[2.01 Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silence]
[00:00:08]
>>> GOOD EVENING. I CALL THE CALVERT COUNTY PLEDGE÷÷OF ALLEGIANCE TO ORDER.
WE WILL DO THE PLEDGE FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
>> ALL: 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.
[2.02 NHS Marching Band Recognition]
>>> UP NEXT WE HAVE A RECOGNITION OF THE CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BOUND, AND GRACE MINAKOWSKI IS GOING TO READ THE PROCLAMATION.
>> ALL RIGHTY. WHEREAS THE -- NO, YOU'RE GOOD. I'LL MOVE THIS BACK A LITTLE BIT. THERE YOU GO.
WHEREAS THE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND FINISHED FIRST IN THE MARYLAND STATE COMPETITIONS WITH AN OVERALL SCORE OF 90. 800 AND WINNING BEST MUSIC, BEST VISUAL, BEST COLOR GUARD, AND BEST PERCUSSION, AND THE NORTHERN HIGH- SCHOOL MARCHING BAND IS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DIRECTOR SAMANTHA ANDREJCISK, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, JOE STOUT, AND COLOR GUARD INSTRUCTOR NATALIE RICHARDSON, AND WHEREAS THE BAND PRESENTED PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF PERFORMANCE. NOW BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE ÷÷MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CALVERT COUNTY ATTRIBUTE TO THEIR SUCCESS AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE CALVERT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DO HEREBY EXTEND THEIR CONGRATULATIONS AND WISH THE TEAM SUCCESS IN THEIR FUTURE. CONGRATULATIONS, GUYS.
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION.
>> ALL: AYE. >> CONGRATULATIONS, EVERYBODY.
>> ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS BRIAN WELKER OF PERFORMING ARTS AT CALVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT A BRIEF SENSE OF PRIDE AND THANK YOU TO THE MARCHING BAND AND THEIR DIRECTOR, MS. SAMANTHA ANDREJCISK, AND JOUST TO TELL YOU HOW IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY THIS IS OF MUSIC-MAKING.
ONE OF THE THINGS THESE FOLKS KNOW ABOUT ME IS MY START IN MUSIC HAS REALLY STRONG ROOTS IN THE MARCHING BAND COMMUNITY. SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I LEARNED ABOUT LIFE ARE FROM THIS ACTIVITY, AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I GAINED IN THIS PARTICULAR FIELD OF PERFORMANCE HELPED SET ME UP TO HAVE A REALLY STRONG PATH IN MY OWN LIFE. THE DECISIONS I'VE MADE ABOUT LEADERSHIP, THE DECISIONS I'VE MADE ABOUT WHAT I WANTED TO DO IN MY EXISTENCE ON THIS VERY EARTH ARE ROOTED IN WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THEIR TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND PLEASE KNOW JUST HOW÷÷VERY PROUD OF I AM.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE. YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB.
>> HI, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS SAMANTHA ANDREJCISK, AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE MARCHING BAND HERE AND THE DIRECTOR OF BANDS AT NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THESE STUDENTS.
THEY HAVE BEEN PHENOMENAL TO WORK WITH YEAR AFTER YEAR. MARCHING BAND IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST COMMITMENT OF THEIR LIFE.
WE PRACTICE FOUR TO FIVE DAYS A WEEK.
WE COMPETE EVERY WEEKEND FOR TWO MONTHS ON END.
THEY WORK FROM LITERALLY MARCH, WE'RE STARTING NOW.
WE JUST HAD LEADERSHIP AUDITIONS AND WE PRACTICED THROUGHOUT THE SPRING.
WE PRACTICE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AND FALL, AND IT IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF DEAD DICATION, AND IT TAKES MENTAL STAMINA, EMOTIONAL STM IN AMINA, AND THEY ARE ROCK STARS AT PUSHING
[00:05:01]
THROUGH ANY CHALLENGE THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH, AND EVEN STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT ASSIGNED OR AUDITIONED FOR A LEADERSHIP POSITION BECOME SUCH LEADERS WITHIN THEIR ÷÷ACADEMICS AND WITHIN THEIR BAND, AND IT'S JUST TRULY INSPIRING TO SEE STUDENTS HAVE SUCH A PASSION FOR SOMETHING, AND AT THE MARYLAND STATE LEVEL, WE WERE UNDEFEATED.WE HAD A REALLY AMAZING RUN. WE WENT TO NATIONALS.
WE PLACED FOURTH OUT OF ABOUT TEN BANDS ACROSS THE NORTHEAST. SO THEY HAVE DONE AN ABSOLUTE PHENOMENAL JOB, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THEM TO PRACTICE, FOR MAKING SURE THEY HAVE THEIR SHOES, FOR COMING TO FOOTBALL GAMES, FOR EARLY MORNINGS AND LATE NIGHTS. IT IS TRULY A TEAM EFFORT, AND IT COMES WITH THE FAMILIES.
IT COMES WITH THE STAFF. IT COMES WITH THE STUDENTS, AND IT COMES FROM THE COUNTY, YOU KNOW, WITHOUT YOUR ABILITY TO LET US HAVE MARCHING BAND, WE WOULDN'T HAVE THIS.
WE ARE EXTREMELY APPRECIATIVE AND WE HOPE TO JUST KEEP GOING AMAZING THINGS.
>> GREAT JOB AT THE TRICOUNTY COURSE.
[3. Consent Agenda]
>> UP NEXT WE HAVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO PASS THE CONSENT
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> ALL: AYE. >> MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE WILL MOVE INTO OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[4.01 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, STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
PERSONS ON THE SIGNUP SPEECH MAY NOT RELINQUISH PART OF THEIR SPEAKING TIME TO ANOTHER PERSON OR GROUP.
IF YOU HAVE HANDOUTS. >> REPORTER: -- OR WRITTEN TESTIMONY, PLEASE GIVE THEM TO KAREN MAXEY.
TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY, PLEASE DO NOT MENTION SPECIFIC STUDENTS OR STAFF MEMBERS IN YOUR REMARKS. ALL COMMENTS ARE TO BE MADE IN A CIVIL MANNER. ANYONE NOT FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE ASKED TO STOP SPEAKING AND MAY FORFEIT THEIR RIGHT TO SPEAK AT FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND 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 RAISE IF YOU PROVIDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION. WRITTEN COMMENTS ARE WELCOME AT ANY TIME. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE ÷÷CONTACT THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE BOARD.
>> OUR FIRST SPEAKER TONIGHT IS PAMELA COUSINS.
[00:10:06]
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M PAMELA COUSINS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU ATTENDED THE MARYLAND NEW BOARD MEMBER ORIENTATION ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025. THEIR COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING COVERS THE FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF SCHOOL GOVERNANCE. IT EMPHASIZES THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER WHICH NOTABLY EXCLUDES INVOLVEMENT IN THE DAILY OPERATIONS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. ACCORDING TO YOUR POLICY STATEMENT NUMBER 10.12, THE BOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING OR REVISING POLICY WITH PUBLIC INPUT AND ENSURING THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT IMPLEMENT THESE POLICIES. POLICY REFERS TO THE WHAT.
THE BOARD SEEKS TO ACHIEVE WHILE PROCEDURES DENOTE HOW THE SUPERINTENDENT OPERATIONALIZED THESE GOALS.
CONSEQUENTLY I RECOMMEND REMOVING THE PHRASE FROM THE FIRST SECTION IN 4A, ALSO IN SECTION 4B.
I SUGGEST THIS REVISION. THE BOARD WILL BE INFORMED OF ANY CHANGES TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES WHEN CHANGES RESULTS FROM LOCAL POLICIES OR WHEN LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS CHANGE.
ALSO, I RECOMMEND THAT YOU DELETE SECTION 4C.
REGARDING POLICY STATEMENT NUMBER 1515, WHICH ADDRESSES WEAPONS IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC. SCHOOLS.
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
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
[5.01 Grace Minakowski]
>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKERS FOR THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT, WE HAVE OUR STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD, MS. MINAKOWSKI.
>> HEY. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
I HOPE ALL IS WELL, AND YOU JOIN THE WEATHER.
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S ALREADY MARCH.
I FEEL LIKE THIS YEAR IS FLYING BY.
AS FOR WHAT I HAVE BEEN UP TO, I HAVE BEEN PRETTY BUSY.
LAST WEEK I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS ONE OF CALVERT'S TWO REPRESENTATIVES IN THE STUDENT PAGE PROGRAM FOR THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND I SPENT MY SECOND WEEK LIVING IN ANNAPOLIS AND HELPING SERVE OUR LEGISLATURE. IN ADDITION TO MY WORK ON THE FLOOR, I WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SENATE EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WHICH ADDRESSES THE EFFECTS OF LATER SCHOOL START TIMES ON STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WITH MARYLAND NVESTING SO MANY RESOURCES AND TO PROVIDING OUR STUDENTS A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION, I FEEL IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE PUT IN GUARDRAILS THAT ALLOW STUDENTS TO TRULY BENEFIT FOR AND BE AWAKE FOR SUCH EDUCATION, AND I HOPE AS A BOARD THAT GOING FORWARD, WE CAN HAVE DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW SCHOOL START TIMES AFFECT CCPS STUDENTS WHILE ALSO DISCUSSING THE TRANSPORTATION AND PHYSICAL IMPACTS.
IN ADDITION, I WAS ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT AND ADVOCATE FOR HOUSE BILL 56, A BILL WHICH WOULD CUT OUT A LOT OF THE RED TAPE INVOLVED WITH FOOD PROCUREMENT FOR LOCAL BOARDS AND ALLOW COUNTIES LIKE CALVERT LOOKING TO IMPLEMENT LOCAL FARM TO CAFETERIA PROGRAMS TO DO SO WITH LESS FISCAL BURDEN.
I DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO RESEARCH THIS BILL AND SHARE YOUR
[00:15:01]
SUPPORT WITH OUR LEGISLATORS. ADDITIONALLY, IN FEBRUARY, I HELD OUR SECOND MEETING WITH THE CODE OF CONDUCT WORK GROUP WHICH I COCHAIR WITH MS. CECILIA LEWIS.DURING THIS MEETING, WE ESTABLISHED PRIORITY AREAS RELATED TO THE CODE FOR WHICH OUR GROUP WANTS TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK FOR AS THE CODE OF CONDUCT REVIEW PROCESS BEGINS.
THESE PRIORITY AREAS INCLUDE STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH, SCHOOL SAFETY, DISCRIMINATION, AND PRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY USE.
ADDITIONALLY OUR GROUP THAT HAS BEGUN THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR ÷÷STUDENT ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS OUR MEMBERS WILL BE ING TO COLLECT FEEDBACK S LEARNERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY WITH AND WE HOPE TO USE THIS FEEDBACK TO INFORM OUR GROUP DISCUSSIONS. I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE HARD WORK THAT OUR GROUP THAN DOING AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW IT GROWS.
OVER THE PAST MONTH, I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH MRS. PENIX IN THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT PASSED BY THE BOARD IN NOVEMBER TO THE BROADER STUDENT COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO THE RESOLUTION POSTER ROLLOUT AND VIDEOS FOR SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES STUDENTS, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING A STUDENT EVENT RELATED TO THE RESOLUTION.
WE'RE HOPING TO HOLD SOME SORT OF STUDENT FORUM, AND THE IDEA IS THAT WE WOULD NOT ONLY SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT THE RESOLUTION, BUT ALSO GIVE STUDENTS TANGIBLE TAKEAWAYS THAT THEY CAN BRING BACK TO THEIR SCHOOLS TO FOSTER BETTER DISCOURSE. I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND SOME OF THE AMAZING CCPS EVENTS RECENTLY, INCLUDING CELEBRATING THE WORK OF OUR STUDENT AT THE 35TH ANNUAL CCPS HISTORY FAIR AWARDS CEREMONY ON SATURDAY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE STUDENTS WHO WERE -- EXCUSE ME, RECOGNIZED AT THE CEREMONY, AND THOSE WHO WILL BE ADVANCING TO THE STATE COMPETITION.
TOMORROW NIGHT, I WILL BE ATTENDING THE NATIONAL MALL NIGHT TO HONOR THE STUDENTS AT HARMONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND NEXT MONDAY I'LL BE TRAVELING BACK TO ANNAPOLIS TO TALK ABOUT RENEWED BLUEPRINT FUNDING WHICH I'M PROUD TO SAY DURING MY TIME PAGING, I WAS ABLE TO WATCH THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES PASS A PORTION OF THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WITHOUT CUTS TO EDUCATIONAL PER PUPIL FUNDING.
FINALLY TO CLOSE, LAST NIGHT I HELD MY MARCH STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING TO GATHER STUDENT FEEDBACK AND I WANTED TO TAKE THE REST OF THIS TIME TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE PIECES OF FEEDBACK THAT CAME UP. FIRST, WE HAD A DISCUSSION RELATED TO STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH, AND MANY SHARED WHAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE -- OR EXCUSE ME, PERMITTED TO GO TO SCHOOL COUNSELLORS OR PSYCHOLOGISTS BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO MISS CLASS. LIKEWISE, MANY STUDENTS DON'T EVEN REALIZE THAT WE HAVE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS OR SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS AS AVAILABLE RESOURCES, AND I THINK IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT ACCESS TO SAID RESOURCES ARE REINFORCED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. A SECOND PIECE OF DISCUSSION THAT CAME UP WAS STUDENTS FEELING OF SAFETY AND RESPECT IN SCHOOLS.
MULTIPLE STUDENTS SHARED THEIR OR THEIR FRIEND'S 504 PLANS WERE NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AND STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES OR SPECIAL NEEDS WERE NOT GIVEN THE SAME RESPECT AS THEIR PEERS IN THE CLASSROOM. WHAT CCPS IS TROOIFING STRIVING TO PROMOTE THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS, I WOULD LOVE THE SEE THE ADMINISTRATION TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE STUDENTS WITH LEARNING NEEDS ARE NOT TREATED AS BURDENS.
THESE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS AND I WILL BE SHARING A SUMMARY WITH MY COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD HOPEFULLY TOMORROW MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH
[6.01 Dr. Andrae Townsel]
NEXT, WE WILL MOVE INTO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT POST. I'M EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT ON MARCH 15TH, THIS SATURDAY, WE HAVE 30 DESTINATION IMAGINATION TEAMS VARYING FROM ELEMENTARY TO÷÷HIGH SCHOOL FROM ACROSS THE DISTRICT THAT WILL COMPETE AT THE MARYLAND STATE DESTINATION IMAGINATION TOURNAMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WISH THEM WELL.
I'M THRILLED TO CONGRATULATE THAT THE CALVERT CRUISERS, THEY HAD AN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AT THE 1080 S.T.E.M. CHALLENGE IN CHICAGO COMPETING AGAINST OVER 40 TEAMS FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. OUR STUDENTS RECEIVED FIRST PLACE GRAND CHAMPION AND FIRST PLACE IN GRAPHIC DESIGN WHICH IS A TESTAMENT TO THEIR HARD WORK, INNOVATION, AND TEAMWORK.
THIS TEAM OF 11 TALENTED STUDENTS FROM ACROSS OUR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS SHOWCASED THEIR ENGINEERING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SCHOOLS IN THIS NASCAR- ALIGNED COMPETITION. THEIR SUCCESS HAS EARNED THEM AN INVITATION TO THE 2025 1080 S.T.E.M. CHALLENGE NATIONALS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT
[00:20:02]
THE CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN 2025. CONGRATULATIONS.WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD OF YOU. LAST WEEKEND, CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HOSTED ANOTHER HISTORY FAIR. A THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS WHO DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO MAKE THIS EVENT UNFORGETTABLE FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND CONRATULATIONS TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AND BEST OF LUCK TO THOSE ADVANCING TO THE NEXT LEVEL. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO OUR EDUCATORS, RICK VILLANO AND ROBIN BURNS, BOTH TEACHERS FOR BEING RECOGNIZED WITH TOP HONORS BY THE MARYLAND CAREER AND TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATORS CHAPTER OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
RICK HAS BEEN NAMED THE 2025 MARYLAND ACTE NEW TEACHER OF THE YEAR, AND ROBIN BURNS NAMED THE 2025ACTE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE.
THE CALVERT COUNTY MATH LEADERSHIP TEAM, DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, AND RESOURCES TEAM WILL BE HOSTING OUR FIRST FESTIVAL ON MARCH :00TH FROM 5:30 P.M. TO 7:30 P.M. THIS EVENT IS FOR ALL AGES.
WE OPEN TO SEE YOU ALL THERE. MT. HARMONY ELEMENTARY'S NATIONAL MALL NIGHT IS SET FROMFROM P.M. TO 8:00 P.M. THIS YEAR'S THEME IS MONUMENTAL WOMEN IN S.T.E.M. IN THE FALL, EVERY STUDENT AT MT. HARMONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TOOK A TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C. ON MARCH 14TH, THEY WILL PROUDLY DISPLAY THEIR PRODUCTS. MY DAUGHTER GOES THERE, AND SHE COULDN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT IT.
I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. YESTERDAY, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING THE THIRD ANNUAL HUNTINGTON BRAIN EXPO. THIS WAS OPEN TO PARENTS, GUARDIANS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO WITNESS THE CREATIVE AND INTELLECTUAL ACHIEVEMENT OF OUR STUDENTS AND TO CELEBRATE THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE I ENCOURAGE YOU TO NEXT YEAR'S BRAIN EXPO. THERE WAS ONE THING -- TWO THINGS. STATION. HE OVERSTIMULATION - I'M JUST --
>> THERE ARE PICTURES. THERE ARE PICTURES.
>> AND THE NEXT ONE WAS A BRAIN DAMAGE SIMULATION FOR THOSE THAT MAY EXPERIENCE A CONCUSSION.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE VERY TALENTED.
I TRULY, TRULY ENCOURAGE YOU TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR NEXT YEAR'S FOURTH ANNUAL BRAIN EXPO.
TOP SHELF STUFF. YESTERDAY, I KICKED OFF MY BOOK READING TOUR. I CALL IT THE RACC TOUR.
READING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT'S MY GOAL TO NOT ONLY SHARE MY LOVE FOR LITERATURE, BUT ENCOURAGE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PICK UP A BOOK EARLY AND OFTEN, AND TELL OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THAT THE MORE YOU READ, THE SMARTER YOU BECOME, AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THEY EMBRACE IT. TODAY I SPENT TIME AT CALVERT ELEMENTARY.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THAT WAS MY SECOND STOP.
YESTERDAY WAS MY FIRST STOP WHICH WAS PLUM POINT, AND WE HAD THEM SUMMARIZE WHAT WE READ. CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUBMITTED A WAIVER FOR THE DAY OF WENDY HILL ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY WERE CLOSED BECAUSE OF A WATER MAIN BREAK. I'M WAITING FOR THAT TO BE APPROVED -- IT WAS RECENTLY APPROVED.
ALTHOUGH THEY MISSED AN ADDITIONAL DAY OF SCHOOL, THEY DO NOT SNEAD NEED TO MAKE THAT DAY UP ÷÷SO THAT'S AN FYI FOR THAT COMMUNITY. THE 180- DAY WAIVER REQUEST WAS SUBMITTED TO MARYLAND'S STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND WILL BE INCLUDED ON THE MARCH 25, 2025 STATE BOARD AGENDA.
THIS WAIVER REQUESTS THE APPROVAL FROM THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. CURRENTLY THE LAST STUDENT DAY IS SET FOR JUNE 16TH WHICH WITH THE LAST TEACHER DAY ON JUNE 17TH. IF THE WAIVER IS APPROVED, THE LAST STUDENT DAY WILL BE FRIDAY, JUNE 13TH , AND THE LAST TEACHER DAYS WILL BE THE JUNE 16TH AND 17TH. SO THE GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE CAN GET OUT ON FRIDAY, NOT HAVE TO COME TO ÷÷SCHOOL AND MAKE UP THAT DAY ON MONDAY.
SO WE'RE ASKING FOR A WAIVER FOR THAT MONDAY. OUR CALVERT COUNTY MOBILE APP HAS A FRESH, NEW LOOK. PLEASE CHECK IT OUT.
I'M EXCITED TO MEET WITH OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER,
[00:25:04]
ALISON JONES NEXT WEEK. WE HAVE A NEW ELECTED MEMBER, A STUDENT MEMBER AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT HER CANDIDACY -- OR SHE NOW IS THE STUDENT MEMBER SO HER AND I ARE GOING TO SIT DOWN AND CHOP IT UP OVER LUNCH AT HER SCHOOL. THAT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY FUN.I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY INVITE EVERYONE TO THE ALL- COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHORUS CONCERT AT HUNTINGTOWN- HIGH SCHOOL AT 7:00 P.M. NORTHERN HIGH. SCHOOL WILL PRESENT CHARLIE AND THE FACTORY.
CALVERT WILL PRESENT "THE LIGHTNING THIEF," AND OTHERS WILL DO "LEGALLY BLONDE. " WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT THE AAA S, ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS, AND ARTS.
SHOUTOUT TO THEM AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU AT ONE OF THOSE EVENTS, AND THE VERY LAST THING I WOULD LIKE TO PREMESSAGE THIS. AS YOU KNOW, I DO THE CODE OF CONDUCT TOUR T ALL OF OUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS, MIDDLE AND ÷÷HIGH SCHOOLS, AND BEFORE WE CLOSE OUT THE YEAR, I'M GOING TO HAVE A SUPERINTENDENT- LED LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FOR ANY AND ALL STUDENTS THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME. I'M WORKING OUT THE LOGISTICS.
I MET WITH MY EXECUTIVE CABINET ABOUT THAT, AND WE'RE GOING TO PUT THAT TOGETHER CAREFULLY TO PICK UP IN THE MONTH OF MAY. KEEP YOUR EARS OPEN FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT- LED LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.
WE'RE GOING TO BRAND IT UP REAL ÷÷NICE AND SEE IF WE CAN GET SOME SPONSORS AND KIND OF MAKE THIS A THING. OUR YOUNG PEOPLE LISTEN VERY WELL WHEN WE DO THE CODE OF CONDUCT TOURS, AND THEY APPLY WHAT WE SPEAK ABOUT, SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT CLIMATE AND CULTURE. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR DATA WITH THE STUDENT SAFETY, WELLNESS, AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND WHAT I SHARED THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WE'RE DOWN 1,000 DIGITS INCIDENTS COMPARED TO THIS TIME YEAR, AND I WANT TO ATTRIBUTE IT TO THE NEW POLICIES÷÷WITH REGARDS TO CELL PHONES, ELECTRONIC DEVICES, AND DRESS CODE.
WE'RE NOT PERFECT, BUT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE MOST PART ARE DOING WHAT WE ASK THEM TO DO, AND IT DOES REFLECT ON OUR DATA, AND I OFTEN SAY AS CLIMATE AND CULTURE GOES, SO GOES CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION. SO I DO EXPECT TO SEE INCREASED ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ANOTHER YEAR IN A
[7.01 Policies for Review]
ROW. WITH THAT, PRESIDENT POST, I'LL PARK MYBUS. >> THANK YOU, DR. TOWNSEL.
NEXT, WE HAVE THE POLICIES FOR ÷÷REVIEW.
LET'S START WITH POLICY -- WHICH ONE DO WE WANT TO START WITH? 1012?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, PRESIDENT POST.
I'M SUSAN JOHNSON, AND I'M A CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER.
JUST TO AVOID INTRODUCING MYSELF THREE TIMES.
I WILL BE UP HERE FOR POLICY 1012, 1100, COMMUNICATIONS AND 1210. WITH THAT, WE'LL BEGIN WITH POLICY 1012. SO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ASKED FOR THIS POLICY TO BE BROUGHT FORWARD. WE REVIEWED THAT. WE TOOK INFORMATION FROM THE BOARD MEMBERS AND INTEGRATED IT INTO THIS POLICY. SO ON THE FIRST PAGE, WE HAVE JUST A MINOR EDIT IN WORDING, AND A1.
AND THEN THE MAJOR CHANGES IS DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY.
WE HAVE ADDED THE LANGUAGE, THE SUPERINTENDENT WITH OPTIONAL BOARD MEMBER PARTICIPATION IS DIRECTED TO DEVELOP ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES TO IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL LOCAL POLICIES AND LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS AND TO COMMUNICATE THIS POLICY AND ACCOMPANYING PROCEDURES TO ALL RELEVANT PARTIES.
WE ALSO ADDED 4B. THE BOARD WILL BE INFORMED OF ANY CHANGES TO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND 4C, THE BOARD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVIEW ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCT THE SUPERINTENDENT TO REVISE THEM IF IN THE BOARD'S JUDGMENT, THE PROCEDURES DO NOT ÷÷ALIGN WITH THE ADOPTED BOARD POLICIES. THERE ARE NO OTHER CHANGES THAT ÷÷HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR THIS POLICY.
>> THANK YOU, DR. JOHNSON. ANY DISCUSSION?
>> I JUST MAKE A MOTION TO -- WE DON'T APPROVE TODAY.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS POLICY, BUT IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE POLICY ÷÷IS REFLECTING THE INTENT,WE HAVE÷÷TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE PROCEDURES. SO THAT'S WHY I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOME INPUT WITH
[00:30:01]
THE PROCEDURES. SO THAT'S MY THOUGHT WITH IT.>> COULD I ASK A QUICK QUESTION? SO I SHARED THIS WITH SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS, AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I FULLY UNDERSTAND. I WAS JUST CURIOUS, IS THIS NOT ALREADY THE INFORMAL PRACTICE OF THE BOARD? AND IF SO, WAS THERE SOMETHING THAT SPECIFICALLY PROMPTED THESE CHANGES OR, LIKE, WHAT WAS THE NEED I GUESS? I JUST WAS UNSURE IF THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD TO BE CLARIFIED IN POLICY, JUST SO I CAN UNDERSTAND IT, LIKE, WHERE IT'S COMING FROM, IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
>> WANT ME TO ANSWER THAT? OKAY.
THEY'RE ALL STARING AT THE BACK OF MY HEAD.
I WAS FEELING IT. SO I THINK THAT THIS CAME ABOUT JANUARY WITH SOME DISCUSSION. IT IS INFORMAL.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY MYSELF TO PARTICIPATE IN -- IN SOME PROCEDURAL CREATION, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY HELPFUL, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING MY PERSPECTIVE AND THOSE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WERE ABLE TO DOMESTIC COME TO ME AND SHARE, I WAS ABLE TO OFFER THAT. WE WANTED TO PUT A MORE FORMAL PROCESS IN PLACE. WE DO FULLY RECOGNIZE THAT THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE FOR EVERY SINGLE POLICY.
THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM, AND IT IS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM'S SITION TO, YOU KNOW, WE ARE THE POLICY AND THEY CREATE THE PROCEDURE.
WE WANTED OPTIONAL BOARD MEMBER PARTICIPATION TO MAKE IT MORE FORMAL SO THAT IT COULD BE ALLOWED.
DR. JOHNSON WAS GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO ALLOW ME TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT WITHOUT HAVING ANYTHING FORMAL, BUT AS WE MOVED FORWARD THROUGH THIS, THAT ANYBODY THAT MAY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OULD BE ABLE TO DO SO, AND OFFER A PERSPECTIVE OF CONSTITUENTS THAT MAY BE COMMUNICATING TO US THAT MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME LEVEL AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SO THAT -- AND WE DO FULLY RECOGNIZE THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN THERE ARE FIVE OF US IN THESE FORUMS, SO NO CORUM WOULD BE PARTICIPATING AT ANY TIME. THE OTHER PART OF IT IS WE'RE ALL BUSY, AND THIS BOARD HAS CHANGED, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF US THAT OF YOUNG KIDS, THAT HAVE÷÷FULL- TIME JOBS, THAT HAVE, YOU KNOW, LOTS OF THINGS GOING ON, AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT ALWAYS AS EASY TO KNOW OR UNDERSTAND WHEN A POLICY -- EXCUSE ME, OR ADMINISTRATOR HAS CHANGED, AND THIS IS A WAY TO HAVE INFORMING THE BOARD THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN A PROCEDURE SO THAT WE CAN BE AWARE, BECAUSE IN SOME CASES THOSE DO AFFECT US WHEN WE HAVE CONSTITUENTS THAT SHARE ÷÷WITH US, AND I WILL ALSO SAY LASTLY FOR ITEM C -- OR LETTER C THAT WE ADDED, WE ASKED THE BOARD ATTORNEY TO HAVE A LOOK AT THIS, AND THEN TO SAMPLE FROM DIFFERENT -- DIFFERENT COUNTIES TO SEE WHERE THERE MAY BE LANGUAGE THAT WOULD -- THAT COULD KIND OF ALIGN THAT WOULD HELP US. SO THAT'S WHERE C CAME FROM, WAS LOOKING AT A ING OF VARIOUS COUNTIES THAT ARE SURROUNDING AND KNOW THAT THEY HAVE THAT IN THERE, THAT IN THE EVENT THERE'S A PROCEDURE THAT'S IN PLACE, THAT MAYBE DOESN'T QUITE ALIGN WITH THE POLICY THAT WE KNOW WE CAN BRING THAT BACK AND HAVE SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.
>> UNDERSTOOD. AND THEN WITH POINT A, FOR THE OPTIONAL BOARD MEMBER PARTICIPATION, I HAD TWO QUESTIONS ON THIS. NUMBER ONE, WOULD THAT OPTIONAL PARTICIPATION BE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OR THE BOARD MEMBERS? SO WHO WOULD BE THE DECIDING PERSON TO SAY, THIS IS A POLICY THAT WE WANT BOARD MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROCEDURES FOR?
>> SO IT WOULD BE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD MEMBER TO SOLICIT THEIR INTEREST.
>> IT WOULD NOT BE THE EXPECTATION THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT OR STAFF WOULD BE SOLICITING OUR INVOLVEMENT. IT WOULD BE THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
AND DOES THIS INCLUDE THE STUDENT MEMBER?
>> GOT IT. AND THEN I GUESS THE LAST THING THAT I WANTED TO ASK IN TERMS OF REVIEWING THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES, THIS WOULD NOT GIVE THE BOARD THE POWER TO CHANGE THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES, JUST TO INSTRUCT THE SUPERINTENDENT ON HOW WE WOULD WANT THEM TO BE REVISED?
>> CORRECT. SO HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING THIS, AND STAFF ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES.
WE MAY ON OCCASION, PROVIDE INPUT AS TO FEEDBACK OR THINGS THAT ARE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT WE THINK WOULD -- WOULD BE BENEFICIAL IN THAT PROCEDURE, BUT IT IS ULTIMATELY UP TO HIM AND HIS STAFF TO CREATE THAT PROCEDURE.
THE ONLY REASON THAT WE HAVE C IN THERE IS IN THE EVENT THAT MAYBE THE PROCEDURE'S NOT WORKING OR WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM CONSTITUENTS, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY OR THERE'S THINGS THAT MAY HAVE -- THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF PROCEDURES WITHIN A CURRENT POLICY THAT WOULD GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT IT AND HAVE A DISCUSSION FOR SOME CHANGE.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTIONS.
I STUDY. I KNEW. ANYTHING ELSE?
[00:35:06]
NO? OKAY.>> SO WE'LL POST THAT FOR 30- DAY REVIEW?
>> SO THE NEXT POLICY IS POLICY 1100 ON COMMUNICATIONS.÷÷WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SUGGESTED CHANGES FOR THIS POLICY.
THIS ONE WILL BE POSTED AS WELL.
>> THE THIRD POLICY IS POLICY 1110 REGARDING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS.
WE DID ACTUALLY HAVE SEVERAL CHANGES TO THIS.
THERE WERE SOME CHANGES THAT STAFF HAD RECOMMENDED .
WE ALSO SENT IT TO THE BOARD ATTORNEY TO GET SOME FEEDBACK FROM HIM AS WELL, SO YOU CAN SEE UNDER DEFINITIONS. WE HAVE EDITED THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT DEFINITION TO INCLUDE THE STATE LAW THAT ENSURES THE MEETINGS OF PUBLIC BODIES SUCH AS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AT WHICH DECISIONS ABOUT THE PUBLIC BUSINESS ARE MADE, ARE DISCUSSED, OR DISCUSSED ARE OPEN TO PUBLIC, ET CETERA, YOU CAN READ THE END. WE ARE SUGGESTING DELETING B, PUBLIC BUSINESS, AND CHANGING IT TO MEETING WHEN ACORUM OF THE BOARD IS PUBLIC BUSINESS ACTING IN QUASI- LEGISLATIVE FUNCTION OR LEGISLATIVE FUNCTION. WE HAVE SUGGESTED CHANGES OF LEGISLATIVE CAPACITY TO LEGISLATIVE FUNCTION.
QUASI- QUASI- LEGISLATIVE CAPACITY AND LEGISLATIVE FUNCTION, AND ADVISOR TOED A ADVISORY FUNCTION. IN POLICY STATEMENT A AT THE BOTTOM, WE HAVE ADDED THE LANGUAGE WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE MARYLAND OPEN MEETINGS ACT, AND THEN WITH CITATIONS, WE HAVE JUST UPDATED THE CITATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE ACCURATE.
>> ANY EXCELLENT COMMENTS ON THAT?
THANK YOU, DR. JOHNSON. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> NEXT WE WILL HAVE POLICY 1450, NUTRITION AND WELLNESS, AND WE HAVE MS. VALERIE PARMER AND MR. SCOTT MCKEON.
>> GOOD EVENING, DR. TOWNSEL, PRESIDENT.
POST. I'M JOINED TODAY BY MR. SCOTT MCKEON, DIRECTOR OFOF PERFORMANCE, AND WE'RE HERE TO PRESENT FOR POLICY 1450 REGARDING NUTRITION AND WELLNESS.
BASED ON DISCUSSIONS AT THE JANUARY BOARD MEETING, YOU WILL SEE THE FOLLOWING EDITS TO THE POLICY. THE FIRST CHANGE IS THE POLICY STATEMENT B. WITHIN THE STATEMENT, YOU WILL SEE THREE UPDATES. THE FIRST IS TO RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE OF CURRENT SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE.
THE SECOND IS TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE OF CDC RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THE THIRD IS TO INCLUDE AT THE END OF THE STATEMENT, SET GOALS THAT.
SO THE NEW STATEMENT READS, "THEREFORE, CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL USE CURRENT SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE AND CDC EVIDENCE TO SET GOALS THAT," AND OF COURSE, WE HAVE A LIST BELOW.
THE PURPOSE OF THESE CHANGES IS TO SHOW THE INCORPORATION OF THE CDC RECOMMENDATIONS AND TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS POLICY IS NOT A STATIC DOCUMENT, BUT RATHER ONE THAT IS MEANT TO FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS GOALS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
>> SO ADDITIONALLY, UNDER RULE 2B5, THE LANGUAGE WAS ADDED THAT NOW SAYS MAKE EVERY EFFORT POSSIBLE THE MEET THE CDC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 60 MINUTES PER DAY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF STUDENTS, AND I KNOW THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW DO WE FULL FILL THIS EFFORT? I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE BRIEFLY THAT AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL, WE HAVE 30 MINUTES OF DAILY RECESS FROM PRE- K THROUGH FIVE, AND THEY HAVE 45 MINUTES A DAY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION TWICE A WEEK. OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS IN ADDITION TO HAVING THOSE FEATURES OF RECESS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ALSO HAVE 45 MINUTES OF LEARN AND PLAY ACTIVITIES DAILY, AND 30 TO 45 MINUTES OF DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS WHICH ARE UP AND ACTIVE.
AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL OUR STUDENTS HAVE 55 MINUTES OF PHYSICAL DUCATION EVERY OTHER
[00:40:02]
DAY, AND OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE IT 45 MINUTES PER DAY.WE HAVE ROBUST SPORTS PROGRAMS AT OUR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL THAT ALSO GIVE OUR STUDENTS OPPORTUNITY TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE, AND I WOULD CLOSE BY SAYING THAT ONE OF OUR MAJOR GOALS OF OUR PHYSICAL EDUCATION HEALTH PROGRAM IS TO BUILD STUDENTS' AWARENESS OF NEW -- NUTRITION, TO BUILD MOTIVATION TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE AND IT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENS IN SCHOOL THROUGH OUR CURRICULUM AND OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
WE ENCOURAGE SCHOOL -- WE ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO BE ACTIVE BEYOND THE SCHOOL DAY, AND WE FEEL LIKE THAT -- THAT IN COMBINATION WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SCHOOL HELPS US TO ÷÷MEET THAT 60 MINUTES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STANDARD. AND WITH THAT, IF WE ARE -- WE ARE HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS OR WE ASK YOUR APPROVAL OF THIS POLICY AS WE RETURN IT TO YOU.
>> LET ME ADD JUST ONE MORE THING. I'M SO SORRY. WE DID UPDATE A CITATION SECTION TO ENSURE IT WAS ACCURATE.
WE ADDED SOME TITLES TO SUBSECTIONS, AND WE ALSO TRIED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CLARITY BY REMOVING THE ACT C ACRONYM, AND
PUTTING THE UNITED STATES CODE. >> IS THIS ONE POSTED OR ARE WE VOTING ON THIS ONE?
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK ÷÷YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO.
I KNOW THE STAFF DID A LOT OF WORK TO FIGURE OUT, WHAT ARE ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING IN EACH OF THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE SCHOOLS AND HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH, YOU KNOW, THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DURING THE DAY AND ALSO FAMILIES TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE'S AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE. SO I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THE WORK WE DID IN PREPARATION FOR THESE CHANGES. THANK YOU.
>> COULD I ASK A FEW QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU. SO THANK YOU BY THE WAY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE ADDITION OF THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WORKING TOWARD THAT 60 MINUTES.
I THINK THAT'S A GREAT GOAL. I LOVE WHAT YOU ADDED ABOUT ENCOURAGING ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY DURING, YOU KNOW, TESTING SEASON OR, YOU KNOW, GLOBAL PANDEMICS, IT'S NOT ALWAYS, LIKE, WE'RE ABLE TO DO ÷÷THAT. I WANTED TO ASK, WITH THIS SPECIFIC POLICY, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT STUDENT WELL- BEING, DOES THAT ALSO COVER MENTAL HEALTH OR÷÷IS THIS SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON WELL-BEING IN THE SENSE OF PHYSICAL WELL-BEING?
>> IT ALSO COVERS MENTAL HEALTH AS WELL.
IN ADDITION TO THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY COMPONENTS OF OUR PROGRAM, WE SPEAK WITH AND WORK WITH THE STUDENTS BEGINNING IN PRE- K WITH THINGS LIKE MINDFULNESS.
OBVIOUSLY OUR HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM ALSO TALKS TO STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL- BEING AS WELL, AND THEN THROUGH OUR PROGRAM AND COMMITTEE ENGAGEMENT, WE HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA BLASTS THAT TALK ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, BUT SHARE WELLNESS CHALLENGES AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WELL- BEING INCLUDING, LIKE, MAKING PEOPLE AWARE OF OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THE CALM APP TO HELP THEM WITH MEDITATION AND SLEEP PATTERNS AND SO ON.
>> ABSOLUTELY. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAD BROUGHT UP IN AN EMAIL, I WAS CURIOUS IF THERE WAS THE POTENTIAL TO MAYBE ADD A STATEMENT TO THE POLICY STATEMENT PIECE OF THIS ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL WELL-BEING ON STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH.
I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A NICE THING TO CLARIFY JUST BECAUSE IT IS VERY FOCUSED ON, LIKE, PHYSICAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION.
I WOULD -- OR EXCUSE ME, UNDER -- I MIGHT BE LOOKING AT THE WRONG SECTION. BUT JUST ADDING A STATEMENT RELATED TO HOW BEING PHYSICALLY HEALTHY IS ALSO, YOU KNOW, BENEFICIAL TO STUDENT WELL- BEING AND STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH MIGHT BE IMPORTANT JUST BECAUSE AS I WAS READING THIS POLICY, I WASN'T SURE IF IT WOULD BE, LIKE, INCLUSIVE OF MENTAL AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING.
I WANTED TO THROW THAT OUT THERE.
>> SO LET ME LOOK AT THE SECTION THAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO. AND YOU WANT IT IN THE POLICY
UNDER THE POLICY STATEMENT. WE RECOGNIZE AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM JUST A STATEMENT ADDED ABOUT THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF, LIKE, EXPLICITLY SAYING PHYSICAL HEALTH ON MENTAL HEALTH BECAUSE I KNOW WE USE WELLNESS, BUT WE DON'T EXPLICITLY SAY MENTAL HEALTH OR MENTAL WELL-BEING. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD THING TO CLARIFY.
>> DO YOU THINK THAT YOU COULD JUST ADD MENTAL HEALTH IN THERE ÷÷AS WELL?
[00:45:01]
ADDITION. >> THAT WOULD BE THE -- ANY OBJECTION TO THAT?
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT, GRACE. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? OKAY. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE POLICY 1515, WEAPONS. MS. CECILIA LEWIS.
>> GOOD EVENING, POST POST, DR. TOWNSEL AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. I'M CECILIA LEWIS, AND WITH ME TODAY IS LARRY TITUS, COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SCHOOL SAFETY SPECIALIST.
HE MANAGES DISTRICT SAFETY AND SECURITY WORK AND TEAMS. TODAY WE'RE PRESENTING PROPOSED EDITS TO POLICY 1515 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION REGARDING WEAPONS IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE PURPOSE IS TO ENSURE THE CCPS IES ARE SAFE, AND FREE OF WEAPONS UNLESS OTHERWISE SHALL CARRY OR POSSESS A WEAPON OAR LOOK-ALIKE WEAPON ON SCHOOL PROPERTY. I'M PRESENTING AN UPDATE TO THE DEFINITION OF LOOK- ALIKE WEAPONS OUTLINED IN LETTER B TO THE ÷÷DEFINITIONS TO PROVIDE CLARITY TO ITS MEANING.
THE NEW DEFINITION STATES, ANY ITEM THAT RESEMBLES OR APPEARS TO BE A WEAPON, EVEN IF IT IS NOT FUNCTIONAL OR INTENDED TO CAUSE HARM SUCH AS TOY GUNS, REPLICA FIREARMS, AND OTHER OBJECTS DESIGNED TO IMITATE REAL WEAPONS.
THE SECOND AND FINAL RECOMMENDATION IS TO REMOVE THE LANGUAGE, ASSIGNED TO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS AND LETTER B OF THE÷÷POLICY STATEMENT LANGUAGE, SO NOT TO LIMIT THE POLICY TO SAFETY ADVOCATES WHO MAY WORK IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE FUTURE.
WE WILL RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY
HAVE. >> SO WAS THE CHANGE IN LETTER B -- IT CLEARLY AT THE END SAYS IN OTHER OBJECTS DESIGNED TO IMITATE REAL WEAPONS -- IS THE INTENTIONALITY THERE IF IT IS A SUPER SOAKER SQUIRT GUN THAT'S BRIGHT GREEN AND YELLOW THAT'S CLEARLY A SUPER SOAKER, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT.÷÷WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS DELIBERATELY DESIGNED TO IMITATE AN ACTUAL, FUNCTIONAL WEAPON, CORRECT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. THERE IS A CLEAR LINEATION IN THE MARYLAND CODE OF DISCIPLINE BETWEEN TOY GUNS AND IF IT'S A CLEARLY A TOY GUN HOW TO ADDRESS AND EVEN CODE THAT ACCORDINGLY, AND SOMETHING THAT IS REPLICATING A WEAPON.
>> I WANTED TO MAKE THIS. WE HAVE A HISTORY ON THIS TOPIC, AND -- CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? OKAY. CUE FROM DR. TOWNSEL. LISTEN.
THERE WAS A HISTORY HERE WITH THE POP TART, THE INFAMOUS POP TART INCIDENT, POP TARTGATE, AND THAT WAS A -- ESSENTIALLY A POP TART THAT WAS EATEN INTO THE SHAPE OF A GUN, AND IT WAS A WHOLE HUBBUB, AND EVERYBODY -- PEOPLE LOOKED AT US LIKE WE WERE SILLY.
SO IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE SOME GUIDANCE FROM THE REFERENCE THAT YOU JUST MADE FOR THE MARYLAND -- I'M SORRY. I FORGOT WHAT THE REFERENCE WAS.
IS THAT GOING TO BE PART OF THE TRAINING TO THE SCHOOL STAFF, TO SAY, LISTEN.
THESE ARE THINGS THAT JUST DON'T MEET THIS STANDARD. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT ÷÷WE DON'T HAVE A REPEAT OF THE OTHER SITUATION.
>> YES. WE ACTUALLY PROVIDED THAT IS YEAR AN ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDE FOR CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY THAT SECTION RELATED TO WEAPONS, OTHER WEAPONS, ANYTHING RELATED TO A WEAPON, HOW TO, YOU KNOW, IDENTIFY AND THE CONSIDERATIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN FOR EXAMPLE, STUDENTS TAKE PAPER AND FORM IT INTO A SHAPE OF A GUN. SO THERE IS TRAINING AND DISCUSSION AND GUIDANCE PROVIDED TO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS RELATED TO THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ANY TYPE OF WEAPON.
>> I WAS CURIOUS ALSO ON POINT B, WHEN WE SAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO NOTIFY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE VIA THE SRO, THAT NOTIFICATION PROCESS, IS THAT TO PROMPT A RESPONSE FROM THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OR IS THAT PURELY FOR TRANSPARENCY NOTIFICATION, SOME SORT OF, LIKE, STATIC COLLECTION ON
[00:50:05]
INCIDENTS, THAT SORT OF THING?÷÷SO I GUESS WHAT I'M ASKING IS, WOULD THE SRO INTERVENE IN THE CASE OF A LOOK- ALIKE WEAPON, AND IS THAT THE PURPOSE OF ADDING THAT STATEMENT OR IS IT JUST TO INFORM THE SRO OR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT A LOOK-ALIKE WEAPON WAS FOUND?>> SO I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE PURPOSE OF ADDING IT BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY OUTLINED IN OUR÷÷PROCEDURES. IT WAS ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WHO MADE THIS RECOMMENDATION TO ADD THIS TO THE POLICY.
SO I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER TO WHOMEVER MADE THIS RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHY IT WAS
IT WAS -- I REQUESTED IT BE ÷÷ADDED. IT WAS NOT TO MAKE THE SRO INTERVENE, BUT IT IS JUST FOR NOTIFICATION PURPOSES.
THE SHERIFFS -- I SPOKE WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN DEVELOPING THE EDITS TO THIS POLICY, AND THEY SHARED THAT IF YOU LOOK AT MANY OF THE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IN MANY CASES, THOSE STUDENTS HAD BROUGHT LOOK- ALIKES PRIOR TO ACTUALLY PERFORMING THE ACTION, AND SO IT'S REALLY JUST A NOTIFICATION SO THAT WE CAN BE AWARE OF THIS.
THANK YOU. THAT MAKES MORE SENSE.
I JUST NEEDED THAT CLARIFICATION IN MY HEAD, BUT THANK YOU.
>> YEAH. I THINK THIS IS AN EFFORT FOR US TO BE PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF REACTIVE.
SO THAT IF THERE'S A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS SOME ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE, THAT THAT CAN -- EVERYBODY ALREADY IS AWARE.
YEAH. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS,
QUESTIONS? >> COULD I JUST ASK A CLARIFYING QUESTION FOR A SECOND?
>> GOING BACK TO SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID EARLIER.
WITH THE DEFINITION CIFICALLY SAYING A LOOK- ALIKE WEAPON SUCH AS A TOY GUN, GOING BACK TO THE SUPER SOAKER, THAT WOULD ALSO BE ALERTED TO THE SRO BECAUSE IT'S IN THAT DEFINITION.
>> NO. IF I UNDERSTOOD FROM WHAT MS. LEWIS CLARIFIED, IT COMES DOWN TO THE DESIGN TO IMITATE REAL WEAPONS IS WHAT I UNDERSTOOD.
THE SUPER SOAKER THAT'S CLEARLY A SUPER SOAKER, IT'S NOT DESIGNED TO IMITATE A REAL FUNCTIONAL WEAPON, THAT THAT WOULD NOT THEN BE A LOOK-ALIKE THAT NOTIFIES THE SRO IF I UNDERSTOOD MS. LEWIS CORRECTLY.
>> EXCUSE ME. BASED ON THE DEFINITION, YOU'RE CORRECT. WHEN WE -- WHEN WE KNOW IT'S A TOY GUN, THAT'S WHAT I'M REFERRING TO, THERE'S LANGUAGE THAT SAYS, YOU ARE TO TREAT IT IT AS A TOY GUN, CODE IT AS A TOY GUN AND USE THE DISCIPLINARY PROCESSES UNDER THE GUIDES OF A TOY GUN. THIS DEFINITION REFERRED -- THIS WAS ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WAS RECOMMENDED BY A BOARD MEMBER, DOES CLARIFY -- GIVE MORE CLARITY AS TO WHAT A LOOK- ALIKE WEAPON IS BASED ON WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY THERE, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT DOES SAY AS MS. JACOBS STATED, IT GIVES AN EXAMPLE, BUT WHAT YOU ASKED INITIALLY WAS THE FUNCTIONALITY, AND THAT'S HOW I READ IT AS WELL, BUT IT INTENDED TO RESEMBLE A WEAPON, BUT IT'S NOT FUNCTIONAL AS SUCH. BUT IT DOES SAY IN THIS DEFINITION, SUCH AS TOY GUNS, BUT THIS WAS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL'S DEFINITION THAT WAS RECOMMENDED BY A BOARD MEMBER.
>> I WONDER WHY KIDS WOULD BE BRINGING A SUPER SOAKER TO SCHOOL.
>> IT'S PAST -- IT'S THE STATUTE÷÷OF LIMITATION, SO I CAN'T BE IN ÷÷TROUBLE NOW.
WE DID. WE BROUGHT ALL KINDS OF THINGS TO SCHOOL.
KIDS ARE -- THEY MAKE DECISIONS, YOU KNOW.
THIS WILL BE POSTED FOR 30 DAYS, APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS. THANK YOU.
UP NEXT, WE HAVE POLICY 30 -- MAYBE WE HAVE -- WHAT POLLS ICY IS THAT? 3440, FITNESS AND ATHLETIC EQUITY. MR. HOOK?
>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT POST, DR. TOWNSEL, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MY NAME IS KEVIN.
HOOK, I'M DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION AND ATHLETICS, AND I'M HERE FOR THIS ONE AND YOUR NEXT ONE. I WON'T INTRODUCE MYSELF TWICE.
WE'RE HERE FOR 3440 WHICH IS REGARDING EQUITY FOR STUDENTS WITH ISABILITIES. WE HAVE A FEW RECOMMENDED CHANGES. THE FIRST ONE IS UNDER SECTION 3, LETTERS A AND B. AS PER THE -- OUR ATTORNEY, WE ADDED THESE TWO SECTIONS BECAUSE÷÷THEY ARE ACTUALLY THE LANGUAGE IN THE ANNOTATED CODE, SO
[00:55:02]
WE'RE JUST MIMICKING THE ANNOTATED CODE IN THOSE FIRST TWO SECTIONS.FARTHER DOWN IN C, WE ACTUALLY HAVE ADDED THE WORDS, "ALLIED, COROLLARY, OR UNIFIED" TO THAT SENTENCE BECAUSE -- BLESS YOU.
BUT WITH HAVING THE UNIFIED SPORTS OR ALLIED SPORTS OR COROLLARY SPORTS, DIFFERENT COUNTIES CALL THEM DIFFERENT NAMES.
UNIFIED TENDS TO BE ONE THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH SPECIAL OLYMPICS. THAT IS KIND OF THEIR NAME THAT'S POPULAR AND DON'T KNOW IF IT'S COPYRIGHTED OR TRADEMARKED.
WE JUST ADDED THIS SO IF AT ANY TIME WE ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH SPECIAL OLYMPICS, PROTECTION WITH OUR BOWLING PROGRAM, IT'S NOT SPECIAL OLYMPICS, SO WE SHOULDN'T BE CALLING IT UNIFIED. SO WE JUST PUT THOSE WORDS IN THERE SO THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENT NAMES THAT WE COULD USE IF NECESSARY.
AND THE LAST PART OF THAT SENTENCE "IF REQUIRED FOR THE ÷÷INDIVIDUAL STUDENT" AGAIN, WAS ADDED BY THE ATTORNEY BECAUSE THAT MIMICS THE ACTUAL ANNOTATED CODE, AND AT THE VERY END, UNDER THE CITATIONS AS PER THE ATTORNEY'S SUGGESTION, WE HAVE ACTUALLY SAID EXACTLY WHAT SECTIONS IN THAT ANNOTATED CODE ARE COVERED BY FITNESS AND EQUITY.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> YES. ARE WE AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM, ARE WE COMPLETELY COMPLIANT WITH THIS PROPOSED POLICY
THIS WILL BE POSTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS.
NEXT IS POLICY 3452, ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY FOR ATHLETICS.
>> THANK YOU. AS FOR THE POLICY OF 3452, ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY FOR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, WE HAVE ONE SUGGESTED CHANGE, AND THAT IS UNDER SECTION 3 OF THE POLICY STATEMENT UNDER SUBSECTION B.
WE HAVE ADDED THE WORDS "TO MAKE SATISFACTORY PROGRESS TOWARDS GRADUATION" AND ONCE AGAIN, THAT IS TO MIMIC THE EXACT LANGUAGE.
>> YES. SO I KNOW THAT THE POLICY TITLE IS ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY, BUT IF WE LOOK AT THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT THE BOARD PUT IN PLACE JUST RECENTLY, IT TALKS A LOT ABOUT, ÷÷YOU KNOW, AN ENGAGED CITIZEN AND BEING RESPECTFUL. IS THERE A REASON TO DATE WHY WE HAVEN'T INCLUDED ADHERING TO THE CODE OF CONDUCT AS PART OF THE ELIGIBILITY FOR SPORTS PARTICIPATION?
>> AS FAR AS THIS POLICY, THIS POLICY IS STRICTLY BECAUSE COMAR SAYS WE HAVE TO HAVE AN ACADEMIC
OKAY. >> THAT'S WHAT THIS POLICY IS FOR SO WE'RE COVERING COMAR. IF YOU LOOK IN OUR PROCEDURES FOR THIS POLICY, IT STRICTLY TALKS ABOUT THE ACADEMIC SIDE. IF YOU LOOK IN THE HANDBOOK, OUR ATHLETIC HANDBOOK, IT DISCUSSES YOUR ATTENDANCE POLICIES THAT A STUDENT HAS TO BE IN SCHOOL ON ANY DAY IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PRACTICE OR IN SCHOOL TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE. IT ALSO DEFINES IF A STUDENT GETS IN ANY TYPE OF TROUBLE AT THE SCHOOL THAT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PRACTICE OR PARTICIPATE UNTIL THEY'RE FINISHED SERVING AN ISI OR OUT-OF- SCHOOL SUSPENSION.
WE ALSO HAVE IN THERE IT WOULD BE AT A COACH'S DISCRETION IF SOMEBODY DOES SOMETHING THAT'S OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL THAT IS AGAINST THEIR TEAM RULES, THEN THE PERSON WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.
SO IN OUR PROCEDURES, WE DO TRY TO COVER AND HAVE OUR STUDENTS BE BETTER CITIZENS AND BECOME BETTER PEOPLE THROUGH OUR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS.
>> AND THAT'S IN OUR HANDBOOK, YOU SAID?
HANDBOOK, YES. >> I WANTED TO ASK A QUICK QUESTION BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO READ OVER THE PROCEDURES.
SO I NOTICED THAT STUDENTS IN THE FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD QUARTER WHO LOSE ELIGIBILITY ARE ABLE TO -- EXCUSE , OR STUDENTS WHO LOSE ELIGIBILITY WOULD BE ABLE TO RECTIFY THAT.
IF THEY LOST IT IN THE SECOND QUARTER, THEY COULD RECTIFY IT IN THE THIRD. I DIDN'T SEE ANY PTION FOR STUDENTS WHO HAD A FAILING GRADE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER TO RECTIFY THAT IN ANY WAY.
MY PRIMARY CONCERN WITH THAT IS IF A STUDENT WAS STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH OR SOMETHING AT HOME, THEY WOULD BE CUT OFF FROM AN IMPORTANT OUTLET IN THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR.
SO AGAIN, I KNOW THIS IS NOT A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PROCEDURE, BUT I WAS CURIOUS IF THERE WOULD BE ANY WAY TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO RECTIFY THAT GRADE EITHER THROUGH SUMMER SCHOOL OR OTHER COURSEWORK BEFORE THE START OF THAT NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
>> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR YOU.
WE ACTUALLY CHANGED THAT PROCEDURE JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND IT WAS ACTUALLY AT THE REQUEST OF SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS. WE TO USE THE POLICY OF, IT WAS YOUR OVERALL FINAL GRADES FOR FALL PARTICIPATION, AND WE -- AND THAT WAY IF A
[01:00:01]
STUDENT FAILED A CLASS FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR, THEY COULD MAKE IT UP IN SUMMER SCHOOL TO MAKE THEMSELVES ELIGIBLE FOR THE FALL, AND WE ACTUALLY REVERSED COURSE ON THAT AND WENT TO THE FOURTH MARKING PERIOD, AND IT WAS -- BELIEVE IT÷÷OR NOT, IT WAS A NUMBER OF OUR COACHES THAT SUGGESTED OUR -- OUR FALL COACHES THAT SUGGESTED THAT BECAUSE THEY FELT THEY COULD WORK WITH THE STUDENTS IN THE FOURTH MARKING PERIOD, BUT IF THEY HAD ALREADY FAILED FOR THE WHOLE YEAR, THERE'S NOTHING THAT THEY COULD REALLY DO FOR THEM BY THE FOURTH MARKING PERIOD. IT WAS ALREADY TOO LATE BECAUSE THEY HAD FAILED TWO OTHER MARKING PERIODS, BUT TO YOUR POINT ABOUT IF SOMEBODY WAS HAVING AN ISSUE IN THE SCHOOL, IF THE ACTUAL FINAL DECISION IS UP TO A SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, THAT IF A STUDENT WAS HAVING SUCH AN ISSUE, THEY CAN ACTUALLY OVERRIDE THE GRADES AND MAKE THAT STUDENT ELIGIBLE AND EVEN KEEP THEM UNDER, YOU KNOW, WATCHFUL EYE FOR THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF THE MARKING PERIOD TO SEE HOW THEY'RE DOING, BUT IT WOULD BE UP TO THE PRINCIPAL'S DISCRETION AT THAT POINT.>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE THAT
CLARIFICATION. >> I WOULD ADD ONE OTHER THING.
JUST LIKE THE OTHER MARKING PERIODS, IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE FIRST MARKING PERIOD, IF A STUDENT IS INELIGIBLE, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TRY OUT FOR THE TEAM, AND ONCE THEY BECAME ELIGIBLE, THEN THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.
THAT HAPPENS ALSO IN THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS IF A STUDENT IS INELIGIBLE BASED ON THE FIRST AND SECOND QUARTER.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.÷÷I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? THANK YOU.
THIS POLICY WILL BE POSTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS.
>> NEXT WE HAVE POLICY 5550 ENSURING EMPLOYEE TRANSPORTING STUDENTS AND WE HAVE DR.
>> GOOD EVENING AGAIN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. I AM SUSAN JOHNSON, THE CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER. I AM PRESENTING POLICY 5550 ABOUT TRANSPORTING STUDENTS IN PRIVATE VEHICLES. WE DID HAVE THIS SENT TO NOT ONLY OUR BOARD ATTORNEY, BUT ALSO MADE FOR REVIEW TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T MISS ANYTHING. OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO ADD LANGUAGE TO VOLUNTEER, AND THAT WOULD BE ANY PERSON AT THE REQUEST OF THE PRINCIPAL OR DESIGNEE WHO PROVIDES A SERVICE WITHOUT RECEIVING MONETARY COMPENSATION SO THAT IS VERY CLEAR ON WHO A VOLUNTEER IN OUR SYSTEM IS, AND THEN WE UPDATED THE CITATIONS AT THE END.
>> THIS POLICY GIVES ME THE GREATEST CONSTERNATION BECAUSE IT SAYS LIABILITY. IT DOESN'T SAY AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY. IT DOESN'T SAY ACCIDENT INSURANCE. IT SAYS LIABILITY, AND IT ALSO COVERS VOLUNTEERS, LIABILITY FOR VOLUNTEERS. SO IS THAT A VOLUNTEER THAT IS ALONE IN A CAR WITH AA STUDENT? THESE ARE -- THESE ARE QUESTIONS I WOULD -- THESE ARE QUESTIONS I WOULD HAVE.
>> YEAH, AND I WOULD SAY YES, AND ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OUR PROCEDURES THAT WE ARE ADDING IS THAT WHENEVER SOMEONE IS TRANSPORTING A STUDENT THAT THERE BE A SECOND ADULT IN THE CAR.
SO WE'RE GOING TO ADD THAT TO THE PROCEDURESSO THAT THAT CLARIFIES THAT, AND REDUCES OUR RISK.
>> CAN WE ADD THAT TO THE POLICY? THAT PARALLELS THE BOY SCOUTS APPROACH AS WELL.
>> IT'S REALLY ANY -- IT'S EVERYWHERE.
THERE SHOULD NEVER BE A SITUATION.
>> YEAH. I APPRECIATE AND RECOGNIZE THE INTENT BEHIND THAT BECAUSE THAT SHOULDN'T BE, BUT OUR -- IS THERE AN OCCASION WHERE THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A STUDENT THAT WAS IN THE CAR BY THEMSELVES WITH A VOLUNTEER OR WITH AN ADMINISTRATOR? I KNOW THAT HAS HAPPENED FROM TIME TO TIME WHERE AN ADMINISTRATOR HAS GIVEN A CHILD A RIDE HOME.
>> SO THAT REALLY -- THAT REALLY LIMITS US, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE IS A GREATER LIABILITY FOR AN ADULT BEING ALONE WITH A KID.
>> I WAS VETTED AS A BOARD MEMBER, AND I'M SURE ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS ARE VETTED ALSO.
>> AND VOLUNTEERS. >> SO ARE VOLUNTEERS, YEAH.
>> YES. >> YES, ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO BE ALONE WITH STUDENTS.
SO IF WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE SERVING AS VOLUNTEER COACHES OR VOLUNTEER SPONSORS WITHIN THE BUILDING, THEY MUST BE FINGERPRINTED AS OPPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO MIGHT BE SERVING IN A CHAPERON CAPACITY WHERE
[01:05:02]
THEY'RE WITH OTHER ADULTS AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AT THE SAME TIME.>> OKAY. SO WE COULD SAY VETTED VOLUNTEERS IN THERE?
>> YOU CAN'T BE A VOLUNTEER UNLESS YOU'VE PASSED THAT. YOU HAVE TO BE VETTED AND CLEAR THE BACKGROUND CHECK IN ORDER TO BE A
VOLUNTEER. >> SO A CCPS VOLUNTEER?
>> I DON'T JUST WANT SOMEBODY THAT VOLUNTEERED TO TAKE THEM
>> THIS IS SOMEBODY THAT'S, YOU KNOW, COULD HAVE BEEN A SOMEBODY WHO VOLUNTEERS TO MAKE COPIES IN THE SCHOOLS OR HELP, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER.
>> AND JUST SO -- JUST MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT IF PARENT A CAME ON THE PROPERTY ÷÷AND SAID, OH, HE'S IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I'LL TAKE HIM HOME, WE WOULD NOT ALLOW THAT. WE WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL LAYERS OF APPROVAL FROM THE PARENT BEFORE WE WOULD EVER PERMIT A STUDENT TO BE IN A VOLUNTEER'S CAR THAT WE DO NOT
>> OR A VISITOR TO THE PROPERTY ÷÷TO BE -- TO CLARIFY VOLUNTEER VERSUS A VISITOR.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? THANK YOU, DR. JOHNSON. THIS WILL BE POSTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS.
>> LAST BUT NOT AT LEAST, POLICY 7210, REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION, ÷÷MS. WARNER.
>> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M SHUSHITA WARNER REGARDING REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION.
WE JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF MINOR CHANGES PROPOSED IN THE POLICY. THE FIRST IS THAT THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IS ESSENTIALLY ALL OF THE DUTIES HAVE BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE INTERAGENCY COMMISSION ON SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION WHICH IS THE STATE AGENCY THAT REGULATES REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION, THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES.
SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE GUIDELINES PROVIDED BY THE AGENCY THAT WE REPORT TO, IT IS INTERAGENCY COMMISSION ON SCHOOL÷÷CONSTRUCTION. ADDITIONALLY, SOME OF THE CITATIONS HAVE BEEN UPDATED TO STATE LAW AS WELL AS COMAR.
>> THANK YOU, MS. WARNER. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS,
COMMENTS? >> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE PURCHASED PROPERTY FOR CCPS?
>> IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR BARSTOW ELEMENTARY.
THAT WAS IN -- I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE PURCHASE OCCURRED, BUT THE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION WAS STARTED IN 2007. THAT WAS BEFORE I STARTED HERE, PERHAPS 2005.
>> AND DID WE SEND THE SUPERINTENDENT OUT TO LEAD THE DEAL OR -- I FORGET HOW THAT WORDING IS.
>> I DO NOT KNOW. I WAS NOT HERE, SO I CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION.÷÷THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MY PREDECESSOR. THERE IS A VERY SPECIFIC PROCESS WHEN IT COMES TO ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATE. WE DO HAVE SITE ACREAGE SIZES THAT ARE NOTED IN OUR EDUCATIONAL FACILITY'S MASTER PLAN FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITES, MIDDLE SCHOOL SITES, AND HIGH SCHOOL SITES. YOU CAN FIND THAT ON PAGE 21 OF THE EDUCATIONAL FACILITY'S MASTER PLAN.
ADDITIONALLY, THE STATE DOES REQUIRE THAT THERE BE A SITE ASSESSMENT IN TERMS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT THAT IS DONE ON-SITE. SO THAT AS WELL AS THERE -- THERE ARE ACTUALLY A LIST OF ITEMS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN OUR PROCEDURES SUCH AS SOIL BORINGS, THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES. SO ALL OF THESE ITEMS ARE ACTUALLY LOOKED AT BEFORE THE PRUR PURCHASE OF A SITE AND THEN THAT INFORMATION IS SHARED WITH THE STATE.
WE HAVE TO GET CONDITIONAL APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WHERE THE SALE IS APPROVED PENDING THAT THESE ITEMS ARE -- THAT THEY'RE FLUSHED OUT IN TERMS OF BORINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT, AND THEN ONCE THOSE ITEMS HAVE BEEN CLEARED, THEN IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE IAC, AND IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE STATE'S ÷÷SUPERINTENDENT.
SO IT IS A VERY, VERY THOROUGH PROCESS, AND WHENEVER WE ACQUIRE ANY KIND OF REAL ESTATE, IT HAS -- IF WE'RE GOING TO BE BUILDING A SCHOOL ON THAT REAL ESTATE, WHICH IS GOING TO BE THE REASON THAT THE STATE GETS INVOLVED, WE HAVE TO HAVE APPROVAL WITHIN A THREE- YEAR WINDOW OF TIME OR WHEN WE BEGIN PLANNING FOR THAT SCHOOL.
[01:10:04]
>> YOU SAY THOUGHTFUL, AND I SAY ONEROUS.
WORK. >> THE OTHER THING TOO, AND I THINK THE AG PRESERVATION EASEMENT ACTUALLY PROVIDES FOR SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT ON AG PRESERVATION LAND. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU UNDERSTAND?
>> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT -- THAT WOULD HAVE TO REQUIRE A WAIVER. I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE STATE DOES NOT APPROVE SCHOOL SITES UNLESS THEY ARE ESPECIALLY NEW SCHOOL SITES.
SO IF YOU ARE BUILDING A NEW SCHOOL OR A REPLACEMENT SCHOOL, AND YOU ARE INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF THAT SCHOOL, THE STATE NEEDS TO APPROVE THAT SITE, BUT THEY ALSO REQUIRE HAT THE SITE BE IN A PRIORITY FUNDING AREA. SO IT ACTUALLY HAS TO BE IN A ÷÷TOWN CENTER. AND YOU HAVE TO GET A WAIVER IF YOU -- IF YOU WANT TO BUILD IT OUTSIDE OF A PRIORITY FUNDING AREA, AND YOU MAY NOT GET THE WAIVER.
>> WHICH MEANS THAT THE STATE THE PROJECT.
>> THANK YOU, MS. WARNER. THIS
[8.01 Comments by the Board]
POLICY WILL BE POSTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS.WE WILL NOW MOVE INTO OUR BOARD COMMENTS. MS. MINAKOWSKI?
I'M JUST GETTING TO MY NOTES. FIRST, I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HIGHLIGHT AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED AT MY OWN SCHOOL AT HUNTINGTOWN AS I BELIEVE IT REFLECTS A BROADER ISSUE OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE FACING. THIS MORNING I WALKED INTO THE FIRST BATHROOM STALL NEAR OUR GYM, AND I WAS MET WITH ININ BIG, BLACK SHARPIE, A MESSAGE THAT SAID, "EF THIS SCHOOL," AND AFTER INFORMING A TEACHER, THAT SAME TEACHER INFORMED ME THAT THIS INFORMATION WAS DISCOVERED THE DAY PRIOR, SHARED WITH ADMINISTRATION AND OUR SROS, BUT NO ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN.
AND I SHARE ISOLATED INCIDENT BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD FROM COUNTLESS STUDENTS THAT THEIR BATHROOMS HAVE BECOME ESSENTIALLY HAVENS FOR VANDALISM, VAPING, AND OTHER BREACHES OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT, AND I'M PROUD THAT OUR BOARD IS TAKING STEPS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, BUT I DO FEEL I HAD TO ÷÷SHARE IT TONIGHT BECAUSE I THINK MORE ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN. BUT ON A MORE POSITIVE NOTE, I WANTED TO SAY GOOD LUCK TO THE DESTINATION IMAGINATION TEAMS. I USED TO BE A DI KID.
I DID IT FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND IT TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT TEAMWORK, PATIENCE, IVITY, AND EADERSHIP.
SO IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THESE STUNTS AND THEIR PROJECTS, YOU WILL BE BLOWN AWAY. THEY ARE INCREDIBLE.
I ALSO WANT TO REITERATEREITERAT E CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE NHS MARCHING BAND.
MY SISTER WAS THE DRUM MAJOR. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S QUITE LITERALLY A FULL- TIME JOB, AND I WANTED TO END BY REMINDING EVERYONE TO COME SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL MUSICALS. MOST OF THEM ARE OPENING IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, INCLUDING OUR OWN AT HUNTINGTOWN, AND IT WOULD BE AMAZING TO SEE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR NIGHT.
>> YEAH. DR. TOWNSEL STOLE SOME OF WHAT I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT, AND I CAN'T SAY IT QUITE AS ENTHUSIASTICALLY OR AS WELL AT PUBLIC SPEAKING, BUT I WANTED TO AGAIN, CONGRATULATE EVERYTHING THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE ACHIEVING, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT BE THE CALVERT CRUISERS AS WELL AS THE BAND THAT CAME HERE TONIGHT, AND÷÷ALSO, YOU KNOW, RECOGNIZING OUR CTA TEACHERS THAT WERE THE STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, THE NEW CTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR, BOTH CYBERSECURITY AND ELECTRICITY. WE HAVE A LOT OF REALLY POSITIVE THINGS GOING ON IN OUR COUNTY BY BOTH OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF, AND JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO PUSH EACH TO A HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT AND IT'S IMPRESSIVE TO SEE.
>> I HAD A CHANCE TO ATTEND THE CTA BOWL- A -ON THIS THON AND SIT WITH THE TEAM LED BY LISA GRENIS, AND THEY WERE THROWING STRIKES. I DON'T BOWL ANYMORE, BUT IT WAS A GOOD TIME. I'M PLANNING TO GO BY MT.
HARMONY TOMORROW FOR A NATIONAL NIGHT OUT WITH DR.
SANCHEZ AND BE A LITTLE LATE GETTING OUT OF THE CITY, BUT TRY TO BE THERE BY 7:00.
>> THANK YOU. THE BOWL- A THF THON, I SAW PICTURES. I DON'T KNOW IF VOTING IS STILL OPEN, BUT I HAVE TO SAY, THEY'RE RUNNING STRONG WITH THEIR STREAK, AND THEY WERE MOST IMPRESSIVE IN THEIR COSTUME. SO THAT'S WHO I VOTED FOR.
I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD HAVE SHARED THAT, BUT GO SUNDERLAND ELEMENTARY.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE STAFF STILL. IT'S BEEN ABOUT TWO MONTHS NOW SINCE I HAVE BEEN LEARNING ABOUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND EVERYONE HAS JUST BEEN ABSOLUTELY TREMENDOUS EDUCATING
[01:15:02]
ME, MEETING WITH ME, ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS, AND I KNOW EVERYBODY IS REALLY BUSINESS S. WE'RE ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR. I KNOW MY EIGHTH GRADER HAS ALREADY PICKED CLASSES.SO GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS ARE REALLY BUSY.
MY FIFTH GRADERS HAVE PICKED THEIR CLASSES OR THEY WERE TOLD WHAT CLASSES THEY COULD GET INTO FOR SIXTH GRADE.
EVERYBODY IS REALLY BUSY, AND THE MUSICALS ARE COMING UP.
ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES ALL OVER COUNTY, AND IT'S JUST ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TO SEE, AND A LOT OF THESE ACTIVITIES ARE HAPPENING BY OUR STAFF, AND OUR PARENTS ON TOP OF THEIR REGULAR JOBS AND EVERYTHING ELSE THEY HAVE GOING ON.
SO I JUST REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE.
IT REALLY IS TREMENDOUS TO SEE EVERYBODY COMING TOGETHER IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR THE KIDS, AND IT'S -- IT'S JUST BEEN REALLY GREAT. DR. TOWNSEL, I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY. THERE IS NOTHING THAT EXCITES ME MORE THAN OUR STUDENTS HAVING THE ABILITY TO LEARN FROM OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM'S TOP LEADERS.
I THINK THAT'S SUPER AMAZING. SO VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. GRACE, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU. YOU HAVE BEEN AWESOME.
I KNOW ALISON'S GOING TO BE COMING SOON, BUT IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO, YOU KNOW, YOU ASK REALLY GOOD QUESTIOS. YOU'RE VERY INSIGHTFUL.
YOU ARE REALLY WORKING FOR THE STUDENTS AND ALWAYS PROVIDING THEIR INPUT. SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU. YOU'RE EDUCATING ME AS WELL, AND I KNOW THAT MY KIDS JUST STARTED STUDENT GOVERNMENT IN FIFTH GRADE, AND THEY'RE SUPER PUMPED. SO I'M GLAD TO SEE WHAT IT COULD TURN INTO.
>> SO I HAVE BEEN CHECKING OFF THINGS THAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS TALKED ABOUT, BUT I DO WANT TO THANK CEA AND CAESS. OCCASIONALLY WE SHOW UP AND THERE ARE CARDS LEFT FOR US, AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT IS JUST SO HEARTWARMING.
WE LOVE HAVING A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STAFF, AND THE UNIONS. I AM GOING TO THROW OUT THAT NATIONAL MALL NIGHT AGAIN AT MT.
HARMONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. MS. SANCHEZ ALONG WITH HER STAFF AND LEADERSHIP THERE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.
IT IS PHENOMENAL. IT'S SO COOL TO SEE AN ÷÷ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTED LIKE THIS, AND I HOPE TO SEE MANY OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS, COMMISSIONERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THERE BECAUSE IT IS QUITE THE TREAT. IT WAS EVEN SHOWCASED ON THE NEWS RECENTLY. THE BALTIMORE CHANNEL -- BALTIMORE 45, YES. IT WAS INCREDIBLE.
WE HAD A GREAT TIME AT THE BOWL-A- THON RECENTLY, AND WHAT A GREAT FUND- RAISER FOR CTA. AND I JUST WANT TO END WITH WISHING DESTINATION IMAGINATION TEAMS THE BEST OF LUCK. WE'LL BE EERING FOR YOU.
>> I CLEARLY DON'T HAVE ANY CONTENT LEFT SINCE EVERYBODY HAS SAID ALL OF THE THINGS. I DO WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE TO ÷÷TALK ABOUT THE BRAIN EXPO, AND IF ANYBODY WANTS -- UNLESS YOU'VE ALREADY PUT THAT PICTURE ÷÷ON THE INTERNET, I'LL SELL IT TO YOU. DR. TOWNSEL WAS GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO -- TO GET INTO A TENT AT THE OVERSTIMULATION STATION. MY DAUGHTER MAY HAVE HAD A HAND IN THAT. IT WAS -- IT WAS QUITE A SIGHT TO SEE, AND I THINK THAT THEY -- I TOO GOT IN THE TENT, AND I THINK THAT THEY INTENTIONALLY TRIED TO OVERSTAM IMULATE YOU AND I IN THE WORST WAY AND THEN THROW IN SOME COPING MECHANISMS FOR US.
YOU'LL BE HAPPY KNOW THE HEADPHONES WORKED THE BEST.
I WAS AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND THE PRESENTATIONS THAT THEY HAD, THE INFORMATION THAT THEY HAD AVAILABLE TO SHARE ABOUT DRUG USE, ABOUT CONCUSSIONS, ABOUT OVERSTIMULATION, ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S, ABOUT MUSIC, ABOUT SUGAR.
IT WAS -- IT WAS INCREDIBLE. SO A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THAT, AND YOU KNOW WHAT? I WAS EQUALLY AS THRILLED WITH THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT WERE WALKING THROUGH THAT LIBRARY AND ENGAGING WITH THE STUDENTS THAT WERE -- THAT WERE PRESENTING WHAT THEY HAD -- WHAT THEY HAD RESEARCHED. EVERYONE SEEMED VERY ENGAGED AND INTERESTED IN LEARNING, AND IT WAS -- IT WAS QUITE AN AMAZING SIGHT, AND I HOPE OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THOSE VERY SAME THINGS BECAUSE KIDS REALLY CAN LEARN A LOT FROM THEIR PEERS, AND IT WAS AWESOME. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO THE NHS MARCHING BAND. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HISTORY FAIR WINNERS, AND TO ALL OF ÷÷THOSE THAT PARTICIPATE, I'M SAD THAT I HAD TO MISS THAT THIS
[01:20:01]
YEAR, BUT HOPEFULLY MY CALENDAR WILL BE AVAILABLE AND OPEN NEXT YEAR.PLEASE IF YOU DO HAVE A CHANCE, GO SEE A PLAY.
THE HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE THEM, BUT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS HAVE THEM TOO, AND THESE KIDS WORK REALLY, REALLY HARD, AND IT'S A BIG PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S REALLY AWESOME. LASTLY I WANTED TO THANK THE CEA PRESIDENT JASON OATES FOR CONTINUALLY ENGAGING WITH US. I APPRECIATE HIS INFORMATION, HIS INPUT AND DIALOGUE WE RECEIVE. I WANT TO THANK ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT CONTINUED TO REACH OUT. STAFF MEMBERS, AND EVERYONE ELSE, WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT. WE OFFER THE PERSPECTIVE, YOU KNOW, WE GET TO SHARE OUR PERSPECTIVE AND THEN WE ALSO GET TO RECEIVE AND UNDERSTAND THE PERSPECTIVE OF SO MANY OTHERS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING MANY, MANY CONVERSATIONS, AS MANY AS MY SCHEDULE WILL
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.