Tuesday, January 09, 2018

Notes from Board of Education Meeting,1/9/18

The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, January 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.


Call to order – 1 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance, Maurice J. McDonough High School
Recognition of 2018 Maryland General Assembly Student Pages
Election of Chairman 
  • Lukas nominates Palko; Second by Marshall

Unanimous Vote
Palko is 2018 Chairman

Election of Vice Chairman
  • McGraw nominates Abell; Second by Marshall

Unanimous Vote
Abell is 2018 Vice Chairman
Superintendents update - Report
Correspondence/Board member updates
  • McGraw - Congratulations; events attended; senior portfolios; EACC Legislative Reception; Scholorships application is online this year
  • Crawford - Congratulations; Women at Risk event on January 18th; Challenge everyone to forgive and practice humility.  Quoted bible and Dr. Martin Luther King
  • Kelly - Congratulations; Westlake tour; Thanks to all organizations and community for your assistance and support during the Bell investigation.
  • Marshall - Congratulations
  • Lukas - EACC Legislative Reception; CSM Luncheon
  • Abell - thank you to fellow board members for your vote and support
  • Palko - Maryland Independent Meet & Greet; EACC Recpetion; School visits; Senior Portfolios; Dreambox
Education Association of Charles County update - Report

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

Student Board member update - Report

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) anti-bullying efforts - Report
  • Kelly - Repeatedly?  Need to document twice before action?
  • Hollstein - No
  • McGraw - Reporting Form - follow-up and conferences documented?
  • Hollstein - Yes
  • Marshall - CCPS is not only educating in academics but we are eeducating the WHOLE student.
  • Lukas - Reporting form just for students.  Staff has a different form.
  • Palko - Still need a work group?
  • Consensus of the board is to wait.
Student discipline programs - Report
  • Increase in students with mental health issues
  • Four programs implemented to address behavioral changes and discipline concerns
    • Restorative Programs
    • Aspire Program - K-2
    • Therapeutic In-School Intervention Programs - HS
    • Parent Shadowing - MS and HS
  • Marshall - how do we collaborate with other agencies regarding the mental health issues of our students.
  • Hollstein - We are exploring all options and making it a priority to find additional resources.  We have a partnership with Tri-County Youth Services and the Health Department.
  • Crawford - parent shadowing - what happens at end of day if parent is not supportive and is defensive of their student
  • Hollstein - It opens up the communication between the parent and teacher/administration
  • McGraw - Timeline for Aspire program from start to end.  
  • Hollstein - Approximately 45 days but individualized for each student
  • Kelly - Aspire program works with parents as well for reinforcement of strategies.
  • Palko - PASS program is no longer implemented?
Inclement weather procedures - Report


  • SMECO rebate should be $253,400

  • Proposed FY2019 operating budget - Presentation and Report
    • Beacon Study proves that for every dollar CCPS spends, $1.81 is returned by in-county spending.
    • Highest enrollment growth in the state.  Greatest for CCPS since 2005.   Plan for 460 additional students.
    • Special Education student enrollment is increasing by 2.7%
    • FARMS rate is 35.9%
    • State funding will increase by $8.7M
    • County funding request is 7% increase ($12.3M)
    • Fund balanced decreased by $1M jeopardizing reserves as best practice ($3.2M)
    • Lunch prices will remain the same:  Elementary $2.65 and Secondary $2.90 
    • Operating cost per pupil $13,724
    • Starting teacher salaries in Charles = $45,253, Calvert = $45,496, St. Mary's = $46,500
    • Wellness program is successful
    • $2M increase in health care cost
    • Increase: 18 additional teachers to maintain 25:1 student teacher ratio
    • Increase:  ASPIRE Program and Instructional Assistants
    • State mandates replacement of 25 buses. (15 year life)
    • Federal mandate to support teachers' pension ($8.1M)
    • Various other mandatory costs
    • Kelly - Narcan Nasal Spray Mandate - shouldn't it be included in the request.; OPEB why is that not included as a solid line item
    • Sotomayer - OPEB is budgeted at $4M. 
    • Lukas - not as high as a priority
    • Crawford - MABE Insurance increase; are we locked in? Is this increase what you would expect to see
    • Sotomayor - yes.  and this cost is minimal compared to if we were individually insured.
    • Abell - thank you for the very informative and easy to comprehend presentation
    • Palko - Board members send any budget questions to Chair for staff response prior to January work session
    Legislative update

    • Session starts tomorrow
    • Sick Leave Bill - will be addressed this year.  We are against.
    • state budget going in with a deficit; inlikely it will affect education
    • recent federal tax bill may affect us is state reduces taxes
    • Hogan announced new initiative on public education - hire a public school investigator to investigate schools around the state.
    • Kelly - Hogan's announcement about changing 65% to 80% on accountability for schools
    • Schwartz - Hogan would like to see it increased.  

    Unfinished business
    • Environmental scan update - survey is now live
    • Kelly - tour of Billingsley
    • Kelly - Updated Bullying Data
    • Kelly - Eligibility Policy questions - send to staff
    • Palko - The Green Sheet, Kirwan Commission
    • Palko - Questions from NAACP
    New business  

    Future agenda items
    • Kelly - Be the Difference Award and Nominees.  Subcommittee?
      • Palko - Members to participate Kelly, McGraw and Lukas
    • Palko - MABE Legislative Luncheon
    • Hill - Online scheduling (Feb?)
    • Lukas - Farming for Hunger Presentation
    • Palko - Infants and Toddlers Program
    Executive session – 11:15 a.m.
    Motion to go into executive session by Abell:  Second by Kelly
    Yes= Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko
    Public Forum – 6 p.m.  - NONE
    Action items
    • Minutes
    Motion to approve the minutes by Abell:  Second by Kelly
    Yes= Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

    • Personnel
    Motion to approve the Personnel by Abell:  Second by Lukas
    Yes= Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

    • John Hanson Middle School grant of access 
    Motion to approve Grant Access by Kelly:  Second by Lukas
    Yes= Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko
    Adjournment 

    Agenda for Board of Education Meeting, 1/9/18

    The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 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 recognition starts at 4:30 p.m.
    The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12, and rebroadcast throughout the week. Board meetings are streamed live on the school system website www.ccboe.com. Select “Click Here to Watch the Board Meeting” from the middle of the home page to launch the meeting. The following is a tentative meeting agenda and subject to change.
    Executive session – 12 p.m.
    Call to order – 1 p.m.
    Pledge of Allegiance, Maurice J. McDonough High School
    Recognition of 2018 Maryland General Assembly Student Pages
    Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman
    Superintendents update
    • Reports of officers/board/committees
    • Correspondence/Board member updates
    • Education Association of Charles County update
    • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees update
    • Student Board member update
    • Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) anti-bullying efforts
    • Student discipline programs
    • Inclement weather procedures
    • Proposed FY2019 operating budget
    • Legislative update
    Unfinished business
    • Environmental scan update
    New business and future agenda items
    • New business
    • Future agenda items
    Recognition – 4:30 p.m.
    • Check presentation from Charles County Arts Alliance
    • Recognition of La Plata Rotary Club
    • Resolutions: Black History Month, Career and Technical Education Month; National School Counseling Week; and Gifted and Talented Education Month
    • Students
    • Employees 
    Public Forum – 6 p.m. 
    Action items
    • Minutes
    • Personnel
    • John Hanson Middle School grant of access 
    Adjournment 

    Tuesday, December 12, 2017

    Notes from Board of Education Meeting, 12/12/17

    The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, December 12 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 – 12 p.m.
    Call to order – 1 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance – Thomas Stone High School
    Superintendent’s update to the Board - Report
    Correspondence/board member updates 

    Education Association of Charles County update - Report

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

    Student Board member’s update - Report

    Eligibility/discipline component - Oral Report (Holstein, Benson, Gill)
    • Policy discussions took place with principals, teachers, athletic directors and councils, parents and students.  Presented at PAC and SAC.
    • Discipline component addition - overwhelmingly all groups disagreed with adding this component.  Extracurricular activities is a positive influence.
    • Recommendations for consideration
      • change wording on absences to- 5 lawful absences within five days and will accept a note from parents
      • keep GPA at 2.25 but allow one F.
      • consider transition years from 8th - 9th so all students are eligible the first quarter of their freshman year.
    • One more meeting to discuss what falls under extra curricular.
    Dreambox math - Report

    Project status update - Report

    CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield - Report

    CVS Health Update - Report

    Unfinished business

    • Environmental Scan Survey - move forward with distribution
    • Policy 4000 - Palko and McGraw still working
    • Bullying Discussion and program - will add to a future agenda
    New business and Future agenda items
    • New business
    • Future agenda items
      • Marshall - invite Greek organizations  for participation as mentors and presentation
      • Kelly - Parent Involvement Program
      • McGraw - Eligibility Policy
      • Lukas - Hanson right of way
      • Kelly - Grading Policy Committee updates
    Recognition – 4:30 p.m.
    • James E. Richmond Leadership Excellence AwardAccepting: Board member Margaret Marshall in honor of her late husband, Cecil Marshall, former Board member
    • Students - Charlie Shin, twelfth grade, Academic Achievement, Maurice J. McDonough High School, Principal: Steven Roberts; Diallo Barneseighth grade, Personal Responsibility, Milton M. Somers Middle School, Principal: Carrie Akins; Lucy Flynnfifth grade, Career Readiness, Gale-Bailey Elementary School, Principal: Verniece Rorie; Clinton Cupples, IIIfifth grade, Academic Achievement , Mary H. Matula Elementary School, Principal: Carrie Richardson; Joya Thompsonfifth grade, Academic Achievement, Arthur Middleton Elementary School, Principal: Louis D’Ambrosio
    • Employees - Annemarie Simpson, mathematics teacher, McDonough; Peter Wilt, social studies teacher, Somers; Ann Herbert, prekindergarten teacher, Gale-Bailey; Samantha Clark, special education teacher, Matula; Karen Ferruzza, library media specialist, Middleton
    Public Forum – 6 p.m. - None
    Action items
    • Minutes
    Motion to approve the Minutes from the November board meeting by Kelly; Second by Marshall
    Yes=Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko; Abstain=Abell

    Motion to approve the Minutes from the Legislative Session by Abell; Second by Kelly
    Yes=Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko
    • Personnel
    Motion to approve Personnel by Abell; Second by Marshall
    Yes=Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko
    Adjournment 

    Wednesday, December 06, 2017

    Agenda for Board of Education Meeting, 12/12/17

    The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 12 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. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12, and is rebroadcast throughout the week.
    Board meetings are also streamed live on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website, www.ccboe.com. Click on the middle of the main page to start the live streaming. The following agenda is tentative and subject to change.
    Executive session – 12 p.m.
    Call to order – 1 p.m.
    Pledge of Allegiance – Thomas Stone High School
    Superintendent’s update to the Board
    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’s update
    • Eligibility/discipline component
    • Dreambox math
    • Project status update
    • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, CVS Health update
    Unfinished business
    New business and Future agenda items
    • New business
    • Future agenda items
    Recognition – 4:30 p.m.
    • James E. Richmond Leadership Excellence Award
    • Students
    • Employees
    Public Forum – 6 p.m.
    Action items
    • Minutes
    • Personnel
    Adjournment 

    Monday, December 04, 2017

    Legislative Breakfast, 12/4/17

    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.

    In attendance were all Board of Education members, the Superintendent and key staff, Delegates Jameson, Proctor, Wilson, Senator Mac Middleton, Commissioners Murphy and Davis.

    CCPS Student Enrollment Overview
    *Increased by over 500 and is now at 26,891

    • 2012-2013
      • African American 52%; White 27%; Hispanic 5.7%
      • Special Education 9%; ELL 1%; FARMS 33%
      • Graduation Rate 89.79%
    • 2016-2017
      • African American 55%; White 33%; Hispanic 8%
      • Special Education 11%; ELL 2%; FARMS 36%
      • Graduation Rate 92.17%

    Student Costs

    • CCPS per pupil $13,724
    • Special Education Inclusion +$975 (1,671 students = $1,629,936)
    • Special Education Regionalized Program +$8,464 (224 students = $1,895,936)
    • Special Education Lifeskills A +$12, 905 (214 students = $2,761,670)
    • Special Education Lifeskills B +$28,572 (30 students = $857,160)

    Teacher Recruitment and Retention

    • Nationwide shortage of teachers - since 2009, 35% drop in students going into teacher education programs
    • Diversity
      • National AVG for non-white teachers is 22.5%
      • CCPS teachers - 78.4% white, 21.6% non-white
      • 2017 hiring cohort 37.9% non-white teachers
      • CCPS Administrators - 70% white, 30% non-white
    • Maryland "Import State" 
      • 60% of MD teachers from other states
      • COL prohibitive
    • CCPS lowest starting salary in region
    • Grounds for discipline bill only protects below par teachers
    • Data-based recruiting
      • efficiently use time and money based on previous year hiring efforts
      • build relationships with universities
      • instructional focus for recruiting teams
      • host job fairs
      • highlight mentoring and professional development programs
    Student Discipline - Suspension is a last resort
    *discipline concerns are often a result of unmet behavioral health needs

    • 2012-2013
      • 364 suspensions at elementary schools
      • 1,243 suspensions at middle schools
      • 1,856 suspensions at high schools
      • TOTAL - 3,463
    • 2016-2017
      • 390 suspensions at elementary schools
      • 907 suspensions at middle schools
      • 1,306 suspensions at high schools
      • TOTAL - 2,603
    • New strategies
      • Restorative practices
        • 12 certified trainers implemented in all middle schools this year
        • Goal at all schools in 2 years
      • Aspire Program
        • piloted in 2 elementary schools
        • costly, $175,000 per school
        • Good results thus far but cost prohibitive
      • Therapeutic In-School Intervention
        • pilot in all high schools
      • Parent Shadowing
        • pilot in 8 schools
    Please let me know if you have any additional questions.










    Friday, November 10, 2017

    Agenda for Board of Education Meeting, 11/14/17

    The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 14, 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. 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 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website, www.ccboe.com. Click on the middle of the main page to start the live streaming. The following is a meeting agenda and is subject to change.
    Documents being presented can be found here.
    Executive session – 12 p.m.
    Call to order – 1 p.m.
    Pledge of Allegiance – La Plata High School
    Recognition of state student winners
    Superintendent’s update to the Board
    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
    • Equity presentation
    Unfinished business
    • Strategic planning process
    • Potential meetings with other Boards of Education
    • Town hall dates
    New business and future agenda items
    • New business
    • Future agenda items
    Recognition – 4:30 p.m.
    • Students
    • Staff
    Public Forum – 6 p.m.
    Action items
    • Minutes
    • Personnel
    • 2018 Legislative positions
    Adjournment 

    Thursday, October 19, 2017

    Board of Education Host Joint Work Session with CSM

    The Board of Education of Charles County and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Board of Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23 in the boardroom at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building. The meeting will be televised live on Comcast Channel 96/Verizon FiOS Channel 12 and rebroadcast throughout the week. Board meetings are also streamed live on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website, www.ccboe.com.
    The following is a meeting agenda and is subject to change.
    Public forum – 6 p.m.
    Work session
    • Introductions
    • Dual enrollment/demographics
    • Early college/high school
    • Career and Technology Education (CTE) articulation process
    • Maureen Murphy’s vision for CSM/how CCPS fits in the vision and the role of CCPS
    Adjournment

    Tuesday, October 10, 2017

    Notes from Board of Education Meeting, 10/10/17

    The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, October 10 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 – 12 p.m.
    Call to order – 1 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance – Henry E. Lackey High School
    Superintendent’s update to the Board - Report
    Correspondence/board member updates
    • McGraw - Indian Head lunch for Homegrown Week; MABE Conference enjoyed; EACC Age of Innocence informative
    • Crawford - 10/19 Unified Tennis Tournament at Thomas Stone at 3
    • Abell - 9/26 EACC Innocence Stolen Seminar was very informative but not well attended; MABE Conference highlighted sessions on Gang Violence and Undocumented Students; Nanjemoy Heritage Day, thank you Mt. Hope Nanjemoy staff for volunteering; Rocktoberfest put on by LaPlata Business Association with proceeds to CCPS Fine Arts; Training by Center for Children Darkness to Light's Stewards of Children very informative
    • Kelly- Thank you to board members attending MABE conference; JC Parks ASPIRE classroom and strings practice; Lackey visit; LPHS marching band performed at Matula; Parent Conferences yesterday; review police access to schools
    • Palko - education building at fair was awesome; EACC session, consider showing at PAC; Lunch at Malcolm; MABE Conference DLLR vendor fliers on adult education & GED Program
    • Lukas - MABE Conference; Block Party at Stoddert; Rocktoberfest
    Education Association of Charles County update - Report

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

    Student board member update - Report

    Human resources update - Report
    • 38 job fairs in 15 states; two in-county job fairs
    • screened over 1,500 applicants; hired 284; 201 MD certificate
    • 14 % new teachers; 74.2% female; 96 African American
    • retention rate up to 87.4%; most leave to teach in another school district
    • continue to target colleges with education program, quality candidates that stay at CCPS; build relationships with the faculties
    • retention includes check-ins, mentors, collaboration, observance, peer-to-peer
    • Palko - how many of our recent hires are from the TAM Program.
    • Lukas - are the places we recruit at different then years ago
    • Campbell - There is typically more recruiters than applicants
    • McGraw - are we doing social activities, housing information, banking information
    Overview of grading guidelines - Report
    • Current practice in place for 4 years.
    • Elem.- 50% classwork; 40% assessment; 10% homework
    • MS - 0-59% is an F
    • HS - too but one school piloted no one gets an F.
    • At Lackey and Stone if nothing is turned in it's a 0.  if effort is made 50%
    • St. Charles gives actual percent earned until end and if below 50% they get a 50%.
    • PE, Music, Art - 25% Skills and Performance; 25% class/homework; 50% safety & participation
    • changing to 50% process 50% product must have a minimum of 5 assignments in each category each quarter.
    • Next meeting Nov. 10th at 2:30; will also be looking at how GPA's are determined.  
    Project status update - Report
    • See report for project updates
    Projected enrollments for school year 2018-19 - Report 1Report 2 
    • Enrollment analysis (report 2) shows only the elementary schools affected by the rezoning and delay of the new elementary school.
    FY 2017 Independent financial audit, Clifton Larsen Allen, LLP - Report
    • all normal, nothing to note
    Proposed 2018 legislative positions - Report
      Unfinished business
      • Commissioner recognition - thank you letter for funding training
      • Kirwan Commission update - Palko on committee; funding formula is outdated and addresses how to have a world class education system
      New business and Future agenda items
      • New business
        • Joint Board of Education/College of Southern Maryland meeting agenda items
          • Dual enrollment; new CTE Coordinator at CSM; are CCPS students ready or do they need remedial courses; new presidents vision
        • Open Meetings Act designation
          • Abell, Palko, Kelly, McGraw, Lukas have all completed the training
      • Future agenda items
        • Abell - Tri-County Board of Education meeting
        • McGraw - Presentation on equity
        • Palko - Review of goals and strategy and stakeholders
        • Lukas - Update on new process for project funding
      Recognition – 4:30 p.m.
      • Resolutions
        • American Education Week: Accepting:  Katie Willett, alternate student Board member, Henry E. Lackey High School;Jordyn Best, student liaison, North Point High School; Elizabeth Braziel, student liaison, Thomas Stone High School; Joyah Magee, student liaison, Maurice J. McDonough High School; Robert Jonathan Moss, student liaison, St. Charles High School; Thomas Rahill, student liaison, Westlake High School; Shaun Burroughs, student liaison, La Plata High School; Education Association of Charles County (EACC) representatives; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) representatives
        • American Freedom Week: Accepting:  Army Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Salyers, senior, Maurice McDonough High School; Air Force Cadet Brandon Taylor, junior, Henry E. Lackey High School; Navy Cadet Seaman Rosemari Kieser, freshman, La Plata High School; Marines Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Maya Young, senior, St. Charles High School
      • Students
        • Carlos Eldridge, Jr., eleventh-grade, Academic Achievement, Westlake High School, Principal: Michael Meiser
        • Liumotumotua'an (Liu) Aumavae, eighth-grade, Academic Achievement, Theodore G. Davis Middle School, Principal: Kim McClarin
        • Izabella Krebs, fifth-grade, Personal Responsibility, Indian Head Elementary School, Principal: Timothy Rosin
        • Casey Shamenek, fifth-grade, Career Readiness, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School, Principal: William Miller
      • Employees
        • Catherine Powell, school counselor, Indian Head
        • Monica Halloran, fifth-grade teacher, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy
        • Velvet Gipson, instructional specialist, Davis
        • Lori Sanchez, secretary to the principal, Westlake
        • Miriam Ratcliffe, special education teacher, F.B. Gwynn Educational Center, Principal: Daphne
      Public Forum – 6 p.m.

      • Maureen Meers - 1 in 5 students have dyslexia.  October is awareness month.  What can we as a district do to help our students.  Administrators and teachers must be informed.  Screening is needed.  Wants resolution for dyslexia. Decoding Dyslexia
      • Tracey Wolf - Charles County Chapter Decoding Dyslexia; early screening, identification, assistive technology
      • Kim Young - 50/50 grading system; concerned standard is going down.  Needs more information.  Checked other counties and they don't.  Cross county transfers of continuity is a concern.  Wants to know how parents and students will be selected for the upcoming committee.
      • Derrick Terry - Current health curriculum updates?  Thinks current one is watered down.  Has a free workshop he invited everyone to attend.
      • Dionne Morgan - What is the threshold for class sizes in Title 1 schools?  Two sons they have 27 and 29 students in a class room.  Child at Stoddert, standardized testing allowed to go to bathroom during testing but wont be given time back.  Where is the Policy for parents to see this and this could impact student performance.
      • Jason Delizio - friends child was punched in the throat at Mitchell Elementary today and didn't notify the parents.  Thanks to Dr. Hill & Jennifer Abell for assisting me and my son with an incident that happened off of school grounds.
      Action items
      Motion to accept the Minutes by Abell; Second by McGraw
      Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko
      • Personnel 
      Motion to accept Personnel by Abell; Second by Marshall
      Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

      • FY 2018 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan - Action Item
      Motion to accept the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan by Abell; Second by Kelly
      Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

      Motion to accept Policy 1000 Revisions by Kelly; Second by Abell
      Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko
        Adjournment

        Monday, October 09, 2017

        Agenda for Board of Education Meeting, 10/10/17

        The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 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. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12, and is rebroadcast throughout the week.
        Board meetings are also streamed live on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website, www.ccboe.com. Click on the middle of the main page to start the live streaming. The following is a meeting agenda and is subject to change.
        Executive session – 12 p.m.
        Call to order – 1 p.m.
        Pledge of Allegiance – Henry E. Lackey High School
        Superintendent’s update to the Board - Report
        Reports of officers/boards/committees
        • Correspondence/board member updates
        • Education Association of Charles County update
        • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees update - Report
        • Student board member update
        • Human resources update - Report
        • Overview of grading guidelines
        • Project status update - Report
        • Projected enrollments for school year 2018-19 - Report 1; Report 2 
        • FY 2017 Independent financial audit, Clifton Larsen Allen, LLP - Report
        • Proposed 2018 legislative positions - Report
        Unfinished business
        • Commissioner recognition
        • Kirwan Commission update
        New business and Future agenda items
        • New business
          • Joint Board of Education/College of Southern Maryland meeting agenda items
          • Open Meetings Act designation
        • Future agenda items
        Recognition – 4:30 p.m.
        • Resolutions – American Education Week  and American Freedom Week
        • Students
        • Employees
        Public Forum – 6 p.m.
        Action items
        Adjournment

        Monday, September 25, 2017

        Notes from Board of Education Work Session, 9/25/17

        The Board of Education Meeting on Monday, September 25 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. - Pledge of Allegiance
        Public Forum - None
        Work session

        • Policy series 1000 - Individual board members asked for clarification on some of the changes, nothing major changed.
        • Billingsley Elementary School update
          • Recommendation by staff to delay opening due to permitting delays and weather conditions.  Other two options not feasible.  
            • Accelerated schedule = costs $5.9M must decide by 9/30
            • Portable classrooms = costs $3.8M must decide by 11/1
          • Lukas - delay in permitting
          • Kelly - county and state is at fault; can we ask them to cover the cost
          • no more funding available from the state
        Motion to delay the opening until 2019 by McGraw; Second by Palko
        Yes = Crawford, Lukas, McGraw, Palko; No = Abell, Kelly; Absent = Marshall


        New Business
        Motion to accept the funding by Kelly; Second by Palko
        Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, McGraw, Palko; Absent = Marshall
        Adjournment

        Friday, September 22, 2017

        Board of Education Meeting Agenda for 9/25/17

        The Board of Education of Charles County is holding a public work session at 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 25 in the boardroom at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building. The meeting will be televised live on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website at ccboe.com and broadcast on Comcast Channel 96/Verizon FiOS Channel 12.
        The following is a meeting agenda and is subject to change.
        Call to order – 6 p.m.
        Pledge of Allegiance
        Public Forum
        Work session
        New Business
        Adjournment