Board of Education of St. Mary’s County

Meeting of:  Regular Session                                      Held:   November 14, 2007

Board of Education Meeting Room

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of St. Mary’s County was held on Wednesday, November 14, 2007, in the Board of Education Meeting Room, 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown.  The meeting was called to order at 8:02 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. Gary 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).  Mr. Kessler seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Reopen Regular Session

Dr. Raspa reconvened the regular meeting at 9:21 a.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

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:

• Harvest for Hungry – Kids Helping Kids food campaign and noted that donations stay in Southern Maryland.

• Congratulated the following teachers who are recipients of the Career Teacher Award at the annual conference of the Maryland Art Education Association (MAEA):  Therese Milcetich (Oakville and Hollywood) and Monica Cerkez (Chopticon High School).  They will be formally recognized at a future Board meeting.
• What Counts II to be held on Tuesday, November 27, 2007, from 7-9 p.m. at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center and the community is invited to attend.  For more information, please visit our website at www.smcps.org.
• State of the St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) Address – the State of SMCPS is STRONG!

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Superintendent Report (continued)

• Congratulated the October 2007 Work Hard and Be Nice award recipients whose names are now on display in the Board Meeting Room.  A drawing was held for the 3^rd Quarterly prize, lunch with the Superintendent, and the following names were drawn - Ms. Bernie Ryce and Mr. Patrick Scriber.
• Recently, several employees were recognized as the “Morning Person” on NBC 4 News.  Congratulations to Patrick Hall, warehouse manager in the Division of Supporting Services, James Price, building service manager II, and Gloria Ricciardi, building service worker, both from Spring Ridge Middle School.  They are the best of the best and are valued for what they do for the children of SMCPS each and every day.  A video clip of their appearance on the news was shown for all to view.
• Wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving holiday next week and noted that schools are closed November 21, 22, and 23^rd for the observation of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Recognitions

• Ms. Lynne Morgan Smoot, supervisor of fine arts, noted that Veterans Day on November 11 honors American veterans of all wars for their patriotism, dedication, and willingness to serve in the military.  In recognition of Veterans Day, 5^th grade students from Leonardtown Elementary School read their speeches that they recited at the annual Veterans Day celebration held in Leonardtown.  Dr. Martirano presented each student with a certificate of appreciation.
• Dr. Edward Weiland, director of human resources, announced that November 11-17, 2007, has been designated as American Education Week and the theme this year is “Great Public Schools:  A Basic Right and Our Responsibility.”  Also, November 14, 2007, has been designated as Education Support Professional Day.  Dr. Martirano presented a resolution to the St. Mary’s County Teacher of the Year and to the leadership of the Education Association of St. Mary’s County (EASMC) and the Collective Employees Association of St. Mary’s County (CEASMC). 

Consent Agenda

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

.Regular and Executive Session Minutes of October 30, 2007

.New Employment

.Administrative and Supervisory Appointment

.Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Southern   Chapter 2007-2008 Science Teaching Tools Grant

.FTE for Chesapeake Public Charter School

Mr. Mattingly seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

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

• Mr. Dan Carney, chief financial officer, presented Policy “BC through BKA” (School Board Governance and Operations) for 2^nd reading and approval.  Ms. Allen made a motion to accept the changes made in Board policies “BC through BKA”, excluding BEDB, BEDH, BHC, BJ and BJA and the policies will

then be typed in final form and published.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion.

Motion carried unanimously.

• Mr. Carney presented the Categorical Fund Transfer Request for consideration.  Mr. Mattingly made a motion to approve the categorical fund transfer and once approved, the request will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval.  Ms. Washington seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously. 
• Mr. Brad Clements, chief operating officer, presented the Greenview Knolls Elementary School State Highway Administration Project for consideration. Mr. Kessler made a motion that the Board accept the right-of-way option and easement required by the State Highway Administration for the expansion of the Chancellor’s Run Road project in consideration of $22,450.00.  Ms. Allen seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.
• Mr. Clements presented a Budget Amendment – State Relocatable Reimbursement for consideration.  Ms. Allen made a motion to approve the state reimbursement in the amount of $259,000 to be transferred to the FY 2008 state relocatable account.  Mr. Kessler seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously. 
• Mr. Clements presented Budget Amendments – Capital Improvements Program for consideration.  Mr. Mattingly made a motion to approve the transfer of $108,000.00 to the George Washington Carver Elementary School project from the local relocatable reimbursement project and to transfer $13,401.57 to the Board of County Commissioner FIN 08 capital improvements program reserve.  Mr. Kessler seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

The following information items were presented to the BOE:

• Mr. Carney presented Policy “DLB” (Salary Deductions) for 1^st Reading.  The Board gave consensus to suspend the requirement for a public hearing at the December meeting so that the changes can be approved in December and deductions authorized starting in January 2008.   This recommendation was based on the fact that there is only one Board meeting in November and December and the change does not affect the public at large.
• Mr. Scott Smith, director of secondary instruction, administration, and school improvement, presented the Middle School Task Force Report Update.
• Dr. Charles Ridgell, director of curriculum and instruction, presented the Annual Textbook Update.
• Mr. Carney presented the FY 2008 October Financial Report.

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Reports

.Dr. Raspa attended the following events:  State of the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Address, Chesapeake Public Charter School Dedication, Veterans Day Parade, Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) Board of Directors Meeting, and the Outstanding Leader Award Ceremony at the University of Maryland.

.Mr. Mattingly attended the following events:  State of the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Address, Chesapeake Public Charter School Dedication, and the Outstanding Leader Award Ceremony at the University of Maryland.

.Ms. Allen attended the following events:  Margaret Brent Middle School National Junior Honor Society Induction, State of the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Address, Business Education Community Alliance (BECA) Scholarship Fair, Chopticon High School National Honor Society Induction, Chesapeake Public Charter School Dedication, Veterans Day Parade and ride on the Leonardtown Elementary School float, MABE Board of Director’s Meeting, and the Outstanding Leader Award Ceremony at the University of Maryland.

.Mr. Kessler attended the following events:  State of the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Address, BECA Scholarship Fair, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Group Meeting, and the Veterans Day Parade.

.Ms. Washington attended the following events:  Leonardtown High School National Honor Society Induction, Margaret Brent Middle School National Junior Honor Society Induction, Youth Summit on Community Issues, Interview with EASMC/CEASMC, State of the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Address, BECA Scholarship Fair, Chopticon High School National Honor Society Induction, Chesapeake Public Charter School Dedication,  Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center National Technical Honor Society Induction, Debutante Ball in Crystal City, and the Mistress of Ceremony for the Veteran’s Day Parade.

.Mr. Ramaswamy attended the following events:  State of the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Address and the BECA Scholarship Fair.

Future Board Meetings

The following future meetings will be held:

            .What Counts II, Tuesday, November 27, 2007, 7:00 p.m., Dr. James A. Forrest

 Career and Technology Center, Leonardtown

            .Regular Board Meeting, Tuesday, December 11, 2007, 9:00 a.m., Board

             Meeting Room, Leonardtown

Adjournment

Dr. Raspa adjourned the regular meeting at 1:15 p.m.

________________________________                ________________________________

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

Chairman                                                                         Secretary-Treasurer