BOARD OF EDUCATION OF FREDERICK COUNTY
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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
videotapes 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
June 11, 2003
PLANNING SESSION
The Board of Education of Frederick County met in the Administrative Conference Room at 1:30 p.m. In attendance were President Ronald W. Peppe, II, Vice President
Jean A. Smith, Bonnie M. Borsa, Donna J. Crook, Linda S. Naylor, and Michael E. Schaden. Daryl A. Boffman entered the meeting at 2:20 p.m. Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale, Superintendent/Secretary-Treasurer; Judith A. Ricketts, Administrative Director; and Jamie Cannon, Executive Director of Legal Services. Michael Lapsa, newly appointed Student Representative to the Board, entered at 2:05 p.m. Anil K. Nathan, Student Representative to the Board, entered at 4:50 p.m.
The Board reviewed and recommended changes to Board of Education Policy, Section 102.
The Board unanimously approved Sections 101 and 103 as revised (Attachments 1
and 2).
Mr. Peppe provided an overview of the Maryland State Board of Education’s proposal for regulatory changes to COMAR on school safety.
Mrs. Naylor stated that she heard from a community member who indicated that a number of individuals would be attending the Board’s regular meeting to testify on this issue. She requested that the Board of Education’s vote be taken after testimony is received.
Following discussion, the Board consensually agreed that the language proposed by the State Board is too restrictive and that it was felt that the regulation should state that “all students without exception” will be free from harassment.
This topic will be added to the regular agenda for action.
The meeting was recessed at 3:00 p.m. and was reconvened at 3:10 p.m.
Present for discussion with the Board were members of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and curriculum staff.
Dr. Dale noted that today’s presentation includes Goals I and II and that Goals III-V will be presented at the next meeting. Once the Master Plan is complete, it will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners and to the State Department of Education on or before
October 1, 2003.
Dr. Michele Krantz and Dr. R. Daniel Cunningham, Associate Superintendents, presented the key actions for Goals I and II and reviewed programs and services to meet diverse student needs.
Staff responded to Board members’ questions regarding the use of research-based practices, differentiated teaching, expanded and equitable access to more advanced level curricula and courses, and disaggregation of data for individual subgroups.
Concerns were expressed regarding the list of accomplishments presented and the amount of effort to be put into process with the lack of anticipated funding. Dr. Dale stated that this will be an extremely dynamic process over the next five years and that the system will be struggling on how best to assure that no child is left behind. Dr. Cunningham noted that when staff was asked to prepare the five-year vision statements and budgets this past fall in order to meet the “No Child Left Behind” legislation, they were not far from the anticipated Thornton revenue. Dr. Krantz stated that the proposed Master Plan reflects what staff believes to be needed to meet the requirements of the new legislation.
The Board indicated that it would like to receive more specifics regarding the plan when Goals III-V are presented.
Barbara Craig and Lori Goldman, community
members, joined the Board for a presentation, Doing More With Less, an
operational review of the system.
Following discussion, the Board agreed to place this matter on the Joint
Meeting Agenda with the Board of County Commissioners on June 17, 2003.
Mrs. Smith pointed out that she did not realize the $1 million to fund
land acquisition would come from the Board of Education’s capital budget.
The Board reviewed the draft agenda for the June 17, 2003, Board of
Education/Board of County Commissioners Joint Meeting.
Mr. Peppe commended the Board for not anything negative thing about the
Board of County Commissioners’ funding of the operating budget.
Mrs. Naylor noted some Middletown community concerns regarding the master
plan transportation improvements around the Middletown campus.
Dr. Dale discussed the Board of County Commissioners’ budget process.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
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, Anil K. Nathan, Michael T. Lapsa, and Michael L. Cady, County Commissioner
Liaison to the Board.
Mr. Peppe added the item of the proposed State Board’s regulation on
School Safety to the agenda. The agenda
as amended was unanimously approved.
Mr. Peppe announced that the Board of Education’s Closed Session was not
held.
Mr. Kloc spoke regarding the Board of Education’s budgeting and planning
process. He stated that seeing it
unfold, did not raise his comfort level in the process. He presented an evaluation form to members
of the Board of Education and to Commissioner Cady for the Board of County
Commissioners and requested that it be completed and returned. He also requested that the Five-year master
plan be addressed.
Commissioner Cady questioned why the members of the Board of County
Commissioners should respond as they were not a part of the Board of Education
deliberations. Mr. Kloc asked that they
complete the survey as it relates to the Joint Meetings.
Ms. Kuzemchak Ramsburg, speaking as parent of a high school student,
stated that nothing that she has read shows that early start times for high
school children is beneficial. She did
not believe that the public had sufficient input on the change of start times
and requested that additional time be allowed for comment.
Mr. Peppe noted that the original information was publicized in April and
that a decision must be made this evening due to the timeline for submission of
the budget.
Ms. Binzer requested that Middletown Middle and Middletown High start
times stay in place. She stated that
many of the routes are rural and would require the system to make more runs if
the times are changed.
Dr. Michael Smith stated that it would be preferable if the new start
times were for educational reasons. He
requested that elementary children not be out at dawn or dusk. He felt it would make sense if high school
students start late, and requested that the Board take into account the feeder
areas that are less dense where middle and high school students currently ride
the same bus.
Commissioner Cady noted
that Flag Day is approaching; he asked that individuals respect what its
symbolism. He also commented on the
Pledge of Allegiance and how it is intended to be recited.
The Regular Minutes of May 28, 2003,
were unanimously approved.
Mrs. Smith noted that the
Board discussed the State Board’s proposal under COMAR 13A.01.04.03 on school
safety during its planning session. The Board felt that to have a list of groups in the
State Board’s discrimination regulation is too restrictive and that “All
students in Maryland public schools without exception have the right to
educational environments that are safe, appropriate for academic achievement,
and free from any form of harassment.”
Mrs. Smith moved approval of the wording as stated and the writing of a
letter to the Maryland State Board of Education in support of the all-inclusive
language. The motion was seconded by
Mrs. Naylor and unanimously approved
Mr. Peppe reviewed the topics discussed during planning session.
Dr. Dale noted that school systems are required by law to create a master plan. He stated that Frederick County Public Schools produced a video illustrating the components of the its Master Plan. He invited community members’ comments on the strategies of the plan. The video was shown to the Board and broadcast on Cable.
The Board unanimously approved the consent agenda:
Staffing Changes
Facilities and Finance Committee
Bids
Fresh Breads and Rolls – Renewal
Cafeteria Supplies – Small Kitchen Wares – Partial Renewal
Disposable Service Ware Products – Partial Renewal
#2 Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel – Transport Deliveries
Tech Education Equipment for Tuscarora High School
Staffing Changes
Ahalt, Suzanne; Waverley Elementary
Wilcom, Carol; Brunswick High
Spadaro, Susan
Woodward, Kristen
Beem, Jennifer; Walkersville Middle
Bergeron, William; Frederick High
Cramer, Sarah, Oakdale Middle
Cranston, Daryl; West Frederick
Middle
Dick, Deborah; Carroll Manor
Elementary
Love, Brian; Middletown High
Miller, Michael; Catoctin High
Powell, Sylvia; Ballenger Creek
Elementary
Robino, Melinda; New Market Middle
Wenzel, Jeffrey; Walkersville Middle
Zygmut, Mary; Whittier Elementary
Engle, Deena; Walkersville
Elementary – effective May 20, 2003
Snowden, Lori; Monocacy Middle – effective
June 4, 2003
Carloni, Karen – effective July 1,
2003
Belisario, Gussie; New
Midway/Woodsboro Elementary – effective August 19, 2003
Deily, Allison; Open Contract –
effective August 19, 2003
Garcia, Christopher; Open Contract –
effective August 19, 2003
May, Kathy; Orchard Grove Elementary
– effective July 1, 2003
Reigel, James; Linganore – effective
August 19, 2003
Rhoton, Sherry; West Frederick
Middle – effective August 19, 2003
Schrodel, David; Linganore High –
effective August 19, 2003
BIDS
Renewed
to Butter Krust Baking Co., at an estimated total of $182,712.00 for using
Manufacturer’s Flour, and $165,207.34 for using USDA Commodity Flour.
Awarded
as indicated on the renewal summary sheets at an estimated total of $5,933.41.
Awarded
as indicated on the renewal summary sheets at an estimated total of $58,004.35.
#2
Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel – Transport Deliveries - #03-T-2
Awarded
under the escalating/de-escalating price schedule to Petroleum Traders Corp. of
Fort Wayne, Indiana at +0.0129 per gallon over the wholesale price.
Awarded
to the various vendors per the bid tabulation for a total of $180,452.31
(Proposal 1 - $136,611.00 and Proposal 2 - $43,841.31).
2003-04 SCHOOL
CALENDAR REVISION
Dr. Dale recommended a change to the 2003-04 School Calendar based on new information received. The approved calendar lists half days for spring parent conferences on March 1 and March 3; March 2 is Primary Election, a non-school day. He noted that we have now learned that March 1 and 3 will be Maryland Student Assessment testing days; therefore, it is recommended that the parent conferences be moved to March 11 and March 12.
Mrs. Smith moved approval of the recommended date change for parent conferences and the addition of language “If more snow days are required, the days may be made up prior to the end of the school year.” The motion was seconded by Dr. Schaden and unanimously approved.
Dr. Michele Krantz read from an Associated Press news release that spoke of the benefits of more time in kindergarten. She presented an overview of the implementation of Full-Day Kindergarten.
Shari Ostrow Scher spoke regarding the Full-Day Kindergarten Steering Committee and its subcommittees which involved 80-100 people, presented the Vision for Full-Day Kindergarten, and highlighted the committee’s activities. Ms. Scher discussed their next steps including professional development and responded to Board members’ questions.
Mrs.
Naylor moved approval of the Full-Day Kindergarten curriculum. The motion was unanimously approved.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Mr. Peppe noted that two student representatives are present this evening and that
Mr. Nathan is the first student representative to return immediately after graduation. He also recognized and welcomed Michael Lapsa.
Mr. Keller stated that the amounts listed in the documentation provided to the Board reflect all decisions made at the previous board meeting and in-kind services in the Board of County Commissioners’ budget as well as the in-kind contribution for the employer’s share of benefits for the state retirement system. It also reflects the additions made to the budget by the Board of County Commissioners and reconciles the small difference in the total budget recommended by the Board by adjusting salary and fuel costs.
Mrs. Smith moved approval of the budget as presented (Attachment 3). The motion was seconded by Mr. Boffman and carried with six favorable votes. Mrs. Crook opposed the budget.
Commissioner Cady stated that he is very happy with the outcome, and
noted that the Board of Education and Board of County Commissioners had to make
difficult choices. He spoke favoring a
joint retreat of the Board of Education and Board of County Commissioners.
Mr. Peppe stated that the retreat will be discussed at the next Joint
Meeting.
Mr. Keller noted that at the last meeting, the Board reduced the current
level of transportation services to have high and middle schools opening at
different times. He presented the
current practice and provided two options.
Mr. Peppe noted that one of the options mentioned was shifting high
school and elementary school. Dick
Wandres, Transportation Manager, explained that elementary school students
would be dismissed well before middle and high therefore increasing
inefficiencies in the afternoon.
Mr. Peppe presented data on other systems’ high and elementary school
start times.
Dr. Borsa suggested to minimize the educational impact on all students
that all start times be altered by 15 minutes.
Mrs. Smith moved to have staff do an in-depth study in the upcoming year
to consider moving to four start times, reviewing the entire picture, looking
at software, and receiving public input.
The motion was seconded by Dr. Borsa and unanimously approved.
Following considerable debate, six Board of Education members approved a
7:30 a.m. start time for high schools; Dr. Borsa opposed.
Mr. Nathan and Mr. Lapsa voiced
support of a 7:45 a.m. start time for high schools.
Mr. Peppe thanked staff for all of the work done on this issue and the
entire budget process. The FY ’04
Operating Budget as approved follows:
COMMENTS
Commissioner
Cady asked the Board to consider implementing a policy system-wide that has
been implemented at Middletown High School to remove a student’s privilege to
hold a school-parking permit if a moving violation is received by the
student. He felt this policy encourages
safe use of vehicles and makes the permit process performance-based.
Dr. Borsa,
Mrs. Smith, and Mr. Peppe agreed that this should be placed on an upcoming
agenda.
Dr. Dale thanked all Board
of Education members for their attendance at graduation ceremonies.
Mr. Boffman thanked Mr. Nathan for his service to the Board of Education
and said he will be missed, and he welcomed Mr. Lapsa.
Mr. Nathan again thanked the Board for this opportunity and said he would
take his experience with him.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
Jack D. Dale
Secretary-Treasurer
Ronald W. Peppe, II
President
Judith A. Ricketts
Administrative
Director