Notes from Board of Education Meeting, 12/8/15

The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, December 8 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 – Maurice J. McDonough High School

Superintendent’s update to the Board - Superintendent�s Report 12-08-15 (2).pdf (136 KB)
 
Correspondence/board member updates

• Marshall - acknowledge Gary Winsett for leading the student leaders; Congrats LPHS It's Academic; enjoyed participating in Senior Portfolio interviews; tour of CTE program at North Point
• Palko - Thank you to Winsett; It's Academic kudos; Military Ball; visited several schools
• Kelly - Happy Holidays; thanks to students who entered DAR contest; Shop with a Cop; Senior Portfolios
• Crawford - All Star Dads at Turner
• McGraw - congratulations to Dr. Hill on NASDAQ invitation; Thank you to Hill and O'Malley-Simpson for organizing teacher forum; Military Ball

Education Association of Charles County update - 2015-12-08 BOE update.pdf (46 KB)

Student Board member’s update - student update 120815.pdf (112 KB)

Goals Update - Goals combined Board superintendent 3.pdf (369 KB)

• Palko asked for clarification on several of the goals
• Marshall asked for clarification on teacher retention/recruitment goal
• Kelly - increase enrollment in computer science programs
• committee will take suggestions into consideration and make changes to bring back

Oral updates on Increasing parental communication through technology; and, Stategies for monitoring student involvment in Hour Lunch Programs

• Parent alerts, notifications, messages and photos from the classroom

Project status update - Construction status-Dec2015.pdf (216 KB)

Pre and posttests and the impact on instruction - INS_PrePostTest_BOE Dec8_15.pdf (848 KB)

Algebra I textbook - Alg1Textbook_Information Item.pdf (25 KB)

• consensus to move forward with a 30day review at the schools

Unfinished business

• Palko - Asked Dr. Hill for link to CTE website; theone given last month didn't seem to work
• McGraw - Requested a worksheet on bus driver salaries, benefits etc compared to other counties.

New business - None

Future agenda items

• Kelly - PARCC data for elementary and middle schools
• Palko - Would non-certificated employees
• Palko - concern on PBIS initiatives affecting creativity in the fine and performing arts and wants presentation

Recognition – 4:30 p.m.

• Students - Aliyona Naves, fifth-grade, Academic Achievement, Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School, Principal: Christienne Warren; Tyrone Hudson, Jr., fifth-grade, Personal Responsibility, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School, Principal: Troy Barnes; Raelynn Hood, fifth-grade, Academic Achievement, T.C. Martin Elementary School, Principal: Gregory Miller; Tremaine Barrow, eighth-grade, Academic Achievement, John Hanson Middle School, Principal: Susan McCormick; Courtney Alvey, twelfth-grade, Career Readiness, Henry E. Lackey High School, Principal: Kathy Perriello
• Employees - Luanne Cochran, instructional resource teacher, Barnhart; Rebecca Irwin, second-grade teacher, Brown; Ashley Valenzuela, first-grade teacher, Martin; Daniel Meltsner, computer teacher, Hanson; Pauline Johnson, Vice Principal, Lackey
• 2015 James E. Richmond Leadership Excellence Award: Christine Mais, Executive Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent of School Administration
• La Plata High School Thespian Troupe 2621 presentation to the Board by Thespian Troupe president Matthew Neel

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

• Marvin Weathersby - CC bus driver for 8 years.  no policy and procedure manual.  problem with board of education and contractors fight and bus drivers lose.  wife suffers from massive depression because actions transportation took against her. 
• Shannon Setting - drivers and attendants attend meetings and stress issues that they are having.  if they didn't come to work.
• Marlene Jones - bus drivers income is no longer supplemental income, it's now the only income to support a family.
• Keith Mc????? - look at colleagues suffering because of the system.  a bus driver saved a childs life  but yet worried of losing her job.  BOE holds certification over their heads.  No voice.  coming every meeting until it changes.
• William Seaton - bus driver, thought when we were here the last time that boe was compassionate but obviously not because here we are again.   feels they are being thown under the bus.  stop marginalizing us, we are not indentured servants.

Action items

Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes from the Legistative breakfast by Palko; Second by Marshall
Yes= Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko; Abstain=Abell, Crawford, Kelly

Motion to accept the minutes from the teachers forum by Lukas; Second by Marshall
Yes= Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko; Abstain=Abell, Kelly 

 

Motion to accept the minutes from the November Board Meeting by Palko; Second by Kelly

Yes=Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko



Personnel

Motion to accept personnel by Crawford; Second by Kelly

Yes=Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

Adjournment

State Releases Baseline Data for PARCC

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released local school system and school-level data today for PARCC, Maryland’s new middle and elementary school assessments in English Language Arts/Literacy and mathematics.

More than 30 percent of Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) elementary students in grades 3-5 of the PARCC English Language Arts/Literacy assessment last spring scored at a level of 4 and 5 combined. Levels 4 and 5 are the highest levels on the PARCC five-point scale. Additionally, more than 30 percent of Charles County’s middle students reached Level 4 and 5 combined in English Language Arts/Literacy.

More than 30 percent of middle school students taking the mathematics or Algebra I PARCC assessment, and 28.9 percent of students in grades 3-5 scored at Level 4 and 5 combined.

According to MSDE, for students in grades 3 through 8, achieving Level 4 or 5 indicates their readiness for coursework in English and math at the next grade, with the goal of preparing students to enter college or career upon graduation. The scores required to meet these thresholds were determined over the summer by Maryland educators and their peers around the country.

The assessment uses a five-point score scale set by Maryland educators and others:

• Level 5 - Exceeded Expectations
• Level 4 - Met Expectations 
• Level 3 - Approached Expectations
• Level 2 - Partially Met Expectations
• Level 1 - Did Not Yet Meet Expectations

CCPS students improved greatly on the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) during the decade it was used as the measure of student achievement. Its lifespan was from 2003-2013 and during that decade, elementary school students increased math scores from 39.9 percent to 81.3 percent; reading scores from 60.6 percent to 84.2 percent; middle school math from 36.8 percent to 76.9 percent; and middle school reading from 61.8 percent to 81.7 percent.
County scores, middle school

Algebra 1/mathematics: Overall, 32.9 percent of middle school students scored a combined score of 4 and 5 on the mathematics and Algebra I assessments. Students taking the Algebra I test for math scored a 72.3 percent at level 4 and 5. Students in eighth grade taking the mathematics assessment scored 8.3 percent at levels 4 and 5; students in seventh grade scored 22.9 percent at levels 4 and 5; and students in sixth grade scored 27.9 percent at levels 4 and 5.

English/Language Arts: Overall, 30.1 percent of middle school students scored at level 4 and 5 combined. Countywide, students in eighth grade scored 32.4 percent at levels 4 and 5; students in seventh grade scored 27.6 percent at levels 4 and 5; and students in sixth grade scored 30.4 percent at levels 4 and 5.

County scores, elementary school

Mathematics: Overall, students in grades 3-5 scored 28.9 percent at levels 4 and 5. Fifth-grade students scored 25 percent at levels 4 and 5; fourth-grade students scored 26.3 percent at levels 4 and 5; and third-grade students scored 35.5 percent at levels 4 and 5.

English/Language Arts: Overall, students in grades 3-5 scored 33.9 percent at levels 4 and 5. Fifth-grade students scored 35 percent at levels 4 and 5; fourth-grade students scored 33.9 percent at levels 4 and 5; and third-grade students scored 32.7 percent at levels 4 and 5.

According to MSDE, PARCC results cannot be compared with the MSA, which the state used for a decade, both because this is a new test and a different test. PARCC is the first assessment aligned to Maryland’s College and Career Ready Standards, which set a higher bar for student learning. The tests go beyond the old “fill in the blank” model of standardized tests by emphasizing the need for students to demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving and clear writing.

These tests also will show growth in student achievement over time. For example, parents and teachers will better be able to determine if students taking the math and reading assessments in third grade are progressing in their understanding of the subject matter when they reach fourth grade and beyond.

The pattern of raising standards and creating new assessments has been in place in Maryland since the 1980s.

Individual elementary and middle school student reports will be sent home to parents within the next few weeks.

For complete CCPS results, visit http://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/.

Agenda for Board of Education Meeting, 12/8/15

The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building on Radio Station Road in La Plata. The public portion of the meeting begins at 1 p.m. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12, and is rebroadcast throughout the week.

Board meetings are also streamed live on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website, www.ccboe.com. Click on the middle of the main page to start the live streaming. The following is a meeting agenda, and is subject to change.

Executive session – 12 p.m.

Call to order – 1 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance – Maurice J. McDonough High School

Superintendent’s update to the Board

Reports of officers/boards/committees

• Correspondence/board member updates
• Education Association of Charles County update
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees update
• Student Board member’s update
• Increasing parental communication through technology
• Strategies for monitoring student involvement in hour lunch programs
• Project status update
• Pre and posttests and the impact on instruction
• Algebra I textbook
• Legislative update

Unfinished business

New business and Future agenda items

• New business
• Future agenda items

Recognition – 4:30 p.m.

• Students
• Employees
• 2015 James E. Richmond Leadership in Excellence Award: Christine Mais, executive assistant to the assistant superintendent of school administration
• La Plata High School Thespian Troupe presentation

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

Action items

• Minutes
• Personnel

Adjournment

Notes from Board of Education Meeting, 11/10/15

The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, November 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 – La Plata High School

Superintendent’s update to the Board - Superintendent's report 11-10-15.pdf (137 KB)

Correspondence/board member updates

• Kelly - PAC Meeting - link between student success and attendance; at future meetings allow for time for parents to provide feedback to administration
• Kelly - 2016 is centennial for establishment of BOE; help planning events
• Palko - thank you for inviting us to participate in college application week
• Palko - congratulations to adults graduating and earning their diplomas
• Palko - visited McDonough kudos to the librarian and reorganization and incorporation of Spanish section.  Visited Craik and Hanson and J.C Parks
• Marshall - congratulations to McDonough It's Academic team
• Marshall - North Point and J C Parks environmental impact

Education Association of Charles County update - BOE Report 11.10.15.pdf‎ (48 KB‎)

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees update

Student Board member’s update - November.pdf (109 KB)
Superintendent’s rule #6431: extra-curricular activities/athletics eligibility requirements

• Superintendent's Rule October 2015.pdf (142 KB)
  draft amended policy 6431.pdf (65 KB)
• Kelly - Where does it recognize the 24 hour fever free for a student but not be penalized
• Abell - questions the wording under #1 and #5 of the Policy
• Marshall - questions changing this Policy without it going through the committee
• Rule moves forward but the policy will go through committee

Project status update - Construction status-Nov2015.pdf (213 KB)

Overview of instructional technology and career technology education (CTE) programs - INS_CTE_TechOverview_Nov 9 BrdMtg.pdf (323 KB)

Board goals - Goals Presentationforcommitteereport.pdf (163 KB)

• Kelly - what happened to moving STEM to STEAM and increase CTE enrollment and promote anti bullying program
• Abell - thanks committee; thinks there should be one set of goals, not board and supt. goals; should be measureable.  Almost identical to Supt. goals.  Should merge the two documents.
• Palko - agrees
• Kelly - fine and performing arts promotion vs center.
• Consensus is to move forward.  Dr. Hill will mere two documents and bring back as a report item in December.

Student liaisons’ presentation - Life of a being a student liaison.pdf (198 KB)

Unfinished business

• Palko - Recognition of State Champions subcommittee (Lukas, Palko, Hill) should have recommendations ready to present by December meeting
• McGraw - Met with Commissioner Murphy - boards to get together again in January

New business - None

Future agenda items

• Marshall - Fine and Performing Arts - McDonough had a program presentation and wants the presentation for the board.
• Marshall - Teacher mentoring program in Charles County

Recognition – 4:30 p.m.

• Students - Hollis Lyon, 5th grade, Career Readiness; James Craik Elementary School, Principal: Debra Calvert ; Olivia Robinson, 5th grade, Academic Achievement, Malcolm Elementary School, Principal: Wilhelmina Pugh; Delaney Hinton, 5th grade, Personal Responsibility, J.C. Parks Elementary School, Principal: Thadine Wright; Naseem Abujuma, 8th grade, Career Readiness, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, Principal: Ken Schroeck; Matthew Johnson, 12th grade, Academic Achievement, St. Charles High School, Principal: Richard Conley
• Employees - Kelly Elliton, third grade teacher, Craik; Pamela Batchelor, fourth grade teacher, Parks; Linda Hollomon, fifth grade teacher, Malcolm; Tynika Lytle, Pupil Personnel Worker, Stoddert; Katherine Schubbe, Business Education Teacher, St. Charles

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

• Liz Brown - Granddaughter in kindergarten lived in Waldorf, Eva Turner.  selling house to move to LaPlata.  Contract on selling house immediately.  Moved in with grandmom in Jenifer Elementary until house built in Matula zone.  told they could not attend Turner or Matula but must attend Jenifer.

Action items

• Minutes

Motion to accept the Minutes by Lukas; Second by Palko

Yes=Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko; Abstain=Abell

• Personnel

Motion to accept Personnel by Palko; Second by Abell

Yes=Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• 2016 Legislative positions

Motion to accept Legislative Positions by Lukas; Second by Kelly

Yes=Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• Parent Involvement Matters Award (PIMA) resolution

Motion to accept PIMA Resolution by Kelly; Second by Palko

Yes=Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

Adjournment

State releases baseline data for PARCC

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released local school system and school-level data today for PARCC, Maryland’s new high school assessments in Algebra I, Algebra II and English 10.

More than 30 percent of Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) high school students taking the PARCC English 10 assessment last spring scored at a level of 4 and 5 combined – the two highest levels on the PARCC five-point scale. Additionally, more than 30 percent of Charles County’s middle and high school students reached Level 4 and 5 combined in Algebra 1. On the Algebra II test, which was first administered with PARCC, 4.7 percent of students scored at a Level 4 and 5 combined.

The assessment uses a five-point score scale set by Maryland educators and others:

• Level 5 – Exceeded Expectations
• Level 4 – Met Expectations
• Level 3 – Approached Expectations
• Level 2 – Partially Met Expectations
• Level 1 – Did Not Yet Meet Expectations

For high school, achieving Level 4 or 5 indicates college or career readiness. The scores set a new baseline, and a new starting line for Maryland students, according to MSDE. This year’s PARCC results will not be used for student or educator accountability; however, the State Board will soon determine how the data will be used going forward.

“History shows us that when new accountability tests are introduced, the scores start low and end high. Accountability assessments are designed to encourage growth and improvement,” Superintendent Kimberly Hill said.

CCPS students improved greatly on the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) during the decade it was used as the measure of student achievement. Its lifespan was from 2003-2013 and during that decade, elementary school students increased math scores from 39.9 percent to 81.3 percent; reading scores from 60.6 percent to 84.2 percent; middle school math from 36.8 percent to 76.9 percent; and middle school reading from 61.8 percent to 81.7 percent.

County scores

Algebra 1: Overall, 31.2 percent of students scored at level 4 and 5 combined; 29 percent scored at level 3; 29.8 percent scored at level 2 and 10 percent scored at level 1.

English 10/Language Arts: Overall, 31.0 percent of students scored at level 4 and 5 combined; 24.5 percent scored at level 3; 22.4 percent scored at level 2; and 21.2 percent at level 1.

Algebra II: Overall, 4.7 percent of students performed at level 4 and 5 combined; 20.8 percent at level 3; 41.4 percent at level 2; and 33 percent at level 1.

According to the MSDE, PARCC results cannot be compared with the MSA, which the State used for a decade, both because this is a new test and a different test. PARCC is the first assessment aligned to Maryland’s College and Career Ready Standards, which set a higher bar for student learning. The tests go beyond the old “fill in the blank” model of standardized tests by emphasizing the need for students to demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving, and clear writing.

These tests also will show growth in student achievement over time.  For example, parents and teachers will better be able to determine if students taking the math and reading assessments in third grade are progressing in their understanding of the subject matter when they reach fourth grade and beyond.

The pattern of raising standards and creating new assessments has been in place in Maryland since the 1980s.

Individual high school student reports will be sent home to parents within the next few weeks. The state plans to release middle and elementary school scores in early December. For complete results, visit http://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/.

Agenda for Board of Education Meeting, 11/10/15

The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building on Radio Station Road in La Plata. The public portion of the meeting begins at 1 p.m. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12, and is rebroadcast throughout the week.
Board meetings are also streamed live on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website, www.ccboe.com. Click on the middle of the main page to start the live streaming. The following is a meeting agenda, and is subject to change.

Executive session – 12 p.m.

Call to order – 1 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance – La Plata High School

Superintendent’s update to the Board

Reports of officers/boards/committees

• Correspondence/board member updates
• Education Association of Charles County update
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees update
• Student Board member’s update
• Superintendent’s rule #6431: extra-curricular activities/athletics eligibility requirements
• Project status update
• Overview of instructional technology and career technology education (CTE) programs
• Legislative update
• Board goals
• Student liaisons’ presentation

Unfinished business
.
New business

Future agenda items

Recognition – 4:30 p.m.

• Students
• Employees

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

Action items

• Minutes
• Personnel
• 2016 Legislative positions
• Parent Involvement Matters Award (PIMA) resolution

Adjournment

Notes from Board of Education Meeting 9/8/15

The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, September 8 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 – St. Charles High School

Superintendent’s update to the Board - Report

Correspondence/board member updates

• Palko - thanks for the bus tour and the most detailed reports at each school
• Marshall - ditto Palko's comments; impressed on first day of school
• Crawford - attended 3 days of new teacher orientation; made 15 school open houses and praise to staff.
• Kelly - health card and emergency card...can information be pre printed?  Attended two orientations.
• Marshall - Thank you for invite to the crab feast to EACC

Education Association of Charles County update - Report

Student board member’s update - Report

Opening of schools

Summer school

• Marshall - time spent in summer school class does not equal time spent in the school year
• Lukas - Center remain open a little later for testing (Novell)

Project status update - Report

Solar update

• ground units only at 3 locations and one overhead unit at the maintenance shop
• Consensus to allow staff to move forward with proposal

FY 2015 Comprehensive maintenance plan - Report

Teacher Academy of Maryland - Report

Staffing update - Report

Social media policy - Report

Unfinished business

• McGraw - format of town hall meeting
• McGraw - Meeting with CSM - room not confirmed yet; agenda suggestions compiled

New business

• Kelly - PIMA (Parent Involvement Matters Award) should be recognized locally.  Consensus was given by Kelly, Crawford, Palko, and McGraw for wording on the resolution to be added.

Future agenda items

• Abell - concerns regarding Special Needs bus drivers and aids not having CPR and First Aid certified.
• Palko - requested revised staff organization charts
• Lukas  3 year plan on implementation and goals for the new Chief of Technology position
• Kelly - Esteemed base curriculum, adding arts into the curriculum (band vs. technology)
• Kelly - testing update, results and schedule and comparison to other counties
• Kelly - volunteers for schools in office clarifications and restrictions

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

• Keith McGrit ??? - CCPS Bus driver, equality as other county employees, retirement plan is a joke and no benefits, wants same as other government employees
• Kathy Lancaster - school bus driver, incident on bus, went to court, CCPS person came to court and never talked to her.  doesn't like their health insurance.  wants to be treated equally.
• Susan Eckerle - director of instrumental music and mother of HS student with grade issues.  wants to discuss eligibility requirements.  should have been advertised and implemented more efficiently.   staff received training on 8/27.  did not know it was for extracurricular activity in addition to athletics eligibility.  wording needs to be refined to ensure it doesn't mean attending football games, prom etc.
• Tammy Posey - been a bus driver for 20 years.  need better benefits.  sick and out of work for 4 months.
• Brian Eckerle - LPHS student.   has grade issues.  cannot participate in marching band.  bands do not have a bench to pull from when students do not meet the grade requirements.  no hope of competing
• Heather Hartman Janson - parent and a teacher.  unexcused absence policy.  wants to be able to write a note for her son and not take him to the doctor

Action items

• Minutes

Motion to accept the Minutes by Abell; Second by Marshall

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• Personnel

Motion to accept Personnel by Abell; Second by Kelly

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• FY 2017 CIP state and local improvements program

Motion to accept FY 2017 CIP by Lukas; Second by Abell

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• 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 accept Recurring Resolutions by Kelly; Second by Palko
Yes = Crawford, Kelly, Marshall, McGraw, Palko; Abstain = Abell; Lukas








Amendment to the motion to change African-American History Month to Black History month by Marshall; Second by Crawford
Yes = Crawford, Kelly, Marshall, Palko; No = Lukas; Abstain = Abell

 

Adjournment

AP scores increase; SAT scores dip in 2015

Charles County’s students’ scores increased on Advanced Placement (AP) exams; decreased on the SAT; and remained flat on the ACT, according to data released this week by the College Board and ACT, Inc.

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) average score on AP exams rose 8.5 percent, up from 2.23 in 2014 to 2.42 in 2015. It is the first significant increase in the past five years. “Taking Advanced Placement classes in high school is one of the best ways to prepare our students for future study and success. AP classes are the most rigorous, and we encourage students to take the courses as a way to challenge themselves,” Superintendent Kimberly Hill said. County AP results are available at http://www.ccboe.com/aboutus/2015CountyAP.pdf.

While the number of students taking the SAT increased, average scores decreased. The average score for the class of 2015 was 1,445, down from 1,462 in 2014. State averages also declined. Participation countywide increased from 613 in 2014 to 742 in 2015, a 4.8 percent gain.  Students’ average score on the critical reading section is 490; the average math score is 487; and the average writing score is 468.

The SAT is used by many colleges as part of an admissions process and designed to demonstrate a student’s mastery of certain subjects. Only scores for graduating seniors are included in the 2015 report. Students in the Class of 2015 were offered more than $62 million in scholarships. SAT results for 2015 college-bound seniors are posted on the CCPS website at http://www.ccboe.com/PDF/testscores/sat2015.pdf.

A growing number of colleges are also using college readiness scores from the ACT, the nation’s other major college readiness exam, for admission. Statewide, the ACT has been making dramatic gains in participation, and CCPS is following the trend, Hill said. CCPS students have increased participation on the ACT during the past several years, and for the past three years, more students took the ACT than the SAT. In 2015, 923 students took the ACT, compared to 915 in 2014 and 782 in 2013. Many students take both the SAT and ACT. CCPS scores on the ACT remained flat. Students’ 2015 ACT composite score was 19.6, down from 19.7 in 2014 and up from 19.3 in 2013. The ACT tests in four areas: English, reading, science and mathematics. ACT results are available at http://www.ccboe.com/aboutus/ACT2015data.pdf.

Agenda for Board of Education Meeting 9/8/15

The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 8 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 – St. Charles High School

Superintendent’s update to the Board

Reports of officers/boards/committees

• Correspondence/board member updates
• Education Association of Charles County update
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees update
• Student board member’s update
• Opening of schools
• Summer school
• Project status update
• Solar update
• FY 2015 Comprehensive maintenance plan
• Teacher Academy of Maryland
• Staffing update
• Social media policy

Unfinished business
New business and Future agenda items

• New business
• Future agenda items

Public Forum – 6 p.m.
Action items

• Minutes
• Personnel
• FY 2017 CIP state and local improvements program
• 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, 8/11/15

The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, August 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.

Executive session – 11 a.m.

Call to order – 12 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Negotiated contract signing

• Negotiated Agreement FY 15_16 CCPS FINAL1.pdf (1,924 KB)
• Negotiated Agreement_July 24 2015 (2)..pdf (314 KB)

Superintendent’s update  Superintendent�s Report 8-11-15.pdf (11 KB)

Correspondence/Board Member updates

• Crawford  - Palko and him toured St. Charles HS this morning.  Impressed.
• Crawford - VFW Honors America's teachers
• Kelly - This Week is tax free.  Go shop
• Abell - Andrews Air Force Base, 9/18 visit

Education Association of Charles County update - 2015 08 11 EACC update pdf.pdf (37 KB)
 
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees update

Student Board Member update - August SMOB Report.pdf (28 KB)

Alternative Education Committee update - Alternative Education Committee Report to Board Final.(3).pdf (1,696 KB)

• True Alternative Education, not just discipline, Opt in or request in

Summer meals and breakfast program

• Lunch on Us - Summer meal program, 14 sites, hot meals
• 13,424 meals to children and 1,327 to adults
• 3,734 were cold meals; remainder was hot meals

Project status update

• Project Status_Supporting Serivces_Planning and Construction.pdf (211 KB)
• Portable Classroom List December 2 2014.pdf (62 KB)

FY 2016 CIP state and local program - BdAgendaReport FY 2017 CIP.pdf (996 KB)

Social media policy - Social media policy August 2015.pdf (16 KB)

• Abell - questioned some wording regarding prohibiting staff and student interaction; will be addressed in rules
• Abell - questioned about Cyberbullying; again will be addressed in rules
• Abell - Can we get proposed rules along with the policy prior to passing
• Kelly  what will be relaying or communicating via social media; just another tool in the toolbox
• Kelly - can we legally prohibit a staff from saying something on their personal page?

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; Charles County Teacher of the Year; Employee’s Retirement; and Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.

Unfinished business

• Hill  - PAC with Board will be October 27th at Starkey at 7:00 p.m.
• Hill - Teacher Rep to Meet with Board at St. Charles/Starkey November 17th at 5:00 p.m.
• Hill - Town Hall Meeting at St. Charles High School in the evening on September 28th
• Palko - students worked on PT305 video; Dr. Hill will check

New business -

• Hill - Dr. Mudd community forum regarding renovations proposed; October 14th at 6:30 p.m.; March 9th at 6:30 p.m.

Future agenda items - None

Public Forum – 3:30 p.m. - None

Action items

• Minutes - Palko made an administrative correction

Motion to accept the Minutes by Abell; Second by Marshall

Yes=Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• Personnel

Motion to accept Personnel by Abell; Second by Lukas

Yes=Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

Adjournment

Agenda for Board of Education Meeting, 8/11/15

The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, August 11 at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building on Radio Station Road in La Plata. The public portion of the meeting begins at 12 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 at www.ccboe.com. Select CCPS TV and then choose the Live Broadcast tab. The following is a tentative meeting agenda and is subject to change.

Executive session – 11 a.m.

Call to order – 12 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Negotiated contract signing

Superintendent’s update

Reports of officers/boards/committees

• Correspondence/Board Member updates
• Education Association of Charles County update
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees update
• Student Board Member update
• Alternative Education Committee update
• Summer meals and breakfast program
• Project status update
• FY 2016 CIP state and local program
• Social media policy

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; Charles County Teacher of the Year; Employee’s Retirement; and Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.

Unfinished business

New business

Future agenda items

Public Forum – 3:30 p.m.

Action items

• Minutes
• Personnel

Adjournment

Open Houses Planned for Schools

Charles County Public Schools has released its open house schedule for the 2015-­16 school year. Listed below are open house dates and times, and other activities for schools.

Elementary Schools

•C. Paul Barnhart, back-to-school night, Sept. 2, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•Berry, open house, Sept. 3, 6 – 7:30 p.m.;
•Dr. Gustavus Brown, back-to-school night, Sept. 3, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•Dr. James Craik, back-to-school night, Sept. 10, 6 – 7:30 p.m.;
•William A. Diggs, open house for all grades, Sept. 9, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•Gale-Bailey, open house, Sept. 15, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•Dr. Thomas L. Higdon, open house for all grades, Sept. 10, 6 – 7:30 p.m.;
•Indian Head, back-to-school night, Sept. 10, 6:30 – 8 p.m.;
•Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, open house, Sept. 8, grades 3-5; and Sept. 9, prekindergarten-grade 2, 6 – 7:30 p.m.;
•Malcolm, open house, Sept. 10, 6 – 7:30 p.m.;
•T.C. Martin, open house, Sept. 8, prekindergarten and kindergarten, 6 – 7 p.m.; grades 1-2, Sept. 8, 7:15 – 8:15 p.m.; and grades 3-5, Sept. 9, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.;
•Mary H. Matula, open house, Sept. 10, 6:30 – 8 p.m.;
•Arthur Middleton, open house, Sept. 3, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•Walter J. Mitchell, open house, Sept. 10, prekindergarten-grade 2, 6 p.m.; and Sept. 10, grades 3-5, 7 p.m.;
•Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy, open house, Sept. 10, 6:30 – 8 p.m.;
•Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, open house, Sept. 9, 6:30 – 8 p.m.;
•Mary B. Neal, open house, Sept. 10, 7 – 8 p.m.;
•J.C. Parks, open house, prekindergarten-grade 2, Sept. 9, 6:30 – 8 p.m.; and grades 3-5, Sept. 10, 6:30 – 8 p.m.;
•J.P. Ryon, open house, Oct. 6, 6 – 7:30 p.m.;
•Eva Turner, open house/Title I parent night, Sept. 22, 6 – 7:30 p.m.; and
•William B. Wade, primary open house/prekindergarten-grade 2, Sept. 2, 6 – 7:30 p.m.; and Sept. 3, intermediate open house/grades 3-5, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Middle Schools

•Theodore G. Davis, open house grades 6-8, Sept. 16, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•John Hanson, open house, Sept. 15, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•Matthew Henson, open house, Sept. 17, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•Mattawoman, open house, Sept. 10, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•Piccowaxen, open house, Sept. 17, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•General Smallwood, open house, Sept. 17, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•Milton M. Somers, open house, Sept. 16, 6 – 8 p.m.; and
•Benjamin Stoddert, open house, Oct. 1, 6 – 8 p.m.

High Schools

•Henry E. Lackey, open house, Sept. 23, 6 – 7:30 p.m.;
•La Plata, open house, Sept. 22, 6 – 7:30 p.m.;
•Maurice J. McDonough, open house, Sept. 15, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•North Point, open house, Sept. 24, 6:30 – 8 p.m.;
•St. Charles, open house, Sept. 23, 6 – 8 p.m.;
•Thomas Stone, parent/student open house, Sept. 16, 6 – 7:30 p.m.; and
•Westlake, open house, Sept. 23, 6 – 8 p.m.

Board approves salary increases, St. Charles funding in FY 2016

The Board of Education approved its fiscal year 2016 budget Monday night, providing salary increases for employees and funding the addition of a senior class at St. Charles High School.

The Board’s FY2016 operating budget is $334.2 million, reflecting a $6.8 million increase or 2.1 percent more than FY2015. The county provided an additional $4.2 million and state funding increased $640,512. To pay for mandatory cost shortages, the school system moved $5.2 million from the fund balance to the general fund and cut nearly $7.4 million from budget categories including lapsed salaries, technology replacement reserves and utilities. The school system is using the fund balance for general operations and to complete one-time maintenance projects, such as carpet replacements and school playgrounds.

“We value our employees and providing compensation was our first priority. This is an investment in our people who we expect to provide educational access, equity and excellence while making a difference in the lives of children each day. It’s important that we remain competitive so we are able to hire the best new teachers as well as retain our experienced staff,” Superintendent Kimberly Hill said.

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) employees are two steps/levels behind on the salary schedule. Salary step and levels are incremental increases in salary based on previous qualifying professional experience. The last time the school system gave an across-the-board cost-of-living (COLA) increase was 2009.

Pending approval of the school system’s two employee groups, the Education Association of Charles County (EACC) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), all eligible employees will receive a step/level increase. The budget funds a 2 percent COLA for certificated employees at levels 20 or 10, depending on the assigned salary scale. The budget includes a 1 percent COLA for support staff in steps 17 and above.

In addition to salary and the St. Charles opening, other mandated increases include the teachers’ pension, Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) insurance premium, athletic trainers, bus contracts and Project Lead the Way (PLTW). There will be 24 staff members and additional supplies and materials added to St. Charles High School, which are critical to adding a senior class of more than 300 students.

Also affecting the budget is the increased cost of health insurance. To offset increases, the school system and unions agreed to raise health insurance copays for office visits and prescriptions by $5 and emergency room visits by $75, unless admitted. The change is anticipated to save the system $500,000.

Hill said staff worked to avoid program and staffing cuts while making budget reductions. Funding the increases requires reducing an additional $7.4 million beyond state and county funding levels. Savings came from lapsed salaries and FICA targets, increasing health insurance copays, decreasing classified pension plan funding, and eliminating reserve budgets for unanticipated expenditures in programs, technology and utilities.

The FY2016 budget increases the per pupil operating cost to $13,104.

“This budget does not reduce or eliminate successful programs or school improvements. This is a budget that will help us maintain our academic success and provide strong support to the classroom, our students and our staff,” Hill said.

A copy of the Board’s approved fiscal year 2016 budget summary is available at http://www.ccboe.com/aboutus/boe/budget.php.

Notes from Board of Education Work Session, 6/22/15

The Board of Education Work Session on Monday, June 22 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 – 5 p.m.

Call to Order – 6 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance

Public Forum

• Mina Tarajamo - North Point student in 10th grade.  Reconsider transfer of Timothy Lobell, Theater Arts Teacher to Thomas Stone High School.  Loves him, he works hard, don't move him.  Petition, letter to the editor.

Action Items

• FY 2016 operating budget - BOEApproved FY2016 Operating Budget.pdf (203 KB)
• Kelly - Cutting budget on instructional materials and increased cost on transportation after assuming some routes internally?
• Lukas - Page 5 savings from lapsed salaries? 3.4M is insurance; fund balance
• McGraw - Classified pension plan funding
• Kelly - State funding calculation noticed; GCEI not funded but compensatory funding for free and reduced funding went up.
• Kelly - what if transfer tax not approved on 6/24; funding should stay intact, they would need to come up with a different revenue source.

Motion to accept the FY2016 Operating Budget by Lukas; Second by Marshall

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• Out-of-county tuition rates - 16TUITION action item.pdf (9 KB)

Motion to accept the Out of County Tuition Rates by Abell; Second by Kelly

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• Approval of FY 2016 daily and hourly salaries - Hourly Salaries 2015-2016.pdf (12 KB)
• Abell - Instructional Assistants increase; increase to same as temporary
• Kelly - Computer Analyst Max salary - becoming increasing complicated and needing more experience

Motion to accept the FY2016 Daily and Hourly Rates by Abell; Second by Kelly

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• Approval of the Education Association of Charles County (EACC) contract

Motion to accept the EACC Contract Abell; Second by Kelly

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• Approval of the American Federation of State, County, &Municipal Employees (AFSCME) contract

Motion to accept the AFSCME Contract Abell; Second by Lukas

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• Approval of Personnel

Motion to accept Personnel Contract Marshall; Second by Abell

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

Work Session - Board goals - suggested Board goals-blended w/ Supt goals 042715.(2).pdf (51 KB)

•  Kelly - Change order of goals by importance?
• Abell - add disclaimer, "in no certain order"
• Kelly - add federal funding under Goal #4
• Palko - #7 doesn't like increase enrollment
• McGraw - #8 Continue to promote and implement
• Palko - #6 no STEAM to STEM but add Fine and Performing Arts
• Lukas and Kelly - quantifiable, measureable goals

Adjournment

Board of Education Work Session, 6/22/15

The Board of Education of Charles County is holding a public work session at 6 p.m., Monday, June 22, in the boardroom at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building. The agenda is as follows and is subject to change:

Executive session – 5 p.m.

Call to Order – 6 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance

Public Forum

Work session
FY 2016 operating budget

Out-of-county tuition rates

FY 2016 daily and hourly salaries

Board goals

Adjournment

Principal, Vice-Principal Transfers and Appointments

PrincipalThe Board of Education today approved the appointment of five new principals and 10 new vice principals for the 2015-16 school year. Additionally, Superintendent Kimberly Hill announced nine principal transfers, nine vice principal transfers and administrative appointments.

New principals include:

• Christina Caballero, vice principal at Mattawoman Middle School, has been named as principal at Matthew Henson Middle School.
• Louis D’Ambrosio, vice principal at William A. Diggs Elementary School, has been named as principal at Arthur Middleton Elementary School. 
• Kevin Jackson, vice principal at Theodore G. Davis Middle School, has been named as principal at William B. Wade Elementary School.
• Kim McClarin, vice principal at North Point High School, has been named as principal at Theodore G. Davis Middle School. 
• Susan McCormick, vice principal at Thomas Stone High School, has been named as principal at John Hanson Middle School. 

Hill also announced a number of principal and administrative transfers, including:

• Evelyn Arnold, principal of La Plata High School, transfers to principal at the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center.
• Douglass Dolan, principal of Mattawoman, transfers to principal at La Plata High School.
• Sonia Jones, principal of Henson, transfers to principal of Mattawoman.
• Kathy Kiessling, principal of Hanson, transfers to principal of General Smallwood Middle School.
• Kathy Perriello, principal of Smallwood, transfers to principal at Henry E. Lackey High School.
• Sabrina Robinson-Taylor, principal of Middleton, transfers to principal at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School.
• Verniece Rorie, principal of Mitchell, transfers to principal at Gale-Bailey Elementary School.
• James Short, principal at Lackey, has been named as the Director, Hearing Officer/Court Liaison for the school system.
• Stephanie Wesolowski, principal at Davis, has been named as Coordinator of Instructional Assessment.

Vice principal appointments include:

• Paul Alvarez, administrative assistant at Thomas Stone to vice principal at St. Charles High School;
• Shane Blandford, teacher from William B. Wade Elementary School to vice principal at Mary H. Matula Elementary School;
• Nichole Bolden, teacher at Mattawoman to vice principal at Milton M. Somers Middle School;
• Anthony Carroll, instructional resource teacher at Smallwood to vice principal at Henson;
• Brian King, administrative assistant at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School to vice principal at Davis;
• Gary Lesko, administrative assistant at St. Charles High School to vice principal at Mattawoman;
• Jason Mackey, administrative assistant at Smallwood to vice principal at Lackey;
• Shanif Pearl, administrative assistant at La Plata to vice principal at Thomas Stone;
• Kevin Reisinger, administrative assistant at North Point to vice principal at Maurice J. McDonough High School; and
• Todd Wonderling, teacher at Piccowaxen Middle School to vice principal at Mitchell.

Vice principal transfers for the 2015-16 school year include:

• Nicholas Adam, from Malcolm Elementary School to Diggs;
• Michelle Beckwith, from Mitchell to Middleton;
• Patricia Mooring, from Middleton to Malcolm;
• Tamra Nissen, from Henson to Hanson;
• Carl Pascarella, from Lackey to McDonough;
• Jean Ritter, from Matula to Indian Head Elementary School;
• Steven Roberts, from McDonough to North Point;
• Belinda Shatley, from Somers to Davis; and
• Brad Williams, from Davis to Stethem.

Administrative appointments include:

• Michael Heim, assistant supervisor of transportation as director of transportation. 

Hill also announced the retirement of three principals: Penny Nye of Wade, Toni Melton-Trainor of Gale-Bailey and Wayne Freeman of Stethem.

The Board approved the Superintendent’s appointments on June 9. All new assignments take effect July 1.

Notes from Board of Education Meeting, 6/9/15

The Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, May 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, St. Charles High School

Swearing-in of new Student Board member - Welcome Pearson Benson

Recognition of high school athletes

Superintendent’s update - superintendent's report 6-9-15.pdf (2).pdf (24 KB)

Correspondence/Board Member updates

• Kelly - attended MABE training; Art exhibit; K field trip to the zoo; 5th grade field trip to Richmond Science Center; Parents Matter dinner - we should recognize at the BOE; Move from STEM to STEAM
• Crawford - Praise on graduation to planning; wore stars and stripes tie in honor of Flag Day
• Palko - NPHS Academy of Nursing pinning ceremony; LaPlata Art Exhibit
• Abell - Attended Adult Independence Program Graduation, kudos to staff and students; Alternative Education Committee held its last meeting and should be presenting to the board shortly; FIMR Committee requesting another staff person to replace Molly Johnson who retired; Graduations - kudos to staff,  CCSO, SHA, county government, NP Culinary Academy and of course all the students.  Received numerous email and FB messages regarding the inability to hear their child's name called.  Discuss in more detail under Ms. Lawson's presentation.
• Marshall - Well orchestrated graduation.  Thank you to Ms. Delacruz who hosted the CCSO and SHA at Diggs during graduations.

Education Association of Charles County update

Student Board Member update - Pearson Benson SMOB report for June 9th.pdf (28 KB)

Graduations 2015 - TurnstileCountsFor2015Graduation.pdf (48 KB)

• Ms. Lawson ensured the board that a task force will be formed to address strategies regarding the crowds at graduations and the inability of parents to hear their child's name called.  Students, parents, administrators will brainstorm and provide recommendations for next year's graduations.

CIP update - CIP Update_ June 9 2015.pdf (330 KB)

• Martin - site improvement; enlarge parking, lighting
• Brown - rooftop units, boiler and new ceiling
• Gwynn Center - boiler and roof replacement
• Gaile-Bailey - Sanitary improvements; sewer; design roof replacement; improve parking, lighting
• Matula - Kindergarten addition; august 2016 occupancy
• Jenifer - Kindergarten addition; august 2016 occupancy
• Elementary school #2 - site acquisition on Billingsley Road approved by state
• Mudd - planning and design for renovations
• Parks - connect to public waterline

Partnership between CCPS and the College of Southern Maryland - Instruction - CCPS_CSM_JuneBoard Presentation 5 9 15.pdf (221 KB)

Legislative update

Unfinished business

• Kelly - Board correspondence regarding emergency situations at schools; on work session
• Palko - Video of PT305 update
• Hill/Abell - Staff/parent/board committee to discuss assessments, curriculum, testing.  Parent meeting will happen during PAC on October 27th at 7.  staff committee will be convened.

New business

• April 2016 Board Meeting - needs to be moved because it is during the national conference.  Consensus was to move it to the following week.  Tuesday, April 19th.

Recognition – 4:30 p.m.

• Resolutions: Maryland/Charles County Teacher of the Year, Sarah Desrosiers, Life Skills teacher, Theodore G. Davis Middle School; Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award, Gene Hopkins Jr., social studies teacher, Milton M. Somers Middle School
• Outstanding Vice Principal of the Year – Louis D’Ambrosio, William A. Diggs Elementary School
• Outstanding Support Staff – Victor Woodland, building service manager, Theodore G. Davis Middle School; Madonna Gaume, technology facilitator, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School; Eric McElhenny, electronic technician, CCPS Radio Station Road Annex; Bijon Trice, secretary to the principal, John Hanson Middle School; Nghia Dang, computer analyst, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building; and Renee Ward, head of accounts payable, Starkey Building.

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

• Keith McGrit - bus driver from Compton Bus
• Kathy Lancaster - bus drivers and attendants not happy with salaries; don't get paid for days missed, holidays, overtime, etc.  No unemployment benefits during the summer.  no health insurance because contractor didn't pay the insurance premium.  do not have adequate retirement plans.
• David Beach - bus driver, graduation ceremonies students praised teachers and staff but not bus drivers.  we are only recognized when something goes wrong.
• Casey Hochum - St. Charles High School parent; fights occur daily, scared to go to school, Spanish class out of control, principal denied problem of fights, staff confirmed.  Teachers have stated the class is out of control.  teachers and students scared to go to school. students are disrespectful, rude.  No control or consequences...teachers quitting, students want to be homeschooled.
• Teresa Ward - parent at St. Charles, son is scared to go to school; poorly ran, changing classes, lunch taken away one week and given back the next week, no consistency, teachers and students both feel this year has been a waste.  Child is a guinea pig and ripped from one school to another.  Students uncontrollable and cant learn in class because kids are disruptive.  don't feel welcome, wants to be homeschooled.  time for change.  asked the school about home schooling.  asked to walk the halls with administrative central office staff and they never called back for an appointment.

Action items

• Minutes

Motion to approve the Minutes by Abell; Second by Marshall

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• Personnel

Motion to approve Personnel by Abell; Second by Lukas

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• Educational Facilities Master Plan

Motion to approve the Educational Facilities Master Plan by Kelly; Second by Abell

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

• 2016-17 Calendar

Motion to approve the 2016-17 Calendar by Abell; Second by Kelly

Yes = Abell, Crawford, Kelly, Lukas, Marshall, McGraw, Palko

Adjournment

Charles County Public High Schools Ethnicity Statistics

I was recently asked by a reader to provide the statistics of black (African American) / white students in our high schools.  The MSDE 2014 Report Card, which is publicly accessible, provides such demographic data for all Maryland public schools, and includes student mobility, students receiving special services, attendance and graduation rates, and teacher qualifications.    In response to the specific request that was made:


Thomas Stone = 1,287 Total Students

• 728 Black/African American = 57%
• 408 White = 32%

Lackey = 1,208 Total Students

• 695 Black/African American = 57%
• 414 White = 34%

Westlake = 1,425 Total Students

• 1,104 Black/African American = 77%
• 130 White = 9%

North Point = 2,203 Total Students

• 1,253 Black/African American = 59%
• 580 White = 26%

McDonough = 1,118 Total Students

• 585 Black/African American = 52%
• 405 White = 36%

La Plata = 1,412 Total Students

• 307 Black/African American = 22%
• 944 White = 67%

Agenda for Board of Education Meeting, 6/9/15

The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting is Tuesday, June 9 at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building on Radio Station Road in La Plata. The public portion of the meeting begins at 1 p.m. and recognition starts at 4:30 p.m. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12 and is rebroadcast throughout the week. Board meetings are also streamed live on the school system website at www.ccboe.com. Select CCPS TV and then choose the Live Broadcast tab. The following is a tentative meeting agenda and is subject to change.

Executive session – 12 p.m.

Call to order – 1 p.m. - Pledge of Allegiance, St. Charles High School

Swearing-in of new Student Board member

Recognition of high school athletes

Superintendent’s update

Reports of officers/boards/committees

• Correspondence/Board Member updates
• Education Association of Charles County update
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees update
• Student Board Member update
• Graduations 2015
• CIP update
• Partnership between CCPS and the College of Southern Maryland
• Legislative update

Unfinished business

New business

Recognition – 4:30 p.m.

• Resolutions: Maryland/CharLes County Teacher of the Year, Sarah Desrosiers, Life Skills teacher, Theodore G. Davis Middle School; Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award, Gene Hopkins Jr., social studies teacher, Milton M. Somers Middle School
• Outstanding Vice Principal of the Year – Louis D’Ambrosio, William A. Diggs Elementary School
• Outstanding Support Staff – Victor Woodland, building service manager, Theodore G. Davis Middle School; Madonna Gaume, technology facilitator, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School; Eric McElhenny, electronic technician, CCPS Radio Station Road Annex; Bijon Trice, secretary to the principal, John Hanson Middle School; Nghia Dang, computer analyst, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building; and Renee Ward, head of accounts payable, Starkey Building.

Public Forum – 6 p.m.

Action items

• Minutes
• PersonneL
• Educational Facilities Master Plan
• 2016-17 calendar

Adjournment

 

Executive session