Board of Education of St. Mary’s County

 

Meeting of:  Regular Session                                      Held:   June 27, 2007

                                                                                                Board of Education Meeting Room

 

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

June 27, 2007, in the Board of Education Meeting Room, 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown.  The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.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

.Mr. Gary Kessler

.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 6:00 p.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

 

Approval of Agenda

Ms. Allen made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.  Ms. Kessler seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Superintendent Report

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

  • MSA Scores.
  • Students planning to attend a two year college and transfer into a four year college has increased by 10% over last year’s data and our dollar amount for total scholarships awarded has increased by $3,266,940.00 in comparison to last year.
  • Graduate Facts:

Ř      Seventy-seven (77) percent of seniors plan to attend a two or four – year college

Ř      Three (3) percent of seniors plan to attend technical schools

Ř      Total Number of Graduating Seniors:  987

Ř      Dollar Value of Scholarships offered:  $15,443,925.00

Ř      Senior Exit Survey Results:  342 (34%) students plan to attend a four-year college. 

282 (29%) students plan to attend a two-year college and transfer to a four year college.  137 (14%) students plan to attend a two-year college.  27 (3%) students plan to attend a technical or art school.  37 (4%) students plan to join the military.  145 (15%)  students plan to join the workforce. 

 

Recognitions

  • Dr. Martirano presented the Student Board Member Recognition, recognizing Ms. Brittany Thurston, the outgoing Student Board Member with a clock and pen desk set and a certificate of recognition for her outstanding service to the Board.

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Recognitions (continued)

  • Ms. Lynne Morgan-Smoot, supervisor of fine arts, presented the 2007-2009 Superintendent’s Art Gallery with Dr. Martirano presenting certificates of recognition to the students.

 

Consent Agenda

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

.Regular and Executive Session Minutes of June 13, 2007

.Personnel Issues

.”J” Section Policies in New Format and/or Consolidation

.Request for Student Activity Funding

.CEASMC Negotiated Agreement – Record of Changes

Mr. Kessler seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

 

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

  • Mr. Dan Carney, chief financial officer, presented the 2nd reading of Sections of “A” Policies for approval.  Mr. Mattingly made a motion that the Board of Education approve and adopt the revisions to Section “A” of the BOE policy manual.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
  • Mr. Brad Clements, chief operating officer, and Ms. Kim Howe, supervisor of capital planning, presented the 2nd reading of Policy “FF” (Naming Facilities) for approval.  Mr. Kessler made a motion that the Board of Education approve the changes to Policy FF as presented.  Ms. Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
  • Ms. Kathleen Lyon, executive director of student services, presented the 2nd reading of Sections of “J” Policies (JED, JFBB, JFDF, JFDG, and JEH) for approval.  Ms. Allen made a motion that the Board of Education approve the revisions to policies JED, JFBB, JFDF, and JEH as submitted and that policy JFDG be reconsidered and presented at the July 11, 2007 Board meeting.  Mr. Kessler seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.
  • Mr. Clements and Ms. Howe, presented the July 2007 Educational Facilities Master Plan for approval.  Ms. Allen made a motion that the Board of Education approved the Master Plan as submitted for submission to the Public School Construction Program.  Mr. Mattingly seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

 

The following information items were presented to the BOE:

  • Mr. Theo Cramer, director of academic support, and Mr. Jeff Maher, director of professional and organizational development, presented an update on the Task Force on Eliminating the Achievement Gap.
  • Ms. Kelly Hall, director of elementary instruction, administration, and school improvement, presented an update on the Chesapeake Public Charter School.
  • Ms. Lyon, presented Policy “JD” (School Census) for first reading.

 

Reports

.Ms. Allen noted her attendance at the following events:  Forms of Government Task Force Meeting, Flag Day Ceremony at the Governmental Center, Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) Fall Conference Planning Meeting, MABE Summer Leadership Conference,

Patty Kuzmick’s Retirement featuring Peace Pipers from 1978 to present, Glossy Awards, and the MABE Budget & Planning Meeting.

 

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Reports (continued)

.Mr. Kessler noted his attendance at the following events:  Glossy Awards

.Mr. Mattingly noted his attendance at the following events:  Forms of Government Task Force Meeting, Flag Day Ceremony at the Governmental Center, MABE Summer Leadership Conference, Glossy Awards, and the approval of the Board Of Education Budget at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting.

.Dr. Raspa noted his attendance at the following events:  Forms of Government Task Force Meeting, MABE Summer Leadership Conference featuring Ian Jukes Commentary on “Windows on the Future” commenting that in talking about change, Mr. Jukes said the fundamental issue we must deal with is not about technology but what it does to how we think about life, Glossy Awards, and the approval of the Board Of Education Budget at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting.

.Ms. Washington noted her attendance at the following events:  Forms of Government Task Force Meeting, Flag Day Ceremony at the Governmental Center, Juneteenth Celebration, MABE Nominating Committee Meeting, MABE Summer Leadership Conference, and the approval of the Board Of Education Budget at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting.

.Ms. Thurston noted her thanks to the Board Members for all of the valuable lessons that she has learned during her term as student board member, and that after talking with other student board members across the State they felt they were not heard by members of their Board.  She thanked the Board members for listening to her and giving her the opportunity to serve as Student Board Member.

 

Future Board Meetings

The following future meetings will be held:

.Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, July 11, 2007, 9:00 a.m., Board Meeting Room,

  Leonardtown

 

Adjournment

Dr. Raspa adjourned the regular meeting at 9:18 p.m.

 

 

 

 

____________________________________                ________________________________

Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa                                                    Dr. Michael J. Martirano

Chairman                                                                         Secretary-Treasurer