Oct 24, 2024 Board of Education

[2.01 Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silence]

[00:00:14]

>>> CALL THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BOARD MEETING TO ORDER, WE WILL START WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE. THANK YOU. NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS

[2.02 Appointments]

BEFORE HER CURRENT ROLE AT HARMONY ELEMENTARY, SHE ALSO SERVED AS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT MUTUAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

I'M ASKING YOU TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF MELISSA

HUFFMAN.. >> SECONDED.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES 5-0.

CONGRATULATIONS.

FIRST, I WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY, AND THE INCREDIBLE LEADERS THAT I'VE HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM OVER THE YEARS, YOUR GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT HAS BEEN INVALUABLE. I AM THRILLED TO SERVE AS THE NEW ELEMENTARY ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS SUPERVISOR, AND I'M TRULY HONORED TO CONTINUE THE WORK OF DR. GRUBER, I CAN'T WAIT TO SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ANY GREATER CAPACITY. I DO WANT TO SHARE WHERE MY PASSION FOR LITERACY STARTED. I KNEW FROM VERY EARLY ON THAT I WANTED TO BECOME A TEACHER, IT WASN'T UNTIL I HAD CHILDREN, AND THEN EXPERIENCED A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN MY CAREER, MY OLDEST DAUGHTER REALLY STRUGGLED LEARNING TO READ. UNLIKE MY YOUNGEST, WHO CAUGHT ON VERY QUICKLY, SHE NEEDED A LOT OF EXTRA SUPPORT. THIS EXPERIENCE, BOTH AS A PARENT AND AS AN EDUCATOR, I FOUND IT CHALLENGING, AND ULTIMATELY REWARDING. FAST FORWARD TO TODAY, SHE IS TAKING AP HONORS CLASSES, REINFORCING MY BELIEF IN THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF DEDICATED TEACHING. OUR CURRICULUM PROGRAM HAS EVOLVED OVER THE PAST DECADE, AND IT IS MY MISSION THAT WE CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT TEACHERS HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY INSRUCTION, AND OUR TEACHERS WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO BE TRAINED IN THE SCIENCE OF READING, SO WE CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE LIKE MY DAUGHTER. I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS WORK, AND IT IS MY MISSION TO ENSURE ALL OUR STUDENTS LEAVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH A STRONG LITERACY FOUNDATION. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT, I WOULD ASK THE BOARD TO APPOINT MISS JENNIFER STOCKER AS SUPERVISOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES. MS. STOCKER IS THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER AT OXLEY INCORPORATED, BRINGING OVER 18 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN HUMAN RESOURCES. SHE PREVIOUSLY WORKED AT AMERICAN ELECTRONICS INCORPORATED, AMERICAN SERVICES TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, AND SOLOMON'S NURSING CENTER. SHE HOLDS AN ASSOCIATES IN SCIENCE AND A BACHELOR IN PSYCHOLOGY,

[00:05:06]

>> MOVED TO AFFIRM. >> SECONDED.

>> MOVED AND SECONDED, ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? THE MOTION

PASSES 5-0. CONGRATULATIONS. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU, I'M REALLY EXCITED TO GET STARTED, I THINK WITH MY EXPERIENCE, I SPENT A LOT OF TIME CONTRACTING AND WORKING WITH UNIONS, BUT I WILL BE ABLE TO BUILD SOME POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH STAFF, AND THAT WILL LEND ITSELF TO SUPER POSITIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES.

THANK YOU.

[2.03 Strategic Plan Priority Areas Approval]

>> NEXT, WE HAVE ITEM THREE, THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AREA

APPROVAL. >> THANK YOU. DR. JOHNSON AND OUR TEAM WILL PRESENT THE ENTIRE PLAN, EACH OF OUR MEMBERS ARE SUPERVISING A PRIORITY AREA. THIS OPPORTUNITY STARTED IN THE SUMMER OF 2024, WHERE WE BEGAN THE PROCESS. I DID WANT TO SHARE THAT MY GOAL WAS TO HAVE THIS DONE WITHIN 12 MONTHS, AS WE ALL KNOW, JANUARY HAD ONE OF THE BIGGEST CRISIS TO HIT CALVERT COUNTY SCHOOLS, WE PRIORITIZED BUDGETING AND NEGOTIATION WITH UNION GROUPS, AND WE PRIORITIZED THE FUTURE, IN ADDITION TO ADDING STAFF TO OUR COMMUNITY, WE ARE READY TO SHARE PRIORITY AREAS, OBJECTIVE AREAS, AND INPUT WITH OVER 1000 INDIVIDUALS. WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT TO DR. JOHNSON.

>> GOOD EVENING, I'M SUSAN JOHNSON, THE CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER. TODAY I AM HERE WITH MY COLLEAGUES, JACKIE JACOBS, CECILIA LEWIS, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES.

>> SCOTT JOHNSON, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

>> TONIGHT WE WILL BE PRESENTING AND ASKING APPROVAL FOR THE PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN. AS YOU HEARD, IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR, THE COMMUNITY ENGAGED IN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS WITH OUR PARTNERS. WE ENGAGED IN A FOUR PHASE PROCESS THAT BEGAN IN THE SUMMER OF 2023. DURING PHASE ONE, WE PLANNED A TIMELINE, ACTION STEPS, AND A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN. DURING PHASE TWO, IN THE FALL OF 2023, THE DISTRICT COMPLETED AN INCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT PROCESS, COMMUNITY FORUMS WERE HELD, 23 FOCUS GROUPS, AND 11 ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS WITH BOARD MEMBERS AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS. ADDITIONALLY, WE ADMINISTERED A COMMUNITY SURVEY, WHERE WE RECEIVED 2397 RESPONSES. A DATA SCAN WAS COMPLETED TO EXAMINE FACTORS THAT WOULD POSITIVELY AND NEGATIVELY AFFECT OR IMPACT THE DISTRICT IN THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE YEARS. DURING THE WINTER AND SPRING, PHASE 3 TOOK PL. THE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE REVIEWED THE DATA, DETERMINE THE MISSION AND CORE VALUES, AND DEVELOPED THE JOURNEY OF THE GRADUATE, AND FINALLY PREPARED TO IDENTIFY PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES. IN APRIL, THIS OVERVIEW WAS SHARED WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. A MISSION IS A BRIEF AND MEMORABLE STATEMENT OF WHAT WE DO, HOW WE DO IT, AND FOR WHOM.

THE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE DEVELOPED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT AS THE MISSION OF OUR WORK. CCPS NURTURES AN INCLUSIVE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL COMMUNITY, TO EMPOWER STUDENTS WITH A RIGOROUS ACADEMIC FOUNDATION, THAT IGNITES A PASSION FOR LEARNING, AND RAISES THE BAR FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION. OUR TEAM DISCUSSED THE CONCEPT

[00:10:05]

FINALLY, OUR PRIORITIES ARE BROAD AND LONG-TERM AREAS OF FOCUS THAT EXPRESS OUR POOR WORK AS INDICATED BY THE DATA, SO THE PRIORITIES THAT THE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE IDENTIFIED OUR STUDENT EXCELLENCE, CULTURE FOR LEARNING, ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. AT THIS TIME, MY COLLEAGUES WILL GO THROUGH THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES FOR EACH OF THOSE AREAS.

>> STUDENT EXCELLENCE SHARES HOW CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE WORKING TOWARD MAKING SURE EVERY STUDENT NEEDS ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND DEVELOPS MIND-SET AND HAVE IT NECESSARY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING. THE KEY OBJECTIVES TO GUIDE US IN ACHIEVING THIS VISION, OBJECTIVE ONE, ENSURE EVERY STUDENT MEETS OR EXCEEDS CURRICULAR STANDARDS. KEY POINTS WITHIN THIS OBJECTIVE AREA, CONTINUING TO DEVELOP AND PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY CURRICULUM, ALIGNING HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WITH ELA, MATH, SCIENCE, AND SOCIAL STUDIES ALIGNED WITH OUR RUBRICS. AT THIS TIME, MSD HAS RELEASED THE ELA, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MATH, SCIENCE, AND SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS ALSO LOOKING AT HOW WE ASSESS AND USE ASSESSMENTS TO EVALUATE ÚCURRICULUM, TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS, AND THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP ALIGNED HAVE STRONG PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT MTS AS TEAMS, AND PROVIDING INTERVENTION AND SUPPORTS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE ALL TEAMS MEET STANDARDS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL STUDENTS HAVE ACADEMIC MIND-SETS AND HABITS THAT PROMOTE LEARNING. WE ARE PROVIDING STRATEGIES ON HOW WE DEVELOP INDEPENDENT LEARNERS AND PROMOTE STUDENT AGENCY WITHIN EVERY CLASSROOM. IN SUPPORTING THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS, UTILIZING FRAMEWORK TO ENHANCE ACADEMIC MIND-SETS IN EVERY CLASS. OBJECTIVE THREE IS ENSURING EVERY STUDENT HAS ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE THEIR PASSIONS, HERE WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO EXPLORATION, WRITING OPPORTUNITIES AND CAREER COUNSELING, AND ACTIVITIES ALIGNED WITH THE MODEL. EXPANDING PATHWAYS, INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES IN EARLY COLLEGE, AP PATHWAYS AND APPRENTICESHIPS, AND ENSURING EVERY STUDENT IS ENGAGED IN RIGOROUS, RESPONSIVE, AUTHENTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCES. REVIEWING CURRICULUM TO MAKE SURE THOSE EXPERIENCES ARE WITHIN OUR CURRICULUM DOCUMENTS, SO STUDENTS ENGAGED OFTEN IN LEARNING EVERY DAY, LEVERAGING BEST PRACTICES AS WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS THROUGH OUR RISE PROGRAM, PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITIES, PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT FOCUSES ON PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, HARDER THINKING SKILLS AND

INSTRUCTION. >> THE NEXT PRIORITY AREA IS CULTURE FOR LEARNING IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHERE WE KNOW ENVIRONMENTS MODEL MATTER. CULTURES FOR LEARNING OUTLINES A BELIEF THAT CULTURE IS A WAY OF LIFE, OUR GOALS IN THIS PRIORITY AREA OUTLINE SPECIFICALLY HOW WE EXPECT DAILY INTERACTIONS TO BE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF.

CULTURES FOR LEARNING CONDITIONS AND QUALITIES CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING AND SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS, THIS INCLUDES ATTENDING TO THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS. THIS PRIORITY AREA FOCUSES ON ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING SAFE AND RESPECTFUL OVERALL SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENTS THAT VALUE THE BROADER COMMUNITY, FOSTERS AN INVITING CULTURE, FOCUSES ON STUDENT AND STAFF

[00:15:02]

STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION WILL INFORMAL OPPORTUNITIES TO RECOGNIZE STAFF DEDICATION AND A COMPASS MINCE, AND STUDENT SUCCESS AND A COMPASS MINCE. FINALLY, OBJECTIVE FIVE, PROVIDING RELEVANT AND ONGOING NATIONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES.

AS STAFF GROWS, STUDENTS GROW. THIS WILL FOSTER POSITIVE LEARNING COMMUNITIES, OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS TO MAXIMIZE UNDERSTANDING AND CAPACITY, WHILE CULTIVATING CULTURES FOR LEARNING, SO THAT THE JOURNEY OF EACH GRADUATE IS CHARACTERIZED BY HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTS THAT ALL STUDENTS EXPERIENCE

SUCCESS. >> THE NEXT SLIDE PERTAINS TO ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY. THE FIRST OBJECTIVE ON THE SLIDE IS TO RESPONSIBLY MANAGE RESOURCES, OPTIMIZE BUDGET ALLOCATION, AND SEEK ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT DISTRICT GOALS. THIS OBJECTIVE HAS THREE OBJECTIVES IN ONE. ONE, WE PLAN TO RESPONSIBLY MANAGE RESOURCES BY WORKING WITH THE CALVERT COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO COMBINE PURCHASING POWER AND ACHIEVE SAVINGS. THE SECOND OBJECTIVE IS TO ENSURE FAIR AND JUST DISTRIBUTION OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES. WHEN WE TO DO THIS IS TO REVIEW AND RE-EVALUATE STAFFING GOALS BASED ON STUDENT NEEDS. THE THIRD ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY OBJECTIVE IS TO RECRUIT, RETAIN, AND SUSTAIN HIGH QUALITY AND DIVERSE STAFF, TO EVALUATE THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR STAFF TIME, TRAVEL, AND VARIOUS RECRUITMENT. THE FOURTH OBJECTIVE IS TO INVEST IN MAINTENANCE ENHANCEMENTS TO PROVIDE OPTIMAL LEARNING AND WORK ENVIRONMENTS. THE ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY TEAM IS DEVELOPING STRATEGIES FOR THIS AND THE NEXT OBJECTIVES. THE FIFTH OBJECTIVE IS TO OPTIMIZE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE TEACHING, PERSONALIZED LEARNING, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY. THE SIX OBJECTIVE IS TO COLLECT, ANALYZE, AND USE DATA TO INFORM ACTRESSES, ALLOCATIONS, AND STRATEGIC PLANNING.

[00:20:01]

>> THE LAST PRIORITY IS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, THERE ARE THREE OBJECTIVES FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. ONE, ENSURING MEDICATION IS TRANSPARENT, CONSISTENT, AND PRESS POSSIBLE, ESTABLISHING A WELL-DEFINED ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND PLAN THAT SUPPORTS STRATEGIC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND INCREASED PARTNERSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THE LEARNING PROCESS. SOME KEY POINTS FOR THE FIRST OBJECTIVE, ENSURING MEDICATION THAT IS TRANSPARENT, CONSISTENT, AND PURPOSEFUL, FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING STRATEGIES THAT ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY, TO ENSURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON, IT ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON INFORMATION AND POSITIONS. SOME OF THE WORK HAS FOCUSED ON DEFINING WHAT THOSE COMMUNICATION TOOLS LOOK LIKE, HOW WE WOULD SHARE SCHOOL AND DISTRICT INFORMATION, AND HOW OFTEN THAT HAPPENS. FOR THE NEXT OBJECTIVE, IT IS TRULY FOCUSED ON A WELL-DEFINED ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND PLAN, WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAS FOCUSED ON IS HOW WE HAVE DEVELOPED A DISTRICTWIDE COMMUNICATION PLAN AND DEVELOPED FEEDBACK FOR STAKEHOLDER INFORMATION. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THIS COMMUNICATION PLAN, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOMETHING DEVELOPED THAT DEFINES WHAT WE COMMUNICATE, TO WHO WE COMMUNICATE , HOW WE COMMUNICATE, WHAT FASHIONS WE COMMUNICATE, AND WHAT IS THE FREQUENCY FOR COMMUNICATION, SO WE CAN BECOME CONSISTENT, AND THE COMMUNITY CAN BE AWARE OF WHEN THEY SHOULD BE GETTING COMMUNICATION FROM THE DISTRICT. FINALLY, FOR OBJECTIVE THREE, INCREASING PARTNERSHPS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THE PROCESS. MUCH OF THE DISCUSSION HAS BEEN AROUND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. WHO IS ALREADY PARTNERING WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND ESTABLISHING A WAY TO BRING RESOURCES TOGETHER IN A CENTRAL LOCATION, SO WE KNOW WHO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS ARE, AND THEN WHEN WE DO THAT, TO DEFINE WHAT ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT IS, AND BEING ABLE TO THEN SEEK OUT ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT MEET THE DEFINITION, MAINTAINING RESOURCES FOR PARTNERSHIPS, AND THEN TO REALLY SEEK OUT ACTIVE PARENT ENGAGEMENT IN THE LEARNING PROCESS. WE HAVE ALSO GONE A STEP FURTHER, TO TALK ABOUT POSSIBLE INDICATORS THAT WE COULD HAVE ON THE DASHBOARD.

ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS WHAT DOES ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT LOOK LIKE IN DETERMINING THAT INDICATOR? WE HAVE ALSO TALKED ABOUT MODES OF COMMUNICATION, BEING ABLE TO MONITOR HOW MANY TIMES PEOPLE ACCESS THE WEBSITE OR THE MOBILE APP, AND THEN CREATING THAT STRATEGIC PLAN SURVEY TO HELP SUPPORT ALL OF THE PILLARS, GETTING THAT REGULAR FEEDBACK LOOP FROM THE COMMUNITY, IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO HAVE POSITIVE RESULTS ON A PARENTAL SURVEY. DURING THE SUMMER, WE WORKED WITH ADMINISTRATIVE GROUPS TO REFINE LANGUAGE OF THE JOURNEY OF THE GRADUATE, THEN H Y A CREATED THE JOURNEY OF THE GRADUATE POSTER, WHAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU. THOSE POSTERS WERE ENLARGED, EVERY SCHOOL HAS ONE, WHEN YOU GO INTO THE SCHOOL, YOU SHOULD SEE THE JOURNEY OF A GRADUATE POSTER DISPLAYED SOMEWHERE IN THE FRONT OFFICE. ADMINISTRATORS HAVE LEARNED THE PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES, THEY HAVE BEGUN FRAMING GOALS AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS AROUND PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES, BECAUSE WE KNOW WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED FORMAL APPROVAL. TEAMS ARE COLLABORATING, SO EACH ONE OF US HAS TEAMS THAT ARE COLLABORATING ON STRATEGIC STRATEGIES AND INDICATORS. THIS IS A COPY OF WHAT ALL THE SCHOOLS HAVE. WHEN WE RECEIVE APPROVAL FOR PRIORITY AND OBJECTIVES, TEAMS ARE GOING TO BE IDENTIFYING THOSE STRATEGIC INDICATORS. WE HAVE THE DASHBOARD THAT NEEDS TO BE DEVELOPED, H Y A HAS ACTUALLY CREATED A BLUEPRINT OF WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE, AND WHAT WOULD BE DISPLAYED ON THE WEBSITE TO DETERMINE STRATEGIES FOR YOUR IMPLEMENTATION, AND ENSURING THAT WE ALIGN THAT STRATEGIC PLAN AND THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND SCHOOLS, SO THEY ARE SUPPORTING EACH OTHER. AT THIS TIME, WE ARE OPEN FOR

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, VICE PRESIDENT.

>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT WHITE, I MOVED TO APPROVE THE CCPS

STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITIES. >> SECONDED.

[00:25:06]

>> MOTION SECONDED. DISCUSSION?

>> AS I MENTIONED TO DR. ANDRAE TOWNSEL TODAY, FIRST, CAN WE GO TO THE SLIDE FOR THE MISSION STATEMENT? THANK YOU. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER TODAY, WE SHOULD STATE UP-FRONT THAT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IS A TOP PRIORITY. I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE A MOTION TO AMEND THE MISSION STATEMENT, TO READ AS FOLLOWS. CCPS WILL RAISE THE BAR FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION, BY EMPOWERING STUDENTS WITH A RIGOROUS ACADEMIC FOUNDATION, THAT IGNITES A PASSION FOR LEARNING AND NURTURES AN INCLUSIVE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

>> YOU MADE A MOTION, I HAVE TO SECOND IT.

>> MOTION AND A SECOND. >> CCPS WILL WIN THE BAR FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION BY EMPOWERING STUDENTS WITH A RIGOROUS PASSION FOR LEARNING AND NURTURES AN INCLUSIVE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL COMMUNITY. WHILE THIS IS A MINOR CHANGE, I THINK IT WILL SEND A STRONG SIGNAL THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE IN PREPARING ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS, TO REACH FULL POTENTIAL.

>> WHAT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER IS THAT IT IS THE SAME THING AS PUTTING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AS THE TOP PRIORITY, NOTHING TAKEN OUT, IT IS JUST REVERSING HOW IT READS, SO IT IS THE SAME THING, ESSENTIALLY, JUST IN THE OPPOSITE ORDER.

>> IT PUTS, IN MY OPINION, THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AS THE PRIORITY, AND WHAT WE WILL ACHIEVE THROUGH IT. OR, HOW WE

WILL GO ABOUT IT. >> CAN I SAY A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY OF THE JOURNEY THAT A BOARD MEMBER TOOK? I WAS PART OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE LAST STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE, 10 OR SO YEARS AGO. I THOUGHT THE EXACT SAME THING. OUR JOB IS TO CREATE SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS, AND SO, I THOUGHT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE SHOULD BE A PRIORITY. AND, IT WAS FASCINATING, IN A ROOM FULL OF SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS, AND ADMINISTRATORS, THEY ALL VERY PATIENTLY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT WITHOUT AN OVERALL SENSE OF EQUITY DRIVING EVERYTHING WE DO, WE COULD NEVER REACH RAISING THE BAR FOR ALL STUDENTS. AT THAT TIME, WE PUT WHAT WE CALLED AT THE TIME EQUITY AS THE NUMBER WARM ONE PRIORITY. IF YOU ARE PART OF THE COMMITTEE, YOU REMEMBER ALL THE GRUELING CONVERSATIONS, AND THE WORK THAT WAS DONE TO WORD MONGER EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE SEEING NOW. I WAS THINKING THIS IS SORT OF THE SAME THING, YOU START OFF, WE HAVE AN INCLUSIVE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL COMMUNITY THAT'S GOING TO EMPOWER OUR STUDENTS, AND YES, OUR JOB IS TO RAISE THE BAR IN EXCELLENCE, SO, YOU KNOW, IT IS A BIT OF WORD DASH MONITORING. IT'S NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, THERE IS SO MUCH MORE THAT GOES INTO HOW WE REACH THAT, SO, AM I CORRECT IN

[00:30:03]

>> YES, THERE WERE SOME WORDS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN OUTSIDE OF THE GROUP, AND WE WOULD COME BACK AND REFINE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE. A LOT OF WORK WAS DONE ON PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES, SO I DO NOT KNOW SPECIFICALLY IF WE WOULD SAY THE ORDER OF THESE WORDS MAKES A DIFFERENCE. I THINK THE BOARD HAS TO DECIDE WHAT THE MISSION IS FOR THEM, AND FOR YOU, AS YOU MOVE FORWARD, SO THIS IS THE BEST RECOMMENDATION WE HAVE AS A RESULT OF THE WORK THE COMMITTEE HAS DONE, BUT AGAIN, IT IS THE BOARD MISSION FOR OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> AND YOUR PRIORITY DOES START WITH STUDENT EXCELLENCE,

CORRECT? THE OBJECTIVE? >> I DON'T THINK WE WANT EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION TO BE A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE AT THE END, IT IS OUR MISSION, IT IS WHY WE ARE IN BUSINESS HERE.

>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? MOTION AND A SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR OF THE CHANGES? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION FAILS 3-2. YES.

SO, NOW WE GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION THAT VICE PRESIDENT INEZ CLAGGETT PROPOSED.

>> WELL, WE STILL GET TO TALK ABOUT THE OTHER PIECES.

>> YES. >> I AM ALL FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE PLAN, I JUST WONDER WHERE IT IS GOING TO TAKE US QUITE A LONG TIME TO DEVELOPTHE PARAMETER, THE DATA THAT WE ARE GOING TO REPORT ON, ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THOSE SPECIFIC TYPES OF THINGS THAT WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT. WHEN DO YOU

THINK THAT WOULD HAPPEN? >> IT WOULDN'T BE LONG, WE'VE AND WORKING, WHEN WE GET THIS APPROVAL, WE JUMPED RIGHT INTO IT. OUR TEAMS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE METRICS AND INDICATORS.

>> OKAY, THE INDICATORS. BUT IT WON'T BE READY FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, IS THAT A CORRECT STATEMENT?

>> NO, IT WILL BE. IT WILL BE. >> OKAY.

>> I THINK WITH EACH OF OUR TEAMS, AND I'M CERTAIN MY COLLEAGUES, EACH OF US ARE MEETING WITH TEAMS OUTSIDE THE SET MEETINGS WE HAVE IN PLACE TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE STRATEGIES ARE, TO MAKE SENSE OF WHAT WAS IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN PRIOR, WHAT WE NEED TO DO, WHAT THE BLUEPRINT IS ASKING FOR US TO DO, I THINK THE BLUEPRINT ACTUALLY ADDS ANOTHER DIMENSION TO OUR WORK, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN ALIGNMENT, THERE ARE JUST A FEW THINGS THAT ARE TIED TO THAT, AND THERE'S A FEW UNANSWERED QUESTIONS, WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE PIECES, SO, IT'S A MATTER OF EACH OF OUR TEAMS JUST DEFINING WHAT THOSE STRATEGIES ARE, WHAT THE INDICATORS ARE GOING TO BE, AND THINKING A LITTLE BIT FURTHER OUT. WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING THIS YEAR, WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE IN YEAR TWO, YEAR THREE,

AND HERE FOR? >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CONTINUATION OR BUILDING UPON WHAT THE INDICATORS WERE THAT WERE USED, I MEAN IT ONLY MAKES SENSE, AND A LOT OF IT IS NATURALLY GOING TO BE INCLUDED HERE. I JUST HOPE IT DOESN'T LOOK RADICALLY DIFFERENT, SO WE CAN GET TO IT IN A CONTINUATION OF HOW WE HAVE BEEN ASSESSING OUR PERFORMANCE AGAINST THE

PAST. THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? YES.

>> I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF, AND THOSE WHO SERVED ON THE FOCUS COMMITTEES AND WENT TO VARIOUS MEETINGS AND STRATEGIC PLANS TOGETHER, BUILDING A STRATEGIC PLAN IS A HERCULEAN EFFORT. I APPRECIATE THE ADVICE AND EXPERT ANALYSIS OF H Y A,

[00:35:07]

ENGAGE WITH CCPS. >> THANK YOU, I WAS ALSO GOING TO SAY, AS WE WERE GOING TO THE SLIDES, THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS WE WERE ALREADY DOING, THAT IS GREAT TO SEE AS FAR AS WAS OR WHAT SORT OF - - STUDENTS ARE READY TO GRADUATE, TEACHING, PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, IT IS GREAT TO SEE THAT WE HAVE ALREADY GOT A LEAD ON THESE, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE DISSIPATED DURING THIS PROCESS, THAT WAS A BIG HELP. OKAY, ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? ANY EXTENSIONS? SO, THE MOTION PASSES, FOUR,

WITH ONE ABSTENTION. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. TO THE NEXT, ITEM FOUR, BUDGET PRIORITIES. OKAY, WE ARE ON

[2.04 BOE Budget Priorities]

LAUGHING ] ANY MEMBER OPPOSED? >> I FEEL LIKE I PUT IT ON MY NOTES. I THINK, FIRST OF ALL, I AM THANKFUL THAT WE ARE STARTING TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS NOW, AND JUST IN THE MOST RECENT DAYS, I BEGAN THINKING ABOUT WHAT WERE THE BUDGET PRIORITIES, AND WHAT THEY SHOULD BE, SPECIFICALLY WHAT MINE WOULD BE, THEN I GOT TO WONDERING, WHAT WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AT THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS BUDGET PRIORITIES BE? I ALSO THOUGHT, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBER BUDGET PRIORITIES, HOW DID THEY ALIGNED WITH THE ONES THAT I HAD THOUGHT OF, JUST IN TALKING WITH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE? SO, FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WOULD WRITE THE PUBLIC, THE COMMUNITY, PLEASE WRITE IN AND SHARE WITH US WHAT YOU ALL THINK THE BUDGET PRIORITIES SHOULD BE, AND SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE CONSTITUENTS ON HOW THAT WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVE TO HAVE. SECONDLY, AND I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH OF AN UNDERTAKING THIS WOULD BE, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM THE ADMINISTRATION AND ALL THE BUILDINGS, AS TO SOME OF THE PERSPECTIVES, AND MAYBE I WILL WORK WITH DR. JOHNSON AND OTHERS, TO SEE HOW WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT AND SOME OF THE THINGS FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE THAT WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT.

IN THAT, I WILL ALSO SAY THAT I DIDN'T SPEND A TON OF TIME LOOKING AT THE STRATEGIC PLAN. I WAS KIND OF HAPPY THERE WERE SOME THINGS OVERLAPPING THE BRIEF LIST THAT I STARTED. I THINK, FOR SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT, AND IT'S A PRIORITY, OBVIOUSLY, ARE THE SALARIES. IN THAT, ALSO, ARE THE MEANINGFUL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTS, SO, WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF, NOT JUST TEACHERS, BEHAVIORAL SPECIALISTS, WHAT KINDS OF TRAINING DO WE HAVE? ARE THERE MEANINGFUL TRAININGS AND OTHER THINGS THAT WOULD HELP STAFF ENGAGE? TRANSPORTATION IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE ON THAT, I THINK IT'S A LARGE PART WHERE WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT WAYS WE CAN ENSURE WE ARE BEING THE MOST

[00:40:01]

THAT'S JUST SOME OF WHAT I WANTED TO SHARE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> BUDGET PRIORITIES SHOULD FOCUS ON THE CLASSROOM, THIS WILL HELP US TO ATTRACT THE BEST TEACHERS, TO ENSURE OUR CLASSROOMS ARE TREE OF OBSTACLES THAT DISTRACT FROM THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE, AND IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. WITH THIS IN MIND, THE BUDGET SHOULD INCLUDE INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT'S, TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH IEP AT 504. THESE RESOURCES WOULD ALSO BE NEEDED TO ASSIST WITH THE DELIVERY OF INTERVENTIONS AND DATA COLLECTION. WE ARE IN DIRE NEED OF RESEARCHED-BASED INTERVENTIONS. WE NEED DEDICATED FUNDING FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT IS SPECIFICALLY IN READING AND MATH. THIS INCLUDES ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS SUCH AS WORKBOOKS AND CONTINUED SUBSTITUTE COVERAGE FOR TRAINING TEACHERS WITH THE LETTERS PROGRAM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE STAFF AND SPACE FOR THAT BEHAVIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE MORE GIFTED AND TALENTED TEACHERS. FUNDING FOR BASIC CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, SUCH AS REAMS OF PAPER, BECAUSE NO TEACHER SHOULD HAVE TO SUPPLY HER OWN PAPER. AN ADDITIONAL SMART BOARD AND IPAD AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL. LASTLY, BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF SHERIFF COX, WE SHOULD BUDGET FOR A STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICER IN

EVERY SCHOOL. THANK YOU. >> YES TO ALL OF THAT. THIS IS WHAT WE DO, WE SAY WE WANT MORE, WE WANT MORE IN EVERY CLASSROOM, YOU WANT FAIR ALLOCATION OF ADULTS IN THE BUILDING BASED ON STUDENT POPULATION, NOT JUST ON STUDENT ENROLLMENT NUMBERS, WE WANT MORE GIFTED AND TALENTED. WE WANT MORE RESOURCES FOR MATH INTERVENTIONS. IT IS JUST ONE OF THESE, THE BUDGET BUILDING EFFECTIVELY , YOUR JOB WILL BE WHAT CAN WE AFFORD, OBVIOUSLY, AND THE ASK IS ALWAYS SO MUCH GREATER THAN WHAT WE CAN AFFORD. SO, IT IS HARD FOR ME TO SAY WHAT MY PRIORITIES ARE, BESIDES JUST BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND KEEPING MOMENTUM GOING, KEEPING ACADEMIC MOMENTUM GOING. FAIRNESS IS ALSO A BIG ISSUE TO ME, SO, EVEN THOUGH A SCHOOL MIGHT HAVE FEWER, LOWER ENROLLMENTS, JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE LOWER ENROLLMENT DOESN'T MEAN THEY NEED LESS ADULTS IN THE BUILDING, THAT'S ONE THING THAT I HOPE IS LOOKED AFTER IN BUILDING THESE BUDGETS. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MR. JOHNSON IF, ALONG THE WAY WHILE REBUILDING

[00:45:02]

EXERCISE TO DO. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, VICE PRESIDENT

INEZ CLAGGETT? >> MY BUDGET PRIORITIES WOULD BE FUNDING IN THE CLASSROOM, MAINTAINING AS MUCH FUNDING AS POSSIBLE FOR OUR BUILDINGS, FOR OUR STUDENTS. I AM STILL A PROPONENT OF SMALLER CLASS SIZES. WITH THE NEW CHARGE TO ENSURE THAT ALL GRADE 3 LEVEL STUDENTS ARE MEETING LITERACY REQUIREMENTS, I THINK HAVING SMALLER CLASS SIZES SUPPORTS THE EFFORT, SO, I WILL REVERT TO THE SAME BUDGET PRIORITY THAT I HAVE ADD EVERY YEAR I'VE SAT ON THIS BOARD. THERE IS ANDS DIFFERENTLY, HOWEVER, I KNOW MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE PRODUCTS OF SMALLER CLASS SIZES, AND THEY TALK ABOUT WHAT A DIFFERENCE HAVING A SMALLER CLASSROOM MADE IN THEIR LIVES, SO I CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THAT AS MY BUDGET PRIORITY. OUTSIDE OF THAT, I CAN SUPPORT MY COLLEAGUES. AS FAR AS THE SRO THING, I DO BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE THEM IN OUR CLASSROOMS, HOWEVER, I DO BELIEVE THAT FUNDING COMES FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, SO I'M WILLING TO SUPPORT SHERIFF COX AS HE MOVES FORWARD TO OBTAIN FUNDING, TO ENSURE THAT SROS ARE IN OUR BUILDINGS, BUT I DON'T LEAVE THAT WE ARE THE SOLE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR

THOSE POSITIONS. >> THANK YOU, VICE PRESIDENT CLAGGETT. EVERYONE PRETTY MUCH SAID EVERYTHING ABOUT OUR PRIORITIES, SALARIES, COUNSELORS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, STAFF, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EDUCATION, MAKING SURE WE ARE COMMUNICATIVE WITH UNIONS, TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE, OR AT LEAST HAVE THE ABILITY TO VOTE, I WOULD LOVE TO FEED ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, THAT'S ONE THING, IF THERE IS A WAY WE CAN FEED ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

OTHER THAN THAT, YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THE PRIORITIES, THAT'S THE WISH LIST, I SEE DR. ANDRAE TOWNSEL , IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE? INC. YOU GUYS. NEXT, WE WILL MOVE

[2.05 BOE MABE Conference Report]

[00:50:10]

IN THE FUTURE, A FEW MONTHS AGO, I WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE PEOPLE THINKING CHET GPT WAS GOING TO DESTROY OUR SYSTEM, BUT AS I AM LEARNING, THE EXAMPLE THEY GAVE WAS THINKING ABOUT BLOCKBUSTER, PEOPLE USED TO WORK AT BLOCKBUSTER, YOU THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE AROUND, NOW YOU HAVE THAT PLACE, TOYS "R" US, NOW YOU HAVE AMAZON PRIME, EVERYTHING IS CHANGING, AND WE HAVE TO CHANGE WITH IT, AND BE PREPARED, TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO USE IT IN THE PROPER WAY. WE WERE ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE CELL PHONE POLICIES, A LOT OF PLACES ARE JUST THINKING ABOUT DOING IT, WE ARE ALREADY DOING IT, IT WAS GREAT LISTENING TO THE FEARS THEY HAD IN PREVENTING THESE POLICIES AND HOW THEY WOULD DO IT, THEY WERE ALREADY DOING THAT, SO, IT IS JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE THERE, TO BE PART OF IT, AND I WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE WHO WAS ABLE TO GO, DR. ANDRAE TOWNSEL, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANTED TO SPEAK. GO AHEAD.

>> I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE. ONE THING THAT WE DO, WE HOLD OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND EXAM, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND INTIMATELY WITH THE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD, OUR TEAM WAS ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOUSE BILLS THAT ARE COMING DOWN, WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION, MOST RECENTLY IT WAS APPROVED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, A NEW LITERACY POLICY FOR RETENTION, VERY VOCAL THROUGH THAT PROCESS, PROVIDING LETTERS OF SUPPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS, THE GOAL, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PROFICIENT, THEY ARE HELD BACK. WE UNDERSTAND SOME POPULATIONS MAY HAVE A TOUGH TIME MEETING REQUIREMENTS, NOW THAT IS OPTIONAL, THAT'S WHAT WAS PASSED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. THAT WAS A LOT OF HARD WORK BY THE SUPER INTENDANT, ADDING INFLUENCE AND VALUE TO THE POLICY. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT OUR DISTRICT, IT IS ABOUT THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

THAT WAS THE BULK OF OUR WORK, WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH STATE LEADERSHIP, WITH HOUSE BILLS, LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS, MAKING SURE WE ARE HANDLING THE PULSE OF THAT.

[00:55:01]

>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT WHITE. I DID ATTEND THE CONFERENCE THIS YEAR. I ENCOURAGED ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO ATTEND THAT CONFERENCE. IT GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM YOUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE STATE, TO UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE ISSUES THEY ARE FACING. UNDERSTANDING WHY THE STATE MAKES DECISIONS THAT THEY MAKE, WHY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAKES DECISIONS THAT THEY MAKE. IT'S NOT JUST CALVERT COUNTY THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF, IT IS THE ENTIRE STATE OF MARYLAND. THE GREAT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE THAT'S GOING ON HERE, SHE'S VERY SUPPORTIVE AND EXCITED ABOUT DR. ANDRAE TOWNSEL LEADING OUR DISTRICT, SHE ENJOYS WORKING WITH HIM. I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HER, IT WAS GREAT, THE WONDERFUL THINGS SHE HAS SAID ABOUT OUR DISTRICT,, BEING ON THOSE TASK FORCES AND WORKING AT THAT LEVEL. ALSO DURING THAT CONFERENCE I WANTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT PRESIDENT WHITE WAS APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BUT HE MADE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT HIMSELF, HE DIDN'T GET ALL THE CHEERLEADING THAT HE WAS GOING TO RECEIVE, BUT IT IS GREAT TO SEE COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD PARTICIPATE AND BECOME PART OF A MORE COLLECTIVE EFFORT THAT GUIDES EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IN THE EFFORTS OR YOU DON'T, I STILL ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ATTEND, GET TO KNOW YOUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE STATE AND NETWORK, NETWORKING CAN LEAD TO POSSIBILITIES, YOU WILL ME GREAT PEOPLE THAT WILL HELP YOU GROW AND INFLUENCE

YOUR DECISIONS. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? NO? OKAY. IT WAS A PRETTY AMAZING TIME, TALKING ABOUT THE TOP FIVE. MAY HAVE A PICTURE FROM OUR BOARD THAT THEY ARE USING ON THE WEBSITE, IT WAS NICE TO SEE. WE'VE BEEN VERY VOCAL ABOUT THE CHANGES. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE ABLE TO GO TO CONFERENCES LIKE THAT, IF THAT'S ALL, WE WILL

[3.01 Public Comments]

MOVE NEXT INTO PUBLIC COMMENT. >> THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PERMITS THE BOARD TO TALK ON ISSUES ON CONCERN. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES. YOU MAY NOT CONVEY, TRANSFER, OR RELINQUISH 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, BUT 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 DEADLINES MAY BE ASKED TO STOP SPEAKING AND FORFEIT THEIR RIGHT TO SPEAK IN FUTURE MEETINGS. WE VALUE YOUR COMMENTS AND CONCERNS, THIS IS A BUSINESS MEETING, THE BOARD CANNOT RESPOND TO YOUR QUESTIONS OR ENTER INTO THE DISCUSSION WITH YOU DURING THE MEETING. WE WILL RESPOND TO THE ISSUES THAT YOU RAISE IF YOU PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATION WHEN YOU SIGN IN. WRITTEN COMMENTS ARE WELCOME AT ANY TIME. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE

BOARD. >> WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER TONIGHT.

VERNON CAREY PINSKY. >> GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND

[01:00:09]

I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO WRITE DOCUMENTATION, NEW SUPPORT, A TWO-PAGE DOCUMENT. MY DOCUMENT WAS CONFIDENTIAL. JUST LIKE SOMEONE REQUESTS A MEDICAL WAIVER, THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL FOR HIPAA VIOLATIONS. MY WAIVER WAS SUBMITTED, AND YOU READ IT, AND YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY I ASKED IT TO BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL. A FEW DAYS LATER I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL AND I WAS TOLD UNFORTUNATELY MY REQUEST WAS DENIED, AND I WAS NOT GIVEN ANY DETAIL AS WHITE WAS BEING DENIED, UNFORTUNATELY IT HAS BEEN DENIED, AND THAT I COULD CONTACT THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TO COME UP WITH A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE, CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL,SHE IS VERY RESPONSIVE, VERY HELPFUL, AND HAS ADDRESSED EVERY ISSUE I HAVE EVER BROUGHT TO HER ATTENTION, BUT I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN ANY VERIFICATION AS TO WHY MY WAIVER WAS DENIED, OR ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT IT. TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES EVERY DAY, THESE SMART DEVICES HAVE OPTIONS FOR THE PARENTS TO CONTROL THE ACCESS, I DID RESEARCH BEFORE PURCHASING MY DEVICES BEFORE THE BUSES CAME OUT, WHEN I FOUND OUT HOW TO IMPLEMENT EVERYTHING THERE IS A SCHOOL MODE, WHERE THE ONLY INFORMATION THAT CAN BE RECEIVED IS FROM THE EMERGENCY CONTACT, THE PARENT, EVERYTHING ELSE IS SHUT OFF, NO OUTSIDE PERSON CAN CALL OR TEXT THE DEVICE, THEY CAN ONLY CONTACT THE PARENT PUT IN PARENTAL CONTROL, AS WELL AS EMERGENCY SERVICES. IN YOUR MEETING YOU SPOKE ABOUT SAFETY OF THE SCHOOL, TRYING TO FIND RESOURCE OFFICERS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, WHICH IS GREAT, SCHOOL SAFETY IS A HIGH PRIORITY. AT THE SAME TIME, IN A CRITICAL INCIDENT IN A SCHOOL SETTING, THE CHILDREN HAVING ACCESS TO THE DEVICE PLACED IN A MODE WHERE THEY CAN CONTACT PARENTS OR FIRST RESPONDERS COULD BE CRUCIAL IN GETTING IMPORTANT DETAILS TO FIRST RESPONDRS ARRIVING ON SCENE. SO YOU CAN FINISH HER SENTENCE. IF THERE WAS AN INCIDENT AT A SCHOOL, SAY THERE IS NOT A TEACHER AROUND AND THERE IS A STUDENT WALKING TO THE HALLWAY, THEY CAN'T CALL A FRIEND, THEY HAVE THE ACCESS TO CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES AND REPORT THE INCIDENT. THE RESOURCES ARE ALREADY THERE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, IT IS ALREADY TOO LATE FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS, BUT THE ABILITY TO GET THAT CALL OUT FIRST COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE OF ONE LIFE FOR 100 LIVES.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> NEXT, WE WILL MOVE INTO

[3.02 Board Comments]

>> JUST A COUPLE QUICK ITEMS TONIGHT. DR. TOWNSEL, DAWN BALINSKI AND I ATTENDED THE CALVERT ALLIANCE AGAINST SUBSTANCE ABUSE FILM, WHICH SHARED A POWERFUL PERSONAL STORY OF VICTIMS AND FAMILY MEMBERS DEALING WITH OPIATE ADDICTION. I'M SORRY, OPIOID. DR. TOWNSEL AND I ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO BRING THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO CCPS STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. SECONDLY, AS MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW, EARLY VOTING STARTED TODAY, AND WILL RUN THROUGH OCTOBER 31. YOU CAN VOTE FROM 7:00 A.M. THROUGH 8:00 P.M. AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS. WARD, FARM, PARK AND DUNKIRK, COMMUNITY RESOURCES BUILDINGS IN PRINCE FREDERICK, SOUTHERN COMMUNITY CENTER, AND MANY OF OUR SCHOOLS WILL BE VOTING SITES ON ELECTION DAY, NOVEMBER 5. PLEASE, MAKE YOUR VOICE

[01:05:05]

HEARD, GO VOTE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER

POST? >> I'M BUSY UPDATING MY CALENDAR FOR ALL THE EVENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING, I WISH THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY. I DON'T REALLY HAVE MUCH TO ADD THIS EVENING, JUST AGAIN, I AM THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO START TALKING ABOUT BUDGET PRIORITIES, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MANY DISCUSSIONS THAT WE INTEND TO HAVE AS A, AND EVENTUALLY TALKING ABOUT BUDGETS , IT WILL BE THE END OF THE YEAR, BEFORE WE KNOW IT, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER DAWN BALINSKI?

>> THE VIEWING OF THE FILM LAST NIGHT WAS VERY POWERFUL, FIVE SEPARATE STORIES OF LOCAL PEOPLE, IT WAS HEARTRENDING, IT WAS EMPOWERING AT THE SAME TIME, SO, I STRONGLY HOPE OR ENCOURAGE US TO LOOK AT WHAT IS IN FRONT OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY MIDDLE SCHOOL, SEVERAL OF THE PEOPLE UP THERE GIVING THEIR TESTIMONIES SAID THEIR PROBLEMS STARTED IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. IT'S THERE, IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN IGNORE. YES, SO MUCH IS GOING ON. I HAVE HEARD POSITIVE THINGS WHEN TALKING WITH ADMINISTRATORS IN THE SCHOOLS, AND A FEW TEACHERS. IT IS GREAT. I FEEL VERY POSITIVE FOR THIS YEAR, HOPEFULLY THE CELL PHONE POLICY CAN BE CONSISTENTLY ENFORCED IN ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS. AND AGAIN, I HOPE THAT WE CAN BUILD A BUDGET THAT WILL KEEP US ON OUR TRAJECTORY TOWARD HIGHER ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU , DAWN BALINSKI,

VICE PRESIDENT CLAGGETT? >> IN REGARDS TO THE FILMMAKERS, THAT DR. COUNCIL, DAWN BALINSKI WENT TO WATCH, I WENT TO SEE THE FILM, BUT I HAVE A PERSONAL STORY ABOUT ADDICTION, I LOST MY NEPHEW A COUPLE YEARS AGO TO ADDICTION, IT IS STILL A VERY RAW SORE FOR ME, AS I CONTINUE TO SEEK MENTAL COUNSELING REGARDING THAT. MY NEPHEW WAS VERY CLOSE TO ME, AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THOSE STORIES BE PLACED IN FRONT OF OUR STUDENTS. I WOULD ALSO ASK, AS WE DO THAT, WE ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE GETTING THE PROPER RESOURCES, AS THEY MAY BE WATCHING THAT FILM, OR THEY ARE HEARING ABOUT STORIES OF OTHERS, THOSE ARE VERY RAUF EARRINGS - - THOSE ARE VERY RAW FEELINGS THAT ARE IGNITED, ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE HAS A STORY OR KNOWS SOMEONE WITH AN ADDICTION. WHILE I ENCOURAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO SEE THOSE THINGS, I ALSO WANT TO ENSURE THAT RESOURCES ARE PLACED IN FRONT OF THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES, IN CASE RESOURCES ARE NEEDED, SO, THANK YOU FOR THAT. ALSO, WE HEARD FROM SOMEONE TONIGHT WITH A PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING SMART DEVICES, JUST A WORD TO THE COMMUNITY, OFTEN TIMES WHEN THINGS ARE SAID ABOUT THE BOARD, IT MAY OR MAY NOT MEAN THE FIVE ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS THAT YOU SEE SITTING BEFORE YOU, SOMETIMES IT IS THE CENTRAL OFFICE THAT IS MAKING DECISIONS, NOT THIS BOARD, BUT OFTEN, IN COMMUNICATIONS, THE COMMUNITY IS TOLD THE BOARD, WE MAY WANT TO ASK THAT DR. JOHNSON OR MRS. JACOBS DISCUSS WITH THAT FAMILY THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE, AND INVESTIGATE WHAT IS HAPPENING, TO ENSURE THAT IT WAS A GOOD DECISION.

ALSO, I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR COVERT COUNTY COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT WE VOTE ON NOVEMBER 5, VOTING IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE HAVE BOUGHT FOR IN THE PAST, AND HAVE EARNED THAT RIGHT, WE SHOULD NOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY, SO, I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE EACH OF YOU AT THE POLLS ON NOVEMBER 5, READING YOUR STORIES ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, ON TIKTOK MAP OR WHATEVER, YOUR MAIL-IN BALLOT IN THE DROPBOX OR IN YOUR MAIL SLOT. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU, VICE PRESIDENT CLAGGETT. I'D LIKE TO START BY CONGRATULATING OUR MARYLAND

[01:10:03]

ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A QUICK RUNDOWN TO OUR SPORTS IN CALVERT COUNTY, THEY ARE DOING PHENOMENAL WORK OUT THERE, THE GIRLS TEAM IS WORKING PRETTY HARD. THE CROSS COUNTRY TEAM, THE FIELD HOCKEY TEAM, ALL FOUR ARE IN THE TOP FIVE. I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO MISS LYNN KRAUSE POWELL, COACHING FOR 22 YEARS, SHE HAS 21 BANNERS, SHE ALSO MADE THE 300 CLUB, WINNING 300 GAMES, THAT'S PRETTY OUTSTANDING. THE FOOTBALL TEAMS, THREE OF THEM ARE IN THE TOP FIVE, WE HAVE THREE IN THE TOP FOUR, AND THE GOLF TEAM, WE HAVE TWO OF THEM, WE ARE THE TOP TWO NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL IS NUMBER ONE, THREE OF OUR FOUR VOLLEYBALL TEAMS ARE IN THE TOP FOUR, NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL IS NUMBER ONE, CURRENTLY. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON A ZOOM MEETING WITH THE SUPERINTENDENTS, AND THE BOARD CHAIRS, A COUPLE DAYS AGO, AND I GOT TO DISCUSS THE BLUEPRINT. IT WAS A VERY GOOD CONVERSATION, TRYING TO DIG INTO WHAT THAT REALLY LOOKS LIKE, MAKING SURE THERE IS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BOARD MEMBERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT, AS WE NAVIGATE THROUGH THIS THING WE CALL THE BLUEPRINT. AS I'M SEEING HERE, IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO SEE THEM IN OUR MEETINGS. I WAS ABLE TO GO TO DINNER THE OTHER NIGHT, A LOT OF US CONTRACTORS HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION WITH THEM, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO DR.

JOHNSON, HE MET WITH THEM AND SAID IT WAS A VERY GOOD MEETING, IT'S DEFINITELY A RELATIONSHIP THAT WE NEED, TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS ON THE SAME PAGE, IT IS ALWAYS NICE TO SEE THE UNION PRESIDENT HERE, MAKING SURE WE ARE DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO, MAKING SURE WE ARE HEARING AND SEEING WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING. VOTING IS VERY IMPORTANT, IT'S ALSO VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO DO THE RESEARCH AND FIND OUT WHO YOU ARE VOTING FOR, AND WHY, NOT JUST LISTENING TO TALKING HEADS ORREADING HEADLINES, OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, REALLY FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON, GET OUT THERE AND VOTE. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY BOARD MEMBERS AND MY COLLEAGUES WORKING ON WHAT WAS PRESENTED TODAY, AND ALSO THE PUBLIC COMMENT. I THINK THAT IS ABOUT IT, AND WITH THAT, I WILL CALL THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT EIGHT COLIN 16 P.M. - - I WILL CALL THE MEETING ADJOURNED, AT 8:16 P.M., AT 8:16 P.M.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.