BOE 7/27/05

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=130 BGCOLOR="#66CCCC" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04000820ezvthe.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Clare Whitbeck's Web Site</B></FONT><B>   |  </B><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Clare Whitbecks Web Site"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOE 2/23/05"><U>BOE 2/23/05</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOE 3/6/05"><U>BOE 3/6/05</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOE Budget Work Session 3/24/05"><U>BOE Budget Work Session  3/24/05</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOE 4/13/05"><U>BOE 4/13/05</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOE 4/27/05"><U>BOE 4/27/05</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOE 5/18/05"><U>BOE 5/18/05</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOE 6/8/05"><U>BOE 6/8/05</U></A>   |   <B>BOE 7/27/05</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=25% BGCOLOR="#66CCCC" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="041c8212ezvthe.png"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Education Meeting Notes"><U>Board of Education Meeting Notes</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=350 BGCOLOR="#66CCCC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> BOE 7/27/05</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Dr. Janice Walthour came to speak.  She represented the NAACP.  She expressed their concern over the size of Leonardtown Elementary.  Said the public should informed and understand what is being done.  She quoted the study which says that large schools have a particular effect on thmembers of minority groups.  She noted the advantages of small schools.  Many researchers say 3 - 400 students is the right size according to Cotton.  Resources must match the population if the needs are to be meet.  The BOE should return theissue of school size to its agenda before making a decision.</div> <div> William Breslan, the chair of an attendance task for Leonardtown Elementary was next.  The group collected data and has concluded that a policy change is needed, although it may not affect attendance.  Teachers do not give students their make up work for unexcused absences.  Who do some students have 20 or 30 excused absences.  A note from a parent or guardian is all that’s needed.  We have seen students absent before and after prom.  Perhaps these are children of indulgent parents who allow children to work instead of attending school (bag my groceries.)  We cannot penalize parents who can’t afford health care.  They ask to have children with chronic excused absences to consult with a school nurse or personal physician.  </div> <div> Tom Baylor of EASMC said he would like to praise the BOE for all the hard work that went into the selection of this superintendent.  The BOE gave up power and collaborated with the community in the process.  The stakeholders were skeptical, but the BOE took the candidate they selected.  Research has shown that when you involve the stakeholders in the process, you get support for everything.   He welcomed Dr. Martirano.  He attended the leadership academy.  Dr. M came to teach, not to lecture.  Tom learned that if we want lifelong learners, teachers must be lifelong learners.  He presented Dr. M with a bag of goodies.  We look forward to the challenge </div> <div> The agenda was approved.  </div> <div> The attendance policy, when approved, will be presented to the community.  The new policy will be on the web site.  A news release will be drafted.  This information will be included in a letter from the principal.  The issue of attendance will be the first project for the students when the begin the new school year.  </div> <div> Mrs. Washington suggested new language for the second paragraph, which would include early intervention.  She wants things in places to help students before consequences come into play.  There is a free program and students should get services before they get into trouble.  We also need intervention strategies, monitoring, and procedures.  Raspa asked and was told there are a series of steps.  Washington said she thinks the board would want to intervene early, rather than consequences.  Raspa said he is not sure we are ready for this.  </div> <div> Washington asked if the policies are still in the libraries and still being updated and was told yes.  She noted that lawful and unlawful absences are not defined in this policy.</div> <div> She asked and was told that the law required that children attend school between age 5 and 16.  Washington said we can’t require that for pre K?  We are told that we can have preK</div> <div> Lyon said you can’t rework that section, but you could say the BOE encourages all students to attend.  One of the lawful absences is a situation deemed lawful by the superintendent or his designee.  It is not illegal, said Lyon, to take children on vacation, but that is not a legal absence.  It was noted that students who are absence for more than a few days are referred to the school nurse.  Mr. Breslan asked by whom.  The language suggested by Washington was approved.  Raspa said there seems to be a concern about the nurses picking up the absences of children.  Maybe we need to see what difficulties there are.  Lyon said she knows that nurses are working with students.  Raspa asked lyon to look into whether there may be a problem.  Dr. M said they should probably review procedures.  Allen asked about a preprinted note. Lyon said we’ll come up with something.  The two policies were approved by the BOE.</div> <div> The next item was Brad Clements talking about land acquisition.  He talked about the amount of work on property acquisition done by Kim Howe.  As you know we need 3 elem, a middle and a high school in the next ten years.  They met with the commissioners and Planning an Zoning of Leonardtown.  Both groups were very favorable.  The next step is a 3 way agreement among the Town, the developer, the school system.  </div> <div> He asked for a vote on a property to hold two more schools.  Also he has an elementary site on the Oscar Buchanan Property on St. Andrews Church Road.  It will have an on site septic system.  Almost the whole project will go on the cleared area.  The Buchanan property will go to the State for approval.  That would give us three sites over the next 3 years. </div> <div> Board members thanked Mr. Clements who said the State has visited the site.  Dr. M said we are pleased.  Allen said this has been a long time coming and it is wonderful that we can go forward.  We have other irons in the fire.  We have been quiet.  We have gone forward.  She is pleased that the Enterprise has recognized that the Clarks rest site is not a quick fix.  It will take time.  Clements noted that the build out will also take time.  The Board approved the Buchanan site and the negotiation parameters for the purchase of a property as discussed in executive session.  </div> <div> Clements said they have not rejected 60 some sites.  If any property owners would like to come forward, they would be welcome.  He thanked Dr. M for his quick uptake.</div> <div> School bus contracts for 2006 came forward.  The ones in yellow are the new contracts from the seniority list.  The red ones are transfer contracts in which the prior contractor has negotiated a transfer.  All others are contractors that have been with us for a great number of years.  Reed Walker, he said, is present.  Raspa asked to have the process reviewed.  Walker said they verified the date they first received a contract and they were given priority.  Now when 4 buses come out, they contact the first four and ask them if they want to received the contract.  They also allow contractors to negotiate the sale of the contract and the bus to another contractor.  The SS still has to approve the contractor.  Mattingly asked if they were opposed to the method.  Clements said people know what the process is and they like that.  </div> <div> Allen asked if the bus contractor agreement is basically unchanged, and Clements said it is unchanged.  They will update the contract next year.  Allen said under #9, section a,   . . Clements said there are things we need to work on.  (Dr. M looked at his watch.) Bill Mattingly asked if we have had to dip into the pool self insurance.  Cl said we carry insurance.  The contractor carries his own.  Mattingly is the contractor primary.  Carney said we have the primary liability for the children and for the other party.  The driver has insurance for the bus itself.  The bus contract award as presented was approved.  </div> <div> Allen asked and was told the the amount of paperwork bus drivers do would be decreased.  </div> <div> CL said he wants to go over the APF ordinance as it applies to schools.  We’ve heard that the Leonardtown area may be shut down.  We have heard that we need to redistrict.  What’s the school system going to do to fix this.  The county ordinance requires sept 30 enrollment and county and state capacity.  WE did that within zones established b y the BOCC.  They would like to see developers mitigate by giving land and have the rules established as to what you get.  In Charles Co they are accepting $$ from developers.  Kessler noted that in some states, developers build the schools. Kim said our CIP is based on county growth.  We get about a dollar from Md  for every dollar we spend.  On average our growth has our accuracy rate on school proj is 98% or so.  The CIP will be reviewed in October.  They have a premeeting in July.  This year they talked about forward funding.  When we talk about middle and high schools, the overcrowding is starting .  We have to have 50% of students in place and have to show the rest will be by the time the school is built. $$ for 17.5% increase 175 - 200+.  Secondary projects are becoming the key element.  The state pays based on cash flows.  Cash flow may be spread out over 9 or more years.  Growth is projected in projections.  When we get to the secondary level 75 M high school, middle school 35 M.  We can accelerate the school if needed.  We are 276 seats short for the ‘09 high school needed.  They will monitor the situation of forward funding in the State.  The environment is changing.  They will maximize investment.   </div> <div> Cl said we would love to forward fund, because we wouldn’t have students Allen noted we can’t just keep piling on relocatables.  Kessler said it seems to be a catch 22.  Clements said we need to move the 107 up.  We know what our growth rate is.  Would that make a difference?  It is adiscussion that needs to take place.  We’ve been able to manage it, but today we are behinds.  Cl said the sTate told them  “even if we get as much money next year, it doesn’t buy the same.  Allen noted that we don’t have anything to do with adequate public facilities.  That’s difficult for people to understand.  “When the new zoning ordinance was being discussed, the Board at that time made it clear that it was not interested in moving students out of as school seat to allow development .  I don’t see any indications that has changed.”  </div> <div> FY 2005 unaudited financial report. Carney noted there are 60 days for bills to come in and be reflected in the past year.  Carney has a number for salary changes.  Vendor has notified them that they will not honor the price.  Transportation costs are reflecting changes at the pump.  There is a surplus of approximately 2.6 M.</div> <div> Dr. M said he is honored to be Superintendent of Schools.  He’s been here 4 weeks and things are good.  He thanks the BOE for running an outstanding process.  He said to his wife that he wishes the county all the best because the community made such an impression on the him and his wife.  He thanked teachers, staff members, parents that have helped make the process easier.  He wants the best possible school year for all of our children.  He spoke at the Rotary Club and felt the interview process was continuing.  On August 24 the will meet to on Charting a Course to Excellence. “ One community committed to the learning and safety for children.  Work hard and be nice.  That encompasses the whole aspect.  We want all community members to rally around for the betterment of children.  </div> <div> He’s smiling all the time and he can’t stop.  August 10 is next meeting.  </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>