BOARD OF EDUCATION OF
FREDERICK COUNTY
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REGULAR MINUTES
March 13, 2002
PLANNING SESSION
The Board of Education met in the Board Room at 2:12 p.m. for its Planning Session. In attendance were President Ronald W. Peppe, II, Deborah A. Aughenbaugh; Stephen Crawford; Anne B. Hooper; Linda S. Naylor; and Jean A. Smith. Vice President Daryl A. Boffman entered the meeting at 2:50 p.m. Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale, Secretary-Treasurer; Judith A. Ricketts, Administrative Director; Harold Keller, Jr. Executive Director of Fiscal Services;
R. Daniel Cunningham, Associate Superintendent; and Michele Krantz, Associate Superintendent.
Members of Monocacy Montesorri Communities, Inc. including Leslie Mansfield, Coordinator; Cynthia Wilcox, psychologist; and Norman Quist were present. Also present were Joni Gardner, President of the Maryland Charter School Network, and Hal Noer, realtor.
Members of Monocacy Montesorri Communities, Inc. responded to Board of Education members’ questions regarding enrollment, various budgets submitted, and certification. Paula Lawton, Executive Director of Human Relations, spoke regarding certification and the Resident Teacher Program. After considerable discussion, Dr. Crawford moved approval of the Monocacy Montesorri Communities, Inc.’s application subject to the following provisions:
Based on the budget for 168 students, must show evidence of 70 percent
enrollment by May 15, 2002
Evidence of a lease or obligation for suitable classroom space by May 15, 2002
Teachers must hold Maryland Standard Professional Certificates or must hold
provisional Maryland teaching certificates in addition to having Montesorri
certification
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Smith and unanimously approved.
The meeting was recessed at 4:05 p.m. and was reconvened at 4:18 p.m. All Board of Education members were present. Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale; Judith A. Ricketts;
R. Daniel Cunningham, Associate Superintendent; Henry Bohlander, Director of High Schools; and Denise Fargo-Devine, Principal of Frederick High.
Dave Boaze, Principal of Century High School, Carroll County, spoke regarding the success of opening this school with two grade levels and stated that he believes this is the best model for the opening of a high school.
Scott Pfiefer, Principal of River Hill High School, Howard County, spoke regarding the difficulties of opening this school several years ago with three grade levels.
Dr. Bohlander spoke regarding Urbana High School opening with one grade level.
Mrs. Fargo-Devine noted that 400 students would be leaving Frederick High School if Tuscarora opens with 2 grade levels. She strongly supported making the change gradual and well planned to be the least destructive to Frederick High School.
Mrs. Smith moved approval of the Superintendent’s recommendation to open Tuscarora High School with grades 9 and 10. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hooper.
Following discussion, the motion carried with one opposing vote from Mrs. Naylor.
CLOSED SESSION
ACTION
The Board of Education met in the Administrative Conference Room at 5:10 p.m. In attendance were Ronald W. Peppe, II, President; Daryl A. Boffman, Vice President; Stephen Crawford; Anne B. Hooper; Linda S. Naylor; and Jean A. Smith. Deborah A. Aughenbaugh was absent. Jack D. Dale, Secretary-Treasurer; Judith A. Ricketts, Administrative Director; Michele Krantz, Associate Superintendent; Jamie Cannon, Executive Director of Legal Services; and Harold Keller, Jr., Executive Director of Fiscal Services, were in attendance.
In accordance with Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, Sections 10-508(a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and 10-508(a)(9), Mrs. Smith moved to go into Closed Session to discuss matters relating to personnel and negotiations. The motion was seconded by Mr. Boffman and unanimously approved.
The agenda was approved as presented.
The minutes of the February 27, 2002, Closed Session were unanimously approved.
No formal action was taken.
No formal action was taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:48 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
The Board of Education met for its Regular Meeting at 6:02 p.m. in the Board Room. All Board of Education members were present. Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale and Judith A. Ricketts. Ryan C. Tuck, Student Representative to the Board of Education, and John L. Thompson, Jr., County Commissioner Liaison to the Board of Education, were absent.
Mr. Peppe opened the meeting, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mr. Peppe announced the date and time of the Closed Session, and cited the section of the law for closing the meeting.
Jeff Reidler requested that the Board adopt the redistricting proposal recommended by the Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommendations or give the public an opportunity to review the modifications. He provided suggestions for future redistricting processes.
Ingrid Manfredo expressed concern regarding the redistricting proposal which may affect the Villages of Ballenger Creek.
Susan DesRoches noted that Tuscarora High and Ballenger Creek Middle are in her neighborhoods. She expressed concern regarding traffic and safety issues, transportation, and the splitting of a close-knit community should her neighborhood not be allowed to attend these schools.
Chris Muffi, resident of the Villages of Ballenger Creek, noted that her children love their schools. She said that she does not see how it makes sense to bus them into Frederick schools.
Margaret Torbik, resident of the Villages of Ballenger Creek, objected to having her son bused to Frederick High School.
Matthew Stegle, resident of the Villages of Ballenger Creek, supported the Superintendent’s recommendation to send the children from his community to Tuscarora High School. He noted that all of the alternative plans call for busing students from his neighborhood to Frederick High School. He requested that emphasis be placed on the safety of our children.
M. C. Keegan-Ayers stated that the Citizens’ Advisory Committee’s report is the most viable and best option, and she urged the Board to support the report. She also testified that it is likely that public transportation would be available to the Tuscarora area from downtown and that this is an important consideration in making the decision.
Cathe Pfrang, resident of the Villages of Ballenger Creek, supported the previous comments regarding this area. She stated that she could not understand how the Board could consider busing students from this community to Frederick High School.
Sherry Bennett, resident of the Villages of Ballenger Creek, supported keeping the students from this area in Tuscarora High.
George Yourick stated that it is not new to have split neighborhoods, and he noted that busing does occur. He stressed the importance of balanced schools.
Jane Lindsay, resident of Hanover, stated that she is passionate about having
her children stay at Orchard Grove Elementary, Ballenger Creek Middle, and Tuscarora High for all the reasons stated. She urged the Board to stay with the plan as originally presented.
The Regular Minutes of February 27, 2002,
were unanimously approved.
The consent agenda was unanimously approved:
Miscellaneous – Staffing Changes
Facilities and Finance Committee
Bids
Boiler Replacement for Brunswick High School
Asbestos Abatement – Final Phase for Gov. Thomas Johnson High School
Current Expense Amendments #17-02 and #18-02
STAFFING CHANGES
Gerwig, Cinda – effective June 1, 2002
Groth, Kathryn, West Frederick Middle
Herbert, Carl, Church Street Offices
Thomas, Mary Lynne, Gov. Thomas Johnson High
Thorpe, James, Brunswick Middle
Bell, Marie, Psychological Services – effective December 22, 2001
Gagliardo, Richard, Linganore High – effective July 1, 2002
Owens, Christopher, Walkersville Middle – effective July 1, 2002
Mahoney, Kristi, Walkersville Middle
McElwain, Gloria, Linganore High
Nealley, Claudia, Valley Elementary
Boiler Replacement for
Brunswick High School #02-C-3
Awarded to the apparent low bidder, R.W. Warner, Inc., for a total amount of $452,500.00.
Asbestos Abatement –
Final Phase, Gov. Thomas Johnson High School #02-C-04
This bid was awarded to the following companies:
Asbestos Specialists Phase I $18,500.00
Phase II Option 2 39,900.00
Total Award $58,400.00
A L Abatement Phase III $21,400.00
Barco Phase IV $18,829.00
Grand Total $98,629.00
#17-02
Recognizes new federal funds in the amount of $10,000, a correction of $706, and three major transfers of federal funds totaling $17,044.
#18-02
Recognizes two unrestricted state grants: CTBS/5 Survey plus Administration Funding for $72,443 and MSPAP Tools and Manipulatives for $5,939.
Linda Burgee, Director of Elementary Schools, presented the recommended appointments:
Linda Wiles, Principal of Liberty Elementary School
Steven Parson, Principal of Kemptown Elementary School
The Board unanimously approved the appointments.
Upon motion by Dr. Crawford, seconded by Mrs. Aughenbaugh, the Board unanimously approved the appointment of Logan Claire Furbee to the position of Student Member to the Family Life Advisory Committee through May 2004.
EIGHTH GRADE
MARYLAND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
The Board consensually agreed with the Superintendent’s recommendation to not administer Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP) at the eighth grade if given the option by the state.
REDISTRICTING OF CENTRAL FREDERICK COUNTY ATTENDANCE AREA
Mr. Peppe reviewed the process to date and noted the outstanding issues.
Dr. Crawford moved to approve the redistricting plan as recommended by the Superintendent. Mrs. Smith seconded the motion.
Mrs. Smith amended the motion to move the Sagner/Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) population into the K-12 feeder area for Spring Ridge Elementary, Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle, and Gov. Thomas Johnson High.
Following discussion, the amendment carried with one dissenting vote from
Dr. Crawford.
Mrs. Hooper amended the motion to shift Basford Road section, Modification Plan #4, to Tuscarora High as well as the feeder for South Frederick area elementary and Ballenger Creek Middle. Mrs. Smith seconded the amendment.
Following discussion, the motion carried with four favorable votes from Mrs. Hooper, Mrs. Naylor, Mrs. Smith, and the Chair. Mrs. Aughenbaugh, Mr. Boffman, and Dr. Crawford opposed.
Mrs. Hooper presented a statement (attached).
The original motion to approve the Superintendent’s recommended plan and the amendments for changes to the plan for the Sagner/MSD students and the Basford Road students carried with six favorable votes. Mrs. Hooper opposed.
Mr.
Peppe announced that the Board met this afternoon in Planning Session and
determined to open Tuscarora High School with two grade levels.
CURRENT EXPENSE AMENDMENTS
Harold Keller, Jr. presented Current Expense Fund
Amendments #19-02 through #23-02 and Construction Fund Amendment #02-11.
Mrs. Smith, as Chair of the Facilities and Finance
Committee, moved approval of the amendments.
Mr. Boffman seconded the motion.
Following considerable discussion, the motion was unanimously approved.
#19-02
This amendment was designated as canceled.
#20-02
Recognizes $2,178,339 of surplus as new funds available
and reallocates these funds to the schools and departments for planned delayed
purchases.
#21-02
Recognizes $150,000 of surplus as new funds available and reduces the
county’s appropriation to the Operating Budget so that the county’s
appropriation to the Capital Budget can be increased.
#02-11 (Construction
Fund Amendment)
Recognizes an increase in the county’s appropriation to
the Capital Budget of $150,000 to be allocated to a project to construct a
sound barrier at Urbana High School.
#22-02
Recognizes $805,012 of surplus as new funds
available and allocates this amount to categories to support acquisition and
installation of internet filtering software, PeopleSoft and S.I.S. consultants
and provide offices for technical staff.
#23-02
Recognizes $373,283 of surplus as new funds available and
allocates this amount to categories to allow training of elementary staff in
new student assessments.
COMMENTS
Dr.
Crawford asked about the timeline for discussion of the Board of Education
Handbook for Citizen Involvement. Board
members expressed a desire to review the document at a meeting in the near
future.
Mrs.
Hooper recommended agenda items for the Board’s list of suggested topics and
spoke of the need to set dates for the Superintendent’s and Board’s evaluations
in addition to review of the orientation policy for new Board members. She indicated that she did not feel the
updating of the policy manual to be a priority. Mr. Peppe stated that he felt the Board should review the
policies as they are to guide every action the Board should take. Mr. Peppe suggested that the April 17, 2002,
meeting could focus on some of these issues.
Dr.
Dale announced that the school system was given an award from the Office of
Economic Development on behalf of Expansion Management Magazine; 2,433
school districts across the country were ranked on how well their students are
prepared for the workforce after graduation.
Frederick County Public Schools was ranked as a Gold Medal school
district for the second year in a row.
Dr. Dale congratulated the entire school system on this award.
Mr.
Boffman acknowledged the members of the audience who stayed for the entire
meeting. It was indicated that these
individuals were present to fulfill a requirement in one of Dr. Noel Farmer’s
courses at Hood College on educational leadership.
ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Jack
D. Dale
Secretary-Treasurer
Ronald W. Peppe, II
President
Judith A. Ricketts
Administrative Director
ATTACHMENT
Deliberations on the Tuscarora High School Redistricting – Anne Hooper
Redistricting is probably the messiest and most frustrating topic a school board can tackle. There are no clearcut answers, no blacks and whites. We all want what is best for the students, and what is the best allocation of our resources. We may weigh various factors differently, but they are all valid attempts to arrive at the best solution. This is how I weigh in on the various issues contributing to this situation, but I am deeply respectful of my colleagues and how they see things differently, even with the same goal.
The largest issue revolves around establishing a more equitable balance of socio-economic levels across all the schools. This reflects a widely held belief that a school whose population is heavily weighted with low SES students presents a burdensome challenge to insure the success of all of its students. It does not mean each school must have the same ratio.
An equally significant goal is to avoid overcrowding in all our schools. That is why we are building a new high school, middle school, and elementary school.
The current redistricting dilemma arises from the conflict of the above two goals. The committee recommendation favored the first, leaving Frederick High School at 88% capacity, and opening the new Tuscarora High School over capacity. FHS, being an old school, is less able to handle overcrowding due to its smaller core facilities. THS’ core facilities are being built for a much larger population, to be accommodated with classroom space in a later addition, and therefore can handle the enrollment for some years with no significant impact on instruction and administration.
I see several flaws in this approach. First, a significant impact on FHS enrollment from immediate development of the Hargett Farm was anticipated when the committee was deliberating. Since then, a water crisis has changed the landscape for developments in the city. I firmly believe any impact from this development will be delayed for some years, and there is even a possibility it may not take place at all. This will leave FHS at around 82% enrollment. As our system is straining to provide seats (over half our schools are overcrowded), we continually hear the biggest pressure is at the high school level. I find it poor stewardship of our scarce resources to leave one high school so underutilized, while opening its neighbor over capacity (once all four grades are there.)
The financial implications are adding portables to THS, at $50,000 a piece, while many seats go begging at FHS. I consider portables as a “penny wise, pound foolish” necessity as we struggle to keep up with our growth. I do not find it acceptable to build them into our equation when nearby seats are empty.
Some will argue that it doesn’t matter when the Hargett Farm is developed, that the students will eventually be there. First, even built out, FHS is projected to be only at 88%. Second, the delay of this development would allow time to see if this or other developments are actually going to
ATTACHMENT
Page 2
start filling up FHS. We know the Ballinger Creek area is going to continue to grow, and we do not even have an addition to THS in our CIP plan. Given the scarcity of dollars, especially at the state level, for our ambitious capital plan to keep up with enrollment growth, it is doubtful we will have an addition there for many years, yet the growth in this area is much more of a certainty than that contributing to FHS. If a small redistricting turns out to be necessary in the future, such tweaking will be far preferable to leaving FHS languishing way under capacity for many years.
So what is the answer? Find another population to add back to FHS. Mindful of the SES balance that we all believe important, we skip over some closer to FHS and are left with the new developments in the Ballenger Creek area. Here’s the rub. There are no natural divisions to split off, and all these folks feel they are entitled to the new schools in their area. While it’s a lousy choice, I come down on the side of carving off the most appropriate area to make up an acceptable population at FHS, with the understanding they would return to THS when an addition is added. Others do not see this as palatable. It certainly would not be popular.
There are two other side issues being addressed tonight. The first is the Sagner/MSD population. While it seemed originally to be in the best interest of those students to send them to the new schools southward, I have become convinced that it would be better to keep them closer to their own communities. I favor sending them to TJ Middle School (rather than Monocacy Middle where they currently go) and TJ High School, which they currently attend. This would have an additional advantage of keeping the Spring Ridge Elementary School population intact, rather than splitting them up. Parents in the Sagner community and staff familiar with them feel this is a better solution.
The other issue is families along Basford and Mountville Roads, west of Route 15. Families are split as to preference between heading towards Brunswick or towards the new schools south of Frederick. I support the Frederick solution because it is half the distance as going to BMS and BHS, there is no safety issue about crossing Route 15 as they can avoid this on Elmer Derr Road, and because many of them with younger children prefer this option. There is a safety issue with cars and buses crossing the mountain to go towards Brunswick in bad weather. As long as the Brunswick schools remain under capacity (especially after the additions,) these students could request an out of district transfer to attend those schools if they wish.
In the past weeks the board has had to wrestle with the same issues, and the same unknowns, that the citizens’ committee did prior to making a recommendation to us. I want to thank them for the many hours and much soul searching that they had to undergo. In hindsight it was probably not the best way to meet this challenge, and we will be examining the redistricting process this Spring. I hope none of you will feel shy about offering suggestions for improvement. We may not have adopted your exact recommendation, but I hope you have come to believe, after observing us in recent weeks, that you made a giant contribution by synthesizing both the information and the issues so that we could take it from there in fashioning what we see is the best solution. That is our responsibility. We are most grateful for your contributions to this process.