Board of Education of St. Mary’s County

Meeting of:  Regular Session                                         Held:   May 10, 2006

                                                                                                Board of Education Meeting Room

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of St. Mary’s County was held on Wednesday,

May 10, 2006, in the Board of Education Meeting Room, 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown.  The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa, chairman.  Board members present for the meeting were:

            .Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa, Chairman

.Mr. Gary Kessler, Vice Chairman

.Ms. Cathy Allen

.Mr. Bill Mattingly

.Ms. Mary Washington

.Ms. Brittany Thurston, Student Member

Motion to Enter Into Executive Session

Mr. Kessler made a motion that the Board enter into executive session to discuss personnel, negotiations, and property acquisition issues (Article 24, Section 4-210(a)1,8,11).  Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Reopen Regular Session

Dr. Raspa reconvened the regular meeting at 9:52 a.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

For Showcasing our Schools, Ms. Lynne Morgan, supervisor of fine arts, introduced Ms. Christine Mattingly, allied health teacher from the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center.  Students enrolled in the Allied Health program highlighted some of their classroom work as part of their instructional program.  Dr. Martirano, superintendent of schools, noted how proud he is of the students and thanked them for their interest in the health field.

Approval of Agenda

Mr. Kessler made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Ms. Allen seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Superintendent Report

Dr. Michael Martirano asked for a moment of silence in honor of Chopticon High School (CHS) student Christina Quesenberry, who died as a result of a car accident this past Friday evening.  Dr. Martirano implored the entire school community to talk to their children to be safe drivers as we approach graduations and end of year celebrations because we are one community committed to safety and learning for all students.  On a positive note, Dr. Martirano announced that two advanced placement teachers from Leonardtown High School (LHS), Ms. Pauline Owen and Ms. Ronni Morrissey have been selected to present at the Advanced Placement Conference in Orlando, Florida in July.  Dr. Martirano also noted that Ms. Laura Carpenter, coordinator of the gifted and talented program, will serve on an expert panel at this conference and thanked her for her dedication to the advanced placement program.  Dr. Martirano announced that Newsweek magazine recently published the top 1,200 schools based on the advanced placement challenge and our high schools ranked as follows:  LHS – number 367, CHS – number 1,153 and Great Mills High School (GMHS) – number 646.  Dr. Martirano also noted that he co-sponsored the

first Schoolhouse Meeting along with the Education Association of St. Mary’s County (EASMC) and the Collective Employees Association of St. Mary’s County (CEASMC) on Thursday, May 4^th and the meeting was very well attended and the feedback was very positive.  These meetings will be scheduled quarterly next year. 

Recognitions

• National School Nurse Day (May 10) – Ms. Kathleen Lyon, executive director of student services, announced that National School Nurse Day is celebrated on May 10, 2006.  Ms. Lyon noted that school nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success and life-long achievement of students.  Among their many responsibilities, school nurses promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student/family capacity for self-management, self-advocacy, and learning.  They often provide these services to increasingly large numbers of students.  School nurses continue to play a vital role in improving the health and well-being of our children.  National School Nurse Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our school nurses and the partnership with the St. Mary’s County Health Department which assists in supporting this vital service to students.  Mr. Kessler, on behalf of the Board, thanked the school nurses for their compassion and dedication each and every day to benefit the students.  Dr. Martirano read and presented a resolution to Ms. Trish Wince, coordinator of health/home/hospital teaching, in recognition of National School Nurse Day.  Ms. Lyon presented certificates of appreciation to four school nurses who were recently recognized as recipients of the Public Health Hero Award. 

• Teacher Appreciation Week (May 7-13) – Dr. Edward Weiland, director of human resources, announced that May 7-13, 2006, has been designated as Teacher Appreciation Week and National Teacher Day is celebrated on May 9, 2006.  Dr. Weiland noted that the official theme this year is “Great Teachers Make Great Public Schools!”   Dr. Weiland read and presented resolutions to Ms. Susan Houseman, 2005-2006 Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher, and Ms. Jan Emerson, president of EASMC.  Mr. Kessler, on behalf of the Board, congratulated Ms. Houseman and Ms. Emerson for representing our school system so well.  Dr. Martirano noted that he is very proud to be Superintendent and thanked all teachers for their commitment to education.

• Recognition for Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education – Ms. Marilyn Mathes, director of special education, noted that each year the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE) recognizes Maryland educators from each school system for their dedication to including students with disabilities in Maryland’s public schools.  This year, the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Child Find Team was selected to receive this award for embracing the spirit of inclusion everyday in their interactions with schools, family, and our community.  These wonderful professionals provide support and training to early childhood teachers and to day care and private preschool providers so that young

            children with disabilities are educated with their non-disabled peers.  Their passion and

            belief in inclusion has opened doors for children with disabilities to participate in early

            childhood experiences with their sibling and neighbors.  Ms. Mathes noted that she is

            pleased to honor Ms. Angela Fulp, supervisor of special education, Ms. Margaret Taylor,

            speech pathologist, Ms. Elizabeth St. Laurent, child find specialist and Ms. Debbie

            Crosby, instructional resource teacher for early childhood education, for their dedication

            and commitment to all of our young children in St. Mary’s County.  Mr. Kessler, on

            behalf of the Board, congratulated the staff for receiving the MCIE award and for their

            dedication and commitment for all children in the St. Mary’s County Public Schools.  Dr.

            Martirano presented each honoree with a certificate of appreciation and thanked them

            also for their commitment to each and every child. 

Public Hearing

A public hearing was held to provide public input on policies for review as follows: “JEB” (Entrance Age).  No public input was received.

Public Comment

Public comment was received as follows:

            Name                                                   Subject

            Ms. Jan Emerson                                  Teacher Appreciation Week

Ms. Ella Musser                                   contract negotiations

Ms. Karen Lowry                                 contract negotiations

Consent Agenda

Ms. Allen made a motion that the following consent agenda items be approved with two corrections to the minutes of April 26, 2006 as follows:  on page two to change the spelling of the word hero’s to heroes and on page five to include the following statements “Cost and  personnel time were mentioned as concerns by Ms. Allen.  Ms. Allen asked about the feasibility of providing a modified budget in brief for interested individuals”:

.Regular and Executive Minutes of April 26, 2006

.Bus Contract Transfers

Mr. Kessler seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Leonardtown High School/Leonardtown Middle School Relocatables Contract Award

Mr. Brad Clements, chief operating officer, noted that this project consists of the relocation and setting of the following: one (1) four classroom State owned relocatable from Margaret Brent Middle School to Leonardtown High School; and one (1) four classroom State owned relocatable and one (1) restroom trailer, each from Margaret Brent Middle School to be placed at Leonardtown Middle School.  On April 7, 2006, plans for bidding were made available to the public.  Advertisement was made in the local paper, as well as, delivery of the advertisement via facsimile to local contractors who have completed these types of projects for St. Mary's County Public Schools.  Two contractors purchased bidding documents.  On April 28, 2006, bids were received.  Both contractors who picked up document sets delivered bids to St. Mary's County Public Schools.   The bid was given to the lowest responsible bidder, Hash Construction, in the amount of $354,837.00.  Ms. Allen made a motion that the Board of Education approve the

contract award to Hash Construction in the amount of $354,837.00.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Leonardtown Elementary School Relocatables Contract Award

 Mr. Clements noted that this project consists of the relocation and setting of the following: four (4) single classroom relocatables from the existing Leonardtown Elementary School campus; four (4) single classroom relocatables, one (1) four classroom State owned relocatable, and one (1) each restroom trailer from the George Washington Carver Elementary School Annex campus; the setting of two (2) new two classroom relocatable units, which were recently bid and awarded. On April 7, 2006, plans for bidding were made available to the public.  Advertisement was made in the local paper, as well as, delivery of the advertisement via facsimile to local contractors who have completed these types of projects for St. Mary's County Public Schools.  Two contractors purchased bidding documents. On April 28, 2006, bids were received.  Both contractors who picked up document sets delivered bids to St. Mary's County Public Schools. Mr. Kessler made a motion that the Board of Education approve the contract award to the lowest responsible bidder, Blazers Custom Construction, in the amount of $686,171.00, based on FY ’06 and FY ’07 funding.  Ms. Allen seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Lexington Park Elementary School Relocatables Contract Award

Mr. Clements noted that this project consists of the relocation and setting of the following: two (2) two classroom locally owned relocatables from Margaret Brent Middle School to Lexington Park Elementary School.  On April 7, 2006, plans for bidding were made available to the public.  Advertisement was made in the local paper, as well as, delivery of the advertisement via facsimile to local contractors who have completed these types of projects for St. Mary's County Public Schools.  Two contractors purchased bidding documents. On April 28, 2006, bids were received.  Both contractors who picked up document sets delivered bids to St. Mary's County Public Schools. Ms. Allen made a motion that the Board of Education approve the contract award to the lowest responsible bidder, Hash Construction, in the amount of $158,713.00.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Amendment to FY 2007 Capital Improvements Program

Mr. Clements stated that as part of the FY 2006 local capital improvements program budget, $441,000 was approved for the Ridge Elementary School Parking Lot Modification project.  This project was bid on April 20, 2006.  Based on the daily increase in petroleum based products, the bids for this project exceed the approved budget by $239,000.  In order to consider an award of a contract for this project so that work can be accomplished this summer, staff is recommending that the Board of Education request additional funding as part of the FY 2007 local capital improvements program.  This request requires approval by the Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County.  Mr. Kessler made a motion that the Board of Education approve an amendment to the FY 2007 Local Capital Improvements Program request in the amount of an additional $239,000 for the Ridge Elementary School Parking Lot Modification, to be submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County for their consideration, as submitted by staff.  Ms. Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 

FY 2006 April Financial Report

Mr. Dan Carney, chief financial officer, presented the FY 2006 financial results as of May 1, 2006. Mr. Carney noted that the revenue and expenditure picture has not changed since the last

report and the categorical transfers just approved by the County will be updated in the system soon.

Reports

.Ms. Thurston noted that the Southern Maryland Association of Student Councils (SMASC) met for their last executive meeting and she thanked Dr. Martirano for his dialogue with the students on safe driving before graduation. 

.Mr. Kessler noted that he recently attended the “Grease” production at Esperanza Middle School (EMS) and the talent at the middle school level is incredible. 

.Ms. Allen noted her attendance at the following events: Park Hall Elementary School (PHES) Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) parade, the CHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Banquet, Transition Fair, Southern Maryland CAN Grant Celebration, Piney Point Elementary School (PPES) groundbreaking ceremony and the Margaret Brent Middle School (MBMS) dedication.  Ms. Allen also commended Ms. Thurston for her part in the “Footloose” musical at LHS.

.Ms. Washington noted her attendance at the following events:  Mechanicsville Elementary School (MES) American Girl Book Club tea party, EMS “Grease” performance that was wonderful, Toast/Roast for Dr. Elaine Ryan, president of the College of Southern Maryland, “Grease” musical at EMS, GMHS Prom, Links, Inc. Annual Scholarship Luncheon, MBMS dedication ceremony, Special Olympics at LHS, National Junior Honor Society Induction at Leonardtown Middle School (LMS), PHES Parade “100 Days of Peace, and the CHS FBLA Awards Ceremony.  Ms. Washington noted the strong fine arts program available in our school system. 

.Mr. Mattingly noted his attendance at the MBMS dedication and how meaningful it was to him. He also noted that the visitation for CHS student Christina Quesenberry is this afternoon from

 4-8 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Mechanicsville.  He announced that it is great to be back at the Board table.

Dr. Raspa noted that he had attended the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher celebration where Ms. Susan Houseman was recognized.  He also noted his appreciation to The Washington Post for sponsoring this worthwhile event and congratulated Spring Ridge Middle School for this honor.

.Dr. Martirano noted that he had attended the Special Olympics at LHS and it was a phenomenal event with community support.

Future Board Meetings

The following future meeting will be held:

.Regular Board Meeting, Thursday, May 25, 2006, 6:00 p.m., Board Meeting Room,

 Leonardtown.

Adjournment

Dr. Raspa adjourned the regular meeting at 11:20 a.m.

Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa                                        

Chairman

Dr. Michael J. Martirano
Secretary-Treasurer