THE PAST AND CALLED OTHER PEOPLE BLACK ? WE CAN ALL TAKE PRIDE IN HOW FAR AMERICA HAS COME, AND ALL UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE A TOTAL ENCOMPASSING GUILT OF HOW BAD AMERICA WAS AND MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. AND A GENTLEMAN JUST MENTIONED INTERSECTION ANALOGY. I WOULD BE FOOLISH TO SAY THAT PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME AND PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE DR. CURRY AND PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE MS. CLAGGETT WERE PEOPLE BEING TREATED UNFAIR BY NOT KNOWING THEM.

WHEN I WORKED IN CORPORATE AMERICA, I WORKED IN STAFFING.

AND ON OVER 20 OCCASIONS WAS I NEVER TOLD NOT TO SEND ME ANY BLACK PEOPLE. THAT TELLS YOU WHAT BLACK AND WHITE IS. IT'S A WEAPON.

AND WE DON'T NEED IT HERE IN CALVERT COUNTY.

AND I'D LIKE YOU TO GET RID OF RACE.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> MY NAME IS ANGELA AND I'M A VERY CONCERNED PARENT. I'M MAKING AN APPEAL THAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY BE REMOVED FROM OUR SCHOOLS AND POLICIES RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED AT CCPS. IN HIS BOOK, HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST, I BURN. [NAME] WRITES THE ONLY MEMBER MELODY IS ANTIRACIST DISCRIMINATION.

THE ONLY REMEDY TO PAST DISCRIMINATION IS PRESENT DISCRIMINATION. THE ONLY REMEDY TO PRESENT DISCRIMINATION IS FUTURE DISCRIMINATION.

THIS BOOK IS BEING ENCOURAGED TO BE READ BY THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND TEACHERS AS PART OF THEIR ANTIRACIST WORK.

ALTHOUGH ANTIRACIST WORK SOUNDS LIKE A MOVEMENT TO TEACH PEOPLE THAT WE ARE TRULY EQUAL, NOT ONLY IN THE EYES OF GOD BUT HERE ON EARTH, IN ACTUALITY, YOU HAVE GIVEN EDUCATORS PERMISSION TO CLUSTER OUR CHILDREN INTO RACIAL GROUPS.

AND VICTIMIZE YOU DEEM OPPRESSED.

THE BIBLE TEACHES US JUDGE NOT ACCORDING TO THE APPEARANCE.

[00:31:16]

YOU HAVE DISMISSED THE VALUE THAT EACH PERSON HOLDS AND HAVE BECOME EXACTLY WHAT YOU CLAIM TO WORK AGAINST.

YOU ARE TRULY OPPRESSORS. YOU ARE TELLING OUR CHILDREN THAT THEY CAN'T OBTAIN ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE RACE, AND YOU STOP ANY CHILD FROM REACHING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BASED ON THEIR HARD WORK AND MERITS. FURTHERMORE, YOU HAVE LABELED PARENTS WHO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE INDOCTRINATION EFFORTS AS RACISTS, SUFFERING FROM WHITE FRAGILITY AND PHONETICS.

YOU HAVE NEGLECTED THAT WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD MADE IN HIS IMAGE. WHEN JESUS WAS ASKED WHAT WAS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT, HE RESPONDED TO LOVE THE LORD, YOUR GOD, ABOVE ALL ELSE AND TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

YOUR ANTIRACIST WORK DOES NEITHER OF THESE.

IT ONLY DEMANDS HATRED AND JUDGMENT TO OUR FELLOW MAN BASED ON THEIR RACE.I HAVE TAKEN MY CHILDREN OUT OF CCPS AND HOMESCHOOL THEM NOW. YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ABUSE MY CHILDREN IN THIS WAY.

PARENTS ? I. >> MS. COUSINS: ALL OF YOU NOW.

HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THE SAME AND I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TALK TO ANYONE ABOUT THAT AND HOW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THIS IS YOUR CALL TO ACTION.

DO NOT ALLOW THESE EDUCATORS TO ABUSE YOUR CHILDREN OR VIOLATE THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS. I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE WITH A BIBLICAL VERSE ? WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.

WHOEVER CLAIMS TO LOVE GOD YET HATES A BROTHER OR SISTER IS A LIAR. FOR WHOEVER DOES NOT LOVE THEIR BROTHER OR SISTER, WHOM THEY HAVE SEEN, CANNOT LOVE GOD WHOM THEY HAVE NOT SEEN. AND HE HAS GIVEN US THOSE COMMAND ? ANYONE WHO LOVES GOD MUST ALSO LOVE THEIR BROTHER AND SISTER. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> MY NAME IS AMY COX.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON THE BEHALF OF THE NAACP OF CALVERT COUNTY AND A LIFETIME MEMBER. I'M AN EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER OF CALVERT ASSOCIATION AND A SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER, A PROUD PARENT OF A RECENT GRADUATE OF CCPS WITH TWO KIDS STILL AT HUNTINGTOWN HIGH. I'M A PATRIOTIC NAVY VETERAN AND A WOMAN WITH THREE DAUGHTERS.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE LENSES IN WHICH I LOOK AT THE WORLD AND NAVIGATE HOW I MAKE DECISIONS AND FORM OPINIONS ABOUT ISSUES.

JUST LIKE COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE TODAY, WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN LIVES AND LENSES IN WHICH WE LOOK AT THE WORLD.

WHEN NEWS MEDIA BROUGHT CRITICAL RACE THEORY TO THE FOREFRONT OF PEOPLE'S CONSCIOUSNESS, I THOUGHT ? I NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND I NEEDED TO LEARN ABOUT IT.

I WAS A HISTORY MAJOR AND POLITICAL SCIENCE MINOR IN COLLEGE. AND I NEVER HEARD OF CRT EVEN THOUGH IT HAS SUPPOSEDLY BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES.

IT IS A LENS FOR WHICH SOME ANALYSTS, ADVOCATES AND ACADEMICS CHOOSE TO LOOK AT HOW AMERICA FORMED AND FORMS FOR INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS EDUCATION, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND ELECTIONS.

THE LENS FOCUSES ON RACE AND HOW THESE INSTITUTIONS AFFECT PEOPLE OF COLOR. SOME ACADEMICS CHOOSE TO LOSE OTHER LENSES TO FOCUS THEIR STUDIES ON THESE TOPICS.

FOR INSTANCE, AN ISSUE THAT IS HOT AT THE MOMENT OUR VOTING LAWS THAT ARE BEING PASSED BY STATE LEGISLATORS.

ONE WAY TO LOOK AT THIS IS CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

HOW HAVE ELECTION LAWS IN THE PAST OR PRESENT AFFECTED PEOPLE OF COLOR? ANOTHER LENS MAY BE AGE.

OMEONE WITH A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY MAY LOOK AT THIS THROUGH THEIR LANDS AND ASK WHETHER THESE NEW LAWS WILL HELP OR HINDER THEIR ACCESS TO VOTING.

LOOKING AT HOW PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WERE TREATED IN THE PAST WILL HELP WITH THIS ANALYSIS.O ONE WILL DISAGREE THAT THESE GROUPS SHOULD VIEW THESE ISSUES THROUGH THEIR LENSES. HOPEFULLY, WE WILL HAVE LEGISLATORS WHO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION ALL THESE PERSPECTIVES AND CRAFT LEGISLATION WHO WE ARE AS AMERICANS. TO GET LEGISLATORS THAT CAN MAKE THIS HUGE DECISION AND PRIORITIZE WHAT'S IMPORTANT, THEY NEED TO PRACTICE THESE SKILLS IN LOW RISK WAYS BEFORE THEY MAKE LAWS. I FEEL WE DO THIS IN CALVERT

[00:35:01]

IN THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT, WE TEACH USING MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES BY LOOKING THROUGH DIFFERENT LESSONS. WE HAVE BEEN TEACHING THIS WAY FOR MANY YEARS. OUR SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF THE BEST IN MY OPINION, THOUGH I AM BIASED.

HOWEVER, WHEN WE TEACH HISTORY, ECONOMICS, SOCIOLOGY OR SPORTS AND SOCIETY, WE EXAMINE TOPICS WITH MANY GROUPS IN MIND.

BY ANALYZING SOURCE DOCUMENTS AND RELIABLE SECONDARY SOURCES, WE ALLOW STUDENTS TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS ON WHAT OPINIONS TO FORM. AS A PARENT AND COMMUNITY MEMBER, I HOPE OUR CHILDREN ARE BEING TAUGHT TO LOOK AT AMERICA AND THE WORLD NOT ONLY THROUGH THEIR OWN PERSONAL LENSES, BUT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND THEIR PERSPECTIVES. WILL THERE BE TIMES IN THE WORLD HISTORY CLASS WERE KIDS THINK TO THEMSELVES I CAN'T BELIEVE WE DID THAT? MAYBE THEY ARE THINKING AS AMERICANS OR HUMAN BEINGS? MAYBE THEY WILL GET PITS IN THEIR STOMACH ABOUT CERTAIN TOPICS.

I KNOW I DO WHEN I TEACH THOSE TOPICS.

THE REASON THEY ARE FEELING THAT WAY ISN'T GUILT OR ANTI-PATRIOTIC THOUGHTS.T'S CALLED EMPATHY.

EMPATHY FOR PEOPLE THEY HAVE NOT OR WILL NEVER MEET BUT WHOM THEY HAVE COMPASSION FOR. CCPS CANNOT TEACH EMPATHY IN OUR CURRICULUM, BUT WE CAN TEACH THROUGH MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES AND HOPE EMPATHY GROWS WITHIN OUR STUDENTS.

CCPS ENCOURAGES US TO USE MULTIPLE LENSES.

I KNOW WHEN OUR STUDENTS BECOME THE BEST LEGISLATORS, DOCTORS, TEACHERS, POLICE OFFICERS COME UP COMPUTER PROGRAMMERS OR ANY OTHER PROFESSION THAT THEY PURSUE, THEY WILL BE THE BEST BECAUSE THEY CAN SEE MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES AND USE EMPATHY WHEN BUILDING THEIR INSTITUTIONS AND USE THEIR POWER. CRT IS A NON-ISSUE FOR CCPS.

I HOPE WE CAN FOCUS ON REAL ISSUES SUCH AS CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP, MAKING PROGRAMS OF STUDY ACCESSIBLE TO ALL STUDENTS AND DIVERSIFYING OUR TEACHING STAFF.

INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON WHAT THE MEDIA TELLS US TO, LET'S FOCUS ON WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO CCPS STUDENTS.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKING WITHIN THE LAST FEW YEARS. YOUR WORK HAS BEEN APPRECIATED.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> HELLO.

THANKS FOR ALL THE PUBLIC FOR SHOWING UP.

JUST BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, ON NOVEMBER 21, 2019, 58.

PARENTS AND TEACHERS SHOWED UP TO GET PUBLIC COMMENT.

AT THE TIME, THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS LISTENED PATIENTLY FOR HOURS. AT THE END, THEY SUPPORTED THE DEMONSTRATION OF PARENTAL ENVIRONMENT AND THANKED PEOPLE FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK OUT.

HERE IS WHAT YOU SAID, MS. CLAGGETT.

LET ME PLAY THAT AGAIN. >> AGAIN I THANK YOU ALL, AND I CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO SPEAK.

>> WHAT IS CHANGE? MANY PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN TIME OFF TO BE HERE AND ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SHARE THEIR CONCERNS.

IN ABOUT WHAT THE SEMANTICS THAT I HAVE SEEN, DR. CURRY ? CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS QUOTE NOT BEING TAUGHT IN OUR CURRICULUM. YOU ARE RIGHT.

CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND BOC ARE NOT TEACHING IT BUT THEY ARE IMPLEMENTING IT. THE SCHOOLS ARE NOT TEACHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY BASED ON CRITICAL THEORY, WHICH DEVELOPED IN THE 1930S IN GERMANY AND IS HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY MARCUS PRINCIPLES BY CLASS CONFLICT, DIVISION, AND COMMUNIST REVOLUTION. YOU ARE NOT TEACHING THAT THESE ARE TH VERY PRINCIPLES THAT LED TO THE WORST MASS KILLINGS THAT HAVE EVER OCCURRED IN THE SOVIET UNION'S GULAG, CAMBODIA, AND CHINA JUST TO NAME A FEW. THE SCHOOLS AND THE BOARD ARE

[00:40:02]

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS TRAINING TEACHERS ON HOW TO PUT PEOPLE AND PRESUMABLY CHILDREN INTO BOXES BASED ON THEIR SKIN COLOR, GENDER RACE AND MORE. THE POWERPOINTS EXPLICITLY STATE THAT ATTENDEES MAY FEEL SHAME, GUILT, OR ANGER FROM THE PRESENTATIONS. THIS IS WHAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY LOOKS LIKE AN IMPLEMENTATION.

LOOK, WE MUST WORK AS A COMMUNITY TO RESPECT EACH OTHER AND VALUE OUR COMMON HUMANITY AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

WE DON'T ACHIEVE THAT BY LABELING EACH OTHER AND POLICIES.IMMORAL TACTICS CANNOT BRING ABOUT MORAL GOOD.

RACIST POLICIES WILL NOT ELIMINATE RACISM.

IT WILL ONLY REINFORCE IT. THESE APPROACHES DO NOT BELONG IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO BRING OUR PEOPLE TOGETHER AND NOT DIVIDE THEM.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> PLEASE USE THE MICROPHONE. >> LISTEN, I'M NOT TOO HAPPY BEING HERE, BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS A SHAM.

ONLY HAVING THREE MINUTES. NOT FOR ME ? BUT I THINK THERE IS A CRITICAL THING MISSING HERE IN THE SCHOOLS.

I GREW UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS.

IN FACT, THEY HAD TO BUILD THE TRACKS FOR ME TO REALIZE THAT I WAS ON THE WRONG SIDE. I WAS IN THE BOTTOM THIRD OF MY GRADUATING CLASS. I WAS A LOUSY STUDENT BECAUSE I DIDN'T TRY. THEN I WENT INTO THE SERVICE ? BUT THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT BELIEVED IN ME.

WHERE AT HOME, THERE WASN'T. WE WERE ALL CAUGHT UP ? I'M NOT SAYING THAT RACISM DOESN'T EXIST.

THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE HUMAN EFFORT.

NOT JUST RACE. THAT'S EXTERNAL.

WHEN I GOT OUT, I GOT INTO MARYLAND AND I HAD TO HAVE REMEDIAL LUNCH. THE ONLY REASON WHY I GOT IN THERE IS BECAUSE I HAD AN HONORABLE DEGREE.

I FINISHED WITH HONORS. NOW, I HAD TO DO THE WORK.

AND THAT'S THE SUBJECT OF THIS. THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.

IT ISN'T YOUR RACE. IT ISN'T YOUR COLOR.

YES, THE WAY ABILITIES ARE PASSED OUT ? THAT'S BETWEEN GOD AND THEM. BUT THE RESPONSES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY IS WHERE WE CAN HAVE A CHANGE.

MY GOD, I REMEMBER WALKING DOWN COALFIELD HOUSE AFTER THREE YEARS AND GOING ? I GUESS I'M NOT DUMB! AND THAT WENT FROM MY HEAD DOWN TO MY SHOES AND BACKUP.

AND MY GOD, NOBODY CAN EVER TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME.

I HAD TO WORK HARD. I HAD A LEARNING DISABILITY.

PI HAD TO DO EVERYTHING TWICE. I THANK GOD FOR GRACE.

IT'S WORK! IT'S TRYING! IF ANY KIND OF SOCIETAL ISSUE WE HAVE, I THINK IT'S THE MONEY PRIVILEGE. NOT BLACK PRIVILEGE.

NOT WHITE PRIVILEGE. IT'S WHAT MONEY CAN BUY.AND I WISH THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION WOULD GET BACK LIKE.

[INDISCERNIBLE] COUNTY, WHERE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS ARE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS. AND PARENTS ARE PARENTS.

AND ONE DOESN'T MAKE YOU EQUAL TO THE OTHER.

ONE YOU GO TO SCHOOL FOR, ONE YOU LEARN BY DOING IN LIFE.

AND THAT'S THE PARENTING. BUT INSTEAD OF FIGHTING EACH OTHER AND MAKING EXCUSES FOR PWHY WE ARE 33RD IN THE WORLD ? WHY MORE DOLLARS ARE SET SPENT FOR STUDENT ? TEACH THEM TO TRY. NEVER GIVE UP.

THAT'S WHAT I TAUGHT MY KIDS. MAYBE THAT WAS THE WRONG THING.

MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE LET THEM FAIL.

[00:45:04]

AND I THINK YOU ALL.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU.

NEXT SPEAKER. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS STEPHANIE [NAME] A MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA STATE BAR IN GOOD STANDING. I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT SINCE 1999. I'M SPEAKING OUT TODAY TO RAISE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN ADOPTING AND IMPLEMENTING EQUITY POLICY 1015 AND ANTIRACISM POLICY 1018.

TO THE EXTENT THE ACTIONS OF THE BOARD ARE UNLAWFUL.

THEY PUT CALVERT TAXPAYER FUNDS AT RISK AS WELL AS FEDERAL FUNDING FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ALL THE CASES THAT I CITE IN MY STATEMENT OUR UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT CASES AND ARE BINDING AND APPLICABLE TO THE ACTIONS OF THE SPORT.

AS A MATTER OF WELL-SETTLED LAW, POLICIES THAT CLASSIFY PEOPLE BY RACE ARE INVALID UNDER THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT AND SUPREME PRECEDENT.

UNDER PARENTS VERSUS SEATTLE SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHEN THE GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTES BURDENS OR BENEFITS UNDER THE RACIAL CLASSIFICATION, THAT ACTION IS REVIEWED UNDER STRICT SCRUTINY.

PTHE GOVERNMENT HAS THE BURDEN OF PROVING THAT RACIAL CLASSIFICATIONS ARE NARROWLY TAILORED MEASURES THAT COMPEL GOVERNMENT INTEREST. FURTHER, THE USE OF RACE IN A MANNER THAT VIOLATES THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE OF THE PART 14TH AMENDMENT ALSO VIOLATES THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1960S FOR UNDER ALEXANDER VERSUS SANDOVAL.

SO ARE THERE ANY CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE BOARD COULD LAWFULLY ADOPT POLICIES THAT OVERTLY FAVOR ONE RACE OVER ANOTHER? THE ANSWER IS YES.

TO REMEDIATE PAST DISCRIMINATION AND PROVIDE A LEGAL TEST IS MET. GENERALIZED STATEMENTS ABOUT REMEDYING PAST DISCRIMINATION UNSUPPORTED BY RECORD ARE INSUFFICIENT TO ENGAGE IN RACE-BASED PREFERENCES UNDER THE CITY OF RICHMOND VERSUS. NAME].

THE FOLLOWING LEGAL TESTS MUST BE MET ? FIRST, THE POLICY MUST TARGET A SPECIFIC EPISODE OF PAST DISCRIMINATION.

IT CANNOT REST ON GENERALIZED ASSERTIONS THAT THERE HAS BEEN PAST DISCRIMINATION IN AN ENTIRE POPULATION.

SECOND, THERE MUST BE EVIDENCE OF INTENTIONAL DISCRIMINATION.

STATISTICAL DISPARITIES DO NOT CUT IT.

ALTHOUGH THEY MAY BE USED AS CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE TO ESTABLISH INTENTIONAL DISCRIMINATION.

AND THIRD, THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF MUST HAVE HAD A HAND IN THE PAST DISCRIMINATION IT SEEKS TO REMEDY.

THE DATE, THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE BOARD APPEAR TO FAIL ALL THREE OF THE TESTS. FIRST, SPECIFICITY.

THE PUBLIC RECORD CONTAINS NO EVIDENCE OF SPECIFIC EPISODES OF PAST DISCRIMINATION BY THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

INSTEAD, WE HAVE GENERALIZED PUBLIC STATEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. EXAMPLES ? THE JUNE 2021 BOARD MEETING ? QUOTE I ALSO DO NOT AGREE THAT IT'S A POLITICAL STATEMENT. OUR EQUITY WORK HAS BEEN SO IMPORTANT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

AND THE WAY THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS BEEN EXAMINING ALL THE OPERATIONS. IT'S DONE A GRAND JOB IN IDENTIFYING KIDS WHO ARE STRUGGLING BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN BARRIERS PUT IN FRONT OF THEM.

AT THE SAME MEETING, MS. COUSENS STATED, THE POLICIES INTENDING TO REMOVE BARRIERS THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS AND THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN DISMANTLED BASED ON WHITE SUPREMACY. THESE STATEMENTS AMOUNT TO

[00:50:03]

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF INTENTIONAL DISCRIMINATION.

THE BOARD HAS EXPENDED LARGE SUMS OF TAXPAYER FUNDS CONDUCTING STATISTICAL ANALYSES.

IT IS TELLING AND INFORMATIVE THAT CALVERT STATISTICAL EVIDENCE AVAILABLE REFUTES INFERRING.

[INDISCERNIBLE]. I HAVE SLIDES ANALYZING SUCCESS RATES IN AP CLASSES IN HUNTING TOWN AND NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOLS BROKEN DOWN BY RACIAL GROUP AND INCOME LEVELS WITHIN RACIAL GROUPINGS.UT OF A TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN AP CLASSES, 24 PERCENT ARE NONWHITE AT HUNTING TOWN WHILE 26 PERCENT ARE NONWHITE AT NORTHERN.

THE DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN IS 19 PERCENT NONWHITE.

THEREFORE, CURRENTLY AVAILABLE DATA ESTABLISHES THE PARTICIPATION IN CLASSES WITH BLACK AND WHITE RACIAL GROUPS

?. >> MA'AM, YOUR TIME HAS

EXPIRED. >> I WILL REQUEST THAT THE BOARD RECONSIDER ITS CURRENT PRACTICES OF LIMITING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAN SPEAK AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THEY HAVE TO SPEAK. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

[5.01 Hayden Kelly]

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU.

NEXT, WE WILL MOVE OUR STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD REPORT.

MR. KELLY. >> HELLO, I WILL BE YOUR STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE 2122 SCHOOL YEAR. AFTER OUR LAST BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING, I ATTENDED THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE WITH OVER 120 STUDENT LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTY.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THIS CONFERENCE, ALTHOUGH IT WAS VIRTUAL, IT WAS WELL PUT TOGETHER AND EVERYBODY DID A FANTASTIC JOB. THERE WERE AMAZING MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS. THERE WERE DOCTORS AND LAWYERS TALKING ABOUT THEIR PROFESSIONS.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANYBODY'S CHILDREN WHO ARE HERE AND GOING INTO THEIR JUNIOR YEAR TO TRY TO ATTEND IT NEXT YEAR.

ALSO THE STUDENT COUNCIL HAD THEIR MEETING MONDAY WHERE WE CHOSE OUR THEME TO BE LIGHTS, CAMERA, AND ADVCACY.

THE ONLY REASON I BRING THIS UP IS BECAUSE IT WAS OUR FIRST IN PERSON MEETING IN WELL OVER A YEAR.

SO THAT'S VERY BIG NEWS AND I HAVE TO SAY THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE MEETING WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

THERE WAS MORE CONVERSATION. THERE WAS MORE INPUT FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED. AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO ATTENDED THAT MEETING ? WHETHER IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY.

AND JUST LAST NIGHT, I HAD MY FIRST MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS MEETING, WHERE WE SPENT OVER TWO HOURS ON A ZOOM CALL WORKING ON OUR CONSTITUTION SO WE CAN PREPARE OUR NEXT GENERATION TO WORK WELL TOGETHER AND REPRESENT THEIR CONSTITUENTS AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.

IT'S NOTHING LIKE ANYTHING THAT HAS EVER BEEN DONE BEFORE AND I AM EXCITED TO BE A PART OF IT. AND FOR MY BIGGEST ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE KNIFE MABE APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN.

WE WILL HAVE SPECIAL GUESTS AND PAPPLICATIONS WILL BE ON MY

[6.01 Dr. Daniel D. Curry]

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT.

HAVE A GOOD DAY.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, MR. KELLY.

NEXT, DR. CURRY. >> I HAVE A REQUEST THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES NEW LEADERS IN OUR DISTRICT SO WE CAN GET THEM TO WORK IN THEIR ASSIGNMENTS.

OFTEN, WHEN I SIGN NEW ADMINISTRATORS, WE BRING THEM TO THESE MEETINGS. BUT SINCE THIS IS OUR FIRST MEETING WITH COMPANY IN THE ROOM, I JUST ASK EVERYONE TO JUST STAY PUT. BUT THEY WILL BE RECOGNIZED IN THE WEEKS TO COME. SO FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOUR APPROVAL TO APPOINT JACKIE JACOBS WHO HAS BEEN SUPERVISOR OF DIGITAL LEARNING TO THE POSITION OF SYSTEM AND INSTRUCTIONAL PERFORMANCE. SHE HAS BEEN A SUPERVISOR OF MATHEMATICS, A VICE PRINCIPAL AND DEAN.

SHE IS A GRADUATE OF FROSTBURG STATE AND MCDANIEL COLLEGE.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOUR APPROVAL.

>> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR ? AYE. MOTION IS APPROVED.

>> NEXT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE APPROVAL TO MAKE MET.

[00:55:02]

HE GOT HIS BACHELOR OF ARTS AND MASTERS DEGREE FROM TOWNSEND UNIVERSITY. HE BEGAN HIS TEACHING CAREER AT. [NAME].

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOUR APPROVAL.

>> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> MOTION PASSES. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOUR APPROVAL TO APPOINT ERIC. [NAME] TO THE POSITION OF PRINCIPAL AT HUNTING TOWN ELEMENTARY.HE'S GOT AN INTERESTING BACKGROUND AS A PUPIL PERSONNEL WORKER AND SCHOOL COUNSELOR AS WELL AS A TEACHER.

HE GOT HIS BACHELOR AND MASTER DEGREE BOTH IN LOYOLA COLLEGE OF MARYLAND. I'D LIKE TO ASK YOUR APPROVAL.

>> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> DO I HAVE A SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> I. >> MOTION PASSES.

>> THANK YOU. I LIKE TO ASK YOUR APPROVAL FOR MARGO. [NAME] WHO HAS BEEN ASSISTANT.

[INDISCERNIBLE] TO BE A SUPERVISOR AND SPECIAL EDUCATION. SHE GOT HER MASTER OF ARTS IN TRINITY COLLEGE AND BACHELOR'S DEGREE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE. SHE HAS BEEN AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR FOR THE DEAN OF STUDENTS AND ASSISTANT

PRINCIPAL. >> MOVED TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. THOSE IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> MOTION PASSES.> THANK YOU. I LIKE TO ASK YOUR APPROVAL OF BRITTANY. [INDISCERNIBLE] TO THE POSITION OF SUPERVISOR OF INSTRUCTIONAL PERFORMANCE.

SHE BEGAN HER CAREER AS A SPECIAL EDUCATOR IN CALVERT COUNTY. SHE HAS BEEN AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

SHE'S A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE ? OF FARMINGTON AND THE COLLEGE OF NOTRE DAME.

I ASK YOUR APPROVAL. >> MOVED TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. THOSE IN FAVOR.

>> I. >> ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION PASSES. >> NEXT I'D LIKE YOUR APPROVAL FOR ELIZABETH. [NAME], WHO WILL MOVE FROM DEAN OF STUDENTS TO BE THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT MOUNT HARMONY HIGH SCHOOL. SHE HAS A DEGREE IN CHEMISTRY FROM OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY, A MASTERS FROM MASON UNIVERSITY.

SHE HAS BEEN A CHEMISTRY TEACHER AT HUNTINGTOWN HIGH AND MOST RECENTLY DEAN OF STUDENTS AT NORTHERN MIDDLE.

I ASK YOUR APPROVAL. >> MOVED TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. THOSE IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION PASSES. >> THANK YOU.

THIS ONE YOU WILL BE INTERESTED IN, HAYDEN.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOUR APPROVAL OF THE ASSIGNMENT OF MICHELLE SMITH WHO WAS THE MATHEMATIC CORE LEAD AT HUNTINGTOWN HIGH TO BE THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT HUNTINGTOWN HIGH. SHE HAS BEEN A TEACHER AT PLUM POINT MIDDLE AND EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS BEEN A MATH TEACHER FOR A WHILE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, SHE HAS ALSO TAUGHT GRADES TWO, THREE, AND FIVE PLUM POINT ELEMENTARY.

SHE GRADUATED UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AND WESTERN MARYLAND AT WESTMINSTER. ASK YOUR APPROVAL.

>> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

P>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

THOSE IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> MOTION PASSES. >> FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOUR APPROVAL OF KRISTIN SNEED, WHO ARE WE ARE BRINGING IN FROM PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY. SHE SERVED AS A COORDINATOR AND WILL BE APPOINTED AT ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT CALVERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SHE BEGAN HER CAREER AS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER. BY THE WAY, I THINK SHE IS A GRADUATE OF CALVERT HIGH. SHE HAS BEEN A RESIDENTIAL REHAB ASSOCIATE AND MOST RECENTLY ADAPTED PHYSICAL

[7.01 Policies for Review]

[01:00:02]

SHE IS A GRADUATE OF UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AND NOTRE DAME OF MARYLAND. I ASK YOUR APPROVAL.

>> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? THOSE IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.> THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.

>> THANK YOU, DR. CURRY. NEXT WE WILL MOVE INTO THE ACTION ITEMS. FIRST UP IS POLICIES FOR REVIEW. WE WILL BEGIN WITH POLICY 5750

REGARDING DONATIONS. >> THERE ARE NO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANY CHANGES. WE RECOMMEND IT BE OUT FOR 30

DAYS. >> COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS? ALL RIGHT.EXT UP IS POLICY 40 6500. REGARDING FAIR LABOR STANDARDS

ACT. >> HR DIRECTOR ZACH.

[NAME]. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M ZACH. [NAME] DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES. IN REGARDS TO POLICY 6500 REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT, I'M RECOMMENDING A FEW CHANGES BASED ON CLARIFICATION THAT I BELIEVE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITIONS.

IN THE FIRST DEFINITION I AM RECOMMENDING A SENTENCE BE ADDED TO THE CURRENT DEFINITION THAT CLARIFIES THE RATE OF COMPENSATORY TIME AND WHEN THAT RATE IS INITIATED.

THE CURRENT DEFINITION IS NOT SPECIFIC IN DESCRIBING THAT TIME BEING EARNED AT A RATE OF ONE AND HALF HOURS OF EVERY HOUR WORKED OVER 40 AS REQUIRED BY THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT. THE SECOND CHANGE IS TO INCLUDE THE DEFINITION OF OUR EMPLOYEE ACCESS CENTER.

THE ACCESS CENTER IS CALVERT COUNTY'S WEB-BASED APPLICATION THAT HOUSES EMPLOYEE DOCUMENTS SUCH AS PAY STUBS AND W-2S AS WELL AS OTHER PERSONAL EMPLOYEE INFORMATION.

I RECOMMEND AT THIS DEFINITION TO THE POLICY AS IT IS ALREADY INCLUDED IN OUR PROCEDURES FOR THIS POLICY.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT.

WE WILL MOVE TO OUR LAST POLICY.

THANK YOU, MR. [NAME]. POLICY 1200, REGARDING SELECTION AND SERVICE OF THE STUDENT MEMBER OF THE CALVERT

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. >> NO RECOMMENDED CHANGES FOR

THIS POLICY. >> ANY QUESTIONS?

ALL RIGHT. >> JUST A SECOND.

I ASSUME THAT ? HAYDEN, YOU HAVE REVIEWED THE PROCEDURES AND THE POLICIES? IF YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO DO THAT.

>> OVERALL, I REALLY LIKE THIS BILL.

I READ IT AGAIN LAST NIGHT TO MAKE SURE I KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. I THINK IT PROVIDES A LOT OF CLARIFICATION, ESPECIALLY ON THINGS LIKE THE PRIMARY ELECTION, WHICH IS A GREAT AREA JUST BECAUSE I FEEL A LOT OF ADVISORS DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT THAT.

SO I OVERALL LIKE THE BILL.R POLICY.

BUT I DON'T LIKE HOW IT ISN'T REALLY ABLE TO ENTER THE CLOSE SESSION WHICH ISN'T A LOT I CAN DO ABOUT THAT.BUT EVERYTHING

ELSE SEEMS GOOD. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

[7.02 Budget Adjustments]

NEXT, WE WILL MOVE TO BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS.

MS. JONES?>> HELLO BOARD MEMBERS.

PURSUANT TO CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS POLICY 5515, APPROVAL IS REQUESTED FOR THE FOLLOWING INTRA-CATEGORY ? UNRESTRICTED REVENUE. [INDISCERNIBLE] IS TO ALLOW KATE APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1511 FROM THE EDUCATION PROGRAM. AND $91,850 FROM THE PRIOR YEAR FUND BALANCE REVENUE ACCOUNT THROUGH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ?. [INDISCERNIBLE].

WE HAVE RECEIVED STATE A CALCULATION FROM THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT ? MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OF 2022 BUDGET WAS SUBMITTED THROUGH THE COUNTY

[01:05:05]

EDUCATION FORMULA REVENUE. AS A RESULT OF THESE CHANGES, WE CAN REDUCE THE AMOUNT BUDGETED.

THE ADJUSTMENTS WILL NOT CHANGE THE TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OF 2022. IT WILL REMAIN AT $232,680,084.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVED THE

AFOREMENTIONED BUDGET TRANSFER. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> THANK YOU.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION?> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW, DR. CURRY, TO KNOW IF THE STATE HAS FINALIZED ALL THE REST OF THE. [INDISCERNIBLE]? OR ARE WE STILL WAITING TO HEAR?

>> THE REST OF THE PAYMENTS. AND THE STATE AID IS ALL FINE.

>> OKAY. SUPER.

THAT'S GOOD, BECAUSE IT WAS VERY NEEDED.

[7.03 Textbook Review]

>> ALL RIGHT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> I. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU, MISS JONES.

NEXT WE WILL MOVE INTO TEXTBOOK REVIEW.

DR. JOHNSON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M SUSAN JOHNSON, THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR CULVERT COUNTY. I AM HERE FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES SUPERVISOR. HE IS ASKING FOR THE APPROVAL OF A 30 DAY REVIEW OF A WORLD HISTORY TEXTBOOK.

THE PROCESS IN WHICH HE GOES THROUGH FOR THE TEXTBOOK AND IS ALIGNED WITH OUR PROCEDURES IN CHOOSING TEXTBOOK IS TO HAVE A COMMITTEE OF TEACHERS, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, AND ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL STAFF TO REVIEW THE BOOK.

HE OBTAINED BOOKS FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT PUBLISHERS.

THIS PARTICULAR PUBLISHER HAS BEEN RENAMED, BUT IT IS A FORMERLY NAMED PEARSON PUBLISHING COMPANY.

SO THE BOOK REPRESENTED THE PUBLISHERS WHO PUBLISHED NON-AP TEXTBOOKS. AND ANY STANDARD LEVEL TEXTBOOK FOR WORLD HISTORY COURSES. WHEN THE COMMITTEE FINALLY CHOSE THIS BOOK, THIS BOOK WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE OF THE ALIGNMENT TO THE STATE SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARD.

AND ALSO BECAUSE IT WAS ALIGNED TO THE 21ST CENTURY LEARNING MODALITIES AND IT REALLY HELPS TEACHER MOVE FROM WHERE WE WERE LAST YEAR OF THE VIRTUAL LEARNING TO THE BLENDED LEARNING APPROACH. THIS PUBLISHER IS ONE OF THE LEADING PUBLISHERS FOR TEXTBOOKS IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT ALIGNS WITH THE MARYLAND SOCIAL STUDIES FRAMEWORK FOR WORLD HISTORY AND THE CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC'S CURRICULUM.

THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT OF THE ROBUST DIGITAL LEARNING PLATFORM THAT ALIGNS WITH CCPS'S FUTURE READY LEARNING PRIORITIES WAS IMPORTANT AND IT PROVIDES A MULTIMEDIA PLATFORM THAT INTEGRATES TECHNOLOGY TO REDEFINE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS.OT ONLY DOES IT FULLY INTEGRATE DESIGN FOR LEARNING, IT ALSO FOCUSES ON 21ST CENTURY SKILLS TO PROMOTE DEEPER LEARNING THROUGH RICH RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES. HE IS ASKING FOR THIS BOOK TO BE PLACED ON THEIR 30 DAY REVIEW TO THE PUBLIC.

IT CAN BE FOUND ON MS. MAXEY'S DESK FOR ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE

TO REVIEW IT. >> DO YOU MEAN HARDCOPY?

>> YES. THIS PARTICULAR BOOK WILL BE THERE FOR ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO REVIEW IT.

[01:10:01]

>> BUT JUST TO CLARIFY ? THE STUDENTS HAVE THE E TEXT FORM, RIGHT? THE DIGITAL FORM?

>> YES. >> THEY DO NOT CARRY A BOOK?

>> SO WE ARE PURCHASING TEXTBOOKS.

AND WITH THE TEXTBOOKS COME THE E LICENSES.

>> SO THEY WILL HAVE THE TEXTBOOKS?

>> YES. >> I DIDN'T KNOW IF WE DID AWAY

WITH THAT. >> WE DON'T ALWAYS BUY TEXTBOOKS FOR EVERY STUDENTS BUT WE BUY THEM SO THEY ARE

RESOURCED TO THE CURRICULUM. >> THANKS.

>> THIS IS BASICALLY AN OPERATION DECISION AND NOT A

BOARD DECISION, AM I CORRECT? >> YES.

WE ARE ASKING FOR THAT APPROVAL.

WE HAVE TO EXTEND SOME MONEY TO PURCHASE THESE BOOKS.

ACCORDING TO OUR PROCEDURES WITHIN THE PURCHASING OF ANY NEW TEXTBOOKS, WE POST FOR 30 DAY REVIEWS SO PARENTS HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT AND MAKE ANY COMMENTS BEFORE PURCHASING.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> THE BOOK WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH MS. MAXEY FOR ANYONE

[7.04 Bid Approvals]

>> NEXT WE WILL MOVE TO BID APPROVALS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS KEVIN MICHAEL.

JOINING ME IS MR. ZACHARY SOLE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES TO PRESENT REQUEST TO APPROVE HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTING SERVICES. IN MARCH, 2021, THE SCHOOLS POSTED A SOLICITATION TO SECURE PROPOSALS FROM QUALIFIED VENDORS TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE CURRENT PRACTICES UTILIZED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO RECRUIT, HIRE AND RETAIN MINORITY TEACHERS AND PROVIDE FINDINGS WHICH INCLUDE ANALYSIS OF PRACTICES USED IN SIMILAR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND REP RECOMMEND CHANGES.

SIX FIRMS SUBMITTED PROPOSALS WHICH WERE EVALUATED BY CCPS STAFF AS SHOWN IN THE MEMO BEFORE YOU.

THE FUNDING FOR THE HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTING SERVICES WILL BE THROUGH THE LOCAL OPERATING BUDGET.

WE ARE REQUESTING THE BOARD AWARD THE CONTRACT TO THE SERVICES TO WEST ED OF SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA IN THE

AMOUNT OF $85,000. >> MOVED TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. QUESTIONS?

>> LET ME JUST POINT OUT THAT WE DON'T ANTICIPATE ANYBODY WILL BE COMING FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO DO THIS WORK.

WESTON HAS OFFICES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> AND JUST TO.

>> MS. COUSINS: THE POINT THAT SOMEONE HAD MADE EARLIER ? WE ARE TRYING LIKE EVERY OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES TO INCREASE THE DIVERSITY OF OUR WORKFORCE.

BECAUSE IT IS WELL-KNOWN THAT KIDS LEARN BETTER IF THEY SEE ROLE MODELS OF THEIR OWN ILK. AS FAR AS HIRING PRACTICES GO, YES, IT'S AGAINST THE LAW TO DISCRIMINATE, YOU KNOW, BASED ON SKIN COLOR AND THE LIKE. CAN YOU.

>> MS. COUSINS: THE PARAMETERS TO WHAT WE WANT THESE CONSULTANTS TO HELP US WITH? IT'S BASICALLY TO GET AN EDGE ON HOW TO ATTRACT THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST OF A VERY DIVERSE

GROUP OF CANDIDATES RIGHT? >> CORRECT.

THE CONSULTANTS THAT SUBMITTED BIDS ALL HAD DIFFERENT IDEAS AND DIFFERENT PLANS. WEST END WAS SELECTED BASED ON THEIR PLAN THAT THEY HAVE SUBMITTED.

IT'S A VERY DETAILED PROPOSAL. IT HAD SIX TASKS DESCRIBED WITH DELIVERABLES AT EACH PHASE OF THE TASK.

I CAN'T REALLY GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY PLAN TO DO, BUT THEY PLAN TO HELP US A LOT WITH RECRUITMENT OF QUALITY I CANDIDATES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO ATTRACT THEM TO CALVERT COUNTY AND RETAIN THEM IN CALVERT COUNTY

AS WELL. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? WHAT IS THE TIMELINE THEY HAVE PROPOSED TO CONDUCT THE STUDY?

[01:15:01]

>> IT WAS ORIGINALLY GOING TO START IN JUNE BUT IT GOT POSTPONED. SO NOW, WE WILL GET STARTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ? AS SOON AS IT'S APPROVED.

AND WE ARE LOOKING TO WORK WITH THEM THROUGH NOVEMBER, WITH SOME EXTRA CONSULTATION SERVICES HOPEFULLY IN DECEMBER SO WE CAN HAVE THAT READY BEFORE THE HIRING SEASON STARTS IN THE SPRING. SO APPROXIMATELY THE NEXT FIVE

OR SIX MONTHS.>> I JUST SEE THIS MONEY AS BEING POTENTIALLY SO HELPFUL. MY MAIN GOAL WHICH IS TO BRING ALL STUDENTS UP ACADEMICALLY, NO MATTER WHAT RACE.

AND HAVING A DIVERSITY AT OUR TEACHING STAFF IS A BIG PART OF THAT, I BELIEVE. SO WE ARE JUST TRYING TO ELEVATE THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. THANK YOU.

[7.05 Appointment of Kirwan Implementation Coordinator]

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM COLLEAGUES? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> I. >> ANY OPPOSE? ALL RIGHT. MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU. NEXT, WE WILL MOVE INTO CONSIDERATION OF OUR KIRWAN IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATOR.

>> THE REQUIREMENTS ? MANY HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE KIRWAN LEGISLATION ALSO REFERRED TO AS THE BLUEPRINT.

PART OF THE LANGUAGE OF THAT BIG DOCUMENT THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS SPRING REQUIRES THE APPOINTMENT OF WHAT'S CALLED AN IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATOR.

AND IT IS ALSO UNUSUAL IN THAT IT REQUIRES THAT APPOINTMENT TO BE ONE THAT IS JOINTLY APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

IT IS STILL RATHER VAGUE WHAT THE DUTIES WILL BE.UT THERE IS STILL A LOT TO HAPPEN WITH KIRWAN.

OUR INTERPRETATION IS THAT THE COORDINATOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE BLUEPRINT WITH FIDELITY.HEY AREN'T NECESSARILY THE ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICER OR THE BOSS OF EVERYONE. THEY WILL COLLABORATE WITH OTHER IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATORS FROM AROUND THE STATE AND WORKING TO REPORT THINGS TO THE NEWLY APPOINTED ACCOUNTABILITY IMPLEMENTATION BOARD.

I REQUEST THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVED KEVIN MICHAEL WHO SITS BEFORE YOU AS OUR IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATOR.

AND I ASKED THAT WE SEND THAT NAME OVER TO THE NUMBERS OF THE CALVERT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. AND I ASKED HIM TO APPOINT SOMEONE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WHO COULD

BE A LIAISON TO WORK WITH HIM. >> MOTION?

>> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

[7.06 Reopening Plan Update]

THOSE IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> ANY OPPOSE? THANK YOU.

MOTION PASSES. >> HELLO, AGAIN.

SUSAN JOHNSON, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT.

TODAY, WE WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU AND SHARE WITH THE PUBLIC THE REOPENING PLAN AND PROCEDURES THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO JUST START BY SAYING CURRENTLY POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE IS OUR REOPENING PLAN THAT WE USE DURING THE COURSE OF LAST YEAR.

IT IS BEEN UPDATED THROUGH THE YEARS.

IF YOU GO TO THE WEBSITE AND LOOK, YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE ARE HIGHLIGHTS THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE YEAR SO PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF WHAT HAS BEEN ADDED THROUGHOUT THE TIME. CHANGES WERE MADE TO THAT REOPENING PLAN BASED ON FEEDBACK ? NOT ONLY FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BUT PARENTAL SURVEYS AND JUST CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE FULL YEAR.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO JUST ? THIS PRESENTATION REALLY IS TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT THINGS WE ARE LOOKING AT.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DECIDED ? THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT BECAUSE OF A DECISION WE HAVE MADE OR WILL MAKE, IT WILL IMPACT OTHER THINGS.

THERE ARE ALSO DECISIONS THAT THE STATES MADE TO IMPACT WHAT WE DO AT A LOCAL LEVEL. SOME OF THE MAJOR CHANGES INCLUDE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN THINGS.

[01:20:03]

OUR ATHLETIC PROGRAM HAD TO CHANGE BECAUSE OF THE CHANGES AT THE STATE LEVEL. THE STATE IS INDICATING THAT WE WILL IMPLEMENT A FULL ATHLETIC PROGRAM.

WE WILL ALSO BE IMPLEMENTING ALL OF OUR IEPS AND 504 PLANS AT FULL REALM OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR, YOU HAVE HEARD SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DISTANCE LEARNING PLANS THAT ARE I.E. KEY TEAMS HAD TO WRITE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. WE WILL SHIP FROM THOSE DISTANT LEARNING PLANS AND MOVE BACK INTO THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF IEP 504 AND ANY TITLE TO OR ADA ACCOMMODATIONS.

THEY HAVE SAID THAT THIS PLAN MUST BE UPDATED EVERY SIX MONTHS AND UPDATED THROUGH 2024.

BECAUSE WITH ALL OF OUR MONEY THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IT HAS TO HAVE A CONNECTION TO OUR REOPENING PLAN. AND EACH TIME THAT WE ARE MAKING THOSE CHANGES, PUBLIC INPUT MUST BE SOUGHT OUT AND INPUT CONSIDERED. SO NOTHING HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE WEBSITE, BECAUSE WE ARE ASKING FOR ANY INPUT THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF LAST YEAR WE HAVE SURVEYED PARENTS OFTEN.

WE HAVE THE END OF YOUR SURVEY THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS EMAILS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR JUST VOICING OPINIONS ABOUT HOW THINGS SHOULD OPERATE AND WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING. IN ADDITION TO THOSE TYPES OF COMMENTS, WE HAVE ALSO WORKED REGULARLY WITH OUR ASSOCIATION.

WE HAVE MEETINGS WITH THEM AND WEEKLY OR BIWEEKLY MEETINGS WITH CABINET. WE ARE TALKING WITH OUR TEACHER LEADERS AND PRINCIPALS AND ADMINISTRATORS REGULARLY.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO GET THAT INPUT IN TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS. WE ALSO SEEK INPUT FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN ORDER FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT WHILE THE STATE HAS SAID THEY WILL IMPLEMENT THE FULL ATHLETIC PROGRAM, SOME LOCAL DECISIONS HAVE TO BE MADE. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN MADE YET.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH MEDICALS MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS? WE WILL BUILD THAT INTO THE PLAN THAT WILL MUST BE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE BY JULY 30. OTHER BIG EVENTS THAT WE HAVE LIKE THE STEM EXPO THAT BRINGS IN MANY PEOPLE.

WHAT IS GOING TO BE OUR DECISION-MAKING ON THAT FRONT? AND THEN, ALSO, FIELD TRIPS ? HOW MUCH ARE WE OPENING UP FIELD TRIPS AND TO WHAT EXTENT? THOSE ARE EXAMPLES THAT BECAUSE OF THAT ONE THING, WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT A MYRIAD OF OPERATIONS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

SOME UNCHANGED ITEM TO THE PLAN INCLUDE FULL PRE-K TO 12 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CURRICULUM.

IT IS THE SAME THING THAT WAS IN THE REOPENING PLAN FROM LAST YEAR. HOWEVER, WE DO KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF VIRTUAL LEARNING, SOME OF THE CONTENT AND INFORMATION THAT WAS OUTLINED IN THE CURRICULUM MAY HAVE BEEN MISSED OR SKIPPED BECAUSE OF TIME.

AND MAKING SURE THAT WE DO THAT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IMPLEMENTING THAT FULL PRE-K TO 12TH CURRICULUM. AND ON TOP OF THAT, MAKING SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO USE OUR ASSESSMENTS TO DETERMINE WHERE THERE ARE GAPS WITH STUDENTS IN THEIR LEARNING.

THE EQUITY PLAN MUST BE IN THERE AS MST E HAS REFLECTED.

AND MR. WALKER IS REVEALING THAT.

ALSO, AND UNCHANGED ITEM IS THAT WHENEVER WE ARE HAVING STUDENTS INVOLVED IN DISTANCE LEARNING, WE HAVE TO DESCRIBE HOW WE ARE TRACKING ATTENDANCE FOR THEM.

SOME REVISIONS TO THE PLAN THAT NEED TO BE MADE BASED ON OUR LOCAL DECISIONS ? AS YOU ARE AWARE, ON JULY 1, A PRESS RELEASE WAS DONE SAYING THAT WE WERE GOING TO OPEN SUMMER SCHOOLS WITH NO MASKING FOR VACCINATED STUDENTS AND STAFF.

AND WHILE IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THOSE WHO WERE NOT VACCINATED TO WEAR A MASK, IT WASN'T GOING TO BE REQUIRED.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH CALVERT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO TRACK THOSE POSITIVITY RATES AND MAKE FUTURE DECISIONS. HOWEVER WE HAVE OTHER DECISIONS WE HAVE TO MAKE IN REGARDS TO MASKING.

THAT INCLUDES WHAT HAPPENS WITHIN THOSE AREAS OF PE AND.

[01:25:21]

WHAT TO BE DUE WHEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AREN'T ABLE TO BE VACCINATED RETURN TO SCHOOL? AND WHAT MIGHT THAT LOOK LIKE? WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE CDC HAS OUTLINED THAT MASKS ARE REQUIRED ON BUSES. SO THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A DISCONNECT THERE WHEN YOU HAD TO WEAR MASKS ON BUSES BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO WEAR MASKS AND BUILDINGS.

SO ALIGNING THOSE THINGS AND ADDRESSING THOSE PIECES TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR FOR EVERYONE. WE ARE LOOKING INTO REQUESTING THAT PAENTS PROVIDE VACCINATION DOCUMENTS TO THE SCHOOL NURSE JUST TO HELP WITH CONTACT TRACING.

CONTRACT TRACING WILL BE A MAJOR PART OF WHAT WE DO.

AND THAT LEADS US INTO THE NEXT CHANGE ? THAT IS PHYSICAL DISTANCING. IT IS RECOMMENDED BY CDC THAT THERE IS THREE FOOT DISTANCE WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

BUT IF WE ARE RETURNING TO FULL INSTRUCTION ? AND THAT DECISION HAS BEEN MADE ? IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT IN SOME CLASSES TO HAVE THAT THREE-FOOT DISTANCING.

SO WHAT CDC RECOMMENDS IS HOW ARE WE LAYERING MULTIPLE PREVENTIONS SUCH AS UPDATING INFORMATION WITH VENTILATION? AND I WILL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER.

ENCOURAGING HANDWASHING AND RESPIRATION ADEQUATE ? WHEN YOU COUGH YOU ARE COVERING YOUR MOUTH.

WHEN STUDENTS ARE ILL THAT THEY STAY HOME.

AND IF THEY ARE SHOWING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS THAT MAY BE COVID RELATED THAT THEY ARE GETTING TESTED.

AND WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT CONTACT TRACING AND USE ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE WHEN NECESSARY.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE OUR ENVIRONMENTS ARE READY EACH AND EVERY DAY FOR OUR KIDS. THEY ALSO RECOMMEND THAT WE USE COHORTS. SO IN OUR HYBRID SESSIONS WE HAD COHORTS. GROUP A AND GROUP B. WHEN WE GO TO FULL INSTRUCTION, THEY WILL NOT BE USED.

BUT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS ASKED US TO LOOK AT AND SEE WHERE WE CAN USE COHORTS ? IN CAFETERIAS WHERE STUDENTS ARE COMING IN FOR EXAMPLE. IT'S MUCH EASIER TO DO AT THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE LEVEL. BECAUSE THEY WILL RETURN TO THEIR LUNCH PROGRAMS IN THE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVEL.

AND THEN, WE ARE CURRENTLY AND ALMOST SHIFTING TO A FOUR TIER BUS SYSTEM TO ALIGN THE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY.

SO THERE WOULD BASICALLY BE A MIDDLE SCHOOL TIER, TO ELEMENTARY TEARS AND A MIDDLE SCHOOL TIER FOR BUS TRANSPORTATION. AGAIN, MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR FULL RIDERSHIP. BUT WE ARE PUTTING MORE STUDENTS ON THE BUS TO GET THEM TO SCHOOL ON TIME.

SO WE WILL NEED TO MAKE SOME INSTRUCTIONAL UPDATES TO THE PLAN. AS WE COME INTO SCHOOL ? AND THESE MIGHT NOT BE RIGHT AWAY ? BUT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE ACADEMIC, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS ARE. ARE THERE ANY OTHER NEEDS THAT OUR STUDENTS MIGHT HAVE AND HOW WILL WE IDENTIFY THOSE? AND MAKING SURE WE ARE ADDRESSING ANY HEALTH OR FOOD SERVICES NEEDS THAT THE STUDENTS MIGHT HAVE.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS NEED TO BE OUTLINED AND THOSE ARE CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE ADDED. AND THEN WE WILL HAVE A SECTION ON THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY. CURRENTLY, WE HAVE PLANS FOR A FULL VIRTUAL ACADEMY FOR THE ELEMENTARY ? ALTHOUGH OUR NUMBERS HAVE DECREASED OVER THE SUMMER.

AND WE ARE ALMOST READY TO SAY THAT WE ALMOST HAVE A FULL MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM. BUT THOSE NUMBERS HAVE ALSO DECREASED. WE WILL CONTINUE FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER TO TRY TO GET HIGH SCHOOL, BUT OUR NUMBERS HAVE DECREASED SO MUCH AND WE REALLY DON'T HAVE TEACHERS TO TEACH THAT PROGRAM. IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT.

WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS NEXT WEEK TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OPTIONS TO DO SOMETHING IN THE BUILDINGS.

I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE HAPPEN FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR.

[01:30:18]

WE HAVE TO DECIDE AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE A STRONG CONTACT TRACING PROGRAM AND HOW ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE IS WORKING WITH THE NURSE AND HOMES.

THEY WANT US TO LOOK AT AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SECTION IN HERE FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND SCREENING TESTING.

AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND MOVING INTO THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, WE HAVE SCREENING TESTING WHERE IF SOMEONE IS SHOWING SYMPTOMS, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO TEST TO SEE IF THEY POSSIBLY COULD HAVE COVID. WE HAVE TO DESCRIBE OUR EFFORTS TO HOLD VACCINATION CLINICS FOR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF.

THOSE WERE DONE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR LAST YEAR.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT LANGUAGE IS PUT IN THERE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE ? AND DR. HARRIS IS ADDRESSING ANY ACCOMMODATIONS NEEDED FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE REVIEWING AND UPDATING OUR COMMUNICATION PLANS.UST AS A NOTE, I WAS TALKING TO MR. [NAME], AND CURRENTLY IN CALVERT COUNTY, AS OF MONDAY, 12 TO 18-YEAR-OLDS ? OUR VACCINATION IS.

[INDISCERNIBLE] PERCENT.O GENERALLY, THOSE ARE OUR CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE AND HOW WE ARE LOOKING AT THE REOPENING PLAN. WE ARE VERY OPEN FOR COMMENTS AND INFORMATION THAT ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SHARE FROM THE

PBOARD OR FROM OUR COMMUNITY. >> AND WE WILL BE POSTING ON OUR WEBSITE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS TO REVIEW WHAT WE HAVE SO FAR AND TO MAKE COMMENTS VIA THE WEBSITE.

IT WILL BE LIMITED TO JUST NEXT WEEK BECAUSE WE HAVE TO FINALIZE THE PLAN BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

SO WE WILL TAKE COMMENTS NEXT WEEK.

FOLKS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO DO THAT.

I'M SMILING BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A TOUGH JOB.

BECAUSE EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE TELEVISION ON, EVERYTHING CHANGES. IT'S LIKE A CONSTANT BATTLE.

AND YOU THINK EVERYTHING'S OKAY, AND THEN, 12 HOURS LATER THE WORLD IS GETTING READY TO END AGAIN.

SO I WOULD ANTICIPATE THAT YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO MAKE SOME CHANGES. MY CONCERN IS HOW DO PARENTS FIND OUT WHAT THESE CHANGES ARE? I KNOW THEY CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE, BUT DON'T WE USE ANY OF THE PRESS OR NEWSPAPERS? WE HAVE A REPORTER SITTING RIGHT THERE TO REACH OUT AND GIVE SOME OF THAT INFORMATION.

OR IS THAT JUST A BAD IDEA? >> I DO THINK WE POST THINGS ON THE WEBSITE. BUT WE ALSO TRY TO USE PRESS RELEASES TO SEND TO OUR PARENTS.

AND WE USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO DO THAT TOO.

WE DID A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION TODAY BECAUSE THAT IS ON THE BOARD AND IT IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN READING HUNDRED AND 65 PAGE DOCUMENT THAT IS POSTED ON THE SITE.

SO USE THOSE OPTIONS IN ORDER TO GET INFORMATION OUT.

IF THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO GET INFORMATION OUT, I CERTAINLY WOULD BE OPEN TO HEARING WHAT THOSE WAYS ARE.

>> AND CERTAINLY, WHEN THERE ARE FINAL DECISIONS MADE, THE BEST COMMUNICATION FOR PARENTS IS FROM THEIR SCHOOL

ADMINISTRATION. >> I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A DECREASE FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING FOR ACROSS-THE-BOARD ? ARE THOSE STUDENTS ENROLLING BACK INTO ??

>> THE JULY 1 ANNOUNCEMENT OF MASKING IMPACTED A LOT OF THOSE DECISIONS. WHEN TALKING WITH MRS. JACOBS, WHO IS COORDINATING THOSE EFFORTS ? AND WITH THE CONVERSATIONS WITH PARENTS ? THEY REALLY NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT THE MASKING PROCEDURES WERE GOING TO BE BEFORE THEY MAKE A FINAL DECISION. I'M NOT SAYING THAT WAS EVERYONE, BECAUSE THERE ARE CERTAINLY SOME STUDENTS WHO THRIVED IN THE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT AND WANT TO STAY IN THAT ENVIRONMENT. AND THERE ARE SOME STUDENTS WHO HAVE HEALTH CONCERNS AND FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE BEING IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT. BUT I THINK MASKING WAS A DECISION THAT MADE PARENTS AND STUDENTS GO ONE WAY OR THE

OTHER. >> AND THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL YET CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE YET TO MAKE. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HEARD TODAY FROM THOSE WHO ARE IN FAVOR OF KEEPING IT AS A CHOICE.

AND WE HAVE ? THE BOARD AND I HAVE ALL HEARD FROM THOSE WHO WANT US TO REQUIRE MASKING IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WHERE VACCINES AREN'T AVAILABLE. WHENEVER WE MAKE THAT DECISION, WE WILL HAVE ? NO MATTER WHAT THE DECISION ? SOME HAVE TOLD ME IF YOU REQUIRE MASS, I'M KEEPING MY KIDS AT HOME.

AND OTHERS HAVE TOLD ME IF WE ARE GOING TO GIVE PEOPLE AN OPTION, I'M GOING TO KEEP MY CHILD HOME.

>> WE ARE IN THIS INTERIM. WHERE IT'S GREAT THAT WE ARE

[01:35:11]

IT'S A DIFFICULT ? NEEDLE TO THREAD.

BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME WHO HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR ELEMENTARY AGED KIDS WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE A VACCINATION.

SO I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO DEVELOP AS A GHOST.

AS PAT SAYS, IT CHANGES DAILY. THE HOPE IS THAT WE CAN STILL ? WITH THE INCREASED VENTILATION THAT WE HAVE DONE, I KNOW WE WERE ABLE TO REDUCE THE FLU TO ALMOST 0 LAST YEAR JUST WITH THE DISTANCING AND THE VENTILATION.

AND SO, HOPEFULLY, WE CAN KEEP THESE PEOPLE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE. WE WILL TRY EVERYTHING

POSSIBLE. >> WE ALSO WILL DO THE BEST WE CAN TO POINT OUT TO PARENTS THAT IT IS STILL HERE.

COVID IS STILL HERE. THE VARIANT IS PRESENT AND HERE. AND THE BEST WAY TO BE ABLE TO KEEP YOUR CHILD IN SCHOOL, ESPECIALLY 12 AND UP, IS VACCINATION. SHOULD YOUR CHILD BE EXPOSED, THEY WILL HAVE TO BE OUT OF SCHOOL FOR 10 DAYS.

IF YOUR CHILD IS EXPOSED BUT THEY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED, THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO MISS SCHOOL. AND THAT MEANS IF THEY WILL BE QUARANTINED, THEY WILL HAVE TO MISS ALL THEIR ACTIVITIES AS WELL. SO THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING

FOR PARENTS TO REMEMBER. >> ON THE FOUR TIER BUSING, DOES THIS REQUIRE ADDITIONAL BUSES AND BUS DRIVERS?

NO? >> WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT WITH THE NUMBER OF BUS ROUTES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR CHANGE TO ME.

BUT YOU'RE ABLE TO DO THAT THEN? THAT'S GREAT. I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS.

YOU SAID WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO SCREENING? SOME KIND OF SCREENING/TESTING? IS THAT IN SCHOOL BY OUR NURSES? AN IMMEDIATE TEST?

>> YES. AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR LAST YEAR, MS. [INDISCERNIBLE] WAS COLLABORATING TO GET TEST KITS FOR EVERY BUILDING SO IF SOMEONE OR A PARENT WAS INCLINED TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN, THEY COULD SCREEN THEM RIGHT THERE TO SEE IF THEY WOULD END UP WITH A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE TEST. OUR NURSES HAVE THOSE TEST KITS. SCREENING IN REGARDS TO RANDOM TESTING OF STAFF OR STUDENTS ? WE ARE NOT DOING.

WE ARE NOT DOING THAT. >> AND THIS VARIANT HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS HAVE CHANGED, YOU KNOW? IT CAN EMULATE JUST THE BASIC COLD.

SO I IMAGINE THAT WILL BE A CHALLENGE AS WELL.

BUT PARENTAL APPROVAL IS REQUIRED?

>> YES. THERE WAS A FORM THAT WENT OUT TO PARENTS LAST YEAR THAT THEY HAD TO AFFIRM THAT THAT WAS

OKAY. >> AND ARE WE GOING TO CONTINUE DOING FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE VIRTUAL? NO? SO, WE WILL HAVE ONLY OUR CAFETERIA WORKING AND IN SCHOOL BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES?

THAT'S MY QUESTION. >> ALL RIGHT.

DR. JOHNSON, I HAVE A QUESTION. YOU TALKED ABOUT MSD REQUIRING A PLAN TO BE COMPLETED BY JULY 30.

HAVE THEY OUTLINED A PROCESS FOR ANY CHANGES THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE DONE TO THE PLAN AFTER JULY 30? IF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM NEEDED TO MAKE CHANGES?

>> THEY HAVEN'T OUTLINED ANY CHANGES.

WHAT THEY SHARED WITH US IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE IN THERE.

[01:40:13]

>> AND AFTER THAT TIME, AND REVISIONS ARE MADE TO THAT PLAN, WILL THEY ALSO NEED TO BE REVIEWED BY MSD AND APPROVED BY

THEM? >> THEY WILL DEFINITELY REVIEW THE INITIAL PLAN. AND THEY ARE DEVELOPING A RUBRIC TO SEE ? BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A RUBRIC RIGHT NOW BUT THEY WILL REVIEW EVERY OPENING PLAN.

I AM CERTAIN, JUST BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR, IS PROBABLY WE WILL HAVE TO SUBMIT A PLAN WITH EVERY IDENTIFIED

CHANGES EVERY SIX MONTHS. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.

I'M NOT COMPLETELY SURE IF YOU WILL HAVE AN ANSWER, BUT I KNOW MY FRESHMAN YEAR FOR SOCCER, OUR COACH COULDN'T ARRIVE ON TIME SO WE WERE STUCK AT THE SCHOOL FOR AN HOUR AND AND A HALF AT THE SCHOOL EVERY DAY. AND WE CALLED IT A STUDY HALL.

IT IS SOMETHING LIKE THAT GOING TO EXIST THIS COMING YEAR?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THOSE THINGS HAVE TO EXIST IF WE HAVE A FULL ATHLETIC PROGRAM.OUR STAFF AND COACHES IN HIGH SCHOOLS WILL HAVE TO COORDINATE THE TIMES.

AND FOR THE STUDENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO GET HOME OR COME BACK ? THAT THERE BE A SPACE FOR THEM.

THEY WOULD ORGANIZE THAT STUDY HALL OR SUPPORTED ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM TO STAY UNTIL PRACTICE STARTS.

>> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT.

[7.07 ARP ESSER III Grant Update]

DR. CURRY.>> I WANT TO BE SURE TO POINT OUT THAT WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE AARP. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN. AND THIS IS THE MOST RECENT ENTERAL DOLLARS IN WASHINGTON THAT WERE APPROVED TO GO TO SCHOOL. IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

UNFORTUNATELY, IN CALVERT COUNTY, WE ARE PROBABLY GETTING THE LEAST AMOUNT PER PUPIL THAN ANYBODY ELSE IN MARYLAND.

THAT HAS TO DO WITH WEALTH CALCULATIONS.

BUT IT AMOUNTS TO ROUGHLY $11.5 MILLION THAT IS AVAILABLE TO US IN A GRANT FORM. IT CAN BE SPENT UP TO SEPTEMBER 2024. THE NOTE THAT THAT THIRD BOX SAYS THAT WE CAN START SPENDING IT THIS MARCH, BUT WE DIDN'T GET ANY GUIDANCE ON THIS GRANT UNTIL THE END OF JUNE.

WE HAVE TO SUBMIT JUST LIKE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT ? OUR RETURN PLAN THAT DR. JOHNSON JUST TALKED ABOUT.

WE HAVE TO SUBMIT OUR GRANT APPLICATION AND PLAN FOR SPENDING THE MONEY TO MSD E BY THE END OF JULY.

AND SO, WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

THE ALLOWABLE PURPOSES ? FIRST OF ALL, 20 PERCENT HAS TO BE SET ASIDE TO ADDRESS LEARNING LAWS.

THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS.

AND RESPOND TO STUDENTS NEEDS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONATE TO THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENT SUBGROUPS. SO 20 PERCENT OF THIS WOULD BE ROUGHLY $2.3 MILLION. AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF IDEAS.

WHAT I HAVE DONE AND WHAT I WILL SHARE WITH YOU TODAY ARE THE SUGGESTIONS THAT HAVE COME IN THROUGH MY LEADERSHIP TEAM AND OUR UNION GROUPS ? IT ALREADY EXCEEDS 11 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS. SO WE CANNOT DO EVERYTHING THAT EVERYONE HAS REQUESTED. I'M SHARING WITH YOU TODAY BIG PICTURE ITEMS THAT WE CAN DO THAT HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED.

I'LL BE ASKING YOU BEFORE YOU LEAVE TODAY TO TELL US IF YOU THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT PRIORITY FOR THAT.

OR THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PRIORITY FOR THAT.

AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR INPUT.

AND JUST LIKE WITH THE RETURN PLAN, WE WILL PUT THIS OUT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT NEXT WEEK. THAT WAY, FOLKS CAN TELL US WHAT THEY THINK. THE PRIORITY AND THE SPENDING OF THIS MONEY. WE WILL BE LOOKING AT DOING SUCH THAT WE WERE ABLE TO USE SOME OF OUR DOLLARS THAT CAME FROM SOME OF THE OTHER GRANTS IN THE PAST TO PURCHASE OUR STUDENT LAPTOPS. THIS WOULD BE ONE WAY, SHOULD WE MAKE THIS CHOICE. ONE, WE BUY THREE YEAR LEASES IN THREE-YEAR PHASES. SO WE HAVE GROUP 1 LAPTOPS THAT ARE IN FOR THREE YEARS AND GROUP 2 LAPTOPS ? THOSE WE CAN'T REALLY JUST PICK UP THE TAB FOR AN EXISTING LEASE.

BUT IT WOULD BE APPROVABLE TO PICK UP THE TAB FOR A NEW LEASE WHENEVER WE HAVE A NEW LEASE COME UP.

THIS WOULD RESULT IN SAVED LOCAL DOLLARS.

IT WOULDN'T NECESSARILY DO ANYTHING BUT HELP US SAVE SOME DOLLARS FOR EXISTING BUDGETS OR BUDGETS FOR FY 20.

WE ARE ALREADY BUDGETED FOR FY 22.

[01:45:06]

THE TOP TWO CAME FROM THE IT DEPARTMENT.

THE MIDDLE TO COMES FROM RESTORATIVE.

THE BOTTOM TO COME FROM OUR DEPARTMENT OF INSTRUCTION.

AND THAT CERTAINLY WOULD FIT INTO THE LEARNING LOSS REQUIREMENT OF SPENDING.THAT WOULD BE TWO YEARS COSTS FOR SUMMER SCHOOL AND TWO YEARS COSTS FOR AFTERSCHOOL TUTORING ? WOULD BE 2.5 MILLION FOR TWO YEARS OF SUMMER SCHOOL AND TWO YEARS OF AFTERSCHOOL TUTORING. THER ALLOWABLE PURPOSES FOR USE OF THIS MONEY ? WE COULD USE IT TO HIRE NEW STAFF IF WE NEEDED TO AVOID LAYING PEOPLE OFF.

ONCE AGAIN, LEARNING LOSS STAFF COULD BE HIRED TO CONTINUE THE CONTINUITY OF LEARNING. WE COULD SUPPORT THE GRAB AND GO MEALS IF WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT.

WE DON'T ANTICIPATE THE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT AS WE SAID EARLIER. AS AN ASIDE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THIS NEXT YEAR, EVEN THOUGH WE WILL COLLECT FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATIONS, MEALS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR FREE FOR ALL BASED UPON PRESENT FEDERAL SUPPORT.

SAFETY AND FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS ARE STILL ALLOWABLE. THE CARES GRANTS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED SO FAR HAVE PRIMARILY BEEN USED FOR MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION. WE HAVE PURCHASED A LOT OF ONLINE MATERIALS AND DIGITAL LICENSES FOR TRANSPORTATION FOR ELEMENTARY SUMMER SCHOOL. WE ALSO USED IT FOR SOME OF THE COSTS OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SUMMER SCHOOLS.

SO THAT'S JUST TO LET YOU KNOW HOW WE SED SOME OF THE PREVIOUS GRANTS. WHEN I SOLICIT OTHER PRIORITIES, OTHER FOLKS TO GIVE US PRIORITIES, I CAN TELL YOU THAT CASE ORGANIZATION RECOMMENDED THAT WE INVEST IN SUPPORTING ALL OF OUR IA'S TO BE PARA-PROS.

RAISE THE LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM FOR INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANCE. IT'S RECOMMENDED BY THE CEA THAT WE BEGIN WORKING ON THE BLUEPRINT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE ? THE BLUEPRINT ENVISIONS TEACHERS ONLY TEACHING IN FRONT OF THEIR STUDENTS 60 PERCENT OF THE DAY STARTING IN 2425. SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE PLANS FOR. BUT THEY SUGGEST THAT WE MIGHT NEED 100 TO 150 MORE TEACHERS IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

MAYBE WE COULD USE THAT MONEY TO PAY SOME MORE TEACHERS.

HR DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED THAT THEY NEED ? GIVEN THE WAY THINGS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING ? THEY COULD USE ANOTHER STAFF PERSON. ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PERIOD WITH LOTS OF TURNOVER. THERE IS A LOT MORE TO PROCESS WITHIN THAT DEPARTMENT. AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT ONE MORE STAFF PERSON AND SALARY FOR THEM FOR THREE YEARS.

STUDENT SERVICES RECOMMENDS THEY COULD BENEFIT BY 2 AND A HALF NURSES FOR THE PURPOSES OF HELPING WITH CONTACT TRACING.

AND THE CEA RECOMMENDS WE KEEP AN EYE ON KEEPING CLASS-SIZE LOW ESPECIALLY FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 2. ALSO RECOMMENDED BY CEA IS HIGHER GIFTED TEACHERS FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. BEACH ELEMENTARY DIDN'T BUY INTO THAT AT FIRST, BUT NOW THEY WANT TO JOIN IN.

AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THE MATERIALS THE OTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS HAVE. AND IT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED THAT WE MIGHT NEED THEM BECAUSE WE ARE STRUGGLING HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS INTERESTED IN BEING VIRTUAL TEACHERS.

WE COULD SET ASIDE MONEY TO HIRE VIRTUAL TEACHERS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL. FINALLY, A CATCHALL.

IN ESSENCE, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY IN THIS MONEY ONCE WE GET BEYOND THE 20 PERCENT REQUIRED. HERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED TO US. BECAUSE WE ARE STILL GOING TO TRY TO KEEP DISTANCING AND REDUCE CROWDS IN OUR

[01:50:35]

WE KNOW CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS ARE SKY HIGH.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I HAD A PROJECT AT HOME LAST WEEKEND. I PAID $77 FOR ONE SHEET OF PLYWOOD. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! AND $27 FOR ONE 4 X 4. SO MATERIALS HAVE GONE SKYHIGH.

AND OUR NEIGHBORS AROUND THE STATE WHO HAVE HAD SCHOOL INSTRUCTION UP FOR BID HAVE FOUND THAT THE BIDS COME IN UNAFFORDABLE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE STATE POWERS THAT BE THAT WE COULD USE SOME FUNDS FROM THIS FEDERAL GRANT IF WE NEEDED TO TO HELP US AFFORD BEACH ELEMENTARY WHEN THE BIDS COME IN.

ONE OF THE UNIQUE ASPECTS IS THAT IF WE USE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE SCHOOL, IT REQUIRES THAT THE SALARIES BE PAID TO THE CONSTRUCTION FOLKS BASED UPON THE DAVIS-BACON WAGES, AS OPPOSED TO THE PREVAILING WAGE OF MARYLAND. THE DAVIS-BACON REQUIREMENTS ARE LITTLE BIT LESS. AND COULD CONCEIVABLY SAVE US SOME IN OUR CONSTRUCTION COSTS, BECAUSE IT WOULD CONTROL THE WAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL PROJECTS CONNECTED WITH THAT BUILDING OF BEACH ELEMENTARY. SO SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

WE COULD ALSO USE MONEY TO REDO THE VENTILATION IN ALL OF OUR NURSES SUITES TO CREATE A NEGATIVE AIRFLOW.

SO NONE OF THE AIR GETS RECIRCULATED INTO THE SCHOOL.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING TO CONSIDER.

AND THERE'S OTHER SAFETY INITIATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED BY THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

LIKE I SAID, MYSELF AND STAFF WILL BE LOOKING AT THINGS THAT WILL BE ONE-TIME EXPENSES. BECAUSE THIS IS A GRANT AND IT WILL BE ALL DONE.F WE COMMIT TO A SALARY, WE WILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO CONTINUE SALARIES BEYOND THE THREE YEAR PERIOD. IF IT'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO CONTINUE. SO THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND. THINGS LIKE EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION ? ONE TIME PURCHASES.

AND THINGS LIKE SOME OF OUR OTHER PURCHASES COULD HELP US REDUCE CURRENT DOLLAR EXPENSES TO BE ABLE TO PUT ASIDE LOCAL DOLLARS FOR THE FUTURE. SO WE WILL BE TAKING COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC WILL STOP AND WE WILL BE PUTTING THIS ON OUR WEBSITE. THEY CAN BE SENT TO MY SECRETARY, DARLENE WEITZ, TO HER EMAIL ADDRESS.

FOLKS CAN MAKE COMMENTS ABOUT WHAT I HAVE SHARED TODAY.

THEY CAN ALSO MAKE SUGGESTIONS FOR ANYTHING ELSE THEY THINK WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER. LIKE I SAID, WE HAVE JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS GRANT SENT IN. ALL OF OUR GRANTS GET AMENDED AND REWORKED OVER TIME WHEN WE BUDGET $100,000 HERE AND SPEND 75 ? THEN WE HAVE TO AMEND OUR GRANTS AND SAY WE HAVE ANOTHER 25,000 AND WE WANT TO SPEND IT ANOTHER WAY.

THIS WILL BE AN ONGOING PROJECT OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

THE FLOOR IS OPEN TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

AND QUESTIONS. >> DON'T ALL SPEAK AT ONCE!

>> OKAY.IRST OF ALL, DO WE HAVE THE DISCUSSION ON HOW FAST WE GET THIS MONEY? OR IS IT 11,000,000?3?

>> I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ANY SCHEDULE ON HOW QUICKLY WE HAVE TO SPEND IT. WE HAVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2024 TO USE IT UP. SO NUMBER.

>> OKAY. AND I AM VERY ADVERSE TO ? AS MUCH AS I WANT US TO LOWER CLASS SIZES ? THAT'S BEEN OUR MANTRA FOR SEVERAL TERMS ON THE BOARD ? I DON'T WANT US TO COMMIT TO HIRING FOR FUNDS THAT WILL RUN OUT IN THREE YEARS.

I DO BELIEVE THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT MIGHT BE COMING DOWN THE PIKE.

FOR TEACHERS AND PERHAPS THE LOWER CLASS SIZES.

SO THE BLUEPRINT ? WHICH IS STATE FUNDING ? I'M HOPING THAT'S WHAT WE WILL SEE. BUT I PERSONALLY WOULD ONLY LIKE TO SEE US PUT INTO OUR PLAN WHAT YOU SPOKE OF.

YOU KNOW, THINGS THAT ARE MORE ONE TIME.

EVEN THE LAPTOPS ARE A RECURRING EXPENSE.

[01:55:01]

IF WE AREN'T ASKING THE COUNTY TO HELP US WITH THESE GENERAL OPERATING RECURRING FUNDS, THEY MIGHT NOT DO IT.

THEY MIGHT NOT PROVIDED THE NEXT YEAR.

SO EVERYTHING THAT REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT ? BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE HAD TO ENCOUNTER ? I WOULD SAY GO FULL BOARD. ALL OF THE SUMMER SCHOOLS.

TUTORING. LEARNING LOSS.

TRAININGS. AND MAYBE NEW HIRES, WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE THE SUMMER SCHOOLS OR VIRTUAL ACADEMIES ? THINGS THAT MIGHT WIND DOWN OVER TIME AND WE CAN ABSORB THOSE PEOPLE.> AND THAT IS GENERALLY INCLUDED IN OUR ESTIMATED COSTS. IT'S WHAT GETS PAID TO THE STAFF AND ALSO THE TRAINING OF THAT STAFF.

>> YEAH. OKAY.

BUT I WOULD ALSO ? HEARING ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION INCREASES ? I'VE BEEN TRYING TO THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A FUND IN A BALANCE FOR THAT, JUST LIKE WE DID WITH NORTHERN.

AND IF THE FEDS CAN HELP US CREATE THAT, I THINK IT'S A VALID THING. SO IT DEFINITELY IS PANDEMIC RELATED ? WITH DISRUPTIONS TO THE SUPPLY CHAIN ALL OVER THE WORLD. AND OF COURSE, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE HVAC AS WELL.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE TO PUT TOO BIG OF A CHUNK ASIDE.

BUT ANYWAY, THOSE ARE MY PREFERENCES.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> I WOULD ECHO THE COMMENTS MADE BY DR. CURRY AND MS. BALINSKI.

I WOULD BE HESITANT TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR THINGS THAT ARE REOCCURRING, SUCH AS STAFF I WOULD LEAN MORE TOWARD NE-TIME EXPENDITURES AS NOTED. BECAUSE THE FUNDS WILL RUN OUT.

AFTER THE THREE YEARS OF THE GRANT TERM.

SO THEREFORE, THE ITEMS THAT ARE LISTED THAT CAN BE AFFORDED ? BULK CAN BE CONSIDERED AS ONE TIME ? I WILL SUPPORT.

HOWEVER, I AM A BIG SUPPORTER OF LOWERING CLASS SIZES FOR GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWO.

AND I THINK WE NEED TO WORK OUTSIDE OF OUR GRANT FUNDING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. AS PART OF OUR REOCCURRING BUDGET. AS WELL AS ADDING GIFTED AND TALENTED TEACHERS. I THINK WE OWE IT TO OUR STUDENTS TO MAKE THAT A PRIORITY AS WELL.

[8.01 Comments by the Board]

>> ALL RIGHT. HEARING NO FURTHER COMMENTS.

THANK YOU, DR. CURRY. WE'LL MOVE INTO MORE COMMENTS AT THIS TIME. I WILL BEGIN WITH MR. KELLY.

>> HELLO AGAIN. I JUST WANT TO REINFORCE OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. IF THERE ARE ANY STUDENTS WATCHING THIS RIGHT NOW, I URGE YOU TO APPLY.

I DIDN'T MENTION THIS IN MY REPORT, BUT SOME OF THESE COUNCILS TEND TO FAIL BECAUSE ONLY STUDENT GOVERNMENT STUDENTS ENTER AND APPLY. IT'S ESSENTIALLY JUST ANOTHER TASK MEETING AND THERE'S NO POINT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET AS MANY PEOPLE ON THIS COUNSELOR AS POSSIBLE. SO I CAN ACCURATELY REPRESENT THE STUDENT OF CALVERT. YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO APPLY. PRETTY MUCH EVERYBODY IS GETTING IN. THE DEADLINE ISN'T UNTIL AFTER THE SCHOOL YEAR STARTS, BECAUSE I FEEL THAT'S ONE MORE STUDENTS

[02:00:01]

SO PLEASE APPLY. EMAIL ME.

I'LL SEND YOU THE LINK FOR THE APPLICATION.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. IT'S LOW COMMITMENT AND I DON'T THINK YOU WILL REGRET IT. ALSO, THERE IS AN IDEA OF THE TOWN HALL BEING BROUGHT UP. A DIFFERENT WAY THAN I WOULD HAVE DONE IT. SINCE I AM THE STUDENT MEMBER ON THE BOARD, I WOULD PREFER IF THERE WAS A STUDENT BASED TOWN HALL. FOR INSTANCE, WHEN I WAS 1/6 AND SEVENTH GRADER, WE HAD ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS AND A COUPLE OTHER GUESTS ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS FOR SOME STUDENTS ACROSS CALVERT COUNTY. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IF YOU GUYS WOULD BE WILLING TO DO THAT.

IT WAS USUALLY IN DECEMBER. UT I'M A BIG SUPPORTER OF AN IDEA LIKE THAT. AND THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR ME.

>> THANK YOU, MR. KELLY. MR. WHITE.

>> GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE TEACHERS, PARENTS, ADMINISTRATORS, BOARD STAFF AND BUS DRIVERS.

SUMMER SCHOOL IS IN FULL SWING AND THAT'S A LOT OF EXTRA ON TOP OF EVERYTHING YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN DOING.

AND YESTERDAY, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE CTA, THAT'S A CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER SCHOOL.

VERONICA JOHNSON OF CHANNEL 7 NEWS WAS THERE.

SHE WAS INTERVIEWING THE PRINCIPAL, THE STUDENTS, AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO PUT ON THE ROTARY RIDE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SOME OF THE STUDENTS.

IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW ONE OF THE STUDENTS, UPON GRADUATING, WAS OFFERED TWO JOBS FROM TWO LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIPS ? TOYOTA AND FORD. SO IT SHOWS WHAT THOSE CERTIFICATIONS ? WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET TAKEN CARE OF ? BENEFITING THESE STUDENTS. AS MR. KELLY BROUGHT UP, THE TOWN HALL IS SOMETHING WE KICKED AROUND A COUPLE OF TIMES. WITH THE LINE OF PEOPLE THAT WAS OUT THERE, AND WITH ALL THE INFORMATION THAT PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I KNOW WEALL SUPPORT AND DISCUSSED, BUT MAYBE WE COULD PUT SOMETHING TO THAT.

I JUST WANT TO THANK THE SPEAKERS AND THE EMAILS THAT WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING. THANK YOU FOR SENDING THEM.

WE DO TRY TO RESPOND WHEN THERE IS A QUESTION.

BUT PEOPLE SHOWED UP HERE TODAY AND SPOKE.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR DOING THAT. SO ? THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR. WHITE. MR. NUTTER.

>> THANK YOU. AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TODAY. I HAVE A HARD TIME PUSHING MYSELF AWAY FROM BEING A COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

DURING THE COMMISSIONER MEETING, IF THERE WERE 25 PEOPLE TO ASK QUESTIONS, THERE WERE 25 PEOPLE.

IF WE HAD A SITUATION LIKE BUDGET, OR ZONING, WE WOULD HAVE TO HOLD SPECIAL MEETINGS. BECAUSE WE KNEW WE WOULD HAVE AN INFLUX OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD WANT TO SAY WHAT THEY WANTED TO SAY.AND I UNDERSTAND ? YOU COME DOWN ? AND WE'VE HAD SOME TRYING TIMES. AND PEOPLE WANT TO MAKE THEIR OPINIONS KNOWN. AND IT'S DISHEARTENING, THOUGH, WHEN THEY COME AND THEY FIND OUT YOU ARE NOT IN THE CHOSEN NUMBER. AND THAT'S HARD TO ACCEPT.

AND THEY WALK AWAY AND SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, IT JUST LEAVES A BAD TASTE IN THEIR MOUTH. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN DO IT.

I DON'T. BUT I KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE MEETINGS ASSIGNED TO WHERE IT'S OPEN ? EVEN IF YOU HAVE IT AT THE PINES OR SOMEWHERE ELSE ? IF THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ROOM.

YOU JUST HAVE TO DO IT. LISTEN, WHEN WE HAD THE BUDGET AND ALL THE TEACHERS COME IN ? YOU KNOW? OR WE HAD ZONING PROBLEMS AND WE HAD ALL THOSE PEOPLE COME IN? THERE WAS A NUMBER OF THINGS ? EVEN THE BUDGET HEARINGS. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE WORK IT OUT, BUT IT HAS TO BE WORKED OUT.WE CANNOT KEEP GOING MONTH TO MONTH AND SAY WELL, WERE THINKING ABOUT TOWN HALL.

AND THEN THE NEXT MONTH COMES UP AND WE ARE LIKE OVERTHINKING ABOUT TOWN HALL. THAT TOWN HALL WAS BROUGHT UP FOUR MONTHS AGO. AND HERE WE ARE, FOUR MONTHS LATER. AND NO CLOSER TO IT.

NOW, I'M JUST A MEMBER OF THIS BOARD.

AND, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE GUY FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY ? I'M SO CLOSELY RELATED TO THE WAY HE WAS ? NOT THE SMARTEST COOKIE IN SCHOOL. BUT I HAD TEACHERS CALL ME WELL INTO MY MANHOOD AND KEEP AN EYE ON ME.

AND SAY YOU DID OKAY. BECAUSE I'M SURE THEY LOOKED AT ME AND SAID WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH THIS PICTURE? SO I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN DO THAT.UT WE, AS A BOARD, HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO COME TOGETHER ? WHETHER IT'S A SPECIAL MEETING, AND WE SIT DOWN AND SAY OKAY.

THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

THESE PEOPLE ARE COMING DOWN AND THEY HAVE CONCERNS.

I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER.

I DON'T THINK I CAN MAKE A MOTION RIGHT NOW TO DO THAT.

BUT I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.

RIGHT NOW. NOT TWO MONTHS FROM NOW.

[02:05:01]

AND THAT'S DIFFICULT TO. TO ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY.

THE PEOPLE LOOK AT THE PRESIDENT AND SAY WELL, MR. NUTTER SAID THIS AND YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING.

BUT THAT'S NOT FAIR. SHE'S DOING THE BEST SHE CAN.

SHE GETS ALL OF THESE EMAILS AND HAS TO MAKE DECISIONS TOO.

SO PLEASE, DON'T MISUNDERSTAND THAT PART OF IT.

SO I GUESS I'VE RUN MY MOUTH ENOUGH!

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, MR. NUTTER.

>> YES, I AM ALSO OPEN TO TOWN HALL.

SO HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET SOME ARRANGEMENTS GOING.ND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR COMING OUT AND SPEAKING.

LOT OF DEEP THOUGHT GOING ON. I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE SUCH PROFESSIONALS.

AND WE DO A VERY GOOD JOB OF TRYING TO REACH OUT TO OUR STUDENTS. AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING PWITH THE EQUITY WORK ? TO JUST HELP ALL OF US REALIZE HOW BEST TO REACH STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING.

AND IN MY MIND, THAT DEFINES OUR EQUITY WORK.

SO WE WILL JUST KEEP THE CONVERSATIONS GOING.

AND HOPEFULLY, WE CAN BE COMFORTABLE.

THAT WE AREN'T SHOVING INFORMATION DOWN OUR STUDENTS THROATS WHEN IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE AND NOT INDOCTRINATING TEACHERS OR STUDENTS.

OTHERWISE, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW YOU GUYS ARE NAVIGATING ALL OF THESE NEW THINGS COMING DOWN AT YOU.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK, OF COURSE.

>> THANK YOU, MS. BALINSKI. WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE MEETING TODAY AND GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT.

I WOULD AGAIN ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE COMMENTING AND CONTINUING TO WRITE TO US. AND CONTINUE TO SHOW UP AT OUR MEETINGS.NE PUBLIC COMMENT, SPECIFICALLY, PLATE COMMENTS THAT I HAD SPOKE ABOUT IN A PREVIOUS MEETING ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENTS. AND HE ASKED WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE FOR ME. THE DIFFERENCE FOR ME IS THAT WE ARE HERE AND TODAY IS COVID. WE HAVE VACCINATED AS WELL IS UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS POSSIBLY IN OUR ROOM.

WE TRY NOT TO REMAIN IN A CLOSED ROOM TOO LONG FOR EXPOSURE TO WHATEVER MAY BE IN THE ROOM.

AS WELL AS, YOU KNOW, KEEPING OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES SAFETY IN THE BACK OF OUR MINDS.

SO THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE TO ME AS TO WHY I SUPPORTED HAVING 10 PUBLIC COMMENTS VERSUS ALLOWING UNLIMITED COMMENTS.

IT'S NOT THAT I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU OR CONSIDER YOUR OPINIONS. YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO WRITE TO ME. I READ ALL OF YOUR EMAILS.

IN THOSE EMAILS THAT ARE RESPECTFUL, AND ASK QUESTIONS, I TRY VERY HARD TO ANSWER AND QUESTIONS THAT ARE PROVIDED.

IN REGARD TO WHAT MR. NUTTER SAID, AS FAR AS THE TOWN HALL AND LEADING THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION ? THIS BOARD HAS FIVE MEMBERS WITH INDIVIDUAL THOUGHTS AS WELL AS PERSONALITIES. IN ORDER TO MOVE WORK FORWARD, THERE MUST BE A CONSENSUS WHICH TAKES THREE VOTES.

SO WHILE YOU MAY NOT HAVE SEEN US GET TOGETHER AND HAVE A TOWN HALL TO DATE, IT WOULD TAKE THREE OF US TO PUSH FOR THAT TOWN HALL TO EVOLVE INTO SOMETHING THAT IS SCHEDULED AND HELD. SO I WOULD ASK THAT MR. NUTTER AND MS. BALINSKI WORK WITH ALL OF US TOGETHER TO COME TOGETHER TO DECIDE ON HAVING A TOWN HALL OR NOT HAVING A TOWN HALL.

AND POSSIBLY, WE ADD THAT TO OUR AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION SO WE CAN MAKE A DECISION AND SIT DOWN WITH OUR CALENDARS AND DECIDE ON A DATE. WE OPERATE INDIVIDUALLY, AS WELL AS COMING TOGETHER AS A BOARD.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE BOARD PRESIDENT, THE BOARD'S

[02:10:01]

NO MATTER THAT WILL ? EVEN IF IT'S CONTRARY TO THAT PRESIDENT'S OPINION OR FEELINGS.

THE PRESIDENT HAS TO CARRY THE WILL OF A BOARD WHEN IT COMES TO SPEAKING PUBLICLY AS WELL AS TO THE MEDIA, OR FOR MAKING COMMENTS THAT ARE RECORDED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD.

OFTEN, YOU WILL HEAR ME MAKE COMMENTS AND I WILL SAY THESE ARE MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS. AND THEY ARE WHEN THEM MAKE THAT STATEMENT. BECAUSE I CAN'T SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD WITHOUT KNOWING THE OPINIONS AND CONSENSUS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. SO THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE WHEN IT COMES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD.

YES, I CARRY THE BURDEN OF CARRYING THE BOARD'S WILL.

BUT I ALSO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL OPINION AND

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.