BREAKING NEWS - Charles County Government Press Release

CHARLES COUNTY GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASE
Board of Education Presses for Tax Increase during Recession

The Charles County Board of Education issued a press release yesterday
asking the Charles County Commissioners to raise taxes instead of
requesting a waiver of the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirement for
public school funding.

According to a press release, Donald Wade, Chairman of the School
Board, said that State law requires the County to raise property taxes
to fully fund the school system.

The Commissioners requested a waiver of the State’s MOE requirement
in anticipation of deep funding cuts by the State of Maryland that could
have significant impact on the County’s budget.

The County’s request is based on the Maryland General Assembly’s
consideration of additional cuts in State funding for counties, and the
current expectation that State and local revenues will continue to
decline during the recession through the remainder of this fiscal year
and in fiscal year 2010, which begins on July 1. The potential State
cuts, along with declining local revenues, may impair the County’s
ability to support local operations of State agencies, such as Social
Services and the Health Department, as well as local County government
services.

In contrast to the County, the Charles County Board of Education is
slated to receive additional aid this year. In addition to
appropriations of State and County funds to support the schools, this
year local boards of education will receive more than $1 billion in
special funding from the federal economic stimulus package (American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act). According to State sources, the Charles
County Board of Education’s share of this new funding amounts to $18.5
million over the next two years.

Considering the economic challenges facing all Charles County citizens
and businesses during this national recession, the Charles County
Commissioners are unanimously opposed to any tax increases.

Commissioner President Wayne Cooper noted that last week, fifteen
Maryland counties were pursuing a waiver of the Maintenance of Effort
requirement, including Calvert County. “The Maryland Association of
Counties has encouraged all counties to seek State legislation for a
State-wide waiver,” added Cooper.

Commissioner Gary V. Hodge commented that “we are under an obligation
to adopt a balanced budget. Decisions at the State level, which we have
no control over, will flow down to the counties. We have no alternative
as County Commissioners but to adopt a balanced budget.”

“There is an opportunity in the process for the public to be
heard,” said Commissioner Reuben B. Collins, II. “A public
hearing is required by the State before action can be taken.”

The County’s projections for FY 2010 indicate that local revenue will
be 1.4 percent less than in the current FY 2009 adopted budget, due to
lower income from most of the County’s revenue sources.

The Commissioners have already taken steps to reduce spending and save
money in several key areas. Next year’s budget will not include
employee cost of living increases, or step increases in pay, and will
continue a hiring freeze on current and future vacancies. The
Commissioners are also considering a furlough, which would result in a 4
percent decrease in salaries, as well as exploring the option of
refunding portions of the County’s bond debt to save interest costs.
In addition, substantial cuts have been made in the capital construction
program in an effort to trim every possible budget line item.

The County Commissioners believe that the waiver request is essential
to meeting the County’s basic responsibilities to protect the health,
safety and welfare of all the citizens of Charles County.

INCIDENT TICKER

The incident ticker you have seen under construction in the left hand column is now active. I will use this ticker to post serious events at our local schools that are reported to me by members of the public. The events listed will NOT be obtained through my position as a board of education member. To report an incident to be posted, please EMAIL ME with the school, date, and the event...NO NAMES PLEASE.

Rules Allowing Extended Time on Graduation

Advocates Debate Effects of Change in Regulations

By Catherine Gewertz

Federal regulations have opened a door that allows schools to get credit under the No Child Left Behind Act for students who take longer than four years to earn a high school diploma. But that option worries some education advocates, who fear it could relieve valuable pressure on high schools to graduate students on time.

Under the law’s accountability provisions, students who don't graduate in four years count against schools' graduation rates. Many educators have complained that such an approach punishes schools that go the extra mile to keep students from dropping out or to lure back those who have left school.

Read more HERE

Board opposes waiver of Maintenance of Effort

The Board of Education opposes a request by the Charles County Commissioners to waive the state's Maintenance of Effort requirement.

Maintenance of Effort is the state law that requires local governments to maintain the same level of funding from year to year and provides increases based on the enrollment and per pupil cost from the previous fiscal year. It ensures minimum local government funding in public education. Charles County Public Schools receives a significant portion of its funding from county government. Since 1984 the law has ensured that counties meet a proportional funding obligation relative to state funding.

In a letter to Donald Wade, chairman of the Board of Education, the Commissioners wrote that they regret that they are planning to request a waiver of the Maintenance of Effort for the next school year. They are filing for the waiver, according to the letter, because the county may receive additional unspecified state funding cuts. Counties must file requests for a waiver of Maintenance of Effort to the Maryland State Department of Education by April 1.

"The Maintenance of Effort waiver would have a significant impact on the school system, students, programs and staff," Wade said. "It is not in the best interest of maintaining a quality education system. Our funding projections for next year are already significantly lower on both the county and state levels and the cuts jeopardize the progress we have made in recent years."

By requesting a waiver of Maintenance of Effort, the Commissioners are asking to reduce funding by approximately $4.5 million below this school year's original budget and cut $14 million from the Board of Education's proposed budget of $304 million. Requested budget increases include only mandatory costs for health insurance, transportation, employee longevity steps, maintenance service contracts and utilities. The school system has not entered into negotiations with its two employee group representatives because of the lack of firm revenue projections from both the county and the state.

Additionally, the school system anticipates state funding will be flat; however, no official funding notification has been provided. The school system initially expected a $1.8 million cut in state funding, but projections show that stimulus money may offset that loss.

"The current law requires that the county levy taxes sufficient to meet the statutory obligations of Maintenance of Effort. A simple desire on the part of the Commissioners to avoid appropriate actions to satisfy the law is not a reason to grant a waiver or to overturn the law," Wade said.

Counties must by law submit a formal request for waivers to the Maryland State Department of Education and must prove that the county's fiscal condition significantly impedes the county's ability to fund Maintenance of Effort. A public hearing on all waiver requests will be held 9 a.m., April 27, at the Maryland State Board of Education in Baltimore.

Wade said the local Board plans to oppose any effort by the county to waive Maintenance of Effort and will ask the local delegation to oppose a statewide waiver. "While some counties may not be able to meet the legal requirement of Maintenance of Effort, the Board of Education feels that Charles County can meet its obligation," Wade said.

Multiracial Pupils to Be Counted in A New Way

By Michael Alison Chandler and Maria Glod
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, March 23, 2009; Page A01

Public schools in the Washington region and elsewhere are abandoning their check-one-box approach to gathering information about race and ethnicity in an effort to develop a more accurate portrait of classrooms transformed by immigration and interracial marriage. Next year, they will begin a separate count of students who are of more than one race.

For many families in the District, Montgomery and other local counties that have felt forced to deny a part of their children's heritage, the new way of counting, mandated by the federal government, represents a long-awaited acknowledgment of their identity: Enrollment forms will allow students to identify as both white and American Indian, for example, or black and Asian. But changing labels will make it harder to monitor progress of groups that have trailed in school, including black and Hispanic students.

Read more HERE

Report: Md. Kindergartners are Entering School Better Prepared

BALTIMORE (March 24, 2009) - Children entering kindergarten in Maryland continue to improve their preparation for the rigors of the classroom, according to a new report by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

"Children Entering School Ready to Learn-School Readiness Information for School Year 2008-2009," a report by MSDE's Division of Early Childhood Development, revealed steady progress in all demographic subgroups. Maryland students entering kindergarten fully prepared for learning increased by 5 percent from 2008 to 2009, up to 73 percent. That is up 24 percentage points since the baseline year of 2001.

Read more HERE

Follow-Up of Board Work Session, 3/23/09

Since the work session on 3/23/09, I have received a fax in which Chairman Wade listed his appointees for two board sub-committees:

• Alternative Schedules - Cook, Carrington, & staff
• Code of Conduct Sexual Offenses - Pedersen & Bailey, & staff & students

NOTES: Board Work Session, 3/23/09

The Board Work Session on Monday, March 23rd will be re-broadcast on Channel 96 on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; Fridays at 9 a.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. It will be available soon via web streaming. 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.

PUBLIC FORUM

• Female - Resident of White Plains for 30+ years. Concerned about the safety issues in the schools. Supports Abells request for information. Appalled by reaction of other members. Wants to know how board members vote on these issues. Concerned about quote by Wade in Indy and fights. Concerned with lack of transparency. Public should know what is going on.

SAFETY IN SCHOOLS

• Cook - Wants an update about the safety of our schools
• Pedersen - What happens after events occur? We did brainstorming...supports a student government teen court and cameras in schools
• Cook - Grant money available for school safety
• Abell - Parent policing; student ID's; lack of visitation by parents due to policy restrictions; whole community is needed
• Wise - Doesn't believe there are safety problems, taught for 26 years
• Cook - Things are not like they used to be
• Abell - Teachers and principal have commented to me personally: Teachers are reluctant to send students from the classroom because they are ridiculed and reprimanded by principals for not being able to "control" their students. Principals reluctant to suspend because it looks bad on them and their school.
• Carrington - Who is responsible for these parent volunteers?
• Ms. Hile (Principal, Hanson) - Never been told to watch her suspensions or keep them down
• Mr. Short (Principal, Lackey) - Montgomery County has ID's and still have the same number of suspensions. Thinks students do a great job policing themselves. Very open environment; allows parents in school
• Cook - Perception vs reality
• Abell - We need to be open and let the public know about the incidents
• Carrington - Thinks it's wrong to put on web-site or put emphasis on this small percentage of our student population.
• Wise - Addresses newspaper to stop putting negative in the paper and put positive on the front page
• Abell - Paper does print the positive. Web-site ONLY has positive; no bad
• Bailey - History of the board and system and how far we've come. Kudos to staff

REVIEW POLL OF BOARD

BOARD MEMBER NOTIFICATION OF INCIDENTS

• Anonymous paper poll indicated...Yes = 2; No = 5
• Bailey - No. Not Needed
• Wise - No. Thinks we get enough
• Pedersen - Yes
• Abell - Requests a public vote for all these items so public can see how each board member votes

Yes = Abell, Pedersen; No = Wade, Wise, Carrington, Bailey, Cook

SCHOOL INCIDENT TICKER ON WEBSITE

• Anonymous paper poll indicated...Yes=1; No=6

Yes = Abell; No = Wade, Wise, Carrington, Bailey, Cook, Pedersen

CODE OF CONDUCT - SEXUAL OFFENSES

• Anonymous paper poll indicated...Yes=4; No=1; Maybe=2
• Wise - Because it is happening more we should review

Yes = Abell, Carrington, Cook, Pedersen, Bailey, Wise; No = Wade

• [Yep....it doesn't match the anonymous paper poll]

ALTERNATIVE SCHEDULES

• Anonymous paper poll indicated...Yes=3; No=3; Maybe=1
• Carrington - Doesn't see a need for it
• Pedersen - Wants to put it to rest and will appease community
• Wise - Doesn't see a need
• Pedersen - Inform public
• Abell - Listed the history of this request dating back to Jan 2007 through today of at least 8 requests for the research that was previously done.
• Wise - Thinks staff should not be tasked; we should do it ourselves
• Richmond - Offered staff; double-shifting does work and year round schooling does work in some areas but don't know if they are right for us.
• Wade - Form a committee of staff board members

Yes=Abell, Bailey, Cook, Pedersen, Wise, Wade; Abstain=Carrington

Meeting adjourned

HSA deadline looms & Stats

More than 4,600 seniors risk not getting diplomas if they don't pass tests

By Liz Bowie liz.bowie@baltsun.com
March 26, 2009

While some state and school officials seem optimistic that thousands of seniors will meet new state graduation requirements by May, the task for some schools is much more challenging than for others.

More than half of the 4,660 students who are in danger of not getting diplomas because they have not passed the High School Assessments live in Baltimore City or Prince George's County and are concentrated in a couple of dozen high schools.

Read more HERE

County-by-county HSA numbers -- baltimoresun.com

Statewide HSA results by school -- baltimoresun.com

Reported Rape Raises Questions About Schools' Policy

By Jenna Johnson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, March 26, 2009; Page SM01

When Charles County police arrested a Henry E. Lackey High School senior last month and charged him with raping a 16-year-old in an empty classroom after school, several school board members said they were shocked by the system's brief policy on sexual offenses.

The student code of conduct says that any sexual offense is "viewed as potentially serious misconduct dependent upon the age and level of development of the student in question." The section on sexual offenses is 165 words long, compared with a 928-word policy on cellphones.

Discipline in sexual offense cases includes notifying the parents of students involved and, in most cases, legal authorities. In addition, the suspected offender is to be suspended "for up to 10 days," although the superintendent has the power to extend that period or expel the student.

Read more HERE

8% of Md. seniors at risk of not graduating

4,660 yet to pass High School Assessments
By Liz Bowie liz.bowie@baltsun.com
March 25, 2009

With three months left in the school year, more than 8 percent of Maryland seniors are at risk of not graduating, education officials said Tuesday in releasing the first precise count of how well the Class of 2009 is meeting the High School Assessments.

This year's seniors are the first who have been required to pass four tests in biology, English II, American government and algebra or do extra projects to prove they have mastered the material before getting a diploma.

Despite the large number - 4,660 students in a class of 53,000 - officials told the state school board that they are confident that most will qualify by retaking tests in April or May, completing the projects or getting waivers. Special education students and those who are learning English as a second language are at the greatest risk of not graduating.

Read more HERE

State Recognizes Charles County Schools for MSA Achievement

LA PLATA, Md. (March 24, 2009) -- Fifteen Charles County public schools were recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education in the Maryland School Performance Recognition Program, which honors schools for achievement and improvement on the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) or the High School Assessment (HSA).

Dr. James Craik and William B. Wade elementary schools, and North Point High School were honored for overall achievement. William A. Diggs, T.C. Martin, Walter J. Mitchell, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy, J.C. Parks, J.P. Ryon and Eva Turner elementary schools, Milton M. Somers Middle School, and Henry E. Lackey, Maurice J. McDonough, Thomas Stone and Westlake high schools were recognized for subgroup improvement.

Read more HERE

Schools revamp schedules to save money

By Emily Bazar,
USA TODAY

Schools are moving to four-day weeks, shortening the school year, staggering start times and making other schedule adjustments to save money.

Some altered schedules to fill budget holes for this year. Others are planning for next year but don't know how much their budgets will be reduced as legislators face shrinking tax revenue.

Although federal stimulus funds will help, "most districts are still unaware of how much money that will mean for them," says Mary Kusler, a lobbyist for the American Association of School Administrators.

Read more HERE

School system publishes Annual Report

Charles County Public Schools 2009 Annual Report, titled "News to Know," will be mailed to all student households this week, March 23-27.

The report, which is one of three to be produced this year, contains student and faculty accomplishments, school system budget information, articles on technology and Charles County Public School's safe driving partnership with the Charles County Sheriff's Office.

The report is being mailed at no cost to the school system or taxpayers and will be mailed in an envelope containing advertisements, which offsets the production and distribution costs.

The report is also available on the school system's Web site, www.ccboe.com. The report is listed under the public information and media tab, located on the left-hand side of the home page. Select the publications menu option.

The publication is produced by the CCPS communications department and is required by law to be published. The direct link to the report is http://www2.ccboe.com/PDF/2009-annualreport.pdf.

CCPS does not endorse any of the companies whose advertisements appear with the mailing. Call 301-934-7220 for additional information or additional copies.

The Pressure Is On, and the Kids Suffer in . . . Kindergarten?

By Jay Mathews
Sunday, March 22, 2009; Page SM06

Dear Extra Credit:

We have two sets of twins who are in fourth grade and kindergarten at a well-regarded public school in Bowie. The difference I see in the four years since my older children were in kindergarten is astounding.

I do not remember the older children having tests in kindergarten. Now they have tests at least monthly in math, reading, social studies and science. The tests are multiple choice so that they can practice filling in little bubbles to be ready for the Maryland State Assessment in three years. For this week's math worksheet, they were required to cut and paste the days of the week in order (acceptable to me) and then explain how they knew their answer was correct (what are they supposed to write for that?).

This year's kindergartners were starting to write sentences by the second month. They started with a simple "I see" and quickly moved up to things such as, "I go to school." They are expected to learn a new sentence each week and write it with a capital letter at the beginning, correct letter formation and spelling, spacing between the words, and a period at the end. Is this really essential for kindergarten?

Read more HERE

My Assessment of the New Bike Trail

Okay, not really education related but definitely community related and students might eventually try to venture out and get some sunshine.

Today was a gorgeous day so I decided to try out the new Hike-Bike Trail that runs from Indian Head to White Plains. Here is my assessment along with some pictures.


First I drove to the entrance of the trail off of Bumpy Oak Road and took off toward White Plains. Unfortunately, I didn't get very far. I got to Pomfret Road and was not allowed to continue because of it being roped off and saying DO NOT ENTER, NO TRESPASSING, U.S. GOVERNMENT PROPERTY
So I turned around and headed towards Indian Head and rode all the way to Rt. 225 (decided to turn around there because it was starting to get dark) never seein' a soul until...




...I met Charlie. Charlie was a nice elderly gentleman that said he rode from Marbury, does it frequently and posed for this nice picture. If you look closely there is an old barn in the background.

Summing it all up...I never saw anything paved and I thought the commissioners had stated that it was paved; maybe it is in another section, but not this one. I saw ducks, geese, and a blue heron. It was quite the workout riding through all the gravel, hills, and mud puddles. I definitely wouldn't try it without an off-road bicycle. Charlie was having a tough time and had to turn around because he couldn't get through with those skinny tires. It would be great for walking or jogging. I could see it becoming an all-terrain vehicle magnet once the weather breaks, though. Plan plenty of time so it doesn't get dark on you; it gets dark in the woods about 30 - 60 minutes before everywhere else. It was kind of spooky going alone. I definitely would say let someone know where you're going and don't go alone, or if you do, don't wear headphones, be aware of your surroundings, and exercise your right to bear arms :)

Lacrosse Tonight

The long awaited first Lacrosse matches will take place tonight Stone at McDonough girls play at 5:00; boys at 6:30 woo hoo!

Executive Session Added, March 23, 2009

I was notified today via fax and email that Chairman Wade has requested an Executive Session from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. prior to the board work session on Monday, March 23. Agenda is unknown. I have respectfully requested the nature/agenda for this meeting.

Maryland Public Information Act

This post began in two other posts if you have been following the saga...

• http://abell4edu.blogspot.com/2009/03/im-livid.html
• http://abell4edu.blogspot.com/2009/03/im-livid-part-2.html

Letter delivered at 11:30 a.m.

Dear Mr. Richmond

This is a request under the Maryland Public Information Act, State Government Article §§10-611 to 628. I am making this request on behalf of myself. I wish to inspect all records in your custody and control pertaining to the Board Poll regarding Board Member’s Request for Information dated March 12, 2009, including the individual responses of each board member for each item.

If all or any part of this request is denied, I request that I be provided with a written statement of the grounds for the denial. If you determine that some portions of the requested records are exempt from disclosure, please provide me with the portions that can be disclosed.

I also anticipate that I will want copies of some or all of the records sought. Therefore, please advise me as to the cost, if any, for obtaining a copy of the records and the total cost, if any, for all the records described above. If you have adopted a fee schedule for obtaining copies of records and other rules or regulations implementing the Act, please send me a copy.

Please note that the Public Information Act affords you only 30 days in which to approve or deny my request. If you are not the custodian of these records, the law gives you ten days to identify to me the proper custodian and the location of the documents.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Abell

I'm LIVID, part 2

Okay here we go again...this post is in regards to a previous one...
http://abell4edu.blogspot.com/2009/03/im-livid.html

So I phoned central office yesterday to see if the results of the poll were in. I was informed they were still waiting on two. I asked if they would be sending out the results upon completion and was told I would need to talk to Mr. Wade.

Phoned central office again this morning to see if it was complete and to try and talk to Mr. Wade. He wasn't in. Tried his cell...no answer. Tried his home...answering machine picked up...I thought I had hung up and was going to call central office again but heard that there was no dial tone...so I listened for a minute.....and heard a voice..."Mr. Wade?" Yes in deedy it was. Strange.

I asked Mr. Wade if we would be receiving the results of the poll today and was informed that NO we would not. We will be receiving the results on Monday at the work session. I questioned how one member of the board (himself) could withhold information from the other members. How can we prepare for the meeting without the results? The conversation continued with how he could poll one member's requests but not another's. He said safety is a concern for all and mine was just a laundry list. He then mumbled that there is a process. My response was yes, there is a process, but it should pertain to all members, not just one. Then I received a lecture about being professional and how this very conversation could end up on a blog somewhere. I put his fear at ease and assured him it would.

I have a call in for legal advice.

NOTES: Board Meeting, March 10, 2009

The Board Meeting Tuesday, March 10th will be re-broadcast on Channel 96 on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; Fridays at 9 a.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. . 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.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

• See report
• Web streaming video

BOARD CORRESPONDENCE

• Wise - Democratic Central Committee honoring Wade for Kennedy award
• Abell - MABE nominating and budget committee by May 29
• Pedersen - Blue Ribbon met with commissioners and submitted 6 issues
• Carrington - Reaching Out Now organization helping teachers and students; round table discussion and activities. Attended awards for history fair and robotics competition at CSM
• Wise - Winter student recognition program at Lackey was well attended
• Cook - Couldn't attend but received positive feedback
• Carrington - LaPlata good turnout - younger kids seeing older kids getting awards
• Abell - McDonough turnout was very poor
• Pedersen - North Point was good turnout
• Wise - One complaint from someone who had a child at two different locations
• Wineland - Westlake attendance was good
• Cook - Families liked seeing people they knew
• Wise - Surprise for feeder schools; had banners made

CISCO TELEPRESENCE

• Carrington - Adventure with Wineland driving. Met with VP of CISCO from building in DC to London conversation/discussion
• Wise - Indy paper - student blatantly says they are transferring to another county to play spring sports. Wants review at state level athletic policy
• Pedersen - Issues with AA Regional track meet held at Armory in DC. Floors and starter not conducive
• Wade - Letter from Grasmick - 2/10/09 letter re: appointment of Supt. approved

EACC

• Ms. Brown read report
• Wise - 2.5 hours to respond to the TELL survey?

STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS

• Senior prom on 3/13. 500 tickets sold out in 2 days
• CCASC state convention
• All HS raising $$ for state charity

CIP

• Barnhart - Kind. addition completed
• Bailey - Kind. addition - lost a couple of days due to snow. comp. 6/09
• Martin - ditto
• Mt. Hope - Septic system replacement. Bids for construction of kind. addition 3/25; currently have 17 interested companies
• Received another $1M from IAC for Middleton boilers
• Now have 249 "educational cottages"

PLAYGROUNDS

• Presentation
• Wise - Life of rubber base?
• Belmore - At least 10 years old now
• Pedersen - Seen some in ill repair like Wade
• Belmore - Those are a different kid; older style; slowly being replaced

INSTRUCTION - Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee

• HSA projects to date 717. 87 students met HSA requirement through the Bridge plan.
• Discussion on projects
• Summer Academy
• Sensory Room at JP Ryon; small rooms; $20,000 via grant
• Trying to seek funding for another room in the LaPlata area

HUMAN RESOURCES

• 2010 - 2011 Calendar;

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

• Schwartz - HB 1243/SB673 - Fairness in negotiations - create a system to allow outside arbitrators to decide what is negotiable and what is not. Would not allow Supt. to transfer employees. Suggests we oppose. MACO and Supt. Assoc. are opposing.
• Pederesen - How does this benefit the child?
• Abell - Asked for legislative issues to be an actual printed report on BoardDocs in the future in order to properly prepare for the meeting.

Motion for opposition to bills by Wise; Seconded by Pedersen. Abell - Abstained; Everyone else - Yes; PASSED

POLICY 1000 SERIES

• Presented; questions next month

NEW BUSINESS

• Cook - Suggests making board meeting earlier
• Pedersen - Against moving times
• Wise - Concern with staff time
• Abell - Public forum should NOT be moved; we were voted in as public servants to represent our community and that is who we should be accessible to
• Cook - Suggests submitting emails that could be read
• Bailey - Spoke about history

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

• None

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

• Cook - School safety issues
• Abell - Four previously requested agenda items (incident ticker for website, student code of conduct for sexual harassment, board notification of incidents, alternative schedules)
• Cunningham - States he can't locate the information; still working on it

ACTION

• Wise asked for the motion for the minutes to be divided

Motion by Bailey to approve the minutes from 2/10/09 executive session. Seconded by Carrington. Abstain - Wise and Pedersen. Yes - all remaining. PASSED

Motion by Wise to approve the minutes from the 2/10/09 public session. Seconded by Pedersen. Vote was unanimous. PASSED

Motion by Wise to approve Personnel. Second by Carrington. Vote was unanimous. PASSED

REMINDER: Board Work Session, March 23, 2009

Just a reminder, the Board of Education will hold a work session at 6 p.m. on Monday March 23, at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building in La Plata. The meeting will also be aired live on Comcast Channel 96. The agenda is not available for you to view on BoardDocs yet, but eventually you will be able to go here and see it. Until then, you can see it below.

***I will try to refrain from personal comments about the agenda ***

Public Forum

Work Session

• Safety in Schools
• Chairman's update on Board poll about alternative schedules, Code of Student Conduct for sexual offenses, ticker tape of school incidents and Board member notification of incidents.

Tide turns against schools as foreclosures rise

By Greg Toppo and Jack Gillum, USA TODAY

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Way back when times were good — last April — builders showed up one day at Forest Grove Middle School and gutted a little-used classroom off the gym.
Four months and a half-million dollars later, they had transformed the space into a gleaming, bubbling mini marine biology laboratory, with five huge, blue plastic tanks for local marine life and a refrigerated tank that replicates the cold-water ecosystem off Maine.

For the first time, teacher Kevin Stinnette thought, his students could do hands-on lessons with cold-water species such as frilled anemones and Acadia hermit crabs.

Then the mortgage meltdown hit central Florida, and the crabs and anemones weren't the only ones hit with cold water. Here as elsewhere across the USA, hard times have forced schools to trim budgets, freeze hiring and, in a few cases, make substantial job cuts, raising doubts about the future of a range of programs, including the new marine lab.

Read more HERE

I'm Livid

Board members received two memos from Chairman Wade today via email and fax. They both pertain to two of my posts here on this site.

You can read the first memo HERE. It is explaining when the agenda for board meetings is posted. If you go to this post, http://abell4edu.blogspot.com/2009/03/reminder-board-meeting-31009.html, you will see I stated that the agenda was NOT available to the public a week before the meeting. Granted, we had a snow day on Monday, but if that was truly the issue, as the memo seems to portray, how was the agenda available to board members on Monday? If they could make it available to us on Monday, a snow day, why was it not available to the public?

The second memo you can read HERE. This is the one that really incites me. It is concerning Future Agenda Items and this post http://abell4edu.blogspot.com/2009/03/future-agenda-items.html and if I was getting a complex before, this seems to have proven my point. You see, there are four items I requested for a future agenda item (school incident ticker, board member notification of incidents, Student Code of Conduct for sexual offenses, and alternative scheduling), I have asked for the latter one at least six times over the last 18 months and the former ones I asked for in January...they never seem to be placed on the agenda. So, I did the proper thing and brought them up again, in public at the 3/10 meeting. (I hope to have my notes up by the weekend). Once again they were written down by our chairman along with Ms. Cook's request for School Safety Issues. A little discussion took place, with Mr. Wade requesting clarification on exactly what I wanted. We moved on. Then today we get the above memo asking for a consensus of the board for MY requests as future agenda items before the chairman tasks staff with the work. Ms. Cook's request is not on this list, only mine. Why wasn't a consensus requested during our PUBLIC meeting so the PUBLIC could see who was for or against? Why doesn't our chairman need consensus for Ms. Cook's request? What is it about my requests that our chairman doesn't like?

BTW - I tried to talk to Mr. Wade via telephone regarding this, to no avail.

Md. to explore tracking performance of teachers, students

by Liz Bowie

The state Board of Education said yesterday that it will explore a partnership with neighboring states to create a regional data base that tracks the performance of teachers and students. Maryland lags in such data gathering, according to state schools chief Nancy Grasmick. Already, 21 states track teachers, but Maryland does not. [Sun]

Obama to unveil first piece of education plan

By PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is unveiling the first piece of his education plan to a group of Hispanic business leaders.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says Obama's speech Tuesday to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will outline the first steps of an agenda to change American schools. Gibbs says the president's remarks will focus on new approaches to help students and teachers. [AP]

Future Agenda Items

You know, I am really starting to get a complex. It seems as though items that I request to be placed on an upcoming agenda never get placed on the agenda. If another board member requests it, bingo, it's on there the next month. Could it be intentional? hmmmmmm

Report: Md. schools should tap foreign language 'assets'

March 5, 2009 - 9:22am

WASHINGTON - Maryland is home to the nation's third-highest percentage of foreign-born college graduates and should capitalize on the diversity of language abilities, according to a 2009 report of the Preservation of Heritage Language Skills Task Force.

The task force, authorized by the 2008 Maryland General Assembly, made four recommendations: to award high school foreign language credit by exam, increase immersion programs in schools, expand teacher certification options and enhance English speaking learning programs for foreign-born adults.

"The main challenges we face in assuring that Maryland benefits from these skills are leadership, coordination and innovation -- not taxpayer dollars," said Sen. James C. Rosapepe, D-Prince George's, co-sponsor of the task force legislation.

Legislative action isn't necessary, Rosapepe said, and this innovation can occur at the local level among school systems and communities.

Read more HERE

School System Publishes Annual Report

Charles County Public Schools published its 2009 Annual Report, titled "News to Know," this week on the school system's Web site, www.ccboe.com. The report is listed under the public information and media tab, located on the left-hand side of the home page. Select the publications menu option.

The report contains student and faculty accomplishments, school system budget information, articles on technology and Charles County Public School's safe driving partnership with the Charles County Sheriffs Office.

The publication is produced by the CCPS communications department and is required by law to be published. The direct link to the report is http://www2.ccboe.com/PDF/2009-annualreport.pdf

Additionally, the report will be mailed next month to all staff members and student households at no cost to the school system or taxpayers. The report will be mailed in an envelope containing advertisements, which offset the cost of producing and distributing the publication. CCPS does not endorse any of the companies whose advertisements appear with the mailing. Call 301-934-7220 for additional information or additional copies.

REMINDER: Board Meeting 3/10/09

PLEASE NOTE...UNFORTUNATELY THE AGENDA IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE ON THE PUBLIC BOARDDOCS SIDE...

IN ADDITION, PLEASE NOTE THE NEW BUSINESS ITEM : CHANGE IN BOARD MEETING TIMES

The Board of Education's next monthly meeting is Tuesday, March 10, 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 recognition begins at 4:30 p.m. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and rebroadcast throughout the week. Program schedules for Channel 96 are available at www2.ccboe.com/publicinfo/channel96/schedule.cfm. You can view the agenda and report items at BoardDocs ..



Executive session  12 p.m.


Call to order  1 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance, Henry E. Lackey High School's JROTC unit

Reports of officers/boards/committees
Superintendent's update
Correspondence/Board Member updates - Cisco Telepresence; Sen. Cardin's North Point visit; and winter student recognition
Education Association of Charles County update
Student Board Member update
CIP update
Special Education Citizen's Advisory Committee
2010-2011 school calendar
Legislative update
Policy subcommittee update
Unfinished business

New business and future agenda items
New business - Change of Board meeting time
Future agenda items
Recognition  4:30 p.m.
Students
Employees
Resolutions: Month of the Young Child and National Student Leadership Week.
Public Forum  6 p.m.

Action items
Minutes
Personnel
Adjournment

Gaps persist on Advanced Placement in Md.

By Liz Bowie

Maryland may rank No. 1 in the nation for the percentage of its high school graduates who pass an Advanced Placement test, but behind that distinction is a wide disparity between counties and high schools. [Sun]

O'Malley sets goals for schools

Governor would measure students against world's
By Liz Bowie liz.bowie@baltsun.com
February 25, 2009

Gov. Martin O'Malley laid out an ambitious education agenda for the state school board yesterday, saying that he wants to take Maryland's schools from being ranked No. 1 in the nation to being regarded as "the best public school system in the world."

In remarks that were both broader in scope and more detailed than he has been in the past on education, O'Malley laid out seven key goals that he wants the state board to meet. Several of the initiatives would take advantage of unprecedented levels of federal funding and would require Maryland to raise standards, particularly in middle and high school.

HERE

State education board adopts new bullying policy

Associated Press

The State Board of Education has approved a model policy intended to stop bullying.

The policy applies to both physical bullying and bullying by way of cell phones or the Internet.

State Schools Superintendent Nancy Grasmick said the policy reflects the fact that "today's bullies come in many forms, including those who use electronic means."

It directs local school systems to submit copies of their anti-bullying policies to Grasmick by July 1 for review. [Sun]

Student Recognition

Tonight I had the privilege of attending one of the many student recognitions taking place around the county. I went to Mcdonough where not only McDonough students were being recognized, but also Stoddert, James Craik, Eva Turner, and Brown. As always, Ms. Petty and staff were well prepared, the McDonough Wind Ensemble was phenomenal, but...the attendance by parents and students was once again lacking. I am very disappointed when looking out into the audience and see principals attending these recognition events, taking time away from their families, and have NONE of the students or parents show up. What is the answer? Should we not give out recognitions? Very sad right now.

SB 857

Don't know MABE's or the BOE's position on this bill but have a request in to verify.
-------------------
SB 857
Sponsored By: Senators Pugh and McFadden
Entitled:
Education - Public High Schools and Public High School Students - Revisions and Requirements

Synopsis:
Requiring the State Department of Education to develop a data collection system for students who graduate from high school in 3 years, 4 years, or 5 years; requiring the State Board of Education to report the reasons students opt to take the GED; requiring county boards of education to partner with community colleges in order to offer a 50% discount on tuition to students who take college courses while still in high school; etc.

--------------------
The below comments are from an email I received. NG = Nancy Grasmick

IF there is a 50% reduction in tuition on college credits for hs kids that are dual enrolled, where is the $$ going to come from to pay the college professors for educating high school kids? NG is only behind this because she will have to educate fewer kids but gets to keep the full amount of $$ from the September 30 head count. As I see it (and I admit it was quickly read on my part) this bill is quite craftily worded to suit NG's never ending thirst for black hole money.

Why is she doing this? Because she is now seeing the financial gain as more and more parents have caught on to the AP bull shit games school systems play. Now, more parents are choosing to dual enrolling their kids rather than play roulette with AP classes and exams.

In other words, a kid sits in homeroom on September 30. Because he is enrolled in public school (no matter what % of the day) NG gets to charge the state's taxpayers what..... $6K and gets to charge the feds.... $2K (?) to educate just one kid. But the kid spends 50% of his time being educated by the college. NG keeps $8K but theoretically only has to shell out $4K. She makes the colleges do the work she should be doing and then has the nerve to tell them they need to do it for 50% less than the going rate. Now, mulitply that $4k net gain by hundreds or thousands of kids all over the state as parents slowly catch on to the AP scam. That's a tidy little sum NG can rack up.

While, as a parent, I love the idea of a 50% tuition reduction, this accounting system is BS. Now, if NG wants to prorate the amount of $$ she keeps and forwards the rest on to the corresponding colleges, then I say have at it. Better yet, only collect a prorated amount from the taxpayers to begin with. We all know that won't happen. Do you see that worded anywhere in the bill? (I did read it rather quickly.)

Tracking why people take GED's or why some graduate in 3 or 4 or 5 years - I have no problem with that. BUT...... what other information will Ms. G (as in KGB) be tracking? Sounds good, but the devil is in the details. And, I can guarantee you, even the state board members will not have a clue as to what NG is really tracking.

IF it sounds too good to be true and it involves NG, there's always a catch. She just thinks we're too dumb to figure it out. I'd bet $$ that this wasn't the sponsoring senators' ideas. None of them know about or give a rat's ass about education. This came from (or was seriously tweaked by) NG and the teachers unions. (more money available for raises and smaller class size)

School system to upgrade substitute-calling system

Charles County's school system is upgrading its substitute-calling system to include more technology options and to increase its daily fill rate, according to a system press release.

The new system takes effect at 5 p.m. March 8.

School system human resources staff is training teachers on the new system, SmartFind Express.

Training for substitute teachers is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at Westlake High School. Substitutes planning to attend the training must RSVP at 301-934-7233 or send an e-mail to info@ccboe.com.

Read more HERE

D.C. Area Schools Chiefs' Perk That Refreshes: Travel

School superintendents in the Washington region work punishing hours as a rule, with duties that blur day and evening, week and weekend. Some ease the strain by getting away from the office -- far away, and often.
[...]
Several superintendents from the Maryland suburbs traveled relatively infrequently, including Charles County's James E. Richmond, who nonetheless squeezed in six days in Stockholm for a conference and Nobel Peace Prize events. [Wash. Post]

Abell to Hold Q & A

Charles County Board of Education member Jennifer Abell will hold a question & answer session for interested residents on Thursday, February 19 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Unique Sports Academy, 109 Post Office Road, Waldorf. For more information call Jennifer Abell 301-659-4112 or e-mail abell4edu@verizon.net .

Winter Student Recognition

NEW PROCESS

Will be taking place at all six high schools on Monday, February 23rd at 6:00 p.m. Since they are all at the same time, board members will be dividing to conquer :)


Wade - Westlake
Wise - Lackey
Abell - McDonough
Bailey - Thomas Stone
Carrington - LaPlata
Cook - LaPlata
Pedersen - North Point

Governor Martin O'Malley Unveils First Ever Statewide Teacher Survey

ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 17, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by state and local education officials, students, and teachers, today unveiled the first ever statewide survey of Maryland educators, an initiative titled “TELL Maryland.” The survey serves as a unique opportunity to gather information about school conditions, teacher satisfaction, and opportunities for improvement in the teaching and learning environments throughout the State. This web-based tool will be available to over 70,000 educators in Maryland’s 1,433 public school locations.

“We know the recruitment and retention of quality, dedicated teachers has a direct impact on student achievement,” said Governor O’Malley. “This data has the potential for both dramatic and subtle improvements in teaching and learning environments throughout Maryland, each with its own unique impact on student achievement. We honor our educators by listening to them, by including them in the process, and by engaging them so that we may continue to build upon our progress as the number one public school system in America.”

Read more HERE

Stimulus aid to stave off school cuts

By Brian Witte

Proposed reductions in state aid to Maryland schools will be more than offset by the federal stimulus measure President Barack Obama is poised to sign, Gov. Martin O'Malley said today.

Of Maryland's 24 school jurisdictions, 16 received a total of about $69 million less in O'Malley's current budget proposal, which was submitted last month, compared to last year. Prince George's County and Baltimore city received the biggest reductions, about $35 million and $23 million, respectively. [Balt. Sun]

Abell protests meeting

By GRETCHEN PHILLIPS

A Charles County Board of Education member publicly cried foul on other members after an unannounced meeting regarding the health curriculum.

For several months, a hot topic around the community and the school system has been a health curriculum addressing sex education.

Recently a brief meeting held by the Charles County Board of Education raised a red flag with board member Jennifer S. Abell about whether or not there was a discussion on the topic in violation of the Maryland Open Meetings Act. [Indy]

Related: Dismissed Myself...

Charles School Board Seeks $4.1 Million for Pay Raises

By Jenna Johnson and Megan Greenwell

The Charles County Board of Education on Tuesday tacked $4.1 million for salary increases on the preliminary schools budget for next fiscal year. The revised $308.7 million spending plan now goes to county commissioners.

In January, Superintendent James E. Richmond presented the board with a $304.6 million budget. It called for an increase of $5.1 million over this fiscal year's budget so that the school system could cover mandatory cost increases in health insurance, student transportation, utilities and service contracts. The budget did not include money for employee salary adjustments. [Wash.Post]

End of an era: School closing after 50 years

By GRETCHEN PHILLIPS

After nearly 50 years and many recent efforts to stay a float, St. Mary, Star of the Sea School in Indian Head will close its doors at the end of the school year. [Indy]

NOTES: Board Meeting, 2/10/09

The Board Meeting Tuesday, February 10th will be re-broadcast on Channel 96 on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; Fridays at 9 a.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. . 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.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

• See report
• inclement weather school closings
• Up 4 the Challenge w/Joe Krebs Ch. 4 @ Westlake

BOARD CORREPONDANCE

• Cook & Pedersen presented at PAC meeting regarding What Counts?
• Carrington - Stones JROTC dining in event

EACC

• teacher funding
• NEA's position
• Participation in Gov. survey called Tell.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS

• >100 students from Charles County participated in legislative session
• planning for senior prom

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT

• Tell Program from Governor

CIP UPDATE

• Barnhart - FDK additin - 5 months ahead of schedule
• G. Bailey - FDK addition - Complete 6/09
• T.C. Martin - FDK addition - Complete 6/09
• Redistricting committee will be presenting recommendations next month
• Abell - clarification on what is being redistricted
• NP & Davis new sites and developments with no children or houses
• Bailey - stimulus package - board is not taking a position

HUMAN RESOURCES

• 2011 - 2012 Calendar; requesting input via web-site, parent groups, etc.
• about to send out letters of intention

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

• Gov. proposed budget not good for public education, about 1.8M less

NEW BUSINESS

• Carrington - financial literacy
• Wise - Bill passed Senate, in House

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Motion by Wise to renew Superintendent's contract. Second by Pedersen. Vote was unanimous.

• Abell asked for the motion for the minutes to be divided since she was not in attendance for the Friday, February 6th conference call

Motion by Wise to approve the minutes from 1/13/09 and 1/26 09. Seconded by Carrington. Vote was unanimous.

Motion by Wise to approve the minutes from the February 6th conference call. Seconded by Cook. Vote was all to approve; Abell abstained.

Motion by Wise to approve Personnel. Second by Pedersen. Vote was unanimous.

Motion by Bailey to approve the Health Curriculum. Second by Carrington. Bailey motioned to amend the motion to include specific changes that he distributed to board members. No second. Amendment failed. Vote was unanimous to approve original motion.

Motion by Abell to approve the Superintendent's proposed FY 2010 Budget. Second by Cook.

• Abell - How much does it cost to fund a salary step/level increase for both bargaining units?
• Balides - $4.1M
• Cook - If we were to ask for funding for a step increase, how much would that increase our total request for County funding?
• Balides - $9,460,500
• Abell - What would the total FY2010 budget request?
• $308,737,000

Cook motioned to amend the motion to add the cost of the salary step and level. Second by Wise. Vote was unanimous for the amendment.

Vote was unanimous for the original motion.

"Peanut" Food Recall

FYI - I did request verification from CCPS as to their status with the peanut situation.

The food service department does not use or stock bulk peanut butter. In addition, Smuckers offered a letter of assurance stating their "Uncrustables" are NOT involved with the recall.

Local School Hosts Education Secretary as Stimulus Pitch Continues

Arlington, Va. - For students at Arlington's Wakefield High School, today's lessons included more than reading and writing: arithmetic in the billions was a part of the lesson plan as well, as Education Secretary Arne Duncan paid them a visit to pitch the president's stimulus plan. [WJLA-TV]

Rhee Says Economy Forces D.C. to Cut Wage Proposal

By Bill Turque

D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee said yesterday that the deteriorating economy will force the District to cut the wage proposal in its contract offer to the Washington Teachers' Union. At the same time, Rhee spoke in upbeat and conciliatory terms about negotiations with the union, now in their 15th month.

The financial package Rhee offered in July called for a minimum increase of 28 percent over five years, depending on which salary "tier" teachers selected. But with the District expected to collect at least $456 million less in tax revenue during the 2010 fiscal year, she said the situation has changed. Rhee said she would soon submit a revised final offer. [Wash. Post]

Scholastic chided for selling toys in book clubs

By DAVID CRARY

NEW YORK – Scholastic Corp., the U.S. publisher of the Harry Potter books, has come under criticism from a children's advocacy group for using its vast, venerable network of school-based book clubs to market toys and other non-educational items such as video games to lip gloss.

The world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, Scholastic earned nearly $337 million last year from the book clubs, which it inaugurated in 1948. The company estimates that three-quarters of U.S. elementary school teachers — and more than 2.2 million children — participate annually in the clubs. [AP]

Schools Face Sharp Rise In Homeless Students

Educators Rush to Offer Help Amid Bad Economy

By Maria Glod

The economic plunge has generated a growing wave of children nationwide who are sleeping in shelters, motels, spare bedrooms or even the family van as their parents seek to keep them in school. Educators are scrambling to help, with extra tutoring, clothes, food and cab fare. [Wash. Post]

Dismissed Myself...

For the record, I was in Central Office today for a couple of meetings. One was the policy review committee which Maura, Pam, and myself serve on and will be presenting policy update recommendations to the board and public over the next several months. Second was a phone conference with all board members to discuss next week's action item, Health (Sex Education) Curriculum. I relayed my concerns over the topic of the conference and the fact that, in my opinion, it was a topic and discussion that should be discussed during public session. I believe this conference was in violation of the Open Meetings Act. I dismissed myself from the meeting and left the room.

Suspect Peanuts Sent to Schools

Schools in California, Minnesota and Idaho received the suspected peanut products between January and November 2007

By Lyndsey Layton

Peanut Corporation of America sold 32 truckloads of roasted peanuts and peanut butter to the federal government for a free-lunch program for poor children even as the company's internal tests showed that its products were contaminated with salmonella bacteria. [Wash Post]

Incident at Lackey High School

Yes there was an incident of alleged sexual assault at Lackey High School. A student has been charged. I cannot release specifics of the incident, but here is a news report.

Teen Arrested for Sexual Assault at Lackey High School

LA PLATA, Md. (Feb. 5, 2009) -- Serious violence in the public schools seems to be Charles County's latest social issue. In early January, a 16-year-old female student was stabbed in the back by a like-aged male student at Maurice McDonough High School in Pomfret. Yesterday, a student at Henry Lackey High School in Indian Head says she was sexually assaulted in an empty classroom around 2 pm. Anthony Hansley, 18, of White Plains, was arrested today and charged with second-degree rape and second-degree assault in connection with the incident.

Read more HERE

Interesting Statistics

Below is some statistics sent to me by a reader. I've taken out the commentary, just statistics comparing Lackey to Paint Branch HS in Montgomery County (designation as the school in the U.S. with the highest percentage of African American students passing an AP exam)...interested in seeing what my readers think.

Teacher Qualifications

Lackey ---Paint Branch

31.4------- 34.6 Standard
50.0 -------56.8 Advanced Professional
0----------- 0 Resident
10.--------- 2.5 Conditional
12.3 --------6.3 % of classes not taught by HQ teachers

STUDENT MOBILITY

11.9 --------7.4


STUDENT POPULATION

1521 -------1784 Total Enrollment

876---------- 829 African American
568 ----------401 White
25 -----------189 Hispanic
28 -----------357 Asian

769 ----------883 Male
752 ----------901 Female


FREE/REDUCED PRICE LUNCH
2008 -25.6 ------22
2007- 22.5 ------20.1
2006 -20.3------ 18.7
2005 -18.1 ------14.8
2004 -19.3 ------12.9
2003 -22.3 ------12.9
2002 -22.9 ------11.3
2001 -24.4 ------11.3
2000 -24.8------ 11.8

SPECIAL EDUCATION

2008 -8.6------ 8.4
2007 -7.7 ------8.6
2006 -8.0 ------8.8
2005- 8.2 ------8.8
2004 -9.0------ 8.8
2003- 8.1 ------9.7
2002 -9.4 ------8.6
2001 -11.0 -----9.2
2000- 14.9 -----7.6
1999 -12.4 ------8.5

LIMITED ENGLISH

2008 -.6-------- .9
2007 - *-------- .8
2006 - * --------1.0
2005 -*--------- 1.0
2004 -* ---------.7
2003 -*--------- .5
2002- .4 ---------1.1
2001-- .5 ---------1.0
2000 --*---------- 1.3
1999 --* -----------.4


SECTION 504

2008- .9 -------.8
2007 -.8 -------2.0
2006 -.9 -------2.4
2005- 1.4 ------2.7
2004- .8 -------2.6
2003- .5------- 1.8

REMINDER: Board Meeting, 02/10/09

Reminder... there is a Board Meeting Tuesday, February 10th. Can't attend...you can watch it live on Channel 96. It will also be re-broadcast on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; Fridays at 9 a.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. . To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit BoardDocs.

Items that may be of interest:

• Action - Health Curriculum
• Action - Budget 2010

**Please see the link to the agenda above. I will no longer be rewriting the full agenda on this blog due to time constraints on my part. If any reader really uses my agenda postings, please contact me and we can see what I can work out. Otherwise, click on the link above for the complete agenda and review my items of interest.

Maryland Takes First Place in AP Exams

By Daniel de Vise

For the first time, Maryland ranks first among states for the share of graduating seniors who passed at least one Advanced Placement exam, a measure of college preparation that has become the new standard for accelerated instruction in high school. [Wash. Post]

Five T. Stone Wrestlers Charged With Hazing

By Katie Carrera

Five Thomas Stone varsity wrestlers have been charged by the Charles County Sheriff's Office with misdemeanor hazing for their involvement in an incident on the team bus last month. All five have been suspended from school indefinitely, and first-year coach Michael Larson has been removed from his position for at least the remainder of the season. [Wash Post]

Survey: College increasingly important but pricey

By JUSTIN POPE

The number of Americans who think a college degree is essential for success has risen dramatically in recent years, a new survey shows, but two-thirds of them also believe that higher education is priced out of reach for some qualified students.

The survey, released Wednesday by the groups Public Agenda and the National Center on Public Policy and Higher Education, underscores the uptick in public anxiety about college affordability during the current recession. [AP]

Could stimulus make your kids fat?

By ERIKA LOVLEY

There’s been plenty criticism of the hefty economic stimulus package. But here’s a new one: Could it make your kids fat?

The American Heart Association warns that confusing language in both the $819 billion-plus House and Senate stimulus bills could dissuade some schools from spending money on gymnasiums and stadiums and other shovel-ready projects that combat childhood obesity.

With the slumping economy curtailing family funds for expensive gym memberships and traveling soccer teams, health lobbyists say the school gym is vital to keeping students healthy. [Politico]

First Lady Visits Department of Education

By Maria Glod

In the first stop of a planned series of visits to federal agencies, first lady Michelle Obama went to the Department of Education today to energize workers by announcing: "I am a product of your work."

During a 10 minute speech with a pep rally atmosphere, Obama plugged the president's stimulus plan, which would pay to renovate thousands of schools, add funding for preschool for disadvantaged children and increase federal dollars for Pell Grants for college students. She said the infusion of cash would prevent teacher layoffs and help children in poverty and those with disabilities. [Wash. Post]

Enrollment in faith-based schools down nearly 20 percent

By Leah Fabel

Urban faith-based schooling options have declined by nearly 20 percent in 20 years, according to a recent report by the White House Domestic Policy Council, and officials warn that poor and minority students are most adversely affected.

Nationwide, the number of students enrolled in urban religious schools declined by 18 percent to about 1.8 million between 1989 and 2006, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, an arm of the Department of Education. [WTOP]

Longer school year worries Ohio's tourism industry

By JOHN SEEWER | Associated Press Writer

TOLEDO, Ohio - Adding four weeks to Ohio's school year will create a shorter summer travel season and hurt everyone from big amusement parks to family-run campgrounds, those in the travel industry say.

Some argue that the proposal for an extended school year announced last week by Gov. Ted Strickland will cost jobs and shrink tax revenue at a time when the state can't afford it.
[...]
Adding 20 days to the school year is just one piece of Strickland's plan to overhaul Ohio's public schools and increase learning in the classroom.

School districts will be able to determine when to add the extra days that will be phased in over the next decade, Strickland spokeswoman Amanda Wurst said. [Chicago Tribune]

Group Aims To Reform School Bullies

Local Effort Will Dovetail With Statewide Policy

By Jenna Johnson
Washington Post Staff Writer

In response to a statewide crackdown mandated by last year's General Assembly, the Maryland State Board of Education plans to release a model policy next month about how schools should confront and counsel bullies.

But the Tri-County Youth Services Bureau in Southern Maryland is getting a head start on the initiative by launching anti-bullying programs in communities and schools. The organization's Community Conferencing Project facilitates meetings between bullies and their victims to discuss incidences of bullying and how the people involved are affected. [Wash. Post]

Freeze in Md. tuition could be tough sell

Legislators worry that cap limits growth for state's universities

By Stephen Kiehl and Gadi Dechter

The freeze on state university tuition - which Gov. Martin O'Malley wants to extend into a fourth year - is sure to score points with recession-weary voters. But critics wonder if it's in the best interests of the universities.

Keeping tuition artificially low limits growth at a time when colleges are seeing record numbers of applications, and it stalls university improvements. And while state university students benefit from the freeze, those attending community colleges are not as fortunate. O'Malley has not provided money to hold the line on tuition for the 128,000 credit-earning students at community colleges. [Balt. Sun]

Man Charged With Sending Lewd E-Mails

Suspect Is Accused of Posing As St. Mary's Superintendent In Notes to School Officials

By Megan Greenwell
Washington Post Staff Writer

A former St. Mary's County school system employee was charged last week with sending lewd e-mail messages to two school officials while posing as Superintendent Michael J. Martirano.

Brian L. Still, 45, of Issue is accused of harassing Board of Education member Mary M. Washington and Esperanza Middle School Principal Jill Snyder-Mills from Martirano's e-mail address, through a process known as "spoofing." Spoofing, commonly used to send spam, changes the "from" line in an e-mail to appear as though it were sent from a different address. [Wash. Post]

About that Budget Proposal for 2010; Part2

Please click below for a video message from the Superintendent.

http://www2.ccboe.com/superintendent/videos/

Well-Connected Parents Take On School Board

By Michael Alison Chandler
Washington Post Staff Writer

For a new generation of well-wired activists in the Washington region, it's not enough to speak at Parent-Teacher Association or late-night school board meetings. They are going head-to-head with superintendents through e-mail blitzes, social networking Web sites, online petitions, partnerships with business and student groups, and research that mines a mountain of electronic data on school performance.

These parent insurgents are gaining influence -- and getting things changed. [Wash. Post]

Report gives Maryland teachers poor, but passing, grade

By Liz Bowie

A national report on teacher quality gave Maryland a barely passing grade Thursday, saying teachers are tenured too easily and dismissed with great difficulty.

Maryland is one of seven states that give tenure to teachers after only two years of teaching, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality. The nonprofit, nonpartisan, Washington-based group is headed by Kate Walsh, who was appointed to the Maryland state Board of Education by Gov. Martin O'Malley in July. [Baltimore Sun]

Related: States get D-plus on teacher reviews

States get D-plus on teacher reviews

By LIBBY QUAID, AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON – States are not doing what it takes to keep good teachers and remove bad ones, a national study found.

Only Iowa and New Mexico require any evidence that public school teachers are effective before granting them tenure, according to the review released Thursday by the National Council on Teacher Quality. [AP]

About that Budget Proposal for 2010

To all the teachers that are emailing and calling because the EACC told you to...

The board members did NOT remove step increases from the Superintendent's budget proposal. The Superintendent recommended the removal in order to present a balanced budget and I am confident it will be passed no matter how many emails we receive because there is no money.

For the teachers saying "ask for more and you will get more"...that doesn't work when there is nothing to get. In addition, if you inflate the budget or don't make the cuts yourself (all in good faith), they will do it for you from wherever they deem appropriate.

This is tough times for everyone involved and there are tough decisions to be made. Would you rather lose step increases or face possible furloughs and lay-offs?

Virginia Parents Fight for Easier Grading Standards

By Laura Fitzpatrick

To the grade-grubbers go the spoils. And the grade-grubbers in this case are rabble-rousing parents in Virginia's Fairfax County. Residents of the high-powered Washington suburb have been battling the district's tough grading practices; chief among their complaints is that scoring a 93 gets recorded as a lowly B+. After forming an official protest group last year called Fairgrade and goading the school board into voting on whether to ease the standards, parents marshaled 10,000 signatures online and nearly 500 in-person supporters to help plead their case on Jan. 22. After two hours of debate, the resolution passed, a move critics consider a defeat in the war on grade inflation. [Time]

Loudoun County: School Board Approves Budget Plan That Freezes Teacher Pay

By Michael Birnbaum

The School Board in Loudoun County, where the recession might be having a greater effect on teachers' wallets than in any other Washington area jurisdiction, late last night approved a budget of $747. million that would freeze teacher salaries.

The spending plan, which passed by an 8 to 1 vote, would omit cost-of-living and seniority raises to save $31. million. It would be the second straight year that Loudoun teachers have gone without a cost-of-living increase. [Loudoun Extra]

Market Losses Tighten Screws On Colleges

By Susan Kinzie
Washington Post Staff Writer

American colleges and universities lost an average of 23 percent on their endowment investments last semester, according to a national survey to be released today, a drop that is hurting the bottom line across the board, from major state institutions to the Ivy League.

Colleges are feeling financial pressure from all sides as the economic crisis deepens. State funding has dropped. Private donations are expected to decline. And with more families facing job losses and dwindling savings, some schools say they are reluctant to raise tuition or cut financial aid.

Instead, half of the private colleges taking part in a separate survey said they are freezing hiring, delaying building projects or restricting staff travel. [Wash. Post]

WANTED: Blog Assistant

WANTED: A blog assistant to help post pertinent state, national, and global items of interest, breaking news, reports, etc. Please apply within.

NOTES: Board Work Session, 1/26/09

The Board Work Session on Monday, January 26th will be re-broadcast on Channel 96 on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; Fridays at 9 a.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. . 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.

Do you ever watch Charlie Brown? Have you ever heard his teacher? Well the public/open session of this meeting sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher...

WA ,WA, WA, WA,.... WA ,WA, WA, WA,.... WA ,WA, WA, WA,.... WA ,WA, WA, WA,....

REMINDER: BOARD WORK SESSION 1/26/09

The Board of Education of Charles County will hold a work session at 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26, at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building in La Plata. The meeting will also be aired live on Comcast Channel 96. The agenda is as follows:

Call to order  6 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Public Forum

Work session

• 2010 budget

Executive session

Adjournment

NOTES: Board Meeting, 1/13/09

The Board Meeting Tuesday, January 13th will be re-broadcast on Channel 96 on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; Fridays at 9 a.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. . 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.

CHAIRMAN WADE WAS ABSENT FOR THIS MEETING. MS. WISE PRESIDED.

NOMINATIONS FOR CHAIR (WRITTEN)
Wade - 3
Wise - 3

VOTE FOR CHAIR (WRITTEN)
Wade - 3
Wise - 3

VOTE FOR CHAIR (WRITTEN)
Wade - 4
Wise - 2

VOTE FOR CHAIR (ORAL)
Wade - 5
Wise - 1 (Abell)

NOMINATIONS FOR VICE-CHAIR (WRITTEN)
Wise - 4
Pedersen - 2

VOTE FOR VICE-CHAIR (WRITTEN)
Wise - 6

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

• Incidents over past week
• FY10 Budget Proposal $304.6M; increase in funding of $5.1M (1.7%) over FY2009.

BOARD MEMBERS

• Pedersen - Scrabble tournament cancelled
• Pedersen - Diversity Forum 2/28
• Pedersen - Possible legislation's

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER
Student Health Curriculum Review

EACC
Read report

CIP UPDATE

• Barnhart - Addition complete
• Gale - Bailey - Just started
• TC Martin - to be completed by the 09/10 SY
• Housekeeping & Technology Presentation

PROGRAM OF STUDIES

• Bailey - financial literacy
• Abell - dual enrollment - (will get back to me)
• Abell - Life Skills Curriculum - (will get back to me)

HEALTH CURRICULUM
Report item; action next month

BUDGET UPDATE
Read report

COMMUNICATION UPDATE

• quarterly report sent via mailer through private company free of charge to system with advertisement fliers
• Pederson - concerned about ads included (no controversial ads will be included)
• Abell - Fast Facts button added to website (will check into it)
• Abell - Possibility of adding an incident "ticker" on our web-site (future agenda item)

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

• Pedersen - letters Col Wade writes included in mailer
• Cook - wants to change board times
• Abell - incident ticker on web-site
• Abell - Student Code of Conduct - consequences changed for sexual assault
• Abell - Board notification of Incidents
• Bailey - Financial Literacy

PUBLIC FORUM
No one

ACTION

• Minutes - Cook Abstained. Abell, Bailey, Carrington, Pedersen, Wise APPROVED
• Policy 8000 & 9000 Changes - Unanimously APPROVED
• Personnel - Unanimously APPROVED
  

BUDGET HEARING
No one

Good....

Good administrators, assistant superintendents, superintendents, or any CCPS employee should NEVER BE

• manipulative
• deceptive
• disrespectful
• condescending
• threatening
• accusatory
• or anything but transparent and honest

to parents, staff, and the public, much less a board member.

Not only is it infuriating but it's disheartening.

REMINDER: Board Meeting, 1/13/09

Reminder... there is a Board Meeting Tuesday, January 13th. Can't attend...you can watch it live on Channel 96. It will also be re-broadcast on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; Fridays at 9 a.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. . To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit BoardDocs.

Items that may be of interest:

• Election of Chair & Vice Chair
• Health Curriculum
• Program of Studies

**Please see the link to the agenda above. I will no longer be rewriting the full agenda on this blog due to time constraints on my part. If any reader really uses my agenda postings, please contact me and we can see what I can work out. Otherwise, click on the link above for the complete agenda and review my items of interest.

Abell to Hold Q & A

Charles County Board of Education member Jennifer Abell will hold a question & answer session for interested residents the second Thursday of every month from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Unique Sports Academy, 109 Post Office Road, Waldorf. The next scheduled meeting is January 8th.
Call Jennifer Abell 301-659-4112 or e-mail abell4edu@verizon.net .

Stabbing at McDonough

Below is a letter going home with McDonough students today...what are these kids thinking?

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I want to make you aware of a serious incident that occurred late this morning in the school hallway. A student attacked another student with a knife and stabbed her. A third student was able to intervene and our administrators as well as community police officer went immediately to the area and got the situation under control.

The student who was stabbed was flown to an area hospital for treatment of her injuries. Our initial information is that the injuries are serious, but not life threatening. The student with the knife was taken to Civista Medical Center in the custody of police for treatment of a wound sustained in this incident. The school nurse treated the third student who intervened.

The administrators and I are continuing our investigation into this situation. We take the possession of weapons and attacks on students seriously, and in addition to possible criminal charges placed by police, any student in possession of a weapon on school grounds is subject to discipline up to and including expulsion.

I ask you to again review the school system’s Code of Conduct and talk to your children about the seriousness of bringing weapons to school and the severe consequences of disregarding the rules. Please also remind your students that if they have any information about any illegal, threatening or dangerous activity, they should immediately contact a staff member at the school.

Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the office or e-mail me at jpetty@ccboe.com.

Sincerely,

Jervie Petty
Principal
Maurice J. McDonough High School(301)934-2944

Schools around state crack down on tag

You've gotta be kidding me....in the age of a fast food restaurant on every corner, both parents working and too busy to cook nutritious meals, and school systems strapped for money and time just to meet the academic requirements much less provide adequate time for physical education, we are now going to tell all the overweight, latchkey kids they can't run around and play tag at recess? What is this world coming to? It's not like a mandatory requirement at recess, it's OPTIONAL!!

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008
By MEGAN A. CONLAN

Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS — Maryland elementary schools are restricting the types of games students can play at recess, causing some people to worry that administrators are eliminating the very activities that let kids be kids.

Although most schools already prohibit games like dodgeball and tackle football, stringent no contact policies are, in some cases, affecting more basic childhood games as well. Tag is one game being questioned at more Maryland schools.

Read more HERE

Open Thread Sunday!

"Open Thread" is a place for you to tell me what you would like to see on this site. What can I do to make it more user-friendly, topics you would like to see discussed in the future, questions or concerns. If I missed your questions on another thread, please direct me to them here.

So here you go, give me your feedback.

Open Thread Sunday!

"Open Thread" is a place for you to tell me what you would like to see on this site. What can I do to make it more user-friendly, topics you would like to see discussed in the future, questions or concerns. If I missed your questions on another thread, please direct me to them here.

So here you go, give me your feedback.

Open Thread Sunday!

"Open Thread" is a place for you to tell me what you would like to see on this site. What can I do to make it more user-friendly, topics you would like to see discussed in the future, questions or concerns. If I missed your questions on another thread, please direct me to them here.

So here you go, give me your feedback.

NOTES: Board Meeting 12/9/08

The Board Meeting Tuesday, December 9th will be re-broadcast on Channel 96 on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; Fridays at 9 a.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. . To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit BoardDocs.

IMHO, nothing major happened at this meeting. All the reports are online by clicking on the link above. Only votes taken were minutes from the last meeting, minutes from a teleconference call, and personnel. All motions passed. Here's a breakdown of topics...

Superintendents Report
Board Correspondance - heard from libraries about opportunities
EACC Update
Student Board Member
CIP Status
Construction
Bridge Plan Update

Legislative Meeting On Again!

Okay, now the meeting is on again. Looks as though we have Delegates Jameson, Levy, and Murphy attending a meeting with the Board of Education Members on Thursday, December 18th at 10:00 a.m. at the Starkey Building.

Abell too Hold Q & A

Charles County Board of Education member Jennifer Abell will hold a question & answer session for interested residents the second Thursday of every month from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Unique Sports Academy, 109 Post Office Road, Waldorf. The next scheduled meeting is December 11th.
Call Jennifer Abell 301-659-4112 or e-mail abell4edu@verizon.net .

REMINDER: Board Meeting 12/9/08

Reminder... there is a Board Meeting Tuesday, December 9th. Can't attend...you can watch it live on Channel 96. It will also be re-broadcast on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; Fridays at 9 a.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. . To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit BoardDocs.

**Please see the link to the agenda above. I profusely apologize for not getting this posted sooner and for not posting regularly. I have been extremely busy of late and promise to do better after the new year.

Open Thread Sunday!

"Open Thread" is a place for you to tell me what you would like to see on this site. What can I do to make it more user-friendly, topics you would like to see discussed in the future, questions or concerns. If I missed your questions on another thread, please direct me to them here.

So here you go, give me your feedback.

Area Schools Reach for a Higher Bar On State Tests

By Daniel de Vise
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 27, 2008; Page A01

Half of elementary students in Northern Virginia and a third in the Maryland counties that surround Washington are scoring at the highest levels on state tests in reading and math, blowing past the goals of the No Child Left Behind law.

The finding, based on a Washington Post analysis, suggests that area schools have ambitions beyond the federal education mandate and don't need the threat of sanctions to reach them. It could also allay fears among some parents and academics that the 2002 law would dumb down public education by forcing schools to focus on low achievers.

Read more HERE

Meeting with Legislators

While it's not the normal legislative breakfast we've held annually for years, it is what we have for this year.

Board of Education Members will be meeting with Senator Thomas Middleton and Delegate Murray Levy on Monday December 8, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building to discuss our 2009 legislative packet.