[2.01 Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silence] [00:00:16] PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE. THANK YOU. TODAY WE ARE GOING TO START WITH OUR RECOGNITIONS. [2.02 PHS Theater Recognition] WE HAVE TUSCAN HIGH SCHOOL THEATER RECOGNITION. RESOLUTION. THE TUSCAN HIGH SCHOOL HARLEQUINS WON THE FESTIVAL 2024 CHAPTER SELECT ONE AT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. THE PRODUCTION OF THE ONE-ACT VERSION OF FLIES BY OLIVER LAMPLEY, AND WHEREAS AT THE PETOSKEY AND HARLEQUINS ARE . WHEREAS THE PETOSKEY IN HIGH SCHOOL HARLEQUNS CAPTURED AN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PH WORK, AND OUTSTANDING DIRECTION. THEY HAVE BEEN INVITED TO REPRESENT THE STATE OF MARYLAND AT THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN FESTIVAL BLOOMINGTON, JUNE THE 24TH. PRODUCTIONS ARE LED BY DIRECTOR ALLEN PRICE. HAVE ESTABLISHED, AND MAINTAINED A CONSISTENT STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF THEATER ARTS. WHEREAS, PETOSKEY AND HARLEQUINS REPRESENT THE TUSCAN HIGH SCHOOL. THE UPMOST DEDICATION TO THEIR CRAFT . AND SUPPORTERS OF THE TUSCAN HIGH SCHOOL HARLEQUINS. THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WISH THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THEIR FURTHER ENDEAVORS ON AND OFF THE TUSCAN HIGH SCHOOL STAGE. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR. CONGRATULATIONS. [00:05:14] MY SCHOOL TO DO THIS. THE GROUP OF STUDENTS AT STANFORD OF THE MOST PROLIFIC GROUP OF ACTORS TO EVER BE ASSEMBLED IN TUSCAN HIGH SCHOOL. THESE 14 STUDENTS HAVE COLLECTED OVER 40 INDIVIDUAL SUPERIOR SCORES IN THE VARIOUS AREAS OF THEATER AT THE COUNTY, AND STATE LEVEL FESTIVALS. TOGETHER THIS GROUP PUT ON A CLINIC OF ACTIONS TO SECURE OUR HIGHEST SCORING ONE-ACT, AND RECORD OUR RECORD-SETTING FIT STATE TITLE. NO SCHOOL IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND COULD BOAST HALF THAT AMOUNT. THE JUDGES WERE SO IN AWE OF OUR STUDENTS THEY WERE MAKING REMARKS LIKE, I STOPPED TAKING NOTES BECAUSE I WAS ENJOYING THE PRODUCTION SO MUCH. OR, THESE ACTORS COMPLETELY UNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT BY MAKING SMART CHOICES. FUND CHOICES. AND MY FAVORITE, GOD BLESS YOU TURTLE. WHAT MAKES TUSCAN HIGH SCHOOL SUCH A DOMINANT LEADER? OTHER SCHOOLS HAVE VOICED THEIR OPINIONS JUST BY SAYING THINGS LIKE WE'VE SOLD OUR SOULS SYSTEM AND BENEVOLENT DEITY. OR, HOW I'M SOME EVIL MASTERMIND AND I RIGGED THE ENTIRE EVENT. I ASSURE YOU OUR SECRET TO SUCCESS IS FAR LESS SINISTER, AND RATHER SIMPLE. WE WORK HARD. WE RECOGNIZE THAT TENACITY ALWAYS BEATS TALENT. OUR PROGRAM IS BUILT OFF DEDICATION, LOYALTY, DRIVE, AND SACRIFICE. THESE STUDENTS WANT. THEY WANT FOR THEMSELVES, AND THEY WANT FOR EACH OTHER. THEY UNDERSTAND THAT NO SUCCESS IS DONE IN ISOLATION. EVERY YEAR THESE QUALITIES BECOME FURTHER EMBEDDED IN OUR CULTURE WITH THE CURRENT GROUP NEVER WANTING TO DISAPPOINT THE PREVIOUS GROUP , AND THEIR SACRIFICES. WITH THOSE QUALITIES EVER PRESENT IN THEIR HEARTS THIS GROUP TOOK AN OBSCURE PLAY. SO OBSCURE. ABOUT A MAN'S FEAR OF A FLY, AND CREATED A MASTER CLASS OF HOW TO FUNCTION AS AN ENSEMBLE. AS A TEAM, AND BETTER YET AS A FAMILY. THEY PUSHED THE TARGET EACH OTHER, AND INSPIRED EACH OTHER. THERE WERE SUPPORTED BY AN OUTSTANDING STUDENT DIRECTOR HEATHER FARLEY. INTERNET STAGING STAGE MANAGER INTERLINE STEWARD. AND WITH THAT SUPPORT HERMES JOHNS, AND KAREN GRAY LET A TREMENDOUS TEAM OF ACTORS, AND GAVE SOME OF THE STRONGEST PERFORMANCES AT STATE FESTIVAL. 10 YEARS AGO WHEN WE STARTED COMPETING, TUSCAN HIGH SCHOOL WAS A LITTLE-KNOWN SCHOOL IN THE COUNTY MOST STUDENTS CAN FIND ON THE MAP OF MARYLAND. WHILE MOST STUDENTS STILL CAN FIND US ON A MAP OF MARYLAND THEY KNOW WHO TUSCAN HIGH SCHOOL IS, AND WHAT WE REPRESENT. THESE 14 STUDENTS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. AND CONTINUE THEIR REMARKABLE REPRESENTATION. THANK YOU DR. TONSIL, AND THE MEMBERS ON THE BOARD. AND THE FAMILIES OF THE STUDENTS TAKING THIS MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THIS EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. I COULDN'T THINK OF A GROUP MRE WORTHY THAN THIS PRAISE. THANK YOU. >> CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE. >> COULD YOU TELL US WHAT THE TURTLE REFERENCE WAS? >> CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF YOU. [2.03 CTE Proclamation] >> NEXT WE HAVE THE CTE PROCLAMATION? >> DO WE HAVE ANYBODY COMING UP FOR THIS ONE? PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS, FEBRUARY 2024 HAS BEEN DESIGNATED NATIONAL CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, AND WHEREAS THE VISION FOR CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS TRUE [00:10:03] PRODUCE GRADUATES WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS WITH CAREER AND EDUCATIONAL CHOICES IN THE 21ST CENTURY. AND WHEREAS, PROFOUND ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES N OUR SOCIETY ARE RAPIDLY REFLECTED IN THE STRUCTURE AND NATURE OF WORK. WHEREAS, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PREPARE STUDENTS FOR FILLING CAREERS BY OFFERING INTEGRATED PROGRAMS OF STUDY THAT LEAD TO THE ATTAINMENT OF INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS AND POST SECONDARY CREDITS. WHEREAS, ANNUALLY, MORE THAN 50% OF CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADUATES COMPLETE ONE OR MORE OF THE 24 CAREER AND MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS OF STUDY WHICH ARE OFFERED THROUGH THE CAREER AND TECHNOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY TATAMY AS WELL AS WITHIN ALL FOUR OF THE DISTRICTS COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOLS . WHEREAS, THE COOPERATIVE EFFORTS OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATORS, TRINITY STAKEHOLDERS, AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS STIMULATES THE GROWTH AND VITALITY OF OUR LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL ECONOMY BY PREPARING GRADUATES FOR CAREER FIELDS FORECAST TO EXPERIENCE THE GREATEST GROWTH. RESOLVED, CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT ALL STAFF, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH THE DISTRICT AS ADVOCATES, ALLIES, AND PARTNERS TO INCREASE EQUITY, ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY, AND OUTCOMES FOR ALL THE STUDENTS. RESULTS, CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS URGES ALL CITIZENS TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SERVICES AND BENEFITS OFFERED BY THE 24 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN THIS COMMUNITY AND TO SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND OUTCOMES FOR ALL CCPS STUDENTS. AND DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 2024 AS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH. PASS IT DOWN. WRIGHT, DR. COUNCIL, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. THANK YOU FOR OFFERING US THIS PROCLAMATION. MINERA'S MY NAME IS CARRIE AIKINS. I'M THE PRINCIPAL OF THE CRIMINAL AND CAREER TECHNOLOGY. AS WELL AS THE PERSON WHO OVERSEES THE '24 CTE PROGRAMS HERE IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WHAT IS CTE? CTE IS CAREER, AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. TODAY'S CAREER, AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS 24 RIGOROUS, AND RELEVANT PROGRAMS HERE IN THE CPS THAT PREPARE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FOR A WIDE RANGE OF HIGH WAGE, HIGH SKILL, AND HIGH DEMAND CAREERS. BUT, WHO IS CTE FOR? CTE IS FOR FUTURE WELDERS, AND TRADE PROFESSIONALS LIKE JIMMY PICTURE. IT'S FOR OUR FUTURE ENGINEERS LIKE JEREMY HILDEBRAND. CTE IS FOR FUTURE I.T., AND COMPUTER SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS, AND FUTURE COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHERS LIKE THEO SANTOS. CTE IS FOR FUTURE MEDICAL, AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS LIKE JACKIE JOE NICHOLS, AND NATE HOLLY. FOR FUTURE LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROFESSIONALS LIKE JOANNE ALVARADO, AND SCHUYLER STONE LIQUOR. IT'S FOR FUTURE MILITARY OFFICIALS LIKE EMMA DOYLE. CTE IS FOR FUTURE LEADERS, INNOVATORS, THINKERS, PROBLEM SOLVERS, AND PUBLIC SERVANTS LIKE ALL OF THESE INCREDIBLE STUDENTS IN FRONT OF YOU. AND HOW DO WE ENSURE THE FUTURE FOR STUDENTS THROUGH CTE HERE IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS? WE DO THIS BY PROVIDING REAL-WORLD HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE LIKE WORK-BASED LEARNING, AND REGISTERED YOUTH APPRENTICESHIPS. STUDENT DESIGNED CAPSTONE PRODUCTS, AND SO MUCH MORE. WE DO THIS THROUGH RIGOROUS ADULTS, AND COLLEGE-LEVEL COURSEWORK THAT PROVIDES STUDENTS CERTIFICATIONS THEY CAN USE NOW, AND THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREERS. WE ENGAGE WITH HUNDREDS OF INDUSTRY PARTNERS, AND PROFESSIONALS WHO DONATE TIME, EXPERTISE, AND MATERIALS. MOST IMPORTANTLY WE ENSURE THE [00:15:04] FUTURE THROUGH THE HARD WORK OF OVER 150 DEDICATED CTE TEACHERS LIKE MR. JIMMY YURIKO . MS. BONNIE BROWN. COMMANDER JASON MILLER . MR. ROBERT BURNS, AND MISS CHRIS STRAUSS. WHO BRING TEACHING POWER, AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO THE STUDENTS. SO, WHAT IS CTE? IN SHORT, CTE IS POWERFUL. IT'S IMPORTANT, IT'S NECESSARY TO ENSURE OUR FUTURE AS A COMMUNITY. UNFORTUNATELY, IN CALVERT COUNTY WE ARE SO PROUD IT IS STRONG. THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US IN CELEBRATING CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH, AND FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT. [2.04 National School Counseling Week] CONGRATS. NEXT, WE HAVE NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK. PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS, SCHOOL COUNSELORS ARE EMPLOYED IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO HELP STUDENTS REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. WHEREAS, SCHOOL COUNSELORS ARE ACTIVELY COMMITTED TO HELPING STUDENTS EXPLORE THEIR ABILITIES, STRENGTHS, INTERESTS, AND TALENTS AS THESE TRAITS WILL LEAD TO CAREER AWARENESS AND DEVELOPMENT. WHEREAS, SCHOOL COUNSELORS HELP PARENTS FOCUS ON WAYS TO FURTHER THE EDUCATIONAL, PERSONAL, AND SOCIAL GROWTH OF THEIR CHILDREN. WHEREAS, SCHOOL COUNSELORS WORK WITH TEACHERS AND OTHER EDUCATORS TO HELP STUDENTS EXPLORE THEIR POTENTIAL AND SET REALISTIC GOALS FOR THEMSELVES. WHEREAS, SCHOOL COUNSELOR SEEK TO IDENTIFY AND UTILIZE COMMITTEE RESOURCES THAT CAN ENHANCE AND COMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS AND HELP STUDENTS BECOME ACTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. WHEREAS, COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS ARE CONSIDERED AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS THAT ENABLES ALL STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN SCHOOL. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, CALVERT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 5TH THROUGH NINE, 2024 AS NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK. >> SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? CONGRATULATIONS. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELORS IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND ELSEWHERE FOR THEIR DILIGENT WORK, AND DEDICATION TO OUR CHILDREN. THE THEME FOR THE 2024 NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK IS SCHOOL COUNSELING , STANDARDS-BASED STUDENT FOCUS. INCORPORATED INTO THE COMBER REGULATION FOR MARYLAND SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS IS THE AMERICAN SCHOOL COUNSELING ASSOCIATIONS NATIONAL MODEL. WHICH IS COMPREHENSIVE IN SCOPE. PREVENTIVE IN DESIGN, AND DEVELOPMENTAL IN NATURE. BASED ON THIS MODEL SCHOOL COUNSELORS WORK WITHIN FOUR SETS OF STANDARDS. ETHICAL, PROFESSIONAL, STUDENT, AND STANDARDS FOR SCHOOL COUNSELOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS. IN THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARD SCHOOL COUNSELORS BELIEVE THAT EVERY STUDENT CAN LEARN, AND TO EVERY STUDENT CAN SUCCEED. EVERY STUDENT SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO, AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A HIGHER QUALITY EDUCATION. EVERY STUDENT SHOULD GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL PREPARED FOR POST SECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES. EVERY STUDENT SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO A SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM. EFFECTIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING IS A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS INVOLVING SCHOOL COUNSELORS, STUDENTS, FAMILIES, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS , OTHER SCHOOL STAFF, AND EDUCATION STAKEHOLDERS. SCHOOL COUNSELORS ARE LEADERS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, STATE, AND NATION. AND SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS PROMOTE, AND ENHANCE [00:20:01] STUDENT ACADEMIC CAREER, AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL OUTCOMES. WHILE THESE ARE NATIONAL STANDARDS THEY DO ALIGN WELL WITH PILLAR THREE OF THE BLUEPRINT. COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS. PATHWAYS INCLUDING CTE. AND PILLAR FOUR OF THE BLUEPRINT. RESOURCES TO ENSURE EVERY CHILD SUCCEEDS. THE ADDITION OF CAREER ADVISERS THROUGH THE BLUEPRINT ONLY ENHANCES THE ABILITY FOR OUR COUNSELORS TO WORK WITH STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS. IT IS WITH EXTREME GRATITUDE, AND PRIDE THAT I RECOGNIZE ALL THE SCHOOL COUNSELORS IN CALVERT COUNTY TODAY, AND EVERY DAY. WITH ME TODAY ARE THE COUNSELORS FROM THE CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL. MISS JESSICA PONTE. DR. PERRY. AND TWO OF OUR NEWEST COUNSELORS. MS. GRAY, AND MISS KATIE O'NEILL. AND I AM GOING TO TURN IT OVER FOR A BRIEF FEW REMARKS FROM SOME OF THE COUNSELORS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RECOGNITION, AND HONOR. IT IS A TIRELESS, AND OFTEN THANKLESS JOB . SO, WHEN ACKNOWLEDGMENT IS GIVEN WE ARE WHOLEHEARTEDLY -- WE WHOLEHEARTEDLY APPRECIATE IT. WE LOVE WHAT WE DO, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT. THIS WEEK IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE WEEKS OF THE YEAR, AND IS NOT BECAUSE MY BIRTHDAY FALLS AROUND THIS TIME. TO ME THIS WEEK IS AWESOME, BECAUSE IT GIVES US A CHANCE TO CELEBRATE OUR GREAT WORK THAT WE DO IN OUR ROLE AS A STUDENT COUNSELORS. WE WEAR A LOT OF HATS. WE DO A LOT OF THINGS. WE HELP STUDENTS EMOTIONALLY. WE HELP STUDENTS ACADEMICALLY. SOCIALLY. ALL THE THINGS. PLANNING FOR THEIR CAREERS. AND EVERY STUDENT DESERVES A SCHOOL COUNSELOR, AND I'M VERY HAPPY, AND PROUD TO SERVICE AS A CALVERT COUNTY SCHOOL COUNSELOR. SO, THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION. [3. Consent Agenda] SECOND AGENDA. CAN I HAVE A MOTION? ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. NEXT WE WILL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC [4.01 Public Comment] COMMENT. >> THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PERMITS THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON ISSUES OF CONCERN. THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS IS LIMITED TO 20. WHEN YOU ARE CALLED TO SPEAK PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, AND LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES. PERSONS ON THE SIGN-UP SHEET MAY NOT CONVEY, TRANSFER, OR RELINQUISH ANY OF THEIR SPEAKING TIME TO ANOTHER PERSON OR GROUP. IF YOU HAVE HANDOUTS OR WRITTEN TESTIMONY PLEASE GIVE THEM TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO BOARD MEMBERS. TO PROTECT INDIVIDUAL CONFIDENTIALITY PLEASE DO NOT MENTION SPECIFIC STUDENTS OR STAFF MEMBERS IN YOUR REMARKS. ALL 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 WHAT 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 IF YOU PROVIDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION WHEN YOU SIGN IN. WRITTEN COMMENTS ARE WELCOME AT ANY TIME. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE BOARD. >> THANK YOU, TONY. >> OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS TIM SINCLAIR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M TIM SINCLAIR. PARENT/TEACHER. YOU GUYS KNOW ME. BEFORE I ADDRESS WHAT I MAINLY HEAR ABOUT I WANT TO GIVE ANOTHER SHUTOUT TO THE BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY'S BOOKS ON BAND PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM NOW HAS PARTNERSHIPS WITH FOUR OTHER MAJOR LIBRARY SYSTEMS THAT DEFEND THE RIGHT TO ACCESS LITERATURE. REST ASSURED DESPITE THE FAHRENHEIT 451 MENTALITY OUT THERE. AS LONG AS PEOPLE TRY TO LIMIT ACCESS THERE WILL BE THOSE WHO FIGHT AGAINST IT. ON THAT NOTE IN THE MORE LOCAL SINCE I DO LOOK FORWARD TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM PROVIDING ME A PERMISSION SLIP TO ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO READ WHATEVER BOOKS THERE LIBRARIANS, AND TEACHERS DEEMED FIT TO BE IN THEIR BUILDINGS. IF WE ARE GOING TO GAIT CERTAIN BOOKS BEHIND SAID PERMISSION I ANTICIPATE BEING TOLD HOW TO PROVIDE THAT PERMISSION ASAP. ON TO WHAT I REALLY HEAR ABOUT. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ANTIRACISM POLICY. [00:25:03] WHENEVER THE POLICY COMES UP A LOT OF PEOPLE GET UP IN ARMS. BUT, HOW COULD WE POSSIBLY NEED SUCH POLICY? RACISM IS SUCH A THING OF THE PAST. HISTORIC, IF YOU WILL. WHAT REACHES MY EARS IS MOSTLY THE FIRST FEW LINES OF UNFOLDS. Y'ALL DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE BEING MALE MIDDLE-CLASS, AND WHITE. IT SOUNDS PRETTY ABSURD WHEN YOU PUT IT THAT WAY. BUT, THAT'S WHAT I HEAR PEOPLE EXPRESSING. BUT, FOR THOSE WHO THINK SCHOOLS SHOULD STICK TO READING, WRITING, AND ARITHMETIC. IF NOT, HERE'S THE FIRST SENTENCE. THE FIRST PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN CALVERT COUNTY WAS OPENED IN 1938, AND SERVED UNTIL DESEGREGATION IN 1966. NOW, LET'S MOVE TO ARITHMETIC, AND A WORD PROBLEM. IF BROWN BEAT BOARD OF EDUCATION OCCURRED IN 1954, AND CALVERT COUNTY DESEGREGATED IN 1966 HOW MANY YEARS DID CALVERT COUNTY WEEK BEFORE ACTUALLY FOLLOWING THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION? ANSWER. 12. I DEFINITELY CALL THAT A HISTORIC PROBLEM. BUT, AT THE SAME TIME WE NEED TO LOOK AT NOW. BEFORE HE LEFT CCPS, SANDY WALKER SAT AT THE TABLE AND SAID ONE OF THE MOST PROFOUND THINGS I'VE EVER HEARD FROM AN EDUCATOR. SADLY, I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY PEOPLE REALLY NOTICED. IN A CONVERSATION ABOUT ACHIEVEMENT GAPS. WAS ASKED WHETHER THE GAPS IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS ARE INEVITABLE? >> BUT, THE GAPS SHOULD NEVER BE PREDICTABLE. IF WE CAN TAKE STUDENTS IN WHAT SUBURBS THEY BELONG TO, AND PREDICT THEIR LEVEL OF SUCCESS. WHETHER THAT'S ATTENDANCE, GRADES, DISCIPLINE, WHATEVER. THEN SOMETHING IS WRONG. IF IT'S PREDICTABLE, IT'S A PROBLEM. AND WHAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY TODAY ARE PREDICTABLE GAPS. FROM WHERE I SAID THERE'S ONLY TWO WAYS TO INTERPRET PREDICTABLE GAPS. OPTION A IS THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM IN THE SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS CERTAIN SUBGROUPS TO PERFORM BETTER, AND WE SHOULD HAVE AN ANTIRACISM POLICY AND OTHERS LIKE IT TO FIX THE ISSUES. IT'S A SYSTEM THAT'S BEEN LARGELY DESIGNED, IMPLEMENTED, AND DOMINATED BY THE MAJORITY IS THE DEFINITION OF WHITE PRIVILEGE. SO, LET'S CALL IT WHAT IT IS. OR, THERE IS OPTION B. I DO NOT LIKE OPTION B. OPTION B INVOLVES PREDICTED GAPS. WE DON'T NEED EQUITY OR ANTIRACISM POLICIES BECAUSE THOSE GROUP SHOULD HAVE MORE DISCIPLINARY ISSUES. OR, ACHIEVE LESS THAN THEIR PEERS. IF THAT'S WHAT YOU BELIEVE THEN YOU'RE PROVING WHY WE NEED TO HAVE THAT POLICY. WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAKING IT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR WHY YOU'D BE VOTING AGAINST IT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> SECOND SPEAKER IS JOSEPH CORMIER. ENTRANCE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. DR. TOWNSEL. I'M HERE TODAY NOT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE UNION, BUT UPON MYSELF. A UNION MEMBER. FIRST I WANT TO SHOW YOU BEFORE WE GET INTO THIS. I WANT TO SHOUT OUT MR. TITUS. I BROUGHT YOU TO THE HANDLE WITH CARE PROGRAM. HE MET WITH JULIE, AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND FIRST RESPONDERS. WERE GOING TO START IMPLEMENTING HANDLE WITH CARE WITH FIDELITY OUT HERE. SO, GO TEAM. WE JUST HEARD ABOUT THE HISTORIC ISSUES WITH RACE IN THIS COUNTY. AND I SENT YOU MY PUBLIC COMMENTS OF THE COUNTY'S COMMISSIONERS LAST WEEK. MY GRANDFATHER RECENTLY PASSED AWAY, AND HE WAS 94. AND HE WOULD HAVE GRADUATED BEFORE RUBY BRIDGES WAS BUSTED THAT ALL-WHITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. HE WOULD HAVE GRADUATED BEFORE THE LAST ALL-BLACK HIGH SCHOOL HAD THEIR LAST GRADUATION HERE IN CALVERT COUNTY. TO SAY IT IS A HISTORIC PROBLEM, AND WE DON'T DO IT HERE ANYMORE. THAT'S RIGHT, BUT IT'S WITHIN LIVING MEMORY. IT'S WITHIN LIVING HISTORY. SO, WE CAN'T PRETEND IT DOESN'T EXIST. AND AS ANTIWHITE OR ANTIRACISM MAKES YOU FEEL SAD FOR BEING WHITE THAT'S A YOU PROBLEM. AND IF IT MAKES YOUR KID SAD THEN THAT'S A YOU PROBLEM. BECAUSE WE HAVE A PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY WITH RACISM, AND WE'VE HAD IT FOR 200 YEARS. AND IT'S GETTING BETTER. WE ARE MAKING STRIDES. I AGREE. BUT, WE ARE NOT THERE YET. AND WHEN WE SEE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES GET UNDER IDENTIFIED FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION, BECAUSE THAT'S JUST HOW THOSE KIDS ACT. THOSE KIDS. AND WHEN WE SEE KIDS GET HIGHER DISCIPLINE, BECAUSE THAT'S JUST HOW THOSE KIDS ACT. THAT'S A PROBLEM. SO, WE NEED POLICIE JUST LIKE WE NEED ANTI-SEXUAL HARASSMENT, AND WE NEED ANTI-BULLYING. BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THESE THINGS IN OUR COUNTY. SO, I WANT AN ANTIRACISM POLICY IN OUR COUNTY THAT SAYS WE DON'T WANT THIS IN OUR COUNTY. IN THIS COUNTY HAS HARRIET ELIZABETH BROWN AS A HERO FOR THIS COUNTY, BECAUSE SHE FOUGHT FOR EQUAL PAY FOR [00:30:01] EQUAL WORK. WELL, WE'VE COME A LONG WAY FROM ONE ROOM CLASSROOMS, AND ONE TEACHER WITH 30 KIDS. NOW WE HAVE SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS WHO MAKE THE DAY RUN. SO, PLEASE PUT OUT YOUR BUDGET BOOK. PLEASE TELL ME YOU'RE GOING TO PAY SUPPORT STAFF, AND TEACHERS, AND SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS, AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS THE WAY THEY NEED TO NOT JUST LIVE BUT THRIVE IN THIS COUNTY. JUST BECAUSE THE COMMISSIONERS FORGOT THEY WERE GOING TO RUN OUT OF PILOT MONEY IN 2023. NO, THE STATE TOOK AWAY ALL THEIR MONEY MONEY BECAUSE WERE NOT TAXING DOMINION ENOUGH. THAT'S A PROBLEM, AND WE NEED TO FIX IT. WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER. AND FUND THE BLUEPRINT LIKE WE FUND THE I.D.A., BUT BETTER. THE BLUEPRINT IS HERE TO LIFT EVERYBODY UP. SO, PLEASE, PLEASE WORK WITH EVERYBODY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT SPEAKER IS CLAIRE HILL. PRESIDENT, AND BOE MEMBERS. I'M SPEAKING TODAY FOR SEVERAL DIFFERENT GROUPS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE ALL WELL AWARE OF THOSE WHO ARE DELIBERATELY TRYING TO HAVE DR. TOWNSEL REMOVED AS OUR SUPERINTENDENT OF CCPS. KOWTOWING TO A SMALL, BUT VERY LOUD GROUP HAS US MAKING ENEMIES OF THOSE WHO WANT TO SUPPORT DR. TOWNSEL. AND CURRENTLY, DESPERATELY WANT TO SEE YOU EXCEL. WHY, DR. TOWNSEL HAVE YOU REMOVED MORE BOOKS WITHOUT MAKING PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS ? WHY WAS THE PUBLIC INFORMED ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY WHISTLEBLOWERS? WHY, AND WHERE ARE YOU HIDING THE MANDATORY PERMISSION SLIPS? WHY DO YOU NOT TRUST OR RESPECT YOUR CONSTITUENTS, YOUR COWORKERS, YOUR TEACHERS, YOUR PEERS, YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.? WE DESPERATELY NEED YOU TO HAVE A BETTER DIALOGUE WITH US. HOW CAN WE HELP YOU? LET'S TALK MORE ABOUT THIS PROPOSED FREEDOM TO READ ACT. HB 75 7B738. NUMBER THREE, A LIBRARY SHOULD NOT PROHIBIT OR REMOVE MATERIAL FROM ITS CATALOG , BECAUSE OF PARTISAN OR DOCTORAL DISAPPROVAL. AND I WILL INTRODUCTORY INTERJECT FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS. LET'S PAY ATTENTION. NUMBER TWO REQUIRES THE STATE LIBRARY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE COMPTROLLER TO WITHHOLD FUNDING FROM LIBRARIES IN OUR SCHOOLS. EXCUSE ME. THE STATE COMPTROLLER WILL WITHHOLD FUNDING FROM LIBRARIES WHO DO NOT HOLD A POLICY FOR MATERIALS. WHOSE POLICY IS OUTSIDE THE STANDARD OR WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THE POLICY. FOR OUR PROGRESSIVE OR LIBERAL AUDIENCE LISTENING TO ME NOW. THE FREEDOM TO READ LEGISLATION WILL ENSHRINE A MARILYN'S UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING OPEN AND INCLUSIVE ACCESS TO LIBRARY MATERIALS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM, AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE A MORE CONSERVATIVE AUDIENCE, IN THIS WORKS ESPECIALLY FOR YOU. THE FREEDOM TO READ LEGISLATION MANDATES ALL LIBRARIES TO CRAFT COMPREHENSIVE POLICIES COVERING COLLECTION SELECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND PROCEDURES FOR RECONSIDERATION REQUEST. EMPHASIZING STRICT ADHERENCE TO THOSE POLICIES. OUR OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC FIRMLY STANDS AGAINST CENSORSHIP. OUR STATS, AND -- 75% OF AMERICANS PROPOSE BOOK BANNING. 90S . DR. TOWNSEL I'M ASKING, BEGGING. PLEASE REVERSE YOUR DECISION TO REMOVE THE BOOKS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. EDUCATION, AND DR. TOWNSEL. MY NAME IS ROBERT JAMES. I'M A [00:35:05] PARENT OF A SOUTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT. MY WIFE IS A SOUTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR, AND I'M A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER. I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE CA BARGAINING TEAM. NEGOTIATIONS TEAM, AND I'M NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED IN THE 2015 CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR. UNFORTUNATELY, I'M SPEAKING HERE TODAY OVER THE IMMEDIATE CONCERNS OVER THE RETENTION OF TEACHERS IN CALVERT COUNTY. IN RECENT YEARS I'VE HAD COLLEAGUES LEAVE HHS FROM NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS INCLUDING BALTIMORE CITY, AND FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. ONE OF THE BIGGEST STRESSES OF RETENTION OF TEACHERS IS NEGOTIATIONS TEAM'S PROPOSAL TO HAVE 190 HOURS WITHOUT PAY. THIS EQUATES TO ALMOST 5 1/2 ADDITIONAL WORKS OF UNPAID WORK. DR. TOWNSEL IS NEGOTIATING TEAM HAS NOT GIVEN ANY REAL RATIONALE FOR THE PROPOSAL. THEY DID NOT ARGUE THAT IT MEETS THE BLUEPRINT REGULATIONS, BECAUSE IT DOES NOT. THEY DID NOT ARGUE YOU THAT THEY WILL RECRUIT NEW TEACHERS, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT. HERE'S A BREAKDOWN OF THE 190 ADDITIONAL UNPAID HOURS. IRONICALLY, IT'S GOING TO HURT BOTH COUNSELORS IN THE TRAUMA DEPARTMENT. IT'LL TAKE A 10% EARLY WAGE CUT. SO, THAT MEANS OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS, OUR PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND ALL OF OUR SUMMER WORKERS WILL GET 10% LESS MONEY. EVERY DAY THEY WORK IN THE SUMMER FOR THE SYSTEM. IT MEANS TEACHERS WHO RECRUIT SICK LEAVE, AND PERSONAL LEAVE WILL LOSE 9% OF IT. SO, IF A TEACHER WHO HAS 50 DAYS COMING IN WILL NOW LOSE ABOUT FIVE DAYS. WHICH IS 45 DAYS. SO, IF A PERSON IS FIGHTING CANCER THEY WILL GET PAID LESS. ONE WEEK LESS THAN THEY SHOULD'VE GOTTEN BASED ON THIS PROPOSAL. IT MEANS THE SPORTS TEAMS, MARCHING BANDS, THEATER, AND MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, MESA, AND OTHER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES WILL START ONE HOUR LATER EVERY DAY. AND STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO GO HOME IN BETWEEN, BECAUSE THERE'S NO ONE TO WATCH THEM. WHICH MEANS -- IT'S AN EQUITY ISSUE? DO PARENTS GET THESE KIDS BACK? AND IT'S A THREAT TO OUR STATE RANKED SPORTS TEAMS. OUR STATE RANKED MARCHING BAND. OUR INCREDIBLE MESA TEAM, AND IT'S A THREAT TO OUR INCREDIBLE DRAMA DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE NATIONALLY RANKED. IT MEANS THAT WE AS TEACHERS ARE EXHAUSTED, AND OVERWHELMED. AND THE 190 HOURS DOES NOT ADDRESS ANY OF IT. IT ACTUALLY CREATES MORE WORK FOR ALL OF US, AND ALL THE WORK I DO ON THE WEEKENDS, AND AT NIGHT. AND IN THE MORNING AT 5 A.M. I STILL HAVE TO DO IT, BECAUSE IT WILL NOT GIVE ME TIME FOR ANY OF THIS. IT'LL PUT OUR TEACHER LEADERS WERE ALREADY STRESSED. IT'LL PUT MORE OF A BURDEN ON THEM TO CREATE PD. THIS DEPARTMENT HERE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT CREATING MORE ADMINISTRATIVE JOBS. DR. TOWNSEL, I'M ASKING YOU TO RAISE THE BAR BY DROPPING THE 190 HOURS. AND I'M ALSO ASKING THAT YOU DIRECT YOUR TEAM TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL LAMARCHE NEGOTIATION DAY, BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT BEFORE SPRING BREAK. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NATIONALLY BOARD-CERTIFIED INTEGRATED SCIENCE TEACHER. I'M ALSO APPARENT. MY SON IS IN KINDERGARTEN, AND MUTUAL ELEMENTARY. TODAY I WANTED TO SHARE SOME NOTICE, AND WONDERS WITH YOU FROM THE BUDGET PRESENTATION. I NOTICED THERE'S A 1 1/2% INCREASE PROPOSED TO WAGES AND SALARIES. THAT INCREASE DOESN'T COVER A STEP. IT ALSO DOESN'T COVER THE RESULTS OF THE CASE STUDY THAT WILL INDUBITABLY DISCOVER THAT OUR SUPPORT STAFF IS WOEFULLY UNDERPAID FOR THEIR WORK. I NOTICED THAT SALARIES, AND WAGES ARE 80.6% OF THE BUDGET. AND I WONDER WHY THE CCPS NEGOTIATIONS TEAM HAS REFUSED TO DOES DISCUSS SALARIES. I WONDER WHY WHEN THEY'VE KNOWN ABOUT THE BUDGET TIMELINE, AND HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATION NEGOTIATING SINCE NOVEMBER. I WONDER IF EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT AN INABILITY TO REACH A CONTRACT WILL RESULT IN A PAY FREEZE, AND THAT BACKPAY IS NOT GUARANTEED. I WONDER IF THE ELECTIVE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL BE RUSHED TO APPROVE A BUDGET THAT DOESN'T CONSIDER TEACHER PAY , BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN DISCUSSED. BUT IF THE STRESS ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE CONTRACT HAS TEACHERS LOOKING OUTSIDE THE COUNTY ALREADY. EVERYTHING THE [00:40:10] BOARD OF NEGOTIATIONS TEAM BROUGHT TO THE TABLE SEEMS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MONEY. BUT, IT'S ON THE BACKS AND OUT OF THE POCKETS OF TEACHERS. THE CONTRACT OFFERED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAKES ME SELECT I'M WORKING TO DEATH FOR NOTHING. IT MAKES ME FEEL DEMORALIZED, AND THINK HARD ABOUT MY FUTURE AS A TEACHER. I LOVE MY JOB, BUT I DON'T THINK I DESERVE TO BE TREATED AS BADLY AS THIS CONTRACT OFFER MAKES ME FEEL BY PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T TELL YOU MY NAME IF I MET THEM OUTSIDE OF THIS ROOM. BUT, I DIDN'T GET INTO TEACHING FOR ME. I GOT INTO TEACHING FOR KIDS. SO, HERE'S A VERY GENERAL OUTLINE FOR HOW THE PROPOSED CONTRACT COULD IMPACT CHILDREN. THE STRUGGLE TO RECRUIT RETAINED TEACHERS COULD RESULT IN LIKE THEY CURRENTLY ARE IN SOUTHERN MIDDLE. HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS OR CONTENT AREA EXPERTS. FOR MEASURING SUCCESS WITH TEST SCORES , OPEN POSITIONS DON'T BODE WELL FOR OUR STUDENTS WERE PROPERTY VALUES. QUALIFIED TEACHERS WILL GRAVITATE WHO NEED QUALIFIED TEACHERS THE MOST AT AN ADDITIONAL DISADVANTAGE. WHAT ELSE DO OPEN POSITIONS MEAN? EDUCATORS ARE NOT JUST CONSTANT AREA EXPERTS. THEIR CLUB SPONSORS. MENTORS TO STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES. CONFIDANTS. COACHES. ROLE MODELS, AND ADVOCATES. WHEN A TEACHER LEAVES THE CLASSROOM THEY ALSO LEAVE THE CHESS CLUB. WHEN A TEACHER LEAVES THE CLASSROOM THEY ALSO LEAVE THE FIELD. THE TEACHER LEAVES THE CLASSROOM THEY ALSO LEAVE THEIR COLLEAGUES WITHOUT THEIR EXPERTISE. WHEN A TEACHER LEAVES THEY LEAVE A HOME. I WANT TO END WITH A MESSAGE FOR MY COLLEAGUES. I HEARD SOMEONE SAY YESTERDY THAT IT'S HARD TO START A FIRE WHEN PEOPLE ARE ALREADY BURNT OUT. AND WE ARE BURNT OUT. TO ME THIS CONTRACT BUSINESS FEELS URGENT. I'M DOING MY BEST TO BE HERE, AND HAVE MY VOICE HEARD. WRITING SPEECHES AFTER I PUT MY CHILDREN IN BED. BUT, I WANT TO LET MY COLLEAGUES KNOW WHO ARE LISTENING TO THIS THAT YOUR VOICE HAS POWER TOO. WRITE EMAILS. SPEAK ON THE 22ND, AND SHARE YOUR STORY. THE BOARD CAN'T KNOW IF YOU DON'T TELL THEM. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME, AND SPEAK TO YOU TODAY. I FIND IT VERY TROUBLING THAT THIS POLICY IS LABELED AS AN ANTIRACIST POLICY. WORDS THAT I SEE HERE, IT'S VERY DIVISIVE. IT IS IN FACT RACIST, AND IS BEING PROMOTED ON THE BASIS OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY, AND THE ANTIRACISM PRONOUNCEMENTS OF ABRAHAM HINDI. I DON'T FIND IT TO BE HELPFUL TO HELP OUR SOCIETY TO BE -- TO BE WELCOMING TO EACH OTHER. AND I THINK THAT OUGHT TO BE OUR GOAL. IS THAT EVERYONE IS TREATED EQUALLY , AND THIS POLICY IN YOUR DEFINITIONS WHERE YOU TALK ABOUT STRUCTURAL OVER SYSTEMIC RACISM. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WHITE PRIVILEGE. AS IF PRIVILEGE IS ONLY TO WHITE PEOPLE. AND THAT IS NOT TRUE. PRIVILEGE IS BASED ON WEALTH, AND POWER. NOT ALL WHITE PEOPLE HAVE POWER OR WEALTH. MOST DO NOT. AND EVEN IF WE GO BACK INTO HISTORY . INTO THE COLONIAL TIMES WHEN SLAVERY WAS A LEGAL THING. THERE WERE VERY FEW PEOPLE PERCENTAGEWISE OWNED SLAVES. MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WERE POOR. THEY WERE NOT WEALTHY. THEY WERE NOT POWERFUL. SO, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SOME REALISM , AND WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE OVER THE LAST CENTURY. ESPECIALLY, OVER THE LAST 60 YEARS. AND SEEING THAT THERE IS EQUAL CHANCE. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE THERE HAS BEEN -- MANY TIMES. BUT, THERE'S PREFERENCE GIVEN TO PEOPLE, BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE. HAVE ADMISSIONS TO COLLEGE. TO HAVE ADMISSIONS TO PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS. TO HAVE HOUSING PROGRAMS. THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS IN WHICH WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE HAS BEEN TO HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HELD BACK NOW HAVE EQUAL CHANCE. AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT OPPORTUNITY GAPS, AND YOU SAY IN YOUR POLICY STATEMENT THAT THE CALVERT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BELIEVES THAT BATTING THE PERSONAL AND INSTITUTIONAL RACISM THAT CONTINUES TO EXIST IN OUR SCHOOLS IS A LEGAL, AND MORAL OBLIGATION. AM I TO BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE SITTING UP HERE IS OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND YOU'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT RACISM IN OUR SCHOOLS? [00:45:01] OR, THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT OPPORTUNITY GAPS ARE YOU NOT ALLOCATING THE RESOURCES IN OUR BUDGET TO EVERY SCHOOL, AND EVERY STUDENT IS GETTING EQUAL ACCESS TO THOSE OPPORTUNITIES? I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT'S THE CASE. SO, WHY IS IT IN YOUR POLICY? YOUR POLICY NEEDS TO BE MORE POSITIVE. IT NEEDS TO SAY WHERE WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS, AND THAT THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST FOR ALL CHILDREN. I ASSUME THAT YOU ARE PROMOTING ALL CHILDREN. AND I WOULD URGE YOU TO REWRITE THIS POLICY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THE BOARD, AND DR. TOWNSEL. MY NAME IS DONNA. I'M AN ELEMENTARY EDUCATIONAL TEACHER, AND THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF CALVERT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. I'VE SPOKEN BEFORE ABOUT THE TEACHER SHORTAGE BROUGHT ON BY THE DECLINING ENROLLMENT IN TEACHER PREP PROGRAMS. AN INCREASING NUMBER OF TEACHERS WHO ARE LEAVING THE PROFESSION. THIS IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO RETAIN BOTH OUR NEW TEACHERS, AND OUR HIGHLY QUALIFIED, AND EXPERIENCED TEACHERS. BUT, DOES THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS LOST WHEN A TEACHERLEAVES A SCHOOL OR SCHOOL SYSTEM? TEACHER TURNOVER ADVERSELY IMPACTS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, SCHOOL FINANCES, AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS. TEACHER QUALITY IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. TEACHERS HOLD VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE OF INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES GAINED THROUGH EXPERIENCE , PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, AND INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING. TEACHER TURNOVER REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HIRE NEW TEACHERS WITH LESS EXPERIENCE. AND TO FILL VACANT POSITIONS WITH UNDERQUALIFIED TEACHERS. A RECENT STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, STANFORD, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA SHOW THAT AN INCREASE IN TEACHER TURNOVER OF JUST 1% RESULTED IN LOWER MATH SCORES BY 2%. HIRING A NEW TEACHERS IS NOT A MINOR EXPENSE. IT COSTS TAXPAYERS APPROXIMATELY $20-$30,000 PER HIRE. NOT TO MENTION THE HUMAN CAPITAL COST OF REPLACING TEACHERS. TEACHER TURNOVER CREATES A CONSTANT TRAINING ON FUNDING. FUNDING THAT COULD BE USED FOR GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAMS, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF, AND OTHER RESOURCES. WHEN WE LOSE TEACHERS WE LOSE THE RELATIONSHIPS THEY HAVE BUILT WITH STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY. THESE BONDS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED LITERACY ACQUISITION, LOWER DROPOUT RATES, AND APPROVED ATTENDANCE. THESE CONNECTIONS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR STUDENT GROWTH. I SELECTED BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS, THIS IS WHY CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS DO IMPACT YOU. YOU APPROVE DR. TONSILS NEGOTIATIONS TEAM. SO, ESSENTIALLY THEY REPRESENT YOU. BY THE PROPOSALS THEY HAVE MADE IT WOULD MAKE YOU WONDER IF THEY CARE AT ALL ABOUT RETAINING THEIR CURRENT EMPLOYEES. INCREASING THE WORK DAY HOURS. REMOVING THE REASONABLE CAUSE LANGUAGE FOR USING SICK LEAVE. INCREASING ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HEALTHCARE. PROVIDING A ZERO YOU 0% . YOU WOULD THINK GIVEN THE COST OF REPLACING TEACHERS AN ALTERNATIVE COULD BE TO INVEST MORE IN YOUR CURRENT TEACHERS. BY IMPROVING WAGE COMPETITIVENESS, BENEFIT PACKAGES, AND WORKING CONDITIONS. TEACHING IS HARD. IF IT WERE EASY ANYONE COULD, AND WOULD DO IT. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME. THANK YOU BOARD. IN ANOTHER MEETING I ATTENDED LAST YEAR. I WAS TROUBLED BY SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT WAS GIVEN IN AUTHORITY. SO, IT TOOK ME A WHILE. I DID SEND IN A COUPLE LETTERS TO THE BOARD LOOKING TO SEE IF THEY COULD RESOLVE BEFORE I GET TO ADDRESS IT. SO, I TOOK THE TIME TO DO SOME BACKGROUND RESEARCH. THE LAST TIME THERE WAS ACTIVE RESEARCH POSTED WAS 2017. THEN I FOUND THE QUOTE IN 2011 [00:50:11] . IN A DOCUMENT. AND WHAT I FIND IS THAT THEY SAY IS IT'S A DETAILED UNDERSTANDING OF THE AND EFFECTS EFFECTS OF IN REGARDS TO THIS STATEMENT. WHICH I'M GOING TO READ TO YOU. WHICH WAS MADE BY A PERSON IN AUTHORITY. AND ADDRESSING THE IMPACTS, AND WHAT HE SAID HERE IS -- LET'S SEE. OKAY. IT WAS ON JANUARY 12TH. MINORITIES MORE SPECIFICALLY ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL, AND HAVE PERFORMANCE ISSUES IN CLASSES TAUGHT BY MINORITY TEACHERS. HAVING SERVED IN THE MILITARY AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. I KNOW WHEN YOU'RE LEARNING YOU DON'T LOOK AT WHAT COLOR OF A PERSON IS. YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE INFORMATION IS, AND YOU LEARN. I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE BLACK. MY LADY FRIEND WHO SAYS I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY COULD MAKE THAT INCEPTION. IT'S OLD DATA. TODAY, OVER REPEATING THE SAME ISSUES IN REGARDS TO RACE. WHAT WE SHOULD ALL DO IS TREAT EACH OTHER AS GOD IS INDICATED. WITH LOVE, AND RESPECT. TREAT OTHER PEOPLE THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED. SO, I WENT ON TO MORE RESEARCH, BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT OF IMMIGRANT FRIENDS. SOME THAT ESCAPED VIETNAM . OTHERS THAT HAVE COME HERE, AND I FOUND THIS FACT. WHICH I THINK EVERYBODY RESPECTS. AND HERE'S A QUESTION. IT SEEMS THAT BLACK FAMILIES IN AMERICA MAKE $42,500. THAT'S AVERAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. MAKE $58,600. BUT, THE POINT BEING IS WE AS FAMILY I HAVE ABOUT VIOLENCE IN THE SCHOOLS . SO, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. AND THIS ON OLD THINGS THAT ARE PASSED. >> PLEASE FINISH HER LAST SENTENCE. THANK YOU. LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, AND DR. TOWNSEL. IT IS A PRIVILEGE, AND I THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO SPEAK WITH ALL BOARD MEMBERS AND DR. TOWNSEL. I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT POLICY 1018. I FEEL IT DEALS WITH THE SIGNING PRIVILEGE APPLIED TO A CERTAIN GROUP OF PEOPLE. MAINLY WHITE. A PRIVILEGE THAT -- EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM HAS PRIVILEGE. IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO LIVE IN THE U.S. AND EVERY CHILD WHO GOES HOME TO A HOUSE FILLED WITH LOVE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT REGARDLESS OF HIS OR HER ETHNICITY OR RACE GROUP. EVERY PERSON WHO HAS A HOME TO GO TO, AND HAS ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT IS PRIVILEGED. EVERY PERSON HAS THE FREEDOM TO SPEAK HIS MIND IS PRIVILEGED. EVERY PERSON, EVERY CHILD WHO IS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD. A SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE ONE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID OF GUNFIGHTS OR BREAK-INS IS PRIVILEGED REGARDLESS OF ETHNICITY OR COLOR. TO FOCUS ON ONE GROUP AS HAVING PRIVILEGE IT IS WRONG, AND DISCRIMINATORY. SCHOOLS SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON STUDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE PARENTAL SUPPORT OR WHO ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED OR HAVE PARENTS WHO ARE DEALING WITH ADDICTION. REGARDLESS OF COLOR OR RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND. IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT EQUITY , AND HELP THOSE SUPPORT REGARDLESS OF THE GROUP THEY BELONG. OUTCOMES CANNOT BE EQUAL FOR EVERYONE AS WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT WITH DIFFERENT STRENGTHS, AND WEAKNESSES. SOME OF US ARE TALENTED IN ATHLETICS. SOME ARE MECHANICALLY OR MATHEMATICALLY TALENTED. STUDENT SHOULD BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEL AND FIND THEIR STRENGTHS. WHAT IS THE END GOAL FOR SINGLING OUT ONE GROUP? ONLY ONE GROUP THAT HAS PRIVILEGE? HISTORICALLY, IT DOESN'T END. [00:55:01] I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF LIVING IN NEIGHBORHOODS IN WHICH THERE ARE MANY IMMIGRANTS AND CHILDREN OF IMMIGRANTS WHO FLED PERSECUTION. I'VE ALSO HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH THOSE WHO HAVE FLED PERSECUTION. THEY HAD BEEN TARGETED AS PART OF A GROUP THAT HAD PRIVILEGE. THIS PRIVILEGE MIGHT'VE BEEN OWNING FRMLAND. OWNING A BUSINESS OR BEING PART OF A GROUP THAT WAS DOOMED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO BE OVER REPRESENTATIVE, AND FEARLESS OF MEDICINE, ACADEMIA. ON FINANCE OR JUST BEING A CERTAIN RACE. THE SO-CALLED PRIVILEGED PEOPLE, AND STUDENTS BEGAN TO BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST FROM ATTENDING CERTAIN SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, OR HAVING MEDICAL CARE. OR, GOING TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS. JUST ABOUT EVERY STORY I WAS TOLD. DISCRIMINATION STARTED IN THE SCHOOLS WHERE CHILDREN WERE TAUGHT THAT A PARTICULAR GROUP HAD UNFAIR ADVANTAGES, AND WERE THE CAUSE OF SOCIETY'S PROBLEMS. WHATEVER THOSE PROBLEMS WERE. THIS LED TO VIOLENCE AGAINST THOSE DEEMED PRIVILEGED. MY POINT IS RACISM, AND DISCRIMINATION OF ANY KIND IS WRONG. AND DOESN'T BELONG IN CALVERT COUNTY. IN ADDITION, WHICH I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT A LOT OF THE PEOPLE HAD TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO ATTEND RE-EDUCATION OR AS THEY CALLED TRAINING CAMPS TO CHANGE THEIR THOUGHT PATTERNS. THAT IS WRONG. WE DO NOT NEED RACISM OR DISCRIMINATION OR HATE OF ANY KIND IN CALVERT COUNTY OR IN OUR SCHOOLS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO TALK TO YOU. >> THANK YOU. TO SPEAK. BOARD MEMBERS, AND DR. TOWNSEL. THE POLICY STATEMENT OF 1018 ABOUT -- >> COULD YOU PULL YOUR MIC A LITTLE CLOSER PLEASE? >> OKAY. THIS IS AN UNNECESSARY POLICY. THERE'S ALREADY DISCRIMINATION POLICY BY PUTTING WHITE PRIVILEGE , AND ITS IMPACT, AND ACHIEVING EQUALITY. A CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS JUST THAT. IT'S A THEORY. IT'S NOT A PROVEN THING. IT'S JUST SOMEONE'S THEORY. ALL OF THE STUDENTS ARE TO GET EQUAL ACCESS TO RESOURCES. HOWEVER, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT EVERYONE IS GOING TO HAVE AN EQUAL OUTCOME. EVEN IF YOU GIVE EVERYONE EQUAL RESOURCES. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, AND I'VE HEARD OTHER PEOPLE SPEAK THE SAME. WHAT IS THE ENDGAME OF THIS POLICY? TO HAVE A RACIST POLICY TO STOP RACIST IF IT'S UNETHICAL, AND WRONG . TO STOP RACISM YOU HAVE TO STOP LABELING PEOPLE. I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY ARE. WHITE, BLACK. AS WHAT THEY ARE DOING. THEY ARE LABELING PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEARNING DISABILITIES. YOU CAN'T LABEL THEM. YOU CAN'T DO THAT. ALSO, THIS IS DISCRIMINATION. DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RACE IS ILLEGAL UNDER TITLE VII. PUBLIC SCHOOLS CANNOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY STUDENT, TEACHER, OR ANY EMPLOYEE BASED ON RACE, GENDER, OR ETHNIC ORIGIN OR RELIGION. AND ISN'T THIS WHAT THIS IS ACTUALLY DOING? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. PRESIDENT OF THE CONCERNED BLACK WOMEN OF CALVERT COUNTY. TO DR. TOWNSEL, AND OUR SUPERINTENDENT MR. WHITE. PRESIDENT. VICE PRESIDENT, AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS. THE CONCERNED BLACK WOMEN IS AN ALL VOLUNTEER GROUP OF WOMEN WHO SOLVE PROBLEMS USING PROGRAMMATIC ACTIONS, DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION, AND NETWORKING TO CONNECT PEOPLE IN NEED OF RESOURCES AND SERVICES. THE CONCERNED BLACK WOMEN OF CALVERT COUNTY CONDUCTED AN ANTIRACIST OR ANTIRACISM POLICY SURVEY THAT LASTED FOR THE PAST 30 HOURS. WE SENT IT TO THE COMMUNITY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN, AND MARGINALIZED PARENTS AND STUDENTS. THE POPULATION OF ANSWERS CAME FROM THE FOLLOWING GROUP. 40% GRADUATING PARENTS, BUT THEN THE PAST 3 TO 5 YEARS. 26.7% HIGH SCHOOL PERIODS. 20% MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS, AND 13.3% ELEMENTARY PARENTS. WE ALSO SURVEYED THE STUDENT POPULATION. 60% HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. 36.7% GRADUATE STUDENTS. 80% PARENTS, AND 53.3% STUDENTS BELIEVE THE TERM WHITE SUPREMACY, AND WHITE PRIVILEGE SHOULD REMAIN. 40% OF PARENTS, AND 30% OF THE [01:00:05] STUDENTS BELIEVE THAT THE POLICY ADDRESSES RACIAL INEQUALITIES. 53.3% PARENTS, AND 60% OF THE STUDENTS HAVE EXPERIENCED FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION OR BIAS WITHIN THE CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE COMMENTS FROM THE STUDENTS. I WAS CALLED A NIGGER IN SIXTH GRADE WHEN A WHITE STUDENT AND WANT TO SIT NEXT TO ME IN HEALTH CLASS. ANOTHER STUDENT YELLED IN MY FACE WHEN I ENTERED INTO GYM CLASS. BOTH TIMES THE PRINCIPAL IN MY SCHOOL TOLD ME I DRAW SO MUCH ATTENTION TO MYSELF. THAT'S WHY THE RACIAL INCIDENT HAPPENED. WHITE BOY. WHITE THING TO DO, AND MORE. ANOTHER STUDENT SAID I'VE BEEN CALLED A . BEEN TOLD PEOPLE ARE GOING HUNTING, AND A GROUP OF WHITE MEN -- WE SENT PICTURES OF A GROUP OF YOUNG WHITE MEN FROM KKK MEETINGS. AN OLDER STUDENT SAID I WAS CAST A IN A SCHOOL PLAY. ALL WERE EITHER BLACK PEOPLE OR BROWN PEOPLE. PARENTS SAID TWICE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, LITTLE WHITE BOYS CALL MY DAUGHTER THAT N-WORD, AND YELLED KKK IN HER FACE. SCHOOL LEADERS OSTRACIZED, AND BLAMED HER FOR BRINGING ATTENTION TO HER SELF IN HIGH SCHOOL. MY CHILD HAS BEEN TARGETED AS AGGRESSIVE. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN. THEY'VE ALL EXPERIENCED IT IN HIGH SCHOOL, MUSICAL PROGRAMS, SCHOOL PLAYS, PTAS, 504 MEETINGS, AND AMONG SCHOOL PRINCIPALS. DISCIPLINE, ASSESSMENT, AND CURRICULUM. ANOTHER QUESTION. WHAT ROLE SHOULD STUDENTS PLAY? THE STUDENTS SAID, REACH OUT TO PEOPLE IF THEY ARE DISCRIMINATED. ADVOCATE FOR ONE ANOTHER. SPEAK UP. BE EDUCATED. THEY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE POLICY, AND KNOW THEIR RIGHTS, AND THE SUPPORT AND HAVING A VOICE. CREATIVE CLUB. TALKING ABOUT, AND COMING TOGETHER. IS NOT MAKING RACIST JOKES. THE PARENTS SAID, PARENTS SHOULD COME INTO OPEN DISCUSSIONS. PARENTS NEED TO BE MORE ACTIVE WITH THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY, AND PARENTS SHOULD HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN CREATING AND SUPPORTING ANTIRACISM IN THE SCHOOL. BE A VERY ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE PTA. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND MINORITY GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY. BE INFORMED, AND ESTABLISHED OF REVIEW COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF COMMITTEE PARENTS AND STAFF. THEY SHOULD BE OPEN TO DIA EDUCATION. 76% OF STUDENTS AND 46 .7% -- I'M SORRY, 76% OF PARENTS, AND 46.7% OF THE STUDENTS FEEL THAT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH SUFFICIENT RESOURCES OR SUPPORT SYSTEMS TO ADDRESS RACIAL ISSUES, AND PROMOTE INCLUSIVITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. [5.01 Jordan Hayes] NEXT, WE WILL HAVE THE STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD MISS JORDAN HAYES. >> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING ME AGAIN TO ANOTHER MEETING. I WANT TO THANK THE ADMINISTRATION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR INVITING ME TO THEIR NATIONAL MALL EVENT. IT WAS SO INCREDIBLY EXCITING TO LEARN ABOUT AMERICAN HISTORY, IN D.C. FROM CALVERT COUNTY'S YOUNGEST PUBLISHED AUTHORS. IT WAS AN INCREDIBLY LIKENING EXPERIENCE, AND I'M SO THRILLED TO SEE STUDENTS PASSION, AND EXCITEMENT. MY SECOND STUDENT FORUM TOOK PLACE THIS PAST WEDNESDAY. WE DISCUSSED WITH THE PANEL OF EXPERTS. I WANT TO THANK DR. JOHNSON, MS. AKINS, AND DR. SAMPSON FOR THE PARTICIPATION ON THE PANEL. WE ALSO WORKED ON STRATEGIES TO ADVOCATE FOR . THE NEXT FORM WILL TAKE PLACE IN MARCH, AND WILL BE DISCUSSING, AND PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES CENTERED AROUND SELF ADVOCACY. ALL CCPS STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND. WE WILL HAVE SNACKS, DRINKS, AND LOTS OF CONNECTION. I HAD A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THE HUNTINGTON SUIT . WE DISCUSSED BEHAVIOR IN THE STUDENT ENVIRONMENT, WORKLOAD, AND STUDENT SUPPORT. I'M EXCITED TO GAIN INSIGHT ON THE TOPICS FROM STUDENTS ACROSS CALVERT , AND STATE ACTION INSPIRED BY THE STUDENTS. FINALLY, THE CALVERT ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCILS WILL BE HOLDING A FEBRUARY EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 12TH. ANY MIDDLE OR HIGH SCHOOL OR IN [6.01 Dr. Andrae Townsel] CALVERT COUNTY IS WELCOME TO ATTEND TO DRIVE FURTHER INTO THE WORLD OF LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JORDAN. DR. TOWNSEL? >> THANK YOU PRESIDENT WHITE. THIS IS A GREAT TIME OF YEAR. WE ARE GOING AROUND ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS, AND RECOGNIZING ALL OF OUR EDUCATORS IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO HAVE 20 YEARS OR MORE OF SERVICE IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION. SO, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE EDUCATORS FOR YOUR SERVICE THAT HAVE ALREADY [01:05:03] RECEIVED AWARDS. AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE OUR TOUR THIS MONTH, AND NEXT MONTH TO CLOSE IT OUT. ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SELECTING OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR. OUR EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR. AND FOR THE FIRST TIME WE ARE DOING SUBSTITUTE TEACHER OF THE YEAR. I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. SO, PLEASE STAY TUNED. AND LOOK OUT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS. I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO MIDDLE SCHOOL. THEY HAVE A PHENOMENAL ARTS INTEGRATION PROJECT. I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO MISS CARTER, AND MS. CASIANO FOR THEIR INVITATION. ALSO, CONGRATULATIONS TO MOUNT HERMON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR A VERY, VERY SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL LAW OF BOOK RELEASE EVENT. THE OF BRINGING READINGS TO THE ALL COUNTY ELEMENTARY BAND CONCERT AT CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL. OUR YOUNG PEOPLE DID A PHENOMENAL JOB, AND WE TRULY APPRECIATE ALL THE STAFF FOR THEIR HARD WORK WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE. ALSO, LAST NIGHT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE OPEN HOUSE CAREER TECHNICAL ACADEMY. SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO PRINCIPAL AKINS FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP. AND THIS WAS FOR ALL PARENTS, AND STUDENTS OF ALL AGES. A BRIEF UPDATE WITH REGARDS TO OUR STRATEGIC PLAN. WE EXPECT TO HAVE A FIRST LOOK OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN WITH OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION ON MARCH 14TH. VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. A COUPLE OF REMINDERS. ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16TH, THERE IS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR STAFF AND SCHOOL. IT'S CLOSED. ADDITIONALLY, SCHOOLS AND OFFICES ARE CLOSED ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 19TH. IN OBSERVANCE OF PRESIDENTS' DAY. ON FEBRUARY 23RD IS IN THE THIRD MARKING. IN TERMS, AND WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE HACK. AND LAST ON MARCH 1ST IT IS MAKEUP DAY FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER DAY ON JANUARY 19TH. SO, THAT'S OUR SNOW DAY. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS. AND THANK YOU PRESIDENT WHITE. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WERE GOING TO MOVE TO ACTION ITEMS. FIRST [7.01 Policies for Discussion] ITEM IS POLICY 1018. REGARDING ANTIRACISM REVIEW. OF EDITS FROM THE BOARD OF OUR PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING. DR. MARGO GROSS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON PRESIDENT WHITE. IS DR. TOWNSEL. I AM MARGO GROSS. THE SUPERVISOR OF THE KNEE. I AM HERE TO PRESENT THE PUBLIC COMMENT RECEIVED ON POLICY STATEMENTS REGARDING ANTIRACISM. THE FOLLOWING CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE POLICY PRIOR TO POSTING PUBLIC COMMENT CHANGE NUMBER ONE. ADDING AND WHITE SUPREMACY . CHANGE NUMBER TWO THE WORD IMPACT WAS REPLACED BY ENDURANCE, AND BULLET I IN THE PURPOSE STATEMENT. AND THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE STATEMENT READING TO ACKNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF WHITE PRIVILEGE, AND WHITE SUPREMACY, AND ATTEND UTTERANCES ON ACHIEVING EQUITY. I HAVE RECEIVED 15 PUBLIC COMMENTS. NINE COMMENTS INDICATED THE DESIRE TO KEEP THE POLICY AS WRITTEN. INCLUDING THE TERM WHITE SUPREMACY. FIVE COMMENTS INDICATED DISAPPROVAL OF THE POLICY WITH FOUR OUT OF FIVE WANT TO THE ENTIRE POLICY REMOVED. AND ONE COMMENT INDICATED THE NEED TO REMOVE WHITE SUPREMACY, WHITE PRIVILEGE, AND SYSTEMIC RACISM FROM THE POLICY. >> THANK YOU. >> SO, WE WILL MOVE TO APPROVE POLICY. >> SECOND. >> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND. TO REFLECT THE CHANGES FROM THE LAST TIME . MY INITIAL CHANGES I HAD MADE SUGGESTIONS, AND THOSE WERE KIND OF REMOVED. AND THESE WERE KIND OF BROUGHT UP. I'D LIKE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION, AND VOTE ABOUT THOSE CHANGES FIRST PLEASE. >> SO, YOU'D LIKE TO SET THAT AS A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR? SO, YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THE CHANGES THAT YOU WERE PROPOSING? >> YES. I WANT TO AMEND THE MOTION, AND I WANT TO HAVE THOSE BROUGHT UP. I THINK THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MOTION, AND A DISCUSSION ABOUT THOSE BEFORE WE MOVE TO SOMETHING SECOND TO THAT. [01:10:01] PERSONAL PRIVILEGE MR. PRESIDENT? I BELIEVE MS. WILENSKY MADE A MOTION, AND I SECONDED. SO, YOU HAVE TO ENTERTAIN THAT EMOTION PRIOR TO GOING TO A SECOND MOTION. >> I'M SORRY, YOU DON'T. I CONFIRMED WITH THE BOARD ATTORNEY. THE A MOTION TO AMEND TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SO, ANY MOTION TO AMEND HAS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND VOTED BEFORE THE MOTION IS ON THE FLOOR. >> SO, IF THE ATTORNEY CONFIRMS THERE'S YOUR CONFIRMATION. >> OKAY, SOUNDS GOOD. DO WE HAVE A SECOND FOR A MOTION TO AMEND? >> I SECOND. >> NOW, IT'S TIME FOR DISCUSSION. >> CAN YOU REMIND US OF WHAT THE AMENDMENTS WERE? >> SURE. DO YOU HAVE THOSE? AND IT'S A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO SEE ALL OF THOSE. BUT, ESSENTIALLY I MADE SUGGESTIONS TO CHANGE A NUMBER OF ITEMS. % AND I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND EVERY SINGLE ITEM. BUT, MY MOTION IS TO HAVE A DISCUSSION, AND A VOTE ON THE PROPOSED CHANGES. THERE WERE CHANGES TO A, I, D, F. A1, DF, H, AND I. >> MS. MAXEY, CAN YOU MAKE THE CHANGES A LITTLE LARGER? THANK YOU. BELIEVE WE SHOULD REVERT TO THE CHANGES MS. MARGO GROSS DISCUSSED. >> I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION. WORDS MATTER. AND THE WORDS WHITE PRIVILEGE, AND WHITE SUPREMACY DIVIDE OUR COMMUNITY, AND UNFAIRLY POINT THE RACISM FINGER AT A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF OUR STUDENTS, STAFF, AND TEACHERS. THIS IS WRONG, AND ACCORDING TO THE STATES ANTIDISCRIMINATION , AND ANTIRACISM LAW IT IS A RACIST STATEMENT. TITLE VII PROTECTS CIVIL, AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS BY AUTHORIZING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO INSTITUTE SUITS TO PROTECT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION. AND TO PREVENT DISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS INCLUDING EDUCATION. THE IMPACT REGULATIONS ENSURE THAT PUBLIC FUNDS TO WHICH ALL TAXPAYERS OF ALL RACES CONTRIBUTE. NOT TO BE SPENT ON -- IN ANY FASHION WHICH IS ENCOURAGES, ENTRENCHES, SUBSIDIZES , OR RESULTS IN RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT STATE POLICIES THAT CLASSIFY PERSONS BASED UPON RACE OR PRESUMPTIVELY INVALID. FOR THESE REASONS I SUPPORT MS. POSTS PROPOSAL AS A LAWFUL POLICY THAT DISCOURAGES ALL FORMS OF RACISM , AND MOVE FOR ITS ADOPTION. THANK YOU. >> YES. I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE WHAT I SAID FOR ABOUT EIGHT, 10 YEARS NOW. THE TERM WHITE PRIVILEGE, AND WHITE SUPREMACY ARE A HISTORICAL TRUTH. THEY ARE CONCEPTS DONE TO WIN THAT WHEN A DOMINANT GROUP IS IN POWER OR ACTIVELY OPPRESSING ANOTHER GROUP THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS. IT IS NOT THE TERM -- THE TERM WHITE PRIVILEGE IS NOT ATTACKING WHITE PEOPLE SITTING IN CLASSROOMS. WHITE PEOPLE TEACHING IN CLASSROOMS. IT'S JUST A CONCEPT THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS -- I AM FROM ALABAMA. I KNOW ABOUT HOW BLACKS WERE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST WHEN I WAS GROWING UP. SO, WHEN YOU PUT A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE. 150 FEET BEHIND YOU IN THE RACE YOU ARE GOING TO BE AHEAD. YOU DIDN'T DO IT. I DID NOT DO THAT. BUT, I AGREE THAT I WAS WHEN I WAS GROWING UP 150 FEET AHEAD OF SOME OF MY BLACK FRIENDS. SO, THAT'S [01:15:07] ALL IT IS. IT'S JUST A CONCEPT. AND IT'S NOT -- IT IS NOT RACIST. IT IS ACKNOWLEDGING THISTORICALLY THERE WERE SOME GROUPS THAT WERE OPPRESSED . IF I WERE A TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM OF COURSE I WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT. IF I'M A HISTORIAN I UNDERSTAND THAT. SO, TO SAY THAT OUR POLICY IS RACIST IS IRONIC AT THE CORE. BUT, IT'S REALLY NOT GRASPING WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. SO, THE ANTIRACISM POLICY IS MEANT TO ADDRESS THAT THERE ARE STILL INCIDENCES IN OUR SCHOOL THAT ARE UNTENABLE. WHEN WE HAD THE WHOLE CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATED KIDS DID THAT KIND OF VANDALISM. IT WAS HORRIBLE. IT WAS A WAKE-UP CALL FOR US. MOST OF US DON'T SEE IT, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IN THE SCHOOLS. WE ARE NOT OF THAT COLOR, AND WE DON'T FEEL IT EVERY DAY. BUT, IT'S THERE. AND WE JUST WANT TO BRING ATTENTION TO IT. THIS IS OUR WAY OF BRINGING ATTENTION TO IT SO THAT WE CAN IMPRESS UPON PEOPLE THAT WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT IT, AND THAT FROM TOP DOWN WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN OUR SCHOOLS IS AWARE OF THAT. SAID. BUT, ON TOP OF WHAT SHE SAID I WOULD RECOMMEND TWO BOOKS FOR MY COLLEAGUES, AND THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE. DEEP SOUTH, AND CAST. BY ISABEL WILKERSON. PICK THOSE BOOKS UP, AND TAKE A GOOD READ. THE BOOKS EXPLAIN HOW MINORITIES WERE DISADVANTAGED , AND DO NOT START AT THE SAME PLACE AS OTHER RACES WHO ARE IN THE MAJORITY. I THINK THEY GIVE A GOOD CONTEXT TO THOSE WHO ARE LACKING THAT CONTEXT. WHEN I READ THE POLICY I SEE THE WORDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE. TO AFFIRM. TO ELIMINATE. TO ESTABLISH. TO ELIMINATE. TO REMOVE. TO ELIMINATE. TO REMOVE. TO ACKNOWLEDGE, AND TO PROVIDE. NOWHERE IN THE POLICY DO I SEE ANY OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS. ANY OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM EMPLOYEES POINTING THEIR FINGER AT ANYONE, AND SINGING YOU ARE A WHITE SUPREMACIST, AND YOU HAVE WHITE PRIVILEGE. I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS DETERMINED INDIVIDUALLY. AS STATED BY A PUBLIC COMMENTARY. IF YOU YOURSELF DO AN INTERNAL EXAMINATION, AND THOSE WORDS APPLY TO YOU THEN YOU NEED TO WORK ON THAT. BUT, NOWHERE IN OUR POLICY ARE WE SAYING ANYONE SPECIFICALLY IS A WHITE SUPREMACIST OR THAT THEY'VE PERSONALLY THEMSELVES HAVE WHITE PRIVILEGE. OUR POLICY IS SIMPLY STATING THESE CONCEPTS SHOULD NOT LIE WITHIN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. SO, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE GRADUATING OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND FEELING AS THOUGH THEY NEED TO PLAY A PRACTICAL JOKE, AND GO OUT ON A FOOTBALL FIELD, AND PUT OUT THE WORDS THAT DON'T EVER NEED TO BE SAID AGAIN IN SOCIETY . THEN GO TO COURT, AND FACE FINES AND PENALTIES FOR WHAT THEY DID. NONE OF OUR STUDENTS SHOULD BE GRADUATING OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND FEELING THAT IN THEIR HEARTS. AND THIS POLICY IS BASICALLY SAYING THAT. WE NEED TO LOOK WITHIN OURSELVES. EXAMINE OUR BIASES, AND DO BETTER. AND THAT GOES FOR EVERYONE. COLLEAGUES REFERRED TO THIS AS CONCEPTS. WHITE PRIVILEGE IS A CONCEPT BORN FROM CRITICAL RACE THEORY. WHICH IS IT SELF AND ACADEMICS OPINION. YOU CANNOT FORCE YUR OPINION ON OTHERS THROUGH POLICY. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? >> I JUST WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT RACISM IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO JUST WHITE PEOPLE. THIS WAS IN NO MEANS INTENDED TO MAKE IT SEEM AS THOUGH IT IS UNIMPORTANT OR THAT WE [01:20:02] SHOULDN'T HAVE RACISM OR DISCRIMINATION. THAT WOMEN WERE IN THE SAME BOAT . WE MADE LESS PAY. THINGS OF THAT NATURE. IT IS SUBJECTIVE. THE TERM WHITE PRIVILEGE IS SUBJECTIVE. IT'S NOT OBJECTIVE. ANTIRACISM IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO JUST WHITE PEOPLE BEING RACIST. AND TO CALL OUT ONE RACE IN A POLICY. ONLY ONE. IT'S RACIST TO DO SO. SO, WOULD YOU SAY PARKER BUS? YEAH. THANK YOU. >> IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? OKAY. FIRST, I THINK WE WILL VOTE ON THIS AMENDMENT . ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION FAILS. >> I MOTION TO REVERT TO THE POLICY DISCUSSED BY MISS MARGO GROSS. WITH THE ADDITION OF THE WORD WHITE SUPREMACY IN LETTER I, IN THE WORDS HINDRANCE ON THE SECOND LINE OF THAT POLICY STATEMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF WHITE PRIVILEGE AND WHITE SUPREMACY AND ITS HINDRANCE ON ACHIEVING EQUITY. >> THERE IS A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. >> SECOND. >> IS A PROPER MOTION AND SECOND TO KEEP THE POLICY WHERE IT IS WITH THE ADDITIONS FROM MISS MARGO GROSS. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION PASSED THREE TO TWO. >> IF I COULD PLEASE HAVE MY VOTE RECORDED ON THE MINUTES. I AM IN FAVOR OF THIS CHANGE OF THIS APPROVAL IN ADDITION TO. >> WOULD LIKE HER COMMENTS RECORDED IN FAVOR OF THE POLICY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MS. GROSS. NEXT, WE HAVE POLICY 5510. MR. JOHNSON? WHITE. COUNCIL MEMBERSOF THE BOARD. MY COLLEAGUE. >> I'M SHELDON TAYLOR. >> WE ARE HERE THIS AFTERNOON TO PRESENT RECOMMENDED CHANGES IN THE DISTRICTS PURCHASING POLICIES. TWO BOARD MEMBERS HAVE PROPOSED CHANGES. MR. TAYLOR, AND I WILL PROPOSE SOME CHANGES AS WELL. I'LL BE HAPPY TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE REGARDING THE PROPOSED CHANGES. >> DISCUSSION? >> THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. I DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC DISCUSSION FOR TODAY. JUST BECAUSE OF THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF CHANGES THAT WERE MADE TO THE PROPOSED POLICY. I WOULD REITERATE THAT AT THE LAST MEETING I BELIEVE THAT I REQUESTED THAT MYSELF , MY COLLEAGUE MISS POST, MR. TAYLOR, AND MR. JOHNSON GET TOGETHER AND DISCUSS CHANGES TO THE POLICY BEFORE THE POLICY WAS POSTED TO THE BOARD MEMBERS . SO, THAT WE COULD MASSAGE IT AND MAKE IT INTO SOMETHING THAT IS PALATABLE. AND TO MAKE IT EFFICIENT, AND EFFECTIVE BEFORE WE WENT OVER THE POLICY AND MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES. I THINK WORKING IN THAT MANNER SAVES TIME. AND IT SAVES SOME GRIEF ON EVERYONE. AND I THINK THAT WOULD CREATE FOR A BETTER POLICY, BECAUSE IT WOULD ALLOW MISS POST AND I TO WORK WITH OUR COLLEAGUES TO BRING FORWARD WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO SEE IN THIS PROCUREMENT POLICY. SO, I WOULD ASK THAT WE MEET, AND DISCUSS THE REVISIONS BEFORE WE POST THIS POLICY AGAIN ON OUR AGENDA TO REVIEW AND TO PUT OUT FOR 30 TO DAY REVIEW. >> I AGREE WITH HER COMMENTS. I THINK IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL [01:25:01] FOR US TO HAVE A CONVERSATION. I MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE POLICY 5510 . >> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO TABLE 5510. AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? PASSES. WE WILL TABLE THIS FOR A FUTURE TIME. >> THANKS. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT WE HAVE POLICIES FOR [7.02 Policies for Review] REVIEW. POLICY 2150. TOWNSEL, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I REVIEWED POLICY 2150 INSTRUCTION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUIRED SPECIAL ED PROCEDURES. AT THIS TIME WE HAVE NO CHANGE. TO THE POLICY OF PER REVIEW. >> NO, THIS IS JUST FOR REVIEW RIGHT? YEAH. I FIND IT INCREDIBLE THAT ONE OF THE MORE INCREDIBLY COMPLEX ART OF EDUCATION HAS THE SIMPLEST POLICY I'VE EVER SEEN. >> WELL, I WAS WAITING FOR YOU TO MAKE THAT COMMENT, BECAUSE THE SECOND PART OF THIS BASICALLY THE POLICY SAYS WE WILL MAINTAIN A SPECIAL EDUCATION MANUAL. WHICH IS THE FOUNDATION OF THIS. AND WE HAVE 59 MORE DAYS IN OUR CYCLE FROM THE AUDIT. AND I'M WITHIN LITERALLY TWO WORDS OF THE POLICY MANUAL BEING APPROVED. WE'VE DONE A COMPLETE OVERHAUL. SO, THE POLICY ITSELF IS A NEED TO CHANGE. AT A LATER DATE I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE ACTUAL POLICY CHANGES THAT CAME OUT OF OUR WORK, AND FEEDBACK FROM THE AUDIT. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? I'VE HEARD RAVE REVIEWS ABOUT THE BOOKS, AND THE WORK YOU ARE DOING. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING FOR THAT COMMITTEE. >> IT'S BEEN A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY. I'M REALLY PLEASED WITH WHAT'S GOING ON, AND WE SHOULD HAVE A SPRING DATE THROUGH OUR GRANT FOR STAFF TO COME BACK FOR PARENTS. I DON'T HAVE A DATE YET, BUT I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED. IT'S BEEN A REALLY GREAT WORK. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. POLICY WILL BE POSTED IN 30 DAYS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HAVE A GREAT EVENING. >> NEXT WE HAVE POLICY 2405 FIELD TRIPS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON PRESIDENT WHITE. DR. TOWNSEL, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. I'M JACKIE JACOBS. DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTIONAL PERFORMANCE. I'M HERE TO PRESENT TO YOU POLICY 2405 REGARDING FIELD TRIPS. THIS POLICY HAS BEEN REVIEWED, AND WE RECOMMEND ONE CHANGE TO THE DEFINITION OF FIELD TRIPS BY ADDING THE WORDS OR DISTRICT AFTER SCHOOL. THE NEW DEFINITION WOULD READ, FIELD TRIPS, A SCHOOL, OR DISTRICT SPONSORED ACTIVITY THAT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM . A FIELD TRIP MAY BE AN OVERNIGHT TRIP. THAT IS THE ONLY CHANGE WE ARE SUGGESTING AT THIS TIME. >> DISCUSSION? >> THIS REALLY DIDN'T HAVE TO DO WITH THE POLICY. BUT, THEORETICALLY WE COULD ADD A LITTLE WORD THAT SAYS VIRTUAL. IS THAT A THING? VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS? THEY COULD BE PRETTY COOL. >> SO, WE DO HAVE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS. AND WE SEND PERMISSION SLIPS HOME WITH THEM AHEAD OF TIME , AND THAT'S DONE AS AN ACTIVITY WITHIN THE CLASSROOM. BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY LEAVING THE BUILDING. THEN IT IS NOT CONSIDERED A FIELD TRIP UNDER THIS POLICY. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? I THINK AS MS. MALINSKI MENTIONED I SAW A LOT OF HEADSHAKING BEHIND YOU. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF HEADS HERE, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEFINITELY IN APPROVAL OF THAT. SO, THE POLICY WILL BE POSTED FOR 30 DAYS FOR REVIEW. THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> NEXT WE HAVE MISS JACKIE JACOBS AGAIN. PURCHASE OF INSTRUMENTS. >> I'M HERE TO PRESENT POLICY 2710 REGARDING THE POLICY FOR THE PURCHASE OF INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT FOR SCHOOL BANDS AND ORCHESTRAS. THE POLICY HAS BEEN REVIEWED, AND WERE NOT RECOMMENDING ANY CHANGES TO THE POLICY AT THIS TIME. >> ANY DISCUSSION? >> WELL, I HAD SENT IN SOMETHING. THIS IS THE MUSICAL [01:30:03] INSTRUMENT -- YEAH. THE STATEMENT THAT I SENT WAS OUR POLICY STATES THAT THE NEEDS OF EACH SCHOOL WILL BE FACTORS IN DETERMINING SPECIFIC PURPOSES. AND WHEN I CHECKED THE PROCEDURES AND HE SAYS INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE PROVIDED AS RELATED TO PROGRAM, AND SCHOOL SIZE. SO, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT SOMETHING WAS IN THE PROCEDURES THAT SAY WE ARE GOING TO SEND THE FINANCE DOLLARS TO ENSURE THE FUNDING GOES TO THE NEEDIEST SCHOOLS. NOT JUST THE LARGEST SCHOOLS. >> AND THAT IS OUR CURRENT PRACTICE. SO, WE DO SEND OUT A REQUEST TO ALL OF OUR BAND AND ORCHESTRA TEACHERS. AND ASK, WHAT IS THEIR NEED AT THAT TIME? WHAT'S THEIR MOST SIGNIFICANT NEED? AND THIS WOULD BE REALLY NICE TO HAVE. AND WE'VE USED THAT IN DETERMINING THE BUDGET EACH YEAR. THAT'S A REQUEST THAT GOES OUT TO ALL THE SCHOOLS. AND THEN WE REALLY FEEL THAT BASED ON THE NEED OF THE SCHOOLS. THE SIZE OF THE SCHOOLS SOMETIMES COMES INTO A FACTOR, BECAUSE THEY MIGHT NEED MORE THAN ANOTHER SCHOOL. WE DEFINITELY ENSURE THAT ALL SCHOOLS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED WHEN WE ARE BUDGETING. AND WE CAN ADDRESS THAT IN THE PROCEDURES ONCE THE POLICY HAS BEEN APPROVED. WE CAN MAKE THAT ADJUSTMENT. >> MS. HAYES? >> SO, IS THAT REQUEST FROM THE ORCHESTRA TEACHERS WOULD BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR? OR, IS IT SOLELY THE ONE REQUEST FOR WHAT THEY PROJECT THEIR NEEDS TO BE? >> SO, WE ASKED THEM TO PROJECTED ONE YEAR IN THE FALL. AND WE DO ASK FOR UPDATES. BUT, OUR BUDGET IS USUALLY SET DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. SO, WERE REALLY BUDGETING OUT FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. SO, WE REALLY ASKED THEM TO INVENTORY WHAT THEY HAVE AT THAT POINT IN TIME. THEN CREATE A LIST OF WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE IN THE ORDER OF WHICH THEY WOULD LIKE THEM PURCHASED. >> AND YOU HAVE AN INVENTORY OF WHAT INSTRUMENTS HAVE BEEN PURCHASED CORRECT? >> YES, WE DO. >> DO OUR PROCEDURES OUTLINED THE CRITERIA OR THE ASSESSMENT LEVEL QUESTIONS FOR STAFF TO USE TO DETERMINE WHAT EQUIPMENT THEY MAY NEED , AND HOW THAT EQUIPMENT IS TO BE HANDED OUT? SPECIFICALLY, IF THE EQUIPMENT IS PURCHASED FOR A SCHOOL HOW DOES A STAFF MEMBER DETERMINE WHAT STUDENT WOULD RECEIVE THAT EQUIPMENT VERSUS ANOTHER STUDENT WHO MAY NOT RECEIVE A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT? >> SO, TYPICALLY FROM MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE SCHOOL DETERMINES WHAT THEY HAVE, AND IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTS THAT THEY NEED TO PURCHASE . AND THEN WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO A STUDENT OR FAMILY NEED. IF THAT IS NOT IN THE BUILDING THAN WE DO REACH OUT TO OTHER BUILDINGS TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTS THAT MIGHT BE MOVED FROM ONE BUILDING TO THE NEXT. TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE FAMILIES THAT ARE IN NEED WHO MIGHT NEED INSTRUMENTS. >> BUT, HOW ARE YOU DEFINING NEED? >> SO, THE SCHOOLS WILL DEFINE WHETHER OR NOT A STUDENT WOULD QUALIFY FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT. BASED ON WHATEVER THEY HAVE SHARED WITH THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL. AND THEN THAT REQUEST IS MADE TO OUR SUPERVISOR OF FINE ARTS. BUT, I WOULD SAY THE PROCEDURE DOES NOT OUTLINE THAT. IF THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE WE CAN INCLUDE THAT. >> SO, NEED COULD BE DEFINED DIFFERENTLY BY EACH SCHOOL? >> COULD BE OR IT COULD BE BASED ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY QUALIFY FOR FREE MEALS. >> OKAY. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE UNDERLYING PROCEDURE. OR, EVEN POSSIBLY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION FOR ADDITION TO THE POLICY WRITTEN LANGUAGE TO DEFINE HOW WE ARE DETERMINING NEED. SO, THAT THERE IS NOT AN IN AND DOUBLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES TO STUDENTS. I WOULD HATE TO SEE SOME STUDENTS RECEIVE, AND OTHER STUDENTS WHO MAY BE JUST AS MEATY NOT RECEIVE. AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE SOMETHING IN WRITING. >> OKAY. >> I HAVE A QUESTION. I THOUGHT THAT -- I KNEW THAT THERE WERE SOME INSTRUMENTS AND CLASSES. I THOUGHT THAT GENERALLY PARENTS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR RENTING OR PURCHASING ALL OF THOSE. >> GENERALLY, THEY ARE. BUT, IF THERE'S A FAMILY IN NEED AN A STUDENT WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE WE TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THAT. [01:35:02] >> YEAH. I'M CURIOUS TO HOW WE WOULD POSSIBLY GAUGE THAT. >> RIGHT. TAT'S MY CONCERN TOO. THAT'S VERY CONCERNING. IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THINGS IN WRITING. THE ACT WE NEVER WANT TO PRESENT THE PICTURE THAT SOMETHING MAY BE AN EQUITABLE. SO, IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE WORDS TO BACK UP WHAT WE ARE SAYING. BUT, YES. IT'S BEEN MY UNDERSTANDING THAT PARENTS ARE PROVIDING INSTRUMENTS, AND I GUESS I NEVER TRULY TOOK A DEEP LOOK AND UNDERSTANDING OF THIS POLICY. AND THE UNDERLYING PROCEDURES TO READ THAT WE ARE PROVIDING SOMETHING THAT'S BASED UPON NEED. BUT, I THINK AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM WE NEED TO DEFINE HOW WE ARE DETERMINING NEEDS. >> AND I THINK IT'S GREAT WE ARE DOING THAT. YEAH. I THINK IT'S REALLY GREAT. BUT, THERE WOULD BE THAT ONE KID WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH CLARINETS OR VIOLINS. THAT WOLD BE TERRIBLE. >> SO, WHEN WE DO THIS IT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE UNIFORM THROUGHOUT ALL SCHOOLS SO EVERYONE IS TAKEN CARE OF THE SAME WAY. THANK YOU. THE POLICY WILL BE UP FOR REVIEW. AND WE WILL LOOK INTO THOSE PROCEDURES WITH DR. TOWNSEL AND STAFF. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT, WE HAVE UNIFORMS AND COSTUMES. >> ALL RIGHT. SO, I'M ALSO HERE TO PRESENT POLICY 2035 REGARDING PROVISION AND CARE OF BAND, ORCHESTRA, AND COURSE UNIFORMS. AND THE CARE OF THEATER COSTUMES. THIS POLICY HAS BEEN REVIEWED, AND WE ARE NOT RECOMMENDING ANY CHANGES AT THIS TIME. >> DISCUSSION? OKAY. THE POLICY WILL BE REVIEWED. OH, SORRY. VICE PRESIDENT. TALK ME . FOR EVERYONE? >> THIS POLICY TALKS ABOUT UNIFORMS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL. SPECIFICALLY, TO MARCHING BAND, CHORUS, AND ORCHESTRA. AND BEYOND. WE HAVE SOME SCHOOLS WHO HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO USE UNIFORMS, AND HAVE ASKED FOR BLACK PANTS AND A WHITE SHIRT. BUT, THOSE WHO HAVE HAVE A STOCK OF THOSE. AND WE EACH YEAR BUDGET FOR DRY-CLEANING TO ENSURE THOSE ARE TAKEN CARE OF. AND IF THEY ARE NOT REQUIRING THE UNIFORM FOR THE STUDENTS TO WEAR THAT. BUT, A STUDENT MIGHT BE IN NEED LIKE WITH THE LAST POLICY, YOU MIGHT NEED DRESS PANTS AND THAT'S PART OF THE UNIFORM THAN THEY WOULD BORROW THOSE FOR THE YEAR. THEN WE WOULD HAVE THEM DRY CLEANED. >> DO THEY HANDLE THAT SEPARATELY? >> THAT'S SEPARATE FROM THIS POLICY. >> MERCEDES. >> I KNOW YOU NOTATED THAT UNIFORMS FOR MARCHING BAND. IS THAT INCLUDED JUST UNDER THE TERM HIGH SCHOOL BAND? >> YES. >> OKAY, AND JUST TO ADD ONTO THAT. I BELIEVE ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BANDS WE ALSO HAVE A COLOR GUARD INCLUDED, AND THEY HAVE SEPARATE UNIFORMS FOR THE BAND. IS THAT SOMETHING WE ALSO PROVIDE? OR, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL IN THE SCHOOL OR PARTICIPANT IS REQUIRED TO DO THEMSELVES QUESTION MY >> DOESN'T FALL UNDER THIS POLICY. I'M NOT SURE. AT HAVE TO FIND OUT. >> SO, I'LL ASK A CLARIFYING QUESTION. WHY DOES COLOR GUARD NOT APPLY UNDER THIS POLICY? IS IT SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THE WORD COLOR GUARD IS NOT USED? >> I JUST KNOW THAT THIS POLICY WAS SPECIFIC TO BAND, ORCHESTRA, AND CHORUS. >> EXCUSE MY IGNORANCE. IT'S COLOR GUARD AND JROTC? >> NO. IT'S THE FLAGS. THAT YOU SEE. >> COULD WE POSSIBLY INCLUDE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE STATING MARCHING BAND IN THIS? COLOR GUARD DOESN'T PLAY INSTRUMENTS. HOWEVER, THEY ARE ENCOMPASSED IN THE MARCHING BAND. MARCHING BAND IS ONE WITH ITS COLOR GUARD. SO, I THINK IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THOSE STUDENTS IF WE WERE TO INCLUDE THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE OF MARCHING BAND AND OR COLOR GUARD INTO THIS POLICY SO THEIR UNIFORMS ARE ALSO COVERED. JUST BECAUSE I KNOW COLOR GUARD GETS A NEW UNIFORM EVERY SINGLE YEAR, AND I'VE HEARD FROM MY PEERS. EITHER THE MONEY COMES OUT OF THEIR POCKETS OR AT LEAST SOME COST COMES TO THEM EVERY SINGLE YEAR THEY ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL. >> OKAY. AND I WAS LOOKING AT [01:40:08] IT. IT SAYS PROVIDE PURCHASE AND CARE OF HIGH SCHOOL BAND ORCHESTRA INQUIRY UNIFORMS , AND THE CARE OF THEATER COSTUMES. SO, THE PURCHASE OF THEATER COSTUMES . IS THAT ON EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL TO DO FUNDRAISING, AND THINGS LIKE THAT? >> TO PURCHASE THE THEATER COSTUMES I BELIEVE SO. THIS IS MORE OF THE DRY-CLEANING THAT WOULD OCCUR. >> SO, IT'S JUST A CLEANING. BUT, A PURCHASE OF THE OTHERS? >> I BELIEVE SO. >> DR. TOWNSEL, CAN YOU PROVIDE FOR US WHICH SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRING UNIFORMS THAT WOULD FALL UNDER THIS POLICY? I'VE BEEN TO A NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES, AND I'VE SEEN STUDENTS COMING IN LIKE WHITE, AND BLACK. AND I THOUGHT THAT CLOTHING WAS PROVIDED BY EACH INDIVIDUAL FAMILY . AND I WILL SAY OUT LOUD I DO NOT THINK I'VE RECENTLY BEEN TO A BAND PERFORMANCE , AND SEEN THE UNIFORM. SO, IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE IN MY MIND OR TO CLEARLY UNDERSTAND WHAT SCHOOLS ARE PROVIDING UNIFORMS, AND WHICH SCHOOLS ARE NOT. >> I CAN GET THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU. >> THANKS. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. JACOBS. THAT POLICY WILL BE UP FOR REVIEW ALSO. NEXT, WE HAVE POLICY 5700. THIS IS SCOTT JOHNSON. PLEASE. >> THIS POLICY HAS BEEN REVIEWED, AND NO RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PROPOSED. >> MAYBE. HAVING NOT LOOKED THERE IS A PROCEDURE THAT ACCOMPANIES THIS POLICY STATEMENT. IS THERE A PROCEDURE THAT ACCOMPANIES THIS POLICY? >> YES. THERE IS. >> THEN I'M GOING TO RESERVE, AND LOOK AT THAT. AND ALAS MY QUESTION FOR LATER. POLICY WILL BE UP FOR REVIEW FOR 30 DAYS. [7.03 Textbook Review] >> THANK YOU MR. JOHNSON. NEXT WE WILL MOVE ON TO TEXTBOOK REVIEW. MISS GRIMES. WHITE. DR. TOWNSEL, AND BOARD MEMBERS. I'M LAUREN GRIMES. A SUPERVISOR OF MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL LANGUAGE ARTS. OF A TEXTBOOK FOR 30 DAY PUBLIC REVIEW. THE TEXTBOOK IS THE NORTON INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE. PORTABLE 14TH EDITION BY KELLY J MAYS. THIS TEXTBOOK IS FOR A NEW 12TH GRADE ENGLISH COURSE OPTION. CALVERT COUNTY IS OFFERING BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR. HONORS COMPOSITION, AND LITERATURE. HONORS COMPOSITION, AND LITERATURE WILL BE A DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSE AT CSN. STATES THAT WE ARE TO USE THE SAME TEXTBOOK IN ENGLISH AND LOWLAND COURSES. THE COST OF THE BOOK IS $57, $.25. APPROXIMATELY 120 BUCKS. WHICH WOULD BE ONE CLASS SET PER HIGH SCHOOL WOULD BE PURCHASED. THE MONEY WOULD COME FROM THE CURRENT BUDGET. NOT NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET. THIS TEXTBOOK IS PUBLISHED BY NORTON. A LEADING PUBLISHER OF HIGH SCHOOL, AND COLLEGE COMPOSITION AND LITERATURE ANTHOLOGIES. THE BOOK ALIGNS WITH HONORS COMPOSITION, ANDLITERATURE. CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND CSM COURSE REQUIREMENTS. THE BOOK HAS FOUR PARTS. FICTION, POETRY, DRAMA, AND WRITING ABOUT LITERATURE. THESE FOUR PARTS ALIGNED WITH THE GOALS OF THE COURSE. WHICH [01:45:01] ARE READING ANALYSIS. EXCUSE ME. READING, AND ANALYSIS OF A RANGE OF LITERATURE. AND STUDENT COMPOSITION ABOUT THE LITERATURE THEY READ AND ANALYZE. PENDING RESULTS OF THE 30 DAY PUBLIC REVIEW I WOULD BE BACK TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OR ADDRESS CONCERNSIF NEEDED. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. DISCUSSION? MS. HAYES. >> I JUST HAVE TWO QUICK QUESTIONS. SO, CSM DOES USE THIS TEXTBOOK , THEREFORE WE NEED TO HAVE IT IN OUR CLASSES JUST BECAUSE IT'S REQUIRED? >> CORRECT. SINCE WE HAVE THE OPTION OF DUAL ENROLLMENT WE INITIALLY GO INTO THE COURSES WITH UNDERSTANDING OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ARE THE SAME . AND THAT'S WHERE WE GOT THIS BOOK. >> OKAY. AND JUST TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT. IS THE TEXTBOOK SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED IN THE CURRICULUM? I KNOW FOR SOME THERE IS A TEXTBOOK THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT. BUT, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY REFERENCED THROUGHOUT THE CURRICULUM. IT'S JUST AN AIDE. IS THIS REFERENCED IN THE CURRICULUM OR IS IT JUST AS AN AIDE? >> SO, THIS WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL. THIS WOULD BE THE CURRICULUM. LIKE, THE BACKBONE. THE MEAT OF THE CURRICULUM. IT COULD BE A TEACHER MIGHT DECIDE TO PULL IN SOME ADDITIONAL PIECE OF LITERATURE THAT'S NOT IN HERE. BUT, EVERYTHING WILL PRIMARILY COME FROM THIS. >> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? >> DO WE PURCHASE ELECTRONIC LICENSES FOR THE BOOK? >> SO, I LOOKED INTO THAT. I LOOKED INTO THAT. BECAUSE IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE ARE OFFERING THE COURSE I WANTED TO SEE WHAT THE TREND IS OVER A FEW YEARS. SO, I WANTED TO BEGIN WITH A CLASS SET TO MEANING THE TEXTBOOK IS THERE, AND AVAILABLE FOR EACH STUDENT DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. AND SOME ADDITIONAL RESOURCES COME WITH THE CLASS SETS FOR SOME INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS. IF WE WERE TO GET A DIGITAL LICENSE FOR EACH STUDENT IT'S MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE, AND ITS PER STUDENT. THE SAME STUDENT COULD ONLY ACCESS ONE LICENSE. SO, IT WOULD BE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE, AND I WANTED TO SEE HOW DOES THIS COURSE PAN OUT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND SINCE IT'S OUR FIRST TIME OFFERING IT IN OUR HIGH SCHOOLS. >> GOOD OBSERVATION. THANK YOU. I WAS THINKING ALSO MORE ON THE LINES FOR STAFF. WE OFFER STAFF OR DIGITAL LICENSES? SO, THEY'RE ABLE TO PULL EPISODES FROM THE BOOK UPON THE WHITE BOARD FOR THEIR STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM? NOT NECESSARILY INDIVIDUALLY FOR THE STUDENT?'S >> SO, FORTUNATELY THIS BOOK DOES COME WITH -- WHEN YOU PURCHASE A CLASS SET IT COMES WITH TEACHER ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. SO, YES. >> GREAT, THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE PRIORITIZED [7.04 Reprioritization of FY 2020-25 CIP Projects] NATION. FY 2022, FY 2025. >> GOOD AFTERNOON PRESIDENT WHITE. DR. TOWNSEL. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I AM BEFORE YOU TODAY TO REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE REPAIRED RESERVATION OF ONE OF OUR FY 2025 SEE WHY PROJECTS THEY RECEIVED THE 90% DRAFT FOR THE FY 2025 CIP LAST WEEK. OF CALVERT'S FIVE TOTAL STATE-SUPPORTED PROJECTS THAT YOU SEE HERE. THREE ARE ACTUALLY FUNDED OUT OF THE STATE CIP, AND TWO ARE FUNDED THROUGH THE STATE HS FF FOR THE HEALTHY SCHOOL FACILITY FUND GRANT PROGRAM. YOU CAN SEE IN PARENTHESES IT SAYS WHAT THAT ESSENTIALLY MEANS FOR YOU IS THAT THE STATE HAS ALREADY COMMITTED FUNDING FOR THE HEALTHY SCHOOL FACILITY FUND PROJECTS IN FY 2024. THOSE PROJECTS ARE IN OUR CFP FY 25 FOR THE LOCAL PORTION. WE HAVE THREE PROJECTS THAT ARE A PART OF THEIR CIP THAT WE ARE REQUESTING FUNDS FOR. THOSE ARE NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL. MARY HARRISON CENTER, AND PLUM POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL. THE WAY THAT THE ORIGINAL CIP THAT I BROUGHT FOR YOU THAT WAS SET UP FOR PRIVATIZATION. NORMAL [01:50:04] MIDDLE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION WAS OUR PRIORITY ONE AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE PUT FORTH FOR THE STATE. THE SECOND PRIORITY, AND THE PREVIOUS CIP VERSION WAS PLUM POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL SKYLIGHT REPLACEMENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. AND THEN OUR LAST PRIORITY WAS THE HARRISON CENTER PARTIAL AGE BHC DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. FOR THE ENTIRE REQUESTED AMOUNT OF 8 MILLION $12,000. THAT IS GOOD NEWS THAT THE STATE IS RECOMMENDING FUNDING OUR FULL REQUEST. SO, THAT'S EXCELLENT. HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT RECOMMENDING ANY FUNDS FOR OUR PRIORITY. THOSE ARE THE PLUM POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL STOREFRONT AND SKYLIGHT PROJECT AND THE MARY HARRISON CENTER. WE HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE STATE FUNDS THE MARY HARRISON CENTER SINCE IT WOULD INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF A DEDICATED HEATING PLANT. FOR THE BUILDING. CURRENTLY, THE BUILDING IS SERVED BY THE BOILER FOR NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND ONCE NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL IS DEMOLISHED THE MARY HARRISON CENTER WOULD NOT HAVE A HEATING SOURCE. SO, THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT INCLUDES THE HEATING PLANT. AND WE HAVE ASKED THE STATE. AND THEY DO REALIZE THAT THE TWO PROJECTS ARE INTRICATELY RELATED. SO, THEY ARE WILLING TO CONSIDER EXTENDING FUNDING TOWARDS THAT PROJECT. HOWEVER, AS PART OF THAT THEY HAVE ASKED US TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A RE-PRIORITIZATION FROM THE BOARD. SO, IN OTHER WORDS AS YOU SEE HIGHLIGHTED BEFORE YOU MARY HARRISON CENTER WOULD MOVE UP IN PRIORITIZATION. THAT DOES MEAN IF THERE IS POTENTIALLY REMAINING FUNDING THAT IS AVAILABLE, PERHAPS THEY COULD FUND PLUM POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL. BUT, THAT IS CERTAINLY NOT A PROJECT THAT IS INTRICATELY CONNECTED TO WHAT'S GOING TO BE HPPENING AT NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL. SO, WITH THAT WE WOULD REQUEST THE BOARD'S APPROVAL OF THE FY 2025 CIP RIGHT ORIENTATION OF REQUEST. AND I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE AT THIS TIME. >> DISCUSSION? >> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN PROPERLY MOVED, AND SECONDED. DISCUSSION? >> I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. HE MENTIONED THAT ONCE NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL IS DEMOLISHED, THAT MARY HARRISON CENTER WOULD NOT HAVE A HEATING SOURCE. HOW LONG DO YOU ESTIMATE THAT WOULD BE? AND IF THAT WERE TO OCCUR WHAT WOULD BE IMPACTED? WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO USE THE BUILDING. BUT, HOW OFTEN IS THE BUILDING BEING USED? SO, WHAT WILL WE USE WHEN THAT OCCURS? >> SO, ACTUALLY ALL OF THE CLASSROOMS FOR NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL ARE LOCATED IN THE MARY HARRISON CENTER. SO, WE WOULD IMPACT INSTRUCTION. SO, THAT IS WHY THE STATE REALIZES THAT THE RELATED ARCS CLASSROOMS . THAT ENTIRE FUNCTION IS WITHIN THE MARY HARRISON CENTER BUILDING. I DO THINK THEY WILL TAKE THAT PRETTY SERIOUSLY. BUT, JUST AS PART OF THAT THEY DO WANT US TO SHUFFLE THOSE PRIORITIES. >> WILL THERE BE SOME SORT OF TURNOVER DURING THIS BEING BUILT-IN OR IMPLEMENTED? WHERE MARY HARRISON CENTER DOES LACK HEAT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT? WHILE STUDENTS ARE IN SESSION? >> NO. OUR GOAL WAS BY THE TIME NORTHERN MIDDLE CAME ONLINE, AND THE OLD EXISTING BUILDING WAS DEMOLISHED WE WOULD HAVE AN OPERATIONAL HEATING PLANT THAT WOULD WORK FOR THE MARY HARRISON CENTER. THAT IS WHY WE PUT IN OUR CIP BOTH THESE PROJECTS CONCURRENTLY SO THAT COULD HAPPEN. [01:56:12] WERE RECEIVED IN MARYLAND IN TERMS OF REQUESTS WERE $1 BILLION. THAT TALKS ABOUT THE NEED THAT EVERYBODY HAS FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION. OUR REQUEST, 338,800, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT WORK IN THAT IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT THEY'VE INDICATED. WE DON'T KNOW UNTIL IT HAPPENS BUT THIS IS THE FIRST STEP. >> OUR COMMISSIONERS ARE OKAY WITH HER SURE AS WELL? >> ON ANOTHER MATTER, I DID NOTIFY COMMISSIONER HANS THAT WE WERE LOOKING TO REPRIORITIZE THIS PROJECT AND I WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO GET A REVISED LETTER OF SUPPORT JUST RESHUFFLING THOSE PRIORITIES. THEY HAVE PROVIDED THAT LETTER OF SUPPORT AS FAR AS WE KNOW, IF THE STATE PROVIDES FUNDING, THE COUNTY WILL PROVIDE FUNDING. >> HAVE YOU DONE ANY TYPE OF ASSESSMENT TO ENSURE THAT IF THE STATE APPROVES THE FUNDING AND WE MOVE FORWARD, THAT THERE WOULD BE NO ADDITIONAL HINDRANCES TO BUILDING THE SEPARATE PLAN FOR THE MARY HARRISON CENTER? WE GET INTO A PROJECT AND WE FIND SOMETHING UNDERGROUND THEN WE HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE TABLE TO APPROVE ADDITIONAL FUNDING. I'M JUST WONDERING, CAN WE DO SOME WORK UP FRONT TO ENSURE THAT THIS PLAN WILL MOVE FORWARD AS ANTICIPATED? >> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, WE HAVE HAD ONE OF OUR ENGINEERING FARMS TAKE A LOOK WITHIN THE MECHANICAL ROOM OF THE MARY HARRISON CENTER TO ENSURE THAT WHEN ONE OF THE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT THAT WE ARE ALSO REPLACE, WHEN THAT IS REPLACED THERE WILL BE ADEQUATE BOILER AND ASSOCIATED PUMPS. IN TERMS OF ASBESTOS, CERTAINLY WE HAVE OUR REPORTS. SOMETIMES WHAT YOU GET INTO BEHIND THE WALL IS UNFORESEEN BUT WE CERTAINLY HAVE LOOKED AT FROM JUST A SURVEY AND LOGISTICS STANDPOINT, WE CAN ABSOLUTELY MAKE THAT WORK. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? IT'S BEEN PROMPTLY MOVED, AND ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. [7.05 Maryland's Push for Electrification and Impacts to CCPS] >> I WILL STAY HERE FOR THE NEXT ITEM. MARILYN PUSH FOR EDUCATION ACT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM WARNER, DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION >> WE'RE YOUR BEFORE YOU TODAY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION RELATED TO THE STATE ON MARILYN PUSH FOR SUSTAINABILITY AS IT RELATES TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND HOW THAT PUSH IS MADE AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE. YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT THE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS NOW REQUIRE ALL NEW SCHOOL BUS PURCHASES TO [02:00:02] BE ELECTED STARTING IN 2025. THERE IS A PUSH, ALTHOUGH RIGHT NOW THE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS ACT DOES NOT HAVE FOUR SCHOOLS BUT THERE IS A PUSH FOR THAT IN THE FUTURE. THERE ARE ALSO OTHER MANDATE AND GRANT OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE SCHOOL IS PUTTING FORWARD TO POTENTIALLY IMPACT CALVERT COUNTY SCHOOLS . >> SO, I HAVE WHERE YOU A TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS A FEW THE MOST IMPACTFUL LAWS THAT HAVE LAID THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE CLIMATE ACTION BEGINNING WITH EMPOWER MARYLAND BACK IN 2008. SO, WHAT IS EMPOWER MARYLAND? >> THE ELECTRIC COUNSEL, WARNING THAT THE INCREASING LOAD ON OUR GRID WILL COMPROMISE ELECTRIC SUPPLY AND RELIABILITY OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND MEASURES WERE NOT IMPLEMENTED. THIS IS WHAT SPURRED THE EMPOWER MARYLAND PROGRAM. THIS ACT CREATED STATEWIDE GOALS WITH CREATING INCENTIVIZED ENERGY UPGRADES FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS. SO FAR, THEY HAVE FUNDED OVER $2 MILLION IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS. THE NEXT ONE ON THE TIMELINE IS A GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION. THIS IS ACTUALLY HOW WE LAID THE GROUNDWORK AT THE END OF THAT TIMELINE. MARILYN'S APPROACH TO CLIMATE ACTION IS GROWN WITH A DATES IN 2013, 2015, AND 2019. THE CURRENT PLAN IS RECOMMENDING THAT THE STATE INCREASE THEIR ORIGINAL 40% GREENHOUSE GASES INCREASING THAT TO 50% BY 2030 COMPARED TO THEIR 2006 BASELINE. THERE ALSO RECOMMENDING THAT THEY ARE GOING TO PUSH.NET ZERO BY 2035. >> I ACTUALLY BROUGHT THIS TO THE BOARD A COUPLE YEARS AGO. HOUSE BILL SIX 30 BECAME EFFECT OF 2022 AFTER ADVOCATE STRUGGLED TO FIND ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS USE THEIR ENERGY AND REALIZE THAT SOME DISTRICTS HAD NOT UPDATED THEIR POLICIES AND DECADES. THE INTENT OF THE BILL IS OR WAS TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AROUND SCHOOLS ENERGY POLICIES AND TO PROMPT SCHOOLS TO START PROACTIVELY THINKING ABOUT HO THEY CAN INCORPORATE CLEAN ENERGY INTO THEIR BUILDINGS. A SCHOOL DISTRICT ENERGY POLICY TO INCLUDE CERTAIN ENERGY INFORMATION. THE POLICY MUST ADDRESS PURCHASING CONSERVATION. ENERGY POLICIES MUST BE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE. OURS HAS BEEN UPDATED EVERY THREE YEARS. IT WAS TASKED BY THE STATE TO CREATE A TEMPLATE TO USE FOR THE RECORDING OF THE COMPLIANCE. THEY REACHED OUT TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO BE UTILIZED AS A GUIDE. >> I DO WANT TO ADD, THEY UTILIZED OUR POLICY AS A TEMPLATE BECAUSE THEY RESEARCHED AND LOOKED AT STATEWIDE POLICIES ON ENERGY, CONSERVATION, AND FOUND OURS WAS REALLY THE CHAMPION. THAT IS WHY IT WAS USED, JUST A LITTLE PAT ON THE BACK FOR US. >> EXCUSE ME, I HAVE TO BLOW THE HORN TOO. WHEN THEY GOT THAT AWARD, WERE WE THE ONLY SCHOOL SYSTEM IN MARYLAND THAT WAS A 100% GREEN SCHOOL? EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS >> MOST RECENTLY, 100% SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS FOR YEARS. >> THAT WAS FOR THE GREEN DISTRICT. THE UMBRELLA OF ALL THAT WE DO INCLUDING ENERGY CONSERVATION. >> IT IS GREAT AND WONDERFUL. >> THE MOST RECENT CLIMATE SOLUTION IS ONE OF THE MOST AMBITIOUS CLIMATE CHANGE LAWS IN THE COUNTRY IF NOT THE MOST. CURRENTLY BOTH THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE HAS BEEN TASKED ON HOW TARGETS ARE MET. THEY ARE WORKING ON THESE, THEY ARE CURRENTLY EXEMPT, WE STILL NEED TO BE AWARE THAT THIS LAW IS FORGING AHEAD WITH THE OVERALL INTENT FOCUSING ON [02:05:06] DECARBONIZATION. ELECTRIFICATION, WHAT IS THAT? THESE ARE BUZZWORDS YOU WILL BE HEARING MORE AND MORE. IT IS REPLACING THE EQUIPMENT IN OUR BUILDING CITIES FOSSIL FUELS. SCENARIOS THAT USE ELECTRIC. DECARBONIZATION IS JUST REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. >> WHY HAS THE STATE AND SO AGGRESSIVE? THEY SUPPLY AND RELIABILITY WOULD BE COMPROMISED WE WOULD NOT BE PREPARED FOR THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. WITH OVER 3100 MILES OF SHORELINE, THE AFFECTED SEA LEVEL RISE, THEY'RE NOT IMMUNE TO SEVERE FLOODING. THE ATLANTIC COAST. NEXT SLIDE. CURRENTLY WE HAVE EIGHT BUILDINGS THAT ARE ON NATURAL GAS. THOSE ARE ANY BUILDINGS FROM PRINCE FREDERICK SOUTH. WE HAVE 12 BUILDINGS WERE UTILIZING HEATING OIL AND WE HAVE THREE OF OUR GEOTHERMAL SCHOOLS USING PROPANE TO FEED THE KITCHEN, HOT WATER, ET CETERA. WE HAVE TWO SCHOOLS THAT ARE ALL ELECTRIC. WE DID NOT HAVE TO UTILIZE PROPANE AS BACKUP OR SUPPLEMENTAL FUEL. THEY WORKED OUT FINE WITH JUST ELECTRIC. >> AGAIN, THIS IS TO PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE WHERE WE ARE, WHERE WE ARE NOW AND HOW FAR WE COME. THE DATA IS ONLY FROM 2015, AS YOU CAN SEE, THEY HAVE BEEN ON THIS PATH SINCE EMPOWER MARYLAND WAS ENACTED. WE HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF MEETING THE STATE REQUIREMENTS. WE HAVE ALWAYS MIRRORED THOSE REDUCTION GOALS. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO STAY RIGHT WHERE WE ARE ASKED TO BE. AS YOU CAN SEE, ELECTRICITY HAS PRODUCED 27% SINCE 2014. WE TOOK A CHILLER OFF OF NATURAL GAS AND JUST PUT IT ON ELECTRIC. THAT OBVIOUSLY INCREASED OUR REDUCTION. HEATING OIL IS HOLDING STRONG. >> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE ALWAYS TRIED TO DO IS REALLY WORK WITH THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT SIDE FACILITIES TO REALLY KIND OF FOCUS IN ON WHERE WE CAN GET THE MOST BANG FOR OUR BUCK OPERATIONAL SAVINGS WISE AS WELL. WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS LEGISLATION AND HOW WE CAN POTENTIALLY IMPACT OUR BUILDINGS. IT IS ALREADY IMPACTING NEW CONSTRUCTION IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT WAYS. THE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS NOW ACT THAT I MENTIONED, IT IS JUST IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR COMING TOWARDS US. IT DOESN'T APPLY TO SCHOOLS. SCHOOLS DO NOT RIGHT NOW HAVE A NET ZERO REQUIREMENT FOR NEW SCHOOLS WHEN THEY ARE BEING BUILT. HOWEVER, ANY SCHOOLS THAT ARE BEING BUILT DO HAVE TO BE SOLAR READY. THAT MEANS MAKING SURE THAT YOU ARE SOLAR READY IN TERMS OF YOUR STRUCTURE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT SOLAR POWER. IT DOES NOT HAVE SOLAR, BUT IT DOES HAVE TO BE SOLAR READY FOR THE FUTURE. >> ONE OF THE OTHER ITEMS, LOW- CARB AND CONCRETE. THIS IS REALLY JUST KIND OF COMING OUT OF HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING ASK REQUIREMENTS WHERE WE HAVE TO HAVE SCHOOLS THAT GET STATE FUNDING IN ORDER FOR US TO REPLACE OR RENOVATE A SCHOOL. ONE OF THE OTHER ITEMS IS, CONCRETE, CETERA. THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME. CERTAINLY IT IS AN INDICATION [02:10:04] THAT THE STATE HAS JUST MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION. OUR PRIOR TWO SCHOOLS ARE LEAD TO SILVER, NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL, BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BUT IS ALSO A LEAD SILVER SCHOOL. IT WILL MEET THAT SAME SUSTAINABILITY REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO MEET THE LAW WITHIN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. LASTLY, BUILDING CODES HAVE GOTTEN MORE AND MORE STRINGENT WITH EACH CODE THAT IS ADOPTED. FOR EXAMPLE, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, ENERGY RECOVERY, TRYING TO ACTUALLY RECOVER THE ENERGY THAT HAS BEEN EXPENDED, LIGHTING IN TERMS OF VACANCY SENSORS, L.E.D. LIGHTING AND THEN PLUMBING FIXTURES. ALL OF THAT WITH THE LATEST PLUMBING CODE WITH WATER SAVING PLUMBING FIXTURES. ALL OF THAT IS JUST KIND OF COMING TOGETHER. AND THEN FOR FUTURE CONSTRUCTION, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE STATE DOES HAVE A PUSH TOWARD ELECTRIFICATION. WHENEVER WE DO A NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, WE ALWAYS HAVE TO DO A LIFECYCLE COST ANALYSIS, THAT IS REQUIRED BY THE STATE. WE WANTED TO SHOW YOU AN EXAMPLE LIFECYCLE COST ANALYSIS THAT WAS DONE FOR NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL. WE'VE DONE THIS FOR ALL OF OUR OTHER PROJECTS SINCE IT IS A STATE REQUIREMENT, AS OF 10 YEARS AGO REALLY THE REQUIREMENT WAS YOU MUST LOOK AT THE FIRST COST AND THE LIFECYCLE COST AFTER 40 YEARS. HOWEVER, NOW, ELECTRIC HAS AND ADDED TO THAT. AND AS YOU CAN SEE, WHEN WE DID THE LIFECYCLE COST ANALYSIS FOR NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL, THE ALL ELECTRIC OPTION, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LIFECYCLE COST WAS THE CHEAPEST. $1,022,299. THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THAT IS ALIGNED WITH THE STATE'S GOALS FOR ELECTRIFICATION. >> WHERE WE NOW AND WHERE WE GOING >> SINCE THEN I HAVE COMPLETED OVER 250 ENERGY PROJECTS THAT HAVE GENERATED. WITH THE RECENT STATE CLIMATE LEGISLATION THE AVAILABLE FUNDING THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO ENERGY FUNDING. SOME OF THE FUNDING COULD COME FROM THE INFLATION ACT. AND OF COURSE THE UTILITY REBATES. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO OUR BEST AND BE CONSIDERATE OF SUSTAINABILITY GOALS. WHERE WE GOING? WE ARE BEING CHALLENGED TO EXPAND ENERGY DATA. DESIGNING FOR FUTURE HIGH- PERFORMANCE SCHOOLS. DOING THE BEST WE CAN WHILE CONTROLLING FOR DATA ENERGY MANAGEMENT. CONSIDERATIONS IN NEW CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATIONS. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATIONS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM. >> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH. QUESTIONS? >> YEAH, I HAVE ASKED A QUESTION EARLIER, WE CHOSE GEOTHERMAL FOR NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL, IT MUST'VE BEEN ADEQUATE STATE FUNDING FOR THAT. ARE YOU SAYING NOW THE STATE IS FAVORING IN THEIR FUNDING FORMULAS? GOING ALL ELECTRIC VERSUS GEOTHERMAL? I WAS WONDERING WHY ARE WE CHOOSING GEOTHERMAL FOR NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL? >> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION, NO, GEOTHERMAL IS BASICALLY AN ALL ELECTRIC BUT IT IS ALSO USING THE GROUND. >> THE ISSUE WE ARE RUNNING INTO IS REAL ESTATE. [02:15:03] THAT IS THE ISSUE THAT WE RAN INTO AT BEACH. THAT IS THE ISSUE THAT WE RUN INTO AT NORTHERN MIDDLE. THEY ARE TOO FAR AWAY IN ORDER TO BE IF RUSSIAN. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO ACTUALLY FIND A LOCATION THAT ARE GOING TO WORK. TO GO UNDER THE EXISTING BUILDING WHICH WOULD THEN BECOME THE PARKING LOT. THAT IS NEVER AN IDEAL PLACE THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO BE IN A GREEN AREA. >> THEY MAKE SENSE. YOU ARE ABLE TO USE THE ENTIRE FIELD. >> OKAY, THAT WAS ONE QUESTION. >> ARE THERE PROGRAMS THAT THE STATE IS OFFERING THAT WILL ALLOW US TO WEAN OURSELVES OFF, TO BECOME MORE ELECTRIC. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GO FROM HEATING OIL TO ELECTRIC I IMAGINE IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT. TO KNOW HOW TO INCENTIVIZE THAT IN ANY WAY? >> CURRENTLY THEY HAVE THE DECARBONIZATION GRANTS AND THE RENEW AMERICAN SCHOOL, ONE FEDERAL, ONE STATE. THAT IS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THOSE DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT CAN'T AFFORD THAT. IT'S NOT ENOUGH, I DIDN'T PAY FOR THE WHOLE THING. IF YOU CAN PLAN IT APPROPRIATELY TO ALIGN IT WITH OTHER STATE FUNDING AND LOCAL FUNDING, MAYBE WE CAN JUST LESSEN THE BLOW A LITTLE AND CUT DOWN THE COST THAT YOU SAW. THERE OUT THERE, IT'S JUST THAT YOU ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO GET THE GRANT IF YOU APPLY FOR IT. >> WE ARE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE WEALTHIER COUNTIES. THEY ARE NOT RUNNING TO GIVE US GRANT. >> IF WE CAN DEVELOP THESE PLANS SO THAT WHEN THEY DO START TO OFFER MORE AND MORE OF THESE INCENTIVES, THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE NET ZERO. THE SCHOOLS HAVE GOT TO BE A BIG ADMISSION. >> IF WE COULD HAVE, DO HAVE PLANS TO DEVELOP PLANS FOR DOING THAT OR AT LEAST HAVE THEM OUR BACK POCKET IN CASE THEY HAVE MORE AND MORE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES. >> WE ARE WORKING TOWARD THAT. >> I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME GRANTS AND MISS STEVENS HAS BEEN IN INDICATION REGARDING THE CATEGORIES OF WHAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY LEVERAGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH SOME OF OUR CIP WORKS. WE ARE DEFINITELY WORKING ON THAT. TRYING TO SEE IF WE CAN BUY DOWN A LITTLE BIT MORE, AS YOU KNOW, WITH PRICES AS THEY ARE, WE WANT TO TRY TO MAXIMIZE AS MUCH REPLACEMENT OF SYSTEMS AS POSSIBLE. IF WE CAN LEVERAGE SOME GRANT MONEY TOWARD THAT AND IT BE A WIN WIN >> I HEAR AS BEING VERY PROACTIVE, IT ISN'T NECESSARILY, IT'S NOT QUITE HERE YET. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THAT WE ARE VERY PROACTIVE ABOUT THIS IN ORDER TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE MEETING THE STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENTING WHATEVER IS NECESSARY? >> WE HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB OF CREATING A GREEN CULTURE IN OUR SCHOOLS, FOR EXAMPLE, WE TOOK THE STORAGE TANK AND WE CONVERTED IT TO NATURAL GAS, IT IS TRACKING DOWN ON A MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO ENSURE THEM. WE'RE TRYING TO ELIMINATE THEM EACH TIME WE CAN. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF AN APPLICATION TO CONVERT THE CAMPUS TO NATURAL GAS AS WELL. THAT IS KIND OF ALWAYS WHERE WE ARE GOING. IT IS A FOSSIL FUEL BUT IT IS MUCH CLEANER. THERE ISN'T AS MUCH LIABILITY WITH THE UNDERGROUND 10,000 GALLON TANK THAT IS FILLED WITH OIL. >> I THINK ALSO, WE'VE CHANGED MOST OF OUR LIGHTING. [02:20:01] YOU CAN PROBABLY SPEAK ABOUT THAT TOO. WE HAVE GONE WITH A LOT OF L.E.D. AND VACANCY SENSORS. >> ONE OF THE WAYS WE HAVE REACHED THE PERCENTAGE OF REDUCTIONS IS BECAUSE OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING. I'VE BEEN HERE ALMOST 11 YEARS AND I'VE GOTTEN MOST OF THE BUILDINGS NEARLY COMPLETE WITH THE L.E.D. UPGRADES. HITTING RID OF THE FLORESCENT LAMPS. >> IS THIS A PRODUCT THIS THAT WE ARE INFORMING OUR STUDENTS ABOUT, WHAT WE ARE DOING AND WHY WE ARE DOING IT? A FOUNDATION OF THESE GREEN SCHOOLS IDEAS. >> WE HAVE AN AMAZING PROGRAM THAT IS CONSTANTLY EMBEDDING THAT KNOWLEDGE. WE HAVE THIS AMAZING ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CLASSES THAT ARE ALWAYS DOING AMAZING THINGS. THEY GET THAT OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE STUDENTS WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO RIDE THAT WAVE AS LONG AS WE CAN. >> IT IS EVALUATED EVERY YEAR. >> ARE THERE ANY G -- ENERGY USAGE? >> I DEFINITELY AM MONITORING, TRACKING, LOOKING AT THAT CONSTANTLY IT'S PART OF OUR JOB. WHEN COVID HIT, WE HAVE TO REDO OUR BASELINE AND IT'S PRETTY DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE ADDED VENTILATION, IT HAS COST SCHOOLS TO GO UP. I'M CONSTANTLY KEEPING AN EYE ON IT. WE WANT TO RESURRECT IT FOR SURE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LEADING THE WAY AND ALL OF THE AWARDS THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING. [7.06 Blueprint Update] I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. >> NEXT, WE HAVE BLUEPRINT OF DATE, DR. SIMPSON? >> GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS JOE SIMPSON THE THIRD. TODAY I AM PROVIDING AN UPDATE ON A FEW ASPECTS OF THE BLUEPRINT. MY UPDATE TODAY WILL BE COVERING MY EXPERT REVIEW TEAM VISIT NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION AND OUR CURRENT LOCATION STATUS. AS YOU MAY RECALL, THEY APPROVED THE EXPERT REVIEW SITE VISITS LAST OCTOBER. SEE CPS HAD ONE SCHOOL TO BE REVIEWED THIS YEAR WHICH WAS HUNTING TOWN HIGH SCHOOL. THE REVIEW TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY AND TODAY, THAT TWO DAY REVIEW CONSISTED OF CLASSROOM REVIEWS, OF TEACHERS AND FOCUS GROUP MEETINGS WITH PARENTS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE REPORT AND PROVIDING MORE INFORMATION ONCE THAT REPORT AND FINDINGS BECOME AVAILABLE TO US. THE NEXT UPDATE IS FOR NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION. THIS IS AN UPDATE REGARDING CURRENT CANDIDATES. WE ONCE AGAIN WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR NINTH TEEN NEWLY CERTIFIED NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND RECOGNIZE OUR 38 TOTAL NBC TEACHERS. WE ARE MAKING GREAT STRIDES TO INCREASE OUR NUMBERS ACROSS THE DISTRICT. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 70 CANDIDATES IN THE PROCESS AND WE RECENTLY HAD A SUPPORT SESSION FOR CANDIDATES ON JANUARY 30TH. THE NEXT SESSION IS PLANNED FOR THE END OF THIS MONTH. DURING THE JANUARY 23RD ESTATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING, THE STATE BOARD VOTED TO ADOPT A NEW COLLEGE AND CAREER [02:25:06] READINESS STANDARD. THIS IS A LONG-AWAITED ADOPTION AND WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. THE NEWLY ADOPTED STANDARD OFFERS STUDENTS TWO OPTIONS FOR MEETING THAT STANDARD. OPTION ONE, ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND MASTERY IT MAY BE ACHIEVED BY EITHER OPTION TWO, STUDENTS CAN MEET THE STANDARD BY SCORING PROFICIENT OR ABOVE ON BOTH ENGLISH 10 ASSESSMENT AND THE ALGEBRA ONE ASSESSMENT. OUR NEXT UPDATE JUST TALKS ABOUT THE RESPONDENTS INCLUDED 52 STUDENT-BASED LEADERS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS AND DEANS AND TEACHER LEADERS. OVERALL WE ALSO HAD 63 DISTRICT LEADERS THAT WERE NOT SCHOOL- BASED. SUPERVISORS AND DIRECTORS. PARTICIPANTS WERE PROVIDED WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THE BLUEPRINT AND REQUIREMENTS AND ENGAGED IN A SMALL GROUP CONVERSATION. DURING THE SESSION, THEY PROVIDED WRITTEN INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP FEEDBACK WHICH WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO OUR STEERING COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE RUSSIANS COULD BE DEVELOPED. THEY WILL DISCUSS THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAME FROM THEIR FEEDBACK AND DISCUSS HOW THE SUGGESTED STRATEGIES CAN BE DEVELOPED INTO ACTION ITEMS. THEY PLAN AND DEVELOP OUTCOMES, MEMBERS AND PILLAR CHAIRS WILL TAKE THE BACK FROM THE STAFF SESSION AND CONDUCT TWO ACTION STEPS. THEY WILL USE THE ANALYSIS SUMMARY ORT AND THAT REPORT THEY ATTEND TO THE FEEDBACK AND THE PILLAR THE OPERATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR FUTURE INQUIRIES. THIS WILL BE THE BASIS OF OUR RESPONSE TO THE SUMMARY NARRATIVE IT IS THE FIRST PHASE OF IMPLEMENTATION. ON THIS SIDE YOU WILL SEE THE NARRATIVE PROMPT WHICH IS THE BASIS OF THAT MARCH 15TH SUBMISSION, AND SO THE FIVE PROMPTS ARE LISTED HERE. OUR TASK IS TO SHARE HOW SEE CPS HAS BEEN APPROACHING THE WORK OF THE BLUEPRINT AND HOW WE WILL CHANGE FOR THE FUTURE. TO IMPROVE THE OUTCOMES FOR OUR STUDENTS. HOW ARE YOUR DISTRICTS VISIONS STRATEGIC PLANS AND OTHER SYSTEMS AND HOW THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE BLUEPRINT ENTER SEX WITH -- INTERSECTS . INCLUDING PRINCIPALS AND EDUCATORS, SOLICITING FEEDBACK AND HOW YOUR DISTRICT IS MAKING SYSTEMIC CHANGES CONSIDER THE STRATEGIES THAT HAVE AND HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL WHEN YOU ARE APPROACHED FOR REACHING THE BLUEPRINTS IS EXPECTED OUTCOMES. LIST YOUR DISTRICTS THREE GREATEST CHALLENGES, THE BLUE PRINT IMPLEMENTATION INCLUDING THE RATIONALE FOR SELECTING THEM. THE SPECIFIC INITIATIVES PROGRAMS OR STRATEGIES THE DISTRICT WILL IMPLEMENT TO ADDRESS THEM AND HOW YOUR DISTRICT WILL TRANSFORM THESE [02:30:06] STRATEGIES EFFECTIVELY. AND LASTLY, HOW WILL WE MONITOR PROGRESS TOWARD ADDRESSING THE THREE GREATEST CHALLENGES THAT WE MENTIONED. SO, THIS NARRATIVE RESPONDS AS REQUIRED BY MARCH 15TH. IT IS REQUIRED TO BE NO MORE THAN 10 PAGES IN LENGTH. AND TO ADDRESS HOW THE BLUE POINT -- BLUEPRINT MANDATES WILL DO THE APPROACH. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR RESPONSE IS COHESIVE AND SPANS ACROSS ALL PILLARS. THE IDEAS NOT ISOLATE THOSE RESPONSES OR THE INTENDED WORK. THE THROUGH LINE FOR STUDENT IMPROVEMENT THAT ULTIMATELY LEADS TO COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS FOR ALL STUDENT. YOU WILL SEE ON THE SLIDE, THE CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS THAT WAS OUTLINED. CLEARLY ADDRESSES ALL OF THE FIGHT -- FIVE BULLETED PROMPTS. IN A MAY 1ST SUBMISSION HAS THREE PRIMARY REQUIREMENTS. WHAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE, HOW ARE WE ADAPTING PLANS, AND REQUIRED DATA ANALYSIS. THE AVAILABLE DATA AS NEEDED TO DEMONSTRATE PROGRESS. THE SECOND ONE ASKS HOW IS THE LDA ADOPTING ITS PLANS TO MITIGATE CHALLENGES AND OR ENSURE CONTINUED PROGRESS AND SZCZUR SUCCESS. WHAT STRATEGIES ARE NOT WORKING THAT THEY WILL NO LONGER IMPLEMENT IN WHICH NEW STRATEGIES DO WE INTEND TO IMPLEMENT? INCLUDING THE RATIONALE FOR ADJUSTMENT. SOME OF THAT WILL COME FROM THE FEEDBACK THAT WE RECEIVE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS AS WE LAID UP TO THAT SUBMISSION. AND THEN WE HAVE A REQUIRED DATA ANALYSIS WHICH THROUGH AN ANALYSIS OF DATA DISCUSS THE PROGRESS TOWARD MEETING THE BLUEPRINT OUTCOME OF PRE-K TEACHERS AND TEACHER ASSISTANCE MEETING HIGH QUALITY REQUIREMENTS. >> WHAT WE WILL SEE IS THE TIMELINE, WE HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED THE LITERACY PLAN. OUR NEXT TWO SUBMISSION DATES ARE INDICATED BY THE GREEN FONT WHICH ARE MARCH 15TH AND MAY 1ST AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED. A FEW OTHER KEY DATES IN OUR CAREER COUNSELING IMPACT. IT IS DUE IN JULY, NOT INCLUSIVE OF LEVEL FOUR AND OUR FULL CAREER PLAN IN JULY OF 2025. SO, NEXT STEPS ARE TO ÚFACILITATE A SCHOOL FEEDBACK SESSION ON FEBRUARY 16TH. IT WILL INCLUDE TEACHERS FROM ALL THE SCHOOLS IN THE SOUTHERN END OF THE COUNTY DURING OUR DATE. THIS WILL BE CONDUCT IT SIMILARLY TO THE JANUARY SESSION. THE NOVEMBER SESSION DESCRIBED EARLIER IN THIS PRESENTATION. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING TO SECURE A DATE FOR A COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SESSION IN HOPES OF SOLICITING SUGGESTIONS FROM OUR COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION. >> QUESTIONS? >> YOU KNOW THIS IS MY FAVORITE PART OF THE WHOLE MEETING. I LOVE TH BLUEPRINT. I JUST HAVE TWO REALLY QUICK QUESTIONS FOR YOU. WHEN YOU GO BACK TO THAT TIMELINE ON JULY 1ST, WE HAVE A CAREER COUNSELING IMPACT FOR HER. I JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW EXACTLY WE ARE MEASURING THE IMPACT, OVERLOOKING A STUDENT EFFECTS, THINGS LIKE THAT. >> SINCE IT IS A WORK IN PROGRESS, THE IMPACT REPORT, WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED A GUIDELINE OR A TEMPLATE FOR THAT. I WOULD ASSUME THAT WHAT IT WOULD MEAN IS DO WE HAVE OUR CAREER ADVISERS IN EVERY SCHOOL, ARE THEY COMMUNICATING OR CONNECTING WITH STUDENTS, WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE. BASICALLY A NARRATIVE OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE TO DATE WOULD BE OUR RESPONSE. >> JUST TO GO DOWN TO THE VERY LAST SLIDE, WITH THE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SESSIONS, IT [02:35:05] WOULD BE ON A DEVELOPMENT DAY THAT WOULD REALLY TARGET TEACHERS, CORRECT? >> WE HAVE ALREADY CONDUCTED AN ADMINISTRATOR FEEDBACK SESSION. >> THIS MIGHT BECAUSE HAVEN'T HEARD OR NOTICED ANYTHING, IS OUR STUDENT FEEDBACK SESSION INCLUDED? OR IS THERE A STUDENT FEEDBACK SESSION? >> WE'RE LOOKING TO REACH OUT TO STUDENTS, IT WOULD BE SEPARATE, MY HOPE IS TO CONDUCT ONE WITH JUST STUDENTS. I THINK WE WOULD GET, WHEN YOU HAVE A SESSION WITH STUDENTS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARENTS, YOU MIGHT GET DIFFERENT BACK THAT MIGHT BE MORE MEANINGFUL. THOSE WOULD BE TWO DIFFERENT SESSIONS. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> I LOOKED AT THREE SEPARATE COUNTIES, THE ONES THAT THE BUDGETS HAVE HIT. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAS SAID THAT THERE IS UNDERFUNDING OF BLUEPRINT INITIATIVES. I JUST WONDER WHICH IS WHAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED. YOU'RE BEING ASKED HERE WHAT YOUR CHALLENGES ARE. WE NEED TO FUND GETTING THE $60,000. HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT, IS THAT KIND OF CONVERSATION GOING ON AT THE STATE LEVEL WITH ALL YOU GUYS? OR IS THAT NOT, ARE YOU NOT ALLOWED TO PUT THAT AS A CHALLENGE? >> IS BEING DISCUSSED EVERY TWO WEEK. WITH MEMBERS OF THE AIB IN ATTENDANCE DURING PART OF THAT MEETING. THEY'VE BEEN DISCUSSED SINCE AUGUST. IT IS ONGOING. >> WHEN WE ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AND THEY SAY WE WILL FUND THAT, AND WHEN THEY DON'T, THE WORD ON THE STREET IS THAT THEY ASSUME THAT YOU'RE GOING TO CUT OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BUDGET THAT IS STATE FUNDING. HOW MUCH YOU CONSIDER BLUEPRINT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT HOW MUCH YOU CONSIDER THE FOUNDATION OF THE AMOUNT THEY GET. IS IT THEM SAYING THAT THEIR FULLY FUNDING BLUEPRINT? ARE THEY AWARE OF WHAT EVERY COMMISSIONER THAT I'VE SEEN IS SAYING. >> I THINK THEY ARE AWARE AND THEY HAVE NOT MADE A STATEMENT. WE CAN -- >> KEYWORD IS THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT HOW YOU ALLOCATE YOUR DOLLARS. >> DO IT LIKE THIS, THE AUTONOMY IS GONE. >> THE FOUNDATIONAL EXPENSE BASE WITHOUT IT BEING VERY PAINFUL. >> THE REVIEW TEAMS, THE EXPERT REVIEW TEAMS, THEY'RE DOING FOCUS GROUPS. WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS ARE THEY ASKING? AND SO, WHO IS PART OF THE FOCUS GROUPS? >> THEIR TASKS ARE TO REACH OUT TO STUDENTS AND STAFF, THEY TAKE PART IN THAT HIS GROUP ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS. IN TERMS OF THE TYPES OF ÚQUEST CAN GENERALLY SAY THAT THEY WANT TO FIND OUT INFORMATION TO SEE IF THINGS ARE IN ALIGNMENT REGARDING ACADEMIC SUPPORT, WILL KIND OF CURRICULAR [02:40:04] PROGRAMS ARE IN PLACE AND DETERMINE THE OVERALL ENVIRONMENT IN THE SCHOOL. I CAN'T REALLY SPEAK TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS THAT ARE ASKED. I WILL FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT THOSE DOCUMENTS ARE PUBLIC AND I CAN PROVIDE THAT TO YOU. >> TO HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH HIM? ARE YOU AN INDICATION WITH HIM WITH THIS WHOLE BLUEPRINT? >> OUR -- >> FOR THE CCO STANDARD >> YOU HAVE OPTION ONE AND OPTION TO -- TWO. THE PROPOSED FLOWCHART GOES WITH OPTION ONE, DOES IT NOT? >> THE FLOWCHART -- YES. IT ACTUALLY GOES WITH BOTH. IS THERE A QUESTION SPECIFICALLY THAT YOU NEED ME TO ANSWER? >> WOULD YOU AGREE THAT OPTION ONE SEEMS TO BE THE BETTER OPTION? >> I WOULDN'T SAY ONE IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER. THEY ARE JUST DIFFERENT. FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE WAY THAT IT IS WRITTEN, STUDENT CAN HAVE A 3.0 AND MASTERY BY PASSING ALGEBRA ONE OR THE ASSESSMENT OR A STUDENT COULD POTENTIALLY NOT HAVE A 3.0 BUT PASSING THE ENGLISH AND MATH ASSESSMENT. >> I HAVE A QUESTION IF YOU DON'T MIND, LISA, WITH THIS OPTION THAT IS HERE, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, REALLY OPTION ONE AND I THINK I AGREE WITH YOU, STUDENTS JUST DON'T TEST WELL. I THINK IT IS, TO ME, IT IS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS BECAUSE YOU CAN SUCCEED WITH OPTION ONE EVEN IN LIGHT OF YOU NOT BEING A GOOD TEST-TAKER. THERE ARE LOTS OF CHILDREN THAT ARE NOT. OR, OPTION TWO DOES. WHAT IT ALL, THEY ARE A COMBINATION OF THINGS THAT ARE BEING LOOKED AT ESPECIALLY IF A CHILD IS GOING TO GO ON TO DO SOMETHING TO RENT. ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE CONSIDERED. TO ME THIS HELPS THE CHILD WITH THE OPTION. I THINK IT IS MORE OF A POSITIVE THEN A NEGATIVE. >> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> I JUST WANTED TO GO BACK TO WHAT MS. LINDSAY WAS TALKING ABOUT DURING THE REVIEW. I KNOW THAT YOU STATED THAT IT WAS UP TO THE PRINCIPAL TO REACH OUT TO STUDENTS AND WAIT FOR THOSE RESPONSES REGARDING THAT FOCUS GROUP THE STUDENTS ARE GETTING INPUT FROM, ARE THESE OBSERVERS OR REVIEWERS ABLE TO GO INTO THE CLASSROOMS AND SPEAK WITH THE STUDENTS? I AM GOING TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST, A VAST MAJORITY OF OUR STUDENTS DON'T KNOW THE BLUEPRINT IS. IF THEY GOT AN EMAIL THAT SAID COULD YOU PROVIDE INPUT ON THE BLUEPRINT NOT GOING TO LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. DO THESE REVIEWERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO GO INTO THE CLASSROOMS AND SAY THIS IS MY JOB, THIS IS MOST BASIC IDEA OF WHAT THIS IS, HERE IS WHAT I NEED YOUR INPUT ON. >> THAT KIND OF OVERVIEW TAKES PLACE DURING THE FOCUS GROUP WITH THE STUDENTS AS WELL AS THE TEACHERS AND THE ADMINISTRATORS AND THE PARENT. THERE WAS A FOURTH GROUP. [02:45:05] IT IS THE ADMINISTRATOR GROUP, PARENTS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS. THAT DISCUSSION TAKES PLACE WHEN THEY MEET WITH THE STUDENTS. WHEN THEY GO INTO THE CLASSROOM REVIEWS >> ARE THEY FORMED A STUDENT TO RESPOND TO AN EMAIL OR ARE THEY OWNED BY THIS PERSON CAN PROVIDE INPUT FOR THIS PERSON CAN PROVIDE A POINT OF VIEW. >> I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW THE SELECTION. WE JUST GET THE NAMES, WE DON'T EVEN GET THEIR NAMES OR ANYTHING OR ANY BACKGROUND OF THE STUDENTS. THEY SHOW UP AND WE ASK THEM THE QUESTIONS AND GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. >> ARE WE ABLE TO ASK OUR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO MAYBE HAND SELECT THE STUDENTS VERSUS WAITING FOR AN EMAIL RESPONSE? >> WE COULD BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED, I DON'T KNOW IF AN EMAIL WAS SENT OR IF THE PRINCIPAL WENT AND SELECTED STUDENTS, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE CASE, I JUST DON'T KNOW. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? [7.07 Bid Approvals] THANK YOU, DR. SIMPSON. NEXT, WE HAVE BID APPROVALS. >> GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I AM A SUPERVISOR, TODAY I HAVE THREE REQUEST FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. JOINING ME FIRST IS MR. TONY NAVARRO. AND MR. KEVIN HAWK. DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION. >> GOOD EVENING, IN 2017, A TRANSPORTATION ASSESSMENT WAS CONDUCTED BY PRISMATIC SERVICES. YOUR RECOMMENDATION OF THE ASSESSMENT WAS TO USE GPS SOFTWARE TO DEVELOP ACCOUNTS FOR EACH SCHOOL BUS ROUTES. THEY CONDUCT DID PROGRAMS BY SEVERAL VENDORS INCLUDING SOME SARAH. WE HAVE FOUND THAT A GLOBAL POSITIONING PLATFORM THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON SCHOOL BUSES CURRENTLY CONTRACTED BY SEE CPS AND ENHANCES THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS. WITH THAT, I ASK THAT KEVIN HAWK BE ALLOWED TO PRESENT. >> OUR GPS SYSTEM CURRENTLY GIVES US ADDED SAFETY FEATURES OF BEING ABLE TO KNOW WHERE ANY BUS IS. IT ALSO GIVES US THE ABILITY THAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. IT ALSO GIVES US THE ABILITY WHEN WE GET PHONE CALLS FROM PEOPLE CLAIMING PROPERTY DAMAGE WE CAN GO BACK TO SEE IF A BUS WAS IN THAT AREA AT A CERTAIN TIME WHEN THEY WERE CLAIMING THERE IS DAMAGE >> ACCURATE TIME AND MILES FOR ALL OF THE BUS ROUTES AND PAYMENT FOR THE CONTRACTORS. WITH ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, IT IS SIX YEARS OLD CURRENTLY. THEY ARE TRYING TO REPLACE THEM, IT'S NOT EASY WE ARE GETTING ALL BRAND-NEW STATE-OF- THE-ART EQUIPMENT AS PART OF THE RECERTIFICATION BID. I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO MR. TAYLOR. >> THE SOLUTIONS FROM 2018 TO 2023 PROVIDING THE SERVICES $40 [02:50:03] PER BUS. WITH THAT CAME A THREE-YEAR ADVANCE PAYMENT REQUIREMENT. WENT ON A MONTH TO MONTH STATUS. $50 PER BUS. MARCH 2023S TO FEBRUARY 2024. MULTIPLE VENDORS OF WHICH TWO, BOTH WITH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS. THE COOPERATIVE CONTRACT. PROVIDING A SAVINGS OF 105 THOUSAND -- 7000 $.50 PER BUS OVER THE NEXT 64 MONTHS AS COMPARED TO THE CURRENT MONTH TO MONTH AGREEMENT. IN COMPARISON TO THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT SOLUTIONS, ONLY PAYING 2000 $.50 FOR IT. WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY FOR MULTIPLE YEARS IN ADVANCE WHICH CAN BE DIFFICULT TO RECOUP IF A VENDOR GOES OUT OF BUSINESS. THEY WILL PROVIDE ALL NEW EQUIPMENT FOR BUS. NEW SERVICES TO BEGIN IN JULY 2020 FOUR. THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT DID PROVIDE A QUOTE THAT WOULD INCLUDE ONE TIME THESE FOR EQUIPMENT SERVICES FOR $618,000 IN ADDITION TO RECURRENT COSTS OF $150,096 PER YEAR. THE COST FOR THIS QUOTE IN YOUR ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN $302.01 PER BUS. OVERALL, THE COST PER BUS WOULD BE OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD. WITH THE QUOTE, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS OF $65 PER BUS. WE RESPECTFULLY RECOMMEND APPROVAL FOR THE PURCHASE OF BUS TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES. IRVINE CALIFORNIA OVER A 64 MONTH PERIOD. THE PURCHASE OF THE EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES WILL BE FROM THE GENERAL TRANSPORTATION BUDGET. >> DISCUSSION QUESTIONS? >> I SENT AN EMAIL, IT IS IN PROBABLY A WEEK OR SO AGO. I HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CURRENT CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE. I BELIEVE YOU GUYS PROVIDED ME WITH THAT DATA. IN LOOKING AT IT, I DID HAVE SOME CLARIFYING QUESTIONS. I DON'T RECALL SEEING A RESPONSE SO I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY. AS YOU KNOW, THE HERE COMES THE BUS OUT OR THE BUS UP, WHERE'S THE BUS, IT WORKS INCONSISTENTLY. WHETHER THAT BE BECAUSE OF OUTDATED GPS SYSTEMS, WHETHER IT BE BECAUSE THE SYSTEM, THERE IS INFORMATION THAT IS INPUT IN OR IT IS NOT BEING PUT IN A TIMELY, IT IS INCONSISTENT IN THE WAY THAT IT WORKS. MY QUESTION WAS, DO WE PAY FOR THAT? I THINK THE RESPONSE IS NO, WE DON'T. THE CONTRAST FROM 2018, WE DO IN FACT PAY, ALBEIT, VERY MINIMAL FEE OF TWO DOLLARS PER PERSON. IT IS NOT EVEN WORTH TWO DOLLARS PER PERSON IF IT DOESN'T WORK CONSISTENTLY OR WE ARE ALWAYS HAVING PROBLEMS. I HAVE FOUR OF THEM, YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM ME FOUR TIMES OVER AND OVER AGAIN BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WORK. I'M HEARING FROM PARENTS ALL OVER THE. THE CONTRACT WE ARE TRYING TO GO WITH. >> MY QUESTION IS, HAVE WE ASKED THE COMPANY WHY THEY THINK THAT THERE ARE SO MANY INCONSISTENCIES WITH THAT APPLICATION. WHAT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE THEY MADE TO ENSURE THAT ITS FUNCTIONALITY IS ACCURATE. THAT IS THE FIRST THING. THE SECOND IS, I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW, IT DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING IN THERE ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE OF THE EQUIPMENT. THE MAINTENANCE OF SOFTWARE [02:55:04] UPGRADES AND THINGS THEY REQUIRE IN THIS NEW CONTRACT. I'M SO GLAD THAT IT IS CHEAPER, IS THERE PROVISION IN THERE FOR THOSE ITEMS TOO? HAVE WE HAD MAYBE SOMETHING IN THERE ABOUT REVISIONS OR SOFTWARE UPGRADES OR MAINTENANCE OR THINGS LIKE THAT, AND MIGHT HAVE PREVENTED SOME OF THESE THINGS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REPLACEMENT COST HAS BEEN. THE OUTDATED OLD EQUIPMENT AND HOW MANY TIMES IT HAS BROKEN DOWN AND WE HAD TO ADDRESS. >> FIRST, WITH THE APP, I HEAR YOU, HERE IT AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR TIMES A WEEK. A LOT OF PARENTS HAVE SAID THAT. THE APP IS JUST PART OF THE SYSTEM. WE DON'T HAVE TO USE IT. WE ROLLED IT OUT AND ALLOWED PEOPLE TO USE IT. A LOT OF WHAT TAKES PLACE, THERE WAS A PERIOD OF TIME BACK IN OCTOBER WHERE THERE WAS A NATIONAL ISSUE WITH IT. A LOT OF WHAT TAKES PLACE WITH THE APP HAS TO DO WITH EITHER THE EQUIPMENT ON THE BUS BEING BROKEN IN SOME WAY SHAPE OR FORM AND WE ARE NOT EVEN SEEING. OTHER TIMES THE BUS DRIVER IS NOT ON THEIR NORMAL BUS BUT IS USING A SPARE BUS BECAUSE THERE BUS BROKE DOWN. IF THEY DIDN'T LOG IN ON THE TABLET AND SAY THAT I AM DOING BUS ROUTE 300 BUT I AM ON BUS TWO, IT WON'T CHANGE IN THE PARENTS APP AND IT WILL STILL SHOW IT SITTING AT THE BUS LOT AND IT WILL SAY NOT IN USE. IF THAT TENDS TO HAPPEN, OR IF THEY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE TABLET, THEY CAN CAUSE BY RADIO OR BY PHONE AND LET US KNOW THAT THIS IS BUS 400 AND THIS IS BUS TWO TODAY. WE CAN MAKE THAT CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM AND THEN IT AUTOMATICALLY GOES OUT TO EVERYBODY ON THE APP. I'M NOT LIVING AT THIS LOCATION AND THAT TYPE OF THING. IT IS EITHER THAT EQUIPMENT OR SIMPLY JUST NOT PUTTING INFORMATION IN WHEN YOU ARE SWITCHING BUSES. OR IF A BUS IS RUNNING LATE, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO CALL AND LET US KNOW THAT THEY ARE RUNNING 10 OR MORE MINUTES LATE. WE CAN PUSH OUT A MESSAGE AND LET THEM KNOW THAT WE ARE RUNNING A CERTAIN AMOUNT LATE. IT WAS THREE OF THOSE ISSUES THE BUS WAS ON A SPARE BUS. THAT IN LOGIN OR CALL US AND TELL US. IT WAS COMING 20 TO 25 MINUTES LATE THAT DAY. THE COMPANY ITSELF. I AM WRITING THEM TONIGHT. IT GETS UP DATED ALL THE TIME. . WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS MITIGATED. ASIDE FROM BREAKING OLD EQUIPMENT, THESE ARE EASY THINGS THAT WE COULD ADDRESS. I AM AT HOME IN THE MORNING SO IT IS NOT REALLY AN EARTH SHATTERING THING. I ALSO HAVE A RESOURCE TO TAKE MY KIDS. IF I WAS A PARENT THAT HAD TO COMMUTE SOMEWHERE OR A PARENT THAT COULDN'T LEAVE WORK, I WOULD BE PANICKING. ESPECIALLY IF MY KIDS WERE AT HOME ALONE. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT IF WE ARE GOING TO USE A TOOL LIKE THIS, THAT IT WORK. >> I TOTALLY AGREE. THERE ARE OTHER APPS OUT THERE THAT WE CAN UTILIZE. WE DON'T HAVE TO USE THE ONE THAT THIS PARTICULAR COMPANY OWNS. WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE THAT WE CAN UTILIZE. ISSUE WITH THAT ONE IS, IF A DRIVER DOES ACTUALLY LOG IN AND CHANGE THEIR ROUTE, IT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY SEND IT TO THE APP, THEY WOULD STILL HAVE TO CALL US AND WE WOULD HAVE TO DO THAT MANUALLY. WE STILL HAVE IS THAT ONE. IT WAS ACTUALLY THIS COMPANY'S COMPETITORS IT ALLOWS US TO USE THEIR OFF AS WELL. >> WE HAVE ENOUGH, I DO REALIZE THAT. I GET THAT. JUST IN LOOKING AT ALL OF THE THINGS IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE USING A SOFTWARE THAT WORKS EQUIPMENT THAT WORKS [03:00:02] I TOTALLY APPRECIATE THAT. IN THAT, WE SHOULD ALL BE -- WHATEVER WE ARE PUSHING OUT TO THE PUBLIC THAT IT JUST, WE DO OUR BEST AND I COULD ASK THAT WHEN THERE ARE NEW BUS DRIVER TRAINING OR TRAINING IN THE NEW YEAR THAT THAT SOMEHOW BE INCORPORATED ON. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. >> ANSWERING YOUR SECOND QUESTION, WHEN WE FIRST STARTED WITH THIS COMPANY, WHICH IS CALLED A SMALL HOMEGROWN INDIANA COMPANY. WHEN WE FIRST WENT WITH THEM, THEY DID HAVE AN OPTION WHERE THEY WOULD SEND PEOPLE TO US. IF THEY HAD ISSUES, THEY WOULD SEND A CREW DOWN HERE TO WORK ON THINGS. THEY WERE THEN PURCHASED BY CALLAHAN WHICH IS A MAJOR NATIONAL COMPANY. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A NATIONAL COMPANY PURCHASES A SMALL COMPANY, THEY START CROSSCUTTING. THEY NO LONGER HAVE THEIR OWN CREWS THAT WE COULD CALL UP AND SAY LOOK WE'RE HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS, CAN YOU SEND SOMEBODY DOWN? WE ENDED UP HAVING TO FIND ANOTHER CONTRACTOR TO DO IT. IT JUST HAPPENED THAT OUR CAMERA COMPANY THAT DOES ALL OF THE CAMERA INSTALLS IS WILLING TO DO IT HAVING NEVER ACTUALLY DONE IT, WE ARE THE ONES THAT CURRENTLY, OR MYSELF HAS TO GO OUT AND TRY TO CHANGE PARTS OUT IF NECESSARY. >> COMPANY TO COME OUT AND DO THAT? >> WE HAVE A MAINTENANCE COMPANY THEY BASICALLY JUST ADDED A RIDER ON THAT, THEY USUALLY COME IN DO THAT WHILE THEY'RE WORKING ON CAMERA SYSTEMS. WITH HIS NEW CONTRACT, WHAT THE COMPANY HAS TOLD US IS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO ALLOW US TO SEND OUR OWN FOLKS FROM OUR MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT WHERE THE ELECTRONICS PEOPLE, WHEN THEY COME TO DO THE INSTALLS, THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE OUR GUYS WITH THEM. THEY WILL EVEN LET THEM DO SOME OF THE INSTALLS. WE ARE GOING TO DO OUR OWN MAINTENANCE BECAUSE OUR GUYS HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY THE COMPANY THEMSELVES. >> IS THERE SOMETHING THAT IS AN EASY FIX, WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> THIS IS ADVERTISED AS THE 42 POINT FIFTH D PER MONTH? >> CORRECT. YOU'RE BASICALLY LEASING THE EQUIPMENT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT ONCE WE GET THIS UP AND RUNNING, IF YOU ALL WOULD COME BACK TO THE BOARD WITH A REPORT ON HOW THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING, WHAT CHALLENGES YOU ARE EXPERIENCING IN THE FEEDBACK THAT YOU ARE RECEIVING FROM OUR BUS CONTRACTORS AS WELL AS OUR PARENT. I DID MOVE THE MOTION FORWARD TO APPROVE HIS BID. I UNDERSTAND THAT WHENEVER WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH OUR SYSTEM AND OUR CONTRACTORS COMPLAIN CONSTANTLY AND THAT SOME OF OUR BUSES THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO ROUTES DO NOT EVEN HAVE A GPS. THE PROPER GPS EQUIPMENT ON THE BUS. I AM HOPING WITH THIS UPGRADE THAT WE CAN ALLEVIATE MANY OF THE ISSUES AND CONCERNS THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING AND I THINK IT WOULD BE INCUMBENT UPON THE BOARD MEMBERS TO ENSURE THAT IF WE APPROVE THIS FUNDING, THE SYSTEM IS BEING USED TO FIDELITY AND THAT OUR FAMILIES ARE EXPERIENCING, HAVING THEIR CONCERNS ALLEVIATED WITH KNOWING WHERE THEIR CHILDREN ARE WHEN THEY ARE ON THE BUS AND OUR CONTRACTORS HAVING A FULL UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY ARE BEING PAID FOR PROPER ROUTING AND THE MILES THAT THERE BUSES ARE MOVING ALONG OUR ROADS TO BRING STUDENTS TO AND FROM SCHOOL. >> DISCUSSION OF QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. ME NEXT IS THE ACTING SUPERVISOR OF -- FOR THE NEXT [03:05:11] REQUEST WHICH IS TO USE THE BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PURCHASING CONTRACT NUMBER ASI-12-21 TO PURCHASE FRESH PRODUCE AND ITEMS FOR THE SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM. >> GOOD EVENING. EACH YEAR CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS RECEIVE FUNDING SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF U.S. COMMODITY -- WE CHOOSE TO UTILIZE A PORTION OF THAT MONEY FOR FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. BASED ON CURRENT USAGE I ANTICIPATE THAT FUNDING WILL BE EXHAUSTED BY SPRING, WHICH IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO START PURCHASING PRODUCE FROM ANOTHER SOURCE. >> THE RESEARCH DONE BY CHILD NUTRITION, THERE WERE TWO PRODUCE COMPANIES IDENTIFIED FRESH PRODUCE ORDERS FROM -- FOUND TO HAVE A LOWER PRICING. KEENIE HAS BEEN ABLE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF EACH SITE AND ENSURE ALL DOCUMENTATION IS UP-TO-DATE AND PROVIDE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT. THE BCS CONTRACT WAS AWARDED USING THE -- PROCESS WHICH CONTAINS LANGUAGE ADVISING THAT THE AWARDED CONTRACT USED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026. WE RESPECTFULLY RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL, APPROVAL TO USE THE BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONTRACT NUMBER EIGHT-21 TO PURCHASE FRESH PRODUCE AND RELATED ITEMS FOR THE PROGRAM, FROM KEENIE PRODUCE COMPANY OF LANDOVER, MARYLAND. ITEMS WILL BE FROM THE NUTRITION PROGRAM BUDGET. >> MOTION TO APPROVE? >> SECOND. >> MOVED AND SECONDED. QUESTIONS? >> REAL QUICK, SINCE WE KNOW THAT BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS USING THIS CONTRACT AS A MEANS OF GETTING FRESH PRODUCE FROM THIS COMPANY, HAVE WE SEEN A POSITIVE STUDENT RESPONSE TO THIS FOOD? >> WE ARE ALREADY GETTING FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, SO THESE WILL BE THE SAME FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. THEY WILL JUST BE COMING FROM A DIFFERENT DISTRICT. >> OKAY, I WILL BE MORE SPECIFIC SINCE I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN SOME CHANGE, THERE ARE SOME FOODS THAT MAY CHANGE WHERE THINGS ARE ORIGINATING FROM. SPECIFIC TO THIS DISTRIBUTION, OUR STUDENTS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY ENJOYING THE FOOD? ARE WE GETTING GOOD INPUT FROM THEM REGARDING IF THEY LIKE THIS? >> I'M NOT SURE ABOUT STUDENT FEEDBACK. I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE COUNTIES THAT ARE UTILIZING THIS BID HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF QUALITY CONTROL ISSUES ALTHOUGH SOME OF THAT IS EVEN DEPENDENT ON THE GROWING SEASON, EVEN THE DISTRIBUTOR THAT WE HAVE NOW. WHEN THEY TRANSITION GROWING SEASONS FROM ONE LOCATION IN THE UNITED STATES TO ANOTHER, THAT COUPLE WEEKS IN THERE, USUALLY THE ITEMS ARE NOT AT THEIR BEST. THEY ARE FINISHING UP THE GROWING SEASON OF CALIFORNIA BUT THEY ARE GETTING READY TO MOVE TO ARIZONA. DURING THAT TRANSITION TIME, TOMATOES, LETTUCE, WHATEVER. SOMETIMES, THAT IS NOT THE MOST IDEAL PRODUCE WHEN IT COMES IN REGARDLESS OF THE DISTRIBUTOR, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT ALL OF OUR CAFETERIAS HAVE THE ABILITY TO REFUSE ANYTHING THAT COMES IN THAT DOES NOT MEET THEIR STANDARDS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> YOU ARE WELCOME. >> I'M JUST CURIOUS HOW THIS COMPANY WAS PICKED. BASED ON PRICE, BEST VALUE, QUALITY, ACCOMMODATION? >> I ASKED OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO SEE WHO ELSE WAS PURCHASING BECAUSE MOST OF US START OFF UTILIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTRACT THAT IS OUT THERE FOR FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. THAT'S WHAT COMES TO THE USDA. THEY DO ALL THE BIDDING FOR THE CONTRACTING AND GET WHOEVER WINS THAT BID FOR THE STATE. ONCE YOU ARE DONE WITH THAT, THEN YOU HAVE TO GO OUT ON YOUR OWN, SO I DID REACH OUT AND THERE WERE ONLY TWO COMPANIES REALLY SUPPORTING THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTY MOSTLY BECAUSE OF OUR VOLUME. AND OUT OF THOSE TWO, WE GOT ITEMIZED BIDS, RETURNED. SO AS WE WENT THROUGH AND LOOKED AT DIFFERENT LINE ITEMS, BOTH COMPANIES HAD ITEMS THAT WERE HIGHER OR LOWER. KEENIE WASN'T 100% LOWER ON EVERYTHING, BUT, BASED ON THE ITEMS WE TYPICALLY PUT OUT ON OUR FRESH FRUIT AND VEGGIE BARS, IF I LOOKED AT THE ITEMS I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO USE, THOSE ITEMS ARE MORE CONSISTENTLY LOWER AT [03:10:01] KEENIE THEN THEY ARE AT THE OTHER ONE. >> THANK YOU. CAN YOU GIVE ME A LITTLE EDUCATION ABOUT THE REGIONAL -- FOR THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES? >> I DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF INFORMATION ON HOW THE STATE PUTS THEIR BID OUT, UNFORTUNATELY, I CAN PROBABLY GET THAT FROM THE STATE FOR YOU, BUT IF WE DO CHOOSE, WE DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE TO USE COMMODITY DOLLARS TOWARDS FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES BUT IF WE DO, THAT IS THE BID WE ARE REQUIRED TO USE. EACH REGION MIGHT HAVE A DIFFERENT DISTRIBUTOR. FOR SOUTHERN MARYLAND IT HAPPENS TO BE SEASHORE, SO THEY COVER ST. MARY'S AND CHARLES AND OUR LOWER AREA. >> I NOTICED IN THE SECOND PARAGRAPH OF THE JUSTIFICATION, YOU ARE SAYING YOU USE THE BID FROM MS DE, BUT WE ARE CURRENTLY GOING TO RUN OUT OF FUNDING, SO, THAT BID HAS LIMITED FUNDING. IT IS WRITTEN. IT'S NOT LIKE -- IT DOESN'T PROVIDE PRICES FOR THE PRODUCE THAT WE PURCHASE IN THE CONTRACT LASTS ALL YEAR? >> IT DOES. IT DOES HAVE PRICING , AND HONESTLY, MOVING FORWARD, I MIGHT NOT UTILIZE USDA COMMODITY DOLLARS FOR FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. BECAUSE, SOME OF THOSE ITEMS, AS WE WERE LOOKING, EVEN THOUGH WE MAY NOT BE PAYING DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR, BECAUSE THE STATE DOESN'T GIVE US CASH AND SAY YOU CAN COMBINE WHEREVER YOU WANT. IF WE CHOOSE TO USE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT PARTICULAR WINNER OF THEIR BID, BUT IF I WAS GOING TO GO OFF AND HAVE TO PURCHASE THEM ON MY OWN, THEY DID NOT NECESSARILY HAVE THE BEST PRICING, SO I WAS MORE INCLINED TO CHOOSE THE ONE THAT HAD THE BETTER PRICING AND WE'VE UTILIZED A COMPAY BEFORE AND HAVE HAD GOOD EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR QUALITY AND ABILITY TO DELIVER AT ALL OF OUR SITES WITHIN THE SET WINDOWS. >> THANKS FOR THAT DISCUSSION. THAT'S THE TYPE OF ANALYSIS I LIKE TO SEE. I KNOW THINGS ARE OFFERED AND PRICES ARE PROVIDED, BUT IT'S GOOD THAT WE CAN DO SOME ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE, ARE THERE PLACES WHERE WE CAN SAVE, IF WE WERE NOT TO USE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WE WERE PROVIDED BY MS DE. NOT TO SAY THAT THEY ARE BAD BUT WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY ALL GEOGRAPHICALLY LOCATED IN THE SAME PLACE THROUGHOUT THE STATE, SO SOMETIMES WHAT MAY WORK FOR SOUTHERN MARYLAND MAY NOT WORK FOR OTHER COUNTIES AND VICE VERSA AND OBVIOUSLY THE STATE DOESN'T ALWAYS KNOW THAT OR RECOGNIZE THAT. >> AGREED TO. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY. IT HAS BEEN PROPERLY MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. FOR THE FINAL REQUESTS, WHICH IS TO USE THE COUNTY SCHOOLS CONTRACT NUMBER 023-28 C TO PURCHASE ITEMS FOR THE SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM. >> IT'S ALL ABOUT COMMODITIES TODAY IS WHAT I FEEL LIKE AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY NOT THAT MASSIVE OF A PART OF OUR PROGRAM BUT THEY ARE VER IMPORTANT IN PREPARATION FOR UPCOMING REVIEW, IT WAS NOTED THAT NOT ONLY SHOULD WE HAVE A BID FOR OUR MAIN GROCERY DISTRIBUTOR, BUT IF WE PROCESS ANY COMMODITY ITEMS, EVEN IF WE PURCHASE THEM THROUGH BORDEN'S, WE SHOULD REALLY HAVE A SEPARATE BID FOR PROCESSED ITEMS. AND RESEARCHING AVAILABILITY OF THOSE PROCESSING BIDS, IT WAS NOTED THAT CARROLL COUNTY HAD ONE THAT WAS A GREAT FIT. THEY UTILIZE A LOT OF THE SAME ITEMS ON THEIR PROGRAM THAT WE DO AND THEY ALSO USE THE SAME GROCERY DISTRIBUTOR BECAUSE THE DISTRIBUTOR HAS TO AGREE TO ABIDE BY THAT OTHER CONTRACT. THE MAJORITY OF THE ITEMS WERE VERY COMPARABLE IN PRICING BUT THERE WERE SOME THAT MIGHT'VE ONLY BEEN A PENNY OR TWO CHEAPER OVER SERVING BUT OVER TIME THAT ADDS UP SO WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITYTO UTILIZE THE CARROLL COUNTY BID, THAT WAY WE CAN ENSURE WE ARE GETTING THE BEST PRICING AND MAXIMIZING OUR COMMODITY DOLLARS. >> THE COUNTY CONTRACT WAS AWARDED USING A COMPETITIVE PROCESS AND CONTAINS LANGUAGE THAT THE AWARD MAY BE USED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THE CONTRACT WILL BE USED TO SUPPLEMENT USDA COMMODITY FOOD ITEMS AS NECESSARY BASED ON BEST VALUE THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024, WITH POTENTIAL OF CONTRACT EXTENSIONS VIA ELITE AGENCY THROUGH 2027. WE [03:15:03] RESPECTFULLY RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO USE THE CARROLL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PURCHASING CONTRACT NUMBER 023-02 OC TO PURCHASE COMMODITY ITEMS FOR THE SCHOOLS PROJECT. THE PURCHASE OF THESE ITEMS WILL BE FROM THE C CPS CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM BUDGET. >> I MOVED TO APPROVE THIS REQUEST. >> SECOND. >> PROBABLY -- PROPERLY MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY DISCUSSION? >> NO, MOTION PASSED. NO, I TAKE THAT BACK. LET'S HAVE DISCUSSION. >> IT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE ANYTHING. WHEN IT SAYS VALUE OF DONATED FOOD, IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY OF COMMODITY? >> THAT IS THE COMMODITY DOLLARS, SO, THEY BASE OUR COMMODITY FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVE EVERY YEAR ON THE PARTICIPATION MEAL PROGRAM PARTICIPATION FROM TWO YEARS BACK. SO THEY LOOK AT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MEALS AND THEY ALLOCATE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE BUT, THEY ALLOCATE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE WHICH EQUATES TO A DOLLAR AMOUNT, AND THEN WE WILL GET THE APPROVAL FROM THE STATE, THIS IS THE DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH. THESE ARE THE DIFFERENT COMMODITY OPTIONS AVAILABLE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN APPROVED PROCESSOR IN ORDER TO UTILIZE COMMODITY GOODS. SO WE GET SPREADSHEETS AND SAY, THIS PRODUCT, YOU ARE GOING TO START WITH 50 -- I MAKING THIS UP DASHBOARD 50 POUNDS OF CHICKEN AND OUT OF THAT 50 POUNDS, THESE ARE HOW MANY CHICKEN LEGS YOU ARE GOING TO GET AND THIS IS HOW MUCH YOU WILL HAVE LEFT TO USE FOR CHICKEN PATTIES. IT'S AN ENTIRE BREAKDOWN SO THAT YOU'RE NOT MISSING ANY OF THAT COMMODITY OR LOSING ANY OF THAT COMMODITY GOODS. YOU CAN SEE THIS ALL BEING UTILIZED CORRECTLY BUT YOU HAVE TO BE ON THE APPROVED LIST TO BEGIN WITH, SO THERE AREN'T A WHOLE LOT OF VENDORS. THERE'S A NICE AMOUNT YOU CAN PICK FROM. >> THIS IS BEEN PROPERLY MOVED AND VOTED UPON AND APPROVED. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE FINANCIAL REPORT. MR. JOHNSON. [7.08 Financial Reports] AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I SERVE AS THE DISTRICT'S CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. TODAY I WILL BRIEFLY PRESENT THE DECEMBER FINANCIAL PACKAGE -- FINANCIAL REPORT PACKAGE. THE FIRST REPORT, PAGE TWO IS THE GENERAL FUND REPORT AS OF DECEMBER 31 AND AS OF THIS DATE, THE DISTRICT DID RECEIVE $112.2 MILLION OR 42% OF THE TOTAL REVENUE BUDGET FOR THIS FUND FOR THE 2004 FISCAL YEAR, 2024 FISCAL YEAR. THE SECOND REPORT ON PAGE FOUR WAS AN EXPENDITURE BUDGET SUMMARYREPORT BY BUDGET CATEGORY AND THIS REPORT SHOWS THAT AS OF DECEMBER 31, THE DISTRICT HEAD EXTENDED $110 MILLION AND HAD ENCUMBRANCES OF $105 MILLION. COMBINED, THIS REPRESENTS 80.1% OF THE TOTAL FUND EXPENDITURE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR. THE NEXT REPORT THAT I WILL HIGHLIGHT TODAY IS A DETAILED EXPENDITURE BUDGET TO ACTUALLY REPORT, ALSO FOR THE GENERAL FUND. THIS REPORT IS ON PAGES NINE THROUGH 19 AND IN THIS REPORT, THERE ARE SEVERAL ACCOUNTS SLATED FOR BUDGET TRANSFERS DURING THE FEBRUARY 2022 BOARD MEETING. NEXT I WILL HIGHLIGHT THE FOOD-SERVICE FUND FINANCIAL RESULTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, THIS FUND HAD RECEIVED $2 MILLION IN REVENUE REPRESENTING 29% OF ITS ANNUAL BUDGET. AND ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE, THE FOOD-SERVICE FUND HAD EXPENDED AND ENCUMBERED 5.4 MILLION OR 72% OF ITS ANNUAL BUDGET. THAT CONCLUDES THE FINANCIAL REPORT REASON TATIAN, THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? I'M HAPPY TO RESPOND. >> QUESTIONS? >> I DIDN'T SEE A RESPONSE TO SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT COLLEAGUE ZELINSKI EMAILED TO MR. JOHNSON. DID I MISS THOSE? OKAY. OKAY. >> I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T NOTICE THAT. >> THEY WERE SOME OF MY SAME QUESTIONS. COULD YOU SHARE THE ANSWERS? [03:20:01] >> YEAH, THE BIG ONE WAS THE NONPUBLIC PLACEMENT THAT WE ARE $115,000 OVER BUDGET AND THIS IS A MILLION-DOLLAR -- $1.3 MILLION EXPENDITURE LINE. IF I READ IT CORRECTLY, THERE WAS SOME ENCUMBRANCE ISSUES AND FIRST OF ALL, IT IS A FAST -- IS HAPPEN QUICKLY IN THAT FUND. SOME KIDS MIGHT NEED THE SERVICE AND THEN THEIR SERVICE ENDS, AND OTHERS MIGHT COME IN, SO IT'S NOT REALLY VERY EASY TO PROJECT WHAT THE BUDGET IS GOING TO BE, BUT IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, THERE WAS SOME ENCUMBRANCES WHICH MAY END UP BEING REDUCED. >> POTENTIALLY. >> POTENTIALLY. >> THAT IS A BUDGET LINE TO PREDICT WITH CERTAINTY. >> OKAY, SO THAT LEADS US TO I DON'T KNOW. THE RISK, WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR, IS DO WE HAVE RISK ITEMS IN OUR BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES? >> THERE ALWAYS BE SOME ITEMS IN THE BUDGET. IN THE BUDGET MEETING NEXT WEEK, ADDITIONAL BUDGET TRANSFERS ARE PLANNED AND THOSE WILL INCLUDE THE AREAS THAT ARE STRESSED. >> IF WE ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME WITH ESTIMATING WHAT NONPUBLIC PLACEMENT TRANSFERS WILL COST US, WOULD IT BE GOOD TO CONSIDER ALLOCATING A PORTION OF OUR UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE, SIMILAR TO HOW WE APPEAL ALL DOLLARS TO SAY, WE ARE ALLOCATING $1 MILLION FOR GAS PRICES GO UP DURING THE YEAR SO THAT IF ALLOCATED WITHIN OUR FUND BALANCE IT BECOMES SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T USE FOR SOMETHING ELSE OR THE BOARD DOESN'T FREE APPROPRIATE THAT INTO -- BACK INTO OUR REVENUE TO BE USED ? BECAUSE IT'S A REQUIRED EXPENDITURE AND I WOUL HATE TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE FUNDING IS NOT THERE FOR NONPUBLIC PLACES. WE ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE. >> WE COULD CERTAINLY INCLUDE THAT IN THE ASSIGNMENTS THIS SPRING. >> IS THAT SOMETHING YOU THINK YOU COULD TALK TO OUR AUTHORS ABOUT? DO YOU THINK THEY WOULD HAVE ENOUGH JUSTIFICATION? >> I BELIEVE SO BUT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO CONFER. >> OKAY. I THINK -- TO THAT. >> GOOD POINT. IT'S A BIG ITEM. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> MR. JOHNSON, BEFORE YOU LEAVE, IF YOU COULD FORWARD THE RESPONSE? >> I CAN FORWARD IT TO HIM. OH, SUPER. YEAH, IT WAS THE AUDITING. NO. OKAY. NO, THIS WAS DIFFERENT. I MUST HAVE SENT HIM FIVE EMAILS. ANYWAY, THIS WAS THE AUDITING WHICH LOOKS LIKE WE DID NOT OVERSPEND THE BUDGET, THAT IT IS AGAIN AN ENCUMBRANCE ISSUE. WHERE IT SHOWS THAT WE ARE $50,000 OVER A $75,000 BUDGET, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE REALLY AREN'T. >> THERE WERE PAYMENTS MADE BEFORE THE PURCHASE REQUISITION WAS INPUT. THE ENCUMBRANCE AMOUNT HAS BEEN UP DATED IN JANUARY. WE DEFINITELY DID NOT OVER SPEND THE AUDITING COST AND WE REDUCE THEM ON PREVIOUS ARTICLES. >> I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION REGARDING THAT . IF STAFF KNOWS THERE IS GOING TO BE A PURCHASE REQUISITION OR IF WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A PURCHASE REQUISITION FOR CERTAIN COSTS, WHY ARE WE PAYING FOR COSTS BEFORE THE PURCHASE REQUISITION IS APPROVED? OVER LET ME FRAME IT DIFFERENT. DOES OUR POLICY REQUIRE CERTAIN COSTS TO HAVE A PURCHASE REQUISITION BEFORE BEING PAID? >> THERE'S SOME EXCEPTIONS AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO RESPOND MORE FULLY. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> I DO SEE THE LAST QUESTION [03:25:05] WAS ON MISCELLANEOUS CONTRACT SERVICES AND TRANSPORTATION. $52,000 OVER BUDGET AND YOUR NOTE WAS YOU ARE WAITING ON TRANSPORTATION TO TELL YOU WHAT THE ISSUE WAS? >> I'VE SINCE HEARD FROM OUR INTERIM DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE BUDGET AMOUNT THAT WAS PROPOSED, WAS PROPOSED BY A DIFFERENT PARTY AND WE WILL BE DOING SOME ADDITIONAL CHECKING TO SEE HOW THAT NUMBER THAT WE SPENT -- HOW THE AMOUNT SPENT THIS YEAR COMPARES WITH A YEAR AGO. AND THE EXPENDITURES MADE FROM THAT ACCOUNT DO APPEAR REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE BUT WE WILL BE HAPPY TO CHECK TO SEE HOW THEY LINE UP THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR TOO. >> IT MIGHT'VE JUST BEEN A BUDGET? >> THERE WAS SOME PRESSURE TO REDUCE CERTAIN AREAS. >> IF THERE WAS PRESSURE TO REDUCE, HE SHOULD'VE REDUCE THE COSTS. THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK [8.01 Comments by the Board] YOU, MR. JOHNSON. NEXT WE WILL MOVE INTO BOARD COMMENTS. >> HI, EVERYONE. I WILL KEEP THIS BRIEF BECAUSE I KNOW WE ARE TIRED AND I'M GOING TO GO STUDY FOR CHEMISTRY TEST. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HIGH SCHOOL THEATER DEPARTMENT ON THEIR FANTASTIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND BEST OF LUCK AT NATIONALS. I'M VERY EXCITED TO SEE THEM REPRESENTING THERE. AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO GIVE CREDIT TO THE EFFORTS THAT WERE PUT INTO DEVELOPING OUR PROGRAMS AND THE CTA. THE STUDENTS OF CCPS ARE BENEFITING GREATLY FROM THE EFFORTS. I'M SEEING MY PEERS TALKING ABOUT IT ON ALL THE PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTY ARE INVIGORATED WITH THE CHANGES THEY ARE SEEING IN THEIR SCHOOL SYSTEM. IT'S VERY EXCITING. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO TOOK TIME TO BE HERE. YOUR PRESENCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. I KNOW THIS WAS A LONG ONE. THANK YOU. >> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME OUT TONIGHT AND SHARED THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON OUR ANTIRACISM POLICY. RACISM IN ANY FORM IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WE ALSO RECOGNIZE AND EMBRACE THE VALUE AND POWER OF A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE SCHOOL SYSTEM. I MENTIONED EARLIER, WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY OUR ANTIRACISM POLICY SINGLES OUT ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE AS THE PROBLEM. WHITE PRIVILEGE AND WHITE SUPREMACY UNFAIRLY STEREOTYPES A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND STAFF. BY SINGLING OUT WHITES AS THE PROBLEM, CCPS VIOLATES THE STATE'S ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAW POLICY 1018 TITLE VII. THE LAW STATES THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAY NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY STUDENT OR TEACHER OR EMPLOYEE BASED ON RACE. GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR RELIGION. I RECOMMEND THAT THIS POLICY BE REVIEWED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY BEFORE BEING IMPLEMENTED TO AVOID ANY FUTURE LEGAL ACTIONS. WE ALL WANT DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS WHERE STUDENTS FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS ARE PROUD OF WHO THEY ARE AND FEEL THEY CAN ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. TO SUM EVERYTHING UP, WORDS THAT ARE HATEFUL, DISCRIMINATORY, UNFAIR, AND REPRESENT A PUNITIVE BURDEN, MUST NOT BE IMPOSED ON OUR STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHER, AND STAFF. THANK YOU. >> I THINK I'VE SAID ENOUGH TONIGHT. IN THE WORDS OF THE GREAT KAREN MAXEY, IT IS LATE. I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE EVERYONE, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE BUDGET INFORMATION HAS BEEN POSTED, SO I WOULD PLEASE ASK THAT EVERYBODY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC AND STAFF TO SEND US THE COMMENTS. WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK AND THE INPUT. HAVE A GREAT EVENING. >> I THINK EVERYONE FOR SPEAKING TONIGHT. A LOT OF DIVERSE THOUGHTS OF COME TO US. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HERE TO HEAR. I ALSO GIVE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HIGH SCHOOL THEATER. SO GREAT TO SEE THE ENTIRE GROUP AND THE [03:30:04] CAMARADERIE AND IT IS -- I'M SO GLAD THEY CAN HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE. I ATTENDED THE MOUNT HARMONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NATIONAL -- THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN AND SEEING THE CHILDREN CARRYING THEIR PARENTS AROUND TO SEE ALL OF THE DIFFERENT EXHIBITS WAS VERY -- AND TO HEAR THE CHORUS -- THE SINGING -- IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. SO THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN. CONGRATULATIONS ON THE STUDENT FORUM. IT WAS VERY HELPFUL. I THINK IT WAS ON THE COLLEGE AND CAREER READY STANDARDS, THE PILLAR FOR THE BLUEPRINT AND A LOT OF GOOD QUESTIONS WERE ASKED. I LEARNED A LOT. AND THEN, ALSO, I WAS ABLE TO SIT IN ON A FRESHMAN SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS AND IT IS SO MUCH FUN TO HEAR STUDENT PROJECTS , IT'S PROJECT-BASED LEARNING. TO HEAR STUDENTS IDEAS ON WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP BEFORE US AND THERE WERE IDEAS, THINGS LIKE WE WOULD WANT TO DO BLOCK SCHEDULING SO THAT WE COULD FIT IN MORE PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH LIKE THEY DO OVERSEAS. SOME AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE. SO THAT IN GENDERED A LOT OF DISCUSSION. WE ALSO HAD PEOPLE SUGGEST THAT WE SHOULD COME UP WITH A RATING SYSTEM FOR TEACHERS. AND WE WERE DOING PROS AND CONS ON THAT. BUT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO MAYBE ASK FOR STUDENT INPUT. MAYBE IT COULD BE AN ANONYMOUS BOX IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. JUST THINGS THAT YOUR TEACHER DOES REALLY WELL OR MAYBE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME DIFFERENCES. SO, THAT WAS INTERESTING AS WELL. THE BUDGET IS OUT. I MUST SAY THIS BUDGET LOOK HAS CHALLENGES BECAUSE WHEN I WENT THROUGH PAGE BY PAGE, LINE ITEM BY LINE ITEM, I COULD SEE THAT THINGS WERE MOVED FROM DEPARTMENTS, FROM ONE DEPARTMENT, BIG CHUNK WAS MOVED. SOME SALARIES AND WAGES DOWN $540,000. IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY DECIMATED THAT DEPARTMENT, IT'S BECAUSE THEY'VE MOVED EMPLOYEES. TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND IT'S NOT LISTED ON THE -- IN THE BUDGET BOOK. SO, THAT'S -- SO, TUNE IN ON NEXT TUESDAY? YES. TUNE IN ON TUESDAY AND YOU WILL HEAR US TALKING ABOUT THAT AND MAYBE YOU CAN GET A LOT OF YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED JUST BY HEARING OUR QUESTIONS ARE THE BOARDS QUESTIONS. SO, LOOK FORWARD TO THAT. THANK YOU. >> VICE PRESIDENT CLAGETT? >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR TUX IN HIGH SCHOOL THEATER FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING AND FOR MY COLLEAGUES RECOGNIZING THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND THANK YOU TO OUR STUDENTS FOR ALWAYS STRIVING TO BE EXCEPTIONAL AND TO THE STAFF WHO WORKED WITH THEM, THANK YOU FOR KNOWING HOW TO MOTIVATE OUR STUDENTS TO ALWAYS BE THEIR BEST. I LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY TO THE WORDS THAT WERE SHARED ABOUT TUX IN HIGH SCHOOL THEATER, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE LIKE TO SEE. STUDENTS COMING TOGETHER TO COLLABORATE TOGETHER. A DIVERSE SECTION OF STUDENTS AND DOING WHAT THEY ENJOY DOING AND HAVING STAFF SUPPORT THEM AND ENCOURAGING THEM SO THAT THEY CAN REACH THEIR GOALS SO, KUDOS TO THEM. I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO PROVIDE FOR US A CURRENT VACANCY REPORT OF STAFF ACROSS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IF YOU CAN PROVIDE THAT BY JOB TITLE AND SCHOOL BUILDING AT OUR MEETING ON TUESDAY, THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATED AND, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE REQUEST, MY CONCERN WITH HAVING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY REVIEW POLICY 1018 IS THAT THE REVIEW MAY NOT BE IMPARTIAL. I REQUEST THAT POLICY BE SENT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FOR REVIEW OF LEGAL SUFFICIENCY, IN PARTICULAR TO HAVE A STAFF MEMBER WHO HAS EDUCATION ARTICLE EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS JUST GENERAL ANNOTATED MARYLAND EXPERIENCE TO ENSURE THE POLICY IS NOT UNLAWFUL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. TO SUM IT UP, THANK YOU GUYS FOR THIS MARATHON MEETING. SOME OF US HAVE BEEN HERE FOR ALMOST FIVE HOURS. THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH US. THANK YOU TO ALL THE COMMENTATORS AND STAFF WHO GAVE PRESENTATIONS TONIGHT. A LOT OF VALUABLE INFORMATION WAS SHARED. I WANT TO QUICKLY SHOUT OUT NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOLS TRACK [03:35:02] TEAM. THEY ARE STILL DOING A LOT OF GREAT THINGS. I SEE A LOT OF COMMUNICATION AS FAR AS AWARDS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS THAT THEY ARE WINNING. PERMISSION SLIPS FOR BOOKS CAME UP A COUPLE OF TIMES. THAT WOULD BE GREAT IF STAFF COULD LOOK INTO THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO -- FOR THE HANDLE WITH CARE PROGRAM. IT WAS BROUGHT UP A FEW TIMES AND TO ACTUALLY GET THAT GOING IS PRETTY AMAZING. THE BUDGET BOOKS ARE ONLINE, SO MAKE SURE IF ANYONE DOESN'T HAVE THAT, YOU WANT THAT IF YOU COULD GET THAT. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL HAD A PHENOMENAL HISTORY FAIR. I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND TO SEE SOME OF THE PROJECTS THESE STUDENTS ARE BRINGING TOGETHER. IT'S NICE TO SEE THE DIVERSE THINGS THAT THEY ARE DOING THEIR PROJECTS ON. I WAS ALSO ABLE TO ATTEND A CAREER DAY THAT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED. VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER. AND WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT OUR CAREER ADVISERS WERE DOING WAS SET UP BY ONE OF THE CAREER ADVISERS AND WAS TALKING ABOUT CTA, SO IT WAS A LOT OF GREAT THINGS TAKING PLACE THERE. TO HAVE 19 NEW, CERTIFIED TEACHERS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO BE COMMENDED ABOUT. WE'VE HEARD ABOUT HOW RIGOROUS THAT IS SO IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE THAT THERE ARE TEACHERS STEPPING UP AND CONTINUING TO BE THE BEST THAT THEY CAN SO THEY CAN BE THE BEST FOR OUR STUDENTS. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO MY BOARD MEMBERS. WE'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 2:30 PUTTING IN THE WORK. IT'S NOT EASY DOING WHAT WE DO BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE DOING AND INPUT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE'S VOICES ARE HEARD WHILE WE ARE OUT HERE. AND, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, GOOD NIGHT. SO, * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.