Board of Education of St. Mary’s County

Meeting of:  Regular Session                                         Held:   January 10, 2007

                                                                                               Board of Education Meeting Room

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

January 10, 2007, in the Board of Education Meeting Room, 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown.  The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Dr. Salvatore Raspa, chairman.  Board members present for the meeting were:

            .Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa, Chairman

            .Mr. Bill Mattingly, Vice Chairman

.Ms. Cathy Allen

.Ms. Mary Washington

.Ms. Brittany Thurston, Student member

Motion to Enter Into Executive Session

Mr. Mattingly 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.

Reopen Regular Session

Dr. Raspa reconvened the regular meeting at 9:36 a.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Showcasing our Schools

Esperanza Middle School (EMS) students shared an interactive math activity with the Board and staff.

Approval of Agenda

Dr. Raspa noted that Mr. Kessler was absent today due to a business commitment. Mr. Mattingly made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.  Ms. Allen seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Superintendent Report

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

• Judge at the Annual Soup Cook-off at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center
• Immunization Exclusion Report – We are now down to 57 students compared to over 900 before the winter break
• Leonardtown High School (LHS) Marching Band performed in the 48^th Annual Auto Zone Liberty Bowl during the winter break in Memphis, Tennessee
• One male and one female student and one adult representative from each of the three high schools and the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center will be participating in a conversation with the Governor Elect  Martin O’Malley on Tuesday, January 16^th where they will be asked what is the greatest challenge they face in pursuing their educational goals and the greatest challenge facing the State of Maryland today
• Chopticon High School (CHS) Marching Band will be participating in the parade at the Inauguration on Wednesday, January 17^th in Annapolis
• Congratulations to Ye An Kwon, student at Great Mills High School (GMHS), who has been selected as a finalist for the 2006-2007 Coca-Cola Scholars Program
• Congratulations to students who were recognized at the 23^rd Annual Prince William, Virginia Model United Nations on December 8-9, 2006
• EMS competitive cheerleading team who is the only middle school competitive cheerleading team in St. Mary’s County, competed in a meet in December as a Junior Varsity school, putting them up against the high school squads and they took Grand Prize for the JV division
• School Safety Report

Recognitions

• Dr. Andy Roper, supervisor of athletics, and Dr. Martirano recognized Ms. Angelina Cords, a soccer player at LHS, who was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Girls High School Scholar All-America Team. 

Consent Agenda

Mr. Mattingly made a motion that the following consent agenda items be approved:

.Regular and Executive Session Minutes of December 13, 2006

.Administrative and Supervisory Appointment

.New Employment

.Categorical Transfers  

Ms. Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

The following action item was presented to the Board of Education (BOE):

• Mr. Brad Clements, chief operating officer, presented the Chesapeake Public Charter School Alliance, Ltd. Lease Agreement for approval.  Mr. Clements stated that exhibit 3 of the Chesapeake Public Charter School’s charter outlined that approval of the lease agreement was to be obtained by the Board of Education of St. Mary’s County and the State Superintendent of Schools by December 29, 2006.  This did not occur by December 29, 2006, and this action item was placed on the agenda for January 10, 2007.  As of today, the school system has not received a signed copy of the lease agreement and there is not adequate time for staff and the Board’s attorney to review the final lease and recommend action to the Board.  Mr. Clements recommended that this item not be pulled from the agenda but that the recommendation be modified.  Mr. Mattingly made a motion that the Board of Education of St. Mary’s County extend the requirement, as outlined in Exhibit 3, for providing an approved lease by the State Superintendent until February 23, 2007.  Ms. Allen 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 Advanced Placement Challenge Index.

·        Ms. Linda Dudderar, chief academic officer, presented the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Consortium Update.

·        Ms. Kathleen Lyon, executive director of student services, presented the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Update.

·        Mr. Clements and Ms. Kimberly Howe, supervisor of capital planning, presented the 2007-2008 Redistricting Proposals.

• Mr. Dan Carney, chief financial officer, presented the FY 2007 December Financial Report.

Reports

.Ms. Allen expressed her sadness for the loss of Mr. John Dixon, who was an active participant in the school system, former chair of the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC), and father of a former student Board member.  Ms. Allen noted that he will be greatly missed.  Ms. Allen noted her attendance at the following events:  Breakfast Meeting with Legislators, Breakfast with Santa at the Forrest Center, Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) Board of Director’s Meeting, and MABE Legal Services Association Meeting.

.Ms. Washington noted her attendance at the following events:  Breakfast Meeting with Legislators, Reading to citizens at the Ripple Center Senior Adult Medical Day Care, Reading to students at White Marsh, Oakville and Mechanicsville Elementary Schools, Breakfast with Santa at the Forrest Center, Navy Museum Naval Academy Alumni Association recognizing candidates for Academy, CHS Door Decorating Contest, Global Village Pre Kwanza Celebration, and  Leonardtown Middle School Science Fair.

.Mr. Mattingly attended the following events:  Breakfast Meeting with Legislators, Shop with a Cop Program, Moakley Street Holiday Luncheon, Education Association of St. Mary’s County (EASMC) and Collective Employees Association of St. Mary’s County (CEASMC) Legislative Breakfast, and MABE Legal Services Forum in Annapolis.

Future Board Meetings

The following future meetings will be held:

            .Public Hearing on Redistricting, Tuesday, January 16, 2007, 6:30 p.m., Board Meeting

             Room, Leonardtown

.Public Forum for FY 2008 Budget Input, Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 6:00 p.m.,

 Board Meeting Room, Leonardtown

.Budget Work Session, Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Board Meeting

 Room, Leonardtown (time to be determined)

.Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 6:00 p.m., Board Meeting Room,

 Leonardtown

Adjournment

Dr. Raspa adjourned the regular meeting at 12:55 p.m.

Work Session

A work session on the proposed FY 2008 budget was held from 2:00-4:15 p.m. 

Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa                                        

Chairman

Dr. Michael J. Martirano

Secretary-Treasurer