[2.01 Pledge of Allegiance]
[00:00:13]
PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING , EVERYONE. TONIGHT, WE ARE
[2.03 Public Comments]
GOING TO HAVE A BUDGET SESSION. WE WANT TO START WITH PUBLICCOMMENTS. YES , MR. BROWN >> IT IS THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS LIMITED TO 20. WHEN YOU ARE CALLED TO SPEAK, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND THEN LEAVE YOUR COMMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRANSFER OR RELINQUISH YOUR TIME , IF YOU HAVE HANDOUTS OR WRITTEN TESTIMONY, PLEASE GIVE THEM TO KAREN TO BE DISTRIBUTED. PLEASE DO NOT MENTION SPECIFIC STUDENTS OR STAFF MEMBERS IN YOUR REMARKS.
ALL COMMENTS ARE TO BE MADE IN A CIVIL MATTER. ANYONE NOT FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES WILL BE ASKED TO STOP SPEAKING AND MAY FORFEIT THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AT FUTURE MEETINGS. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION VALUES YOUR COMMENTS AND CONCERNS, BUT THIS IS A BUSINESS MEETING , AND THE BOARD CANNOT ENTER INTO A DISCUSSION WITH YOU. BRITAIN COMMENTS ARE WELCOME AT ANY TIME, FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. >> OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS AMY COX.
COX. I HOLD A MASTERS DEGREE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION. I AM LUCKY TO WORK WITH STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS EVERY DAY. I AM HERE TODAY DUE TO MY GRAVE CONCERN THAT , JUST TO CLARIFY, I SUPPORT INCLUSION FOR ALL WHO BENEFIT FROM GENERAL EDUCATION. THE WAY THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO IMPLEMENT INCLUSION IS A DETRIMENT TO NERO TYPICAL STUDENT. IT WAS MIXED IN WITH THE STANDARD LEVEL STUDENTS WITHOUT SPECIAL NEEDS.
WE HAVE A GENERAL AND SPECIAL ED TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD. THIS WAY , THIS WAY BOTH CAN SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS. WITH THE REMOVAL OF STANDARD LEVEL CLASSES AND SPRINKLING KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS INTO THESE CLASSES, CCPS HAS A SPECIAL ED TEACHER THAT CAN VISIT THREE OR FOUR CLASSROOMS , RUNNING AROUND LIKE A CHICKEN WITH THEIR HEAD CUT OFF OR ONLY SEE THE CLASS ONCE PER WEEK. I DO NOT KNOW HOW I WOULD DEVELOP MUCH -NEEDED RELATIONSHIPS WITH MY STUDENTS OF I ONLY SAW THEM A FEW MINUTES ON AVERAGE PER WEEK. STUDENTS DON'T WANT HELP BECAUSE IT IS OBVIOUS WHO THAT TEACHER IS COMING TO SEE. SOME SCHOOLS DO NOT HAVE ANY PART IN THE SOCIAL STUDIES OR SOCIAL SCIENCES AT ALL. SPECIAL ED TEACHERS HAVE BECOME GLORIFIED DATA COLLECTORS.
THEIR SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND SKILLS ARE BEING UNDERUTILIZED AND UNDERVALUED. THOUGH THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF SPECIAL ED TEACHERS. HERE ARE MY SUGGESTED PRIORITIES, NUMBER ONE, TWO FULL-TIME TEACHERS, ONE GENERAL EDUCATION, ONE SPECIAL ED. THAT IS NOT HAPPENING NOW. THE SPECIAL ED TEACHER IS ITINERANT AND SERVICES SCHOOL TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITIES WITH VERY LIMITED TIME. WE KNOW THAT EARLY INTERVENTION HELPS STUDENTS REACH EXPECTATIONS FASTER WITH LONGER LASTING EFFECTS. WE CAN REACH NUMBER WITH TWO CERTIFIED TEACHERS,
[00:05:01]
STUDENTS WHO ARE AND ARE NOT IDENTIFIED AS SPECIAL NEEDS.PRIORITY TWO, AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL, INSTEAD OF MAKING IT A PRIORITY TO HAVE STUDENTS IN EACH CLASSROOM, HAVE CLASSROOMS WITH TWO TEACHERS, GENERAL AND SPECIAL ED, AND WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE AVERAGE TO HIGH PERFORMING. MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE CHANGED IF WE HELP ALL STUDENTS. CEA HAS A SPECIAL EDUCATION WORKGROUP THAT HAS BEEN MEETING ABOUT OUR CONCERNS, IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE DETAILS ABOUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING, PLEASE ADD THE WORKGROUP TO THE NEXT
AGENDA. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CHELSEA.
>> I DID NOT KNOW WE WERE SECOND . I DID NOT WRITE ANYTHING AT ALL DOWN. I AM GOING TO REVERT TO WHAT I HAVE TALKED ABOUT PREVIOUSLY. I AM CHELSEA, I TEACH EIGHTH GRADE SCIENCE AT MILLCREEK. WE HAVE A REGIONAL PROGRAM IN OUR BUILDING. I KNOW THAT IT WAS A BIG DEAL TO MEETINGS AGO. I WILL TELL YOU THE PLACES ARE DISPROPORTIONAL. ALMOST EVERY STUDENT IN THE PROGRAM IS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE. THERE IS ONE TEACHER WHO GETS NO PLANNING. SHE HAS AN IA.
YESTERDAY SHE WENT TO LUNCH AND SHE CANNOT LEAVE THE IA IN THE ROOM, WITHOUT IT ERUPTING IN CHAOS. THERE WAS A FIGHT IN THAT CLASSROOM YESTERDAY THAT HAS GONE ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA, STUDENT SERVICES WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE TWO BOYS INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT HAD ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WE WERE TOLD THAT NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. THEY HAD A STUDENT WHO SAID, I SHOULD NOT BE PLACED WITH THIS CHILD. I HAVE GONE AT IT BEFORE, IT IS WELL KNOWN. AND THE STUDENT HAS CONTINUED TAUNTING THIS CHILD. BOTH OF THE STUDENTS, THERE IS NOWHERE ELSE. THEY ARE IN A REGIONAL PROGRAM, BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THE SCHOOLS ARE FROM. WE CANNOT SUPPORT OR HELP EITHER ONE OF THESE STUDENTS, BECAUSE NEITHER ONE OF THEM IS SAFE , AND IT IS THE ONLY PLACE FOR EITHER ONE OF THEM TO GO. I WATCHED THE FIRST PART OF THE BUDGETING MEETING. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS NO MONEY ANYWHERE.
BUT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EVERY CHILD. AND WHAT IS GOING ON NOW , WITH ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENTS RELATED TO BEHAVIOR IS NOT DOING THAT. IT TAKES AN ACT OF GOD TO GET A CHILD INTO THE COUNTY LEVEL. THAT PLACEMENT IS FOR 45 DAYS. I DO NOT HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS, BECAUSE WE CANNOT NECESSARILY AFFORD TO FIX IT. BUT SOMETHING HAS GOT TO GIVE. WE CANNOT LEAVE THESE EXTREMELY AT-RISK STUDENTS BEHIND, THEY WILL GET TO HIGH SCHOOL AND DISAPPEAR. THAT IS
MY MADE-UP SPEECH. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LAUREN.
>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT WHITE, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I AM LAUREN, AN 18-YEAR EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL FROM WINDY HILL SCHOOL. JOB SECURITY IS ONE OF THE ITEMS OF THE ESP BILL OF RIGHTS. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE AS IT RELATES TO THE ESP BILL OF RIGHTS. FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS, I DELIVERED INDIVIDUALS . I LOVED THAT WORK AND I EXCELLED IN THE WORK. I RECEIVED POSITIVE EVALUATIONS.
UNTIL THIS YEAR, I HAVE NEVER HAD A DISCIPLINARY ISSUE. IN AUGUST, 2023, I WAS ASKED TO APPLY FOR A PRE-K IA TWO POSITION BUT I DECLINED . I DID NOT THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR MY SKILL SET THAT I WAS TOLD LATER THAT IT WAS REALLY A REGIONAL POSITION. THE ADMINISTRATION WANTED ME TO
[00:10:01]
MOVE INTO IT. I AGAIN DECLINED , SAYING THAT I DID NOT BELIEVE MY EXPERIENCE AND SKILL SET WAS A GOOD MATCH. I WAS TOLD I HAD NO CHOICE AND WOULD REPORT TO THE REGIONAL PROGRAM THE NEXT DAY. WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF SCHOOL, I WAS GIVEN A WRITTEN WARNING FOR NOT FOLLOWING PROTOCOLS, FOR WHICH I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY TRAINING. I WAS TOLD THE EARLIEST I COULD RECEIVE TRAINING WAS IN SIX WEEKS. I SPENT THE NEXT WEEKS FEARFUL OF DOING SOMETHING WRONG WITH HEIGHTENED ANXIETY. AS AN ASIDE, I WON MY GRIEVANCE AND I HAD MY WRITTEN WARNING REDUCED. I HAVE ASKED NUMEROUS TIMES TO BE REASSIGNED AND I WAS TOLD, SINCE I WAS ASSIGNED TO A REGIONAL PROGRAM, THAT I COULD NOT BE REASSIGNED OUT, I WOULD HAVE TO APPLY TO OPEN POSITIONS . I DID NOT APPLY TO GET INTO THE PROGRAM. WHY DO I HAVE TO APPLY TO GET OUT? IN JANUARY, I RECEIVED A 30-DAY REVIEW FOR AREAS OF CONCERN WITH MY PERFORMANCE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THESE AREAS WOULD BE REEVALUATED DURING MY EVALUATION. JUST TO RECAP, AFTER 18 YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT, I WAS UNWILLINGLY PLACED INTO A NEW HIGH INTENSITY PLACEMENT. I WAS WRITTEN UP FOR VIOLATING PROTOCOLS THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF. I FILED AND WON A GRIEVANCE FOR C CPS NOT FOLLOWING THE APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES. I WAS DENIED BEING REASSIGNED TO ANOTHER POSITION THAT WAS ESSENTIALLY MY JOB BEFORE I WAS MOVED INTO THE REGIONAL POSITION. I AM NOW FACED WITH A 30-DAY REVIEW THAT COULD LEAD TO A NEGATIVE EVALUATION.NEGATIVE EVALUATIONS CAN REACH TERMINOLOGY PASSED TERMINATION. I HAVE A SPOTLESS EVALUATION AND DISCIPLINE
RECORD. SORRY. >> YOU CAN FINISH HER SENTENCE.
>> I HAVE ENJOYED MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TRAUMA TRYING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE CLASSROOM, PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH SUPPORT THEY NEED. AND NOW I AM IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THE DECISIONS MADE ABOUT ME, WITHOUT ME AND THAT IS NOT JOB SECURITY. THANK
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KIM GARDNER.
>> GOOD EVENING , PRESIDENT WHITE, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, AND THE COUNCIL. I WORK IN THE KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS. THIS IS ONE OF THE ITEMS OF THE ESP BILL OF RIGHTS. AS A LEARNER, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THIS BEING THE FOCUS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS. I HOLD AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE AND TWO BACHELORS DEGREES , ONE IN COMMUNICATION AND ONE IN MANAGEMENT. WHENEVER THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO GAIN VALUABLE TRAINING OR NEW WORK EXPERIENCE, I JUMP AT THE CHANCE. RECENTLY, THIS HAS BECOME CHALLENGING. LAST YEAR, MY COLLEAGUES AND I WERE AFTERSCHOOL CLUB SPONSORS. WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY BECAME AVAILABLE THIS YEAR, AT THE SAME RATE OF PAY, WE SIGNED UP TO LEAD CLUBS. I OFFERED , TO. THIS OFFERS ADDITIONAL INCOME FOR SOMEONE WHO EARNS LESS THAN $30,000 A YEAR. I EXPLORE NEW AREAS OF INSTRUCTION. I AM HOPEFUL THAT THESE OPPORTUNITIES WILL HELP WITH MY CAREER ADVANCEMENT. AT THE COMPLETION OF THE CLUBS, WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE WERE QUOTED AN INCORRECT HOURLY RATE AND WE WOULD HAVE OUR AGREED-UPON RATES REDUCED. AFTER A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS AND ADVOCATING FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE FAIR, WE WERE COMPENSATED AT $33 PER HOUR. IT TOOK A LOT OF UNPAID TIME TO MAKE ALL OF THAT HAPPENED. THIS WAS VERY FRUSTRATING. NOW I AM WORKING TO RESOLVE ANOTHER PAYMENT ISSUE FOR A WORKSHOP THAT I PARTICIPATED IN OVER ONE YEAR AGO. IN OCTOBER, 2022, MY COLLEAGUES AND I WERE OFFERED AND ACCEPTED AN ANNUAL RATE OF $33 PER HOUR, TO PARTICIPATE IN A WORKSHOP. IN 2024, I AM BEING TOLD THAT I WILL ONLY BE PAID $18.86 PER HOUR, THAT WAS MY HOURLY RATE TO START THE TRAINING. I DO UNDERSTAND NOW THAT THERE IS CONTACT LANGUAGE TO SUPPORT THIS. BUT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GREAT PAPER IT STATES, THE RATES MAY VARY. I HAD NO REASON TO DOUBT THE RATE OF PAY THAT WAS OFFERED.
FURTHERMORE, I WAS NOT MADE AWAY OF THE EVER COMING UNTIL ALL OF THE WORK HAD BEEN COMPLETED. IF I HAD BEEN INFORMED PROPERLY BEFORE THE WORKSHOP BEGAN, FEBRUARY 6, 2023, I WOULD HAVE DECLINED THE OPPORTUNITY. EDUCATION
[00:15:06]
SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL SHOULD HAVE A REASONABLE EXPECTATION THAT THEY WILL BE COMPENSATED AT THE RATE OF PAY THAT WAS OFFERED. OUR TIME SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE SPENT CHASING DOWN PAYMENTS AND ASSURING THAT WE ARE PAID ACCURATELY. I WANT INTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. I WANT TO BE A CLUB SPONSOR. I WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT I WANT EVERY OPPORTUNITY I CAN GRAB, THE DELAYS IN RECEIVING PAY OR BEING PAID DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT WAS PROMISING, ARE INCREASING THE NEEDS TO SEEK EXTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES AND IMPACTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE. WE DESERVE A SEPARATE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEADING TO CAREER ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. PLEASE ENDORSE THE ESP BILL OF RIGHTS TO HELP US GAIN A LIVING RAGE, FAIRNESS, AND RESPECT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.DONNA , I AM A CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE CALVERT EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION. I RECENTLY DID A SURVEY ON JOB SATISFACTION. AS OF THIS MORNING, 606 IT REMEMBERS , 63% OF THE MEMBERSHIP, HAD RESPONDED. THE AVERAGE RESPONSE RATE FOR A SURVEY TO BE CONSIDERED VALID IS 33% COMES OF THE DATA THAT I AM SHARING IS CONSIDERED VERY GOOD AND STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT WITH A GREATER THAN 50% RESPONSE.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE DATA IT SET -- ITSELF IS ALARMING. 432 PEOPLE SAID THEY WERE CONSIDERING LEAVING THE PROFESSION DUE TO JOB SATISFACTION. AND ANOTHER 160 PEOPLE WERE UNSURE. WHEN ASKED WHAT ACTION THEY HAD TAKEN TOWARD LEAVING EDUCATION, 232 PEOPLE RESPONDED BY SAYING THEY WERE ACTIVELY SEARCHING FOR OTHER EMPLOYMENT ARE PREPARING TO RETIRE SOON. WHY? WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY REASONS ONE WOULD CONSIDER LEAVING THE FIELD OF EDUCATION? 483 PEOPLE PROVIDED WRITTEN COMMENTS. THE FOLLOWING REASONS WERE OVERWHELMINGLY REPEATED. SALARY , LACK OF RESPECT AND SUPPORT BY LEADERSHIP. DISRESPECT AND NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS BY STUDENTS, WORKLOAD , NO WORKLIFE BALANCE, THE EXCESS AND PUSH FOR INCLUSION WITH LACK OF SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES. YESTERDAY, ONE TEACHER SAID IT BEST , THE DEMANDS OF TEACHING AND WHAT IS BEING ADDED TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION , AND RESPONSIBILITIES, IS NOT REFLECTED IN OUR PAY, NOR IN THE TIME THAT IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE, THE EXPECTATION OF MEETING EVERY STUDENT'S NEEDS, SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY, ACADEMICALLY, PHYSICALLY, WHEN SUPPORT IS LACKING, AND IT ALL FALLS ON US TO FIGURE IT OUT. IT SADDENS ME THAT WE ARE NOT SEEN AS CRITICAL EMPLOYEES, WORTH THE COMPENSATION, REGARDLESS OF THE BUDGET CUT. THIS YEAR 'S BUDGET IS COMING WITH A UNIQUE SET OF CHALLENGES. I RECOGNIZE THAT.
WHAT CANNOT BE LOST IN THIS PROCESS IS THAT EDUCATORS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. THEY ARE THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT RECRUITING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS MUST REMAIN A PRIORITY IN THE BUDGET. THANK YOU.
WHITE , MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, AND THE COUNCIL. I AM PRISCILLA BRADLEY. I AM A CASE REPRESENTATIVE FOR CCPS FOOD SERVICE WORKERS. LIVING WAGE IS ONE OF THE ITEMS OF THE ESP BILL OF RIGHTS. ESP SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORK MULTIPLE JOBS TO MAINTAIN FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE. NOR SHOULD THEY BE MISLED ABOUT THEIR ANTICIPATED INCOME THAT THEN CAUSES FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU HANNAH'S STORY, A NEWLY-HIRED FOOD SERVICE WORKER. DURING HER INTAKE SESSION, SHE WAS GIVING A PERSONAL ACTION FORM THAT SHOWED SHE WOULD BE PAID . SHE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE CALCULATION
[00:20:01]
WAS BASED ON RECEIVING PAY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS AND DID NOT REFLECT THE 60 HOURS WORKED IN A NORMAL, TWO -WEEK PERIOD. HANNAH USED THIS INFORMATION TO ESTIMATE HER EARNINGS, WHICH SHE THOUGHT WOULD BE AROUND 800 , GROSS, PER MONTH. SHE PREPARED TO LEAVE HER PART-TIME JOB SO THAT SHE COULD DEVOTE HERSELF TO THE NEW FULL-TIME POSITION.HANNAH'S FIRST PAYCHECK WAS SHOCKING. IT WAS ONLY $286.
QUITE A BIT LESS THAN HER ESTIMATION. WHEN SHE REACHED OUT FOR AN EXPLANATION, SHE WAS TOLD TO CHECK HER ONLINE RECORDS FILE. AFTER A LOT OF DIFFICULTY ACCESSING THE ACCONT, HANNAH FOUND A SALARY CALCULATION FORM THAT WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THE PERSONAL ACTION FORM RECEIVED AT INTAKE. IT SHOWED THAT HER PAID HOURS WOULD BE REDUCED FROM NEARLY 46 TO LESS THAN 25 FOR HER FIRST FIVE PAYCHECKS.
WITH NO EXPLANATION WHY. AFTER ANOTHER FOLLOW-UP PHONE CALL, SHE WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS STANDARD PRACTICE , SO THAT CCPS COULD MAKE SURE SHE WAS NOT OVERPAID BY THE END OF THE YEAR CONTRACT. EIGHT MONTHS LATER. HANNAH ACCEPTED THIS POSITION, BUT BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO BE AN EMPLOYEE , AND SHE MADE FINANCIAL DECISIONS BASED ON THIS INFORMATION THAT SHE WAS PROVIDED. NOW, TO AFFORD TO CONTINUE WORKING FOR CCPS, SHE HAS HAD TO WORK SEVEN DAYS A WEEK FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS AND ON MANY DAYS, LIKE TODAY, SHE LEAVES DIRECTLY FROM HER SCHOOL AT THE END OF HER SHIFT TO REPORT TO HEAR -- HER SECOND PART-TIME JOB. SHE WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT HER NEW FULL-TIME POSITION AND YET, IT IS HER SECOND PART-TIME JOB THAT SHE ALMOST GAVE UP THAT IS PAYING HER BILLS AND KEEPING HER AFLOAT, ONE JOB SHOULD BE ENOUGH, I ASK YOU TO PLEASE ENDORSE THE ESP BILL OF RIGHTS , TO HELP US GAIN A LIVING WAGE , FAIRNESS, AND RESPECT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME. >> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS AMY
HAMILTON. >> ALL RIGHT. HI. I AM GOING TO TALK TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF THE SPECIAL ED TEACHERS IN MY BUILDING. WE HAVE FIVE FULL-TIME SPECIAL ED TEACHERS.
THREE OF THEM HAVE BEEN HIRED THIS YEAR. ONE, I BELIEVE THIS IS HER LAST YEAR . OF THE FIVE THAT WE HAVE IN THE BUILDING, THREE ARE LOOKING FOR OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT. THE TWO THAT WE HIRED THIS YEAR, AND THE ONE THAT IS OUR VERY SPECIAL ED PROGRAM. WE DO NOT HAVE A LABEL FOR THE ROOM. IT IS NOT A SELF-CONTAINED ROOM. IT IS FOR STUDENTS WITH SEVERE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS. ONE OF THE TEACHERS WEAR SCRUBS EVERY DAY, BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO END UP ON HER.
THOSE THREE TEACHERS THAT ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR OTHER JOBS, ONE OF THEM HAS BEEN APPLYING. AS SOON AS SHE GETS THE JOB, SHE IS TAKING IT. SHE IS TIRED OF GETTING THE RUNAROUND, WITH THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SHE IS TRYING TO GET, SHE IS TRYING TO DO THE BEST FOR THE STUDENTS IN HER ROOM AND SHE IS NOT GETTING ANYWHERE. THE SUGGESTION SHE GETS ARE NOT REALISTIC WITH THE STUDENTS THAT SHE HAS. IF YOU HAVE A STUDENT THAT IS GOING INTO A SEVENTH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS, FOR BEHAVIORAL REASONS. NOT BEHAVIOR, I'M SORRY, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. EMOTIONAL , I JUST LOST IT.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT . ANYWAY, THE STUDENTS ARE GOING INTO THE CLASS FOR EMOTIONAL NEEDS, NOT THE LENDER SEVENTH GRADE CURRICULUM, WHEN THAT CHILD HAS AN OUTBURST , WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT THE OTHER 30 KIDS IN THAT CLASSROOM THAT ARE NOW LOSING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME BECAUSE OF THE INCLUSION PRACTICE THAT AMY COX TALKED ABOUT. I FULLY SUPPORT INCLUSION. BUT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT IT. WHAT IS THE POINT AT WHICH THE STUDENT OR STUDENTS THAT WE ARE INCLUDING IN THE CLASSROOM ARE NOT
[00:25:01]
HELPING THE OTHER 27 IN THE ROOM. IF WE ARE TAKING AWAY FROM INSTRUCTIONAL TIME FOR THE OTHER 27, WHAT GOOD IS THE SUPPORT? SOME OF THE OTHER TEACHERS HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ART TEACHER WAS TOLD, THAT WITH THIS NEW PROGRAM THEY HAVE BEEN RECEIVING TRAINING ON, COULD YOU HAVE A GENERAL ED STUDENT TAKE THOSE ART SUPPLIES HOME, CUT THEM UP, AND PREPARE THEM FOR THE SPECIAL ED PROGRAM? WHEN DID THAT BECOME OKAY? THIS IS FROM THE PROFESSIONAL. OUR FORMER DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION SUGGESTED THAT MY IA DRIVE TO ONE OF THE SPECIAL ED STUDENTS HOUSE, PARKER CAR, AND THEN RIDE WITH THAT STUDENT TO SCHOOL, BECAUSE WE HAVE PROBLEMS NOT PLAYING IN OUR OWN BOWEL MOVEMENTS . SHE WAS ASKED TO RIDE WITH THAT STUDENT TO SCHOOL, THESE ARE UNACCEPTABLE THINGS THAT WE ARE THE -- EXPECTING FROM OUR SPECIAL ED TEACHERS. THEY ARE FED UP WITH IT, THEY ARE DONE, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR OTHER EMPLOYEES. PLEASE COME TO OURSPECIAL ED MEETINGS. >> THANK YOU.
>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKERS FOR THIS EVENING.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS. OUR STUDENT MEMBER, JORDAN . I'M SORRY, OH.
[2.02 Budget Discussion]
, I SAID, MAYBE SHE IS NOT HERE. WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET. I WOULD OPEN IT UP TO MY COLLEAGUES. WHO WOULDLIKE TO START? >> OKAY I WILL GO FIRST.
>> THIS IS GOING TO BE MY CLOSING, AND MY BUDGET, AND ALL AT ONCE, ALTOGETHER. I APPRECIATE THE PUBLIC COMMENTS. SPECIFICALLY THE ONES THAT ADDRESS THE SPECIAL EDUCATION CONCERNS THAT ARE HAPPENING. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HEARD IT AND I SUSPECT IT IS NOT GOING TO BE THE LAST. I AGREE, I THINK THAT INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS ARE WONDERFUL , IF YOU HAVE THE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES. WHAT WE HAVE SEEMINGLY TRIED TO DO IS PUT CHILDREN WITH VERY SPECIAL VERY UNIQUE NEEDS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THOSE ARE, IN A CLASSROOM, WITH ONE TEACHER. IF THERE WERE FIVE TEACHERS, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WOULD REALLY MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE, DEPENDING ON WHAT THOSE NEEDS ARE. AND I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE PAYING BETTER ATTENTION TO THAT, BECAUSE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF LEARNING LOSS THAT OCCURS WHEN THAT ONE CHILD HAS TO LEAVE THE ROOM. BUT EQUALLY WHEN ALL 25 OF THE OTHER CHILDREN HAVE TO LEAVE THE ROOM. IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM. THAT NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY.
LOOKING AT WHAT WE CAN DO TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS AND HOW TO FIX THAT. WE ARE DILIGENTLY WORKING THROUGH TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE BUDGET. I AM SURE THAT IT IS NOT A SURPRISE THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DEFICIT WE HAVE ALL RECEIVED WORD ABOUT AND IT IS GOING TO BE INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING. INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT , TO MAKE THE KIND OF CUTS THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED, SHOULD SOMETHING NOT CHANGE.
NOT TO BE ALL DOOM AND GLOOM ON A THURSDAY NIGHT BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. ANY NUMBER OF REASONS. BUT THIS ONE, SPECIFICALLY , IS GOING TO BE A REALLY BIG CHALLENGE. I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT, I THINK THAT WE DID NOT GET HERE OVERNIGHT, THIS HAS NOT BEEN A REVOLUTION, IT HAS BEEN AN DEVOLUTION. FOLKS ARE BEGINNING TO STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO DO SO, BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY WAY THAT WE ARE EVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFECT CHANGE. AND SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE. WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE EXPERIENCING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, WE ARE SEEING THAT FROM THE STATE. WE NEED TO BE BETTER ADVOCATES ALL THE WAY AROUND ABOUT RECOGNIZING AND UNDERSTANDING, YOU KNOW, HOW WE VOTE, WHY WE VOTE. AND UNDERSTANDING HOW THOSE THAT ARE IN PLACE, WHO DEVELOPS CERTAIN POLICIES AND HOW WE WOUND UP WHERE WE ARE. THANK
YOU. >> DR. TOWNSEL, I DID NOT
[00:30:05]
GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU THEOPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, SERBIA >> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT WHITE.
THIS IS A TOUGH YEAR WITH REGARDS TO BUDGET. SOME VERY TOUGH DECISIONS WILL BE MADE AND PROPOSED. NOT ONLY TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, BUT ALSO OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING IN OUR BUDGET,WITH WHAT WE MUST REDUCE . AS YOU RECALL , WE ARE UP ABOUT $10 MILLION EXPENDITURE OVER REVENUE AND WE ARE RECEIVING $22 MILLION LESS FROM THE STATE. IF YOU ADD THAT TOGETHER, IT IS ABOUT $32 MILLION. WE ARE LOOKING NOW ALL ACROSS THE DISTRICT AT EVERY CATEGORY TO SEE WHAT WE MUST CUT, UNFORTUNATELY A LARGE PORTION OF OUR STAFF IS SALARIED, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT CUTTING $32 MILLION. SOME STUFF MAYBE INEVITABLE.
I WORK COLLABORATIVELY, NOT ONLY WITH OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION, BUT WITH WORKING WITH THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AT THE STATE LEVEL, IN ORDER TO FIND SOME TYPE OF RELIEF, BUT IT IS NOT GUARANTEED. WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER A PLAN OF WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. WE WILL SHARE THAT WITH THE BOARD AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS NEXT WEEK. ULTIMATELY, WE WILL SEE WHERE THE CHIPS FALL. I WILL PARK MY BUS . PRESIDENT WHITE, I WILL BE HAPPY TO RESPOND TO ANYTHING.
>> THANK YOU. MS. GRENIS ? >> FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WHO SHARED THEIR CONCERNS AND EXPERIENCES. OUR COUNTY IS GOING TO BE FACING SIGNIFICANT CUTS COMING FROM THE STATE, SO OUR PRIORITIES NEED TO BE VERY CLEAR. OUR STAFF WANTS A FAIR AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR WHAT THEY ARE BEING ASKED TO DO. AND THEY WANT TO WORK IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I HAVE REQUESTED DATA ON THE PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF VERSUS PRINCIPLES , TEACHERS, INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS, FROM 2019 TO PRESENT. THIS SHOWS WHERE POTENTIAL CUTS CAN BE MADE, OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM. IT IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGING BUDGET, CONSIDERING THE IMPENDING CUTS WE ARE FACING. THANK YOU.
>> PICK YOU. MS. BALINSKI? >> THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR COMING AND SPEAKING. THE STORIES SEEM VERY REGRETTABLE. AND I AM SORRY THAT PEOPLE ARE FEELING DISRESPECTED BY THE SYSTEM. I AM HOPING THAT IF WE ALL STAY POSITIVE, IT CAN BE RESOLVED. I AM TRYING TO STAY WITH THIS OPTIMISM, DEALING WITH THIS BUDGET . SO , I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HURT THE SYSTEM. I AM GOING TO BE WORKING THAT ANGLE AND SEEING IF I CAN SIT DOWN WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND WORK WITH THE COUNTY AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU. VICE PRESIDENT INEZ CLAGGETT ?
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT WHITE. I THINK THAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ACCURATELY STATED THE POSITION THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN PLACED IN, GIVEN THE $32 MILLION DEFICIT, THERE WILL MOST LIKELY BE CUTS. MY PRIORITY IS TO KEEP THOSE CUTS OUT OF THE CLASSROOM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. HOWEVER, $32 MILLION IS VERY LARGE. I AM SOMEONE WHO WORKS WITH NUMBERS ON A DAILY BASIS AND $32 MILLION IS HEFTY. HOWEVER , I AM COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH THE COMMISSIONERS TO ENSURE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES ARE PROTECTED FROM THOSE CARDS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND ENSURING THAT OUR EMPLOYEES CAN MAINTAIN THEIR STANDARD OF LIVING HERE IN CALVERT COUNTY. AND THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN STAFF. NOT JUST OUR TEACHERS, OUR IA'S , AND OUR BUS DRIVERS, AND EVERYONE WHO IS EMPLOYED HERE
[00:35:05]
AT CCPS. THAT IS MY COMMITMENT TO YOU, AND TO MY COMMUNITY.>> THANK YOU. VICE PRESIDENT CLAGGETT. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. WE ARE MOVING RIGHT ALONG . WE WILL NOT BE HERE UNTIL 9:00 TONIGHT. NOT TO MAKE LIGHT OF WHAT IS GOING ON, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. ONCE AGAIN, JORDAN IS NOT FEELING WELL. I WILL READ HER COMMENT FROM TODAY. SHE SAID I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS TO GRACE, 11 -- 11TH GRADER, ELECTED YESTERDAY TO SERVE AS THE NEXT STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. I HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH GRACE SINCE SIXTH GRADE AND IN OTHER ENDEAVORS.
SHE IS WELL-ROUNDED AND A PASSIONATE LEADER . I HAVE NO DOUBT SHE WILL DO A PHENOMENAL JOB SERVING ON THE BOARD NEXT YEAR AND I AM INCREDIBLY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT SHE DOES , JORDAN HAYES. OKAY. NOW, IT IS MY TURN. I HAVE A LONG LIST.
I USUALLY DON'T SAY A WHOLE LOT , SO, FIRST , OVERALL , I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL ON THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP . I THINK THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW THAT THEY WON ON THE BOYS TOOK SEVEN PLACE. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PLUM POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS , THEY WON THE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS. NEXT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE STUDENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I MEAN, THEY ARE PHENOMENAL. WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE, WE HAD ABBY AND SHE WAS A PHENOMENAL, PHENOMENAL STUDENT. NEXT WE HAVE MAGGIE. MAGGIE FROM NORTHERN . I STILL RUN INTO HER AND WE HAVE VERY ACTIVE CONVERSATIONS ALL THE TIME. HAYDEN KELLY, THAT BROTHER WORKED. HE OUTWORKED EVERYONE. MENTAL WELLNESS WAS SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT TO HIM. HE TOOK PART IN THE PHOTO GALLERY TO DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH. JORDAN HAYES, I MET HER A FEW YEARS BEFORE SHE WAS ON THE BOARD, SHE WAS A CHEERLEADER, I WAS OFFICIATING KICKED ME. THAT WAS HOW I GOT INTRODUCED TO HER. NEXT WE HAVE GRACE. I MET GRACE, MARCH 18TH, 2003. I WENT TO SEE RAGS AT HUNTINGTON HIGH SCHOOL AND I WAS REALLY DRAWN IN BY THIS YOUNG LADY BUT I REALLY THOUGHT SHE WAS PRETTY PHENOMENAL.
AFTERWARDS I WENT AND HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HER. SPEAKING TO HER, YOU CAN SEE THE POST I POSTED ON THE PAGE, I SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF, YOU WILL BE SEEING OR HEARING FROM THIS YOUNG LADY AGAIN. YESTERDAY I ACTUALL WENT TO THE ELECTIONS, A PHENOMENAL PROCESS, ALL THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS TOOK PLACE. SCOTT , OF COURSE, THAT BROTHER IS EVERYWHERE. HE PUT TOGETHER THE WHOLE PROCESS.
WHEN SHE STARTED HER SPEECH, SHE HAD THE FIRST SLIDE , MY POST. AND HER COMMENT ON HER POST , I DON'T WANT TO MESS IT UP. IT SAYS , MY PIVOTAL MOMENT IN LEADERSHIP. BECAUSE I WAS THERE, I WAS ON THE BOARD, I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HER AND SHE BEGAN TO TELL ME HOW MUCH THE ARTS MEANT TO HER, THE BUDGETING, THE FUNDS THAT NEED TO BE DELIVERED. IT REALLY MADE AN IMPACT ON ME. NEXT, I WANTED TO MOVE ON TO THE PROJECT-BASED LEARNING. ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME KNOWS THAT I SPEAK ABOUT IT JUST ABOUT EVERY MEETING THAT WE HAVE. IT IS PHENOMENAL. AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO , THEY ARE WORKING ON REDOING THEIR PLEDGE. THE WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING, WHEN THEY SEND OUT DIFFERENT SURVEYS, TALKING ABOUT IF WE SHOULD DO IT, SHOULD WE DO IT, AND THE VOTING PROCESS, THAT IS SOMETHING PHENOMENAL TO WATCH AND GO THROUGH. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TEACHERS. THIS MORNING I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ZACH WILLIAMS FROM NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL. I WAS AT THE GYM AND I WAS TALKING TO SOMEONE ELSE, AND HE WAS A PREVIOUS TEACHER AT PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY SCHOOLS, NOW HE IS HERE, HE IS A SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER AT NORTHERN AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE CONSISTENCY OF THE
[00:40:03]
ADMINISTRATORS AND THE SUPPORT HE RECEIVED FROM HIS COLLEAGUES AS WELL AS THE CENTRAL OFFICE. HE REALLY EXPRESSED HOW HE REALLY ENJOYS BEING HERE AND HOW IT HAS MADE A REAL IMPACT ON HIS LIFE. I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO MOUNT HARMONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THEY RECEIVED A PURPLE STAR SCHOOL DESTINATION. I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH BRANDON TEMPLE, WHO SAID IT IS A TOP PRIORITY OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BEHAVIORS . WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE THAT A LOT, AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO HEAR THIS, YOU ARE THE EXPERTS AND IT WOULD BE NICE , WITHIN 2 TO 3 MONTHS, TO FIGURE OUT SOME WAY TO HAVE CONSISTENCY. BECAUSE WHEN I WAS AT THE SCHOOL, WE TALKED WITH A LOT OF THE STUDENTS AND THEY WERE SAYING, YOU KNOW, THEIR SAFETY, THEY DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AND THEY WERE ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE CODE OF CONDUCT, STATING THAT THEY DO NOT FEEL IT HAS REALLY BEEN ENFORCED. THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT 10% OF THE STUDENTS ARE CAUSING SOME OF THE PROBLEMS, BUT 90% OF THE STUDENTS ARE THE ONES SUFFERING FOR IT AND I DON'T THINK IT IS THE STUDENTS, THERE WERE KIDS ACTING UP WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL, I DON'T THINK IT IS THE TEACHERS, THAT HELP HAS TO COME FROM OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL, POSSIBLY OUTSIDE OF THAT SCHOOL, SO THAT IS SOMETHING WHERE WE NEED TO HAVE SOME SORT OF CONSISTENCY, IF SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED , IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AT THE SCHOOL AT THE NORTHERN END, THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF BASELINE , THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS, THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PRINCIPLES HAVE THEIR OWN PULSE , BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SORT OF CONSISTENCY THAT TAKES PLACE FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER, AND IF THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME REPORTING STATUS, SOMEWHERE, I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT IS MR. WEBER? I THINK HE IS MENTORING THE PRINCIPLES. ALSO, IF THE DETAILS ARE PLACED IN THERE, THIS WAY, EVERYONE FROM ONE END OF THE COUNTY TO THE OTHER NOSE, OKAY, THIS HAPPENED AT THE SCHOOL, SO THIS IS WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN THERE. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE THAT. IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE WE HAVE THAT RIGHT NOW SO IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET SOME SORT OF CONSISTENCY OR SYSTEM IN PLACE, WITHIN MAYBE 30 TO 60 DAYS. IF NOT, IT MAY NOT GET DONE, BUT I KNOW THAT IT IS NOT AN EASY TASK. I LEAVE IT UP TO THE BEHAVIORAL EXPERTS. AND DR. TOWNSEL , TO WORK WITH THE STAFF TO TRY TO GET SOME KIND OF RESULT WITH THAT. WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, OR LISTENING TO PEOPLE WHO POSSIBLY ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THEIR PAY, WITH THEIR SALARY, AND THINGS LIKE THAT, I THINK THAT DR. ANDRAE TOWNSEL, AND EVERYONE, THIS MEETING IS BEING RECORDED. PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PAID A CERTAIN WAY, I THINK WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE BEING PAID THE WAY THAT THEY SHOULD BE.IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND, MAKE SURE THAT THEY FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT, BEFORE THEY GET INTO IT.
WE KEEP HEARING, ONE JOB, ONE JOB SHOULD BE ENOUGH, I HEAR THAT. I KNOW THAT IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO LIVE IN CALVERT COUNTY. MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ALL SAID, WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TRY TO GET EVERYBODY WHAT THEY NEED. IT IS NOT EASY. WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF MEETINGS WITH COMMISSIONERS. WE ARE DEFINITELY OPERATING IN GOOD FAITH APPEAR. THE REST OF US HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO DO A JOB UP HERE AND WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO DO THAT JOB.
[2.04 Board Comments]
COMMENTS? >> I WANT TO CONGRATULATE MOUNT HARMONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR BECOMING THE FIRST PURPLE HEART SCHOOL IN CALVERT COUNTY. IT IS ONE OF THE FEW IN THE STATE TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A PURPLE SCHOOL. DR. ANDRAE TOWNSEL SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE 100% PARTICIPATION BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
ACTIVELY PUTTING TOGETHER THE COMPONENTS OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL. I WANT TO THANK MR. CUNNINGHAM, FOR HOLDING AN OPEN FORUM , LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE OPEN FORUM, THE REPUBLICAN CENTRAL TO MIDI, THE DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, AND CONCERNED BLACK WOMEN. THIS FORUM WAS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR FUTURE VOTERS
[00:45:08]
TO BECOME INFORMED ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHAT THESE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENT. THE BEST PART WAS THE RUSSIAN AND ANSWER PIECE AT THE VERY END. RIGHT NOW , HUNTINGTOWN IS THE ONLY ONE I BELIEVE DOING THIS AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS IN THE OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS. I ALSO WANT TO, I ALSO ATTENDED THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS ON WEDNESDAY. CONGRATULATIONS TO GRACE, FOR BEING ELECTED AS A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YARD. ONE GROUP THAT I VISITED WAS DISCUSSING BEHAVIORS WITHIN SCHOOLS. WHEN I ASKED THEM HOW MANY STUDENTS FEEL THAT THE CODE OF CONDUCT IS BEING ENFORCED IN THEIR SCHOOL, ALL STUDENTS REPLIED NO. A SECOND SESSION I INTENDED -- ATTENDED WAS ON THE CODE OF CONDUCT. I ASKED THE SAME QUESTION AND THE ANSWER VARY BETWEEN NO AND SOMETIMES, ONCE AGAIN, I URGED DR. TOWNSEL TO MAKE SURE PARENTS UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT A CODE OF SUGGESTIONS, BUT A COAT OF CONDUCT THAT NEEDS TO BE ENFORCED. THANK YOU.>> I SAID WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. I DO FOLLOW GRACE --
GRACE ON INSTAGRAM. >> MS. BALINSKI ?
>> CONGRATULATIONS TO GRACE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO A NICE TIME WITH JORDAN , SHE HAS BEEN EXCELLENT. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GO AND VISIT THE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL CAREER FAIR THAT THEY HAVE HAD A DAY OR SO AGO, VERY INTERESTING AND I REALLY DO URGE THE OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS TO WORK WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE COUNTY, THE ROOM WAS FILLED WITH POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE FROM HIGH SCHOOLERS DIRECTLY OUT OF SCHOOL. AS LONG AS THEY ARE 18, THEY NEED TO BE LEARNING, WELL, THEY GO THROUGH THE HYDRAULICS , ELECTRONICS, AND THE ENGINE REPAIR FOR CATERPILLAR EQUIPMENT. FULL BENEFIT, FULL TRAINING, AND THEY DO NOT EVEN HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE TRADE SCHOOLS TO LEARN THOSE TRADES.
SO, THAT WAS A NEW ONE FOR ME. THERE WAS ALSO , DAYCARE LOOKING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE COUNTY PARKS AND REC, LOOKING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO WORK AFTER HOURS, AND ALSO, THE COAST GUARD, A VERY ESSENTIAL PART OF THE MILITARY. AND THEY, THEY , THEY WERE GREAT. NOT THE PEOPLE. THE JOB. OVER OUR NEIGHBORHOOD . THEY ARE A GREAT BUNCH OF PEOPLE.
AND IT IS REALLY A PRETTY STRESSFUL JOB. BUT IT IS HIGH PERFORMING. THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD REPORTS THAT WE HEAR FROM KIDS WHO HAVE JOINED THE ÚCOAST GUARD FROM MY NEIGHBORHOOD. ANYWAY, LIKE I SAID, THERE WERE A LOT OF DIFFERENT COMPANIES THERE. EVERYONE IS SEARCHING FOR WORKERS. I ENCOURAGE , YEAH, I ENCOURAGE ANY HIGH SCHOOLERS LISTENING TO BRING IN THESE PEOPLE . THANK YOU.
>> VICE PRESIDENT CLAGGETT. >> CONGRATULATIONS TO GRACE FOR BEING ELECTED OUR NEXT STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD AND I LOOK FORWARD TO INTERACTING WITH GRACE. I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR CONTINUING TO TEACH ME THINGS THAT I DID NOT KNOW THAT I NEEDED TO RESEARCH, THANK YOU, MS. BALINSKI, FOR TEACHING ME ABOUT THE SEXIEST PART OF THE MILITARY. THANK
YOU, I NEEDED THAT LAUGH. >> FIRST OF ALL, I AM FORMER AIR FORCE, I BEG TO DIFFER. I AM MAKING SURE THAT YOU GIVE US SOME AIR FORCE LOVE. WE ARE GLAD THAT YOU ARE HERE, YOU COULD'VE COME ANYWHERE, BUT WE SEE THAT YOU ARE HERE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US. LIKE MY COLLEAGUES SAID. AS FAR AS
[00:50:01]
EMAILS AND DIFFERENT THINGS, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THOSE TO US , BECAUSE IF WE DO NOT KNOW, WE DO NOT KNOW.PLEASE CONTINUE TO GET TO US. WE ARE OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY. DO NOT APOLOGIZE, HEY, YOU KNOW, NO. WE ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS. THAT IS OUR JOB. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.