[00:00:08] >> GOOD EVENING. I CALL THE CALVERT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING TO ORDER. WE WILL BEGIN OUR MEETING TNIGHT WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE. PLEASE STAND. YOU MAY BE SEATED. [1.01 Superintendent's Presentation of Proposed Operating Budget] TONIGHT WE ARE HERE TO SEE THE PROPOSAL OF THE SUPERINTENDENT FISCAL YEAR 2024 OPERATING BUDGET. SO I WILL TURN THE MICROPHONE OVER TO OUR SUPERINTENDENT DR. TOWNSEL. GOOD EVENING. AS PART OF MY OBLIGATION TO CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS SUPERINTENDENT, I'M REQUIRED TO PROPOSE THE SUPERINTENDENT BUDGET TO OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND ALL STAKE HOLDERS OF CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE TOMORROW THAT WE WERE ALL CONCERNED ABOUT YESTERDAY IS TODAY. THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE IS HERE. I SHARED AT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S MEETING ON TUESDAY, THAT IF ANY DISTRICT CAN EXECUTE THIS LEGISLATION FOR OPTIMAL STUDENT SUCCESS, IT IS CALVERT COUNTY. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH THIS MANDATE AND LEGISLATION. THERE ARE 24 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. ALL OF US ARE IN OUR OWN SAIL BOAT. IT'S NOT THE BLOWING OF THE WIND THAT DETERMINES THE DIRECTION OF CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT'S THE SET OF THE SAILS. THE SAME WIND BLOWS ON US ALL. THE WIND OF THE BLUEPRINT. THE WIND OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, THE WIND OF HIGH QUALITY AND DIVERSITY TO THE LEADERS, THE WIND OF COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS, THE WIND OF RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS SUCCESS THE WIND FOR GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THE SAME WIND BLOWS ON US ALL. AND CALVERT COUNTY, IT'S THE POLITICAL WIND, THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT WIN, THE DISCIPLINE WIN, THE LEARNING LOSS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC WIND. THE SAME WIND BLOWS ON EVERYBODY. THE DIFFERENCE OF WHERE WE ARRIVE IN THREE YEARS, FIVE YEARS AND TEN YEARS, THE DIFERENCE IN ARRIVAL IS NOT THE BLOWING OF THE WIND, BUT THE SET OF THE SAILS. WE CANNOT ALONE CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND, BUT WE CAN ADJUST OURSELVES TO ALL REACH OUR DESTINATION. NOW IS A PRIME OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE WHAT WE NEED TO ENSURE OUR STUDENTS FEATURES ARE SECURE. THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE INCREASES ANNUAL EDUCATION FUNDING TO OVER $3.8 BILLION IN TEN YEARS AND CHANGES THE WAY LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES BUDGET, ALLOCATE AND SPEND THEIR RESOURCES TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR OWN MARYLAND STUDENTS. AND MARYLAND, STATE EDUCATION FUNDING INCLUDING THE FUNDING CALCULATED THROUGH THE BLUEPRINT FUNDING FORMULA IS ALLOCATED TO THE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. EACH DISTRICT HAS BEEN EXPECTED TO DISTRIBUTE THE FUNDS TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL. THE BLUE PRINT HAS THE NEW MINIMUM SCHOOL FUNDING PROVISION WHICH REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICT DISTRIBUTE FUNDING BASED ON STUDENT ENROLLMENT. OUR BUDGET IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE EDUCATORS' SALARIES, INCREASE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND ENHANCE THE OVERALL STUDENT EXPERIENCE. THEREFORE, WE MUST REQUEST AN INCREASE. CALVERT COUNTY IS A PHENOMENAL SCHOOL SYSTEM WITH PHENOMENAL STAFF. 20 YEARS FROM NOW, WE WILL BE MORE DISAPPOINTED BY THE THINGS WE DID NOT DO BY THE ONES WE DID DO. SO WE ARE THROWING UP THE LINE, SAILING AWAY FROM SAFE HARBOR AND CATCHING THE WIND IN OUR SAILS. THE DIFFERENCE IN ARRIVAL IS NOT THE BLOWING OF THE WIND, BUT THE [00:05:02] SET OF THE SAILS. SO LET'S GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND LET'S RAISE THE BAR. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS EVENING I WILL BE PRESENTING THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PROPOSED FY2024 OPERATORS BUDGET. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE WORKING FOR. YOUNG PEOPLE, STUDENTS. ACADEMIC, ATHLETIC AND ARTS. WE BELIEVE EVERY ONE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FALL INTO THESE CATEGORIES. WE CANNOT DO THAT ALONE. WE UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF ALL OF OUR EDUCATORS. EVERY EDUCATOR, NOT JUST TEACHERS DEFINED IN THE BLUEPRINT. EVERY EDUCATOR DESERVES A QUALITY SALARY, QUALITY INCREASE AND THE WHOLE NINE. THE GOAL IS TO ADVOCATE FOR ALL THAT YOU DESERVE. WE START WITH OUR STUDENTS. WHO DO WE SERVE? OUR GENDER DEMOGRAPHIC IS 48.5% FEMALE, 51.4% MALE. OUR RACE DEMOGRAPHIC 69.69% WHITE, 13.72% AFRICAN-AMERICAN, 10% MULTIRACE, 8% HISPANIC, 1.5% ASIAN, .18% AMERICAN INDIAN AND .1% HAWAII PACIFIC ISLANDER. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IS WHAT WE ARE HERE TO EXECUTE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT OUR MOST RECENT MCAT SCORES AT EVERY GRADE LEVEL, SPECIFICALLY ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH. LOOKING AT ENGLISH, LANGUAGE ARTS, OUR THIRD GRADERS RANKED FIFTH IN THE STATE. OUR EIGHTH GRADERS RANKED FOURTH IN THE STATE. OUR TENTH GRADERS CONTINUE TO LEAD THE WAY, BEING RANKED NUMBER ONE IN THE STATE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS. LOOKING AT MATH SCORES, CALVERT COUNTY'S 3RD GRADE FOURTH IN THE CITY. CALVERT COUNTY 6TH GRADE, FIFTH IN THE CITY. LOOKING AT ALGEBRA 2, WE'RE FIFTH IN THE STATE. NOW, AT EVERY GRADE LEVEL, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE DO NOT FALL BELOW HALF. WE'RE ALWAYS IN THE TOP HALF OF EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE. BUT THESE ARE THE HIGHEST GRADE LEVELS IN THE STATE. SO FROM 1-5 IS WHAT I HIGHLIGHTED AT EVERY LEVEL, FROM ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL. IT'S IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT WE RECOGNIZE OUR STUDENT ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS. AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS YEAR, ALTHOUGH WE'RE STILL SLIGHTLY ABOVE 16,000 STUDENTS, WE HAVE DECREASED FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THIS ACADEMIC YEAR OUR PROJECTED STUDENT ENROLLMENT IS ABOUT 15,038 STUDENTS. HOWEVER, IT IS UP FROM THE 2020 SCHOOL YEAR AND 2021 SCHOOL YEAR. WE COULD PROBABLY CONTRIBUTE THAT TO YOUNG PEOPLE STAYING HOME SINCE THE PANDEMIC. I LOVE THIS QUOTE. HAVE YOU HEARD THAT BEFORE? SET THE BAR, MEET THE BAR, EXCEED THE BAR, RAISE THE BAR. THAT IS THE EXPECTATION HERE IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. EVERYTHING WE DO AT EVERY LEVEL, THE GOAL IS TO GET BETTER. I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT BEFORE I MOVE FORWARD, OUR 2022 TEACHER OF THE YEAR, MISS RACHEL PALMER. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SEEING HER IN ACTION. SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TEACHER OF THE YEAR, THE WAY SHE EMBRACES AND ENGAGES WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE, I SEE WHY OUR 10TH GRADE ENGLISH IS TOP IN THE STATE. ADDITIONALLY, I LOVE TO HIGHLIGHT OUR SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR, MS. DANA SMITH. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF VISITING AND SAW HER IN ACTION. SHE WAS ROCKING AND ROLLING WITH A YOUNG PERSON. I SEE WHY SHE WAS SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR. THIS IS -- THESE ARE OUR INDIVIDUALS THAT SERVE OUR STUDENTS. WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. SUPPORT PERSON, TEACHER, ANYONE IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF. LET ME HIGHLIGHT SOME OF OUR STAFF. YOU MUST KNOW TEACHERS, 68% OF OUR TEACHERS IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HOLD A MASTER'S DEGREE. 13 CURRENT TEACHERS HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THEIR NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION AND 61 TEACHERS ARE CURRENTLY PURSUING POTENTIALLY 48 OF THEM EARNING THEM BY DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR. SOME EXAMPLE OF FISCAL STEWARDSHIP. ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE DEFINED WITH ENERGY SAVINGS IN MIND. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE ONE OF NOT MANY DISTRICTS THAT ARE GREEN RIBBON SCHOOLS. ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS HAVE THIS PLAQUE. WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH OUR ENERGY. COMPUTER DONATION PROGRAMS THAT SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS. OUR ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN MOST SCHOOLS, THEY REDUCE OUR UTILITY COSTS. ALL GOODS AND SERVICES ARE COMPETITIVELY BID TO MINIMIZE [00:10:04] COST. HERE ARE OUR BUDGETING GOALS. NUMBER ONE IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF. SECONDLY, MAXIMIZING ALL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY STUDENT IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WE ALSO WANT TO CONTINUE TO HELP OUR STUDENTS MAKE UP THE PANDEMIC LEARNING LOSS. LDIES AND GENTLEMEN, THAT'S REAL. ACROSS THE COUNTRY THERE'S BEEN A DROP IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, ESPECIALLY HERE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND THAT WE SAW WITH OUR OWN YOUNG PEOPLE. ONE OF OUR BUDGET GOALS IS TO ENSURE THAT WE ATTRACT OR RETAIN HIGH QUALIT INSTRUCTIONAL AND SUPPORT STAFF, AS WELL AS FULFILL LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE BLUEPRINT. ANOTHER GOAL IS TO HONOR CURRENT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS. LASTLY, PROVIDE EXCELLENT FISCAL STEWARDSHIP FOR CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL TAXPAYERS. HERE'S THE BIG STORY. THIS IS WHAT YOU MUST BE AWARE OF, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. THE BLUEPRINT CHANGE WE ALL WERE TALKING ABOUT IS HERE NOW. HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING. THERE ARE CHANGES FOR STUDENTS, CHANGES FOR STAFF, BUDGET CHALLENGES AND FUNDING IMPLICATIONS, SPECIFICALLY STAFF SALARY INCREASES. YOU'LL SEE WHAT THAT WILL CHARGE THE DISTRICT. BLUEPRINT RELATED CHANGES FOR STUDENTS THAT ARE INDICATED IN THE BUDGET ARE EVERYTHING WE MUST PAY FOR ACCORDING TO THE BLUE PRINT FOR OUR STUDENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, ALL ADVANCE PLACEMENT TESTING. AP TESTS, WE PAY FOR THAT. COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS COSTS, WE PAY FOR THAT. CAREER TECHNICAL SERVICE FOR ALL STUDENTS. WE PAY FOR THAT. DUAL ENROLLMENT COSTS FOR ALL STUDENTS. WE PAY FOR THAT. PRE-K FROM HALF DAY TO FULL DAY FOR 4-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS, WE PAY FOR THAT. PREVIOUSLY WE DID NOT BUT NOW WE DO. BLUEPRINT RELATED CHANGES FOR STAFFING IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET. STAFF RELATED CHANGES ARE, TEACHERS MUST RECEIVE A 10% SALARY INCREASE FROM FY20 TO FY24. ALSO, THE MINIMUM TEACHER SALARY MUST BE AT LEAST $60,000 BY JULY 1, 2026. WE MUST HAVE A CAREER LADDER FOR OUR TEACHERS. WE MUST HAVE BUDGETS FOR OUR NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION TRACK TEACHERS. AND LAST, OUR PRE-K FROM HALF DAY TO FULL DAY FOR 4-YEAR-OLDS ACROSS ALL OF OUR ELEMENTARIES HERE IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. HERE ARE THE CHALLENGES. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, UNDERSTAND THERE ARE CHALLENGES. BUT HERE'S THE GOOD THING ABOUT CHALLENGES. WE DON'T WISH FOR LESS CHALLENGES.PWE JUST WISH WE HAV. WE DON'T WISH FOR LESS PROBLEM. WE JUST WISH WE HAVE MORE WISDOM. OUR PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES A REQUEST FOR A LARGER THAN USUAL OUR CALVERT COUNTY GOVERNMENT. A REVENUE AMOUNT HAS BEEN PROPOSED BUT NOT FINALIZED BY THE STATE FOR FY 24. VARIOUS BLUEPRINT REQUIREMENTS ARE STILL BEING DISSEMINATED AND CLARIFIED. THERE'S A LARGE INCREASE IN STUDENT TRANSPORTATION COSTS. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THOSE ARE CONTINUING. I HAVE A GRAPH TO SHOW YOU HOW MUCH OUR STUDENT TRANSPORTATION COSTS HAVE INCREASED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. VERY LAST, INFLATIONARY PRESSURES CURRENT AND FUTURE. OUR ESTIMATED BLUEPRINT RELATED COSTS. NOW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE'RE NOT GETTING EXTRA MONEY FROM THE STATE TO FUND THIS, BUT WE MUST DO THIS BECAUSE IT IS LAW. SALARY AND BENEFITS, STAFFING ADDITIONS, OTHER REQUIREMENTS, ESTIMATED BLUEPRINT RELATED COST. WE'RE TALKING $9.9 MILLION FOR BLUEPRINT ALONE. THAT'S $10 MILLION, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. SALARY INCREASES FOR FISCAL YEAR '24. ALL TEACHERS RECEIVE A 1% SALARY INCREASE PREVIOUSLY NEGOTIATED AND ACCORDING TO THE BLUEPRINT THEY MUST HAVE A 5.5% SALARY INCREASE. NOW, THE WAY WE'RE DISTRIBUTING THAT IS 2.75% WILL BE GIVEN AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS ACADEMIC YEAR, JULY 1, 2023 AND MARCH OF 2024 THEY'LL RECEIVE THE OTHER HALF OF THAT 5.5%. THAT'S TO MEET THE BLUEPRINT REQUIREMENT OF 10% BY JUNE 30, '24. ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES WILL STILL GET THAT ONE STEP ADVANTAGE, 1% SALARY INCREASE PREVIOUSLY NEGOTIATED IN WAGE AND SALARY INCREASE COMPARABLE BY EMPLOYEE GROUPS TO TEACHERS' PAY INCREASE. SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO MIRROR [00:15:02] WHAT WE DID FOR OUR TEACHERS, FOR ALL OTHER STAFF IN OUR DISTRICT. WE'RE GONNA TRY TO GET IT TO YOU. IS THAT GOOD? THAT'S GOOD. COME ON, Y'ALL GOT TO SMILE NOW. COME ON. WE GONNA TAKE CARE OF YOU. TEACHERS' SALARY RANKINGS ACROSS MARYLAND FOR '22/'23. MASTER'S TEACHER RANKED EIGHTH RECEIVING $70,375. WE MAX OUT AT $100,246. THAT'S IN IF FIFTH SPOT COMPARED TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY, HOWARD COUNTY, BALTIMOR COUNTY. YOU DO SEE WE DO MAX OUT HIGHER THAN ALL OF OUR OTHER SOUTHERN MARYLAND SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHICH IS A PLUS FOR US. TRANSPORTATION COSTS. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THEY CONTINUE TO INCREASE. THIS RIGHT HERE IS A GRAPH SHOWCASING STUDENT TRANSPORTATION COSTS. OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS IT HAS INCREASED BY 45%. FUTURE READY SCHOOL, PREPARING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS. DISTRICT WIDE TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE. THE GOAL IS TO ENSURE ALL OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE 1:1 HAVING EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED WITH REGARD TO TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESS TO INSTRUCT AT EVERY LEVEL. THIS HAS BEEN A FIVE YEAR INVESTMENT OF $10.3 MILLION. IN THIS FISCAL YEAR $6.2 MILLION TO SUPPORT THAT INITIATIVE. INCREASE FROM FY '23 TO FY '24 IS OPERATION AND FACILITIES. THERE'S A $1.3 MILLION INCREASE. LOOKING AT OUR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, WE SAW THE SALARY SIDE. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE BENEFITS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, FROM RETIREMENT, HEALTH INSURANCE, DENTAL, VISION INSURANCE, LIFE, SOCIAL SECURITY, WORKER'S COMPENSATION. THAT'S A $4.2 MILLION INCREASE. TOTAL WAGE AND SALARY INCREASE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FOR ALL OF OUR EDUCATORS $14.1 MILLION IS WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR. THIS GRAPH OR PIE CHART IS THE UNRESTRICTED REVENUE BY FUNDING SOURCE. YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT OUR COUNTY APPROPRIATION MAKES UP 60% OF OUR BUDGET. FEDERALLY .3 LESS THAN $1 MILLION. WE RECEIVE ABOUT 38.9% FROM OUR STATE AND .2%, $500,000, FOR OTHER LOCAL GRANTS THAT WE RECEIVE. AND THIS IS JUST A TABLE OF THAT PIE. THIS IS JUST A TABLE. DIFFERENT FORMAT. LOOKING AT OUR EXPENDITURES, OUR SALARY AND WAGES MAKE UP 61% OF OUR BUDGET. 61% OF EVERY DOLLAR GOES SPECIFICALLY TO STAFF. CONTRACTED SERVICES MAKE UP 10%, SUPPLIES 2%, OTHER 24%, EQUIPMENT 2, TRANSFERS 1%. IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY INSIDE THAT OTHER, WE TALK ABOUT HEALTH CARE, THE WHOLE NINE, BENEFITS. THAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN SALARY AND WAGES. THIS HERE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IS JUST A TABLE OF THE PIE. HERE'S A SUMMARY OF POSITIONS. UNRESTRICTED AND RESTRICTED FUNDS. IF YOU LOOK AT THAT LAST COLUMN, IT SAYS CHANGE. WHAT IS THIS CHANGE? WHAT IS THIS FOR ADMINISTRATION? SO YOU MUST KNOW, YOU HAVE TO LOOK BACK. IN OUR PREVIOUS BUDGET, YOU NEVER SAW THIS IN THE BUDGET BECAUSE IT WAS PAID FOR BY A GRANT. BUT WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT WORK IN OUR TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, OUR ADMINISTRATORS THAT WERE PAID OUT OF A GRANT. THOSE FUNDS ARE GONE. WE MUST ABSORB THAT IN OUR GENERAL FUND. ADDITIONALLY WE HAD A CHIEF OF COMMUNICATIONS TO THE DISTRICT. THAT INDIVIDUAL STARTED THIS YEAR AND INDIVIDUAL SUPERVISORS TO REPORT IN OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. MIDLEVEL ADMINISTRATION. THOSE ARE TWO ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS. WE'RE ADDING AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL AND EXTRA ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT PAWTUSET HIGH SCHOOL. ALL FOUR HIGH SCHOOLS WILL HAVE FOUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS. YOU HEARD THAT WE NEED EXTRA PEOPLE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ONCE UPON A TIME I SERVED AS A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL. THIS IS WHAT LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD, HAVING THAT PERSONNEL, THAT ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, THAT WILL MAKE CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL A LOT MORE BETTER OPERATIONALLY AND ACADEMICALLY. INSTRUCTIONAL SALARY AND WAGES. YOU SEE 13.5. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THOSE ARE [00:20:06] PRE-K. PRE-K ASSISTANTS AND SPECIAL SUPERVISOR. THERE'S 12. ONE FOR EVERY SCHOOL AND ONE TO SUPPORT AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL. AS YOU REMEMBER IN THE BLUEPRINT YOU MUST HAVE ONE CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. WE HAVE TO GO TO FULL DAY PRE-K, SO WE NEED THOSE PRE-K ASSISTANTS. LOOKING AT STUDENT SERVICES, THOSE ARE SAFETY ADVOCATES. SO WE ONLY HAVE THREE SAFETY ADVOCATES TO SUPPORT OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL. HOWEVER, WE HAVE SIX MIDDLE SCHOOLS. WE'RE TRYING TO HAVE ONE SAFETY ADVOCATE PER SCHOOL. BUILDING ADMINISTRATOR. I CANNOT HAVE A DEAN HERE TODAY, DEAN GONE TOMORROW. NO CONSISTENCY. IT'S HARD TO GET THE JOB DONE. YOU NEED THAT CON TEUS -- CONSISTENCY. WE NEED THAT SAFETY ELEMENT. LOOKING AT STUDENT TRANSPORTATION 1.5. TAT'S BUSSING SYSTEM. WE'VE HEARD AND SEEN SOME INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS RIDING THE BUS. THERE'S A SHORTAGE. WE ARE TRYING TO ADD ADDITIONAL 1 1/2 BUS ASSISTANTS TO SUPPORT WITH THAT. LOOKING AT MAINTENANCE. YOU SEE THE PARENTHESES. THAT MEANS SOMEONE IS LEAVING GOING TO THAT CAPITAL OUTLAY. WE'RE MOVING A POSITION FROM OUR MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT TO CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT. NOW WHY? DON'T FORGET, WE HAVE DEET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL THAT'S GOING TO BE NEWLY DEVELOPED. WE ALSO HAVE FEASIBILITY STUDIES FOR UPCOMING PROJECTS COMING UP. SO WE NEED TO MOVE THAT POSITION OVER TO BE EFFICIENT WITH HOW WE SUPPORT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. THIS RIGHT HERE IS A SLIDE OF OUR RESTRICTED GRANT FUND, FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS, STATE FUNDED PROGRAMS AND ANY OTHER GRANT THAT WE RECEIVE IN THE DISTRICT TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE AND EDUCATORS. UNKNOWN FOR OUR BUDGET FY '24. REVENUE. WHAT IS THE ACTUAL ALLOCATION? WHAT IS THE ACTUAL GRANT AWARD? EXPENDITURES. WHAT IS THE ACTUAL BLUE PRINT RELATED COSTS? WE HAVE AN ESTIMATED BUT WHAT'S THE ACTUAL? WHAT'S THE ACTUAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS? ACTUAL FALL '24 ENROLLMENT. WHAT'S THE ACTUAL ENROLLMENT? WHAT'S THE ACTUAL UTILITY COST AND DEGREE? WE'RE TALKING EFFICIENCY. WHAT ARE THOSE COSTS? WE DON'T KNOW. ZIG ZIEGLER SAID, OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR ONLY HOPE FOR THE FUTURE, BUT WE ARE THEIR ONLY HOPE FOR THEIR PRESENT AND THEIR FUTURE. HERE'S OUR BUDGET CALENDAR. I'M SO HAPPY WE HAVE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS HERE. OCTOBER WAS THE OPPORTUITY FOR US TO GO INTO BUDGET DEVELOPMENT. THAT BEGAN WITH STAFF REQUESTS AND ESTIMATED REVENUE. I'M PROBABLY LOOKING AT THAT. I GOT ALL Y'ALL LETTERS. I PROMISE YOU. WE'RE GONNA MAKE SURE THAT MAKES ITS WAY TO OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO GIVE YOU WHAT YOU DESERVE WITH THE HARD WORK YOU PUT IN EVERY DAY. JANUARY 27TH IS OUR PRESENTATION OF A PLANNED BALANCED BUDGET. MOVING FORWARD BETWEEN THE 28TH AND MARCH 16TH, OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL RECEIVE WRITTEN COMMENT REGARDING THE BUDGET AND BUDGET MUST BE APPROVED AND SED- SUBMITTED TO OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT FOR INCLUSION AT A COUNTY BUDGET BY MARCH 23RD. THAT'S THREE DAYS BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY SO I'M GONNA GET THAT IN. VERY LAST IN JUNE, AFTER THE COUNTY APPROVES THE BUDGET, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPTS THE BUDGET AND WE RAISE THE BAR FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. HERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BETWEEN NOW AND MARCH 16TH A WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD. WRITTEN COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED IN TWO WAYS. ONE BY U.S. MAIL. CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION. OR BY E-MAIL BOE MEETING FACILITATOR AT CALVERT NET.K-12. WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH MARCH 16TH 2023. WITH THAT I WILL LAND MY PLANE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BOARD, ON YOU FOR COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT [2.01 Public Comments] PRESENTATION. WE WILL NOW MOVE INTO PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE MEETING. >> COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO THE BUDGET. BOARD OF EDUCATION PERMITS THE [00:25:04] PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON ISSUES CONCERNING THE BUDGET. 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. PEOPLE ON THE SIGNUP SHEET MAY NOT CONVEY OR RELINQUISH ANY PART OF THEIR SPEAKING TIME TO ANOTHER PERSON OR GROUP. IF YOU HAVE HANDOUTS OR WRITTEN TESTIMONY, PLEASE GIVE THEM TO KAREN. ALL COMMENTS ARE TO BE MADE IN A CIVIL MANNER. ANYONE NOT FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE ASKED TO STOP SPEAKING AND MAY FOREFIT THEIR RIGHT TO SPEAK AT FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS. PLEASE UNDERSTAND, WHILE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION VALUES YOUR COMMENTS AND CONCERNS, THIS IS A BUDGET HEARING 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 IF YOU PROVIDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION WHEN YOU SIGN IN. WRITTEN COMMENTS ARE WELCOME AT ANY TIME. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL OR ASK TO SPEAK TO MS. MAXY. >> OUR FIRST SPEAKER SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JOSEPH KORMERE. I AM HERE TODAY REPRESENTING MYSELF AS A PARENT VOLUNTEER. A A DISCLAIMER I AM THE CHAIR PERSON OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND PART TIME EMPLOYEE OF CCPS AND MEMBER OF CASE UNION STRONG. CALVERT ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF. THESE THOUGHTS ARE MY OWN AND MY VIEWS ARE MY OWN. YOU SEVERED YOUR PRESENTATION FROM DR. JOSEPH SAMPSON. I BELIEVE IN THE BLUE PRINT. IS IT PERFECT, OF COURSE NOT. WE AREN'T GOING TO LET PERFECT BE THE BARRIER TO GOOD. I THINK OF IT AS AN IEP FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND. IT'S MEANT TO BE A LIVING DOCUMENT, TO BE FOLLOWED AND ADAPTED. AS DR. TOWNSEL SAID WE'RE GOING TO SET THE BAR, MEET THE BAR, EXCEED THE BAR, RAISE THE BAR. WHEN I WAS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER A POSITION CRIMINALLY UNDER PAID ONE OF THE FIRST LESSONS I WAS GIVEN WAS A 7TH GRADE ENGLISH CLASS, STORY OF HELEN KELLER AND HER TEACHER ANNE SULLIVAN. THERE'S A SCENE THAT E PET MIZED THE WORK OF TEACHERS ACROSS THIS COUNTY. EXHAUSTED AND EXASPERATED. SHE LOOKED IN A WELL WORN BOOK FOR HOPE. THIS BLIND DEAF MUTE CHILD CAN NOTHING BE DONE TO DISINTERTHIS HUMAN SOUL. THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD RUSH TO SAVE THIS GIRL IF SHE WAS IN A PIT. IF ONLY THEY HAD SO MUCH PATIENCE AND ZEAL, THEY MIGHT WAKEN HER FROM CONSCIOUSNESS AND HER IMMORTAL SOUL. I THINK THE DIFFICULTY IS THAT THE PIT ISN'T SOMETHING THAT OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND PUBLIC CAN SEE. WE HAVE BRAILLE ON OUR SIGNS, WE HAVE RAMPS OUT FRONT. THESE THINGS DIDN'T HAPPEN IMAGINICALLY OR BY ACCIDENT. THEY HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. THE BLUE PRINT IS THE SAME. WE COULD SEE THE BARRIERS AND WE WERE ABLE TO COME UP WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS TO REMOVE THOSE BARRIERS TO EDUCATION. MANY DISABILITIES CAN'T BE SEEN, BARRIERS TO ACCESS THAT NORMAL PEOPLE CAN'T FATHOM BECAUSE IT'S NOT PART OF OUR SHARED EXPERIENCE. AUTISM, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING ARE A FEW EXAMPLES. FOOD SECURITY, HOUSING INSECURITY, TRAUMA AND VIOLENCE. I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE BLUE PRINT. NOT LIKE A SEED PLANTED IN THE GROUND THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET A HARVEST IN THE FALL, BUT AN ORCHARD THAT WE'RE PLANTING NOW AND ARE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF IN TEN YEARS. WE NEED TO NURTURE THESE CHILDREN SO IN 12 YEARS THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE READY. CCSP IS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN CALVERT COUNTY. WE ARE SO MUCH OF THEIR BUDGET. I KNOW I COME TO THE BUILDING EVERY DAY AND I SEE STAFF SUPPORT AND NURTURE THESE CHILDREN. WHILE THE BLUE PRINT CURRENTLY ONLY MANDATES A RAISE PER TEACHERS, OUR SUPPORT STAFF DESERVE THE SAME. SPECIALISTS LIKE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, PHYSICAL THERAPIST, ADAPTIVE PE THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE CAREER LADDER. DON'T THEY DESERVE TO SAME RESPECT AND SUPPORT? FROM THE TIME A STUDENT GETS ON THE BUS TO THE TIME THEY RETURN HOME, EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF FILL IN THOSE GAPS. I CAN'T IMAGINE THE LAST THREE YEARS OF OUR PANDEMIC WITHOUT DEDICATED SERVICE STAFF CREATING NEW PROTOCOL AND SERVICING NEW EQUIPMENT. THAT'S MY TIME. THAT'S MY TIME. SUPPORT THE BLUE PRINT. SUPPORT EDUCATION STAFF. UNION STRONG. >> THANK YOU. REPRESENTING CASE. >> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT CLAGGETT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. [00:30:02] I AM WITH CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SERVING AS PRESIDENT OF THE CALVERT ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF. DR. TOWNSEL, I'M EXCITED ABOUT YOUR VISION. WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SPEAK ON IS WHY WE MUST ENSURE THAT THAT PROPOSAL REMAINS WHOLE. I APPRECIATE YOUR INCLUSIVITY AND WHAT YOU JUST PROPOSED. I WANT TO GO BACK TWO WEEKS. YOU ASKED WHAT THE CURRENT VACANCY RATE WAS FOR OUR SUPPORT STAFF. WE WERE TOLD CURRENTLY IT IS AT AN ALL TIME LOW OF 33, WHICH IS JUST UNDER 4%, WHICH IS AWESOME. THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK IN HR. WHAT I ALSO WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU IS THAT SINCE JULY, WE HAVE HAD OVER 105 NEW EMPLOYEE INTAKE FOR SUPPORT STAFF. 12.5% OF OUR WORK FORCE HAS BEEN HIRED IN JUST THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS. WE DIDN'T HAVE 138 VACANCIES. THAT'S A SIGN OF EXCESSIVE TURNOVER. ALSO TWO WEEKS AGO A PRESENTATION ON THE WORK FORCE SECTION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN WAS PRESENTED. WE LEARNED ABOUT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR TEACHERS. STRATEGIES FOR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF TEACHERS. AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP CURRENT SUPPORT STAFF BECOME TEACHERS. WE DID NOT HEAR ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SUPPORT STAFF BECAUSE THERE IS LITTLE TO NO TRAINING FOR ANY OF US. WE ARE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS WITH THE INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANCE BUT THAT STILL LEAVES ALMOST ONE-THIRD OF THE EMPLOYEES WITH CCPS WHO RECEIVE LITTLE TO NO PROFESSIONAL TRAINING. WE LEARNED TEACHERS ARE RECEIVING ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR TIME WORKED OUTSIDE OF THEIR SCHOOL DAYS FOR SPECIFIC TRAINING THEY ARE PARTICIPATING IN. AND THEY SHOULD BE. THAT'S GREAT. HOWEVER, MOST SUPPORT STAFF WERE EXCLUDED FROM ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING THIS YEAR BECAUSE IT REQUIRING THEM TO BE PAID FOR SUPPORT STAFF ARE HOURLY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PAID THE EXACT HOURS THAT THEY WORK. WE'RE NONEXEMPT. WHEN TRAININGS ARE HELD OUTSIDE OF THE CONTRACT DAY, THOSE HOURS MUST BE PAID. SUPPORT STAFF TOLD THEY COULD VOLUNTEER TO STAY WOULD ACTUALLY VIOLATE CCPS POLICY 6500 OR THEY WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE TRAINING. ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING. ESPS WERE EXCLUDED FROM BECAUSE THEY LAWFULLY WANTED TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR TIME. WHO DO YOU THINK AN ACTIVE SHOOTER WILL ENCOUNTER WHEN THEY ENTER THE BUILDING? WE HAD TO REMOVE LANGUAGE THAT SAID SUPPORT STAFF COULD BE USED TO SEARCH FOR BOMBS IN OUR SCHOOLS. NOW THEY AREN'T RECEIVING TRAINING FOR ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATIONS BECAUSE IT COMES WITH A PRICE TAG. WHAT VALUE HAVE WE PLACED ON THESE EMPLOYEES' LIVES? THE MOU SIGNED WITH TEACHERS UNION INCLUDE PAY RAISES FOR STAFF WHO ARE NOT REQUIRED BY LAW TO RECEIVE THEM, BUT WE ARE TOLD WE WILL NOT RECEIVE THE SAME WRITTEN COMMITMENT BECAUSE IT IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW. INHERENT BIASES SPAN MORE THAN GENDER AND RACE. IT INCLUDES CLASS. AND THAT IS WHERE WE, AS A SYSTEM, MUST DO BETTER. ESP'S ARE NOT LESS THAN. WE ARE NOT DIFFERENT FROM. THEY'RE NOT AS IMPORTANT AS. WE DON'T DESERVE LESS. WE ARE HUMANS COMMITTED TO THE SAME SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR SCHOOLS, AND WE ARE WORTHY OF THE SAME INVESTMENT BEING MADE TO OTHER STAFF. WHILE IT MAY NOT BE A DIRECT STATEMENT, THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR. INTENDED OR NOT, WE ARE NOT VALUED THE SAME. THIS IS WHAT WE HEAR AND THIS IS WHAT WE FEEL. DR. TOWNSEL, YOU ASK THAT WE TRUST, THAT YOU ARE FIGHTING, AND WHAT YOU PROPOSE IT SHOWS YOU ARE FIGHTING FOR US. I BELIEVE THAT IS YOUR INTENT. BUT I WOULD NOT BE DOING YOUR JOB AS YOUR COLLEAGUE AND THE REPRESENTATIVE OF ALMOST 850ESP'S IF I DID NOT IMPRESS UPON YOU THAT THOSE OF US WHO ARE STILL HANGING ON, HAVE BEEN THROUGH DECADES OF BEING PUT LAST. WE ARE CONDITIONED TO PUT NO FAITH IN TRUST OR PROMISES BECAUSE THEY BECOME EMPTY. I IMPLORE YOU TO INSURE THAT THIS BUDGET REFLECTS A CHANGE IN CULTURE, REFLECTS AN INVESTMENT IN RECRUITING, RETAINING AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL STAFF. ENSURE PAY RAISES FOR ESP'S AND RAISES THE VALUE THAT HAS BEEN PLACED UPON US. YOUR PRESENTATION ENCOURAGES ME. THE SHIP DOES NOT SAIL [00:35:02] SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT EVERY CREW MEMBER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. DEGUZMAN SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL. >> MY NAME IS SONIA DEGUZMAN. THE MAJORITY OF YOUR SUPPORT STAFF WORK SECOND JOBS AND THEY DO THIS BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE A WAGE THAT WE CAN LIVE ON. IT TAKES TIME AWAY FROM OUR FAMILIES, BUT WE HAVE TO DO THAT TO SUPPORT THEM. AND DON'T GET ME WRONG. THE MEDICAL IS PHENOMENAL. MY KIDS LOVE IT. BUT WE NEED MORE. AND WE NEED BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS. WE NEED TO GO TO WORK AND FEEL LIKE WE ARE VALUED. LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF A TYPICAL WORKDAY IN SPECIAL ED. THE SUPPORT STAFF ARE EXPECTED TO COME TO WORK EVERY DAY AND PERFORM WITH LITTLE TO NO SUPPORT. WE RECENTLY HAD AN EVENT WHERE A 2ND GRADER HELD HIS ENTIRE CLASSROOM HOSTAGE BY LOCKING THE DOOR AND BARRICADING IT WITH HIS BODY. HIS TEACHER COULD NOT PUT HER HANDS ON HIM. AND DURING THE TIME THAT IT TOOK US TO GET A MASTER KEY AND TO GET IN THE ROOM, THE OTHER CHILDREN HEARD HIM SPEWING PROFANITIES, THREATENING TO STAB HIS TEACHER TO DEATH AND TO GO HOME AND KILL HIMSELF. ONCE WE GOT INTO THE ROOM AND WE GOT IT EVACUATED, HE STARTED THROWING CHAIRS. BEFORE I COULD GET THERE, I SAW HIM CHASE MY CO-WORKER ACROSS THE ROOM WITH A WORK BOOK THIS THICK AND BEAT HER ACROSS HER BACK AND DOWN HER RIBS. YOU KNOW WHAT HE GOT FOR THAT? HE GOT LUNCH DETENTION AND A REFERRAL. AND HE WAS BROUGHT BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM 30 MINUTES LATER WITH THE TEACHER SAID HE THREATENED TO STAB, ALL OF THE CLASSMATES THAT HE HELD HOSTAGE AND WITH THE IA THAT HE BEAT WITH A WORKBOOK. NOW, IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN HER HOME, HER SPOUSE WOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND REMOVED FROM THE HOME. IF IT HAD HAPPENED IN WAL-MART, THE PERSON WHO ATTACKED HER WOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN LEGAL PAPERWORK. THAT PERSON WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO COME NEAR HER. THIS HAPPENS IN OUR SCHOOLS EVERY DAY. WE GO TO SCHOOL AND WE ARE HIT AND KICKED AND BIT AND SPIT ON EVERY DAY. >> THAT'S YOUR TIME. IF YOU COULD FINISH YOUR SENTENCE. >> IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GIVE US A PAY RAISE THEN AT LEAST MAKE OUR WORKING CONDITIONS BETTER. EIGHT YEARS IN THE MILITARY I CARRIED A GUN FOR 14 YEARS. >> MS. DEGUZMAN, THAT WAS THE TIMER FOR YOUR COMMENTS. IF YOU COULD FINISH YOUR SENTENCE, PLEASE. >> WE HAVE TOO MUCH VIOLENCE IN THE SCHOOLS. OUR WORKING CONDITIONS ARE NOT GOOD. SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MAKE US VALUABLE. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL. >> GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING PRESIDENT CLAGGETT, DR. TOWNSEL. I AM BUILDING SERVICE MANAGER. I COME HERE BEFORE YOU TONIGHT [00:40:04] TO TALK ABOUT THE SUBSHORTAGE IN THE BUILDING SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SUB SHORTAGE HAS PUT A STRAIN ON ALL BUILDING SERVICE WORKERS IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE PHRASE ADJUST YOUR STAFF ACCORDINGLY IS GETTING OLD TO THE POINT OF WHY I'M HERE TODAY. WHEN YOUR STAFF SAYS IT IS LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING A SUB FOR OUR BUILDING, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN BREWING FOR AWHILE AND HAS FINALLY COME DOWN THE PIPELINE. THEY ARE TIRED, WORN OUT, STRESSED TO COMPLETE ANOTHER AREA PLUS FINISH THEIR AREA. WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO USE THE PHRASE PRESENTABLE. IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE COMPLETED THOROUGHLY. BUILDING SERVICE WORKERS DO LIKE EVERY DEPARTMENT DOES. WE KEEP QUIET AND KEEP WORKING WITH NO ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION. SOME BUILDING SERVICE WORKER WILL NOT TAKE OFF OR THEY QUESTION, SHOULD I TAKE OFF? THEY KNOW THEIR COWORKERS WILL HAVE TO STRUGGLE BECAUSE OF A CHOICE THEY MADE TO TAKE LEAVE AND BE OFF. AS A MANAGER, IT IS MY JOB TO ENSURE THAT AT 6 A.M. THIS BUILDING IS CLEAN AND READY FOR THE KIDS THAT DAY. I AM PULLED AWAY FROM MY JOB DUTIES TO HELP MY WORKERS COMPLETE THE WORK FROM THE PREVIOUS NIGHT WHICH IN RETURN MEANS SOMETHING ON MY END IS NOT GETTING DONE. IT IS VERY DISRESPECTFUL AND A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THE NIGHT TIME BUILDING SERVICE WORKERS WHEN WE GO DAYS WITHOUT A SUB IN OUR BUILDING. I KNOW EVERYONE IS FEELING THE SHORTAGE OF SUBS AND THERE HAVE BEEN ADJUSTMENTS MADE IN DEPARTMENTS. THE SUPPORT STAFF FALLS TO THE BOTTOM FOR SUPPORT. IN MY BUILDING AND IN SOME SCHOOLS WE HAVE A FOUR HOUR PART-TIME WORKER WHO WOULD LOVE THE EXTRA TIME AND NEEDS THE EXTRA TIME. IN THE PAST THE PART-TIME WORKER HAD THE CHANCE TO PICK UP A FEW EXTRA HOURS. BUT WHEN QUESTIONED, CAN THIS PERSON GET EXTRA HOURS WHEN WE WERE SHORT STAFFED BECAUSE OF NO SUBS, IT IS QUICKLY DENIED BECAUSE OF THE EXTRA PAY MONEY TO PAY THE PART-TIME WORKER COMES OUT OF ANOTHER BUDGET. WE SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN. IF WE CAN PAY A SUBSTITUTE TO WORK, WE CAN PAY A PART-TIME WORKER. I KNOW WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER AND THAT YOU UNDERSTAND A CLEAN AND SANITIZED BUILDING IS A HEALTHY BUILDING. THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS IS IN YOUR HANDS. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MICHELLE PARIS, SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL. DID I GET THE CORRECT LAST NAME? ON THE MICROPHONE. PLEASE BEGIN AGAIN. >> GOOD EVENING PRESIDENT CLAGGETT, DR. TOWNSEL AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I AM THE SCHOOL HEALTH NURSE AT BARSTOWE ELEMENTARY AND CASE NRSING REPRESENTATIVE. TONIGHT I'M HERE SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL. MY SPEECH ADDRESSES DR. TOWNSEL'S REQUEST FOR QUALIFIED SUPPORT STAFF. ICE PACKS AND BAND AIDS. FOR TOO LONG THESE ITEMS DEFINED THE SCHOOL NURSE. SINCE OUR MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN PLACED BACK INTO THEIR HOME SCHOOLS, SCHOOL NURSING HAS TAKEN ON A WHOLE NEW LOOK. YOUR COUNTY'S AMAZING NURSES, MANY HERE TONIGHT, ARE ADMINISTERING DAILY AND LIFE SAVING MEDICATIONS, PERFORMING DAILY ASSESSMENTS AND TREATING UPWARDS OF 50 STUDENTS A DAY ALL WHILE DOCUMENTING EACH ENCOUNTER. ASSESSING, MEDICATING AND FEEDING OUR STUDENTS THAT CANNOT SUSTAIN THEMSELVES PERFORMING URINARY CATHETERIZATIONS, IN SOME SCHOOLS ONE NURSE TO 18 DIABETICS. PROVIDING HEALTH EDUCATION TO STUDENTS AND STAFF, ALL THINGS COVID. QUESTIONNAIRES, NOTIFICATIONS, R Q CODES, TRACING. PROVIDING DAILY COMMUNCATION TO PARENTS AND FAMILIES, SETTING UP AND ARRANGED HEARING, FLU AND DENTAL CLINICS, ATTENDING SSP, IEP, CRISIS TEAM, LABOR MANAGEMENT, SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND OTHER TEAMS WITHIN OUR BUILDINGS. RESPONDING TO STUDENTS IN CRISIS BECAUSE MANY ARE CPI TRAINED. MANAGING THE INDIVIDUAL HEALTH FILE OF EVERY SINGLE STUDENT IN OUR BUILDING TO MAKE SURE WE MEET STATE COMPLIANCE. [00:45:04] ALL IN A SEVEN HOUR DAY. WHILE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE GROWN IMMENSELY, SCHOOL NURSING IS STILL ONE OF THE LOWEST PAID BRANCHES OF OUR PROFESSION. ANY NURSE CAN EARN UP TO THREE TIMES MORE PICKING UP A SHIFT AT THE LOCAL HOSPITAL THAN WHAT THEY WILL EARN SUBING IN OUR BUILDINGS. OUR TURNOVER RATES ARE HIGHER THAN THEY HAVE EVER BEEN. WE TRAIN NEW NURSES, ONLY TO SEE THEM LEAVE BECAUSE THEIR FAMILIES CANNOT SURVIVE ON THE PAY CHECKS OR BECAUSE THEY ARE TIRED OF HAVING TO WORK TWO JOBS. OUR TWO NURSE SPECIALISTS OVERSEE 24 SCHOOLS AND CANNOT PERFORM THEIR ASSIGNED TASKS AS THEY ARE ASKED TO SUB IN THE BUILDINGS WHEN A NURSE IS NOT AVAILABLE ALMOST EVERY DAY. OUR SUB POOL IS VIRTUALLY NONEXISTENT AND WE ARE BURNING OUT THE FEW GOOD SUBS THAT WE HAVE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A SCHOOL GOES UNCOVERED WHO'S GOING TO ASSUME THAT NURSE ROLE? OUR ADMINS? OUR OVERWORKED SECRETARIES? THEY ARE NOT LICENSED TO DO THESE PROCEDURES, NOR SHOULD THEY ACCEPTED THAT RESPONSIBILITY. DR. TOWNSEL, IN CLOSING, WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS AND YOUR SUPPORT, BUT WE STILL ASK THAT YOU PUT PEN TO PAPER AND GUARANTEE AN MOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT STAFF. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. WEISS, SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL. >> GOOD EVENING. I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TODAY COMING UP WITH A LOT OF WORDS TO SAY. A LOT OF IT'S BEEN SAID TONIGHT ABOUT WHAT THE SUPPORT STAFF DOES. I THINK Y'ALL KNOW WHAT WE DO. WE ARE VITAL. WE HAVE A VITAL ROLE IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM. IT SEEMS RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD BE GIVEN A WAGE INCREASE JUST LIKE THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF. WE ARE ALL AFFECTED BY THE RISING COST OF LIVING. BUT HERE WE ARE BEGGING FOR A WAGE INCREASE THAT WE DESERVE. WE SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO FEEL LIKE AN AFTER THOUGHT. PLEASE PROVIDE THE SUPPORT STAFF A COMPARABLE WAGE INCREASE IN THE BUDGET. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKERS FOR THIS EVENING. [2.02 Board Comments] >> THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE INTO BOARD COMMENTS. LY START WITH OUR STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS MAGGIE. TO START, I'M VERY PLEASED TO SEE HOW THIS BUDGET IS SO FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS, INCLUDING THE ECONOMIC SUPPORT FOR AP EXAMS, DUAL ENROLLMENT AND MORE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS. IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AS THESE ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT SET UP OUR STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THESE ASPECTS OF THE BUDGET DO. I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THAT. OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET, I'M EXCITED TO SHARE THAT I ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF HAVING A DRESS CODE REVIEW SECTION WITH MS. CLAGGETT AND SEVERAL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THANKS TO JORDAN HAYES, ANDREW LEAR FOR PROVIDING WONDERFUL INSIGHT REGARDING THE IMPROVEMENTS TO MAKE THE DRESS CODE FOR INCLUSIVE AND APPLICABLE TO ALL STUDENTS. GOING FORWARD, I LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING MORE PROGRESS THAT WE MAKE REGARDING THE DRESS CODE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I'LL NOW MOVE TO MISGWEN. >> I WANT TO THANK THOSE WHO CAME OUT TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE SUPPORT STAFF. PREACHING TO THE CHOIR HERE. I CAN HONESTLY TELL YOU THAT I HAVE NEVER WORKED IN A BUILDING WHERE SUPPORT STAFF WORKED ANY LESS HARD THAN EVERY OTHER PERSON IN THE BUILDING. A BUILDING CANNOT FUNCTION AND STUDENTS CANNOT LEARN WITHOUT EVERYONE BEING EQUALLY RESPECTED AND NOTICED. [00:50:07] WE NEED TO TRAIN, RETAIN AND PROPERLY COMPENSATE EVERYONE. IT'S A TOUGH JUGGLING ACT WITH MONEY, BUT I KNOW THE WORK YOU DO AND IT IS EVERY BIT AS IMPORTANT AS PROFESSIONAL STAFF. I CONSIDER YOU PROFESSIONAL STAFF. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT. I DON'T LIKE THAT TERM PROFESSIONAL STAFF. I ALSO WANTED TO ADDRESS SOMETHING MR. COMBIER MENTIONED ABOUT THE AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT. ONE THING I'M GOING TO LOOK FOR IN THIS BUDGET IS THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PLAYGROUND. DURING MY CAMPAIGN I WENT TO VIRTUALLY ALL THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND I REALLY QUESTIONED HOW SOME OF THESE WHEELCHAIRS ACCESSING PLAYGROUNDS AND WHAT EQUIPMENT IS OUT THERE FOR THEM TO ACTUALLY USE. THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT. THE LAST THING IS SRO OFFICERS. I WAS THRILLED TO SEE THAT WAS INCREASED, BUT I'M ALSO GOING TO ADVOCATE FOR SRO OFFICERS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. IN LIGHT OF THE SITUATION THAT RECENTLY OCCURRED IN VIRGINIA I THINK THAT ALSO HAS TO BE A TOP PRIORITY IN OUR COUNTY. ENSURING THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF. THAT INCLUDES HAVING EVERYONE PART OF TRAININGS LIKE THAT. THAT TO ME IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE BUDGET. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I'LL NOW MOVE TO MS. POST. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY, BUT IT'S LATE. IT'S ALMOST PAST MY BED TIME. I'M GOING TO DO MY BEST NOT TO RUN MY MOUTH UNTIL MIDNIGHT. I NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE GOT HERE. BECAUSE I GREW UP IN THIS COUNTY. MY KIDS GO TO SCHOOL IN THIS COUNTY. I WENT TO SCHOOL IN THIS COUNTY. WHAT HAPPENED THAT EVERYONE IS UNHAPPY? WHAT HAPPENED THAT EVERYONE IS SO OVERWORKED? WHAT HAPPENED THAT THE DISCIPLINE AND THE BEHAVIORS ARE OUT OF CONTROL? HOW DID WE GET HERE? I THINK THAT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK AND LOOK BACK. DID WE CUT TEACHERS? DID WE CUT IA'S, EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS AS A MEANS OF BALANCING A BUDGET IN PREVIOUS YEARS? IS THAT WHAT HAPPENED? IS IT A MATTER OF WHAT'S COMING DOWN FROM THE STATE AND THE THINGS WE'RE KIND OF BEING FORCED TO DO, IN TERMS OF CURRICULUM? DISCIPLINARY ACTION OR WHAT HAVE YOU? WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE? I ALSO THINK WE'VE KIND OF LOST SIGHT OF HOW IMPORTANT THE PARENTS ROLE IS. WHILE WE MAY HAVE SOME LIMITATION ON WHAT WE COULD DO, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD TO PUNISH A STUDENT. I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE GREATEST WORD. BUT THERE IS NOTHING THAT PROHIBITS US FROM MAKING SURE THAT THE PARENTS ARE INVOLVED WHEN WE CAN. I THINK WE HAVE TO BE VERY PRO-ACTIVE. I THINK GENERALLY SPEAKING, WE HAVE NOT BEEN PRO-ACTIVE. WE ARE VERY REACTIVE. I HAVE KIDS THAT GO TO SCHOOL THAT ARE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. IF YOU ARE A SCHOOL NURSE OR SUPPORT STAFF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THEY KNOW YOU ALL. ESPECIALLY THE LUNCH LADY AND THE NURSE. JUST SAYING. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. SOME OF OUR MOST CHERISHED RELATIONSHIP CAME FROM SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. IT'S BOTHERSOME. IT'S BOTHERSOME THAT THE TEACHERS ARE UNHAPPY. IT'S BOTHERSOME THAT THERE'S A HIGH TURNOVER RATE FOR SUPPORT PROFESSION NALLS. IT'S BOTHER SHPL THAT OUR KIDS CAN'T GO TO A SCHOOL HOUSE WITHOUT THERE BEING VAPING OR MARIJUANA SMELLS OR CONCERNS OF DRUG USE OR BULLYING OR BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS. IT'S SAD. IT'S SAD AND IT'S CONCERNING AND IT'S LARGELY IN PART WHY I'M HERE TODAY. SO I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE, NOT ONLY AS A COMMUNITY, BUT A BOARD, HOW WE GOT HERE, WHY WE'RE HERE, BEGIN TO REALLY ASK QUESTIONS AND BEGIN TO LISTEN TO THE SUPPORT STAFF AND LISTEN TO THE TEACHERS AND LISTEN TO THE SAFETY ADVOCATES WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO TELL US THINGS. AND THEN FROM THERE MAKE SOME REAL EFFORT TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION. I THINK IF THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN, IT'S NEVER GOING TO CHANGE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MS. POST. [00:55:08] I'LL MOVE TO MS. BALINSKI. >> THANK YOU, DR. TOWNSEL. YOU ARE NEW TO CULVERT COUNTY. IT'S A HERCULES EFFORT TO PUT TOGETHER A BUDGET. EVERY YEAR IS DIFFERENT. I AM EXTREMELY PLEASED THAT WE ARE ABLE TO, AND WE PUT INTO THE BUDGET, COMPARABLE RAISES FOR OUR SUPPORT STAFF. I WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH TO GET THIS PASSED, EVEN IF OUR BUDGET IS CUT. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW IT'S UNDENIABLE THE VALUE THAT YOU BRING AND YOU SHOULD HAVE FULL ON RESPECT AND TRAINING AND REDUCTION OF TURNOVER. OE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK I LIKE ABOUT THIS BUDGET IS THAT DR. TOWNSEL IS TRYING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE SAFETY ISSUES. FIRST OF ALL, JUST MAKING EVERYONE HAPPY WITH RAISES WILL HELP IN THE CLIMATE, OVERALL CLIMATE OF OUR SCHOOLS AND PERHAPS, HOPEFULLY, REDUCE TURNOVER. BY BRINGING IN THE ADDITIONAL A PRBG'S IN HIGH SCHOOL AND SAFETY ADVOCATES IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, I THINK THAT'S TARGETING THE CORRECT -- IT'S NOT NECESSARILY SALARY IMPACT. IT IS HELPING THE BUILDING MANAGE THEMSELVES BETTER AND CREATING MORE SECURE AND CLIMATE FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT IN THE SCHOOLS. THAT'S ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT I WILL HOPEFULLY, THAT I WILL FIGHT FOR AS WELL. THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE ASK THAT WE'RE MAKING IN THIS BUDGET. WE'LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT IT, A DEEP DIVE, IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF -- WE'VE GOT TWO MONTHS TO DO IT IN. SO PLEASE KEEP BRINGING COMMENTS TO US. WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT THE DETAILS, SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU NOTICE THAT'S MISSING OR THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD AND E-MAIL US. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. AS I LOOK OUT, I KNOW HALF THE PEOPLE OUT HERE FROM DIFFERENT TIMES. WHEN I SEE MR. WILLIS, HOW HE'S MADE AN IMPACT ON MY SON. WHEN THE ASSIGNMENT IS TO WRITE ABOUT ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE TEACHERS. I REMEMBER MY SON WROTE ABOUT MR. WILLIS. NICE TO SEE YOU. LAST YEAR WHEN I VISITED HARMONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THE FIRST PERSON HE INTRODUCED ME TO WAS TJ. HE WALKED ME OVER AND SAID, THIS IS THE MAN, THIS IS THE GUY. OUR PREUPB PRINCIPALS DO VALUE THE SUPPORT STAFF. HE WAS THE VERY FIRST PERSON HE INTRODUCED ME TO. I SUPPORT YOU IN EVERY WAY. AS FAR AS THE PANDEMIC, WE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS. I REMEMBER I WENT TO BARSTOWE AND SAID I WANT TO TALK TO THIS PARENT. THEY SAID, ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO TALK TO HER? I SAID, YES. YES. THAT'S A GREAT CONVERSATION SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS. SO I KNOW FIRST HAND EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH AND ALL THE OTHER NURSES ARE GOING THROUGH. HATS OFF TO YOU. YOU KNOW YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT 100%. MENTAL WELLNESS. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BIG. WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE BUDGET, TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET. MENTAL WELLNESS IS SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT. MAY. MAY IS MENTAL WELLNESS MONTH. WE HAVE A PROJECT THAT WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER. IT'S A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE BECOME ONE PROJECT. SCHOOL COUNSELORS, ACTIVITY DIRECTORS IN THE FOUR HIGH SCHOOLS. THE NAME OF THE PROJECT IS, THIS IS WHAT WELLNESS LOOKS LIKE TO ME. WE'RE LOOKING FOR COPING METHODS. WE'RE LOOKING TO SEE WHAT KIDS ARE DOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE HEALTHY. WE'RE NOT ONLY FOCUSING ON, FOR ADULTS, WE SAY ANXIETY, DEPRESSION. KIDS ARE GOING THROUGH THIS. THEY'RE LIVING THROUGH THIS. WE HAVE TO HELP THEM COPE THROUGH IT. FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE [01:00:06] HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS. I STARTED WITH DOW ELEMENTARY. I GOT TO CALVERT SO FAR. WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COUNSELORS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AND COLLEGE READINESS OF REER - STUDENTS, BUT ALSO FOR THEIR WELL BEING. LOT OF THESE COUNSELORS ARE DEALING WITH A LOT OF STUDENTS BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE OKAY. THEY'RE TAKING THESE ISSUES ON EVERY DAY. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE OUR STAFF ARE MENTALLY OKAY, THEIR WELL BEING. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING ON THE LEGAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION. IT'S DEFINITELY GREAT TO SEE WE HAVE A POWERFUL FORCE BEHIND US MAKING SURE WE ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND SUPPORTED ON THE LOCAL LEVEL AND STATE LEVEL. ALSO THIS WEEK, WE HAD A BUDGET TRAINING, AND A COUPLE OF MY COLLEAGUES WERE IN THAT BUDGET TRAINING. IT WAS ABOUT THREE HOURS. TIMING OF IT WAS PERFECT. SO WE COULD HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT'S IMPORTANT AND HOW WE CAN ALLOCATE FUNDS. NEXT, OUR BANDS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO SOME OF THE CONCERTS AND BANDS. THE ARTS. IT'S UP THERE. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. WHENEVER WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT THERE, WE SHOULD DO THAT. OVER THE PAST COUPLE DAYS I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE TEACHER AND SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR. THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS NOW. IT'S GREAT TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE AND HEAR SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE DOING. THE IA VIOLENCE. I HAVE PICTURES. I HAVE E-MAILS. IT'S DEFINITELY A HUGE TASK THAT THEY HAVE. YOU'RE RIGHT. THEY NEED TO BE SUPPORTED AND MAKE SURE WE'RE GIVING THEM WHAT THEY NEED. ANYONE WHO WORKS FOR THE CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SYSTEM SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE IN CALVERT. IT'S EXPENSIVE TO LIVE IN CALVERT COUNTY. THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO LIVE IN ST. MARY'S BUT WORK HERE. WE HAVE TO TRY TO FIND THAT NUMBER TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE, WHO WORK HERE CAN LIVE HERE ALSO. AND THE LAST THING THAT I HAVE, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT VIOLENCE AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR CULTURE. IT'S CHANGING. I'M A BASKETBALL OFFICIAL. 27 YEARS. WE CAN BE ON A BASKETBALL FIELD. WE TAKE TESTS. WE HAVE ALL OF THIS KNOWLEDGE. THERE'S USUALLY THREE OF US ON THE COURT. THAT DOESN'T STOP SOMEONE 60 FEET AWAY FROM YELLING SOMETHING THAT THEY THINK IS RIGHT. NOT COMPARING OFFICIALS TO TEACHERS, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE TEACHERS, EDUCATORS AND PROFESSIONALS MAKING DECISIONS, I WOULD TEND TO BELIEVE AND LISTEN TO THEM. WE ALL HAVE OUR OPINIONS. WHEN YOU'RE YELLING SOMETHING BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO YELL AND SCREAM ABOUT SOMETHING YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THE RULES OF, IT MAKES IT TOUGH. OR IF SOMEONE HAS A QUESTION AND YOU OFFER THEM THE DIRECT PERSON TO TALK TO. YOU ASK ME A QUESTION AND I DON'T KNOW AND I SAY, HEY, THIS IS THE PERSON FOR YOU TO CONTACT AND YOU CHOOSE NOT TO, YOU DON'T REALLY WANT TO KNOW. YOU JUST WANT TO STAY IN WHATEVER THINKING OR MINDSET YOU HAVE. YOU WANT TO STAY THERE. SO WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE DOING, WE LOOK AT THE COUNTY THAT WE LIVE IN. IT WAS A HORRIBLE TIME TO LIVE IN CALVERT COUNTY. I HAVE FRIENDS IN OTHER STATES, MAN, WHAT IS GOING ON THERE WITH THE SIGNS, THE BILL BOARDS, THE MADNESS THAT'S GOING ON? SO WHEN WE'RE WONDERING WHY WE'RE HERE, LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON. LOOK AT SOME OF THESE FACE BOOK POSTS. LOOK AT YOURSELF. LOOK AT THE WAY THAT YOU INTERACT WITH PEOPLE. KIDS ARE WATCHING. THEY'RE SEEING HOW EASY IT IS FOR YOU TO BE NASTY, TO BE EVIL, TO JUST BE ATTACKING. IT GOES FROM -- IT JUST CONSTANTLY CHANGES. RIGHT NOW ATTACKING LIBRARY I CAN'T UNDERSTAND AND THINGS LIKE THAT. AND WE WONDER WHY. THE KIDS ARE WATCHING WHAT WE'RE DOING. THANK YOU. >> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE ATTENDEES TO OUR MEETING TONIGHT ESPECIALLY THE SEA OF BLUE THAT I SEE IN THE AUDIENCE. I AM HUMAN. I FEEL YOU. [01:05:04] I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR YEARS TO BE CONSIDERED EQUAL AND TO FEEL VALUED. I KNOW THIS. LY CONTINUE TO FIGHT ALONG WITH YOU. I'M FULLY PREPARED TO JOIN MY COLLEAGUES, TO VISIT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO REQUEST SCHOOL FUNDING FOR OUR BUDGET, TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE YOU THE INCREASE COMPARABLE TO WHAT WE ARE GIVING OUR TEACHERS. WE SEE YOU AS NO DIFFERENT. YOU ARE CCPS EMPLOYEES. ALTHOUGH WE SAY TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF, YOU ALL WORK HERE AND YOU ALL WORK FOR THE STUDENTS. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE STUDENTS. IF YOU DON'T SHOW UP WHAT DO THE STUDENTS HAVE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO US TO MAKE SURE YOU FEEL VALUED. I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE INCONSISTENCY IN THE VALUE YOU ARE FEELING TONIGHT. I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR GETTING TOGETHER THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COME IN AND MEET AND DISCUSS THE STUDENT DRESS CODE AND WORK ON IMPROVING THE STUDENT DRESS CODE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT OUR STUDENTS CAN ALSO EXPRESS THEMSELVES IN THE BUILDING AND NOT FEEL SINGLED OUT FOR WHAT THEY ARE WEARING. SO WE'RE HOPING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR DRESS CODE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DR. TOWNSEL FOR THE BUDGET PRESENTATION. DR. JOHNSON FOR HIS HARD WORK IN GETTING THE BUDGET TOGETHER AND ALL OF THE STAFF THAT ASSISTED IN PUTTING TOGETHER THE FY2024 BUDGET. MS. BALINSKI SAID A MOUTHFUL WHEN SHE SAID IT IS A HERCULES EFFORT. I WORK IN FINANCE AND I KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO PUT TOGETHER A PROPOSED BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN PULLED BACK, TORN APART, REPLACED TO COME UP WITH A BUDGET THAT'S WORKABLE GOING FORWARD. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES VISITING WITH OUR COMMISSIONERS TO ASK FOR FUNDING THAT CCPS DESERVES. I ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES AND VICE PRESIDENT, MR. WHITE, FOR HIS SOAP BOX STANCE TONIGHT. HE SAID A MOUTHFUL ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR COMMUNITY HEALING ITSELF, REGAINING THE TRUST IN EACH OTHER AND SHOWING GRACE TO OUR NEIGHBORS AND TO OURSELVES AND PUTTING US BACK TOGETHER AS THE AWESOME COUNTY WE HAVE BEEN FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR ATTENDING AND WE ARE ADJOURNED. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.