Board of Education of St. Mary's County
Board of Education Meeting Room
The regular meeting of the Board of Education of St. Mary’s County was held on Wednesday,
.Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa, Chairman
.Mr. Gary Kessler, Vice Chairman
.Ms. Cathy Allen
.Ms. Mary Washington
.Ms. Brittany Thurston, Student Member
Mr. Kessler made a motion that the Board enter into executive session to discuss personnel and property acquisition issues (Article 24, Section 4-210(a)1,11). Ms. Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Dr. Raspa reconvened the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mr. Kessler made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Ms. Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Report
Dr. Michael Martirano, superintendent of schools, commented on the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) scores, noting an improvement in both reading and mathematics for students at all grade levels over the 2004-2005 results. Dr. Martirano further noted with the increased focus on eliminating the achievement gap and implementing system-wide efforts to align instruction and monitor student progress, we are seeing remarkable student gains across the entire school system and how pleased he is with the growth that is occurring in our student groups. Dr. Martirano said these efforts are helping to close the gap and what a wonderful achievement this is. He said we will be going back to work looking for ways to further hone our efforts. Dr. Martirano pointed out our improved ranking in the State and said the bottom line is that our children are moving into the area of proficiency where we need them to be. Dr. Martirano commented on the status of school moves, noting George Washington Carver Elementary School (GWCES) is 99.9 % finished and received their Use and Occupancy permit on June 23, 2006. The administrative office moved on June 26th and is in operation at their new location. A walk-through has been scheduled for 11 month families on July 14, with the 11 month school year beginning on July 17th. The Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center is 95% finished, with the manufacturing technology and courtyard left to move. The GED Program will be moved to a relocatable at Leonardtown High School (LHS) on June 29th.
The Alternative Learning Center (ALC) is scheduled to move the week of July 10th. The move for Leonardtown Elementary School (LES) is 50% finished and is on hold due to a relocatable construction project. The remainder of the school is scheduled to be moved the week of July 17-24. Relocatables installed at Lexington Park Elementary School (LPES), Leonardtown Middle School (LMS), and LHS will be completed by the first week of August and ready for occupancy shortly thereafter. Dr. Martirano said the moves are on schedule and thanked everyone involved for moving this along. Dr. Martirano noted on June 18th at 5:00 a.m., a T-34 “Mentor” from the Navy Flying Club at Patuxent River Naval Air Station began an early morning journey from Gate 2 to the Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center. The plane was towed down Great Mills Road to Route 5 and then to the Forrest Center. Dr. Martirano stated that the airplane will be used as a learning tool by students in the Forrest Center Aviation Technology program and Mr. Greg Shultz is the program’s instructor. Dr. Martirano mentioned pictures of this move are on the school system website at www.smcps.org.
A public hearing was held for “J” section policies. There were no speakers for the public hearing.
Ms. Allen made a motion that the following consent agenda items be approved:
.Regular and Executive Session minutes of June 14, 2006
.New Employment
.Administrative and Supervisory Appointments
Ms. Washington seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Policy “GDPD” Suspension and Dismissal, Classified Employees – 2nd Reading
Dr. Edward Weiland, director of human resources, noted the first reading for the Suspension and Dismissal, Classified Employees policy and regulations was on May 25, 2006. A public hearing was held on June 14, 2006, at the Board of Education’s regularly scheduled meeting and no input was received. During the second reading, Dr. Weiland reviewed the policy and regulations, noting the changes as suggested by the Board at the May 25th Board meeting. Ms. Allen noted one additional change to the regulation on page 6 of 6 and thanked Dr. Weiland, commenting on the nice job his staff had done incorporating the Board’s suggestions into the policy. A motion was made by Ms. Allen to accept the policy as presented with this one change. Ms. Washington seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Educational Specifications for New Elementary School
Mr. Brad Clements, chief operating officer, and Mr. Darrell Barricklow, supervisor of design and construction, noted the building committee met several times over the course of the past three months to develop the program for the new elementary school. The educational specification represents the consensus of the group as it pertains to the facility and site design. The design of this school will represent St. Mary's County Public Schools’ first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified design. While there will be long-term savings,
construction will cost significantly more. Additional funding from the county has been requested to support these attributes. Prior to development of this final document, a draft copy was prepared and reviewed by members of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction and the building committee. Mr. Clements noted approval by the Board of Education (BOE) is necessary for the document to proceed to the State for review and comment. Mr. Clements stated the project is on schedule for schematic design submission to the State by the September 1, 2006 deadline to secure construction funding. Mr. Mike Lahowin, from TCA Architects, previewed the schematic drawings for the new St. Mary’s County Elementary School. Mr. Clements noted that every two weeks, the Board members would be provided with a board update. Dr. Martirano requested to go on record noting his concern on the square footage of the classrooms, commenting that an 800 square foot classroom for the primary grade is much different than an 800 square foot classroom for the intermediate grade. Dr. Martirano noted in the intermediate grades, children are larger, requiring larger furniture. From his previous experience, this has presented management issues for teachers. Dr. Martirano remarked that he would like some conversation around this issue. Ms. Allen expressed concern about incorporating costly environmental design elements with long-term payout and whether the BOCC’s would fund the elements. Concern over the impact of changes on design and construction were expressed as well. After much discussion, Board members noted their recommendations for revisions to the educational specifications. Ms. Allen made a motion that the Board of Education approve the educational specification document with the incorporated recommendations, when appropriate, as discussed at this Board meeting for the new elementary school. Mr. Kessler seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Naming of the Alternative Learning Center
Mr. Brad Clements said the St.
Mary’s County Public Schools ALC will be relocating to the Annex at Great Mills
during the summer of 2006. As part of this move and the on-going establishment
of the ALC, the school system sought names to be considered for the renaming of
the ALC. After considering several names, Mr. Clements stated the committee
recommended White Oak Secondary Center as the proposed name. White Oak
Secondary Center was selected because the white oak tree is the Maryland state
tree and represents strength and endurance. This is demonstrated by the great
white oak tree known as the Wye Oak tree, located in Wye Mills, Maryland on the
Eastern Shore. The deep roots provide the strength to endure for ages. Mr.
Clements further noted this will be brought forth at a future meeting for Board
action. Board members noted that they like the name and said this would give
the school an identity. Ms. Marcie Hough, principal, commented that the staff
and students are excited about the name and are looking forward to having an
identity. Dr. Martirano thanked the staff on doing a very nice job.
Full Day Kindergarten
Ms. Linda Dudderar, chief academic officer, and Ms. Liz Cooper, supervisor
of reading, noted that in the 2006-2007 school year, every session of
kindergarten will be a full day session. Ms. Dudderar said the implementation
of the full day kindergarten initiative will be complete this coming school year
when Town Creek, Hollywood, and Leonardtown Elementary Schools move to full day
sessions. Nine new full day sessions will bring the school system to 57
sessions of full day kindergarten across our 16 elementary schools. It was
further noted that in the 2005-2006 school year, 19 new sessions were
implemented. This year, we have a comprehensive data source, Dynamic Indicators
of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS), and a data tool, Performance Matters,
which has allowed us to gather very accurate and timely data on the impact of
full day kindergarten instruction in the area of reading. Ms. Dudderar noted
the superintendent has put a laser-like focus on reading with the goal of every
student reading on grade level by grade 3. Our master plan puts a significant
emphasis on reading as a part of Goal I. The implementation of full day
kindergarten has accelerated our ability to reach that goal. They shared
kindergarten reading data for the county, for the five schools that moved from
half day to full day kindergarten in 2005-2006, and the impact that full day
kindergarten has had on first grade instruction. Ms. Dudderar recognized Ms.
Cooper for her persistence in implementing this plan. Dr. Martirano said if
children can read early on, it translates into the child being able to reach
their goals, further noting that children are advancing from kindergarten to 1st
grade and can already read. Ms. Allen shared her experience of children in
kindergarten at Oakville Elementary School reading to her, how well the children
read, and the expressions they used while reading, noting it was one of the most
amazing experiences she has had. Board members noted what good news this is,
how very pleased they are and thanked Ms. Dudderar and Ms. Cooper.
Data Warehouse
Ms. Dudderar and Ms. Regina Greely, supervisor of instructional technology and library media, noted that in the 2005-2006 school year, St. Mary’s County Public Schools implemented a data warehouse tool to collect and analyze data in real time. The impact on collaborative conversations around data at every grade level in every content area has been significant. In Spring 2005, the BOE and the Board of County Commissioners identified funding to purchase a data warehouse tool to impact the process for collecting, analyzing, and acting on student data to accelerate the achievement of all students while eliminating the gap among student groups. In Summer 2005, a group was convened by Dr. Martirano and a charge was put forth to research and acquire a tool that would accomplish this goal. The timeline accelerated at that point. Ms. Dudderar noted that Ms. Greely was selected to spearhead the project and help select the tool, and then coordinate the implementation plan. Ms. Dudderar commented as we come to the end of the 2005-2006 school year, the data warehouse is in place, the process is fully implemented, the training for staff has occurred, and the impact of the new data warehouse is astonishing. Ms. Greely shared the timeline, process, and outcomes that have been achieved, and provided some online screenshots of the warehouse tool and talked about future plans. Ms. Dudderar noted that this initiative is fully aligned with the five year master plan and is a significant component of the coordinated school improvement and team improvement planning process. She said it is providing the important individual student data imperative to eliminating the achievement gap. Ms. Greely commented we have already observed a measurable impact on team collaboration efforts and on instruction that is flexible and fluid throughout the year. Student needs are quickly identified and readdressed often to make necessary revisions in program and instructional grouping. Dr. Martirano thanked Ms. Dudderar and Ms. Greely for their report, commenting on how absolutely wonderful it is where we are now and that we will continue to
see the gains in the future thanks to this tool. Ms. Washington thanked Dr. Martirano for supporting this program. Ms. Allen thanked Ms. Greely for her energy and enthusiasm on this incredible project and doing what people said could not be done. Ms. Allen further noted that
this tool allows teachers to be teachers, not paper pushers, and how amazing this is. Mr. Kessler echoed everyone’s statements. Ms. Thurston passed personal thanks from one of her teachers to Ms. Greely. Dr. Raspa commented on how wonderful this tool is and on the number of students that will benefit from it. The Board members thanked Ms. Dudderar, Ms. Greely, and everyone involved for all their hard work.
Reports
.Mr. Kessler – Attended the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) 8th Annual Summer Leadership Conference, noting this was his first time attending and how worthwhile the conference was.
.Ms Allen – Attended the Flag Day celebration at the Governmental Center, noting that the music was provided by the LMS Chorus, and what a wonderful job they did, LHS Building Service Staff 2nd Annual Thank You Luncheon & Ceremony, and the MABE 8th Annual Summer Leadership Conference
.Ms. Washington – LHS Building Service Staff 2nd Annual Thank You Luncheon & Ceremony, 4th Annual Teen Court Luncheon, Juneteenth African American Heritage Celebration, MABE 8th Annual Summer Leadership Conference, and the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Village Annual Celebration.
.Dr Raspa – Attended Reality Check Plus workshop, LHS Building Service Staff 2nd Annual Thank You Luncheon & Ceremony, Juneteenth African American Heritage Celebration, and the Education Trust Workshop at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center.
Future Board Meetings
The following future meetings will be held:
.Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 9:00 a.m., Board Meeting Room,
Leonardtown.
Adjournment
Dr. Raspa adjourned the regular meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa
Chairman
Dr. Michael J. Martirano
Secretary-Treasurer