[00:00:13]
>>> GOOD EVENING, I NOW CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER AND WE WILL RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
[CTA Recognition]
NEXT WE HAVE OUR CTA RECOGNITION AND MR. ALLISON JOAN S IS GOING TO READ IT. THANK YOU.>> I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION. WHEREAS SKILLS USA IS A COCURRICULAR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION STUDENT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO EMPOWER MEMBERS TO BECOME WORLDER CLASS WORKERS, LEADERS AND RESPONSIBLE AMERICAN CITIZENS. AND WHEREAS SKILLS USA REPRESENTS A PARTNERSHIP OF STUDENT, TEACHERS WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE AMERICA HAS A SKILLED WORK FORCE BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, EVENT, LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS. THAT SUPPORT EDUCATION IN CLASSROOMS. SCHOOLS IN THE CAREER ACADEMY HELD IN APRIL. AND WHEREAS 12 FIRST PLACE STATE CHAMPION SHES QUALIFIED TO REPRESENT THE STATE OF MARYLAND AT THE 2026 SKILLS USA NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND SKILLS CONFERENCE. TO BE HELD IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA IN JUNE 2026. AND TWRAZ LEAD ADVISERS ALONG WITH THE FACULTY AND STAFF AND NUMEROUS INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS PARTNERS, MENTORS AND SPONSORS HAD SUPPORTED THE STUDENTS NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EDUCATION OF CALVERT COUNTY COMMEND THE MEMBERS, ADVISERS AND SUPPORTS OF SKILLS USA FOR THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE SUPER INTENDANT AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION EXTEND THEIR BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS AND IN COMING COMPETITIONS AS WELL AS IN THE FUTURE STUDIES AND CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVOURS WITHIN
THEIR CHOSEN CAREER FIELDS. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
YOU GUYS ARE JUST GETTING WARM PUPD SORRY JUST GETTING WARMED UP. TRY AGAIN.
DR. NEWSOME, BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF AND GUESTS. I AM ROBIN BURNS ONE OF THE LEAD ADVISERS FOR THE CTA SKILLS USA CHAPTER.
AND I HAVE THE GREAT PLEASURE TODAY OF BRINGING YOU AN OUTSTANDING GROUP OF YOUNG EXCELLENT FUTURE CAREER-F DRIVEN PROFESSIONALS. AND THIS-- THESE STUDENTS ARE MEMBERS OF THE SKILLS USA CHAPTER AND PLACED FIRST PLACE IN THE QUIZ BOWL COMPETITION. SO WITH US TONIGHT WE HAVE TY CHERRY, KAHLA JOAN , CHLOE SPENCER, NICOLE MORGAN, AND LIAM GUTIERREZ. AS MENTIONED IN THE PROCLAMATION, SKILLS USA IS A CTSO AND IN TRUE CTSO FASHION, FUNCTION, IT IS STUDENT DRIVEN. SO I WILL TURN IT OVER TO OUR
CHAPTER PRESIDENT KAHLA JONES. >> GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS KAHLA JONES AND I AM PROUD TO BE THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF CTA SKILLS CHAPTER.
SKILLS USA IS ABOUT GROWTH BOTH AS A PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY MEMBER. THE STUDENTS STANDING HERE
[00:05:01]
TODAY NOT ONLY EXEMPLIFY KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR TRADE BUT THE ABILITY TO PRESENT UNDER PRESSURE TO BUILD OFF OTHER SUCCESSES. TO TAKE ADVICE AND TO STRIVE TO CONSISTENTLY BETTER THEMSELVES. EACH STUDENT STANDING HERE TODAY IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT SKILLS USA SEEKS TO INSTILL IN YOUNG ADULTS. ADEPTNESS AND TEAM WORK.THEY ARE ALL LEADERS IN THE CLASS ROOM AND THE COMMUNITY.
THESE STUDENTS WILL GO ON USING THE SKILLS TAUGHT COCURRICULAR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SKILLS USA REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY CHOOSE TO PURSUE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BETTER THEMSELVES. BE BETTER SPEAKERSER.
BETTER UNDER PRESSURE AND MORE COMMUNITY BASED.
THESE SKILLS ARE UNIVERSAL. AND I LOOK FORWARDER TO SEEING HOW SOME OF OUR BEST USE THEM LATER IN LIFE.
LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THESE STUDENTS. THANK YOU.
[Recognition for Outgoing SMOB]
UP NEXT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR RESOLUTION FOR OUTGOING MEMBER OF THE BOARD FOR ALLISON JONES.WHEREAS ALLISON JONES SERVED AS THE STUDENT MEMBER FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR 2025 AND 2026. AND WHEREAS DURING ALLISON'S TENURE SHE REPRESENTED OVER 15,000 STUDENTS AND PROVIDED REALTIME INPUT ON ISSUES RANGING FROM BUDGET CONCERNS TO STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH. AND WHEREAS ALLISON EXHIBITED LEADERSHIP ANDED A VO KASY SKILLS THROUGH HER PARTICIPATION AND THE CALVERT ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCILS. AND WHEREAS ALLISON WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE MARILYN STATE STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD TO ORGANIZE A STUDENT-FOCUS SCHOOL VISIT WITHIN CALVERT COUNTY. AND WHEREAS SHE CONDUCTED SCHOOL VISITS AT ALL FOUR HIGH SCHOOLS AND SEVERAL MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH STUDENTS AND BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR PERSPECTIVES AND EXPERIENCE.
EXCUSE ME, EXPERIENCES. AND WHEREAS ALLISON INCREASED ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION OF STUDENT MEMBERS WITHIN THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. STRENGTHENING THE STUDENT VOICE AND INVOLVEMENT IN COUNTY DISCUSSIONS.
AND WHEREAS SHE COLLABORATED WITH THE NATIONAL STUDENT BOARD MEMBER ASSOCIATION TO FURTHER STUDENT LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS. AND WHEREAS ALLISON WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE INCOMING STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD TO SUPPORT A SMOOTH AND SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION INTO THE ROLE.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CALVERT COUNTY COMMEND ALLISON JONES FOR CARRYING OUT HER RESPONSIBILITIES AS STUDENT MEMBER IN AN OUTSTANDING MANNER.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE SCHOOLBOARD MEMBERS WISH HER EVERY SUCCESS IN ACHIEVING HER PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS. CAN I GET A MOTION?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR. >> AYE.
>> MOTION CARRYS. THANK YOU ALLISON.
DO YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS? OKAY, GOOD.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. FIRST I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT I'VE WORKED WITH THIS YEAR.
ESPECIALLY THE BOARD MEMBERS. DR. NEWSOME AND MS. MAXLEY.
YOU HAVE ALL MEMBER MED SO MUCH THROUGH THIS POSITION THIS YEAR AND HAVE SUPPORTED ME AND TAUGHT ME SO MANY THINGS.
I HAVE TO SAY THAT ME BEING IN THIS POSITION IS REALLY A TRUE REFLECTION OF WHAT OUR COUNTY DOES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
[00:10:03]
SEVEN YEARS AGO I WAS A VERY TIMID VERY SHY SIXTH GRADER WHO RAN FOR HER VERY FIRST STUDENT GOVERNMENT ELECTION.I WAS SHAKING, VOICE CRACKS THE WHOLE THING.
VERY NERVOUS. BUT THROUGH THE PAST SEVEN YEARS I'VE BEEN AN ROTC, SGA. I'VE PARTICIPATED IN OUR COMMUNITY AND GOTTEN INVOLVED. AND OUR SCHOOLS HAVE REALLY DONE SO MUCH FOR ME IN TEACHING ME WHAT I'VE LEARNED.
I WAS ABLE TO UNDERSTAND OUR-- ALL THE BUDGET PRESENTATIONS.
THANK YOU TO MY STATISTICS TEACHERS.
AND I'VE REALLY LEARNED SO MUCH.
IT'S A TEST TOMENT HOW WELL OUR STUDENTS ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND IT'S ONLY GETTING BETTER. I'M VERY PROUD TO HAVE BEEN IN THIS POSITION. IT HAS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH AND IT HAS BEEN SUCH A VALUABLE TIME IN MY LIFE.
AND I WILL TAKE THE LESSONS I'VE LEARNED FOR MANY YEARS TO COME AND AL OLY I'M VERY EXCITED TO AND THIS ROLE OVER TO YOU. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT I AM LEAVING THIS POSITION IN AMAZING HANDS.
SHE'S GOING TO TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE OF OUR STUDENTS.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE. WHO HAS BEEN WITH ME THROUGH THIS JOURNEY. IT'S BEEN A REALLY AMAZING TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[Appointment]
>> UP NEXT WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT.
DR. NEWSOME? >> YES, WE HAVE TWO OF THEM.
THANK YOU ALLISON FOR SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SPEECH AND FOR YOUR WONDERFUL SERVICE. AND I'D LIKE TO RECOMMEND KATIE DEAN AS THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT SUNDERLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SHE CURRENTLY SERVES AS DEAN AT BARSTOW ELEMENTARY AS SHE IS SEATED NOEX HER CURRENT PRINCIPAL. PREVIOUSLY SHE SERVED AS A LIBRARIAN. MEDIA SPECIALIST AT CHESTER PEEK PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL IN ST. MARY'S COUNTY AND ALSO AS A MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE AND STEM TEACHER.
SHE HAS AN EARNED BACHELOR'S DEGREE TEACHING AT NOTRE DAME MARYLAND UNIVERSITY. AND THAT'S MY RECOMMENDATION.
>> CAN I GET A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR.
MOTION CARRIES 4-0. >> DR. NEWSOME, PRESIDENT POST AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRUST AND SUPPORT. I AM SINCERELY GRATEFUL FOR THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY. AND THE CONFIDENCE YOU HAVE PLACED IN ME. I AM BOTH HUMBLED AND DEEPLY GRATEFUL. TO THE STUDENTS STAFF AND FAMILIES, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH YOU TO CONTINUE FOSTERING A POSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE AND THRIVING SCHOOL COMMUNITY. I AM EAGER TO EXPAND MY IMPACT AND HONOURED TO SERVE PUBLIC COUNTY SCHOOLS IN THIS ROLE AND CONTRIBUTING TO CONTINUED SUCCESS OF OUR SCHOOLS AND THE
ACHIEVEMENT OF EVERY STUDENT. >> BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN, I SEE YOU HAVE SOME CHEERLEADERS IN THE OFFICE-- AUDIENCE.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEM? ALL RIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY. NEXT I RECOMMEND SABRINA BERGEN AS THE DIRECTOR FOR STUDENT SERVICES.
CURRENTLY SHE SERVES AS SUPERVISOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. SHE IS ALSO SERVED AS A PRINCIPAL HAD PRINCIPAL IN TWO SCHOOLS.
AT PLUM POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND PRINCIPAL OF PETUXIN HIGH SCHOOL. VICE PRINCIPAL AT HONEYTOWN HIGH SCHOOL AND COORDINATOR OF MATHEMATICS WITH CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AS WELL AS MATH MATT ICKS QUARTERLY TEACHER AT NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL.
SHE HAS AN EARNED BACHELOR'S OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN SECONDARY MATHEMATICS. MASTERS IN LEADERSHIP.
AND TEACHING AND CURRENTLY IS WORKING ON A DOCTOR'S DEGREE AND EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY.
THAT IS MY RECOMMENDATION. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
[00:15:05]
>> SECOND. >> MOTION TO SECOND.
ALL IN FAVER? MOTION CARRIES 4-0.
PRESIDENT POST DR. NEWSOME AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. I AM HONORED AND GRATEFUL TO CERVICAL VERT COUNTY SCHOOLS AS DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES.
AS BOTH AN EDUCATOR AND A PARENT.
OF FOUR CHILDREN ACROSS ALL THREE GRADE LEVELS.
THIS ROLE IS DEEPLY PERSONAL TO ME AND I'M FULLY INVESTED IN THE SUCCESS AND WELL BEING OF EVERY STUDENT WE SERVE.
THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO LEARN FROM SOME OUTSTANDING LEADERS AND MENTORS.
TO COLLABORATE WITH DEDICATED EDUCATORS AND STAFF ACROSS THE SCHOOLS I WORKED IN. AND APARTMENTS.
AND TO WORK ALONGSIDE INDIVIDUALS WHO TIRELESSLY SUPPORT STUDENTS EACH AND EVERY DAY.
THESE EXPERIENCES HAVE SHAPED MY LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY AND STRENGTHENED MY COMMITMENT TO SERVICE.
COLLABORATION, AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.
I'M COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF STUDENT SERVICES. THAT FOSTERS POSITIVE, EQUITABLE, INCLUSIVE, SAFE AND SECURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.
AND ALL SCHOOLS EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH OUR STUDENTS. FAMILIES, STAFF, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN THE SUPPORTS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO ALL OUR STUDENTS. THANK YOU F YOUR TRUST OF CONFIDENCE IN ME. I'M EXCITED TO BEGIN THIS WORK AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF CALVERT COUNTY
PUBLIC SCHOOL PS. >> IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE FAMILY AS WELL. WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE
YOUR FAMILY? >> I HAVE MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND
AND MY OLDEST OF FOUR HERE. >> WELL NOW THAT EVERYBODY'S
[Prolonged State of Emergency Virtual Education Plan]
GONE. IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE AS FUN. UP NEXT WE HAVE THE PROLONGED STATE OF EMERGENCY. VIRTUAL EDUCATION PLAN.AND I INVITE MR. TJ HILL TO COME FORWARD.
AND SHARE WITH US. >> CHECK? ALL RIGHT. HERE WE GO.
GOOD EVENING PRESIDENT POST. DR. NEWSOME AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I AM TJ HILL SUPER VISOR OF INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND TEACHER INDUCTION.
I AM HERE THIS EVENING TO PROVIDE AN UPDATED OVERVIEW OF THE PROLONGED STATE OF EMERGENCY VIRTUAL EDUCATION PLAN. AS REQUIRED BY MARYLAND STATUTE 7-14A-02 APPROVED DURING THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND REQUEST YOUR APPROVAL OF THE REVISED PLAN.
TO BEGIN, I'LL BRIEFLY REVIEW KEY COMPONENTS OF THE STATUTE.
FIRST, THE STATUTE REMOVES THE VIRTUAL DAY INSTRUCTION PLAN APPLICATION PROCESS. LIMITING VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION DAYS TO INCLEMENT WEATHER OR PROLONGED EMERGENCIES.
SECOND, IT ESTABLISHES AN INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY THAT ALLOWS SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO USE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION.
WHEN POSSIBLE. TO MAINTAIN CONTINUITY OF LEARNING WHILE PRIORITIZING SAFETY.
AND THIRD IT REQUIRES DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION WHEN IN PERSON LEARNING IS NOT POSSIBLE.
THIS EVENING I WILL FOCUS SPECIFICALLY ON THE PROLONGED STATE OAF EMERGENCY VIRTUAL EDUCATION PLAN AND THE STEP CCPS WILL TAKE TO IMPLEMENT IF TRANSITION TO VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION BECOMES NECESSARY. MARYLAND LAW DEFINES PROLONGED STATE OF E EMERGENCY AS DECLARED EMERGENCY BY THE GOVERNOR THAT PREVENTS IN PERSON ATTENDANCE FOR AT LEAST 14 CONSECUTIVE SCHOOL DAYS. IN MAY OF 2024 THE BOARD APPROVED CCPS'S CURRENT PLAN WHICH IS POSTED ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE. STATE LAW REQUIRES THE BOARD TO APPROVE THIS PLAN EVERY TWO YEARS.
THIS PLAN SERVES AS A PUBLIC FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE THE DISTRICT'S INITIAL RESPONSE WHILE ALLOWING FOR ADJUSTMENTS AS NEEDED. BASED ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE PLAN APPROVED IN 2024 WAS REVIEWED COLLABORATIVELY ACROSS
[00:20:02]
MADE TO ENSURE IT REMAINS WERE- ACCURATE, CLEAR, AND ALIGNED WITH CURRENT PRACTICES. SEXZ WERE REORGANIZED TO BET AIRLINE CONTENT WITH PURPOSE. IN ADDITION, THE UPDATED PLAN WAS SHARED WITH COUNTY GOVERNMENT WHO PROVIDED THEIR FEEDBACK. THE SUGGESTIONS PROVIDED THAT STRENGTHEN THE PLAN WERE INCORPORATED IN OUR REFLECTED IN THE HIGHLIGHTED SECTIONS OF THE DOCUMENT YOU RECEIVED THIS EVENING. AT THIS TIME, OUR REVIEW THOSE SPECIFIC UPDATES. ON PAGE FOUR AN UPDATE WAS ADDED TO THE SECOND PARAGRAPH TO CLARIFY CCPS AS AN ABILITY TO COORDINATE WITH OUR PARTNERS FROM CALVERT COUNTY GOVERNMENT.WHEN ADDITIONAL SUPPORT MAY BE NEEDED BEYOND VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION. IT READS, UPON ACTIVATION OR ANTICIPATED ACTIVATION OF THIS PLAN, CCPS WILL NOTIFY AND COORDINATE WITH APPROPRIATE COUNTY GOVERNMENT PARTNERS WHEN THE EMERGENCY CREATES IMPACTS TO VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION BEYOND CCPS OPERATIONS OR REQUIRES INTER-AGENCY SUPPORT.
ON PAGE SEVEN, AN UPDATE WUTZ ADDED TO THE INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN SECTION FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS. IT READS-- FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN BIRTH TO AGE 5 PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING EARLY HOME VISITING SERVICES, SUPPORTS WILL CONTINUE WITH MODIFICATIONS. THESE MAY INCLUDE REGULAR CHECK-INS AND PROVISION OF RESOURCE KITS FOR AT HOME ACTIVITIES. ON PAGE 20, AN UPDATE WAS ADDED TO THE ACCESS TO BROADBAND AND INTERNET SERVICES SECTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY OF THE TECHNOLOGY GROUP TO EXPAND ACCESS TO CONNECTIVITY AND COMMUNITY-BASED RESOURCES.
FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. IN IT READS, IN ADDITION TO CCPS PROVIDED DEVICES, LIMITED HOTSPOT SUPPORT, AND AVAILABLE RESIDENTIAL INTERNET ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. CCPS MAY COORDINATE WITH CALVERT COUNTY GOVERNMENT REGARDING THE POTENTIAL USE OF COUNTY, COMMUNITY CENTRES OR OTHER COMMUNITY ANCHOR LOCATIONS WHERE PUBLIC WIFI IS AVAILABLE. AND FINALLY, ALSO ON PAGE 20, AN UPDATE WAS ADDED TO THE NUTRITIONAL PLAN SECTION TO EXPAND COORDINATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SUPPORTING STUDENT ACCESS TO MEALS DURING PROLONGED CLOSURES. CCPS WILL COORDINATE WITH COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCIES AS NEEDED TO EXPAND THE SCOPE AND REACH OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES DURING PROLONGED CLOSURES. AT THIS TIME, WE ARE SEEKING THE BOARD'S APPROVAL OF THE REVISED PROLONGED STATE OF EMERGENCY VIRTUAL EDUCATION PLAN AS SHARED TONIGHT.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE BOARD RETAINS THE AUTHORITY TO UPDATE THIS PLAN AS NEEDED BASED ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF AN EMERGENCY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> MOTION TO SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT QUESTION?
>> SO I SAW THIS MOVIE. BACK IN MARCH OF 2020.
IT WAS NOT A GOOD MOVIE. IT WAS THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED BEFORE. RIGHT? SAME THING THAT HAPPENED BEFORE.
SO I'M VERY RETICENT ABOUT THIS PLAN.
BECAUSE NOWHERE IN IT DOES IT SAY THAT WE WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO CONTINUE NORMAL OPERATIONS.
IT'S ALL TRIGGERED BY THE STATE OF EMERGENCY.
NO DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN CITIES OR COUNTRY OR WATERFRONT OR ANYTHING. JUST THE GOVERNOR AND HIS DIVINE WISDOM SAYS THERE'S AN E EMERGENCY, WE ALL HAVE TO DROP EVERYTHING AND FOLLOW THIS PLAN.
OKAY. IT WAS INEFFECTIVE LAST TIME.
WOULD YOU AGREE? THAT IT WAS INEFFECTIVE?
>> I WOULDN'T SAY WE HAD PLAN LAST TIME TO BE HONEST.
THIS IS A PLAN WE'VE DEVELOPED SINCE WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IN THE PAST. THIS IS MOVING FORWARD.
>> LISTEN I'M NOT ATTACKING YOU.
I THINK WE HAD SOME PLAN BUT NOT A COLLABORATIVE PLAN.
>> CORRECT. >> AND ONE OF THE THINGS I KNOW FROM SNOW DAYS IS THAT THE KIDS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DON'T HAVE LAPTOPS THAT GO HOME. IS THAT RIGHT?
>> CORRECT. NOT ALL STUDENTS DO.
>> SO VIRTUAL LEARNING IS ONLY FOR TWO-THIRDS OF OUR GRADE I GUESS. NOT K THROUGH 6?
>> OUR PRIMARY STUDENTS PRE-K TO 2 DO NOT HAVE ONE TO ONE
[00:25:03]
DEVICES. WE HAVE IPADS AS A ONE TO FOUR RATIO. THAT'S BECAUSE WE DO STRONGLY BELIEVE OUR STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE ON DEVICES ALL DAY LONG.WE BELIEVE THAT FOR EVERY GRADE LEVEL BUT SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR
JUST TO DIFFERENTIATE. THIS IS REQUIRED.
YOU SAW THAT. SO WE HAVE TO HAVE ONE.
IT'S NOT AN OPTION. AND IF THE-- IF THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT WE HAVE TO CLOSE SCHOOLS.
THEN THIS HAS TO BE ENACTED. WE WON'T HAVE A CHOICE.
SO IF HE SAYS THAT THERE'S A PROLONGED STATE OF EMERGENCY.
AND I'M WITH YOU, RIGHT. BECAUSE THE WHOLE THING WAS A TOTAL-- WE DON'T WANT TO GO REVISIT THAT RIGHT? BUT IF HE SAYS WE HAVE TO CLOSE SCHOOLS, THEN THIS WOULD BE WHAT WE HAVE TO USE IN ORDER TO CONTINUE ANY SORT OF ND THAT MEANS OPERATING VIRTUALLY.
SEPARATE ISSUE ABOUT THE SNOW DAYS AND VIRTUAL WHICH I THINK THAT WE-- AND THAT'S A TOTALLY SEPARATE CONVERSATION, BUT I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME-- INVESTIGATION OR WORK GOING INTO THAT AND DR. NEWSOME YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, LOOKING INTO WHAT WE CAN DO VIRTUAL OPTIONS ON SNOW DAYS WHEN WE HAD REALLY BAD INCLEMENT WEATHER LIKE WE HAD THIS PAST YEAR. IT REALLY IS TWO SEPARATE ISSUES. AND I'M WITH YOU.
WE SHOULD DO EVERY EFFORT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN OPEN SCHOOLS OR THAT WE CAN MAINTAIN. THIS SPECIFICALLY IS ABOUT IF THE GOVERNOR OR WHOEVER SAYS WE'RE REQUIRED BY LAW TO CLOSE SCHOOLS. THIS AT LEAST ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE SCHOOL WITHOUT-- WITH A PLAN.
VERSUS WHAT WE HAD LAST TIME. >> COULD OUR PLAN BE-- WE'RE
GOING TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE? >> NO.
BECAUSE IF THE GOVERNOR SAYS WE HAVE TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL, THERE IS A PROLONGED STATE OF E EMERGENCY, WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT. WE WOULD NOT BE ALOUD.
. >> I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE NOTICED THE DAMAGE IS DONE. THE NUMBER OF SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS. EMERGENCY IS LIFTED.
AND I CAN THINK SPECIFICALLY. MAY HAVE HAD A TO STILL CLOSE SCHOOLS. BUT THAT WOULD THE BE T DECISION OF THE BOARD AT THAT TIME.
IF IT'S LIFTED WE WOULD COME BACK TOGETHER.
>> WE KNOW WHAT THIS IS. COMPLY WITH THE GOVERNORS'
WISHES. >> WELL THIS IS REQUIRED.
AND IT'S DUE JUNE 1ST. >> WE COULD UPDATE IT SHORTLY THEREAFTER. IS THAT RIGHT?
>> ACCORDING TO TJ, WE COULD UPDATE IT AS NEEDED.
BUT I DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHAT WOULD BE THE PURPOSE OF UPDATING IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES COULD BE THAT WE ARE UPDATING FOR. THAT WOULD BE THE POINT, RIGHT.
SO THIS IS A PLAN THAT IS JUST AN INITIAL START.
BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT CIRCUMSTANCE COULD COME FROM AN EMERGENCY. SO THEREFOE THIS WILL GET US STARTED. BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE A PLAN.
REMEMBER THIS IS FOR A 14-DAY CLOS FOR WE HAD THAT KIND OF EMERGENCEY. AND WE DO HAVE IN THIS PLAN A POTENTIAL REOPENING SECTION OF IT TO WHERE WE CAN GET BACK STARTED AS NORMAL OR INTO THE TRANSITIONING IN.
BUT IF THIS IS A PLAN THAT IS SUBMITTED TODAY WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT WE DO. AND IF WE FIND THAT SOMETHING IS HAPPENING, WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK TO THE TABLE.
WE CAN ALWAYS NEGOTIATE THE PLAN, FIGURE SOMETHING OUT, AND PUT THINGS IN PLACE TO ADJUST IT AS NEEDED, YES.
BUT IF YOU'RE SAYING THAT WE WANT TO APPROVE IT TODAY AND THEN JUST COME BACK IN TWO MONTHS OR A MONTH AND JUST ADJUST IT, I'M NOT SURE WHAT WE WOULD BE ADJUSTING IT FOR.
BECAUSE WE DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCE
COULD BE. >> SO IT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT-- LIKE THERE'S A TORNADO THAT DAMAGES.
AND IT COMES THROUGH. AND WE HAVE SOME SITUATION IN--
MAYBE THAT'S NOT GREAT-- OR. >> BUT COULD BE AN EXAMPLE.
BECAUSE MAYBE WE HAVE HALF OF THE COUNTY THAT'S OUT OF POWER AND THE OTHER HALF IS SO THEN WE MAY HAVE TO COME BACK TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THAT VIRTUAL OPTION. IF IT COULD EVEN HAPPEN.
OR IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO PACTS FOR PEOPLE.
LIKE WE WILL COME UP WITH THAT PLAN BUT IT MAY BE CIRCUMSTANTIAL TO WHAT HAPPENED.
>> OR IF SOMETHING WITH A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT HAPPENS.
>> RIGHT. THIS IS WHAT I ANTICIPATE.
BUT DON'T WE HAVE THE DISCRETION TO CLOSE SCHOOLS
THE SUPER INTENDANT DOES. >> RIGHT.
SO IF THERE'S A-- LEAK AT ONE WE COULD CLOSE SCHOOLS AROUND OR WOULD THAT BE THE WHOLE SYSTEM?
>> THAT WOULD BE DETERMINED AT THE TIME THAT WHATEVER HAPPENED. I DON'T KNOW THAT WE COULD KNOW
>> I'M JUST-- WHAT'S BEST FOR STUDENTS AT THAT TIME.
AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO WORK TOGETHER AS A SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN DO THE BEST FOR WHAT KIDS NEED AT THAT
TIME. >> I APPRECIATE WE CAN HAVE A
[00:30:03]
WORK SESSION WHERE WE CAN HAVE THIS DISCUSSION AND IT'S NOT SO FORMAL BUT IT'S THE 21ST OF MAY AND THIS HAS TO GO IN BY JUNE 1ST, I WOULD HAVE LIKED A LITTLE MORE TIME TO FIND OUTWHAT OUR OTHER OPTIONS ARE. >> WELL, I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU AS WELL MR. HARRISON, MOST COUNTIES DIDN'T REVISE OR DO ANYTHING TO IT. THEY JUST PASSED IT BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE ADJUSTED LATER.
SO MOST COUNTIES DIDN'T EVEN DO REVI REVISIONS. THEY PRESENTED TO THE BOARD AS IS AND PASSED IT. WE AS CALVERT TOOK THE I NICHIVE TO LOOK AT THE PLAN THAT WE HAD.
>> I THINK WE DID A GREAT JOB. THIS IS A SOLID DOCUMENT.
DON'T GET ME WRONG. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE RECOURSE IS FOR US FOR US NOT TO ABIDE BY THAT FROM THE
STATE. >> IF IT COMES FROM THE STATE AND THEY SAY THAT WE HAVE TO CLOSE, THEN THERE'S NO OPTION.
IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S NOT FROM THE STATE, BUT IT'S EXCLUSIVE TO THIS COUNTY, LIKE A TERRIBLE WEATHER EVENT OR SOME OTHER CATASTROPHIC THING, THEN OPERATIONALL IT WOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SUPER INTENDANT.
OBVIOUSLY IT LOOKS FOR INPUT TO THE BOARD.
BUT IT WOULD BE UP TO HIM TO MAKE THAT DECISION.
>> SO DO WE HAVE ANY PLAN OR EXERCISES OR ANYTHING OF MOVING STUDENTS FROM A CLOSED SCHOOL THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED IN A TORNADO OR SOMETHING. TO MOVE THEM TO OTHER SCHOOLS?
IS THAT PART--. >> ACTUALLY I THINK THAT JUST HAPPENED WITH THE WEATHER. BECAUSE IT WAS HOT.
>> WE DO VE EMERGENCY EVACUATION SITES.
>> OKAY. SO IS IT POSSIBLE THAT WE COULD SAY IF DOWAL IS CLOSED WE WOULD DOUBLE UP THE SIZE AT MUTUAL OR
SOMETHING LIKE THAT? >> I THINK YES.
THAT'S AN OPTION. BUT I DON'T THINK IT BELONGS IN THIS DOCUMENT. THIS IS GENERIC.
>> THIS IS LITERALLY FOR VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION.
THIS ISN'T SOMETHING LIKE WHERE WE HAVE TO SHUT DOWN A SCHOOL OR MOVE KIDS AROUND. WE HAVE OTHER PLANS IN PLACE FOR THAT SPECIFIC PIECE. THIS IS LITERALLY IF WE HAVE TO GO TO A VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION OPTION BECAUSE IT IS DECLARED BY THE GOVERNMENT THAT WE MUST DO THAT.
>> RIGHT. AND I'M TRYING TO COUNTER THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION, RIGHT? MY SON WAS PRIME EXAMPLE. HE SLEPT THE WHOLE TIME.
IT WAS TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE. AND I KNOW THAT IT IMPACTED A WHOLE GENERATION OF KIDS. I'M JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT IT IS WE CAN DO INSTEAD OF BEING HELPLESS.
OR AT THE WHIM OF THE GOVERNOR. WHAT CAN WE DO AS OUR SYSTEM TAX PAYERS.STLY FUNDED BY LOCA- WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REDUCE THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF VIRTUAL
LEARNING? >> I THINK THAT'S A QUESTION FOR DR. NEWSOME NOT FOR TJ BECAUSE IT WOULD BE OVERSIGHT INTO STANDARD OPERATIONS. EXPECTATIONS FOR WHAT THE TEACHERS SHOULD BE DOING. FOR WHAT THE KIDS SHOULD BE DOING. FOR WHAT THE PARENT SHOULD BE DOING. ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
SORRY I DIDN'T MEAN TO TALK FOR YOU.
>> YES, THIS IS A VERY NARROW FOCUS TONIGHT.
IF THE GOVERNOR WERE TO DECLARE, WE HAVE TO IMPLEMENT THIS PLAN. WE ARE NOT GOING TO VIOLATE THE LAW. WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW.
THIS IS NOT A SELFLESS PLUG, BUT IN 2020 I CO-AUTHORED A BOOK CALLED BREAK THROUGH LEADERSHIP ON HOW TO GET TLAU CRISIS. AND THEN WE FOLLOWED THAT UP WITH A BOOK OUT OF A CRISIS, VERY SPECIFIC DETAILS FOR SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF WHAT TO DO NEXT.
SO WE ALREADY HAVE A PLAN IN OUR BACK POCKET.
>> MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS I KNOW OF OUR CITIES THEY BREAK THE LAW ALL THE TIME. AND THEY CELEBRATE IT.
SANCTUARY CITIES WHATEVER THEY HAVE.
EVEN THE STATE. >> WELL WE DON'T DO THAT HERE IN CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
>> I'M NOT SAYING WE SHOULD BREAK THE LAW.
I'M A LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN, ABSOLUTELY.
BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE HEDGING AGAINST AN ELECTION YEAR. WE'VE ALREADY SEEN ADS FOR HANTAVIRUS AND EBOLA. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THIS COINCIDES OR IF IT'S JUST TIMING.
THAT THIS-- WE'RE COMING UP WITH THIS PLAN.
>> WELL WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT.
>> WE HAVE TO APPROVE THIS PLAN EVERY TWO YEARS.
[00:35:01]
WE APPROVE. >> AUTOMATIC EVERY TWO YEARS.
>> AND WE APPROVED TWOIT YEARS AGO.
>> I HATE TO BE OBSTINATE ABOUT THIS.
BUT I THINK WE SHOULD PUSH BACK.
>> I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION. YOU HAD MENTIONED IN THE DOCUMENTS THAT GRADES THREE TO FIVE HAVE CLASS ROOM ASSIGNED LAPTOPS. BUT DO WE HAVE ENOUGH DEVICES IN THIRD GRADE FOR EVERY STUDENT?
THEN THEY JUST KEEP THEM IN THE SCHOOLS.
SO THEY ARE OLDER LAPTOPS BUT YES WE HAVE THEM.
SO 3 THROUGH 12 ARE OUTFITTED 1 TO 1.
THE PRIMARY STUDENTS ARE USING IPADS A 1 TO 4 RATIO.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR?
>> MOTION CARRIES 3 TO 1. THANK YOU MR. HILL.
[Review of SY Calendar 2027-28]
>> THANK YOU TJ. >> UP NEXT WE HAVE THE REVIEW OF THE SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR. 2027 AND 2028.
AND THEN CHANGE TO THE 26/27 CALENDAR.
>> GOOD EVENING PRESIDENT POST. DR. NEWSOME MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF PEPGS MY NAME IS SCOTT MCCALM AND TIME DIRECTOR OF SYSTEM STRUCTURE PERFORMANCE. I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE PROPOSED SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR THE 2027/'28 SCHOOL YEAR.
AS WELL AS A REVISION TO THE '26/'27 CALENDAR BASED ON ACTION OF THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
I WILL BEGIN WITH A PROPOSED '27/'28 CALENDAR.
MARYLAND SCHOOL CALENDARS ARE GUIDED BY THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND COMAR AND DIRECTED BY STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
ACCORDING TO COMAR J THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR STUDENTS MUST INCLUDE 180 DAYS OF AND THEY MUST OCCUR IN A TEN MONTH PERIOD. SCHOOLS CLOSED SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AS WELL AS THE DAYS YOU SEE LISTED ON THE SCREEN.
I WILL ALSO NOTE THAT HISTORICALLY CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS GIVEN OFF LABOUR DAY AND FAIR DAY.
AS STATED EARLIER OUR CALVERT COUNTY IS PRESENTED BY MSD AS WELL. TO PROVIDE THREE INCLEMENT WEATHER DAYS IN THE SCHOOL CALENDAR.
HOWEVER ON MARCH 24TH 2026 THE STATE BOARD PASSED A RESOLUTION REQUIRING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO NOW IDENTIFY SIX INCLEMENT WEATHER DAYS IN THE DISTRICT CALENDAR.
THESE MAKE-UP DELAYS OCCUR EITHER DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR OR ADDED TO THE END OF THE SCHOOL CALENDAR.
HOWEVER ALL MAKE-UP DAYS MUST OCCUR BEFORE JUNE 18TH.
YOU WILL SEE THAT THESE SIX INCLEMENT WEATHER MAKE-UP DAYS ARE BUILT INTO THE PROPOSED 27/'28 CALENDAR.
AND THIS WILL ALSO BE PART OF OUR REVISION DISCUSSION FOR THE 26/'27 CALENDA. OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS ALSO GUIDED BY EMPLOYEE-NEGOTIATED AGREEMENTS.
OUR 12 MONTH EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO WORK 235 DAYS.
TEN MONTH EMPLOYEES REQUIRED TO WORK 190 DAYS.
ADDITIONALLY TEACHERS MUST BE PROVIDED WITH SIX TWO-HOUR EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS. DESIGNATED AS TEACHER WORK TIME. WITH ONE OF THESE BEING SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. AND IN ADDITION TO THESE NEGOTIATED EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS THE CALENDAR INCLUDES EARLY DISMISSALS IN OCTOBER, DECEMBER AND MARCH DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS IN JUNE TO ACCOMMODATE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND THE FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS. OUR NEGOTIATED AGREEMENTS ALSO PRESCRIBE TEN DAYS BEYOND THE 180 STUDENT DAYS.
SIX OF THESE DAYS ARE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR FOR PRE-SERVICE. THESE DAYS ALLOW TEACHERS TO PREPARE FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
AS WELL AS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
ADDITIONALLY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAYS OCCUR IN OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND FEBRUARY. WITH NOVEMBER 11TH ALSO BEING USED FOR ELEMENTARY PARENT CONFERENCES.
THE TENTH DAY IS THE FINAL DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR TEACHER CLOSEOUT. AS WE DEVELOP OUR DISTRICT CALLENEDER AND LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF WEEK DAYS WE HAVE THAT EXIST BETWEEN THE THIRD WEEK OF AUGUST AND THE SECOND WEEK IN JUNE, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 215 DAYS.
ONCE WE SUBTRACT DAYS FOR HOLIDAYS AND TEACHER WORK DAYS DEDICATED FOR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, PRE-SERVICE AND CLOSEOUT, THE REMAINING DAYS ARE ABOUT TEN THAT WE HAVE TO
[00:40:04]
ACCOMMODATE WHEN A RECESS, SPRING RECESS.WEATHER MAKEUP DAYS AND TO ADDRESS THE OTHER NEEDS OF THE CAL CALENDAR.
SO IN SUMMARY DID 2027/'28 CALENDAR SHARED WITH YOU.
PROVIDES 180 DAYS FOR STUDENTS. 190 DAYS FOR OUR TEN-MONTH EMPLOYEES. AND 245 DAYS FOR 12 MONTH EMPLOYEES. IT INCLUDES HOLIDAYS PROVIDED BY MARYLAND STATE LAW. THE ACCOUNT PROVIDES SIX THREE PRESERVICE DAYS AND ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS AND THAT DAY AT THE END OF THE YEAR FOR TEACHER CLOSEOUT.
IT PROVIDES SIX TWO-HOUR EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS AS REQUIRED BY THE CEA CONTRACT. THREE TWO-HOUR EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS FOR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND ONE EARLY DISMISSAL DAY FOR PARENT CONFERENCES. IT INCLUDE TWOS EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS FOR GRADUATION AND AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND ALLOWS US TO COMPLY WITH MSD'S REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE SIX POTENTIAL WEATHER MAKE-UP DAYS. THREE ARE FEBRUARY 18TH MARCH 24TH AND MAY 30TH. AND THEY ARE BUILT INTO THE SPRING SEMESTER. THEN THERE ARE FOURTH, FIFTH AND SIXTH DAYS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR JUNE 14TH 15TH AND 16TH. THE 26TH/'27TH DISTRICT CALENDAR. IN ORDER TO COMPLY I AM REQUESTING MAY 28TH BE A MAKE-UP DAY.
CREATING A FOUR DAY WEEKEND FOR FAMILIES.
WHICH WILL REQUIRE AN ADJUSTMENT END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR BY ONE DAY. MOVING FROM JUNE 9TH TO JUNE 10TH AND THE FINAL DAY FOR TEACHERS WOULD MOVE FROM JUNE 10TH TO JUNE 11TH. WEATHER REMAINING MAKE-UP DAYS WOULD BE JUNE 11TH AND JUNE 14TH THROUGH JUNE 16TH.
SO AT THIS TIME I'M ASKING THE BOARD TO DO TWO THINGS.
FIRST TIME ASKING YOU TO HAVE THE PROPOSED '27/'28 SCHOOL CALENDAR BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND REVIEW FOR 30 DAYS. AND SECOND, I AM ASKING YOU TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDED REVISION TO THE '26/'27 SCHOOL CALENDAR. AND AT THIS TIME I'M HAPPY TO
ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. >> MOTION TO APPROVE THE
2026-2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR. >> SECOND.
>> THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION? >> YEAH, I'D LIKE TO ASK SOME
>> SO HI SCOTT. IN THE COMAR, WE SPECIFICALLY CALL THE REQUIREMENT CHRISTMAS EVE.
HOW COME WE CALL IT WINTER VACATION?
>> WE REFER TO BOTH SPRING BREAK, WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED SPRING BREAK. WE CALL THAT SPRING RECESS.
AT CHRISTMASTIME AT WHAT IS AROUND THAT CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY WE REFER TO IT AS WINTER RECESS.
AND I JUST THINK TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT'S TIME AWAY FROM SCHOOL THAT COINCIDES WITH CHRISTMAS. BUT IT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY FOR ALL FAMILIES GOING TO BE A CHRISTMAS VACATION.
>> SO I'D LIKE TO CHANGE IT TO BE ALIGNED WITH COMAR AND CALL
IT CHRISTMAS VACATION. >> I DON'T KNOW THAT COMAR SAYS IT'S SPECIFICALLY VACATION. IT SPECIFICALLY REQUIRES THE
DATE RANGE. >> CALL IT EASTER VACATION.
OR EASTER BREAK? >> ONCE AGAIN.
WELL FOR BOTH, CHRISTMAS-- THE BREAK-- WINTER BREAK THAT FALLS AT CHRISTMASTIME AND THE SPRINGRECESS THAT HAPPENS DURING THAT PART OF THE YEAR, PART OF THE CALENDAR IS PRESCRIBED AS A RANGE. SO FOR INSTANCE THE FRIDAY BEFORE EASTER AND TO THE MONDAY AFTER.
THOSE DAYS MUST BE GIVEN OFF. BUT THAT LARGER BREAK IS PART OF A WINTER OR SPRING RECESS. SO THEY ARE USING THAT HALLMARK DATE. IF YOU WILL AS A BENCHMARK
WHERE IT SHOULD FALL. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ALIGN WIT
COMAR. >> SO THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR RIGHT NOW. AND THAT IS TO WHETHER OR NOT TO APPROVE THE CALENDAR. SO I GUESS MAX YOU'LL HAVE TO HELP ME OUT. BECAUSE--.
[00:45:04]
TO THE AMENDMENT. DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON WHAT'S ON THE FLOOR RIGHT NOW OR IS HE AMENDING THE MOTION TO INCLUDE HE WANTS THAT CHANGEED? I THINK IT'S TWO SEPARATE.>> THAT'S WHAT CALLS. SO EMOTION.
THANK YOU. >> THIS IS THE 26/'27 CALENDAR SO I THINK WHAT MS. MAXY WAS SAYING THAT THE '26/'27 CALENDAR WAS APPROVED OF THE SPRING RECESS.NTER RECESS AND - THE PROPOSAL WAS TO SIMPLY MAKE THAT A MODIFICATION IN TERMS OF
WEATHER MAKEUP DAYS. >> SO ARE YOU PROPOSING THAT YOU WANT THE '26/'27 AND THE '27/'28? BECAUSE IT WOULD BE TWO MOTIONS.
>> I THINK WE VOTE ON THE FIRST MOTION TO CHANGE THE DATES.
THEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER MOTION TO CHANGE THE WORDING OF WINTER BREAK TO CHRISTMAS BREAK. AND WE WOULD HAVE TO VOTE ON
YEAH. SO THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE '26/'27. ALL THOSE IN FAVER.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION FIRST. BEFORE WE VOTE.
TYPICALLY IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, THE LAST TIME WE
APPROVED A TWO-YEAR CALENDAR. >> NO, WE ARE TWO YEARS OUT.
SO RIGHT NOW NEXT YEAR'S 2026 SO WE HAVE THAT CALENDAR.
AND WE APPROVE THE '27/'28. SO WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TWO YEARS OUT. AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR. YOU APPROVED THE 26 CALENDAR SO WE HAD THAT IN PLACE IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR FOR THE CALENDAR WE'RE DISCUSSING RIGHT NOW. ONE OF THE REASONS IF WE DON'T GO TOO FAR OUT. AND THE CHANGE FROM THE BOARD IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT. SOMETIMES WE DON'T KNOW WHAT
THE LAW IS GOING TO BE. >> SO WE CAN'T GO PAST NEXT YEAR. OH--.
THANK YOU. >> OKAY THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR.
>> NO. >> MOTION PASSES 3-1 FOR THE
BECAUSE THE '26/'27 DOESN'T HAVE THAT LANGUAGE IN THERE.
>> WE WERE JUST VOTING ON THE DATES.
>> JUST THE DATES. >> JUST THE DATES.
>> I'LL GO YAY ON THAT. >> THE MOTION CARRIES 4-0.
>> SO YOU HAVE TO MAKE A NEW MOTION TO CHANGE THE WORDING.
>> ON THE '26/'27. >> YOU COULD DO BOTH.
I WANT IT. >> OKAY MAKE A MOTION TO CHANGE IT. AND ALL CALENDARS MOVING
FORWARD. >> I DON'T WANT MY COMMENTS TO BE HOLDING UP THE PROCESS. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.
TO CHANGE THE '26/'27 AND FUTURE CALENDARS THAT WE OVERSEE TO ALIGN WITH COMAR AND USE THE WORD CHRISTMAS AND
EASTER IN THE CALENDAR. >> CAN I GET A SNEKD.
>> I SECOND. >> OKAY THERE IS A MOTION.
AND A SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?
>> IS THAT THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE IN COMAR?
>> I'D LIKE TO SHARE A POINT. >> YEAH COMAR IS UP.
AND IT SAYS CHRISTMAS EVE FROM THEN THROUGH JANUARY 1ST AND THE FRIDAY BEFORE EASTER AND FROM THEN THE MONDAY AFTER
EASTER. >> I'LL REITERATE THOSE DATES WERE CONSIDERED TO BE BENCHMARKS.
THEY GAVE YOU GUIDANCE AS TO WHAT DAYS HAD TO BE GIVEN.
COMAR DOES NOT REFER TO THE LARGER BREAK AS CHRISTMAS BREAK. SO WE WOULD NOT BE ALIGNING WITH COMAR BY CALLING IT ANY PARTICULAR THING.
THEY DON'T PRESCRIBE WHAT WE CALL THAT SPAN OF TIME.
THEY SIMPLY GAVE US THE BENCHMARK OF CHRISTMAS AND EASTER TO TELL US WHAT WE MUST GIVE OFF.
>> IF I COULD CLARIFY. >> GO AHEAD DR. NEWSOME.
>> SO EDUCATION ARTICLE 7/103. AND I THINK MR. MCCALM DESCRIBED IT VERY WELL, IT SAYS THE VACATIONS ARE MARKED TO
[00:50:06]
WHAT IS CALLED A HOLIDAY. IT DOES NOT USE ANY RELIGIOUS TERM. AND IT ACTUALLY REFRAINS FROM RELIGIOUS TERMS. BUT-- SO HOLIDAYS ARE ALIGNED TO RELIGIOUS DAYS. BUT IT DOES NOT USE THE NAME OFTHE RELIGIOUS DAY. >> GOT YA'.
>> WELL WE JUST VOTED ON A-- THIS THING TO ALIGN WITH THE
GOVERNORS LAW, RIGHT? >> NO, WE DIDN'T.
WE VOTED. >> YES WE VOTED TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE HAVE A PLAN. >> BUT THAT'S THE LAW.
WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS PLAN, RIGHT?
>> OKAY THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY OTHER QUESTION ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE? OKAY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR?
>> AYE. >> SO DOES IT FAIL? BECAUSE THERE'S TWO AND TWO AND WE DON'T HAVE A TIEBREAKER? MOTION FAILED. 2-2.
>> ALL RIGHT. I GAVE EIGHT -- IT A SHOT.
NOPE THAT'S JUST POSTED FOR 27/28 HAS TO BE POSTED FOR 30 DAYS FOR PUBLIC REVIEW. UP NEXT WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS? IS THERE ANY FUTURE BUSINESS?
[BOARD COMMENTS]
OH GOOD. THAT'S GOOD.KAREN SAID THERE IS NONE. SO PERFECT.
UP NEXT WE'LL MOVE INTO BOARD COMMENTS.
AND WE'LL START WITH MS. JONES. >> NOT MUCH TO COMMENT ON TONIGHT. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR A GREAT YEAR AND FOR ALL MY EXPERIENCES IN THIS POSITION.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE GUIDANCE OF EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM. I LEARNED SO MUCH.
AND I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH THIS YEAR.
THANK YOU TO THE SUPPORT OF EVERYONE HERE.
AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.
>> ALLISON, YOU DID A GREAT JOB.
IT WAS A PLEASURE WORKING WITH YOU.
I DON'T LIKE TO BE VOTED AGAINST.
IT'S DISTURBING. WE JUST DID AN EVENT, WHAT WAS THE EVENT WE JUST DID? IT ALL RUNS TOGETHER.
WELL I'M GOING TO KEEP BRINGING THAT UP.
I THINK WE SHOULD ALIGN WITH COMAR AND USE THOSE TERMS. E SPECIALLY IN THIS COUNTY. THANK YOU.
ALLISON YOU ARE GOING TO BE MISED AND IT WAS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU THIS YEAR AND I KNOW THAT THE STUDENTS REALLY APPRECIATED HAVING YOU AS THEIR VOICE UP HERE.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I WISH YOU ALL THE LUCK.
IN YOUR FUTURE. >> I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SPENDING A DAY WITH DR. RICKS AND SOME GATES STUDENTS.
AND SOME GATE STAFF MEMBERS. ALSO TOWARD THE PROGRESS AND THE PLANET ARM WHICH I'M VERY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO SHARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I LEARNED WHEN WE WERE WITH THE STUDENTS. SO THE DAY WAS SET UP WHERE WE WOULD OBSERVE A GATE CLASS. AND THEN WE WOULD-- WELL FIRST WE WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE A ONE ON ONE WITH A GATE TEACHER.
THEN WE WOULD OBSERVE THE CLASS.
THE TEACHER ACTUALLY DOING THE GATE INSTRUCTION.
AND THEN WE HAD SOME STUDENTS STAY AND WE DID A ROUND TABLE WITH THE STUDENTS. AND THESE ARE ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS. SOME OF THE COMMENTS-- NOT TO STEAL ALL YOUR THUNDER LISA. BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO SAY SOME OF THIS TOO. BUT SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WE HEARD FROM THE STUDENTS-- WE'RE REALLY JUST CUTE.
KIDS ARE SO HONEST. THEY ALWAYS SHOOT IT STRAIGHT.
SO WHAT I LEARNED FROM ONE GROUP OF STUDENTS IS A ONE CHILD PREFERS ONLY PAPER AND PENCIL.
ONE CHILD WOULD ONLY EVER WANT TO BE ON THE COMPUTER.
AND THE OTHER TWO STUDENTS REALLY ENJOYED A MIX OF BOTH.
SO THERE WE HAVE IT YOU GUYS. WHAT I ALSO LEARNED IS THE STUDENTS LOVED THE ABILITY TO ENGAGE IN MATURE DISCUSSION.
IS WHAT ONE OF THESE FIFTH GRADERS SAID.
SHE ENJOYED THE ABILITY TO HAVE CONVERSATION WITH HER PEERS
[00:55:03]
ABOUT TOPICS IN A WAY THAT THEY COULD EXCHANGE IDEAS AND DISAGREE. AND IT NOT BE AN ARGUMENT.AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT JUST BLEW MY MIND.
I HAVE KIDS. THEY DON'T ARGUE LIKE THAT.
SO KUDOS TO THOSE TEACHERS. I ALSO LEARNED THAT THEY WERE TEACHING IN ONE OF THESE CLASSES THE SIX HATS? WAS IT SIX HATS? ON THE DIFFERENT HATS YOU NEED TO WEAR WHEN YOU THINK THROUGH A PROBLEM.
SO YOU HAVE TO THINK EMOTIONALLY.
AND YOU HAVE TO THINK USING FACTS AND THERE ARE SIX HATS.
AND I JUST I LOVED HEARING THE KIDS TALK THROUGH THE DIFFERENCES OF WHEN THEY PUT ON THEIR EMOTIONAL HAT VERSUS PUTTING ON THEIR FACTUAL HAT. AND I THINK WE'VE ALL RECOGNIZED IN YEARS THAT ADULTS HAVE FORGOTTEN HOW TO DO THAT.
TO PUT ON A HAT OTHER THAN THE EMOTIONAL ONE.
SO I'M REALLY GLAD WE'RE TEACHING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO USE MORE THAN ONE HAT. AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE US TEACH ALL THE KIDS THE SIX HATS.
WHAT ELSE DID I LEARN? THEY ENJOYED THE SMALL GROUPS THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO. THE PROJECTS THEY ALL SAID IT WAS SO FUN. AND THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO THINGS IN THOSE ENVIRONMENTS. THAT THEY DON'T GET TO DO IN THEIR REGULAR CLASS ROOM IF YOU WILL.
SO IT WAS JUST AMAZING TO SEE. AND I JUST WANT TO SHOUTOUT EVERYBODY INVOLVED DR. RICKS SAID SO MANY OF OUR BUILDING SERVICE WORKERS IN OUR CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT AND OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT I THINK THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM AT CTA.
I MEAN-- GETTING THIS PLANET ARM OPEN HAS BEEN A LABOR OF LOVE FROM SO MANY DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND OF THE COMMUNITY AND I JUST CAN'T WAIT FOR IT TO OPEN.
AND EVERYBODY GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO THERE AND SEE ALL THE HARD WORK THAT'S BEEN PUT INTO REOPENING SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS GOING TO BE SO GREAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I LOOK FORWARD TO GRADUATION SOON.
>> MS. GRENIS? >> I'M JUST GOING TO FOLLOW THAT UP WITH THIS IS EXACTLY WHY THE GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM NEEDS TO MOVE INTO THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
IT TO ME IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE. WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE CHILDREN, THEY WERE HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED THAT IT WAS GOING TO END AT FIFTH GRADE. WHAT WE ARE GETTING IN RETURN FOR THE INSTRUCTION THOSE CHILDREN ARE GIVING.
IS SO VALUABLE. AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK DR. RICKS FOR ARRANGING THE TOUR.
THE TEACH HORSE LET US SIT IN IN THEIR CLASS ROOM.
BUT THE MOST VALUABLE WAS THE TIME THEY GAVE US TO SPEAK WITH THE CHILDREN. AND THOSE CHILDREN ARE OPEN AND HONEST. THEY LOVE THAT TIME.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL AND WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT CALVERT COUNTY WAS HONOURED WITH THE BEST COMMUNITIES FOR MUSIC EDUCATION AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MUSIC MERCHANTS FOUNDATION.
WE HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN PROVIDING ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY MUSIC EDUCATION.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO EARN THEIR ASSOCIATE DEGREE FROM THE COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND.
I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING PROGRAMS WE HAVE WHERE STUDENTS COULD ACTUALLY GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL WITH AN ASSOCIATION'S. AND WE HAVE CHILDREN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY. FOLLOWING THE PLANET ARM, I THINK YOU PROBABLY COVERED A LOT OF THAT.
BUT I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO AGAIN THANK JACK BELL FOR HIS GENEROUS DOE MAGS TO HONOUR HIS LATE WIFE PEGGY BELL.
WHO WAS A FORMER TEACHER. HIS SUPPORT HELPED MOBILIZE AND REVIVE THE PLANET ARM. SO FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN ENJOY THAT UNIQUE EXPERIENCE. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING THE CTA SENIOR PROGRAM COMPLETION CELEBRATION.
AND THE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AWARDS.
I WENT TO THE MULTIY CULTURAL NIGHT AT MUTUAL ELEMENTARY.
AND IT WAS BIGGER AND BETTER THIS YEAR.
IT GETS-- THEY ADD TO IT EVERY YEAR.
IT'S AMAZING EXPERIENCE FOR THEIR STUDENTS.
AND THEY HAD A MASSIVE TURNOUT. JUST YESTERDAY I VISITED POTUXON ON A CAMPUS. AND I'D LIKE TO THANK THE TEACH HORSE TOOK TIME OUT OF THEIR INCREDIBLY-BUSY DAY TO SIT AND TALK WITH ME. I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THEIR VOICES ARE NOT GOING UNHEARD. LAST OF ALL CERTAINLY NOT LEAST BUT CONGRATULATIONS ALLISON. YOU'VE BEEN AMAZING PARTNER WITH US UP HERE. WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN
>> CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO THE CTA KIDS.
THANK YOU TO ALLISON. AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE
[01:00:08]
SENIORS. I TOO ATTENDED THE MULTICULTURAL NIGHT. I DIDN'T SEE YOU.PROBABLY BECAUSE YOU BLEND IN WITH THE KIDS.
SHE BLENDS IN WITH THE KIDS. BUT IT WAS REALLY OPTION.
HAD A GREAT TIME ALSO AT THE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AWARDS. THAT WE CAN CONGRATULATIONS ALSO TO MRS. DEAN AND MRS. BERGEN AND SEE YOU
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.