BOARD OF EDUCATION OF
FREDERICK COUNTY
|
NOTICE TO READERS - Following Robert's
Rules of Order, the official minutes of the Board of Education reflect
the actions of the Board. For details
regarding a particular meeting, the Board encourages individuals to obtain
video or audio tapes which are readily available from the Frederick County
Public School System's Instructional Materials Center located at 7630 Hayward
Road, Frederick, Maryland. All
regular Board of Education meetings are broadcast on Cable, Channel 18. |
REGULAR MINUTES
January 9, 2002
The Board of Education met at 12:55 p.m. in the Board Room. In attendance were
Ronald W. Peppe, II, President; Daryl A. Boffman, Vice President; Deborah A. Aughenbaugh; Stephen Crawford; Anne B. Hooper; and Jean A. Smith. Linda S. Naylor was absent. Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale, Secretary-Treasurer, and Judith A. Ricketts, Administrative Director.
Budget Committee members present were R. Daniel Cunningham and Michele Krantz, Associate Superintendents; Harold Keller, Jr., Executive Director of Fiscal Services; Ray Barnes, Executive Director of Facilities Services; Elaine Klein, Executive Director of Community Services; Linda Burgee, Elementary Director; Sharon West, Supervisor of Special Education; Patrick Kelly, Executive Director of Technology Services; Paula Lawton, Executive Director of Human Resources; Jamie Cannon; Executive Director of Legal Services; and Marita Loose, Communications Specialist.
Mr. Peppe opened the meeting and introduced Emily Salmon, reporter for The Gazette.
Dr. Dale noted the purpose of this meeting. Mr. Peppe summarized the discussion at the January 8, 2002, Joint Meeting with the Board of County Commissioners on the Board of Education’s operating budget. Further discussion ensued regarding projected revenue and potential funding from the Thornton Commission.
Mrs. Hooper detailed her list of suggested budget requests and Dr. Dale’s response to these suggestions. Additionally, she reviewed her suggestions for a draft profile of budget-related items for Frederick County Public Schools. Staff responded to Board members’ questions on various budget issues. Dr. Dale shared the results of the survey with the Budget Committee and the leadership team on the priority levels of the items on the Budget Enhancement Requests. Mr. Peppe noted that these items were not new and that many had been on the list for several years, but not funded. The Board increased the number of reading positions at the high school level from half-time positions to full-time positions at each of the eight high schools, adding an amount of $214,080 to the Budget Enhancement Requests.
The meeting was recessed at 2:30 p.m. and was reconvened at 2:55 p.m. All Board of Education members were present except Linda S. Naylor. Also present were Jack D. Dale, Judith A. Ricketts, and members of the Budget Committee.
Discussion was held regarding presentation of the Automated Questionnaire and wording on the salary resource pool question so that it would not be misinterpreted by the public.
The meeting was recessed at 3:50 p.m. and was reconvened at 4:05 p.m. All Board of Education members except Linda S. Naylor were present. Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale and Judith A. Ricketts. Staff members present were Lynn Carr, Curriculum Specialist for Secondary Physical Education, Health, and Athletics; and Jeannie Schulze, Curriculum Specialist for Elementary Physical Education and Health; Michele Krantz; R. Daniel Cunningham; Elaine Klein; and Marita Loose.
Dr. Dale noted that questions asked by the Board were given to Ms. Schulze and Mr. Carr to take to the December 18, 2001, Family Life Advisory Committee meeting.
Dr. Dale emphasized that we have a very strong abstinence-based program; and in some respect, it could be described as an abstinence-only curriculum since abstinence is stressed throughout the Family Life and HIV/AIDS Prevention Program for eighth and ninth grade students. Ms. Schulze and Mr. Carr summarized the comments and feedback from the members of the Family Life Advisory Committee (attached).
A great deal of discussion was held regarding the value and difficulties of a survey.
Mrs. Hooper moved to accept the report of the Family Life Advisory Committee. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Aughenbaugh. Following further discussion, the motion carried with four favorable votes. Mr. Peppe and Mr. Boffman opposed the motion.
The Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room. In attendance were Ronald W. Peppe, II, President; Daryl A. Boffman, Vice President; Deborah A. Aughenbaugh; Stephen Crawford, Anne B. Hooper, Linda S. Naylor, and Jean A. Smith. Also in attendance were Judith A. Ricketts, Administrative Director, and Judy Bresler, Board of Education attorney.
In accordance with Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, Section 10-508(A)(7),
Mrs. Smith moved to go into closed session to consult with counsel. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Aughenbaugh and unanimously approved.
The Board unanimously approved the Closed Session minutes of December 9, 2001.
The Board of Education upheld the Superintendent’s decision in a transfer request.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:01 p.m.
The Board of Education met at 6:08 p.m. in the Board Room. In attendance were
Ronald W. Peppe, II, President; Daryl A. Boffman, Vice President; Deborah A. 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.
Mr. Peppe opened the meeting, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The agenda as presented was unanimously approved.
Mr. Peppe announced the time, place, and topic of the Closed Session and cited the law for closing the meeting.
The Board unanimously approved the minutes of the December 12, 2001, Regular Meeting.
Mr. O’Neill spoke regarding gender discrimination in the system and stated that he would be submitting written proposals to address this problem.
Ms. Firestone, member of the Central Frederick County Citizens’ Advisory Committee representing West Frederick Middle School, spoke in support of the committee’s recommendations and appealed to the Board to do the same.
Mr.Wiles, member of the Central Frederick County Citizens’ Advisory Committee representing South Frederick Elementary School, stated that he strongly supports the redistricting committee’s recommendations without amendments.
Ms. Fox, representative of an Urbana Elementary School PTA Subcommittee, spoke regarding the transition of highly able and gifted students into the middle school. She stated the need for a clear policy that defines highly able and gifted children and goals to educate them, and she said that there needs to be an administrator to assure that the curriculum is coordinated to meet these goals.
Mr. Yourick stated that the report of the Central Frederick County Citizens’ Advisory Committee is well thought-out and strives to enhance the quality of education for all students. He urged the Board to adopt the committee’s report.
Ms. Carlson stated that she was in total support of balancing the schools and recommends approval of the Central Frederick County Citizens’ Advisory Committee report as sent to
Dr. Dale.
Mr. Herrin spoke in support of the Central Frederick County Citizens’ Advisory Committee Report noting that the committee had broad representation and that the report is the fairest and best solution to the redistricting issue.
Ms. Fleming spoke in support of the Central Frederick County Citizens’ Advisory Committee report stating it was the most equitable solution to the issues.
Ms. Colby spoke in support of the majority report of the Central Frederick County Citizens’ Advisory Committee.
Ms. Fay, President of the Frederick High School PTSA, supported the report of the Central Frederick County Citizens’ Advisory Committee as presented.
Mr. Fay supported the recommendations of the Central Frederick County Citizens’ Advisory Committee that provides socioeconomic balance.
Ms. Sheffer supported the recommendations of the Central Frederick County Citizens’ Advisory Committee and asked that the Board respect the committee’s work.
Ms. Ingram stated that she was present this evening to hear the presentation on curriculum changes to accommodate gifted and talented students in the middle schools. She asked if there was a clear policy as well as guidelines in place on how to educate gifted and talented children.
Mr. Alley, member of the Family Life Advisory Committee, spoke regarding the need for abstinence education in Frederick County Public Schools and stated that such a program would demonstrate that the Board considered and acted upon the input from parents on this important educational issue.
Ms. Fisher supported the report of the Central Frederick County Citizens’ Advisory Committee in its entirety.
The Regular Minutes of the December 12, 2001, Board of Education Meeting were unanimously approved.
(Dr. Crawford left the room at 6:54 p.m. and reentered at 7:00 p.m. following approval of the Consent Agenda.)
The Board approved the consent agenda:
Staffing Changes
Bids
Catoctin High School Greenhouse
Design Development Drawings – South Frederick City Area Elementary School
Design Development Drawings – Frederick City Area Middle School
Horman, Rudy, Middletown Middle
Ramey, Jane, Gov. Thomas Johnson High
Leland, Fae, Urbana/Valley Elementary
Ross, Donna, Gov. Thomas Johnson High
Callahan, Linda, Whittier Elementary – effective December 17, 2001
Grisez, Monica, Monocacy Elementary – effective January 2, 2002
Horman, Rudy, Middletown Middle – effective January 1, 2002
Llewellyn, Susan, Ballenger Creek Elementary – effective January 1, 2002
Mason, Kimberly, Gov. Thomas Johnson High – effective January 22, 2002
Ramey, Jane, Gov. Thomas Johnson High – effective January 1, 2002
Warner, Mimi, Heather Ridge School – effective January 22, 2002
Weiland, Victoria, Windsor Knolls Middle – effective January 22, 2002
FACILITIES AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Unit Price Contract for Roof Replacement/Repair, #02-M-4
Mr. Peppe noted that this topic involves a family member and he, therefore, could not participate in the discussion. The chair was turned over to Mr. Boffman.
Following Board members’ comments in support of Matthew D. Peppe’s application, Mrs. Smith moved to appoint Matthew D. Peppe to the Family Life Advisory Committee. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Aughenbaugh and carried with six favorable votes. Mr. Peppe recused himself from voting.
PROPOSED
CHANGES TO ACCOMMODATE GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Stephen K. Hess, Director of Curriculum and Evaluation, provided background information on the study undertaken during the spring of 2001 to examine elementary magnet students’ transition to middle school. Bruce Brown, Instructional Director of Middle Schools, presented the committee charge and findings. The nine committee recommendations were
also presented. Staff responded to Board members’ questions. It was noted that the recommendations could be addressed with current resources. Once the county-wide educational philosophy and vision for Gifted and Talented children are developed, it would be presented to the Curriculum and Instruction Committee.
Mrs.
Smith announced that the Academic Tournament meets every Friday night for six
weeks. She encouraged the public to
attend.
Dr. Dale noted that within the next few weeks, the School Report will be sent home. He further noted that there would be an opportunity for community members to again participate in a poll on the Frederick County Public Schools’ Operating Budget.
Regarding school closings and delays, Dr. Dale encouraged the public to sign up for an automatic email from www.schools-out.com. He also pointed out that individuals need to be aware of announcements regarding Frederick County Public Schools to make certain that the media is referring to Frederick County, Maryland, not Frederick County, Virginia, schools.
Dr. Dale noted that the Superintendent’s Roundtables begin tomorrow at Brunswick High School, 7 p.m.
Mr. Peppe announced that in addition to the need for one additional student representative to the Family Life Advisory Committee that the Board is still seeking a member for its Ethics Panel.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Jack D. Dale
Secretary-Treasurer
Ronald W. Peppe, II
President
Judith A. Ricketts
Administrative Director