The regular meeting of the Board of Education of St. Mary’s County was held on Wednesday,
November 9, 2005, in the Board of Education Meeting Room, 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown. The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Mrs. Cathy Allen, chairman. Board members present for the meeting were:
.Mrs. Cathy Allen, Chairman
.Dr. Salvatore Raspa, Vice Chairman
.Mrs. Mary Washington
.Ms. Brittany Thurston, Student Member
Mrs. Allen reconvened the regular meeting at 9:42 a.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
For Showcasing our Schools, Mrs. Lynne Morgan, supervisor of fine arts, presented a program on integrating the Voluntary State Curriculum for social studies and language arts in grade five. Today’s activity included Rebecca Sachs, Nicole Clarke, Aaron Johnson, and Maria Williams, four students from Leonardtown Elementary School, reading speeches they wrote on the topic of Veteran’s Day in preparation for the Veteran’s Day Parade in Leonardtown. Mrs. Kelly Hall, principal of Leonardtown Elementary School, noted they would have a float at the parade and how excited they were to be part of it. Dr. Michael Martirano, superintendent of schools, commended the students on an outstanding job. He thanked Mrs. Hall, noting what a wonderful school Leonardtown Elementary School is.
Dr. Raspa made a motion to accept the agenda as presented. Mrs. Washington seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Report
Dr. Martirano noted he continues to hear about the tremendous amount of support that was received after the fire at George Washington Carver Elementary School. He commented that letters of thanks are being sent to all the people who donated their time and an article would appear in the St. Mary's County Public Schools “Making A Difference” newsletter. He noted on November 30th with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education and our school Board we will be hosting a community forum “What Counts” at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center from 7:00-9:00 p.m. He also noted that the invitation list includes over 200 stakeholders and the forum will focus on education in St. Mary's County. Dr. Martirano announced that Ms. Jill Mills, principal of Esperanza Middle School, was named a recipient of The Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award and that Ms. Mary Kaye Roper, physical education teacher at Hollywood Elementary School, was named a recipient of the Simon A. McNeely Honor Award. He remarked he is still visiting schools and how tremendous the staff and parents are at the schools.
Recognitions
· American Education Week and Education Support Professionals Day - Dr. Edward Weiland, director of human resources, along with Mrs. Allen and Dr. Martirano asked Ms. Jan Emerson, president of the Educational Association of St. Mary’s County (EASMC), Ms. Monique Willett, president of the Collective Employees Association of St. Mary’s County (CEAMSC), and Ms. Julia Wolfe, St. Mary's County Teacher of the Year to come forward and join in the recognition of our educators and support professionals. Dr. Weiland asked that the Board of Education recognize the important work of educators and educational support personnel alike and proclaim November 13-19, 2005, as American Education Week and November 16, 2005, as Education Support Professionals Day (ESP) in St. Mary's County Public Schools; and that the Board of Education proclaim American Education Week to the St. Mary’s County Teacher of the Year and to the leadership of EASMC and CEASMC. Dr. Weiland noted it is a week for publicly spotlighting how important education is to the health and well being of our children and that it is a week for strengthening the connection between schools and the public. Mrs. Allen encouraged parents and community members during this week to visit schools and thanked all staff members for everything they do. Dr. Martirano noted he would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire staff on behalf of the Board and school system for all they do every day and recognized that St. Mary's County Public Schools is lucky to have so many talented individuals. He also thanked Ms. Emerson and Ms. Willett for the video they presented on ESP’s and American Education Week. Ms. Emerson stated they are committed to fighting for quality. Ms. Willett applauded the teachers on all they do.
Public Comment
Public Comment was received as follows:
Name Subject
.Ms. Jan Emerson – EASMC American Education Week
.Ms. Monique Willett – CEASMC American Education Week & Education Support Professionals Day
Consent Agenda
Dr. Raspa made a motion that the following consent agenda items be approved:
.Regular and Executive Session minutes of October 24, 2005
.New Employment
Mrs. Washington seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Recycled Tire Grant Award – White Marsh Elementary School
Mr. Brad Clements, chief administrative officer, and Mr. Darrell Barricklow, supervisor of design and construction, noted this project consists of the installation of a new playground safety surface system installed at an existing playground at White Marsh Elementary School. The installation will allow for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accepted and approved access to the playground equipment. Due to the cooler winter temperatures, the start and completion dates for this project will be April 1, 2006 and April 30, 2006, respectively. On September 23, 2005, St. Mary's County Public Schools made plans and specifications available for bidding the project. Three bidders picked up packages. Bids were required to be received no later than 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2005. St. Mary's County Public Schools received two bids, one from Hash Construction Company, the other from Playground Specialties. It was further noted that the funding source for this project is a State Recycled Tire Grant with local ADA funding making up the difference. Mrs. Washington remarked what a wonderful grant this is. Dr. Raspa made a motion to accept the bid submitted by Playground Specialties Incorporated, as submitted for the White Marsh Elementary School ADA Surfacing project. Mrs. Washington seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Architectural and Engineering Services for First New Elementary School
Mr. Clements noted through the FY 2006 local capital improvements program, funds were provided for the design of the first new elementary school. The school system has decided that the design for the new elementary school would be a two-story, compact design facility that would incorporate environmental features. This design should be a flexible plan that could meet the educational program as it is to be the prototype design. In reviewing architectural firms with the focus on the firms that had experience with two-story buildings as well as prototype designs, TCA Architects, is recommended for this project. TCA Architects were the architects for Chopticon High School and Leonardtown High School. They have done a number of two-story elementary schools and several of them are prototype designs. They have an excellent reputation with us in working with our building committees, as well as, the quality of their drawings in all phases of design and construction. Their fee for this project is 7.2% of the construction cost at today’s dollar. This project will be bid in approximately 18 months. TCA Architects will be involved in the project for approximately four years beginning with design until the completion of the warranty period. Their fee for services is $1,256,000 which covers the entire design team, which is made up of eight firms. Mrs. Washington noted this company has a record of success. Mrs. Washington made a motion to approve the award of the A&E Contract for the first new elementary school to TCA Architect. Dr. Raspa seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Policy “JED” (Student Absences and Excuses and Parental Responsibility) – 2nd Reading
Mrs. Kathleen Lyon, director of pupil services, presented the second reading of policy revision “JED”. The first reading of policy “JED” was conducted on October 24, 2005. Dr. Raspa commented that we should accept the state definition and thinks it is good. Dr. Martirano remarked that superintendents across the state have had lengthy discussions on this policy and
that the changes are overall very clear. Mrs. Washington made a motion to accept the revision. Dr. Raspa seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Budget Advisory Committee Study Topics for FY 2006
Mr. Dan Carney, chief financial officer, discussed the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) proposed study objectives. The first study objective, Budgetary Risks Associated with St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) Maintenance Staffing and Structure is to identify long term budgetary effects and risks associated with the planned funding profile of the SMCPS Comprehensive Maintenance Plan. The next study objective, Health Care for System Employees and Retirees, is to identify trends and options which may be available to address the escalating cost of health care to the school system and the cost of coverage for employees and retirees. The third study objective, The SMCPS “Budget Book”, is to identify ways to revise the current presentation of this document, to make it more “reader” friendly. Also presented were four items to be studied over the next several years: Instructional Life Cycle replacement timeframes and costs on a variety of technology equipment, Cost effectiveness of Laptops vs. Neo vs. Desktop in classroom settings, Cost effectiveness of accepting donated computer equipment, and Instructional Applications. There was discussion among the Board members concerning the number of study topics to be given to the BAC. Mrs. Washington commented we do not want to overburden the committee. After discussion by the Board, Mrs. Allen noted we will leave technology off and approve the three study topics of; staffing and structure, health care, and the budget book. The Board was in agreement. Mrs. Washington made a motion to approve the FY 2006 BAC study topics as presented by Mr. Cucinotta. Dr. Raspa seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
FY 2006 October Financial Report
Mr. Carney reported on the General Fund financial results as of October 31, 2005. He commented that the revenue side is tracking as planned and on the expenditure side there has been no change from the last time around. Mr. Carney noted some concerns especially in the areas of energy costs and is happy to see that diesel fuel costs have come down a little from where they were and commented we still have an issue, but not as big as before. Mr. Carney stated we are in consultation with the county government and that we should have a better picture by the December meeting as to how we will address this issue. Dr. Raspa remarked that hopefully fuel costs will continue to drop. Mrs. Allen thanked Mr. Carney for his report.
Reports
.Mrs. Washington noted her attendance at the Lights On After School Program, Fundraiser for the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Village for their trip to Memphis, Tennessee, Spaghetti Dinner and Play “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” at Great Mills High School, Teen Court Volunteer Appreciation Night at Leonard Hall Recreation Center, and the All County Middle and High School Honor Band Concert at Chopticon High School.
.Mrs. Allen noted her attendance at the Lights On After School Program, School Plays at Great Mills High School “Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, and “Fools” at Leonardtown High School. She
encouraged the community to attend the “What Counts” forum on November 30th, and commented that you do not need an invitation to participate. She asked that community members planning on attending please RSVP so that we will have an accurate headcount for the planning of this event.
Future Board Meetings
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2005, at 6:00 p.m., in the Board Meeting Room, Leonardtown.
Adjournment
Mrs. Allen adjourned the regular meeting at 11:28 a.m.
Mrs. Cathy Allen
Chairman
Dr. Michael J.
Martirano
Secretary-Treasurer