[00:00:08]
>>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE LATE START. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE BACK
[2.01 Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silence]
THERE. WE WILL START THE MEETING WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND A MOMENT OF SILENCE.>> PLEASE RISE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> THANK YOU.
[3. Consent Agenda]
CAN I HAVE A MOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED?
[4.01 Public Comment]
NEXT WE WILL MOVE INTO PUBLIC 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 LEE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES.
PERSONS ON THE SIGN-UP SHEET MAY NOT CONVEY TRANSFER OR RELINQUISH ANY PART OF THEIR PUBLIC SPEAKING TIME TO ANOTHER PERSON OR GROUP. IF YOU HAVE HANDOUTS OR WRITTEN TESTIMONY PLEASE GIVE THEM TO KAREN MAXEY TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO BOARD MEMBERS. TO PROTECT INDIVIDUAL CONFIDENTIALITY LEASE 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 THAT WHILE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION VALUES YOUR COMMENTS AND CONCERNS, THIS IS A BUSINESS MEETING AND THE BOARD CANNOT RESPOND TO YOUR QUESTIONS OR ENTER INTO A DISCUSSION WITH YOU DURING THE MEETING. CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL RESPOND TO ISSUES YOU RAISED 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.
>>> TODAY WE HAVE 2 SPEAKERS. THE FIRST IS RICK --
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU -- TURN YOUR MICROPHONE ON.
>> SORRY. >> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME AND SPEAK TODAY. I AM A TEACHER AT CTA. THERE WAS SOME CONCERN I HAVE SENT SOME EMAILS OUT PREVIOUSLY. FORGIVE ME IF I MISSPEAK PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I AM NOT I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER. BUT NOT EVERYTHING HERE QUITE SO MUCH.
IF I DO SOMETHING WRONG PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THERE IS SOME CONCERN THAT WE HAVE HAD OR I HAVE HAD AND I REACHED OUT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND I FELT LIKE I DID NOT GET SOME RESPONSE BACK. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I WOULD NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO GET A RESPONSE BACK. THERE IS ALSO THERE IS A I WOULD CALL IT AN INITIATIVE THAT I HAVE FOUND ONLINE THAT SAYS THAT THE BAR, MEET THE BAR, RAISE THE BAR. SO, I FEEL LIKE WE DO THAT AS TEACHERS. BUT I FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO HAVE THAT RECIPROCATED AS TEACHERS I ELSE I HAVE READ ON HERE ABOUT STAFF SHORTAGES AND TEACHER RETENTION AND STAFF RETENTION.
AND, ALL THAT KIND OF FALLS INTO THE SAME THING THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE BOARD AS TO WHERE THIS ALL CAME FROM.
SO, IT TALKS IN HERE ABOUT THE VACANCIES. FROM JULY 5TH UNTIL THIS MORNING THERE WAS 119 VACANCIES POSTED BY CALVERT
[00:05:03]
COUNTY. SO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW OR WHAT MANNER THIS RETENTION IS BEING DONE. I THINK THAT IS PRETTY MUCH ALL I HAVE. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. MY EMAIL IS THERE. I AM A TEACHER AT THE CTA. EVERYBODY HAS MY EMAIL. I'VE EMAILED EVERYBODY PREVIOUSLY. THANK YOU.>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SHELBY DAYTON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON PRESIDENT WHITE AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD DR. TOWNSEL AND STAFF. VICE CHAIR WILL BE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF CALVERT -- SPECIAL EDUCATION CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. I WOULD LIKE TO START BY REMINDING FAMILIES THEY CAN JOIN IT AT A REGULAR MEETINGS ON THE SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH. THE MEETINGS ARE VIRTUAL VIA MICROSOFT TEAMS BETWEEN 6:30 AND 8:00 P.M. THE AGENDAS AND INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE IN THE CALVERT COUNTY SCHOOL WEBSITE. YOU CAN FIND IT UNDER QUICK LINKS. SAVE THE DATE FOR FRIDAY OCTOBER 18TH AND JOIN US FOR THE RESOURCE FAIR AT ELIZABETH BROWN 10:00 A.M. UNTIL 2:00 P.M. WE WILL ALSO BE PARTNERING WITH CALVERT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO CONDUCT A WHAT TO DO IN A TRAFFIC STOP WORKSHOP. TEEN DRIVERS CAN EXPERIENCE IT AND PULLED OVER AND -- MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW. TONIGHT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFFING PLAN CREATED BY DR. ANDERSON. CALVERT -- LIKE TO OFFER SUPPORT FOR THIS PLAN AND URGE YOU TO ACCEPT IT. AS WE CONTINUE TO EVALUATE THE CONTINUUM OF SERVICES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS TO THREE YEARS OLD INFANTS AND TODDLERS -- FIVE TO 21 THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND POST SECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES IN COLLEGE CAREERS IN THE COMMUNITY. IT IS CLEAR MORE COLLABORATION AND MEDICATION RESOURCES ARE NEEDED TO MEET STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE AND TO GIVE THE SKILLS TO ACHIEVE ALL THEY ARE CAPABLE OF THE RECENT BUDGET DEFICITS FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ARE HUGE CONCERN FOR US. AS THE CUTS PROPOSED THE IEP FACILITATORS INIANS COACHES AND SPORTS PROGRAMS INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANCE AND BUILDING SERVICE STAFF WITH A -- . WHILE NOT ALL OF THESE ADMINISTERED OF EDUCATORS AND SUPPORT STAFF ARE CONSIDERED SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFF WE KNOW THEY MAKE UP THE VILLAGE THAT SERVICES OUR STUDENTS. AT THE ANNUAL AWARDS WE HAVE HEARD THE IMPACT THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE AS ON THE SUCCESS OF STUDENTS BUT IS THERE HOPE OF THE NEXT NINE MONTHS -- THE CPS CAN WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO BUILD A ROBUST SYSTEM INVITED TO PROVIDE WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS. JOE -- OUR CHAIRPERSON INTENDED THE SUMMER CONFERENCE. ONE OF THE MAIN POINTS HE TOOK YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST CAMERA SYSTEM ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRACKING DOUBLE YOUR STAFFING BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE A ROBUST CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS AND IT BEING ENFORCED WITH CONSISTENCY AND FIDELITY EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK NONE OF THIS IS WORTH IT. PARENTS WE NEED YOUR HELP. YOU WOULD NOT WANT YOUR CHILD TO BE USING THEIR PHONE WHILE DRIVING. JULIE DON'T YOU DON'T WANT THEM USING IT WHILE SITTING IN CLASS. NO PHONES OUT OF THE BACKPACK DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CONTINUE TO EXPLORE LEARNING. THE STRATEGIES ARE NOT FOR SPECIAL NEEDS THERE FOR EVERYONE. WE THE ADULTS CAN PREVENT BEHAVIORS THAT WILL IN TURN INCREASE SCHOOL SAFETY AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. THANK
YOU. S.T.E.M. THANK YOU. >> THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKERS
[5.01 Grace Minakowski]
FOR TODAY. >>> OKAY NEXT WE WILL MOVE TO STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD. MS. GRACE MICHALSKI.
>> HI EVERYONE. HAPPY AUGUST. I HOPE EVERYONE HAS HAD A WONDERFUL SUMMER. THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SURVIVING THE HEAT AND NOW THE MONSOON OUTSIDE. I JUST GOT BACK FROM A ROAD TRIP ALL THE WAY ACROSS AMERICA TO THE WEST COAST. I WAS THANKFUL FOR THAT ADVENTURE. AS FOR WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO I HAD MY FIRST SUCCESSFUL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING LAST MONTH. WITH OUR NEXT MEETING BEING AUGUST 19TH. STUDENTS CHECK YOUR EMAILS FOR THE LINK. I'M EXCITED TO REPORT THAT WE ARE NOW UP TO 47 MEMBERS SIGNED UP. AND I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE KEY DISCUSSION POINTS THAT CAME UP DURING OUR FIRST MEETING. MANY STUDENTS ARE CONCERNED WITH THE ADEQUATE ABILITY OF ENFORCEMENT SURROUNDING THE UPCOMING CELL PHONE POLICY CHANGES AND THAT IS TO THEM TO FEEL THEY FOLLOW THE RULES IT WILL ONLY AFFECT THEM AND STUDENTS WHO ARE INCLINED TO BREAK THE RULES WILL NOT LISTEN. THERE WERE ALSO CONCERNS ABOUT STUDENT SAFETY AND THE LACK OF ACCESS TO CONTACT PARENTS. THESE PERSPECTIVES I FEEL UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING HIS CELL PHONE POLICY ENFORCEMENT SERIOUSLY. AND MAKING SURE THAT PARENTS KNOW THEIR OFFICE SECRETARY NURSE AND OTHER RELEVANT PHONE NUMBERS. I HOPE THAT THE CPS THAT THE STUDENTS CAN WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THE TRANSITION TO A LIMITED TECHNOLOGY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT CONSIDERS MENTAL HEALTH AND DIFFICULTY OF WEANING OFF CONSTANT ONLINE ACCESS. I HEARD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT PERSISTENT BULLYING PRIMARILY
[00:10:03]
ON THE BASIS OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITY AS WELL AS ENERGY LGBTQ IDENTITY PICK A LOT OF STUDENTS FELT THEIR THEY WERE LET OUT A CLUB DUE TO THEIR IDENTITY PICK SOME FELT THEIR PEERS OR TEACHERS WERE UNABLE TO RECOGNIZE UNDERSTAND OR RESPECT IT. AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT IS STRIVING TO RAISE THE BAR I FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ADDRESS THE SHORTCOMINGS AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND VISIBLE ACCESSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES THAT MAY PERPETUATE SITUATION. I WANT TO THANK MY ADULT COLLEAGUES WHO TOOK TIME TO THOROUGHLY READ AND RESPOND TO THESE MEETING NOTES IT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FACT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM LEADERS TRULY CARE ABOUT THE WELL-BEING AND EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS. AS A REMINDER THE COUNCILS ALWAYS OPEN TO STUDENTS SO PLEASE SHARE AND APPLY. ON A DIFFERENT NOTE I HAD A WONDERFUL MEETING WITH MR. -- TO DISCUSS HOW WE CAN BRING CIVIC OPEN DISCUSSION TO THE FOREFRONT OF OUR SOCIAL BUDDIES CLICK SHOWN. I'LL BE WORKING WITH HIM TO PRESENT AT THE SOCIAL STUDIES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY AUGUST 20TH TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR CLASSROOM CONVERSATIONS THAT EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND NOT CHILLING SPEED SPEECH THAT MAKES US UNCOMFORTABLE. WE CAN COLLABORATE TO ADVANCES EXPRESSION IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS. I'VE ALSO ASSISTED WITH PUBLICIZING THE APPLICATIONS FOR THE CITIZEN ADVISORY COUNCIL. AND I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT WE RECEIVED MANY APPLICATIONS AND WILL HAVE AT LEAST ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH HIGH SCHOOL. AND FINALLY I'VE CREATED A TESTIMONY GUIDELINE TO SHARE WITH STUDENTS THAT IS GOING TO BE ACCESSIBLE ON THE WEBSITE.IT ESSENTIALLY WALKS THROUGH THIS TO THE TEST MONEY PROCESS.
AND PROVIDES A LITERAL TEMPLATE FOR WRITING PUBLIC COMMENT. THE POINT OF THIS PROJECT IS TO MAKE SHARING STUDENT BOYS WITH THE BOARD MORE ACCESSIBLE. AND COMING UP I LOOK FORWARD TO ATTENDING YOUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENTS. AS WELL AS THE CONFERENCE OR IT AUGUST 12. I'M EXTREMELY EXCITED THAT NEXT WEEK I WILL BE JOINING THE RANKS OF THE PRESIDENT COOLIDGE SENATORS IS ONE OF THE HUNDRED SELECTED APPLICANTS FROM ACROSS THE NATION. I WILL BE FLYING TO PRESIDENT COOLIDGE HOMESTEAD IN VERMONT NEXT WEEK WHICH I'M EXCITED FOR PICK TO LEARN ABOUT PUBLIC POLICY AND HOW IT CAN BE USED FOR GOOD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE ON THE FIRST
DAY OF SCHOOL. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH GRACE.
THIS YOUNG LADY IS ABSOLUTELY NONSTOP. THE STUDENTS THAT DID A GREAT JOB WHEN THEY SELECTED HER. I'M JUST AMAZED. THANK
[6.01 Dr. Andrae Townsel]
YOU. >> NEXT WE HAVE DR. TOWNSEL
PICK >> THANK YOU PRESIDENT WHITE PICK I'M EXCITED TO SHARE CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN NAMED AS A 2024 EMPOWERED DISTRICT. THE EVER EMPOWERED SEAL IS AWARDED TO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE SHOWN OUTSTANDING DEDICATION TO IMPLEMENTING COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION STRATEGIES AND FINANCE OR LITERACY PICK HEALTH AND CAREER READINESS. WE APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION OF THE HARD WORK OF OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. I WANT TO SHARE THAT CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL IS EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE LOCAL AND MINORITY CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS TO LEARN ABOUT THE UPCOMING NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT. THERE WILL BE AN OUTREACH EVENT HELD ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21ST AT NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL IN THE CAFETERIA FROM 5:30 UNTIL 7:30 P.M. ATTENDEES WILL GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES AND BE ABLE TO NETWORK WITH THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT FIRM. AS WE PREPARE FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON THERE ARE NUMEROUS EVENTS FOR PARENTS TO KEEP THEIR EYE ON. THIS INCLUDES THE BACKPACK OUTINGS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES OPEN HOUSES AND MANY MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR FAMILIES TO ENGAGE. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO YOUR SCHOOLS. ARE OPENING COMPLICATION WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER EXCUSE ME AUGUST 19TH. THERE WILL BE TWO MEETINGS IN THE MORNING AND ONE IN THE AFTERNOON. SO STAFF WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND ALL ACROSS THE DISTRICT. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT SCHOOL STARTS FOR STUDENTS ON AUGUST 27TH. WITH ORIENTATION FOR SIXTH AND NINTH GRADERS ON AUGUST 26. PARENTS NEED INFORMATION REGARDING ORIENTATION MAY REVIEW IT ON THE SCHOOL'S WEBSITE OR CAN CONTACT YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL.
SCHOOLS AND OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND IN RECOGNITION OF LABOR DAY. AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD I HAVE ONE APPOINTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOU. AND THAT IS MS. VICTORIA -- TO SERVE AS OUR ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR OF CHILD NUTRITION. MS. -- IS CURRENTLY A SPECIALIST IN FOOD SERVICES WITH CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SHE ALSO SERVED AS A DAILY OPERATIONS MANAGER AND ASSISTING CAFETERIA MANAGER. BEFORE JOINING CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN 2017 SHE WORKED AS A FREELANCE PASTRY CHEF ALONGSIDE CERTIFIED MASTER CHEF JAN --. AND HAS EXPERIENCE
[00:15:02]
AS IT ADMINISTERED A PERSISTENT AND TITLE CLOSING COORDINATOR.SHE HOLDS A BACHELORS OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT. VICTORIA IS EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW CHALLENGE IN LEADERSHIP ACTED TO NANCY FOR OUR CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM.
WITH THAT I'M ASKING YOU TO AFFIRM THE APPOINTED OF MS. VICTORIA SICILIANO IS ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR OF CHILD NUTRITION.
>> MOVED TO APPROVE PICK >> SECOND SPEAK
>> THERE IS A MOTION IN A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED? MOTION PASSED. 4-0. CONGRATULATIONS PICK
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DR. TOWNSEL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE. I LOVE OUR FOOD SERVICE STAFF. THEY ARE SO UNDERRECOGNIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AND SO UTILIZED. I'M EXCITED TO HELP THEM GROW IN THE COMMUNITY AND REALLY SHOW WHAT THEY PROVIDE EACH DAY. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[7.01 Policies for Discussion]
THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU DR. TOWNSEL. NEXT WE WILL MOVE INTO ACTION ITEMS. POLICIES FOR DISCUSSION.
>> MR. ZACH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON PRESIDENT WHITE DR. TOWNSEL AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES I'M HERE THIS AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS POLICIES 6030. CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL POLICY REGARDING HIRING. AT THE BOARD MEETING LAST MONTH JULY 11TH 2024 WE PRESENTED POLICY 6030 AND DID NOT RECOMMEND ANY CHANGES TO THE POLICY. HOWEVER DURING THE MEETING IT WAS RECOMMENDED WE CONSIDER LANGUAGE IN THE POLICY TO INCLUDE HIRING CONSISTENCY AND ALSO TO ENSURE SECURITY MEASURES ARE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE HIRING PROCESS. THEY ARE. AND I AGREE WITH THE SUGGESTIONS AND I HAVE REVISED THE POLICY LANGUAGE TO INCLUDE THEM. UNDER BOTH THE POLICY PURPOSE AND THE POLICY STATEMENT. AS WRITTEN THE CURRENT LANGUAGE FOR PURPOSE STATES TO ENSURE THE HIRING PROCESS IS FAIR. EQUITABLE AND NONDISCRIMINATORY. THE POSSIBLE REVISION IS TO INCLUDE THE WORD CONSISTENT SO IT WOULD READ TO ENSURE THE HIRING PROCESS IS FAIR, EQUITABLE, CONSISTENT AND NONDISCRIMINATORY. AS WELL AS ADDING ANOTHER LETTER THAT STATES TO ENSURE THE HIRING PROCESS INCLUDES A THOROUGH PRE-EMPLOYMENT SECURITY SCREENING. IN ADDITION THOSE TWO ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE TO THE POLICY STATEMENT. SO THE NEW LANGUAGE FOR THE STATEMENT WOULD READ THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION IN THE HIRING OF SCHOOL SYSTEM EMPLOYEES. ACCORDINGLY THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WILL USE A FAIR EQUITABLE CONSISTENT AND NONDISCRIMINATOR Y HIRING PROCESS. AS WELL AS LETTER B THE BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF. THEREFORE REQUIRES A THOROUGH SECURITY SCREENING FOR ALL CANDIDATES AS PART OF THE HIRING PROCESS. WE DO HAVE ANOTHER POLICY POLICY 6032. REGARDING FINGERPRINT FINGERPRINTING AND CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECKS FOR EMPLOYEES BUT WHICH WOULD INCLUDE SECURITY SCREENIN. HOWEVER ADDING THE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE TO THIS POLICY REGARDING SECURITY SCREENING WILL HELP TO EMPHASIZE OUR COMMITMENT TO THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ACCEPT THIS. I DON'T KNOW IF WE VOTE ON THIS OR DOES IT HAVE TO GO UP AGAIN FOR 30 DAYS?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE OF THE CHANGES AS PROPOSED BY MR. SEWALL. LET ME JUST DO THAT AND THEN WE
WILL TALK. >> IT WAS ALREADY UP. SO THIS IS THE REVIEW. IF SOMEONE MAKES A MOTION AND SOMEONE SECONDS WE CAN HAVE A NEED OTHER DISCUSSION AND THEN VOTE.
>> WITH SOMEONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> I MADE THE MOTION. >> SECOND
>> PROPER MOTION AND SECOND PICKED DISCUSSION?
>> WHERE DID WE OBTAIN THE DEFINITION OF DISCRIMINATION?
[00:20:08]
>> THE QUESTION WHERE DID WE OBTAIN THAT DEFINITION. I BELIEVE WE HAVE THAT IN OTHER POLICY AS WELL. I CAN CONFIRM
THAT. >> SO IT WAS NOT PULLED DIRECTLY FROM THE DICTIONARY?? NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. IT SHOULD MATCH WITH ANOTHER DEFINITION WE HAVE FOR DISCRIMINATION IN THE POLICY. I WILL DOUBLE CHECK AND LET YOU KNOW.
>> THE REASON WHY I THOUGHT PUTTING THE WORD CONSISTENT AND WAS IMPORTANT IS THAT I GOT WIND OF ANOTHER SCHOOL SYSTEM IN ANOTHER STATE. THAT WAS HAVING SOME TREMENDOUS LEGAL CHALLENGES BECAUSE I GUESS IT WOULD JUST BE CONSIDERED LAX CONTROL OF THEIR HIRING PROCESS. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND IT WAS CONSISTENCY ISSUES. I THOUGHT THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO PUT IN. I APPRECIATE YOU ADDING THE SECURITY ISSUES. YOU JUST CAN'T SAY THAT ENOUGH. I UNDERSTAND WE HAD A SEPARATE POLICY ON THE SPECIFICS. BUT THIS ALSO JUST SAYS THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT IS A PRIORITY IN OUR HIRING POLICY AS WELL. SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION?
>> SO I WAS NOT AT THE LAST MEETING WHEN THIS POLICY WAS DISCUSSED. PART OF MY ABSENCE. AND I WOULD LIKE CONSIDERATION TO STRIKE MEMBERSHIP IN A PARTICULAR GROUP. HERE IS WHY.
I'M A SOCCER MOM. THAT WOULD NOT IF SOMEONE DID NOT HIRE ME DURING THE HIRING PROCESS BECAUSE I WAS A SOCCER MOM -- IS THAT TECHNICALLY DISCRIMINATION? I THINK THAT DISCRIMINATION IS BASED ON LEGALLY PROTECTED CLASSES. WHEN WE ARE TALKING DISCRIMINATION IN THE HIRING PROCESS. I THINK WE NEED TO DEFINITELY BE CAREFUL OF HOW WE ARE DEFINING
THAT WORD WITHIN OUR POLICY. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHANGE THE VERBIAGE OR ACTUALLY MAKE SOME CHANGES AND THEN BRING IT BACK?
>> I'M PUTTING FORTH TO STRIKE MEMBERSHIP IN A PARTICULAR
GROUP OR CLASS. >> COULD YOU REPEAT THAT?
>> I UNDERSTAND NOW PART OF OUR OWN DEFINITION IN THE POLICY WHERE IT SAYS OF COURSE -- WE LEGALLY PROTECT CHARACTERISTICS . THAT IS GENERALLY ACCEPTED I BELIEVE.
>> UNDER FEDERAL LAW YES. >> NOW YOU'RE SAYING --
>> MEMBERSHIP IN A PARTICULAR GROUP. WHAT IS THE PARTICULAR GROUP? USE THE EXAMPLE ON A SOCCER MOM. IF SOMEONE DISCRIMINATES AGAINST ME IN THE HIRING PROCESS BECAUSE I'M A SOCCER MOM IS THAT TECHNICALLY SOMETHING THAT I CAN SUE BASED UPON? I THINK WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL IN HOW WE DEFINE DISCRIMINATION IN OUR POLICY. AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT IS A STANDARD LEGAL DEFINITION FOR
DISCRIMINATION. >> THERE IS PROBABLY -- ISSUES IT COULD BE LOCATED IN CLAGGETT. THERE DEFINITION OF
>> SHE JUST WANTS CONSISTENCY. SHE WOULD LIKE TO STRIKE THAT SENTENCE BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS --
[INAUDIBLE]. >> I WANTED TO OFFER IT DOES MATCH THE DEFINITION AND ARE DISCRIMINATION POLICY THAT WILL BE COMING UP FOR REVIEW TODAY. WITHIN THAT POLICY YOU WILL SEE THAT IT DEFINES THE GROUPS THAT WE THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THAT.
SO I THINK THAT ONCE THAT POLICY IS REVIEWED IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT HAS CHANGED WITHIN THAT POLICY WE COULD GO BACK AND FIX THE DEFINITION FOR THIS POLICY SINCE THEY ARE IN
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WOULD IT BE A GOOD IDEA TO ACTUALLY HAVE MS. GROSS INPUT WITH ANY POSSIBLE WORD CHANGES WITHIN THIS POLICY DISCRIMINATION
[00:25:04]
POLICY? >> I THINK MS. GROSS WILL BE COMING UP TO DISCUSS THE EQUITY.
>> OKAY. WE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT THEN.
>> MAYBE WE SHOULD ALSO HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT WHAT IS IN THE STATE DEFINITION AND ALSO HAVE OUR OWN LEGAL ADVICE PERHAPS.
SEE IF WE SHOULD UPDATE THIS. >> MY RECOMMENDATION TO COLLEAGUES THE BOAT DOWN THE MOTION. THAT HAS BEEN PUT FORWARD TO ADOPT THE POLICY. LET'S CONSIDER PUTTING THIS OUT FOR 30 DAY REVIEW AND DURING THAT 30 DAYS WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE SOME SAUSAGE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE WHEN IT COMES BACK.
>> OKAY. >> OKAY I'M JUST THINKING OUT LOUD FOR A SECOND HERE. ONE OF MY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DISCRIMINATION POLICY WAS TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY GO THROUGH IT TO MAKE SURE THE LANGUAGE AND EVERYTHING IS LEGAL. SO BEFORE I WOULD EVEN WANT THIS TO GO OUT FOR A 30 DAY REVIEW I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LANGUAGE AND TERMINOLOGY WE HAVE A LAWYER REVIEW THAT. COULD THAT BE DONE BEFORE IT
GOES OUT FOR A 30 DAY REVIEW? >> WE DO HAVE AN ATTORNEY THAT WE RUN THINGS PAST. SO IF THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO, WE
COULD. >> WHAT WAS THE LAST TIME AN ATTORNEY LOOKED AT THE DISCRIMINATION POLICY?
>> [INAUDIBLE] . >> THAT IS WHAT I MEANT.
BUT HOW RECENTLY? >> [INAUDIBLE]
>> OKAY 15 YEARS. I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AGAIN.
>> WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS WE HAD A MOTION AND A SECOND
AND DISCUSSION. >> ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION. I HAVE A QUESTION. MS. MAXEY YOU JUST STATED OUR ATTORNEY DOES LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW WHICH I CLEARLY UNDERSTAND. THAT ATTORNEY IS NOT DUE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW A POLICY SHOULD BE WORDED. THEREFORE, DO WE HAVE SOMEONE THAT WE RETAIN FOR THAT PURPOSE? BECAUSE IF THAT IS SOMETHING MS. [INAUDIBLE] IS REQUESTING WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY
ON RETAINER TO DO THAT WORK. >> [INAUDIBLE]
>> SO I WANT TO YOU TO SAY THAT OUT LOUD TO ASSURE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS WHAT MS. GRENIS WAS SEEKING. AND THAT SHE UNDERSTOOD THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
>> BUT THE STAFF CAN ALSO CONSULT WITH THOSE AT THE STATE WHO WRITE SCHOOL POLICY. AND WHO PROBABLY TELL US HOW WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DICTATE WHAT DISCRIMINATION ENTAILS.
>> I DON'T THINK THE STATE COUNTY DICTATES OUR POLICIES.
THIS IS OURS. SO, EVEN WITH THE DEFINITIONS IF IT WAS CREATED 15 YEARS AGO WE DO HAVE STAFF HERE. SO WITH THAT BEING SAID IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION SO WE CAN POSSIBLY HAVE THIS
REVIEWED? >> SO THERE IS A MOTION AND A
SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR. >> OPPOSED?
>> MOTION FAILS. SO IT WILL GO BACK TO A FULL REVIEW. WE WILL SEND YOU [INAUDIBLE] AFTER SPEAKING WITH EVERYONE LATER ON WE WILL COME UP WITH THE PROPER VERBIAGE FOR THAT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] >> YES. THANK YOU.
OKAY. THANK YOU. >> I BELIEVE I'M HERE FOR THE
NEXT -- >> YES. FAIR LABOR STANDARDS
[00:30:02]
PICS FROM I'M HERE ALSO TO REVIEW POLICY 6500 REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT. AT THIS TIME I'M NOT RECOMMENDING ANY CHANGES TO THE POLICY.>> ANY DISCUSSION? >> NO DISCUSSION. IT WILL BE
POSTED FOR 30 DAYS. >> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT WE HAVE EQUITY MARGO GROESBECK
>> GOOD AFTERNOON PRESIDENT WHITE AND DR. TOWNSEL AND EACH MEMBER OF THE BOARD. I AM A SUPERVISOR OF EQUITY. UPON REVIEW OF POLICY STATEMENT 1050 REGARDING EQUITY. THE FOLLOWING CHANGES ARE RECOMMENDED. ONE, PROPOSED I'M SORRY PURPOSE STATEMENT A THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO REMOVE STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITY. THE NEW STATEMENT WOULD READ TO CODIFY AND PROMOTE A CULTURE OF EQUITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL STUDENTS. THE REMOVAL OF THE PHRASE STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITY IS BEING RECOMMENDED IN ORDER TO ACCURATELY DEPICT THE PURPOSE OF THE POLICY. THE UPDATED STRATEGIC PLAN NO LONGER USES THIS TERMINOLOGY. RECOMMENDATION 2 PURPOSE STATEMENT F THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO REMOVE THE PREFIX SUB SUB GROUP. THE NEW STATEMENT WOULD READ TO RAISE ACHIEVEMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS BY ELIMINATING ACHIEVEMENT AND OPPORTUNITY GAPS AMONG STUDENT GROUPS. THE TERM SUBGROUP IS BEING REMOVED.
IT IS BEING UPDATED THE GROUPS IN ORDER TO BE INCLUSIVE OF ALL GROUPS. PROPOSE RECOMMENDATION NUMBER THREE THE FINAL RECOMMENDATION IS TO REMOVE THE LAST SENTENCE FOUND AN POLICY STATEMENT 3B. WHICH READS THE BOARD DIRECTS THE SUPERINTENDENT TO IMPLEMENT PROCEDURES TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF THIS POLICY STATEMENT. BECAUSE A SIMILAR STATEMENT IS IN SECTION FIVE DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY SECTION 5 DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY READS THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DIRECTOR TO IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY. IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL LOCAL POLICIES AND LOCAL STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS TO COMMUNICATE THIS POLICY TO ALL RELEVANT PARTIES.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? >> CAN I ASK TWO QUICK QUESTIONS? FOR THE RECOMMENDED CHANGE UNDER SECTION 3, ONE BULLET POINT B WE CHANGED SUBGROUP IN THE BEGINNING OF THE POLICY. IS THERE A REASON WE DID NOT CHANGE IT UNDER 3B?
>> IT WOULD BE UPDATED EVERYWHERE IT IS INCLUDED IN
THE POLICY. >> I WAS WONDERING COULD YOU ELABORATE ON THE POINT OF REMOVING STRATEGIC PLAN FROM
THE PURPOSE? >> WE HAVE UPDATED THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN. IT NO LONGER IDENTIFY STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITIES. IN ADDITION, TAKING STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITIES OUT WILL KEEP IT FROM ATTACHING THE MEANING THAT POSSIBL THE EQUITY PLAN WAS DEVELOPED AS A RESULT OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN.
THE EQUITY POLICY IS A RESULT OF KOLMAR'S REGULATIONS. AND IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN. IT IS NOT AN OUTCOME OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING. IT EXISTS ON ITS OWN.
>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION?
>> YES. UNDER NUMBER THREE POLICY STATEMENT B. AND THIS IS MORE FOR DISCUSSION. THE BOARD RECOGNIZES THAT CREATING A EQUITABLE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EACH STUDENT AND ELIMINATING ACHIEVEMENT THAT REQUIRED SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. CURRICULAR RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO IMPLEMENT LASTING CHANGE ACROSS ALL SCHOOLS. I WAS READING THAT AND THINKING ELIMINATING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP. THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO FOR AS LONG AS EDUCATION HAS EXISTED. I'M WONDERING IF INSTEAD OF USING THE WORD ELIMINATING, IT MIGHT BE MORE POWERFUL TO SAY ADDRESSING. BECAUSE THAT IS ULTIMATELY WHAT WE WANT TO DO. HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THEM TO MOVE
THESE CHILDREN FORWARD? >> I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE
[00:35:06]
ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO ELIMINATE WHICH IS ALMOST PHYSICALLYIMPOSSIBLE. BUT, >> WE'VE ALWAYS TRIED TO ELIMINATE IT. WOULDN'T IT BE MORE PROACTIVE TO SAY ADDRESSING IT? WHAT SUPPORTS CAN WE PUT IN PLACE? WHAT INTERVENTIONS? WHAT TEACHER RESOURCES? WHAT TRAINING
ANYTHING? >> I THINK IT IS A MINCING OF WORDS. BUT I'M ALL FOR ELIMINATING. BECAUSE THAT IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL. IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE THEY HAVE TO DO WHAT
YOU SAID. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR THAT OR I CAN GO TO MY SECOND? UNDER NUMBER FOUR. I JUST HAD ANOTHER THOUGHT WHAT I WAS GOING WITH THAT. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ELIMINATING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP. WHEN I WAS READING THROUGH THAT AND REFLECTING ON IT, MY FEAR WITH THAT IS YOU CAN ELIMINATE AN ACHIEVEMENT GAP BY LOWERING THE STANDARD. BY LOWERING THE EXPECTATION. AND THAT IS NOT WHAT WE WANT TO DO.
AND I GUESS THAT WORD ELIMINATE COULD TAKE YOU IN THE WRONG
DIRECTION. >> THAT IS WHY I LIKE THE WORD ADDRESSING. OR MINIMIZING OR SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU
ACTIVELY DO SOMETHING. >> OKAY THE NEXT ONE WAS NUMBER FOUR. THE EMPLOYMENT RETENTION RECRUITING AND PLACEMENT OF PERSONS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ADDED TO THAT, PROVIDED THEY ARE THE BEST MOST QUALIFIED AND
MOST TALENTED CANDIDATES. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A DIVERSE WORKGROUP THAT IT MUST BE THE MOST QUALIFIED.
WORKGROUP. COULD YOU REPEAT WHAT YOU JUST SAID?
>> NUMBER FOUR. RIGHT NOW IT SAYS THE EMPLOYMENT RETENTION RECRUITING AND PLACEMENT OF PERSONS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED
GROUPS. >> WHAT DO YOU DESIRE TO ADD?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THAT PROVIDED THEY ARE THE MOST QUALIFIED. I SAID THE BEST MOST QUALIFIED AND MOST TALENTED
CANDIDATES. >> THAT NEEDS TO BE THE
PRIORITY. >> YOU WANT TO ADD THE WORDS
MOST QUALIFIED. OKAY. >> PROVIDED THEY ARE THE MOST
QUALIFIED. >> I'M NOT SURE IF I'M ABLE TO SPEAK RIGHT NOW. I DID NOT KNOW IF I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK. I JUST WANT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD SOMETHING.
>> SHARE YOUR OPINION. >> I WANT US TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THE POLICY IS HEAVILY ALIGNED WITH THE KOLMAR REGULATION. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THAT REGULATION. THAT IS ALMOST THE EXACT VERBIAGE FROM THE REGULATION. THE POLICY REGULATION STATEMENT. WITHIN
COLMAR. >> I JUST THINK AND CALVERT COUNTIES HIRING PROCESS WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO SACRIFICE TALENT FOR DIVERSITY. WE WANT DIVERSITY. IF WE ARE GETTING DIVERSITY IT NEEDS TO BE THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WE CAN GET. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO ADD.
OKAY. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? >> IN THIS POLICY I DO NOT SUPPORT THE ADDITION OF THE WORD MOST QUALIFIED. BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE THAT THE POLICY MIMICS COLMAR VERY CLOSELY. IN THE LANGUAGE. AND I THINK THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE ATTRACTING AND HIRING MOST QUALIFIED AND OTHER THROUGH OTHER MEANS. AND I THINK THAT CAN BE DONE THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE. AND IN QUESTIONS THAT ARE AS DURING INTERVIEWS. AS WELL AS THROUGH OTHER METHODS BUT SO I DO NOT BELIEVE WE NEED TO ADD THE WORD
MOST QUALIFIED TO THE POLICY. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION?
>> COULD I JUST MAKE ONE QUICK COMMENT? I THINK JUST AS I WAS
[00:40:02]
READING THE PURPOSE OF THE STATEMENT, IN SECTION E I WAS WONDERING POTENTIALLY IF WE COULD ALSO ADD LANGUAGE THAT KIND OF MIMICS AND AGAIN I KNOW THIS MIGHT INTERSECT WITH COLMAR SO I WANT TO BE CAREFUL. THAT POTENTIALLY RECOGNIZES STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. IT IS MENTIONED PRETTY FREQUENTLY LATER IN THE POLICY SPECIFICALLY PURPOSE UNDER LETTER E THAT SUPPORTS AN EDUCATION THAT HONOR RACE CULTURE GENDER ORIENTATION WE COULD ADD THE LANGUAGE DISABILITY OR ABILITY TO IT. WHEN I WAS READING TO THE POLICY I WAS THINKING A LOT ABOUT WHAT I HEARD FROM STUDENTS ABOUT NOT FEELING LIKE THEIR 50 FORCE WAS RECOGNIZED.NOT FEELING THEIR ABILITIES OR DISABILITIES WERE RECOGNIZED IN THE CLASSROOM IF THEY WERE NOT OUTWARD. I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING RELEVANT WE COULD CONSIDER ADDING TO THE VERBIAGE SHOULD IT BE SOMETHING THAT IS LEGAL AND CONFORMS WITH COLMAR.
>> ABSOLUTELY. GOOD POINT. WE CALL OUT EVERY OTHER CHALLENGE THAT KIDS MIGHT HAVE EXCEPT FOR THAT.
>> OKAY ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? EXCUSE ME. YES.
PUT THAT TO A VOTE. >> DO I NEED TO MAKE A MOTION? I MAKE A MOTION TO ADD -- NUMBER FOUR THE EMPLOYMENT RETENTION RECRUITING AND PLACEMENT OF PERSONS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS PROVIDED THEY ARE THE MOST QUALIFIED.
>> CANDIDATE. >> THERE IS A MOTION ON THE
FLOOR. IS THERE A SECOND? >> ANYMORE DISCUSSION?
>> ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED? MOTION FAILS.
>> 3-1. >> COULD I REQUEST A MOTION TO HAVE DISABILITY ADDED TO PURPOSE SECTION E?
>> ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS CAN DO THAT FOR YOU.
>> [INAUDIBLE] >> THANK YOU SO IS EVERYONE OKAY WITH ADDING THE VERBIAGE WITH
GRACE.? >> ABSOLUTELY. WHEN THE POLICY REFERS TO EQUITY LANDS IT IS LISTED IN THAT. IT WOULD JUST MATCH WHAT IS PRESENTED IN THE DEFINITION OF EQUITY LANDS.
>> THANK YOU. >> WE DON'T NEED A MOTION.
THERE IS NO OPPOSITION TO IT. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION?
>> I'M JUST TRYING TO PROCESS NOT ADDING HIGHLY QUALIFIED THE MOST QUALIFIED. THE REASON I SAID NO IS BECAUSE I FELT LIKE THAT IS A GIVEN. OUR HIRING OBJECTIVES ARE TO HIRE THE MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE. THAT IS A GIVEN. WHAT THIS IS TRYING TO SAY IS YOU KNOW THAT WE NEED TO ADD DIVERSITY. TO THAT ALREADY HIGH-QUALITY HIRING. THAT IS WHY I SAID NO.
>> WHEN YOU SAY UNDERREPRESENTE D GROUPS IF YOU HAVE TWO CANDIDATES AND YOU JUST LOOK AT THEM ON PAPER WITHOUT HAVING ANY CLUE AS TO WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE. AND YOU PICKED ONE CANDIDATE THAT MAY BE WAS EXTREMELY QUALIFIED AS OPPOSED TO UNDERQUALIFIED AND THEN YOU MEET THEM IN PERSON AND IT IS NOT THE UNDERREPRESENTED GROUP. THIS POLICY IS STATING YOU KNOW THAT THAT IS WHAT OUR GOAL IS. THE HIGHER UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS. I WANT THE MOST HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATE. I THINK IT
IS IMPORTANT TO CLARIFY THAT. >> AND SO MS. GRENIS IN RESPONSE TO WHAT YOU SAID I BELIEVE IF WE ARE FACED WITH
[00:45:03]
THAT SITUATION, WE DO HIGHER THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE.REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY MAY APPEAR PHYSICALLY LOOK LIKE OR TO WHAT UNDERREPRESENTED GROUP THEY BELONG TO. I THINK THIS POLICY SPEAKS TO ENSURING THAT OUR EMPLOYMENT METHOD ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT DIVERSITY IN HIRING. AND THAT NO ONE IS FROWNED UPON FOR ENSURING THAT DIVERSITY AND EQUITY IS PART OF THE HIRING PRODUCT IS. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS POLICY IS TELLING OUR STAFF WHEN THEY HAVE A CHOICE TO CHOOSE ONE OVER THE OTHER BASED ON WHAT UNDERREPRESENTED GROUP THEY MAY
BELONG TO. >> I GUESS I DON'T SEE IT AS A GIVEN AND I'M AFRAID THAT WE CAN SACRIFICE A HIGHLY TALENTED CANDIDATE IN THE NAME OF DIVERSITY. AND I JUST LIKE THINGS TO BE VERY I JUST LIKE TO SEE IT CLARIFIED.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION?
>> OKAY THANK YOU IT WILL BE POSTED FOR 30 DAYS.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT WE HAVE POLICY 1118
DISCRIMINATION. MS. LEWIS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON PRESIDENT WHITE DR. TOWNSEL AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. I'M CECILIA LEWIS DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES. TODAY WE ARE PRESENTING TO YOU POLICY 1118 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION REGARDING DISCRIMINATION. THIS POLICY OUTLINES OUR COMMITMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE WORTH AND DIGNITY OF ALL INDIVIDUALS. IT ENSURES THAT CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AND WORK ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION WHERE ALL INDIVIDUALS ARE TREATED EQUALLY WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. IT ALSO ENSURES THAT ALL THE CPS STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO A FREE AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION IN OUR SCHOOLS. IT ENSURES THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE APPROPRIATE ACCESS TO FACILITIES PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES. AND TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION BY USING PROACTIVE AND PREVENTATIVE MEASURES. UPON REVIEW OF THIS POLICY, OUR TEAM IS MAKING ONE RECOMMENDATION. THIS DOES SOMEWHAT ALIGNED TO THE DISCUSSION EARLIER AS IT RELATES TO THE DEFINITION OF DISCRIMINATION. LOOKING AT THE POLICY STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 3B THERE IS IN ADDITION OF THE DISCRIMINATION BASES. TO INCLUDE ANY OTHER CHARACTERISTIC PROTECTED BY LAW. THAT HAS THIS PARTICULAR ADDITION ADDRESSES ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1960 FOR. WHICH INITIALLY DEFINED DISCRIMINATION UNDER FEDERAL LAW. SO BY ENCOMPASSING AN ADDITION OF ANY OTHER CHARACTERISTIC PROTECTED BY LAW IT ENCAPSULATES ALL OF THOSE AMENDMENTS THUS.
>> THANK YOU. WOULD THIS CHANGE BE MADE WHEREVER DISCRIMINATION IS THROUGHOUT THE POLICIES? ON THE OTHER POLICIES WHEN IT
COMES TO DISCRIMINATION. >> THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION TO ADD THIS ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE IS A REFLECTS THE CURRENT PRACTICE AND IN THE DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL. IF YOU NOTICE AT THE END OF ALL OF OUR POLICIES WERE OUT WHILE OUTLINES OR CITATIONS THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1960 FOR IS LISTED WITH ADDITIONAL TITLES.
PER THAT ACT. THAT IS HOW THE EVOLUTION OF THE DEFINITION OF DISCRIMINATION HAS BEEN DETERMINED. NOW I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE ORIGINAL DEFINITON WHEN IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN ANY OF OUR POLICIES. BUT I CAN SAY UPON REVIEW EVERY FOUR YEARS WITH THIS POLICY IT IS CAPTURED WITH ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS BY ADDING THIS STATEMENT TODAY. IN ADDITION, I'VE ALSO ADDED THE TITLE NINE ACT OF THE EDUCATIONAL AMENDMENTS OF 1972.
WAS RECENTLY APPROVED THE AMENDMENT IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. AND SO I ADDED THE PARENTHESES OF 2024 TO REFLECT
THAT AMENDMENT UPDATE. >> THANK YOU. ANY DISCUSSION?
>> >> THIS IS THE ONE THAT I FELT
[00:50:08]
AN ATTORNEY NEEDED TO REVIEW. JUST TO ENSURE WHEN WE HAD ANY OTHER CHARACTERISTICS PROTECTED BY LAW. ARE THERE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS THAT NEED TO BE CITED FOR THAT? IS THAT ALSO SAYING THE ONES THAT ARE ALREADY LISTED OUR STATE LAWS? I WANT TO ENSURE THEY ARE STATE LAWS. I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO AND I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT I WOULD LIKE AN ATTORNEY TO REVIEW. ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS THAT NEED TO BE ADDED TO THIS?>> I THINK WHEN WE DISCUSSED THAT EARLIER AS FAR AS OUR POLICIES, OUR HOURS AND WE DON'T USE THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ATTORNEYS. WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE RETAINED FOR THAT. THAT
IS WHY WE HAVE STAFF. >> COULD WE HAVE A STAFF REVIEW TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS DONE?
>> ABSOLUTELY THAT IS WHAT WE DO IN ORDER TO REVIEW ANY POLICY FOR RECOMMENDATION. ANYTIME YOU HAVE A FEDERAL LAW THAT IS THE HIGHER LAW. AND SO YOU TYPICALLY WOULD NOT SEARCH DOWNWARD. BECAUSE THE STATE LAW WOULD NOT TROMP A FEDERAL LAW.
SO YOU WOULD CITE THE FEDERAL LAW. ANY STATE OR LOCAL LAW WOULD NOT CHANGE THE ACTUAL FEDERAL LAW. YOU HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE HIGHEST LAW OF THE LAND. IN THIS CASE IF YOU LOOK AT THE POLICY ALL OF THE FEDERAL LAWS LISTED ARE THE ONES THAT ALIGNED TO WHAT DISCRIMINATION IS IN THE WORKPLACE THE SCHOOLHOUSE ANYTHING CONNECTED TO CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC
>> COULD I JUST CLARIFY SOMETHING? I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WOULD FALL UNDER ONE OF THE FEDERAL LAWS OR IF WE WOULD HAVE TO STATE THIS. BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE VIEWPOINT DISCRIMINATION. SO WHETHER WE CLASSIFY THAT AS POLITICAL AFFILIATION OR SOME WORD ENCOMPASSING STUDENT VIEWS. AGAIN I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT SOMETHING I HEARD FROM STUDENTS WAS THEY FELT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE SPEAKING OUT IN THE CLASSROOM IF THEY IDENTIFIED AS EITHER A CONSERVATIVE OR A LIBERAL OR LIBERTARIAN. IN CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTS. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD FALL UNDER THIS POLICY OR IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS COMPLETELY SEPARATE. IT IS SOMETHING I WANTED TO CLARIFY. IF NOT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE IN THE POLICY.
>> THAT IS AN IMPORTANT POINT. THERE ARE MULTIPLE FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO TAKE BACK WITH MY TEAM TO ADD TO POTENTIALLY MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE IN A PROCEDURAL ADDITION VERSUS THE POLICY ITSELF. YOU DON'T WANT A LITANY LIST OF ALL THE TYPES OF DISCRIMINATION WHICH IS WHY I'M HIGHLIGHTING IN THE OTHER CHARACTERISTIC DETECTED BY LAW CAPTURES ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
>> I'M HAPPY TO WHEN WE REVIEWED THE PROCEDURES, FOR OUR OPERATIONAL PURPOSES. AT THAT POINT. I THINK THAT IS A
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? >> I JUST WANT CLARIFICATION ON SOMETHING. WHEN YOU SAY THAT OUR STAFF DOES THE MIX MAKE SURE THE COLOR OF POLICIES AND STATE LAWS AND THINGS ARE INCLUDED IN HERE. NOT BEING ATTORNEYS HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THAT THAT THEY ARE INCLUDED? I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE THE JOB OF AN ATTORNEY TO ENSURE. THAT THE MOST CURRENT FEDERAL OR STATE LAWS ARE IN THERE. AM I WRONG?
>> AN ATTORNEY IS A PARTNER WITH US. WE CONSULT WITH ATTORNEYS WHEN NECESSARY. ALL OF US AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL HAVE TAKEN EDUCATIONAL LAW. SO WE ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE LAWS THAT ARE CONNECTED TO EDUCATION. WHEN THERE IS A QUESTION WE DO CONSULT WITH ATTORNEYS OR OUR COLLEAGUES IN OTHER DISTRICTS WERE STATE-LEVEL. I OFTEN DEFER TO OUR MSD PARTNERS. IN ORDER TO ENSURE WE DO ALL OF OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO ENSURE AND VERIFY INFORMATION THAT WE ARE PRESENTING PRIOR TO COMING IN FRONT OF YOU.
>> SO THERE IS A LAWYER INVOLVED. LAWS ARE FOREVER
CHANGING AND EVOLVING. >> NOT EVERY SINGLE CONVERSATION RELATED TO LAW WOULD INCLUDE AN ATTORNEY OR WE WOULD BE BROKE. CERTAINLY WHEN WE NEED TO CONSULT WITH AN
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? >> THANK YOU. IT WILL BE POSTED
[7.03 Change Orders]
>> NEXT WE HAVE CHANGE ORDERS. WARNER.
[00:55:07]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. PRESIDENT WHITE DR. TOWNSEL AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. DIRECTO OF SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION. I AM HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY TO PRESENT AND ASK FOR APPROVAL TO CHANGE ORDERS.
CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE FOR THE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT REPLACEMENT PROJECT. CHANGE UNDER CHANGE OH THE MUTUAL UNDER ENTRY SCHOOL WELL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT PROJECT. WE ARE LOOKING AT THE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE RIGHT NOW. CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT CONSISTS OF TWO ITEMS. THE ADDITION OF A PROTECTED BOLLARD AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RETAINING WALL AS REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT ADDITIONAL SOIL BERM FENCING AND SOME ADDITIONAL GRADING WORK FOR STORM WATER DIVERSION PURPOSES. CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,698 CENTS. WILL INCREASE THE CONTRACT SUM FOR THE PROJECT TO 1 MILLION. $370,198 BUT AND EIGHT CENTS. FUNDING FOR THE CHANGE ORDER WILL COME FROM LOCAL CIP FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN RESERVED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS PROJECT. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> MOTION TO APPROVE >> SECOND
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION?
>> I HAVE THE QUESTION WAS THIS WAS THE AREA CHANGED? THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE RETAINING WALL OR WAS THIS SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT BROUGHT UP EARLIER BY ERROR?
>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. THE BASIS OF DESIGN OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT THAT THE ENGINEER HAD SPECIFIED WAS ACTUALLY SHORTER PLANTS. BUT, IT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE A MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE PLANTS. THE PROJECT CAME IN AT A LOWER COST. HOWEVER IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE THIS LONGER PIECE OF EQUIPMENT WE DID HAVE TO DO THIS RETAINING WALL WORK. BUT OVERALL IT WAS CERTAINLY A NET SAVINGS BECAUSE THE ESTIMATED COST BASED ON THE BASIS OF DESIGN WAS GOING TO BE IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE EXPENSIVE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.
>> DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?
>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION?
>> ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES 4-ZERO.
>> IN EXCHANGE ORDER IS FROM MUTUAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WELL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT PROJECT. CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE IN THE AMOUNT OF FOR THOUSAND $705.90 FOR. IS FOR ADDED IRON TREATMENT TO THE SCHOOL'S WATER SUPPLY. THE CHANGE ORDER WILL INCREASE THE CONTRACT SUM FOR THE PROJECT TO $619,705 90 FOR. FUNDING FOR THE CHANGE ORDER WILL COME FROM LOCAL CIP FUNDS WHICH HAVE BEEN RESERVED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE MUTUAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. WELL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT PROJECT. WITH THAT I WILL ASK FOR THE BOARD'S APPROVAL AND I WILL TAKE ANY
QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> MOVED TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND >> THERE IS A PROPER MOTION AND SECOND ON THE FLOOR. DISCUSSION.
NO DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR. >> OPPOSED. MOTION PASSED
[7.04 Special Education Staffing Plan Review]
>> 4-0. >> NEXT WE HAVE ITEM 4. SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFFING PLAN REVIEW.
>> DR. ANDERSON. >> GOOD EVENING PRESIDENT WHITE AND DR. TOWNSEL AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TRUSTEES. I'M DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION. I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE FY 25 SPECIAL EDUCATION'S LAUGHING PLAN HIGHLIGHTS. THE PLAN INCLUDES SEVEN PLUS A LITTLE BIT ADDITIONAL STAFFING
[01:00:02]
POSITIONS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS. SPECIAL ED TEACHERS INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANCE SLPS OT'S AND SOCIAL WORKERS.STAFFING EACH YEAR IS BASED UPON STUDENT NEED AND STAFFING RATIOS WHICH IS ONE TO 175 STUDENTS. THE TEAM THEN LOOKS AT REGIONAL PROGRAMMING AND OTHER COMPLEX NEEDS TO DETERMINE STAFFING LEVELS FOR EACH SCHOOL. AT THIS TIME I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.
>> DR. ANDERSON AND THE REQUIREMENTS SECTION OF THE STAFFING PLAN THE VERY FIRST SENTENCE A PUBLIC AGENCY SHALL DEVELOP A STAFFING PLAN CONSISTENT WITH THE PROCEDURES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT. COULD YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THOSE PROCEDURES ARE? OR GIVE US AN OVERVIEW.
>> THAT IS THE COMMENT I MADE ABOUT THE ONE TEACHER SPECIAL EDUCATOR TO EVERY 175 TOTAL STUDENTS IN THE BUILDING.
>> DEFINED BY HIM SDE? >> BY CPS.
>> HOW DO WE DEFINE THAT NUMBER WHAT OTHER PROCEDURES WE UNDERGO TO COME UP WITH THAT RATIO?
>> I INHERITED THAT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ORIGINS ARE. THAT IS THE FIRST STEP IT IS WAY BEYOND THAT. AND THAT IS WHY WE LOOK AT REGIONAL PROGRAMMING. IF YOU WOULD GO TO PAGE THREE IT SHOWS YOU THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS PER REGIONAL PROGRAM.
AND ASSISTANCE AND THEN A RANGE OF STUDENTS. IF NUMBERS GET TO THE HIGH END OR IN SOME CASES HIGHER WE TALK ABOUT EITHER SPLITTING CLASSES OR ADDING ADDITIONAL STAFF IN THOSE CASES. AND SO THE ONE TO 175 IS JUST THE BASELINE.
>> SO YOU ARE SAYING WE HAVE A BASELINE OF ONE TO 175. BUT WE USE OTHER METHODS TO ADD ADDITIONAL STAFFING AS APPROPRIATE BASED ON HOW STUDENTS ARE ALIGNED TO VARIOUS SCHOOLS WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM? SO WE ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT WHERE STUDENTS ARE PLACED.
>> WE LOOK AT WHERE THE REGIONAL PROGRAMS ARE. IF IT IS A SCHOOL THAT HAS A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT HUB OF REGIONAL PROGRAMS THEY MAY NEED ADDITIONAL STAFFING AROUND THAT. ALONG WITH INCLUSIVE PRACTICES. AND THAT ALSO IMPACTS THE RELATED SERVICE AND ALL THOSE AMOUNTS. WE ALSO LOOK AT STUDENTS THAT ARE NOT IN REGIONAL PROGRAMS BUT HAVE COMPLEX NEEDS. AND WE DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT THEY WOULD NEED AND HOW WE CASE MANAGE THOSE COMPLEX STUDENTS.
AND THIS YEAR WHICH IS NOT YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE IT IN THE PLAN. WE ARE PILOTING INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND THREE SCHOOLS. IT IS THE SAME JOB DESCRIPTION BUT THOSE THREE STAFF MEMBERS WILL HAVE SLIGHTLY FEWER STUDENTS. BUT THEY HAVE MORE COMPLEX NEEDS SO WE CAN ATTEND WITH ADDITIONAL
TIME FOR THEM. >> OKAY. IF I DID NOT QUITE ANSWER THERE IS MORE INFORMATION. I'M NOT SURE IF I'M --? I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. I JUST DON'T THINK WE QUITE GET TO THE REQUIREMENTS SECTION WHAT WE ARE TRULY DOING AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM. WHEN WE DEFINE OUR STAFFING PLAN. AND I OFTEN HAVE IN THE PAST QUESTIONED THE ONE TO 75 RATIO. I THINK THAT RATIO IS AN ISSUE FOR ME. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE DO HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES. I'M JUST NOT QUITE SURE THAT ONE TO 175 IS A TEST PRACTICE. THAT WE SHOULD BE PUTTING OUT AS IF THAT IS OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM BEST PRACTICE. SAYING THAT WE SUPPORT A ONE TO 175 RATIO WITHOUT ALSO THEN GOING INTO THE INTRICACIES OF THE ADDITIONAL THINGS THAT WE DO TO ASSURE THAT STAFFING IS APPROPRIATE. AND SO WHAT I LOOK AT THAT IN THE REQUIREMENTS SECTION THAT SEEMS TO BE WHAT WE ARE DOING. ONCE A 175.
BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IS OUTLINED IN OUR PROCEDURES.
>> AGAIN I THINK THAT IS THE CORNERSTONE OF WHAT WE DO. BUT IT IS AND I DON'T KNOW -- I REALLY LIKE NUMBERS. IF I KNEW WHAT NUMBER TO USE THAT WOULD MAKE IT SEAMLESS I WOULD. IT IS SO MANY VARIABLES THAT -- IS EVERYTHING FROM IS IT A LARGE BUILDING OR A SMALL BUILDING BECAUSE THE ECONOMY OF SCALE? ARE THERE A LOT OF RESOURCES THERE? OR WE ALSO LOOK AT CASELOADS. THAT IS WHERE WE COMPARE TO OTHER DISTRICTS. I THINK I'VE MENTIONED HERE BEFORE I WORK CLOSELY WITH ST.
MARY'S IN CHARLES COUNTY. SO THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS I'M SAYING TO THEM WHAT DO YOUR CASELOADS LOOK LIKE FOR
[01:05:02]
HERE WE CALL THEM GENERIC SPECIAL EDUCATORS? FOR YOUR INCLUSIVE KIDS WHAT DO THOSE LOOK LIKE. WE ARE OFTEN RIGHT AT MIDPOINT OR ON THE LOW END OF THAT. AND THEN THERE IS STUDENTS WHO ARE INCLUDED BUT STILL HAVE VERY COMPLEX NEEDS.AS A [INAUDIBLE] TEAM I DON'T HAVE A NUMBER TO QUANTIFY.
WE'VE LOOKED AT HOURS OF SERVICE. WE'VE LOOKED AT ALL DIFFERENT WAYS. BUT IT IS REALLY HINGES ON THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE SUPERVISORS AND THEIR SCHOOLS.
AND KNOWING HOW THEY FIT TOGETHER AND HOW WE SUPPORT THEM. WHEN WE DO PULL BACK STAFF IN SCHOOLS, AT LEAST SINCE MY TENURE WE DO IT IN IT IS BECAUSE USUALLY JUST NUMBERS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER. AND WE DON'T GO TO THAT RATIO RIGHT AWAY. BECAUSE IF YOU ARE USED TO A CERTAIN LEVEL OF STAFF YOU ARE SCHEDULING A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS IMPACTING LAST YEAR I SAID IN ONE BUILDING YOU WILL LOSE ONE STAFF. YOU COULD HAVE ACTUALLY LOST THREE IF WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE RATIO. WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE AND HOW DO WE BUILD THAT AROUND STUDENTS AND LET'S SEE IF YOUR NUMBERS EITHER STABILIZE OR GET LARGER.
SO IT IS NOT THAT IS THE CORNERSTONE BUT ONE TINY PIECE IN THESE CONVERSATIONS AND THE BIGGER PICTURE ARE MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN JUST IT IS JUST OUR STARTING POINT.
>> THANK YOU. >> DOES THE RATIO GET THE RATIO OF STUDENTS PER SPECIAL L TEACHER GET LARGER OR SMALLER AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL?
>> IT DEPENDS ON THE SIZE OF THE BUILDING AND WHAT PART OF THE COUNTY MUCH MORE THAN IT DOES ABOUT LEVEL OF SCHOOL.
>> BECAUSE I'M WONDERING AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL, YOU HAVE X NUMBER OF STUDENTS ALL DAY LONG. WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL -- SORRY ABOUT THAT. WHERE THAT SPECIAL ED TEACHER IS HAVING TO GO TO LOTS OF DIFFERENT CLASSROOMS AND DIFFERENT PERIODS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. HOW MUCH TIME IS BEST SUITED TYPICALLY GETTING WITH THAT SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AND WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THAT TIME DOES THAT FALL ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE IEP FALL ON THE GENERAL ED TEACHER?
>> BY LAW ANYBODY THAT SEES THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO THEM TO DELIVER. IT IS NOT SOLELY DELIVERABLE BY A SPECIAL EDUCATOR. THE OTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS AS STUDENTS GET OLDER AND MORE MATURE, THEIR INDEPENDENCE INCREASES. EVEN IF THEY HAVE NEEDS THE TRAJECTORY OF INDEPENDENCE INCREASES DEVELOPMENTALLY OVER TIME. AND SO AGAIN THE STAFFING PATTERNS REALLY WEIGH MUCH MORE HEAVILY ON SIZE OF BUILDING AND WHERE THEY ARE AT. FOR EXAMPLE I WILL USE A HIGH SCHOOL EXAMPLE. IF YOU LOOK AT JUST RAW NUMBERS OF STAFF WITH PATUXENT YOU MIGHT SAY IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE A LOT OF STAFF THERE. BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT GEOGRAPHICALLY WHERE IT IS THERE IS NOT EVEN A LOT OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT ENGAGE IN THE WORK WITH US. AND SO SOMETIMES THAT IS WHY YOU MIGHT SEE IF YOU'RE ONLY THINKING ABOUT IT IN NUMBERS BUT YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT DELIVERY OF SERVICES. PEOPLE % STUDENTS FAMILY NEEDS. AND THAT IS WHY THE CONVERSATIONS ARE SO IMPORTANT. THIS IS A VERY DAUNTING IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE ENTER INTO LIGHTLY. IT IS DAUNTING. YOU CAN THEN LOOK AT OTHER SCHOOLS THAT MIGHT BE A LARGER LEMON TREE SCHOOL IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY BUT THEY ALSO MIGHT HAVE A HIGH LEVEL OF REGIONAL PROGRAMMING. BECAUSE OF THAT THERE IS A LOT OF RELATED SERVICES THAT ARE IN THERE. SO WE MIGHT BE CLOSER TO THE MARGIN OF CASE MANAGEMENT BECAUSE THE WORK IS DISTRIBUTED A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY. AND SO, I REALLY DO LOVE MY NUMBERS. IF I EVER FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT NUMBER IS TO USE TO CALCULATE THIS I PERSONALLY WOULD LOVE THAT. BUT THIS IS SO MUCH MORE ABOUT PEOPLE AND DELIVERY OF SERVICE. IT IS WHY WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT YOU CAN'T JUST SAY IF THIS THEN THIS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION. YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT YOUR WHOLE SYSTEM AND HOW YOUR BUILDING CAPACITY AND HOW YOU ARE UTILIZING OUR RESOURCES. IN
[01:10:04]
LARGER SCHOOLS FOR EXAMPLE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFF CAN OFTEN SERVE MORE THAN ONE STUDENT. BECAUSE THE SHEER NUMBERS SIMILAR STUDENT NEEDS IN GRADE LEVELS VERSUS ANY REAL SMALL BUILDING THERE MIGHT ONLY 1B STUDENT AND A GREAT LEVEL THAT NEEDS THE SERVICE. COULD WE DO A QUICK PULLOUT. IT IS IN LARGER SYSTEMS THE ECONOMY IS SCALED JUST SERVES YOU WELL.AGAIN THAT RATIO IS THE CORNERSTONE AND I WOULD SAY BECAUSE I'M A NUMBERS PERSON ABOUT 25% OF THE WHOLE THING.
THE OTHER 75% IS WHAT YOU CASELOADS LOOK LIKE? WHAT IS THE REST OF THE STAFFING PLAN? WE ARE STILL WORKING ON SOME OF THE SUPPORTS. SUPERVISORS HAVE BEEN GOING TO BUILDINGS AND SAYING WHAT SUPPORTS DO YOU HAVE HERE? BECAUSE IT IS THAT BALANCE OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND MAKING SURE WE SERVE KIDS WELL. AND SO HOW DO WE LEVERAGE WHAT WE HAD TO
MAXIMIZE IT? >> HOW DO WE COMPARE TO SOME OF THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES LIKE WHEN YOU'RE TALKING THESE
RATIOS AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS? >> WHEN WE ARE TALKING AMONG THE TWO COUNTIES THAT I WORK VERY CLOSELY WAS JUST BECAUSE OF PROXIMITY. I HAVE CONTACTED ANOTHER ONES. I FEEL LIKE ST.
MARY'S IN REALLY HAVE SIMILAR CHALLENGES WITH THE RESOURCES AND SIMILAR COMMUNITIES. WE ARE RIGHT AT MIDPOINT AND IN SOME CASES WE HAVE LOWER CASELOADS WITH THE ONE EXCEPTION. WE ARE VERY LIGHT HERE ADMINISTRATIVEL Y.
>> HOW MANY SPECIAL ED VACANCIES DO WE CURRENTLY HAVE?
>> AS OF AUGUST 1ST I HAD IT PULLED IN IT THAT TIME WE HAD 16.5. TEACHERS AND 20 ASSISTANCE. I THINK THAT HAS BEEN REDUCED BY 50% THIS WEEK. THAT IS JUST WE ARE ON IT TO TRY TO FILL THESE POSITIONS. I THINK WE ARE REDUCED BY ABOUT 50% THIS WEEK. I'M WAITING TO SEE IF PEOPLE ARE ACCEPTING BUT THE OFFERS ARE OUT THERE. JUST SO YOU KNOW THE LAST PUSH HR RAN A REPORT OF EVERYBODY THAT HAS APPLIED FOR POSITIONS WITH A BACHELORS DEGREE OR BETTER. MY OFFICE SENT OUT EMAILS TO EVERY ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE AND SAID PLEASE REACH OUT TO US SO WE CAN TALK TO YOU ABOUT CONDITIONAL. WE ARE AT THE TIME OF YEAR IT IS RARE TO FIND A CERTIFIED TEACHER. AND WE'VE ALREADY TWEAKED OUR PLAN ANTICIPATING CONDITIONAL PEOPLE COMING IN FOR NEW TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ALL ON THAT AND REALLY PROVIDING THE SUPPORTS A CONDITIONAL TEACHER NEEDS.
>> I WAS JUST CURIOUS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW NUMBERS CAN CHANGE FROM WHAT I LOOKED AT THIS MORNING SO WHAT YOU LOOK AT NOW. IT APPEARED THAT ANNE ARUNDEL HAS NO VACANCIES FOR SPECIAL ED. EXCEPT FOR CREATING A POLL FOR APPLICANTS IF THEY NEED THEM. ST. MARY'S HAD ONE. CHARLES HAD SIX. I GUESS IF WE ARE DOWN TO NINE WE ARE CLOSER TO THEIR SPIRIT WHAT WOULD ATTRIBUTE TO I WAS LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS 16.5 WHICH WAS --
>> WERE YOU LOOKING AT POSTINGS? IS THAT WHERE THE NUMBERS COME FROM? THAT IS NOT USUALLY AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION. I'M FAIRLY CONFIDENT TO SAY BUT I WILL CHECK WITH MY COLLEAGUES TOMORROW MORNING. I'M NOT SAYING THEY HAVE MORE THAN OTHERS. BUT I WOULD VENTURE A GUESS FROM MY RECENT CONVERSATIONS THEY ARE NOT AT ONE. I CAME FROM ANNE ARUNDEL AND I'M FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT THEY ARE WELL INTO DOUBLE DIGITS. THE POSTINGS EVERYBODY POSE A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY. SOME PEOPLE ONLY POST IN POOLS AND THEY PULL FROM ONE WRECK. ONLY VERY SPECIALIZED JOBS. AND THEN BUT I KNOW FROM MY TWO COLLEAGUES HERE IN THE SOUTH THAT THEY HAVE QUITE A FEW VACANCIES. BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
>> DO YOU THINK OF NOT PAYING TEACHERS WHEN THEY ARE ON -- IS IT PROVISIONAL? WHERE THEY ARE NOT FULLY CERTIFIED COULD HAVE AN IMPACT IN THAT? I THINK THE OTHER COUNTIES MIGHT BE PAYING THAT. THAT MIGHT BE WHY SOME OF THESE TEACHERS ARE GOING TO
SURROUNDING COUNTIES. >> I DON'T THINK THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE IS THERE? I DON'T MAKE THOSE OFFERS. I
DON'T WANT TO MISSPEAK. >> WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY WERE
PAYING FOR? >> I'M WONDERING WHETHER OUR TEACHERS WHO MAY NOT BE CERTIFIED -- THEY GET LESS
[01:15:04]
MONEY. THEY DON'T GET ON THE SCALE.>> SO, FOR INSTANCE LAST YEAR MAYBE TWO YEARS AGO IN CHARLES COUNTY THEY ARE PAYING ADDITIONAL TEACHERS WHO DON'T HAVE CERTIFICATIONS THE SAME AMOUNT THEY ARE PAYING FULLY CERTIFIED TEACHERS. SO THEY MADE THAT CHANGE. HOWEVER WITH OUR NEW SCALE THAT IS SIMILAR AS WELL.
>> THAT MIGHT HELP RECRUIT SOME TEACHERS. THANK YOU.
>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS JUST THERE IS A SPECIAL EDUCATOR TEACHER SHORTAGE AND RELATED SERVICE PROVIDER SHORTAGE.
EVERY ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES IS FEELING IT. I'M HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS. THIS WEEK I TALKED TO SOMEBODY AT LENGTH.
WE ARE ALL FEELING IT. >> I'M JUST THINKING ABOUT IF WE WANT TO ADDRESS THAT GAP THAT HAS TO BE A HUGE PRIORITY.
WHETHER IT MEANS GETTING MAKING THE GROUP PER STUDENT WITH A SPECIAL ED TEACHER SMALLER. I DON'T KNOW. WE'VE GOT TO TRY
SOMETHING. >> THEY ARE NOT COMING OUT OF THE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMS. I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY ARE IN
MANY CASES. >> I NOTICED IN YOUR PLAN THIS YEAR VERSUS LAST YEAR THE NUMBER OF SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS INCREASED 2 1/2. WE CAN'T EVEN GET WHAT WE NEED
ALREADY. IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT IS BASED ON STUDENT NEED. WE JUST LOOK AT DELIVERABLE HOURS.
>> BUT WE CAN FOR THE SPECIALISTS POSITIONS THAT WE
CAN CONTRACT OUT. >> YES. AND WE ARE ALWAYS HOPEFUL WHEN WE CONTRACT THAT WE CAN ENTICE SOMEBODY HERE AND KEEP THEM. BECAUSE AFTER A YEAR THEY CAN BECOME OUR EMPLOYEE.
THAT IS ALWAYS AS WE ARE HIRING THAT IS OUR LONG-RANGE PLAN.
>> IS IT VERY HARD TO COMPETE WITH THE SALARIES?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS FINANCIAL AS MUCH AS THAT CATEGORY OF SPECIALISTS THE FIELD HAS CHANGED. SO, PEOPLE WANT TO WORK VIRTUALLY. IN SOME CASES THAT WILL WORK BUT IN A LOT OF CASES ESPECIALLY WITH THE LITTLES, THEY NEED SOMEBODY THERE WITH THEM DEVELOPMENTALLY . IT IS ALWAYS JUST BEST PERSON THIS SCENARIO HOW DO WE PROVIDE THAT?
>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION?
[7.05 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan Review]
>> NEXT WE HAVE COMPREHENSIVE MAINTENANCE PLAN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON PRESIDENT WHITE. DR. TOWNSEL AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MY NAME IS GREGORY AND I AM THE DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL FACILITIES. I'M HERE TODAY TO PRESENT TO YOU THE FY 25 COMPREHENSIVE MAINTENANCE PLAN. AND RATHER THAN READ THROUGH EACH PAGE OF THE MAINTENANCE PLAN WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH I WILL DO SOME HIGHLIGHTS SOME CONCERNS AND THEN TAKE QUESTIONS. SO HIGHLIGHTS FROM FY 20 FOR.
CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL. GOT A TOTAL GYM FLOOR RENOVATION.
WHEN I SAY RENOVATION IT MEANS THEY TOOK IT ALL AWAY DOWN TO BARE WOOD. THEY RESEALED IT AND REPAINTED IT AND REFINISHED IT.
IT IS THE SAME AS YOU WOULD HAVE IF YOU INSTALLED A BRAND-NEW FLOOR. THE HUNTING TOWN HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE A LIGHTNING STRIKE AT THE END OF LAST SCHOOL YEAR. THEY GOT AN ENTIRELY NEW INTERCOM SYSTEM. THE INTERCOM SYSTEM HAD TO BE DESIGNED TO FIT THAT BUILDING BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE EQUIPMENT. REPLACING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THREE TIMES THE COST OF THE REPAIR.SO THEY NOW HAVE A NEW SYSTEM IN PLACE WHILE STILL UTILIZING SOME OF THEIR DEVICES THAT THEY HAD WITHIN THE BUILDING. DURING THIS PAST YEAR, MR. NAVARRO CREATED A
[01:20:05]
PLAYGROUND WORKGROUP. WHICH HAS ALLOWED US TO BE A LITTLE DEEPER INTO OUR PLAYGROUNDS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE SET OUT TO DO WAS HAVE SOME OF OUR MOST NEEDED SCHOOLS GET INSPECTED BY AN OUTSIDE CONTRACT AS FAR AS THE EQUIPMENT THE SURFACES AND I BELIEVE EVEN MS. WARNER WAS INVOLVED IN ACCESSIBILITY. SO WE DID COMPLETE FIVE THE FIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. ONE OF MY HOPES FOR THE FUTURE IS WE COMPLETE THEM ALL. WE ALSO HAD THREE SUCCESSFUL STATE INSPECTIONS THIS YEAR. SOUTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND SUNDERLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ALL RECEIVED ADEQUATE SCORES BY THE STATE. THIS YEAR. THAT INSPECTION PROCESS IS GETTING READY TO CHANGE ON US AFTER THIS YEAR.WE CURRENTLY DID ONE IN JULY WHICH WE'VE NEVER DONE ONE DURING SUMMER CLEANING SESSIONS DURING THE YEAR. BUT WE DID ONE THIS YEAR IN JULY. WE HAVE ONE IN SEPTEMBER AND ONE IN OCTOBER. WE'VE BEEN INFORMED THEY WILL GIVE US THE DATE OF THE INSPECTIONS. BUT WE WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED OF THE LOCATION OF INSPECTION UNTIL TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INSPECTION DATE.
SO THEY WILL TELL US YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE AN INSPECTION JULY 20TH AND TWO WEEKS BEFORE JULY 20TH THEY WILL TELL US THE NAMES OF THE SCHOOL. OUR PREPARATION TIME FOR THOSE INSPECTIONS WILL PRETTY MUCH DISAPPEAR. WE ALSO HAD A SUCCESSFUL REPAIR OF THE TENNIS COURT AT THE TEXT IN HIGH SCHOOL. THEY WERE ABLE TO PLAY THEIR HOME TENNIS MATCHES AT THE SCHOOL. THAT WAS PRETTY IMPORTANT TO THEIR COMMUNITY.
THEY HAD BEEN AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
PATUXENT HIGH SCHOOL ALSO GOT A TOTAL RENOVATION OF THE INFIELD ON THEIR SOFTBALL FIELD. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS THERE INFIELD MIX WAS ADDED TO THE INFIELD BUT NEVER REMOVED.
THERE WAS SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 10 1/2 TONS OF DIRT TAKEN OFF TO PUT IT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL FORM. PRETTY MAJOR PROJECT. CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL ON THE OTHER HAND HAD A PRETTY BAD SWELL IN THEIR OUTFIELD. WE WERE ABLE TO FEEL THAT IN. SO NOW THEY HAVE A COMPLETELY FLAT PLAYING
SURFACE. >> SOME OF THE GOALS FOR THE SCHOOL FACILITIES FOR NEXT YEAR. AND I MENTIONED BEFORE WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ALL OF OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS INSPECTED BY AN OUTSIDE CONTRACT JUST TO GET US TO GROUND ZERO. WE DO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT WE'VE GOTTEN CERTIFIED TO DO PLAYGROUND INSPECTIONS. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WITH THE SCOPE OF WHAT WE ARE DOING THAT AT LEAST WE ONE TIME GET THEM DONE BY SOMEBODY OTHER THAN IN-HOUSE PERSONNEL. I WANT TO CONTINUE TO OFFER OUR STAFF THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. EVEN THOUGH MY TRAINING BUDGETS BOTH OPERATIONALLY AND MAINTENANCE WENT DOWN. I STILL WILL PUSH TO SEE ALL OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STAFF ARE GOOD. WE WILL FIND A WAY TO GET THEM COMPLETED. WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO REPLACE VEHICLES. I KNOW IN THE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSAL I HAD SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF MONEY THAT WAS REMOVED. IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO BUY THEM WE NEED TO LEASE THEM WE NEED TO FIND SOME WAY OF KEEPING A CYCLE GOING WITH THESE VEHICLES. OTHERWISE WE WILL DIG OURSELVES SUCH A DEEP HOLE WE WILL NEVER CATCH UP.
ONE OF MY OTHER GOALS LOOK AGAIN AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE TO TRY TO FIND WAYS TO SAVE MONEY. THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION BUDGETS. THIS YEAR I ACTUALLY OUR BUDGET IS ACTUALLY LESS THEN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. EVEN THOUGH SOME LINES INCREASED TO COMPENSATE WITH INFLATION. WE PULLED THE STRINGS IN TIGHT AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET IN UNDER WHAT WE PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED.
>> SOME CONSIDERATIONS, EACH TIME WE OPEN A NEW SCHOOL THE SQUARE FOOTAGE AND RESPONSIBILITIES ON THE MAINTENANCE STAFF INCREASE. WE HAVE NOT INCREASED MAINTENANCE STAFF. SO IF THEY WERE DOING AND IT REFLECTS IN THE COMPREHENSIVE MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR THEIR SQUARE FOOTAGE. THEIR SQUARE FOOTAGEGOES UP MORE OF A CONCERN IS THE NUMBER OF
[01:25:01]
PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. WHEN WE DID NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL FOR EXAMPLE OLD NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL HAD APPROXIMATELY 20 ROOFTOP UNITS. NEW NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL BETWEEN AND CEILING UNITS AND ROOFTOP UNITS AND GEOTHERMAL THERE ARE 200 PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. IT IS 10 TIMES THE NUMBER OF EQUIPMENT THAT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED. WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF STAFF.THE ABILITY TO REPAIR AGING SYSTEMS. THIS HAS GOTTEN TO BE A REAL CHALLENGE FOR US. SOME OF OUR BEST PERSONAL PURCHASES LATELY EITHER COME FROM AMAZON OR EBAY. PEOPLE THAT ARE SELLING. MANUFACTURERS ARE NOT PRODUCING PARTS FOR AGING
EQUIPMENT. >> ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS THAT MANUFACTURERS ARE PUSHING TO REPLACE EQUIPMENT RATHER THAN KEEP IT REPAIRED. OBVIOUSLY IT COSTS A LOT MORE TO REPLACE A MAJOR PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAN IT DOES TO PUT SOME PARTS AND LABOR INTO IT. MY OTHER CONCERN I HAD IS THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT MY STAFF IS SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO MY FOREMAN THEY WERE ALWAYS WORKING FOR THE MAJORITY OF THEIR TIME NOW IS SPENT WHEN WE NEED SOMETHING THEY ARE HAVING TO SHOP FOR PRICING. GET MULTIPLE PRICING. THEY ARE SPENDING THE MAJORITY OF THEIR TIME DOING MORE ADMINISTRATIVE TYPE OF DUTIES THAN WHAT THEY HAVE IN THE PAST RATHER THAN BEING ABLE TO BE PART OF THEIR DEPARTMENT AND PHYSICALLY WORK WITH THEIR STAFF. THAT IS SOMEWHAT OF A CONCERN TO ME.
>> THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO I'M OPEN FOR QUESTIONS. COMMENTS OR
CONCERNS. >> FIRST OF ALL I APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE THING YOU SAID. I KNOW THOSE CHALLENGES ARE SO REAL. WE HAVE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS. WE ARE GOING TO TRY TAKE AS MUCH AS WE PHYSICALLY CAN. I ALSO REALIZED THAT IT IS REALITY WHEN A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT FAILS. AND IT IS UP TO YOU TO GET IT EITHER REPAIRED OR REPLACED. HOW CLOSELY DO YOU BETWEEN YOU AND -- AS FAR AS LOOKING AT CAPITAL BUDGETS OR SYSTEMIC IMPROVEMENTS, YOU MUST HAVE LIKE A TIMELINE ON WE EXPECT THIS TO FAIL HERE. WE EXPECT THIS FAILURE HERE. WE POSSIBLY CAN TO PUT BAND-AIDS ON ANYMORE. YOU CONSTANTLY HAVE A RUNNING LIST OF THAT?? SO WHEN
SHE WILL DO THAT NEXT MONTH. >> WHEN SHE DOES THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, WE SIT DOWN AND WE GO OVER THOSE.
TOGETHER. AND WE TRY TO JUDGE WHAT THE MOST URGENT CONCERNS ARE. AND THAT IS WHY THOSE LIST OF PROJECTS CAN CHANGE FROM YEAR TO YEAR. ONE YEAR WE WILL BE ANTICIPATING CAN WE GET THE ROOFTOP UNITS DONE AT THIS BUILDING. IN THE MEANTIME ARE WELL STARTS TO FAIL OR SEPTIC SYSTEM STARTS TO FAIL. WE MAY HAVE TO FLIP PROJECTS TO KEEP THEM AS CLOSE ON TIMELINE AS WE CAN. BUT THEY CHANGE ON A YEARLY BASIS.
>> YOU JUST REMINDED ME IN OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER IT WAS BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE SEPTIC REPAIR. CAN YOU SPEAK ABOUT THAT AND HOW MUCH YOUR DEPARTMENT SAVED US? CEMENT SO,
>> IT MAY BE THE WELL WAS THAT THE WHALE? IT WAS THE WELL SYSTEM THAT MUTUAL. MY ELECTRICIANS WERE ABLE TO DO THE INSTALLATION OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO THE NEW WELL. RATHER THAN HAVE TO BRING IN A CONTRACTOR TO DO THOSE THAT INSTALLATION WHICH SAVED THE CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. OR CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
>> IF WE COULD DO IT OURSELVES THAT IS --
>> WE JUST FINISHED A PROJECT AT MOUNT HARMONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. WE WERE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE SEPTIC DRAIN FIELD THERE AS WELL. RATHER THAN HAVE A CONTRACTOR COME IN OUR STAFF HAD TO DO SOME CHANGES IN PIPING. AND DO SOME PREP REPAIRS OR RENOVATIONS TO SOME OF THE TANKS THERE. WE PROBABLY DID THAT FOR LESS THAN $15,000. AND IF WE HAD TO HAVE THAT REPLACED BY CONTRACTOR IT WOULD'VE BEEN A HALF A MILLION
[01:30:02]
DOLLARS PICKS >> THERE YOU GO. WELL THANK YOU. WHICH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WERE YOU REFERRING TO? CEMENT
MOUNT HARMONY. >> A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION AND HUNTING TOWN ELEMENTARY. I'M WONDERING IF THAT GOING TO BE DONE IN TIME FOR THE OPENING OF SCHOOLS.
>> WHAT I GOT TODAY IF THAT WILL BE READY TO CHANGE ON
TUESDAY MORNING. >> FANTASTIC. UNDER YOUR GOALS FOR THE SCHOOL FACILITIES, YOU TALKED ABOUT INSPECTION OF THE ELEMENTARY EQUIPMENT, AND DEVELOPMENT OF EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT . IS THERE A FUND OF MONEY FOR THIS OR IS IT UP TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO ACTUALLY COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO REPLACE IT?? BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED IS
>> SCHOOLS WHEN THEY WERE BUILT WERE PROVIDED WITH A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. IN THE MEANTIME SINCE THAT POINT SINCE THE DAY THE SCHOOLS OPENED THEY HAVE DONE FUNDRAISING. THEY HAVE PURCHASED EQUIPMENT. AN ADDED TWO PLAYGRONDS. BUT THERE WAS NEVER ANY PLAN OR ANY POT OF MONEY TO DO REPAIRS TO DO REPLACEMENT. SO NOW WE HAVE MORE EQUIPMENT THAN WE STARTED WITH. WITH NO MONIES TO SPECIFICALLY REPAIR AND REPLACE. WE DO THE BEST WE CAN TO KEEP THEM OPERATIONAL BUT AT SOME POINT WE NEED TO AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT THAT PLAYGROUND WORKGROUP WAS CREATED FOR. IS TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN WHAT HAS BEEN PURCHASED NOT NECESSARILY BY CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WHAT HAS BEEN PURCHASED BY THE SCHOOLS.
>> I WAS JUST QUESTIONING THAT BECAUSE I KNOW SOME OF THESE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THAT DO FUNDRAISERS THEY MAKE HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY. AT ANOTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHERE THEY CANNOT AFFORD IT HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO KEEP UP WITH THEIR
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT? >> WE DO OUR BEST TO MAINTAIN WHAT THEY HAVE. EVERYTHING HAS AN END OF LIFE CYCLE AT SOME
POINT. >> ON TOP OF IT TRYING TO MAKE THEM ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THAT IS A
LOT OF MONEY. >> IT IS. YOU ARE ACCESSIBILITY LAWS CHANGED AS YEARS GO BY. WHEN THOSE SCHOOLS WERE CONSTRUCTED THEY FELL WITHIN ACCESSIBILITY RULES. MAYBE TODAY'S CURRENT RULES ARE PROBABLY WELL IN ADVANCE OF RULES THAT WERE BUILT -- THEY DON'T MAKE YOU GO BACK AND CHANGE THOSE. BUT WE NEED TO CHANGE THOSE.
>> THANK YOU. >> ONE THING YOU MENTIONED WAS INCREASING AMOUNT OF TIMES THE STAFF IS SPENDING TRYING TO FIND PRICING FOR MATERIALS BUT YOU HAVE A WAREHOUSE PERSON WHO DOES THAT OR THE ACTUAL TEXT HAVE TO DO THE RESEARCH?
>> TYPICALLY THE FOREMAN OF EACH GROUP IF IT IS THE HVAC DEPARTMENT THAT HVAC FOREMAN IS THE PERSON WHO SPENDS THE MAJORITY OF TIMES. DO SOME OF THE STAFF DO SMALL THINGS INDIVIDUALLY? ABSOLUTELY. THAT TAKES AWAY IF YOU'RE DOING THAT YOU ARE NOT HANDS ON ACTUALLY MAKING REPAIRS. ANY
OTHER DISCUSSION THANK YOU. >> NEXT WE HAVE THE CAC
[7.06 CAC Appointments]
APPOINTMENTS. DR. JOHNSON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON PRESIDENT WHITE AND DR. TRAN EIGHT. SUSAN JOHNSON THE CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER. I AM PRESENTING A MEMO TO YOU FOR THE APPOINTMENTS OF THE CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE. AS YOU CAN SEE THE FOLLOWING CITIZENS HAVE APPLIED FOR THE CAC FOR THE 24TH AND 25 SCHOOL YEAR. IF YOU LOOK ACROSS, OUR PROCESSES TO OPEN TO OUR CURRENT MEMBERS PROVIDED THEY HAVE 75% ATTENDANCE RATE AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS. AND THEN WE PUT OUT A CALL FOR MEMBERSHIP.
IT IS FILLED ON A FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED BASIS BY GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION PATUXENT HIGH SCHOOL WE DO NOT HAVE A FULL COMPLEMENT OF MEMBERS. SO WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF THREE CITIZENS FOR PATUXENT HIGH SCHOOL AND TO CITIZENS FOR CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL. THOSE HAVE BEEN REPOSTED FOR INTEREST AS WELL IS SHARED WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF THE HIGH SCHOOL TO SHARE WITH THEIR LARGER COMMUNITY AS WELL. WE ALSO HAVE
[01:35:02]
HAD STUDENTS WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR CAC FOR NEXT YEAR. THOSE NAMES ARE LISTED BY SCHOOL PICKS>> A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE LIST OF CITIZENS AND STUDENTS TO THE CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS OUTLINED IN THE MEMO FROM DR.
>> THERE HAS BEEN A PROPER MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN
FAVOR. >> OPPOSED. MOTION PASSED 4-0.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? >> MOTION PASSED. THANK YOU.
[8.01 Comments by the Board]
>> NEXT WE ARE MOVING TO BOARD COMMENTS BUT MISS GRENIS PICKS
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO START BY CONGRATULATING ALL OF OUR SUMMER SCHOOL GRADUATES. THAT IS SO EXCITING. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR GRADUATION. A REMINDER TO SENIORS THAT THE COMMENT APPLICATION OPEN AUGUST 1ST.
I'M IN THAT BATTLE WITH YOU AS A RISING SENIOR. JUST A LITTLE REMINDER FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS OUT THERE. AND FINALLY I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ESPECIALLY STUDENTS TO ATTEND THE LIBRARY'S LONGEST TABLE EVENT ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12. THE LONGEST TABLE IS A DISCUSSION POPULAR NATIONWIDE TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER OVER A MEAL FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ENGAGING CONVERSATION. THE BOARD WAS INVITED TO THIS EVENT AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO SHARE IT WITH STUDENTS. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THEY ARE IN
ATTENDANCE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. MISS GRENIS PICKS THE MAT WITH THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN SEEING THE BENEFIT OF OUR NEW NO CELL PHONE IN THE CLASSROOM POLICY. THE POLICY IS A DIRECT RESPONSE TO OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF WHO WITNESS JUST HOW DISRUPTIVE CELL PHONES ARE TO THE TO A QUALITY LEARNING EXPERIENCE. TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, TO THE NEW POLICY DR. TRAN EIGHT AND HIS TEAM WILL BE IMPLEMENTING AN EXTENSIVE UNIFICATION EFFORT ACROSS ALL CC PS SCHOOLS. I GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT. I HOPE THAT ADMINISTRATORS WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSING WITH THEIR STAFF DURING STAFF MEETINGS EMAILS SIGNAGE STUDENT ASSEMBLIES SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEOS ANYWAY POSSIBLE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BOTH PARENTS AND STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE POLICIES SPECIFICS AND THE REPERCUSSIONS FOR VIOLATING THE POLICY. THE SAME APPLIES FOR OUR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS. ENFORCEMENT OF THE POLICY MUST BE APPLIED CONSISTENTLY AND FAIRLY ACROSS ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS. ANY PRINCIPAL, TEACHER OR STAFF MEMBER WHO HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLICY OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE POLICY SHOULD CONTACT DR. TRAN EIGHT AND OR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS. WE ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF THIS SIGNIFICANT STEP TO ADVANCED ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN OUR
SCHOOLS. THANK YOU. >> MS. BERLINSKI.
>> YES GRACE I ALSO BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE JUST DONE AN AMAZING JOB LINING UP YOUR STUDENT ADVISORY GROUPS. AND GETTING INPUT TO US. I'VE ENJOYED OUR CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD VIA EMAIL. AND THE STUDENT VOICE PART OF THAT THAT YOU'VE GOT PICK YOU DID YOUR OWN SURVEY BUT YOU GAVE US INPUT ON WHAT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM SURVEYS. FOR ABOUT HOW STUDENTS FELT ABOUT TEACHERS AND THEMSELVES. THE LACK OF CIVILITY. BUT YES AND I AGREE IT IS SO IMPERATIVE THAT WE DO A VERY GOOD JOB IN COMMUNICATING ABOUT THE NEW CELL PHONE POLICY. I'M SO HOPEFUL BECAUSE YOU CAN PICKUP A JOURNAL OR A NEWSPAPER WITHOUT SEEING ABOUT THE SUCCESSES ANOTHER SCHOOL SYSTEM IS HAVING BY LIMITING THE CELL PHONES WITHIN THE SCHOOL DAY.
ONE OF THE STUDENT SURVEYS POINTED OUT -- IS THAT THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT ENFORCEMENT. I DO IT IS A SHAME THAT THEY ENFORCEMENT WILL HAVE TO BE ON THE AD MEN AND TEACHERS. IF WE FIND THAT THAT IS A PROBLEM, AND THAT IT CAN'T BE CURTAILED SIGNIFICANTLY TO ALLOW THE LEARNING TO ALLOW THE HOPEFULLY THE ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENTS WE ARE HOPING FOR. THEN I WOULD
[01:40:02]
LIKE TO STILL ENTERTAIN THE FACT THE POUCHES STILL BE ENTERTAINED AS A METHOD OF ON A PILOT BASIS OF A METHOD OF TAKING THE ENFORCEMENT BURDEN OFF OF OUR TEACHERS. I ALSO WANT TO I'M VERY HAPPY THAT WE GOT CAC MEMBERS RECOMMENDED FOR THE CAC. WE FIND THAT IS AN EXCELLENT THE CAC IS AN EXCELLENT WAY FOR OUR CITIZENS TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK QUESTIONS DIRECTLY FROM OUR TOP EXECUTIVE STAFF SO I REALLY ENCOURAGE MEMBERS ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE WERE LACKING MAYBE THE MEMBERS AND PATUXENT AND CALVERT PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS PLEASE SIGN UP. BECAUSE I THINK YOU WILL BE SURPRISED AT THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT YOU WILL COME AWAY WITH.THAT IS ALL I HAVE PICKS >> VICE PRESIDENT CLAGGETT
PICKS >> THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SUMMER SCHOOL GRADUATES. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GRADUATION. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE STAFF AND EVERYONE WHO CONSISTENTLY COMES TO OUR MEETINGS AND REACH OUT TO US.
AND ALSO FOR THE STAFF FOR ANSWERING SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE EMAILED THEM AND GET CLARIFICATION BEFORE WE ACTUALLY COME OUT HERE. I'VE BEEN TALKING TO STUDENTS AS FAR AS WITH THE CELL PHONES AND THE NEW POLICY. FOR SOME SCHOOLS FOR SOME SCHOOLS I DON'T THINK IT IS GOING TO BE THAT MUCH OF A PROBLEM BECAUSE I KNOW AT MY DAUGHTER'S MIDDLE SCHOOL, SHE SAID IT IS NOT GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL. THEY WERE TOLD FROM DAY ONE THAT THEY HAVE A PRETTY MUCH A ZERO TOLERANCE FOR THE CELL PHONES BUT THEY HAD NOT HAD PROBLEMS. IT IS NOT GOING TO BE A HUGE ADJUSTMENT FOR HER. THAT MIGHT NOT BE THE SAME FOR EVERYBODY ELSE. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE WHAT WE COME UP WITH. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL MY BOARD MEMBERS AND DR. TRAN EIGHT FOR YOUR EFFORTS YOU CONTINUOUSLY DO. FOR US. ONE LAST THING ON SEPTEMBER 14TH THERE IS GOING TO BE THE THIRD ANNUAL -- MENTAL WELLNESS AND SUICIDE WALK DOWN IN SOLOMONS AT THE MARINE MUSEUM. IT STARTS AT 5:00. THIS IS THE THIRD ONE WE ARE HAVING. MENTAL WELLNESS IS SOMETHING THAT IS A BIG CONCERN FOR ALL OF US. IF YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET DOWN THERE TO BE A PART OF THAT PLEASE DO.
AND WITH THAT WE ARE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.