Board of Education of St. Mary’s County

Meeting of:  Regular Session                                         Held:   July 11, 2007

Board of Education Meeting Room

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

            .Ms. Cathy Allen

.Mr. Gary Kessler

.Ms. Mary Washington

.Mr. Praveen Ramaswamy, Student Member

Motion to Enter Into Executive Session

Mr. Kessler 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 9:30 a.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Approval of Agenda

Mr. Kessler made a motion to approve the agenda as presented with an addition to add a STEM grant under the consent agenda for action.  Ms. Allen seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Superintendent Report

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

• Welcome to Mr. Praveen Ramaswamy, our new student Board member

• Newspaper article that featured Ms. Bonnie Lacey, 7^th grade math teacher at Esperanza Middle School , for her participation in the Space Camp
• Jump Start program to begin next week at George Washington Carver, Green Holly and Lexington Park Elementary Schools
• 8^th Grade students from Esperanza Middle School raised $1,530.00 to support the historic preservation of the Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood, Maryland .  For the past four years, the social studies classes of Mr. Adam Cropper and Ms. Renee Marquart have taken part in the “Slavery to Freedom” program offered at Sotterley as part of the 8^th grade student service learning program. 
• For the STEM initiative, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has awarded a grant in the amount of $350,000.  A press release will follow.

Public Hearing

A public hearing was held on the following policy and there was no testimony:

            .Policy “JD” (School Census)

Consent Agenda

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

.Regular and Executive Session Minutes of June 27, 2007

.Administrative and Supervisory Appointments

.New Employment

.STEM Grant in the amount of $350,000

Mr. Kessler seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

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

• Ms. Kathleen Lyon, executive director of student services, presented  Policy JFDG (Bullying, Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault) – 3^rd Reading for approval.  Ms. Allen made a motion to approve the revised policy as submitted.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

The following information items were presented to the BOE:

• Ms. Kelly Hall, director of elementary instruction, administration and school improvement, presented a Chesapeake Public Charter School Update and introduced Ms. Betty Turner, education director of the charter school.
• Mr. Brad Clements, chief operating officer, and Ms. Kim Howe, supervisor of capital planning, presented the Naming of Elementary School 0606.

• Mr. Carney presented the FY 2007 June Financial Report.

Reports

.Mr. Kessler welcomed Praveen as the new student Board member.  Mr. Kessler noted

 that he hosted a recent STEM visit at Pax River in collaboration with school system

 teachers  and his attendance at the Board Retreat.

.Ms. Washington welcomed Praveen as the new student Board member and commented that he had provided valuable input at his first meeting today.  Ms. Washington noted her attendance at the following events: Board Retreat at Avenmar and the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Village 5^th Anniversary Celebration Ball at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, McKenna Hall.

.Ms. Allen welcomed Praveen and noted her attendance at the Board Retreat.

.Mr. Ramaswamy noted that he is looking forward to working with everyone this year.

.Dr. Raspa welcomed Praveen and noted his attendance at the Board Retreat.

.Dr. Martirano noted that the Board Retreat was a wonderful opportunity to look at our guiding questions and our vision for the St. Mary’s County Public Schools. 

Future Board Meetings

The following future meetings will be held:

.Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, August 8, 2007, 9:30 a.m., Board Meeting

  Room, Leonardtown

.Chesapeake Public Charter School Opening Ceremony, Wednesday, August 8,

  2007, 2:00 p.m., 20945 Great Mills Road, Suite 1A, Lexington Park

Adjournment

Dr. Raspa adjourned the regular meeting at 10:57 a.m.

Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa                                    

Chairman

Dr. Michael J. Martirano
Secretary-Treasurer