[2.01 Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silence]
[2.02 Presentation of Superintendent's Proposed Operating Budget]
[00:00:43]
>> WE WILL NOW HEAR FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT ON THE OPERATING BUDGET. THANK YOU, DR. TOWNSEL.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. YOU CAN TALK BACK TO ME. GOOD EVENING. ALSO GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US TONIGHT. AS A SUPERINTENDENT OF CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO PRESENT OUR PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR FOR 26. THIS BUDGET IS MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS. IT REPRESENTS OUR COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION FOR EVERY STUDENT IN OUR DISTRICT. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY DOLLAR SPENT DIRECTLY SUPPORTS OUR MISSION OF FOSTERING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND PREPARING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD. WE HAVE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND STAFF AND HAVE PRIORITIZE INITIATIVES THAT WOULD HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT ON THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. TONIGHT I WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE KEY COMPONENTS OF OUR BUDGET, HIGHLIGHT OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES, AND EXPLAIN HOW WE PLAN TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD. AS YOU RECALL, AT THE TOP OF OUR YEAR, WE DID COME UP WITH A VISION FOR CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND IN SHORT, OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO UNLOCK POTENTIAL AND POWER EXCELLENCE AND SHAPE THE FUTURE OF ALL OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPROVE SOME PRIORITY AREAS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE , AND FIRST AND FOREMOST WE WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT STUDENT EXCELLENCE , HAVE A CULTURE OF LEARNING , FOCUS ON ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY , AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. WHENEVER I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE SCHOOLS, FOR EXAMPLE I DO A CODE OF CONDUCT TOUR. I TALK ABOUT FIVE KEY ELEMENTS THAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR JOURNEY OF A GRADUATE, WE ASK OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE COMMUNICATORS, CRITICAL THINKERS, COLLABORATORS, ENGAGED CITIZENS, AND EMPOWERED LEARNERS. OUR DEDICATED AND TALENTED STAFF ARE THE BACKBONE OF CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND I'M PROUD TO SHARE SOME IMPRESSIVE HIGHLIGHTS THAT SHOWCASE THEIR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. NOW MY GOAL IS TO SHARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS TO SHOW YOU THAT WE ARE GETTING AN ACADEMIC RETURN ON EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON THE INVESTMENT OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
50 -- 56% OF OUR TEACHERS HAVE ACHIEVED NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION, AND 76 TEACHERS ARE CURRENTLY PURSUING THEIR NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION. 95% OF OUR TEACHERS ARE HIGHLY QUALIFIED , 81% OF OUR TEACHERS HAVE TAUGHT OVER FIVE YEARS, OF THOSE, 64% HAVE TAUGHT MORE THAN 10 YEARS, AND OUR TEACHER RETENTION RATE IS AN IMPRESSIVE 89.9%. THESE STATISTICS ARE A TESTAMENT TO THE DEDICATION, PASSION, AND EXPERTISE OF OUR TEACHERS. I SAY ALL THE TIME, THE GOAL IS FOR US TO SET THE BAR, MEET THE BAR, EXCEED THE BAR, AND RAISE THE BAR. WHEN PEOPLE SAY DR. TOWNSEL, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IT IS MY GOAL FOR US TO BE 1% BETTER AT MINIMUM IN ALMOST EVERYTHING WE DO. IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS ALSO TO PROVIDE EQUAL OR GREATER VALUE THAN THE YEAR BEFORE. SO AT MINIMUM, WE WILL NOT GO BACKWARD. WE WILL STAY THE SAME OR GET BETTER. THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS WHEN I SHARE "RAISE THE BAR" WITH OUR COMMUNITY. LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF THE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT THAT HIGHLIGHTS THAT MAKE CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS A BEACON OF SUCCESS , AND A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. WE ARE PROUD TO BE THE NUMBER ONE IN THE STATE ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ASSESSMENT
[00:05:01]
, REFLECTING OUR STRONG SUPPORT FOR ALL OF OUR LEARNERS. OUR PROFICIENCY RANKING IN THE STATE ARE IMPRESSIVE ACROSS VARIOUS ASSESSMENTS. WE ARE FIRST IN 10TH GRADE, FOURTH OVERALL FOR EVERY GRADE LEVEL OF ALL STUDENTS TESTED. WE ARE FIRST IN GOVERNMENT, THIRD IN SOCIAL STUDIES FOR EIGHTH GRADERS, THIRD IN MISA, FOURTH IN MESA FOR EIGHTH GRADERS, THIRD AND FOURTH GRADE MATH, FIFTH OVERALL FOR ALL STUDENTS TESTED IN MATHEMATICS. OUR STUDENTS ARE ACHIEVING REMARKABLE SUCCESSES , AND I'M COMMITTED AS A SUPERINTENDENT TO KEEP IN PLACE ALL OF THIS HARD WORK. NOTHING MORE REWARDING THAN SEEING ACADEMIC RETURN ON INVESTMENT OF OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS. IN ADDITION TO CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEING RANKED HIGH IN OUR STATE ASSESSMENTS, WE WILL ALSO RECOGNIZE THE NUMBER FOURTH-RANKED PERFORMANCE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND BY SCHOOL RANKINGS.THAT CERTIFICATE WAS SENT TO CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATING US FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK OF FOURTH BEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN MARYLAND, SO YOU YOU KNOW THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WE WERE THE FIFTH BEST DISTRICT SO WE HAVE MOVED UP IN OUR STATE RANKINGS. AS YOU CAN SEE, ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS ARE RANKED IN U.S. NEWS AND NATIONAL METRO RANKINGS. 87% OF OUR GRADUATES HEARD THE INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATION THIS YEAR, AND THE STATE AVERAGE IS ONLY 55.7%. I OFTEN TALK ABOUT ACADEMICS , ATHLETICS, AND ART, THE AAA'S, THE GOAL IS TO SET THE BAR, BEAT THE BAR, EXCEED THE BAR, RAISE THE BAR IN EVERY AREA OF THE AAA'S. THIS IS OUR ACADEMICS. LOOKING AT ATHLETICS, WE HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ACHIEVE SMACK CHAMPIONSHIPS, SOUTHERN MARYLAND ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS BECAUSE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES YOU WANT TO NOT ONLY MAKE IT AVAILABLE BUT YOU WANT TO ENSURE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN TRYING THEIR BEST IN EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO. THESE ARE ALL OF OUR REGIONAL CHAMPIONS , AT EACH OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL. YOU CAN SEE MANY SPORTS ARE PRESENTED AT EVERY SCHOOL. CHAMPIONSHIPS, NOT JUST PLAYING, JUST PLAYING THE TEAM, BUT ACHIEVING CHAMPIONSHIPS. STATE CHAMPIONS, HURDLES, SWIMMING, INDOOR TRACK, GIRLS HIGH JUMP, EVERY SCHOOL REPRESENTED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL BUT THEY ARE ALSO VERY COMPETITIVE ON THE REGIONAL LEVEL. AND OUR NEWEST STATE CHAMPIONS , HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WHO MOST RECENTLY WON THE DIVISION TO A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP , AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL. HERE IS A POINT OF PRIDE. THE QUARTERBACK FOR THE TEAM IS THE ONLY STUDENT EVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND SINCE SPORTS WERE PLAYED TO ACCUMULATE OVER 10,000 ALL-PURPOSE YARDS, AND THAT YOUNG PERSON , THE QUARTERBACK, IS GOING TO BE PLAYING QUARTERBACK FOR THE NAVAL ACADEMY. ARTS. WITH REGARDS TO ARTS, THIS COMMUNITY FOR MUSIC EDUCATION, THE 2003 24 PREMIER COMMUNITIES FOR THEATER EDUCATION. 24TH ANNUAL YOUTH ART MONTH SHOW WITH OVER 100 STUDENTS OF ARTWORK WERE FEATURED. HUNTINGTON HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTION WINNING AWARDS, THE MARYLAND GREEN SCHOOL DISTINCTION FIVE YEARS IN A ROW. IT'S IMPORTANT TO SHARE THAT WE ARE THE ONLY SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT EVERY LAST SCHOOL IN OUR DISTRICT IS A GREEN SCHOOL. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IN THE WEEK OR SO DR.
JOHNSON AND I WILL BE PRESENTING AT THE MAYO CONFERENCE, THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION CONFERENCE TO TALK ABOUT OUR CHEST PATCH PROGRAM WHERE EVERY GRADE LEVEL WILL GO ON A FIELD TRIP, SOMETHING TO DO WITH ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE, AND THAT'S A PHENOMENAL THING. AS YOU SEE WITH THE GENTLEMEN, CALVERT SHINES. WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED A LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE THAT EXISTS IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND IT'S MY JOB AS SUPERINTENDENT TO MAINTAIN THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE AND ENSURE THAT CALVERT CAN CONTINUE TO SHINE FOR DECADES TO COME. NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET. HERE IS THE DEVELOPMENT CYCLE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS IS A YEAR-LONG PROCESS. OUR BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS BEGINS IN JULY DURING SUMMER LEADERSHIP AS WE SHARE WITH OUR PRINCIPALS, DIRECTORS, AND SUPERVISORS OUR EXPECTATIONS, PRIORITIES, AND BUDGET PROCESS. AS WE ENTER THE FALL, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT PRESENTS SALARY AND WAGE PROJECTIONS LEADING INTO LATE FALL AND EARLY WINTER WHEN DIRECTORS AND PRINCIPALS BASED ON INPUT FROM STAFF PREPARE DEPARTMENTAL AND SCHOOL BUDGETS. SCORE BOARD BUDGET PARTIES AND SHARED INPUT ON WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE ,
[00:10:03]
AND THE NEXT STEP IS FOR MY TEAM TO PREPARE THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND FINALIZE IT WHEN STATE REVENUE NUMBERS ARE RECEIVED. WHICH BRINGS US HERE TODAY BECAUSE WE RECEIVED THOSE NUMBERS IN JANUARY 2025. AFTER TONIGHT, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL DISCUSS MY BUDGET AND PREPARE TO SUBMIT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PROPOSED BUDGET TO THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, AND ONCE THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT APPROVES THE FUNDING AMOUNT, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPTS THE BUDGET. TAKING A LOOK AT AT OUR FISCAL YEAR FOR 26 BUDGET PRIORITIES, THE MAIN GOAL IS TO CONTINUE DELIVERING THE SERVICE THAT WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY PROVIDED ENABLING OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF TO ACHIEVE THE EQUAL OR GREATER VALUE, OR HIGHEST LEVEL OF EXCELLENT HIGHLIGHTED IN THE PREVIOUS LIGHTS. THEREFORE OUR BUDGET PARTIES ARE FOCUSED ON THE SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCE , SUPPORT FOR STUDENT AND PROFESSIONAL MOMENT FOR EDUCATORS INCLUDING SUPPORT STAFF, CONTINUING TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF AND PROVIDE ONGOING SERVICES TO THOSE EMPLOYEES, HONORING OUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS FOR THE CALVERT ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF, CALVERT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, AND THE CALVERT ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.MAINTAINING EFFICIENT AND RESPONSIVE OPERATIONS, MAINTAINING OUR CURRENT STAFFING, AND TO CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE , WHICH IS THE LAW. SO, HERE IS THE APPROACH TO OUR BUDGET DEVELOPMENT. WE BEGIN EARLY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE FISCAL FOR 26 BUDGET IN JULY, AND WE ALSO BEGIN TALKS WITH OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND FINANCE DIRECTOR OF CALVERT COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND OUR COUNTY MINISTRY ARE . AS A MATTER OF FACT, OUR MOST RECENT MEETING WITH OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT DISCUSSING BUDGET WAS TODAY AT 12:00 NOON. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING REGULAR MEETING TALKING ABOUT FINANCE, BUDGET PRIORITIES, MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT PROCESSES, AND THAT HAS BEEN A VERY, VERY GOOD THING FOR CALVERT COUNTY. WE INCREASED OUR INTERGOVERNMENTAL COLLABORATION. WE DEVELOP A BUDGET PRIORITIES. THE GOAL IS FOR TRUST AND TRANSPARENCIES AND THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS NOT ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS FROM OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
WE ANALYZE OUR CURRENT SPENDING AND NEEDS , AND WE INCREASE THE USE OF ZERO-BASED BUDGETING. WE HAVE DONE ZERO-BASED BUDGETING IN THE PAST , BUT WE HAVE INCREASED THE USE OF THAT TRUCK TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE, MORE EFFICIENT AND ENSURE THAT WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERY DOLLAR. THE CHALLENGE FOR OUR FISCAL '26 BUDGET ARE THE STRESSORS, SO THE FISCAL CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH SHARE SOME OF THE IMPACTS ARE THE INFLATIONARY COST INCREASES , SO THE CPI WHICH IS THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, IS THE GAUGE OF INFLATIONARY CAUSE, AND THE CPI INCREAS FROM DECEMBER OF '23 TO DECEMBER OF '24, THAT WAS A TWO-POINT 9% INCREASE. ANOTHER STRESSOR IS THE ESSER FUND . RECOGNIZED THAT MARYLAND IS IN A BUDGET CRISIS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT SEPTEMBER 2024, THOSE ESSER FUNDS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED. WHEN DEVELOPING THIS BUDGET WE NO LONGER HAVE SUPPORT OF THOSE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS. THERE ARE ALSO ADDITIONAL COSTS PASSED DOWN TO THE LOCALS WHICH IS A 75% REQUIREMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CHANGE OF THE BUDGET ALLOCATION BY SCHOOL, AND IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, A MAJOR COST YOU ARE ALSO GOING TO SEE IN OUR EXPENDITURES IS THAT OUR STARTING SALARY FOR INCOMING TEACHERS NOW IS $61,000. THIS TIME LAST YEAR IT WAS $54,000. SO, EVERY NEW TEACHER THAT COMES INTO OUR DISTRICT IS NOW RECEIVING AN ADDITIONAL $7000 , SO THAT INCREASED COST WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT STAFF. IN ADDITION TO THAT, EVERY TEACHER THAT RECEIVES THEIR NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION RECEIVED $10,000. IT IS NOT MONEY WE RECEIVED FROM THE STATE TO GIVE TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS. WE HAVE TO USE THE FUNDS WE ALREADY HAD TO GIVE TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHICH ALSO INCREASES EXPENDITURE. THE MORE NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS WE HAVE, THE MORE OUR EXPENDITURES GO UP. TALKING ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND FUTURE, THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE IS AN UNPRECEDENTED PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT PROVIDES A FRAME WORK FOR TRANSFORMING EDUCATION IN MARYLAND. THIS YEAR, BLUEPRINT EXPENDITURES
[00:15:01]
INCLUDE THE TEACHER STARTING SALARY AND NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION INCREASE. SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT THE CAREER LADDER COST . EVERY TEACHER FOR EXAMPLE THAT IS ON PAYROLL THIS YEAR, NEXT YEAR THEY GO UP ON THE CAREER LADDER, MEETINGTHIS YEAR THIS IS YOUR SALARY, NEXT YEAR YOU HAVE A HIGHER SALARY. SO THAT ALSO INCREASES EXPENDITURES FOR ALL CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ALSO, THE ADDITIONAL TWO-YEAR COLLEGE PROGRAM WE MUST PAY FOR IN ENSURING WE HAVE THE HIGH-QUALITY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED WITHIN. I MENTIONED EARLIER THE EXHAUSTION OF THE ESSER FUNDS, SO WHAT WE HAVE FUNDED OUT OF THE EMERGENCY SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND IS SUMMER SCHOOL, TRANSPORTATION FOR SUMMER SCHOOL, OUR DIGITAL LICENSES. I'M TALKING ABOUT AGILE MIND, LIKE SCORE FIVE, MCGRAW-HILL, MY PATH, AND READY READING. AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES, SO WE PAY FOR A LOT OF OUR LAPTOPS OUT OF THESE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS. A SMART THING WE'VE DONE AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT IS THAT NO PEOPLE WERE PAID FROM THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS, ONLY RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. SO THE GOOD THING IS BECAUSE THOSE FUNDS WENT AWAY, THAT DOES NOT MEAN PEOPLE WENT AWAY. YOU MIGHT SAY WELL, I TAUGHT SUMMER SCHOOL. THAT IS EXTRA DUTY, EXTRA PAY. YOUR JOB IS STILL THERE. YOU PROBABLY DON'T HAVE AN EXTRA STIPEND FOR SUMMER SCHOOL BUT THE JOB IS STILL THERE AS A TEACHER THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. NOW LET'S LOOK AT OUR DOLLAR AMOUNTS.LET'S TALK DOLLARS AND LET'S MAKE SENSE OF THEM. REVENUE SOURCES. THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE REVENUE SOURCES FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM BUDGET. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE PRIMARY REVENUE SOURCE FOR CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL IS COUNTY AND STATE FOR THE UNRESTRICTED FUND, AND THAT REPRESENTS OVER 95% OF OUR BUDGET, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. THIS SLIDE SHOWS OUR ACTION ON REVENUE FOR FISCAL YEAR '24 AND OUR CURRENT BUDGET REVENUE FOR FISCAL YEAR '25, AND THE PROPOSED REVENUE FOR FISCAL YEAR '26. YOU WILL NOTICE THAT WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR AN INCREASE FROM THE COUNTY. NOT A DOLLAR MORE THAN WHAT WE ARE RECEIVING IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE MY POINTER. I DON'T THINK IT SHOWS UP THERE MUCH. BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE RED BOX UNDER DOLLAR CHANGE, LOOK TO YOUR LEFT, FISCAL YEAR '26, OUR COUNTY APPROPRIATION, ASKING FOR $164 MILLION AND THAT'S THE SAME WE RECEIVED IN FISCAL YEAR '25. WHATEVER EXTRA MONEY WE ARE SPENDING ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT TO CALVERT COUNTY WE EXPECT TO FIND THAT OURSELVES AND I WILL SHARE HOW WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT.
EXPENDITURE RECAP. THIS SLIDE SHOWS WHERE THE MONEY GOES. WE ARE A PEOPLE ORGANIZATION, SO MOST OF OUR COST GOES TO SALARY AND WAGES. ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT COST OR THE MANDATED AND NEGOTIATED EMPLOYEE BENEFIT COSTS THAT ARE REFLECTED IN THE OTHER CHARGES, SO IF YOU LOOK AT THAT YELLOW OTHER CHARGES, THOSE COSTS ARE MANDATED AND NEGOTIATED EMPLOYEE BENEFIT COSTS. WHEN YOU SEE THAT, THOSE ARE THE BENEFIT COSTS. THESE TWO AREAS TOTAL 86.5% OF OUR BUDGET.
THIS RECAP SHOWS OUR OVERALL EXPENDITURE CHANGE IS THREE-POINT 4%, JUST SLIGHTLY OVER THE DECEMBER SLIGHTLY OVER THE DECEMBER 2023 TO DECEMBER '24 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX. AS YOU RECALL, THE CPI, OR THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX IS THE GOVERNMENT'S GAUGE OF AN INFLATIONARY ALTHOUGH OUR EXPENDITURES ARE MILLION DOLLARS MORE, WE ARE PLANNING TO USE BUDGET SAVINGS FROM FISCAL YEAR '25 AND FISCAL YEAR '24. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE UNDERSTAND FISCAL YEAR FOR 24 AND ARE USING $6 MILLION FROM THAT AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF FISCAL YEAR '25 IS ESTIMATED TO BE $3 MILLION, SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IF YOU RECALL, THIS TIME LAST YEAR WHEN WE PROPOSED THE BUDGET, WE FOUND OUT THAT WE WERE LOSING $22.5 MILLION, SO IMMEDIATELY OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION ASKED US TO FREEZE SPENDING, WE ARE IN A FINANCIAL CRISIS. WHEN IT WAS ALL SAID AND DONE, WE DID HAVE SAVINGS FROM FISCAL YEAR '24 WHICH ALLOWS US TO PAY FOR ANY EXTRA
[00:20:01]
EXPENDITURES THAT WE HAVE IN FISCAL YEAR '26 COMING UP IN THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, WE STARTED THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH DEVELOPING THE BUDGET AND BEING EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WITH HOW WE SPEND EVERY DOLLAR BECAUSE WE DID NOT KNOW IF WE WERE GOING TO STILL RECEIVE A CUT IN OUR STATE AID, SO WE DID NOT KNOW IF WE WERE GOING TO POSSIBLY LOSE $22 MILLION AGAIN THIS YEAR. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE ARE NOW RESTORING OUR STATE AID, SO WE DID NOT LOSE THAT $22.5 MILLION AGAIN THIS YEAR.SO THIS EXPLAINS IT. AS A REMINDER, I SHARED THE BUDGET STRESSORS AND CLOSING THE INFLATIONARY COST, THE REQUIRED EXPENSES FOR BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND SCHOOLS, AND THE CONCLUSION OF OUR ESSER FUND. TO AVOID REQUESTING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE COUNTY, WE WILL UTILIZE SAVINGS FROM FISCAL YEAR '24 AND THE ANTICIPATED SAVINGS FROM FISCAL YEAR '25 AND PROJECTED INTEREST EARNINGS. IF YOU SEE THE FY '25 ADDITIONAL REVENUE, I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE BEST CFO IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, AND ONE THINK HE WAS ABLE TO DO IS ENSURE THAT OUR MONEY WAS RECEIVING INTEREST WHILE IT SITS IN THE BANK AND WE WERE ABLE TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL $0.75 MILLION IN REVENUE FROM INTEREST, WHICH IS GOOD. THE TOTAL PROPOSED FUND BALANCE USE OF FISCAL YEAR '26 WILL BE MY $.5 MILLION. IT'S IMPORTANT TO SHARE AND REITERATE FOR FISCAL STEWARDSHIP, THERE WAS A SPENDING FREEZE IN FY '24 ON EXPENDITURES AND ALSO FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE THE CHIEF OF COMMUNICATION, THAT POSITION NO LONGER EXISTS. WE ARE FLIPPING OVER EVERY ROCK TO ENSURE WE CAN SAVE MONEY BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS WE ARE IN. AND WHEN IT IS ALL SAID AND DONE, IT IS IN GERMAN, WE WILL HAVE PROBABLY ABOUT $14 MILLION LEFT OVER IN OUR FUND BALANCE AFTER ALL OF IT IS SAID AND DONE IN CASE OF ANY URGENCIES COMING UP. WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE SPENT. THE BEST NEWS OF ALL WITH THIS PROPOSED BUDGET WITH KEEPING CALVERT COUNTY EQUAL OR GREATER VALUE IS THAT IT WOULD BE NO STAFF REDUCTIONS. THIS BUDGET WILL ALLOW US TO MAINTAIN THE SERVICE OF EXCELLENCE THAT WE HAVE, SO THE CALVERT COUNTY YOU SEE TODAY WILL BE THE CALVERT COUNTY THAT YOU WILL SEE TOMORROW WITH ENHANCED PRACTICES ESPECIALLY WITH NEW POLICIES WE HAVE IN PLACE, AND THAT IS OUR ULTIMATE GOAL. SO, LET ME SHARE. HERE IS OUR BUDGET TIMELINE. WHAT HAPPENS FROM HERE? ULTIMATELY ON FEBRUARY 13, OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL MEET WITH DIRECTORS REGARDING THIS PROPOSED BUDGET. WE DID PUT SOME TENTATIVE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS IN PLACE IN THE EVENT THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WOULD LIKE TO ASK MORE QUESTIONS, DIG DEEPER INTO THE BUDGET, SO WE DO HAVE SOME TENTATIVE DATES THAT WE IDENTIFIED, BUT ULTIMATELY ON OUR CALENDAR, FEBRUARY 24, OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION UNDERSTANDS THAT THAT IS THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THAT ENDS. IT ENDS ON THAT DAY. ON FEBRUARY 27, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED SUPERINTENDENT'S BUDGET, WHICH IS THE FY '26 BUDGET. ON MARCH 1, OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER WILL SUBMIT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S PROPOSED BUDGET TO CALVERT COUNTY GOVERNMENT. AND ULTIMATELY BY JUNE 12, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL ADOPT FISCAL YEAR '26 OPERATING BUDGET. IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
WRITTEN COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED IN TWO WAYS. BY U.S.
MAIL, AND BY EMAIL . IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU EITHER TAKE A PICTURE OF THIS SLIDE OR WRITE IT DOWN. BUT BY EMAIL IS BOEMEETINGFACILITATOR@CALVERTNE T.K12.MD.US. WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED ON TO THE 24TH , 2025. BEFORE I PARK MY BUS, I WANT TO SEND A SPECIAL THANK YOU NOT ONLY TO THE STAFF OF CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL OF EDUCATORS AND TEACHERS FOR MAKING THIS A GREAT START TO THIS YEAR IN THE BUDGET PROCESS CYCLE, BUT ALSO TO THE COLLABORATION WITH OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT ON WORKING VERY COLLABORATIVELY WITH COMMISSIONER WHO KICKED OFF THE MEETING WITH MYSELF AT THE TOP OF THE YEAR IN JULY. HER AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILLIS AND THEN WE MADE AN AGREEMENT TO MEET ON A REGULAR BASIS. YOU SEE MR. BRUCE
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SITTING IN OUR AUDIENCE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION THROUGH THIS PROCESS. I AM VERY OPTIMISTIC AND CONFIDENT AND LOOK FORWARD TO OUR FUTURE WITH ANTICIPATION WITH HOW WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT TEACHERS, STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR YOUR INPUT, COMMENTS, AND ONE THING I HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR IS WE WANT TO SUPPORT OURSELVES. WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO ASK OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT FOR ANYTHING.WITH THIS PROPOSED BUDGET, WE ARE NOT ASKING THEM FOR ANYTHING, WE ARE HOLDING OUR OWN WEIGHT AND I DO BELIEVE WE
[3.01 Public Comments]
CAN MAINTAIN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT WITH THAT. THANKYOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DR.
TOWNSEL. WE WILL MOVE INTO PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME.
>> THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PERMITS THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON ISSUES OF CONCERN. A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS IS LIMITED TO 20. WHEN YOU ARE CALLED TO SPEAK, PLEASE 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 SPEAKING TIME TO ANOTHER PERSON OR GROUP. IF YOU HAVE HANDOUTS OR WRITTEN TESTIMONY, PLEASE GIVE THEM TO MAXIE TO BE DETERMINED THAT THE BOARD MEMBERS. PLEASE DO NOT MENTION SPECIFIC STUDENTS OR STAFF MEMBERS IN YOUR REMARKS. ALL COMMENTS ARE TO BE MADE IN A CIVIL MANNER. ANYONE NOT FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE ASKED TO STOP SPEAKING AND MAY FORFEIT THEIR RIGHT MAC TO SPEAK AT FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS. WHILE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION VALUES OR COMMENTS AND CONCERNS, THIS IS A BUSINESS MEETING AND THE BOARD CANNOT RESPOND TO YOUR QUESTIONS OR ENTER INTO A DISCUSSION WITH YOU DURING THE MEETING. CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL RESPOND TO THE ISSUES YOU HAVE RAISED IF YOU PROVIDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION WHEN YOU SIGN IN. WRITTEN COMMENTS ARE WELCOME AT ANY TIME . FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE MINISTRY OF ASSISTANT TO THE
BOARD. >> OUR FIRST SPEAKER TONIGHT IS
MEGAN JEFFRIES. >> GOOD EVENING, DR. TOWNSEL AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU TODAY. I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR CONTINUED AND EXPANDED INVESTMENT IN OUR GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM.
SPECIFICALLY ESTABLISHING A GATE RESOURCE TEACHER AT EVERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. GATE RESOURCE TEACHERS PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN MEETING THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF GIFTED AND ADVANCED LEARNERS. MANDATED , Ú ACCELERATION AND CREATIVE CHALLENGING LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. DURING THE FOR 23 -'24 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR, WE HAD FOUR RESOURCE TEACHERS THAT WORK AND FOUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS EVERY SINGLE DAY. NOT ONLY WORK WITH OUR GIFTED STUDENTS BUT ALSO ADVANCED LEARNERS AND IN ORDER TO STRETCH OUR STUDENTS AND MEET THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, WE NEED TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE DATA-DRIVEN SERVICES IN EVERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EVERY DAY. THIS EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE APPROACH ISN'T JUST BENEFICIAL TO OUR GIFTED STUDENTS, THE SUPPORT BY TRAINED GATE RESOURCE TEACHER ENABLE CLASSROOM TEACHERS TO BETTER DIFFERENTIATE THEIR INSTRUCTION FOR SMALLER GROUPS OF STUDENTS. FOSTERING A MORE PERSONALIZED AND RESPONSIVE TEACHING ENVIRONMENT. THIS COLLABORATIVE MODEL WHERE THE GATE TEACHER, CLASSROOM TEACHER, SPECIAL EDUCATORS, ALL COME TOGETHER TO ADDRESS ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL NEEDS ENHANCES OUR ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
ADDITIONALLY, RESEARCH AND DATA CONSISTENTLY SHOWS THAT THIS INVESTMENT IN GATE EDUCATION RESULT IN POSITIVE ACADEMIC OUTCOMES. THE MARYLAND GROUP PLANT EMPHASIZES OUR GIFTED STUDENTS SHOULD BE COLLEGE AND CAREER READY BY THE END OF MIDDLE SCHOOL. THIS IS EARLIER THAN OUR OTHER STUDENTS. WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR LEARNERS EARLY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
THE MARYLAND STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION HAS HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE ON PRIMARY TALENT DEVELOPMENT AND CURRENTLY SERVING ON THAT RIGHT NOW , AND IN ORDER TO MEET THAT MANDATE , WE NEED TO EXPAND OUR GAIT SERVICES TO EVERY SCHOOL IN ORDER TO FULFILL THAT INITIATIVE. IN CLOSING, A FULL-TIME GATE RESOURCE TEACHER BENEFITS NOT ONLY OUR GIFTED AND ADVANCED LEARNERS, BUT OUR ENTIRE SCHOOL. WE MUST CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THE SPECIALIZED RESOURCES ENSURING THAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FLOURISH INTELLECTUALLY AND SOCIALLY. I CANNOT BEGIN TO IMAGINE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO PUT TOGETHER A BUDGET FOR AN ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT I PROMISE YOU THAT THE ACADEMIC RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT OF GATE RESOURCE TEACHERS IS WORTH IT. THERE ARE MANY BULLET POINTS FROM DR.
TOWNSEL'S PRESENTATION THAT THIS POSITION NEEDS. OUR STUDENTS ARE WORTH THIS INVESTMENT AND THEY DESERVE IT.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT.
>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKERS FOR TONIGHT.
>> I THINK THERE IS ONE MORE PERSON, DR. JOHNSON.
>> I WILL REFER THAT BACK TO MISS MAXIE.
[00:30:07]
>> GO AHEAD. COME ON UP. YOU ARE WELCOME. MISS MAXEY RUNS A TIGHT SHIP. WE HAVE TO BE HERE ON TIME OTHERWISE WE GET IN TROUBLE. THAT'S OKAY. PLEASE GO AHEAD AND STATE YOUR NAME.
SORRY, BUT YOUR MICROPHONE ON. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS NICOLE DOWD, THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. I AM HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS MY FRUSTRATION AND DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE LACKS OF ACTIONABLE RESPONSE REGARDING THE LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER PLACEMENT AT DOWELL ELEMENTARY.
I FIRST BROUGHT THIS ISSUE TO YOUR ATTENTION ON DECEMBER 27 , YET DESPITE MY EFFORTS TO ENGAGE IN CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE INCLUDING EMAILS, MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL AND SPEAKING TO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THERE HAS BEEN NO MEANINGFUL RESPONSE OR RESOLUTION. THE DECISION TO PLACE AN UNQUALIFIED 19-YEAR-OLD WITH NEGLIGIBLE EXPERIENCE IN A FIRST GRADE CLASSROOM FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD IS SIMPLY AN EXIT DOUBLE. THESE YOUNG STUDENTS DESERVE A QUALIFIED EDUCATOR.
THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPARENCY SURROUNDING THIS DECISION IS DEEPLY CONCERNING AND HAS ERODED THE TRANS-PARENTS PLACE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THEIR CHILDREN. I URGE THE SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION BY PROVIDING A CLEAR PLAN TO PLACE A QUALIFIED AND EXPENSE EDUCATOR IN THIS CLASSROOM.
ADDITIONALLY I REQUEST A REVIEW OF THE DISTRICT'S POLICIES REGARDING LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE HIRING TO ENSURE THAT APPROPRIATE STANDARDS ARE UPHELD IN THE FUTURE. OUR CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER , AND I'M ASKING YOU TO ASK HER RIGHT NOW TO MAKE IT RIGHT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. >> THAT OFFICIALLY CONCLUDES
[3.02 Board Comments]
PUBLIC COMMENT. >> THAT IS IT, THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE INTO OUR BOARD COMMENTS. AND WE WILL START
WITH MR. MARCHIO. >> THANK YOU. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF GOING AND VISITING THE CAREER TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY.
IN A PART OF THE LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. I WANT TO SAY THAT KERRY ATKINS OVER THERE, SHE DOES A PHENOMENAL JOB. IT IS QUITE A PROGRAM WE RUN OVER THERE. WE HAVE A LOT OF KIDS THAT ARE GOING TO STATE AND WON AWARDS LESTER. WE HAVE AN UPCOMING SKILLS COMPETITION I IMPLORE YOU TO GO TO TO SUPPORT OUR YOUNG STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE TRADES. I FEEL LIKE PEOPLE IN THE TRADES DON'T GET ENOUGH CREDIT. JUST WANTED TO GIVE HER A SHOUT OUT. SHE DOES A GREAT JOB OVER THERE
AND IS REALLY IMPRESSIVE. >> MR. HARRISON.
>> THANK YOU, MISS PRES. I WANTED TO MENTION THAT I WENT TO THE TRI-COUNTY COURSE ON SUNDAY , AND I WILL TELL YOU, WHAT A SPECTACULAR SHOW THAT WAS. MIDDLE SCHOOLERS, THE HIGH SCHOOLS I THOUGHT WERE REALLY EXTRA PHENOMENAL , SO I ENJOYED THAT. SOME FOLKS HERE AND AT HOME MAY ASK US WHY WE ARE NOT PEPPERING DR. TOWNSEL WITH QUESTIONS. THIS IS DR.
TOWNSEL'S MEETING TO MAKE HIS PRESENTATION. IT IS NOT FOR BOARD QUESTIONS, BUT YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT WE ARE ASKING QUESTIONS AND NAUSEA I'M SURE IN HIS INBOX BECAUSE WE LIKE TO UNDERSTAND ALL THE COMPLEXITIES OF WHAT IS A 23 UNIT FRANCHISE , AND A SIGNIFICANT SIZED BUSINESS. THAT WE NOW OVERSEE.
THAT IS WHAT I WANTED TO TELL EVERYONE. WE ARE ON THE JOB WE ARE LOOKING CAREFULLY THROUGH ALL THE NUMBERS, AND WE WILL DO OUR VERY BEST TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET FOR
FY '26. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. MISS TRAN 23?
>> I'M PROBABLY GOING TO BE THE MOST LONG-WINDED TONIGHT.
I'VE ACTUALLY PREPARED COMMENTS. THANK YOU LISA FOR ALWAYS DOING THAT BUT I'M GOING TO BE READING SO SORRY FOR NOT LOOKING AT YOU. THANK YOU TO DR. TOWNSEL, MR. JOHNSON, AND ALL THE SCHOOL STAFF WHO HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY ON THIS BUDGET. I'M EXCITED TO DIG IN AND PROVIDE MY EXPERTISE IN THIS PROCESS. AT THE LAST MEETING, MISS POST ENCOURAGE ALL OF THE WARD MEMBERS TO ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS. I LISTENED TO HER ADVICE AND HAVE ENJOYED MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TEACHERS UNION AND SUPPORT STAFF UNION, STAFF AT CENTRAL OFFICE, STAFF FROM A VARIETY OF SCHOOLS, STUDENTS FROM ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE,AND HIGH SCHOOL AND A VARIETY OF PARENTS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM EACH FROM THEIR DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.
THIS IS WHAT I'VE LEARNED. EVERYONE AGREES THAT A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL. MOST EVERYONE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT TO REACH THAT
[00:35:04]
GOAL WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT OUR SCHOOL STAFF FEELS SAFE, SUPPORTED, APPROPRIATELY UTILIZED, AND APPRECIATED. DR.TOWNSEL, AS YOU AND YOUR STAFF LOOK AT THIS BUDGET, I WANT US TO ALL REMEMBER THAT THE FOUNDATION FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS BUILT ON OUR STAFF. THE CULTURE WE CREATE FOR OUR STAFF DIRECTLY IMPACT THEIR ABILITY TO CREATE THE DESIRED ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR CHILDREN.
WHEN SAFETY IS AN ISSUE, WORKLOADS ARE PROPERLY BALANCED, STAFF AREN'T GIVEN A FAIR PATH FOR GROWTH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CULTURE DECLINES IN OUR DESIRED APARTMENTS FOR STUDENTS IS IMPACTED. AS YOU MOVE FORWARD IN MODIFYING THIS BUDGET I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER THE BUDGET PRIORITIES I HAVE COME UP WITH BASED ON THE FEEDBACK I'VE RECEIVED FROM ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS MENTIONED ABOVE. WE NEED TO ENSURE WE KEEP OUR STAFF, OUR EXISTING STAFF AND ON OUR EXISTING STAFF AGREEMENT. WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE SCHOOL SAFETY BY ENSURING A DEDICATED SRO IS IN EVERY SCHOOL BUILDING. WE NEED TO FURTHER PRIORITIZE SCHOOL SAFETY BY ENSURING A DEDICATED SAFETY ADVOCATE IS IN EVERY SCHOOL BUILDING. WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE OUR HIGHEST ACHIEVERS BY PROVIDING A DEDICATED KEY TEACHER TO LIMIT DRISCOLL. WE NEED TO INCREASE IN-SCHOOL INTERVENTIONS FOR THOSE STUDENTS THAT NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE. WE NEED CONSISTENT AND FULLY IMPLEMENTED BEHAVIOR TRAINING FOR ANY STAFF MEMBER THAT MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH THE STUDENT. WE NEED TO ENSURE WE HAVE ENOUGH GUIDANCE COUNSELORS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE SOME SCHOOLS THAT NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT. I'M NOT FULLY AWARE OF WHAT THOSE ARE BUT I WILL LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS. WE NEED TO ENSURE ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE FOUR VICE PRINCIPALS. WE NEED TO ANSWER ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS HAVE AN SST LEAD TO SUPPORT OUR SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY AND REDUCE THE BURDEN ON OUR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS. WE NEED TO ENSURE WE ARE PROVIDING ALL OF OUR STAFF, NOT JUST OUR TEACHERS, WITH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL HELP THEM EXCEL IN THEIR CURRENT POSITIONS AND GIVE THEM A PATHWAY TO GROW WITHIN CCPS. WE NEED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL MONEY FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO CONTINUE IMPROVING OUR FOOD SERVICE. WHILE I RECOGNIZE THAT REQUIRES A POLICY CHANGE I KNOW -- HAS BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD TO COME UP WITH ESTIMATES ON HOW WE CAN MAKE ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS. LASTLY, IT'S MY DESIRE WE DO ALL OF THIS WITHOUT GOING TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS. TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS EFFORT IT'LL BE CRITICAL THE APPROACH THESE CONVERSATIONS COLLABORATIVELY DIRECTLY WITH OUR SCHOOL STAFF, AS THESE ARE TYPICALLY THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE MOST IMPACTED BY THE BUDGETING DECISIONS. THEY ARE THE HEART AND SOUL OF OUR OPERATION AND ALSO THE EXPERTS ON WHAT WE REALLY NEED VERSUS OF THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE NICE TO HAVE. THEY CAN IDENTIFY AREAS WHERE WE CAN FIND GAINS THROUGH PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS, WORKLOAD REBALANCING, AND IDENTIFYING AREAS WHERE WE CAN GET CREATIVE. LASTLY, IN THE VEIN OF PRIORITIZING SCHOOL CULTURE, I ENCOURAGE US TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE INEQUITIES IN OUR CURRENT STRUCTURES. FOR EXAMPLE, I RECENTLY LEARNED SCHOOL COUNSELORS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION IN COUNSELING THAT WE DON'T RECOGNIZE THAT CERTIFICATION IN OUR PAY SKILLS. I WASN'T AROUND BUT I CAN IMAGINE THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S NOT REQUIRED BY STATE LAW AND THEREFORE WE DON'T GET FUNDING FROM THE STATE. HOWEVER, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING BETTER. IF WE WANT OUR SYSTEM TO FEEL LIKE A FAMILY, WE NEED TO TREAT EACH MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY FAIRLY AND CULTURE IS KEY. I RECOGNIZE I JUST BATTLED OFF A LOT OF THINGS AND I KNOW IT WON'T BE EASY BUT IF WE WORK TOGETHER IT'S POSSIBLE.
I ENCOURAGE YOU AND YOUR STAFF, DR. TOWNSEL, TO TAP INTO THE EXPERTISE AND CREATIVITY OF OUR SCHOOL BUILDING STAFF TO FIND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO REDUCE COSTS WHILE MEETING THE BOARD'S PRIORITIES. TOGETHER I KNOW WE CAN BALANCE OUR BUDGET FULLY WHILE PROTECTING THE CULTURE AND EXCELLENCE THAT SUPPORTS OUR STUDENTS' SUCCESS. I APOLOGIZE FOR READING, AND
>> AS DR. TOWNSEL MENTIONED IN HIS BUDGET PRESENTATION, OUR STAFF IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO EXCEL IN MANY AREAS. IN REVIEWING THE 2026 BUDGET PRIORITIES, I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT HONORING OUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH CASE , CEA, AND CASA ARE ALSO TOP PRIORITIES. AS I DO A DEEPER REVIEW OF THE BUDGET, I WILL BE LOOKING FOR ALIGNMENT WITH THE PRIORITIES THAT WERE SUBMITTED BY THE BOARD MEMBERS.
THIS INCLUDES , BUT I'M NOT GOING TO LIST ALL OF THEM, MS. GOSHORN LISTED SEVERAL OF THEM. THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY , IMPROVING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. ADDITIONAL GAIT TEACHERS AT EVERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. WHICH I WANT TO EMPHASIZE IS REQUIRED IN THE BLUEPRINT. MAINTAINING SMALL CLASS STUDENT TO TEACHER
[00:40:01]
RATIOS, ENSURING CCPS POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND OPERATIONAL DECISIONS ARE DATA-DRIVEN, AND SROS IN EVERY BUILDING. OH, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL STAFF MEMBERS. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO A THOROUGH DISCUSSION WITH DR. TOWNSEL AND HIS TEAM REGARDINGTHIS BUDGET. THANK YOU. >> TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW HERE.
FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO THINK DR. TOWNSEL AND STAFF FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THAT PRESENTATION . IT OFFERS INSIGHTS. I'M PARTICULARLY PLEASED THAT WE ARE NOT ENTERTAINING CONVERSATION ABOUT GOING TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND ASKING FOR MORE MONEY. HOWEVER, I WILL SAY ON THE RECORD THAT IT'S NOT FINAL YET. NO, I'M JUST KIDDING. I KNOW BRUCE IS HERE IN THE BACK. I DO APPRECIATE THAT IT WAS -- I THINK IT WAS A GOAL OF OURS AND I APPRECIATE THAT, SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING SOME FURTHER DISCUSSIONS AND TO SEE HOW WE CAN IMPROVE SOME OF OUR RESOURCES, AND WHAT WE CAN DO. AS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, WE HAVE ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS, WE HAVE SUBMITTED A NUMBER OF BUDGET PRIORITIES , SOME ARE PIE IN THE SKY, SOME ARE MORE REALISTIC, SOME ARE JUST ASSIGNMENTS AND DUTIES THAT CAN BE REARRANGED, SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. I ALSO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE TRI-COUNTY CHORUS CONCERT LAST SUNDAY AND CERTAINLY CONCUR IT WAS A PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCE BY THOSE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN. ADDITIONALLY, IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT IS A GOOD PLACE TO GO TO REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW MANY ADULTS ARE INVOLVED IN GATHERING THOSE CHILDREN TOGETHER , GETTING THEM ALL TO WEAR BLACK 20 SHOES, BLACK PANTS, AND A WHITE SHIRT, OR FINDING A FORMAL GOWN AND TUXEDO AND A BOWTIE. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED. BUT THE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES, THE TIME, EVEN A GENTLEMAN THAT FLEW ALL THE WAY FROM MICHIGAN AND RAN OFF THE STAGE TO GO CATCH AN AIRPLANE BACK TO MICHIGAN, IT WAS A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE AND A WONDERFUL REMINDER OF HOW MANY GREAT ADULTS WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT CONTINUE TO WORK TO HELP KIDS BE SUCCESSFUL. THOSE INDIVIDUALS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES AND BACKGROUND. I SAID IT ONCE AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN. FROM THE ADMINISTRATORS TO THE SECRETARIES AND THE HELP THAT IS SITTING IN THE OFFENSE, TO THE LUNCH LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WHO MY CHILDREN HARASS ON A DAILY BASIS. THERE IS NO QUESTION. EVERYBODY IN BETWEEN BUILDING SERVICE WORKERS AND THE TIRELESS EFFORTS THAT THEY PUT IN, SO I APPRECIATE THAT, AND WITH THAT I WILL LAND MY PLANE. THANK YOU. WE ARE ADJOURNED. OKAY, MOTION TO
>> ALL IN FAVOR?
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.