Board of Education of St. Mary’s County

Meeting of:  Regular Session                                         Held:   August 8, 2007

Board of Education Meeting Room

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of St. Mary’s County was held on Wednesday, August 8, 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

.Mr. Gary Kessler

.Ms. Mary Washington

.Mr. Praveen Ramaswamy, 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. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Reopen Regular Session

Dr. Raspa reconvened the regular meeting at 9:32 a.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Approval of Agenda

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

Superintendent Report

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

• First Day of School is Wednesday, August 22^nd
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Grant in the amount of $350,000
• What Counts Presentation selected to be presented during the National School Board Association (NSBA) Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida in March 2008
• Congratulations to Leonardtown Elementary School student Rayna Cato as a 2007-2008 Sherry Unger Service-Learning Project Winner for her “Student Santa’s” project
• First Ever Grant funding for Chess in Maryland Schools – We received $10,000 for one program at the following schools – George Washington Carver Elementary School, Great Mills High School, Green Holly Elementary School, Lexington Park Elementary School, Park Hall Elementary School and Spring Ridge Middle School
• July 2007 Work Hard and Be Nice Award winners are now displayed in the Board Meeting Room.  A drawing was held for the 2^nd Quarterly Awards and the following employees won a lunch with the Superintendent – Ms. Trish Wince, supervisor of health/home/hospital teaching and Ms. Rhonda Meleen, grants accountant
• The Chopticon High School yearbook staff won the Best of Show and the Talent competition at the 2007 Josten’s yearbook workshop.  Fifty schools from 5 states participated including Leonardtown High School and Great Mills High School .  Congratulations to Chopticon and to Leonardtown and Great Mills for their participation
• 2007-2008 Student Handbook/Calendar
• Welcomed and introduced all the new Administrative and Supervisory staff

Consent Agenda

Mr. Kessler made a motion that the following consent agenda items be approved as follows:

.Regular and Executive Session Minutes of July 11, 2007

.New Employment

.Title 1 Part A Grant

.Policy IKEB (Alternatives to Four-Year High School Attendance)

.Bridge to Excellence 2007 Master Plan Update, Part II Attachment

.Request for Student Activity Funding

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 “JD” (School Census) – 2nd Reading .  Ms. Washington made a motion to delete Policy “JD” as it mirrors law exactly and is therefore, not needed.  Mr. Kessler seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.
• Ms. Kelly Hall, director of elementary instruction, administration, and school improvement, presented a Chesapeake Public Charter School (CPCS) Update/Calendar Adjustments for approval.  Ms. Washington made a motion that the Board accept and support the adjustment to coordinate their opening day with the opening day of all other St. Mary’s County Public Schools on August 22, 2007.  This plan will allow the building construction to be completed and for the CPCS staff to have sufficient time to prepare classrooms, etc.  Mr. Kessler seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

The following information items were presented to the BOE:

• Mr. Bill Caplins, director of technology, provided a New Web Page Demo.   
• Mr. Dan Carney, chief financial officer, presented the FY 2007 Unaudited Financial Report and the FY 2008 July Financial Report.

Reports

.Mr. Mattingly thanked everyone for their kind words and condolences on the passing of

 his dad.

.Ms. Washington noted her attendance at the following events:  Assisted with the registration at the Chesapeake Public Charter School, Maryland Association of Boards of Education Willis Award Committee Meeting, Maryland Writing Project Visitor’s Day, Meeting at the Board of County Commissioners regarding the Elms Advisory Report, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Exemplar and Banner Schools Reception and Recognition at North Point High School where Greenview Knolls Elementary School, Town Creek Elementary School, and Spring Ridge Middle School were recognized.  Lexington Park Elementary School and Park Hall Elementary School were named Banner Schools; New Horizon Camp Open House, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Aloha Celebration at Great Mills High School, and a Reception for Principals.

.Dr. Raspa noted that he had just returned from vacation in Maine .

.Dr. Martirano noted that he is very excited about the new web page and highlighted some upcoming events including the Staff Pep Rally on August 17^th and the theme this year is “Shining the Light on Our People”; our new pin which symbolizes a lighthouse, and the New Teacher Orientation beginning on Monday, August 13^th for over 150 new teachers. 

Future Board Meetings

The following future meetings will be held:

            .Work Session, Board Docs Presentation, Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 2:00-3:00

              p.m., Board Meeting Room, Leonardtown

.Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 6:00 p.m., Board Meeting

  Room, Leonardtown

Motion to Enter Into Executive Session

Mr. Mattingly made a motion that the Board enter into executive session to discuss personnel issues (Article 24, Section 4-210(a)1).  Mr. Kessler seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment

Dr. Raspa adjourned the regular meeting at 10:50 a.m.

Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa                                        

Chairman

Dr. Michael J. Martirano

Secretary-Treasurer