[00:00:03]
[A. CLOSED SESSION]
JANE LICHTER.I CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY FOR TUESDAY, MAY 6TH, 2025.
THIS EVENING'S BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING IS BEING BROADCAST THROUGH THE BCPS ONLINE LIVE MEETING BROADCAST AND ON BCPS TV, XFINITY CHANNEL 73 AND VERIZON FIOS, CHANNEL 34.
IN ORDER TO EFFICIENTLY CONDUCT THIS MEETING, ALL VOTING ITEMS THIS EVENING WILL BE DONE BY ROLL CALL VOTE.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION AS PERMITTED BY THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AS FOUND IN THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE SECTIONS THREE DASH 3 0 5, BE ONE AND B SEVEN TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT ASSIGNMENT, PROMOTION, DISCIPLINED EMOTION COMPENSATION, REMOVAL, RESIGNATION OR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF APPOINTEES, EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS OVER WHOM IT HAS JURISDICTION OR ANY OTHER PERSONNEL MATTER THAT AFFECTS ONE OR MORE SPECIFIC IN INDIVIDUALS.
AND CONSULT WITH COUNSEL TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND FROM PAUL.
MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE PLEASE.
MR. YOUNG, CAN YOU HEAR US? MS. DOKI? YES.
AND I'LL TRY AND GET THE OTHER TWO ON, UH, SO THEY CAN HEAR US.
DO YOU WANT ME TO WAIT A MINUTE BEFORE CONTINUING, UH, I'M GOING TO SEND THEM A TEXT MESSAGE.
MR. YOUNG, ARE YOU ABLE TO HEAR US? MS. HEN, ARE YOU ABLE TO HEAR US? I GO TO SCHOOL.
HOW WAS MAKE A MOTION? I WAS TOO SICK AND I MISSED MY DAUGHTER.
[00:05:09]
YES.I THINK YOUR VOLUME'S I THINK'S JUST THERE WE GO.
YOU GOOD MR. I ASK MR. YOUNG VOTE? NO, WE WE'RE FINE.
ALRIGHT, WE ALL READY TO DO THE NEXT PART? OKAY.
THE FIRST ITEM FOR CLOSED SESSION IS PERSONNEL MATTERS.
AND FOR THAT, I CALL ON MR. MCCALL, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY FOR TUESDAY, MAY 6TH, 2025.
[B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/SILENT MEDITATION (6:30 p.m.)]
RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG TO BE LED BY MS. CHI KALU.WE WILL THEN HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND RECOGNITION OF THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED EDUCATION IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
TONIGHT'S BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING IS BEING BROADCAST THROUGH THE BCPS ONLINE LIVE MEETING BROADCAST AND ON BCPS TV, COMCAST, XFINITY, CHANNEL 73 AND VERIZON FIOS, CHANNEL 34.
IN ORDER TO EFFICIENTLY CONDUCT THIS MEETING, ALL VOTING ITEMS THIS EVENING WILL BE DONE BY ROLL CALL VOTE.
[C. AGENDA (6:35 p.m.)]
ON THE AGENDA IS THE CONSIDERATION OF THE MAY 6TH AGENDA.DR. ROGERS, ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO TONIGHT'S AGENDA? I'M UNAWARE OF ANY CHANGES TO THIS EVENING'S AGENDA.
MS. HEN? YES, I MOVE TO POSTPONE ITEM N NINE ON THE AGENDA CONTRACT JHO SEVEN 11 DASH 25 CORE CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENTS SO THAT THE CONTRACT EXHIBIT CAN BE UPDATED TO REFLECT THAT THIS CONTRACT PROPOSES REPLACING MAP WITH THE STAR PRODUCT.
DR. ROGERS HAD ALREADY INTENDED TO PULL THAT CONTRACT.
SO THAT ITEM HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA? YES, CORRECT? YES.
UM, HEARING NONE THE AGENDA STANDS AS PRESENTED.
HEARING NONE THE AGENDA STANDS AS PRESENTED.
I DUNNO WHY IT'S NOT COMING UP.
UM, NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS, WAIT A SECOND, LET ME REFRESH THIS.
EARLY THIS EVENING, THE MEETING THE BOARD MET ENC CLOSED SESSION.
PURSUANT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT ASSIGNMENT, PROMOTION, DISCIPLINE, DEMOTION, COMPENSATION, REMOVAL, RESIGNATION OR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF APPOINTEES, EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS OVER WHOM IT HAS JURISDICTION OR ANY OTHER PERSONNEL MATTER THAT AFFECTS ONE OR MORE SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS, PROTECT THE PRIVACY OR REPUTATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL WITH RESPECT TO A MATTER THAT IS NOT RELATED TO PUBLIC BUSINESS.
AND CONSULT WITH COUNSEL TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE.
THE CLOSED SESSION SUMMARY AND THE OPEN SESSION INFORMATION SUMMARY CAN BE FOUND ON BOARD DOCS UNDER THIS BOARD MEETING AGENDA DATE.
[D. NEW BUSINESS - PERSONNEL MATTERS (Mr. McCall) (6:45 - 6:50 p.m.)]
ON THE AGENDA IS PERSONNEL MATTERS, AND FOR THAT I CALL ON MR. MCCALL.[00:10:11]
GOOD EVENING, CHAIR.LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, SUPERINTENDENT DR. ROGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'D LIKE THE BOARD'S CONSENT FOR THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL MATTERS.
TONIGHT WE HAVE TERMINATIONS, RETIREMENTS, RESIGNATIONS, LEAVES, AND CERTIFICATE APPOINTMENTS.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL MATTERS AS PRESENTED IN EXHIBITS D ONE THROUGH D FIVE? SO MOVED FROM PAUL.
ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? GO PLEASE.
[E. NEW BUSINESS - ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS (Dr. Rogers) (6:50 - 7:00 p.m.)]
THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS AND FOR THAT I CALL ON DR. ROGERS.THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR, LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M BRINGING FORWARD THE FOLLOWING ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS FOR YOUR APPROVAL.
PRINCIPAL STONELEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLOUD SOLUTIONS ENGINEER, OFFICE OF APPLICATION AND NETWORK SECURITY SUPPORT AND ERP, INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER, OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL MATTERS AS PRESENTED? EXHIBIT E ONE.
DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND FROM POLAND.
ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL VO PLEASE? MS. CHILO? YES.
OUR FIRST APPOINTMENT THIS EVENING IS DERE LYNCH.
PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED.
DEIDRE LYNCH IS ATTENDING WITH HER SON COLIN KNAPP, A FORMER BCPS STUDENT.
PLEASE STAND AND IS BEING APPOINTED AS THE PRINCIPAL OF STONLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH 24 YEARS OF BCPS EXPERIENCE.
HER PRIOR EXPERIENCES INCLUDE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT OLIVER BEACH, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT RELAY ELEMENTARY AND HONEY GO AND COORDINATOR IN THE OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION.
DEIRDRE'S PRIOR EXPERIENCE BEFORE THAT INCLUDED CLINICAL SPECIALISTS AT KENNEDY KRIEGER INSTITUTE AND PRESCHOOL TEACHER AND ELEMENTARY TEACHER AT THE MARYLAND SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.
OUR NEXT APPOINTMENT FOR THE EVENING IS EARL ELIAS.
EARL IS BEING APPOINTED AS THE ERP INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER IN THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS WITH TWO YEARS OF PRIOR BCPS EXPERIENCE.
HIS PRIOR EXPERIENCES INCLUDE ERP INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER GEEK SQUAD AGENT AT BEST BUY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATOR AT PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST AT THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND LAN ADMINISTRATOR AT JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND PATENT EXAMINER AT THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADE TRADEMARK OFFICE.
SO CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO BCPS FINAL APPOINTMENT OF THE EVENING.
S SANDEEP RE RERATE IS BEING APPOINTED AS THE CLOUD SOLUTIONS ENGINEER IN THE OFFICE OF APPLICATION AND NETWORK SECURITY SUPPORT WITH 14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, SIZE, EXPERIENCE.
INCLUDE SQL SERVER AT TESOL INCORPORATED AND APR DAT SOLUTIONS LLC.
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO BCPS.
THANK YOU, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.
[F. PUBLIC COMMENT (7:00 - 7:30 p.m.)]
IS PUBLIC COMMENT.THIS IS ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THE BOARD PROVIDES TO HEAR THE VIEWS AND RECEIVE THE ADVICE OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
IF NOT SELECTED TO ADDRESS THE BOARD, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY SUBMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD MEMBERS VIA EMAIL@BOEATBCPS.ORG, THE BALTIMORE COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT'S HOMELAND SECURITY UNIT AND OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY AS RECOMMENDED SAFETY AND SECURITY PROTOCOLS, WHICH ARE POSTED IN THE BOARDROOM AND AVAILABLE IN BOARD DOCS AND ON THE BOARD'S PARTICIPATION BY THE PUBLIC WEBSITE.
[00:15:01]
PUBLIC INPUT ON POLICY PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THIS BOARD AND THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM, THIS IS NOT THE PROPER FORUM TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC STUDENT OR EMPLOYEE MATTERS OR TO COMMENT ON MATTERS THAT DO NOT RELATE TO PUBLIC EDUCATION IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.INAPPROPRIATE PERSONAL REMARKS OR OTHER BEHAVIORS SUCH AS LANGUAGE THAT PROMOTES VIOLENCE AGAINST A-B-C-P-S EMPLOYEE OR THAT DISRUPTS OR INTERFERES WITH THE CONDUCT OF THIS MEETING ARE OUT OF ORDER AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
PERSONS WHO OTHERWISE DISRUPT OR DISTURB THIS MEETING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE THEIR REMARKS AND WILL BE ESCORTED FROM THE MEETING.
PLEASE OBSERVE THE THREE MINUTE CLOCK, WHICH WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP.
THE MICROPHONE WILL BE TURNED OFF AT THE END OF YOUR TIME OR PRIOR TO THE TIME OF THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD CHAIR.
IT IS A PRACTICE OF THIS BOARD TO ALLOW ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PROVIDE THEIR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD.
FIRST TO SPEAK IS COUNCILMAN PAT YOUNG.
EVENING, MADAM CHAIR, MAD VICE CHAIR, SUPERINTENDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
UH, FOR THE RECORD, I'M COUNCILMAN PAT YOUNG, REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT ONE AND, UH, ALSO FOR THE RECORD, FOR THOSE WHO DON'T MAY, THIS EYE PATCH IS TEMPORARY.
UH, BUT I DID WANNA TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU ALL, UH, FOR THE FOLKS WHO HAVE REACHED OUT, UM, SINCE THE HOSPITALIZATION THAT THEN LED TO ME HAVING TO WEAR AN EYE PATCH.
UM, BUT ALSO PART, PART OF THE REASON WHY I'M HERE.
UH, THE, I WAS OUT FOR TWO WEEKS AND THE FIRST OFFICIAL THING THAT I DID ONCE I WAS CLEARED, UH, FROM MY DOCTORS TO GET BACK TO WORK WAS ATTEND YOUR, UH, WELL, THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION'S GALA LAST FRIDAY.
UM, AND ONE FROM THE OUTREACH FROM YOU ALL, UH, AND FROM BCPS AND AN EXTENDED NETWORK OF FOLKS AROUND BALTIMORE COUNTY THAT JUST SHOWED CONCERN.
IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH YOU ALL, ENGAGE WITH TEACHERS, ENGAGE WITH FOLKS THAT RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN BALTIMORE COUNTY AND SEE HOW WE TOGETHER HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, UM, TO MOVE OUR COUNTY FORWARD, MOVE OUR SCHOOLS FORWARD, AND WORK TOGETHER IN A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT WE DON'T ALWAYS SEE FROM DAY TO DAY, WEEK TO WEEK OR MONTH TO MONTH.
UM, THE END GOAL HERE WAS JUST TO CONGRATULATE YOU ALL AND THANK YOU FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER.
UH, I KNOW DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT SERVES FOR 90 DAYS OUTTA THE YEAR AND THEN FROM THE COUNCIL THAT MEETS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE DON'T COLLABORATE NEARLY AS MUCH AS I THINK WE WOULD LIKE TO, BUT THE WORK WE DO IS, AS YOU KNOW, INHERENTLY COLLABORATIVE, INHERENTLY CONNECTED BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT THAT IT HAS ON THE TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND PARENTS AROUND THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
UM, MOVING INTO THIS BUDGET SESSION, I WANTED TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO, ONE, JUST THANK YOU FOR THE COLLABORATION THROUGHOUT THE LAST YEAR, LOOKING FORWARD AND OPEN TO THE COLLABORATION OVER THE NEXT YEAR, AND FINDING WAYS THAT WE CAN ALL WORK, UH, TOGETHER TO FIND WAYS TO CONSISTENTLY RECOGNIZE OUR TEACHERS, RECOGNIZE THE ADMINISTRATORS, AND RECOGNIZE THE STUDENTS THAT MAKE BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT.
UM, AND WANT JUST WANTED TO RECOMMIT TO THAT BEFORE WE FINALIZE THE 2026 BUDGET AND THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW WE CAN COLLABORATE THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
SO WITH THAT, UH, JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU.
I NOW CALL ON OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AFFILIATED GROUPS TO SPEAK, AND FIRST WE HAVE MS. LESLIE WEBER FROM THE PTA COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE COUNTY.
HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS AND DR. ROGERS.
I'M LESLIE WEBER, PRESIDENT OF THE PTA COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, MS. PART OF OUR RESPONSIBLE CELL PHONE USE CAMPAIGN.
IN EARLY APRIL, WE PARTNERED WITH EIGHT PTAS IN SCHOOLS TO HOST SHOWINGS OF SCREEN AGES GROWING UP IN A DIGITAL WORLD, AN AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENT DOCUMENTARY, EXPLORING COMPLICATED FAMILY AND SOCIETAL STRUGGLES OVER STUDENTS', SOCIAL MEDIA USE, VIDEO GAMING AND INTERNET ADDICTION.
WE APPRECIATE OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DELANEY HIGH SCHOOL, PTSA, NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, OWINGS MILLS HIGH SCHOOL, SPARROWS POINT HIGH SCHOOL, DEER PARK MIDDLE MAGNET, THE SOUTHWEST ACADEMY, PTA, HONEYCOMB ELEMENTARY AND WINFIELD ELEMENTARY.
717 STUDENTS, PARENTS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED SHOWINGS AT THESE SCHOOLS AND PARTICIPATED IN POST SCREENING DISCUSSIONS, WHICH OFFERED STRATEGIES TO HELP PARENTS AND CHILDREN MANAGE SCREEN TIME AT HOME, REDUCE SMARTPHONE DEPENDENCY AND INCREASE RESPONSIBLE CELL PHONE USE.
ANOTHER GREAT PARTNERSHIP HAS BEEN THE SERIES OF B-C-P-S-P-T-A LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE BETWEEN DR. ROGERS, CHIEF OF STAFF,
[00:20:01]
MS. CHARLIE GREEN, PTA COUNCIL, AND PTA PRESIDENTS.THE LAST ROUND TABLE OF THE YEAR TOOK PLACE ON MAY 1ST AT OUR MANY ROUND TABLES.
SINCE THE FALL, PARTICIPANTS HAVE ASKED GREAT QUESTIONS AND RAISED IMPORTANT ISSUES AND HAVE RECEIVED HONEST ANSWERS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THESE SESSIONS IN THE FALL.
ANOTHER PARTNERSHIP FOR WHICH WE'RE GRATEFUL HAS BEEN THE SERIES OF LUNCH AND LEARN FAMILY ENGAGEMENT WEBINARS FOR PTA LEADERS AND BCPS ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF CALLED A SEAT AT THE TABLE.
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT FOR STUDENT SUCCESS.
THIS FIVE PART SERIES HAS BEEN A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PTA COUNCIL, THE BCPS, OFFICE OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN THE MID-ATLANTIC EQUITY CONSORTIUM.
THE LAST SESSION FOCUSING ON SCHOOL FUNDING WILL TAKE PLACE ON MAY 20TH FROM 11:00 AM TO 12:30 PM THE SERIES IS DESIGNED TO CREATE SPACE FOR OPEN, OPEN CONVERSATIONS ON KEY ISSUES IMPACTING STUDENT IMPACTING STUDENTS, INCLUDING SCHOOL SAFETY, DISCIPLINE AND FUNDING DISTRIBUTION.
OTHER GOALS ARE TO PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS OF CRITICAL TOPICS SUCH AS CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE TO EQUIP FAMILIES WITH TOOLS AND STRATEGIES TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND ADVOCATE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM EFFECTIVELY AND TO STRENGTHEN COLLABOR COLLABORATION, EXCUSE ME, BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES TO CREATE A MORE SUPPORTIVE AND WELL WELCOMING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
ANYONE CAN REGISTER TO WATCH RECORDINGS OF PAST SESSIONS OR TO ATTEND THE MAY, THE MAY 20TH SESSION.
PLEASE GO TO THE NEWS TAB OF OUR WEBSITE, WWW BBC PTA COUNCIL.ORG TO ACCESS THE MAEC FLYER AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION.
OUR NEXT SPEAKERS ARE FROM THE BALTIMORE COUNTY STUDENT COUNCIL AND THAT'S JORDAN ALD AND FORESIGHT UMBI.
GOOD EVENING AND CONGRATULATIONS MS. AMI.
SOON YOU'LL BE SITTING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS DESK.
GOOD EVENING CHAIR, MS. LICHTER, VICE CHAIR, MS. HARVEY, DR. ROGERS STUDENT MEMBER, MS. CHIE KALU, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I AM JORDAN SAEL, THE BCSE PRESIDENT AND I'M FOR GBE, THE BCSE VICE PRESIDENT.
TODAY WE ARE HERE TO UPDATE YOU FOR THE FINAL TIME ON THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY STUDENT COUNCILS FOR THE 2024 TO 25 SCHOOL YEAR.
WE HAVE BEEN DOING A TON OF EXCITING THINGS THESE PAST FEW MONTHS SINCE OUR LAST UPDATE.
IT'S BEEN A MEANINGFUL AND ACTION PACKED SEASON FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP HERE IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.
WE'VE HOSTED FOUR EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS, EACH ONE FILLED WITH INTENTIONAL PLANNING, DISCUSSION AND VISION SETTING.
THESE MEETINGS HAVE HELPED US FOCUS ON AMPLIFYING STUDENT VOICES, IMPROVING COUNTYWIDE COMMUNICATION AND ENSURING THAT EVERY STUDENT LEADER FEELS HEARD AND SUPPORTED.
WE HAVE ALSO HOSTED SEVEN SEMINARS THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR WITH CENTRAL OFFICE MEMBERS AND BCPS STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE AT EACH ONE.
WE HAVE RECEIVED AMAZING FEEDBACK AND ARE SO EXCITED TO CONTINUE THESE SEMINARS NEXT YEAR.
IN ADDITION TO OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD WORK, WE'VE HELD TWO GENERAL ASSEMBLIES SINCE WE LAST SPOKE.
THESE EVENTS BROUGHT STUDENT LEADERS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY TOGETHER TO COLLABORATE, SHARE IDEAS, AND STRENGTHEN OUR NETWORK.
AT MO, AT OUR MOST RECENT ASSEMBLY, WE PEC WE WERE ESPECIALLY EXCITED TO HOST OUR OFFICER ELECTIONS THROUGH A THOUGHTFUL ELECTION PROCESS.
WE WELCOMED OUR NEW PRESIDENT, MONTEREY ANAD, VICE PRESIDENT, SAM PARK, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH DIRECTOR HIGH OUTFIT, AS WELL AS OUR SECOND VICE PRESIDENT, SERENA BAHARA.
WE ALSO FACILITATED THE ELECTION OF OUR NEXT STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BCPS BOARD.
A KEY MOMENT FOR STUDENT REPRESENTATION IN BCPS.
WE'RE PROUD OF EVERY STUDENT WHO STEPPED UP TO RUN AND WE CONGRATULATE OUR NEWLY ELECTED SM FORE WHO WE KNOW WILL CONTINUE TO TO ADVOCATE FOR MEANINGFUL CHANGE.
ON BEHALF OF ALL BCPS STUDENTS, WE ARE ALSO PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT STUDENTS FROM ALL ACROSS BCPS HAVE BEEN MAKING THEIR MARK EVERYWHERE.
DAVID OLO STUDENT FROM EASTERN TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCILS, A REMARKABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL.
JORDAN SAHEL FROM TOWSON HIGH SCHOOL WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCILS AND GOODNESS ALFA FROM EASTERN TECH WAS ELECTED TREASURER OF THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCILS.
THESE ACHIEVEMENTS ARE A POWERFUL REFLECTION OF THE LEADERSHIP, DEDICATION AND EXCELLENCE THAT BCPS STUDENTS BRING TO EVERY SPACE THEY ENTER.
WHETHER IT'S A COUNTY BOARDROOM LIKE HERE TONIGHT OR A NATIONAL STAGE LIKE DAVID.
WE'RE PROUD OF THE WORK OUR STUDENT LEADERS HAVE DONE THIS YEAR AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AS BOARD MEMBERS.
THANK YOU ALL AND THANK YOU TO TWO FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP WITH THE BALTIMORE COUNTY.
NEXT CATEGORY ARE OUR UNIONS, AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS MR. BILLY BURKE WHO IS VIRTUAL MR. BURKE.
[00:25:01]
GOOD EVENING.CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, SUPERINTENDENT DR. ROGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF CASE.
THE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPERVISORY EMPLOYEES CASE IS THE UNION THAT REPRESENT SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND CENTRAL OFFICE LEADERS THAT HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH AND PROVIDE DIRECT SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I TELL YOU THE BOARD, THE CONCERNS OF CASE MEMBERS AS YOU WORK THROUGH THE BUDGET ISSUES AND PROVIDE GOVERNANCE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT AND HER STAFF.
IF YOU KNOW CASE MEMBERS' STORIES, YOU ARE BETTER PREPARED TO FIGHT FOR THEIR NEEDS.
I KNOW YOU KNOW THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S DECISION TO NOT FULLY FUND THE BUDGET HAS CAUSED THE SUPERINTENDENT TO RENEGOTIATE YEAR TWO OF THE SALARY PACKAGE.
IT IS DISCOURAGING TO CASE MEMBERS THAT THE SALARIES THAT WE NEGOTIATED IN EARNEST CANNOT BE HONORED.
IT WAS AN HISTORIC AGREEMENT THAT GREATLY BENEFITED REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES AND THE DISTRICT ALIKE.
ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO I SPOKE TO THIS BOARD ABOUT HOW THE NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS AND THE BUDGET PROCESS ARE BROKEN.
I SAY THAT NOW EVEN LOUDER DURING THESE TIMES OF FISCAL STRAIN.
THERE MUST BE A PLAN FOR WHEN TIMES ARE TIGHT THAT DOESN'T DAMAGE EMPLOYEES AND STUDENT RESOURCES.
RENEGOTIATING THE SALARY PACKAGE IS ONE STRATEGY FOR REACTING TO THE BUDGET STRAIN.
A SECOND STRATEGY IS TO REASSIGN CASE MEMBERS.
THOSE REASSIGNMENTS USUALLY RESULT IN A LATERAL JOB CHANGE BASED ON SYSTEMIC PRIORITIES.
IN SOME INSTANCES, A REASSIGNMENT CAN LEAD TO A CASE EMPLOYEE MOVING TO A CASE REPRESENTED POSITION THAT IS LOWER ON THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND LOWER IN SALARY.
IN THE MOST EXTREME INSTANCES, THE CASE EMPLOYEE IS MOVED TO THE TEACHER TRANSFER LIST.
THIS RESULTS IN A CHANGE OF REPRESENTED UNION AND A SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN SALARY.
I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE 20 CASE MEMBERS OF AFFECTED BY REASSIGNMENT WILL MOVE FROM CASE AND TAKE SIGNIFICANT PAY CUTS.
THE REASSIGNMENT CLAUSE IN OUR CONTRACT ALMOST ALWAYS BENEFITS THE SYSTEM, NOT THE EMPLOYEE.
I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY THEY SHOULD JUST BE GLAD THEY HAVE A JOB.
PLEASE STOP SAYING THAT IT'S DAMAGING, UNINFORMED AND UNCARING.
NO ONE BECOMES A TEACHER OR ADMINISTRATOR TO BECOME RICH.
THEY DO IT BECAUSE THEY TRULY CARE ABOUT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
AND UNION REPRESENTATION MAKES WORKING CONDITIONS BALANCED, SAFE, AND STABLE.
THAT STABILITY IS IN QUESTION RIGHT NOW.
MEMBERS HAVE CALLED ME SAYING THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR NEXT MORTGAGE PAYMENT OR MAKE THEIR CHILD'S TUITION PAYMENT AND SOMETIMES EVEN TAKE CARE OF BASIC NEEDS.
I SAY ALL OF THIS BECAUSE YOU, THE BOARD CAN MONITOR RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES AND MAKE CORRECTIONS WHEN THE FISCAL LANDSCAPE IMPROVES.
WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO MAKE US WHOLE.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF CASE.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CINDY SEXTON REPRESENTING TAPCO.
CHAIR TER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, DR. ROGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
I'D OF COURSE FIRST LIKE TO BEGIN BY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT IS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK AND THANKING OUR EDUCATORS EVERY DAY.
AT IN EVERY WAY YOU SHOW UP FOR YOUR STUDENTS DOING SO MUCH MORE THAN SIMPLY DELIVERING CURRICULUM.
YOU ARE THE BACKBONE OF SOCIETY AND OUR STUDENTS DESPERATELY NEED YOU, OUR SOCIETY NEEDS YOU.
SO THANK YOU EDUCATORS FOR ALL YOU DO.
SO I'M GONNA SHOW MY AGE AND QUOTE WALTER CRONKITE.
HE SAID, WHATEVER THE COST OF OUR LIBRARIES, THE PRICE IS CHEAP COMPARED TO THAT OF AN IGNORANT NATION.
BUT I SAY WE NEED TO PUT THE WORD EDUCATION IN PLACE OF LIBRARIES BECAUSE WHATEVER THE COST OF EDUCATION, THE PRICE IS CHEAP COMPARED TO THAT OF AN IGNORANT NATION.
AND OF COURSE I MUST ALSO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET AGAIN.
LET THE STAFF KNOW THAT NEGOTIATIONS WILL BE REOPENED.
THE EMAIL STATED THAT BCPS IS REVERSING A DECADE OF ACADEMIC DECLINE AND REQUIRES AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO STUDENT SUCCESS AND PRIORITIZING RESOURCES CLOSEST TO SCHOOLS.
THE CLOSEST RESOURCE IS OF COURSE OUR EDUCATORS.
SO AT THIS TIME WE NEED TO SHARE WHAT OUR PEER COUNTIES ARE GETTING FOR THEIR COMPENSATION FOR NEXT YEAR.
WHILE SOME ARE STILL IN NEGOTIATIONS, THEIR LOWEST OFFERS FROM THEIR SCHOOL SYSTEMS, PUT THEM IN A GOOD PLACE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN EDUCATORS.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE SAYINGS, RIGHT, MONTGOMERY COUNTY IS GETTING 3.25% INCREASE AS WELL AS A STEP.
[00:30:01]
2.5 AND A STEP.THEY'RE STILL NEGOTIATING, BUT THAT'S THE LOWEST BAR.
HOWARD IS GETTING 2.5 AND A STEP AND DEL IS GETTING 3% AND A STEP.
WE KNOW CUTS HAVE BEEN MADE, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THEM FOR MONTHS.
SIGNIFICANT, SUBSTANTIAL AND FOR SOME PEOPLE CREATING A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.
AND I SIMPLY CANNOT GET INTO A HOW DID WE GET HERE TALK RIGHT NOW.
BECAUSE WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS SAY THAT OF COURSE OUR AGREEMENTS WERE BARGAINED IN GOOD FAITH.
BUT IT IS DISHEARTENING TO HEAR THAT THE YEAR TWO OF OUR THREE YEAR AGREEMENT IS NOT BEING FULLY FUNDED.
AND THAT IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT THAT IT IS DISHEARTENING.
MEMBERS KEEP QUESTIONING ME MANY QUESTIONS, BUT THE ONES I'M HEARING MOST NOW IS WHY IS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM APPROVING NEW CONTRACTS WHILE THESE NEGOTIATIONS ARE HAPPENING? THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW ANY NEW CONTRACT CAN BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN TO FUND THE CONTRACTS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.
I'M NOT ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, SO I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS, BUT PEOPLE ARE UPSET, ANGRY, AND DEEP IN THEIR FEELING SPACES.
WE ARE IN AN UNCERTAIN TIME AS A SOCIETY AND THERE IS ANGST ALL AROUND US, BUT OUR STUDENTS NEED US.
SO LET'S BE SURE WE DO ALL WE CAN TO BE THERE FOR THEM.
AND JUST LOOPING IT BACK TO TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK.
THANK YOU AGAIN EDUCATORS FOR ALL YOU DO.
OUR NEXT CATEGORY ARE NONPROFIT COMMUNITY GROUPS AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS LESLIE MARGOLIS FROM DISABILITY RIGHTS MARYLAND.
CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MY NAME IS LESLIE SIDE MARGOLIS.
I AM A MANAGING ATTORNEY AND POLICY COUNSEL AT DISABILITY RIGHTS MARYLAND.
WE ARE THE DESIGNATED PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION FOR THE STATE.
WE WORK TO PROTECT THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE THE SUPPORTS AND THE SERVICES THEY NEED TO LIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND BE FREE FROM ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND OTHER VIOLATIONS OF THEIR RIGHTS.
AS I THINK YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF REPRESENTING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN BALTIMORE COUNTY SCHOOLS.
WHEN I LAST SUBMITTED TESTIMONY TO YOU IN JANUARY, THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WAS UNDERWAY.
NOW THAT THE SESSION HAS ENDED AND THE BEST THAT WE CAN SAY ABOUT THE FINAL BUDGET, UH, EDUCATION FUNDING ALLOCATION IS THAT THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE.
UM, I'M HERE BEFORE YOU AGAIN TO, TO THANK SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS, UM, FOR PRIORITIZING SPECIAL EDUCATION, UM, IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM BUDGET AND TO URGE YOU TO STAY THE COURSE AND ENSURE THAT EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES REMAIN HIGH AND THAT NEEDED RESOURCES ARE ALLOCATED TO ENABLE THEM TO REACH THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEIR NON-DISABLED PEERS HAVE TO OBTAIN A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE FEDERAL LANDSCAPE IS SHIFTING SO RAPIDLY WITH POTENTIALLY SWEEPING CONSEQUENCES FOR ALL STUDENTS.
THIS BOARD MUST BE THOUGHTFUL AND RESPONSIBLE AND MU AND MUST WITHSTAND THE TEMPTATION TO SHIP FUNDS AWAY FROM STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.
ADDITIONALLY, THIS IS WHEN IT IS MOST CRITICAL TO WORK WITH FAMILIES TO OBTAIN SUPPORT FOR FUNDING AND FOR INITIATIVES AIMED AT PREPARING STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE CAREER AND THE COMMUNITY.
IF FAMILIES OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES FEEL INCLUDED AND IF THEY TRUST YOU, THEY WILL SUPPORT YOU AS YOU NAVIGATE THESE VERY DEEPLY ROILED WATERS.
ADDITIONALLY, DRM SUPPORTS YOU, UM, AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT AS YOU WORK TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WITHOUT QUALIFICATION.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARIETTA ENGLISH FROM BALTIMORE COUNTY, BRANCH OF THE NAACP.
UM, CHAIR LECTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY AND DR. ROGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.
I AM MARIETTA ENGLISH AND I CHAIR THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND AXO FOR THE NAACP COUNTY BRANCH.
I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE AXO PROGRAM AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE TEACHERS BECAUSE IT IS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK WHO, WHO WORK WITH OUR STUDENTS OF THE AXO PROGRAM.
WE HAD OUR COMPETITION ON SATURDAY, APRIL THE 27TH AT NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL AND OUR AWARDS PROGRAM ON FRIDAY MAY 2ND AT UNION BETHEL A ME CHURCH IN RANDALLSTOWN.
WE HAD, AND I'D LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE HAD FIVE BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS, SEVEN SILVER MEDAL WINNERS AND EIGHT GOLD MEDAL WINNERS.
AND I HAVE WITH ME ONE OF OUR GOLD MEDAL WINNERS, MS. JORDAN WRIGHT,
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WHO IS A 10TH GRADER FROM HARVARD.SHE WILL BE GOING WITH US TO CHARLOTTE.
SHE'S IN THE 10TH GRADE, SO WE HAVE TWO MORE YEARS.
AND UH, WE ARE HOPING THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT OUR GOLF TOURNAMENT, WHICH WE HAD TO CHANGE A DATE AND I THOUGHT I'D HAD SOME FLYERS, BUT I DON'T HAVE 'EM.
I THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOU SEE HOW IMPORTANT THIS PROGRAM IS TO OUR CHILDREN AND THE COMMUNITY.
WE ARE PRODUCING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS.
I JUST WANNA SAY WE HAD GOLD IN ORIGINAL ESSAY.
A STUDENT FROM PIKESVILLE GOLD AND POETRY RIDDEN ANOTHER STUDENT, A STUDENT FROM PIKESVILLE, SHORT STORY CORINNE BRANCH.
AND I WANNA JUST TELL YOU A LITTLE ABOUT CORINNE BRANCH.
CORINNE BRANCH PARTICIPATED IN THE NINTH GRADE.
SHE WAS OUR STUDENT WHO WON A FULL RIDE AT CARVER AT A, WHAT'S THE NAME OF THAT SCHOOL? I CAN'T EVEN THINK.
THE PRESIDENT, WHEN HE HEARD HER POEM, GAVE HER A FULL RIDE TO COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY.
SHE ALSO RUN ONE GOAL FOR HER PLAYWRITING.
SHE'S BEEN WINNING GOAL FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
I HATE TO SEE HER LEAVE 'CAUSE THIS IS HER LAST YEAR, BUT SHE'S COME BACK FOR FOUR YEARS.
WE HAD A SCULPTURE, MONET TRENT FROM CARVER, A GOAL PAINTING FROM CORINNE WORD.
SHE'S FROM STUDENT AT RANDALLSTOWN, UM, UM, GOLD FROM NICHOLAS ROBERTS.
HE IS ALSO A STUDENT WHO CAME TO TO US IN THE NINTH GRADE.
HE HAS NOT, THIS IS HIS FIRST TIME WINNING GOLD, SO WE ARE VERY PROUD OF HIM AND OF COURSE OUR DANCER JORDAN WRIGHT.
LET'S GIVE THEM ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE THAT, AND WE ARE ALREADY PLANNING FOR OUR NEXT YEAR COMPETITION WITH 25TH.
SO YOU WILL SEE ME AGAIN AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER, UM, VIRTUAL IS MR. VERNON FISHER FROM THE KAPPA ALPHA SIDE FRATERNITY.
MR. FISHER, GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.
I'M SO GRATEFUL TO BE STAYING HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE WITH THE BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION, ESPECIALLY THROUGH OUR MENTORING AND READING PROGRAMS AT DUNBARTON MIDDLE SCHOOL AND WESTERN SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE.
WITH THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND THE TCA CATHOLIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SUPPORT, WE'RE ABLE TO DELIVER BOOKS TO CHILDREN ACROSS THE DISTRICT, HELPING SPARK THEIR LOVE FOR READING, WHICH TRULY INSPIRING IS HOW OUR MENTEES, THE YOUNG MEN WE MENTOR, PUT THEIR BEST EFFORT INTO STORYTELLING FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS, SHOWING THEIR APPRECIATION FOR READING AND WORKING TO INSPIRE THOSE YOUNGER STUDENTS TO LOVE BOOKS TOO.
THROUGH THIS, THEY'RE NOT JUST READERS.
THEIR ROLE MODELS HELPING PASS ON THE GIFT OF LITERACY.
OUR PROGRAM LEADERS WERE TIRELESSLY TO MOTIVATE THESE YOUNG MEN TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF THEMSELVES.
TO CAP ALPHA SIZE, CAREFULLY DESIGNED CURRICULUM OF POSITIVE MESSAGING AND MENTORSHIP.
WERE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO THE, TO BUILDING STRONGER CHILDREN, CHILDREN WITH CHARACTER, LEADERSHIP, INTEGRITY, AND PURPOSE.
WE DO THIS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT INVESTING IN THEM TODAY SHAPES THE STRONG ADULTS OF TOMORROW.
WE ALL KNOW THAT DURING THESE VERY TOUGH AND CHALLENGING ECONOMIC TIMES WHEN EDUCATION BUDGETS ARE SQUEEZED, STRETCHED AND CUT, IT'S CRI.
CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE STAY FOCUSED ON EDUCATING CHILDREN.
PLEASE, LET'S NOT IGNORE THE, LET'S IGNORE THE DISTRACTIONS AND REMEMBER WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DO.
I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO SUPERINTENDENT DR.
MARION ROGERS AND BCPS SCHOOL BOARD FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP, ESPECIALLY DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES.
THANK YOU FOR STANDING FIRM AND ENSURING THAT OUR CHILDREN REMAIN PRIORITY.
IT'S CRITICAL THAT YOU HEAR ABOUT THE POSITIVE THINGS HAPPENING IN BCPS AS WELL.
THE MCAP TEST SCORES ARE TRENDING UPWARD, GRADUATION RATES ARE INCREASING AND CHRONIC ABSENTEES AND THEY DECLINING.
THIS PROGRESS IS A RESULT OF THE DEDICATION.
DR. ROGERS, THE SCHOOL BOARD, OUR TEACHERS, BUS DRIVERS, CAFETERIA WORKERS AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS LIKE OURS THAT MAKE B-C-P-S-A SHINING LIGHT ON THE HILL.
IN CLOSING AGAIN, THANK YOU DR. ROGERS AND THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR YOUR STEADFAST LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND SUPPORTING THIS SHARED MISSION.
TOGETHER WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND TOGETHER KEEP LIFTING UP EVERY CHILD EVERY DAY.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LYNN LONGINGS FROM THE BALTIMORE COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE CONTINENTALS INCORPORATED.
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GOOD EVENING,DR. ROGERS, MADAM CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS.
LYNN LOING, THE PRESIDENT OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, CONTINENTAL SOCIETY'S, MOST IMPORTANTLY, A VOICE FOR OUR CHILDREN.
THE CONTINENTAL SOCIETIES WAS A 5 0 1 3 INTER 5 0 1 3 C INTERNATIONAL NONPROFIT FOUNDED BY ENERGETIC WOMEN COMPOSED OF EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, BUSINESS LEADERS, PARENTS, COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, WOMEN WHO DEDICATED THEIR LIVES AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN, FAMILY AND COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE 50 CHAPTERS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, WASHINGTON, DC AND BERMUDA.
IN 1952, OUR NATIONAL FIRST PRESIDENT, MARIE POSTON OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, HERE'S A PICTURE OF HER.
BUT ANYWAY, SHE MADE THE NEWS FOR SERVING CHILDREN AND SHE WAS OUR FIRST PRESIDENT 2025.
THE CONTINENTALS HAVE COLLECTIVELY SPENT DECADES WORKING TO IMPROVE OUR PROGRAMS IN HEALTH, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECREATION, AND ARTS AND HUMANITIES.
SERVING OVER 415,000 CHILDREN AND YOUTH BALTIMORE COUNTY HAD A HONEY-DO LIST.
WINTER COATS, FREE BOOKS GIVEN TO YOUTH AND PARENTS GAMES PROVIDED FOOD BASKETS, FAMILY DONATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS.
IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGING TIMES.
IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE STAY LASER FOCUSED ON OUR CHILDREN.
THEIR ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION SHOULD NEVER BE COMPROMISED REGARDLESS OF THE COMMUNITY THEY COME FROM, THE ZIP CODE THEY LIVE IN.
IT IS MISSION CRITICAL THAT THE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS STAY ENGAGED.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC SUPPORT, PROMOTE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING, RAISE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, AND UPLIFT BOTH THE PARENTS AND THE EDUCATORS.
BY THE WAY, CONGRATULATIONS TEACHERS.
AND THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD FOR YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO EDUCATE ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF RACE, INCOME, OR NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT STILL TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD.
LET'S BLOCK OUT THE NOISE AND DISTRACTION.
LET'S KEEP OUR EYES AND OUR HEARTS ON THE FUTURE, OUR CHILDREN, OUR COMMITMENT, OUR CONCERN, AND THEY MUST ALWAYS REMAIN OUR MAIN FOCUS.
NEXT ARE INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS AND STUDENT GROUPS AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS DR.
MADAM CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AND DR. ROGERS AND ALL BOARD MEMBERS.
PAMELA RUBLE AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SPEAK AS A PARENT WITH THE GOAL OF MAKING THE BOARD AWARE OF THE LACK OF SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING SERVICES AT CHESAPEAKE TERRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I HAVE TWO CHILDREN THAT ATTEND THE SCHOOL THAT WERE ADOPTED THROUGH FOSTER CARE.
UM, I'M ALSO, UH, SPEAKING AS A PROFESSIONAL WITH A PHD IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE AS A SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATE THIS YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF PARENTS AT OUR SCHOOL THAT HAVE CONTACTED ME FOR SUPPORT WITH THEIR CHILDREN THAT HAVE BEHA, THAT HAVE DISABILITIES AND BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES HAS INCREASED BY 300%.
ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT CONTACT ME ARE BECAUSE OF BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES.
I'VE BEEN REQUESTING A MEETING WITH CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION AND UNFOR TO DISCUSS THE NEEDS OF ADDITIONAL SEL SUPPORT AND UNFORTUNATELY HAVE BEEN DENIED THAT AND WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THAT THE MATTER IS CLOSED.
UM, THIS PROMPTED ME TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT TO MSDE WHO ADVISED ME TO COME AND RAISE THE ISSUE WITH ALL OF YOU.
SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TONIGHT.
UM, AND WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS EXPLAIN TO YOU THAT THE SCHOOL RECEIVES AN ITINERANT SOCIAL WORKER AS THE ONLY MEANS OF SEL.
AND UM, THAT PERSON COMES TO THE SCHOOL TWO FRIDAYS A MONTH FOR A AN HOUR TO TWO HOURS TO SERVICE TWO CHILDREN WITH IEPS.
NOW, AS OF LAST WEEK, MY CHILD IS ONE OF THEM.
HOWEVER, I HAD TO FIGHT FOR OVER A YEAR TO GET HER SERVICES THE FIRST TIME THAT WE REQUESTED IT.
SHE WAS DENIED DIRECT SERVICES WITHOUT AN EVALUATION, WITHOUT AN OBSERVATION OR EVEN MEETING MY CHILD.
UM, AND BASICALLY I'M GOING TO SHARE SOME
[00:45:01]
INCIDENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT THE SCHOOL THAT I HOPE MAKE IT EVIDENT WHAT IS NEEDED DURING A THREE HOUR VISIT TO THE SCHOOL.UH, THAT I WAS IN IEP MEETINGS.
UM, THE MEETINGS WERE INTERRUPTED AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES TO RESPOND TO THREE CHILDREN IN CRISIS AND IT WAS VERY LOUD, LOTS OF SCREAMING IN THE HALLWAY.
PRIOR TO THIS, MY DAUGHTER HAD ASKED ME TO BRING A SAFETY BOX TO SCHOOL BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO SIT IN IT BECAUSE SHE FEELS SCARED THAT SHE'S GOING TO GET HURT.
I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY UNTIL AFTER THAT THREE HOUR EXPERIENCE.
UM, I'VE SEEN CHILDREN WITH BRUISES ON THEIR WRISTS SAYING THAT THEY'RE BEING PULLED ON BY STAFF.
I'VE SEEN THE PRINCIPAL ATTEMPT TO PULL A FIRST GRADER OUT FROM UNDER A TABLE BY THEIR WAIST.
UM, THIS EVENT, ANOTHER PARENT WAS THERE AND ACTUALLY PULLED THEIR CHILD FROM THE SCHOOL BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY SAW.
I HAVE LOTS OF OTHER EXAMPLES, BUT I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
UM, AND BASICALLY I'M NOT TRYING TO REPORT THIS TO ATTACK ADMINISTRATION.
I'M TRYING TO MAKE IT EVIDENT THE SUPPORT THAT IS NEEDED FOR OUR KIDS DOWN THE ROAD.
THEY GET A LOT MORE SERVICES A MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND THEY'RE SAYING THERE'S NOT A NEED, BUT THE KIDS AREN'T BEING EVALUATED APPROPRIATELY.
UM, AND I'M ASKING YOU ALL TO WORK WITH THE SUPER.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BRIAN TALLONE.
DID I PRONOUNCE YOUR LAST NAME RIGHT? YES, YOU DID.
GOOD EVENING DR. ROGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
I'M 14 YEARS OLD AND AN EIGHTH GRADER AT DUNBAR IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE TONIGHT AS THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT PRESIDENT.
BEFORE I SHARE WHAT'S ON MY MIND, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT MAKES DUNBAR IN A GREAT SCHOOL.
OUR PRINCIPAL, MS. SHANKS, WAS JUST NAMED MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR AND SHE TRULY DESERVES IT.
SHE'S CREATED A PLACE WHERE STUDENTS FEEL SUPPORTED AND ENCOURAGED TO GROW.
THE TEACHERS, STAFF AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS CARE ABOUT US.
THEY GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO HELP US SUCCEED.
WHENEVER I'VE NEEDED SUPPORT, SOMEONE HAS BEEN THERE FOR ME.
I'VE LEARNED A LOT AT BOMBARDED.
WHILE I'M EXCITED TO START AT TOWSON HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR IN THE LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM, I'LL DEFINITELY MISS THIS SCHOOL.
NOW HERE'S A CONCERN I WANT TO SHARE.
ONE THAT MANY STUDENTS FEEL THIS TIME OF THE YEAR BRINGS SOMETHING WE ALL DREAD STATE MANDATED TESTING.
WE JUST FINISHED THE ELA MCAP, NOW WE'RE STARTING HISTORY AND MATH WITH MISA STILL AHEAD.
THESE TESTS BEGIN RIGHT AFTER SPRING BREAK, A TIME WHERE MANY OF US ARE ALREADY JUGGLING SPORTS CONCERTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
WE'RE TIRED, WE'RE STRESSED, AND WE'RE STILL EXPECTED TO KEEP UP WITH OUR REGULAR CLASSWORK.
AFTER HOURS OF TESTING, WE SIT SILENTLY.
NO TALKING, NO PHONES, JUST READING OR DRAWING.
MOST OF US PUT OUR HEADS DOWN 'CAUSE WE'RE DRAINED.
THEN WE'RE EXPECTED TO JUMP INTO OUR NEXT CLASS AND KEEP LEARNING LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED.
IMAGINE A LAWYER FINISHING A TWO DAY TRIAL, THEN IMMEDIATELY STARTING ANOTHER ONE.
ON TOP OF THAT, WE'RE DOING TEST PREP ASSIGNMENTS, SOMETIMES 20 OR MORE WHILE STILL TRYING TO LEARN NEW MATERIAL.
AFTER SCHOOL WE GO TO PRACTICE OR REHEARSALS OR WE HELP OUT AT HOME.
IT'S NOT JUST ACADEMIC PRESSURE.
IT'S TAKING A TOLL ON OUR MENTAL HEALTH.
WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT SUPPORTING STUDENT WELLBEING, BUT RIGHT NOW THE SYSTEM DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT'S SUPPORTING US.
A SINGLE TEST SCORE SHOULDN'T DECIDE OUR FUTURE OR MAKE US FEEL STRESSED ABOUT THINGS LIKE CLASS PLACEMENTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS.
I KNOW YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THESE STATE TESTS.
ADVOCATE FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND FAMILIES.
LET THE STATE LEADERS KNOW WHAT THIS SYSTEM IS REALLY DOING TO US.
WE NEED A SYSTEM THAT FOCUSES ON REAL LEARNING, NOT JUST ONE TEST.
AS STUDENT GOVERNMENT PRESIDENT AND A FUTURE PUBLIC AND POLICY STUDENT, I BELIEVE IN STANDING UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT.
IF THERE'S A WAY I CAN HELP MAKE SURE STUDENT VOICES ARE HEARD, I'M READY TO DO MY PART.
I HOPE I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KIKI YAYU AND NFO.
AND PLEASE CORRECT MY PRONUNCIATION.
GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS BOARD MEMBERS AND GUESTS.
MY NAME IS KIKI AFO AND I'M AN EIGHTH GRADE STUDENT AND A PROUD PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL AT LOCK HAVEN SAN COLE ACADEMY.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK HERE TONIGHT.
AS A STUDENT LEADER, I CAN DO, I CAN.
I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF ALL THE STUDENTS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NOT JUST IN THE CLASSROOMS, BUT THE WAY WE EXPERIENCE OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES EVERY DAY.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN DO IS TO ENCOURAGE MORE INVOLVEMENT FROM FAMILIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACROSS BCPS.
[00:50:01]
AND COMMUNITIES WORK TOGETHER, WE BUILD STRONGER, SAFER, AND MORE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR EVERYONE.MANY SCHOOLS IN BCPS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND I'M EXCITED TO SHARE THAT 19 MORE SCHOOLS WILL RECEIVE THIS DISTINCTION FROM THE 2025 TO 2026 SCHOOL YEAR.
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ARE GREAT BECAUSE THEY BRING IN EXTRA RESOURCES, OFFER AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND PROVIDE MORE WAYS FOR FAMILIES TO BE INVOLVED.
BUT THERE'S MORE WE CAN DO LIKE HOSTING NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS, OFFERING STUDENT LED COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS AND CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO CONNECT WITH MENTORS AND LOCAL LEADERS.
ANOTHER ISSUE I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT IS THE CLEANLINESS OF OUR SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY THE BATHROOMS. THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE TALKED ABOUT DIRECTLY WITH MY PRINCIPAL AND I KNOW IT'S SOMETHING MANY STUDENTS CARE ABOUT.
WE DO HAVE CUSTODIAL WORKERS WORKING ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE TO CLEAN THE RESTROOMS AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THEY DO.
BUT KEEPING OUR SCHOOL CLEAN IS NOT JUST THEIR JOB, IT'S EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY.
AS STUDENTS, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN WE DAMAGE SCHOOL PROPERTY OR LEAVE A MESS BEHIND, WE'RE NOT JUST MAKING THINGS HARDER FOR THE CUSTODIANS, WE'RE ALSO DISRESPECTING OUR PEERS AND SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
BEING A PART OF A SCHOOL OF A GOOD SCHOOL COMMUNITY MEMBER IS TAKING CARE OF THE SPACES WE ALL SHARE IN STUDENT COUNCIL, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WAYS TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE, REMINDING OUR CLASSMATES TO CLEAN UP AFTER THEMSELVES TO PROMOTE RESPECT FOR OUR SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.
I'M PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT LISTENS TO STUDENTS AND VALUES OUR VOICES.
I KNOW WE CAN CREATE CLEANER, STRONGER, AND MORE CONNECTED SCHOOLS IF WE WORK TOGETHER WITH STUDENTS, STAFF, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS ALL PLAYING A ROLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOLS.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS UM, B FARONE.
LAST MONTH MEETING, UM, COUPLE OF SPEAKERS, SEVERAL SPEAKERS REPORTED.
ONE OF THEM SAID THAT BCPS HAS SHOWN STRONG ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND IMPROVEMENT IN ABSENTEEISM AND IT RANKS IN THE TOP THREE SYSTEMS IN THE NATION.
UM, ANOTHER PERSON REPORTED, UM, ANOTHER SIMILAR STATEMENT.
MARYLAND REPORT CARDS ACTUALLY DOES NOT REALLY SHOW PCPS NOT EVEN IN THE TOP 15 SCHOOLS OUT OF 24 JURISDICTIONS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
ANOTHER PERSON SAID IN LAST MEETING, BCPS HAS MOST OF THE FIVE STAR SCHOOLS IN MARYLAND.
HOWEVER, 13 OUT OF 20 OF BCPS SCHOOLS DID NOT EVEN HAVE 75% OF THEIR STUDENTS PROFICIENT IN MATH.
FOUR OUT OF 20 SCHOOLS ALMOST HAD 75% OF THEIR STUDENTS UNABLE TO BE PROFICIENT IN MATH.
WHAT I'M SAYING IS BCPS IS NOW A MIRROR IMAGE OF BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
SO DO I HAVE A SOLUTION FOR YOU? I DO.
I'M NOT JUST GOING TO CRITICIZE.
I'LL GIVE YOU MY RECOMMENDATION.
B'S RECOMMENDATION IS NUMBER ONE, YOU NEED TO DEMONSTRATE TRULY AND ACTUALLY TRANSPARENCY.
YOU NEED TO GIVE TEACHERS AUTONOMY TO GRADE AND TO KEEP STUDENTS IN THEIR GRADE IF THEY ARE NOT REALLY PROFICIENT.
OTHERWISE, WE ARE GRADUATING STUDENTS THAT DON'T KNOW HOW TO READ OR WRITE OR MEET THE WORLD.
NUMBER THREE, I REALLY RECOMMEND THAT THE CENTRAL OFFICE BE LOCATED IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
THEY NEED TO BE THERE IN THE CLASSROOM AND AROUND IT.
YOU NEED TO SCRUTINIZE EVERY ITEM IN THE CURRICULUM FOR EFFECTIVENESS.
AND OF COURSE TOTAL COST EFFECTIVENESS IS THE GOAL.
DON'T BUY A CURRICULUM BECAUSE THE STUDENTS OR TEACHERS LIKE IT.
YOU GOT TO BUY A CURRICULUM THAT HAS BEEN OBJECTIVELY PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE IN JACKING UP THE GRADES, MAKING
[00:55:01]
STUDENTS ABLE TO MEET THE WORLD.AND LAST BUT NOT REALLY LEAST, I REALLY RECOMMEND FOR YOU NOT TO RENEW THE SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT.
SINCE OUR SPEAKER SPACE IS AVAILABLE, WE'LL NOW CALL FROM THE WAIT LIST.
UM, THE FIRST SPEAKER SIGNED UP IS MS. SHARON SOFF.
IT IS HOW MANY WEEKS TO THE END OF SCHOOL? I BELIEVE IT'S FIVE, MAYBE FOUR.
I HAVE STUDENTS LOOKING AT NEXT YEAR WITH FAILING GRADES.
I HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE GOING INTO HIGH SCHOOL, READING AT THE THIRD GRADE LEVEL, WRITING AT THE FOURTH GRADE LEVEL AND SOMEHOW DOING MATH AT THE GRADE LEVEL AND WE'RE GRADUATING THEM INTO HIGH SCHOOL.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE? I HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE REPEATING THE SAME CURRICULUM OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND WE KNOW IT DOESN'T WORK.
SPECIAL EDUCATION IS NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL.
WE SHOULD NOT HAVE A CURRICULUM GIVEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO A CHILD IF THE CHILD ISN'T MAKING PROGRESS OR IF THE CHILD IS MAKING PROGRESS FROM THE THIRD GRADE TO THE 3.5 GRADE IN THREE YEARS AND THAT'S THE ONLY CURRICULUM THAT'S AVAILABLE.
I KNOW WE HAVE BUDGET PROBLEMS BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE DOING TO TEACH THESE KIDS.
WE CANNOT KEEP GRADUATING THEM TO THE NEXT GRADE IF THEY'RE NOT MAKING PROGRESS.
WHY DO I HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE GOING INTO HIGH SCHOOL WHO ARE THREE AND FOUR GRADES BEHIND? WHY DO I HAVE STUDENTS THAT I'M PLACING RIGHT NOW IN THE CORRECT PLACEMENT? I HAVE STUDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE WRONG SCHOOL, WRONG PLACEMENT ALL SCHOOL YEAR LONG, NOT MAKING ANY PROGRESS AND WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT, WELL WHERE WOULD DO THEY NEED TO GO? I KNOW KANYE'S BACK THERE.
SHE AND I HAVE HAD A CONVERSATION TODAY ABOUT SOME OF THESE THINGS.
WE NEED TO GIVE HER THE TOOLS.
WE NEED TO GIVE HER THAT COMMUNICATION AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STAY ON TOP OF EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL IN THIS COUNTY TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE A PROBLEM ON THE SCHOOL LEVEL? IT'S ALL I KNOW.
IF I LOOK AT THE WEBSITE IS THE PRINCIPAL, I NEED TO KNOW WHO'S MY IEP CHAIR, WHO'S MY SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR, WHO'S MY PSYCHOLOGIST, ET CETERA.
NEXT IS PUBLIC COMMENT ON BOARD POLICIES.
AS A REMINDER TO SPEAKERS, COMMENTS SHOULD BE RELATED AND LIMITED TO THE POLICY.
I ALSO KNOW THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE SIGN UP FOR THE POLICIES THAT MEANT TO SIGN UP FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
SO IF I CALL YOUR NAME AND YOU DON'T WANNA TALK ABOUT THE POLICY, NO WORRIES.
SO FIRST UP FOR POLICY 1240 IS MARIETTA ENGLISH? NOPE.
OKAY, SECOND UP FOR THE SAME POLICY IS VERNON FISHER.
MR. FISHER, ARE YOU THERE? YES I AM.
DID YOU WANNA SPEAK ON POLICY 20 12 40? YEAH, I DO NOT CARE.
NEXT SIGN UP IS BRIAN TALLONE.
I DON'T THINK THE NEXT SPEAKER AND I THINK SHE LEFT.
SO I THINK THESE WERE ALL IN ERROR.
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ANFO, I THINK SHE LEFT.UM, NEXT SPEAKER FOR POLICY 1240 IS WILLIAM HALA DELUDE.
IS THAT SPEAKER ON ONLINE? OKAY.
AND NEXT SPEAKER FOR POLICY 1240 IS DR.
I NEED MORE TIME AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE COME.
FARONE, IT'S THREE MINUTES FOR EACH OF THE POLICIES THAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR NO NEGOTIATIONS ALLOWED.
I WAS BORN IN TEXAS, SO ALRIGHT, I'LL DO MY BEST.
VISITORS TO SCHOOLS 1 7 10 STATES.
THE BOARD ENCOURAGES THE PARTICIPATION OF FAMILIES COMMUNITY AND THEN AT THE SAME TIME THE BOARD RECOGNIZES ITS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF SAFE AND SECURE TEACHING.
THIS IS MIXING NEGATIVE WITH THE POSITIVE NEGATIVE EATS UP THE POSITIVE.
UM, EXAMPLE IS THE UGLY SIGN THAT I TOLD YOU MANY TIMES BEFORE.
I DON'T THINK THE STATEMENT WOULD BE APPLICABLE AND I ASK YOU TO REVISE IT.
VISITOR IS A PERSON WHO IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE BOARD.
EMPLOYEE, VOLUNTEER OR A STUDENT.
WELL THIS ITEM BASICALLY NEGLECT THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
PEOPLE LIKE ME AND OTHER GROUPS THAT CAME IN WERE NOT REALLY INCLUDED BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IN THOSE CATEGORIES.
LINE 19 TO 20 SUPERINTENDENTS SHALL ESTABLISH PROCEDURE GOVERNING SCHOOL AND OFFICE VISITOR.
AGAIN, IF I GIVE A PILL, I'M SUPPOSED TO SHOW PROGRESS.
SO I TRANSFER THIS POLICY TO REALITY TO THE SIGN ON THE WALL AND IT BASICALLY, IT CONTRADICTS, IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE AT ALL IN THAT REGARD.
LINE 22 STATES THAT ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW, ANY EMPLOYEE MAY DEMAND IDENTIFICATION OF VISITORS, ET CETERA.
OF COURSE IT'S NO BRAINER, RIGHT? YOU KNOW, SECURITY PERSON IF WANTS TO CHECK AN IDENTITY.
YEAH, IT'S A COMMON SENSE AND IT BASICALLY REFLECTS MANY OF WHAT I ASKED YOU BEFORE.
WHY DO YOU INCLUDE THINGS THAT ARE COMMON SENSE? I THINK YOU NEED HERE TO PUT A SENTENCE THAT IF THE SECURITY AGENT ASK A VISITOR LIKE MYSELF FOR IDENTIFICATION, THAT THE SECURITY AGENT WOULD DO IT WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
AS I HAVE EXPERIENCED LAST YEAR ON JULY NINE, LINE 25, 27, ANY SCHOOL OFFICE VISITOR WHO REFUSES TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES OR REFUSES TO LEAVE WILL BE DENIED ACCESS TO BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
DOESN'T SAY REALLY FOR HOW LONG.
I THINK THIS PARAGRAPH IS TRULY THANK YOU DR.
BUT YOU MAY STAY THERE FOR BOARD POLICY 4,002 POLICY 4,002 OBLIGATION OF EMPLOYEE.
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE SUCH COMMON SENSE THING? IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE CONTRACT, RIGHT? THE OBLIGATION AND IF IT IS IN THE CONTRACT, WHY DO WE NEED IT IN THE POLICY LINE NUMBER SEVEN AND 10, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION EXPECTS EMPLOYEES TO UPHOLD STANDARD OF ETHICAL CONDUCT, MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY, EXHIBIT STRONG WORK ETHICS, EXHIBIT PROFESSIONAL AND COURTEOUS ATTITUDE TOWARDS STUDENTS AND OTHERS.
[01:05:04]
ELASTIC WORDS.I LIKE TO USE THE MEDICAL PART OF MY CAREER.
UH, APPLY THIS POLICY TO REAL LIFE.
WHEN I WAS EJECTED LAST YEAR, JUST BECAUSE I WAS TAKING A VIDEO OF YOU IN A HOT DISCUSSION, ESPECIALLY WITH MR. MCMILLION INITIATING IT, I WAS EJECTED OUT.
IS THAT COURTEOUS? REALLY? IF THAT REALLY COURTEOUS THEN WE NEED A PRAYER LINE NUMBER 13, 16, RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BOARD EMPLOYEE.
EACH BOARD EMPLOYEE TO BE FAMILIAR WITH AND ABIDE BY FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.
DO YOU KNOW IF YOU BRING ALL FEDERAL AND STATE AND LOCAL LAWS FROM 1780, YOU KNOW DON'T MIND ME, I FORGOT THE YEAR ALL THE WAY AROUND, IT'LL FILL A FOOTBALL FIELD.
HOW CAN ANY EMPLOYEE REALLY BE FAMILIAR WITH ALL THOSE LAWS? YOU KNOW, LIKE THIS FAMILIAR, YOU KNOW, MAKES NO SENSE.
SUPERINTENDENT RULE, COUNTY PRODUCERS IMPOSE DUTIES FROM THE EMPLOYEES.
OKAY, LINE 1920, BOARD EMPLOYEE SHALL COMPLY WITH LAWFUL DIRECTION OF THE SUPERVISOR.
YOU DIRECTED THE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO BE RESIDING IN BALTIMORE COUNTY AND THEN YOU LET IT GO.
WHY DO YOU PUT THE POLICY AND THEN AGREE TO VIOLATE? IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
WHO VIOLATE THIS POLICY MAY BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION UP AND INCLUDING TERMINATION.
OKAY, AGAIN, THE EX THANK YOU.
NEXT POLICY THAT YOU MAY COMMENT ON IS 40 10 POLICY 40 10, LINE SEVEN TO NINE ENCOURAGE THE PROMOTION AND RETENTION OF QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS AND PROMOTE HIGH STANDARD OF ETHICAL BEHAVIOR IN EMPLOYMENT.
SO THE KEY WORDS HERE, QUALIFIED HIGH STANDARDS, THEY ARE ELASTIC WORDS.
WHAT DO THEY MEAN? YOU CAN INTERPRET THEM IN DIFFERENT WAYS.
IF YOU ASK FIVE LAWYERS, YOU'LL GET PROBABLY 15 OPINIONS.
LINE 13, 14 SHOULD BE BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS FOR POSITION, PERFORMANCE AND ABILITY.
THE BOARD RECOGNIZE ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO ESTABLISH THE STANDARDS.
I REALLY LIKE THAT YOU PAY TEACHERS AND SUPERINTENDENT BY EFFECTIVENESS.
YOU KNOW THEY ASK YOU FOR RAISE EACH TIME.
OKAY? THE PERSON WHO DOES A BETTER JOB IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM GETS PAID THE SAME AS THE PERSON WHO DOES LESS THAN A BETTER JOB.
IF YOU APPLY THE WAY YOU FUNCTION TO BOEING TO ANY OTHER COMPANY, WE WOULD NOT HAVE EVEN COMPUTERS AND MICROPHONES.
YOU REALLY NEED TO THINK THAT PART DEARLY.
LINE NUMBER 20, AFFINITY IS A RELATIONSHIP BY MARRIAGE.
ACTUALLY AS A PHYSICIAN I BELIEVE AFFINITY IS MORE THAN THAT.
YOU CAN HAVE AFFINITY TO A GIRLFRIEND, BOYFRIEND, UH, YOU KNOW, YOU NAME IT.
OKAY? I THINK YOU NEED TO REVISE THIS.
YOU CAN HAVE AFFINITY FOR PEOPLE FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS OR ETHNIC REASONS OR ANYTHING ELSE AND GIVE THEM PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT.
AND IT'S NOT INCLUDED HERE BECAUSE AFFINITY IS ABOUT MARRIAGE.
[01:10:01]
SOMETHING ELSE.LION PAGE TWO STATES BOARD PROHIBITS EMPLOYEES TO DEMONSTRATING FAVORITISM.
I RECOMMEND THAT YOU CHANGE THE WORD DEMONSTRATING INTO ACTING INTO FAVORITISM.
WHAT COUNTS IN THAT IS THE ACTION, NOT THE THE DEMONSTRATION.
YOU KNOW, I CAN DEMONSTRATE FAVORITE LIKENESS.
FARONE, I HOPE YOU ARE BEARING WITH ME.
63 0 4 COMMEMORATION OBSERVANCES.
SPECIAL DAYS EVENTS SHALL BE ARRANGED.
SO OBSERV OBSERVATION OF THESE OCCASIONS ENRICHES ENRICHES INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM.
ENRICHING INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM IS AN ELASTIC AND SUBJECTIVE WORD.
IT CAN BE STRETCHED OR NOT STRETCHED IN SO MANY WAYS.
I THINK THAT YOU NEED TO CHANGE IT INTO SHOULD OBJECTIVELY FURTHER THE EDUCATIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF STUDENTS.
IF IT DOES NOT OBJECTIVELY FURTHER THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE STUDENT, THEN IT'S REALLY A WASTE OF TIME.
LINE 15 TO 28 SCHOOL SHALL DEVOTE PART OF SCHOOL DAY BY CONDUCTING APPROPRIATE COMMEMORATION AND OR OBSERVANCE AND AT LIST SO MANY OF THEM.
SO MY THOUGHT IS CONDUCTING APPROPRIATE EXERCISES.
ACTUALLY WATCHING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS.
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION GRANTS HOLIDAYS AND OBSERVANCES AND HALF DAYS AS APPEASEMENT FOR POLITICAL GROUPS, ETHNIC GROUPS, WHATEVER IT IS JUST TO APPEASE, IT REALLY HAS NO VALUE IN MY OPINION.
AND I'VE SEEN IT IN MY THREE SONS WHO WENT TO THE SAME SCHOOL SYSTEM.
IT HAS REALLY NO SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THEM APPRECIATING IT.
I THINK IT IS WRONG FOR US AS A NATION TO TAKE OFF ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND THINK THAT THAT WILL FURTHER THE PATRIOTISM OR THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE STUDENTS.
LINE 30 31 SUPERINTENDENT SHALL DETERMINE WHICH ADDITIONAL DATES SHALL BE DESIGNATED FOR OBSERVANCES.
THE BOARD MUST NOT EDE ITS AUTHORITY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.
YOU HAVE DONE IT MULTIPLE TIME.
I THINK THAT'S WRONG FOR YOU TO SEE THAT AUTHORITY.
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE, IF THE SUPERINTENDENT DECIDES ON AN ITEM LIKE THIS TO APPROVE IT JUST LIKE THEY DO IN CONGRESS, ET CETERA.
LINE NUMBER 37, WELL TIME IS FINISHED AND THEN THE LAST POLICY IS 63 0 7.
ALRIGHT, SO I REALLY PEGG THE AUDIENCE TO BEAR WITH ME WITH THIS.
I TOLD YOU I WAS BORN IN TEXAS, SO YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST TAKE THAT IN CONSIDERATION.
LINE NUMBER SEVEN SAYS, COMMITTED TO HONORING THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
ALRIGHT, SO I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME.
I STAND UP AND I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE AND I ACTUALLY, I HAVE A SOFT VOICE BY NATURE.
I ACTUALLY REALLY RECITED LOUDER.
BUT MANY PEOPLE AROUND ME, SOMETIME THEY DON'T STAND AND IF THEY STAND THEY STAY QUIET.
AND IF THEY STAYED QUIET AND STOOD, THEY DON'T PUT THEIR HAND ON THEIR HEARTS.
SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN REALLY? RIGHT? YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU SHOULD REALLY CONSIDER INSTEAD OF HONORING THE FLAG, BY THE WAY, SO MANY AMERICANS AND NON-AMERICANS BURNED THE FLAGS, RIGHT? YOU KNOW, IT'S A PIECE OF CLOTH.
[01:15:01]
WE SHOULD REALLY DISCUSS AND INITIATE IN THIS POLICY THAT WE ARE HONORING THE VALUES OF THE UNITED STATES.BECAUSE IN REALITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE VALUES OF THE UNITED STATES ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN DESTROYED YEAR AFTER YEAR, AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.
AND I CAN'T TELL YOU MORE THAN THAT.
OUR VALUES AROUND THE WORLD AND OUR RESPECT, OUR AROUND THE WORLD HAS BEEN TARNISHED.
YOU KNOW, WHAT'S OUR VALUES? OUR VALUES IS FREEDOM, RIGHT? SO WHAT DID WE DO? WE INVADED VIETNAM AND WE LOST, WE INVADED AFGHANISTAN AND WE LOST, WE INVADED IRAQ AND KILLED A MILLION INNOCENT CIVILIANS AND WE LOST.
AND WE ARE GOING TO TAKE OVER GREENLAND.
I THOUGHT YOU WOULD DO, I DO APOLOGIZE, BUT I THINK YOU GET THE GIST OF WHAT I'M SAYING.
JUST STANDING UP AND PLEDGING ALLEGIANCE DOES NOT MEAN A PERSON, IT'S PATRIOT AND DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE TEACHING STUDENTS PATRIOTISM.
I THINK YOU SHOULD GO DEEPER THAN THAT.
YOU SHOULD FOCUS ON THE VALUES OF, THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER FOR POLICY 63 0 7 VIRTUALLY IS ECOMM RAJA.
[G. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT (7:30 - 7:35 p.m.)]
ON THE AGENDA IS THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.AND FOR THAT I CALL ON DR. ROGERS.
THANK YOU BOARD CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M PLEASED TO PROVIDE THE MAY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
WHAT'S TOP OF MIND TO EVERYONE IS THE FY 26 BUDGET.
BUT BEFORE WE BEGIN WITH THAT, PLEASE ALLOW ME TO JOIN IN OUR APPRECIATION FOR OUR TEACHERS DURING TEACHER APPRECIATION WORK.
WE KNOW THE HARD WORK THAT THEY DO ON A REGULAR BASIS.
WANT TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE FY 26 BUDGET WHERE WE ARE, DISCUSS NEXT STEPS AND ADDRESS SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN SHARED IN THE PUBLIC TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE STEPS THAT WE HAVE TAKEN AND WHAT THEY CAN EXPECT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
SO, AS WE SHARED WITH MEMBERS OF TEAM BCPS, WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND HER BUDGET TEAM, OUR BUDGET TEAM AS WELL, UM, TO, UH, PREPARE FOR THE RELEASE OF HER BUDGET.
WHEN THE BUDGET WAS RELEASED ON APRIL 11TH, WE SENT A SHORT COMMUNICATION TO TEAM BCPS, UM, SUMMARIZING THE RESULTS OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDED A THREE AND A HALF PERCENT ABOVE MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.
AS A REMINDER, MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT IS THE REQUIRED MINIMUM AMOUNT THAT A COUNTY HAS TO FUND A SCHOOL SYSTEM.
AND SO HER BUDGET INCLUDED A PERCENTAGE ABOVE THAT, BUT THERE STILL, IT STILL WAS LESS THAN WHAT WE REQUESTED.
WHEN WE CAME BACK FROM SPRING BREAK, WE DID SHARE AN ADDITIONAL, UM, UPDATE WITH MEMBERS OF TEAM BCPS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS CLARITY AROUND WHAT THE NUMBERS MEANT.
WHAT YOU SEE ON THIS SLIDE IS, UH, ONE PAGE OF THE TWO PAGE DOCUMENT THAT WE SHARED.
COLUMN ONE SHOWED WHAT WAS PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET, UH, FROM BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
COLUMN TWO, DETAILED WHAT WAS IN THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S BUDGET, AND IF THERE WAS ANY VARIANCE, WHETHER IT WAS POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, THAT WAS DETAILED IN COLUMN THREE.
[01:20:01]
SHARED IN THAT SAME COMMUNICATION OUR COMMITMENT TO CONTINUING TO REVERSE THE TRAJECTORY OF ACADEMIC DECLINE THAT HAS BEEN A PART OF BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.UM, WE SHARED, UH, FACTUAL RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY TESTED DATA AND INFORMATION ON OUR STUDENTS AND, UM, THEIR FORWARD PROGRESS WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THERE IS A LOT MORE WORK TO DO AS WE CONTINUE TO BUILD AN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR STUDENT SUCCESS, AND THAT WORK REQUIRES RESOURCES.
UM, WE ALSO SHARED SOME STEPS THAT WE WERE TAKING, UM, AS WE WORKED ON A CONTINGENCY PLAN TO ADDRESS THE SHORTFALL AND THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WAS BEING HELD, UM, ON APRIL 29TH BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL ON THE BUDGET, WANT TO BRING EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION BACK TO A DOCUMENT THAT WE INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET, UM, WHICH WAS SPECIFIC IN OUR BUDGET BOOK TO WHAT WERE OUR ADDITIONAL, UM, NEEDS.
AND THEN THE NEXT PAGE BEHIND THIS HAD OUR REDUCTIONS.
SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE BLACKBOARD, THERE IS A SUMMARY THERE FOR OUR VIEWING PUBLIC IN TERMS OF WHAT WERE THE NEEDS WHEN ALL DIVISIONS AND DEPARTMENTS WENT THROUGH.
UM, REQUIREMENTS FOR BLUEPRINT WENT THROUGH, UH, THE NEW EXPENSES IN TERMS OF, UM, RISING COSTS THAT WE WERE RECEIVING FROM, UM, OUR VENDORS, UTILITIES, ET CETERA.
UH, THE TOTAL AMOUNT WAS 134 MILLION.
UM, WE IDENTIFIED $26 MILLION WORTH OF INTERNAL REDUCTIONS, AND THAT IS WHY WE PUT FORWARD A REQUEST OF A HUNDRED AND, UH, A HUNDRED 0.3, UH, MILLION DOLLARS.
WHAT YOU SEE NEXT IS THE AMOUNT OF, UH, ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE FUNDED 28.9, UM, AND THEN THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT OUR REQUEST WAS AND WHAT WAS FUNDED, EXCLUDING THE ONE TIMES WHICH, UM, DON'T COUNT AGAINST THE BOTTOM LINE ARE LISTED FOR HERE, UH, LISTED RIGHT HERE ON THIS SLIDE AT 71.3 MILLION.
THIS INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO SHARE BECAUSE, UM, AS PEOPLE ARE REACTING TO, UH, THE STEPS THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE IN TERMS OF, UH, REDUCTIONS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE, UM, BRINGING UNIONS BACK TO THE TABLE TO ENGAGE IN CONVERSATIONS AROUND NEGOTIATIONS, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US THAT ALL OF OUR PUBLIC HAVE ACCESS TO ACCURATE INFORMATION AROUND OUR BUDGET NUMBERS.
UM, AS A REMINDER, ALL OF OUR INFORMATION IS ALSO POSTED ON, UH, BUDGET 1 0 1 WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE A DEEPER DIVE INTO THOSE NUMBERS.
UM, AS WE TRY TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THE QUESTIONS, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE POSED, UH, WAS IN REFERENCE TO, UH, THE, UM, REPORT POSTED ON THE COUNTY SITE AND, UM, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT REPORT AND WHAT THAT REPORTING LOOKS LIKE AND, UH, BCPS NUMBERS.
AND SO IN THE MIDST OF PREPARING TO, UM, MEET WITH COUNTY COUNCIL AND, UH, RESPOND TO, UH, THEIR REQUEST AS THEY CONTEMPLATE THE FINAL DECISIONS ON THE BUDGET, OUR BUDGET TEAM, UH, PAUSE TO CREATE, UH, THIS DOCUMENT, WHICH WAS A RECONCILIATION, UH, BETWEEN WHAT'S ON THE COUNTY SITE, UM, COMPARING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE BUDGET TO THE BOARD, UH, BUDGET AND WHAT FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE.
IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT, UM, THIS, THERE'S TWO PARTS.
THE TOP PART SPEAKS TO THE COUNTY EDUCATION, UH, FUNDING THE BUDGET TEAM WENT TO.
UM, THE THIRD COLUMN SPEAKS TO EXACTLY WHAT, UM, COUNTY FUNDS, UH, BCPS CAN EXPECT TO RECEIVE.
THAT IS SUBJECT TO COUNTY, UH, COUNCIL APPROVAL.
AND THEY IDENTIFIED AT THE TOP, UM, THE FUNDING THE DIFFERENCE THAT WAS BELOW THE REQUEST.
AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE, UH, BOTTOM HALF OF THE CHART THAT SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO MOE OR MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT, UM, WHAT WAS, UH, WHAT WE HAVE THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, WHAT WAS PROPOSED FOR FY 26 IN BY BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMPARED TO WHAT WAS PROPOSED BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.
AND, UM, HIGHLIGHTED THE DIFFERENCE THERE IN TERMS OF IDENTIFYING THE AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT WE CAN EXPECT TO RECEIVE BASED ON THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE PROPOSAL.
[01:25:01]
AND AGAIN, UM, TAKING THIS TIME THIS EVENING TO ENSURE THAT MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY HAVE ACCESS TO THE NUMBERS.UM, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ANYONE IN, UM, UH, TEAM BCPS OR ANYONE WHO IS SITTING, UM, IN TEAM BCPS LEADERSHIP OR ANYONE SITTING ON THIS, UH, BOARD THAT DOES NOT WANT TO FUND YEAR TWO IN FULL OF THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE.
UM, HOWEVER, AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE, UH, FISCAL CRISIS THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN, UM, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW WHERE, WHERE THE FUNDING IS GOING, WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE.
OUR TEAM TAKING EXTRA TIME TO RECONCILE DIFFERENT SOURCES OF INFORMATION SO THEY CAN BE CLARITY AROUND, UH, THE NUMBER THE TEAM CALLED, UM, UH, THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO WALK THROUGH NUMBERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE ON THE SAME PAGE AND THAT WE WERE PROVIDING TO TEAM BCPS, ALL THE NUMBERS.
UM, THIS SLIDE SPEAKS TO WHAT HAS CHANGED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT IS HAVING A FISCAL IMPACT ON OUR ABILITY, UM, TO FUND YEAR TWO OF THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE.
AND HERE YOU'LL NOTE SOME INCREASED COSTS, INCREASED COMPENSATION AS PROPOSED, BUT INCREASED UTILITY COSTS WHERE THERE IS, THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS, UM, NEGOTIABLE, INCREASED NON-PUBLIC PLACEMENT COSTS.
UM, AS LEGISLATION CAME OUT TO PROVIDE, UM, NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH PARITY WITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN TERMS OF WHAT TEACHERS, HOW TEACHERS ARE COMPENSATED IN THOSE SPACES, INCREASED HEALTHCARE AND BENEFIT COSTS NEARLY $13 MILLION INCREASED, UH, OPE CONTRIBUTION TO THE COUNTY AT 14 MILLION AT THE SAME TIME WHILE WE ARE LOSING, UM, ESSER FUNDS THAT WE ALL EXPECTED.
BUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IN THE LOSS OF ESSER FUNDS WERE ALL ESSER FUNDS WERE NOT INVESTED IN ONE TIME EXPENDITURES.
UM, THERE WERE A SERIES, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THINGS THAT WERE ONGOING AND RECURRING, AND WE SPOKE ABOUT THAT AS PART OF THE FY 25 BUDGET PROCESS.
BUT HERE ON THIS SLIDE, YOU'LL SEE, UM, $57.8 MILLION OF RECURRING COSTS THAT WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE OPERATING BUDGET, INCLUDING THE ADDITIONAL 15 MINUTES OF CLASS TIME FOR OUR STUDENTS.
UM, WE WERE, AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM, TWO YEARS AHEAD OF THE SCHEDULE FOR THE BLUEPRINT REQUIREMENT FOR TEACHERS STARTING SALARY OF $60,000 AS WE HEARD LOUD AND CR CLEAR FROM OUR UNION PARTNERS THE IMPORTANCE OF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF STAFF MEMBERS.
UM, WE WERE A FEW YEARS AGO, UH, AT THE MIDDLE OR LOWER THAN THE MIDDLE IN TERMS OF WHERE OUR STARTING SALARY WAS.
SO THAT HELPED US TO MOVE TO THE TOP THAT CAME AT A COST OF $30.3 MILLION.
AND THEN THE INCREASED USE OF FUND BALANCE IN FY 26.
UH, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FROM 18 MILLION BASED ON THE SAVINGS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO INCUR THIS FISCAL YEAR TO $30 MILLION.
AND THERE'S A CHART THAT'S INLAID HERE THAT SPEAKS TO, UH, SPECIFICS ABOUT THE ONGOING ESSER EXPENSES ABSORBED BY THE GENERAL FUND BED BUDGET AS, UM, AS I INDICATED, THIS IS INFORMATION THAT I SHARED, UM, LAST YEAR AS WE WERE PREPARING FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR'S BUDGET.
BUT WANNA BRING IT BACK TO EVERYONE'S AWARENESS ABOUT THE EXPENDITURES OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, DIFFERENT STEPS THAT WE'VE TAKEN TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE COST REDUCTIONS, THE BUDGET SHORTFALL, UM, NON-SCHOOL BASED POSITION REDUCTIONS.
UM, RECOGNIZING THAT EVERYONE PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE, BUT WHEN THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT SHORTFALL OF, UH, FUNDS, WE HAVE TO MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS.
UM, WE CONTINUE TO EXTEND OUR HIRING FREEZE FOR ALL CENTRAL OFFICE AND NON-SCHOOL BASED POSITIONS.
AND I'D LIKE TO PAUSE AND ADDRESS, UM, SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE'VE RECEIVED ABOUT POSITIONS BEING POSTED, UM, IN THE MIDST OF OUR FREEZE AS WE REDUCE PARTICULARLY NON, UM, SCHOOL-BASED POSITION REDUCTIONS.
UM, IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE POSITIONS AND THAT IS BEING REDUCED BY A CERTAIN NUMBER, THERE HAS TO BE A, UH, FAIR PROCESS WHERE ALL STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE PART OF, UH, THAT POSITION GET TO EXPRESS THEIR INTEREST AND GO THROUGH THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.
AND SO, UM, YOU WILL NOTE POSITIONS BEING POSTED WHERE THERE ARE REDUCTIONS BEING MADE, SO INTERNAL STAFF MEMBERS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS
[01:30:01]
THEIR INTEREST IN BEING CONSIDERED FOR THOSE POSITIONS.UM, WE HAVE, UH, MANY IF NOT ALL OF OUR POSITIONS, UM, WITH FEW EXCEPTION, UH, BEING POSTED INTERNALLY FOR OUR INTERNAL STAFF MEMBERS.
UH, WE WANT TO GIVE THEM PRIORITY, PARTICULARLY PRIORITY TO ANY DISPLACED, UH, STAFF MEMBER.
WE HAVE NEW POSTINGS ON, UH, OUR WEBSITE, UH, 19 NEW OR MAYBE IT'S 20 NEW, UM, UH, UH, SCHOOL FACILITATOR POSITIONS, UH, FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.
THAT'S DUE TO THE FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVE FROM THE STATE IN THEIR BUDGET.
THOSE ARE 12 MONTH POSITIONS THAT GIVE OUR DISPLACED STAFF MEMBERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO, UM, APPLY AND INTERVIEW FOR THOSE POSITIONS.
AND SO WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT, UM, FOR THE PUBLIC AT LARGE IN TERMS OF WHY THERE ARE POSTINGS FROM HUMAN RESOURCES ON OUR WEBSITE, UM, THAT IS PART OF THE REDUCTION PROCESS.
UM, WE HAVE REDUCED FUNDING FOR SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS BY 24%.
UM, IMPLEMENTED ADDITIONAL CUTS TO DIVISIONS AND DEPARTMENT BUDGETS AS I SHARED DURING OUR LAST MEETING, AND, UH, REOPEN THOSE, UH, NEGOTIATIONS TO WORK, UH, WITH OUR UNIONS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH AS MUCH OF AN INCREASE AS POSSIBLE WHILE MAKING SURE THAT WE DELIVER A, UH, BALANCE AND FISCALLY SOUND, UM, BUDGET.
SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THAT WE'VE RECEIVED HAVE BEEN AROUND, UM, THE CAPITAL BUDGET.
UH, IT IS KNOWN THAT WE HAVE, UH, THE BOND PASSED, UH, WHICH INFUSES FUNDS TO TEAM BCPS, AND WHY CAN'T WE TAKE SOME OF THOSE FUNDS IN THE CAPITAL BUDGET AND USE THEM FOR THE YEAR TWO COMPENSATION PACKAGE FOR OUR STAFF? UM, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE BONDS ARE OVER, UH, $200 MILLION AND THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE IS, UH, $56 MILLION.
AND THAT IS BECAUSE CAPITAL AND OPERATING FUNDS ARE DIFFERENT REVENUE SOURCES.
UH, WE DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY NOR THE FLEXIBILITY TO UH, SIMPLY TAKE A DECISION THAT VOTERS WENT AND, UM, AFFIRMED THEIR SUPPORT FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS, SPECIFICALLY AROUND DELANEY AND TOWSON AND DESIGN PROJECTS, AND, UH, USE THOSE FUNDS, REDIRECT THOSE FUNDS, UM, IN THE WAY THAT WE WANT TO IN THE OPERATING BUDGET.
AND SO WANTED TO ANSWER THAT FOR THE, UH, PUBLIC AS WELL.
OUR NEXT STEP IS REALLY WORKING, UH, WITH THE COUNTY COUNCIL, WITH THE, UH, BUDGET TEAMS TO PROVIDE ANY AND ALL INFORMATION THAT THEY REQUEST.
UM, I WILL, UH, GO AND PRESENT TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL.
UM, I HAVE A MEETING SCHEDULED WITH THEM, UH, I BELIEVE IN A WEEK AND A HALF, UM, TO ANSWER ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS THAT THEY HAVE BEFORE THEY MAKE A FINAL DECISION ON THE BUDGET AND SHARE THAT WITH, UH, ALL MEMBERS OF BALTIMORE COUNTY ON MAY 30TH.
AS A REMINDER, THE UH, COUNTY COUNCIL HAS THE ABILITY TO MAKE ADDITIONAL CUTS, UM, NOT TO ADD ADDITIONAL, UM, UH, FUNDING.
AND SO IT'S, UH, EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE SPEND THE NEXT, UH, FEW WEEKS, UH, SPEAKING TO THE IMPACT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ALL FUNDING THAT IS CURRENTLY PROPOSED IN, UH, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S, UH, BUDGET TO THEM.
AND THE LAST THING THAT I WANTED TO SHARE IS UPDATED INFORMATION.
UPDATED INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE.
IF YOU GO TO BUDGET 1 0 1, UH, THE ADDRESS IS LISTED HERE OR JUST GO TO UH, BCPS.ORG AND PLUG IN BUDGET 1 0 1.
YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OF OUR BUDGET INFORMATION, UM, VIDEOS REGARDING ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS REGARDING BUDGETS, ALL OF OUR RESPONSES TO BUDGET, UH, QUESTIONS TO DATE, AS WELL AS IMPERATIVE CHARTS THAT OUR BUDGET TEAM CREATES, UH, THAT IS THE OFFICIAL SOURCE OF INFORMATION, OUR AWARD-WINNING BUDGET TEAM, UM, WHILE THEY ARE KNEE DEEP IN TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE AND THAT WE FOLLOW THROUGH ON A BALANCED BUDGET THAT IS FISCALLY SOUND THAT WE CAN SUSTAIN OVER TIME.
UM, THEY HAVE STOPPED TO TAKE THE TIME TO CALL OUR PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ACCURATE INFORMATION.
SO TEAM BCPS HAS ACCURATE INFORMATION AROUND, UM, THE AVAILABLE FUNDING AND THE, UH, NEXT STEPS FOR OUR BUDGET.
[H. CHAIR'S REPORT (7:35 - 7:40 p.m.)]
[01:35:02]
NEXT ON THE AGENDAS TO CHAIR'S REPORT.AND I WANNA BEGIN BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE EMAIL WRITING CAMPAIGNS THAT THE BOARD HAS RECEIVED REPRESENTING VARIOUS POSITIONS WITHIN THE SYSTEM.
THIS INCLUDES THE EMAILS WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS, SCHOOL SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS, LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALISTS, AND TEACHERS OF THE ARTS.
THESE MESSAGES ARE BOTH FROM STAFF AS WELL AS STAKEHOLDERS, PRAISING THE WORK BEING ACCOMPLISHED.
ALL OF THESE EMAILS REINFORCE THE VALUE OF THE WORK TAKING PLACE IN BCPS.
PLEASE KNOW, WE PLEASE KNOW WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE AND ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PASSION, YOUR ADVOCACY, AND THE HARD WORK YOU DO EACH AND EVERY DAY.
SOME OF THESE MESSAGES ALSO REFER TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK OF CENTRAL OFFICE.
AGAIN, WE VALUE AND APPRECIATE THE WORK OF OUR CENTRAL OFFICE.
PERSONALLY, I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE AND VALUE CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF BRINGS TO BCPS.
I WAS PART OF BCP S'S CENTRAL OFFICE FOR A LARGE PORTION OF MY TENURE WITH THE COUNTY AND I WAS PROUD OF THE WORK THAT MY COLLEAGUES AND I ACCOMPLISHED.
NOW, HOWEVER, AS WE FINALIZE THE FY 26 BUDGET, WE ARE FACED WITH BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS MAKING THIS BUDGET THE MOST CHALLENGING ONE IN DISTANT MEMORY.
THE COMPOUNDING EFFECT OF CHANGES AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT ADDS ADDITIONAL STRAIN ON FUNDING.
AND WE MUST BALANCE THE BUDGET AS A DIRECT RESULT OF LIMITED FUNDING.
OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM MUST PRIORITIZE RESOURCES CLOSEST TO SCHOOLS AND REDUCE NON-SCHOOL BASED POSITIONS ACROSS ALL DIVISIONS.
AGAIN, WE ARE NOT SAYING THAT CENTRAL OFFICE DID NOT AFFECT SCHOOLS.
CENTRAL OFFICE ABSOLUTELY AFFECTS THE CURRICULUM INSTRUCTION AND AN ASSESSMENT TAKING PLACE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
CURRICULAR CONSISTENCY ACROSS SCHOOLS, SUPPORTING ADMINISTRATORS, BUILDING CAPACITY OF OUR WORKFORCE, MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE WHOLE CHILD THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH, FOOD, AND TRANSPORTATION.
TO MENTION A FEW ARE THE WORK OF CENTRAL OFFICE THAT ABSOLUTELY AFFECTS THE DAILY WORKINGS OF SCHOOLS.
WE ALSO KNOW THE TREMENDOUS AND INVALUABLE IMPACT THE INDIVIDUAL TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM WORKING WITH THEIR STUDENTS EVERY DAY.
EVERY MOMENT MAKES STUDENT IMPROVEMENT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN ISOLATION.
COLLECTIVELY, EVERYONE HAS A ROLE IN CREATING THE CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS.
IT TAKES EVERY STAFF MEMBER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS.
BUS DRIVERS, OFFICE PROFESSIONALS, PARAEDUCATORS, CAFETERIA WORKERS BUILDING SERVICES, AND SO MANY MORE.
AND THAT WORK IS BEGINNING TO IMPROVE THE ACHIEVEMENT DECLINE THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE OVER THE LAST DECADE.
STUDENT LEARNING IS THE HEART OF OUR WORK AND WE MUST REMAIN THE TOP PRIORITY EVEN IN THIS CHALLENGING FISCAL LANDSCAPE.
I WANNA THANK DR. ROGERS AND HER STAFF FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE DURING THIS COMPLEX BUDGET SEASON TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED.
THIS HAS NOT BEEN AS EASY AS FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FROM THE COUNTY STATE AND FEDS CHANGED FREQUENTLY.
COMMUNICATION ABOUT THIS BUDGET WITH TEAM BCPS BEGAN IN OCTOBER, 2024 AND REMAINS ONGOING.
AS DR. ROGERS MENTIONED, ARCHIVE MATERIALS REGARDING THE FY 26 BUDGET CAN BE FOUND ON BUDGET 1 0 1.
NONE OF THESE ADDITIONAL STEPS OR TOUGH DECISIONS ARE WHAT WE'RE HOPING FOR, BUT THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION NECESSITATES IT AT THIS TIME.
THE BUDGET, AGAIN, IS IN THE HANDS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL.
AGAIN, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THEY CANNOT ADD TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S BUDGET, BUT THEY CAN ONLY ASK FOR ADDITIONAL CU CUTS.
SOMETHING WE ARE WORKING ON TO ENSURE DOES NOT TAKE PLACE.
THE SUPERINTENDENT WILL CONTINUE TO UPDATE THE COMMUNITY AS FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
AND IN CONCLUSION, IT IS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK AND A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO OUR TEACHERS.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR OUR STUDENTS.
[I. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER'S REPORT (7:40 - 7:45 p.m.)]
IT IS OUR STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD'S REPORT.SO I'LL CALL ON MS. CHIKA KALU IF SHE WANTS TO STILL TRY
OKAY, WELL GOOD EVENING CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS BOARD MEMBERS.
OUR DEDICATED STAFF IS THEMED COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OF COURSE THE BRILLIANT SCHOLARS OF BALTIMORE COUNTY.
FIRSTLY, I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A REFRESHING AND RESTFUL SPRING BREAK.
AND AS WE STEP INTO MAY, I'M HONORED TO SHARE RECENT UPDATES IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS WITH YOU ALL.
SO ON THE NATIONAL STUDENT BOARD MEMBER ASSOCIATION FRONT THIS LAST MONTH, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE STUDENT COUNCIL EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS TO HELP LEAD THE GROUNDWORK FOR STRONGER COLLABORATION AMONG STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WITH THE ALLY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IN CALIFORNIA, WE'RE MAKING GREAT STRIDES TOWARDS OUR GOAL TO ESTABLISH NETWORKS FOR POLICY ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.
AND WITH MOST MARYLAND SM ELECTIONS NOW COMPLETE, I'M COLLABORATING WITH PEERS AND DIRECTORS ACROSS THE DMV TO BUILD A DC AND MARYLAND REGIONAL STUDENT BOARD MEMBER NETWORK.
OUR FOCUS IS TO SUPPORT INCOMING SMS THROUGH ONBOARDING, MENTORSHIP,
[01:40:01]
AND RESOURCE SHARING, ENSURING THAT ALL STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS ARE NOT JUST PREPARED BUT EMPOWERED TO DO THEIR WORK.AND IN PARTNERSHIP, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STUDENTS ENGAGED AT THE TABLE.
I'M WORKING TO CO-AUTHOR A STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS THAT CENTERS EQUITY, INCLUSION AND STUDENT VOICE.
AND JUST THIS PAST SUNDAY, THE NATIONAL STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS EXECUTIVE BOARD HOSTED A SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL WEB WEBINAR LED BY AND FOR STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS.
WE DISCUSSED HOW TO SUSTAIN IMPACT MARKET OURSELVES AND STRENGTHEN OUR NETWORKS.
AND ON A LOCAL NOTE, I WOULD LOVE TO CONGRATULATE FORESIGHT ABE, AN EASTERN TECH ALLIED HEALTH MAGNET JUNIOR ON BEING ELECTED AS THE 45TH STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD.
BUT I MUST ALSO COMMEND BOTH CANDIDATES, FORESIGHT AND SOPHIE, FOR A PHENOMENAL CAMPAIGN.
AND WHILE WE ALL KNOW THERE'S ONLY ONE SEAT BEHIND THIS DAAS, THERE ARE COUNTLESS TABLES WAITING FOR STUDENTS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.
AND THIS IS SEEN IN JUST HOW MANY OF OUR BALTIMORE COUNTY STUDENTS ARE STEPPING INTO LEADERSHIP LIKE WE'VE HEARD EARLIER TODAY, JORDAN SALKI, DAVID AR OLO, GOODNESS, AFE ARE 16 CARSON SCHOLARS FROM ELEMENTARY TO HIGH SCHOOL AND COUNTLESS BALTIMORE COUNTY STUDENTS.
THEY ARE A GLIMPSE INTO THE SHINING POTENTIAL OF BCPS YOUTH, EACH REPRESENTING THE BRILLIANCE THAT DEFINES OUR STUDENT BODY.
AND THAT BRINGS ME TO SOMETHING NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART, THE LEADING LIGHTS OF BALTIMORE COUNTY THIS MONTH.
I'D LIKE TO INTRO INTRODUCE YOU TO DAPHNE PETCO, A GRADUATING SENIOR AT CARVER CENTER FOR ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY THROUGH CARVER'S COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM.
SHE EARNED HER LICENSE AND HAS ALREADY BEGUN HER PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY AS A LICENSED COSMETOLOGIST, WHILE ALSO WORKING TOWARDS BECOMING AN AESTHETIC OR OB GYN NURSE.
AS A FIRST GENERATION LIBERIAN AMERICAN AND THE ELDEST IN HER FAMILY, SHE HAS OFTEN NAVIGATED HER PATH WITHOUT A BLUEPRINT, YET SHE HAS BUILT ONE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW FROM WINNING THE COSMETOLOGY GRINCH HERE COMPETITION TO EARNING A SPOT IN BOTH THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY AND NATIONAL TECHNICAL HONOR SOCIETY.
DAPHNE HAS TRULY TRANSFORMED HER HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE.
AND DESPITE FACING MOMENTS WHERE SHE FEEL LIKE SHE DIDN'T BELONG, SHE CARVED OUT SPACES OF BELONGING FOR OTHERS.
SHE LED CARVER'S BLACK AWARENESS CLUB AND FEMINIST CLUB SHINING ON THE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND STEPPING INTO FASHION SHOWS AND ATHLETICS.
AS A TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETE, SHE EMBODIES HARD WORK, RESOURCEFULNESS, AND JOY.
AND IN HER OWN WORDS, SHE SAID, I'M PROUD OF MYSELF FOR TURNING A ROCK.
AND A DAPHNE'S STORY REMINDS US WHY OUR SCHOOL, THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE FULL OF STUDENTS WHO ARE ALREADY CHANGING THE WORLD, SOMETIMES QUIETLY, BUT ALWAYS POWERFULLY.
AND IT IS MY HONOR TO SPOTLIGHT CRYSTAL ARO, A SENIOR FROM REYNOLDSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, WHOSE COMMITMENT TO SERVE, LEAD AND HER ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, WHICH IS WHAT SETS HER APART AS A TRUE LIGHT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SHE'S A SCHOLAR IN THE ACADEMY OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS MAGNET AND CURRENTLY HOLDS AN ASTOUNDING 5.09 WEIGHTED GPA.
AND HER SITES ARE SET ON A CAREER IN MEDICINE AND WHERE SHE ACTIVELY PURSUES IT THROUGH HER ROLE AS VICE PRESIDENT OF HOSA, HER INTERNSHIP IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AT NORTHWEST HOSPITAL AND HER CLINICAL EXPERIENCES IN PEDIATRICS.
BUT OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM, SHE IS INVOLVED.
SHE'S A TREASURER FOR THE CLASS OF 2025, FOUNDER AND SECRETARY OF THE STUDENT SUCCESS CLUB, AND THE YOUTH LEADER AND MEDIA MANAGER FOR HER CHURCH.
SHE'S ALSO A PROUD MEMBER OF NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY, AFRICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION, STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND MODERN UN.
AND SHE STILL FINDS TIME TO COMPETE IN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD AND TWO DIFFERENT EVENTS.
AND HER LEADERSHIP WAS RECOGNIZED IN THE TOWSON OUT OUTSTANDING WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP COHORT WHERE SHE REPRESENTED RANDALLSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL WITH DISTINCTION.
AND CRYSTAL ALSO APPEARS HER ACADEMIC AND LEADERSHIP TALENTS FOR SERVICE.
SHE VOLUNTEERS THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE PROJECT SUNSHINE, RONALD MCDONALD MARATHON, AND HER VARIOUS CLOTHING AND SHOE DRIVES.
SHE TRULY EXEMPLIFIES WHAT IT MEANS TO LEAD WITH PURPOSE.
AND THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW OFTENTIMES OUR STUDENTS DO NOT WAIT FOR PERMISSION TO BE GREAT.
THEY OFTEN BECOME GREAT AND OFTEN DO SO IN SILENCE WITHOUT THE APPLAUSE.
AND RECOGNIZING THEM IS A CELEBRATION OF THE HOPE THAT WE'RE BUILDING ONE STUDENT AT A TIME.
AND SO AS WE CLOSE THE SCHOOL, BLESS, I'M SORRY,
AND AS WE CLOSE THE SCHOOL YEAR, LET US KEEP LIFTING THOSE STORIES INTO THE LIGHT.
AND FOR A SCHOOL, SHOUT OUT, I WOULD LOVE TO RECOGNIZE SCOTT'S BRANCH AND MILFORD MILL ACADEMY SLAMMED THE EXAM PEP RALLY TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS, HIGH SCHOOLERS FROM BOTH SCHOOLS, GIRLS AND BOYS, VARSITY TEAMS VISITED THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO HYPE THEM UP FOR THE MCAP TESTING.
SO IF A STUDENT ANSWERED AN MCAP QUESTION CORRECTLY, THEY GOT THE CHANCE TO TAKE A SHOT WITH THE BASKETBALL.
BUT BEYOND THE GAMES, THE HIGH SCHOOLERS SHARED TIPS ON OVERCOMING TEST ANXIETY, STAYING MOTIVATED, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF STICKING WITH SCHOOL.
AND AS A STUDENT, WE OFTEN KNOW THAT TESTING IS TOO MUTUALIST AND STRESSFUL.
BUT I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THEIR EFFORTS TO NOT JUST PREPARE FOR AN EXAM, BUT TO, BUT TO ALSO SHOW THAT YOUNGER
[01:45:01]
STUDENTS, THAT THEY HAVE A TEAM CHAIRING THEIR OWN, CHAIRING THEM ON WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY.AND SO WITH JUST TWO MONTHS LEFT, AS THE 44TH STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD, IT'S SURREAL TO SEE HOW QUICKLY THIS CHAPTER HAS FLOWN BY.
AND WHILE MY TERM IS ENDING, THERE IS A NEW BEGINNING AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT FORESIGHT WILL LEAD WITH PASSION AND CONTINUE TO ELEVATE THE STANDARD OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP.
AND I WILL CONTINUE ADVOCATING FOR STUDENTS NATIONWIDE THROUGH N-S-B-M-A BECAUSE MY COMMITMENT TO EDUCATIONAL EQUITY WILL NOT END ON JULY 4TH FIRST, NEXT THIS YEAR WINDS DOWN.
PLEASE KNOW HOW FAR WE'VE COME, BUT THERE'S ALSO STILL WORK TO BE DONE.
SENIORS DECISION DATE JUST PASSED.
I'M NOT IMMUNE TO SENIOR WRITERS, BUT FOR THE REST OF US CONTINUE TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER THROUGH THE FINISH LINE AND TO OUR EDUCATORS, HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK.
BECAUSE OF YOU, YOU CONTINUE TO SHAPE THE LIGHTS OF TOMORROW.
SO AGAIN, I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU AND IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE THESE PAST FEW MONTHS.
[J. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - ARBUTUS AND CATONSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL BOUNDARY RECOMMENDATION (Dr. Grim and Mr. Taylor) (7:45 - 7:55 p.m.)]
THE AGENDA IS UNFINISHED BUSINESS, THE ARBUTUS AND CATONSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL BOUNDARY RECOMMENDATION.AND MR. TAYLOR, I, GOOD EVENING, BOARD CHAIR, LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, SUPERINTENDENT, DR. ROGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
GOOD EVENING IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUPERINTENDENTS RULE 1280 ON MARCH 25TH, 2025, THE BOARD RECEIVED FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW BOUNDARY CHANGE REQUESTS FOR THE BOUNDARIES OF OUR BUDDA AND CATONSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
THE BOARD'S PUBLIC HEARING ON THE RECOMMENDED BOUNDARY CHANGE WAS HELD ON APRIL 2ND, 2025.
THIS EVENING, WE ARE REQUESTING THE BOARD VOTE ON THE RECOMMENDED BOUNDARY CHANGES.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ARBUTUS AND CATONSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL BOUNDARY AS RECOMMENDED IN EXHIBIT J ONE? SO MOVED.
MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND FROM PONG.
ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
UM, DON'T GO ANYWHERE BECAUSE THE
[K. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - HOLLY MANOR COMMUNITY BOUNDARY RECOMMENDATION (Dr. Grim and Mr. Taylor) (7:55 - 8:05 p.m.)]
NEXT ONE IS UNFINISHED BUSINESS, HOLLY MANNER, COMMUNITY BOUNDARY RECOMMENDATION.AND FOR THAT, I CALL ON THESE TWO
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUPERINTENDENT'S RULE 1280, ON MARCH 25TH, 2025, THE BOARD RECEIVED FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL REPORT FROM THE HOLLY MANOR BOUNDARY STUDY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDING BOUNDARY CHANGES AT THE DEAD END SECTION OF BEAUMONT AVENUE.
THE RECOMMENDATION AFFECTS THE BOUNDARIES OF HILLCREST AND WESTCHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
THE BOARD'S PUBLIC HEARING ON THE RECOMMENDED BOUNDARY CHANGE WAS HELD ON APRIL 9TH, 2025.
THIS EVENING, WE ARE REQUESTING THE BOARD VOTE ON THE RECOMMENDED BOUNDARY CHANGES.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HOLLY MANOR COMMUNITY BOUNDARY AS RECOMMENDED IN EXHIBIT K ONE? SO MOVE STILL LUKI.
MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND SAVOY.
ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
AND THANK YOU DR. GRAHAM, TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR ALL THE WORK ON THE MANY BOUNDARIES WE'VE HAD THIS YEAR.
[L. NEW BUSINESS - ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION (Board Counsel) (8:05 - 8:10 p.m.)]
THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION.AND FOR THAT, I CALL ON MR. BURNS.
GOOD EVENING, CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY.
DR. ROGERS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, UH, THIS EVENING ENCLOSED SESSION.
YOU CONSIDERED, UH, LEGAL MATTERS, INCLUDING AN APPEAL HEA 25 DASH 0 1 8, ANNOUNCE 18.
NOW IT'S AN APPROPRIATE TIME FOR THE BOARD TO AFFIRM THE ACTION THAT IT TOOK IN CLOSED SESSION.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ACTION TAKEN ENCLO SESSION ON HEARING EXAMINER'S CASE HEA 25 DASH OH 18 AND AUTHORIZED MS. GOER TO SIGN FOR THOSE BOARD MEMBERS NOT PHYSICALLY PRESENT? SO MOVE 10.
ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE PLEASE.
[01:50:01]
MR. BURNS.[M. NEW BUSINESS - BOARD POLICIES (Ms. Pumphrey) (8:10 - 8:20 p.m.)]
ON THE AGENDA IS NEW BUSINESS REPORT ON BOARD POLICIES.THIS IS THE FIRST READER FOR THIS POLICY, AND FOR THAT I CALL ON MS. ROBIN HARVEY, VICE CHAIR OF THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE.
ON BEHALF OF CHAIR PUMPY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE ASKS THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT THIS REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE FOLLOWING BOARD POLICIES, BOARD POLICY 1240 VISITORS TO SCHOOLS AND OFFICE BUILDINGS, BOARD POLICY 40 0 2 OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYEES OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY BOARD POLICY 40 10 NEPOTISM, BOARD POLICY 63 0 4 COMMEMORATIONS AND OBSERVANCES BOARD POLICY 63 0 7 PATRIOTIC EXERCISES.
THESE POLICIES ARE PRESENTED TO YOU ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS EXHIBITS M1 THROUGH M FIVE.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD'S POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR BOARD POLICIES? 1240 4,000 2, 40 10 63 0 4, AND 63 0 7.
THANK YOU MS. HEN NO SECOND IS NEEDED.
SINCE THE RECOMMENDATION COMES FROM THE COMMITTEE, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION MS. BOOKER DWYER? I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION WITH BOARD POLICY 63 0 4.
SO I KNOW THAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO HAVE CERTAIN, UM, THAT WE HAVE TO OBSERVE CERTAIN DAYS.
I'M WONDERING, IS THIS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SURVEY STUDENTS TO SEE WHAT OTHER DAYS THEY MAY VALUE AS OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM IS BECOMING MORE DIVERSE? IS IT WORTH GETTING SOME INPUT FROM STUDENTS ON THIS POLICY TO SEE IF WE SHOULD INCLUDE ANY OTHER, IF WE SHOULD CALL OUT ANY OTHER DAY? ANY COMMENT TO MS. BOOKER? DWYER'S SUGGESTION? MS. N? YES, I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.
UM, THE POLICY GIVES THE SUPERINTENDENT THE DISCRETION TO ADD DAYS AS, UM, SHE DEEMS FIT.
SO I THINK, UM, SHE HAS THE LATITUDE TO ADD DAYS BASED ON THE STUDENT SURVEY.
SO IF THE BOARD DOES APPROVE THIS P POLICY AS IS, THAT CERTAINLY ALLOWS HER THE LATITUDE TO ADD DAYS BASED ON STUDENT FEEDBACK.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS? MS. BOER? DWYER, DID YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING ELSE? NO, I JUST WANTED TO SAY, YOU KNOW, JUST FOR CONSIDERATION AND, UM, YOU KNOW, HOWEVER, IT, THE FEEDBACK IS GATHERED FROM THE STUDENTS.
IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE A SURVEY, BUT JUST HOWEVER IT'S GATHERED, UM, JUST TO INFORM, UH, FUTURE REVISIONS TO THIS POLICY.
'CAUSE I KNOW IT COMES AROUND EVERY SO MANY YEARS.
AND TO MS. HEN'S POINT, IT CAN BE ADDED EVEN BEFORE THAT, UM, REVIEW.
I ALSO THINK IT'S A TERRIFIC IDEA AND I, UM, JUST WANNA QUICKLY THANK DR.
FARONE FOR HIS ADVOCACY FOR, UM, INSTILLING PATRIOTISM.
AND I KNOW MANY OF THE DAYS ALSO RELATE TO, UM, PATRIOTIC HOLIDAYS.
SO IN ADDITION TO SURVEYING STUDENTS, IT'S AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO, UM, YOU KNOW, INSTILL WAY, UH, YOU KNOW, USE DIFFERENT METHODS TO, UM, INSTILL VALUES AND PATRIOTISM.
ANY OTHER FURTHER DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
[N. NEW BUSINESS - CONTRACT AWARDS (Mr. Sarris and Dr. Grim) (8:20 - 8:35 p.m.)]
ON THE AGENDA IS CONTRACT AWARDS.AND THAT FOR THAT I CALL MR. YOUNG MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
THE BOARD'S BUILDING AND CONTRACT COMMITTEE MET ON MONDAY, MAY 5TH, 2025.
ITEMS N ONE THROUGH N 16 WERE FORWARDED TO THE FULL BOARD FOR APPROVAL.
AS MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE MEETING, UM, CONTRACT N 14 HAS BEEN REMOVED, UM, FOR THIS EVENING.
I'M SORRY, 9, 9 0 9, I'M SORRY, NINE
YOU KNOW, WHY, UM, ARE THERE ANY, UM, SEPARATIONS REQUESTED? MS. DOKI? 14 AND ONE.
AND, UM, MR. YOUNG, YOU SAID 10 MS. HEN EIGHT PLEASE.
ANY FURTHER SEPARATIONS? I HAVE 1, 8, 10, 14.
[01:55:01]
RIGHT? OKAY.DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS TWO THROUGH SEVEN? NINE, NOT NINE, SOMEONE SAID SEPARATE.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS ONE THROUGH SEVEN? TWO THROUGH SEVEN.
SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT TO SAY AND I'LL SAY IT.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE ITEMS? I'LL MOVE.
NO SECOND IS NEEDED SINCE THE RECOMMENDATION CAME, COMES FROM THE COMMITTEE.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THOSE NAMED CONTRACTS? MS. FONG? I'M SORRY, I'M TRYING TO MATCH UP MY QUESTIONS WITH THAT'S OKAY.
NUMBER THREE IS INCLUDED IN THIS.
SO, UM, MY QUESTION AS FAR AS THE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR THESE, ARE THESE PHYSICAL ITEMS, DIGITAL ITEMS, OR BOTH? YOU ARE REFERRING TO NUMBER THREE, MS. ONG? YES.
YOU WANNA COME FORWARD PLEASE? SO THIS WILL BE AN OPTION FOR BOTH PRINT AND DIGITAL MATERIALS.
UM, AND IN TERMS OF THE DIGITAL, WE WILL BEGIN THE PRINT, OF COURSE WILL HAVE THOSE YEAR TO YEAR BECAUSE THERE'LL BE TEXTBOOKS.
UM, THE DIGITAL, WE ARE ACTUALLY, UM, ONLY PURCHASING FOR A YEAR.
UM, AGAIN, IN REGARDS BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, WE'RE GONNA TAKE FEEDBACK FROM BOTH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN TERMS OF HOW THAT SUPPORTS THE LEARNING AND THE TEACHING.
SO WHAT HAPPENS TO, UM, ANY LIKE, OLD OR NO LONGER USE SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS? SO LEVEL FIVE IS ACTUALLY NEW.
SO WE, UH, HISTORICALLY HAVE GONE FROM LEVEL FOUR STRAIGHT INTO AP.
AND WHAT WE HAVE NOTICED, UM, NOT ONLY IN OUR AP SCORES, BUT FROM TEACHERS IS THERE IS, UM, THERE ARE STUDENTS THAT ARE JUST NOT READY, UM, TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN AP.
AND WHAT WE REALLY WANT IS WE WANT PEOPLE BEING SUCCESSFUL IN AP.
SOMETIMES THAT'S THEIR SEALED BY LITERACY COMPLETER, BUT ALSO FOR COLLEGE CREDITS, WHICH HELPS FINANCIALLY FOR STUDENTS AS THEY ENTER COLLEGE.
AND SO WE ARE DEVELOPING, UH, THESE COURSES IN RESPONSE TO THE FACT THAT THERE WERE STUDENTS THAT WEREN'T READY FOR AP AND WE REALLY WANT THEM TO BE.
UM, AND SO THE COURSES, SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY OLD MATERIALS BECAUSE WE LITERALLY HAVE JUST CREATED THE COURSES.
WE'VE GOTTEN GOOD FEEDBACK TO, WE HAVE SO MANY TEACHERS SIGNED UP TO COME TO THE JUNE TRAINING BECAUSE THEY ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THESE MATERIALS TO USE WITH OUR STUDENTS.
UM, THE NEXT ONE IS THE NUMBER, UM, FOR CWA.
SO THAT'S CONTRACT NUMBER FIVE, THAT'S IN THIS BATCH.
UM, THERE'S MENTORING INCLUDED IN THIS CONTRACT.
CAN SOMEONE SPEAK JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THAT? WE'VE BEEN HEARING, UM, YOU KNOW, FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT WANTING MORE MENTORING.
WE ACTUALLY HEARD ABOUT, UM, PUBLIC COMMENT.
UM, THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN ON BEHALF OF KAPPA OFFICE, I SPEAKING ABOUT MENTORING IN THEIR PROGRAM.
AND THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S MENTORING IN, IN THIS CONTRACT TOO.
SO CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT? I CAN SPEAK TO IT A BIT.
IN MANY CASES, MENTORING WAS IDENTIFIED AS A NEED.
SO WE ARE PUTTING CONTRACTS IN PLACE THAT ENABLE THE SCHOOLS TO THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO OBTAIN THIS MENTORING FOR THEIR STUDENTS.
WHETHER THEY CHOOSE TO PROVIDE IT FOR INDIVIDUAL SELECT GROUPS OF STUDENTS OR ON A MORE BROAD BASE IS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL WAS ALL.
I HAVE A FOLLOW UP QUESTION FOR THAT SAME CONTRACT MM-HMM
UM, AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH, I UNDERSTAND THIS IS GRANT FUNDED.
FOR THESE, UM, SERVICES, THE MAXIMUM CONTRACT SPENDING AUTHORITY IS 750,000,
[02:00:01]
BUT THE ANTICIPATED SPEND IS 15,000 ON A FIVE YEAR CONTRACT.AND I'M WONDERING WHICH, IF THERE'S A TYPO IN THE THOSE NUMBERS OR IF THE ESTIMATED IS 75,000 OR IF THE, UM, ANTICIPATED YEARLY SPEND IS 150,000.
THE ANTICIPATED YEARLY SPEND, THE ANTICIPATED SPEND OF 15,000 IS FOR THE REMAINING MONTH AND A HALF OF FISCAL YEAR 25.
SO THE GRANT IS FOR HOW MUCH? FOR THE GRANT IS SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER THAN THIS.
THE GRANT COVERS, SO THIS IS THE BLUEPRINT FUNDS FOR, UM, CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY, WHICH PROVIDES, UM, BETWEEN BOTH THE PERSONNEL GRANT AND THE PER PUPIL ALLOCATION WITH OUR 119 COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, UM, UPWARDS OF, UH, 47,000, $47 MILLION.
UM, WHICH GOES TO BOTH STAFF POSITIONS AT THE SCHOOLS, LIKE COMMUNITY SCHOOL FACILITATORS, HEALTH ASSISTANTS AT THOSE SCHOOLS.
UM, ADDITIONAL SPECIAL AREA TEACHERS, UM, IT COULD BE SOCIAL WORKERS MTSS TEACHERS.
SO THERE'S A LIST OF ADDITIONAL POSITIONS THAT ARE APPROVED THROUGH THE BLUEPRINT, UM, THAT CAN BE ADDED TO THOSE SCHOOLS, UM, BASED ON THEIR NEEDS ASSESSMENT.
SO THEY DO A COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS ASSESSMENT THAT INCLUDES COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, UM, FAMILIES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, UM, THE SCHOOL STAFF.
AND THEY THEN DEVELOP A PLAN OF WHAT THEIR, HOW THEIR FUNDS WOULD BE SPENT.
SO IN THE FIRST YEAR THAT A SCHOOL'S IDENTIFIED AS A COMMUNITY SCHOOL, THEY GET, UM, THE PERSONNEL, THEY GET THE PERSONNEL, UH, FUNDING.
UM, IT'S NOT TILL YEAR TWO OR THREE OF THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL WHERE THEY HAVE A WELL DEVELOPED PLAN, DO THEY GET THE PER PUPIL ALLOCATION? AND THE FUNDING TO THE SCHOOLS FOR THE PER PUPIL ALLOCATION IS BASED ON CALCULATIONS PROVIDED BY MSDE.
SO HOW DID, CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW YOU ARRIVED AT THE 750,000 SPENDING AUTHORITY? AND WE'RE LOOKING AT, I'M DOING MENTAL MATH JUST UNDER, UM, 200,000 PER YEAR.
THAT IS WHAT WOULD BE THE APPROXIMATE PER PUPIL ALLOCATION THEN ON THIS CONTRACT, IF YOU KNOW OFFHAND THAT WAS NOT HOW THIS CONTRACT SPENDING AUTHORITY WAS CALCULATED.
THEY WERE BEING USED PIECEMEAL BY A VARIETY OF SCHOOLS.
SO WE LOOKED AT HOW MUCH WAS ACTUALLY SPENT, MULTIPLIED IT OUT AND ADDED ON MORE BECAUSE WE KNEW THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS WAS INCREASING.
I ASK BECAUSE IF WE'RE FUNDING IT WITH CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY GRANT FUNDING, WHICH FOLLOWS THE STUDENT, IT WOULD FOLLOW MY LOGIC ANYWAY THAT WE WOULD CALCULATE THE ANTICIPATED NEED BASED ON, UM, THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WE ANTICIPATE USING THESE SERVICES AND PRODUCTS.
SO, SO THIS ALLOWS ANY COMMUNITY, SO IT'S NOT, THIS IS NOT JUST, UM, ALLOWABLE SPENDING FOR JUST A, A GROUP OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.
IT, IT, THEIR SPENDING CAN FLUCTUATE BASED ON DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT THEY IMPLEMENT AT THEIR SCHOOL.
SO I THINK IT'S, IT, THE NUMBER IS A HOLISTIC NUMBER TO TRY TO CAPTURE.
UM, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME SCHOOLS THAT MIGHT RECEIVE A PER PUPIL ALLOCATION OF $38,000.
THERE'S OTHERS THAT MIGHT RECEIVE $200,000.
SO THOSE SCHOOLS WOULD SPEND MORE, BUT THAT MIGHT NOT BE JUST ON THESE SERVICES.
THIS WAS A CONTRACT TO HELP WRAP THE SERVICES TOGETHER SO THAT IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR SCHOOLS TO ACQUIRE THEM VERSUS HAVING TO DO INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT AGREEMENTS FOR EVERY SINGLE SERVICE THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO ACQUIRE.
SO THIS WAS REALLY TRYING TO SIMPLIFY THE PROCESS FOR SCHOOLS.
SO LOOKING AT THOSE VENDORS AND SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDING ONGOING THINGS TO A VARIETY OF SCHOOLS AND TRYING TO PACKAGE THEM TOGETHER AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL, UM, PROVIDERS.
BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME CASES WHERE A COMPANY THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY APPROVED TO DO TUTORING, THEY RUN OUT OF TUTORS IF SEVEN SCHOOLS ARE ALL CONTRACTED WITH THEM.
SO THIS ALLOWED IT TO OPEN UP TO BRING IN EVEN A GREATER NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS.
AND WHAT I'M THINKING ABOUT IS THE OVERALL NEED, NOT ON A PER SCHOOL BASIS, BUT IF WE LOOK AT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS THAT ARE IN NEED OF THESE SERVICES AND SCHOOLS THAT COULD POSSIBLY USE THIS CONTRACT TO ACQUIRE THOSE SERVICES.
ARE WE LOOKING HOLISTICALLY AT THAT OVERALL NEED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS FUNDING IS AVAILABLE AND THAT'S A MUCH LARGER NUMBER THAN THE CON THAN THE SPENDING AUTHORITY I'M SEEING HERE.
SO THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING FOR, FOR THAT NUMBER.
OR DO WE ANTICIPATE ABSOLUTELY.
AND WE MAY COME BACK AND SAY, WE NEED MORE
[02:05:01]
ESTIMATE.SO ISN'T THIS IN ESSENCE A APPROVED LIST OF VENDORS THAT OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS CAN USE WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE FUNDS THEY HAVE AND THE NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITY? ABSOLUTELY.
SO BECAUSE THERE, THE, IT LOOKS, FEELS DIFFERENT THAN SOME OF THE OTHER CONTRACTS THAT WE LOOK AT.
BUT IT'S AN APPROVED LIST AND THEN THEY CAN DETERMINE, SO EVEN THOUGH CENTRAL OFFICE IS PRESENTING IT, IT IS REALLY YOU'RE DOING THAT SO THAT THE SCHOOLS CAN THEN USE ANY ONE OF THOSE ON THERE.
SOME OF THEM MAY NOT BE USED AT ALL.
SOME OF THEM MAY BE USED MORE THAN OTHERS.
MR. MCMILLION, MS. WEBSTER, I HAD THREE PEOPLE COMPLAIN TO ME ABOUT THE, THE TIMELINESS OF PAYING THESE PARTICULAR VENDORS.
AND THEY WERE SAYING THAT IT'S A LONG TIME AND THE PEOPLE WAIT FOR THE MONEY.
AND SOME, SOME VENDORS SAY, WE DON'T WANT, WE DON'T WANT TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE BECAUSE WE KNOW BCPS IS GONNA DELAY AND THE PAYMENT.
IS THERE A REASON FOR THAT DELAY? IS THAT ACCURATE? IS I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE ACCOUNTING TEAM.
I WOULD IMAGINE MR. MCMILLION THAT YOU'VE HEARD FROM THE SAME TYPE OF VENDORS THAT I SPEAK WITH WHO ARE QUITE OFTEN SOLO PRACTITIONERS, SMALL SELF, SELF-EMPLOYED, YOU KNOW, PERFORMERS OR OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS.
AND SOMETIMES THE DOCUMENTATION IS DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO FILL OUT.
SOMETIMES WE DON'T, IF WE DON'T GET AN INVOICE WITH A SIGNED APPROVAL, WE CAN'T PAY IT.
WE HAVE TO SEND IT BACK TO THE VENDOR.
UH, AND IT ALSO HAS TO GO THROUGH THE SCHOOL FOR THEIR APPROVAL SO IT CAN, UH, BE A, A DIFFICULT ROAD FOR THEM TO HOE.
AND WHEN I GET A COMPLAINT LIKE THAT, I TRY TO GET INVOLVED AND RESOLVE IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE MOST OF THESE FOLKS ARE, YOU KNOW, SELF-EMPLOYED AND, AND IT'S A STRUGGLE TO ENTER OUR BUREAUCRACY.
IT'S A BIG SCHOOL SYSTEM AND WE TRY TO MAKE IT WORK WHEN THERE'S A PROBLEM.
AND SOME OF 'EM ARE LIVING ON THE EDGE WITH THESE BUSINESSES.
AND WE APPRECIATE THAT AND TRY TO GET, SO I GET PLENTY OF CALLS AND I THINK WE GET 'EM RESOLVED EVENTUALLY.
DID, DO YOU HAVE YOUR HAND UP, MR. CS? IF EVERYTHING IS DONE PROPERLY, WHAT IS THE AVERAGE TIME THAT IT TAKES TO PAY A VENDOR? UH, I WOULD SAY WITHIN, WE, WE TRY TO PAY EVERYBODY WITHIN 30 DAYS.
AND WE, WE ACHIEVE THAT IN MOST INSTANCES.
UM, AND, UH, WE'RE HOPING THAT THAT CAN SPEED UP CONSIDERABLY ONCE WE HAVE A FULLY AUTOMATED SYSTEM NEXT BY NEXT MARCH.
AND DO ANY OF OUR CONTRACTS HAVE LIKE A NET 30, NET 60? THEY HAVE A DISCOUNT.
AND WE TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THOSE DISCOUNTS.
SO WE HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO PAY AND THE, THE SMALL SELF-EMPLOYED VENDORS AREN'T GONNA OFFER THAT.
UM, BUT WE DEFINITELY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF 95% OF THE DISCOUNTS WE GET.
SO WE ARE VOTING ON JUST TO REFRESH, TWO TO SEVEN, 11 TO 13, AND 15 TO 16.
MS. GOBER, CAN I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
OH, MS. FONG, THE NEXT ONE WAS, UM, ITEM NUMBER SIX FOR THE FINANCING RESOLUTION.
UM, AND THIS TALKS ABOUT THE VEHICLES THAT ARE GONNA BE PURCHASED THROUGH THE RESOLUTION.
THERE ARE BUSES BEING PURCHASED THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION, WHICH I'M ASSUMING ARE GAS, AND SOMETIMES WE GET, UM, EMAILS ABOUT ELECTRIC AND, AND BEING MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.
SO I GUESS I JUST WANTED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR, UM, AS WE PURCHASE THESE NEW SET OF VEHICLES, WHY IS IT THAT WE'RE GOING WITH GAS AND NOT ELECTRIC? UH, WELL, MOST OF THEM ARE DIESEL.
UM, I THINK THAT ONE OF THESE, UH, THESE THREE TYPE A'S MIGHT BE GASOLINE, I'M NOT SURE.
UH, THEY'RE A MIX OF DIESEL POWERED AND GASOLINE POWERED.
THEY ARE ALL FOSSIL FUEL POWERED VEHICLES.
UM, RIGHT NOW, THE, UH, THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES THAT WE'VE PURCHASED, UH, OR THAT WE'VE, THAT WE'VE LEASED THROUGH, UH, PREVIOUS CONTRACTS THAT WHICH ARE SCHOOL BUSES,
[02:10:01]
UM, WE'RE CONTINUING TO ENGAGE IN THAT WORK.UM, OUR PARTNER IN THAT HAS HAD SOME DIFFICULTY FULFILLING THE ORDERS, UM, IN PART, AND SECONDLY, SOME OF THE GRANT FUNDING HAS BEEN IN JEOPARDY, UM, THAT WE'VE HAD AS A RESULT OF THOSE.
UM, RIGHT NOW WE DO NOT HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO PURCHASE NON, UH, FOSSIL FUEL VEHICLES AS SOME OF OUR, SOME OF OUR STANDARD VEHICLES AND SOME OF OUR LEASE VEHICLES.
AND THE COST IS ALSO PROHIBITIVE.
A SCHOOL BUS, AN ELECTRIC POWERED SCHOOL BUS IS ROUGHLY THREE TIMES THE COST OF A CONVENTIONAL SCHOOL BUS.
AND IT COSTS THE SAME OVER TIME TO OPERATE.
UM, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE SELLING POINTS THAT THEY WERE, THAT IT WOULD BE A REDUCED COST.
BUT OUR COUNTERPARTS THAT HAVE MORE OF THOSE AND IN THE SMALL NUMBER THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE, IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE FOR US TO OPERATE THOSE VEHICLES AT THIS TIME.
THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION.
AND THEN, UM, IN THE RESOLUTION ITSELF FOR SECTION FOUR, IT SPEAKS TO THE CHAIR, THE SECRETARY SLASH TREASURER, WHO IS OUR SUPERINTENDENT, AND THEN THE CONTROLLER WHO IS THE CONTROLLER.
UH, CURRENTLY THAT POSITION IS VACANT AND I'M SERVING IN THAT CAPACITY UNTIL WE CAN MAKE EITHER AN ACTING OR A REGULAR APPOINTMENT.
AND NEXT MY QUESTIONS ARE FOR A NUMBER 11 WITH THE W2 PROCESSING.
SO IS THIS W2 PROCESS IN-HOUSE NOW OR OUTSOURCED? BECAUSE THIS SPEAKS TO, WE HAVE TO OUTSOURCE FOR THE W TWOS, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THE ERP, IT'S CURRENTLY IN-HOUSE AND, UH, BECAUSE THE ERP, THE ORACLE PLATFORM, UM, CAN BE ACCOMMODATED TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE AND, UH, RELIEVE US OF EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND, UH, ALSO, UH, PROVIDE US WITH THE ABILITY TO, BECAUSE FOR THE NEXT, UH, FOR THIS CALENDAR YEAR, WE'RE GONNA HAVE SIX MONTHS OF RECORDS ON THE LEGACY SYSTEM AND SIX MONTHS ON THE INCOMING SYSTEM, UH, WHICH, YOU KNOW, TAKES EFFECT JULY ONE.
UH, THIS WILL BETTER ALLOW US TO COMBINE THE DATA AND ISSUE, UH, THAT COMBINED W2 AT THE END OF THE FIFTH OF CALENDAR YEAR.
SO THEN THAT COST, SO WE ALREADY HAVE THE COST PER THE ERP, NOW WE'RE LOOKING FOR, UM, THIS CONTRACTOR FOR THE W2 PROCESS.
IS THAT STILL, I GUESS, CHEAPER? UM, AS FAR AS THE COST COMPARED TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING BEFORE? HOW MR.
SO WE KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING THAT THIS CONTRACT WOULD BE NEEDED.
SO WE DID NOT NEED IT UNTIL THIS POINT.
SO WE'VE NOW ISSUED IT, THE MONEY THAT YOU ARE SEEING IN THE SPENDING AUTHORITY IS THE, AND I'LL, I DON'T WANNA SAY THE WORST CASE SCENARIO, BUT, UH, THE, IT'S THE SCENARIO IN WHICH EVERY STAFF MEMBER WOULD OPT TO HAVE A PRINTED AND MAILED E UM, UH, PAPER, UH, W2, UH, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE CURRENTLY.
SO THIS IS OUR LARGEST AMOUNT THAT WE WOULD NEED TO SPEND PER YEAR, BUT WE ARE ACTUALLY PROJECTING A MUCH LOWER ACTUAL DOLLAR FIGURE, UH, FOR THE, UH, W2 GENERATION.
UH, THIS CONTRACT IS WITH A DP, WHICH HANDLES, UH, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, CHARLES COUNTY, AND, UH, FAIRFAX COUNTY AS WELL.
UH, SO THEY'VE GOT A STRONG RECORD IN IT, BUT WE KNEW GOING INTO THE ERP IMPLEMENTATION, WE WOULD NEED THIS SERVICE.
UM, MR. CORS, WILL THERE BE AN INTEGRATION BETWEEN A DP AND ORACLE AND IS THAT A NATIVE INTEGRATION? YES.
AND WILL WE BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT? ABSOLUTELY.
FROM OUR GO LIVE WITH ORACLE? YEP.
YEAH, IT'S, UH, IT'S ACTUALLY ALREADY IN THE WORKS.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE CURRENTLY BUILDING IT AND IT'S, UH, I THINK IT'S JUST ABOUT DONE.
I THINK WE'VE TESTED IT TWICE NOW.
SO IF EMPLOYEES WERE TO USE, UM, THEIR OWN TAX PREPARATION SERVICES, JUST FILE IN LINE, LIKE FOR INSTANCE TURBOTAX, WILL THEY BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD THEIR W TWOS USING A DP AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CONVENIENT FEATURES SUCH AS THAT? THAT'S EXACTLY USING A DP.
[02:15:02]
MR. KOS, YOU SAID THAT ORACLE DOES NOT HAVE A NATIVE W2 FEATURE.SO THIS CONTRACT IS A ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH NO EXTENSIONS.
SO WHAT ARE WE DOING AFTER THAT FOR W2 PROCESSING? SO, UH, MR. YOUNG, UH, I AM, UH, WAITING FOR MS. WEBSTER TO, UH, FILL IN WITH, UH, SO WE, UM, WE WENT WITH A COOPERATIVE CONTRACT ON THIS.
AND SO, UH, THE TERM OF THAT COOPERATIVE CONTRACT WAS FOR A ONE YEAR.
AND SO WE HAVE TO GET THE, WE HAD TO GET THIS IN PLACE, SO WE FOUND THE ONE THAT WAS READILY AVAILABLE AND THEN WE WILL GO BACK TO WORK TO, TO GET THE NEXT CONTRACT IN.
WE'LL PROBABLY SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT YEAR, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE USING A DP FOR OUR W TWOS LARGE COOPERATIVES LIKE OMNIA, REBID, THEIR SOLICITATIONS, UM, DEPENDABLY.
SO WE WOULD ANTICIPATE HAVING A NEW CONTRACT THROUGH OMNIA TO BRING BACK IN THE FUTURE.
IT IS IF WE MAY MAKE A DECISION TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION ON OUR OWN, UM, BASED ON SPECIFICATIONS WE DEVELOP.
UM, BUT THAT DECISION HAS NOT BEEN MADE YET.
MS. ONG, ONE LAST ONE FROM DISPATCH.
AND THAT IS, UM, NUMBER 13 WITH THE AERA INSPECTION SERVICES.
SO THIS IS RELATING TO ASBESTOS.
AND SO MY QUESTION IS, IS THIS FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND OR FACILITIES? I'M SORRY.
I'LL LET YOU GUYS GET SETTLED.
SO, MS. ONG, IF I HEARD YOU CORRECTLY, THIS, THE QUESTION WAS, IS THIS FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND OR OTHER, OR OTHER FACILITIES? IS THAT, IS THAT CORRECT? CORRECT.
SO IT IS, IT IS FOR ANY FACILITY THAT, THAT FALLS UNDER THE SCOPE AND THE GUIDELINES THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO INSPECT.
I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE, WE HAVE A MIX OF OUR FACILITIES AT, UH, OFFICE FACILITIES, I'LL SAY, OR OTHER, OTHER PROPERTIES AND SCHOOL BUILDINGS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE INSPECTED ON THAT TRI-ANNUAL SCHEDULE.
AND THEN, SO FOR THE, THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS OR THE FACILITIES THAT STILL GO THROUGH THIS INSPECTION, BECAUSE THAT MEANS THEY HAVE IT MM-HMM
IS THERE A PLAN, LIKE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AT SOME POINT THAT WE ARE REMOVING THIS AND GETTING RID OF THAT MATERIAL? SO IT THAT, THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION AND IT ALL DEPENDS ON, UH, HOW THE, THE MATERIAL IS INTEGRATED INTO THE FACILITY.
UM, WHENEVER WE MAKE A REPAIR NOW, WE HA IF WE KNOW THAT THERE'S SOMETHING THERE OR, OR THE, THE AGE OF THE FACILITY, THE TYPE OF FACILITY WE'RE BOUND TO TEST.
SO, SO OFTEN, EVEN WHEN WE BREAK GLASS, FOR EXAMPLE, IN SOME OF OUR OLDER BUILDINGS, UM, THE GLAZING CONTAINS ASBESTOS AND WE HAVE TO GET THAT REMEDIATED, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT AND UM, OR WHEN STUDENTS AREN'T THERE AND BEFORE WE CAN REPLACE IT.
SO WE, WE ALREADY HAVE THOSE PROCEDURES IN PLACE TO ADDRESS THAT.
DID THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE TO, UH, REPLACE IT, BUT I MEAN, I GUESS IS THERE A OVERHAUL? TY TYPICALLY NOT? UN NOT UNLESS, NOT UNLESS WE ARE REPLACING A FIXTURE OR RENOVATING OR WE ARE, UM, OR WE'RE, OR WE'RE DEMOLISHING.
YEAH, THERE'S NO, THERE'S THERE WOULD BE, IT WOULD BE COST PROHIBITIVE FOR US TO GO THROUGH AND REPLACE EVERYTHING THAT NEEDED.
AND QUITE FRANKLY, IF IT'S UNDISTURBED, IT'S NOT IN ANY KIND OF A, OF A CONCERN ANYWAY.
THAT'S WHY THE INSPECTION PROCESS IS SO IMPORTANT, THE COMPLIANCE MEASURES.
'CAUSE IT'S ONLY WHEN YOU'RE KIND OF DISTURBING IT AND KICKING OFF THAT MATERIAL.
ALRIGHT, SO BACK TO THE, WE'RE GONNA TAKE A ROLL CALL, VOTE ON ITEMS TWO THROUGH SEVEN, 11 THROUGH 13 AND 15 THROUGH 16.
MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM ONE? SO MOVED.
NO SECOND IS NEEDED SINCE THE RECOMMENDATION COMES FROM THE COMMITTEE.
ANY DISCUSSION MR. MCMILLIAN? I'M JUST CURIOUS WHAT
[02:20:02]
DR.DONATO IS THIS WHAT WAS REFERRED TO PREVIOUSLY AS ILLUSTRATIVE MATH? MM-HMM
IT'S, SO IT'S REFERRED TO AS MATHEMATICS GRADE SIX THROUGH ALGEBRA TWO PROGRAM.
IS THERE A REASON IT'S NO LONGER CALLED ILLUSTRATIVE MATH? IT'S STILL CALLED ILLUSTRATIVE MATH.
YOU'RE, IT'S THE NAME OF THE CONTRACT VERSUS THE NAME OF THE PRODUCT THAT IS USED.
ILLUSTRATIVE MATH IS THE MATH PROGRAM.
UM, IT'S JUST THE CONTRACT IS ENTITLED WITH THE PROGRAM NAME.
SO PREVIOUSLY WE'VE USED THIS AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO USE IT, BUT FOR SOME REASON THE NAME WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT IN THE TITLE OF THE CONTRACT.
UM, DO YOU PROVIDE THE CONTRACT? THANK YOU, MR. MCMILLION.
WE TRY NOT TO USE PRODUCT NAMES IN THE TITLES OF OUR CONTRACT AS THAT PRESENTS A, UM, NON-COMPETITIVE VIEW TO OUR VENDORS.
BECAUSE SOMEBODY SAID TO ME, THEY, I HAD A, A CONSTITUENT REACH OUT TO ME THAT SAW THAT AND, AND DESCRIBED WHAT IT IS AND SAID THERE'S SOME REASON THEY'RE NOT USING THAT IN THE TITLE.
WE HAVE TRIED NOT TO USE THE PRODUCT NAME OR A VENDOR NAME IN THE TITLES OF OUR CONTRACTS FOR MANY YEARS NOW.
THIS INDIVIDUAL JUST DESCRIBED HOW DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE TO RESEARCH THIS PROGRAM BY NOT USING THAT TITLE.
UH, IT IS A, IT IS CHALLENGING TO DETERMINE WHICH CONTRACT IS TALKING ABOUT WHICH PRODUCTS.
THAT'S WHAT IN THE CONTRACT DATABASE, YES.
BUT WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A PROCUREMENT AND PARTICULARLY GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT AND YOU WANT TO HAVE AN OPEN PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL VENDORS, YOU DON'T WANT TO USE THE PRODUCT NAME IN THE TITLE OF THE CONTRACT.
I, I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT THIS CONTRACT, BECAUSE IT INVOLVES CURRICULUM, WAS APPROVED AND REVIEWED BY THE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE PRIOR TO ITS PRESENTATION HERE.
IT WAS, AND THIS IS ACTUALLY, UM, A TO YOUR EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT.
SO THIS WAS, UM, ILLUSTRATIVE MATH, WHICH WE CURRENTLY USE.
THIS IS A REQUEST TO REFER TO YOUR EXTENSION, INCREASED SPENDING AUTHORITY TO GO WITH THAT.
AND SO IT WAS REVIEWED THROUGH CONTRACT COMMITTEE PREVIOUSLY, UM, IN 2021.
I WAS NOT HERE, BUT THAT'S THE MIDDLE DATE.
SO I'M ASSUMING WE MIGHT HAVE COME BACK FOR SOME SORT OF MODIFICATION WITH IT.
UM, AND THEN, AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE DOING, UH, THE TWO YEAR EXTENSION REQUEST.
UM, SO MS. WEBSTER, I HAVE A FOLLOW UP TO MR. MCMILLEN'S QUESTION.
I DO FIND IT DIFFICULT TO LOCATE, UM, CONTRACT EXHIBITS AND BOARD DOCS WHEN THE PRODUCT NAME IS NOT IN THE CONTRACT EXHIBIT.
SO I WANNA DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN WHAT I HEAR YOU SAYING, THE CONTRACT'S DATABASE AND THE CONTRACT EXHIBIT THAT'S PREPARED FOR, UM, BOARD MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC THAT'S STORED IN BOARD DOCS, WHICH IS WHAT WE RECEIVE, UM, AND REVIEW AND HAVE TO GO FROM.
SO THERE'S A CONTRACT DESCRIPTION THAT'S, THAT'S ON THAT WHICH MAY BE PULLED FROM THE CONTRACT'S DATABASE.
I DON'T KNOW, I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHAT'S IN THE DATABASE AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, WHY WE DON'T WANT THE PRODUCT NAME IN THAT DATABASE.
BUT IS THERE SOMETHING PRECLUDING, UM, STUFF FROM INCLUDING THE PRODUCT NAME, IN THE CONTRACT DESCRIPTION IN THE EXHIBIT THAT WE RECEIVE? WE TRY NOT TO INCLUDE THE PRODUCT NAME AND THE TITLE.
UM, WE HAVE TRIED TO INCLUDE IT IN THE DESCRIPTION.
IT IS NOT, YOU ARE CORRECT IT IS, DOES NOT APPEAR IN THIS DESCRIPTION, BUT WE HAVE TRIED TO INCLUDE IT IN THE DESCRIPTION SO YOU CAN LOCATE, LOCATE IT IN THAT FIELD ON THE CONTRACT DATABASE.
BECAUSE I TOO HAVE NOTICED, AND WHAT MR. MCMILLIAN HAS HEARD IS THAT THE PRODUCT NAMES HAVE NOT BEEN, AND THIS IS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE MORE LATELY THAN BE PREVIOUSLY.
THE PRODUCT NAMES HAVE NOT APPEARED IN THE DESCRIPTION.
WE CAN TAKE, WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT SO IT AT THAT WE CAN ASK, I'M SHARING SOME FEEDBACK THAT IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL SURE.
UM, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TITLE IS MORE GENERIC, THEN IT, IT JUST HELPS US UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING RECOMMENDED.
DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION? OKAY.
MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE ON CONTRACT ONE.
[02:25:01]
YES.DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONTRACT EIGHT.
NO SECOND IS NEEDED SINCE THE RECOMMENDATION COMES FROM THE COMMITTEE.
ANY DISCUSSION ON CONTRACT EIGHT? MS. HEN? SORRY.
I HAVE QUESTIONS FOR STAFF ON THIS, UM, CONTRACT.
IS THIS AN EXISTING, UM, SOFTWARE PACKAGE OR IS THIS A NEW SOFTWARE APPLICATION FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRACKING? GOOD EVENING, DR. GRAHAM.
UH, SO WE HAVE AN EXISTING PRODUCT.
UM, THIS IS, THIS IS A DIFFERENT PRODUCT.
SO THIS IS FOR A NEW PRODUCT BECAUSE THE BOARD RECEIVED INFORMATION A COUPLE YEARS AGO, MAYBE THREE YEARS AGO, UM, THAT A PRODUCT HAD BEEN PURCHASED AND WAS BEING IMPLEMENTED.
AND THIS EXHIBIT INCLUDES PRIOR YEAR, UM, SPENDING ON THAT? UH, I'D HAVE TO, IS THAT FOR THE CURRENT PRODUCT? I'D HAVE TO CHECK.
I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE RIGHT MS. WEBSTER.
UM, I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE EXISTING PRODUCT AND THE NEW PRODUCT HAVE THE SAME EXACT PRICE TAG.
UM, THERE IS, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN PRICE TAG.
I BELIEVE IT'S $150,000 A YEAR IS THE, IS THE PRICE TAG FOR THE CURRENT PRODUCT THAT WE USE, AND THAT WILL BE THE PRICE TAG FOR THIS NEW PRODUCT AS WELL.
PERHAPS I'M LOOKING AT THE WRONG EXHIBIT.
IT'S A TWO YEAR AND FIVE MONTH CONTRACT.
AND I BELIEVE THE SPEND AUTHORITY WAS FOR, UH, $390,000, 390,000.
THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR CONTRACT SPEND IS 1.1 MILLION.
SO IT WAS COMBINED AS PART OF A PACKAGE.
OF OTHER, OF OTHER PRODUCTS WITH THE, WITH THE VENDOR THAT WE HAVE, THIS PARTICULAR MODULE IS $150,000 OF THAT CONTRACT PER YEAR WITH THE SAME VENDOR, WITH, WITH A VENDOR THAT PROVIDES US A SUITE OF OTHER PRODUCTS.
CURRENTLY, THIS IS A, THIS IS A DIFFERENT VENDOR.
THIS CONTRACT REPRESENTS A DIFFERENT VENDOR AND A NEW PRODUCT.
MS. WEBSTER, PERHAPS YOU CAN SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE PROCUREMENT.
I'M SORRY, I'M TRYING TO PICK UP THE QUESTION THAT I MISSED.
I, I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE, THE CONTRACT EXHIBIT AS IT'S OUTLINED HERE IN, IN TERMS OF THIS IS A NEW CONTRACT RECOMMENDATION FOR US WITH THE SAME VENDOR.
WE HAVE PRIOR YEAR SPENDING AUTHORITY WITH THE SAME VENDOR FOR, IT'S A, I'M SORRY, EXCUSE ME.
IT'S A DIFFERENT, IT'S A DIFFERENT VENDOR.
WE USE THE VENDOR ON THE, ON THE PRIOR CONTRACT FOR A NUMBER OF OTHER PRODUCTS.
AND THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SEEING THE OVER MILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG.
THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE, WE HAVE, I THINK WE HAVE ALMOST A DOZEN SEVEN PRODUCTS WITH THE OTHER, WITH THE OTHER VENDOR.
THIS IS ONE WITHIN THAT SUITE.
WE ARE, WE ARE PULLING OUT AND WE'D LIKE TO GO WITH THIS O WITH THE NEW VENDOR.
UM, WHAT THE, THIS NEW PRODUCT WILL OFFER US IS BETTER REPORTING.
IT'LL ALLOW OUR STAFF TO TRACK THEIR, THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BETTER.
UH, IT'S MORE COMPLIANT WITH SOME OF THE BLUEPRINT REQUIREMENTS, AND SO IT, IT'S A BETTER OFFERING.
IT'S A BETTER VALUE FOR WHAT WE'RE, WHAT WE'RE ALREADY CONTRIBUTING WITHIN THIS OTHER SUITE.
DOES, DOES THIS SYSTEM INTEGRATE WITH ORACLE SINCE WE ARE IMPLEMENTING THAT? UH, SO IT, IT, IT WILL WORK WITH DATA FROM ORACLE.
UM, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT, THAT IT WILL, THAT IT WILL NEED TO SPECIFICALLY INTEGRATE WITH, UM, WITH THE ORACLE PRODUCT.
RIGHT NOW IT, IT, RIGHT NOW OUR REGISTRATION SYSTEM, UM, INTEGRATES WITH, WITH OTHER SCHOOLS WITHIN SCHOOL.
UM, IT ALSO HAS SOME INTEGRATIONS WITH, WITH FOCUS.
AND I HAD SOME MORE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS, BUT THEY MAY BE FOR MR. KO'S.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S STILL PERHAPS HERE, PERHAPS MM-HMM
SO NEW SYSTEM, NEW VENDOR, UM, EXISTING AUTHORITY.
MR. KOS, DID YOU, UM, WANT TO SPEAK OR WERE YOU ABLE TO SPEAK TO THE INTEGRATION WITH ORACLE ON THIS SYSTEM? IF IT USES IT HAS THE SAME INTEGRATION WORK, HR DATA OR SINGLE SIGN-ON IT? IT IS, UH, UH, WE ONLY BRING IN SINGLE SIGN-ON SOFTWARE AT THIS POINT.
UM, WE ARE BRINGING, UH, DATA OUT OF THE ORACLE PLATFORM AND WE'LL COME INTO THIS SYSTEM SEAMLESSLY, UM, WITH, UH, AN AUTOMATION THAT, UH, TEAM'S WORKING ON.
UM, WE HAVE TO, WITH THE ORACLE IMPLEMENTATION, WE HAVE TO REDO ALL OF OUR INTEGRATIONS.
AND SO, UH, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, UH, A, ANY CHANGE IN SOFTWARE IS ACTUALLY THE IDEAL TIME
[02:30:01]
TO DO IT BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T INTEGRATE THE OLD SYSTEM AND THEN DO A NEW ONE.SO IT'S, UH, THE SAME LEVEL OF EFFORT THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PUT IN THE DATA WOULD BE COMING STRAIGHT OUT OF ORACLE INTO, INTO THIS SYSTEM.
WAS THAT ONE REASON FOR THE MOVE? BECAUSE IT WAS JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THAT THE BOARD WAS ASKED TO APPROVE PURCHASING OF THE CURRENT SYSTEM? SO I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE JUSTIFICATION GIVEN THAT THAT WAS 2022, I BELIEVE MAYBE LATE 2021, THAT A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRACKING SYSTEM WAS CHOSEN AND IMPLEMENTED.
ONE, ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS IS THE, THE CURRENT SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE DOES NOT HAVE REPORTING FEATURES.
AND THE VENDOR IS, UH, UNINTERESTED IN CREATING THOSE REPORTING FEATURES.
AND, AND QUITE HONESTLY, MS. HEN, WHEN WE IN, UH, AS YOU, UH, SPECIFIED THE DATE, IT WAS IN MAY OF 22, UM, THAT WAS IN RESPONSE TO, UM, UH, THE HOMEGROWN SYSTEM THAT WE HAD HAD BEING DECIMATED BY THE CYBER ATTACK.
THAT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY SO THAT WE COULD, UH, START OFFERING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
SO THE PACKAGE THAT WAS CHOSEN WAS CHOSEN.
WE, UH, WORKED WITH IT FOR THREE YEARS IN ORDER TO MAKE IT MEET OUR NEEDS.
AND, UH, THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM HAS, UH, COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE LEVEL OF EFFORT IS TAKING TO CREATE THE THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED, OUR, OUR MORE WORK THAN IT WOULD BE TO FORKLIFT OUT AND REPLACE WITH SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY DOES IT NATIVELY.
SO THAT, THAT'S THE, THE REAL RATIONALE BEHIND THIS IMPLEMENTATION.
THANK YOU FOR THAT BACKGROUND, MR. CORSEN.
AND EVERYONE, I APPRECIATE IT.
DID WE EXPLORE OTHER PARTNERSHIPS, UM, SUCH AS WITH CCBC OR COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO, UM, MAKE USE OF THEIR SYSTEMS? UM, I'M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE COSTS, ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR.
AND WERE THERE ANY O OPPORTUNITIES THERE AND DID WE LOOK INTO THAT? SO, SO THE, THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM AS WE, AS WE ARE USING IT, UH, DOES NOT DIRECTLY ALIGN WITH THE METHODOLOGY THAT CCBC DOES.
THAT THEY ARE USING A TRUE REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
THIS IS A, UM, A LITTLE BIT OF AN AMALGAM BETWEEN THAT AS WELL AS SELF-SELECTION AS WELL AS, UH, TEACHERS GOING IN AND BEING ABLE TO INTERACT WITH THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT AN AD HOC LEVEL.
SO IT, THE, THE USE CASE DOESN'T, UH, ENGAGE AS, AS HEAVILY.
UM, WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING VERY, UH, DILIGENTLY WITH THOSE TWO PARTNERS AS WELL OVER DATA SHARING.
AND THAT IS A VERY ENTANGLING, UH, PROBLEM WHEN WE GET TO SHARED RESOURCES OF THAT NATURE.
UH, SO, UH, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, UH, MS. HEN, WE, WE LOOKED AT SEVERAL PRODUCT, WE DID NOT DIRECTLY GO TO CCBC AND, AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT SAYING, WHAT ARE YOU USING? BUT GIVEN WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SYSTEM AS WE'VE BEEN USING IT, WHAT THE TEACHERS HAVE GIVEN US FEEDBACK ON AND WHAT, UH, SUPERINTENDENT AND BLUEPRINT HAVE ASKED FOR THIS SYSTEM MEETS ALL OF THOSE NEEDS, UM, AND HAVE AS KIND OF BASICALLY CHECKED ALL OF OUR BOXES WITHOUT A LOT OF DEVELOPMENTAL EFFORT.
WELL, THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AS, AS THEY ARISE.
APPRECIATE IT, MS. DOKI, I JUST, I JUST HAVE ONE QUICK FOLLOW UP QUESTION.
SINCE THIS IS COMING FROM, WE'RE TAKING IT OFF OF ANOTHER CONTRACT.
WILL THAT CONTRACT BE ADJUSTED? YES.
SO, UM, OUR TEAM HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH MS. WEBSTER AND THIS ONE MODULE, IF YOU WILL, WILL BE TAKEN OUT.
THAT'S WHY I SAID THE THE COST IS, IT'S A WASH.
IT IS, IT, THERE IS NO COST DIFFERENCE.
JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THAT SPENDING AUTHORITY WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE OTHER CONTRACT.
WELL, THE SPENDING AUTHORITY ACTUALLY DOESN'T GET ADJUSTED, BUT WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE PRIOR VENDOR AND TOLD THEM THAT WE WILL NOT BE RENEWING THAT SPECIFIC MODULE.
SO WE WILL NOT BE PAYING RIGHT.
FOR THAT SPECIFIC MODULE FOR THIS COMING YEAR.
BUT THOSE, SO IF IT'S A WASH AND WE'RE NOT TAKING AWAY THE SPENDING OF THE, I KNOW IT'S, YOU DON'T HAVE TO, BUT STILL, LIKE YOU COULD IF IT'S THERE VOTED, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? LIKE THEN IS IT REALLY A WASH? IF WE CAN SPEND THAT STILL KEEP SPENDING THAT MONEY ON THE OTHER CONTRACTORS.
THE OFFICE HAS TO HAVE THE MONEY.
YEAH, WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SPEND REGARDLESS OF THE SPENDING AUTHORITY, THERE HAS TO BE THE BUDGET AVAILABLE.
AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE USING THE BUDGET ON THE NEW SOFTWARE.
IT'S, WE'RE, WE'RE DOWN TO THE, THE, THE PENNY ON THIS.
AND SO IF THIS SYSTEM, SO IT'S, IT'S JUST FOR REGISTRATION AND REPORTING, WILL TEACHERS BE ABLE TO, TO TRACK THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT THEY AND KEEP TRACK OF THE CREDITS THAT THEY YES.
I'M SORRY IF I FAILED TO MENTION THAT THEY, THE YES THEY WILL.
AND THAT, AND THAT'S A BIG DRAW TO IT AS WELL.
[02:35:01]
WITH BLUEPRINT AND WE MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE FOLLOWING THEIR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PLANS.MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE ON CONTRACT EIGHT.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONTRACT? 10.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS MASTER SERVICE AGREEMENT.
NO SECOND AS NEEDED SINCE THE RECOMMENDATION CAME FROM THE COMMITTEE, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONTRACT NUMBER 14.
NO SECOND IS NEEDED SINCE THE RECOMMENDATION COMES FROM THE COMMITTEE.
ANY DISCUSSION ON ITEM FOUR? CONTRACT 14.
UM, I JUST, DO WE HAVE, UM, OR DO WE KNOW HOW MANY RELOCATABLES WE ARE CURRENTLY LEASING IN OUR OWN RIGHT NOW? I I CAN GET THAT NUMBER.
I, I DON'T HAVE IT PREPARED THIS EVENING, BUT I CAN GET THAT NUMBER FOR YOU.
UM, THAT NUMBER IS ALSO FLUID BECAUSE WE INTEND, I BELIEVE, I THINK MR. TAYLOR'S LEFT, I BELIEVE WE, WE ARE REMOVING SOMEWHERE AROUND 25 THIS YEAR COMPLETELY.
SO WE'LL HAVE 25 FEWER THAN WE HAVE THIS CURRENT YEAR.
BUT I CAN GET YOU THAT NUMBER.
AND, AND JUST IN THAT SAME LIGHT, IF I COULD, UM, SEE THE NUMBERS OF HOW MANY SCHOOLS ARE UTILIZING THESE YEAR AFTER YEAR AND HOW MANY THEY'RE USING.
IS THAT, I'M NOT SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION.
SO, LIKE, IF, BASICALLY WHAT I WANNA KNOW IS, ARE SCHOOLS CONTINUALLY USING THESE RE RELOCATABLES YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR? AND DO WE NEED TO CONSIDER THESE SCHOOLS ACTUALLY NEED AN ADDITION AND NOT A REALLY A 'CAUSE THEY'RE MEANT THEY'RE NOT MEANT TO BE A PERMANENT STRUCTURE.
UM, THEY, THEY ARE NOT MEANT TO BE A, A PERMANENT STRUCTURE.
WE DO HAVE, UH, WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF SCHOOL FACILITIES THAT HAVE HAD RELOCATABLES, UM, IN SOME CASES FOR OVER A DECADE OR MORE.
UM, THAT CAN BE BECAUSE OF, OF A, A SPECIFIC PROGRAM, BECAUSE OF THE, THE CAPITAL DOLLARS.
UM, BECAUSE WE, WE HAD LOOKED AT THE ADDITION OF A SINGLE, UH, CLASSROOM, YOU A, A SINGLE DROP ON CLASSROOM, EVEN IF IT'S POSSIBLE, UM, AT, AT ONE OF OUR NEWER SCHOOLS.
AND IT'S OVER A MILLION DOLLARS FOR ONE, FOR ONE SINGLE ROOM TO DESIGN, TO PLAN, DESIGN AND, AND BUILD.
UM, AND RECENTLY CARROLL COUNTY HAD HAD DONE JUST THAT AS PART OF THEIR PRE-K EXPANSION.
UM, FOR, FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY, WE CAN PROVIDE SEVERAL RELOCATABLES AND EXPAND A NUMBER OF OTHER CLASSROOMS. SO WHILE NOT OPTIMAL, IT IS A STRA IT IS A STRATEGY THAT WE HAVE.
UM, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE ENGAGED IN TO, TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS AND SOMETIMES THEY BECOME LONGER TERM PROBLEMS. BUT I CAN GET YOU THOSE NUMBERS.
I, I MEAN, I KNOW IN SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE, ARE HISTORIC AND IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ADD ONTO THEM 'CAUSE OF THAT REASON, BUT I'M JUST WONDERING IF COST EFFICIENT DOWN THE LINE.
YEAH, IT MIGHT BE A MILLION DOLLARS UPFRONT, BUT IN 10 YEARS IF YOU'RE STILL HAVING THIS RE RELOCATABLE, HOW MUCH DID THAT COST US OVER 10 YEARS? IT MIGHT EQUAL CLOSE.
AND, AND AGAIN, IT DEPENDS ON, UH, IT DEPENDS ON WHETHER WE LEASED OR PURCHASE THE UNIT.
UM, IT DEPENDS ON HOW LONG IT'S THERE.
IT DEPENDS ON IF THERE'S BEEN ANY DAMAGE TO THE UNIT.
UM, THERE'S A CONSIDERABLE COST TO MOVE RELOCATABLES WHEN WE DO THAT FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.
THERE'S A CONSIDERABLE COST SOMETIMES TO RUN, UM, ELECTRIC TO IT.
SOME OF OUR RELOCATABLES HAVE WATER HOOKUP AS WELL.
UM, SO AGAIN, IT, IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE SIZE AND THE, AND THE SHAPE OF THOSE UNITS AND WHERE THEY'RE, AND WHERE THEY'RE LOCATED IN CONJUNCTION TO THIS, TO THE SCHOOLHOUSE.
I'M SORRY, JUST LA JUST THAT I THINK THAT'S KIND OF THE POINT I WAS MAKING THAT LIKE ALL THESE EXTRA ACCOMMODATIONS YOU HAVE TO MAKE FOR THESE RELOCATABLES, IF WE HAVE TO MOVE THEM, IF WE HAVE TO ADD ELECTRIC, IF WE HAVE TO ADD WATER, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE WE'RE BEING COST AND, AND IF THERE'S A PLACE WHERE OUR SCHOOL CAN DO THIS, IF WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT, AT LEAST DOWN THE LINE.
UM, MODULES VERSUS, UM, RELOCATABLES, DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY MODULES YOU HAVE? UH, I CAN GET YOU THAT NUMBER AS WELL.
UM, I, I CAN THINK OF, I CAN THINK OF, UH, AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE MODULES OFF THE TOP, OFF THE TOP
[02:40:01]
OF MY HEAD, BUT I DON'T HAVE A, I I CAN'T GIVE YOU A SOLID LIST IN TERMS OF COST MOD.MODULAR, MODULAR CLASSROOMS ARE, UM, THEY ARE ALSO OVER A MILLION DOLLARS, UM, A, A PIECE.
UH, BUT REMEMBER THEY CAN RANGE IN SIZE FROM, UM, EIGHT TO 12 TO SOMETIMES TWO TOGETHER OR 16 CLASSROOMS. RIGHT.
MODULARS TYPICALLY INCLUDE, UH, LABORATORIES AS, AS WELL.
AND, AND THEY ARE MEANT TO BE LONGER TERM, UH, STRUCTURES, LONGER, LONGER, LONGER TERM USE PROJECTS.
UM, SO ACCORDING TO THE STATE'S 90 DAY DLS REPORT, BCPS IS, UM, RECEIVING SIX AND A HALF MILLION IN STATE CAPITAL AID FOR RELOCATABLES, UM, THIS COMING FISCAL YEAR.
SO I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT OUR STRATEGY IS TOWARDS LEASING AND PURCHASING RELOCATABLES GIVEN THE FACT THAT THAT FUNDING COULD BE VOLATILE IN, IN FUTURE YEARS AND HOW THAT'S AFFECTING OUR STRATEGY TOWARDS PURCHASING AND LEASING.
SO TYPICALLY, UH, THE, THE MONEY THAT COMES FROM THAT FUNDING ARE SET ASIDE FOR OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, WE JUST PLACED A, A MODULAR UNIT OVER AT, AT TOWSON HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE, FOR THE PROJECT THAT'S HAPPENING THERE.
THAT MODULAR REPLACED, UH, SEVERAL SINGULAR RELOCATABLE, UH, RELOCATABLE UNITS THAT WE HAD ON, ON THE PROPERTY.
AND WE ANTICIPATE THAT THAT MODULAR WILL BE THERE, UM, FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT.
UM, SOME OF THE OTHER MODULARS THAT WE'VE HAD THAT ARE, THAT ARE PAID THROUGH THAT GRANT FUNDING ARE, ARE ALSO PART OF THOSE ARE PART OF THOSE CAPITAL PROJECTS.
SO WE ARE ABLE TO USE SOME OF THAT FUNDING IN ANTICIPATION FOR HOW THEY'RE GONNA PLAY INTO LARGER PROJECTS.
SO THE 71%, UM, CAPITAL FUNDING SOURCE THAT'S BEEN IDENTIFIED, THAT'S ALL ASSOCIATED WITH, UM, SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS? YES, MA'AM.
UM, SO I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS I WAS GONNA ASK HAVE BEEN COVERED, UM, JUST AS HOW, AS FAR AS HOW MANY RELOCATABLES ARE BEING PURCHASED AND HOW MANY ARE BEING LEASED, IS THAT INFORMATION ACTUALLY DE I THINK THAT WAS FOR THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACT THAT, THAT WAS THE QUESTION THAT, UH, THAT MS. DOKI HAD.
AND I WILL PROVIDE THAT NUMBER TO THE, I'LL GET THAT INFORMATION AND PROVIDE IT IN A, IN A BOARD UPDATE.
AND THEN WITH THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT, SO IT'S JBO 7 1 6 19, IT WAS SAYING THAT THERE'S THE 12 RELOCATABLES THAT ARE BEING REMOVED ACTUALLY THIS MONTH, SO FOR MAY, 2025.
SO YOU ACTUALLY MENTIONED ABOUT, UM, 25 THAT WERE BEING REMOVED ALTOGETHER.
UM, BUT MY QUESTION FOR THOSE 12 WAS THAT, ARE WE GOING TO RE REUSE THOSE RELOCATABLES? AND IF SO, LIKE WHERE ARE THEY GOING? SO I, I, I DON'T WANT TO TIE, UH, SPECIFIC RELOCATABLES TO A CONTRACT.
THIS CON THIS CONTRACT AND THE CONTRACT, UH, THIS CONTRACT THAT WE'RE BRINGING TONIGHT, AND THE CONTRACT THAT THE BOARD APPROVED LAST MONTH SUPERSEDE TWO CONTRACTS THAT WE BROUGHT ACTUALLY FOR EXTENSION BACK IN JANUARY.
AND SO MS. FONG, IT WAS THE ONE, IT WAS THE ONE THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED ALONG WITH, UM, WITH JBO 7 1 7 1 9 LEASE, UH, RELOCATABLE CLASSROOMS. SO IT WAS 7 1 6 1 9 AND 7 1 7 1 9.
ONE WAS, UH, NOT 1 7, 1 6 WAS FOR THE PURCHASE.
7 1 7 WAS FOR THE LEASE OF RELOCATABLES.
UH, WHAT I DON'T HAVE FOR YOU IS THE BREAKDOWN, UM, SOME OF THE RELOCATABLES THAT, THAT WERE, THAT WERE MOVING, AS I SAID, IT'S, IT'S SOMEWHERE AROUND TWO DOZEN.
SOME ARE ARE ONES THAT WE'RE TURNING BACK IN THAT ARE LEASED, SOME ARE IN NO LONGER, UM, THEY'RE NO LONGER IN GOOD CONDITION, AND WE'RE REMOVING THEM COMPLETELY FROM THE INVENTORY.
AND SO THOSE MAY BE ONES THAT WE LEASED OR PURCHASED.
I DO NOT HAVE THE BREAKDOWN OF, OF WHICH IS, WHICH I CAN GET YOU THE NUMBER OF WHAT WE HAVE LEASED VERSUS WHAT WE HAVE PURCHASED.
SO THEN IN, I GUESS A PREVIOUS ANSWER WITH A 25, UM, THAT ARE BEING COMPLETELY REMOVED, THAT THAT'S JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED THEM ANYMORE OR BECAUSE OF FUNCTIONALITY? THAT IS, THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY TRYING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF, OF RELOCATABLES THAT WE NEED IN THIS, IN THE SYSTEM.
AND THAT'S BEEN A GOAL, UM, THAT THE COUNTY HAS, HAS ASKED US TO WORK TOWARD.
UM, WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO DO THAT LAST YEAR.
WE DID UTILIZE, UM, SOME, UH, UH, SOME CLASSROOMS, SOME RELOCATABLES THAT WE WERE IN INTENDING TO PUT OUT BECAUSE IT, THEY COULD AID US IN IN PRE-K EXPANSION.
UM, SO AGAIN, THOSE ARE, THOSE ARE VARIABLES WE HAVE TO LOOK AT FROM YEAR TO YEAR.
AND SO WE SEE PLANS LIKE FOR THE CAPITAL PROJECTS COMING AND WHICH SCHOOLS ARE GONNA BE UPDATED, REPLACED, ET CETERA.
ARE WE ABLE TO SEE, LIKE IN CONJUNCTION THE RELOCATABLES WITH
[02:45:01]
THIS? AND AGAIN, IS THAT SAME IDEA THAT AS WE SPEND MORE MONEY FOR THE CAPITAL PROJECTS, IN MY MIND, I WOULD THINK THAT WE'RE SPENDING LESS ON THE RELOCATABLES.SO THAT, THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.
IT IT DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF PROJECT AND, UM, AND, AND, AND WHY OR WHAT WE'RE, WHAT WE'RE DOING AT THE PARTICULAR SCHOOL.
UM, FOR A FEW OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THAT WE JUST COMPLETED, SUMMIT PARK AND BEDFORD, WE, UH, GREATLY INCREASED THE STATE RATED CAPACITY AT THOSE, AT THOSE SCHOOLS.
UM, RELOCATABLES WERE, OR ON SITE, I BELIEVE AT, AT BEDFORD, I CAN'T REMEMBER SUMMIT.
MS. SELECT'S SHAKING HER HEAD.
WE WERE, WE WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THEM, OBVIOUSLY THROUGH THE, THROUGH THE CAPITAL PROJECT.
UM, WE HAVE OTHERS WHERE WE KNOW WE'RE GONNA NEED, UH, RELOCATABLES ON SITE TO COMPLETE THE CAPITAL PROJECT.
UM, THE, THE BOARD HAD PRIORITIZED A REPLACEMENT AT OVERLY THAT'S SEVERAL YEARS OUT, BUT WE KNOW BECAUSE OF THEIR ANTICIPATED ENROLLMENT, WE WILL NEED RELOCATABLES AT, AT THAT SITE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.
EVERY YEAR WE LOOK AT OUR INVENTORY, WE LOOK AT OUR NEEDS, WE LOOK AT ANY ADJUSTMENTS THAT WERE MADE.
SOMETIMES, UM, THE, THE ENROLLMENT FIGURES, ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS ARE VARIABLE.
AND THEN WE MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHERE THE RELOCATABLES ARE TO MS. DOM.
DOMINO'S, EARLIER POINT, SOMETIMES WE HAVE A SCHOOL THAT HAS IT NOW A PROGRAM SHIFTS.
WE SEE THEIR ENROLLMENT IS ABOUT TO GO UP IN A YEAR.
IT'S ACTUALLY, UM, MORE COST EFFECTIVE FOR US TO LEAVE A RELOCATABLE IN PLACE FOR ONE YEAR IF WE ANTICIPATE THEY'RE GONNA USE IT AGAIN THE FOLLOWING YEAR 'CAUSE OF THE COST OF REMOVAL OR REPLACEMENT OR JUST EVEN HOOKING UP THE ELECTRIC TO IT.
MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE ON CONTRACT NUMBER 14.
THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS ON THE CONTRACTS.
IT'S THE NEXT, IT'S, IT'S ACTUALLY ME.
[O. NEW BUSINESS - DEDICATION OF BEDFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COURTYARD (Dr. Grim and Dr. Morrow) (8:35 - 8:45 p.m.)]
ON THE AGENDA IS A DEDICATION OF THE BEDFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COURTYARD.UH, DR. JONES COULD NOT BE PRESENT, AND SHE ASKED ME TO, UM, TO SIT IN THIS EVENING.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOLS TO ASK FOR THE BOARD'S APPROVAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD POLICY AND SUPERINTENDENTS RULE 75 30, NAMING OR RENAMING AN AREA OF A SCHOOL.
ITS GROUNDS TO NAME THE BEDFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COURTYARD, CONNOLLY'S COURTYARD, AND RECOGNITION OF FORMER PRINCIPAL, MS. CHRISTINA A CONNOLLY.
BASED ON HER OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TEACHING AND LEARNING IN SERVICE OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, A PLAQUE WELCOMING VISITORS TO CONNOLLY'S COURTYARD WILL BE INSTALLED IN HER HONOR UPON BOARD APPROVAL.
SO I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH MS. CONNOLLY AS PRINCIPAL AT BEDFORD.
SO IT'S A TREMENDOUS LOSS, AND THIS IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO HONOR HER MEMORY WITH THE BEDFORD COMMUNITY.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DEDICATION OF THE BEDFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COURTYARD TO FORMER PRINCIPAL CHRISTINA A CONNOLLY BY NAMING A CONNOLLY'S COURTYARD.
MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND CHI KLU.
ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE PLEASE.
[P. NEW BUSINESS - PROPOSED 2025-2026 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART (Dr. Rogers) (8:45 - 9:00 p.m.)]
THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS CONSIDERATION OF THE 20 25 20 26 ORGANIZATION CHART.AND FOR THAT, I CALL ON DR. ROGERS.
THANK YOU, CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD PLEASED TO PRESENT THE PROPOSED FY 26 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART.
UM, AS I INDICATED IN THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY UNDERSTAND, UM, THAT AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM, WE ARE IN A TIGHT FISCAL SITUATION.
I UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION OF OUR STAFF.
NO ONE WANTED TO BE IN THIS PLACE.
AND TRULY EVERYWHERE ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION IS IMPACTED.
IN THE PROPOSED ORGANIZATIONAL CHART, I WILL HIGHLIGHT THE CHANGES, A REDUCTION OF ONE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UH, UNDER CHIEF OF STAFF AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER,
[02:50:01]
A REDUCTION OF ONE, UM, EXECUTIVE, UH, DIRECTOR, AS WELL AS A NEW POSITION, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FISCAL SERVICES TO REPLACE THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER WITH A DOTTED REPORTING LINE AND CHIEF OF SCHOOLS REDUCTION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF SCHOOLS BY ONE IN ELEMENTARY AND ONE IN SECONDARY.DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED 20 25 20 26 ORGANIZATION CHART AS PRESENTED IN EXHIBIT P? SO MOVE.
DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND, HARVEY.
ANY DISCUSSION MS. HEN? I MOVE TO AMEND THE ORGANIZATION CHART TO ELEVATE THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FISCAL SERVICES TO CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER? IS THERE A SECOND TO MS. HEN'S MOTION? SECOND SULASKI.
MAY I SPEAK TO MY MOTION? YES.
UM, 16 OUT OF 24 LEAS IN MARYLAND, INCLUDING THE LARGEST LEAS IN THE STATE, UM, HAVE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHIEF POSITION AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION IS THAT THE CHIEF CARRIES, UM, WITH THE ROLE, A STRATEGIC ROLE, UM, IN ADDITION TO SERVING ON THE CABINET, AND THIS YEAR OF ANY YEAR SHOWS US HOW IMPORTANT THAT STRATEGIC POSITION IS.
AND WHILE I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS CONCERN AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY HERE, THIS IS AN INVESTMENT WE CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO MAKE.
SO I THANK YOU BOARD MEMBERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
WHEN YOU SAY ELEVATE, ARE YOU, ARE YOU SAYING IN TERMS OF TITLE OR IN TERMS OF TITLE AND COMPENSATION? MAY I RESPOND? MADAM CHAIR? YES.
UM, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
UM, I AM SUGGESTING IN TERMS OF TITLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE, UM, COMPENSATION WOULD BE DETERMINED BY SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS AND STAFF.
SO WE'VE HAD LOTS OF CONVERSATION ABOUT, UH, CENTRAL OFFICE IN THIS ROLE, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT AND OUR TEAM HAVE, OR THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS DETERMINED THAT THIS, UH, POSITION, UM, WILL MEET THE NEEDS OF THE SYSTEM, AND THAT THIS POSITION IS NOT EXCLUDED FROM THE CABINET.
SO I AM, I'M A LITTLE, UM, CONFLICTED ABOUT THE COST.
IF WE ARE ON ONE HAND SAYING WE NEED TO REDUCE CENTRAL OFFICE, WE NEED TO SAVE FUNDS WHERE WE CAN, AND THEN WE WANT TO INCREASE THOSE COSTS FOR A POSITION THAT, UH, WHERE THE DUTIES AND THE FUNCTIONS ARE STILL, ARE STILL GETTING, UM, COMPLETED.
UH, AND WE'VE JUST CHANGED THE, UH, THE TITLE AND THE LEVEL OF SUPERVISION.
I'M NOT SURE, UM, IF THAT'S NECESSARY.
SO I, I, I'D LIKE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO KIND OF SPEAK TO HER THINKING, AND MS. HEN, OF COURSE, YOU CAN RESPOND IF THE CHAIR ALLOWS.
UM, GO AHEAD, MS. HENAN, THEN DR. ROGERS WILL RESPOND VERY BRIEFLY.
I BELIEVE A POSITION OF THIS CALIBER, UM, CARRIES WITH IT A FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THEN THAT BRINGS WITH IT A FISCAL DISCIPLINE THAT WOULD MORE THAN MAKE UP FOR THE DIFFERENCE IN SALARY IN THE FISCAL DISCIPLINE THEY BRING TO THE POSITION.
IN OTHER WORDS, I BELIEVE WE WILL REALIZE THE SAVINGS IN THE DIFFERENCE IN SALARY BY HAVING SOMEONE OF THIS CALIBER IN THIS LEVEL OF POSITION THAT BRINGS THE STRATEGIC VISION AND DIRECTION THAT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM NEEDS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BLUEPRINT REQUIREMENTS.
WE NEED SOMEONE AT THIS LEVEL, UM, AND WITH THE STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THE CHIEF POSITION CARRIES WITH IT.
AGAIN, IF WE LOOK AT 16 OF THE 24 LEAS, THE, INCLUDING MONTGOMERY, INCLUDING PRINCE GEORGE'S, INCLUDING ANNE ARUNDEL, INCLUDING HOWARD, EACH OF THOSE HAS THE CFO ROLE IN ADDITION TO THE OTHERS.
IF YOU LOOK AT BY SIZE, THEY ALL HAVE CFO POSITIONS.
SO, UM, AGAIN, I, I HEAR YOU WITH THE FISCAL DISCIPLINE.
I'D BE THE FIRST TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THAT I THOUGHT WAS FISCALLY SOUND.
I BELIEVE THIS POSITION, UM, WOULD MAKE UP FOR THE, THAT IN SAVINGS IN OTHER AREAS.
THANK YOU, UH, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THIS.
UM, AS WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WE HAVE ANALYZED EVERY SINGLE
[02:55:01]
POSITION, UM, TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS FEASIBLE, WHAT WAS NOT FEASIBLE, HOW WE COULD STREAMLINE AND REDUCE POSITIONS WITHOUT IMPACTING SERVICES.WHAT'S PROBABLY DIFFERENT BETWEEN BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE OTHER SYSTEMS THAT ARE MENTIONED IS FOR THE LAST, UH, 20 YEARS, IT WASN'T UNTIL TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO THAT WE HAD A CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
THE VERY PERSON THAT IS WALKING US THROUGH THIS TOUGH FINANCIAL SITUATION IS OUR FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FISCAL SERVICES, MR. CRES, UM, WHO, UH, KNOW, UH, DISRESPECT TO ANY OTHER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER IN ANY OTHER DISTRICT, BUT I WOULD PUT UP MR. C AND HIS DEDICATION, HIS LEVEL OF RESPECT, HIS, UM, KNOWLEDGE, UM, OF FINANCIAL PROCEDURES AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARTNERS, UM, A AGAINST NGF, UH, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER IN ANY OTHER DISTRICT.
AND WHAT I BELIEVE IS WE HAVE A HISTORY OF MAKING, UH, THIS WORK.
AS THERE IS NO INCUMBENT IN THIS POSITION, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY, UM, TO CONTINUE SOME OF THE STRONG WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN, UH, FINANCES AS WELL AS SHOW TO OUR 20,000 EMPLOYEES THAT THIS IMPACT OF, UM, THESE TIGHT FINANCIAL TIMES, UH, WE ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THAT AT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE LEVEL.
AND THAT IS WHY I MADE, UM, THE RECOMMENDATION, UH, IN A WAY THAT WILL NOT IMPACT RESOURCES IN A WAY, UM, THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE THE BUDGET FORWARD, THE OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT, THE SUPPORT THAT WE PROVIDE TO OUR SCHOOLS IN TERMS OF ALL OF THE FINANCIAL WORK THAT THEY DO.
UM, THIS IS, YOU KNOW, THE DIVISION OF FISCAL SERVICES IS HOW WE PAY BILLS AND HOW WE PAY OUR EMPLOYEES, WHICH IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANT IMPORTANCE.
AND SO THIS RECOMMENDED CHANGE ALLOWS US TO KEEP ALL OF THOSE SERVICES IN THE SAME WAY WHILE ACTUALIZING, REALIZING A SAVINGS, UH, TO THE SYSTEM.
AND, UM, IT IS ALREADY OUR CURRENT PRACTICE THAT, UH, HAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS, UM, AS PART OF OUR CABINET MEETINGS PROVIDING REGULAR, ONGOING INPUT.
AND SO NOTHING WOULD BE DIFFERENT.
SO JUST SO I'M CLEAR, PRIOR TO THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE SYSTEM HAS FUNCTIONED WITH AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FISCAL SERVICES RATHER THAN A CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
AND THOSE PLANS, THOSE ORG CHARTS WERE APPROVED BY THE PREVIOUS BOARDS, AND WE, TO ANYONE'S KNOWLEDGE, DID NOT HAVE ANY SERIOUS, UH, FISCAL TRAGEDIES, I'LL SAY, UH, BASED ON THAT POSITION AND ITS EXECUTION.
YOU ARE CORRECT, MR. SARAH SERVED IN THAT CAPACITY.
FURTHER DISCUSSION, MR. MCMILLIAN.
DR. ROGERS, APPROXIMATELY HOW MUCH, MUCH MONEY WOULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE CHIEF? ARE WE TALKING $50,000 A YEAR? WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AND, UH, ASK THE TEAM THE EXACT AMOUNT OF, UM, FUNDING.
BUT WE ARE, AS WE LOOK AT THE REORGANIZATION, IT WOULDN'T JUST BE THE DIFFERENCE IN TITLE FOR COMPENSATION.
AS WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT, UH, POSITIONS WHERE WE CAN ELIMINATE REDUNDANCIES, IT ALLOWS US TO ACTUALIZE A LARGER SAVINGS.
AND I THINK THE SAVINGS THAT WE HAVE SLATED IS, UM, WELL OVER $200,000.
MR. C WILL COME FORWARD AND SHARE THAT.
FOR THE MOVES IN THE DIVISION, IT'S ABOUT 275,000.
AND SO WOULD THAT INDIVIDUAL, WOULD THAT CONTRACT BE FOR TWO YEARS OR FOUR YEARS ONGOING? UH, IT'S ONGOING NON-REPRESENTED STAFF.
UM, SO CERTAINLY, UM, AND EVERY YEAR NON-REPRESENTED STAFF, UM, YOU KNOW, UH, THEY HAVE TO SIGN A CONTRACT AGAIN ANNUALLY.
UM, CERTAINLY WHEN WE'RE IN A BETTER FISCAL POSITION.
I, I THINK, UM, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A FEW, UH, THINGS WE WOULD WANNA DO, BUT GIVEN THE CURRENT SITUATION, THAT'S WHY THIS RECOMMENDATION WAS MOVED FORWARD TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION.
JUST TO CLARIFY, THAT'S ONLY 275,000 IN SALARY, THAT'S NOT INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS ON TOP OF THAT? WELL, JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DOES NOT EARN 275,000
WE'RE THE, WE'RE THE ACTING ONE, THE DIVISION 275,000
[03:00:01]
IN SAVINGS.THIS IS A COMBINATION OF, OF ELIMINATING AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND, UH, RECLASSIFYING THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, UM, TO PUT TOGETHER THAT TOTAL PACKAGE OF, OF EFFICIENCIES.
AND THAT NUMBER YOU'VE COME UP WITH IS 275, BUT THAT RIGHT.
AND IT'S JUST AFFECTING TWO POSITIONS PLUS ONE OTHER MINOR ADJUSTMENT.
BUT THAT'S JUST SALARY THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE ANY OTHER, UM, BENEFITS THAT WOULD BE DUE TO THEM BASED UPON, YOU KNOW, THAT SALARY OR JUST OKAY.
MS. DOKI, I, I, I, I JUST REMEMBER ASKING THIS QUESTION.
DURING THE BUDGET SESSION MEETINGS, THERE WAS ACTUALLY AN INCREASE IN THE CFO LINE FROM, UM, IF YOU LOOKED AT THE CFO FOR 2025, IT WAS, UH, 375,000, AND THIS YEAR IT WAS 597,000 FOR THE 20.
SO I BELIEVE, UM, AND MR. CS, YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, I BELIEVE, UH, THAT ACCOUNTED FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE, UM, CONSULTING ADMINISTRATION, A CONSULTING ADMINISTRATOR OVER SCHOOL OPERATIONS, RIGHT.
UH, UH, POSITION THAT WAS MOVED INTO THAT DEPARTMENT.
SO IT WAS REDUCED IN ONE, UH, DEPARTMENT AS THE PRIMARY ROLE WAS IN FINANCES, AND IT WAS MOVED OVER.
SO IT WAS REDUCED IN, I THINK, THE DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOLS AND INCREASED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCES.
AND OUR DIRECTOR OF BUDGET IS SHAKING HIS HEAD IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, BUT IT'S STILL, I, I GUESS IT'S JUST KIND OF, IT'S STILL INCREASED WHERE, WHERE WAS THE COST SAVING AT THE CFO LEVEL.
SO THAT'S WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED NOW, THE COST SAVING AT THE CFO LEVEL AS PART OF THE REORGANIZATION, THIS IS GONNA BE REDUCED.
THE 597,000 THAT'S BEEN PROPOSED IN THE 26 BUDGET'S GONNA BE REDUCED BY THIS ACTION THAT WE'RE DOING TODAY.
ALL THE CHANGES THAT'LL BE IN THE COUNCIL'S BUDGET ARE NOT REFLECTED YET.
SO THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT PROPOSED AND THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.
THESE ARE THE CHANGES THAT SHE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT.
SO THE CFO REDUCTION IS NOT IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET BOOK.
THE, UH, ELIMINATION OF THE CONSULTING DIRECTOR IS NOT IN THE BUDGET BOOK.
SO THERE'S A, A WHOLE SLEW OF CHANGES TO HIT THE C'S TARGET THAT WAS FROM THE PROPOSED BOOK, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY GET INTO THE ADOPTED BOOK.
J JUST ONE, JUST SO I'M CLEAR.
SO THE 200 PLUS THOUSAND THAT WE'RE GONNA SAVE IS GONNA COME OUT OF THAT 597 LINE LIKE THAT, THAT'S GONNA BE ADJUSTED IN THE NET.
LIKE, SO THE 70, ROUGHLY $72 MILLION IN REDUCTIONS FROM THE BOARD PROPOSED BUDGET TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE BUDGET INCLUDES THOSE SAVINGS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS ONE RIGHT NOW.
THIS, YES, IT WILL, WILL REDUCE.
IT WILL, WHEN YOU GET A FINAL BOOK, IT, THAT 509 7 WILL REFLECT THAT THE 200,000.
AND IT'LL, SORRY, I DIDN'T INTERRUPT YOU.
IT'LL OFFSET, YOU KNOW, THE INCREASE YOU SAW LAST YEAR, IT WILL GO DOWN AGAIN, WHICH I THINK IS WHAT YOU'RE EXPECTING.
SO IT WAS INFERRED THAT, UM, IN SOME WAY MY MOTIONS SLIGHTS, MR. CI WANNA BE CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT IN NO WAY DOES MY MOTION DO THAT.
UM, THIS IS PURELY IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM MOVING FORWARD.
UM, THIS, THIS MOTION ELEVATES THE, THE POSITION IN CHARGE OF THE FINANCES, THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE, OF THE SYSTEM, WHICH WE DELEGATE AS A BOARD TO AN INDIVIDUAL.
MR. HARRIS HAS DONE A FINE JOB.
I'VE WORKED WITH HIM ON THIS BOARD FOR NINE YEARS.
AND IF, IF ANYTHING IT GIVES HIM, HIM OR WHOEVER IS IN THIS ROLE, A SEAT AT THE TABLE, AND 275,000, ANY CFO WORTH, THEIR SALT CAN MAKE THAT UP IN A YEAR IN TERMS OF THE VALUE THAT THEY BRING AND THE COST SAVINGS THAT THEY BRING SIMPLY IN THEIR EXPERIENCE THAT THEY BRING TO THE TABLE IN THEIR INPUT, IN THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE EACH AND EVERY DAY ON THE CABINET.
SO, UM, I, I DON'T WANNA BE, UM, PENNY FOOLISH.
WHEN WE MAKE THIS DECISION AS A BOARD, WE NEED TO BE THINKING IN THE LONG TERM BEST INTEREST OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, WHAT'S GOING TO BENEFIT CHILDREN LONG TERM.
AND THAT'S THE, THE COMPOUNDED, UM, FISCAL SE WHAT MAKES SENSE OVER THE LONG TERM.
SO, AND I THINK ELEVATING THIS POSITION TO LOOK OUT FOR, UM, THE FISCAL BEST SENSE OF THE SYSTEM IS WHAT MAKES SENSE
[03:05:01]
LONG BEYOND WHAT, WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN ONE YEAR.UM, IF WE BRING, DO BRING IN AN EXTERNAL CANDIDATE, THEY'RE GONNA NEED TO COME UP TO SPEED, THEY'RE GONNA NEED TO BE IN THE ROOM WHEN DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE.
AND SO WHEN I LOOK AT THIS ORG CHART, I SEE THE DIAL DOTTED LINE GOING STRAIGHT UP TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, WHICH SAYS THAT IT'S GONNA BE A PART, IT'S GONNA BE, HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.
UM, AND IF WE REALLY WANNA TALK ABOUT LIKE, WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, WE LOOK AT BALTIMORE COUNTY CENTRAL OFFICE.
IT IS THE SMALLEST CENTRAL OFFICE COMPARED TO ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT OUR SIZE.
AND SO I WOULD LOVE TO BRING BACK AND, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITIONS, I WOULD LOVE A DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT.
I WOULD LOVE SOME MORE CHIEFS.
AND, AND IF WE'RE, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE WANNA GO BACK, THEY WANNA GO BACK TO A TIME WHEN THEY FELT LIKE BALTIMORE COUNTY WAS IN ITS GLORY DAYS AND THAT WE HAD AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF, THERE WAS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THEN.
AND SO, UM, SO I HEAR WHAT MS. HEN IS SAYING, AND, AND I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, BUT WE, GIVEN THE TIME THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW AND THE, THE TOUGH FISCAL, UM, TIMES THAT WE ARE IN, UM, AND, AND RECOGNIZING THAT THIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS GOING TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE WITH THE CHIEFS, UM, I, I, I DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN, IF WE'RE, IF WE'RE GONNA TRY TO MAKE THE ARGUMENT TO BE LIKE A MONTGOMERY COUNTY OR TO BE LIKE A ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY WITH THEIR CHIEFS, THEN WE NEED TO ADD A LOT MORE POSITIONS BACK INTO CENTRAL OFFICE.
WE'RE DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN.
I FEEL LIKE RIGHT NOW, GIVEN THE FISCAL CLIMATE THAT WE ARE IN, UM, I WOULD LOVE TO HONOR THE, THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAD WITH THE, THE TEACHERS.
UM, I WOULD LOVE TO DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS, BUT WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY IN BALTIMORE COUNTY RIGHT NOW.
AND SO WE HAVE TO MAKE THESE TOUGH DECISIONS.
AND THIS IS A TOUGH DECISION TO MAKE.
BUT, UM, THE, I I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHY THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS RECOMMENDED THIS.
I'M MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WHO THAN THE TITLE.
SO TO ME, IT'S MAKING SURE THAT HR DOES THEIR DUE DILIGENCE, THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT DOES, THAT WHOMEVER WE PICK, WHETHER THE TITLE WAS GONNA BE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, THAT THIS PERSON CAN DO THE WORK THAT WE NEED TO REDUCING HER CABINET IS RE IS GONNA MOST DETRIMENT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.
THESE ARE HER RIGHT HANDS WHO SHE'S DOING FOR CABINET, FOR HER TO REDUCE IT, THEN SHE HAS FAITH THAT SHE CAN ACCOMPLISH WHAT SHE NEEDS TO ACCOMPLISH, PICK THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO DO THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
BUT TO ME, WE CAN CALL THEM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, BUT IF THEY'RE NOT THE RIGHT PERSON, IT'S NOT GONNA MATTER.
SO WHETHER THEY'RE AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR THEY'RE CFO, I THINK IT'S THE QUALITY AND THE COMPETENCY OF WHO IS SELECTED.
SO IF THE SUPERINTENDENT IS SAYING THAT SHE CAN DO THE WORK, THAT SHE CAN USE THEM STRATEGICALLY, UM, THEN I THINK THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROLE HAS WORKED IN THE PAST AS WE SEE RIGHT HERE, UM, AND CAN CONTINUE TO WORK IN THE FUTURE.
ANY FINAL, MS. LESKI? THANK YOU.
I JUST HAVE A QUESTION OF CLARIFICATION.
SO, UM, IF WE STICK WITH THE, IF THE MOTION IS MADE FOR THE CFO, IT WAS, IT WAS STATED, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT IT'S CORRECT THAT IT, IT MAY OR MAY NOT INFLUENCE A CHANGE IN DOLLAR AMOUNT DEPENDING ON THE CANDIDATE.
AND, AND IN TERMS OF THE, THE AMOUNT OF SALARY, MAY I RESPOND MADAM CHAIR? I I, IS THAT A QUESTION FOR STAFF OR WHAT ARE YOU SORRY.
I BELIEVE SOMEBODY ASKED ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE POSITIONS AND WOULD THE DIFFERENCE, YOU MEAN THE 275,000 THEY WERE DISCUSSING? WELL, THE, THE DIFFERENCE IN THE SALARIES BETWEEN RIGHT.
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE POSITION VERSUS CO.
SO IT WAS STATED THAT IT MAY OR MAY NOT INVOLVE A SALARY DIFFERENCE.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S CORRECT.
NO, THE POSITIONS, UH, DIFFERENT POSITIONS CARRY DIFFERENT SALARIES.
SO THERE IS A SALARY REDUCTION, BUT WHAT, UH, MR. C AND MYSELF, UH, WERE EXPLAINING IS THAT THIS IS A, UH, PACKAGE, THIS IS PART OF THE REDUCTION IN THE, UH, DIVISION OF FINANCE.
AND SO THAT'S WHERE THE $275,000 ITEM CAME FROM.
OKAY, SO WE HAVE HAD A SECOND ON THE MOTION AND DISCUSSION.
SO MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE ON MS. HEN'S MOTION TO, UM, MS. GOBERT, DO YOU HAVE THE WORDING OF THE, OF HER MOTION AMENDMENT? I MEAN, AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION? YOU WANNA REPEAT IT? MS. NI BELIEVE I'M OUTTA TIME ACCORDING TO MR. BURNS, SO I BELIEVE HER AMENDMENT.
YOU MAY REPEAT YOUR AMENDMENT.
MY, MY MOTION WAS TO AMEND THE
[03:10:01]
ORGANIZATION CHART TO ELEVATE THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FISCAL SERVICES TO CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.MAY HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE ON HER AMENDED MOTION, PLEASE.
MS. LICHTER NO FAVOR IS THREE.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE WE ALREADY DID THAT.
WE ALREADY HAVE THE MOTION AND THE SECOND FOR THE ORIGINAL MOTION, CORRECT? CORRECT.
SO MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED 20 25 20 26 ORGANIZATION CHART AS PRESENTED IN EXHIBIT P.
[Q. NEW BUSINESS - BUDGET (Mr. Sarris) (9:00 - 9:20 p.m.)]
ON THE AGENDA IS THE CONSIDERATION OF THE PROPOSED FY 2025 BAIT BAIT, SORRY, BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFER, AND THAT WE'RE GONNA CALL MR. SARAHSO, GOOD EVENING AND 'CAUSE WE HAVEN'T TALKED ENOUGH ABOUT FISCAL SERVICES.
WE'RE, UH, HERE TO PRESENT THE ANNUAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFER AS WELL AS THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION.
AND THIS IS, UH, VERY COMPARABLE TO THE FY 24 BUDGET, APPROPRIATION, TRANSFER, AND SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS.
AND I WILL GIVE YOU OVER TO, UH, MR. TANIFF, OUR DIRECTOR OF BUDGET AND REPORTING, WHO WILL, UH, PROVIDE THE DETAILS.
BOARD CHAIR, UH, LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, DR. ROGERS AND BOARD MEMBERS, UH, BCPS TONIGHT IS REQUESTING APPROVAL OF A GENERAL FUND BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFER, OR A BAT AS IT'S COMMONLY CALLED TOTALING 17.3 MILLION, AND A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF 35.04 MILLION.
THE BCPS BUDGET CONSISTS OF 13 SEPARATE APPROPRIATIONS BY ACTIVITIES PRESCRIBED BY THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
TRANSFERS OF FUNDS BETWEEN ACTIVITIES REQUIRES APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD OF ED AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL.
THIS ANNUAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFER WILL REALIGN FUNDS BY CATEGORY WITH PLANNED AND PROJECTED YEAR-END EXPENSES.
FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE DUE TO SAVINGS AND SALARY EXPENDITURES FROM HIGHER THAN EXPECTED TURNOVER, REORGANIZATIONS AND USE OF GRANT FUNDING.
THE PROPOSED TRANSFERS ARE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE FY 25 OPERATING PLAN, IMPLEMENT THE TEACHER SUBSTITUTE CONTRACT, PROVIDE, UH, FOR THE PRIVATE BLUEPRINT, PRIVATE PROVIDER PRE-K PROGRAM, PROVIDE FOR STUDENT TRANSPORTATION, UTILITIES, AND MAINTENANCE OF PLANT.
BECAUSE BCPS CONTAINS NO CONTINGENCY BUDGET, THE ONLY WAY TO MANAGE UNANTICIPATED EXPENSES DURING THE YEAR IS VIA AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET.
A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION IS REQUIRED TO REALIGN BUDGET TO ACTUAL EXPENDITURES IN FY 25 OF THE 35.04 MILLION.
10.5 MILLION IS FOR YEAR TWO OF THE ORACLE ERP IMPLEMENTATION WITH THE REMAINDER OF FUNDS TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE BAT SUPPORT, SHORTFALLS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, AND MAINTAIN THE TARGETED FUND BALANCE AT YEAR END.
WE'RE NOW HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
BEFORE WE DO THE QUESTIONS, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED FFY 2025 BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFER AS PRESENTED IN EXHIBIT Q1? THANK YOU.
DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND LESKI.
ANY DISCUSSION MS. DOKI? YEAH, US.
UM, NOT ON, ON THE BAT, IT SAYS THERE'S A 7 MILLION DECREASE TO THE INSTRUCTIONAL SALARIES.
ARE THESE JUST POSITIONS THAT WE DIDN'T FILL, OR ARE THESE, UM, DECREASES IN SALARIES OF, OF INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF? CORRECT.
IT'S JUST, UH, NORMAL TURNOVER IN VACANCIES THAT OCCUR DURING THE BUDGET.
IT'S A VERY SMALL PERCENT OF THE TOTAL, UM, ACTIVITY.
SO IT'S NOT ANY POSITIONS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE NEEDED TO ELIMINATE OR THEY'RE JUST, THEY, NO, THOSE ARE ALL SCHOOL-BASED POSITIONS AND NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN FROZEN.
[03:15:01]
AS WE CAN.OTHER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, MS. HEN? THANK YOU.
UM, THE TRANSFER OF 4.5 MILLION FROM CNI THAT WAS USED TO FORWARD PURCHASE MATERIALS USING MARYLAND LEADS FUNDS.
CAN YOU SPEAK TO WHAT THOSE, UM, MATERIALS WERE THAT WERE FORWARD PURCHASED? UM, MAYBE DR.
DEDO, I THINK IT'S THE SCIENCE OF READING THAT WAS FUNDED.
I'M GONNA JUST LET, UH, MR. SARAH KEEP GOING.
YOU'RE, YOU'RE ON A ROLL THERE.
LOOK, I CAME UP AND YOU GOT IT.
UM, MARILYN LEADS, UM, HAD SEVERAL STRANDS AND THEN ONE OF 'EM BEING THE SCIENCE OF READING.
SO WE WERE ABLE TO PRE-PURCHASE, UM, FOR FY 25, UM, USING MARYLAND LEAD FUNDS, LIKE OUR OPEN COURT MATERIALS.
SO THE MONEY THAT WAS ALLOCATED FOR LIKE OUR TEXTBOOK OPEN COURT MATERIALS, FOR EXAMPLE, WE WERE ABLE TO HOLD THAT MONEY, NOT SPEND IT, USE THE MARYLAND LEADS TO PURCHASE THOSE MATERIALS.
LIKEWISE, WE WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE SOME OF OUR HOOD AND MIFFLIN MATERIALS FROM OUR READING SERIES USING MARYLAND LEADS.
'CAUSE AGAIN, IT'S ALIGNED WITH THE SCIENCE OF READING.
SO IT WAS AN APPROVED EXPENDITURE, SO WE WERE OPTIMIZING GRANT FUNDS AND THEN THAT MONEY WAS ABLE TO BE HELD, UM, INSTEAD OF USING IT FROM OUR TEXTBOOK FUND, WHICH THEN COULD BE RETURNED BACK.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE PROPOSED FY 22 24 5 BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFER.
AND YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS, BUT I'LL READ MY SCRIPT.
THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS A CONSIDERATION OF THE PROPOSED FFY 2025 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION.
AND AGAIN, I CALL ON MR. C AND I'LL LET, UH, MR. TANIFF REVIEW THIS AS WELL.
IT'S, UH, A LOT OF THE SAME ITEMS FROM LAST YEAR.
UH, AND AS I MENTIONED, THE SUPPLEMENTALS REQUIRED TO REALIGN BUDGET EXPENDITURES IN FY 25.
IT TIES VERY CLOSELY TO THE BAT AS A PACKAGE.
UM, AND AS I MENTIONED, THE 35 MILLION REQUESTED 10 AND A HALF IS FOR YEAR TWO OF ORACLE.
IF YOU RECALL LAST YEAR, WE CAME AND DID A SUPPLEMENTAL FOR YEAR ONE OF THE ORACLE ERP IMPLEMENTATION AND THE REMAINDER OF THE FUNDS TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE, UH, BAT SUPPORT SHORTFALLS AND SPECIAL ED AND REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, AND MAINTAIN OUR TARGETED FUND BALANCE AT YEAR END.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED FY 2025 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION AS PRESENTED EXHIBIT Q2? SO MOVED ST.
DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND HARVEY.
ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE PLEASE.
CONTINUING WITH THE MR. SARAHS AGENDA ITEM, MR. SARAHS DON'T GO ANYWHERE.
[R. REPORT - BUDGET (Mr. Sarris) (9:20 - 9:40 p.m.) POSTPONED FROM 4/8/25]
ON THE AGENDA IS THE REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR THE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH, 2025.AND, UH, THIS IS A NEW ITEM FOR OUR BOARD AGENDA.
UM, IN APRIL, I BELIEVE WE HAD, UH, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY TO PRESENT.
AND, UH, ANOTHER MONTH HAS ELAPSED SINCE THEN.
SO I NOW AM PRESENTING A FULL QUARTER OF FINANCIAL DATA, AND I'M GOING TO START AT THE END HERE WITH MARCH, BECAUSE THAT REPRESENTS BASICALLY THREE QUARTERS OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
AND THEN IF WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, I'M HAPPY TO TAKE THOSE.
SO IN SUMMARY, UH, AS I SAID, UH, WE HAVE OUR REVENUE, UH, COLLECTIONS THROUGH THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THE YEAR ARE AT 74.6%.
SO THAT IS, UH, A, UH, ON TRACK.
MOST OF THE REVENUE COMES FROM THE STATE AND IN, UH, IN THE COUNTY.
THE STATE PAYS US EVERY TWO MONTHS.
THE COUNTY, UH, WE TYPICALLY DRAW AGAINST OUR GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION ON A BIWEEKLY BASIS.
AND SO, UM, THOSE REVENUES ARE
[03:20:01]
RECORDED AS THEY'RE RECEIVED.AND IT'S FAIRLY CONSISTENT WITH THE CALENDAR YEAR BECAUSE PAYROLL DRIVES THE WHOLE THING.
UM, IN TERMS OF EXPENDITURES AND ENCUMBRANCES, UH, WE ARE, UH, AT 73.8% OF THE BUDGET.
AND SO THAT AGAIN, ALIGNS, UH, YOU KNOW, MAYBE SHOULD I BE READING FROM THE POWERPOINT
UM, YEAH, I'M DOING THIS FROM THE FULL REPORT.
SORRY, UH, FOR CONFUSING EVERYBODY.
UM, SO AGAIN, REVENUES EXPENSES ARE, UH, IN, IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE, UM, PERCENT OF THE YEAR THAT'S ELAPSED, UH, BY EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES.
I WANTED TO GO THROUGH EACH OF THOSE.
YOU'LL NOTE, UH, THAT ADMINISTRATIVE NON-SALARY COSTS ARE, UH, APPROXIMATELY, UM, 131%, UH, OVERSPENT.
AND THAT IS DUE TO THE ERP PROJECT, WHICH IS A NON BUDGETED PROJECT, AND, UH, COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
AND WE AGREED LAST YEAR FOR THE FIRST PART OF THE PROJECT THAT WE WOULD, UM, APPROPRIATE A PORTION OF FUND BALANCE TO PAY THOSE FEES.
AND SO THAT'S WHY, UH, YOU SEE THE BUDGET OVERSPENT AND IS THE, THE FOUNDATION FOR BOTH THE BAT AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION TO, UH, BRING THAT INTO ALIGNMENT.
UM, INSTRUCTIONAL SALARIES, AGAIN, ARE PERFECTLY IN LINE WITH THE PERCENT OF THE YEAR ELAPSED, AND THAT IS ALSO TRUE FOR INSTRUCTIONAL TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLIES AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS.
SPECIAL EDUCATION YOU'LL ALSO NOTE IS, UH, THE NON-SALARY PORTION 107.5% OVER BUDGET.
AND THAT IS, UM, THE BIGGEST SINGLE ITEM ON EITHER THE BAT OR THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION.
IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO, UH, PRIOR YEARS IN WHICH, UH, WE HAVE, UH, INCREASED THE SALARIES FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE, UH, RELATED SERVICES, UH, ARE EXPANDING.
UM, AND THE TUITION INCREASES FOR NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE DRIVING ALL OF THIS.
AND AGAIN, IT'S BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE, UH, IN BOTH THE BAT AND THE, UH, SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION THAT WE'VE CONSIDERED TONIGHT.
UH, TRANSPORTATION NON-SALARY EXPENSES ARE AT 105.4% OVER BUDGET, UM, DUE TO THE INCREASED NEED FOR CONTRACTORS AND THE VARIABLE COST OF FUEL, THAT IS ALSO AN ITEM ADDRESSED IN THE BAT.
AND SUPPLEMENT, UH, MAINTENANCE OF PLANT AND CAPITAL OUTLAY, UH, ARE AT 119% OF BUDGET.
AND THOSE ARE REALLY DUE TO, UH, NOT JUST ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, BUT UNEXPECTED REPAIRS.
AND AS MR. TANIFF SAID, WE DON'T BUDGET FOR CONTINGENCE.
SO, UH, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE ADDRESSED IN THE BAT AND THE SUPPLEMENT AS WELL.
AND, UM, IPOL, UH, WE ALSO HAVE A SUMMARY OF GRANTS, UH, EVERY THREE MONTHS.
AND I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT, UH, ITEM IN THAT PART OF THE REPORT IS THAT WE HAVE FULLY EXPENDED ALL OF OUR COVID RELIEF ESTHER, UH, FEDERAL FUNDS, UH, WELL WITHIN THE, UH, UH, MOST RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
SO, UH, WHILE THE STATE OF MARYLAND HAS ACCUMULATED $233 MILLION OF UNSPENT REQUESTS, WE HAVE FULLY SPENT THAT MONEY.
AND I REALLY THINK THAT WAS AN OUTSTANDING EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO MAKE REALLY GOOD USE OF THAT.
AND I'LL JUST REMIND EVERYBODY, MOST OF IT DID GO IN THE FORM OF TEACHER COMPENSATION AND EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION OVERALL.
UM, AND I AM REALLY SORRY FOR TOTALLY MISSING THE BOAT ON THE
THAT'S JUST HOW OUT OF DATE I AM.
[03:25:01]
TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS FOR MR. CS ON THE FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY, OR MARCH? MS. DOKI? YES.
UM, THE, SO THE, THE SECOND LARGEST PIECE OF THE PIE IS THE, THE FIXED CHARGES, AND THEN ABOUT 80% OF THAT COMES FROM FICA AND HEALTH INSURANCE EMPLOYER.
AND JUST TO, SO I'M SURE THAT ALL, WE DON'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING SAY IN THAT AS FAR AS THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT DOES ALL OF THAT.
WE, I MEAN, OUR, THE HEALTHCARE IS, IS HUGE AND THAT FLUCTUATES WITH BOTH THE ENROLLMENT, THE CHOICE OF PLANS THAT PEOPLE MAKE, NOT THE ENROLLMENT, THE CENSUS OF, OF EMPLOYEES AND, UM, RATE ADJUSTMENTS EVERY YEAR.
AND SO, UH, WE WORK TOGETHER WITH THE COUNTY.
THEY MANAGE THE, IT'S THEIR CONTRACT WITH THE PROVIDER, IN THIS CASE, CIGNA, BLUE CROSS AND KAISER.
AND SO WE JUST WORK WITH THEM TO, WE PROVIDE 'EM THE CENSUS DATA AND, AND THE SELECTIONS MADE BY THE EMPLOYEES, FAMILY, INDIVIDUAL, ET CETERA.
AND YES, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH A DONE DEAL.
WE EXPECTED A 5% PREMIUM RATE THIS YEAR.
SO THAT IS PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY'S ACTUARY, BOLTON PARTNERS.
SO YEAH, THEY PRETTY MUCH, UH, TAKE OUR DATA AND GIVE US A BUDGET FIGURE.
SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN AS FAR, LIKE, YOU WERE EXPECTING A 5%, BUT YOU GOT 8%.
IS THAT GOOD OR BAD? UH, WELL, IT COSTS ANOTHER $3 MILLION, SO NOT GOOD.
[S. REPORT - 2020 OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDIT UPDATE (Mr. Sarris, Mr. McCall, and Mr. Corns) (9:40 - 10:00 p.m.) POSTPONED FROM 4/8/25]
ON THE AGENDA IS THE REPORT ON THE 2020 OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDIT UPDATE.AND FOR THAT I CALL MS. SARAH.
MR. MCCALL AND MR. KOS, YOU AT LEAST GET SOME FRIENDS THIS TIME.
I THINK I'M IN THE RIGHT SEAT.
SO WE'RE GONNA, AND I GET TO START.
UM, SO I WANTED TO, UH, THANK EVERYONE AGAIN FOR BEING SO PATIENT.
HOW ABOUT MAYBE PAGE TWO? THANK YOU.
UM, SO BCPS WORKED WITH THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDITS, UH, LAST, UH, IN THE PERIOD FROM JULY OF 2015 TO NOVEMBER OF 2020, AND THAT'S NOVEMBER 19TH, 2020 IS WHEN THE FULL REPORT WAS RELEASED.
AND, UH, THAT REPORT IS AVAILABLE ONLINE.
AND IN THAT REPORT, IN THE APPENDIX OF THAT REPORT ARE OUR INITIAL RESPONSES.
UM, THESE, UH, AUDITS ROTATE THROUGH THE STATE, NOT JUST SCHOOL SYSTEMS, BUT, UH, STATE COLLEGES AND STATE AGENCIES ARE ALL SUBJECT TO A PERIODIC REVIEW.
OURS SCHOOL SYSTEMS TRADITIONALLY TAKE PLACE ON A SIX, FIVE TO SIX YEAR, FIVE TO SIX YEAR CYCLE.
UM, AND IT, IT DOES TAKE AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF TIME AND RESOURCES, UH, AS WE ASSIST THE AUDITORS IN PROVIDING DATA TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.
UH, SO THE ORIGINAL AUDIT CYCLE FOR US CAME UP AGAIN IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR.
AND AS WE ARE HEAVILY, UH, INVOLVED IN THE ORACLE PROJECT, UH, AND MIGRATING ALL OF OUR DATA AND REPORTING RESOURCES, UH, FOR A JULY ONE GO LIVE DATE IN HUMAN RESOURCES AND PAYROLL, WHICH, UH, IS I THINK MAYBE THE MOST CRITICAL PORTION OF THIS PROJECT TO PAY PEOPLE CORRECTLY.
AND BECAUSE IT WON'T BE COMPLETE TILL MARCH OF NEXT YEAR.
UM, AND BASED ON PRIOR EXPERIENCE, WE FELT THAT IT WAS, UH, WORTH CONSIDERING A REQUEST, UH, FOR A ONE YEAR DELAY IN THE PROJECT JUST BASED ON, UH, WHAT WE KNOW ARE HUGE, UH, FOCUS ON, ON DEPARTMENT OF IT AND FISCAL SERVICES.
UM, AND SO THAT REQUEST WAS MADE, UH, AND GRANTED SO THAT, UH, WE CAN FINISH THIS PROJECT AND ACTUALLY HAVE A FULL SET OF DATA TO PROVIDE
[03:30:01]
THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITORS.UH, AND IT PART OF DOING THAT WAS TO, UM, DEMONSTRATE THAT WE HAD FULLY ADDRESSED THE ISSUES AND THE FINDINGS THAT WERE, UH, PRODUCED IN, IN THE LAST AUDIT REPORT IN 2020.
SO, I JUST WANNA GO THROUGH THESE QUICKLY.
UH, FINDING NUMBER ONE, PROCUREMENTS WERE NOT ALWAYS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ESTABLISHED POLICIES IN THIS CASE, BCPS POLICIES OR APPLICABLE STATE LAW.
AND THAT WAS COMPLETED, UH, OCTOBER 31ST, 2021.
UH, THE SECOND FINDING BCPS WRITTEN POLICY DID NOT DEFINE CRITERIA FOR WHAT CONSTITUTES A CONTRACT MODIFICATION AND DID NOT REQUIRE A SIGNED CONTRACT MODIFICATION TO SUPPORT CHANGES TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
AND WE COMPLETED THAT MARCH 30TH, 2022, UH, FINDING NUMBER THREE BCPS DID NOT USE AN ICPA, UH, WHICH IS A TERM FOR INTER-AGENCY COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT, UH, RECOGNIZED BY, UH, THE STATE FOR PURCHASING SCHOOL BUSES AND LIMITED COMPETITION FOR THOSE PROCUREMENTS.
AND THAT BCPS ALSO DID NOT MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION, UH, SURROUNDING OUR DECISION TO EXPLAIN IT.
UM, WE ADDRESSED THAT AND COMPLETED THAT ISSUE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020.
UH, FINDING NUMBER FOUR BCPS DID NOT HAVE A WRITTEN POLICY REQUIRING THE DOCUMENTATION OF THE RECEIPT OF GOODS AND SERVICES PRIOR TO MAKING THE RELATED PAYMENT.
UM, AND WE PERMITTED THE PREPAYMENT OF VENDORS FOR SERVICES WITHOUT A FORMAL BCPS POLICY TO THAT EFFECT.
AND BCPS DID NOT ENSURE THAT CONTRACTS WERE PROPERLY EXECUTED PRIOR TO PAYMENT.
THE BULK OF THAT WAS COMPLETED BY APRIL 15TH, 2022.
AND WE, UM, WILL HAVE INCORPORATED THAT IN THE DESIGN OF OUR ORACLE FINANCIAL SERVICES PACKAGE.
AND SO THAT WILL BE COMPLETED MARCH OF 2026, AND MR. MCCALL HAS THE NEXT ITEM.
AS YOU NOTICE HERE, WE HAVE AN ASTERISK NEXT TO FINDING FIVE.
WHAT DOES ASTERISK MEAN? THAT MEANS THAT WAS A REPEAT.
AND OF COURSE, I'M SAYING THAT TO TELL YOU THAT BEFORE ANY OF YOU WERE HERE ON THE DEUS AND BEFORE ANY OF US WERE HERE IN THESE SEATS HERE, UH, THIS FINDING, UH, WAS, WAS DISCOVERED.
AND OF COURSE, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO CORRECT IT? OF COURSE, AT THE TIME, THERE WAS AN INDEPENDENT, UH, REVIEW AND APPROVAL WERE NOT BEING CONDUCTED AT THE TIME, UH, WHEN, UH, PAYROLL TRANSACTIONS OR CERTAIN PERSONNEL TRANSACTIONS WERE TAKING PLACE.
AND THAT RESULTED IN OVERPAYMENT OF SIX INDIVIDUALS THAT, UH, RESULTED IN, IN A TOTAL OF 70,000, UH, DOLLARS, A LITTLE OVER $70,000 SINCE THEN, THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED SEPTEMBER 15TH TO 2020.
UH, AND OF COURSE, YOU HEAR THE RECURRING THEME ABOUT THE ERP SYSTEM.
THAT, OF COURSE, UH, IS, UH, WITH THE ANTICIPATION OF THE AUTOMATION, UH, PROCESSES WILL TAKE PLACE, UH, WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION, PARTICULARLY FOR HR ON JULY 1ST, 2025.
UH, SO FINDING, UH, SIX THROUGH NINE THAT WERE DOCUMENTED IN, UM, THE APPENDIX OF OUR 2020.
UM, OUR, OUR 2020, UH, AUDIT REPORT, UM, WERE, UH, ALL BASED ON, UM, OUR, UM, TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE, UH, THROUGH THE RECOVERY FROM THE CYBER ATTACK THAT OCCURRED, UM, ABOUT FIVE DAYS AFTER THAT REPORT WAS RELEASED, UH, WE WERE ABLE TO ADDRESS, UM, BY PREDOMINANTLY REMOVING ALL OF THE ACID FINDINGS THAT WERE PRESENT, UM, IN OUR RECOVERY EFFORTS.
UM, WE HAVE, UM, SINCE THAT TIME ENGAGED IN, UM, FREQUENT RIGOROUS PENETRATION TESTINGS.
UM, ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS WE DO A NEW PENETRATION TESTING.
AND, UM, WE'VE ALSO ENGAGED IN, UM, OUR CYBER INSURANCE, UM, THROUGH MAE.
THE RECERTIFICATION OF THAT ACTUALLY REQUIRED MAE TO COME AND, UH, PLACE DEVICES ON OUR NETWORK TO DO THOROUGH, UM, UH, REPORTING ON OUR, UM, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND, UH, AND WHEN THEY CAME BACK WITH OUR FINDINGS, WE ONLY HAD, UH, ONE THAT WAS, UM, ABOUT A PIECE OF DOCUMENTATION
[03:35:01]
NEEDED TO BE ADDED, BUT THAT WAS THE ONLY SUBSTANTIVE FINDING THEY HAD.UH, DURING THAT, OUR PENETRATION TESTINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN RUNNING HAVE NOT COME BACK WITH ANY SUBSTANTIVE FINDING OVER THE LAST THREE.
SO THOSE ALL ADDED TO THE, UM, THE DOCUMENTATION WE PROVIDED TO THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDIT, UH, TO ALLOW THEM TO UNDERSTAND OUR MOVEMENTS.
UM, BECAUSE OF BALTIMORE COUNTY'S RANSOMWARE INCIDENT, UH, CYBER ATTACK INCIDENT, UM, THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDIT HAS NOW STARTED TO REDACT ALL IT FINDINGS AND ALL SUBSEQUENT AUDITS.
SO IF, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU LOOK AT THE MOST RECENT ONE THEY'VE DONE IN A SCHOOL SYSTEM, YOU MAY FIND THE NUMBER OF FINDINGS THAT A SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS IN THEIR IT DEPARTMENT, BUT YOU WILL NOT SEE DETAILS OF IT BECAUSE, UH, THERE WAS A, UH, CONCERN BY OLA THAT, UH, THE FINDINGS AS ADVERTISED WERE A ROADMAP THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR BAD ACTORS, UM, UH, COMPROMISE SYSTEMS. SO AS A RESULT OF OUR INCIDENT, UH, SUBSEQUENT, UM, REPORTS WILL NOT HAVE DETAIL OF THAT EFFECT.
UM, THE, UH, RESPONSES THAT WE DID PROVIDE BACK, UH, FELL UNDER THE SAME CATEGORY OF, UH, PRIVILEGED INFORMATION ABOUT CYBERSECURITY PRESENCE.
SO THAT'S WHY WE HAVE NOT PROVIDED DIRECTLY WHAT THEY WERE, UM, IN A, BUT IN A VERY HIGH LEVEL, I CAN SAY THAT BASED ON THE REPORT THAT WE, WE DID, UH, BACK IN, UM, IN DECEMBER OF 21 AND, UM, UH, DATA WE WERE PROVIDED, UH, OLA WAS SATISFIED WITH OUR RESPONSES TO THOSE.
GRIB ELECTED TO HAVE ME ALSO PRESENT THAT, UH, THERE'S A TRANSPORTATION FINDING, UH, THAT WE COMPLETED IN, ON SEPTEMBER 15TH THAT WAS BASED ON, UM, UH, THE WAY THAT WE WERE DOING ROUTING AND THE WAY THAT WE'RE DOING ROUTING SOFTWARE AND, UH, IN OUR RECOVERY FROM OUR, UH, CYBER ATTACK.
UH, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE STOOD BACK UP IN A WAY THAT ADDRESSED THIS CON THIS CONCERN.
UH, THE LAST FINDING 11, UH, RELATED TO, UH, HEALTHCARE CLAIMS. AND AS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, UH, WE AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT ARE SELF INSURED FOR HEALTHCARE, WHICH MEANS THAT WE PAY THE BILLS AND WE HAVE A THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR THAT PROCESSES THE CLAIMS. AND, UM, THE, UH, OF COURSE, THE ANNUAL CLAIMS IN THIS YEAR OF 2019 WERE $152.2 MILLION.
THEY'RE UP TO ABOUT $200 MILLION FOR NEXT YEAR.
AND, UH, THEY ASKED US TO ENSURE, UH, THAT THESE CLAIMS HAD BEEN REVIEWED BY A THIRD PARTY.
AND, UM, IN THIS INTERVENING PERIOD, UH, THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN THAT EFFORT, AT LEAST FOR PRESCRIPTION CLAIMS, THAT IT'S REALLY NOT SOMETHING WE CAN AUDIT BECAUSE WE'RE SORT OF A SUBSIDIARY OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT THAT MANAGES THE WHOLE, UH, PROCESS AND VENDOR RELATIONSHIP.
UH, AND SO, UH, I HAVE ASKED THEM TO LET US KNOW WHEN, UH, THEY PLAN TO AUDIT THE MEDICAL CLAIMS PORTION OF THE PROGRAM, AND WE'LL PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, UH, AS SOON AS WE HAVE IT.
UM, AND THE FINAL PAGE HERE IS THAT, UM, AS I'VE SAID, THE AUDITOR RECEIVED THIS, OUR INFORMATION IN MARCH.
AND GRANTED, UH, THAT DELAY, UH, THE NEXT AUDIT THAT BEGINS IN MARCH OF 26, UH, WILL PICK UP FROM NOVEMBER OF 20 THROUGH MARCH OF 26.
AND BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE, THEY'LL BE HERE TILL 2027.
AND HOPEFULLY MOST OF US WILL BE HERE TO READ THAT REPORT WHEN IT COMES OUT.
UM, AND AS I SAID, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S MEANT TO BE ALIGNED WITH THE ERP PROJECT, WHICH IS REALLY THE SOURCE DATA THAT THE AUDITORS WILL NEED TO WORK FROM.
ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION FROM BOARD MEMBERS? MS. DOKI? YES.
UM, I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA ASK, BUT, UH,
DO WHAT? I MEAN? WELL, WHY CAN'T WE HAVE ACCESS TO THAT SO THAT WE CAN LOOK OVER IT TOO?
[03:40:02]
WELL, UM, I HAVE ASKED, AND, UH, IT WILL COST US THE MONEY.IN OTHER WORDS, YOU HAVE TO HIRE A THIRD PARTY AUDITOR, A CLAIMS AUDITOR, AND I'M SURE THAT'S HOW THE COUNTY APPROACHED THIS WITH THEIR PRESCRIPTION CLAIMS AUDIT.
UM, IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WISH TO UNDERTAKE AS A SYSTEM, UH, WE WOULD NEED TO IDENTIFY THE FUNDS AND, AND POSSIBLY USE THE COUNTY'S VENDOR, UM, AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO SHARE THAT DATA WITH US.
THEY, YOU KNOW, TO COUNTY GOVERNMENT, WE ARE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WE STILL HAVE TO, WE PAY THE BILLS, BUT WE ESSENTIALLY DON'T REALLY SEE LINE BY LINE WHAT WE'RE PAYING FOR AT THE MOMENT.
THEY HIRE, UH, BOLTON PARTNERS, UH, AND BOLTON PARTNERS RECOMMENDS ADDITIONAL CONTRACTORS TO DO THE AUDITS.
UM, SO, UH, IF, IF THE BOARD WISHES TO PURSUE THAT, THEY CAN WORK WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THEN WE IN TURN CAN WORK WITH THE COUNTY BENEFITS OFFICE TO SEE IF THAT COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED.
UM, I'M SURE IT WILL BE MANY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, BUT, UM, IF THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE WILLING TO FUND IT AND THE COUNTY'S WILLING TO COOPERATE, IT CAN BE DONE.
I MEAN, I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE LIGHT OF THIS SITUATION.
THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY IN HEALTHCARE.
AND WHEN WE DON'T GET TO SEE THE COMPETING BIDS, WE DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW IF WE'RE SAVING OR NOT.
SO THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT IT UP.
THE COUNTY, THE COUNTY'S PROCUREMENT OFFICE DOES THE BID AND, AND THEY BRING US IN AS PARTICIPANTS.
UM, MR. HARRIS, HAD WE PROCEEDED WITH THE AUDIT IN MARCH AS SCHEDULED, WOULD WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDED THE AUDIT, PROVIDING THE AUDITORS WITH DATA FROM ONE SYSTEM RATHER THAN TWO, GIVEN THAT WE ARE GOING TO, UM, ARLE IN JULY? WELL, WELL, EVERYTHING CURRENTLY IS IN THE LEGACY SYSTEM, AND IT ALL GETS MOVED OVER JULY ONE.
AND SO WE WOULD THEN BE RUNNING, UH, REPORTS OUT OF TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS THAT HAD NOT BEEN COMBINED YET.
AND, AND THAT IS REALLY ONE OF THE MAJOR IMPEDIMENTS TO HAVING STARTING THIS PROJECT AS, AS IT WAS SCHEDULED.
BUT EITHER WAY, AND, UM, EARLIER WE DISCUSSED WHEN WE DISCUSSED THE CONTRACT THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DATA FOR CALENDAR, I BELIEVE CALENDAR YEAR 25, INTO SYSTEMS. SO WHETHER WE DID THE AUDIT IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR IS SCHEDULED, OR WHETHER WE GOT THE YEAR EXTENSION, WHICH WE KNOW WE DID, WE WOULD STILL BE RUNNING REPORTS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 25 OUT OF TWO SYSTEMS. CORRECT.
IS THAT AN ACCURATE STATEMENT? YES.
AND, AND, UH, WHILE WE, THE OTHER, SO THE OTHER, IN ADDITION TO THE DATA, WE ALSO HAVE AN ENTIRELY NEW CHART OF ACCOUNTS IN ORACLE.
SO WE'D BE USING DIFFERENT ACCOUNT NUMBERS FOR THE SAME ACTIVITIES.
UM, AND, UH, A LOT OF THE REPORTS THAT ARE IN ORACLE ARE STILL BEING CONSTRUCTED ON THE FINANCIAL SERVICES PIECE.
THE PAYROLL AND HUMAN RESOURCE REPORTS ARE IN PLACE.
SO SOME OF THE REPORTS WON'T EVEN, AREN'T EVEN AVAILABLE YET UNTIL 26.
SO BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE 30TH, I GUESS WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE THE AUDITORS EVERYTHING THEY NEED BECAUSE IT'S A NINE MONTH PROCESS, RIGHT.
AND MRS. HEN TO, TO TACK ONTO THAT, UM, THE LEVEL OF EFFORT THAT COMES WITH THIS, UH, WE'RE CURRENTLY OCCUPYING, UM, SOME OF OUR KEY STAFF MEMBERS IN BOTH OF THESE OFFICES UP TO 60% OF THEIR CURRENT DAY.
UH, AND THAT'S FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION.
UM, AND WHAT, UH, MR. S AND I, AND, AND MR. MCCALL CAN ALL SPEAK TO IS THE, UH, LEVEL OF EFFORT THAT IT TAKES TO, UH, ALSO ENTERTAIN THE AUDIT.
UH, SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, UH, SETTING ASIDE OFFICE SPACE.
WE, THEY HAVE FULL-TIME DEDICATED STAFF THAT COME ON SITE.
UM, WHEN PRESENTED TO THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDIT, WHAT
[03:45:01]
WE WERE DOING, THERE WAS A MUTUAL AGREEMENT THAT THE LEVEL OF EFFORT WOULD EXTEND THE AUDIT BEYOND EVEN WHERE THEY WANTED TO BE BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF WORK WE WERE CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING WITH THE TRANSITION AND THE WORK THAT THE AUDIT WOULD ADD TO US.SO, UM, THIS WAS, UH, US ASKING, BUT THEM ALSO AGREEING THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO, AND, AND I DON'T WANT TO USE A LOWER LEVEL TERM TO IT, BUT WASTE THEIR TIME BY WAITING FOR US TO GENERATE REPORTS AS WE WERE FOCUSING ON A $26 MILLION PROJECT.
THEY DIDN'T FEEL THAT IT WOULD BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE OF US TO UNDERTAKE THAT LEVEL OF EFFORT AND ALSO TRY TO BRING THEM ON BOARD.
UM, SO, UH, THE ADDED BENEFIT, AS MR. SARAS WAS SPEAKING ABOUT WITH THE TRANSITION TO THIS DATA, UM, AUDITING IS INHERENTLY EXPENSIVE WHEN YOU UNDERTAKE IT OF YOURSELF.
UM, WE WILL GAIN THE BENEFIT OF HAVING TRANSITIONED TO THE NEW ERP SYSTEM BY THE TIME THIS OFFICE AUDIT STARTS, AND THE STATE OF MARYLAND WILL THEN AUDIT THE DATA WITHIN THAT.
SO WE'LL ACTUALLY BE GAINING THE BENEFIT OF BASICALLY A FREE AUDIT OF HOW OUR DATA MOVED IN.
SO THERE IS A, AN UNDERLYING INHERENT BENEFIT TO BCPS FOR A FREE AUDIT OF HOW OUR DATA WAS TRANSFERRED.
NO, IT, IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE, AND I APPRECIATE YOU ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS.
UM, AS A BOARD MEMBER, I WOULD'VE APPRECIATED A HEADS UP BEFORE WE SOUGHT THE EXTENSION JUST FROM, UM, A COMMUNICATIONS PERSPECTIVE, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME HERE TONIGHT, AND THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS.
WE WOULD'VE APPRECIATED A HEADS UP.
WE JUST GOT A LETTER, YOU KNOW, MARCH 1ST, SAYING WE'LL BE THERE IN THREE WEEKS,
SO IT, THAT IS A TRUE STATEMENT.
IT WAS A BIT, UH, OF A SURPRISE
ON A, I'M SORRY, MS.
SO COULD YOU EXPLAIN, SO WHEN A PROCESS IS MARKED COMPLETE, BUT LIKE AUTOMATION ISN'T DONE, ARE THERE ANY LIKE, ROUTINE CHECKS TO MAKE SURE THOSE FIXES WERE STILL WORKING AS THE ERP WAS ROLLING OUT? OR WAS THE AUDIT JUST, OR ONCE IT WAS FIXED IN 2021 OR 2022? WAS THAT IT? SO THE, THE RE THE REFERENCED AUTOMATION THAT IS TO GO LIVE ON MARCH OF 26, UM, SO THERE IS SOMETHING WE'VE PUT IN PLACE THAT WAS, UH, EFFECTIVE AND I, I APOLOGIZE, I DON'T HAVE THE DATE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.
UH, BUT, UH, UH, MR. CS, UH, SPOKE TO, WE HAVE INCLUDED THAT REQUIREMENT IN THE REQUIREMENTS WE'VE GIVEN TO OUR ERP VENDOR SO THAT THEY KNOW HOW TO BUILD THE SYSTEM APPROPRIATELY, AND IT WILL GO LIVE IN MARCH OF 26.
SO, UM, WITH ALL OF OUR, UH, ERP IMPLEMENTATIONS, WE ALWAYS DO END USER ACCEPTANCE TESTING SO THAT THE END USERS SIT DOWN TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WORKFLOWS THAT WERE DOCUMENTED OVER TO OUR VENDOR ARE APPROPRIATE AND ARE WORKING.
SO IN THAT WAY, THAT'S HOW WE WILL VERIFY THAT THAT AUTOMATION IS COMPLETED WITHIN THE SPECIFICATION THAT WE WANT.
YEAH, THE, THE FEATURE THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO IMPLEMENT IS A THREE-WAY MATCH BETWEEN AN INVOICE AND A RE, UH, A RECEIPT OF GOODS AND AN AUTHORIZATION TO PAY.
WE CURRENTLY DO THAT MANUALLY WITH LOTS OF, UH, SCANNED AND EMAIL DOCUMENTS AND LIVE SIGNATURES.
AND THAT'S THE PART THAT WE WILL AUTOMATE, UM, CONNECTING, YOU KNOW, THE WAREHOUSE, THE SCHOOLS, UH, THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND THE, UH, UH, CASHIER DISBURSEMENT PROCESS SO THAT EVERYTHING IS DOCUMENTED AND IS, WILL BE MUCH EASIER TO AUDIT.
AND ALL OF THOSE DOCUMENTS WILL BE ELECTRONIC, WHEREAS NOW WE'VE GOT BOXES FULL OF PAPER AND PEOPLE AT A SCANNING MACHINE AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.
[T. REPORT - INFRASTRUCTURE (Dr. Grim, Mr. Sarris, and Mr. McCall) (10:00 - 10:20 p.m.)]
NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING SYSTEM.AND FOR THAT, I CALL ON MR. C, MR. MCCALL, I THINK, AND MR. KORN.
WE CAN CHANGE SEATS IF YOU'D LIKE.
UM, SO, UM,
AND WE'RE, WE'RE LOOKING TO BUILD EFFICIENCY, EFFECTIVE AND, UH, RESPONSIVE SYSTEMS THAT ARE RELIABLE, UM, FOR THE SMOOTH OPERATIONS OF BCPS.
UH, THIS IS ALL UNDERPINNED BY, UM, OUR 2020 EVENT THAT CAUSED OUR, OUR CURRENT ERP SYSTEM TO REALLY EXPERIENCE SOME, SOME MASSIVE IMPACT.
AND SO WE ARE LOOKING TO REBUILD THAT EFFICIENCY THAT WE HAVE WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM.
[03:50:01]
ON THE NEXT SLIDE, WE WILL SEE THAT, UM, WE'VE REFRAMED, AND THIS WAS THE SLIDE LIFTED FROM THE LAST PRESENTATION THAT WAS DONE TO THE BOARD ABOUT THE ERP, JUST BASICALLY WHAT AN ERP SYSTEM ENCOMPASSES.UH, AND SO BASICALLY WE'RE USING THE ORACLE PLATFORM.
IT IS, UM, FOR, UM, THE BUSINESS PROCESSES THAT WE USE.
YOU'LL SEE THAT IT DEALS WITH ALL OF OUR HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, OUR FISCAL, OUR PROCUREMENT, AND OUR BUDGETING.
SO THOSE ARE OUR THREE BIG, UM, UH, OUR, EXCUSE ME, FOUR BIG AREAS THAT WE WOULD, UH, TALK ABOUT.
THERE ARE SOME SMALLER SUB POINTS, UM, THAT I, I WON'T READ THROUGH FOR YOU, BUT THEY'RE, THEY'RE LISTED HERE.
AND IT'S BASICALLY EVERYTHING TO DO WITH OUR FINANCES, THE, THE WAY THAT WE HIRE PEOPLE, THE WAY THAT WE, WE PROCURE THINGS, THE WAY THAT WE INVENTORY THINGS.
OUR OF ALL STATUS, WE ARE IN MULTIPLE PHASES.
UM, AND SO AS WE SPEAKING ABOUT, UH, WITH THE TIME AND INTENTION OF THE WORK, WE STARTED WITH THE, UH, PHASE ONE AND TWO, WHICH WAS THE HR AND PAYROLL SYSTEM.
IN MANY SYSTEMS, HR AND PAYROLL ARE TIED TOGETHER, UH, IN OUR SYSTEM.
THEY ARE IN TWO DIFFERENT DIVISIONS, BUT IT WORKS SEAMLESSLY TOGETHER.
AND AS MR. SARAH ALLUDED TO AS WELL, WE ALSO REDID OUR CHART OF ACCOUNTS, WHICH IS THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT WE DID.
THESE ARE ON TIME AND TO BE COMPLETED, UM, THAT JULY ONE GO LIVE DATE IS WHEN THE VAST MAJORITY OF ALL OF BCPS WILL SEE, UH, THE ABILITY TO SAY, LOG INTO EMPLOYEE SELF-SERVICE AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
UH, WE HAVE A SOFT GO LIVE FOR THE, UH, HR TEAM AND THE PAYROLL TEAM A LITTLE BIT EARLIER IN, IN MID-JUNE, SO THAT THEY CAN GET PREPPED FOR THAT FIRST PAYROLL.
UM, WE HAVE STARTED PHASE THREE, WHICH IS OUR FINANCE ASPECT.
WE STARTED THAT, UH, THIS MONTH.
UH, AND SO WHAT THAT BASICALLY, OR I'M SORRY, I STARTED THAT LAST MONTH AND, UH, FORGOT IT ROLLED INTO MAY.
UH, WE STARTED IN APRIL AND WE'VE MOVED IN.
UM, AND SO CURRENTLY, UM, THE, UH, HR TEAM IS SEEKING TO WRAP UP.
THE, UH, FINANCE TEAM IS, UH, SPINNING UP AND THE IT TEAM IS NOW DOUBLE ENCUMBERED, BUT WE HAVE BANDWIDTH TO SUPPORT THAT THOSE ACTIVITIES BEGAN ON TIME.
AND WE ARE PROJECTING THE GO LIVE OF MARCH OF 26.
UM, SO HERE'S OUR IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINES.
JULY ONE, WE ARE HA UH, WE HAVE IN PLACE OUR HR CHART OF ACCOUNTS, OUR STAFF SELF-SERVICE, UH, THE BENEFITS PACKAGES, PAYROLL, RECRUITING, ONBOARDING, THE A DP, UH, W2 TAX, UH, PIECES, OUR, UM, ABSENCE MANAGEMENT TIME AND LABOR.
UH, THIS ALSO INCLUDES EMPLOYEE SELF-SERVICE.
UM, AND SO THE GO LIVE OF APRIL 1ST OR THE END OF MARCH.
UM, AS THE FINAL IMPLEMENTATION, WE'RE LOOKING TO GET OUR GENERAL LEDGER DONE, OUR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, FIXED ASSETS, CASH MANAGEMENT EXPENSES, PURCHASING, UH, BUDGETING, UM, SUPPLY, UH, OUR SUPPLIER PORTALS, UH, SELF-SERVICE FOR PURCHASING, UH, AND OUR PLANNING AND BUDGETING AND OUR NARRATIVE REPORTING.
UM, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE WHAT WE'RE PUTTING IN PLACE.
THERE'S ARE THE WORKFLOWS THAT ARE ENCOMPASSED BY BOTH OUR, OUR FINANCE GROUP AND OUR HR GROUP.
UM, IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ARE WORKING WITH, UH, OUR IMPLEMENTATION VENDOR, A ST, WHICH WAS, WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD, UM, TO HAVE POST GO LIVE SUPPORTS AS, UH, THIS IS A NEW SYSTEM TO BCPS.
SO AS WE COME UP TO SPEED, THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT THAT NEEDS TO BE UNDERTAKEN.
SO WE'RE WORKING WITH THE VENDOR TO DO SOME INTENSIVE VENDOR SUPPORT FOR THREE MONTHS AFTER EACH GO LIVE.
SO, UH, WE WILL GO LIVE JULY ONE.
WE WILL HAVE ALL OF THE MONTH OF JULY, ALL THE MONTH OF AUGUST, AND ALL OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER WHERE THE VENDOR TEAM THAT WAS WORKING WITH US IS HERE TO SUPPORT US.
THE REASON WHY THAT IS SO IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY HAVE TWO PAYROLLS THAT WE HAVE TO START.
THE 12 MONTH EMPLOYEES START IN JULY, AND THE 10 MONTH EMPLOYEES START IN SEPTEMBER, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER TIMEFRAME.
SO WE WANTED THAT VENDOR SUPPORT.
DURING CRITICAL POINTS, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IS MAKE SURE THAT OUR STAFF IS PAID APPROPRIATELY.
UM, WE'RE THEN ENGAGING OUR VENDOR AND MANAGED SERVICES, WHICH WILL BE ABOUT A TWO YEAR, UM, SERVICE PACKAGE THAT THEY'LL HAVE AFTERWARDS WHERE THEY WILL GIVE US, UM, SOME ELEVATED, UH, ABILITY TO CALL, HELP DESKS, AND GET SUPPORT ON THE, ON THE PROCESSES.
UM, WE HAVE, UM, ORACLE TRAINING THAT WE ARE CONTINUING WITH ALL OF OUR INTERNAL STAFF.
AND, UH, WE ARE ALSO ENGAGING OUR VENDOR IN SOMETHING CALLED, UM, TESTING AS A SERVICE.
UH, ORACLE COMES OUT WITH QUARTERLY PATCHES.
THOSE QUARTERLY PATCHES, UH, SOMETIMES WILL RUN THE RISK OF BREAKING OUR AUTOMATIONS OR BREAKING OUR INTEGRATIONS OR WHATEVER THEY MIGHT BE.
SO, UM, FOR A VERY REASONABLE FEE, UH, OUR VENDOR, OUR IMPLEMENTATION VENDOR, UM, WILL TAKE OUR BUILD AND RUN THE PATCHES AGAINST THAT BUILD TO VERIFY AND PROVIDE US WITH REPORTS
[03:55:01]
OF ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.SO, UM, ON THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS IS, UM, A LITTLE BIT OF OUR QUALITATIVE, UM, DATA.
UM, SO, UH, MR. MCCALL AND, UH, MR. C ARE GONNA BREAK MY STRIDE A LITTLE BIT AND, UH, SPEAK TO THEIR TWO BOXES I CAN MOP UP.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO THE BOARD FOR ACTUALLY, UM, APPROVING THE FUNDS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS ORACLE PROJECT, AND ALSO THANK DR. ROGERS PUBLICLY AS WELL FOR ACTUALLY SAYING, OKAY, WE REALLY NEED TO FIX HR.
AND WE STARTED WITH HR WHERE TYPICALLY WE WOULD'VE PROBABLY WOULD'VE STARTED WITH FINANCE FIRST, BUT THEN GOING WITH HR WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS PROVEN TO BE, UM, IMPACTFUL.
AND OF COURSE, THE LAST THING I WANNA SAY BEFORE I'D BE REMISS WITHOUT SAYING IT, THANK YOU TO NOT ONLY THE TEAM, BUT PARTICULARLY HR FOR THE WORK THAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING, UH, DAY IN AND DAY OUT, THE COUNTLESS HOURS THAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING TO, UH, TO MOVE THIS PROJECT FORWARD.
SO AS WE SEE HERE, THE, UH, PROCESS FOR WITH, UH, APPLYING INTO HR OR EVEN APPLYING FOR POSITIONS, WHICH YOU'RE CURRENTLY IN THE SYSTEM, UH, WILL BE DONE THROUGH ORACLE.
UH, IT IS ALSO, WE HAVE THROUGH ONBOARDING AND OFFBOARDING WILL ALSO BE A PROCESS THAT WE WILL, THAT'S BEEN, UH, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH ORACLE AS WELL WITH THE AUTOMATIONS AND WORKFLOWS.
WE ALSO WILL BE ABLE TO, UH, DO THINGS MORE SEAMLESSLY AND EFFICIENTLY WITH THE INTEGRATIONS WITH ORACLE, UH, SO THAT WE CAN AVOID THE OVERPAYMENT OF EMPLOYEES.
UH, AS FAR AS PAYROLL GOES, THE, THE BIGGEST ADVANTAGE FOR US WILL BE ELECTRONIC TIMEKEEPING.
LAST YEAR WE WENT LIVE WITH UKG FOR THE AFSCME EMPLOYEES, THE HOURLY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT OFFICE BASED, BUT ACCESS MODERNIZED TIME CLOCKS, UH, STATIONED THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM.
AND SO FOR, UH, THIS YEAR, JULY ONE AND FORWARD, WE'LL HAVE A WEB-BASED TIME CLOCK FOR THE SALARIED, UH, AND PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS AND, UH, THE OFFICE BASED CLERICALS.
UM, SO THAT WILL COMPLETE THE TRANSITION FOR TIMEKEEPING.
AND YOU MAY REMEMBER, UH, WHEN WE DISCUSSED THE SINGLE AUDIT, A NUMBER OF THOSE FINDINGS WERE MISSING TIME SHEETS BECAUSE THEY'RE ON PAPER IN BOXES AND THEY COULDN'T BE LOCATED.
SO THIS IS GONNA ADDRESS, UH, A NUMBER OF ISSUES, UH, INCLUDING HOPEFULLY MAKING IT EASIER FOR EMPLOYEES.
UM, AND MOVING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM TO ARREARS IS ALSO PART OF THE SCHEDULING, WHICH WILL MEAN THAT WHEN YOU GET YOUR CHECK, YOU'RE NOT REALLY GETTING PAID IN ADVANCE.
YOU'RE GETTING PAID FOR THE WORK YOU'VE ACTUALLY COMPLETED, AND YOUR LEAVE, UH, USAGE AND ACCRUAL RECORDS WILL BE UP TO DATE WHEN YOU GET THAT PAYROLL.
UH, YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE SEPARATE, IT TAKES, UH, TWO TO FOUR WEEKS BEFORE WE CAN CLOSE OUT THEIR AND PAY OUT THEIR LEAVE BALANCES.
UM, AND SO WE THINK, UH, THAT THIS IS GONNA ADDRESS A NUMBER OF, OF ISSUES THAT WE'VE DEALT WITH, MODERNIZE US, MOVE US INTO, UH, SORT OF THE INDUSTRY STANDARD OF PAY IN ARREARS AND, UM, BETTER RECORD KEEPING KEY THING.
AND, AND SO FINALLY OVER OVERARCHING, UM, THAT, UH, UH, IMPACT ALL OF OUR STAFF.
UH, SO WE WILL STILL, UH, UTILIZE AN EMPLOYEE SELF-SERVICE.
UH, WE ARE ADDING A BENEFIT THAT, UH, UH, BCPS HAS DONE SINGLE SIGN ON IN, IN A WAY THAT WILL ALLOW US WHEN, UH, AN EMPLOYEE SEPARATES TO PROVIDE US WITH A PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS THAT THEY WILL THEN BE ABLE TO TETHER TO THEIR EMPLOYEE, UM, RECORD.
SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SELF-SERVICE EVEN AFTER SEPARATION TO, UH, GET THINGS LIKE PREVIOUS, UM, PAY STUBS OR PREVIOUS W TWOS.
UM, IN ADDITION, UH, WE ARE SPINNING UP, UM, THE ORACLE HR HELP DESK, WHICH WE HAVE BEEN USING, UH, A HELP DESK SYSTEM FOR OUR, UM, RETIREES AND FOR FOLKS, UH, IN BENEFITS SO THEY CAN SUBMIT TICKETS TO GET, UM, TO GET HELP, WHICH WILL ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO SELF-SERVICE AND REQUEST THINGS IN A, IN A TICKETED, DOCUMENTED SYSTEM SO THAT, UH, THEY CAN BE ROUTED TO THE CORRECT PLACE.
SO, UH, NE ON THE NEXT SLIDE, UH, THIS IS OUR QUALITATIVE, UH, STANCE OF, UM, WHAT THE STAFF HAS BEEN DOING.
[04:00:01]
UM, I CANNOT STRESS HOW LABOR INTENSIVE THIS HAS BEEN.UM, HR AND PAYROLL HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS THE FIRST, UH, IN THE FIRST PASS, AND THEY HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY AND TIRELESSLY.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE, UH, DOCUMENTATIONS OF THINGS THAT THEY'VE DONE.
THEY'VE GOT A COUNTDOWN BOARD, THEY'VE HAD A, UM, A, UM, KIND OF A ENCOURAGEMENT BOARD TO KEEP EVERYBODY MOVING SO THAT WE, WE KEPT MOVING IN A, IN, IN MASS.
UM, YOU CAN SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE, THE TEAM, UH, RIGHT ACROSS THE HALL HERE, COLLABORATING TO DO END-TO-END TESTING.
UM, WE'VE BEEN UTILIZING, UM, THE, UH, EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT CENTER, THE EDC TO BRING PEOPLE ON STAFF SO THEY CAN DO END-TO-END TESTING FROM DEPARTMENT TO DEPARTMENT, OFFICE TO OFFICE.
AND SO IT HAS BEEN A HUGE EFFORT AND A HUGE COLLABORATION.
UM, ON THIS FINAL SLIDE, THESE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF COMMUNICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN SENT OUT FREQUENTLY TO STAFF SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHAT'S COMING.
UM, A LOT OF COMMUNICATIONS AROUND PAY AND ARREARS OPTIONS FOR RECEIVING PAY ADVANCES TO GET OVER THAT FIRST ARREARS FOR THE SALARIED EMPLOYEES.
UM, THERE HAS BEEN, UM, AN AN ABUNDANCE OF COMMUNICATION IN MULTIPLE FACETS.
WE'VE USED SCHOOL MESSENGER TO SEND MESSAGES OUT.
WE'VE POSTED IN OUR NEWS HUB, WE'VE PLACED EVERY MESSAGE WE COULD IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE, WORKED WITH OUR ASSOCIATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE MESSAGING OUT.
SO WITH ALL OF THAT, I WANNA STRESS, WE ARE ON TIME TO DELIVER THE HR SYSTEM ON JULY ONE WITH THAT SOFT GO LIVE IN JUNE FOR INTERNAL STAFF.
AND WE HAVE STARTED ON TIME AND ARE PROJECTED TO FINISH ON TIME FOR THE, THE FINANCE PACKAGE THAT WILL GO LIVE APRIL 1ST, CONCLUDING IN THE END OF MARCH.
WITH ALL OF THAT, SO FIRST THANK YOU FOR THAT VERY DETAILED PRESENTATION, ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING TO PUT THIS HUGE, UM, SYSTEM, THIS HUGE UNDERTAKING IN EFFECT.
SO WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THAT WORK.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, MR. MCMILLIAN? MR. SARAS, THE PAYMENT AND ARREARS PIECE, BACK IN THE DAY WHEN WE, WHEN WE OFFERED 10 MONTH EMPLOYEES, THE 12 MONTH PAY, AND THERE WAS AN ISSUE WHEN THEY WERE GETTING PAID AND IT, IT APPEARED IT WAS A DELAY THERE.
DOES THAT TAKE CARE OF THAT? WELL, UH, I, I HOPE SO.
UM, SO THIS YEAR, UM, THE LAST PAYCHECK FOR 10 MONTH TEACHERS IS GOING TO BE ISSUED ON JUNE 20TH AND, UM, EXCUSE ME, 26TH.
AND THEN THE THREE WEEKS WILL PASS, UH, ONE WEEK AT TWO.
TWO OF THOSE WEEKS WILL BE TO PUT THEM IN ARREARS, AND THEN IN THE THIRD WEEK THEY'LL GET A PAYCHECK FOR FIVE DAYS.
AND THEN THEY WILL GET AN ADVANCE FOR, UH, TO MAKE UP THE ADDITIONAL FIVE DAYS.
AND THEN THEY'LL BE, UH, TO MAKE THEM WHOLE FOR THAT TRANSITION PERIOD.
AND THEN THEY'LL CONTINUE TO BE PAID EVERY TWO WEEKS, BUT IT'LL BE TWO WEEKS.
UH, AND FOR, FOR TIME WORKED PREVIOUSLY TWO WEEKS PREVIOUSLY.
SO, BUT I'M NOT SURE IF I KNOW, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO WHEN WE FIRST SHIFTED TO, THERE WAS A, THERE WAS A LAG THERE AND PEOPLE THAT MADE THAT SWITCHOVER DIDN'T GET PAID IN A TIMELY MANNER? WELL, I, UM, I WORKED ON THAT SYSTEM, BUT WHEN IT WENT LIVE, I WASN'T STILL HERE.
SO I'M JUST NOT ABLE TO ANSWER THAT SPECIFIC QUESTION, BUT I CAN DO SOME NO, I WAS JUST CURIOUS.
RESEARCH, UH, 'CAUSE THAT WAS A CONCERN.
PEOPLE WEREN'T WILLING TO GO, YOU KNOW, THEY WANTED TO GO 12 MONTHS, BUT THEN AGAIN, WHEN THEY, WHEN THEY LOOKED AT THE TIME LAG ON WHEN THEY WERE GONNA GET PAID, THEY WENT, WAIT A MINUTE, I CAN'T DO THIS.
UH, WELL, THE WAY, OKAY, I WAS JUST CURIOUS.
YEAH, THIS YEAR WE'RE OFFERING IN ADVANCE BECAUSE OF THE ARREARAGE, BUT WHEN WE INITIALLY DID THE SYSTEM, UH, THE RESERVE PAY WOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF EVERY CHECK STARTING IN SEPT, SEPTEMBER, AND THEN THAT WOULD ACCUMULATE UNTIL JUNE 26TH OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR, AND THEN TWO WEEKS LATER YOU'D START TO COLLECT THAT RESERVE.
SO, AND THAT'S THE WAY WE'VE SET IT UP IN ORACLE FOR THE NEW SYSTEM.
SO IF THERE WAS A DELAY OF SOME SORT, I'M, I JUST AM NOT, IT'S NOT IN THE DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM.
IT MAY HAVE BEEN A, AN ERROR AT THE TIME, AND I'LL SEE WHAT I CAN FIND OUT, YOU KNOW, SO MUCH MORE THAN I DO ABOUT THIS.
[04:05:01]
MS.SO FOR THE SUPPORT, UM, THAT WE'RE GONNA HAVE POST, RIGHT, IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY TYPE OF VENDOR SUPPORT THOUGH, KIND OF AS A PRE, SINCE WE ARE DOING SOME INTERNAL, UM, ROLLOUTS, SO WILL WE HAVE SOME VENDOR SUPPORT DURING THAT TIME AS WELL TO MAYBE ADDRESS ANY ISSUES BEFORE WE GET TO THE GO LIVE? MS. BERG? I, I WANNA MAKE SURE YOU SAID PRE-UP SUPPORTS, RIGHT? YEAH.
LIKE PRE RIGHT BEFORE IT'S, SO IF IT'S THE APRIL 1ST, OR I'LL GET WITH THIS JULY 1ST, SO JULY 1ST, 2025, ARE WE GONNA HAVE SOMETHING PRIOR TO THAT FOR VENDOR SUPPORT? SO YEAH, SO THE, THAT, THAT SUPPORT THAT WE'RE, WE'RE, UM, WE'RE GOING TO UTILIZE, UH, RIGHT NOW WE, THE VENDORS ARE, ARE MEETING WITH OUR STAFF EVERY DAY.
WE HAVE IMPLE IMPLEMENTERS EVERY DAY.
UM, SO WE'VE, WE'VE DONE, UM, END-TO-END TESTING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WORKFLOWS GO, WE'VE DONE, UH, USER ACCEPTANCE TESTING, WHICH IS OUR STAFF MAKING THE, THE, THE THING DO GO THROUGH ITS PACES WHILE THE VENDOR WAS THERE.
THEN OUR STAFF WAS FEEDING BACK TO THE VENDOR THIS WORKED THIS, AND I'LL USE THE TERM THAT THEY USED IT, IT THIS FAILED, THEN THE VENDOR WOULD GO BACK AND CORRECT IT, THEN WE WOULD RERUN THE PROCESS.
SO THAT SUPPORT THAT WE ARE GETTING CURRENTLY WITH THIS IMPLEMENTATION, WHICH IS VERY INTENSIVE, VERY, UH, PROACTIVE AND AND CONSISTENT.
THE THING THAT WE'RE UTILIZING HERE IS WE'RE TAKING THE SAME TEAM THAT OUR STAFF HAS BEEN USED TO WORKING WITH AND WE'RE KEEPING THEM ON, INSTEAD OF RELEASING THEM BACK TO A ST TO GO TO WORK ON OTHER PROJECTS, THEY'LL STAY WITH US FOR THREE ADDITIONAL MONTHS.
SO THE FACES AND THE TALENT THAT WE'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO WILL BE WITH US AS WE TRANSITION.
SO TO YOUR, TO YOUR POINT, WE, WE HAVE HUGE VENDOR SUPPORT DURING IMPLEMENTATION.
THE SAME FOLKS WILL BE THERE THE MINUTE WE FLIP THE SWITCH AND WILL STAY WITH, STAY WITH US TO SOLVE ANYTHING THAT MAY COME UP.
DOES THAT HELP? THAT'S A GREAT PLAN.
AND IN FACT, TODAY WE ACTUALLY HAD AN, AN HR STAFFING TRAINING AT EDC AND THERE WERE A SD FOLKS THERE TO, UH, TO SUPPORT US DOING THAT TRAINING SO THAT, UH, WE, ONCE WE, LIKE JIM SAID, ONCE THIS FLIP IS THE, UH, SWITCH IS FLIPPED, WE'RE READY TO ROLL OUT.
AND THEY'VE BEEN THERE PRETTY MUCH EVERY DAY.
AND, AND TO, TO ADD ONE POINT TO WHAT MR. MCCALL JUST ADDED, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE VENDOR WAS THERE TO SUPPORT US TODAY, BUT HIS STAFF ARE PROVIDING TRAINING.
SO HIS STAFF WERE ABLE TO NOT ONLY KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT A ABLE TO REDELIVER FOR OTHERS TO, TO LEARN.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S THE LEVEL OF, UH, OF INTENTION WE'VE BROUGHT FORWARD, UH, WITH INTERNAL STAFF TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE READY FOR THIS.
SO WHEN I LOOK AT THE, UM, APRIL 1ST, 2026, THE UNDER THE PLANNING AND BUDGETING, UNDER THE FINANCIALS, IS THERE A SCHOOL FACING, LIKE, WILL PRINCIPALS BE ABLE TO DO THEIR BUDGET HERE IN THIS SYSTEM AND IT'LL ROLL UP TO CENTRAL OFFICE? SO MS. MS. BOER, THE, THE BUDGET PLANNING, UH, WILL BE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'RE DOING, WHAT WE HAVE NOW, WHERE THERE IS AN INTERFACE WHERE END USERS, SO I MANAGE A BUDGET, UH, AS WELL AS SOME OF MY STAFF HAVE.
AND SO THEY WILL GO IN, THEY WILL DO THEIR, THEIR APPROPRIATIONS, THEIR ALLOCATIONS, THEY WILL ADJUST THEIR NUMBERS.
UM, AND SO THAT BUDGETING WILL BE ACCESSIBLE TO ANYONE WHO CONTROLS A CENTRAL OFFICE LEVEL BUDGET.
AND I, AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE, UH, SCHOOL ACTIVITY FUNDS ARE SOMETHING DIFFERENT, RIGHT? BUT IF, IF YOU ARE ALLOCATED FUNDING FROM, UH, THE CENTRAL, YOU WOULD HAVE, UH, THE INTERFACE INTO THIS TO, TO DO BUDGET.
SO SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY TO WHETHER OR NOT A SCHOOL FACING OR NOT, IT, IT JUST, IF, IF THEY HAVE A BUDGET, THEY WOULD GO INTO THE BUDGETING TOOL.
AND WOULD, UH, AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL, WOULD THEY BE ABLE TO GO IN AND SEE, YOU KNOW, THE NUMBER OF TIMES THEIR A TEACHER WAS ABSENT IN THE BUILDING AND ALL? SO ONE OF THE, ONE OF THE BIG CHANGES THAT MR. SARAH SPOKE ABOUT IS, AND, UH, I, I WANNA BE CLEAR, UH, UH, MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION, THEY ALSO MOVED PAST PAPER TIME SHEETS AS WELL, JUST RECENTLY.
SO IT WASN'T LIKE WE WERE SO, SO FAR OUT OF THAT, BUT THE PAPER TIME SHEET, BASICALLY.
UM, AND WE'VE USED THE TERM PAPER PROCESS SO THAT WE CAN GET PEOPLE DOWN TO WHAT THE PROCESS LOOKS LIKE.
SO WHEN I FILL OUT MY TIME SHEET, HOWEVER I DO IT ELECTRONICALLY OR NOT, MY SUPERVISOR HAS TO APPROVE THAT, THAT TIME IS ACCURATELY INPUT.
SO THAT'S WHERE THE SUPERVISOR AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL, LIKE SAY THE PRINCIPAL WOULD GO IN AND MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, TIME WAS SUBMITTED, APP APPRO APPROPRIATELY.
FOR OUR SALARIED STAFF, THE TIME AND ATTENDANCE WEB CLOCK IS BASICALLY GOING TO LOOK LIKE I NEED TO HAVE A DAY OFF.
SO I'M GOING TO GO IN AND REQUEST A DAY OFF, AND THEN, THEN THAT WILL BE APPROVED THROUGH WORKFLOWS.
WHEREAS WITH OUR E-S-P-P-C STAFF THAT ARE HOURLY, THEY WILL HAVE HOURLY INPUT THAT THEY'LL TAKE CARE OF.
[04:10:01]
OUR AFSCME STAFF, JUST SO THAT I CAN CIRCLE IT ALL THE WAY OUT, ARE STILL REMAINING IN OUR UKG READY KRONOS, UH, TIME CLOCK.THEY HAVE VERY COMPLICATED RULES THAT NEEDED TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE ROBUST THANKS.
SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT UPDATE WHENEVER THAT MAY.
DID SOMEBODY MISS? HELLO? GO AHEAD,
ALRIGHT, SO JUST TO MAKE SURE THE ERP DATA CAN MONITOR TRENDS LIKE STAFFING, OVERTIME, ABSENCES AND VACANCIES, SO THAT WAY WE CAN USE THAT FOR FURTHER STAFFING DECISIONS YES.
AND THEN THAT MEANS LIKE, PRINCIPALS WON'T NEC YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT CENTRAL OFFICE FUNDING.
SO LIKE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT SPECIFIC SCHOOL FUNDING.
SO CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF WILL BE ABLE TO TRACK THEIR BUDGETS AND THEIR REQUISITIONS IN REAL TIME.
BUT IT WON'T HAPPEN AT LIKE A ADMINISTRATION LEVEL? NO.
IT, IT WILL, OH, IT'LL HAPPEN AT A, IT WILL.
THAT SPECIFICATION IS VERY, VERY NARROW.
UM, UH, MANY SCHOOLS HAVE SCHOOL ACTIVITY FUNDS.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU BUY A UNIFORM OR IF YOU, YOU KNOW, THERE, THERE IS A FUNDING THAT THE SCHOOLS MANAGE IN AND OF THEMSELVES, AND THERE'S A SEPARATE PROCESS BY WHICH THEY DO THAT.
WHEN I SAY CENTRAL OFFICE FUNDS, WHAT I MEAN IS THERE IS BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ASSIGNED TO BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACCOUNT STRINGS THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO DIFFERENT GROUPS.
AND SO THAT ANYONE WHO HAS ONE OF THOSE ASSIGNED TO THEM WOULD BE ABLE TO MONITOR THEIR SPENDING, THEIR ENCUMBRANCES, THEIR, UM, ALLOCATIONS IN REAL TIME.
SO AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL THIS INFORMATION.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT ONE.
MR. KO, I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER SEEN YOU SO EXCITED ABOUT SOMETHING.
SO, SO I KNOW
[U. INFORMATION (10:20 p.m.)]
ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS INFORMATION, WHICH INCLUDES THE FINAL UPDATE ON SCHOOL LEGISLATIVE KEY SCHOOL LEGISLATION.[V. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND AGENDA SETTING (10:20 - 10:30 p.m.)]
PART IS, UM, DO ANY BOARD MEMBERS, I'M NOT GONNA GO AROUND IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT OR CONSIDERATION FOR AGENDA ITEM, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MS. BOOKER DWYER.SO THE BALTIMORE COUNTY EDUCATION JUSTICE TABLE, UH, SHARED A RESOLUTION THAT THEY WANTED THE BOARD TO CONSIDER.
AND SO AT SOME POINT, COULD WE, UM, PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA FOR THE BOARD TO SEE AND WEIGH IN ON? YES.
AND I HAD SHARED THAT WITH, UM, THE SUPERINTENDENT RECENTLY.
I JUST WANTED TO, UM, ALSO SAY, UM, HAPPY EDUCATORS APPRECIATION DAY AND WE APPRECIATE ALL OF OUR EDUCATORS OUT THERE AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR OUR STUDENTS IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND IN OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
UM, JUST A QUICK, UM, THANK YOU AND SHOUT OUT TO, I BELIEVE IT WAS DR.
PAMELA RUBLE FROM, UH, CHES, UH, A PARENT FROM CHESAPEAKE TERRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR EXPRESSING HER CONCERNS, UM, ABOUT EMOTIONAL, UH, SUPPORTS FOR THE SCHOOL.
AND I'M SURE BCPS STAFF MEMBERS WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU AND FOLLOW UP WITH THE SCHOOL AND YOUR CONCERNS.
AND TO DUNBARTON STUDENT LUCAS, HI FOR SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF SO MANY STUDENTS REGARDING STRESS LEVELS DURING, UM, THIS, UM, TEST INTENSIVE TIME OF THE YEAR.
FERRONE FOR ADVOCATING FOR, UM, INCORPORATING MORE VALUES AND PATRIOTISM IN, UH, SCHOOL INSTRUCTION.
AND AT SOME POINT WE TALK ABOUT LATER SCHOOL STARTS.
I MEAN, THAT'S BEEN OUT THERE A LITTLE BIT.
THERE WAS SOME LEGISLATION THROUGH THE STATE.
UH, THIS YEAR I'D JUST LIKE TO HEAR AN UPDATE ON WHAT THE STATE'S TALKING ABOUT AND, YOU KNOW, IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER, YOU KNOW, MAYBE A A, AN INVESTIGATIVE KIND OF GROUP LOOKING AT FOR THE FUTURE DOWN THE ROAD, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE YEARS.
[W. ANNOUNCEMENTS (Ms. Lichter) (10:30 p.m.)]
IS ANNOUNCEMENTS.UM, THE LAST ITEM, LIEUTENANT'S ANNOUNCEMENTS.
THE BOARD WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FY 2027 CAPITAL BUDGET, VIRTUALLY ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 14TH.
THAT'S NEXT WEEK AT 6:30 PM SIGN UP WILL BE THROUGH THE ONLINE REGISTRATION.
AGAIN, THAT'S A VIRTUAL MEETING ON THE FY 27 CAPITAL BUDGET.
OUR BOARD'S NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 20TH, 2025 AT 6:30 PM I WANNA THANK STAFF FOR ALL THEIR PRESENTATIONS.
I KNOW THIS IS A LATE EVENING AND YOU HAVE WORK TOMORROW MORNING.
SO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.