Apr 09, 2026 Board of Education

[Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silence]

[00:00:10]

>> GOOD EVENING. I NOW CALL THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING TO ORDER. WE WILL STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU. UP NEXT WE HAVE THE NORTHERN

[NHS Marching Band Recognition]

MS. JONES? >> [INDISTINCT] EVERY TIME I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE PICTURES HERE, THERE ARE PICTURES AND I'M WEARING SLIPPERS.

[APPLAUSE] >> I THINK WE NEED A BIGGER R

ROOM. >> I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION FOR NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND.

WHEREAS THE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND FINISHED FIRST IN THE 2025 U.S. BANDS GROUP ONE AA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP'S WITH AN OVERALL SCORE OF 91 AND WINNING AWARDS FOR OVERALL EFFECT AND BEST VISUAL AND WHEREAS NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND TIED WITH OPTICON HIGH SCHOOL IN THE 2025 CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH AN OVERALL SCORE OF 88.3 WINNING AWARDS FOR BEST MUSIC, BEST VISUAL, BEST COLOR GUARD AND BEST PERCUSSION.

AND WHEREAS THE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND IS THE ONLY BAND WIN TWO U.S. BANDS NATIONAL TITLES IN CALVERT COUNTY HISTORY. AND AS A NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND IS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DIRECTOR SAMANTHA ANDREJCISK, PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR JOE STOUT, AND COLOR GUARD INSTRUCTOR AND CHOREOGRAPHER NATALIE RICHARDSON. AND THE BAND REPRESENTED NORTHERN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEMONSTRATING A HIGH LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MEMBER OF BOARD OF EDUCATION'S OF CALVERT COUNTY COMMEND THEIR SUCCESS WHICH IS ATTRIBUTED TO TEAMWORK AND DEDICATION AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CONGRATULATES THE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND AND WISHES THEM SUCCESS IN THEIR FUTURE.

[APPLAUSE] >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

>> SECOND. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. CONGRATULATIONS, EVERYONE.

>> HI, EVERYONE, MY NAME IS SAMANTHA ANDREJCISK.

I AM THE BAND DIRECTOR AND JOE STOUT GEAR THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. OUR OTHER STAFF MEMBER MS. NATALIE RICHARDSON IS UNAVAILABLE.

BUT THE THREE OF US ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF ALL THE HARD WORK. THANK YO TO EVERYBODY IN THE MARCHING BAND. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW, WE DO ABOUT AN EXTRA 30 HOURS OR SO A WEEK DURING AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, AND SOME OF NOVEMBER AND WE START OUR SEASON IN MARCH SO WE ARE DOING MARCHING BAND RIGHT NOW AND WE START COMPETING AND THESE ARE THE HARDEST WORKING STUDENTS IN ANY SCHOOL ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THEY TRUST US AND THEY TRUST OUR VISION AND THEY HAVE PUT IN SO MANY HOURS.

THEY HAVE PRACTICED THEIR MUSIC AND MARCHING.

[00:05:05]

HAD A SHOW ABOUT A SNAKE AND THEY DID SNAKE SOUNDS MARCHING, CHOREOGRAPHY. FIRST AID LOOK AT YOU AND BE LIKE... BUT THEN THEY WERE LIKE, I SEE IT. I WANT TO THANK YOU TO THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEART FOR LETTING US PUT THOSE THINGS IN BECAUSE IT FIT INTO THE SHOW. THE JUDGES LOVED IT.

THE PEOPLE LOVED IT. WE LOVED IT.

IT'S AN HONOR TO WORK WITH THESE STUDENTS AND THIS COMMUNITY, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE SCHOOL, THE PARENTS, THE VOLUNTEERS, EVERYONE HAS JUST BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE AND IT REALLY TAKES A VILLAGE TO HAVE EVERYBODY TO SUPPORT THE BAND.

THEY ARE NOT CAPABLE OF HAVING ALL THESE THINGS HAPPEN WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND OF THE PARENTS, OF THE STAFF, AND OF EACH OTHER. I HAVE A COUPLE OF STUDENT LEADERS THAT ARE HERE. IF YOU ARE A STUDENT LEADER CAN YOU RAISE YOUR HAND AS WELL? LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] THOUGH STUDENT LEADERSHIPS, THEY DO AS MUCH HARD WORK AS A STAFF DOES, HELPING EVERYBODY TOO, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE THEY ARE PREPARED AND TO HELP TEACH THE MUSIC.

AND I AM JUST SO PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS ORGANIZATION AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING US SO MUCH TODAY.

WE ARE SO THANKFUL TO BE HERE. [APPLAUSE]

>> THAT WAS THE NEATEST ENTRANCE AND EXIT WE'VE HAD.

SINGLE FILE. MAYBE WE CAN GET THEM BACK FOR

TRAINING. >> UP NEXT, WE HAVE THE MSDE

[MSDE Accredited Pre-K Teachers]

FORWARD. >> GOOD EVENING.

GRENIS, AND IT SUPERINTENDENT NEWSOME, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE FOUR SCHOOLS IN THEIR CALVERT ACCREDITATION.

STATEWIDE QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS THAT HELP FAMILIES IDENTIFY PROGRAMS COMMITTED TO A HIGH ENVIRONMENTS.

MSDE ACCREDITATION IS A RIGOROUS PROCESS IN WHICH SCHOOLS FOR EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS DEMONSTRATE THEY MEET MARYLAND'S LEADERSHIP, TEACHING AND LEARNING, ASSESSMENT, AND ONGOING IMPROVEMENT. MARYLAND EXCELS IS A STATEWIDE IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM WHICH RECOGNIZE PROGRAMS FOR MEETING OR EXCEEDING QUALITY BENCHMARKS IN THE AREAS OF CURRICULUM, HEALTH AND SAFETY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. TOGETHER, MSDE ACCREDITATION AND EXCELS ENSURES CHILDREN ACROSS MARYLAND HAVE EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT PROMOTE GROWTH, WELL-BEING, AND LONG-TERM SUCCESS. FOUR CALVERT COUNTY COUNTY SCHOOLS, BARSTOW ELEMENTARY, KOLBER ELEMENTARY, PARKS,

[00:10:01]

THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS HIGHLIGHT THE DEEP COMMITMENT OF THE PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS, INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD STAFF FOR THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS. PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATION THEM ON THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT.

WHEN I CALL YOUR SCHOOL, PLEASE COME FORWARD TO RECEIVE YOUR CERTIFICATE AND PLEASE REMAIN UNTIL ALL SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED. OUR FIRST SCHOOL IS BARSTOW ELEMENTARY. PRINCIPAL IS SARAH WE SNARE.

TEACHERS ARE KATHLEEN HOGAN, JENNIFER HUFFMAN, GABRIELLE OLIVA, ASSISTANTS ARE TRINA GANTT, THIS YEAR SALCEDO, BRITTANY SEAVER, AND SARA STEVENSON.

CALVERT ELEMENTARY, PRINCIPAL CHRISTY HARRIS.

TEACHER AMY DEAL, INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS TIFFANY BEARNS AND MARLENE STUBBS. [APPLAUSE] PATUXENT APPEAL CAMPUS. PRINCIPAL, MICHELLE BECKWITH.

TEACHERS BAILEY ADKINS, KATHERINE CHASE, CRYSTAL CULLEY, JESSICA RAMAGE, AND BRAIN OF THE COSTCO.

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS, LAURA BYRNE-FISCHER, JAMI CLAUSER, VICTORIA EMBREY, EVA GASSAWAY, LAMAR JOHNSON, AND LORI O'DONNELL. [APPLAUSE] SUNDERLAND ELEMENTARY. PRINCIPAL IS PAM MYRICK.

TEACHER IS KELLY FLEMING AND LARISSA JOHNSON.

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS, RACHAEL DOWELL, LINDSEY HERBERTSON, PERLA MARTINEZ-GALLEGOS, AND ADRIANA SILVA. [APPLAUSE] AND EARLY CHILDHOOD SUPERVISORS, NANCY GREGORY, MYSELF MICHELLE WARD, HEAD START COORDINATOR THERESA BOOKER, SPECIALISTS, NAUGHTYÂC™A GRAY, FELICIA HEIGHT-HOLLAND, ANDREA JONES, AND DANIELLE MILLER. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU ALL.

UP NEXT, WE HAVE PUBLIC COM COMMENTS.

[PUBLIC FORUM]

>> THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PERMITS THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON ISSUES OF CONCERN. THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO 30. WHEN YOU ARE CALLED TO SPEAK PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO 2 MINUTES PAID PERSONS ON THE SIGN-UP SHEET MAY NOT CONVEY, TRANSFER, OR A LINK WHICH ANY PART OF THEIR SPEAKING TIME TO ANOTHER SPEAKING PARTNER OR GROUP. IF YOU HAVE HANDOUTS OR WRITTEN TESTIMONY, GIVE THEM TO KAREN MAXEY TO DISTRIBUTE TO BOARD MEMBERS. TO PROTECT INDIVIDUAL CONS MENTALITY, PLEASE DO NOT MENTION SPECIFIC STUDENTS OR STAFF MEMBERS IN YOUR REMARKS. ALL COMMENTS ARE TO BE MADE IN THE CIVIL MANNER. ANYONE NOT FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE ASKED TO STOP SPEAKING AND THEY FORFEIT THEIR RIGHT TO SPEAK AT FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND 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 ISSUES YOU RAISE IF YOU PROVIDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION WHEN YOU SIGN IN. WRITTEN COMMENTS ARE WELCOME AT ANY TIME. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE BOARD.

>> OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS...

>> GOOD EVENING. I AM HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE 65 AND OVER. FOR DECADES, SEE CPS MADE A

[00:15:05]

TODAY WE MUST ASK CAN B CCPS KEP THAT PROMISE? SIMPLIFIES COVERAGE BY COMBINING MEDICARE AND SUBMIT INSURANCE IN ONE PLAN REQUIRING ONLY ONE CARD AT A DOCTOR'S VISIT.

IT ALSO REDUCES COSTS IN SOME AREAS LIKE HEARING AIDS.

THOSE ARE MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS ON PAPER.

BUT RETIREES WERE NOT GIVEN A MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH THEIR OPTIONS. THERE WAS NO ABILITY TO REMAIN IN THEIR EXISTING PLAN. INSTEAD THEY WERE INFORMED IN THE FALL OF CHANGES THAT TOOK EFFECT JANUARY 1ST.

THEY WERE TOLD THIS PLAN WOULD REPLICATE THEIR CURRENT PPO COVERAGE BUT NOW MANY ARE QUESTIONING IF THAT'S TRULY THE CASE. THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO DEDICATED DECADES, 25, 30, EVEN 40 YEARS TO SEE CPS AND WHEN IT CAME TIME TO MAKE A MAJOR CHANGE TO THE HEALTH CARE, THEY WERE NT TREATED AS PARTNERS IN THE DECISION.

THE PLAN MADE REDUCED COST AND STREAMLINE COVERAGE BUT WHEN YOU REMOVE CHOICE, LIMIT TRANSPARENCY, AND EXCLUDE THE PEOPLE MOST IMPACTED THAT IS NOT A DECISION MADE IT WITH THEM.

THIS ISSUE COMES DOWN TO WHAT I HAVE SAID, A TEACHER'S PERSPECTIVE, A COMMUNITY'S VOICE BE IT FROM A TEACHER'S PERSPECTIVE TRUST MATTERS. FROM A COMMUNITY'S VOICE, WE EXPECT TRANSPARENCY AND RESPECT ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN SO BECAUSE THIS IS BIGGER THAN A PLANNED CHANGE.

THIS IS HOW WE TREAT PEOPLE WHEN THEIR CAREERS ARE OVER BUT THEIR NEEDS ARE NOT. WE OWE IT TO OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES. A PROMISE TO EDUCATORS DOES NOT END AT RETIREMENT. RIGHT NOW, THAT PROMISE IS BEING TESTED. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. >> THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKERS

[CONSENT AGENDA]

FOR TONIGHT. >> UP NEXT WE HAVE OUR CONSENT

AGENDA. >> MOVED TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION TO SECOND.

[SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT]

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> UP NEXT WE HAVE OURS SUPERINTENDENCE REPORT. DR. NEWSOME?

>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. BEFORE I PRESENT THE REPORT I HAVE TWO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SMALL APPOINTMENTS.

THE FIRST I'M RECOMMENDING AS THE NEW PRINCIPAL OF -- ALSO SERVED AS THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL THERE AS THE PAST.

SHE HAS SERVED AS AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR IN THE COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND. SHE HAS A MASTER'S DEGREE IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION FROM TRINITY COLLEGE.

AND ADMINISTRATIVE CERTIFICATION IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP FROM THE FANEUIL COLLEGE. SHE IS CURRENTLY PURSUING AN ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP FROM HARVARD UNIVERSITY. THE SECOND RECOMMENDATION IS PRINCIPAL AT SAINT LEONARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

SHE'S ALSO SERVING AS THE ACTING PRINCIPAL THERE AT THIS TIME.

SHE HAS SERVED AS AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT SAINT LEONARD PRIOR TO BECOMING ACTING PRINCIPAL AS WELL AS HUNTINGTOWN ELEMENTARY SHE'S ALSO SERVED AS AN ELEMENTARY AND SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER IN CHARLES COUNTY AND EARNED A B.S. IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION FROM TOWNSON UNIVERSITY, MASTER'S DEGREE IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION, AND WHILE SHE WILL BE GRADUATING WITH HER DOCTORATE DEGREE, I IMAGINE THAT IN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION, WITH A FOCUS ON EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP, SHE HAS EXCESSIVELY COMPLETED HER DISSERTATION AND THUS WE CALL HER DOCTOR.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS IS BOARD APPROVAL.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> THERE IS MOTION TO SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

CONGRATULATIONS. COME ON UP.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DR. NEWSOME AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP OF CENTRAL OFFICE, THEIR COLLABORATION AND SUPPORT DURING MY TIME AS SUPERVISOR OF EQUITY

[00:20:03]

I AM DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE CARE THAT MOUNT HARMONY HAS DEMONSTRATED FOR OUR STUDENTS EACH DAY.

I'M ALSO VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMUNITIES ABROAD AT MOUNT HARMONY FOR THEIR ENCOURAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP.

THEY REINFORCE THE STRENGTH OF THE SCHOOL.

TODAY WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD% A STRONG FOUNDATION AND ACCOMPLISH MEANINGFUL WORK THAT BENEFITS EVERY STUDENT AND EDUCATOR. THANK YOU.

>> [INDISTINCT] >> GOOD EVENING.

I WANT TO SINCERELY THANK DR. NEWSOME, ARE AMAZING SUPERINTENDENCE, PRESIDENT OF OUR BOARD JANA SMITH, AND THIS INCREDIBLE AUGUR OF UNITY TO CONTINUE LEADING SAINT LEONARD FORWARD. I'M TRULY HONORED TO SERVE SUCH A REMARKABLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY, OUR DEDICATED STAFF, STUDENTS, AND SUPPORTIVE FAMILIES AT SAINT LEONARD ELEMENTARY WHO HAVE ALL SHARED COMMITMENT TO LEARNING AND GROWTH.

WE WILL MAKE SAINT LEONARD A VERY WONDERFUL SPECIAL PLACE TO BE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE WORK AHEAD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] 'S >> [INDISTINCT]

>> [INDISTINCT]

>> I THINK WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THESE TWO EDUCATORS TO LEAVE THESE SCHOOLS. IT'S MY PLEASURE TO RECOMMEND THEM. EVENTS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. MANY OF THE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ATTENDED THESE SOMEHOW. DIDN'T GET YOUR PICTURES BUT YOU WERE THERE NONETHELESS. HERE RECENTLY WE HAD THE 27TH ANNUAL MATH CHALLENGE AND THE AUDITORIUM WAS FILLED.

THIS WAS THE FOURTH AND I'D LIKE TO COMMEND THE SUPERVISOR FOR YOU CAN SEE THE STUDENTS WORKING IN TEAMS. AND THEY HAD SUPPORT FROM FAMILIES AND THE TEACHERS, THEIR COACHES. THEY WERE DILIGENTLY WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR TEAM WOULD BE REPRESENTED AT THE PODIUM. UNFORTUNATELY WE ONLY HAD THREE WINNERS FOR EACH GRADE LEVEL SO WE HAD FIRST PLACE AT MOUNT HARMONY, THIRD PLACE I BELIEVE WAS BEACH AND AT THE FIFTH GRADE LEVEL WE HAD BEACH AGAIN IN FIRST PLACE.

SECOND PLACE WAS HUNTINGTOWN AND THIRD PLACE WAS PLUM POINT.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE STUDENTS WHO PART IS ABATED.

IT WHO PARTICIPATED. IT WAS A WONDERFUL EVENT FOR USE ON A VISITATION OF THE OUTSTANDING ARTS HERE AND MUSIC PROGRAMS BY THE SCHOOL BAND THIS EVENING.

BUT IT STARTS AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND THESE ARE STUDENTS WHO ARE PARTICIPATING AT THE ALL COUNTY ELEMENTARY AND I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE BRIAN WELKER THE SUPERVISOR OF PERFORMING ARTS FOR WORKING WITH OUR OUTSTANDING MUSIC AND ART EDUCATORS ACROSS THE COUNTY. TO BRING THESE FINE STUDENTS TOGETHER. YESTERDAY IT WAS A CHILD NUTRITION FOOD SHOW AT PLUM POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MISS VALERIE PALMER WHO ALSO GOT HER COLLEAGUES FROM I THINK SAINT MARY'S TO COME TO HELP SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.

THEY PRESENTED NEW ITEMS ON THE MENU FOR BREAKFAST WITH THE NEW FEDERAL STANDARDS THAT REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF SUGAR.

IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE TO GET FOOD FOR OUR STUDENTS TO FIND THEM TASTY WITH LESS SUGAR. AND SO YOU SEE THE STUDENTS COMING IN DURING LUNCH TIME, EACH STUDENT IN THE SCHOOL HAVE

[00:25:03]

TODAY WAS AN EXCITING DAY. MESA DAY, WHICH STANDS FOR MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, SCIENCE ACHIEVEMENT.

AN AMAZING EVENT WHERE WE HAD A SHOWCASE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING AND MATH PROJECTS, PROJECT-BASED LEARNING FROM ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ALL THE WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE DR. CRYSTAL RICKS.

YOU CAN SEE ALL OF HER TITLES. SHE'S ALSO A SPONSOR OF THE MESA DAY. NOT JUST ONE YEAR.

HAD A NICE TURNOUT. WE DID HAVE MRS. GRENIS THERE.

AS WE TALK TO THE STUDENT, THEY SHARE THEIR THINKING ABOUT THE PROJECTS. I WAS ABLE TO SHARE WITH THEM BRIEFLY ABOUT THE MISSION TO THE MOON AND BACK AND HOW SOME OTHER STRATEGIES THAT SEWS SCIENTISTS USE, THE STUDENTS ARE USING RIGHT NOW STARTING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER WAS DR. SHANE WINES WHO WAS A TEACHER ON LEAVE FROM CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL.

HE IS IN ALBERT EINSTEIN DISTINGUISHED EDUCATION FELLOW WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT, THE NAVY, THE NAVAL SERVICE WARFARE CENTER. WHILE HE WAS VERY POPULAR, HIS ROBOTIC DOG WAS EVEN MORE POPULAR.

DIDN'T GET ANY PICTURES BUT THE DOG DID ALL SORTS OF TRICKS INCLUDING ROLLING OVER. IT WAS PRETTY COOL.

ALL THE STUDENTS WERE IMPRESSED BY HIS SPEECH.

I THINK THEY WERE EQUALLY IMPRESSED BY THAT ROBOTIC DOG WHO, I DO NOT KNOW WHO, BUT SOMEONE ON OUR TEAM SAID THEY LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ONE OF THOSE IN EACH OF OUR SCHOOLS ONE DAY DURING SWEEPS. THESE ARE SOME PICTURES OF THE AWARD CEREMONY. THE STUDENTS WERE VERY PROUD OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THIS IS ALSO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY. THESE ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THOSE SUPERINTENDENCE LIGHTHOUSE AWARD FOR THIS MONTH FROM BEACH.

WE HAVE AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT, JUST SO HAPPENS WHEN I WENT TO THE SCHOOL AND ASKED FOR HER TO BE CALLED TO THE OFFICE HER MOTHER WAS IN THE OFFICE AT THE TIME.

SHE WAS VOLUNTEERING FOR A FIELD TRIP THAT DAY.

WAS QUITE FORTUNATE THAT WE GOT TO GET HER INVOLVED IN THE PICTURE. SHE WAS QUITE SURPRISED AND PLEASED COMING TO SCHOOL TO RECOGNIZE HER DAUGHTER.

AND THEN MORGAN MIDWEEK THE LIGHTHOUSERECIPIENT, I ASKEE SCHOOL DOLL THAT CLASS TO COME OUT AND TAKE OUR PICTURE WITH HER.

RYAN LYONS FROM CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL.

AND THAT OUR EDUCATORS, WE HAVE DR. SANCHEZ.

WE HAVE REGINA BORN, DR. SANCHEZ IS THAT HARMONY.

REGINA BARNES IS AT BARSTOW BARSTOW.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM, THEIR FAMILIES.

ALMOST TWO WEEKS AGO MR. HARRISON, ATTENDED THE CHURCH IS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLLABORATION EXPO CHURCHES AND THEPUBLIC SCHOOLS N EXPO.

HEARING FOR MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND FROM OUR FAITH COMMUNITY WHO WERE THERE FOR ONE PURPOSE AND THAT IS TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE ASKING US WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP, WHETHER IT BE VOLUNTEERING, WHETHER IT BE FUNDING, THERE SEEM TO BE A REAL PUSH TO HELP STUDENTS. I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE NO CHILD IN THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM, THIS COMMUNITY, HAS A NEED FOR FOOD.

TWO WEEKS AGO I MENTIONED TO YOU THAT I SPENT TIME OVER AT CALVERT ELEMENTARY. THESE ARE SOME OF THE PICTURES OF THE STUDENTS. BUT I DID NOT HAVE A PICTURE OF THE STAR OF T THE SHOW WHO IS MR. GRAY THE BUILDING SERVICE WORKER OVER THERE. I DON'T TYPICALLY THINK WE TELL

[00:30:02]

SHE CERTAINLY OUTWORKED ME. AGAIN I JUST CANNOT THANK OUR BEAUTIFUL SERVICE WORKERS ENOUGH FOR WHAT THEY DO FOR OUR SCHOOLS. I'M HAPPY TO HIGHLIGHT THEM.

OUR THEATER PROGRAMS ARE ALIVE AND WELL.

I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE "CINDERELLA." I THINK THEY ARE READY FOR BROADWAY AS WELL AS OUR OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS BUT IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO ONE OF OUR PLAYS IT'S NOT TOO LATE. YOU CAN ATTEND ONE OF THE PRODUCTIONS. THIS SATURDAY WE HAVE OUR ELEMENTARY SOLO ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL THAT WILL BE HELD AT PLUM POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M.

WE DO NOT WANT TO MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE 250 YEARS THROUGH THE EYES OF JOHN WILLIAMS AND THAT'LL BE HELD AT CALVERT HIGH SCHOOL AND THAT'LL BE APRIL 28TH.

AND FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IT'S NOT A BAD IDEA FOR EVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ATTEND SOME OF THESE COLLEGE FAIRS.

HERE IS ONE IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND COLLEGE IN SAINT MARY'S COUNTY.

I DO NOT NEED TO SEE ANYTHING MORE ABOUT OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THAT EARNED ACCREDITATION FOR THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM BUT THE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THOSE TO THEIR SCHOOLS AND THE TEAMS AND CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS ACADEMY, I'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT DEVELOPING LEADERS FOR THE FUTURE.

THIS WAS THEIR LAST SESSION LAST MONTH AND THEY HAD MOCK INTERVIEWS AND SO YOU CAN SEE THESE ARE TEACHER LEADERS AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS, DEANS WHO ARE ASPIRING PRINCIPALS, AND I THINK THEY WERE GIVEN 3-5 MINUTES TO INTERVIEW AND THEN THEY GET FEEDBACK RIGHT AFTER THE INTERVIEW.

I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE DR. JOHNSON WHO FACILITATES AND ORGANIZES THIS WORK AND ASSISTED BY MEMBERS OF OUR SCHOOL BASE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAMS. AND FINALLY IT IS TESTING SEASON. WE ARE GOING TO BE ENGAGED IN TESTING FROM NOW UNTIL THE SCHOOL IS OUT.

AND MOST PROMINENT IS PROBABLY THE END CAP, ASSESSMENTS IN THE COURSE, ADVANCED PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS AND DUAL ENROLLMENT.

SO MANY ASSESSMENTS. WE SHOULD TREAT THIS THE SAME WAY TO MAKE SURE OUR CHILDREN ARE GETTING REST AND WE DO NOT BREAK THROUGH AND WE DON'T PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE.

A FIFTH GRADER WAS COMING OUR SCHOOLS A AND A CAR ACCIDENT AND SHE STARTED CRYING BECAUSE SHE DID NOT WANT TO MISS HER MARYLAND ASSESSMENT AND THAT IS THE PRESSURE WE PUT ON YOUNG CHILDREN. WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE WE DO NOT STRESS THEM OUT OVER THESE TESTS.

THERE ARE SAMPLES FAMILIES CAN GO TO TO THE MARYLAND STATE WEBSITE TO UNDERSTAND. THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE I CAN GIVE IS YOU DO NOT PREPARE FOR AN ASSESSMENT LIKE THIS A DAY BEFORE, A WEEK BEFORE, A MONTH BEFORE.

THIS IS EVERY DAY REGULAR TENDONS, MAKING SURE OUR CHILDREN ARE READING AT HOME EVERY DAY FOR A MINIMUM OF 15 MINUTES. THEY ARE COMPLETING THEIR ASSIGNMENTS, THEY ARE PREPARED EVERY DAY FOR SUCCESS.

THUS WHEN T IT IS TIME FOR THE MCAP THEY ARE READY FOR THE

[STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD REPORT]

>> THANK YOU, DR. NEWSOME. UP NEXT, WE HAVE OUR STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD REPORT. MISS ALLISON?

>> GOOD EVENING. SO THE PAST FEW WEEKS, I'VE MET WITH SOME CLUBS AND I GOT TO DISCUSS WITH OUR STUDENT SOME OF THE RECENT TOPICS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP AT OUR BOARD MEETINGS. SOME OF THESE CLUBS DISCUSS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS AND I WAS ABLE TO SUGGEST PROJECTS THAT ALIGN WITH WHAT WE DISCUSSED AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING IN HELPING OR SCHOOLS HAVE A NICER TIME PAIR THEY ARE

[00:35:02]

I'M VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THEY ARE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT IT.

I'VE ALSO SCHEDULED A COUPLE OF SCHOOL VISITS WHICH I'LL BE DOING WITH OUR INCOMING MEMBER. I'M HAPPY TO BEGIN WORKING WITH HER AND GETTING HER PREPARED BECAUSE SHE WILL BE GETTING SWORN IN IN JUST ABOUT A MONTH AND I'M VERY EXCITED FOR HER TO TRANSITION INTO THIS ROLE. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

[Policies for Review]

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SPEAK UP NEXT WE HAVE POLICIES FOR REVIEW.

AND I INVITE MS. CHRIS SPEAK A GOOD, PRESIDENT POST, DR. NEWSOME.

I'M BRINGING FORWARD AUTHORIZED CREDIT CARD USE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. THE GOAL IS CLARIFICATION RATHER THAN EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY. THERE ARE THREE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THIS POLICY. THE FIRST PROPOSED CHANGE EXPANDS THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM CREDIT CARD.

UNDER OUR CURRENT POLICY, CREDIT CARD IS DEFINED AS A TRADITIONAL CARD OBTAINED THROUGH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.

ANY UPDATES TO THIS POLICY EXPAND THE DEFINITION TO INCLUDE PROCUREMENT CARDS, FUEL CARDS, AND LIMITED VENDOR ISSUED CHARGE ACCOUNTS AS TYPES OF POTENTIAL ADDITIONS TO OUR PURCHASING METHODS THAT I'D LIKE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATIN FOR THIS POLICY. THE EXPANSION OF THE TERM CREDIT CARDS REALLY ENSURES THAT ALL FORMS OF CARD-BASED PURCHASING ARE GOVERNED UNDER ONE CONSISTENT POLICY FRAMEWORK.

THE SECOND PROPOSED CHANGE, REINFORCES THE PERMITTED AND AUTHORIZED USE OF THE CREDIT CARD WHICH IS NOT EXPLICITLY STATED WITHIN OUR CURRENT POLICY.

THE LANGUAGE CHANGE THAT I PROPOSE SUGGESTS THAT CREDIT CARDS MAY ONLY BE USED FOR LEGITIMATE SCHOOL SYSTEM BUSINESS. AND THAT PURCHASES MUST BE REASONABLE, MUST BE NECESSARY, MUST BE BUDGETED, AND COST EFFECTIVE AND THE CREDIT CARDS MAY NOT BE USED TO BYPASS OUR STANDARD PURCHASING REQUIREMENTS.

THE FINAL PROPOSED CHANGE ADDRESSES ACCOUNTABILITY AND CARDHOLDER RESPONSIBILITY. THE LANGUAGE SUPPORTS STRONG INTERNAL CONTROLS AND AUDIT REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS REINFORCES YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THOSE WHO POSSESS THE CREDIT CARDS. I WANT TO NOTE WHAT HAS NOT CHANGED IN THIS POLICY IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO NOTE WHAT HAS CHANGED AND THOSE THREE THINGS ARE THAT THE POLICY DOES NOT INCREASE SPENDING LIMITS. IT DOES NOT WEAKEN OUR PURCHASING CONTROLS, AND IT DOES NOT PERMIT EXCEPTIONS OUT OF COURT ACTION FOR THE REVISED POLICY REMAINS CONSISTENT WITH THE BOARD SPIDEY'S EERIE RESPONSE ABILITIES AND YOUR EXPECTATION OF TRANSPARENCY OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE PROPER USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS. IT'S CONSISTENCE WITH STATE AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS GUARDED BY THE MARYLAND EDUCATION ARTICLE AND OUR CHAPTER LETTER A ZERO TO .07.

ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

ARE THE CONSEQUENCES TO MISUSE CONSISTENT WITH OUR UNION CONTRACTS? HAVE WE CHECKED THAT?

>> THE CONSEQUENCES TO MISUSE WILL BE DEFINED IN OUR

PROCEDURES. >> THERE IS NOTHING IN THE UNION CONTRACT THAT WOULD PRECLUDE A CHANGE TO THOSE CONSEQUENCES?

>> THE CONSEQUENCES TO MISUSE WILL BE IN OUR PROCEDURES AND WILL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR INTERNAL CONTROLS AND ALSO WITH

BOARD POLICIES. >> THANK YOU.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTION? THANK YOU.

THIS WILL BE POSTED. >> UP NEXT, WE HAVE MR. SCOTT MCCOMB, POLICY 2305, SELECTION OF MEDIA MATERIALS.

>> PRESIDENT POST, DR. NEWSOME, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MY NAME IS

[00:40:02]

JOINING ME TODAY IS MS. CASEY RAINIER WHO OVERSEES OUR LIBRARY MEDIA PROGRAM. SHE'S HERE TO ADDRESS AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS SPECIFIC TO OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIES YOU MAY HAVE.

WE DO HAVE SOME RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO POLICY 2305 AND THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS. UNDER SECTION ONE, PURPOSE, WE PROPOSE UNDER LETTER A, THE WORD RELATED TO BE CHANGED TO UNLINED AS TO READ TO ENSURE THAT INSTRUCTIONAL AND LIBRARY MEDIA ARE ALIGNED TO ADOPTED CURRICULUM AND ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE MISSION OF CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

UNDER LETTER C, WE WANT TO USE THE LETTER ALIGNED, STUDENTS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO ALIGNED MATERIALS.

WE ALSO UNDER C HAVE SAID THAT THESE MATERIALS SUPPORT PURSUIT OF PERSONAL INTERESTS, DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND EXPERIENCES, WHICH IS THE ADDITION, AND INFORMATION LITERACY.

SO THOSE ARE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS UNDER SECTION ONE.

UNDER SECTION TWO, DEFINITIONS, WE FELT THAT THE DEFINITION OF CURRICULUM WAS UNNECESSARY LENGTHY AND SOUGHT TO SHORTEN IT TO READ, A FRAMEWORK OF STANDARDS, CONTENT, SKILLS, INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES, AND MATERIALS THAT GUIDE TEACHING AND LEARNING. CURRICULUM IS ALIGNED WITH MARILYN COLLEGE AND CAREER READY STANDARDS AND WHERE APPROPRIATE NATIONAL STANDARDS SUCH AS ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

ALSO UNDER WE CAPITALIZE P TO BEGIN THE SENTENCE.

SECTION THREE WHICH IS POLICY STATEMENT UNDER LETTER A, WE CHANGE COMPUTER SOFTWARE TO DIGITAL APPLICATIONS TO MODERNIZE THAT LANGUAGE. WE ALSO CHANGED THE LANGUAGE TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL SELECTED MUST PROVIDE CONTENT THAT IS RIGOROUS, RELEVANT, ACCURATE, INCLUSIVE FOR ALL STUDENTS. UNDER LETTER B, WE CHANGE EDUCATIONAL ENTITY TO INSTITUTION REFERRING TO OURSELVES AS AN INSTITUTION RATHER THAN ENTITY.

ALSO UNDER B, WE UPDATED THE LAST SENTENCE TO READ EFFECTIVE SCHOOL LIBRARY PROGRAMS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE, CAREER, COMMUNITY, AND CIVIC LIFE. FINALLY IN THE LAST PARAGRAPH OF B, WE CHANGED "TO THAT AND MET" TO HER THEREFORE TO BEGIN THE SENTENCE BUT WE ALSO CHANGED THE FOURTH SENTENCE TO READ THE SCHOOL LIBRARY PROVIDES A SPACE FOR PERSONALIZED LEARNER SUCCESS WHERE LEARNERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO EXPLORE QUESTIONS OF PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC INTEREST. THESE ARE THE RECOMMENDED CHANGES BUT WE ALSO ADDED THE COMAR CITATION AT THE END OF THE

DOCUMENT. >> ANY QUESTIONS?

[Change Order Approval]

UP NEXT, WE HAVE A CHANGE ORDER APPROVAL.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. PRESIDENT POST, DR. NEWSOME, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I'M DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION AND I BEFORE YOU TODAY TO ASK FOR APPROVAL FOR CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE FOR THE SUNDERLAND ELEMENTARY FOR THE BOILER REPLACEMENT PROJECT. I'LL PROVIDE SOME BACKGROUND.

THERE ARE FIVE CHANGE ORDER REQUESTS THAT ENCOMPASS THIS ORDER. THE REQUEST NUMBER TWO OR WHAT IS NOTED AS CO ARE C O.R. 2 REPLACING THE DIESEL GENERATOR AND ASSOCIATED 500-GALLON STORAGE TANK. THESE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A PROPANE FIRED GENERATOR. THIS REDUCES CCPS ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH UNDERGROUND FUEL OIL STORAGE TANKS AND REPLACES A GENERATOR THAT HAS EXCEEDED ITS USEFUL LIFE.

ORDER REQUEST NUMBER FIVE AND SIX REPRESENTED CREDITS TO THE PROJECT. THESE CREDITS ARE THE RESULT OF ELEMENTS REVIEWED AND DEVALUED, ENGINEERED WITH THE ASSOCIATED COST SAVINGS AND APPLIED TO OFFSET THE GENERATOR REPLACEMENT

[00:45:03]

IN TOTAL, CHAIN ORDER NUMBER ONE INCREASES THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PROJECT AMOUNT FROM $2,298,000 TO $2,337,885.64.

THIS CONCLUDES MY SUMMARY OF CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE FOR THE SUNDERLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HVAC UNIT VENTILATOR REPLACEMENT PROJECT. THE FUNDS FOR THIS ARE ALLOCATED AND HAVE BEEN EARMARKED IN THE CAPITAL OUTLAY ALTERATIONS BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD PLANNED TO TRY AND REPLACE THE EXISTING GENERATOR AND REMOVE THE UNDERGROUND FUEL STORAGE TANK AS PART OF THAT. SO THAT IS WHAT WE WILL PAY FOR, THE WORK. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE AT THIS TIME.

>> CAN I HAVE A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE?

SPEAK A SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION TO SECOND.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, ANY QUESTION? SEEING AN UNPAIRED ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

[Bid Approvals]

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. >> I STARTED TO TYPE BUT I GOT DISTRACTED BY THE NOTION AND VOTE.

THE NEXT ONE FORBADE APPROVALS, ARE THERE ANY? I THOUGHT ALL THOSE WERE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> [INDISTINCT] >> GOTCHA.

THE WAY THIS FANCY NEW PROGRAM OF OURS IS SET UP, I REALLY DO LOVE IT. IT'S SO GOOD.

SO GOOD. IT'S A PARTY.

>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT POST, DR. NEWSOME, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I'M SUPERVISOR OF FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT AND I HAVE ONE RECOMMENDATION FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. APPROVAL OF THE STUDENT LAPTOP REFRESH OR INCOMING FIFTH AND NINTH STUDENT SUPPORTING CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS' FUTURE READY ONE TO ONE INITIATIVE. JOINING ME WE HAVE MR. SCOTT MCCOMB, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT AND STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE WITH COMPETITIVE PRICING THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND IIT HARVARD CONTRACT AFTER SECURING QUOTES FROM MULTIPLE VENDORS, CITY GOVERNMENT DETERMINE THE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS PRICING AND OVERALL BEST VALUE TO THE DISTRICT.

THIS PURCHASE THINKPAD G5 LAPTOG WITH IMAGING, FOUR YEAR AXONAL DAMAGE PROTECTION FOR A TOTAL COST OF $2,852,000.

WHILE THE ORDER MUST BE PLACED IN ADVANCED TO SECURE THE PRODUCTION TIMELINES, INVOICING WILL OCCUR IN JULY AND IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY WITH APPROPRIATED FUNDS IN FISCAL YEAR 2027 OPERATING BUDGET.

WE RESPECTFULLY RECOMMEND APPROVAL FOR THIS PURCHASE THROUGH GOVERNMENT USING THE CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF 2,008,000 EUROS OR $52

$2,000,852. >> THERE IS A MOTION TO SECOND.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? >> THAT'S A LOT OF COMPUTERS.

WELL BACK

>> DO WE HAVE ANY COMPUTERS SITTING IN STORAGE, ANY LAPTOP

SITTING IN STORAGE? >> WE HAVE...

I WOULD SAY MAYBE 30? >> OKAY.

>> WHEN I DECLARE STORAGE, THOSE ARE USED FOR SWAPS.

THOSE ROTATE OUT. >> THEY ARE NOT DEAD OR OLD OR

OBSOLETE? >> THEY ARE USED AS HOT SWAPS FOR STUDENTS WITH THE DEVICES GO DOWN.

>> WHAT AGREEMENT DO WE HAVE THAT STUDENTS SIGN WHEN THEY GET A NEW LAPTOP? DO THEIR PARENTS HAVE TO SIGN UP

FOR A RESPONSIBILITY? >> EVERY YEAR WE HAVE SOMETHING

[00:50:02]

IT'S PART OF THE ANNUAL RENEWAL. STUDENT UPDATE.

IT ACTUALLY LISTS WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE, WHAT THEIR OBLIGATIONS ARE, AND IT ACTUALLY LISTS THE PRICE POINTS FOR EACH GRADE OF WHAT IT IS UP TO, THE COST OF THE LAPTOP.

WE ACTUALLY ALSO TALK ABOUT THE CHARGERS AS WELL.

>> THESE, DO THEY HAVE INTERNAL MEMORY, SOLID STATE I GUESS?

>> THEY DO, YES. >> THANK YOU.

>> WELCOME. >> OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> YES. THIS WILL BE TO REFRESH THE ONES VIRGO DELL THAT KIDS GOING INTO FIFTH GRADE AND IT'S A NINTH GRADE. WE WILL HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN IN FOUR YEARS TO REFRESH THE NEXT DISPATCH?

>> WE ACTUALLY DO THIS FOR EVERY YEAR FOR NINTH GRADE.

THIS YEAR'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE HAD A DO IT FOR FIFTH GRADE. THERE WAS A WHOLE ESSENTIALLY WE NEEDED A FILL. THE DEVICES WE WERE BUYING HERE WILL REMAIN IN FIFTH GRADE FOR PROBABLY ABOUT SIX YEARS.

WE WON'T HAVE TO PURCHASE DEVICES FOR THEM.

THE ORIGINAL PLAN WHERE THAT 10-YEAR LIFE CYCLE CHOICES THAT WE STARTED WITH LAST YEAR. WITH THE DATA CENTERS AND ALL THAT THAT HAVE JACKED UP THE PRICES REALLY HIGH AND THE AVAILABILITY. ONE OF THE STUDENT HANDS RIGHT NOW IN FIFTH GRADE THROUGH EIGHTH.

AND TEN THROUGH 12TH. TRYING TO TAKE A PAUSE AND HOPEFULLY THE PRICES WILL GO DOWN NEXT YEAR WHEN WE GO AND DO THIS AGAIN BUT WITH THAT 10-YEAR LIFE CYCLE THE IDEA IS BY THE TIME. THE DEVICES WILL REMAIN UNTIL THOSE 10-YEAR DEVICES CAME BACK DOWN TO THEM AND BY THEN THEY

WOULD BE SIX YEARS OLD. >> WE ARE PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT THE LIMITED EIGHT GIGABYTES OF RAM IS ENOUGH FOR THESE AND ASKING SOON ENOUGH TO BE WITH THEM?

>> THIS IS WHAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW.

UNFORTUNATELY THERE'S A PRETTY BIG PRICE JUMP RIGHT NOW BECAUSE

RAM IS SO PRICEY. >> JUST TO ADD TO THAT, WE HAD ORIGINALLY PLANNED ON PURCHASING DEVICES FOR 32 GIGS OF RAM IN THEM. BUT BECAUSE WHAT MR. PALMER SAID ABOUT THE MASSIVE INCREASES IN PRICING ON RAMBLER, WE WOULD'VE HAD TO ASK FOR 900,000 ADDITIONAL DOLLARS ON TOP OF OUR BUDGET REQUESTS FOR FY '27 COMING UNDER OUR BUDGET REQUEST BUT THESE DEVICES ARE NOT GOING TO LAST TEN YEARS, LIKE A 32 GIGABYTES VICES WHAT HABIT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SQUEEZE FIVE

OUT OF THEM. >> WHAT'S THE PROJECTED NUMBER OF FIFTH AND NINTH GRADE STUDENTS?

>> IT'S... WHENEVER WE LOITER WE TRY AND WORD ARE BASED ON PROJECTIONS WE USUALLY GET FROM THE GROUP.

WE ACTUALLY MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SPARES AS WELL FOR THOSE EXCHANGES. SO THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A

BUFFER IN THERE. >> DO WE HAVE ANY MORE COMPUTER

PURCHASES OR IS THIS IT? >> THE FUTURE READY? NO. THIS IS IT.

>> RIGHT. ANYMORE FOR REGULAR PROGRAMMING?

>> LET ME PUT A CAVEAT WITH THE OTHERS.

THE GOAL, WE ALSO INCLUDED IN OUR ORIGINAL BUDGET WAS ENOUGH MONEY TO PURCHASE THE LEASES THAT WERE UP FOR TWO GRADE LEVELS THIS YEAR TO REPLACE THE THIRD AND FOURTH GRADE DEVICES SO THE IDEA WOULD BE THAT WE WOULD PURCHASE THOSE LEASES OUT AND REPLACE ALL OF THOSE SEVEN PLUS YEAR OLD DEVICES WITH FOUR YEAR OLD DEVICES. WE ARE HAVING A LOT OF ISSUES WITH TESTING AND THINGS LIKE THIS.

THIS WILL BRING THEM UP TO A BASELINE WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THEY'LL BE ABLE TO PROCEED.

>> AT $668, IT'S MORE ADVANTAGEOUS TO BUY OUT RIGHT THEN TO LEASE AND BUY AT THE FAIR MARKET VALUE?

>> FOR THE FOUR YEAR OLD DEVICES BECAUSE THOSE BELIEVE IT OR NOT DO NOT HAVE AS MUCH RESIDUAL VALUE AS PURCHASING NEWER ONES

DO. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

[00:55:06]

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UP NEXT, WE HAVE OUR GRADING

[Grading Presentation]

>> ALL RIGHT. PRESIDENT POST, DR. NEWSOME, ONCE AGAIN I AM SCOTT MCCALLUM AND I HERE WITH ME THIS EVENING OUR SUBCOMMITTEE LEADS THEY ARE HERE TO HELP ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THE END OF MY PRESENTATION.

THE CCPS GRADING COMMITTEE CONSISTED OF 19 STAFF MEMBERS AND NINE CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF MEMBERS.

OF THESE MEMBERS, 18 WERE REPRESENTED WITHIN THE TEACHING BARGAINING UNIT IN THIS COMPOSITION ENSURES THE VOICES OF PRACTITIONERS COME PRACTITIONERS, PRACTICING EDUCATORS OR CENTRAL TO THE COMMITTEES OF POSITIVE DELIBERATIONS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMITTEE WAS TO CONDUCT A CONFERENCE A REVIEW OF OUR K-12 RATING PROCEDURES. THIS WAS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT CCPS GRADES ACCURATELY AND REFLECT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT FOR CLARITY AND FAIRNESS, TRANSPARENCY, AND ALIGNED WITH RESEARCH-BASED PRACTICES AND GRADING.

IN CARRYING OUT THIS WORK, THE GRADING PROCEDURES' COMMUNITY RESULTED IN 14 RESEARCH STUDIES, GRADING MODELS INCLUDING STANDARDS-BASED GRADING, AND CONDUCTING COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF GRADING PRACTICES ACROSS OTHER MARYLAND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

IN ADDITION WE ANALYZE HISTORICAL GRADING TRENDS WITHIN OUR OWN SYSTEM INCLUDING PASSING RATES, GRADE DISTRIBUTIONS, THE IMPACT OF GRADING SCALES, AND THE USE OF GRADING FLOORS.

TO ENSURE THAT ORDER OF PERSPECTIVES INFORM OUR WORK WE ENGAGE IN MULTIPLE FOCUS GROUP SESSIONS WITH TEACHERS, STUDENTS, GUARDIANS, AND ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVELS AND THESE SESSIONS WERE ABSOLUTELY VA VALUABLE TO THE FEEDBACK WE WERE DOING. BUT DEFINITIVELY THIS COMMUNITY ENGAGED IN A RIGOROUS AND SUSTAIN THE PROCESS OF SEVERAL MONTHS TO ARRIVE AT THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE ARE PRESENTING TO YOU TONIGHT. AS A RESULT OF THE WORK, WE PRODUCED A 16 PAGE REPORT THAT INCLUDED 23 RECOMMENDATIONS SPANNING GRADING PROCEDURES. ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD RECEIVED THIS REPORT AND HAS BEEN POSTED FOR PUBLIC REVIEW.

GIVEN TIME CONSTRAINTS, WE WILL NOT REVIEW EVERY SINGLE RECOMMENDATION INDIVIDUALLY AND INSTEAD I WILL HIGHLIGHT OVERARCHING GRADING PROCEDURES, KEY COST LEVEL THEMES, AND ALL FOCUS ON THE BOARD THAT ASK FOR THE CONVENING OF THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THAT'S THE USE OF GRADING FLOORS AND STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY IN GRADING. AND SO ONE OF THE OVERARCHING RECOMMENDATIONS THAT SPAN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, HIGH SCHOOL, WAS THE CREATION OF A SINGLE UNIFIED PURPOSE FOR GRADING AND THE COMMITTEE DEVELOPED THIS STATEMENT.

IT STATES THE PURPOSE OF GRADING IN CALVERT COUNTY SCHOOLS IS TO PROVIDE CLEAR, CONSISTENT ACCURATE COMMUNICATION ABOUT A STUDENT'S MASTERY OF STANDARDS. GRADES REFLECT WHAT STUDENTS KNOW AND ARE ABLE TO DO ACADEMICALLY.

GRADES INFORM STUDENTS, FAMILIES, EDUCATORS ABOUT THE PROGRESS. AND GUIDES INSTRUCTIONAL DECISIONS THAT GUIDE GROWTH AND LONG-TERM SUCCESS.

IN ADDITION THROUGH OUR FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS, WE FOUND THAT TEACHERS, STUDENTS, FAMILIES, COMMUNICATORS WERE NOT CLEAR ABOUT THE EXPECTATIONS ON OUR GRADING PROCEDURES AND THAT NEEDED TO CHANGE. TO ADDRESS THIS WE ARE RECOMMENDING ANNUAL TRAINING, IT'LL BE DIFFERENTIATED NEW STAFF MEMBER IS HAVING A COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING AND FOCUS REVIEW AND KEY APPLICATIONS TO RETURNING STAFF.

WE'LL ALSO IMPLEMENT ANNUAL COMMIT OCCASIONS TO FAMILIES,

[01:00:02]

THEMES THAT WE FOUND AT ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH.

FIRST THERE'S A CLEAR EMPHASIS ON RELEARNING PRIOR TO ASSESSMENT. SO THIS MEANS ENSURING THAT ADDITIONAL LEARNING DOES INDEED OCCUR BEFORE THEIR REASSESSMENT OF CONTENT. ALSO REINFORCED THAT HOMEWORK SHOULD SERVE CLEAR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE SPECIFICALLY AS PRACTICE OR PREPARATION OR EXTENSION FOR LEARNING.

IDENTIFYING THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND FULL OVERALL INCREASES WITHIN GRADING PRACTICES.

AND FINALLY THESE RECOMMENDATIONS REFLECT A BROADER COMMITMENT TO SYSTEMWIDE COHERENCE AND THE CLEARÚCONSISTH STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS. I WILL FOCUS ON THE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS THAT DIRECTLY ALIGNED WITH THE BOARD'S CHARGE WHICH CENTERS ON THE USE OF GRADING CALCULATIONS WITHIN OUR GRADING SYSTEM. I'LL BEGIN WITH THE SECONDARY PROCEDURES ADDRESSING BOTH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL AND TRANSITION TO RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL.

WE BEGIN WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL. AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL RECOMMENDATION ONE IS TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM AVERAGE REQUIRED THAT A STUDENT NEEDS TO EARN IN ORDER TO PASS THE CO COURSE. UNDER THE NEW GRADING PROCEDURES THE THRESHOLD WILL BE RAISED TO .75.

UNDER THE CURRENT MODEL LAST YEAR, FEWER THAN 0.1% O MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PASSING WITH THE AVERAGE OF .5.

RAISING IS TO RIGOROUS STANDING. SORRY FOR THE WORDY SLIDE.

IN OUR DISTRICT WE USE PROCESS GRADE AND PRODUCT GRADE.

THEY ARE DERIVED LIKE DELMON FROM PRACTICE ASSIGNMENTS, HOMEWORK, SUPPORT SKILL DEVELOPMENT.

PRODUCT GRADES ON THE OTHER HAND ARE BASED ON ASSESSMENTS ON TESTS, THEY REPRESENT STUDENT MASTERY OF THE POINT ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN GIVEN. AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL THERE WILL NO LONGER BE A FLOOR FOR PROCESS ASSIGNMENTS.

THIS WILL BE REMOVED. UNITS ARE GIVEN THE GRADE THAT THEY EARN FOR IT STUDENTS WILL AS THEY CURRENTLY ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE UP AN ASSIGNMENT THAT IS MISSED.

HOWEVER IF THE ASSIGNMENT IS NOT COMPLETED A SCORE OF ZERO WILL BE RECORDED. FOR PRODUCT ASSIGNMENTS, STUDENTS WHO EARN BELOW 50% ON A PRODUCT ASSIGNMENT WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR RELEARNING AND REASSESSMENT AND IF FILING A STUDENT'S WITH THE REASSESSMENT, THE SCORE REMAINS BELOW 50, IT WILL BE ADJUSTED TO THE MINIMUM OF 50%.

HOWEVER, IF STUDENTS CAN PLAY ASSESSMENT.

EVEN IF IT'S BELOW 50% CHANGE TO THE CURRENT PRACTICE.

WE WILL MOVE TO THE HIGH SCHOOL RECOMMENDATION.

CCPS WILL CONTINUE TO USE THE 100-POINT SCALE WE CURRENTLY USE. ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF THE 100-POINT SCALE IS A LEVEL OF GRANULARITY, IT'S THE FOCUS GROUP, ALSO PLAYED OUT, RESEARCH INDICATES THAT WHEN THE 100-POINT SCALE IS USED, GRADING SCALES MUST BE APPLIED TO ENSURE FAIRNESS AND ACCURACY. THAT WAS CONSISTENT ACROSS THE RESEARCH THAT WE DID. WE PROVIDED THE BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SOURCES IN OUR REPORT WHERE THOSE CAN BE CONSULTED BY OTHERS. UNDER THE PROPOSED PROCEDURES, HOWEVER, CCPS WILL LIMIT THE USE OF THE 50% GRADING FLOOR TO THE FIRST HALF OF A CHORUS. CURRENTLY FOR A FULL YEAR COURSE, THE GRADING FLOOR EXIST FOR THREE MARKING PERIODS AND IS ONLY INCLUDED IN THE FOURTH MARKING PERIOD.

IN THIS INSTANCE FOR A FULL YEAR COURSE, THERE GRADING FLOOR WILL ONLY APPLY FOR THE FIRST TWO PERIODS AND THEN APPLY FOR THE FIRST MARKING PERIOD OF THOSE TWO MARKING PERIODS.

THIS APPROACH INCREASES STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE COURSE ENSURING THE STUDENT IS PLACED IN A POSITION

[01:05:04]

NOR THE CLASSROOM THE STUDENTS SITS IN HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR WITH NO CHANCE OF PASSING. THE HIGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE ALSO TACKLED THE ISSUE OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY.

PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE WILL CONTINUE.

FOR EACH OFFENSE THE STUDENT WILL RECEIVE THAT CONSEQUENCE THROUGH CODE OF CONDUCT, BUT THEY'LL ALSO FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE RECEIVE A ZERO AS THEY CURRENTLY CAN COMPLETE A REASSESSMENT BUT NOW IT WILL BE FOR PARTIAL CREDIT WHERE THEY WILL EARN 75% OF WHATEVER THEY SCORED ON THAT REASSESSMENT.

FOR A SECOND OFFENSE, THE STUDENT WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO REASSESS AS THEY CURRENTLY DO.

BUT IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE THEY WILL ONLY RECEIVE 50% OF WHATEVER SCORE THEY EARNED. FOR A THIRD OR ANY SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES, NO ASSESSMENT WILL BE GIVEN IN THE STUDENT WILL EARN 80. THIS POLICY BALANCES OPPORTUNITY WITH GROWTH, AND CONSEQUENCES HOPEFULLY WHICH WILL DETER MISCONDUCT. I ALSO WANT TO NOTE THAT WE AGAIN IN OUR INVESTIGATIONS OF DIFFERENT SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND THE GRADING PROCEDURE FOUND THAT THIS RECOMMENDATION ALIGNS CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH NUMEROUS OTHER MARYLAND SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE RESPONSE TO ACADEMIC DISHONESTY.

FINALLY I WILL SPEAK TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ELEMENTARY AND GRADING PROCEDURES. AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL, WE UTILIZE A LETTER GRADE SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN AN ASSIGNMENT LEVEL GRADING FLOOR. THIS IS THE COMMITTEE THAT RECOMMENDS CONTINUING TO USE THE 50% GRADING FLOOR AT THE ASSIGNMENT LEVEL AS THIS APPROACH IS DEVEL TO MEDICALLY APPROPRIATE. GRADING AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL SHOULD FOCUS ON CLEARLY COMMUNICATING HOW ALL STUDENTS ARE PROGRESSING TOWARDS FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS AND MASTERY OF STANDARDS. AS A RESULT, THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT CCPS INITIATE A FORMAL STUDY TO IMPLEMENT STANDARDS-BASED LEARNING AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL.

THIS STUDY SHOULD INCLUDE RESEARCH, STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, AND CAREFUL PLANNING TO DETERMINE HOW STANDARDS-BASED GRADING CAN IMPROVE ACCURACY AND ALIGNMENT WITH STATE STANDARDS AND EQUITY GOALS. STANDARDS-BASED GRADING FURTHER SHIFTS THE FOCUS AWAY FROM POINTS EARNED TOWARDS MASTERY AND IF THE STUDENT PERFORMS POORLY THE ASSESSMENT IS NOT ABOUT A NUMERICAL SCORE BUT STUDENT IS NOT MEETING THE STANDARD. IF THE STUDENT IS NOT MEETING THE STANDARD, THE COMMUNICATION WILL BE THAT THE STUDENT HAS NOT REFLECTED MASTERY OF THAT STANDARD.

AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL, THE EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE COMMITTEE GETTING WHERE A STUDENT IS PERFORMING IN RELATION TO A STANDARD. THE APPROACH ENSURES THAT IT FOCUSES ON GROWTH AND PROGRESS TOWARDS MASTERY WHICH IS WHAT WE WOULD WANT AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL.

IN A MOMENT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE QUESTIONS BUT I WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK THE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE SHOWN ON THE SCREEN AT THIS TIME.

THEY WORKED DILIGENTLY OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME TO PRODUCE THE REPORT. THIS WORK WAS NOT EASY.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT FOR SURE. THE COMMUNITY ENGAGED DEEPLY WITH A SUBSTANTIAL BODY OF RESEARCH, CONSIDER MULTIPLE APPROACHES, THEY WORKED THROUGH COMPLEX DECISION, AND OFTEN INVOLVE THOUGHTFUL DEBATE AND AT TIMES FRUSTRATION.

THERE WERE LONG PERIODS OVER CERTAIN DAYS OF DELIBERATION WHERE THERE PROBABLY WERE NOT ACRIMONIOUSLY OR STRUGGLING TO FIND THAT MIDDLE GROUND IN THE WORK THAT THEY DID.

SO I'M TRULY PROUD OF WHAT THIS GROUP ACCOMPLISHED.

THEIR PROFESSIONALISM IN GETTING THIS RIGHT AND REFLECTING THE QUALITY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU SEE IN THE REPORT YOU RECEIVED. AT THIS TIME WE ARE HAPPY TO

TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MISS GRENIS, I'M GOING TO TURN TO HER BECAUSE SHE HAS A FULL PAGE VIOLATED. HIGHLIGHTED.

>> I LIKE TO THANK THE COMMITTEE FOR THE WORK TO IMPROVE OUR GRADING PROCEDURES FOR CALVERT COUNTY ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOLS. THESE CHANGES WILL GREATLY BENEFIT OUR STUDENTS BY HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR WORK AND FOR ENCOURAGING HIGHER LEVELS OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.

THE NEW TIRED

[01:10:07]

SO WE CONDUCTED A SURVEY AND FOUND THAT 91% OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS IN 90% OF OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS WANTED TO STOP GIVING A 50% SCORE FOR TURNING IN THE WORK.

WE WERE FACED WITH OVERWHELMING SUPPORT TO FIX THE GRADING PROBLEM. GRADUATES WHO DO NOT DO THE WORK AND LEAVE OUR SCHOOLS AND PREPARED FOR THE REAL WORLD, THANK YOU AGAIN. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEE THESE NEW PROCEDURES ROLLED OUT NEXT FALL. NOW I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

WILL THERE BE TIME FOR TEACHERS TO CREATE REASSESSMENTS THAT ARE

BEING REQUIRED? >> SO I CANNOT SPEAK AT THIS POINT TO THE SPECIFIC STRUCTURE. BUT WE RECOGNIZE AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL WHICH IS THIS SPECIFIC AREA YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT, WHEN STUDENTS PERFORM BELOW 50% THE TRADE-OFF BETWEEN REMOVING AND UPGRADNG FLOORS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE STILL MEETING THE NEEDS OF LEARNERS IS GOING TO REQUIRE IN SOME INSTANCES MORE REASS REASSESSMENT.

I COULD SPEAK THIS WOULD BE GIVEN AT THIS POINT IN TIME BUT WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE WORK INVOLVED WE ALSO ENDORSE THE WORK THAT IS INVOLVED IN ENSURING THAT STUDENTS ULTIMATELY ARE ABLE TO RECLAIM THE SKILLS THAT THEY DID NOT LEARN IN THE FIRST INSTANCE THAT WAS DEMONSTRATED IN THEIR PERFORMANCE AND HOPEFULLY THEY EARNED AND REPRESENT, THEY DEMONSTRATE WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED FOR THIS SECOND ITERATION. THIS IS NOT SPECIFIC TO YOUR QUESTION, THIS NEW APPROACH DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY GIVE THEM 50. THAT WAS A TRADE-OFF.

THE STUDENT DOESN'T COME FOR RELEARNING.

THEY WILL GET WHATEVER THEY EARNED EVEN IF IT'S A VERY LOW GRADE. SECONDLY A DAY WILL COME WHERE THEY ENGAGE IN GOOD FAITH BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE HEARD WITH TEACHERS WAS NOT SO MUCH A FRUSTRATION ABOUT WORKING WITH TEACHERS IN TERMS OF A RELEARNING OPPORTUNITY AND REASSESSING SOME OF THE FRUSTRATION IS THAT TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ASSUME THAT THEY WOULD JUST COME IN AND THEY WOULD GET SOMETHING. THEY DID NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE SERIOUSLY IN THE PROCESS. I THINK THIS NEW APPROACH TO OUR GRADING PROCEDURE IS GOING TO MITIGATE THIS SITUATION.

>> NEW PROCEDURES LIKE THIS REQUIRE A LOT OF TRAINING.

THE AMOUNT OF TIME AT THE START OF THE YEAR IS ALWAYS FULL.

WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THIS AND WILL SOMETHING BE TAKEN OFF THE

EDUCATORS' PLATE? >> I ANTICIPATED THAT QUESTION AND I WILL SAY THAT IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WE HAVE TEN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP IN DAYS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR.

WE PUT SAKES BEFORE THE START OF THE SCHOOL AND WE DO THAT SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY BOTH FOR TEACHERS TO PREPARE IN THEIR CLASSROOM AND GAVE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING IF NECESSARY.

THE QUESTION IS WILL THIS HAPPEN AND IT HAS TO AND IT HAS TO FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS AND WE HAVE A HISTORY OF THIS.

WHEN WE BROUGHT IN THE NEW OBSERVATION EVALUATION PLATFORM, THAT WAS SOMETHING WE SAID THAT THIS HAS TO BECOME PROFESSIONALLY DEVELOPED AND TEACHERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE EVALUATED BRAIDED THAT REQUIRES A REORGANIZATION OF HOW PRINCIPLES MIGHT USE THOSE DAYS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR? ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS A REQUIREMENT THAT TEACHERS NEED TO THOUGH.

AND WE WILL PRIORITIZE THAT TIME.

THERE WAS A MORE EXTENSIVE TRAINING DURING THAT TIME SO IT HAS TO BECAUSE THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

ALSO I SAY THAT THE OTHER REASON IT HAS TO IS BECAUSE WRITING IN THE PROCEDURES IS NOT A CHOICE. I KNOW THAT I WORKED AT A SCHOOL MOST RECENTLY, MY LAST POSTING AT A SCHOOL EVERY YEAR BEFORE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND OUR SERVICE, WE SPENT TIME ON THE GRADING PROCEDURES BECAUSE WE KNEW HOW IMPORTANT WAS TO HAVE EVERY TEACHER IN THE SCHOOL TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME THING AND THE SAME THING DOING IT RIGHT. THIS MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS AT EVERY ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS. THE ANSWER IS IS THERE AVAILABILITY OF TIMING TO BE MADE? THE ANSWER IS YES IS HOW YOUR PRAE

[01:15:06]

THIS WILL BE NO DIFFERENT. >> THIS REALISTIC INDICATION WITH FAMILIES ABOUT GRADES. ARE THERE FEATURES ON TEACHER ACCESS THAT CAN SUPPORT MEASURES FOR TEACHING COMMUNICATION?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

WITH TEACHER ACCESS WE ALSO HAVE HOME ACCESS CENTERS.

ALL HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR GRADES IN REAL TIME USING THE HOME ACCESS CENTER. HOME ACCESS CENTER ALSO HAS A MOBILE APP THAT THEY MAY ALSO USE WITHIN THE HOME ACCESS CENTER. THEY ALSO CAN SEE ATTENDANCE, THEY CAN SEE THE REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND THEY CAN SIGN UP FOR EMAIL ALERTS. THERE ARE TWO SETS OF EMAIL ALERTS. PEOPLE WANT ALL OF THEM.

SOME WANT ONLY ONE. SOME SETS WOULD GIVE YOU THE ASSIGNMENTS THAT THE STUDENT IS WORKING ON AND ONE WOULD BE GRADES. YOU COULD DECIDE JUST TO GET THE ALERT EVERY SINGLE DAY OR YOU COULD SAY I ONLY WANT AN ALERT IF MY GRADE IS UNDER 80%. SO THE ALERTS ARE PER USER.

EACH GUARDIAN COULD HAVE DIFFERENT ALERTS SET UP AND EVEN STUDENTS COULD HAVE THE ALERT SET UP.

WE ALSO HAVE THROUGH TEACHER ACCESS CENTER THE ABILITY FOR TEACHERS TO EMAIL CLASSES, STUDENTS, PARENTS.

THAT'S FREQUENTLY USED AS WELL. >> I'M WORRIED ABOUT, WE HAVE TEACHERS WITH 150-300 STUDENTS. THAT IS A LOT OF FAMILIES TO

COMMUNICATE. >> THEY CAN LITERALLY CHECK THE BOXES FOR ALL THOSE COURSES AND SEND OUT THE EMAIL TO THE PARENTS AND/OR STUDENTS AND GUARDIANS.

SPEAK OF THOSE ALERTS GIVE ME ANXIETY.

>> THE ALERTS WORK REALLY WELL. MY MIDDLE SCHOOL OR HATES THEM.

THEY WORK REALLY WELL. >> MY NEXT QUESTION IS WILL TEACHERS BE ABLE TO ADD A COMMENT TAXING THAT A GRADE WAS BOOSTED TO 50%? THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STUDENT EARNING 50% AND A TEACHER GIVING 50%.

>> I BELIEVE RIGHT NOW THERE IS THE COMMENT THAT ALREADY EXIST TO SHOW -- I BELIEVE THERE'S ALREADY AN L TO BE A COMMENT THAT SHOWS THE GRADE WAS RAISED THEY CAN ALSO HAVE A COMMENT IN THE ACTUAL ASSIGNMENT IN WHAT THE ORIGINAL GRADE WAS.

I THINK IT'S 50/50. >> I LIKE THE IDEA OF GOING THE STANDARDS-BASED GRADING AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL SPECIFICALLY AT A PRIMARY LEVEL. BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SYSTEM CLEARLY COMMUNICATES WITH FAMILIES.

SCOTT AND I HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS MANY YEARS AGO.

SAINT MARY'S DID STANDARD BASE AND I'M GOING BACK 30 YEARS AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A WONDERFUL SYSTEM, PARENTS RESISTED BECAUSE THEY STILL WANTED TO KNOW, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IS THAT AN, I A B. A DIFFERENT SYSTEM IN HIGH SCHOOL, HOW ARE WE GOING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS COMING NEXT YEAR -- NOT AT THE ELEMENTARY BUTTON MIDDLE SCHOOL, HOW ARE PARENTS GOING TO BE INFORMED ABOUT THESE CHANGES?

>> BUT I'LL SPEAK TO -- ACTUALLY I'LL SPEAK AT ALL THREE LEVELS BECAUSE THERE ARE RECOMMENDED CHANGES.

SO THE NEXT STEP FOR US NOW IS TO TAKE AND PUT ALL THESE REVISIONS IN OUR PROCEDURES. WE ARE THEN, PART OF THAT PLAN IS TO PUT TOGETHER OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND OUR COMMUNICATIONS PLAN AND OUR COMMUNICATIONS FAN DELTA CLAN IS UNFOLD IN ULTIMO MODES AND WILL USE CALVERT NET, CONNECTING TO FAMILIES ABOUT THESE CHANGES AND COMMUNICATE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR THROUGH THE INTRODUCTORY WORK WE DO. WE ARE GOING TO WORK REALLY HARD THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE OF THE CHANGES AND MOST PORTLY THE STUDENTS THING TO BE AWARE OF THE CHANGES AND NEED TO UNDERSTAND. AGAIN WE REALLY DID OUR HOMEWORK

[01:20:01]

WE WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THE STANDARDS HAVE RISEN MORE.

YOU AND I DID TALK ABOUT THIS AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD TRY TO DO IN ONE YEAR AND IT'S BECAUSE STANDARDS-BASED GRADING IS A DIFFERENT WAY OF ASSIGNING GRADES.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT IS THAT STUDENT PERFORMANCE ALIGNED TO A STANDARD AND IT COMMUNICATE SO WELL TO A PARENT THAT YOUR CHILD IS MEETING THE STANDARD, YOUR CHILD IS NOT YET MEETING THE STANDARD. IT'S SO MUCH MORE INFORMATION THAN A NUMERICAL SCORE OR EVEN A LETTER GRADE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD THING AND IF WE EXPLAIN IT TO FAMILIES THAT WAY AND WE WORK WITH TEACHERS TO UNDERSTAND IT THAT WAY IT'S GOING TO BE A NET VALUE THAT'S GOING TO BE EMBRACED.

IT'S WHY THE REPRESENTATION IS AND TO STUDY IT AND STUDY HOW TO DO IT RIGHT. IT IS NOT A ONE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION AND SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS OVER A COUPLE OF YEARS IT'S SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO EDUCATE ON AND IMPLEMENT AND I DID A LITTLE CHECKING FROM OUR CONVERSATION.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FIRST TIME IS THEY IMPLEMENTED IT AND THEN I WANT TO SAY THE PARENTS WERE CAUGHT OFF GUARD BECAUSE IT WAS FOREIGN TO ANYTHING THEY EXPERIENCED.

THEY LEARNED THEIR LESSON AND WAS USED IN A LOT OF MARYLAND SYSTEM SO WE HAVE A LOT TO LOOK AT.

WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SAINT MARY'S COUNTY AND SEE HOW THEY ROLLED IT OUT. ONE THING I'M CERTAIN OF TO MAKE SURE TEACHERS WERE PREPARED TO DO IT BEFORE THEY IMPLEMENTED.

WHETHER THAT BE A LE O O. >> STANDARDS ARE VERY DIFFICULT SO IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE VERY CLEAR TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS.

AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU. I DO BELIEVE THIS NEW POLICY INCREASES RIGOR AND FOR THAT I'M GRATEFUL.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. >> ARE WE GOING TO LEAVE THIS UP FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION? OKAY.

THAT'S MY RECOMMENDATION. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >YOU ARE SITTING HERE AND I WANT TO ENGAGE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE HERE AND WE WANT TO GET YOU SPEAKING.

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE SYSTEM. ANY CONCERNS WITH WHAT'S

RECOMMENDED? >> NOT AT ALL.

MS. BERGEN, MYSELF, MS. MULLINS AS WELL AND OUR I.T. DEPARTMENT WERE ALL ON THIS COMMITTEE AND WE BEEN ABLE TO WORK EVERY STEP OF THE WAY PROVIDING ANY DATA FIGURES AND REPORTS ANYBODY WANTED ALSO ENSURING THAT EACH SCHOOL WOULD BE ABLE TO

ACCOMMODATE ANY CHANGES. >> ARE THERE ANY OVERRIDE CAPABILITIES IN THE LAW THAT WOULD SAY ABOUT YOU KNOW, SOMEWHAT OVERRODE THE TEACHER? MAYBE A PARENT COMPLAINED AND THE PRINCIPAL CAME IN AND OVERRODE THE TEACHERS.

IS THAT PART OF THE PROCESS OR SOMETHING THAT CAN BE LOGGED IN THE SYSTEM? WHAT DO WE HAVE FOR THAT?

>> WE ACTUALLY HAVE A VERY PRESCRIBED PROCESS FOR GRADE CHANGES. AN ADMINISTRATOR CANNOT OVERRIDE A TEACHER. WE ARE AUDITED.

WE HAVE TO DO AN INTERNAL AUDIT EVERY YEAR WHERE WE PULL GRADE CHANGE FORMS AND EVERY CHANGE REQUIRES A FOREIGN.

WE HAVE A VERY HIGH RATE OF COMPLIANCE.

THE ERRORS THERE ARE TRULY CLERICAL ERRORS.

NO ERRORS WERE SOMEONE WAS COOKING THE BOOKS.

THERE ARE A SET OF REASONS WHY YOU CAN CHANGE GRADES.

IF YOU CANNOT HIT ONE OF THE MARKS YOU DO NOT CHANGE THE GRADE. THE ONLY TIME AN ADMINISTRATOR COULD CHANGE A GRADE OVER THE OBJECTION OF A TEACHER IS IF A TEACHER DID SOMETHING INCORRECT. IF A STUDENT EARNED A GRADE ON AN ASSESSMENT, THEY HAD THE IP AND WERE NOT GRANTED ACCOMMODATIONS THAT GRADE COULD BE CHANGED BECAUSE OF THAT FACTOR. SOMETHING LIKE THAT WOULD BE THE

[01:25:02]

>> EXACTLY. >> THANK YOU.

>> I'D ALSO LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT EVEN WITH THE EXAMPLE THAT YOU SET, THAT YOU GAVE SCOTT, THE COMMISSIONER CANNOT CHANGE THE GRADE. COMMISSIONERS DO NOT HAVE ACCESS

TO CHANGE THE GRADE. >> IF WE COULD GO -- WE DON'T HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE SIDE, BUT I'M LOOKING AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND SPECIFICALLY, AND I ALSO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR PUTTING IN THIS WORK BECAUSE I KNOW IT WAS A LOT. IT WAS VERY CHALLENGING.

ON THE PROCESS GRADE, THERE WILL BE NO FLOOR PROCESS FOR STUDENTS GIVEN THE GRADE THAT THEY EARN. WHAT IS THE GRADE THEY EARNED IS NOT A GOOD GRADE? DO THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESUBMIT OR REDO A PROCESS GRADE OR IS WHAT THEY GET WHAT THEY

GET? >> THEY ARE GOING TO BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE UP THAT WORK.

IF A STUDENT DID TURN IT IN AND THEY DIDN'T DO VERY WELL, THE FLOOR IS NO LONGER PRESENT TH THERE.

>> THIS IS PROCESS SPECIFICALLY? >> THE PROCESS HAS BEEN REMOVED SO IF THE STUDENT SCORED POORLY THE TEACHER CAN GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO REDO THAT WORK AT THEIR DISCRETION BUT THEY ARE NO LONGER COMPELLED TO AS THEY ARE UNDER CURRENT PROCEDURES.

>> RIGHT. THAT'S CONCERNING TO ME.

FOR TWO REASONS. AND I HAVE FIVE REASONS BECAUSE I HAVE CHILDREN WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS BECAUSE I HAVE THE SPECTRUM FROM THE APS TO THE NONAPS, THE 504.

THEY ARE GOOD KIDS BUT THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT AND THEY'VE LEARNED VERY DIFFERENTLY. THEY'VE ALL HAD HAD SOME CHALLENGES FOR STUDENTS WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING AND MAY HAVE A 504, WHICH IS VERY DIFFERENT THEN A STUDENT WHO HAS AN IEP.

THIS COULD POTENTIALLY SET A KID UP LIKE THAT FOR FAILURE.

SO I DO HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT AND I RECOGNIZE THE INTENT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CHILD IS DOING THE WORK.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT IF THERE IS...

IT CAN BE A TEACHER CAN DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THE CHILD CAN REDO AN ASSIGNMENT. IT MAKES IT REAL HARD IF YOU HAVE SIX DIFFERENT TEACHERS IN A DAY AND SOME DO AND SOME DO NOT.

SOME KIDS MIGHT BE LIKE, WELL, THAT'S IT.

AND IF IT'S ONLY THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF PROCESS GRADES AND YOU DO POORLY AND YOU HAVE VERY FEW, RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE IF THERE IS THAT MANY, WHAT IS THE POINT? I WOULD THROW IN THE TOWEL.

I WOULDN'T DO ANY MORE WORK. WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER.

I WOULDN'T WORK ANY HARDER. I WOULD JUST STOP.

I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL ANYMORE.

THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A CONCERN FOR ME.

THE WAY THAT IS WRITTEN RIGHT THERE.

IF THE ASSIGNMENT IS NOT COMPLETED.

AND I GET FOR THE KIDS THAT WHO MAY BE CAN AND AREN'T, BUT THE KIDS WHO CAN'T AND TRY, THIS DOESN'T...

IT DOESN'T REPRESENT ALL THE STUDENTS IN MY OPINION.

AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SECONDARY PROCEDURES, I'M INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING, MAYBE YOU CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT BRIEFLY ABOUT HOW YOU DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD BE A 50% GRADING FLOOR FOR THE FIRST HALF BUT NOT THE SECOND HALF.

>> WE ARE PRESERVING EARLY SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS.

BUT ENSURING FINAL GRADES REFLECT TRUE PERFORMANCE, BRINGING BALANCE, CONSISTENCY, AND GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY TO OUR GRADING SYSTEM. THE APPROACH BALANCE IS FOR STUDENT OPPORTUNITY WITH ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND YES, IN A NUMERIC GRADING SYSTEM, A ZERO CAM

[01:30:04]

MARKETING PERIOD. REMOVING IT FOR THE SECOND HALF ENSURES THE FINAL GRADE MORE ACCURATELY REFLECTS TRUE MASTERY AND SUSTAIN PERFORMANCE. THIS CREATES A MORE RIGOROUS AND EQUITABLE SYSTEM THAT RETAINS ACCESS THROUGHOUT THE COURSE TYPES MAINTAINING A CLEAR PATH FOR EARLY INTERVENTION AND LONG-TERM SUCCESS. THIS ALSO ALIGNS CURRENT PROCEDURES WITH THE SEMESTER WHICH IS WHERE THE FIRST MARKING

PERIOD HAS A FLOOR. >> I WOULD ADD AND YOU MAY REMEMBER THIS WHEN WE SPOKE AT THE ADVISORY COUNCIL THE ADVENT OF THE GRADING FLOORS BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN 2000, BUT THE IDEA OR ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO BEAR BY A SCHOOL COUNSELOR WHO AT THAT TIME WHEN WE HAD MOVED TO A NUMERICAL GRADING SYSTEM AND HAD NO FLOORS ANYWHERE AND HAD STUDENTS WHO HAD NO HOPE OF PASSING AND I THINK WE ALWAYS ASSUME THE WORST OF STUDENTS WHICH IS FALL OFF A CLIFF IN TERMS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.

AND THAT IS A LOT OF TIMES THERE IS LOTS OF REASONS, BUT HAVING STUDENTS WHO ARE HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR OF NO HOPE PASSING THE COURSE. THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS STUDY THIS NOW BUT IF YOU FEEL LIKE WE A LONG TIME TO DO THIS THAT WAS REQUESTED IN 2000. THAT SOMETHING CONSIDERED FOR A LONG TIME. THE GOAL OF THAT COMMITTEE, I'M GOING TO SAY SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS REFLECTIVE OF TWO THINGS THAT YOU SAID. THE GOAL OF THE COMMITTEE IS TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT DYNAMIC DIDN'T EXIST, THAT YOU COULD NOT FAIL BY THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR, AND YET OBVIOUSLY YOU REALLY DO HAVE TO BEGIN TO PICK UP THE PACE. I THINK IT ALSO ENCOURAGES HIGHER PERFORMANCE IN THAT FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR BECAUSE WHAT YOU HAVE TO EARN IN THE SECOND TWO MARKING PERIODS IF YOU HAD NOT DONE WELL, IT'S GOING TO HELP BALANCE IF YOU DON'T NEED TO USE THE FLOOR. ONE OF THE THINGS I TALKED ABOUT IN THE FIRST MEETING AND I REITERATED EVERY TIME WE RECONVENED WAS TENSION. I DO NOT MEAN THE TENSIONS BETWEEN DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. THERE'S TENSIONS BETWEEN THE PERSPECTIVES YOU ALL HAVE UP THERE RIGHT NOW WITH REGARDS TO THIS. AS YOU SAID THERE WERE TEACHERS WHO WERE LIKE, GET RID OF FLOORS ALTOGETHER.

THEY DIDN'T WANT FLOORS AT THE ASSIGNMENT LEVEL, THEY DIDN'T LIKE GRADING FLOORS. I KNOW, I TALKED TO FOLKS AND ACTUALLY USE THE EXAMPLE AND IT'S A REAL EXAMPLE AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL, COURSES THAT DO NOT MEET THEY ONLY HAVE TWO GRADES IN THEIR PRODUCT CATEGORY AND TWO IN THE PROCESS CATEGORY WHICH MEANS THIS MIGHT NOT BE SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME BUT THE STUDENT DIDN'T DO AN ASSIGNMENT, SOMEHOW THE TEACHER DIDN'T GET THEM TO MAKE IT UP SO THEY GOT A ZERO SO THEY COME BACK IN AND THEY CRUSH IT, NAIL IT, THEY GET A HUNDRED.

WE WOULD SAY THAT A STUDENT WHO HAS A ZERO AND A HUNDRED IS NOT A FAILING STUDENT. WE'D SAY THAT'S NOT WHAT THE MATH IS WHERE THE MATH IS THEY STILL FAIL.

THE MATH WEIGHS MORE THAN THEIR GOOD DAY.

THESE ARE THE TENSIONS WE HAVE SO THERE WERE SOME WHO IF WE HAD GOTTEN RID OF EVERY GRADING FLOOR AND EVERY SAFETY NET THEY WOULD'VE SAID FINALLY. BUT WHAT WE KNOW IS FIRST OF ALL THAT'S NOT, THAT DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR THE MATHEMATICS OF A HUNDRED POINT SCALE. EVEN WHERE YOU HAVE A LETTER GRADE SYSTEM, TEACHERS ARE STILL GRADING ON A T TEN-POINT SCALE R A 100-POINT SCALE SO WE TOOK A BIT OF A MIDDLE GROUND.

THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IN BOTH OF THE REGARDS IS IT ACTUALLY GIVES ME A CHANCE TO GO BACK TO WHAT MS. GRENIS SAID.

AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL, THERE WERE SOME WHO DID NOT WANT ANY GRADING FLOOR AT ALL IN ANYTHING AND WE SAID THAT IF WE TOOK THE SAFETY NET AWAY FOR STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLED IN THE PRODUCT CATEGORY THAT'S WORTH 70% OF A STUDENT'S GRADED, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF KIDS WHO STRUGGLE WHO ARE GOING TO FIND SUCH A COLLAPSE IN THEIR GRADE AND FIND SUCH LITTLE SUCCESS THAT THEY NO LONGER HAVE A REASON TO ENGAGE. THAT'S WHY WE CHECKED THE FLOOR AT THE PROCESS LEVEL. THAT'S WHY WE EMPHASIZE THAT

[01:35:02]

>> I FULLY RECOGNIZE AND DO WANT THERE TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY AND I DO WANT THERE TO BE GREATER RIGOR.

I AM SAYING ALL THESE THINGS IN A UTOPIA BECAUSE IN A WORLD ALL OF US WOULD TEACH THE SAME EVERYTHING WOULD BE THE SAME AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE. SO THE CONCEPT I UNDERSTAND, THE PART THAT COMPLICATIONS THE CONCEPT IS WHEN YOU ADD THE KIDS AND THE TEACHERS. AND YOU HAVE ALL THE PEOPLE IN ALL THE DIFFERENT SKILL SETS AND ALL PERSONALITIES AND THAT'S JUST NOT WITH THE KIDS, THAT'S WITH THE TEACHERS TOO.

SOME TEACHERS COULD BE BRAND-NEW.

THAT COULD BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT FOR SOME BRAND-NEW TEACHERS THAT ARE LEARNING. SOME MIGHT -- WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DO NOT HAVE A TEACHER IN A CLASSROOM AND WE HAVE A LONG-TERM SUB. DOES THE DYNAMIC OF THAT CHANGE? IS THAT STUDENT GETTING THE SAME KIND OF EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE THAT THEY WOULD GET IF THE TEACHER WAS IN OUR CLASSROOM? WHAT IF THERE IS TRAUMA THAT OCCURS TO A STUDENT? ALL OF THOSE THINGS. I'M NOT PICKING SIDES.

IT'S JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOME FRUITFUL CONVERSATION BECAUSE THESE ARE ALL THINGS ARE REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT AND I JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF HAVING A KID WHO HAD TRAUMA AND A KID WHO HAD ADHD AND A KID WHO DID NOT HAVE ANY OF THOSE THINGS AND I KNOW WHICH ONE OF THOSE ALERTS HAVE AN MINOR IN A HOUSE THAT ARE ADVOCATING FOR THEM SO THINK ABOUT KIDS WHO DON'T EVEN HAVE THAT AND IT CAN COMPLICATE THINGS AND MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT NOT JUST FOR THE STUDENT BUT ALSO FOR THE STAFF. AND SO, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE OPINIONS OR THE SUGGESTIONS THAT WERE MADE MIGHT BE MADE BY TEACHERS THAT MAY HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT METHOD OF TEACHING.

AND MAYBE THEIR STYLE IS FAR MORE POLISHED VERSION OF SOMEBODY THAT MIGHT BE BRAND-NEW THAT IS LEARNING.

ALL OF THESE THINGS TO SAY WHEN IT COMES TO THE FINAL RESTING PLACE HERE. IT'S GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT EVERYONE IS IN LOCKSTEP AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE. THE ULTIMATE COLLATERAL DAMAGE HERE IS THE CHILDREN. I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BEING MINDFUL AND THERE AREN'T ANY KIDS THAT'LL SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS. THERE MIGHT BE SOME KIDS WHO SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS AND I WOULD HATE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR DOING THIS.

>> I JUST WANT TO ADD, YOU KNOW, WHEN I WENT TO THE POLICY, I SAW IT AS A REASONABLE COMPROMISE. I DON'T THINK WHAT WE HAD WAS ENOUGH. SO WE STRENGTHENED IT.

I DO NOT FEEL WE ARE SETTING UP THE CHILDREN FOR DEVELOPMENT.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD GO TO SCHOOL WITH TWO OF MY KIDS AND WE MIGHT BE HAVING A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MY OLDEST SON ONLY MADE IT THROUGH BECAUSE OF THE 50% FLOOR.

MY MIDDLE SON WENT TO COLLEGE AND IT TOOK HIM A YEAR TO FIGURE OUT THAT THERE IS NO DO OVERS. SO THAT WAS A PRETTY BIG WAKE-UP CALL FOR HIM. I THINK A LOT OF US ALL WENT TO SCHOOL WHEN THERE WERE ZEROS. SO I THINK OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT KIDS ARE PREPARED, LIKE OUR MISSION STATEMENT SAYS, THEY ARE PREPARED FOR EITHER THE NEXT STEP OF ACADEMIA OR THEY ARE PREPARED FOR LIFE AND I KNOW IF I GO TO WORK AND I DON'T TURN IN SOMETHNG THAT MY BOSS ASKS FOR, I DO NOT GET A DO-OVER.

I MEAN, MAYBE IF -- >> THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THING. YOU ARE 100% RIGHT.

>> I SEE IT FROM ALL THE SIDES. MY DAUGHTER, SHE'S GOT HER -- SHE DOESN'T NEED MY HELP. THAT'S AWESOME.

SHE DOESN'T NEED THE FLOOR. I'VE SEEN ALL THE SIDES.

AND I DO THINK THIS IS SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN.

BETWEEN YOU ARE GOING TO LEARN OR YOU ARE GOING TO LEARN AND

[01:40:02]

>> WE HAVE TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE REAL WORLD AND I THINK THIS

IS A GOOD COMPROMISE. >> THANK YOU.

[Setting Executive Salaries]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

SPEAK UP NEXT WE HAVE DR.

>> UP NEXT WE HAVE DR. NEWSOME. SETTING UP EXECUTIVE SALARIES.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. IN RESPONSE TO THE OPERATIONS AND EFFICIENCY REPORT, I REQUEST APPROVAL FOR A SALARY STRUCTURE FOR THE NEW EXECUTIVE POSITION IN THE CURRENT CHIEF POSITIONS.

ALSO FOR ANY CHANGES TO THE CHIEF POSITIONS SUCH AS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, THESE CHANGES WOULD APPLY.

THE STRUCTURE WOULD APPLY AND MEET AND CONFER SALARY SCHEDULES AND ESTABLISH ON THE ONGOING STRUCTURE WHERE IT INCREASES TO FY '29. THE CFO SALARY LANE IS SET AT 10% ABOVE THE DIRECTOR AND HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SALARY STRUCTURES. UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SALARY LANE IS POSITIONED FOR .5% ABOVE THE DIRECTOR AND THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SALARY LANE.

THE SALARY LANE SERVED AS THE ESTABLISHMENT FOR THE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR ALL CHIEF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT AND DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT POSITIONS PAY THE SALARY SCHEDULES REFLECTING THE STRUCTURE FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS ARE PROVIDED IN THE CHARTS THAT ARE ATTACHED. PLACEMENT ON THE SALARY SCHEDULE WILL ALLIED WITH THE CURRENT NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT AND THE MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENT. SALARY PLACEMENT FOR THE CEO AND COO WILL BE APPLIED RETROACTIVELY FOR CORRESPONDING COMPENSATION EFFECTIVE TO THE START OF THE '25-'26 SCHOOL YEAR. IT'S THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE ALL SE EXECUTE

SALARY AS RECOMMENDED. >> MOTION TO APPROVE?

SPEAK A SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION TO THE

SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION QUESTION MIKE >> WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT PUTTING FORTH ANY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITIONS AT THIS POINT FOR THIS IS JUST WITHIN A A

SCALE. >> ON THE BOARD'S APPROVED BUDGET, THERE WERE TWO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITIONS.

ONE FOR ELEMENTARY AND ONE FOR HIGH SCHOOL THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET AND THIS APPLIES TO THESE TWO.

>> OF THE BUDGET SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSIONERS?

>> YES. >> THE OTHER RECOMMENDATION IS TO COMPENSATE THE CAO AND COO? SPEAK UP TO MOVE THEM ON THE SAME SALARY STRUCTURE AS ALL MEMBERS.

>> AND THAT WASN'T BEFORE THAT PROCESS?

>> IT WAS NOT DONE. >> THERE IS A MOTION TO SECOND

[Intra Category Budget Transfer]

PAIR AT ALL THOSE IN FAVOR >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIED 4-0. >> WE HAVE ENTRY CATEGORY BUDGET TRANSFERS. MRS. JEWETT?

>> GOOD EVENING, AGAIN. CHRISTINE JEWETT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. I'M HERE TO DISCUSS AN ENTRY CATEGORY BUDGET TRANSFER. IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY NUMBER 5515, APPROVAL IS REQUESTED FOR THE FOLLOWING BUDGET TRANSFER IN THE AMOUNT OF $251,713 WITHIN OUR CAPITAL OUTLAY CATEGORY.

IN THIS BUDGET TRANSFERRED BUDGET TRANSFER,I WANT TO REMOVR ALTERATIONS ACCOUNT INTO THE CONTRACT SERVICE ACCOUNT IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE COMMENCEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATION PREDESIGNED WORK.

THIS FISCAL YEAR BY AGREEMENT PARKER ARCHITECTS FOR THE NEW CALVERT COUNTY ELEMENTARY COLOCATED FACILITY ACROSS THE STREET. ALLOCATIONS TO SUPPORT THIS BUDGET REQUEST BRITT I AM RECOMMENDING THE BOARD OF ED

[01:45:01]

CATEGORY. >> SOMEBODY MAKE A MOTION?

>> MOTION TO SECOND. >> THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION.

>> OPERATING MONEY OR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT MONEY?

>> NO. THIS IS THE OUTLET CAPITAL IN OUR BUDGET FOR FY '26. AND DO WE

HAVE DO >> DO WE HAVE AN ESTIMAE FOR FY '26 YET FOR HOW WE CLOSE?

>> WE DO NOT HAVE THAT AT THIS TIME.

>> A LITTLE MORE TIME. THANK YOU.

>> OKAY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

THANK YOU. UP NEXT, WE HAVE FUTURE BUS BUSINESS. ANY FUTURE BUSINESS?

[BOARD COMMENTS]

WE WILL MOVE INTO BOARD COM COMMENTS.

MISS JONES, ANY COMMENTS? MR. MARCHIO?

>> THANK YOU. THANKS TO SCOTT MCCOMB AND HIS GREAT ADMINISTRATION AND ADJUSTING THE GRADING POLICIES AS WE SUGGESTED BEFORE. IT'S A PRETTY GOOD COMPROMISE.

GOING BACK TO THE PREVIOUS MEETING, I KNOW QUITE A BIT OF HOT TOPIC, I'M 100% BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT CLOSELY.

CURRENTLY WITHIN OUR SYSTEM WE'VE GOT A BACKLOG OF MAINTENANCE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ON OUR SYSTEMS AND THAT'S ABOUT $75 MILLION. THE CURRENT SPENDING WE DO YEAR-BY-YEAR TO GET THROUGH THAT AND GET EVERYTHING UP WOULD TAKE ABOUT 15 YEARS AT THE CURRENT SPENDING OF THE LAST SEVEN.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PRICE THAT WAS GIVEN, IT'S A GOOD-LOOKING PRICE. HOWEVER I DO NOT THINK IT'S EFFICIENT. AS THOSE ARE DONE, WE'D ALSO HAVE TO REDO THE TRACKS. WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT FROM PERMITTING. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT WHICH WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH UNDER AND THAT TRACK, THAT WOULD BE PRICED QUITE A BIT HIGHER. TAKING THAT OUT FROM OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT. INPUTTING THAT CAN GREATLY AFFECT OUR MAINTENANCE AND HCV SYSTEMS. IT COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT ALL OF THAT SO WE NEED TO DO THAT VERY CAREFULLY OR POTENTIALLY GET THAT MONEY DIRECT FROM THE COMMISSIONERS OUTSIDE OF OUR REGULAR SCHOOL BUDGET ASK BECAUSE I DO NOT THINK IT SOMETHING WE CAN RESPONSIBLY TAKE ON COMPLETELY AS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WHETHER IT COMES FROM THEM OR FROM NEW DEVELOPMENT POTENTIALLY GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE COUNTY. MAYBE SOMEBODY THROWS UP MONEY FROM THAT BUT WE'VE GOT A LOOK AT THAT A LOT HARDER.

>> MR. HARRISON? >> I DON'T KNOW IF I COUNT ON THAT MONEY. I WANTED TO JUST TALK ABOUT THE FAITH LEADERS' CONFERENCE AND WHEN I WAS SURPRISED THAT THERE WERE 200 -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, DR. NEWSOME, THERE WERE 218 STUDENTS THAT ARE HOMELESS OR HOUSING CHALLENGED CALVERT COUNTY. IS THAT ABOUT THE RIGHT NUMBER?

>> YES. >> SO THIS IS WHERE IT COMES BACK FOR ME FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE GRADING POLICY.

SOME KIDS IF YOU ARE HUNGRY IT'S HARD TO LEARN.

IF YOU HAVE VIOLENCE OR NO SECURITY AT HOME IT'S HARD TO LEARN. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF COMPASSION IN OUR GRADING POLICY AND WE PROBABLY STRUCK A BALANCE IN THE CASE THAT WAS PRESENTED.

BUT I WAS ALSO STRUCK AT THE DESIRE OF THE FAITH COMMUNITY IN CALVERT COUNTY TO HELP THESE STUDENTS AND THE PAST HELP THAT THEY'VE ALREADY PROVIDED. IT WAS VERY MOTIVATING.

I WANT TO THANK THE PASTORS AND THE PARISH REPRESENTATIVES THAT HAD THAT MEETING. IT WAS AN AWESOME MEETING.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THAT WAS A WONDERFUL EVENT. IT FOCUSED ON HOW DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS CAN HELP OUR STUDENTS.

I REALLY ENJOYED THAT. YESTERDAY I ATTENDED THE MARYLAND PERSONNEL ASSOCIATION MEETING.

I WANT TO THANK DR. JOHNSON AND ZACHARY SOLD FOR PUTTING OUT A

[01:50:07]

IT'S EXCITING TO SEE SUCH BRIGHT MINDS AT WORK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> THANK YOU. I HOPE...

WELL, WE WON'T MIND ENJOYING A BREAK AND WE HOPE ALL STUDENTS HAVE EATEN THEIR EASTER CANDY. I KNOW MY KIDS, I THINK THEY ATE IT IN 24 HOURS SO THEY PROBABLY HAVE CAVITIES BUT IT'S FINE.

NO. I JOKE.

I DO HOPE EVERYONE HAD A NICE TIME OFF AND I WELCOME THE STUDENTS BACK AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE STAFF AND TO THE STUDENTS WHO ARE GOING TO EMBARK ON M MCAP ESPECIALLY WE ARE NEARING THE END AND THIS'LL BE A CHALLENGING TIME OF YEAR FOR EVERYONE. I ALSO WANT TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO AGAIN THE STAFF THAT CAME HERE FOR THE PRESENTATIONS AND THE ACCREDITATION.

I WANT TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO MY COLLEAGUES.

IT IS IMPORTANT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION, MEANINGFUL RESPECTFUL DISCUSSION AND I WOULD APPRECIATE CONTINUALLY HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT AND TO ENGAGE. I THINK IT MAKES IT FAR MORE MEANINGFUL AND HELPFUL. SO

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.