Saturday, April 13, 2013

#NSBACONF - Linking Compensation to Student Growth

National School Board Association Conference 2013 - San Diego

Panel discussion on enhanced compensation for staff members at the bargaining table.  Panel offering insights into the unprecedented agreement reached between the administration, teachers and support staff in Schaumburg Community Consolidated School District 54 (enr. 13,955) to enhance compensation based on rigorous student growth. Learnng about how educational reform is taking place in this large suburban school district responsible for educating pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students in 27 schools.

HANDOUTS

#NSBACONF - Blended Learning Makes Sense - For You - Now

National School Board Association Conference 2013 - San Diego

It can be tough to make the decision to offer studemts an online learning option. How do you choose between the learning environment student's want and the rigor, engagement and teacher interaction we all crave?  We don't have to choose!  Blend!  Blended learning offers a solution that can deliver the student the success we all want.

(More to come)

#NSBACONF - Geena Davis - Spring into Action with a Little Inspiration

National School Board Association Conference 2013 - San Diego
 
 
geena davis
From “Thelma and Louise” to “The Accidental Tourist,” Geena Davis is probably best known as an Academy Award-winning actress. But her work off the screen is even more impressive. A member of Mensa, she founded the non-profit Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. She works with film and television creators to reduce gender stereotyping and increase the number of female characters in media targeted for children 11 and under. Hear from Davis how media plays a key role in children’s development, and how her organization is making a difference.

December 4, 2012: Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media receives Google Global Impact Award.

February 19, 2013: Geena Davis talks with American School Board Journal Senior Editor Lawrence Hardy.

#NSBACONF - NSBA's 1st Annual Technology Innovation Showcase

National School Board Association Conference 2013 - San Diego

This session is introducing new approaches to old problems from emerging companies identified by NSBA's Technology Leadership Network.  Each company will has only five minutes to tell what they are solving and give a snapshot of their solution.  Great interactive session designed for those who embrace technology and innovation. :)

(More to come)

#NSBACONF - Digital Conversion for Student Achievement

Nationl School Board Association Conference 2013 - San Diego

Five years ago, the Mooresville Graded School District implemented a six-year strategic plan with the philosophy that public education should be about every child , every day.  At the heart of this plan was the Digital Conversion utilizing 21st Century resources in all classrooms with a focus on academic achievement, engagement, opportunity and equity.  Mark Edwards, recently voted Superintendent of the Year by the Amercan  Association of School Administrators, is sharing his districts story along with the data outlining the phenomenal results that show that his district is realizing its motto of Every Child, Every Day.

(Handout link to be added later)

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Notes from Board of Education Meeting, 4/9/2013

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

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

Executive session – 12 p.m.


Call to order – 1 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance, La Plata High School’s JROTC unit
Superintendent’s update - See report

Correspondence/Board Member updates
  • Pedersen--Gwynn Center Ribbon Cutting, MESA, Senior Citizens Prom
  • Bowie--Gwynn Center Ribbon Cutting, Thanks for patronizing the library, Westlake Student Recognition, Parent - Thank you for Principal Holstein at Barnhart, Parent - impressed with McDonough, Bus Driver - invite new Supt and Board Members to ride
  • Abell--APFO Subcommittee Public Forum tomorrow night at Stone at 6:30, Gwynn Center Ribbon Cutting, C.C. Early Childhood Advisory Council
  • Lukas--Senior Citizens Prom, History Fair, Science Fair, Dr. Mudd History Night, Regional Destination Imagination Night
  • Wise--Lackey Career Fair, Stone / McDonough Military Ball
Education Association of Charles County update - see report
Student Board Member update - see report

Policy #6000 - Instruction - see report
Sadlier grammar workshop and SpringBoard reading and mathematics - see report
Library media program - see report
Legislative update -
  • HB1168 - PASSED-Minority Teacher Recruitment Reporting
  • HB667 - PASSED - Representation Fee $$
  • HB207- PASSED-Chronically Absent Students
  • HB331 - PASSED - Open Meeting Act Violations
  • HB139 - PASSED - Open Meeting Act Trainings
  • HB1107 - PASSED - PG adds members to BOE, direct appt of Supt by County Exec, etc.
  • SB 740 - PASSED - College Ready Assessment
  • HB 1161 - PASSED - Commission Special Education Improve Service
  • HB 1286 - PASSED - Similar
  • HB 860/SB 743 - PASSED - School Construction Baltimore City
  • HB103/SB243 - PASSED - Solar Technology
  • HB229/SB277 - PASSED - Net Taxable Income Bill
  • SB143 - PASSED - Evaluations Emergency Management Plan
  • HB453 - PASSED - Maryland Center for school Safety Resources -  Bowie State
  • HB396/SB1092 - PASSED - Computer Harassment
  • HB269 - DID NOT PASS - School Safety - Will provide $$ to school safety
Cell phone rule - See report
  • Sorry, very passionate discussion from students and board members....I believe the final consensus was for it to come back next month after consulting with principals on after-school guidelines.
Action item
  • Approval of new superintendent
Motion to appoint Kim Hill as the next Superintendent by Wade; Second by Pedersen
Yes=Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise; No=Abell
  • Abell- My vote is not a lack of confidence in Ms. Hill’s ability to perform the duties of Superintendent. On the contrary, we had three very highly qualified and capable candidates and while Ms. Hill was not my top choice, she is very qualified, capable, and will have my full support in leading and guiding Charles County Public Schools. My practice has always been to cast the same vote in public as I do in private so the public knows exactly where I stand and my position. I look forward to working with Mrs. Hill and moving Charles County Public Schools forward. 
  • Approval of new superintendent contract
Motion to approve the new superintendent contract by Pedersen; Second by Wade
Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise; No=Lukas
  • Lukas - during these tight budetary times, I don't agree with some of the benefits afforded in the contract.
Redistricting proposals - See report
Unfinished business - none
New business - none

Future agenda items - none

Recognition – 4:30 p.m.
  • Students - De'ja Brown, 5th grade, Academic Achievement, Indian Head Elementary School, Principal: Toni Melton-Trainor; Kiersten Walker, 5th grade, Personal Responsibility, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School, Principal: Kristen Shields; Aisac Accad, 8th grade, Career Readiness, Theodore G. Davis Middle School, Principal: Wendell Martin; Alyssa Kepner, 12th grade, Academic Achievement, Westlake High School, Principal: Chrystal Benson
  • Employees - Shayna Pounds, fourth grade teacher, Indian Head; Lisa Sweeney, technology facilitator, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy; Mildred Alexander-Moses, school counselor, Davis; Holly Dolan, resource, Westlake
  • Resolutions:Teacher Appreciation Week - Accepting: Paige Baker, special education teacher, Dr. Thomas Higdon Elementary School; Administrative Professionals' Week - Accepting:      ;School Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week - Accepting: Crystal Sopher, Supervisor of Food Services; Michael Clarry, Food Service Field Operations Manager; National Physical Education and Sport Week - Accepting: Bradley Jones, physical education teacher, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School; Diana Gyuras, physical education teacher, J.C. Parks Elementary School; and Chris Brown, physical education teacher, Matthew Henson Middle School
Public Forum – 6 p.m.
  • Elridge Proctor - James & Jessica children in attendance; Davis MS, got to stay there during last year's redistricting.  Husband got deployed and never would have been able to do it otherwise.  Natural disasters and accidents and emergencies should be considered about distance from homes.  Consideration for Plan B.
  • Lourdes Saigon - Also thanks for leaving him at Davis MS.  Wants to continue to stay there.  Plan B.
  • Dawn Sutherland - Mother of 5.  Support Plan B.  Dismay in redistricting again.  Continued housing development.  Do not allocate any more school seats.
Action items
  • Minutes
Motion to accept the minutes by Cook; Second by Pedersen
Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise  Abstain=Lukas
  • Personnel
Motion to accept personnel by Wade; Second by Pedersen
Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise
  • 2014-15 calendar
Motion to accept 2014-15 calendar by Pedersen; Second by Lukas
Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise
  • Revision of student transfer rule #5126
Motion to accept student transfer rule #5126 by Cook; Second by Pedersen
Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

Kimberly Hill named next Superintendent of Charles County Public Schools

Kimberly Hill, principal of North Point High School, will be the next superintendent of Charles County Public Schools. The Board of Education of Charles County at its meeting today agreed to the appointment of Hill and a four-year contract with an annual salary of $200,000.
Hill's term as Superintendent begins July 1, and follows that of longtime Superintendent James E. Richmond, who is leaving at the end of the 2012-13 school year after 17 years at the helm and 47 years with Charles County Public Schools.
About Kimberly HillHill, 50, is a lifelong educator with 27 years experience as a teacher, vice principal and principal. She is a product of Charles County Public Schools, having graduated from Maurice J. McDonough High School in Pomfret where she also began her career as a social studies teacher in 1986. She then moved to administrative positions in Charles County as a vice-principal and principal at the high school level. Hill is the 2013 Principal of the Year for Charles County Public Schools and the recipient of the Washington Post's 2013 Distinguished Educational Leadership Award.
Hill currently serves as the principal of North Point High School in Waldorf. As the leader of the district's largest high school, Ms. Hill's focus is on high expectations for student achievement and the significance of each teacher's ability to "be the difference" in a student's life. North Point High School students have attained the highest graduation rate, the highest grade-point average and the highest attendance rate in the district. She says she strongly believes in the power of relationships based on honesty, transparency and trust. These core values drive her decision-making and empower others to engage in the vision of the organization, Hill said.
Hill earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from High Point University in North Carolina and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Her research interests center around teacher effectiveness and the principal's role in the teacher evaluation process.
The Superintendent SearchBoard Chairman, Roberta Wise said, "Kim Hill is a talented educator who will work for all of Charles County's students. Charles County has made tremendous progress during the past 17 years, and Kim Hill is the right person to make our school system even stronger. She has an exceptional background in developing partnerships with the community and businesses, and she has a proven record of promoting academic achievement and excellence for all children. We looked nationwide for the candidate who can best take Charles County Public Schools to the next level, and we are delighted that Mrs. Hill has accepted the position."
Wise said selecting the superintendent is the single most important Board responsibility. During its national search, the Board focused on selecting an innovative, energetic and visionary candidate who will lead a high achieving school system by implementing strategies to promote continued academic growth. The Board was looking for a superintendent who will be a passionate advocate of children and who will work with the community to improve student achievement while embracing technology and working to narrow the achievement gap. Based on input from community forums held in October, the Board also looked for a candidate who understands the challenges of a growing rural/suburban and economically and culturally diverse school system. Mrs. Hill has the principles and skills that best meet the goals the Board hopes to achieve," Wise said.
Five goalsHill, along with two other finalists, recently met with focus groups ranging from students to principals to community and business leaders. During that time, Charles County's next superintendent shared the framework of a 90-day plan focusing on five goals: unsurpassed student achievement; positive, student-centered district culture; investment in stakeholder trust; optimizing effectiveness and efficiency; and trust and collaboration with Board members. For each goal, Hill outlined action steps for improvements. "It is important for us to celebrate our successes while constantly looking for ways to build upon them," Hill wrote. "This 90-day action plan provides an outline for where we can begin."
Hill said she plans to concentrate efforts to ensure students graduate high school prepared for success in college or in a career, and will analyze student achievement data to understand patterns and gaps as well as align curriculum to Common Core standards and implement it uniformly across schools.
Additionally, Hill says starting the first day in July she will meet with principals, parents, community leaders and others to build stakeholder trust and confidence and to nurture relationships that put children first.
"We face tremendous challenges as we implement the educational reforms that are taking place in our state. Among these are implementing the Common Core State Standards, adding student growth measures to our teacher and principal evaluation systems, and implementing new assessments under the Partnership for Readiness for College and Careers... As we face these significant challenges, we must rely on our greatest asset – our people... I am committed to the strength of our people and their ability to be the difference in the life of a child," Hill wrote in her 90-day plan.
Community focus groupsWise thanked employees and the community for support during the superintendent search. The Board conducted a search process with the help of consultants from the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE). The process involved the community in October through a series of five open public forums to gather input from staff, students and the community about what characteristics the public thought the Board should look for in a superintendent and what challenges the public believes the new superintendent will face. Public comments were used to develop the criteria used to assess candidate qualifications. In March, the Board announced three finalists for the position, and each candidate met with various staff, student and community groups. The Board combined and considered comments from the groups while making its hiring decision.
"I want to thank everyone who participated in the initial forums and those who served on the focus groups. Their feedback made our work as a Board easier as we learned what the public feels the experience, skills and abilities of the next superintendent need to be in order to build upon the successes of the past 17 years while moving forward to meet our school system's challenges and opportunities", Wise said.
Reception for Mrs. HillThe Board of Education invites members of the community to meet Hill at a meet-and-greet reception 4-6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 29, at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building on Radio Station Road in La Plata.
Maryland law requires Boards of Education to award a four-year contract, and the new superintendent's term begins July 1, 2013 and ends June 30, 2017.

Thursday, April 04, 2013

High School Redistricting Proposals

Redistricting committee members plan to present two possible high school redistricting proposals to the Board of Education, 3 p.m., April 9 during the Board's monthly meeting at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building in La Plata. The public may comment on the proposals at one of two public hearings, scheduled for April 22 and April 23.


The 16-member redistricting committee developed two rezoning alternatives for each high school in order to develop an attendance zone for St. Charles High School, which opens in August 2014, and to reduce overcrowding at the other county high schools. Superintendent James E. Richmond asked the committee to give due consideration of anticipated growth while reducing student enrollment at each high school to at or below state-rated capacity. Three county high schools, North Point, La Plata and Westlake, are over state-rated capacity.

Both proposals allow for growth at St. Charles, according to the committee report. Proposal A transfers more students than Proposal B, moving 1,398 ninth and tenth graders in A versus 1,233 in B. Proposal A offers the most immediate relief to North Point High School, the county's most overcrowded high school. The Board is completing redistricting a year in advance, and it does not take effect until August 2014 when St. Charles opens. Click Here, for more complete descriptions of the alternatives and maps.

St. Charles High School
St. Charles High School is under construction and will open in August 2014 with grades 9, 10 and 11. It will include a senior class in school year 2015. Located on Piney Church Road in Waldorf and next to Regency Furniture Stadium, the committee is proposing creating an attendance zone for the new school by moving portions of the existing La Plata, Maurice J. McDonough and Thomas Stone high school zones. State-rated capacity is 1,600, and both proposals allow for future growth.

Proposal A would open St. Charles with 963 students in grades 9 through 11, with 651 students transferring in from other high schools. The student population would increase to 1,275 students in 2015 with the addition of a senior class.

Proposal B opens the school with 956 students, with 648 transferring in from other schools. The student population increases to 1,262 the next year.

Henry E. Lackey High School
Henry E. Lackey High School is located in Marbury and could see a decrease in enrollment due to redistricting. Proposals A and B both move areas of the Lackey attendance zone to Maurice J. McDonough High School. Both proposals decrease the student enrollment to 1,104 in 2014.

La Plata High School
La Plata High School is located on Radio Station Road in La Plata and is over its state-rated capacity of 1,162. Both proposals reduce the attendance zone by moving areas to St. Charles High School. Proposal A decreases La Plata's student enrollment to 1,184 in 2014 and proposal B would reduce enrollment to 1,194. The school enrollment would be at or below state-rated capacity in the 2015 school year.

Maurice J. McDonough High School
McDonough is located in Pomfret with a 1,200 state-rated capacity. Redistricting proposals create a new attendance zone for McDonough by including areas from Lackey, North Point and Westlake high schools. The proposals also move students from McDonough to the new high school. Proposal A would decrease student enrollment by 4 percent to 1,081 and Proposal B would reduce student population by 14 percent to 969 students.

North Point High School
Located off Davis Road in Waldorf, North Point is at 141 percent of its 1,600 state-rated capacity with 2,240 students. Both plans immediately reduce overcrowding by moving attendance areas from North Point to Westlake and McDonough high schools. Proposal A reduces enrollment to 1,772 in the first year and to 1,462 in 2015. Proposal B would decrease enrollment 19 percent to 1,832 in 2014 and to 1,602 in 2015. Students accepted in the Science, Technology and Industry programs are not included in the redistricting.

Thomas Stone High School
Located in Waldorf off Leonardtown Road, Thomas Stone's student enrollment is under its state-rated capacity of 1,513. Proposal A would increase student enrollment, while Proposal B decreases the number of students. Both proposals move students from Thomas Stone to St. Charles and students from Westlake zones to Thomas Stone. Proposal A would increase the student enrollment to 1,360 students, while Proposal B would decrease enrollment to 1,307 students.

Westlake High School
Westlake is located on Middletown Road near the intersection of Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, and is over its state-rated capacity of 1,203. Both proposals reduce student enrollment; however, the school population does not decrease to state-rated capacity or below until the second year. The new attendance zone, in both proposals, would include areas from North Point and move areas to Thomas Stone and McDonough.


Proposal A decreases enrollment by 11 percent to 1,269 students in 2014 and to 1,127 students in 2015. Proposal B transfers less students and reduces student enrollment by 7 percent to 1,331 in 2014 and to 1,200 in 2015.

How to comment on the proposals

The Board and Superintendent receive the Redistricting Committee report at the April 9 meeting, and have scheduled two evenings – April 22 and April 23 – to accept public comment on the proposals. The first public hearing is 6:30-9 p.m., April 22, at North Point High School. The second hearing is 6:30-9 p.m., April 23, at La Plata High School. The Board is limiting speakers to commenting at one of the two hearings in order to maximize speaking opportunities for the highest number of people. Speakers have three minutes to comment. Following the public hearings, the Superintendent will develop recommendations to the Board for each high school based on review of the plans and public comments. The Superintendent can recommend one of the proposals or modified versions. A separate public hearing on the Superintendent's recommendations will be held 6:30-9 p.m., Monday, May 20, at Westlake High School. The Board will take a final vote on the high school redistricting on June 11 at its regular monthly meeting.

Residents may also mail or e-mail comments. E-mail comments to redistrict@ccboe.com or mail to Redistricting, Charles County Public Schools, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646.

Committee Members

The 16-member redistricting committee includes 10 parents, three community members and three school principals. Parent representatives include one from each high school, two from middle schools and two from elementary schools. High schools accepted applications and selected representatives by random drawing. Middle and elementary schools accepted interest from all parents, held a random drawing and each submitted one parent name to the Board of Education. The Board selected two middle and two elementary parent representatives by random drawing during its October meeting. Community members also applied to serve on the committee and were selected by the Board in a random drawing.

Once formed, the committee divided into two independent groups to develop an alternative. The committee members met eight times before submitting their proposals to the Superintendent. The committee first met at the Board's Nov. 5 redistricting information meeting in order to hear community questions and comments.

More information

Maps and more complete descriptions of each proposal are posted on the school system website at www.ccboe.com. Click on the High School Redistricting link under resources.

The school system is mailing a fact sheet outlining the redistricting proposals to parents of ninth and tenth graders and all middle school students. Elementary schools will send the fact sheet home with students the week of April 8.

Board meetings are televised live and aired on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12. The meetings also stream live on the school system website at www.ccboe.com.



Tuesday, April 02, 2013

REMINDER: Board of Education Meeting, 4/9/13


The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, April 9, at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building on Radio Station Road in La Plata. The public portion of the meeting begins at 1 p.m. and student and staff recognition starts at 4:30 p.m. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12 and is rebroadcast throughout the week. The meeting is also streamed live on the Charles County Public Schools Web site. Visit http://www2.ccboe.com/boe/live/ to watch the meeting.

Executive session – 12 p.m.

Call to order – 1 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance, La Plata High School’s JROTC unit
 
Superintendent’s update
 
Reports of officers/boards/committees
  • Correspondence/Board Member updates
  • Education Association of Charles County update
  • Student Board Member update
  • Policy #6000 - Instruction
  • Sadlier grammar workshop and SpringBoard reading and mathematics
  • Library media program
  • Legislative update
  • Cell phone rule
Action item
  • Approval of new superintendent contract
Announcement of new superintendent
 
Reports of officers/boards/committees
  • Redistricting proposals
Unfinished business
New business and future agenda items

Recognition – 4:30 p.m.
  • Students
  • Employees
  • Resolutions: Teacher Appreciation Week; Administrative Professionals Week; Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week; and National Physical Education and Sports Week.
Public Forum – 6 p.m.
Action items
  • Minutes
  • Personnel
  • 2014-15 calendar
  • Revision of student transfer rule #5126

Friday, March 29, 2013

School Allocation Subcommittee Documents from 3/27/13



Please see the below links for documents distributed at the March 27th meeting.  I'm still waiting on two more of the presentations (the one presented by Mr. Groth and the list of Allocations recorded but not yet built) and will update this post with those documents once received...stay tuned.

If you have questions on these, please let me know.

Financial Analysis

School Allocation Expiration List

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Public Forum on The School Allocation Process and School Funding


Public Meeting on the School Allocation Process

 April  10, 2013 at 6:30 PM

Thomas Stone High School

Come let your voice be heard.

The School Allocation Committee has has been meeting and discussing all the current revenue streams and allocation processes for school construction and school seats.  (Excise Tax, DRRA's, etc.) We are looking for YOUR input and collaboration on solutions for funding the costs of construction not reimbursed by the State, and funding for the operation and other additional costs associated with opening a new school.  Please join us and be part of the process and the solution.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

School Adequate Public Facilities Program & Funding Review Committee Agenda, 3/27/13

The School Adequate Public Facilities Program & Funding Review Committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow evening, Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Charles County Commissioners Meeting room at the Charles County Governement Building. The meeting is open to the public.  The agenda is open to the public.  The agenda  is listed below.  The DRAFT Work Plan can be found HERE.

Review and Approval of the Meeting Minutes of March 13th

Update on the April 10 Public Information Meeting

Review Revised Work Plan

Discuss the Approach to Problem Analysis and Solution Development
  • Committee Identifies the Issue or Problem
  • Committee/staff identify potential alternatives
  • Staff prepares an analysis of the alternatives
  • Committee evaluates and selects the preferred alternative
Review Charles County Experience in meeting the Objectives of the APF requirements
  • Power Point Outlining the School APF Program
Status of the School Allocation Progam
  • Outstanding Allocations and Expiration Dates
  • Review of the Potential Future Impact from Development
  • Use and Occupancy Permit History
BOE Staff Presentation of Requested Information
  • Enrollment Projections
  • School Needs Analysis (Step Charts)
  • School Maps
School Allocations for St. Charles
  • Explanation of St. Charles APF Mitigation by Proffering School Sites
  • Commitment of School Allocations based on Mutual Agreements
  • Historic Use of School Allocations by St. Charles
*This agenda is tentative and is subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Committee
 
 

School Adequate Public Facilities Program and Funding Review Committee DRAFT Work Plan

School Adequate Public Facilities Program and Funding Review Committee

DRAFT

Work Plan

Charge
The Committee shall evaluate the County’s approach to ensuring adequate public acilities for schools in the development approval process to determine if the current policy is achieving the stated goals. The Committee should also develop solutions for addressing the timing of providing adequate school facilities to match the planned growth in the County. The Committee should work with designated staff to explore the feasibility and make recommendations on the best method to work through the issues related to school redistricting, school capacity allocation, and the timing and methods of school funding and construction.
 
Membership
2 Board of Education Members
2 County Commissioner Members
3 Citizen Members
2 Building Industry Members
Staff Representation
Committee support will be provided by County Government Staff and Board of Education staff. A member of Charles County Government staff and Board of Education staff will co-chair the meeting.

The following Agency Representatives and designated staff will constitute the Technical Committee and will be brought in on an as needed basis.
  • Director of Planning and Growth Management
  • Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services
  • County Attorney
  • Board of Education Staff (Recommended by the BOE)
Schedule

March 13 – Organizational Meeting

Refine work plan; Establish Dates; Determine need for guest speakers and adjunct staff. Brief Review of School Allocation Program and DRRA Mitigation.  Status of 2014 School CIP for new school capacity. Issues identification.
March 27 – School Adequate Public Facilities Regulation Experience

Review Charles County experience in meeting the objectives of the APFO including the DRRA mitigation program; Status of the School Allocation program; review of school allocation commitments.
April 10 - Committee Conducts Public Information Meeting #1

April 24 – Debrief on the Public Information Meeting
Review the comments from the Public informational meeting and adjust the Work Plan as necessary.  Continue discussion about APF experience including the use and computation of Student Yield Factors.

May 8 – Impediments to School Construction
Identify impediments to school construction to meet growth demands; Review alternative approaches to school construction funding such as forward funding including the total costs associated with start up; staffing limitations; program demands on facilities such as all day kindergarten and special needs programs; adequate State and local funding. The evaluation will include a presentation by the BOE staff on the steps required for school construction.
May 22 – State School Construction Funding Program

Review the role of State School Construction Funding in providing adequate capacity in time for planned growth. Includes a discussion of the IAC formula.
June 5 – Existing County School Funding Sources
Review the experience of the County in collecting Excise Tax Revenues and DRRA Mitigation payments. Begin identification of alternative revenue sources.
June 19 - Alternative Funding Sources
Evaluate alternative funding sources to supplement the school construction excise tax including but not limited to impact fees, APF Mitigation (DRRAs), transfer tax, recordation tax, property tax and cost saving measures.

July 3 – Review alternative APFO approaches Statewide
Role of relocatable classrooms in providing interim capacity; Role of relocatable classroom in other jurisdictions; Role of redistricting in meeting APFO objectives.

July 17 - Review of Alternative APFO Approaches Statewide
Use of alternative capacity measurements; Treatment of growth areas versus conservation areas.
July 31 - Review Committee Findings and Decisions
Review Committee findings and decisions and provide final direction to staff for preparation of the draft report.

August 14 - Review Draft Report
 
Staff provides a preliminary draft report based on discussions. Review draft report and direct staff on refinements.
August 28 - Finalize Draft Report

September 11 – Committee Refines and Approves Final Report

Committee considers public input and refines draft as needed. Approval of final draft for recommendation to the elected boards.
September 25 – Presentation to a Joint Meeting of the County Commissioners and Board of Education.

Commissioners Adopt Recommendations and Direct Staff to proceed with Implementation Measures.
Note: Additional Public Outreach Meetings may be scheduled at the direction of the Committee.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Notes from Board of Education Meeting, 3/12/13

The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, March 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, Henry E. Lackey High School's JROTC unit
 
Superintendent's update Reports of officers/boards/committees - See Report
 
Correspondence/Board Member updates -(computer difficulties prevented me from getting all of this section)
 
Education Association of Charles County update - See report
 
Student Board Member update - See report
 
Student Services update - See report
 
CIP update - See report
 
Telepresence - Fabulous...see report
 
Policy #6000 - See report for suggested changes
 
Sadlier Grammar Workshop and SpringBoard reading and mathematics - See report
 
School year 2014-15 calendar - principal, teacher and parents surveyed wished to move the January semester break as suggested last month but moved to keep the in-service date February as is.
 
Legislative update
  • HB229 - alter the formula for county wealth which would determine how much state funding we would receive
  • HB103 - require design documents to include solar technology
  • HB139 - each public body to have one member receive online training on open meetings act
  • HB??? - increase penalty per person on open meetings act violations
  • HB833/SB 740 - College Readiness and Completion Act; mandate a college prep class into the curriculum....national push.....major discussion and heartburn over this bill ensued
Revision of student transfer rule #5126 - see report
 
Unfinished business - None
 
New business - None

Future Agenda items
  • Cell Phone Policy; staff has made revisions to the rules
Recognition - 4:30 p.m.

  • Students - Keara Woodland, 5th grade Personal Responsibility, William Diggs Elementary School, Principal: Sandra Taylor; Kritchanan Yampai, 5th grade, Academic Achievement, JP Ryon Elementary School, Principal: Robert Opiekun; Cayla Riddick, 8th grade, Academic Achievement, General Smallwood Middle School, Principal: Kathy Perriello; Rickee White, 12th grade, Career Readiness, Thomas Stone High School, Principal: Michael Meiser
  • Employee - Sarah Milman, kindergarten teacher, Diggs; Alexis Howell, teacher, Ryon; Van Conner, pupil personnel worker, Smallwood; Cynthia Harrison, pupil personnel worker, Stone
  • Resolutions: Month of the Young Child and National Student Leadership Week
Public Forum – 6 p.m.
  • Marshall Oliver - Consider allowing families that are slotted for redistricting be permitted to enroll in new school prior to Aug 2014
  •  Ms. Marki  - Berry Elementary- scheduling of special classes; 6 day rotation of art, music, and gym, one teacher to 900 students; volunteering for unpaid position with 2 other parents
  • Andrea Anderson - Berry Elementary - read goals of CCPS; wants an answer to petition sent.

Action items
  • Minutes Executive Session 2/12/13
Motion to accept by Cook; Second by Pedersen
Yes = Abell, Bowie, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise Absent=Lukas

  • Minutes Regular Session 2/12/13
Motion to accept by Pedersen; Second by Cook
Yes = Abell, Bowie, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise Absent=Lukas
  • Minutes Joint Commissioner Meeting 3/5/13
Motion to accept by Pedersen; Second by Cook
Yes = Abell, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise Absent=Lukas; Abstain=Bowie
  • Personnel
Motion to accept by Pedersen; Second by Cook
Yes = Abell, Bowie, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise Absent=Lukas

Superintendent Search Narrowed

The Board of Education of Charles County has narrowed its field of superintendent candidates to three. Finalists are Kimberly Hill of Charles County Public Schools, Jeanice Swift of Colorado Springs School District 11, and Carey Wright of District of Columbia Public Schools.

The Board is selecting a new Superintendent of Schools to replace long-time Superintendent James E. Richmond, who has announced he is leaving at the end of the 2012-13 school year.

In August, the Board hired consultants from the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) to assist with the search, which was advertised nationwide. The Board received 24 applicants for the position, screened all applications, held two separate interview sessions and selected three finalists. The finalists will now participate in a series of focus group interviews the week of March 18. The Board will select and announce Richmond's successor on April 9 at its regular monthly meeting.

The following is biographical information provided by each finalist.

Kimberly HillKIMBERLY HILL

TITLE: Principal, Charles County Public Schools, North Point High School for Science, Technology and Industry, Waldorf, Md.

EXPERIENCE: Principal, North Point High School for Science, Technology and Industry, Charles County Public Schools, Md., 2007-present; Vice Principal, North Point High School, 2005-2007; Coordinator, Charles County Career and Technology Center, Charles County Public Schools, 1998-2005; Vice Principal, Maurice J. McDonough High School, Charles County Public Schools, 1993-1998; Social Studies Teacher, Maurice J. McDonough High School, 1986-1993.

EDUCATION: Ms. Hill earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from High Point University in North Carolina, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Jeanice Kerr Swift JEANICE KERR SWIFT

TITLE: Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Curriculum, and Student Services, Colorado Springs School District 11

EXPERIENCE: Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Curriculum and Student Services, Colorado Springs School District 11, July 2011-present; Executive Director, K-12 Schools, Colorado Springs School District 11, 2009-2011; Principal, Charles M. Russell Middle School of the Performing Arts and Science, Colorado Springs School District 11, 2004-2009; Assistant Principal, Charles M. Russell Middle School, Colorado Springs School District 11, 2002-2004; Literacy Resource Teacher Coach, Jenkins Middle School, Colorado Springs School District 11, 2001-2002; Middle School English Teacher, North Middle School and Jenkins Middle School, Colorado Springs School District 11, 1998-2001; High School and Junior High Teacher, English and Spanish, Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District, Bedford, Texas, 1984-1991, 1995-1998.

EDUCATION: Dr. Swift earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education, with a major in English and a minor in Spanish, at the University of Texas, Arlington. She earned a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Colorado and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership at the University of Denver.

Carey Wright
CAREY M. WRIGHT

TITLE: Chief Academic Officer, District of Columbia Public Schools

EXPERIENCE: Chief Academic Officer, District of Columbia Public Schools, 2010-present; Deputy Chief for the Office of Teaching and Learning, District of Columbia Public Schools, 2009-2010; Associate Superintendent for the Office of Special Education and Student Services, Montgomery County Public Schools, Md., 2003-2009; Director of Special Education and Student Services, Howard County Public Schools, Md.; Principal, Elkridge Elementary School, Bollman Bridge Elementary School, and Waverly Elementary School, Howard County Public Schools, Md.; Principal on Special Assignment to the Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Howard County Public Schools, Md., Teacher, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Md., 1972-1976.

EDUCATION: Dr. Wright obtained her Bachelor of Science, Master of Education and Doctor of Education from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Friday, March 08, 2013

School Adequate Public Facilities Program and Funding Review Committee

Is looking forward to beginning my work on this committee which will begin Wednesday evening, March 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the commissioners meeting room atthe Charles County Government Building and is open to the public.

Mission
The Committee shall evaluate the County’s approach to ensuring adequate public facilities for schools in the development approval process to determine if the current policy is achieving the stated goals. The Committee should also develop solutions for addressing the timing of providing adequate school facilities to match the planned growth in the County. The Committee should work with designated staff to explore the feasibility and make recommendations on the best method to work through the issues related to school redistricting, school capacity allocation, and the timing and methods of school funding and construction.

(Althought i have an issue with the redistricting statement in here)

Contact
Planning and Growth Management, Jason Groth 301-645-0689

Members (i guess Pam & I got stripped of our titles)

Jennifer Abell Regular
Reuben Collins, II County Commissioner
Rosemin Daya Regular
Jason Groth Charles County Government Staff
Glenda Harrison Regular
John Hayes Regular
Candice Kelly County Commissioner
James Lorenzi Regular
Doug Meeker Regular
Pamela Pedersen Regular
Sarah Sandy Charles County Government Staff

Agenda for 3.13

Committee Member Introduction
Administrative
Bill 2011-08, Code of Ethics
  • Copy to be provided to all Committee Members
  • Brief Review
Resolution 2012-70, Code of Civility
  • Copy to be provided to all Committee Members
  • Brief Review
Oath of Office
  • Copy to be provided to all Committee Members
  • Oath Taking
  • Certificate handout
Acknowledgement Form
  • All members of the Committee must sign and return to Sarah by the end of the meeting.
Chairman and Vice Chair
  • Nominations
  • Voting
Meeting
Overview of the Purpose of the Committee
Review Meeting Dates and Frequency
Discuss/Establish Public Participation Policy
Review Draft Work Plan and refine
Brief Review of School Allocation Program and Policies
Brief Review of DRRA Mitigation Program and Policies
Status of 2014 School CIP for new School Capacity
School Redistricting Policy
Identification of Additional Issues


Board of Education & Commissioner APFO Joint Straetgy Session, 3/5/13

Here is a link to a video of the meeting that took place.


[10:30 a.m.] Joint Meeting with Charles County Board of Education - Winter 2013 School Allocation Cycle (Mr. Peter Aluotto, Director of Planning & Growth Management/Charles County Public Schools & Board of Education)

School Allocations Presentation

No action was taken pending further information requested by Abell on allocations awarded but yet to be developed.

[11:30 a.m.] Strategic Planning Session w/ Charles County Board of Education (Government Building Conference Room)

Letter from BOE Wise





REMINDER: Board of Education Meeting, 3/12/13

The Board of Education's next monthly meeting is Tuesday, March 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. and student and staff recognition starts at 4:30 p.m. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12 and is rebroadcast throughout the week. The meeting is also streamed live on the Charles County Public Schools website. Visit http://www2.ccboe.com/boe/live/ to watch the meeting.

Executive session – 12 p.m.  Call to order – 1 p.m.- Pledge of Allegiance, Henry E. Lackey High School's JROTC unit Superintendent's update Reports of officers/boards/committees

  • Correspondence/Board Member updates
  • Education Association of Charles County update
  • Student Board Member update
  • Student Services update
  • CIP update
  • Telepresence
  • Policy #6000
  • Sadlier Grammar Workshop and SpringBoard reading and mathematics
  • Budget update
  • School year 2014-15 calendar
  • Legislative update
  • Revision of student transfer rule #5126
Unfinished business

New business and future agenda items
  • New business
  • 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

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Notes from Board of Education Meeting, 2/12/13

The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, February 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, Westlake High School's JROTC unit

Superintendent's update - See Report

Correspondence/Board Member updates

  • Bowie - Governor visit at library story time. 4 year old that could recite all the presidents and told him HE was going to be president.
  • Bowie - Summer Reading List
  • Pedersen - North Point Student to Student Program - work with military families to become aclimated to new school environment
  • Lukas - County Chess Tournament; thanks to Mr. Cummings
  • Lukas - Stone recognition for principals honors
  • Wise - Annaplois to ask for $ for system
Education Association of Charles County update - See report

Student Board Member update - See report

CIP update - See report

Teacher Evaluation - See report; rejected by state with no explanantion; assume for state testing percentage.

SY 2014-2015 calendar - see proposed calendar
  • Abell - 3 week cluster from MLK holiday to mid February has several days off.  Need to reevaluate?
Revisions of student transfer rule - See suggested changes on report
  • Pedersen - suggests adding to student handbook
Homeless Population
  • currently increased to 796 from 618 last year and still rising
  • we're not unique in the numbers across the state
  •  unique in 9 year wait for Section 8; no transitional housing
  • we are providing everything we can to these students; confidentiality is at the highest
  • last year we had a $35,000 grant; this year we have a $33,000 grant to help cover all misc costs for these students.
  • Currently transporting 15 students from PG county (per law)
Legislative update
  • numerous bills being submitted on school safety that we would oppose based on unfunded mandated
  • also on Open Meetings Act with personal monetary violations to the perpetrator
  • Special Education claims...whomever brings the claim has the burden of proof...new bill shifts the burden of proof to the Board of Education in all cases SB691
  • Teacher Evaluations
  • Representation fee by teachers who chose not to join the union
  • March 5th, MABE Legislation Luncheon
Unfinished business
  • Bowie - EReader devices in the classrooms
  • Richmond - working on it
New business

Future agenda items
  • Abell - Review Cell Phone Policy
  • Lukas - regurgitated on the transfer policy
Recognition – 4:30 p.m.
  • Students:  Jackson Tross, 5th grade, Personal Responsibility, Berry Elementary School, Principal: Marvin Jones; Jacob Waddell, 5th grade, Career Readiness, Eva Turner Elementary School, Principal: Stephanie Nottingham; Conner Smith, 8th grade, Academic Achievement, Matthew Henson Middle School, Principal: Sonia Jones; Liam Vienneau, 8th grade, Academic Achievement, Piccowaxen Middle School, Principal: Kenneth Schroeck; John (Jake) Bayer, 12th grade, Academic Achievement, La Plata High School, Principal: Evelyn Arnold
  • Employees:  Lenora Green, special education teacher, Berry; Nicholas Adam, special education teacher, Turner; Caitlin Sinclair, mathematics teacher, Piccowaxen; Linda Adgate, job placement coordinator, La Plata; Lakeisha Webster, Stay Program instructional assistant, F.B. Gwynn Center, Principal: Thomas Weirich
  • Resolutions:  Read Across Charles County; Women's History Month; Fine and Performing Arts Month
Public Forum – 6 p.m.
  • John Hayes - resident of the county for 23 years; redistricting; Davis students went to Henson; now Hensen is 56 students over capacity;  commissioners just approved 156 homes in Henson zone.....gave more numbers just approved by commissioners via DRRA.
  • Roseman Diaz - redistricting.  Davis to Henson.  Amazing staff at Henson.  commissioners approved DRRA's today.  says BOE told government they have room
  • Robert Harlan - watched school board for the last 7 years.  Impressed with student board member Ms. Adeleke.  St. Charles High School, doing it for the students.  kids are asking for the pool but upset that the parents, homeowners, developers, business owners, etc aren't asking for a pool.
Action items
  • Minutes
Motion to accept the minutes by Cook; Second by Pedersen
Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise;

Motion to accept the minutes January 8th by Cook; Second by Pedersen
Yes=Abell, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise; Abstain=Bowie

  • Personnel
Motion to accept the personnel by Cook; Second by Wade
Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise
  • Policy #3514 – green product cleaning supplies
Motion to accept the Policy #3514 by Lukas; Second by Wade
Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise
 
BUDGET WORK SESSION

See report

Motion to accept the Budget as presented by Pedersen; Second by Lukas
Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

Friday, February 08, 2013

REMINDER: Board of Education Meeting, 2/12/13

The Board of Education's next monthly meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 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. and student and staff recognition starts at 4:30 p.m. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12 and is rebroadcast throughout the week. The meeting is also streamed live on the Charles County Public Schools website. Visit http://www2.ccboe.com/boe/live/ to watch the meeting.

Executive session – 12 p.m.  Call to order – 1 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance, Westlake High School's JROTC unit Superintendent's update Reports of officers/boards/committees

  • Presentation by Wells Fargo on the Classified Retirement Plan
  • Correspondence/Board Member updates
  • Education Association of Charles County update
  • Student Board Member update
  • CIP update
  • SY 2014-2015 calendar
  • Revisions of student transfer rule
  • Legislative update
Unfinished business

New business and future agenda items
  • New business
  • Future agenda items
Recognition – 4:30 p.m.
  • Students
  • Employees
  • Resolutions: Read Across Charles County; Women's History Month; and Fine and Performing Arts Month
Public Forum – 6 p.m.

Action items
  • Minutes
  • Personnel
  • Policy #3514 – green product cleaning supplies
Adjournment