Board of Education of St. Mary’s County

Meeting of:  Regular Session                                         Held:   April 11, 2007

                                                                                                Board of Education Meeting Room

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

April 11, 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 L. 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

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. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Reopen Regular Session    

Dr. Raspa reconvened the regular meeting at 9:38 a.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Showcasing our Schools

Two video clips were shown, the first featuring the Character Education Program at Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary School, and the second a Consumer Report with Brianna LaBatt from Leonardtown Middle School.

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:

• The death of  Jasman Bell, a senior at Great Mills High School who passed away on April 3^rd shortly after being released from the hospital, and an automobile accident involving three Chopticon High School students on April 4^th.  Dr. Martirano noted one student, Ethan Chewning died at the scene of the accident, another student was flown to Shock Trauma Center and the third student suffered minor injuries and was treated.
• MSA testing last several weeks.  Dr. Martirano commented that the testing went well, and the Elementary & Middle schools did very well and commended the entire school staff. 
• The St. Mary’s Association of Student Councils (SMASC) voted Praveen Ramaswamy, a junior at Leonardtown High School, as the Student Board of Education member for 2007-2008.   Dr. Martirano noted Praveen’s attendance at today’s meeting and congratulated and welcomed Praveen.

• Congratulations to Great Mills High School senior Annie Kwon who has been accepted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is the only student from the Southern Maryland area to be accepted this year.
• The St. Mary's County Middle School Spelling Bee, sponsored by The Enterprise, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), and the College of Southern Maryland was held on March 26^th at Great Mills High School.  The winner will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee later this year in Washington, DC.  1st place winner is Amanda Shoemaker, Leonardtown Middle School and 3^rd place winner is Jacquelyn Weber, Esperanza Middle School.  Dr. Martirano noted they will be recognized at the April 25^th BOE meeting.  Dr. Martirano commented that Ms. Cathy Allen was a pronouncer for the spelling bee and did a nice job.
• Twelve students from Leonardtown Middle and Leonardtown High Schools placed at the Prince George’s Area Science Fair on March 24^th.
• Professional Development/Articulation Day was held on Friday, March 23^rd.
• Announced that out of the eleven schools that have applied for recognition under the Maryland Physical Education Demonstration Schools Project 2007-2009, three of those schools are from St. Mary’s County.  Greenview Knolls, Hollywood, and Town Creek Elementary schools have each applied and during the next month will receive an all-day visit by three-person visitation teams comprised of their peers from other counties.
• The Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center transported 63 regional medalists for the SkillsUSA Maryland State Championships held on March 31st. The 25 contests that Forrest Center students competed in were as varied as the programs offered at the center. Fifteen students placed 1^st earning the status of Gold Medalist and the designation of State Champion. In addition to being declared State Champions, gold medalists have qualified for a trip to the SkillsUSA National Skills and Leadership Conference to be held in Kansas City, MO the week of June 25, 2007.

• Congratulations to Board Member Mary Washington who has been appointed to serve on the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) Charles W. Willis Memorial Award Committee and Board Members Cathy Allen and Gary Kessler who have been appointed to serve on the Budget and Planning Committee and Cathy Allen on her appointment to serve on the Resolutions Committee.
• Announced that because there was only one school day lost this school year due to inclement weather conditions this allows the school system to be shortened by four days since all five inclement weather days were not used.  Dr. Martirano noted the last day of school for students in St. Mary's County Public Schools will be Friday, June 8, 2007, and the last day for teachers will be Monday, June 11, 2007.

Recognitions

• Ms. Lynne Morgan Smoot, supervisor of fine arts, noted for Youth Art Month in March Margaret Brent Middle School worked on a Community Quilt Project.  Certificates of recognition were presented to all students involved in this project.
• Ms. Smoot recognized that March is Music in our Schools Month and presented the All State Participants with certificates of recognition.
• Mr. Brad Clements, chief operating officer, recognized April 30 thru May 4^th as School Building Week recognizing Mr. Freddie Hewitt, Mr. Louis Barnes, Ms. Mary Hayden and Ms. Mary Elam for the work they do and presented a resolution.
• Dr. Andrew Roper, supervisor of instruction for physical education, health & athletics, presented the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference/State/Regional Athletic Championships with certificates of recognition, noting that during the 2006-2007 winter

sports season, high school student-athletes recorded a number of outstanding achievements in both the regular and post season competition.

Consent Agenda

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

.Regular and Executive Session Minutes of March 14, 2007

.Administrative and Supervisory Appointment

Mr. Mattingly seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

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

• Mr. Clements presented the Elms Environmental Center Master Plan and Hunting Issue.  Ms. Allen  made a motion that the Board of Education approve staff’s recommendation to the Elm’s Advisory Committee as follows:
  • Maintain the use of the Elms property as outlined in the approved management plan of March 2003, and;
  • That the Elms Advisory Committee request that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources remove the existing hunting signage and repost the site in accordance with the approved management plan as soon as possible.

Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

The following information item was presented to the BOE:

• Mr. Dan Carney, chief financial officer presented Policy “BIDA” (Board Member Expenses) for first reading.
• Mr. Clements and Mr. Reed Walker, supervisor of transportation, presented Sections of “E” Policies (Transportation) for first reading.
• Ms. Regina Greeley, supervisor of instructional technology & library media presented Policy “IJ” (Instructional Materials and Resources) for first reading.
• Mr. Carney presented the FY 2007 March Financial Report.

Reports

.Ms. Allen noted her attendance at the following events:  MABE Fall Conference Planning Meeting, Celebration for Agnes Meyer Award Winner - Ms. Rhonda McCarthy from Leonardtown High School, Board of Education Work Session, County Council PTA Meeting, Judged the 1^st Annual Miss Leonardtown Contest at Leonardtown High School, Attended the Maryland Day Celebration at St. Clements Museum with keynote speaker Dr. Michael Martirano, Pronouncer for the St. Mary’s County Spelling Bee, and the Joint Meeting of the Board of Education and College of Southern Maryland Board of Trustees.

.Mr. Mattingly noted his attendance at the following events:  Celebration for Agnes Meyer Award Winner - Ms. Rhonda McCarthy, Chesapeake Public Charter School Work Session, APF Meeting, Attended the Maryland Day Celebration at St. Clements Museum, Legislative Meeting in

Annapolis, Maryland State Board of Education Meeting and Recognition of Chinese Teacher, and the Joint Meeting of the Board of Education and College of Southern Maryland Board of Trustees.

Ms. Washington noted her attendance at the following events:  Celebration for Agnes Meyer Award Winner - Ms. Rhonda McCarthy, Tri-County Foster Parents Meeting at the Carter Building, APF Meeting, Chesapeake Public Charter School Work Session, County Council PTA Budget Preparation Meeting, Miss Leonardtown Contest, Attended the Maryland Day Celebration at St.

Clements Museum, Maryland State Board of Education Meeting and Recognition of Chinese Teacher, Joint Meeting of the Board of Education and College of Southern Maryland Board of Trustees, and the St. Mary’s County Women History Celebration and Recognition of the St. Mary’s County (SMC) Woman of the Year: Ms. Julia Bohle, Ms. Agnes Crafton (SMC Woman of the Year), Ms. Mary Lou Cullison, Ms. Viola Cutchember, Ms. Mary Ellen Whalen and Ms. Alice Quade (Entrepreneur of the Year).

Future Board Meetings

The following future meetings will be held:

            .Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing on the FY 2008 Budget, Tuesday,

              April 24, 2007, 6:30 p.m., Leonardtown High School, Leonardtown

            .Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, April 25, 2007, 6:00 p.m. Board Meeting Room,

              Leonardtown

Adjournment

Dr. Raspa adjourned the regular meeting at 12:45 p.m.

Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa                                        

Chairman

Dr. Michael J. Martirano
Secretary-Treasurer