Monday, April 29, 2019

Notes from Board of Education Work Session, 4/29/19

The Board of Education work session on Monday, April 29 will be re-broadcast on Comcast Channel 96, Verizon FIOS Channel 12 and is available via webstream at http://www.ccboe.com . To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit BoardDocs .

The below notes are my personal notes and are not intended to be all-inclusive or official minutes for the Board of Education meetings and are provided as a request from my supporters and the general public in a personal effort to be more transparent. Although I have diligently tried to make these notes as unbiased and accurate as possible, I am only human and do make mistakes.

Call to order – 6 p.m.
Public Forum – 6 p.m - None
Waldorf opportunity zones presented by the Charles County Government Planning and Growth Committee - Report
  • Consider feasible alternatives to school allocation process by May 14th presentation to commissioners
  • Hancock - how much density is planned; 21,000 - 23,000
  • Hancock - what capital improvements are you planning to ensure schools are not overcrowded.  
  • Abell - land in footrint for school:  no
  • Abell - developer built schools; maybe
  • Abell - Cannot fit in existing schools and willing to collaborate but not willing to approve at this stage without more information
  • Hancock - Agrees with Abell
  • Wilson - has staff come up with solutions; no
  • Brown - needs time to meet as a board and have some discussions
  • Consensus of all board members to move forward with research and discussion but not approval of project
Information item: Discipline Review Committee suggestions
Adjournment

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Board of Education Work Session Agenda, 4/29/19


The Board of Education of Charles County is holding a work session at 6 p.m. Monday, April 29 in the boardroom at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building in La Plata.
The meeting will be televised live on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website, ccboe.com, and on Comcast channel 96 and Verizon FiOS channel 12.
The following is the meeting agenda and is subject to change:
Call to order – 6 p.m.
Public Forum – 6 p.m.   
Work session
·         Waldorf opportunity zones presented by the Charles County Government Planning and Growth Committee
·         Information item: Discipline Review Committee suggestions
Adjournment

Tuesday, April 09, 2019

Notes from Board of Education Meeting, 4/9/19

The Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, April 9 will be re-broadcast on Comcast Channel 96, Verizon FIOS Channel 12 and is available via webstream at http://www.ccboe.com/ . To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit BoardDocs .


The below notes are my personal notes and are not intended to be all-inclusive or official minutes for the Board of Education meetings and are provided as a request from my supporters and the general public in a personal effort to be more transparent. Although I have diligently tried to make these notes as unbiased and accurate as possible, I am only human and do make mistakes.

Executive session – 11:15 a.m.  
Call to order – 1 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance, Thomas Stone High School
Superintendent’s update - Report

Correspondence/Board Member updates
  • Battle-Lockhart - Recruitment at Towson; Visit two schools a week; Town Hall Meeting; Women Empowerment; NSBA; Career Breakfast; CTE Career Fair
  • Hancock - Facilities tour with commissioners; teacher town hall; SECAC Meeting; School Safety and Security Town Hall; Transportation Bus Software GPS
  • Brown - NSBA; All County Chorus and Band; Career Breakfast; Safety Meeting (disappointed in parent turn out); discipline committee; HITS Expo; Restorative Practices Training; Facilities Tour; Years of Service ceremony
  • Wilson - SECAC; HIT Expo; Facilities Tour; Teacher Town Hall; All County Band; NSBA; 2 recruiting trips
  • Lukas - Spring sports and volunteers, thank you
  • Mcgraw - Career Advisors & Counselors; senior portfolio


Education Association of Charles County update - Report

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees update - Report

Student Board Member update - Report

Testing overview - Report Everything you ever wanted to know about testing.

  • Lukas - how many students in Bridge Project? about 2,000; how does that compare to other states? First fail of test puts you in the Bridge program.  MSDE guidelines require proof of student achievement (pre-and post test) for teacher evaluation.  PARCC is required.  MSDE does not allow PARCC results for evaluations.
  • Hill - Post Test help with SLO as well as instruction.  Also helps to identify students needs for taking the PARCC test at a later date.
  • Hancock - not passing PARCC is the only way to get in the Bridge program.  50% of teacher evaluation is based on student achievement per MSDE.  failing PARCC and going into the bridge program does not reflect on a teacher evaluation.
  • Abell - reiterate request for data comparison to other counties.
Fresh Start Academy - Report; Fact Sheet
  • professionals with certifications www.bacb.com 
  • Hancock - 10 other jurisdictions in the state of Maryland have a similar alternative program.  Demographics of those jurisdictions.  False impression in the public that this is a school to prison pipeline and this is far from it.

New textbooks: 
  • Curriculum for Agricultural Sciences (CASE) - Report
  • Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) programs - Report
  • Business textbooks - Report
Project status update - Report

  • solar power at Piccowaxen
  • Abell - plan for summer months and A/C for building workers; concern from last year was addressed and shouldnt be an issue this year.

Maurice J. McDonough High School phase 1 renovation plans - Report
  • Take a look at this....moving admin, adding performance arts, black box theater, and an elevator.  Kudos!!

Intercategory budget change - Report

  • $7.3M for Capital outlay, operation of plant, instruction supplies and materials, student transportation.
  • The funding sources for the aforementioned projects will be from budget savings related to lapsed salaries, and other expenditure categories. 
  • This change requires an additional $2.0 Million one-time funding from the county that will not be part of the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) calculations. 

Legislative update - Report

  • SB1030 - Blueprint for MD future; Kirwan bill
  • HB355 - BOE disclosures; ethics requirements for BOE; complete a training course in ethics
  • HB725 - restorative practices and approaches for discipline matters
  • HB486 - education personnel matters with child sex abuse
  • HB166/SB280 - minimum wage bill
  • HB87/SB529 - State board of education member adds a teacher and a parent
  • SB734 - Dyslexia bill interventions and screenings
  • HB238/SB747- removal of county superintendents by local boards
  • SB128 - school calendar bill - local board control
  • HB1019 - HS assessments.  no more state testing for graduation unless it's one year old
  • HB113/SB??? - local board accountability at state level
  • HB333/SB??? - school bus cameras
  • Hancock - SB1030 additional funding next year; HB335 who oversees ethics course, will be local; HB238 sponsor a whole list of delegates but not ours
  • Battle-Lockhart - SB128 change calendar when.probably 20-21 SY

Unfinished business
  • Support staff Town Hall date – April 29
  • Community Town Hall date
  • Be the Difference Award recognition ceremony date – June 10
  • County Planning wants to talk about school seats.
New business

Future agenda items

  • Battle-Lockhart - 19/20 school calendar
  • Hancock - community member awards
Recognition – 4:30 p.m.
  • Resolutions
    • Teacher Appreciation Week - Niyati Green, English teacher, Thomas Stone High School; Ki'Tira Shorter, first-grade teacher, Berry Elementary School and Tanya Munford, AVID IV elective teacher, Stone; April Westgard, special education teacher, Berry
    • Administrative Professionals Week - Angela McDonald, secretary to the principal, Indian Head Elementary School; Susan Pond, secretary to the principal; John Hanson Middle School;Carol Jewel, secretary to the principal; North Point High School; Sandy Rooney,secretary to the principal; Robert D. Stethem Educational Center
    • Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week - Crystal Richardson and William Kreuter, supervisors of Food and Nutrition Services
    • National Physical Education and Sport Week - Brittany Aley, physical education teacher, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School; Kristin Jones, physical education teacher, Mattawoman Middle School
  • Students
    • Deuvon Desir, twelfth grade, Academic Achievement, Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, Principal: Curry Werkheiser
    • Maize Wimbush, seventh grade, Personal Responsibility, Matthew Henson Middle School, Principal: Christina Caballero
    • Asalah Keita, fifth grade, Career Readiness, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School, Principal: Nancy Seifert
    • Jamel Williams, Jr., fifth grade, Academic Achievement, Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School, Principal: Orlena Whatley
    • Faith Fisher, fifth grade, Academic Achievement, William B. Wade Elementary School, Principal: Kevin Jackson, Sr.
  • Employees
    • Brinson Lundegard, science teacher, Stethem
    • Ayesha Claytor-Stanislas, social studies teacher, Henson
    • Alexandra Anderson, fourth-grade teacher, Jenifer
    • Shellia Soderstrom, reading resource teacher, Mudd
    • Jennifer Diaz, secretary, Wade
Public Forum – 6 p.m. (name spelling is to my best phonetic ability)
  • Keva Morgan - DI Team.  3rd place teams will not advance to globals per CCPS.
  • Recario Lawson - Di Team.  4th and 5th place teams from other counties will take their place,  Stripped of ability to attend without input.
  • Amira Clark - DI Team.  Service Learning.  Give back to community.  Mental health day.  Tried to involve CCBOE via email and no one responded.
  • Asheem ???? - DI Team.  Mental Health will be the second largest cause of death.  1 out of 5 people will have mental health issues.  
  • Dione Morgan - parent, volunteer, team manager for DI,  Disappointed in decision to not allow team to attend globals.  Parents were not given the opportunity to raise funds.  Received a go fund me request from teams that took their place.  All eligible teams should be allowed to go.  Especially for Stoddert students who have been stigmatizerd.
  • Alisa Rios - North Point HS.  DI teams  Six DI teams from CCPS was prohibited from going.  Fundraising should be allowed.  A third place team qualifies for globals but not allowed to go and werent allowed to fundraise. Who decided this.  Given a letter that they couldnt attend at the same time given award for 3rd place.
  • Dakia Roberts - Di team.  disheartening.  
  • Dajonie Witherspoon - DI Team from NP. parents and students deserved to go.  Parents money spent on props and attending practices.  shouldve been allowed to fundraise to attend.
  • Joe Sampson - Vp NAACP on behalf of Dyothea Sweat Pres.  Voice concern over Fresh Start Academy.  Agree there are students in need of additional programs but don;t believe this is it.  Agree in funding but think the students should receive programs in their home schools.
  • Lynn Higgs - congratulations to DI teams.  17 years in CCPS.  Teacher  Third time speaking before public forum.  Thank you Ms. Kelly and Ms. Brown after public forum.  Thank you to Ms. McGraw and Dr. Hill for visiting classroom.
Action items
  • Minutes
Motion to approve the retreat minutes by Abell; Second by Brown

Yes = Abell, Battle-Lockhart, Brown, Hancock, Lukas, Wilson; Absent = McGraw


Motion to approve the March minutes by Abell; Second by Hancock

Yes = Abell, Battle-Lockhart, Brown, Hancock, Lukas, Wilson; Absent = McGraw


Motion to approve the Teacher Town Hall minutes by Brown; Second by Lockhart


Yes = Abell, Battle-Lockhart, Brown, Hancock, Lukas, Wilson; Absent = McGraw


Motion to approve the March Work Session minutes by Hancock; Second by Abell


Yes = Abell, Battle-Lockhart, Brown, Hancock, Lukas, Wilson; Absent = McGraw

  • Personnel
Motion to approve personnel by Abell; Second by Lukas
Yes = Abell, Battle-Lockhart, Brown, Hancock, Lukas, Wilson; Absent = McGraw

  • Grading policy
Motion to approve the grading policy by Abell; Second by Brown
Yes = Abell, Battle-Lockhart, Brown, Hancock, Lukas, Wilson; Absent = McGraw
Adjournment 

What is Fresh Start Academy?

What is Fresh Start Academy? 
Fresh Start Academy is a program for children in kindergarten through Grade 2. Children recommended for the program are those who repeatedly display extreme disruptive behaviors. The behaviors, such as destruction of classrooms, running away from the classroom and causing physical harm to others, create a barrier to learning for all students. Students may be placed at the Academy only after a school has exhausted other available and appropriate interventions. Placement in the program is for about 45 days.

Fresh Start will offer a setting that is data-driven, highly structured, and safe for kindergarten through Grade 2 students who persistently demonstrate behavior that impedes their ability to learn.

What is the goal? 
The program will provide the support needed to help our youngest children develop self-control without falling behind academically. The goal of Fresh Start is to identify students with behavior problems early and address the behaviors. The experience helps the student continue with his/her regular studies while staff introduces a positive approach to behavioral support through early intervention.

Other goals include:

  • returning the student to their original classroom setting with support;
  • keeping the student on track academically;
  • providing professional development for staff; and 
  • forming a partnership with parents. 
Program components 

  • Self-regulatory social and academic skills in a small group setting; 
  • Therapeutic counseling; and 
  • Grade-level academic standards. 
How are students selected for the program? 
Parents may request enrollment in the program and/or a building administrator could refer a student to the Fresh Start Academy Team. The Fresh Start Academy Team reviews all recommendations and is composed of members from various departments.

Before a student can be considered for the program, the team must consider the following.

  • Has the school exhausted all other support options?  Has the school provided school and classroom behavior supports? 
  • Has the school implemented a Student Support Team (SST) plan? 
  • Has the school psychologist/behavior specialist observed the student? 
  • Is there data supporting the behavior and interventions? 
  • Has the school tried altering the student’s classroom environment or schedule? 
Is there parent input in the placement?
Yes, parents are involved throughout the process. Experience shows that when the school and parents work together, child behavior change is more readily made and has a longer lasting effect. Therefore, it is critical that Fresh Start Academy procedures include parent involvement. Parents participate in the SST meetings. Through these meetings, parents have an opportunity to review all information and participate in decision-making.

How will students transition back to their home school? 
Staff will develop an individual transition plan for each child when the child is ready to return to their home school. The transition coordinator will ensure children receive continued support at their home school by providing training to school administrators, teachers and staff on how to continue successful supports for the children. Staff from the home school will visit Fresh Start to keep a connection with the child and to learn techniques and strategies for reintegration to the classroom. Parents are an integral part of the program and will receive training to help their child and opportunities to work with Fresh Start staff.

What determined the need for the program? 
CCPS is experiencing an increase in the number of young children with severe physical behaviors who are causing repeated disruption to instruction and the safety and security of classrooms. The program came out of conversations with principals, teachers and parents about what other supports the school system could provide for young children. Research shows that early intervention leads to improved outcomes for a child’s learning and development in school.

What is the staffing?
CCPS has hired a behavioral specialist as the program coordinator. There will be three certified teachers, three classroom instructional assistants, a transition coordinator and secretarial support. Additionally, counselors and school psychologists will help students attending the program. Cost of implementing the program is $452,200.

Why is program located outside of the child’s school? 
The program requires a smaller environment to help students who need more individualized instruction and behavior modifications. The program requires a low student-to-teacher ratio as well as specialized support from a behavior specialist. CCPS anticipates the program will start with about 12 students, making it cost prohibitive to include at 22 elementary schools, all of which might not have a student with a need for the program. A centralized program allows CCPS to combine its resources and serve all children who could benefit from the support Fresh Start will offer.

How will students be transported to the program? 
Students will ride school buses dedicated to transporting Fresh Start Academy students.

Where will the program be located?
Fresh Start will be at the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center in Pomfret. The program will use the space now occupied by the Lifelong Learning Center, which will move out this summer. The program space is in a separate building from the high school and middle school programs. CCPS has renovation plans to tailor the building to the needs of the program and young students. Plans include four separate classrooms, a workroom, a sensory room, administrative offices and a secure entrance/exit. Elementary students’ schedules do not overlap with the middle and high school students. They arrive at least an hour after the older students and leave at least an hour after dismissal of the older students.

What is the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center? 
The Robert D. Stethem Educational Center offers a number of programs for CCPS students. It is an alternative education center that serves students assigned there for discipline issues as well as students who opt into the program for its smaller class sizes and additional supports. Stethem also houses evening high school, the Virtual Academy and career-related courses for students exploring post-secondary options. Career classes include automotive technician, HVAC, interactive media, pharmacy technician and physical rehabilitation.

Please also take a look at this presentation that includes photos. 

Wednesday, April 03, 2019

Board of Education Meeting Agenda, 4/9/19


The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, April 9 at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building on Radio Station Road in La Plata. The public portion of the meeting begins at 1 p.m. and student and staff recognition starts at 4:30 p.m. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12 and is rebroadcast throughout the week.
Board meetings are streamed live on the school system website at ccboe.com. Select the live stream image displayed in the center of the home page to launch the meeting. The following is a tentative meeting agenda and is subject to change.
Executive session – 11:15 a.m.  
Call to order – 1 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance, Thomas Stone High School
Recognition of student state winners
Superintendent’s update
Reports of officers/boards/committees
·         Correspondence/Board Member updates
·         Education Association of Charles County update
·         American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees update
·         Student Board Member update
·         Testing overview
·         New textbooks: Curriculum for Agricultural Sciences (CASE) and Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) programs, and business textbooks
·         Project status update
·         Maurice J. McDonough High School phase 1 renovation plans
·         Intercategory budget change
·         Legislative update
Unfinished business
·         Support staff Town Hall date – April 29
·         Community Town Hall date
·         Be the Difference Award recognition ceremony date – June 10
New business and future agenda items
Recognition – 4:30 p.m.
·         Resolutions: Teacher Appreciation Week; Administrative Professionals Week; Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week; and National Physical Education and Sport Week
·         Students
·         Employees
Public Forum – 6 p.m.
Action items
·         Minutes
·         Personnel
·         Grading policy

Adjournment