Board of Education of St. Mary’s County

Meeting of:  Regular Session                                         Held:   December 11, 2007

Board of Education Meeting Room

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of St. Mary’s County was held on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, in the Board of Education Meeting Room, 23160 Moakley Street , Leonardtown.  The meeting was called to order at 8:08 a.m. by Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa , chairman.  Present for the meeting were:

            .Dr. Salvatore L. Raspa, Chairman

            .Mr. Bill Mattingly, Vice Chairman

.Ms. Cathy Allen , Member

.Mr. Kessler, Member

.Ms. Mary Washington , Member

.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. Allen seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Reopen Regular Session

Dr. Raspa reconvened the regular meeting at 9:16 a.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Election of Officers

A motion was made by Ms. Allen to temporarily suspend meeting rules and have the Secretary-Treasurer preside over the meeting for the purpose of election of officers.  Mr. Kessler seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.  Dr. Michael Martirano, secretary-treasurer, called for nominations for the office of chairman.  Dr. Raspa nominated Mr. Mattingly for the office of chairman.  Mr. Mattingly accepted the nomination.  A vote was taken and Mr. Mattingly was named chairman by unanimous decision.  Dr. Martirano called for nominations for the office of vice chairman.  Ms. Washington nominated Ms. Allen for the office of vice chairman.  Ms. Allen accepted the nomination.  A vote was taken and Ms. Allen was named vice chairman by unanimous decision.  A motion was made by Dr. Raspa to return to regular rules with Mr. Mattingly assuming the duties.  Mr. Kessler seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.  Dr. Martirano congratulated Mr. Mattingly and Ms. Allen.  Mr. Mattingly noted his thanks to his colleagues for their vote of confidence and thanked everyone for their support.  Dr. Martirano presented Dr. Raspa with a wooden plaque with a gavel for his role as Chairman for the past two years.

Approval of Agenda

Ms. Allen 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:

• The bus accident involving a Leonardtown High School student and asked everyone to keep the student and family in their thoughts and prayers.
• Congratulations to Jeanette Offenbacher, English teacher from Great Mills High School , who ).has achieved National Board Certification.
• The November Work Hard and Be Nice Award recipients were announced and all were congratulated.
• What Counts II forum was held on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 from 7-9 p.m. at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center .  Follow up information will be presented at the January 9^th Board meeting.
• Channel 96 can now be viewed live on the St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) website by clicking on the online video link from the homepage.
• The Local Management Board has informed us of their decision to fund three after school programs for SMCPS that will begin in January, 2008:  $37,612 for the Leaders are Readers program; $5,990 to fund the Dynard Elementary proposal for the Scholars, Leaders, Athletes and Gentlemen. and G.A.L.S. Clubs to assist at-risk students; and $24,199 to fund Esperanza’s Attendance Monitor and After School Program. The total amount of the awards is $67,801.
• The FY-2009 budget shortfall noting we are being proactive in dealing with this shortfall.  Mr. Carney presented a brief update with PowerPoint on these budget issues.

Consent Agenda

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

.Regular and Executive Session Minutes of November 14, 2007

.New Teacher Hires

.Bridge to Excellence Master Plan, 2007 Annual Update

.Community Arts Development Grants:

   .Summer Enrichment Program in the Fine Arts, Grades 3-5 and 6-8

   .Performance Workshop for Secondary Performing Arts Students

Mr. Kessler seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

The following action items were presented to the ):BOE:

• Dr. Edward Weiland , director of human resources, presented Policy “GA through GBK (Personnel) for 2^nd Reading and approval.  Dr. Raspa made a motion that the BOE approve policies GA through GKA as presented, excluding policy GBGB.  Mr. Kessler seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
• Mr. Dan Carney , chief financial officer, presented Policy “DLB” (Salary Deductions) for 2^nd Reading and approval.  Ms. Washington made a motion to approve the changes to policy DLB and noted that the policy will be posted on the SMCPS website and employees will be notified of the change through an insert in their payroll envelopes. Ms. Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
• Mr. Brad Clements , chief operating officer, presented Contract Award – Generators.  Ms. Allen made a motion that the BOE reject the bids for both projects due to insufficient funding and that the additional funding in the amount of $220,000 be included in the upcoming FY 2009 capital improvements program request.  Mr. Kessler seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 

The following information items were presented to the BOE :

• Mr. Ed O’Meally, staff attorney and Dr. Martirano presented an Ethics Discussion.
• Mr. Bill Caplins , director of technology and Mr. Scott Smith , director of secondary instruction, administration and school improvement, presented eSchools/Technology Demonstrations.
• Ms. Linda Dudderar , chief academic officer and Mr. Smith, presented a report on the High School Task Force.
• Mr. Carney presented the FY 2008 November Financial Report.

Reports

.Ms. Washington attended the following events:  Outstanding Leader Award Ceremony for Dr. Martirano at the University of Maryland, Leonardtown Middle School Science Fair, Lexington Park Elementary School (LPES) Pajama Reading Party, What Counts II, Chopticon High School (CHS) Future Business Leaders of America Installation Ceremony, GED Graduation, Great Mills High School (GMHS) Future Business Leaders of America Installation Ceremony, and Meeting with Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for SMCPS Categorical Transfer Request.

.Mr. Mattingly attended the following events:  Outstanding Leader Award Ceremony for Dr. Martirano at the University of Maryland , What Counts II Forum, and the Maryland Associations of Boards of Education (MABE) Legislative Meeting in Annapolis .

.Ms. Allen attended the following events:  Outstanding Leader Award Ceremony for Dr. Martirano at the University of Maryland , Read to students at Leonardtown Elementary School , LPES Pajama Reading Party, What Counts II, Gave remarks at the GED Graduation, Lettie Marshall Dent Gingerbread House Auction, and Meeting with BOCC for SMCPS Categorical Transfer Request.

.Mr. Kessler attended the following events:  What Counts II Forum, and the GED Graduation.

.Dr. Raspa attended the following events:  Outstanding Leader Award Ceremony for Dr. Martirano at the University of Maryland , What Counts II Forum, Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award Ceremony in Washington , DC , Meeting with BOCC for SMCPS Categorical Transfer Request, and the MABE Legislative Meeting in Annapolis .

.Mr. Ramaswamy attended the following events:  Facilitator at the What Counts II Forum and Judge for the Leonardtown Middle School Science and Math Fair Projects.

Future Board Meetings

The following future meetings will be held:

            .Joint Work Session with the BOCC, Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 12:00-4:00 p.m.,

              Southern Maryland Higher Education Center , Bldg. 2, California

.Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, January 9, 2008, 9:00 a.m., Board

              Meeting Room, Leonardtown

            .Work Session on FY 2009 Budget, Wednesday, January 9, 2008, 1-3 p.m.,

  Board Meeting Room, Leonardtown

Adjournment

Mr. Mattingly adjourned the regular meeting at 12:29 p.m.

Mr. William M. Mattingly                                          

Chairman

Dr. Michael J. Martirano
Secretary-Treasurer