Board of Education of St. Mary’s County

Meeting of:  Regular Session                                         Held:   September 27, 2006

                                                                                                Board of Education Meeting Room

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

September 27, 2006, in the Board of Education Meeting Room, 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown.  The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mr. Gary Kessler, vice chairman.  Board members present for the meeting were:

            .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

Ms. Allen 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. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Reopen Regular Session

Mr. Kessler reconvened the regular meeting at 6:01 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 J. Martirano, superintendent of schools, reported on the following:

• Plaque from St. Mary’s County Highway Safety Program.
• Melinda Brown accepted as a participant in the first Leadership Excellence Academy for adult education program managers. 
• Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Validation process fully completed for George Washington Carver (GWCES) and Lexington Park Elementary Schools (LPES).  MSDE applauds the efforts of the PreK and K teachers who exhibited hard work and commitment toward achieving the high quality standards in their program.
• Homeworknow.com link from individual schools is now posted on the St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) website.
• Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Science Teaching tool grant awarded to 3 teachers from SMCPS as follows:

            .Kimberle Egbert – Leonardtown High School (LHS) ($1,000) – Ecosystem Study

            .Rebecca Cline – White Oak Secondary Center (WOSC) ($1,300) – Aquatic Science Lab

            .Sandra Denham – Great Mills High School (GMHS) ($750) – Human Torso Model

            They will be recognized at a luncheon on base on October 18^th.

• Media Release – Free flu vaccine for elementary school aged children.
• Southern Maryland College Fair was held on September 19th, was a huge success and well attended.
• Leonardtown Elementary School (LES) groundbreaking.
• Austin Samblanet, sophomore at GMHS, won the Baltimore Ravens High School Student-Athlete of the Week on September 8^th.
• Oakville Elementary School (OES) partnership with Target.

Consent Agenda

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

.Regular and Executive Session Minutes of September 13, 2006

.Administrative and Supervisory Appointments

.Contract Award – Mary McLeod Bethune Information Technology Roof

.Capital Project Closeouts

Ms. Washington seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

The following action items were presented to the Board of Education (BOE):

• Mr. Dan Carney, chief financial officer, presented the Audit Report.  Mr. Mattingly made a motion to accept the report as presented, which will then be forwarded to MSDE.  Copies of this audit will also be sent to federal, state, and local government agencies.  It will be available for public review through the St. Mary's County Public Library system.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.
• Mr. Brad Clements, chief operating officer, Ms. Kim Howe, supervisor of capital planning, and Mr. Jeff Sheckels, director of maintenance, presented the Comprehensive Maintenance Program.  Ms. Allen made a motion on behalf of the Board of Education to approve the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan as submitted by staff.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

The following information items were presented to the BOE:

·        Ms. Kathleen Lyon, executive director of student services, presented Policy BG (Policy Development, Review and Revision) for the first reading.  Suggested changes to this policy will be incorporated and posted to the website for public review.  A public hearing will be held on October 11, 2006, followed by a second reading and action on October 25, 2006.

·        Mr. Dan Carney presented Policy BID (Board Compensation) and Policy BDFA (Budget Advisory Committee) for the first readings.  A public hearing will be held on October 11, 2006, followed by a second reading and action on October 25, 2006.

Reports

.Ms. Allen noted her attendance at the HSA Celebration at Chopticon High (CHS) and Leonardtown High Schools (LHS), SMCPS 2nd Master Plan Forum, LES Groundbreaking Ceremony, Southern Maryland College Fair, Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) Fall Conference Planning Session, St. Mary's County Fair – viewed school exhibits and saw numerous student competitions, Business, Education & Community Alliance Luncheon at Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center – discussions on Passport to Future and common scholarship application, and attended the State Board of Education meeting on MABE’s behalf.

.Ms. Washington noted her attendance at the HSA Celebration at Chopticon High (CHS) and Leonardtown High Schools (LHS), Margaret Brent Middle School (MBMS) Speech Contest, SMCPS 2nd Master Plan Forum, Tour of Site for the Chesapeake Public Charter School (CPCS),

LES Groundbreaking Ceremony, Southern Maryland College Fair, St. Mary’s County Fair, St. Mary’s County Fair Parade and exhibits, St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce State of the County Luncheon.

.Mr. Mattingly noted his attendance at the Board of County Commissioners Multi-Agency Meeting, LES Groundbreaking Ceremony, St. Mary’s County Fair – viewed school exhibits, noting how proud he was of the work displayed and attended the Queen of Tolerance event.

.Ms Thurston noted her attendance at the LES Groundbreaking Ceremony.

.Mr. Kessler noted his attendance at the LES Groundbreaking Ceremony.

Future Board Meetings

The following future meetings will be held:

            .Multi Agency Breakfast Meeting, Tuesday, October 10, 2006, 8:00 a.m., Dr. James A.

              Forrest Career and Technology Center, Leonardtown (due to dedication taking place at that

              location at 9:30 a.m.)

.Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, October 11, 2006, 9:00 a.m., Board Meeting

             Room, Leonardtown

Adjournment

Mr. Kessler adjourned the regular meeting at 7:52 p.m. 

Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa                                        

Chairman

Dr. Michael J. Martirano
Secretary-Treasurer