[1.01 Superintendent's Presentation of Proposed Operating Budget]
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ATTACH A GOOD EVENING WELCOME TO THE CALVERT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TONIGHT'S AGENDA ITEM TODAY IS WE GOING TO LISTEN TO THE SUPERINTENDENT PRESENT HIS BUDGET FOR THE OPERATING YEAR 2022-2023 I WILL TURN IT OVER TO YOU DR. CAREY.
>> THANK YOU MS. COUSINS, THIS IS AN ANNUAL EVENT, IT IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF A LONG PROCESS THAT WE GO THROUGH TO DEVELOP AND GET INPUT ON THE BUDGET FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
NOW WE THOUGHT THINGS WERE GOING TO BEAT MORE NORMAL THIS YEAR, BECAUSE IN THE SPRING VACCINES WERE AVAILABLE FOR STAFF, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. AND WE WERE OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WOULD HAVE IN PERSON INSTRUCTION, AND THINGS WOULD GET MORE NORMAL. THAT DID NOT QUITE HAPPEN.
AS WE HAD HOPED, WE ARE STILL WEARING A MASK AND RESTRICTING TE SIZE OF GATHERINGS, BUT WE ARE STILL IN SCHOOL, WE ARE IN PERSON, AND OUR CHILDREN HAVE BEEN GLAD TO BE BACK.
THIS SLIDE JUST SHOWS THE DATA OF THE SHARE OF DECEMBER, OUR TOTAL ENROLLMENT K-12 WAS 15,220 STUDENTS IN DECEMBER WHICH IS ABOUT 300 MORE THAN SEPTEMBER OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
IT IS GOOD TO HAVE SEVERAL HUNDRED BACK.
BEFORE WE GET INTO, WE ARE HERE TO TALK ONLY ABOUT THE GENERAL FUND OPERATING BUDGET WHICH OPPER REPRESENTS MONEY PRIMARILY FROM THE STATE AND FROM THE COUNTY.
SINCE BUT BEFORE WE GO FURTHER, I WANT TO POINT OUT HOW SEVERAL GRANTS HAVE BEEN PUT TO GOOD USE, AND HOW THEY HAVE SERVED TO SAVE US A LOT OF LOCAL DOLLARS. THESE GRANTS, IN THE LAST YEAR, HAVE BEEN ABLE TO, FOR US TO COMMIT MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO SUMMER SCHOOL AT ALL LEVELS. WE HAD A ROBUST SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM LAST SUMMER THAN EVER BEFORE.
WE HAVE COMMITTED MORE THAN 700,000 FOR AFTERSCHOOL TUTORING, MORE THAN 200,000 FOR SATURDAY SCHOOL.
A HUNDRED AND 90,000 PLUS FOR MENTAL HEALTH ENHANCING ACTIVITIES. WE HAVE COMMITTED OR ABLE TO COMMIT 3 MILLION FEDERAL DOLLARS TO HELP US AFFORD TO BUILD THE BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT WE WANTED.
ALSO WE HAVE COMMITTED $2 MILLION OF FEDERAL DOLLARS, TO UPGRADE THE HEALTH SUITES AIRFLOW IN 18 SCHOOLS.
WE HAVE GOT MORE THAN $270,000 AND FOR OUR NURSES AND OUR STAFF TO DO CONTACT RACING. I WILL LET YOU READ THE CALL, I WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF, FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT THEY PUT INTO MAKING THIS SCHOOL YEAR SUCCESSFUL FOR OUR STUDENTS.
THE STRUGGLE IS REAL. IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY.
OUR TEACHERS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB OF MAKING THE BEST OF A CHALLENGING SITUATION. THEY ARE RESILIENT FOR SURE.
I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH, ABOUT HOW THEY HAVE ADOPTED, AND ADAPTED, TO THE EVER-CHANGING SITUATION. WE THANK OUR TEACHERS, AND OUR COUNSELORS, AND OUR SUPERVISORS, IN THE IT STAFF, AND OTHER SUPPORT STAFF FOR ALL THEY HAVE DONE.
AND WE THANK OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WERE HOW THEY HAVE BEEN FLEXIBLE, AND HAVE WORKED HARD TO MAKE THINGS WORK.
TEACHERS HAVE MANAGED AND PLANNED FOR CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, WHERE SOME STUDENTS ARE ON QUARANTINE ALMOST DAILY.
OUR TEACHERS HAVE COVERED FOR EACH OTHER WHEN SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. OUR SUPPORT STAFF ADAPT TO REGULAR CHANGES IN ASSIGNMENTS AND MANY OF OUR INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS. IT HAS ALSO BEEN CALLED UPON TO COVER CLASSES. THESE LAST TWO SLIDES I SHARE WITH YOU, ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GOOD QUALITY PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE. FIRST WAS JENNIFER RECHECK THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, AND HERE IS JAMES JOHNSON, SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR. THEY REPRESENT CALVERT COUNTY'S FINEST. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF THE CURRENT TUITION AT THE BLUE COMMISSION STRUCTURE TO TURN INTO WORLD-CLASS SCHOOLS. THERE ARE TO BE BIG INVESTMENTS IN PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL ORGANIZATION.
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A BIG PART OF THE PLAN TO RAISE THE STATUS AND REWARD THE QUALITY OF CLASSROOM TEACHER. THE BLUEPRINT, PRODUCT OF THE KIRWAN COMMISSION WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON BUDGETS OF THE FUTURE. THIS YEAR THE IMPACT IS SMALL, FOR INSTANCE, NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS ARE TO GET THIS COMING SCHOOL YEAR A $10,000 ANNUAL INCREASE.AT THIS TIME, WE JUST HAVE 12 WHO QUALIFY FOR THIS $10,000.
BUT THE INCENTIVES ARE THERE TO HAVE MORE.
AND THE BLUEPRINT EXPECTS THAT WE WILL GROW MORE.
THE BLUEPRINT ALSO CALLS FOR A MINIMUM TEACHER SALARY OF $60,000, BY 2026. LET'S GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS SLIDE IF WE COULD. THAT PARTICULAR SLIDE POINTS OUT THE BLUEPRINT CALLS FOR TEACHERS TO RECEIVE A 10% RAISE FROM FY 20-FY 24TH THIS WILL VARY COUNTY TO COUNTY.
A 10% RAISE, WE ARE NOT THERE YET.
WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO. BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A SHARED COST BETWEEN THE STATE, HOPEFULLY.
AND THE COUNTY. SO THOSE ARE A COUPLE OF BIG TICKET ITEMS THAT ARE AHEAD OF US IN THE FUTURE.
PRESENTLY OUR BEGINNING TEACHER SALARY IS $50,500.
SO HERE IS A BUDGET CALENDAR AND THEY HAVE BEEN GATHERING INFORMATION FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS SINCE OCTOBER.
THIS IS THE FIRST LOOK IS WHAT IS CALLED THE SUPERINTENDENT BUDGET. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S WILL RECEIVE COMMENTS ABOUT THE BUDGET.
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AT THAT MARCH 24 MEETING WILL SUBMIT IT TO THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.
IN THE COUNTY BUDGET, CALVERT COUNTY BIRD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL HAVE HEARINGS, AND MAKE A FINAL DECISION AND WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNTY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL ADOPT HIS BUDGET. TONIGHT WE ARE LOOKING TO PREPARE FOR NEXT YEAR. I WANT TO THANK A CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, EDITH HUTCHINS AND MONICA JONES FOR THE WORK THAT THEY PUT TOGETHER TO BUILD THIS AND I WANT TO THANK DARLENE MY ASSISTANT FOR PUTTING THE PRESENTATION TOGETHER WITH ME. SO, THESE NEXT FEW SLIDES ARE GOING TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF OUR LARGEST EXPENSES FOR FY 23.
FIRST OF ALL AS REQUIRED IN THE CONTRACT, THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN NEGOTIATED, TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF ARE SLATED FOR 1% COST OF LIVING INCREASE AND ONE STEP. OUR TEACHERS IN CALVERT COUNTY ART RANKED HIGH IN REGARD TO THEIR SALARY.
YOU CAN SEE THAT WE ARE RANKED FOURTH WITH REGARDING STARTING TEACHER SALARIES. AND WE ARE RANKED FIFTH AT MASTERS DEGREE FOR STEP TEN, AND WE ARE RANKED THIRD FOR MAXIMUM YOU MIGHT MAKE WITH JUST A MASTERS DEGREE AT $100,000.
BUT IMAGINE WHAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE, BY 2026, TO GET THAT $50,500, BASE SALARY FOR FIRST YEAR TEACHERS TO 60 AND WHAT IMPACT THAT MIGHT HAVE ON OTHER SALARIES IN THE COUNTY.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT COSTS, FOR FY 23, WE ALL ARE MEMBER OCTOBER, ACTUALLY WE ALL REMEMBER AUGUST WHEN WE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR SHORT 15 BUS DRIVERS, WE SUFFERED FROM A SHORTAGE OF BUS DRIVERS, WE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH GETTING ALL OF THE BUSES ON THE ROAD. WE HAD PROBLEMS IN OCTOBER, AND THAT LED TO FINALLY CLOSING OUT A FEW ISSUES LIKE MOST DISTRICTS. THEY STRUGGLED TO GET ENOUGH BUS DRIVERS, WE SOUGHT THE ISSUE BY AGREEING TO INCREASE SALARY, FOR OUR BUS DRIVERS WHO WORK FOR CONTRACTORS.
WE INCREASE THEIR WAGES SIGNIFICANTLY, WE INCREASED COMPENSATION THAT WE GIVE TO THEIR EMPLOYERS.
FOR THEIR HEALTH COSTS, THEIR HEALTH BENEFITS.
WE ALSO INCLUDED IN THAT INCREASE OPPORTUNITY FOR ANNUAL INCREASES. SO THE TOTAL NEW INCREASE FOR TRANSPORTATION IN OUR BUDGET, IS AROUND $3.9 MILLION.
AND I HAVE TO POINT OUT WE ALSO ANTICIPATE SAVINGS WILL BE MUCH MORE THAN THAT. WE ARE ANTICIPATING A POSSIBLE
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REDUCTION OF SEVEN BUS ROUTES FROM OUR MAXIMUM THAT WE HOPE TO START OUT WITH LAST YEAR. AND EACH OF THOSE SEVEN IS WORTH ALMOST $100,000 IN COSTS, SO POSSIBLY WE HAVE A SAVINGS POSSIBLY OF $700,000 IN COSTS OF TRANSPORTATION.FUTURE READY, WHAT IS FUTURE READY, IT IS A PLAN WE WERE WORKING ON LUMBER FOR THE PANDEMIC.
TO GET LAPTOPS IN THE HANDS OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.
IT WAS A MULTIYEAR EFFORT, IT BEGAN WITH INTERNET SPEED.
AND UPGRADING THE PIPELINE FOR INTERNET SPEED.
IT ALSO INCLUDED TRAINING, FOR OUR STAFF, AND THE PURCHASE OF SOFTWARE THAT WOULD BE USEFUL FOR WHEN ALL THE STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO COMPUTERS. WE WERE, IN THE FALL OF 20, WE WERE ALREADY READY TO HAVE LAPTOPS IN THE HANDS OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. IN GRADES 3-12.
WE LEASE LAPTOPS, AND FY 21, WE HAD SUFFICIENT FUNDS THAT WE PAID FOR A COUPLE OF OUR LEASES TWO YEARS IN ADVANCE.
SO WE PAID OUT. SO THAT IS WHY WE HAVEN'T INCREASE THIS YEAR, WHEN LAST YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE A BREAK FROM THAT. PLUS WILL BE UPGRADING THOSE LAPTOP LEASES THAT WE HAVE FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT WE NEED A HIGHER QUALITY WITH GREATER MEMORY AND SPEED AND WE WILL BE SPENDING MORE ON THAT.
CONTRACTED PSYCHOLOGIST, A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S ASKED AND APPROVED IN THE BUDGET FUNDS FOR SALARY FOR AN ADDITIONAL FIVE PSYCHOLOGIST US UP FOUR PSYCHOLOGY INTERNS.
UNFORTUNATELY WEEK, WE HAVE ALSO INCREASED COMPENSATION.
UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TRACK AND FILL ALL OF THE SPOTS SO WE ARE FINDING WEIRD CONTRACTING MORE PSYCHOLOGIST. SO WE HAVE TO INCREASE THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE FOR CONTRACTED SERVICES FOR THAT WORK.
SALARIES, WE DO HAVE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL ED STAFF, ON OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
BUT ALL 11 COME FROM PREVIOUS STATE GRANTS, SO WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY ADDING ANTIQUES, THE STATE GRANT HAS BEEN VOTED INTO THE OVERALL STATE FUNNY, BUT IT DOES REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN SALARIES FOR THAT. OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES AT $1.9 MILLION INCREASE. UTILITIES ARE GOING UP, HEATING OIL, WATER, SEWAGE, GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL.
AND WE HAVE A MAJOR PLAN FOR AN UPGRADE TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC FIELDS THAT WILL BE DONE THIS SUMMER.
IT INCREASE TOTAL OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES 1.9 MILLION.
SALARIES, 2.5 MILLION THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES TO ACCOMMODATE THE CONTRACTED SALARIES. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT WE HAVE NO NEW POSITIONS IN THIS BUDGET. NO NEW ALTHOUGH WE CAN'T REQUEST, I HAVE A BOARD IN THE BACK ROOM WHERE WE MEET THAT HAS APPROXIMATELY 40 POSITIONS THAT FOLKS HAVE REQUESTED IF WE HAVE ADDITIONAL FUNDS CAN WE ADD THIS ORCA WE HAD THAT? WE DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL POSITIONS IN THIS BUDGET.
EVENTS, THE BENEFITS FOR THOSE WHO ARE SALARY FOR RETIREMENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE AND SOCIAL SECURITY.
SO WHEN SALARIES GO UP, SHOW TO THE BENEFITS.
$2.1 MILLION MORE THIS YEAR. SO, TOTAL GENERAL FUND EXPENSE PROJECTED FOR FY 23.246,400,800 AND $32.
I JUST SHARED WITH YOU INFORMATION WHICH SHOWS A BIG INCREASES FROM THIS YEAR TO A PROJECTED FOR NEXT YEAR.
WHEN WE GET THE MONEY TO PAY THE BILLS? LAST YEAR, HERE IS WHAT OUR FINAL ADOPTED BUDGET LOOK LIKE.
THE BOARD HAVE INKS THAT AFFECT THE BOARD HAVE A SAY SOME FUNDS IN 2021, BECAUSE WE ARE ALL VIRTUAL FOR HALF THE YEAR END HYBRID FOR THE OTHER HALF, OPTED TO USE THOSE FUNDS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET FOR THIS CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR.
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SO YOU CAN SEE WE HAD A TOTAL IN THE CURRENT YEAR OF OUR ADOPTED BUDGET THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE GENERAL FUND OF 232,680,084.THE MONEY THAT WAS RECEIVED, WE ONLY HAD AN INCREASE IN THE STATE FROM 268,000. THE COUNTY OF CALVERT BOARD OF EDUCATION INCREASE IN THEIR FUND BALANCE OF 5.8 MILLION.
SO TOTAL OF 7.1 MILLION FROM FUND BALANCE WENT TO BALANCE THIS BUDGET. AND WE ASK THE COUNTY COMMISSION, FOR 1 DOLLAR. IN ORDER TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.
SO LAST YEAR THERE WAS NO BIG INCREASE BETWEEN 21 AND THIS YEAR 22 AND WHAT WE GOT FROM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
BUT THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE AND WE DO NOT HAVE THE FUND BALANCE TO DO THAT. AS PROPOSED FOR FY 23, THE BUDGET WE ARE INTRODUCING TONIGHT, WE DO SEE AN INCREASE IN SUPPORT FROM THE STATE OF MORE THAN $11 MILLION BY THE FUNDING FORMULA. MUCH OF IT IS CONNECTED TO SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WILL BE TAKING PLACE.
YOU SEE, WE DO NOT HAVE THE FUND BALANCE, SO WE WILL GO BACK TO WHAT, $440,000 PROJECTED A FUND BALANCE TO USE.
AND WE ARE GOING TO ASK THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR $9.1 MILLION, TO GET US TO A TOTAL INCREASE OF 13,720,000 DOLLARS OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THI PIE CHART DOESN'T CHANGE MUCH OVER THE YEARS, BASICALLY IT SHOWS A SOURCES ABOVE THE UNRESTRICTED REVENUE, GENERALLY, WE ARE AROUND 508, 59, 60% OF COUNTY APPROPRIATIONS. SO THE PROJECTION FOR NEXT YEAR IS 59% FROM THE COUNTY. 41% STAKE, AT A FRACTION OF PERCENTAGE OF FEDERAL AND OTHER LOCAL DOLLARS.
OUR EXPENDITURES, 82%, 82 CENTS OUT OF EVERY DOLLAR, IS FOR SALARIES, WAGES, AND BENEFITS. SMALLER SECTION 18% GOES TO CONTRACTED SERVICES SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT. THE BIGGEST, PIECE OF EVERY DOLLAR GOES TO STAFFING. YOU KNOW TODAY'S WORLD IS ON INFORMATION OVERLOAD, THE BEST WEAPON THE CHILDREN HAVE TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE AND TO ANALYZE AND SEPARATE TRUTH FROM FICTION, IS A QUALITY EDUCATION. SO THAT IS IT FOR THE PRESENTATION, WRITTEN COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED INTO WAYS, YOU CAN'T WRITE TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AT 305 DARRIS BEACH ROAD. YOU CAN E-MAIL, KAREN MAXEY AT MARY KAY COUNTY.EDUCATION AND YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME THROUGH MARCH 24TH. THAT IS IT FOR OUR PRESENTATION, MORE DETAILS WILL BE AVAILABLE TOMORROW, AND WE WILL PUBLISH THAT BOOK ONLINE. SO FOLKS CAN SEE THE FULL BOOK AND SEE ALL OF THE INTIMATE DETAILS OF OUR PLANS FOR THE BUDGET FOR FY 23. THAT IS IT.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION DR. CURRY, DO ANY BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS RIGHT NOW FOR DR.
CAREY? >> YES ACTUALLY I DO, YOU MENTIONED IN UPGRADE TO SOME OF THE FIELDS AND CALVERT COUNTY, WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU THINK THOSE UP GRADES ARE GOING TO BE IF YOU
HAVE ANY IDEA? >> THE UPGRADES INVOLVE A CROWNING, AND REDRESSING AND A RESHAPING OF ALL FOR RIGHT? ALL FOUR OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELDS THEY LACK MUCH OF A CROWN AND A PROPER FOOTBALL FIELD WILL REQUIRE A CROWN.
SO IT IS GOING TO BE RESHAPED SOME DRAINAGE APPROVED, AND THEN RESTARTED AND RECEDED. SO THAT MEANS AS SOON A SPRING
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SPORTS ARE OVER WE WERE GOING TO GET UP SO BE READY FOR THE FALL.>> ANYMORE COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
>> WELL, IT'S LIKE UNTIL I GET THE BOOK, WHICH GIVES US REALLY GREEDY DETAIL, YOU KNOW I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT WE DON'T HAVE ROOM FOR SOME OF THE NEW POSITIONS THAT PEOPLE HAD TALKED ABOUT, SO I WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
AND THIS IS A ANOTHER ODD BUDGET YEAR, THE FACT THAT WE ONLY ASKED FOR A DOLLAR FROM THE COMMISSIONERS LAST YEAR, AND WE UTILIZE FUND BALANCES MADE IT A VERY RISKY PROPOSITION, BECAUSE THOSE, WHAT WE USED FUND BALANCES FOR WAS ONGOING EXPENSES. WHICH IS, IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE BECAUSE WE HAD THAT, SO WE MIGHT AS WELL, IT WAS COUNTY MONEY ANYWAY, WE MIGHT AS WELL HAVE KEPT IT AND USE IT FOR THE NEXT YEAR. BUT IT, THEN IT ARRIVED AND THE NEED ARISES WHERE WE HAVE TO SHOW THE COUNTY A LARGER NEED THAN NORMAL. WHEN I LOOKED AT LAST YEAR THE COUNTY'S BUDGET WAS A PORTION OF THE REVENUE WAS 58%, NOW IT IS AT 59%, THE STATE WAS AT 39TH LAST YEAR, 39%, AND NOW THEY ARE AT 41. SO, A LITTLE BIT OF A REJIGGERING, BUT NOT HUGE. I JUST HOPE THAT THE COUNTY IS NOT TOO SURPRISED THAT THE NEED HAS COME BACK AROUND WHERE WE DO NEED THEIR HELP IN GETTING THIS. AND AGAIN, WHAT I WANT TO SEE, IS JUST HOW MUCH IS THE INCREASE IN SALARY? IS IT JUST THE NUMBER THAT YOU PUT UP THERE IN THE SUMMARY? AND THE TYPE OF PEOPLE THAT WE STILL HAVE IT WE ARE GETTING HEAVIER IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SIDE AND THE LIKE.
I GUESS I AM JUST GOING TO WAIT FOR LIKE I HAD SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ON SOME OF THE WATER AND SEWER AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT I WOULD JUST WAIT FOR THE BOOK TO COME OUT.
ALL THE THINGS IN TRANSPORTATION THAT HAVE BECOME CONTRACTUAL HOW WE BUILD THE BUDGET AND TRANSPORTATION I WOULD LIKE TO
SEE THE DETAIL BY THAT AS WELL. >> ANYONE ELSE?
[2.01 Public Comments]
>> NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IT IS PUBLIC, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTERS TONIGHT? THANK YOU.
>> I WILL START IN PUBLIC, AND TESTIMONY GUIDELINES.
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PERMITS THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON ISSUES OF CONCERN. THE NUMBER OF COMMENTATORS IS LIMITED TO TEN. WE ARE CALLED TO SPEAK, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, FOR THE RECORD, AND LIMIT YOUR COMMENT TO 3 MINUTES. IF YOU OFFICIALLY REPRESENT AN ORGANIZATION YOU CAN SPEAK FOR . PERSONS ON THE SIGN-UP SHEET MAY NOT CONVEY OR TRANSFER OR RELINQUISH ANY PART OF THE SPEAKERS TIME TO THE ANOTHER PERSON.
IF YOU HAVE HANDOUTS OR WRITTEN TESTIMONY, PLEASE GIVE THEM TO KAREN MAXEY SHE WILL DISTRIBUTE THEM TO THE BOARD MEMBERS.
TO PROTECT INDIVIDUAL CONFIDENTIALITY, PLEASE DO NOT MENTION SPECIFIC STUDENTS OR STAFF MEMBERS IN YOUR REMARKS.
ALL COMMENTS ARE MADE IN A CIVIL MANNER, ANYONE NOT FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE ASKED TO STOP SPEAKING, AND THEY FORFEIT THEIR RIGHT TO SPEAK AT FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND, 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 THAT YOU RAISE, IF YOU PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATION WHEN YOU SIGN IN. WRITTEN COMMENTS ARE WELCOME AT ANY TIME. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL AND ASK TO SPEAK TO MS. MAXEY. OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS AMANDA WILSON AND SHE'S REPRESENTING A GROUP.
COME. >> PLEASE TURN ON YOUR MICROPHONE AND KEEP IT CLOSE YOUR MOUTH.
>> THANK YOU, HELLO, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN AND LET ME BE HEARD TODAY. MY NAME IS AMANDA WILSON AND I'M
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HERE TO DISCUSS THE GROWING CONCERN THAT I HAVE FOR MY CHILDREN, AND ALL THE CHILDREN THAT ATTEND CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN, TWO AND CALVERT COUNTY AND ONE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL IN ONE OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL. AND NEXT YEAR MY YOUNGEST WILL BE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I WILL LIST OUT A FEW OF MY CURRENT CONCERNS TODAY. CONCERN NUMBER ONE, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT DURING LUNCH TIME CHILDREN ARE BEING TAUNTED BY TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS CONSTANTLY.ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE BEING MADE OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THAT STUDENTS MUST PULL UP THEIR MASK IF THEY ARE NOT ACTIVELY CHEWING OR DRINKING. I TOTALLY GET REMINDERS I UNDERSTAND THEM. BUT THAT REMINDERS HAVE TURNED INTO HARASSMENT IN THE DAILY HARASSMENT IS DESTROYING THE LUNCH PERIOD AND INTERRUPTING THE STUDENTS ABILITY TO RELAX, EAT AND ENJOY LUNCH. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS HAVE INCLUDING COUNTDOWNS, 10-1, MASK ON. SINGING TUNES, AND CALLING OUT STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY FROM THE STAGE.
WHY ARE OUR CHILDREN BEING FORCED INTO A CONSTANT STATE OF FEAR AND PANIC. PLEASE LET THE STUDENTS EAT IN PEACE AND STOP CREATING A SOCIETY OF ANXIOUS CHILDREN.
CONCERN NUMBER TWO, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SOME TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED ALLOWING STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES.
THIS IS APPARENTLY TEACHER DISCRETION BASED ON PERSONAL FEARS ABOUT COVID-19. BASICALLY MEANING THAT TEACHER IS TO FEAR FAILURE FULL TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO WALK AROUND AND INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER. WHAT HAPPENED TO HANDS-ON LEARNING? IT IS NOW MY UNDERSTANDING THAT CHILDREN WEAR A MASK AND WE HAVE A SURVIVAL RATE FOR COVERT.
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS ACCEPTABLE? I DOUBT MARILYN STANDARDS ARE BEING MET FULLY WITHOUT THESE HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES THAT ARE CRUCIAL TO STUDENT LEARNING, UNDERSTANDING, CRITICAL THINKING, GROWTH, AND DEVELOPMENT. I EXPECT MY CHILDREN AND CALVERT COUNTY TO RECEIVE A FULL EDUCATION, CHILDREN LEARN BEST WHEN THEY HAVE HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, PROPER INSTRUCTION, AND WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING DRILLED INTO THEM IN EVERY SCHOOL SETTING. CONCERN NUMBER THREE, WHAT HAPPENED TO MASK BREAKS. SOME SCHOOLS ARE NOT GIVING THEM AT ALL ANYMORE. OUR CHILDREN ARE WEARING A MASK FOR EIGHT HOURS FIVE DAYS A WEEK.
SOME MORE THAN EIGHT HOURS IF YOU CONSIDER BUST TIME IN AN AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITY. HAVE YOU EVER WANT A MASK FOR THAT LONG WITHOUT A BREAK. THESE CHILDREN ARE ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED AT THIS POINT TO EVEN SNEAK A FULL CREAM BREATH OF FRESH AIR. THE SCHOOLS ARE CREATING A CLASS OF STUDENTS THAT ARE TERRIFIED TO SPEAK UP FOR THEIR HEALTH NEEDS. OUR STUDENTS ARE NOT ONLY SUFFERING TO GET A FULL BREATH OF CLEAN FRESH AIR THROUGHOUT THE DAY, BUT THEY ARE BEING MORE AND MORE ANGELI ANXIOUS.
IS THIS A TYPE OF PERSON THAT WE ARE TRYING TO CULTIVATE? SCARED ADULTS WHO NEVER SPEAK UP FOR SOMETHING WHEN SOMETHING IS CAUSING THEM HARM? WHY NOT ALLOW THEM TO GO OUTSIDE AND HAVE A MOMENT OF FRESH AIR. I UNDERSTAND IT IS COLD BUT THESE KIDS NEED A BREAK FOR THE MASS EIGHT HOURS IS WAY TOO LONG. MOREOVER, HOW WILL THESE STUDENTS LEARN REGULAR INTERACTION WITH EVERYONE THEY SEE ALL DAY LONG AT THE MOUTH AND A NOSE COVERED.
GIVEN THESE CHILDREN IS SMALL RELIEF GOING OUTSIDE FROM TIME TO TIME AS PORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.
WE ARE CREATING A CULTURE OF FEAR IN OUR CHILDREN, WHEN WILL THIS END? I WILL NOT USE MY TIME TO GO INTO THE FACT THAT A MASK IS PROVEN INEFFECTIVE.
BUT THEY ARE, AND THEIR CARS AND IRREVERSIBLE HARM, WAY MORE HUNT THAN THEY ARE GOOD. WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR THE FUTURE ADULTS OF CALVERT COUNTY? LET ME END BY SAYING THIS, I CHALLENGE YOU THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP OUR CHILDREN, PLEASE ALLOW OUR KIDS TO BE KIDS. LET'S FIGHT TO REMOVE THESE MASS, AND GIVE THE CHILDREN OF THE CHILD THEY DESERVE THANK
>> LINDSAY POST, INDIVIDUAL. >> GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND DR. CURRY, MY NAME IS LINDSAY POST.
>> EXCUSING LINDSAY CAN YOU BRING THE MICROPHONE CLOSER TO
YOU PLEASE. >> I AM A FRESHMAN AT HUNTINGTON HIGH SCHOOL, I WAS SO EXCITED TO BE BACK IN SCHOOL AND HAPPY THAT WINTER SPORTS WERE CANCELED. BUT THINGS ARE NOT BACK TO NORMAL. MY MASK IS NOT NORMAL.
ALTHOUGH WE ARE IN PERSON IT SEEMS LIKE MY TEACHERS ARE STRESSED. I AM SURE THIS IS WHY IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE NOT LEARNED MUCH, IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
THERE ISN'T MUCH DISCUSSION AFTER THE INSTRUCTION ARE GIVEN FOR THE CLASSWORK, WITH THEIR EXCEPTION FOR A COUPLE OF CLASSES. WE MAINLY GET A LOT OF BUSY WORK AS SUCH WORKSHEETS, ALMOST EVERYTHING I DO IS ON THE COMPUTER, I SPENT SO MUCH TIME ON THE COMPUTER I HAVE TO WEAR READING GLASSES AND I AM ONLY 14.
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THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A STRESSFUL TIME FOR EVERYONE AND I WANT TO THANK MY TEACHERS FOR SHOWING UP EVERY DAY THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU MS. POST. >> MELISSA GAUCHER INDIVIDUAL.
>> HELLO SO I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT TODAY ABOUT THE KIRWAN PROPOSAL, THE 10% INCREASE WHICH I KNOW WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT. MOREOVER THOUGH, I WANT TO, I AT LEAST HOPE THAT WE ARE PUSHING BACK ON THE STATE WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION OF THE 10%, I AM ALSO VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR.
EDUCATORS AND OUR PROFESSIONALS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM BECAUSE KIRWAN DOES NOT COVER THEM. SO THESE INCREASES THAT THE TEACHERS WILL BE GETTING WILL NOT BE SHARED ACROSS THE BOARD, WE CAN ALREADY SEE WITH 1% INCREASE WHAT WILL DO TO THE BUDGET OVERALL. BUT I THINK EVERYBODY IS COMPLETELY MISINFORMED ON WHAT CURRENT IS GOING TO DO TO THE COUNTY INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. IT SOUNDS GREAT TO THROW MONEY AT THINGS, BUT THEY KNOW OBVIOUSLY THAT IS NOT HOW THINGS WORK, NOR AS IT EVER BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE PAST.
SO I JUST WOULD ENCOURAGE TO PUSH BACK ON THE STATE, TO GET ANOTHER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR INTERPRETATION OF THE KIRWAN.
AND I REALLY HOPE OUR TEACHERS UNDERSTAND, THAT OUR SUPPORT STAFF ARE NOT COVERED IN THE BENEFITS OF THESE KIRWAN INCREASES. IF WE CANNOT AFFORD NOW TOO HIGH THE TEACHERS THAT WE NEED, BASED ON THIS, OUR SYSTEM IS NOT GOING TO GET BETTER. JUST BECAUSE WE GIVE THE PEOPLE MORE MONEY. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE.
WE NEED MORE STAFF. I KNOW THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU GUYS YOU DO NOT PASS A LOT.
BUT I WOULD JUST HELP AS A BOARD WE ARE PUSHING BACK ON THE STATE AND WE ARE DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR THE KIDS.
I'M NOT SAYING THE TEACHERS DESERVE MORE MONEY, THEY ABSOLUTELY DO. WE ARE A TAX FUNDED SYSTEM.
AND THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH MONEY, AND EVERY PARENT WILL BE AFFECTED, EVERY TAXPAYER IN THE COUNTY AND IN THE STATE IS GOING TO BE AFFECTED WHEN ONLY ONE PORTION OF OUR PEOPLE IN THE SYSTEM ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BENEFIT SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU MISS. >> THAT IS THE LAST SPEAKER.
[2.02 Board Comments]
>> THANK YOU, THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE BOARD COMMENTS, WE WILL START WITH THE STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD.
>> ALL RIGHT, BEFORE I GET STARTED WITH MY LITTLE SPEECH THAT I HAVE HERE, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HOW AWESOME IT IS TO HAVE A STUDENT COME HERE AND GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT, IT IS REALLY GOOD TO SEE STUDENTS GETTING OUT HERE.
I KNOW HOW INTIMIDATING IT CAN BE TO COME IN AND SPEAK IN FRONT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF THAT, SO THANK YOU FOR COMING IN AND SHARING COMMENTS.
BUT ONTO MY REPORT FIRST OF ALL CONGRATULATIONS ON CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AREN'T MAKING IT THROUGH A ANOTHER QUARTER OF IN PERSON SCHOOL. WE ARE NOW HALFWAY DONE WITH THE YEAR, AND IT IS REALLY GREAT THAT WE REMAINED IN PERSON THE HEIGHT OF -- THE ENTIRE TIME. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW UNFORTUNATELY I MISSED THE LAST MEETING BECAUSE I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TRAN FOR THE DAY BEFORE THE BOARD MEETING.
BUT I HAVE MADE A FULL RECOVERY I AM BACK NOW.
WHILE I DIDN'T MAKE A FULL RECOVERY, I KNOW SOME FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE STRESS THAT COMES ALONG WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. SO I COMMEND CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON HOSTING A MENTAL HEALTH FORUM ON WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 23RD, 6-730 VIA TEAMS. I THINK THAT IS A REALLY GOOD STEP IN GETTING COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND IT IS REALLY GOOD TO SEE THE CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM TRYING TO VALUE MENTAL HEALTH A LITTLE BIT MORE.
ALSO ON A PERSONAL NOTE, AS MANY OF YOU GUYS KNOW STATES ELECTIONS ARE COMING UP AT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
EVERY YEAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION HOLDS A CONFERENCE TO TEACH WORKSHOP PRESENTERS ABOUT STATES ELECTIONS, AND ABOUT BILLS AND ADVOCACY, AND ELEMENTARY PROCEDURE.
AND THIS IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CONFERENCE THAT IS HELPFUL FOR STATE ELECTIONS. AND ACTUALLY MYSELF AND ONE OTHER STUDENT FROM ANOTHER COUNTY WHO HAPPEN TO GO TO HONEY TOWN HIGH SCHOOL AS WELL WERE CHOSEN TO BE OUT OF TWO OUT OF SIX PRESENTERS AND THE ENTIRE STATE TO PRESENT AT THE CONFERENCE. THAT IS A REALLY BIG HONOR, AND THAT IS A SECOND TIME I HAVE DONE IT IN MY LIFE, AND I AM VERY HONORED TO BE ALLOWED TO DO THAT YET AGAIN.
IT IS A GREAT EXPERIENCE AND I AM EXCITED TO SEE WHO THE NEXT STATE'S MOB IS GOING TO BE. IN ADDITION TO THE STATE ELECTIONS, THE THIRD COUNCIL GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS COMING UP ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 15, WHICH IS THE ELECTIONS, SO THAT WILL BE IN VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOU GUYS I'M SURE TO KEEP THAT DATE IN MIND. AND THAT IS ABOUT ALL I HAVE ON
[00:35:02]
A PERSONAL NOTE CONGRATULATIONS TO HHS WRESTLING FOR GETTING A WIN ON SENIOR NIGHT. AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE SENIORS ACROSS THE COUNTY OF MAKING IT HALFWAY THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR THANK YOU SO MUCH, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY.>> THANK YOU CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING SELECTED TO PRESENT GOOD
LUCK WITH IT. >> GOOD EVENING I WANT TO THANK ALL CONGRATULATE TERRY ATKINS OF CTA FOR RECEIVING THE GRANT FOR $118,015 FOR THE FIRE RESCUE PROGRAM I HAD THE PLEASURE OF GOING THERE LAST YEAR END SPEAKING AND COMING TO THE MEETING AND ACTUALLY SPEAKING TO ALL OF THE AMAZING THINGS THEY HAVE GOING ON THERE. AND THEY ARE STILL CONTINUING THEY HAVE THE SKILL OLYMPUS COMING UP VERY SOON ALSO.
AS FAR AS DIFFERENT SPORTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT I HAVE A PLEASURE TO GO A LOT OF WRESTLING EVENTS AND BEST BALL GAMES LIKE THAT. JUST SEEING ALL OF THE EFFORT THAT ARE PUT IN PLACE BY THE AD AND STUDENTS AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH THE SEASON.
HOPEFULLY EVERYONE CONTINUES TO BE SAFE AND MAKE SURE THEY FOLLOW ALL THE PROTOCOLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO WE CAN HOPEFULLY GET THROUGH ALL OF THE SEASONS.
THAT IS ABOUT IT. >> THANK YOU MR. WHITE.
>> CONGRATULATIONS THAT IS A BIG HONOR, AND TO THE OTHER HUNTINGTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. IF IT IS FILM, IF IT IS VIDEO, MAYBE YOUR PRESENTATION MAYBE YOU COULD SHOW IT TO US.
>> I ABSOLUTELY CAN'T, IT WAS ACTUALLY THIS PAST WEEKEND, IT WAS VIDEO. SO I CAN SHOW IT YOU GUYS IF YOU WOULD LIKE, IT WILL BE LIVE SCREAMED AT THE STATE ELECTIONS SO IF YOU ARE ON THAT CALL YOU'LL SEE OUR WORSHIP.
>> OKAY SUPER THANK YOU. AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE CALVERT ATHLETICS JUST CONTINUES TO BE VERY STRONG.
IT MAKES ME PROUD TO SEE THAT. AND LET'S JUST KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE ANY MORE MISSED DAYS, I UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE RETHINKING OF MOVING AND KEEPING THE SNOW DAYS TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THAT DECISION WILL BE MADE BUT WE ARE HEARING FROM PARENTS, THAT WOULD ASKED THEM NOT TO PUT THOSE THREE DAYS AT THE END OF THE YEAR. AND JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO DIVING INTO THE BUDGET, YES THERE IS A LOT OF AGGRESSIVE SPENDING THAT THE STATE PUT INTO THE BLUEPRINT.
I KNOW THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET DOESN'T REALLY REFLECT THAT RIGHT NOW, SO I THINK WE MIGHT BE IN FOR ADJUSTMENTS, TO THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE FOR BLUEPRINT SPENDING.
WE WILL JUST HAVE TO SEE WHAT THEY TELL US THEY NEED TO DO.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MISS COUSINS, I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY THANKING MS. LINDSAY POST FOR HER COMMENTS TONIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF MY FELLOW COLLEAGUE MR. KELLY.
IT IS VERY TOUGH AS A STUDENT TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WHO ARE ADULTS TO PRESENT YOUR IDEAS AND CONCERNS AND FEEDBACK. AND I TOO WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO CONTINUE COME OUT TO GIVE COMMENTS.
SO THANK YOU MS. POST. KUDOS TO YOU.
ALSO, I AM A LITTLE BIT DISHEARTENED BY THE BUDGET IN THE FACT THAT WE COULD NOT ADD POSITIONS HOWEVER MY BACKGROUND IS IN FINANCIAL FIELD BUDGET FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING ET CETERA. SO I UNDERSTAND DOLLARS AND NOT GROW ON TREES AND WE ONLY HAVE SO MANY DOLLARS AND WE CAN ONLY DO SO MANY THINGS WITH IT. BUT STILL IT IS A LITTLE DISHEARTENING, BECAUSE MY BOARD PRIORITY IS TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT ARE IN CLASSROOMS. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN OVER TIME, SO IT IS A LITTLE DISCOURAGING TO SEE THAT WE COULD NOT ADD POSITIONS.
SO LOOKING FORWARD TO DIVING INTO THE BUDGET BOOK AND SEEING HOW THE NUMBERS FALL OUT THANK YOU.
>> AS A REMINDER TO THE PUBLIC THE COMMENTS ARE WELCOME ON THE BUDGET BOOK, AND IT WILL BE POSTED AFTER TOMORROW, BY TOMORROW I UNDERSTAND. AND CELL COMMENTS ARE WELCOME THROUGH MARCH THE 24TH, SO PLEASE E-MAIL OR CALL WITH A QUESTIN OR A CONCERN TO THE BOARD.
TO MS. TARA MAXEY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.