Notes from Board Meeting, 9/11/07

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. Please follow-up for official minutes upon approval. For copies of printed reports presented visit Board Docs.

Recognition

• Health Careers Month

Public Forum

• Male -Doesn't agree with smooth opening of schools. Daughters math and science MS classes do not have teachers only subs. Text books not issued, just given busy work. Central advised him they do not know when teachers will be available. Tried to move daughter to another school; not enough teachers there either. Schools should have sent a letter home to parents advising of situation and working in cooperation with parents to rectify. Gym floor was deemed unsafe by Parks and Rec but CCPS continues to have gym classes.

Action - Approval of Minutes from 8/14/07

*Vote to approve 8/14/07 minutes

Unanimous

PASSED

Correspondence/Board Member Updates

• Pedersen - Blue Ribbon Commission - represents education sub-committee. Working with Mr. Cunningham and Judy Estep on presentation to sub-committee. Seeking input on how diversity is or should be addressed in schools
• Abell - Distributed an information DVD on Autism provided by Richard White
• Wise - need to make MABE committee assignments. Abell - Budget, Nominating; Cook - Budget; Wade - Board, Conference Planning; Wise - Legislative; Pedersen - Legislative; Bailey - Resolutions.
• Wade - White House Internship opportunities provided
• Wade - Charles Conty Economic Summit RSVP's are due

Report – Superintendent – Jim Richmond

• Work on studio for broadcasting is continuing. Still working ont he panning of cameras and audible clarity. Studio actrually located in the Annex Building. Future broadcasts of student events to complete schedule.
• College Fair 9/17 at Jaycees. 130 colleges
• MSDE HSA Forum 9/18 at North Point
• New staff Reception at Middleton Hall 9/26
• Research and Assessment Department continues to analyze testing data. No school on state improvement
• Hired over 260 new teachers
• Davis MS opened
• Neal work is still on track

Report – EACC – Bill Fisher

• Thank you for support of crab feast
• "I Can Do It" training for new teachers
• Bus to MSTA convention on 10/19
• Essay Contest for FEA, "Engineer Your Future, Become A Teacher"
• Tri-County Forum at SMECO on 9/27. Commissioners Cooper, Patterson and Hodge will be attending.
• Cook - Format of forum
• The forum will have a moderator presenting information; power point; lack of funding and budget cuts.

Report - Student Board Member - Ashin Shah

• New Schedule for CCASC Meetings
• 10/4 all board members and staff invited 9:00 LPHS
• Formulating student opinion on HSA data

Report - Deputy Superintendent - Ron Cunningham

• Smooth school opening; Staff rode buses
• Staff and students seen happy and eager for the new year
• Davis opening. Thanks to P. Dorsey for her support and diligence. More students than expected
• 5 employees promoted to principals all participated in leadership training
• 22 new vice principals
• Current enrollment 26,570 (Estimates...Elem = 11,000; MS = 6,200; HS = 9,200) Official count takes place on 9/30/07
• Wise - Are we above our enrollment projection
• Cunningham - No; in fact we are under

Report – Registration/Residency Requirements– Keith Greer

• See Report on Board Docs for all the information presented
• In order to Register a student you will need ... a physical exam, proof of immunizations, a birth certificate, and proof of residency (detailed in report).
• Currently 315 students in CCPS are homeless
• Out of county tuition usually paid on a monthly basis
• Wise - What happens if parents fall behind or don;t pay tuition bills?
• Grier - Try to work with the families
• Carrington - Shocked by #7 on the list (Residency verification of living arrangements, 514 students)
• Wise - Same sentiments
• Pedersen - Agrees. # of PPW's required
• Grier - When students/families are caught attending school illegally we do not bill them, just ask to leave.
• Abell - Why can't we bill them?
• Grier - We bill but they don't pay and we would have to file suit civilly.

Report – Update on Russian Partnership - Rosellen Houser

• Fourth year of an ongoing teaching partnership with Pensa Russia
• No cost. Grant for fuve years
• See Report
• Wise - What happens after 5 years, grant extended?
• Houser - Yes. Next phase is for the Russian and American teachers involved to visit another country together
• Shah- How many teachers have actually participated?
• Houser - 12. Application/selection process

Report – 3 Year old Program - Judy Estep

• Previously at Mt Hope Nanjemoy and Barnhart; adding Indian Head and J P Ryon.
• See Report
• Cook - How many applications received and determination process?
• Estep - Based on need - free and reduced lunch
• Pedersen - Would English language learners be accepted
• Estep - Yes
• Wise - Safety issues with sharing with the Lifelong Learning Center
• Estep - No all safety concerns have been addressed
• Carrington - Transportation?
• Estep - 3 year olds ride the bus by themselves and we have car seats for those in need

Report – Master Plan Update - Judy Estep

• See Report
• Used to address success
• Above state average on highly qualified teachers in the system
• One of the state's goals involved the number of suspensions for elementary schools with the requirement being 16% or less. We are under 5%.
• Shah - Reducing suspension rate; does that interfere with administrative discipline? Are we keeping normally suspended students in schools so as to meet the state requirements and make our statistics look good?
• Estep - absolutley not; infractions are not occurring
• Cook - Advanced students
• Estep - Gifted resource identification and enhancement for those teachers
• Carrington - Retention rate of those teachers
• Estep - Most are still with us. Redaing retreat planned for MS and HS principals

Report – Supporting Services (CIP)- Chuck Wineland; Steve Hagis, Jerry Barrett

• Neal - 35% complete; on target for completion 6/1/08
• Somers - Roof; work continuing. Completion 8/08; Students in relocateables currently will move to the second floor for the next semester and students currently on the first floor will move to the relocateables.
• Craik - Roof replacement; ongoing
• Martin - Boiler replacement complete before winter
• Henson - carpet/tile replacement
• Indian Head - Bathroom renovation
• Piccowaxen - basketball and tennis courts renovated. All middle schools will receive
• LPHS parking lot renovations
• McDonough - Irigation system installed; on well water; knocks out AC unit during drought. Limited use.
• Bailey - Per parking space cost
• Wineland - $3,500 per spot for 100+ spaces
• Bailey - cost adding spaces vs adding buses
• Carrington - Toured Somers today; fabulous work. Annex 1 tour and ability to monitor equipment in all schools; outstanding

Report – Comprehensive Maintenance Plan FY08- Chuck Wineland & staff

• Scheduled maintenance and replacement of equipment and building facilities.

Report – Budget – Paul Balides

• Presented August Financials

Report - Intercategory Budget Change

• No additional funding. $1,975M increase in revenues. (legal settlement; rental facilities, interest income.) Expenses adjusted to compensate.

Report - Staffing Update - Keith Hettel

• 16 Secondary openings (6 math; 4 science; 2 computer; 4 various)
• 5 Elementary openings
• 5 Special Education Openings
• 12 Support Staff
• Going to Cleveland area for recruiting
• Wade - state legislators are well aware of our shortage of teachers
• Pederson - Utilize our long term subs
• Hettel - long term subs are treated like new teachers and are generally paired up with a department chair
• Cook - Long term subs paired with their expertise
• Hettel- Yes
• Bailey - compared to last year, how are we doing
• Hettel - less of a gap last year. Consider opening of Davis
• Bailey - Program with CSM "homegrown teachers"
• Hettel - program still in existence and working. pre-hire. program does not include secondary teachers
• Bailey - Certification Waivers
• Hettel - Conditional certificate. Currently only about 5%. Hold for 2 years. Have to show progress and reapply.
• Bailey - Correlation between required certification and lack of enough teachers
• Hettel - No
• Bailey - Retired teachers leaving the area? Reaching out?
• Hettel - 30 retired teachers currently woking in system
• Bailey - Utilize high % of retired military
• Hettel - yes
• Cook - Job share; professionals changing careers
• Hettel - yes & yes
• Pedersen - Job share works very well, etc.

Action - Personnel

*Vote to approve Personnel
Unanimous
PASSED

Action - State 2009 CIP

• Bailey - New schools - start-up costs- talk with commissioners
• Wineland - commissioners are required to send a letter of a commitment to the state for their portion
• Bailey - Heartburn on non-commitment from commissioners for start-up costs.

*Vote to approve State 2009 CIP
Yes - Carrington, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wisel
Abstain - Abell, Bailey
PASSED

Action – Schematics for Full-Day Kindergarten

*Vote to approve Schematics for Full-Day Kindergarten
Unanimous
PASSED

Action - Recurring Resolutions

*Vote to approve Recurring Resolutions
Yes - Bailey, Carrington, Cook Pedersen, Wade, Wise
Abstain - Abell
PASSED

Unfinished Business

• None

New Business

• Wise - 3:30 Executive Session, 4:30 Recognition, 5:30 Meeting, 6:30 Public Forum
• Abell- 4:30 Executive Session, 5:30 Recognition, 6:30 Public Forum followed by Meeting
• Pedersen - Communication Survey results
• O'Malley Simpson - public forum late; recognition 4:30 - 5:30; staff prefers 5:30
• Wade - Work sessions without recognition start at 6:00
• Abell - Still reviewing meeting times in January
• Wise - Yes.
• Wade - appointing Wise as chair of a committee on how we task staff
• Wade - Work session we will discuss board travel
• Bailey - CSM and BOE Meeting
• Bailey - Requests retreat with county commissioners
• Bailey - Chairman draft letter to governor about recruitomg/producing more teachers in the state
• Wise - college for educators

Future Agenda Items

• Abell - AP scores
• Estep - October Meeting
• Abell - Freshman Seminar Update
• Estep - January Meeting

ADJOURNED

REMINDER: Board Meeting, 9/11/07

Just wanted to remind everyone there is a Board Meeting Tuesday, September 11th.
(Slightly different format) PS - If you happen to miss it, it will be TELEVISED!!

4:30 - Executive Session
5:30 - Board Meeting begins
6:30 - Public Forum (Must sign-up prior to 6:30)
The remainder of the meeting immediately follows Public Forum

To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit Board Docs.

Reports include:

• Superintendent -
• Board Members - MABE Committee Assignments
• EACC -
• Student Board Member -
• Deputy Superintendent - Opening of School
• Student Services - Registration/Residency Requirements
• Instruction Report - Russian Partnership; 3 year old program; Master Plan update
• Supporting Services Report - CIP Update; FY2008 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan
• Finance Report - Budget Update; Intercategory Transfers for FY 2007
• Human Resources Report - Staffing Update

Action Items:

• Personnel
• State 2009 CIP
• Full Day Kindergarten Schematics for 4 schools
• Recurring Resolutions

Blue Ribbon Committee on High Stakes Testing

Even though this committee was formed in Prince George's County, their report is very interesting. I encourage all citzens to take a gander.

Blue Ribbon Committee on High Stakes Testing Report

Class of 2009 meeting demands of High School Assessments

CCPS PRESS RELEASE

Charles County Public Schools High School Assessment (HSA) results show that more than 80 percent of the class of 2009 passed the algebra and government tests required for graduation and more than 70 percent completed biology and English II requirements.

Students who have not passed the tests, which are a graduation requirement for students in this year's junior class and beyond, are being offered additional classes, support and program adjustments to help move them toward graduation.

Results for last year's sophomore class show that 77 percent, or 1,413 students have met HSA requirements for graduation. There are 73 students, or 3.9 percent, who need to pass one additional exam to meet the requirement and 322 students, or 17.6 percent, who have more than one exam to pass. The end of grade 10 pass rate for algebra is 81.35 percent; 76.02 percent for biology; 73.21 percent for English II; and 86.59 percent for government.

End of grade 9 pass rates are 78.67 percent for algebra and 72.57 percent for government. Not all students take the exams in ninth grade and biology and English II are classes typically taken in the sophomore year.

"We know from these results that the vast majority of Maryland students are finding that they can pass these assessments and will be well on their way to graduation in 2009," said State Superintendent Nancy Grasmick in a release announcing state test results.

Superintendent James E. Richmond was equally optimistic. "As we begin to focus on students who must take these exams to earn their high school diploma, we are seeing higher success rates. The majority of our students have already met the graduation requirements and we are offering remediation and additional help for those students struggling with the exams. The accountability measures are raising achievement levels for all students," he said.

High School Assessments are a requirement for the Maryland High School Diploma for the class of 2009. The HSA replaced the Maryland Functional Tests, a group of basic skills exams, as the exit exams required for graduation. High School Assessments include algebra, English II, government and biology. The algebra and English II scores are also used as part of the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) and to determine Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) at the high school level. The state plans to release AYP results on the state report card site, mdreportcard.org, later this fall.

Link to article in the Indy to be added later today.

SAT Scores Above State Average but Fall in Math

CCPS PRESS RELEASE

Charles County Public Schools average score on the SAT, a nationally known college entrance test, is 1523, which is above state and national averages.

Students' average score in the mathematics section of the test is 507, the average score in the writing section is 504 and the average score on the critical reading portion is 512. SAT tests are designed to demonstrate a student's mastery of certain subjects to colleges. Many colleges use the test as a part of the admissions process.

Charles County's score is 25 points above the state average of 1498 and 12 points above the national average of 1511. Only scores for graduating seniors are included in the 2007 report. Students in the class of 2007 were offered more than $25 million in scholarships.

Maurice J. McDonough High School was the highest performing school with a score of 1602. La Plata High School students posted an average score of 1588 and Westlake High School students' average score is 1532. Thomas Stone students posted a 1530 average and Lackey students averaged 1393.

SAT scores decreased 14 points from 1537 the previous year, with critical reading scores remaining the same, math scores decreasing 8 points and writing scores dropping 6 points. State scores decreased 13 points, from 1511 to 1498, and national scores dropped 7 points, from 1518 to 1511.

"This year's scores continue our trend of remaining above the state and national averages, which is our ultimate goal and exceeds the benchmark set by the county. Remaining above the state and national averages enables our college-bound students to compete for acceptance into the college or university of their choice. This is the eighth consecutive year that our students have outpaced these averages, and I commend the students and staff at the high schools for their continued efforts in this area. We know that scores are going to fluctuate from year to year, but it is imperative that we continue to offer a strong academic program and consistent SAT preparation courses," said Superintendent James Richmond.

This year, Charles County Public Schools is providing all high school students access to the Official SAT Online Course, which can be used as a classroom teaching aid, a component of English and math courses, a test-preparation resource or an independent study tool. School staff will help students set up an account and profile this school year. Students may access the program from home after they have created their profile.

The online course is an addition to other in-school preparation programs, including workshops with nationally known experts, summer and after-school review programs and in-class preparation by teachers.

Click HERE for an article in the Baltimore Sun regarding the fall in Math scores.

Grasmick Proposes Alternative to Standardized Tests

According to Capitol Online, State School Superintendent Nancy Grasmick has proposed a plan that would allow students to get their diplomas without passing state-mandated standardized tests.

The State Board of Education will vote in October on the plan. Grasmick says it would apply to children who meet all other requirements for graduation but can't pass the High School Assessment exams in one or more subjects because of test-taking anxiety or other factors.

Passing scores on the HSAs will be required starting with the class of 2009.

Education officials believe the alternative to the test will essentially prevent the state from denying diplomas to students who would have graduated otherwise.

Read more about Grasmick's proposed plan in this Washington Post article.

The New Digital Classroom High School

Want to learn more about the new Charles County High School?

Click HERE and then click on "promotional video".

Let me know what you think.

HSA Results Put Some Students in A Bind

What a great way to start off a new high school year. You've got your schedule all worked out- your supplies purchased - and you are looking forward to some new electives. Then, only AFTER school starts - do you receive your scores on the HSA tests you took last May! If you fall even a point shy of the cut score - now you must rearrange your entire high school schedule to accommodate a remedial course for an HSA test related to a course you already passed! In addition - you don't get the graded test back, so you have no idea what you missed or whether you are the victim of a scoring error (a common occurrence in the private testing industry).

Unfortunately this major disruption in life is occurring to numerous students across the state. Where can they turn? Who is responsible? Maryland State Department of Education

A recent article in the Calvert Recorder by Jaqueline Rabe points out the excruciating scoring delays associated with the HSA program. Read it HERE.

Have you marked your calendar to voice your concerns about the HSA? Check this link for dates and locations http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/testing/hsa/hsa_reg_meet.

College Fair, September 17th

CCPS Press Release

More than 130 colleges will participate in the tenth annual Charles County College Fair on Sept. 17, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Community Center on Crain Highway in Waldorf.

The fair is hosted by Charles County Public Schools. High school juniors and seniors attend the event during the school day as part of the system's career readiness goal in the five-year plan. Students are transported from school by bus and are able to speak with representatives and gather information from colleges from all over the east coast.

The public is invited to attend the evening session of the fair from 6-8 p.m. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the fair. Additionally, a financial aid workshop will be held in the Militia Room at 7 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

Hearing Set on Maryland High School Assessments

CCPS PRESS RELEASE

The Maryland State Board of Education will host a regional hearing Sept. 18 at North Point High School to hear public comments on the Maryland High School Assessment (HSA).
The hearing is at 7 p.m. and the Board will only hear comments on the HSAs. The maximum speaking time is three minutes and time has been scheduled for approximately 40 speakers. Anyone wishing to speak during the hearing must sign up on site beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Although State Board members and education officials will not respond to any comments during the hearing, they will listen and take all comments into consideration as they deliberate education policy.
In addition to the hearing at North Point, the State Board will also hold four other regional hearings in Maryland in September. North Point High School is located at 2500 Davis Road in Waldorf, MD.
Written testimony may also be directed to the Maryland State Board of Education, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201; by email at stateboard-has@msde.state.md.us; or by fax to 310-333-2275. Testimony must be submitted by Sept. 20.

Special Education...or not?

According to an article in today's Indy some parents are questioning the accuracy of the Charles County Public School Systems tests to determine whether a student should be placed in Special Education.

Read more here.

Schools Achieve AYP on State Tests

CCPS Press Release

Improvements in reading and math scores on the Maryland School Assessments (MSA) resulted in the majority of Charles County’s schools meeting state progress targets for 2007.

Twenty Charles County elementary and middle schools met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), according to Maryland State Department of Education data released today. No county schools are on the state school improvement list. Charles County Public Schools has never had a school on the state’s watch list.

AYP is determined by student results on the Maryland School Assessments (MSA) taken by students in grades 3-8 in March. AYP is the gain that schools must make each year in proportion to students achieving proficiency in reading and math. Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), schools must show progress across all grade levels and in all race/ethnicity and special services categories—special education, limited English proficient, and economically disadvantaged students. Elementary and middle schools met the standards in 497 of 513 categories.

If a school is unable to make progress in all areas, including attendance, for two consecutive years, it is identified for School Improvement status and faces a variety of requirements designed to bring about improvements. School systems are notified of any school not making progress in all areas for one year, but these schools do not face any state mandates, requirements or intervention.

Seven schools missed achieving a target in one or more subgroups for the first time this year. These schools achieved their Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO) last year, but fell short this year. Schools not meeting AYP in one or more subgroups in 2007 are Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School, Gale-Bailey Elementary School, T.C. Martin Elementary School, John Hanson Middle School, Matthew Henson Middle School, Piccowaxen Middle School and General Smallwood Middle School.

“The majority of our schools made the progress required by the state in all subgroups, but we will continue to focus our efforts to ensure that all children are succeeding. Special education continues to be an area needing additional support and we need to explore ways to advance our middle school performance. The department of instruction is already working with schools that did not make AYP to develop improvement plans,” said James E. Richmond, superintendent of schools.

Statewide, system and local school scores are available on the Maryland State Department of Education’s report card, www.mdreportcard.org.

The Maryland State Department of Education has not yet released High School Assessment scores and graduation numbers. High school students take High School Assessments, and starting with the class of 2009, students must pass four tests – English II, biology, local, state and national government (LSN) and algebra – in order to graduate. High school scores will be released at the end of August. AYP information for high schools will be released in the fall.

Charles County Public Schools
Maryland State Assessment Facts (AYP and MSA)

• Charles County Public Schools met the standards for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for all students in reading, mathematics and attendance at the elementary and middle school levels in 497 of 513 categories. The state defines AYP as the cornerstone of Maryland’s new accountability system and replaces the School Performance Index as the method by which Maryland tracks academic progress. Schools and school systems must show that students are making AYP in reading, mathematics, attendance (elementary and middle schools) and graduation rate (high schools).
• No Charles County middle or elementary public school is on the state’s school improvement list, which includes schools that have not met standards for more than one year and are not improving. Information on high school scores will be released in late August and the state will release high school AYP later in the fall.
• AYP requirements include scores for reading and mathematics for all students as well as subgroups of students. Student achievement is reported in the aggregate (all students) as well as eight subgroups of students. Subgroups are: American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, African American, White (not of Hispanic origin), Hispanic, students receiving free and reduced meals, special education and Limited English Proficient.

Notes from Board Meeting 8/14/07

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. Please follow-up for official minutes upon approval. For copies of printed reports presented visit Board Docs.

Public Forum

• Male - Substitute teacher for two years. 749 subs in system. Use about 400 daily. 9-10% absentee rate. Teachers paid leave and sick time equals approx. one month out of classroom. Suggests permanent qualified substitutes and a higher pay scale.

Action - Approval of Minutes from 6/12/07 and 6/25/07; motion divided

*Vote to approve 6/12/07 minutes

Unanimous (Cook abstained)

PASSED

*Vote to approve 6/25/07 minutes
Unanimous (Pedersen abstained)
PASSED

Correspondence/Board Member Updates

• None

Report – Superintendent – Jim Richmond

• 260 new teachers in orientation this week; 50 openings remaining
• 3 day Leadership Institute successful
• 60 staff from tri-county attended Space Institute
• Summer Reading and Math Academies successful
• Televised Board meetings and broadcast studio ready 9/11
• Parent-to-School Program available in Nov.
• Activity Bus Transportation
• Opening of 8th middle school, Davis, 98% complete

Report – EACC – Bill Fisher

• New location and number
• Attend NEA assembly in Philadelphia; main topic was NCLB and impact on educators
• Members also attended leadership Training
• Sept. 19th open forum tri-county meeting with legislators, commissioners, BOE members, teachers, and public regarding education budget deficit.
• New teacher orientation
• Annual Back to School Crab Feast August 24th.

Report – School Nurses – Keith Greer; Dr. Davidson

• Significant increase in asthma students; county higher than state
• Increase in youth obesity
• Slight increase in youth with ADHD; equal to increase at state
• Significant increase of students with seizures
• 184,877 health room visits (88% returned to class)
• Pedersen - Best method of notifying ALL school personnel of chronic cases
• Greer - Notify school nurse so personnel in a need to know position can be aware
• Abell - Update on Gardisil vaccine
• Davidson - State is currently observing other states for a few years. Academy of Pediatrics does still recommend vaccine. No mandate by the state is being discussed at this time.

Report – Alternative Summer School Programs - T. Weirich

• Novel
• Home Instruction
• Connections
• Alternative School
• Summer School
• Evening School
• Teenage Parenting
• Home & Hospital Services
• Explorers
• Wise-average length of stay in the alternative program
• Wierich - 45 days

Report – Athletic Program Preparation - J. Johnson

• School based parent meeting
• inclement weather policies
• ALL coaches are CPR certified
• Partnership with rescue squad
• Hydration/Sports nutrition seminar
• Sports Physicals
• Field and Bleacher Maintenance
• Transportation
• Sportsmanship
• SMAC
• Wise - Athletic Trainers on the fields
• Johnson - yes we would still like to accomplish this and we are working towards that goal.
• Carrington - Paid staff position for Athletic Trainers
• Johnson - Yes, would like full time staff
• Pedersen - Dietitian available for a one-on-one basis
• Johnson - Yes

Report – Curriculum (Summer Programs) - D. Jepsky

• 4,826 students participated
• M - TH
• included Life Skills

Report – Supporting Services (CIP)- Chuck Wineland; Steve Hagis, Jerry Barrett

• Davis on time; on budget; grass next week
• Neal on target
• Somers - Roof; ceiling on ground floor will be in place for start of school. Completion 8/08; 7 additional relocateables provided by contractor
• Craik - Roof replacement; 70 % complete
• Martin - Boiler replacement complete before winter
• Abell - clarification on students location during phases at Somers
• Wineland - Second floor lockers can be used with staff presence; 8th graders in trailers for 1st semester and 6th grade in trailers for second semester

Report – State CIP - Chuck Wineland & staff

• #1 Balance owed on Davis
• #2 Balance owed on Neal
• #3 Construction funding for full day Kindergarten
• Heritage Green will probably be the next elementary school (2010) according to a review of statistics
• Richmond-Asked for Board and commissioners to consider operational costs of opening a new school. Not just the construction cost.
• Bailey - Consideration of time line to approach commissioners

Report – Schematics for Full-Day Kindergarten - Chuck Wineland & staff

• Barnhart, Gale-Bailey, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy, T. C. Martin
• Richmond - Possibility of adding gyms
• Wineland - Not. State will fund full-day Kindergarten but not a gym
• Bailey - Fire escapes and evacuation
• Wineland - Meets all codes for distance and width
• Pedersen - lunch shifts; kids eating in classrooms
• Principals - Eat in cafeteria; lunch shifts are adjusted accordingly

Report – Budget – Paul Balides

• See report
• Audit process has begun
• Surplus $300,000
• Submitted financial statements
• Intercategory budget transfers will be submitted in an update
• Pedersen - cost of milk increase
• Balides - Not anticipating any additional increases at this time
• Wise - Vegetarian lunches
• Balides - yes. more fruits and vegetables per state push, but they cost more. Lunches must have 800 calories per federal requirement

Report - Staffing Update - Keith Hettel

• 260 teachers hired
• shortage in math, science and special education; similar across the state. extra recruiting trips have occurred and will continue
• Wise - Substitute salaries
• Hettel - We are third in the state for daily rate. Long term sub rates - we are second.

Report - Recurring Resolutions

Action - Personnel

*Vote to approve Personnel
Unanimous
PASSED

Unfinished Business

• Pedersen - Diversity Blue Ribbon Committee has asked her to represent the state and county curriculum on diversity
• Pedersen - MABE's offer to have a public forum in the fall
• Carrington - Complaint brochure at the printers
• Cunningham - Parents complaining should be respectful of staff

New Business

Future Agenda Items

• Bailey - AP scores

ADJOURNED

Activity Bus Transportation

Also new this year, per Superintendent Richmond...

"We are adding activity bus transportation to eligible high school students for the 2007-08 school year. The buses are for students participating in high school-sponsored activities that take place after dismissal time. The buses will be routed to serve as many students as possible and will drop students off at central locations along established routes. Students will either walk home or have someone pick them up from the central drop-off locations. Students may only use the service on days when there is an activity in which they are scheduled to participate. Students will be provided bus passes. Locations have not been finalized as of yet.

Parent-to-School

Also in the Superintendent's Report for today's meeting, a new communication technology tool to brag about.

"We are working to provide a way for parents to check their child’s academic progress and attendance on line through a secure program. The program, Parent-to-School will provide parents access to their child’s demographic information, attendance, grades, transcript and school lunch fund balance. We hope to have the program available in early November."

Eventually we hope to add homework assignments to the information provided.

As a parent, I'm thoroughly ecstatic :)

Televised Board Meetings

Looks like it's going to happen!!! Yahoo!!!

In the Superintendent's Report for today's meeting...

"Work continues on the installation of equipment to film Board meetings and to provide live coverage on Channel 96. Installation of wiring, lights and upgraded transmission equipment is beginning this week. The contractor says we are still on track to air our first live meeting on September 11."

REMINDER: Board Meeting, 8/14/07

Just wanted to remind everyone there is a Board Meeting Tuesday, August 14th.
(Slightly different format since there isn't a recognition portion)
4:30 - Executive Session
5:30 - Board Meeting begins
6:30 - Public Forum (Must sign-up prior to 6:30)
The remainder of the meeting immediately follows Public Forum

To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit Board Docs.

Reports include:

• Board Members
• EACC
• Superintendent
• Deputy Superintendent - School Nurses; Overview of the Alternative Program; Summer School; Preparation for fall sports
• Instruction Report - Summer Programs
• Supporting Services Report - CIP Update; CIP 2009; Full day kindergarten schematics
• Finance Report - Budget Update
• Human Resources Report - Staffing Update
• Recurring Resolutions

Action Items:

• Personnel

Summer Break & Open Thread

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer break. I know I am which is the reason I haven't posted as regularly as in the past. The Board of Education doesn't have generally hold meetings during the month of July and everything slows down (for us, not staff). I personally have been enjoying the time with my children, vacationing, and catching up on some long overdue projects. Rest assured I am reading emails/comments and working on providing answers. As August begins and everyone is preparing for another school year, my regular postings will resume. Until then, please use this post to comment or ask questions. Thank you.

Notes from Board Meeting, 6/25/07

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. Please follow-up for official minutes upon approval. For copies of printed reports presented visit Board Docs.

(Board member Pam Pedersen absent)

Action - Personnel

*Vote to approve Personnel
Unanimous (Pedersen absent)
PASSED

Action - Educational Facilities Master Plan

*Vote to approve Educational Facilities Master Plan
Unanimous (Pedersen absent)
PASSED

Action - High School #2 Educational Specifications

• Wise - attended MABE Leadership Conference this week. Charles County is ahead of the times. Current students are raised in a digital world.
• Wise - asked about a classroom specific for ESOL class
• Richmond - classroom assignments are still open

*Vote to approve Educational Specifications
Unanimous (Pedersen absent)
PASSED

Correspondance

• Richmond - attended a church service yesterday by request and spoke with congregation on school issues

ADJOURNED

REMINDER: Board Work Session, 6/25/07

Reminder....there is a Board Work Session Monday, June 25.

To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit Board Docs.

Action Items include:
Personnel
Education Facilities Master Plan
High School #2 Educational Specifications
Approval of Minutes from Board Meeting 6/12/07

Lotteries and Education

Lotteries may seem like the shortest route to instand cash for schools, but they're proving to be a high-risk gamble according to Bruce Buchanan, contributing writer for the American School Board Journal.

Read more of his article HERE.

Schools Violate Contract with Parents

Letter to the editor of the Baynet from David Hapner

I want to caution all parents of Charles County public school students to thoroughly read the school system’s “Code of Conduct” before they sign, or allow their children to sign, this document. They should also make sure they retain the copy for the entire year.

Why give this advice to all parents? Three very important reasons.

Read more HERE.

Youth Suicides Increasing

From 2003 - 2004 the suicide rate for Americans under age 20 climbed by 18% according to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Whats to blame? Some experts blame the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a regulatory action that led to a black box warning on antidepressant packaging cautioning that the medication could cause suicidal behavior.

Read more HERE

Corporate Support or Commerical Infringement?

Faced with increased advertising in schools how can districts find the right balance between corporate support and commercial infringement? April Moore, a freelance writer broaches this question in an article published in the American School Board Journal.

Read what she has to say HERE

Let me hear some of your ideas on this topic. For example, contracts with Coca Cola, CISCO, IBM, Sprint, etc.

A Sign of the Times - "Bong Hits 4 Jesus"

The battle over a principal's right to discipline a student for offensive and disruptive speech is perhaps the biggest of its kind since the Vietnam War." says Gleen Cook, Editor-in-Chief of the American School Board Journal.

It should have been a sign. And in this particular case, one that could have far-reaching consequences for public schools, it actually was.

The U.S. Supreme Court is debating whether to overturn a lower court decision in what has become known as the “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” case. Known formally as Morse v. Frederick, the battle over a principal’s right to discipline a student for offensive and disruptive speech is perhaps the biggest of its kind since the Vietnam War.

Read more HERE.

Bible vs. Board

In the church-state debate, districts often are caught in the middle of a controversial and costly quandry over religion's role in schools according to Richard D. Sorenson, Assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations at the University of Texas.

In a recent article, he answered the following questions...

1. Can the Bible be taught in schools?


2. Can Bibles be distributed throughout schools that teach a Bible course?


3. Can students read the Bible in any class or subject?


4. Can students read the Bible on their own in any class?


5. Can students pray at school?


6. Can schools start the day with a prayer?


7. Can schools sponsor silent prayer or meditation?


8. Can schools sponsor a moment or minute of silence?

Read his answers HERE.

Four New Principals Appointed

...and they were all vice principals at their respective schools

1. North Point - Kimberly Hill
2. Stoddert - Sue DelaCruz
3. Diggs - Sandra McDuffie
4. Jenifer - Thadine Wright

Read the complete press release HERE.

County Ranks High in AP Enrollment

Maryland Independent, 6/13/07

Four Charles County high schools are among the top 4 percent of U.S. schools in getting students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses, according to ratings in a national newsmagazine.

But three county school board members recently voiced concerns that with rising enrollment in AP courses, the quality of the courses might be going down — an assertion school system administrators strongly dispute.

Read the Indy story HERE

Take a wild guess as to who is one of the board members with a concern.

Notes from Board Meeting, 6/12/07

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. Please follow-up for official minutes upon approval. For copies of printed reports presented visit Board Docs.

(Board member Maura Cook absent)

Public Forum

• Female - Grandchildren in CCPS. Why so many dropouts? Can name 5 dropouts due to failing. Grandson has to repeat 8th grade. Correspondence from school staff was lacking. Parents and grandparents tried to resolve.
• Female - Daughter did not get to graduate with class at Westlake due to staff misguidance. Honor roll student taking AP classes. Tried to get help and removal from the class. One counselor for 494 students. Overwhelmed. Targets students failing 4 or more classes first; then 3 or more; etc. Since her daughter was only failing one class she was not targeted until 3 weeks before the end of the school year and it was too late.

Action - Approval of Minutes from 4/3/07 and 4/23/07

*Vote to approve minutes

Unanimous (Cook absent)

PASSED

Correspondence/Board Member Updates

• None

Report – EACC – Bill Fisher

• School policy on student discipline matters take a back seat when a complaint goes over the heads of the school administration and teacher. The teacher and administration need to know their enforcement of discipline will be reinforced by central office.
• Members will participate in the NEA convention to work on major revisions to NCLB
• Participation in MSTA Leadership Training workshops
• Thank you to current and retiring educators for a job well done
• Annual Back to School Crab Feast August 24th.

Report - Student Board Member – Asin Shah

• None

Report – Superintendent – Jim Richmond

• Graduations a success. Thank you for attending and thanks to Darlene Kahl, staff and community partners for a successful project graduation.

Report – Deputy Superintendent – Ron Cunningham

• Relay for Life - he accepted a plaque on behalf of the Board support. $245,000

Report – Student Services - Keith Greer & staff

• Attendance - NCLB requires system @ 94% attendance. We're at 94.6%
• Pupil Personnel Workers
• Counselors
• School Nurses
• Resource Officers & Juvenile Probation Officers
• PBIS
• Homeless Students
• Section 504 Students (disabled)
• Wise - Requests copy of slides with statistics. Also would like to see a report on out-of-county students attending
• Greer - Most in-county out-of-zone is for daycare exceptions
• Abell - Requests presentation to be place on Board Docs for public to view.
• Abell - Requests report to include lots being bought and students attending schools with no house on lots.
• Carrington - Who is punished when students are referred to the states attorney?
• Greer - Both the parents and students could be punished depending on the circumstances.
• Bailey - 184,777 medical interventions. Is the data organized to determine how many individual students?
• Greer - No
• Pedersen - Hospitalized students count against our NCLB requirements?
• Greer - Yes
• Bailey - What are our consequences for failing this NCLB mandate?
• Greer - Just one of the factors figured into our overall requirements to meet adequate yearly progress.
• Shah - Excused vs. unexcused; can the data show the comparison.
• Greer - Yes

Report – Curriculum (Summer Programs) - Judy Estep & staff

• Summer Reading and Math Academies at all 3 levels
• SHIP (Summer Programs for Children with Special Needs)
• Enrichment Opportunities (Algebra, SAT, PSAT)
• Shah - How are students identified and targeted for invitation to programs? Open enrollment?
• Estep - Prospective list is generated by central office and distributed to schools. Those students are invited first and then open enrollment based on space available
• Carrington - 18 - 22 year old program.
• Estep - Job placement and transportation assistance in a natural environment
• Bailey - Do we see benefits of hiring aids and possible teacher recruiting efforts?
• Hettel - Yes
• Pedersen - Can't find summer information on web site. Is it available?
• Estep - Working on web-site. Advise parents to call office for more information

Report – Supporting Services (CIP)- Chuck Wineland; Steve Hagis, Jerry Barrett

• Davis (Falcons) furniture and equipment being delivered
• Neal - masonry and footings being done
• Craik - Roof-top replacements; contract gone to state
• Martin - Bids are within budget; going to state
• Pedersen - Possibilty of board touring Davis. Date TBD
• Pedersen - Orientation for students
• Cunningham - Orientation and transition dinner will be done when building is ready

Report – Supporting Services (New High School)- Chuck Wineland & staff

• "Green" school and program
• Planetarium and digital dome
• complete 6/2011
• 285,000 square feet + 4,000 square foot domed theater
• Was NOT approved by the state for FY 2008. Schematic development and design will continue and planning approval from the state will be requested in the FY09 CIP.
• County commissioners approved project budget request at total state and local costs of $97.6M
• Educational specifications must be submitted by July 1. Will vote on at next work session
• Shah - Any other schools have integrated planetariums
• Wineland - We will be the first in the nation and the digital dome could become a laser dome based on the latest technology available
• Shah - How much of construction cost is dome/planetarium?
• Wineland - $2M. Biggest and the best

Report – Supporting Services (Educational Facilities Master Plan)- Chuck Wineland & staff

• Elementary School #3 may not be Pinefield but may be Heritage Green
• Scheduled school openings
• Fall 2007 - Davis Middle School
• Fall 2008 - Neal Elementary School
• Fall 2009 - No School
• Fall 2010 - Elementary School #3 (Heritage Green or Pinefield)
• Fall 2011 - High School/Planetarium
• Fall 2012 - No School
• Fall 2013 - Elementary School #4 (Heritage Green or Pinefield)
• Fall 2014 - Middle School #2
• Fall 2015 - No School
• Fall 2016 - Elementary School #5

Report – Budget – Paul Balides

• See report
• Everything on track. Revenue slightly up. Expenses slightly down.
• Fund balance to be used for support/start-up costs at Davis Middle School, television studio equipment, textbooks, school priority requests and various building maintenance projects.
• Abell - formula used for school appropriations
• Balides - yes. Equal allocations based on enrollment and equipment

Report - Technology Update - BJ Devakota & Lora Bennett

• Vital Source presentation
• Textbook, curriculum, lesson plans, references all contained on laptops given to teachers.
• Adding courses annually
• Currently 100 laptops with LCD carts have been distributed. Adding 75 more next school year

Action - Personnel

*Vote to approve Personnel
Unanimous (Cook absent)
PASSED

Action - FY2008 Budget

*Vote to approve FY2008 Budget
Unanimous (Cook absent)
PASSED

Action - Out-of-County Tuition Fees

*Vote to approve Out of County Tuition Fees
Unanimous (Cook absent)
PASSED

Action - New Textbooks

*Vote to approve New Textbooks
Unanimous (Cook absent)
PASSED

Unfinished Business

• Diversity Blue Ribbon Committee
• Wade - Pedersen will represent the board

Future Agenda Items

• Abell - Freshman Seminar Update
• Carrington - Possibility of Diversity Training for students
• Bailey - Grades in database on a % instead of letter grade
• Wade - Ways to upgrade the board
• Pedersen - Trying to be present at all events
• Abell - Interactive Board calendar

ADJOURNED

Board Considers School Uniforms

Got your attention but no, not in Chuck County...in Harford County :)

According to an article in the Baltimore Sun, Harford county schools officials are seeking input about the proposal; report planned for December.

One of the goals listed in the school's five-year strategic plan is to conduct an inquiry about uniforms in Harford schools. For more than 10 years, the school system has allowed individual schools to enact voluntary uniform policies, but no Harford County schools require students to wear uniforms.

Harford County public school officials are exploring the possibility of mandatory uniforms for students.

Read the complete article HERE.

'Huge Gap' Found in States' Student Testing

An article in the Washington Times...
Read the complete article HERE.

There are big differences in how states are measuring student achievement in reading and math, and many state test standards set the bar far lower than national test standards, a new federal report released yesterday shows.

The study -- by the research arm of the Education Department -- is the government's first official comparison of states' testing standards since 2002 enactment of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law.

It will likely play a role in this year's effort to renew that law, which requires states to test students and set goals to bring all to proficiency level in reading and math by 2014, but doesn't mandate specific standards or define "proficiency."

REMINDER: Board Meeting, Tuesday, June 12th

Just wanted to remind everyone there is a Board Meeting Tuesday, June 12th.

4:30 - Student and Staff Recognition
5:30 - Closed Session (Board and staff only)
6:30 - Public Forum (Must sign-up prior to 6:30)
The remainder of the meeting immediately follows Public Forum

To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit Board Docs.

Reports include:

• Board Members
• EACC
• Superintendent
• Deputy Superintendent - Student Services
• Instruction Report - Summer Programs
• Supporting Services Report - CIP Update; New High School Ed. Specs.; Educational Facilities Master Plan
• Finance Report - Budget Update
• Technology Report - Update

Action Items:

• Personnel
• FY2008 Budget
• Out-of-County Tuition Fees
• New Textbooks

Scores Up Since 'No Child' Was Signed

Study's Authors Unsure Whether to Credit Law for Gains

The nation's students have performed significantly better on state reading and math tests since President Bush signed his landmark education initiative into law five years ago, according to a major independent study released yesterday.

The study's authors warned that it is difficult to say whether or how much the No Child Left Behind law is driving the achievement gains. But Republican and Democratic supporters of the law said the findings indicate that it has been a success. Some said the findings bolster the odds that Congress will renew the controversial law this year.

Read the complete Washington Post article HERE.

Project Graduation 2007

The Project Graduation event for Charles County Public Schools graduating seniors will be held from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. June 4 and 5 at the College of Southern Maryland.

The event is sponsored by The Chemical People of Charles County and is held after graduation ceremonies to offer seniors a chemical-free place to celebrate. Graduating seniors from Maurice J. McDonough, Westlake and Thomas Stone high schools will attend the event scheduled for June 4. Henry E. Lackey High School and La Plata High School graduates will attend the June 5 event.

Activities include dancing, swimming, make-your-own DVDs, defender dome and gladiator games, moon bounce, Lazer Tag and other carnival-type games. Each graduating senior will receive a complimentary beach towel and scope photograph key chain. Free food and drinks will be provided, and attendees are eligible to win prizes, such as televisions, radios and mini-refrigerators, through random ticket drawings.

Ticket books for the event will be distributed by each high school for all graduating seniors. These tickets allow graduates and one guest entrance to the event. Attendees must have a ticket to enter the CSM campus, and participants who leave the event will not be allowed to return.

The event is chaperoned and monitored by law enforcement officers. The Chemical People of Charles County have sponsored Project Graduation for more than 20 years to provide graduates with a safe place to celebrate.

For more information on Project Graduation or to volunteer call 301-934-7732 or 301-870-3008, Ext. 7213

Open Thread Saturday!

"Open Thread" Saturday is a place for you to tell me what you would like to see on this site. What can I do to make it more user-friendly, topics you would like to see discussed in the future, questions or concerns. So here you go, give me your feedback.

Four Veteran Principals Will Be Missed

Four principals will be leaving CCPS at the end of the school year taking with them, 55 years of combined experience.

• North Point High School - Peter Cevenini - A Charles County educator for 17 years will be pursuing a career with Cisco Systems as the K-12 education consultant for Internet Business Solutions Group. North Point houses the Cisco Networking Academy, which trains students in computer networking.
• Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School - Susan Fowler - Principal of Jenifer for 10 years, is retiring from Charles and has accepted a position as principal of Lexington Park Elementary School in St. Mary’s County
• Benjamin Stoddert Middle School - Sylvia Lawson - CCPS for more than 20 years will become the vice principal at Patuxent High School in Lusby (Calvert County)
• William A. Diggs Elementary School - Kristen Shields - CCPS for seven years will be returning to Pennsylvania, where she has been appointed principal at Latrobe Elementary School.

Interviews to fill the vacancies began in January, and Superintendent James E. Richmond will make his recommendations to the school board June 12 and 25. The board will then make a decision on who will fill the positions.

Chamber of Commerce - Education Committee

As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, I attended our monthly meeting of the Education Committee yesterday morning where the guest speakers were none other than Mr. Richmond and Ms. J. Estep and instructional staff. They gave a very informative presentation on high shool assessments and answered some of the committees questions and concerns. In closing the meeting, the atmosphere was very positive of future partnerships between the Charles County Public School system and the business community, with an emphasis on what we (the two of them) can do for our students and what CCPS can do to better prepare our students to enter the local business community. A future meeting was discussed but a date was not set.

A History of Public Education

In Southern Maryland Living...

Maryland's public school system was officially born in 1865-during the same time that the Civil War ended, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, and Congress amended the Constitution to abolish slavery.

In an extract from the Proceedings and Acts of the Maryland General Assembly in 1867 concerning education, the law states: "It shall be the duty of all teachers, in schools of every grade, to impress upon the minds of youth…the principles of piety and justice, loyalty and sacred regard for truth, love of their country, humanity and benevolence, sobriety, industry and chastity…."

Read the complete article HERE.

Why AP and IB Schools Soar

In the Washington Post...

By the late 1990s, California voters and the University of California regents had banned admission preferences for minorities in the UC system, and several members of the faculty at the University of California-San Diego were not happy about it. Scholars like Cecil Lytle, Bud Mehan and Peter Gourevitch thought public universities had been created to break down the old barriers of race, privilege and class and give the state's most disadvantaged students the life-changing advantages of a higher education. What could they do?

Find out HERE.

Supreme Court Rules on Education Lawsuits

Today in the New York Times...

The Supreme Court ruled today that parents of children with disabilities need not hire lawyers if they want to sue public school districts over their children’s special-education needs…

Read more HERE.

Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity and Inter-Group Relations

UPDATE: Pam Pedersen, will be representing the Board of Education.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Members, including myself, were appointed tonight in the commissioners office. The focus of this group is on positively improving the racial and social climate in the area by gathering opinion; the review and exchange of ideas, the sharing of practical proposals and long-term visions from citizens at all levels. The group consists of 25 diverse, educated, caring residents of Charles County who will serve staggered terms for 2, 3, and 4 years. The first actual working meeting will take place June 27th at CSM where the group will work on goals and elect officers.

Cisco Education Day, 5/23/07

I had the pleasure of attending Cisco Education Day at North Point today and it as well attended by my fellow board members, commissioners, principals, staff, Dr. Grasmick, and numerous Cisco employees. A few highlights include...

• CCPS was presented with Cisco's 21st Century School Award
• Mr. Richmond was presented with a sextant for Outstanding Vision & Leadership
• A presentation by Suzie Jones, Cisco Networking Academy Alumni

In addition a roundtable discussion with panelists: Supt. Richmond, Dr. Grasmick, Supt. Annie Wimbish (Hattiesburg Public School Distric), and Ken Kay (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, President).

A delicious lunch was prepared and served by the North Point Culinary Academy and Cisco, along with 21st Century Skills, made a presentation.

After lunch the entire group toured North Point and took part in a virtual tour of Matthew Henson.

Notes From Board Work Session, 5/21/07

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. Please follow-up for official minutes upon approval. For copies of printed reports presented visit Board Docs.

Public Forum

• None

Overview of Testing (J. Estep & staff)

• Estep & staff gave a very informative presentation on the overall testing schedules for each grade and procedures.
• Abell - Requested copies of the slides and also placement on BoardDocs.
• Pedersen - How does staff evaluate themselves on the tests?
• Eichel - The test are directly related to state tests. We also use an item analysis for each question.
• Pedersen - Tests seem to focus on targeting the students in need of assistance; what about the above average or "gifted"?
• Estep - Hopes each school would evaluate their data received from the tests and target those for advancement. Currently not a system in place to identify "gifted" students but should be forthcoming.

Out-of-County Tuition Fees (P. Balides)

• Increase out of county by 10.6% ($6,415) and out of state by 11.5% ($10,555).
• Additional charges and fees were presented for special education or students requiring additional services (see report)
• 06-07 school year = 64 students (53 students; 11 special education)
• Abell - Are the fees prorated for partial years
• Balides - Yes
• Is the fee and the proposed increase standard and average when compared to surrounding counties?
• Balides - Yes
• Pedersen - Do we have to accept the students?
• Balides - Most we have to accept, i.e. foster care; judicial system

Out-of-County Tuition Fees (P. Balides)

• Incorporates additional $1,976,400 funding
• Budget reflects recent changes in state and local appropriations as of 5/18/07.
• Local county appropriations increased by $1.8M and are allocated to address increases in health insurance, GASB 45, provide funding for a television studio and reallocate budgets to reflect current spending patterns.
• County revenues were increased by 1.8M due to energy de-regulation funding and revised revenue estimates.
• Final state funding allocations increased $151,400 from the proposed operating budget.
• Total balanced operating budget is 282.1M, which is 11.4% over fiscal year 2007.
• Food service operating budget includes a .20 cent price increase for meals.

Executive (Closed) Session

REMINDER: Board Work Session, 5/21/07

Reminder....there is a Board Work Session immediately following student recognition at North Point on Monday, May 21.
5:00 - Closed Session (Board and staff only)
6:00 - Student Recognition
7:00 - Public Work Session

To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit Board Docs.

Reports include:
Overview of Testing
Out-of-County Tuition Fees
FY 2008 Operating Budget
Draft Minutes of 5/8/07 Board Meeting

Graduation Rates

The Washington Post had an article in today's Southern Maryland section titled Graduation Rates Called Into Question

A new online database of graduation rates indicates more than one in three high school students in St. Mary's County drop out, a major deviation from the county's 87.2 percent official graduation rate reported by the state.

Ouch! That hurt! CHarles and Calvert's deviations were minute compared to this. I also found the below articles at the Center for Public Education web-site. (Click on the title to read the complete article.)

Keeping kids in school: Lessons from research about preventing dropouts

In recent years, states have focused much attention on student achievement, but little on how many students ultimately leave school with a diploma in hand. This is changing: Nearly every governor has pledged to develop tougher ways to measure graduation rates at the same time that the No Child Left Behind Act has begun requiring states to hold schools and districts accountable for the results.

And this article, Dropouts: Myths v. Realities, was also interesting.

BoE splitting up Hawkins Gate

In an article on the Baynet by Anna Dailey...

Five Hawkins Gate Road parents stood at the lectern last Tuesday in a final effort to convince the Charles County Board of Education (BoE) that including Hawkins Gate Road in the new Neal Elementary district was illogical and unreasonable.

Hawkins Gate resident Gail Jacobs expressed her disillusionment with the BoE. She called attention to the paltry number of her neighbors at the meeting as an indication of their feelings that the board doesn’t care about these children. She explained “[the board's] decisions have disillusioned many [Hawkins Gate] parents."

Read the complete article HERE.

--------------------------------------------------------

In addition, Lynwood Jacobs sent a letter to the editor...

Well it's official! The Charles County School Board has declared the Hawkins Gate Road area as now a part of St. Charles and the greater Waldorf area!

Read the complete letter HERE.

Benefits of Going Direct

An article in the American School Board Journal, April Issue

Bypassing media gatekeepers and getting to your audience first is sound management, plus it beats the naysayers at their own game.

Read more HERE

Board of Ed Only Pretends to Listen

La Plata, Charles County - 5/9/2007
Reader's letter on the BayNet
By Lisa McConnell

My husband and I were disgusted by the Charles County Board of Education after last Tuesday’s meeting. They could not give one single reason why Hawkins Gate was zoned. Not one. It's not closer, not cheaper, does not feed to Milton Sommers, is not located on a natural boundary, is not even in Waldorf. And the hearings are just a formality.

They don't want to set a precedent of public persuasion. Ms Cook accused us of being snobs about La Plata schools yet employees of Charles County Public Schools send their kids to Matula even though they are not zoned for it. We have heard 90 kids are attending Matula as an "exception". Why? Because CCPS employees can send their kids anywhere in the county. If all Charles County schools are quality schools, then why do they send them to Matula when they work at other elementary schools?

Ms Pedersen has a personal vendetta to make sure that everyone goes through what she went through with redistricting. She made that quite clear.

Ms Wise "claimed" the Matula principal advertised for a representative to serve on the redistricting committee-yet I never heard or saw any such notice. I didn't even know an elementary school was being built until 1-2 weeks before the redistricting plans were complete. My son's teacher lives on our street. CCPS would have had no problem locating a Hawkins Gate parent for the committee.

Except for Jennifer Abell, not one person on that board will get my vote next election. They are elected officials. We elect them to look out for our best interest-not to be afraid to speak their own minds. It seems like they had their minds made up and nothing we said was going to change that.

The Board said "that's the way it has always been in the past". I hate that statement. It is an ignorant statement. That statement is the reason things never change for the better. That statement is an excuse not to work.

Why do we have board members if things should never change? We could save a lot of money and just keep everything the same.

The rest of the Board picks on Jennifer Abell because they are afraid of the change she stands for. They are afraid of her blog, and they should be. Now people know where they stand. The whole redistricting process is flawed and corrupt; and Charles County will suffer because of it. But most importantly, the children will suffer. That makes me mad most of all.

Lisa McConnell
La Plata

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ms McConnell is referring to a recent decision by the Charles County Board of Education to include the 24 children living on Hawkins Gate Road, La Plata in the newly formed district for Neal Elementary, currently under construction. The parents of Hawkins Gate requested that their children be allowed to stay at Matula Elementary and provided facts to support their request. They voiced their request through email, public forums, and letters to the BoE. They even picketed the last BoE work session in April.

On Tuesday 8 May 2007, Members Jennifer Abell & Collins Bailey voted to allow Hawkins Gate to remain at Matula Elementary. Members Pam Pedersen, Maura Cook, Charles Carrington, Vice-Chair Bobbi Wise, Chairman Donald Wade and Student Board Member Andrew Van Woerkam all voted against. Hawkins Gate’s request was denied by a vote of 2 to 6 against.

Notes from Board Meeting 5/8/07

Sorry for the delay. Computer troubles :(

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. Please follow-up for official minutes upon approval. For copies of printed reports presented visit Board Docs.

Public Forum

• Male - Pleased with board involvement in NSBA, San Francisco, Germany visitors.
• Female - LaPlata 10% of county growth. 100 seats given to LaPlata. Quotes other statistics on LaPlata, growth, new developments, etc. Against Hawkins Gate redistricting.
• Female - parent visitation policy. Envision a child with limited communication skills. Write questions in communication book with no response. Has to pick-up child in the front office, no staff communication. Volunteers are in classrooms. Open doors for parents.
• Female - against Hawkins Gate. Lost all respect for system. Told they are not "truly LaPlata residents." Base vote on conscience, not politics.
• Male - Against Hawkins Gate redistricting. 90 students currently at Matula that reside outside of school zone. Please re look at Proposal A.
• Male - Can't find anything positive out of this redistricting. Misinformation given by staff. Disappointed in Board if passed. Members have said in private they don't want to set a precedence.
• Female - Parent, teacher, volunteer. Hawkins Gate Road. 8 year old son at Matula. Could not explain to him reasons for move. Because "they said so," sons response. No good reasons. Go back to drawing board.

Action - Approval of Minutes from 4/3/07 and 4/23/07

• Abell - List of public forum comments should be added to the work session notes.

*Vote to approve minutes as amended

Unanimous

PASSED

Correspondence/Board Member Updates

• Wade, Wise, Cook– Briefed the public on the conference and chose their favorite session to discuss.
• Abell - Stated she had given all her notes to the Board secretary for copy and disbursement to other Board members and they can also be found on her web-site.

Report – EACC – Bill Fisher

• Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!
• Negotiations complete and accepted.
• Reported results from election of officers for EACC

Report - Student Board Member – Andrew VanWoerken

• Reported results from elections
• Farewells and plans for the future

Report – Superintendent – Jim Richmond

• History AP hints were available on I-tunes
• High school assessments coming up
• CISCO Education Day
• Walldorf Germany visit
• Dedication of Diggs
• Meeting with NASA, top astronomers, re new high school
• Strengthen Math & Science through entire system.
• Partnership with Pensa, Russia on live satellite feeds for classrooms
• Abell - update on Tri-County Board meeting
• Richmond - Supt.'s to get back with him after discussing with their boards

Report – Curriculum - Judy Estep & staff

• New text book for 8th grade Social Studies
• New text book for "Meeting the Middle" - middle school reading intervention
• New text book for teaching program at the high school level
• All books will be available for display at certain schools and at the Starkey building for 30-days
• Wise - Questions on the teaching program, is it new? NO
• Bailey - Social Studies book questions. History is interpretive. New history?
• Pedersen - Is technology available with the text. YES.

Report – CIP - Chuck Wineland; Steve Hagis, Jerry Barrett

• Davis MS on schedule to open 8/07
• Abell - Gwynn Center Pool heating element
• Richmond - trying to renovate entire school under special ed through state and federal grants.

Report – Budget – Paul Balides

• See report
• School system projects fund balance to be in the range of $3 - $5 million depending on expense factors. Used for support/start-up costs at Davis Middle School, television studio equipment, textbooks, school priority requests and various building maintenance projects.
• Food Service Program Update -Price increased by .10 in February cut the expected deficit in half. Fund balance will help offset remainder. Possible price increase again for next year.

Action - Negotiations

*Vote to approve negotiated contract
Unanimous
PASSED

Report - Technology Update - BJ Devakota

• Electronic Gradebook Presentation & Discussion
• Pedersen - Hopefully a future for system wide requirement

Report – Legislative – Eric Schwartz

• Bridge to Excellence
• Master Plan Updates will continue for the next two years
• School construction 2009 $400M then drop to about $250M
• HB619 - requires Supt. to notify the BOE of any criminal charges
• Charter school bill never passed
• Labor relations board bill did not pass

Action - Personnel

*Vote to personnel Package A
Unanimous
PASSED

*Vote to personnel Package B
Yes - Bailey, Carrington, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise
No - Abell
PASSED

Action - 2008-2009 Calendar

*Vote to approve 2008 - 2009 Calendar
Unanimous
PASSED

Action - Redistricting

• Abell - Motioned seconded by Bailey to accept the Supt. recommendation (Package A) with the exception of Hawkins Gate Subdivision.
• Bailey - Always support open enrollment. Board need to re look at process.
• Abell - Contrary to fellow Board members opinion, does not believe it sets a precedence. Each vote and situation should be taken on a case by case basis
• Carrington - Clarification of Case by case
• Pedersen - Consistency among schools including redistricting
• Wise - Committee was fair and came up with the same solution in both packages
• Cook - A lot of angst. Only 27 students as opposed to 27,000 in system.
• Abell - Consider the circumstances of each case, not past cases or future cases.
• Bailey - kudos to fellow members. Best board in years.

*Vote to approve Package A with exception of Hawkins Gate
Yes - Abell, Bailey
No - Carrington, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise
FAILED

*Vote to approve Package A
Yes - Bailey, Carrington, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise
No - Abell
PASSED

Action - New Business

*Vote to approve architects for new schools
Unanimous
PASSED

Future Agenda Items

• Wise - next step for parent visitation policy?
• Abell - asked for a sub committee to review and discuss public input; possibly break into two policies one for classroom observation and one for volunteering. Believes there is confusion with the one policy.
• Wise motioned seconded by Cook to continue with the current visitation policy

*Vote to approve to continue with current visitation policy
Yes - Bailey, Carrington, Cook, Pedersen, Wade, Wise
No - Abell
PASSED

ADJOURNED

Locks and Buzzers for School Visitors???

That is what awaits school visitors in Loudon County according to an article in the Washington Post today.

Like some others in the Washington area, Loudoun County schools soon will greet all visitors with something new: a locked front door, a video camera and a button-activated intercom to request entrance. Inside, office staff will screen the visitors and decide whom to buzz in.

The video intercom, common in apartment buildings around the world, is turning up increasingly in public schools. After the 1999 Columbine High School shootings and subsequent school tragedies, limiting access is a top concern for every school administrator.

Read more HERE.

REMINDER: Board Meeting, Tuesday, 5/8/07

Just wanted to remind everyone there is a Board Meeting Tuesday, May 8th.

4:30 - Student and Staff Recognition
5:30 - Closed Session (Board and staff only)
6:30 - Public Forum (Must sign-up prior to 6:30)
The remainder of the meeting immediately follows Public Forum

To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit Board Docs.

Reports include:

• Instruction Report - New text book review
• Supporting Services Report - CIP Update
• Finance Report - Budget Update
• Attorney Report - Legislative Update
• Technology Report - Update

Action Items:

• Personnel
• 2008 - 2009 Calendar
• Redistricting Committee's Recommendation for Mary Burgess Neal Elementary School
• Employee's Negotiated Agreement - Contract Signing

Editorial: Parents Aren't the Enemy

In an Editorial on the BayNet...

One thing became quite apparent to me during Monday’s Board of Education parent visitation policy forum: Special Education Providers need to remember that parents are not the enemy. Parents are essential allies with educators in the battle to overcome disabilities.

Read more HERE.

Parents of School Board: "They're Tying Our Hands"

On the BayNet...

Matula Elementary families who live on Hawkins Gate Road picketed the recent Board of Education work session at the Starkey Administration Building. They hoped to convince the Board to let their children remain at Matula Elementary when the new Neal Elementary opens at the start of the 2008-2009 school year.

Read more HERE.

Lack of Posting

Just wanted to apologize for the lack of new posts this week. I've been really busy covering the March of Dimes WalkAmerica and promise to be back in full swimg after the 8th of May.