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 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

 

May 14, 2003

 

PLANNING SESSION

 

            The Board of Education of Frederick County met in the Administrative Conference Room at 1:35 p.m.  In attendance were President Ronald W. Peppe, II, Vice President Jean A. Smith, Daryl A. Boffman, Bonnie M. Borsa, Donna J. Crook, Michael E. Schaden.  Linda S. Naylor entered the meeting at 1:48 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. Harold Keller, Jr., Executive Director of Fiscal Services, entered the meeting at 1:55 p.m., and Anil K. Nathan, Student Representative to the Board, entered the meeting at 2:55 p.m.

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY REVIEW

 

            Mr. Peppe noted the process to be used for review of Board of Education policy.   The Board reviewed revisions drafted by Mr. Peppe and recommended changes.  The revised policies will be brought back to the Board for action.  Policies 100.1 through 101.2 regarding reimbursement were briefly discussed.

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY REVISIONS

 

            Ms. Cannon noted that some policy changes are required by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. 

 

Policy 328 – Religious Expression

 

Ms. Cannon attested that the revised policy on religious expression is legal.

 

            Dr. Schaden moved adoption of revised policy 328.  The motion was seconded by

Mrs. Smith and unanimously approved as follows:

 

              Section 328  RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION

 

                          The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires public school officials to be neutral in their treatment of religion.  A school system can neither show favoritism toward nor hostility against religious activity and protects religious activity that is initiated by private individuals.  Accordingly, it is the board's position that schools be guided by applicable judicial decisions interpreting the religious clauses of the First Amendment.

 

328.1        Religious Expression In Schools

 

A.   Student Prayer and Religious Discussion

 

1.      Students have the same right to engage in individual or group prayer and religious discussion during the school day as they do to engage in other comparable activity.  Students may read their Bibles or other scriptures, say grace before meals, and pray before tests to the same extent they may engage in comparable, nondisruptive activities.

 

2.      Students may express their beliefs about religion in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments.

 

3.      The principal may exercise discretion to impose rules of order and other pedagogical restrictions on student activities and may intercede to stop student speech that constitutes harassment aimed at a student or a group of students.

 

4.      Students may elect to participate in before or after school events such as "See You at the Flagpole" gatherings on the same terms that they may participate in other noncurricular activities on school premises.  School system employees may neither encourage or discourage participation in such events and school officials may only be present to monitor for supervision but may not participate.

 

5.      Teachers and administrators should ensure that no student is in anyway coerced to participate in a religious activity.

 

                        B.      Graduation Prayer and Baccalaureates

 

                     Under current Supreme Court decisions, school officials may not mandate or organize prayer at graduation ceremonies nor organize religious baccalaureate services.  If a school generally opens its facilities to private groups, it must make its facilities available on the same terms to organizers of privately sponsored religious baccalaureate services.

 

C.      Official Neutrality Regarding Religious Activity

 

School employees, when acting in their official capacities, are representatives of the state and are prohibited by the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment from soliciting or encouraging religious activity and from participating in such activity with students.

 

D.     Teaching About Religion

 

1. Teachers may not provide religious instruction but they may teach about religion in the context of the history of religion, comparative religion, scripture as literature, and the role of religion in the history of the United States and other countries.  Similarly it is permissible to consider religious influences on art, music, literature, and social studies.

 

2. Teachers may teach about religious holidays including their religious aspects and schools may celebrate the secular aspects of holidays.

 

E.          Teaching Values

 

                                 Though schools must be neutral with respect to religion, they play an active role with respect to teaching the Character Counts program that holds us together as a community.  The fact that some of these values are also held by religions does not make it unlawful to teach them in school.

 

F.          Student Clubs

 

At the secondary level, a student or a group of students may conduct or organize a religious club as allowed under the Equal Access Act (20 u.s.c. §§4071-74) and according to procedures outlined in regulation 400-58.

 

G.         Questions regarding religious expression should be directed to the executive director of legal services.

 

Policy 338 – Acts of Discrimination

 

            Dr. Schaden moved approval of policy 338.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Smith and unanimously approved as follows:

 

             Section  338  ACTS OF DISCRIMINATION

                         

The board is committed to providing all students and staff with a safe and supportive environment.  Members of the school community are expected to treat each other with mutual respect and to accept the rich diversity that makes up the community.  Disrespect among members of the school community is unacceptable behavior that threatens to disrupt the learning environment and decrease self-esteem.         

 

The board prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, or gender and is committed to maintaining an environment that is free from such conduct.  This policy applies to conduct on and off school premises including sporting events and other extra-curricular activities under the auspices of the Board of Education of Frederick County.

 

It shall be a violation of board policy for any student, teacher, administrator, or other school personnel of Frederick County Public Schools to discriminate against a student, teacher, administrator, or other school personnel.

 

For the purpose of this policy, the term “school personnel” includes school board members, school employees, agents, volunteers, contractors, or persons subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Education of Frederick County and Frederick County Public Schools.

 

The school system will act to promptly investigate all complaints, either formal or informal, verbal or written, and promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals from further discrimination. If it is determined that unlawful discrimination occurred, prompt and appropriate action will result.

 

The following persons have been designated to respond to inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and procedures for reporting:   

 

·        Executive Director of Legal Services/Title IX Coordinator

            Frederick County Public Schools

            Board of Education Administrative Building

            115 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland  21701

            301-696-6851

OR

 

·        Executive Director of Human Resources

Frederick County Public Schools

7630 Hayward Road, Frederick, Maryland  21702

                                             301-644-5097         

 

Policy 253 and 254 (Duplicate Policies) and Policy 211 – Discrimination Unlawful

 

Dr. Borsa moved to delete duplicate policies 253 and 254 and adoption of revised policy 211; policy 237 remains as previously adopted.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Boffman and unanimously approved.  The policy as revised follows:

 

             Section 211          DISCRIMINATION UNLAWFUL

 

The board and the superintendent and his assistants may not unlawfully make any distinction or discrimination in favor of or against any employee on account of race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, or gender except where the employment of a certain gender may be reasonably necessary as a bona fide occupational qualification. This section shall apply to appointments, assignments, compensation, promotions, transfers, dismissals, and all other matters pertaining to employment.

 

FOOD SERVICES PRICES FOR 2003-2004

 

            Harold Keller, Executive Director of Fiscal Services, and Cheri Dattoli, Food Service Officer, joined the Board.

 

            Mr. Keller noted that much of the deficit in the Food Service account is the result of a change in accounting procedures requiring total depreciation costs to be reflected.  Current food service prices were established to cover the cost of net depreciation.  Mr. Keller responded to Board members’ questions. 

 

            Dr. Schaden moved to accept the proposed FY 2004 prices as follows:

 

            Elementary Breakfast – increase from $0.95 to $1.00

            Secondary Breakfast – increase from $1.15 to $1.25

            Elementary Lunch – increase from $1.50 to $1.75

            Secondary Lunch – increase from $1.75 to $2.00

 

The motion was seconded by Dr. Borsa and carried with four favorable votes from

Dr. Schaden, Dr. Borsa, Mrs. Smith, and the Chair.  Mr. Boffman, Mrs. Naylor, and Mrs. Crook opposed the motion.

 

DISCUSSION OF ISSUES

 

Board members suggested topics for the Board of Education/Board of County Commissioners Joint Meeting agenda.

 

Dr. Schaden commented on an email from a parent who felt their child’s needs could not be met in a regular program at Spring Ridge Elementary School if the Gifted and Talented program were not funded.  Dr. Dale noted that there were enrichment programs in the schools.

 

Dr. Schaden discussed a community member’s concern regarding not bringing dogs onto school property and current procedures.  Dr. Dale was directed to draft policy to not exclude animals on school property.

 

Mr. Boffman announced that he and Dr. Dan Cunningham, Associate Superintendent, will be meeting with the president of the Washington Chiefs on May 16, 2003, in an effort to bring football games to Frederick County on the first two Saturdays in August.  He suggested visiting the Web site www.washingtonchiefs.org to find out information about the organization.

 

Mr. Boffman commented on a letter received from a parent of a fourth grade student who was not working at grade level.  It was noted that if a student is reduced in grade level that appropriate notification must be given to parents.  Discussion on grouping will be held during a future presentation on leveling.

 

It was noted that the Maryland Association of Counties, the Maryland Association of Boards of Education, and the Maryland State Department of Education would be holding a meeting to discuss the Master Plan on May 29, 2003.  It was suggested that an invitation be extended to the County Commissioners at the next joint meeting.

 

Mrs. Smith announced that she attended a meeting on the feasibility study for Linganore High School.  The meeting presented some interesting proposals with very little difference between the least and most expensive.  She noted that the community wants what is educationally best for the students.

 

Dr. Schaden stated that he did not see on the list of planning topics the issue of SARS which was brought up during the Board retreat.  He stated that the Board should be thinking about emergency contingencies should the school system have to close for a month or more.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

 

CLOSED SESSION ACTION

 

The Board of Education of Frederick County met in the Administrative Conference Room at 3:45 p.m.  In attendance were President Ronald W. Peppe, II, Vice President Jean A. Smith, Daryl A. Boffman, Bonnie M. Borsa, Donna J. Crook, Linda S. Naylor, and Michael E. Schaden.  Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale, Superintendent/Secretary-Treasurer, and

Judith A. Ricketts, Administrative Director.  In attendance through the discussion on negotiations were Jamie Cannon, Executive Director of Legal Services; Harold Keller, Executive Director of Fiscal Services; and Michele Krantz, Associate Superintendent.

 

In accordance with Maryland's Open Meetings Act, Sections 10-508(a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(9), Mrs. Smith moved to go into Closed Session to discuss matters relating to negotiations and personnel.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Crook and unanimously approved.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

The Closed Session Minutes of April 23, 2003, were approved with one abstention from Mr. Peppe.

 

NEGOTIATIONS

 

No formal action was taken.

 

PERSONNEL

 

No formal action will be taken.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.

 

REGULAR MEETING

 

The Board of Education of Frederick County met in the Board Room at 6:00 p.m.  All Board of Education members were in attendance.  Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale,

Judith A. Ricketts, Anil K. Nathan, and Michael L. Cady, County Commissioner Liaison to the Board of Education.

 

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

 

CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Mr. Peppe announced the time and place of the closed session, cited the section of the law for closing the meeting, and noted the topics discussed.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL GOOD AND WELFARE

 

Comments by Nancy Dietz

 

Ms. Dietz, President of the Frederick County Teachers Association, spoke of the tremendous support received from the association members at last Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners’ budget hearing on the Board of Education’s budget and stated that they are committed to a long struggle to provide adequate funds to education.

Ms. Dietz stated that the Board of Education is responsible for reaching its goals; the system has lost ground in state ranking of salaries.  She asked that the Board keep people a priority and provide a budget that demonstrates that priority.

 

Comments by Norman Ames

 

Mr. Ames spoke in support of the CASS program and its assistance to him as a single parent and his son with medical conditions.

 

Comments by Donald Foster

 

Mr. Foster, member of the advisory board of the Linganore CASS program, spoke of the impact CASS has on education by keeping students in school and providing opportunities for them.  He stated that CASS helps families remain strong.

 

Comments by Sally Smith

 

Ms. Smith, Principal of Oakdale Middle School, stated that she and others formed the first CASS group, and it has been wonderful to see a dream become a reality.  The entire community is appreciative of CASS.  CASS works closely with guidance and school support in helping families in the long and short-term.  She asked that the Board help to keep this reality.

 

Comments by Kimberly McGrady

 

Ms. McGrady noted that she was introduced to CASS in 1997 as a single parent going through a divorce.  The program was instrumental in providing resources for her and her two special needs children.

 

Comments by Deborah Workman

 

Ms. Workman spoke of how CASS has helped her since she moved to Middletown in 1998.

 

Comments by Carroll Jones

 

Mayor Jones, City of Brunswick, stated that the City of Brunswick is very fortunate to have CASS.  It satisfies a previously unmet need at a local level.  He stated that the City of Brunswick has not considered reducing its funding for CASS.

 

Comments by Sandra Coakly

 

            Ms. Coakly spoke of the support received by CASS with her five special needs children, noting that she would never have known about the services available without this program.  Due to CASS, she noted that her family will become the owners of the first Frederick County Habitat for Humanity home.

           

 

Comments by Toni Holste

 

Ms. Holste stated that she became aware of CASS because of a devastating illness in her family and spoke of how they have been an essential support system to them.  She urged the Board to provide the budget allocation to allow staff to continue.

 

Comments by Dr. Mitchell Ginsburg

 

Dr. Ginsburg, School Psychologist, noted the many factors that impact learning and spoke of the support provided by CASS.  He stated that CASS works with the neediest students in our system and those that are most at-risk.

 

Comments by Dave Markoe

 

            Mr. Markoe noted that CASS was designed many years ago to deliver services for at-risk students; the goal was to leave no child behind.  He spoke of the many needs of students, the coordination of services through the program, and said if the program is cut, many families will be left behind. 

 

Comments by Paul Testerman, Jr.

 

            Mr. Peppe noted that the Board will be addressing the issue of the contract bus driver reimbursement rate at the next Facilities and Finance Committee Meeting.  Mrs. Smith noted that Mr. Testerman would be able to speak at that meeting.

 

            Mr. Paul Testerman spoke regarding the reimbursement formula for contract bus drivers and stated that it has never been their intent to take money from education.  He discussed what he perceived to be miscalculations in the formula.

 

Comments by Lisa Clabaugh

 

            Commissioner Cady commented that he met Ms. Clabaugh during a recent visit to Thurmont Primary and that she is here at his request.

 

            Ms. Lisa Claybaugh stated that her sixth grade daughter is reading on second grade level.  She is now receiving tutoring and attending summer school over the next two years and feels that if the budget is cut, her daughter will fall further behind.

 

Comments by Jim Robbins

 

Mr. Robbins stated that CASS is a unique program.  He spoke of its collaboration with other agencies and requested that CASS remain part of the budget.

 

Comments by Ann Miller

 

Ms. Miller stated that CASS has been a tremendous help to her family and her special needs son.  She stated that her son has been on the honor roll which could be attributed to CASS.

 

Comments by Brittani Beach

 

Miss Beach, student, spoke of the assistance CASS has provided her over the past four years.  She asked that the program not be pulled from the budget.

 

COUNTY COMMISSIONER COMMoENTS

 

Commissioner Cady thanked Ms. Claybaugh for attending the meeting and speaking.  He stated that the Board of County Commissioners fully funded the CASS request, and he urged the members of the Board of Education to do likewise.  He spoke regarding the Board of County Commissioners’ budget process.  He stated that he was grateful to everyone who came to the public hearing and stated that he personally received and responded to 1,600 emails from people concerning education.  He stated that the Commissioners are trying to respond to the thoughts, wishes, and suggestions of the community.

 

Commissioner Cady spoke regarding the capital gains tax and 25 percent allocation for Board of Education issues.  He stated that it is his personal goal to try to provide for a pay raise to teachers.  He proposed a renewed partnership between the Board of Education and Board of County Commissioners. 

 

Mr. Peppe stated that the Board of Education has offered to spend a day with the Commissioners to define responsibilities.  He thanked Commissioner Cady for the work he has been doing.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

The minutes of April 23, 2003, were approved with one abstention from

Mr. Peppe. 

 

Mr. Peppe reviewed the items covered during today’s planning session.

 

SALUTE TO SCHOOL FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE PERSONNEL

 

            Cheri Dattoli, Food Service Officer, acknowledged the contributions of School Food and Nutrition Service personnel, and recognized Jo Ann Morris, Ballenger Creek Food Service Complex Manager.  Students from Orchard Grove Elementary School presented a skit on purchasing school lunches.

 

Ms. Mary Kueberth, 5th Grade Teacher at Orchard Grove Elementary School,  presented the following resolution:

 

WHEREAS, The school dining room and the service provided by its personnel to students, faculty and other staff are an integral part of the operation of Maryland Public Schools; and

 

WHEREAS, The over 2.5 million healthful meals that are served to Frederick County Public School system children under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs each day, are only partial testimony of the valuable contribution made by school food and nutrition service personnel; and

 

WHEREAS, School food and nutrition personnel deserve to be recognized for their dedication and continuing commitment to feeding and educating students and offering a variety of nutrition services to the county; now, therefore, be it

 

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Board of Education of Frederick County, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, May 14, 2003, as “Salute to School Food and Nutrition Service Personnel Day” throughout the Frederick County Public School system and commend this observance to all our citizens.

 

The Board unanimously adopted the proclamation.

 

ACHIEVEMENT COUNTS

 

            June Streckfus, Executive Director of the Maryland Business Roundtable, thanked the school system for partnering with the Maryland Business Roudtable in the Achievement Counts program.   She presented a certificate to Dr. Dale in recognition of the Board of Education’s outstanding support for the Achievement Counts program.

 

            Dr. Dale spoke about research done by the Maryland Business Roundtable which determined that business people under the age of 35 were the most effective speakers to reinforce the importance of academic achievement to the students.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

            The Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda.   Mr. Peppe noted the appointment and reappointment to the ethics panel.

 

            Staffing Changes

            Facilities and Finance Committee

                  Bids

                        Unit Price Contract for Playground Site/Safety Improvements – Renewal

                        Liquid Floor Care Products – Renewal

                        Inspection and Testing of Fire Extinguishers – Renewal

                        Natural Gas – Renewal

                        Audio Visual Equipment – Renewal

                        Miscellaneous Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies

                        Domestic Hot Water Heater – Frederick High School

                        Replacement of Chiller and Cooling Tower – Walkersville High School

                        Greenhouse for Tuscarora High School

                        PE & Weight Room Equipment for Tuscarora High School

                        Consultant Services to Perform a Compensation/Classification Study

                  Current Expense Amendments 05-03 and 06-03

            Centerville (Urbana) Elementary School Meter Vault

            Appointment of Members to the Ethics Panel

STAFFING CHANGES

 

Retirements

 

            Buffington, Jacqueline; Catoctin High – effective July 1, 2003

            Cardwell, Willa; Urbana Elementary – effective May 1, 2003

            Crusse, Earl; Frederick High – effective July 1, 2003

            Eaves, Paul; Walkersville Middle – effective July 1, 2003

            Harper, Mary; Career Tech Center – effective July 1, 2003

            Malchenson, Melicent; Waverley Elementary – effective July 1, 2003

            Smith, Jeanne; South Frederick Elementary – effective May 1, 2003

            Valdez, Elizabeth; Windsor Knolls Middle – effective July 1, 2003

            Wills, Rhonda; Carroll Manor Elementary – effective July 1, 2003

 

Resignation from Leave – Effective July 1, 2003

 

            Doyle, Mickelly                                              Gadra, Lisa

            Estep, Cynthia                                                 Kennedy, Karen

            Ewine, Christa                                                Pistner, Kristine

 

Resignation – Violation of Contract

 

            Dye, Timothy – effective May 21, 2003

 

Resignation Effective July 1, 2003

 

            Barkman, Rebecca; New Market Elementary

            Colvard, Kimberly, Gov. T.J. High

            Cook, Joshua; Carroll Manor Elementary

            Larson, Kristine; North Frederick Elementary

            Matteau, Joshua; Frederick High

 

Leave

 

            Bennett, Richard; Middletown High – effective July 1, 2003

            Chappell, Julia; Lewistown Elementary – effective May 6, 2003

            Holman, Marilyn; Ballenger Creek Elementary – effective July 1, 2003

            Hurst, Kellie; Walkersville High – effective May 2, 2003

            Kuhn, Cynthia; Brunswick Middle – effective May 2, 2003

            Miller, Christiane; North Frederick Elementary – effective July 1, 2003

            Przybocki, Ellen; Brunswick Elementary – effective July 1, 2003

 

Extended Leave – Effective July 1, 2003

 

            Baranowski, Carrie                                         Meeder-Halloran, Hawley

            Cicmanec, Barbara                                          Sica, Penny

            Dahlen, Peggy                                                 Wilhelm, Sarah          

 

New Teacher Contacts – Open Contract – Effective August 19, 2003

 

            Barkdoll, Amy                                                 Hughes, Kimberly

            Berresford, Matthew                                       Kantey, Karima

            Bostic, Lindsay                                               Lees, Bethany

            Burgee, Betsy                                                  Marconi, Sharon

            Cinnamond, Jennifer                                        Morris, Melissa

            Dapsauski, Heather                                         Norton, Sue

            Dobson, Sarah                                                 Patellis, Jason

            Ferkovich, Michelle                                        Sams, Peggy

            Gottfeld, Wendy                                              Springer, Ann

            Hintermister, Sally                                          Whitmore, Stacey

 

BIDS

 

Unit Price Contract for Playground Site/Safety Improvements – Renewal - #01-M-7

 

            Renewed retroactively from May 1, 2003, through April 30, 2004, with no renewal options available, to Musselman Excavating, Inc of Libertytown, MD, as indicated on the bid summary sheet.

 

Liquid Floor Care Products – Renewal - #01-M-9

 

            Renewed for a one-year period from July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, to Schilling Chemical & Equipment, Inc., for an estimated total of $85,131.79 as indicated on the bid summary sheet. The is the second of four one-year renewal options.

 

Inspection and Testing of Fire Extinguishers – Renewal - #02-M-11

 

            Renewed to Baker’s Fire & Safety Equipment Company, Inc. of Adamstown, MD, at prices indicated on the bid summary sheet, effective from June 1, 2003, through May 31, 2004, with one renewal option remaining.

 

Natural Gas – Renewal - #01-M-11

 

            Renewed to Washington Gas Energy Services for one year at the floating price for all accounts of $.114 (basis plus Nymex average) per therm for all sites with no sites receiving interruptible service, effective June 1, 2003, through May 31, 2004. The price may be fixed, with an effective date of June 1 or later, at any time upon notification to the vendor in order to take advantage of lower market prices.

 

Audio Visual Equipment – Renewal - #02-I-2

 

            Renewed for a one-year period to various vendors as indicated on the bid summary sheet, effective May 1, 2003 through April 30, 2004, without option for further renewal.

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies - #03-M-5

 

            Awarded to various vendors as indicated on the bid summary sheet for an estimated total of $123,358.16, effective from the date of award through February 29, 2004 with two renewal options available.

 

Domestic Hot Water Heater – Frederick High School - $03-C-18

 

            Awarded to the apparent low bidder, Caigeann Mechanical Co., Clarksville, MD, at a total cost of $65,200.00 (Base Bid), contingent upon approval of the recommendation by the State Interagency Committee for Public School Construction.

 

Replacement of Chiller and Cooling Tower – Walkersville High School - #03-C-19

 

            Awarded to the apparent low bidder, Warner Industrial, Inc. of Frederick, MD, at a total cost of $316,400.00, (Base Bid 2) contingent upon approval by the State Interagency Committee for Public School Construction.

 

Greenhouse for Tuscarora High School - #03-C-24

 

            Awarded to the apparent low bidder, R.W. Warner, Inc. of Frederick, MD, at a total cost of $224,735.00 (Base Bid), contingent upon approval by the State Interagency Committee for Public School Construction.

 

PE & Weight Room Equipment for Tuscarora High School - #03-MISC-7

 

            Awarded to various vendors as listed on the summary of award sheets for a total of $146,176.90.

 

Consultant Services to Perform a Compensation/Classification Study - #03-MISC-2

 

            Awarded to Educational Management Solutions of Oakton, VA, at an estimated total cost of $49,000.00 plus out-of-pocket costs for project integration and maintenance, contingent upon approval of fund amendment #06-03.

 

CURRENT EXPENSE AMENDMENTS

 

#05-03

 

            Adjusts the current expense balances to reflect major transfers from March 1 through March 31, 2003, in the amount of $103,350.

 

#06-03

 

            Transfers savings from instructional salaries to fund a wage/salary study of the current FASSE support and AMT salary scales in the amount of $50,000.

 

Centerville (Urbana) Elementary School Meter Vault

 

            Approved procurement of the Centerville Elementary School Meter Vault through the developer, Natelli Communities, for future reimbursement out of the project account.

 

APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE ETHICS PANEL

 

            G. Larry Stup was reappointed to the Ethics Panel through May 2006.

 

            Norman Quist was appointed to the Ethics Panel through May 2006.

 

BUDGET PRIORITIES

 

            Dr. Dale reviewed the Master Plan Budget Proposed Year 1 costs and stated that with the current level being recommended by the Board of County Commissioners, that there is a deficit of $7.7 million.  He responded to Board members’ questions.

 

            Mr. Peppe asked Board of Education members to begin thinking about Dr. Dale’s list of potential cuts and asked if there were areas that individual members wished to pull from or add to this list. 

 

Dr. Dale stated that this list was developed by administrators who were asked the question if we had to make cuts in current operation where would you suggest that we look. 

Dr. Dale reviewed the list of potential cuts.

 

            Following discussion, Mr. Boffman moved to eliminate the Summer Academy and the CASS program from the list of potential cuts.  The motion was seconded by Dr. Borsa and unanimously approved.

 

Dr. Dale commented to Commissioner Cady that he would be happy to discuss how best to staff the Summer Academy with health nurses.

 

Mrs. Crook wanted to know the allocation for funding the facility for the charter school and suggested the possibility of using the evening high school facility.  Mr. Peppe noted that the charter school receives a per pupil amount for operation less some overhead.  Dr. Dale noted that there was not sufficient space as the building is currently being used for three different programs.  Mr. Keller pointed out that the charter school has a two-year lease at its current facility.

 

Dr. Dale responded to Board members’ questions and asked them to provide direction if there were other items for research.  It was noted that the Board would know the final allocation from the Board of County Commissioners by its first meeting in June.

 

Commissioner Cady spoke of the potential cuts and the amount required for a step increase for teachers.


COMMENTS

 

In response to a question from Mrs. Naylor, Mr. Peppe noted that policies are posted and revisions are posted subsequent to approval.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

            Mrs. Smith moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m.  The motion was seconded by

Dr. Borsa and unanimously approved.

 

 

 

                                                                                                Jack D. Dale

                                                                                                Secretary-Treasurer

 

Ronald W. Peppe, II

President

 

Judith A. Ricketts

Administrative Director