Board of Education of St. Mary's County

Meeting of:  Regular Session                                         Held:   May 25, 2006

                                                                                                Board of Education Meeting Room

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

May 25, 2006, in the Board of Education Meeting Room, 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown.  The meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m. by Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa, chairman.  Board members present for the meeting were:

            .Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa, Chairman

            .Ms. Cathy Allen

.Ms. Mary Washington

.Ms. Brittany Thurston, Student Member

Motion to Enter Into Executive Session

Ms. Allen 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 6:00 p.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Agenda

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

Superintendent Report

Dr. Michael Martirano, superintendent of schools, commented on the alleged weapon incident at Leonardtown High School (LHS) on May 19, 2006, and noted how very proud he is of how staff handled the situation, as well as, the students and all the administrators.  He also noted that it was very much of a collaborative process in terms of responding to the situation.  Dr. Martirano further noted that we do have room for improvement and there has been a lot of conversation over the last few days about this process.  Dr. Martirano assured the community that each school has a solid crisis plan in place and that staff is trained on how to respond to emergency incidents.  He further noted that he was pleased to see that our plan does work, but there is need for improvement and we have ongoing training with administrators, staff members, and our schools, and we will continue to do that.  Dr. Martirano said he visited LHS and spoke with the senior students to discuss safe driving, noting we have lost two of our children this year due to car accidents in the Chopticon area.  As adults, he commented, we are role models for safe driving and urged the community to talk to our young people about the need to be safe drivers.  Dr. Martirano mentioned the upcoming graduations at LHS on May 31^st, Great Mills High School (GMHS) on June 1^st, and Chopticon High School (CHS) on June 2^nd, that these are major exciting activities, and he is proud of our young people.  He commented that last week our school system and community hosted sixty business members from across the State of Maryland in a program called Leadership Maryland, discussing No Child Left Behind and the educational limitations.  Dr. Martirano commented that our school system was selected from the State of Maryland to present this information.  According to Dr. Martirano, resounding positive comments were received from all the members of Leadership Maryland about our school system and he is very pleased with that.  He reminded everyone that June 13^th is the last day of school.

Recognitions

• Elementary Mathematics Recognition – Ms. Marian Steinbach, supervisor of instruction for mathematics, noted the annual Elementary Mathematics Challenge Competition, co-sponsored by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), for fourth and fifth grade students, was held at Leonardtown Middle School (LMS) on Saturday, April 8, 2006.  Sixteen elementary schools (14 public and 2 nonpublic) sent a team of seven fourth graders and a team of seven fifth graders to compete.  Ms. Steinbach noted Hollywood Elementary School (HES), Grade 4, took 1^st place in the competition and recognized Nicole Amato, Ian Biggerstaff, Mairyn Branaman, Carlee Joseph, Hunter Shelton, Philip Smith, Emily Whetstone and their coaches; Virginia Meadows and Monique Howe-Townsend.  Ms. Steinbach noted Piney Point Elementary School (PPES),

Grade 5, took 1^st place and recognized Shannon Byrnes, Erin Rothback, Daniel Helbling, Joanna Lewis, Cody Graham, Stephen Rizkowski, Nicholas Makrakis and their coach Jessica Cotugno.  The individual top finishers in grade four are: 1st place - Christina Labows, Benjamin Banneker Elementary School (BBES), 2nd place - Matthew Sebacher, Town Creek Elementary School (TCES), 3rd place - Nicole Amato, HES.  The individual top finishers in grade five are: 2nd place - Erica Muenzel, TCES, and 3rd place - Brendan

Lessel, HES.  The students were presented certificates of recognition.  On behalf of the Board, Ms. Allen congratulated the winners on a job well done, congratulated all the student participants, and thanked the teachers and volunteers who worked to ensure a successful experience for all.  Ms. Allen thanked SMECO for co-sponsoring this annual event.  Dr. Martirano congratulated all of the students on a job well done, as well as staff and Ms. Steinbach.  Dr. Martirano expressed how very proud he was of the students and their coaches and asked for a round of applause for all.

• Science Fair Winners – Ms. Claudia Wortman, supervisor of instruction for science, noted the Prince George's County Science Fair was held at Prince George's Community College March 31-April 2, 2006.  Thirty-one students were selected to attend the fair following the St. Mary's County Science and Engineering Fair.  Ms. Wortman recognized the most outstanding of these projects, noting that two LMS students won second place in the Junior Division (grades 6-8):  Gina Holden won in the mathematics category, and Kate Bonnevier won with her investigation of crater formation in her space science project.  In the Senior Division (grades 9-12), twelve students from LHS received awards.  Special awards were won by Stephen Katulich and Praveen Ramaswamy for their projects related to health and microbiology.  Sarah Lancaster and Neal Zabiegalski received Honorable Mention for their respective projects on pH and conductivity.  Stephanie Hay won third place in the Engineering category for her project "Help is on the Way:  Emergency Structures."  Ms. Wortman recognized four students from LHS who won second place in their respective categories: Robert Nelson investigated "WiFi Signal Strength" in the computer science category; Stephanie Galanie and Diane Mattingly won in the team category for their computer science program that matched kidney donors and kidney recipients; and Mahmood Alaverdi analyzed acid mine drainage in his environmental science project.  Three students from LHS won first place in their respective categories:  Nicholas Bruno won first place in chemistry for his organic chemistry project "A Novel Compound in Organic Synthesis;" Robert Pegg won first place in the Engineering category for his project "How Aerodynamics Affect the Speed of a CO2 Car;" and Julie Walker won first place in the space science category for her project "The Dust Devils Did It - Wind Erosion on Mars."  Julie Walker also won the second place Grand Prize Award and presented her project at the Intel International

Science and Engineering Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 8-12, 2006, where she received a First Place award for Geoscience Excellence.  Ms. Wortman noted this is the sixth student St. Mary's County Public Schools has sent to this fair in the past six years.  In addition, students from St. Mary's County Public Schools won a total of 29 additional awards presented by various professional and special interest groups.  The students were presented certificates of recognition.  Ms. Allen noted that our experience in St. Mary’s County is that interest in math and science is alive and well.  On behalf of the Board, Ms. Allen offered congratulations to the winners and to all participants, and noted how very proud the Board is of their accomplishments.  Dr. Martirano commented that as a former math and science teacher, he is in awe of all of the projects and thanked the students very much, commenting how proud he is and congratulated all the students on a job well done.

• SMECO Mathematics and Science Teacher Awards – Ms. Steinbach noted that on April 19, 2006, SMECO recognized outstanding mathematics and science teachers from the tri-county area at their annual banquet.  Ms. Steinbach commented that three of our mathematics teachers and two of our science teachers were recognized.  Ms. Steinbach presented certificates of recognition to Tammy Tucker, grade 4 teacher of elementary education at Lexington Park Elementary School (LPES), Bonnie Beavan, grade 6 teacher of mathematics at Spring Ridge Middle School, Brian Weisner who teaches a number of mathematics classes at Great Mills High School, Stephanie Stone, grade 8 teacher of science at Esperanza Middle School, and Jason Hayes who teachers Earth/Space Science at CHS.  On behalf of the Board, Ms. Allen congratulated these teachers on being honored by SMECO as outstanding mathematic and science teachers.  Ms. Allen said our students, parents, school system and community are fortunate to have these teachers as educators in our schools and thanked them for all they do every day for students.  Dr. Martirano commended Ms. Steinbach and Ms. Wortman and noted how pleased he was to recognize these teachers for all they do.

Public Comment

Public comment was received as follows:

            Name                                                   Subject

            Mr. Don O’Neal                                  Retirees Health Care

Consent Agenda

Ms. Allen made a motion that the following consent agenda items be approved:

.Regular and Executive Session minutes of May 10, 2006

.Administrative and Supervisory Appointments

.Student Activity Funding

.2006-2007 Board of Education Meeting Schedule

Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Policy “JEB,” Entrance Age, 2^nd Reading

Ms. Linda Dudderar, chief academic officer, noted the revised policy, JEB Entrance Age, is being submitted for the second reading and Board of Education (BOE) approval.  Ms. Dudderar noted the one change to the policy following the public hearing at the last Board meeting.  Ms. Washington made a motion to approve the policy as presented.  Ms. Allen seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Special Education Staffing Plan for FY’07

Ms. Marilyn Mathes, director of special education, noted on April 26, 2006, the FY 2007 Special Education Staffing Plan was presented to the Board of Education as an information item.  Since that meeting, the staffing plan has been available for review on the St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) website and presented to the Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Special Education (CACSE).  Members of the CACSE also represent students with disabilities as members of their school improvement teams.  Ms. Mathes noted three suggestions were received, have been incorporated into the plan, and recommended that the BOE approve the FY 2007 Special Education Staffing Plan.  Dr. Martirano thanked Ms. Mathes for the nice job done on the plan.  Ms. Washington made a motion to approve the plan as presented.  Ms. Allen seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ridge Elementary School Parking Lot Contract

Mr. Brad Clements, chief operating officer, noted this project consists of the construction of a new bus parking area and the relocation of the visitor and staff parking areas.  According to Mr. Clements, on March 31, 2006, plans for bidding were made available to the public and that 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 SMCPS.  Two contractors picked up bidding documents.  On April 20, 2006, a bid was received.  Only one contractor delivered a bid to SMCPS.  Mr. Clements recommended that the BOE approve the Ridge Elementary School Parking Lot Contract Award submitted by Great Mills Construction Company in the amount of $580,000.00, subject to supplemental funding approval by the Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County.  Ms. Allen made a motion to approve the contract award as presented.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Suspension and Dismissal, Classified Employees – Policy “GDPD”  (First Reading)

Dr. Edward Weiland, director of human resources, noted that changes in the policy and regulations are being made to coincide with the reorganization of the Superintendent’s office, specifically the elimination of the deputy superintendent’s position and in keeping with revisions to the agreement between the Collective Employees Association of St. Mary’s County (CEASMC) and the Board of Education of St. Mary’s County.  Dr. Weiland reviewed the proposed policy.  Board members noted their suggestions for revisions to the policy.  The policy will be placed on the SMCPS website for public review and is scheduled for public hearing at the June 14, 2006, Board meeting with the second reading for action during the June 28, 2006, Board meeting. 

Reports

.Ms. Thurston – Attended the National Junior Honor Society Induction at Esperanza Middle School (EMS).  Ms. Thurston commented on the incident at LHS and thanked Dr. Martirano, Mr. Scott Smith, principal of LHS, and all those who helped to ensure that LHS is a safe learning environment. Ms. Thurston stated that the response on that day helped ease some students’ worries and how grateful she is.  She further noted how well informed the students were and how much that was appreciated. On behalf of the LHS students, Ms. Thurston thanked everyone who played a part.  Ms. Thurston thanked Dr. Martirano for coming to the school and talking to the LHS seniors about safe driving.

.Ms Allen – Attended visitation for CHS student Christine Quesenberry, 32^nd Annual Bus Driver Appreciation Dinner, Teacher of the Year celebration at BBES, 6^th Annual Law Enforcement

Appreciation Day, National Junior Honor Society Induction at EMS, LHS Army JROTC Military Ball, Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center Senior Awards Ceremony, Press Conference on EASMC/CEASMC Contract, and LHS parent meeting on school search.

.Ms. Washington – Attended visitation for CHS student Christine Quesenberry, Attended the Toast & Roast for Dr. Elaine Ryan, president of The College of Southern Maryland, Teacher of the Year celebration at BBES, 6^th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Press Conference on EASMC/CEASMC Contract, Education Appreciation Day at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, Meeting with LHS parents concerning May 19^th events, Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center Senior Awards Ceremony, Gear-Up Banquet, and Career Day at Green Holly Elementary School (GHES).

.Dr. Martirano mentioned the celebration of balloons and visit to our 2006-2007 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Stephanie Flick, kindergarten and 1^st grade teacher at BBES.  Dr. Martirano noted it was a great celebration and that Ms. Flick is a wonderful teacher.  He further noted that Ms. Julia Wolfe has served in that position this year as an ambassador for the school system and that Ms. Flick will do the same.  He commented that he and Dr. Raspa attended the State Board of Education meeting where they had a recognition ceremony for the Maryland Teacher of the Year candidates.

.Dr. Raspa – Attended Piney Point Elementary School (PPES) Young Authors Night, Grand Opening Ceremony for the St. Mary’s County Welcome Center at Charlotte Hall, and the Maryland Teacher of the Year Recognition Ceremony in Baltimore.  Dr. Raspa noted how proud he is of Ms. Stephanie Flick, our teacher of the year, and congratulated Ms. Flick on this honor.

Future Board Meetings

The following future meetings will be held:

.Employee Retirement Reception, Wednesday, June 7, 2006, 4:30 p.m., Dr. James A.

   Forrest Career and Technology Center, Leonardtown

.Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, June 14, 2006, 9:00 a.m., Board Meeting Room, 

   Leonardtown.

Adjournment

Dr. Raspa adjourned the regular meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa                                    

Chairman

Dr. Michael J. Martirano
Secretary-Treasurer