Commissioner July School Allocation Meeting, 9/10/13

The county once again came before the commissioners for their regularly scheduled school allocation cycle.  The Board of Education, including myself, vehemently opposed allocating additional seats until the APFO Subcommittee completes its work.  In addition, there is currently over 3,000 allocations currently actively being built which equates to over 1,500 potential students (.5 students per household) an additional 3,000+ that have been granted but have not yet begun.  However they have been granted and therefore can begin whenever they so desire.  So using the formula above, that is a potential of 3,000+ students hitting our school system.

The commissioners voted to grant these allocations anyway AGAINST the Board of Educations protest.  Commissioner Kelly was the only descending vote.

View the report and allocations awarded HERE. 

Is YOUR school going to be the next one REDISTRICTED? 

And when it is, you will know why!  Please don't wait to come complain at the Board of Education public forums when it happens.  Go to your COMMISSIONER public forums NOW.  Let your voice be heard NOW!

Notes from Joint Board of Education Commissioner Meeting, 9/10/13

Sorry this has been delayed and it will be brief.

The meeting began by Chairwoman Wise reading a statement addressing Dr. Lever's (IAC) letter and request for the facilities survey and funding the survey.  After a brief discussion the commissioners agreed and voted to fund the survey using DRRA funds.

Mr. Conley (Principal for St. Charles High School) then presented on the new high school.  Several questions were asked and answered.  Some key points were teacher collaboration areas, and it's a zoned school.  Mr. Wade brought up his disappointment in the fact the pool had been cut from the plan design for budgetary reasons, stating that "we know...that Afro-Americans cannot swim" and that the enrollment at St. Charles High will be a "minority majority."   The commissioners agreed to look into funding and see what could be done.

Notes from Board of Education Meeting 9/10/13

The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, September 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 – JROTC unit from Thomas Stone High School

Superintendent’s update to the Board - See report

Correspondence/board member updates

• Bowie - Summer Reading Program - 1,175 children enrolled
• Pedersen - APFO meetings ongoing; biweekly meetings; slowly making progress
• Wade - Review of flags at each school and how they're posted and protocol
• Lukas - attended Inaugural 5k Race at Stone on Stone; well organized; about 100 people

Education Association of Charles County update - See report

• Abell - requested AFSME be added to the Board Agenda

Student board member’s update - See report

Opening of schools - See report

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) update - See report

FY 2014 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan - See report

Update on school improvement plans - See report

Proposed legislation

• salary & expenses of board members & student member scholarship - proposed bill for submission
• MABE legislation requiring parents to sign affidavits of residency for attendance

Unfinished business

• Personal Electronic Devices Committee - will meet on the 17th; Abell & Lukas

New business - None

Future agenda items

• Abell - Request committee to review the Health Education curriculum especially pertaining to sexuality pieces. Been 4-5 years at least since last reviewed.

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

• Georgeann Carter - Bus stop locations, Hawkins Gate and Highlands Farm Court; dangerous situation for all the 25+ children; handouts with pictures and plats.
• Ivan Cherad (sp?) - Dorchester; Westlake Advocates; liquor store near Westlake; not angry parents, do fact checking, hold officials accountable; transparent government; submitting study on alcohol dense communities affects the community; what is the position of the school board.
• Iyana Moore (sp?) - Westlake Advocates - liquor store proximity; BOE mission states environment safe and conducive to learning...a liquor store is not.
• Robert Harlan - Just discovered not doing Quarterly Assessments.  Parents should be notified and not have to wait until the end of the year.  BOE should speak boldly to oppose the liquor store next to Westlake

Action Items

• Minutes

Motion to approve the Minutes from August Board meeting by Cook; Second by Lukas

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

Motion to approve the Minutes from August Work Session by Cook; Second by Pedersen

Yes=Abell, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise; Abstain=Bowie

• Personnel

Motion to approve the Personnel by Wade; Second by Abell

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

• FY 2015 CIP state and local CIP program

Motion to approve the FY 2015 CIP state and local CIP program by Lukas; Second by Cook

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

Amendment 1 to the motion to include the renovation survey funded by the DRRA funds by Lukas; Second by Cook

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

Amendment 2 to the motion to include HVAC installation at LaPlata HS Gym by Cook; Second by Pedersen

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

• Policies 6411.7 and 6411.8

Motion to approve the Policies 6411.7 and 6411.8 by Cook; Second by Pedersen

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

• FY2013 operating budget amendment

Motion to approve the FY13 Operating Budget Amendment by Lukas; Second by Cook

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

• Recurring resolutions: American Education Week; American Freedom Week; African-American History Month; Career and Technology Education Month; Gifted and Talented Education Month; National School Counseling Week; Read Across America; Women’s History Month; Fine and Performing Arts Month; Month of the Young Child; National Student Leadership Week; Teacher Appreciation Week; Administrative Professionals Week; Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week; National Physical Education and Sport Week; Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leader; Charles County Teacher of the Year; Employees Retirement; and Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.

Motion to approve the Recurring Resolutions by Cook; Second by Lukas

Yes= Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise; Abstain = Abell

Adjournment

Board of Education Meeting Agenda, September 10, 2013

The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 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 school system website www.ccboe.com. Select CCPS TV and then choose the Live Broadcast tab.

Executive session – 12 p.m.
Call to order – 1 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance – JROTC unit from 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
• Student board member’s update
• Opening of schools
• Capital Improvement Program (CIP) update
• Report item: FY 2014 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan
• Update on school improvement plans
• Proposed legislation

Unfinished business
New business and Future agenda items

• New business
• Future agenda items

Public Forum – 6 p.m.
Action items

• Minutes
• Personnel
• FY 2015 CIP state and local CIP program
• Policies 6411.7 and 6411.8
• FY2013 operating budget amendment
• Recurring resolutions: American Education Week; American Freedom Week; African-American History Month; Career and Technology Education Month; Gifted and Talented Education Month; National School Counseling Week; Read Across America; Women’s History Month; Fine and Performing Arts Month; Month of the Young Child; National Student Leadership Week; Teacher Appreciation Week; Administrative Professionals Week; Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week; National Physical Education and Sport Week; Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leader; Charles County Teacher of the Year; Employees Retirement; and Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.

Adjournment

Notes from Board of Education Meeting, August 13, 2013

The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, August 13 will be re-broadcast on Comcast Channel 96, Verizon FIOS Channel 12 and is available via webstream at http://www.ccboe.com/ . To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit BoardDocs.

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

Executive Session – 11 a.m.

Call to order – 1 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance

Superintendent's update  - see report

Correspondence/Board member updates

• Wise - Wade receiving MABE Willis award
• Abell - MABE Budget Committee; requesting one time fee adjustment of $1,000 - $5,000 based on size of school system to be voted on at conference.

Education Association of Charles County update - see report

 

Student Board Member update - see report

 

School Administration - Athletics update - baseline & impact  testing; concussion reduction; parent meetings synonmous; handbook updated; athletic trainers at each high school; awards reports and same thing done at all schools (see report)

• Wise - soccer not considered an impact sport?
• Abell - soccer players are tested too even not classified.....yes

School Administration - Opening of schools - Leadership Institute this week; break out sessions; school visits;

 

State of evaluations - see report - ongoing process; subcommittee

 

CIP update  - new high school; digital classroom; Mitchell renovations; Gale-Bailey kitchen; Hanson Nurses Suite;

 

FY 2015 CIP state and local CIP program - see report

 

Office of Instruction - Assessments - see report

 

Staffing udpate  - 128 new hires, still need 9 special ed; 5 elementary; 16 high school; 21 resignations since July; needed special ed math, science, tech ed, library media; minority hiring has increased.

 

New website - see report; Launch August 19th

 

Recurring resolutions - American Education Week; American Freedom Week; African-American History Month; Gifted and Talented Education Month; Career and Technology Education Month; National School Counseling Week; Read Across America; Women's History Month; Fine and Performing Arts Month; Month of the Young Child; National Student Leadership Week; Teacher Appreciation Week; Administrative Professionals Week; Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week; National Physical Education and Sport Week; Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leader; Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award; Charles County Teacher of the Year; and Employees' Retirement

Unfinished business

• Cell phones - Current Rules in report; Abell requested a subcommittee to review this and BYOD for the next school year.  Discussion and concern over "the end of the school day" and consistency across the schools.
• Board members pay/reimbursement - see report analysis of other counties; discussion; Pedersen supports increase; Wise should be comparable to surrounding counties; Abell ditto; Bowie and Lukas against.

Motion to raise board member salary to $7,000/$6,000, Chair/Members respectively and add a $1,000 scholarship for the student board member and leave the stipend as is by Cook; Second by Pedersen

FURTHER DISCUSSION

 

Amendment to Original Motion to Change stipend to $800 and add members serving on committees outside of the county are entitled upto $2,000 in expense reimbursements per year by Cook; Second by Pedersen

Yes=Abell, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise; No=Bowie, Lukas

 

Vote on Original Motion

Yes=Abell, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise; No=Bowie, Lukas

 

New business

• Future School Renovations - Discuss a recent letter from David Lever, executive director of the Interagency Committee on School Construction, concerning future renovation of schools and take action on recommendations.  Discussion on APFO subcommittee.

Future agenda items

• Cook - College prep report

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

• None

Action items  - Minutes

Motion to accept the Minutes by Pedersen; second by Lukas

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

 

Action Item - Personnel

Motion to accept the Personnel by Cook; second by Lukas

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

 

Action Item - Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish textbooks

Motion to accept the AP Spanish Textbooks by Cook; second by Pedersen

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

Adjournment

Board of Education Meeting Agenda for August 13, 2013

The Board of Education's next monthly meeting is Tuesday, August 13, 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 Public Forum is at 6 p.m. All Board meetings are televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12, and rebroadcast throughout the week. Viewing schedules are available on the Charles County Public Schools website at www.ccboe.com.

Executive Session – 11 a.m.

Call to order – 1 p.m.  - Pledge of Allegiance

Superintendent's update

Reports of officers/boards/committees

• Correspondence/Board member updates
• Education Association of Charles County update
• Student Board Member update
• Opening of schools, athletics update
• State of evaluations
• CIP update
• FY 2015 CIP state and local CIP program
• School improvement
• Staffing udpate
• New website
• Recurring resolutions: American Education Week; American Freedom Week; African-American History Month; Gifted and Talented Education Month; Career and Technology Education Month; National School Counseling Week; Read Across America; Women's History Month; Fine and Performing Arts Month; Month of the Young Child; National Student Leadership Week; Teacher Appreciation Week; Administrative Professionals Week; Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week; National Physical Education and Sport Week; Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leader; Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award; Charles County Teacher of the Year; and Employees' Retirement

Unfinished business

• Cell phones
• Board members pay/reimbursement

New business and future agenda items

• New business
• Future agenda items

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

Action items

• Minutes
• Personnel
• Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish textbooks

Adjournment

Clarksville, Arkansas School District Opts For Armed Teachers, Staff

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. -- As Cheyne Dougan rounded the corner at Clarksville High School, he saw three students on the floor moaning and crying. In a split-second, two more ran out of a nearby classroom.

"He's got a gun," one of them shouted as Dougan approached with his pistol drawn. Inside, he found one student holding another at gunpoint. Dougan aimed and fired three rounds at the gunman.
Preparing for such scenarios has become common for police after a school shooting in Connecticut last December left 20 children and six teachers dead. But Dougan is no policeman. He's the assistant principal of this school in Arkansas, and when classes resume in August, he will walk the halls with a 9 mm handgun.

Dougan is among more than 20 teachers, administrators and other school employees in this town who will carry concealed weapons throughout the school day, making use of a little-known Arkansas law that allows licensed, armed security guards on campus. After undergoing 53 hours of training, Dougan and other teachers at the school will be considered guards.

"The plan we've been given in the past is `Well, lock your doors, turn off your lights and hope for the best,'" Superintendent David Hopkins said. But as deadly incidents continued to happen in schools, he explained, the district decided, "That's not a plan."

Read more HERE

Draft Issue Papers #4 and #5

Issue Paper #4 Alternate Funding

Issue Paper #5 DRRA Program

REMINDER: School Adequate Public Facilities Comittee Meeting, 7/31/13

AGENDA

Meeting #10

July 31, 2013

6:00 pm

Review and Approval of the Meeting Minutes of July 17th

Action on Draft Issue Paper #2:"Treatment of Minor Subdivisions"

Action on Draft Issue Paper #4 "School Construction Funding - County Funding Resources"

Introduce Issue Paper #3 "School Capacity Measurement"

Introduce Issue Paper #5 "DRRA School Allocations"

Inreoduce Issue Paper #6 "School Construction Program"

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for August 14th at 6:00 p.m. in the County Government Conference Room

*This agenda is tentative and is subject to adjustment atthe discretion of the committee

REMINDER: School Adequate Public Facilities Committee Meeting, 7/17/13

AGENDA

Meeting #9

July 17, 2013

6:00 pm

Review and Approval of the Meeting Minutes of June 26th

Briefing br Dr. David Lever, State Public School Construction Program

• Maximizing State School funding - County Performance Measures
• State School Funding Forecasts
• Public-Private Partnership School Delivery Options - Baltimore City Project
• Committee Questions

Discuss Draft Issue Paper #2:"Treatment of Minor Subdivisions"

Introduce Issue Paper #3 "School Capacity Measurement"

Introduce Paper #4 "School Construction Funding - County Funding Resources"

Introduce Issue Paper #5 "DRRA School Allocations"

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 31st at 6:00 p.m. in the County Government Conference Room

*This agenda is tentative and is subject to adjustment atthe discretion of the committee

REMINDER: School Adequate Public Facilities Committee Meeting, 6/26/13

AGENDA

Meeting #8

June 26, 2013

6:00 pm

Review and Approval of the Meeting Minutes of June 5th

• Review revised meeting schedule

Identification of Potential Alternative Revenue Sources to Fund School Construction

• Brief Review of Existing Sources
• Review Potential Alternative Sources 
• Provide direction to staff for further research on specific revenue sources

Public-Private Partnership School Delivery Option

• Provide direction to staff if additional research is warranted on this approach

Discuss Draft Issue Paper #1:"Timing of providing adequate school facilities to match the planned growth in the County."

• Provide direction to Staff regarding the draft recommendations

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 17th at 6:00 PM in the County Government Conference Room.

*This agenda is tentative and is subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Committee.

Notes from Board of Education Meeting, 6/11/13

The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, June 11 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 – North Point High School's JROTC Unit

Swearing-in of new Student Board member – Amit Patel, Maurice J. McDonough High School

Recognition of high school athletes

Superintendent's updat - See Report

Recognition

• Pat Foerster, Maryland State Governor's office
• James E. Richmond Leadership Award
• LifeStyles – Bill McLaughlin, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

Correspondence/Board member updates

• Bowie - Thank you to Mr. Richmond
• Pedersen - Thank you to Mr. Richmond
• Wade - Thank you to Mr. Richmond

EACC Update - See Report; Crab feast August 16th

CIP update - See update

Credit Recovery Program - see update

• Grade Recovery program for those students not performing adequately in their first semester. Its purpose is to demonstrate the various steps the schools have taken to help students obtain success in a subject to help keep them on track for graduation, in the same time, providing remediation for HSA exams.
• Success - LP = 92%; McD = 59%; TS = 61%; WS = 33%

 AP Spanish Textbooks - see report; needed for coordination with syllabus & curriculum

 

Budget update

• looking to spend $1M in wireless upgrade & new computers to help with testing issues
• $300,000 on school security to match govenor's funds
• digital radio conversion from analog with GPS and intercom for transportation $600,000
• paving projects
• North Point culinary arts projects
• Lighting retrofit for energy efficiency $676,000

Unfinished business

• Pedersen - quoted documents presented to APFO Subcommittee by The St. Charles Companies regarding Docket 90.  300 homes a year are allowed to be a built a year.
• APFO Subcommittee work review and discussion

New business

• FY 2014 tuition rates - See report- increase in rates

Motion to approve tuition rates by Cook; Second by Lukas

Yes = Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen,Wade, Wise

Future agenda items

• Cook - Cell Phone Policy
• Pedersen - Board Member Salary compared to other counties
• Abell - Explore BYOD (Bring your own device)

Recognition - 4:30 p.m.

• Outstanding vice principal award
• Outstanding support staff awards
• Resolution – Charles County Teacher of the Year– Mary Bailey, Reading Recovery teacher, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School
• Resolution – Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award – Crystal Harney, mathematics teacher, Westlake High School
• Employee retirement resolution

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

• Bernard Cundiff - Berry Road.  Son at North Point.  Redistricting will make him move his junior year.  Grandfather him in.  don't know why juniors can't have an exception if transportation is provided.

Action items

• Minutes

Motion to accept the Minutes by Pedersen; Second by Cook

Yes = Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

• Personnel

Motion to accept the Personnel by Wade; Second by Cook

Yes = Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

• Educational facilities master plan

Motion to accept the Educational Facilities Master Plan by Lukas; Second by Cook

Yes = Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

• High school redistricting
• Wise - every board member has children in the school system or has graduated from the school system and every high school in the system is represented by the seven board members.
• Cook - concerned about juniors being moved but doesn't see a way around it
• Weslowski - leaving juniors in would open the new high school with 600+ students and not relieve the overcrowding at North Point.
• Lukas - quotes numbers for leaving juniors at schools and grandfather them in with their own transportation.
• Pedersen - concern with staff adjusting to new curriculum, new evaluation, moves and maintaining the teaching
• Bowie - parents concerns about driving st
• Abell - same concerns as Pedersen about staffing programs and not knowing

Motion to accept the Superintentdents Recommendation, Proposal B by Wade; Second by Pedersen

Yes = Abell, Bowie, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise; No = Lukas

• FY 2014 budget

Motion to accept the FY 2014 Budget by Pedersen; Second by Lukas

Yes = Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

• Common Core curriculum

Motion to accept the Common Core Curriculum by Cook; Second by Pedersen

Yes = Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

• EACC Contract

Motion to accept the EACC Contract by Pedersen; Second by Cook

Yes = Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

• AFSME Contract

Motion to accept the AFSME Contract by Lukas; Second by Pedersen

Yes = Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

Adjournment

APFO Subcommittee Meeting Schedule

The next meeting of the School Adequate Public Facilities and Funding Review Committee will be on June 26, 2013 at 6:00 P.M. in the Government Building Conference Room.

 

We will not be holding another meeting until July 17, 2013 where we will resume the normal meeting schedule.

REMINDER: Board of Education Meeting, June 11, 2013

The Board of Education's next monthly meeting is Tuesday, June 11, 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 Verizon FiOS Channel 12, and is rebroadcast throughout the week. Schedules for Channel 96 are available on the Charles County Public Schools website at www2.ccboe.com/publicinfo/channel96/schedule.cfm.

Executive Session – 12 p.m.

Call to order – 1 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance – North Point High School's JROTC Unit

Swearing-in of new Student Board member – Amit Patel, Maurice J. McDonough High School

Recognition of high school athletes

Superintendent's update

Recognition

• Pat Foerster, Maryland State Governor's office
• James E. Richmond Leadership Award
• LifeStyles – Bill McLaughlin, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

Reports of officers/boards/committees

• Correspondence/Board member updates
• Student Board Member update
• CIP update
• Credit recovery
• Budget update

Unfinished business

New business and future agenda items

• New business

- FY 2014 tuition rates

• Future agenda items

Recognition - 4:30 p.m.

• Outstanding vice principal award
• Outstanding support staff awards
• Resolution – Charles County Teacher of the Year – Mary Bailey, Reading Recovery teacher, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School
• Resolution – Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award – Crystal Harney, mathematics teacher, Westlake High School
• Employee retirement resolution

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

Action items

• Minutes
• Personnel
• Educational facilities master plan
• High school redistricting
• FY 2014 budget
• Common Core curriculum
• Education Association of Charles County/AFSCME contract signing

Adjournment

Northern High School principal to head school administration

Kimberly Hill, Charles County Public Schools next Superintendent, announced her first administrative appointment today, naming Northern High School Principal Sylvia Lawson, Ph.D., as assistant superintendent of school administration. Additionally, Hill said Keith Hettel, assistant superintendent of human resources, is moving to the position of assistant superintendent for supporting services.

Later this month, Hill plans to announce other changes to the administrative team, which she is reorganizing under four assistant superintendents. Assistant superintendent positions include instruction, school administration, supporting services and finance, with different departments placed under the appropriate leadership, Hill said. A number of top-level positions are open due to the retirements of key leaders.

The Board of Education approved the appointment of Lawson, Calvert County's 2011-12 Principal of the Year and a former Charles County Public Schools principal. Lawson served as a principal, vice principal and teacher in Charles County before moving to Calvert County Public Schools in 2007.

"I am thrilled to have Dr. Lawson as a member of our leadership team. She is an enthusiastic, student-centered leader who will have an immediate and positive impact on our school district. Her responsibilities will include working with our principals and vice principals as they carry out the vital day-to-day work of leading our schools. I am confident that under her guidance our school leaders will thrive and our students will reach even higher levels of achievement," Hill said.

Lawson started her career in education in 1981 as a health and physical education teacher at McColl High School in South Carolina before relocating to Charles County as a health and physical education teacher at Maurice J. McDonough High School, where she also served as a head women's basketball and softball coach.

Lawson's experience includes serving 11 years as a middle school principal, at Southern Middle School in Calvert County and Benjamin Stoddert Middle School in Charles County. She also worked as a vice principal from 1993 to 2000 at John Hanson Middle School, McDonough and Thomas Stone High School.

Lawson has a Doctorate of Philosophy in Instructional Leadership for Changing Populations from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Additionally, she earned a certificate of advanced studies in education from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, a Master of Administration from Western Maryland College, a Master of Education from East Carolina University in North Carolina and a Bachelor of Science from Pfeiffer College in North Carolina.

Hill replaces James E. Richmond, who is retiring at the end of June after 17 years of service as superintendent. Lawson and Hettel begin their new positions on July 1, and Paul Balides, assistant superintendent of finance, remains in his current position. Connie Armstead, executive director of human resources, will manage human resources, which moves under the direction of the assistant superintendent of finance. The school system is advertising for an assistant superintendent of instruction.

Hill said the organizational structure is strategically designed to optimize the efficiency of operations and to fully engage the talents of central office personnel. "Aligning human resources with the finance department provides for an effective exchange of information between human resources, budget and finance and payroll. As the executive director of human resources, Connie Armstead's experience has given her the background and skills needed to lead this department. Keith Hettel's new role as assistant superintendent for supporting services will leverage his ability to build relationships and will serve us well as we continue to maintain and update our facilities. I appreciate the support and expertise that all of our executive staff members have provided to ensure a smooth transition," Hill said. Charles County Public Schools provides 26,700 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

Board of Education to meet in executive session June 3

The Board of Education will meet 3:30 p.m., Monday, June 3, at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro in executive session as permitted by the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Section 10-508(a) and Section 10-503(c) of the State Government Article to discuss: personnel matters, specifically the Superintendent's recommendations on certificated positions.

The session is being held at the Show Place Arena because the Board is attending graduation ceremonies scheduled to take place there on June 3.

Graduation information; end-of-year calendar reminders

More than 2,100 students are expected to graduate from Charles County Public Schools next month, and Charles County's six high schools are already planning graduation ceremonies. Ceremonies for Henry E. Lackey, La Plata, Maurice J. McDonough, Thomas Stone and Westlake high schools will be held at the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro on June 3 and 4. North Point High School will host graduation ceremonies in the school's gymnasium on June 4.

The following is the graduation schedule for Monday, June 3:

• Stone, 9 a.m.;
• McDonough, 2 p.m.; and
• Lackey, 7 p.m.

The following is the graduation schedule for Tuesday, June 4:

• La Plata, 9 a.m.;
• Westlake, 2 p.m.; and
• North Point, 7 p.m.

School schedules during graduation ceremonies are as follows:

• Stone will be closed for students on Monday, June 3;
• McDonough will be closed for students on Monday, June 3;
• Lackey will have a two-hour early dismissal on Monday, June 3;
• La Plata will be closed for students on Tuesday, June 4;
• Westlake will be closed for students on Tuesday, June 4; and
• North Point will be closed for students on Tuesday, June 4.

The Robert D. Stethem Educational Center will be closed on Monday, June 3 for those students who access transportation to Stethem from Stone, McDonough and Lackey high schools. Stethem will be open June 3 for students who access transportation to Stethem from La Plata, Westlake and North Point high schools. Stethem will be closed on Tuesday, June 4 for students who access transportation to Stethem from La Plata, Westlake and North Point high schools. Stethem will be open for students who access transportation to Stethem from Stone, McDonough and Lackey high schools.

The last day of school for Charles County Public Schools students is Friday, June 14. June 12, 13 and 14 are two-hour early dismissal days. Teachers last day is Monday, June 17. Elementary school report cards will be issued to students on June 14. Report cards for middle and high school students will be mailed on Friday, June 21.

Notes from Board of Education Meeting, 5/14/13

The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, May 14 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, JROTC, Maurice J. McDonough High School

Recognition of student liaisons

Recognition of student athletes - state champions

Superintendent’s update - see report

Correspondence/Board Member updates

• Bowie - Thanks to Dr. Lowrey for visiting with us; thakns to Principal Snow for presentations on Ramnation and Ms. Mazzeo's presentation, impressed with McDonough; thank you to parents coming to redistricting meetings.
• Cook - attended All County Band, very talented
• Wise - Wade has been selected as the honoree at the Salute to Excellence Luncheon for the new Nu Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
• Wade - MABE updates given to board members; NSBA conference in San Diego
• Pedersen - APFO subcommittee invited to a Henson MS tour; Thank you to board members and parents who also attend the APFO subcommittee; East & West Choral Performances
• Abell - APFO Subcommittee next meeting is changed to tomorrow night at 6:00 pm open to the public; NSBA Conference, catalog available to board members and session summaries available on blog site.
• Wise - Kiwanis Tri-County Dinner; Builders Club is impressive, thank you to the Kiwanis Club.

Education Association of Charles County update - see report

• Wise - Thank you to EACC for speaking at the commissioners budget hearing
• Abell - Thank you to EACC for attending the APFO Subcommittee meeting, it was nice to see the supporting faces

Student Board Member update - see report

CIP update - see report

Educational facilities master plan - see report

Superintendent’s redistricting recommendation - see report; recommends Alternative B with modification for Block 3750

Common Core curriculum - see report; lots of great information and changes in curriculum

Unfinished business - none

New business

• Transfer of Pinefield unusable school sites to county government

Motion to transfer back to county by Pedersen; Second by Wade

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

 

Future agenda items - none

Recognition – 4:30 p.m.

• Students - Jake Burgess, 5^th grade, Career Readiness, Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School, Principal: Verniece Rory; Taylor Charity, 5^th grade, Personal Responsibility, Mary B. Neal Elementary School, Principal: Carol Leveillee; Joseph Perriello, 8^th grade, Academic Achievement, Mattawoman Middle School, Principal: Douglass Dolan; Christian Jones, 12^th grade, Academic Achievement, North Point High School, Acting Principal: Michael Simms
• Employees  - Pamela Wilhelm, technology facillitator, Mitchell; Catherine Curtis, instructional assistant, Neal; Patricia Changcoco, mathematic teacher, Mattawoman; Jill Bodamer, health occupations teacher, North Point
• Resolution – Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership award – Kimberly Hill

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

Action items

• Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes by Cook; Second by Pedersen

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise
Absent = Lukas

• Personnel

Motion to accept the personnel by Wade; Second by Abell

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Pedersen, Wade, Wise
Abstain = Cook
Absent = Lukas

• Policy 6000

Motion to accept Policy 6000 by Pedersen; Second by Wade

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise
Absent = Lukas

• Sadlier grammar workshop and SpringBoard reading and mathematics

Motion to accept Sadlier grammar workshop and Springboard reading and mathematics
by Pedersen; Second by Bowie

Yes=Abell, Bowie, Cook, Lukas, Pedersen, Wade, Wise

Adjournment

REMINDER: Board of Education Meeting, 5/14/13

The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, May 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. 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, JROTC, Maurice J. McDonough High School

Recognition of student liaisons

Superintendent’s update

Reports of officers/boards/committees

• Correspondence/Board Member updates
• Education Association of Charles County update
• Student Board Member update
• Student athletes – state champions
• CIP update
• Educational facilities master plan
• Superintendent’s redistricting recommendation
• Credit recovery
• Common Core curriculum

Unfinished business

New business and future agenda items

• New business – transfer of Pinefield unusable school sites to county government
• Future agenda items

Recognition – 4:30 p.m.

• Students
• Employees
• Resolution – Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership award – Kimberly Hill

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

Action items

• Minutes
• Personnel
• Policy 6000
• Sadlier grammar workshop and SpringBoard reading and mathematics

Adjournment

Future Potential Student Impact by High School Zone

This was another document given to the School Allocation Subcommittee on 3/27/13, and that I had requested from the commissioners during a public meeting on school allocations in March.  Finally got an electronic version to post.  Please review...it will make your head spin! 

It is beyond belief that anyone in their right mind, after reviewing this document, would go ahead and grant additional school allocations BUT, that is what three of our current commissioners have done!  Shameful!

HERE