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

 

September 25, 2002

 

CLOSED SESSION ACTION

 

The Board of Education of Frederick County met in the Administrative Conference Room at 2:30 p.m.  In attendance were President Ronald W. Peppe, II; Vice President Daryl A. Boffman; Anne B. Hooper; Stephen Crawford; Linda S. Naylor; and Jean A. Smith.  Deborah A. Aughenbaugh was absent.  Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale, Superintendent/Secretary-Treasurer; Judith A. Ricketts, Administrative Director; and Jamie Cannon, Executive Director of Legal Services.

 

            Mrs. Smith moved to go into Closed Session to discuss personnel and negotiations, and to consult with counsel.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Boffman and unanimously approved.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

            The agenda was approved.

 

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

 

            The minutes of the August 14, 2002, Closed Session were approved.

 

CONSULT WITH COUNSEL

 

            Ray Barnes, Executive Director of Facilities Services, joined the Board.

 

            The Board approved an agreement on a land transfer.

 

PERSONNEL

 

Michele Krantz, Associate Superintendent, was present.

 

No formal action was taken.      

 

NEGOTIATIONS

 

            Jamie Cannon, Executive Director of Legal Services, and Harold Keller, Jr., Executive Director of Fiscal Services, entered the meeting at 4:10 p.m.

 

            No formal action was taken.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 4:44 p.m.

 

PLANNING SESSION

 

            The Board of Education met in the Administrative Conference Room at 4:55 p.m.  All Board of Education members except Deborah A. Aughenbaugh were present.  Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale, Judith A. Ricketts, and Anil K. Nathan.

 

CURRENT ISSUES

 

The Board agreed to the following schedule changes:

 

Canceled the November 27, 2002, Regular Meeting of the Board

Scheduled a Joint Meeting with the Frederick Community College Board of Trustees

     on November 20, 2002

Scheduled a Special Meeting of the Board on November 20, 2002, following the Joint   

    Meeting at Frederick Community College; this meeting will not be televised.

Canceled the December 10, 2002, Joint Meeting with the Board of County

    Commissioners

 

ELEMENTARY PROGRAM VISION

 

            Dr. Michele Krantz; Steve Martin, Elementary Director; Stephen Hess, Director of Curriculum and Evaluation; and Shari Ostrow Scher, Curriculum Specialist for Early Childhood Education; joined the Board for discussion.

 

Dr. Krantz presented the Elementary Program Vision, an overall vision and design for the elementary program to guide the work of both school and central office staff over the next five years.  Staff responded to questions regarding the validation process and staffing.  Dr. Krantz presented changes in staffing formula and staffing for identified high need schools.

 

Mr. Boffman spoke regarding student aptitude, access, and expressed concern regarding student attitude; Mr. Martin responded to Mr. Boffman stating how staff is dealing with attitude.  Dr. Dale stated that staff would be adding other components to the vision and returning to the Board for prioritizing.

 

CURRENT ISSUES

           

            Anil Nathan provided background on the desire of the students to allow the student representative to the board to have partial voting rights.  Following discussion, the Board agreed

 

 

that it would be open to looking at information.  Mr. Nathan stated that he would discuss the issue with the Maryland Council of Student Members of Boards of Education and would distribute information to the Board to determine if Board members would like to set aside time at a future meeting to discuss the matter. 

 

            Mr. Peppe noted that some of the Board members were in attendance for the rededication of Catoctin High School rededication.

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 5:49 p.m.

 

REGULAR MEETING

 

The Board of Education met in the Board Room at 6:04 p.m.  All Board of Education members were in attendance.  Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale, Judith A. Ricketts, and

Anil K. Nathan.  John L. Thompson, Jr., County Commissioner Liaison to the Board, was absent.

 

Mr. Peppe opened the meeting, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

The Board approved the agenda as presented.

 

CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Mr. Peppe announced the time and place of the Closed Session and cited the section of the law for closing the meeting.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES MASTER PLAN

 

            Mr. Peppe noted that a number of emails were received on the Educational Facilities Master Plan in addition to the comments made at the Public Hearing.

 

Comments by Gail Colby

 

            Ms. Colby, a West Frederick Middle School parent, expressed concern that the proposed changes to the Educational Facilities Master Plan moved the renovation of West Frederick Middle School from 2005 to 2011.  She also stated that the library is pathetic. 

 

Comments by Lauren Engel

 

Miss Engel, 4th grade student at Deer Crossing Elementary School, spoke of the conditions of Linganore High School and stated that the Board of County Commissioners pushed back the construction of East County High in its  plan.  She stated that she and her friends do not want to attend an overcrowded high school and asked that the construction of the new East County High be at the top of the list.


Comments by Lauren Fox

 

            Ms. Fox, member of CAUSE (Citizens Advocating for the Ultimate School Environment), a PTA subcommittee, spoke of the conditions at Linganore High School three years ago and stated that parents have lobbied for three years for basic repairs.  Progress has been made, and many parents have volunteered and painted many of the areas of the school.  She spoke in support of East County High School to reduce the overcrowding at Linganore High School.

 

Comments by Frank Ellis

 

            Mr. Ellis stated that the land for the new high school has been available for almost two years and can be donated as long as the people who want to move forward are willing to work with the landowners.

 

Comments by Linda Dixon

 

            Ms. Dixon stated that she has been working with parents for improvements to Linganore High School, but the work is not finished.  She expressed concerns with the roaches in the school and the septic system.  She asked that the students be taken out of that building.

 

Comments by Katy Gavin

 

            Ms. Gavin, member of CAUSE, asked the Board to keep East County High School as a priority for 2007.

 

Comments by Susan Schuster

 

Ms. Schuster asked the board to look into the academic books and materials at Linganore High School.  She also expressed concerns with the physical and asked if the school system has someone on staff with experience and knowledge of molds and their effect on students and staff.  She requested that East County High be kept a priority.

 

Comments by Rachelle Warren

 

            Ms. Warren requested that East County High School be kept a priority in this budget cycle.  She stated that the future vote would depend on what the Board does to alleviate the conditions at Linganore High School.

 

Comments by Janice Spiegel

 

            Ms. Spiegel, Middletown Middle PTA President, stated that she was glad to see the primary school a priority, but disappointed that the addition of Middletown Middle was moved from 2008 to 2009.  She asked the Board to help the citizens put pressure wherever needed to assist this project in going forward.

 

 

 

Comments by Janet Ingram

 

            Ms. Ingram, Co-chair of CAUSE, noted that Linganore High School is functioning as the most overcrowded school and that East County High must be a priority.  She distributed information regarding enrollment figures per grade level and provided facts about Linganore High School and the FY 2004 budget, and feeder overcrowding.

 

Comments by Joan O’Connell

 

            Ms. O’Connell stated that Linganore High School and Urbana High School are overcrowded.  She stated that the students should not have to deal with the conditions at Linganore High, and she does not understand how no one can relate the physical conditions to student performance level.  The students deserve to have a safe healthy school in their community to attend.

 

Comments by Susan Carr

 

            Ms. Carr stated that all students deserve equal conditions.  She also stated that we should humanize the discussion when speaking of portables and speak in terms of 40 children in the portables.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

            The Board unanimously approved the minutes of the September 11, 2002, Regular Meeting and Public Hearing on the Educational Facilities Master Plan.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

            The Board unanimously approved the consent agenda:

 

            Miscellaneous

                        Staffing Changes

                        Recommended Textbooks

            Facilities and Finance Committee - Bids

                        Incandescent, Fluorescent, Stage and Projection Lamps – Second Renewal

                        Snow removal Services – Extension

                        Diesel Fuel – 2nd Extension

                        Unleaded Gasoline - Renewal

                        Copier Repair Parts and Supplies

                  Art Supplies – School Based Deliveries

 

STAFFING CHANGES

           

Retirement

 

            Overton, Mary, South Frederick Elementary – effective October 1, 2002

 

Resignation

 

            Onawa, A rlene, Orchard Grove Elementary – effective October 1, 2002

 

Declination of Contract

 

            Caruso, Laura, Career & Technology Center – effective August 20, 2002

 

Contracts

 

            Hill, Carrie, Middletown Elementary – effective September 17, 2002

 

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS

 

Basal

 

Career and Technology Education

Betts, Elaine, et al. Preparing for Certification:  Microsoft Word 2000.  DDC Publishing,

      2000.

            Wolfe, Mary G. Fashion!  The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc., 2002.

            Wolfe, Mary G. Fashion! Student Activity Guide.  The Goodheart-Willcox Company,

            Inc., 2002.

           

Social Studies, 6-12

 

Cayton, Andrew, et al. America:  Pathways to the Present-Modern American

   History. Prentice Hall, 2003.

Viola, Herman J. Why We Remember:  United States History.  Addison-Wesley Publishing

   Company, 1998.

 

Supplementary

 

Career and Technology Education

 

Addison-Wesley Web Wizard Series (1 title). Addison-Wesley, 2002.

Lengel, James G. The Web Wizard’s Guide To Web Design.

Nefe High School Financial Planning Program:  Student Guide.  National Endowment for

   Financial Education, 2001.

     

Language Arts, K-5

 

Ecosystems (1 title). Bridgestone Books, 2001.

      Richardson, Adele D. Wetlands.

First Reports (1 title). Compass Point Books, 2001.

      Gray, Shirley W. Wetlands.

Fleischman, Paul. Joyful Noise:  Poems for Two Voices.  Trophy Newberry, 1988.

Fredericks, Anthony D. Under One Rock:  Bugs, Slugs and other Ughs.  Dawn Publications,

   2001.

George, Jean Craighead. Everglades.  HarperCollins Publishers, 1995.

      Incredible Insects (1 title). Abdo & Daughters, 1996.

            Gerholdt, James E. Beetles.

      Small Worlds (1 title).Crabtree Publishing, 1999.

            Hibbert, Adam. A Freshwater Pond.

Snowball, Diane. Exploring Freshwater Habitats.  Mondo Publishing, 1994.

      Warner, Gertrude Chandler. The Boxcar Children: The Panther Mystery.  Albert Whitman &

    Company, 1998.

 

FACILITIES AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

BIDS

 

Incandescent, Fluorescent, Stage and Projection Lamps – Second Renewal - #01-I-1

 

            Awarded to the companies indicated on the summary of renewal at an estimated annual total of $31,589.56.  The #2421 lamp to be purchased from proposal #3 adds $7,000 to the estimated cost for a grand total of $38,589.56/year.

 

Snow Removal Services - #99-M-34

 

            Bid extended for FY 2002-2003 winter season to the vendors as indicated on the summary of award extension at an estimated total of $30,694.40 per snowfall based on snow accumulation of approximately eight inches.

 

Diesel Fuel – 2nd Extension - #00-T-5

 

            Bid extended to Petroleum Traders at +$.01976 per gallon over wholesale price effective through May 31, 2003.  Diesel fuel will be re-bid in the spring.  The gross cost per gallon of diesel fuel, including applicable taxes paid by FCPS on August 21, 2002, is $1.046.

 

Unleaded Gasoline – Renewal - #02-T-3

 

            Bid renewed for 87 octane unleaded gasoline to Petroleum Traders at +$.0089 per gallon from wholesale price for transport deliveries and +$.0500 per gallon from wholesale price for tank wagon deliveries. 

 

Diesel Fuel – Rejected - #02-T-6

 

            Rejected.

 

Copier Repair Parts and Supplies - #02-MISC-18

 

            Awarded as indicated on the summary of award at an estimated total of $279,003.55.

 


Art Supplies – School Based Deliveries - #02-I-5

 

            Awarded as indicated on the summary of award at an estimated total of $45,944.35.

 

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

 

Smaller Learning Communities Grant

 

            Hank Bohlander, Principal, Linganore High School; Marge Lyburn, Assistant Principal; and Jeremy Brown, Teacher; shared the details of the Smaller Learning Communities Grant, awarded in the amount of $253,500.

 

            Mrs. Hooper stated that the Curriculum and Instruction Committee recommends approval of the grant.  Following discussion, the motion was unanimously approved.

 

FACILITIES AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

Middletown Primary Schematic Drawings

 

            The site plan and schematic drawings for the Middletown Primary School were presented. 

 

            Mrs. Smith stated that the Facilities and Finance Committee recommends approval of the schematic drawings, and she so moved.  It was noted that the larger gym will be an add alternate to the bid.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES MASTER PLAN FOR FY 2004-2009

 

            Dr. Dale discussed the Board of Education, state, and county approval process of the Educational Facilities Master Plan noting that the next critical juncture is the lobbying of the Board of Public Works in January for state funding.  Mr. Peppe noted that it is also critical to lobby for current projects in which the state has not yet provided funding.

 

            Ray Barnes, Executive Director of Facilities Services, responded to questions asked during the public comments section of the agenda.  He also noted that the school system is not in control of the development review process and the acquiring of school sites, this is a county function and responsibility.  Mr. Barnes noted that it takes four years to build a high school. 

Mr. Peppe added that the Board has told the county that the site is needed now and it is in the school system’s plan for the earliest possible time.  It was noted that the proposed plan was to move the students from Linganore High School into East County High so that the renovation of Linganore High School may be done while the school is unoccupied.

 

            Mrs. Smith moved approval of the Educational Facilities Master Plan (FY 2004 Capital Budget and FY 2005-2009 Capital Improvement Program) as presented.  Mrs. Hooper seconded the motion.

 

            Mr. Boffman expressed concern regarding the placement of the West Frederick Middle School modernization to 2011.  Mr. Barnes suggested the possibility of a feasibility study for West Frederick Middle School in the program for 2004. 

 

            Mrs. Smith amended the motion to place the feasibility study for West Frederick Middle School in the Educational Facilities Master Plan for FY ’04.  Mrs. Hooper supported the amendment, and the motion as amended was unanimously approved.

 

            Mrs. Smith stated that there was a rumor that she was promoting swimming pools for our schools, and that with the need for classroom space, that was untrue.  The three pools in Frederick County Public Schools were funded by the state; this is no longer being done.

 

COMMENTS

 

            Mr. Peppe noted that this Board of Education is a non-partisan board, and that the upcoming election will impact all of us.  He urged the citizens of Frederick County to ask the candidates for their positions. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                Jack D. Dale

                                                                                                Secretary-Treasurer

 

Ronald W. Peppe, II

President

 

Judith A. Ricketts

Administrative Director