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
October 10, 2001
The Board of Education of Frederick County met in the Administrative Conference Room at 2:20 p.m. In attendance were President Ronald W. Peppe, II, Vice President
Deborah A. Aughenbaugh, Daryl A. Boffman, Stephen Crawford, Anne B. Hooper, Jean A. Smith, and Linda S. Naylor who entered the meeting at 2:40 p.m. Also in attendance were
Jack D. Dale, Secretary-Treasurer, and Judith A. Ricketts, Administrative Director.
In accordance with Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, Mrs. Smith moved to go into Closed Session to discuss matters relating to the Executive Function of the Board. The motion was unanimously approved.
The Board unanimously approved the Closed Session minutes of August 22, 2001.
No action was taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
PLANNING SESSION
The Board of Education of Frederick County met in the Administrative Conference Room at 3:10 p.m. All Board of Education members were in attendance. Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale and Judith A. Ricketts.
Richard Kahlenberg, Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation, gave a presentation on Public School Choice as a vehicle for promoting economic integration of the public schools, and he responded to Board members’ questions.
The meeting was recessed at 4:35 p.m. and was reconvened at 4:53 p.m.
The draft agenda for the Board of Education’s meeting with the Frederick County Delegation and the Board of County Commissioners was reviewed.
PRESENTATION AT THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION CONFERENCE
Mrs. Aughenbaugh noted that she had not attended the session on committee structure by members of the Washington County Board of Education at the Maryland Association of Boards of Education Conference, but that she received a copy of their handbook, a guide to the operations of the Board. She pointed out that one of their committees deals with policy and that our Board may want to consider such a committee.
Mr. Peppe spoke regarding the replacement of the Health Department’s representative to the Family Life Advisory Committee due to a change in position. The Board consensually agreed to add this appointment to the agenda.
Mr. Peppe noted that he had sent information to the Board on the Education Summit held in Anne Arundel County and asked if Board members were interested in participating in such an event as requested by the Center for Charter Schools. Before making a decision, Board members requested a definitive proposal.
WALKERSVILLE BUS ISSUE
The Board’s prior action to clarify the wording in Board policy on the walking distance with no change in meaning was noted. It was further noted that the system would allow students to walk back to meet a bus if they were within the walking distance of the school providing that there is sufficient room on the bus. This allowance was discussed.
Mr. Peppe noted that he met with Col. Robert Tansey regarding the Yellow Pages, a publication of the Frederick County Interagency Committee on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention, and Parenting which is made available to students through the guidance offices and media centers. He stated that Col. Tansey strongly feels that the publication listing support organizations should be all-inclusive. It was determined that the Curriculum and Instruction Committee could review this matter.
Mr. Peppe noted that he also discussed the issue of the day of silence with Col. Tansey.
Discussion was held regarding the Superintendent’s participation in Leadership Maryland. The Board consensually agreed to support the Superintendent’s decision in this matter.
Mr. Peppe noted that he received another letter from John O’Neill and that a copy of this letter and Mr. Peppe’s response will be distributed to all Board members.
Mr. Peppe also noted that letters are being received regarding an abstinence-only program.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
The Board of Education met at 6:10 p.m. in the Board Room. All Board of Education members were present. Also in attendance were Jack D. Dale, Judith A. Ricketts, and John L. Thompson, Jr., County Commissioner Liaison to the Board of Education. Ryan C. Tuck, Student Representative to the Board, was absent.
Mr. Peppe opened the meeting, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mr. Peppe recommended that the Appointment to the Family Life Advisory Committee be added to the agenda. The Board unanimously approved the agenda as amended.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL GOOD AND WELFARE
Comments by Nancy Dietz
Nancy Dietz, President of the Frederick County Teachers Association, spoke regarding the demands on teachers’ time on the day previously designated for preparing students’ portfolios that will not be available to them this year.
Ms. Dietz also noted that from her point of view, it was not the teachers who turned down the additional days in the contract for training.
John Ashbury stated that much is being done with the reading programs in the schools. He presented hats to Board members, the Superintendent, and Ms. Ricketts with the logo “READ” and asked that they, as role models for the students, wear these hats and carry books as they enter the schools so that each child knows the importance of reading.
Dr. Dale thanked Mr. Ashbury for his emphasis in this area.
Melissa Kesner, on behalf of Green Valley Elementary School, requested that the Board consider moving up the plan to replace carpeting, flooring, and painting of bathrooms now scheduled for FY ’03.
Lennie Thompson spoke regarding a Frederick News-Post columnist who made inflammatory remarks about a Frederick County Public Schools’ employee, and he supported the employee.
The minutes of the September 26, 2001, were unanimously approved.
The Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda:
Staffing Changes
Curriculum and Instruction Committee
Continuation of Title VI Grant
Continuation of Governor’s Gifted and Talented Program Development Grant
Facilities and Finance Committee
Bids
Incandescent, Fluorescent, Stage and Projection Lamps
Procurement Card Services
Water Testing/Treatment – HVAC Systems
Miscellaneous Food, Breakfast and Lunch Products
New Market Middle/ Elementary Waterline, Storm Pond Restoration and
Paving Project
STAFFING CHANGES
Ahmido, Shireen, Orchard Grove Elementary – effective September 24, 2001
Harper, Phillip C., Carroll Manor Elementary – effective October 1, 2001
Smith, Nathan, Gov. Thomas Johnson High – effective July 15, 2001
Haddon, Ellen, Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle – effective October 1, 2001
Cunningham, Sheila, Green Valley Elementary – effective September 26, 2001
Desamo, Mary Ellen, Orchard Grove Elementary – effective September 26, 2001
Scott, Wanda, Oakdale Elementary – effective September 24, 2001
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
Governor’s Gifted and Talented Program Development Grant.
Incandescent,
Fluorescent, Stage and Projection Lamps - #01-I-1
Awarded to the companies indicated on the summary of renewal at an estimated annual total of $35,945.06 (Proposals 1 & 2). The #2421 lamp to be purchased from Proposal #3 adds $7,000.00 to the estimated cost for a grand total of $42,945.06/year.
Awarded to Bank of America.
Awarded to Aquatomic Products Company at a total annual price of $20,304.00. Testing and treatment needed beyond the scope of these specifications will be done at $45.00 per hour and 15 percent over cost for materials.
Awarded to Carroll County Foods at an estimated total of $38,270.83.
PAVING PROJECT
Change Order to J.H.G. Contractors, Inc. $24,640
Postpones the New Market Middle/Elementary Waterline, Storm Pond Restoration and Paving Project for one year to restart on June 1, 2002, and complete by August 15, 2002.
David Miller, Assistant Superintendent for Career and Technology Education and Business Partnerships, provided a brief history of the Gifts for Education Grant.
Mr. Boffman approved the Gifts for Education Grants. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Aughenbaugh and unanimously approved.
Summaries of the funded proposals were presented:
Central Office – Character Counts $2,160.00
Hillcrest Elementary 500.00
Lewistown Elementary 500.00
Middletown Middle 300.00
South Frederick Elementary 1,018.41
Valley Elementary 400.00
David Miller requested that the Board approve the Franklin and Bess Gladhill Agricultural Education Grants in the total amount of $5,316.84.
Upon motion by Mrs. Aughenbaugh, seconded by Dr. Crawford, the Board unanimously approved the awards as presented.
Ballenger Creek Elementary $500.00
Frederick High FFA (1) 200.00
Frederick High (2) 200.00
Green Valley Elementary 900.00
Kemptown Elementary 900.00
Liberty Elementary 500.00
Linganore High FFA 916.84
Oakdale Middle 800.00
Urbana High FFA 400.00
Mr. Peppe recommended that Beth Mowrey, Coordinator of Special Projects, Guys Only Program, be appointed to represent the Frederick County Health Department on the Family Life Advisory Committee, and that Lisa Wade, Community Health Nurse, serve as the alternate to this position.
The Board unanimously approved the recommendation.
Jerry Strum, Curriculum Specialist for Elementary Language Arts, and Bonnie Hain, Curriculum Specialist for Secondary Language Arts, presented the K-12 Reading Intervention Annual Report and responded to Board members’ questions.
Staff responded to Dr. Crawford’s questions about the classroom aspects related to the current national situation.
Mrs. Naylor thanked the individuals for public comment this evening.
Dr. Dale responded to Dr. Crawford’s question stating that he did not know the results of the survey on how many of our teachers were or might be called for active reserve.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
Jack D. Dale
Secretary-Treasurer
Ronald W. Peppe, II
President
Judith A. Ricketts
Administrative Director