BOARD OF EDUCATION OF FREDERICK COUNTY

PUBLIC HEARING ON CENTRAL FREDERICK COUNTY

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AREA

February 13, 2002

The Board of Education of Frederick County met at 7:30 p.m. in the Staff Development Center, Hayward Road Complex. In attendance were President Ronald W. Peppe, II, Vice President Daryl A. Boffman, Deborah Ann Aughenbaugh, Stephen Crawford, Anne B. Hooper, Linda S. Naylor, and Jean A. Smith. Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale, Secretary-Treasurer; Judith A. Ricketts, Administrative Director; and John L. Thompson, Jr., County Commissioner Liaison to the Board of Education. Ryan C. Tuck, Student Representative to the Board of Education, was absent.

Mr. Peppe opened the meeting, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mr. Peppe announced the process and procedures for this evening’s hearing. He swore in the community members to the Code of Conduct on civil behavior. Mr. Peppe also announced that Hispanic and sign language interpreters were present if needed.

Ray Barnes, Executive Director of Facilities Services, provided background information on the redistricting process, and he presented the Superintendent’s recommended area changes associated with the new Tuscarora High School, Crestwood Middle School, and the South Frederick Area Elementary School. Mr. Barnes noted that written comments as well as emails and faxes will be taken into consideration by the Board.

The hearing was then opened to the public, and testimony was presented by the following individuals:

Holly Haupt – Frederick High School alternate on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC), requested that a community liaison visit the Sagner and Carver communities to ask those parents which options are best for their children.

Donna Smyth – representative for Brunswick Middle School CAC, supported the plan.

Laurie Parker – President of the South Frederick Elementary School PTA, stated that the South Frederick families support the report and feel well informed and well represented on the CAC. She submitted a petition signed by the South Frederick Elementary School staff in support of the report.

Kim Asbury – President of the Ballenger Creek Middle School PTSA, opposed the plan and presented letters in opposition to the plan.

Rick Firestone - Alternate for West Frederick Middle School on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee, supported the report.

Richard Wiles - representative of the Ballenger Creek PTSA, supported the report.

Evelyn Holmes - representing Orchard Grove Elementary School, and PTA Representative, opposed the report and presented the Board with a petition.

Kittybelle Hosford – Assistant Professor of Education, supported the plan.

Denise Fargo-Devine – Principal of Frederick High School, spoke in support of the report.

Beth Webb – representing Ballenger Creek Elementary School, presented alternatives to the plan.

Lauren Tilton – President of Ballenger Creek Elementary PTSA, supported Beth Webb’s plan.

Addie Walker – recommended modifications to the plan to accommodate the children of the military at Ft. Detrick.

Bonnie Hopkins – read a letter from the 39 educators at Hillcrest Elementary School in support of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee Report.

Melinda Wahr – stated that the Ft. Detrick community opposes the recommendations.

Jackie Parks – opposed the recommendations for the Ft. Detrick community.

Jean Ann Firestone – West Frederick Middle School CAC Representative, spoke in support of the report; noted that West Frederick Middle School educators signed a petition in support of the report.

Hilary Schaub – Opposed the plan.

Katherine McBride – representing 78 children from the Sagner area who did not know about the plan; said that it was a racist plan.

Penny Thompson – representing the Sagner area, opposed the plan and indicated that she was not contacted.

Kup Hoagland – Alternate on the CAC for Ballenger Creek Elementary School, supported Beth Webb’s recommendations.

George Yourick – supported the report.

Alan Imhoff – supported the report with the addition of a 5^th period to the high school day.

Gail Colby – Hillcrest Elementary School CAC representative, supported the plan.

Eric Percy – supported the recommendations.

Suzanne Fioravanti – member of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee, stated if the plan is approved that strong liaisons be placed at the schools to help with the transition of special needs children.

Belinda Kleinknecht – opposed the plan, spoke in support of Beth Webb’s plan.

Cindi Hindman – Parkway Elementary School CAC representative, supported the recommendations.

Paul Feinberg – supported the recommendations.

Thomas Kloc – representing Gov. Thomas Johnson High School PTSA, supported the recommendations with additional resources to meet the students’ needs.

David Langston – supported Mr. Kloc’s comments.

Cathy Anderson – representing Parkway Elementary School, supported the report.

Beth Esmont – representing Whittier Elementary School, supported the recommendations.

Rebecca Taylor – opposed the report; asked that the plan be modified for those students who live on Basford Road.

Randy Gigante – supported the recommendations.

Debbie Langowski – supported the recommendations.

Penny Basnight – opposed the report.

Lauren Kremers – supported the report; requested additional resources to assist students who are impacted by the changes.

The meeting was recessed at 9:35 p.m. and was reconvened at 9:47 p.m.

Kathy Fay – continued with Denise Fargo-Devine’s comments, and presented her own comments in support of the recommendations in writing.

Brenda Lucas – supported the recommendations with the modification to send students on Mountville Road to Tuscarora High.

Bethany Dellagnello – spoke in favor of the report.

Dede Pew – Community Liaison from South Frederick Elementary School, supported the report.

Debbie Powell – supported the recommendations.

Jana Sheffer – supported the report.

Kathy Hartsock – Principal of West Frederick Middle School, supported the report.

Susan Riuli – representative to the CAC, supported the recommendations with additional people resources to assist with the transition and the additional students from underprivileged neighborhoods.

Meg Lail – opposed the plan which opens Tuscarora High over capacity.

Dean Herrin – supported the report.

Diane Nolan – Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle School CAC Representative, supported the report and asked the individuals from Whittier Elementary who are in support of the report to raise their hands.

Becky Ahearn – supported the report.

Susan Thomas – military family, supported the report for balance.

Melanie Pantazopoulos – opposed the report.

Carla O’Hagan – supported the recommendations.

David Greber – supported the plan.

M. C. Keegan-Ayers – supported the recommendations.

Michelle Kight – supported the recommendations.

Chris Bartlett – supported the recommendations with modifications for Basford Road.

Susan Briggs – supported the recommendations.

Kim Laster – supported the plan.

Angela Gladchuck – supported the report.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:42 p.m.

Jack D. Dale

Secretary-Treasurer

Ronald W. Peppe, II

President

Judith A. Ricketts

Administrative Director