Board of Education of St. Mary’s County

Meeting of:  Regular Session                                         Held:   October 11, 2006

                                                                                                Board of Education Meeting Room

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

October 11, 2006, in the Board of Education Meeting Room, 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown.  The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. by Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa, chairman.  Board members present for the meeting were:

            .Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa, 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

Dr. Raspa reconvened the regular meeting at 9:08 a.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Dr. Raspa noted that Mr. Kessler was absent due to a business commitment.

Approval of Agenda

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

Superintendent Report

Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools, reported on the following:

• Dr. Nancy Grasmick, state superintendent of schools, visit to Leonardtown Elementary School (LES) later today to celebrate academic achievement.
• Ms. Melissa Warner, physical education teacher at Greenview Knolls Elementary School (GVKES) was selected to have her assessment idea entitled Self Assessment posted on the PECentral website.  Her school will receive a $50.00 gift certificate.
• Mr. Rocco Aiello, physical education teacher at Chopticon High School (CHS) has been selected as the 2006-2007 Adapted Physical Educator of the Year.
• St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will receive a Chinese teacher for 18 months that will address our theme of globalization and preparing our students for the future.
• Ms. Stephanie Flick, SMCPS Teacher of the Year, who was one of seven finalists, was recognized at an awards banquet on Friday, October 6^th in Baltimore.
• Interims for elementary students in grades 3-5 were distributed this past week.
• A letter to the editor on school safety in today’s Enterprise.
• September 29^th official enrollment is 16,667 students and a press release is forthcoming.
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Annual Banquet where he was the keynote speaker.
• Shared a story from teacher at LES, Ms. Jodee Adams, from one of her 5^th grade students’ about our mission “accept no excuses”.

Recognitions

• Mr. Brad Clements, chief operating officer, and Dr. Martirano recognized National School Bus Safety Week as October 15-21, 2006, and School Bus Driver and School Bus Attendant Appreciation Day as October 18, 2006.  Dr. Martirano presented a resolution to Ms. Maurita Weaver, bus contractor.

Public Hearing

• A public hearing was held and there was no input on the following policies: Policy BG (Policy Development, Review and Revision); Policy BID (Board Compensation); and Policy BDFA (Budget Advisory Committee).

Consent Agenda

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

.Regular and Executive Session Minutes of September 27, 2006

.New Employment

.Citizens Advisory Committee for Special Education Membership

Ms. Washington seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

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

• Mr. Clements presented Property Acquisition for consideration. Ms. Washington made a motion to approve the contract for acquisition of property for a future school site, as discussed in executive session and presented by staff.  Mr. Mattingly seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.
• Mr. Clements and Mr. Darrell Barricklow, supervisor of design and construction, presented the Design Development Drawings for the New Elementary School.  Mr. Mattingly made a motion to approve the design development drawings for the new two-story elementary school.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.
• Ms. Linda Dudderar, chief academic officer, and Ms. Janis Taylor, supervisor of strategic planning, presented the Bridge to Excellence Master Plan, 2006 Annual Update, Part I.  Ms. Allen made a motion to approve the 2006 Master Plan update as presented.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.  Ms. Thurston asked that the record show that the student member is in support of the motion.

The following information items were presented to the BOE:

·        Dr. Martirano and Ms. Dudderar highlighted the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Consortium for the 2006-2007 school year.  The consortium will be comprised of three main components:  STEM Academics, Summer/Space Camp, and Starbase Atlantis. 

• Mr. Dan Carney presented the FY 2007 September Financial Report.

Reports

Due to the lateness of the meeting, Board reports were suspended and submitted to the secretary as follows:

.Ms. Washington noted her attendance at the Personal Excellence Program (PEP) Kickoff at PAX River Naval Air Station, Dedication of George Washington Carver Elementary School (GWCES), Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) Annual Conference in Ocean City, Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Teacher of the Year Celebration at Martin’s West in Baltimore, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Annual Celebration and Banquet, Dedication of the Dr. James A Forrest Career and Technology Center, Superintendent’s Special Celebration for Former Board of Education members and Superintendents.

.Ms. Allen noted her attendance at the MABE Northeast Regional Meeting, PEP Kickoff, Dedication ceremony at GWCES, MABE Fall Conference where she was elected Secretary of MABE, Teacher of the Year Dinner honoring all teachers of the year statewide, Multi-Agency Breakfast Meeting with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and Dedication Ceremony of the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center.

.Mr. Mattingly attended the following events:  GWCES Dedication, MABE Conference, Teacher of the Year Gala in Baltimore for Ms. Stephanie Flick, NAACP Banquet, BOCC Multi-Agency Breakfast, and the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center Dedication.

Future Board Meetings

The following future meetings will be held:

            .Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, November 8, 2006, 9:00 a.m., Board Meeting

             Room, Leonardtown

Adjournment

Dr. Raspa adjourned the regular meeting at 11:10 a.m. 

Board of Education/Superintendent Special Celebration

A special celebration recognizing the heritage of the school system was held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa                                         Dr. Michael J. Martirano

Chairman                                                                          Secretary-Treasurer