Board of Education of St. Mary’s County

Meeting of:  Regular Session                                         Held:   November 8, 2006

                                                                                                Board of Education Meeting Room

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

November 8, 2006, in the Board of Education Meeting Room, 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown.  The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.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 9:35 a.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Mr. Kessler congratulated Mr. Mattingly on his reappointment to the Board of Education.  Mr. Kessler noted that Dr. Raspa was absent as he is recovering from hip replacement surgery and

doing well.

Showcasing our Schools

Leonardtown Elementary School (LES) students highlighted their Veteran’s Day speeches that will be presented during the Veteran’s Day celebration on Saturday, November 11, 2006 in Leonardtown.

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:

• Board/Superintendent celebration on October 11^th to recognize the history of former Superintendents and Board of Education members
• Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, state superintendent of schools, visit on October 11^th to announce the $25,000 Milken Family Foundation Award winner, Ms. Evelyn Sweeney, 3^rd grade teacher at LES
• Mr. Dale Farrell, certification specialist, has been appointed as Secretary to the Maryland Association of School Personnel Administrators (MASPA) for the current school year
• Elementary school flu vaccinations in collaboration with the St. Mary’s County Health Department where 44% of the student population and 479 staff members participated
• Faith Based Meeting on October 23^rd was very successful
• Middle School Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) meeting on Saturday, October 28^th where he gave greetings
• Four physical education teachers (Ms. Mary Kay Roper, Ms. Debbie Settle, Ms. Trish Tillotson, and Ms. Mary Wood) presented at the Wellness Summit in College Park last week
• Students in grades 4-8 will be receiving pedometers and participating in the Live-It physical activity and nutrition program in the near future as well as the Turkey Trot program
• Congratulated Mr. Mattingly and Dr. Raspa for their reappointment to the Board of Education for a term of four years
• Congratulated Ms. Allen for her appointment as Secretary to the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) as well as Chair of the MABE Legislative Committee
• The State of the School System address will be held on Thursday, November 16^th at the JT Daugherty Center

Recognitions

• Dr. Edward Weiland, director of human resources, and Dr. Martirano recognized American Education Week as November 12-18, 2006, and Educational Support Professionals Day as November 15, 2006.  Dr. Martirano presented a resolution to Ms. Jan Emerson, president of the Employees Association of St. Mary’s County (EASMC), Mr. Joe Shade, president of the Collective Employees Association of St. Mary’s County (CEASMC), Ms. Stephanie Flick, St. Mary’s County Teacher of the Year, and Ms. Evelyn Sweeney, Milken Family Foundation Award Winner.

Public Comment

• Public Comment was received as follows:

            Name                                                   Subject

            Ms. Jan Emerson                                  American Education Week, congratulations to

                                                                          Mr. Mattingly and Dr. Raspa

Consent Agenda

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

.Regular and Executive Session Minutes of October 11, 2006

.New Employment

.Title I School Improvement Grant

.State School Improvement Grant

            .Reading Intervention Grant

            .Contract Award for Benjamin Banneker Elementary School Relocatable

Ms. Washington seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

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

• Ms. Kathleen Lyon, executive director of student services, presented Policy “BG” (Policy Development, Review, and Revision) for 2^nd reading and approval.  Ms. Washington made a motion to approve the revisions to Policy “BG” (Policy Development, Review and Revision) as presented.  Mr. Mattingly seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.
• Mr. Dan Carney, chief financial officer, presented Policy “BID” (Board Compensation) for 2^nd reading and approval.  Mr. Mattingly made a motion to approve the changes to Board policy BID as presented.  Ms. Allen seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.
• Mr. Carney presented Policy “BDFA” (Budget Advisory Committee) for 2^nd reading.  Ms. Allen made a motion to cancel policy BDFA as presented.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.
• Mr. Carney presented the Healthcare Insurance Competitive Procurement for consideration.  Mr. Mattingly made a motion that the Board of Education affirm their commitment to the process and appoint Mr. Carney as their representative in the process and sign the procurement document during a joint session with the Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
• Mr. Brad Clements, chief operating officer, presented the Chesapeake Public Charter School Educational Specifications for consideration. Ms. Allen made a motion that the Board of Education of St. Mary’s County approve the Educational Specifications, beginning with the breakdown of square footage section on page 23 through page 26, as submitted by the Chesapeake Public Charter Schools (CPCS) based on the approved charter capacity of 120 students.  If in the future, the CPCS desires to increase the capacity within the approved 25,007 s.f. facility to a maximum of 221 students, the current design for the facility must reflect the building and site requirements to support the increased capacity.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

The following information items were presented to the BOE:

·        Dr. Charles Ridgell, director of curriculum and instruction, presented the Annual Textbook Update for the 2006-2007 school year.

·        Mr. Clements and Ms. Kim Howe, supervisor of capital planning, presented the Adequate Public Facilities Task Force Update. 

·        Dr. Weiland provided a report on Highly Qualified Teachers. 

·        Mr. Dan Carney presented the FY 2007 October Financial Report.

Reports

.Ms. Thurston noted her attendance at the Task Force meeting to Eliminate the Achievement Gap, St. Mary’s Association of Student Council (SMASC) General Assembly meeting, Middle School MASC Conference, and a Maryland Coalition of Student Board Members meeting at the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)

.Ms. Allen noted her attendance at the following events:  Special Celebration of prior Board members and Superintendent’s where the theme was “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants”, Dr. Grasmick Visit to LES to present teacher award of $25,000 to Milken Award winner, Ms. Evelyn Sweeney, Teacher Appreciation Dinner hosted by the Rotary Club, Lights On Celebration at Green Holly Elementary School (GHES), Judged the Leonardtown High School (LHS) Homecoming Floats, 25th Annual GED Graduation Recognition Ceremony, Maryland Association of Educational Office Professionals (MAEOP) ceremony honoring Dr. Martirano as the Administrator of the Year, Collaborative Meeting with members of the Faith Based Community and St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS), League of Women Voters Candidate Forum, Accreditation for Growth Interview for Chopticon High School (CHS), MABE Board of Directors Retreat, St. Mary’s Caring Dessertfest & Celebrity Dessert, and the National Technical Honor Society Induction at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center.  Ms. Allen congratulated Mr. Mattingly and looks forward to working with him for four more years.

Ms. Washington noted her attendance at the following events:  Dr. Grasmick Visit to LES to present teacher award of $25,000 to Milken Award winner, Ms. Evelyn Sweeney, Teacher Appreciation

Dinner hosted by the Rotary Club, Special Celebration of prior Board members and Superintendent’s  where the theme was “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants”, Lights On

Celebration at GHES, Judge for the LHS Homecoming Floats on the square in Leonardtown, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Celebration at the Holiday Inn, Solomons, Pregnancy Care Center Luncheon sponsored by St. Nicholas Chapel, 25th Annual GED Graduation Recognition Ceremony, Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, Maryland Association of Educational Office Professionals (MAEOP) ceremony honoring Dr. Martirano as the Administrator of the Year, Collaborative Meeting with members of the Faith Based Community and SMCPS, Spring Ridge Middle School (SRMS) National Junior Honor Society, Accreditation for Growth Interview for CHS, Margaret Brent Middle School (MBMS) National Junior Honor Society Induction, St. Mary’s Caring Dessertfest & Celebrity Dessert Auction to benefit the hungry, Port of Leonardtown and Winery Dedication, National Technical Honor Society Induction at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, a Fundraiser for Walden Sierra, and that she voted on Election Day.

.Mr. Mattingly submitted his report as follows: Mechanicsville Elementary School (MES) New Parent Cookout, MAEOP ceremony honoring Dr. Martirano, Collaborative Meeting with members of the Faith Based Community and SMCPS, League of Women Voters Candidate Forum, Charlotte Hall Library Parking Lot Expansion, National Technical Honor Society Induction at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, Dr. Grasmick Visit to LES to present teacher award of $25,000 to Milken Award winner, Ms. Evelyn Sweeney, Teacher Appreciation Dinner hosted by the Rotary Club, Port of Leonardtown and Winery Dedication, and congratulations to Mr. Dale Farrell, MASPA Secretary.  Mr. Mattingly thanked everyone for their words of encouragement and noted that he truly considers them his friend.

.Mr. Kessler submitted his report noting his attendance at the 25th Annual GED Graduation Recognition Ceremony.

Future Board Meetings

The following future meetings will be held:

            .Multi Agency Breakfast Meeting, Tuesday, November 14, 2006, 8:00 a.m., Leonardtown

             Library Meeting Room, Leonardtown

            .The State of the St. Mary’s County Public Schools, Thursday, November 16, 2006, 11:30

              a.m., JT Daugherty Conference Center, Lexington Park

            .Work Session on Review of the Five Year Budget, Wednesday, November 29, 2006, 2:00-

              3:30 p.m., Board Meeting Room, Leonardtown

            .Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, November 29, 2006, 6:00 p.m., Board Meeting

             Room, Leonardtown

Adjournment

Mr. Kessler adjourned the regular meeting at 12:55 p.m. 

Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa                                        

Chairman

Dr. Michael J. Martirano
Secretary-Treasurer