[00:00:02]
GOOD EVENING.THIS IS CHAIRWOMAN JANE LICHTER.
I NOW CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 10TH, 2025.
[B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/SILENT MEDITATION (6:30 p.m.) *This meeting was joined in progress* ]
YOU TO RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG TO BE LED BY MS. CHI KALU.WE'LL THEN HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND RECOGNITION OF THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED EDUCATION IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE SUPPLY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH SPANS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
TONIGHT'S BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING IS BEING BROADCAST THROUGH THE BCPS ON LIVE, 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.)]
THE THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE CONSIDERATION OF THE JUNE 10TH AGENDA.DR. ROGERS, ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA? I'M UNAWARE OF ANY CHANGES.
HEARING NONE OF THE AGENDA STANDS AS PRESENTED.
[D. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS - RECOGNITION OF THE STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD (Ms. Lichter) (6:40 - 6:50 p.m.)]
ON THE AGENDA IS A SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS, RECOGNIZING OUR STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD, MS. UNG GABA CHI KALU AT THE I'M NOW MISS CHI KALU.AT THIS TIME, COULD MISS CHIA KALU JOIN DR. ROGERS AND ME AT THE FRONT OF THE DEUS? OH, THANK YOU.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS BEING PRESENTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND IT READS, MS. CHICA KALU HAS SERVED AS THE STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY WITH HONOR AND DISTINCTION FOR THE 20 24 20 25 SCHOOL YEAR, INCLUDING PARTICIPATION ON THIS IS IMPRESSIVE.
THE BOARD'S CURRICULUM, EQUITY, LEGISLATIVE AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEES, AND MS. CHI KALU STUDENT ADVOCACY JOURNEY BEGAN IN THE WESTERN SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AFRICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION, WHERE SHE SERVED AS VICE PRESIDENT AND COLLABORATED WITH THE PEERS TO SUPPORT CULTURAL AWARENESS INITIATIVES AND FURTHER DEMONSTRATED HER COMMITMENT TO STUDENT VOICE AS A MEMBER OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY STUDENT COUNCIL'S STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD OUTREACH COMMITTEE.
AND SHE HAS SOUGHT TO PROVIDE CLARITY TO STUDENTS ON GRADING AND REPORTING AND TO DEMYSTIFY BOARD PROCESSES AND POLICIES THROUGH HER.
AND WHEREAS MS. CHIA KALU HAS INITIATED LEADING LIGHTS OF B-C-P-S-A PLATFORM DESIGNED TO SPOTLIGHT AND CELEBRATE STUDENT LEADERS FROM ACROSS BCPS, THEREBY FOSTERING A CULTURE OF RECOGNITION AND INSPIRATION AMONG HER PEERS.
AND WHEREAS MS. CHIA KALU EXTENDED HER COMMITMENT TO STUDENT ADVOCACY ON A NATIONAL LEVEL BY SERVING AS THE POLICY DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD ASSOCIATION, WHERE SHE COLLABORATED WITH STUDENT LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE STUDENT-CENTERED EDUCATION POLICY AND ENHANCE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.
AND MS. CHIA KALU IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR BRINGING HONOR TO THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM AS SHE CONTINUES HER EDUCATION AT EMORY UNIVERSITY TO MAJOR IN HUMAN HEALTH AND SOCIOLOGY.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY ASSEMBLED IN REGULAR SESSION ON THE 10TH DAY OF JUNE IN THE YEAR 2025 EXPRESSES TO MS. CHIA KALU, ITS FONDEST REGARDS AND GRATITUDE FOR HER SERVICES
[00:05:01]
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD HERE WITH EXTENDS ITS BEST WISHES TO MS. CHIA KALU FOR HAPPINESS, GOOD HEALTH, AND CONTINUED SUCCESS IN FUTURE ENDEAVORS, AND DIRECTS A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO BE RECORDED AMONG THE PERMANENT RECORDS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY.FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS, I MOVE THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT RESOLUTION 2025 DASH OH THREE AND RECOGNITION OF STUDENT, MEMBER OF THE BOARD, MS. CHIA KALU, MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND PUMP FREE.
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE WITH US THIS YEAR.
WE'LL STILL GET TO HEAR FROM YOU IN A LITTLE WHILE.
[E. NEW BUSINESS - PERSONNEL MATTERS (Mr. McCall) (6:50 - 6:55 p.m.)]
THE AGENDA IS PERSONNEL MATTERS, AND FOR THAT, I CALL ON MR. MCCALL.CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR, HARVEY, SUPERINTENDENT, DR. ROGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, LIKE THE BOARD'S CONSENT FOR THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL MATTERS THIS EVENING.
TONIGHT WE HAVE RETIREMENTS, RESIGNATIONS, LEAVES, CENTRAL AREA EDUCATION AND ADVISORY COUNCIL APPOINTMENT.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL MATTERS AS PRESENTED EXHIBITS E ONE THROUGH E FOUR.
DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND, YOUNG.
ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
OUR NEXT ITEM IS PUBLIC COMMENT.
THIS IS ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THE BOARD PROVIDES TO HEAR THE VIEWS AND RECEIVE THE ADVICE OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
[F. NEW BUSINESS - ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS (Dr. Rogers) (6:55 - 7:05 p.m.)]
AGENDA IS ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS.AND FOR THAT, I CALL ON DR. ROGERS.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR, LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M BRINGING FORWARD THE FOLLOWING ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS FOR YOUR APPROVAL.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FISCAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF FISCAL SERVICES, PRINCIPAL LOCK, RAVEN HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, OAKLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SPECIALIST, SECONDARY MATHEMATICS, SENIOR OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR, OFFICE OF FACILITY SUPPORT SERVICES.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL MATTERS AS PRESENTED? EXHIBIT FF ONE.
ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
OUR FIRST APPOINTMENT THIS EVENING IS JENNIFER MARTINEZ.
PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED.
JENNIFER MARTINEZ IS ATTENDING THIS EVENING WITH HER HUSBAND, JUAN MARTINEZ, AND IS BEING APPOINTED AND IS BEING APPOINTED AS THE PRINCIPAL AT LOCK RAVEN HIGH SCHOOL WITH 26 YEARS OF BCPS EXPERIENCE.
JENNIFER'S PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES INCLUDE HOME AND ECONOMICS TEACHER AT MIDDLE RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION TEACHER AT LANSDOWN HIGH SCHOOL, PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT WESTERN SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT WESTERN SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY AND LOCK RAVEN HIGH SCHOOL.
[00:10:05]
NEXT APPOINTMENT THIS EVENING IS CHESTER SAUNDERS CHESTER.PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED.
CHESTER IS ATTENDING WITH HIS WIFE BRIANNA, AND IS BEING APPOINTED AS THE PRINCIPAL AT OAKLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH SEVEN YEARS OF BCPS SERVICE.
PRIOR EXPERIENCES INCLUDE ELEMENTARY TEACHER AT JOPPA VIEW, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT PINEWOOD ELEMENTARY AND VINCENT FARM ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
PRIOR TO THAT, CHESTER WAS AN ELEMENTARY TEACHER WITH CLARK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
NEXT APPOINTMENT THIS EVENING IS MATTHEW STEMPEL.
MATTHEW, UH, WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THIS EVENING, HOWEVER, HE IS BEING APPOINTED AS THE SENIOR OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR CONTRACT MAINTENANCE IN THE OFFICE OF FACILITY SUPPORT SERVICES WITH ONE YEAR OF BCPS EXPERIENCE.
HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS THE SENIOR FACILITY INSPECTOR IN THE OFFICE OF FACILITIES, UH, SUPPORT SERVICES.
PRIOR TO THAT, HE SERVED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, INCLUDING THE MARYLAND ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, UH, THE UNITED DOMINION REALTY TRUST IN HARTFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MATTHEW TEMPLE.
OUR NEXT APPOINTMENT IS HERE THIS EVENING.
WHITNEY TIFF, PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED.
HE IS ATTENDING WITH HIS WIFE.
YOU CAN ALSO PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED.
DORA TANT, LIFT AND SON GAVIN TANT LIFT WHIT IS BEING APPOINTED AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FISCAL SERVICES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FISCAL SERVICES WITH 10 YEARS OF BCPS EXPERIENCE.
HIS PRIOR EXPERIENCES INCLUDE DIRECTOR OF BUDGET AND REPORTING IN THE OFFICE OF BUDGET AND REPORTING.
PRIOR TO THAT, HE SERVED AS OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT HEAD IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE PROCUREMENT SPECIALISTS, UH, DIRECTOR OF SALES, FINANCE AND BUDGET DIRECTOR IN BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, AND BALTIMORE CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
FINAL APPOINTMENT FOR THE EVENING IS ALISON ZANE.
ALISON ZANE IS ATTENDING WITH HER HUSBAND CHARLES ZANE
ALLISON'S PRIOR EXPERIENCE INCLUDES MATH TEACHER AT HEREFORD HIGH SCHOOL AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT TEACHER AT FIFTH DISTRICT ELEMENTARY AND HEREFORD HIGH SCHOOL.
[G. PUBLIC COMMENT (7:05 - 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 HAS 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.
WHILE WE ENCOURAGE PUBLIC INPUT ON POLICY PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE SPORT 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 JUST 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 WE'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP.
THE MICROPHONE WILL BE TURNED OFF AT THE END OF YOUR TIME OR PRIOR TO THAT TIME AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD CHAIR.
IT IS THE PRACTICE OF THE BOARD TO ALLOW ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PROVIDE THEIR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD.
FIRST TO SPEAK IS DELEGATE MCCASKILL, WHO I BELIEVE IS VIRTUAL.
WELL, GOOD EVENING FOR THE RECORD.
I AM DELEGATE ATHIA MCCASKILL.
FIRST, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE APPOINTMENTS FOR THIS EVENING.
NOW, I WANNA JUST THANK SUPERINTENDENT DR.
MERRIM ROGERS AND THE BOARD PRESIDENT, UM, LICHTER AND VP HARVEY AND ALL THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND SUPPORT ABOUT TEACHERS AND OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF BALTIMORE COUNTY.
I WANNA TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO SPEAK ABOUT WORKING
[00:15:01]
TOGETHER ON A FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVEL DURING THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES AND STAYING FOCUSED ON OUR CHILDREN.I'M LENDING MY VOICE AND SUPPORT AS A STATE DELEGATE FOR BCPS STUDENTS, TEACHERS, STAFF, BUS DRIVERS, BUILDING MAINTENANCE WORKERS, AND EVERYONE WHO PLAYS A ROLE IN EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN.
I JUST COMPLETED A LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING SESSIONS I HAVE HAD SINCE I'VE BEEN A PART OF THE MGA.
THIS FISCAL REALITY OF MARYLAND STATE THAT WE'RE FACING ALONG WITH FEDERAL CUTS THAT HAS NEGATIVELY IMPACT EVERYONE ACROSS THIS NATION HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
IN THE STATE LEGISLATOR, WE FACE $3 BILLION DEFICITS THAT REQUIRED EXTREMELY TOUGH DECISIONS TO BE MADE TO BALANCE OUR STATE BUDGET, WHICH IS A MANDATE FROM OUR STATE CHARTER COUPLING WITH THE FEDERAL CUT, LOCAL COUNTY'S CHALLENGING REVENUE FORECAST AND BUDGET SHORTFALLS CREATED A PERFECT BUDGETARY AND FISCAL STORM THAT WE HAVE ALL INHERITED.
WE ARE IN AN UNCHARTED WATER TERRITORY AND MUST REMAIN STEADFAST UNITED AND FOCUSED ON OUR FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES AS FISCAL STEWARDS OF OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
THESE UNPRECEDENTED AND CHALLENGING TIMES REQUIRE ALL OF US TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY, BE CREATIVE IN SEEKING COMMON GROUND ON WHICH WE ALL STAND.
FOR NOW, AS A STATE LEGISLATOR AND A PARTNER WITH YOU ALL, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO KEEP IN MIND THE MAIN THING THAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS AND PROVIDING A 21ST CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT IS SECOND TO NONE.
REMEMBER, OUR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IS OUR NORTH STAR.
WE DEFINITELY HAVE UNPRECEDENTED FISCAL AND BUDGETARY CHALLENGES THAT WE MUST ALL FACE HEAD ON.
NOW IN THIS TIME AS WE'RE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING THROUGH BOTH LENS AND MAKE OUR DECISIONS BASED ON STUDENTS, STAFF, AND FAMILIES, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT BCPS DOES NOT GENERATE ITS OWN FUNDS.
SOME OF THE SENTIMENTS THAT I'VE BEEN HEARING AS A LEGISLATOR IS NOT BEING DIRECTED TO THE CORRECT ENTITY, AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO CUT JOBS.
UM, IN THE CLASSROOMS, DR. ROGERS AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS CONTINUE TO BUILD AND RENOVATE NEW SCHOOLS, CONTINUE TO OVERSEE THE OPERATIONS AND POLICIES THAT GOT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AND CONTINUE TO WORK WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS DURING OUR VERY DIFFICULT TIMES.
OUR ACADEMICS ARE TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I'M SO EXCITED TO HEAR AND AFTER THIS IS AFTER YEARS OF DECLINE.
NOW IT IS NOT TIME TO PULL BACK, BUT IT'S TIME TO LEAN IN AND BUILD ON OUR ACADEMIC ACCESS.
SO WITH THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF OUR AMAZING TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, CAFETERIA, WORKERS, STAFF, PVW, PSYCHOLOGISTS, SROS, AND I KNOW I'M FORGETTING SOMEONE, AND ALL THE MANY DEDICATED WORKERS, UM, WHO DESERVE TO BE RECOGNIZED, I JUST WANNA LET YOU KNOW THAT I SALUTE YOU.
SO LET'S CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ATTAIN THE ULTIMATE GOAL, WHICH IS ENSURING EVERY CHILD, REGARDLESS OF ZIP CODE, RECEIVES A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION.
AND I PLEDGE TO YOU ON THE STATE SIDE TO CONTINUE TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH ALL OUR COLLEAGUES TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THE BLUEPRINT THAT REMAINS INTACT AND THAT WE GET THROUGH THIS TROUBLED WATERS TOGETHER IN WHICH DIFFICULT DECISIONS WILL HAVE TO BE MADE.
SO IN CLOSING, I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND I THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR AWESOME JOB AND YOUR DEDICATION TO SUPPORT, UM, OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FAMILIES OF VCPS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
OUR NEXT ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO IS IN THE AUDIENCE, IS DELEGATE THAT EVENING.
AND I WANT TO, UH, THANK SUPERINTENDENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, PARTICULARLY THE BOARD CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, AND THANK YOU FOR A REALLY TOUGH YEAR, LOW POINT OF PRIVILEGE HERE BECAUSE I'M REALLY WANNA TALK TO MY PEOPLE.
I THOUGHT I HAD THIS TOGETHER UNTIL I CAME INTO THIS ROOM.
MAY I, AND I'M GONNA DO IT WITHOUT THIS MICROPHONE.
I REALLY THOUGHT I HAD THIS TOGETHER AND KNEW WHAT I WANTED TO SAY BECAUSE I AM NOT JUST A UNION PERSON.
I AM A TABCO PERSON, AND I'M SO PROUD OF TABCO FOR STANDING UP WHETHER THE MONEY IS THERE OR NOT.
[00:20:01]
HERE TO FIGHT FOR YOUR JOBS AND FIGHT FOR OUR CHILDREN BECAUSE WE CAN'T GIVE OUR BEST TO OUR CHILDREN WITHOUT BEING TREATED AS IF WE ARE THE PROFESSIONALS THAT WE ARE.SO I COME HERE WITH A REAL STRANGE HEART TONIGHT BECAUSE I AM A FIGHTER AND I BELIEVE IN SAYING WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID, BUT I HAVE TO AGREE.
AND ONE THING THAT DELEGATE MCCASKILL SAID, AND THAT IS THAT FIGHT NEEDS TO GO TO THE COURTHOUSE.
THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE THAT THEY CAN'T LOCK OFF MONEY, THAT THEY CAN'T SAY WE'RE PUTTING IT HERE, WHEREVER HERE IS, AND WHATEVER HERE IS SUPPOSED TO DO WITHOUT LETTING US, AND I SAY US, KNOW WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING.
I I'M HAPPY THAT THE BAR, OTHER AGENT BARGAINING GROUPS ARE STANDING WITH YOU, BUT HAVE SAID, WE'LL WAIT UNTIL JANUARY.
AND I'M THANKFUL THAT THEY FOUND AND DUG AND MOVED AROUND MONEY SO THAT YOU CAN GET IT.
BECAUSE WE DESERVE, YOU DESERVE.
WE DESERVE THE VERY, VERY BEST BECAUSE WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR VERY BEST.
NOW, I CAME, I'M IN A CONFERENCE AT IN, IN BUOY.
SO I CAME UP BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO CALL TO DO THIS.
MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE CALLED INSTEAD OF DOING THIS, BUT IT WAS THIS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO STAND HERE IN MY DRESS THAT LOOKS LIKE A SUMMER PICNIC,
BUT IT WAS THAT IMPORTANT TO COME UP AND LOOK AT YOU AND SAY, THANK YOU FOR THE WILLINGNESS TO FIGHT, BUT DON'T LET THE FIGHT STOP HERE.
THAT FIGHT HAS TO BE TOLD, NOT JUST IN THIS PART BUT ANNAPOLIS, TO COME TO US AND MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE, NOT JUST FOR BALTIMORE COUNTY, BUT FOR ALL LEAS IN THIS STATE.
WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO TREAT OUR EDUCATORS AND THE BUS DRIVERS AND THE CAFETERIA FOLKS IN ALL OF THE, ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT US, OUR PARIS, JUST LIKE WE ARE THROWAWAY.
BUT GUESS WHAT? IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR AND EVERYBODY'S GONNA WANT THAT APPLE.
THEY GOING ALL WANT THAT APPLE.
AND THEY WILL NOT TELL THE TRUTH.
THEY WILL PLAY GAMES TO GET THAT APPLE.
AND WHEN IT IS ALL SAID AND DONE, WE WON'T HEAR ABOUT EDUCATION AGAIN UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE.
AND I GET ACCUSED ALL THE TIME OF JUST TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION.
BUT IF WE DON'T TAKE CARE OF OUR SYSTEMS AND OUR CHILDREN, THEN NOTHING THAT WE DO IN ANNAPOLIS OR DC WILL EVER MAKE A DIFFERENCE BECAUSE WE WILL BE RAISING A BUNCH OF MIS PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF DEMOCRACY, WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION.
SO I'M ASKING YOU YES, TO KNOW THAT THIS BOARD HAS WORKED TO TRY TO FIND THAT MONEY AND THEY PUT THE MONEY DOWN, NOBODY WOULD MAKE A PROMISE JUST SO THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE PULLED BACK.
WE DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL LATE THAT WE WERE GONNA HAVE A STATE MESS FISCALLY.
AND SO WE HAVE MOVED THINGS AROUND AND PROBABLY GONNA HAVE TO GO INTO SPECIAL SESSION BECAUSE EVERY TIME THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAKES A CHANGE, WE HAVE TO MAKE A CHANGE BECAUSE THE LAW SAYS OUR BUDGET MUST BE BALANCED.
AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING AND THAT'S WHY I AM SAYING DON'T JUST TAKE YOUR ARGUMENT HERE.
TAKE IT AND ASK THE QUESTION, WHERE IS THAT POT OF COUNTING
[00:25:01]
MONEY? TELL US ELABORATE, EXPLAIN WHERE IS THE MONEY BECAUSE YOU DO DESERVE IT.AND AT THIS POINT, I'M PROBABLY BABBLING AND SO I'M GONNA STOP.
BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I CAME UP THIS HIGHWAY IN THAT AWFUL TRAFFIC BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN TABCO, I BELIEVE IN BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND I BELIEVE THEY WANT TO GIVE YOU WHAT YOU DESERVE.
AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING I CAN DO, LIKE DE UM, DELEGATE MCCASKILL SAID IN THE STATE, YOU'VE GOTTA LET US KNOW.
AND WHEN YOU COME DOWN, AND IF I'M NOT THERE, DON'T GIVE UP.
WHOEVER IT WAS I SAID IT TO, I DON'T KNOW.
I SAID, YOU DON'T NEED AN APPOINTMENT.
YOU DON'T NEED AN APPOINTMENT.
AND IF I'M ON THE FLOOR, YOU TELL MY CHIEF OF STAFF AND I'LL COME HAPPILY COME OFF THE FLOOR SO WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION.
BUT USE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES PLEASE AND CONTINUE TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT FOR OUR CHILDREN AND WIN.
SO I'M FINISHED BATTLING, SO I'M TAKE MY TABLE OFF.
NEXT, OUR, OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AFFILIATED GROUPS TO SPEAK.
AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS GRAY FAVOR FROM THE NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS OR FAVOR? GRAY FAVOR? GRAY.
UH, HELLO, HELLO FROM NEWTOWN HEIGHT.
MY NAME IS FA GRAY AND I'M A RECENT GRADUATE OF NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL TODAY,
TONIGHT I WANNA SPEAK ON BEHALF OF NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL AND THE BALTIMORE COUNTY TO SHARE THE IMPACT OF THE CTE PROGRAM AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE SUPERINTENDENT DR. ROGER ROGERS AND HAS LIKE WHAT HAS GOT ME THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR OF FOUR YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL.
THE CTE HAS HAD A MAJOR IMPACT ON MY EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS AT NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL.
BEFORE I BEGAN TO EXPLAIN THE IMPACT OF THE CTE PROGRAM THAT I'M A PART OF, I WANNA GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT ME AND BEAR WITH ME BECAUSE THERE IS SOME CONNECTIONS.
I WAS BORN IN ACRO GHANA TO LIBRARIAN PARENTS.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT KNOW, THOSE ARE TWO DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
I WAS SURROUNDED BY FAMILY IN GHANA AND I GREW UP SHELTERED IN LOVE.
HOWEVER, AT THE AGE OF 13, I WAS DRAGGED AWAY FROM THE PERFECT PICTURE THAT I KNEW.
I CAME TO NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, VERY LOST AND VERY ALONE IN THE COUNTRY.
IN IN THE COUNTRY, A NEW COUNTRY.
BUT NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL GAVE ME THE FAMILY THAT I VERY MUCH NEEDED.
THERE ARE MANY TEACHERS AND CLUBS LIKE THE AFRICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION, WHICH I WAS THE TREASURER OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION AND HOSA, WHICH IS THE HEALTH OCCUPATION STUDENTS OF AMERICA THAT HELPED ME ADJUST TO THE AMERICAN LIFE.
BUT MS. CREDIT, MCDANIEL AND PRO THE WAY HELPED ME FIND THE PURPOSE, HELPED ME FIND MY PURPOSE, AND HELPED ME CHOOSE MY CAREER PATH FOR THE FUTURE.
I'LL BE A NURSE WHEN I GRADUATE FROM YOUR COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA IN 2029.
THE C THE CTE PROGRAM, WHICH IS PLTW BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, HAS TAUGHT ME SO MANY SKILLS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR ME TO ENTER THE MEDICAL FIELD.
AND HERE I'M GONNA LIST MY FAVORITE, MY THREE FAVORITE SKILLS.
I KNOW HOW TO LABEL THE HUMAN BODY PODS, AND I KNOW HOW TO SUTURE.
LAST YEAR, LAST YEAR, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON 6 95 WHERE A, WHERE THE DRIVER COLLIDED WITH THE DEER.
THE PASSENGER IN THE MOST FREAKIEST ACCIDENT WAS PUNCTURED IN PUNCTURED IN HER STOMACH BY THE DEAREST ANTLERS.
MANY CARS DROVE BY, BUT MY AUNT AND I PULLED OVER.
EVERYONE WAS TRYING TO HELP HER, BUT I REMEMBERED FROM MY PLTW CLASS THAT KEEPING THE PATIENT AWAKE IS IMPORTANT.
SO THAT'S WHAT I TOLD THEM TO DO UNTIL THE EMT ARRIVE, EVEN THOUGH THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH STOPPING THE BLEED, I WAS STILL ABLE TO MAKE SURE THE VICTIM WAS AWAKE.
HAVE I ACTUALLY LEARNED HOW TO STOP THE BLEED? YES.
IF I WAS EVER IN A SITUATION WHERE I WAS CAMPING OR WHERE THERE WAS A KITCHEN
[00:30:01]
ACCIDENT, I KNOW HOW TO STOP THE BLEED.OH, THAT'S THE END OF THE THREE MINUTES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND GOOD LUCK.
KATHLEEN SETZER, REPRESENTING THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION.
SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS, BOARD CHAIR LICHTER AND THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS AS STATED, I'M DR.
KATHLEEN SETZER AND I'M THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION, BETTER KNOWN AS SSAA.
TONIGHT I SPEAK WITH A HEART FILLED WITH BOTH GRATITUDE AND HOPE.
WE ARE TRULY THANKFUL THAT A MAJORITY OF NEGOTIATIONS HAVE COME TO A CLOSE AND AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED.
WHILE THIS PROCESS HAS NOT BEEN EASY, IT HAS REMINDED US OF A TRUTH WE HOLD DEAR.
OUR EDUCATORS ARE THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
THEIR RESILIENCE, THEIR PROFESSIONALISM, AND THEIR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS, EVEN IN MOMENTS OF UNCERTAINTY, HAVE CARRIED US FORWARD TO EVERY TEACHER, STAFF MEMBER AND ADMINISTRATOR WHO REMAINS FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS MOST OUR STUDENTS, WE SEE YOU AND WE THANK YOU.
YOUR DEDICATION INSPIRES US ALL, BUT THIS MOMENT IS THE BEGINNING.
NOW MORE THAN EVER, OUR CHILDREN NEED TO FEEL THAT TO KNOW, TO KNOW THAT WE UNCOMPROMISINGLY COMMITTED TO THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, THEY NEED TO SEE ADULTS IN THEIR LIVES CHOOSING COLLABORATION, HOPE, AND COURAGE.
LET THIS BE A MOMENT WHERE WE AS A COMMUNITY MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER WITH EMPATHY, WITH STRENGTH, AND WITH A SHARED SENSE OF PURPOSE.
LET US RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS.
NOT BECAUSE IT'S EASY, BUT BECAUSE IT'S NECESSARY.
WE OWE THEM ACTION, INTEGRITY, AND UNITY BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS ARE NOT JUST OUR FUTURE, THEY ARE OUR PRESENT AND THEY ARE WATCHING.
LET US SHOW THEM WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN ADULTS WORK TOGETHER AND CHOOSE WHAT'S BEST FOR CHILDREN.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS EDWIN PEREZ.
MY NAME IS EDWIN PEREZ, CHAIRPERSON OF THE MULTILINGUAL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY PTA COUNCIL.
I'M HERE TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF ALL OUR STUDENTS THIS SUMMER, ESPECIALLY OUR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AND THOSE FROM MIXED STATUS FAMILIES.
SUMMER FOR SOME STUDENTS BRINGS UNIQUE RISKS.
WHEN SCHOOLS CLOSE THE SAFE ENVIRONMENT, THEY'RE OFFER CHANGES LEAVING CERTAIN STUDENTS VULNERABLE.
WHILE WE APPRECIATE BCPS SUMMER PROGRAMS AND THE SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM, OUR RESPONSIBILITY EXTENDS TO THE OVERALL WELLBEING OF EVERY CHILD.
THIS COMMITMENT ALIGNS WITH THE NATIONAL PTA STANDARDS FOR FAMILY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS GUIDING HOW SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE STUDENT SAFETY.
THIS SUMMER WE FOCUS ON FOUR KEY STANDARDS.
FIRST, WE ASK BCPS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE EASY TO UNDERSTAND MULTILINGUAL INFORMATION AND SUPPORT FOR MULTILINGUAL IMMIGRANT AND MIXED STATUS FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.
THIS INCLUDES CLEAR CHANNELS FOR REPORTING CONCERNS AND CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
WE MUST PROACTIVELY REACH FAMILIES ENSURING THEY FEEL WELCOMED AND SUPPORTED, BOTH THIS SUMMER AND INTO THE FALL TO ENSURE, UH, OUR OUR STUDENT SAFETY, SORRY, RIGHT, THE WRONG PAGE.
UH, SECOND, WE URGE BC PES TO CONTINUE ACTIVELY PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE SAFE SUPERVISED CULTURALLY SENSITIVE SUMMER PROGRAMS. THESE INTENTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS WILL OFFER UNIQUE SUPPORT, FOSTERING HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT, AND A SENSE OF BELONGING AND HELPING TO BUILD VITAL TRUST WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES.
THIRD, WE ASK FOR THOROUGH CULTURALLY COMPETENT TRAINING FOR ALL BCPS SUMMER STAFF.
THIS TRAINING WILL EQUIP THEM TO RECOGNIZE THE STRESS, UNDERSTAND FAMILY CHALLENGES, AND CONNECT STUDENTS TO SUPPORT.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO REVIEW AND UPDATE SAFETY PROTOCOLS REGARDING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IN THE COMMUNITIES NEAR OUR CAMPUSES, ENSURING OUR SCHOOLS ARE RECOGNIZED AS SAFE ZONES FOR ALL STUDENTS.
FINALLY, WE ASK FOR CONTINUED CLEAR PUBLIC COMMITMENT FROM BCPS SCHOOL BOARD TO CHAMPION THE PROTECTION AND WELLBEING OF ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.
THIS MEANS ACTIVELY ENGAGING WITH POLICIES AFFECTING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES.
WE MUST USE OUR COLLECTIVE VOICE MONITOR POLICY CHANGES BOTH EDUCATION AND IMMIGRATION, AND ENSURE UPDATES WITH FAMILIES TO ENSURE OUR STUDENTS FEEL SECURE IN OUR COMMUNITY, FREE FROM FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY.
THESE ARE ESSENTIAL STEPS FOR A SAFE SUMMER FOR EVERY CHILD IN BCPS.
BY EMBRACING THESE DEMANDS, WE STRENGTHEN OUR DEDICATION TO EFFECTIVE FAMILY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS.
[00:35:01]
URGE THE BOARD TO ASK SWIFTLY ON OUR STUDENT SAFETY AND WELLBEING THIS SUMMER.WE'RE NOW CALLING ON OUR UNION REPS AND OUR FIRST ONE IS CINDY SEXTON FROM TAPCO.
AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
THESE ARE CERTAINLY NOT THE REMARKS I WANTED TO BE BRINGING.
AT MY LAST BOARD OF ED MEETING AS TABCO PRESIDENT, NONE OF US WANTED TO BE HERE FIGHTING FOR OUR NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT.
WE ALL THOUGHT THIS WAS SOMETHING WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO FOR WELL AT LEAST THREE YEARS.
AND YET HERE WE ARE AND I WON'T GO INTO YET AGAIN THE HISTORICAL HIGHLY TOUTED PRESS LADEN DETAILS, WHICH GLORIFIED THE AGREEMENT AND HOW I'VE SPOKEN AD NAUSEUM TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL, COUNTY EXECUTIVE STAFF, AND BCPS LEADERSHIP ABOUT FINDING MONEY TO FUND THE COMPENSATION THAT WAS AGREED TO IN OUR CONTRACT.
BUT I HAVEN'T SPOKEN ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL BOARD IN THIS.
IN A RECENT RETREAT WITH THE TABCO BOARD, WE WERE REMINDED OF AND TRAINED BY LEGAL COUNSEL ON THE FIDUCIARY DUTIES OF ANY BOARD MEMBER.
AND WE WERE REMINDED THAT A FAILURE OF ANY ORGANIZATION IS ULTIMATELY A FAILURE OF THE BOARD.
NOT THE PRESIDENT, NOT THE SUPERINTENDENT, BUT THE BOARD ITSELF.
YOU MUST ANSWER FOR THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF OUR STUDENTS FOR RETAINING EDUCATORS FOR OUR STUDENTS.
AND YES, FOR ADOPTING AND APPROVING BUDGETS, NEGOTIATED AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS AND MORE THAT DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY AFFECT OUR STUDENTS.
AND BY EXTENSION OUR COMMUNITIES AND INDEED EVEN THE FUTURE OF OUR SOCIETY.
THROUGH THE POLICIES YOU ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT AND THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF LOCAL PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ALL THE ACTIVITIES IN WHICH THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE.
YOUR PLAYING SMALL DOES NOT SERVE THE WORLD.
YOUR FIDUCIARY DUTY OF CARE REQUIRES YOU TO ACT WITH DILIGENCE AND PRUDENCE IN MANAGING THE ASSETS OF BCPS, ENSURING THAT THE SYSTEM IS PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND MANAGED TO AVOID SITUATIONS THAT COULD LEAD TO FINANCIAL OR OPERATION DIFFICULTIES.
AND HERE WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF BOTH.
THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY OF YOUR ORGANIZATION IS ONE OF YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES.
THAT MEANS WHEN PRESENTED WITH A BUDGET OF ALMOST $3 BILLION, YOU ASKED QUESTIONS.
WE KNOW SOME BOARD MEMBERS DID ASK QUESTIONS AND WE THANK YOU FOR THAT.
HOW ELSE ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO KNOW? WE WOULD NEVER WANT OUR STUDENTS TO BE PRESENTED WITH A TASK OR LESSON AND NOT ASK QUESTIONS.
WHEN YOU WERE SHOWN THE THREE YEAR AGREEMENT, WHAT ABOUT HOW IT WOULD BE FUNDED? PEOPLE ARE LOSING MONEY IN THE REALLOCATIONS OF POSITIONS.
NOT TO MENTION THE STRESS AND CHAOS THAT THESE MOVES ARE CAUSING.
POSITIONS ARE ELIMINATED, REDUCED PLACEMENTS RESCINDED.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IS NOT OKAY.
AND WE'RE ALL FEELING THAT NOW.
HAVE YOU QUESTIONED WHAT IS HAPPENING? CAN YOU LOOK AT YOURSELF IN THE MIRROR OR BETTER YET, CAN YOU LOOK AT THE STUDENTS YOU ARE HERE TO SERVE AND SAY YOU HAVE DONE YOUR DUE DILIGENCE? I LOOKED UP DUE DILIGENCE.
IT'S AN ACTUAL LEGAL REQUIREMENT.
OUR STUDENTS DESERVE YOUR DUE DILIGENCE AND SOME OF YOU HAVE NOT EXHIBITED THAT.
DO BETTER FOR OUR STUDENTS AS EVER.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BILLY BURKE FROM CASE.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BILLY BURKE FROM CASE.
GOOD EVENING CHAIRMAN, MRS. LICHTER, VICE CHAIR, MRS. HARVEY, SUPERINTENDENT DR. ROGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF CASE.
IT HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT SPRING.
THE FISCAL DEFICIT REQUIRED THAT MANY POSITIONS BE ELIMINATED.
CASE MEMBERS WERE REASSIGNED AND AS YOU KNOW, THE SALARY PACKAGE HAD TO BE RENEGOTIATED.
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF CASE MEMBERS AND TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE CASE MEMBERS HAVE SACRIFICED IN ORDER TO GET A RENEGOTIATED AGREEMENT.
BECAUSE OF THE NEW SALARY AGREEMENT IS DELAYED UNTIL JANUARY, IT IS WORTH HALF OF THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT.
OVER 30 CASE MEMBERS WERE REASSIGNED TO POSITIONS THAT ARE LOWER IN HIERARCHY ON THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART, RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT PAY CUTS.
FOR MOST PEOPLE, THEY LOST 10% OF THEIR PAY, BUT A FEW LOST SIGNIFICANTLY MORE.
AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE HAD TO BE REASSIGNED TO POSITIONS IN OTHER UNIONS, A FEW MEMBERS HAVE STILL NOT RECEIVED FINAL ASSIGNMENTS.
SCHOOLS LOST 10% OF THEIR BUDGETS.
MOST CENTRAL OFFICES LOST A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF STAFF.
LAST WEEK, A LARGE NUMBER OF ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL POSITIONS WERE ELIMINATED AND PRINCIPALS WERE GIVEN NEW LOWER STAFFING NUMBERS.
THE CHANGES WERE MADE BASED ON STRICT ADHERENCE TO STAFFING STANDARDS.
I WOULD CAUTION THAT STAFFING STANDARDS ARE A GREAT STARTING POINT, BUT YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE PROGRAMS AT EACH SCHOOL TO TRULY STAFF TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS.
[00:40:01]
LIKE STAFF DEVELOPMENT TEACHER AND CONSULTING TEACHER WERE REDUCED.I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL LEAVE NEW TEACHERS AND TEACHERS WITH CONDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AND TEACHERS THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITHOUT THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
THAT WORK CAN'T FALL TO ADMINISTRATORS ALONE.
PPWS LOST MOST OF THEIR SECRETARIAL POSITIONS.
I WORRY THAT PPWS WILL SPEND MORE TIME DOING PAPERWORK AND LESS TIME INTERACTING WITH AND SUPPORTING PARENTS.
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR CHAIR POSITIONS WERE REDUCED TO 10 MONTHS.
BOTH THESE CHANGES WILL AFFECT EFFICIENT ENROLLMENT AND COULD IMPACT SEPTEMBER 30.
NUMBERS THAT COULD IMPACT FUNDING ADMINISTRATORS, CELL PHONE STIPENDS WERE REDUCED.
CENTRAL OFFICE CELL PHONE STIPENDS WERE ELIMINATED.
IN MANY CASES, STAFF USE THEIR PHONES TO CONNECT WITH PARENTS WHILE THEY'RE OUT OF THEIR OFFICES.
THERE HAS BEEN SOME TALK THAT STAFF COULD USE THEIR ISSUED COMPUTERS TO CALL PARENTS.
THAT FUNCTION DOES NOT CURRENTLY EXIST AND WOULD REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT THAT FEATURE.
STAFF WON'T BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICES IF THEY AREN'T COMPENSATED TO USE THEIR PHONE FOR WORK.
ALL THIS CHANGE IN UNCERTAINTY IS AFFECTING MORALE AND CULTURE.
IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT THAT A PLAN BE CREATED AND PUBLISHED SOON SO SCHOOLS AND OFFICES KNOW HOW TO DO THE WORK WITH LESS STAFF AND LESS RESOURCES.
WE CAN'T MOVE INTO EXPECTING PEOPLE TO DO MORE WITH LESS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF CASE.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOHN CLARK FROM AFSCME.
UH, UH, CHAIRMAN LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY AND SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
AS YOU KNOW, MY NAME IS JOHN CLARK.
I'M A BUS DRIVER AT THE WINDSOR MILL LOT AND THE VICE PRESIDENT OF ASME LOCAL 4 34, WHICH REPRESENTS NEARLY 3000 WORKERS IN TRANSPORTATION, FOOD AND NUTRITION FACILITIES, GROUNDS, AND BUILDING SERVICES.
I'M HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF LOCAL 4 34 PRESIDENT BRIAN EPPS, WHO REGRETTABLY COULD UH, NOT BE HERE THIS EVENING.
UH, THE MEMBERSHIP OF ASME LOCAL 4 34 HAS VOTED IN SUPPORT OF DR. ROGERS AND THE BOARD'S EFFORTS FOR COMING TOGETHER WITH OUR UNION TO NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGING BUDGETARY ISSUES, ISSUES WE ARE FACING.
BOTH THE UNION AND THE MANAGEMENT UNDERSTAND THE UNCHARTED WATERS WE FIND OURSELVES IN.
I COMMEND THE BOARD FOR WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE OUR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR COMMUNITY WHILE HONORING THE HARD WORK OF OUR MEMBERS AND DOING SO WITHOUT ANY FURLOUGHS OR LAYOFFS.
WHILE SACRIFICES WERE MADE ON BOTH SIDES.
THE WILLINGNESS OF ALL PARTIES TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO OUR COLLECTIVE CHALLENGES IS THE KIND OF COOPERATION WE ALL WANT TO DEMONSTRATE TO OUR STUDENTS AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.
OUR NEXT CATEGORY IS NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY GROUPS.
AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS MARIETTA ENGLISH.
PRESIDENT LICHTER VICE PRESIDENT, VICE CHAIR HARVEY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND DR. ROGERS.
MY NAME IS MARIETTA ENGLISH AND I CHAIR AND I'M CHAIR OF THE AXO PROGRAM AND EDUCATION CHAIR FOR THE BALTIMORE COUNTY BRANCH OF THE A CP.
I AM HONORED TO ADDRESS YOU TODAY JUST LISTENING TO THE OTHER, AND I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES.
UM, FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO COMMEND THE SCHOOL BOARD AND DR. ROGERS FOR YOUR UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO SUPPORTING THE NEGOTIATED CONTRACTS WITH THE EDUCATIONAL STAFF.
DESPITE THE CHALLENGING POSED BY FUNDING FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, YOUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOMES FOR OUR STUDENT AND STAFF IS TRULY COMMENDABLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE.
THE NAACP IS COMMITTED TO WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE EDUCATIONAL STAFF TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS.
WE OFFER OUR FULL SUPPORT AND ARE EAGER TO PARTNER WITH YOU IN ADDRESSING ANY CHALLENGES THAT MAY ARISE.
TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE A POSITIVE AND ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS.
[00:45:01]
ARE EXCITED ABOUT OUR UPCOMING TRIP TO CHARLOTTE IN JULY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM BCPS.THIS TRIP WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS TO LEARN, GROW, AND BECOME LEADERS.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO THEIR DEVELOPMENT.
WE'RE TAKING EIGHT GOLD MEDAL WINNERS AND WE HOPE TO BRING HOME THAT MANY GOLD MEDALS.
I INVITE YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR GOLF TOURNAMENT, WHICH WILL SERVE AS OUR FUNDRAISER AND IT WILL BE HELD ON JULY 2ND AT DIAMOND RIDGE GOLF COURSE IN WOODLAWN.
THIS EVENT WILL ALSO SHOWCASE THE INCREDIBLE WORK OF OUR STUDENTS AND YOU WILL WITNESS THEIR TALENT FIRSTHAND.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONTINUED SUPPORT TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE A POSITIVE AND ENRICHING, ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS.
AND I HAVE FLYERS FOR OUR GOLF TOURNAMENT, SO I'LL LEAVE THEM OVER HERE AND YOU CAN CERTAINLY GET ONE.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TAMARA COMBS FROM THE BALTIMORE COUNTY ALUMNI CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY.
GOOD EVENING, GOOD EVENING DISTINGUISHED BOARD MEMBERS.
UM, MY NAME IS TAMARA HOLMES AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY ALUMNI CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY INCORPORATED.
I CURRENTLY SERVE AS THE CHAIR OF THE BOT TILLIAN COTILLION PROGRAM, WHICH SUPPORTS STUDENTS WITHIN THE BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
OUR CHAPTER PRESIDENT IS MS. LEE, EXCUSE ME, MRS. LISA HEL AND OUR SERVICE AREA ENCOMPASSES ALL OF BALTIMORE COUNTY.
BCAC IS PROUD TO HOST YOUTH CENTER PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOP OPPORTUNITIES FOR BCPS STUDENTS.
AS A LONGSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNER WITH BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO THE ACADEMIC, PERSONAL AND SOCIAL GROWTH OF YOUTH.
FOR THE PAST 33 YEARS, WE HAVE OFFERED THE BOT COTILLION PROGRAM TO STUDENTS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.
THIS YEAR, EXCUSE ME, LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 40 STUDENTS FROM VARIOUS BCPS HIGH SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED.
THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS, SENIORS AND COLLEGE FRESHMEN, AND IS DESIGNATED TO PROMOTE LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION, CULTURAL AWARENESS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.
THROUGH A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES, PARTICIPANTS GAIN ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS AND DEVELOP THE CONFIDENCE NECESSARY TO BECOME EFFECTIVE LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.
THIS PROGRAM CONCLUDES WITH THE FORMAL BALL CELEBRATING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GROWTH OF EACH PARTICIPANT.
WE WILL BE HOSTING AN INFORMATION SESSION ON FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ON THURSDAY, JUNE 26TH, 2025 FROM 6:00 PM TO 7:30 PM AT THE RANDALLSTOWN COMMUNITY CENTER IN RANDALLSTOWN, MARYLAND.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT OUR EMAIL ADDRESS, BBC C BOCO, BEA, UCO@GMAIL.COM.
AND ADDITIONALLY, WE'D LIKE TO EXTEND OUR SINCEREST THANKS TO DR. ROGERS FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUTH PROGRAMMING IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.
AND I DO HAVE A FLYER FOR THE EVENT.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LYNN LONGINGS FROM THE BALTIMORE COUNTY CONTINENTAL SOCIETIES.
DR. ROGERS BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
I SPEAK ONLY NOT AS A PROUD MEMBER OF BALTIMORE COUNTY CONTINENTAL SOCIETIES.
WHERE AM I? OUTGOING PRESIDENT.
NOW I'VE BEEN NOMINATED, I MEAN BEEN APPOINTED AS THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, BUT AS SOMEONE WHO DEEPLY BELIEVES IN THE POWER OF EDUCATION TO CHANGE LIVES, I COME TO YOU WITH A FULL HEART.
BECAUSE WHAT'S AT STAKE HERE IS NOT POLITICS, NOT POLICY, BUT OUR CHILDREN.
EVERY CHILD, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE, HOW MUCH THEIR FAMILY EARNS, WHAT CHALLENGES THEY FACE DESERVE TO ACCESS TO A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION.
THEY DESERVE TO WALK INTO CLASSROOMS INSPIRED AND SUPPORTED.
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, ARE EDUCATORS DESERVE THE RESOURCES, THE RESPECT, THE RECOGNITION TO
[00:50:01]
CONTINUE DOING THE SACRED WORK OF SHAPING YOUNG MINDS.WE ARE FACING TOUGH ECONOMIC REALITIES, SHIFTING PRIORITIES AND TOUGH SHIFTING PRIORITIES AND SERIOUS FUNDING CHALLENGES.
LET'S STAY GUIDED BY THE PURPOSES AND FOCUS ON FOCUS ON WHAT TRULY MATTERS OUR CHILDREN AND EDUCATORS WHO TEACH THEM.
SO I SAY TONIGHT, PLEASE, LET'S THINK ABOUT THE CHILDREN.
'CAUSE EVERYONE IN HERE, IT TAKES A VILLAGE.
AND WE ALL HAVE CAREERS THAT WE'VE STOOD ON.
SO WE LIKE TO CONTINUE THAT WITH THE CHILDREN OF TODAY.
THEY ARE LOOKING FOR LOVE, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES.
THEY NEED US TO STAND UP AND PUT ASIDE WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EDUCATION THAT WE'VE HAD FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS FROM READING BOOKS TO TELETHONS TO RADIOTHONS, WE NEED THAT BACK.
WE HAVE TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN TO MAKE IT IN THE WORLD.
SO I SAY TONIGHT IT TAKES A VILLAGE AND IT TAKES ALL OF US TO SIT BACK AND THINK ABOUT WHEN WE WERE YOUNG.
YOU SEE KIDS ON THE BUS STOP AND YOU WONDER WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR HEAD.
WHAT ARE THEY DOING? ARE THEY HUNGRY TONIGHT? DO THEY NEED HELP? WHAT DO THEY NEED? AND IT HURTS MY HEART TO LOOK ON THE BUS STOP TO SEE CHILDREN.
YOU KNOW, I LOOK INTO THEIR EYES AND I'M WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD? ARE THEY EATING? DO THEY HAVE A PENCIL? WHY ARE THEY ANGRY? AND THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON SO THAT WE CAN GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN.
SO I SAY THANK YOU AND STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE.
NEXT ARE INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS AND STUDENT GROUPS.
AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS SHARON SOFF.
BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND BOARD.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW ME, I'M SHARON SOFF.
I'M A PARENT ADVOCATE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.
I'M ALSO A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY.
WE ARE CELEBRATING GRADUATIONS RIGHT NOW AMIDST A CLIMATE OF THE PEOPLE BACK THERE WHO ARE MY COLLEAGUES.
'CAUSE I WAS ONCE A TEACHER ARE BEING TOLD THAT THEIR RAISES DON'T COUNT.
THEY'RE BEING TOLD THAT THEIR SERVICE DOESN'T, ISN'T VALUED BECAUSE RATING A CONTRACT.
BUT THAT'S NOT WHY I AM HERE TODAY.
I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I DON'T THINK PEOPLE ARE LISTENING.
WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE GRADUATING WHO ARE THREE AND FOUR GRADES BELOW WHERE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE.
I SAT IN A MEETING YESTERDAY FOR A STUDENT WHO'S GOING INTO HIGH SCHOOL, WHO'S FUNCTIONING ON A THIRD GRADE LEVEL.
I'VE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE, BUT THAT'S OKAY.
WAS THAT WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOUR CHILD? I DON'T THINK ANY OF THE TEACHERS BEHIND ME WANT THAT FOR THEIR CHILDREN OR FOR THE STUDENTS IN THEIR CLASSROOM.
AND I CERTAINLY FOUGHT VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT MY KIDS DID NOT GET THAT KIND OF AN ATTITUDE.
I WAS IN A MEETING YESTERDAY WHERE I FOUND OUT THAT A STUDENT OF MINE DIDN'T HAVE A DEVICE FOR THREE MONTHS.
YOU IMAGINE TAKING THESE GLASSES OFF AND NOT, AND FOR THREE MONTHS, I CAN TELL YOU WHAT I'M SEEING RIGHT NOW AND IT'S NOT VERY MUCH.
BUT IT'S AGAIN, IT'S OKAY BECAUSE WHAT DID WE START DOING? WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT TAKING THAT DEVICE AWAY, PERIOD.
WE'VE GOT TO STOP LOOKING AT THINGS AS BEING OKAY AND LESS IS MORE.
WE'VE GOTTA GIVE THESE TEACHERS WHAT THEY WANT, BE WHAT THEY DESERVE, NOT WHAT THEY WANT.
[00:55:01]
ARE WALKING AWAY AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE THEM.SO THINK ABOUT WHAT I JUST SAID.
IT'S THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
I'VE GOT MEETINGS IN THE SUMMER AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THEY'RE TAKING PLACE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE STAFF.
MABEL MURRAY BECAUSE I WASN'T TEACHABLE
I HONESTLY BACK HERE BEFORE THE DAY IS OVER,
EVENING, WHATEVER TODAY IS, I AM HERE BECAUSE I AM 90 YEARS OLD AND I STARTED TEACHING.
AND I STARTED TEACHING IN 1956.
I STARTED TEACHING IN 1956 WHEN THEY DIDN'T HAVE MUCH IN THE SCHOOLS IN 1956.
AND THEY TURNED AROUND AND LOOKED AT US AND SAID, WE DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET 'EM, BUT YOU GOTTA TASTE THE CHILDREN BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T TEACH THE CHILDREN, WHY ARE YOU HERE? AND SO WHAT WE DID, WE TOOK A LOOK AROUND THE ROOM TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THERE.
AND WHAT WE FOUND OUT WAS THERE WAS LOTS OF THINGS LIKE AIR THAT HAD SMOKE IN IT BECAUSE WE HAD APOE STOVE IN THE CLASSROOM THAT ACTUALLY DID TURN RED WHENEVER IT GOT HOT.
OH, IT WAS CUTE BUT IT WASN'T FUNNY.
AND SO WE TURNED AROUND AND SAID, NOW WHAT CAN WE DO NOW? WE HAVE TO DEPEND ON EACH OTHER IN THIS SCHOOL TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN LEARN BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN HAVE TO LEARN.
OUR CHILDREN HAVE TO LEARN BECAUSE NOBODY THINKS THEY CAN.
AND EVERY TIME WE LOOK AT THEM, WE KNOW THAT'S NOT TRUE.
SO WE WENT OUT AND EVERY SUMMER WE WENT THROUGH BOOKS LIKE ZANER BLAZER AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT WAS WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN AND BOUGHT COPIES AND BROUGHT THEM TO SCHOOL AND SHARED THEM WITH OTHER CLASSROOM TEACHERS SO THAT WE HAD ENOUGH TO DO AND ENOUGH WORK FOR THE CHILDREN TO DO.
AND WE WORKED WITH THEM AND WE GOT THEM UP AND WE MADE THEM LEARN AND WE HELPED THEM TO UNDERSTAND.
AND WHEN DO YOU THINK WE HAD PTA MEETINGS? WE HAD PTA MEETINGS AT SEVEN O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.
WE HAD PTA MEETINGS AT SEVEN O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.
'CAUSE THE MOTHERS HAD TO GO TO WORK AND THE FATHERS HAD TO GO TO WORK AND THEY NEEDED TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN.
AND WE HAD TO TELL THEM AND WE HAD TO BE RIGHT ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY KNEW WHAT THEIR CHILDREN COULD DO AND WHAT THEY COULDN'T DO.
SO AT SEVEN O'CLOCK EVERY MORNING FOR 35 MORNINGS, YOU MET WITH A PARENT AND THEN YOU DOUBLED BACK AND DID IT AGAIN.
I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT PEOPLE IN HERE DO THAT.
BUT THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THINGS THEY REMAIN THE SAME.
'CAUSE THE SAME ARGUMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS WE ARE HAVING NOW ARE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHERE WE GOING TO GET THE FUNDS TO DO THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO FOR THE CHILDREN.
WE HAVE TO TEACH EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.
AND WHERE WE GET THEM IS WHERE WE LOOK AND SOMETIMES WE BIND THEM AND SOMETIMES WE SHARE THEM AND SOMETIMES WE LISTEN TO FUNNY THINGS LIKE THE TIME I HAD A CLASSROOM AND THEN I'M CLOSING THE TIME I HAD A CLASSROOM WHERE THE CHILDREN WERE LOSING, USING TEACHING, LEARNING ABOUT OLD COMPOSERS AND THE ONE WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE ALL THE REMARKS, CAN I FINISH 'CAUSE I CAN.
AND THE ONE WHO WAS TO MAKE ALL THE REMARKS WAS AFTER PRONUNCIATION AND WHAT HE SAID WHEN HE STILL, I'M SORRY, BUT I I KNOW.
OKAY, SHE SAID, LEARN WE ALL, YOU'RE GOOD.
YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
[01:00:01]
MAY I HAVE EQUAL TIME TO MS. PATO? ARE YOU AN ELECTED OFFICIAL? I AM ELECTED.SO WE'RE GONNA START THAT TIME OR DR.
I HOPE YOU PARDONED ME FOR SLOW SPEAKING.
UM, I WANT TO ASK YOU A QUESTION.
ASK YOURSELF, WHEN YOU FINISH YOUR TOUR OF DUTY IN THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE RESIDENTS OF BALTIMORE COUNTY WILL REMEMBER YOU FOR? WHAT DO YOU THINK? I THINK THEY WILL REMEMBER YOU FIRST FOR THE POOR GRADES.
THEY WILL REMEMBER YOU SECOND FOR INAPPROPRIATE BUDGET.
YOU HEARD ENOUGH, THEY WILL REMEMBER YOU FOR POLITICAL REPRIMAND OF MS. DANOWSKI AND THAT'S IT.
THEY WILL REMEMBER YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS FIGHTING FOR THEM AGAINST ISIS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT BUSINESS YOU HAVE TO DO THAT.
YOU GET IN INVOLVED WITH SO MANY, UH, POLITICAL EVENTS AND ISSUES.
THAT'S WHY THE TEACHERS HAVE PROBLEMS. THAT'S WHY THE STUDENTS HAVE POOR GRADES.
YOU TURN THE BOARD OF EDUCATION INTO A POLITICAL ARENA OF SPEECHES AND SPEECHES, NOT EVEN ADDRESSING THE BOARD, BUT ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE, THE TAXPAYER.
AND I DON'T EVEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE EQUAL TIME WITH MISS PASTOR WHO I LOVE AND RESPECT.
YOU GET YOURSELF SO MUCH INTO POLITICS.
THAT'S WHY THE SYSTEM FAILED SIX, SUPERINTENDENT ONE AFTER THE OTHER.
IF YOU HAVE A CHILD AND YOUR PHYSICIAN HAS GIVEN YOU ANTIBIOTIC AFTER ANTIBIOTIC AND IT'S FAILING, WOULD YOU STICK WITH THAT DOCTOR? IF YOU GO FOR A SURGEON AND THUS ONE SURGERY AFTER ONE SURGERY SIX TIMES AND IT FAILS, WOULD YOU STICK WITH THAT SURGEON? YOU HAVE DONE IT.
THE CROWD IS THE SAME, THE SPEECH IS THE SAME.
THE POLITICIANS COME TO GAIN SOME VOTES AND SOME MONEY AND WHATEVER IT IS, YOU GOT TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM.
YOU GOT TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION.
YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS IN POLITICS, NOT ONE ITO POLITICS.
I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS OR IN BETWEEN LIKE ME, YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS.
YOU GOT TO TAKE CARE OF THE SYSTEM AND THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS RUSSELL HOPEWELL AND I BELIEVE HE'S VIRTUAL.
SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS, BOARD PRESIDENT LICHTER, VICE PRESIDENT HARVEY AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
I AM A RETIRED BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL EDUCATION HAS BEEN MY LIFE'S WORK.
I AM REPRESENTING THE HUBERT B SIMMONS MUSEUM OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL, LOCATED IN OWENS MILL ON GRAND CENTRAL AVENUE IN A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING THAT WE SHARE WITH BALTIMORE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND BALTIMORE COUNTY LIBRARY.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF VISITORS A DAY THAT ATTEND THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND VISIT THE LIBRARY THAT ARE EXPOSED TO THE RICH HISTORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL.
THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS BEING DISMANTLED.
THE STATE OF MARYLAND HAS A $3 BILLION DEFICIT THIS YEAR.
AND BALTIMORE COUNTY GOVERNMENT REMAINS REVENUES WERE FLAT.
ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT BCPS, BOTTOM LINE AS ALL OUR BCPS FUNDERS.
WE ARE HERE TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND ADVOCATE FOR THE WHOLE TRIAL.
THAT FIRST AND FOREMOST INCLUDES ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, BUT ALSO SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS, THEATER, MUSIC, AND DEFINITELY SPORTS BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE EXCELLENT IN ALL THESE AREAS.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER, NAVIGATING THESE UNCHARTERED WATERS, WE DO SO WITH COMPASSION ENCOMPASSING THE TEAM SPIRIT, UH, UNIFYING OUR DI IN OUR VISION AND MISSION TO PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION TO ALL STUDENTS AT BCPS.
STAY FOCUSED ON THE MISSION, WHICH IS AND ALWAYS
[01:05:01]
HAS BEEN THE CHILDREN.LET'S PLAY BALL AS A TEAM AND WIN.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY SHARING THE HISTORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL, PARTNERING WITH BCPS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION ON VARIOUS OUTREACH EFFORTS LIKE PLAY BALL AND CONTINUING OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND MEN MENTORSHIP, WHICH IS LY VIRTUALLY IMPORTANT IN OUR ADMISSION.
I WILL CLOSE WITH THANKING BCPS FOR THE LEADERSHIP, FOR THE RELATIONSHIP, THANKING THE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT VISITED THE SIMMONS MUSEUM OF NIGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL.
AND WE PLEDGE TO CONTINUE OUR SUPPORT FOR BCPS.
THANK YOU AND GO OILS WHO ARE ALSO IN UNCHARTED, UNCHARTERED WATERS RIGHT NOW.
HOWEVER, WE STILL BELIEVE THANK YOU AND HAVE A PRODUCTIVE BOARD MEETING THIS EVENING.
OUR LAST SPEAKER IN THIS CATEGORY IS CHRISTINA LANAHAN.
HI, UH, SUPERINTENDENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
I'M AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL INCLUSION SPECIAL EDUCATOR.
ORIGINALLY I WAS WORRIED ABOUT SPEAKING HERE, OTHERS IN TABCO, THEY'RE SO ARTICULATE, THEY'RE SO KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT BUDGETS AND SPENDING.
BUT SOMEONE TOLD ME TO TALK ABOUT MY EXPERIENCES.
I DID DO SOME RESEARCH AND I LEARNED THAT BCPS GAVE THE COUNTY A $33 MILLION REFUND BASED ON VACANCIES NOT FILLED AND THOSE FILLED BY SUBSTITUTES.
I WAS ONE OF THE VICTIMS OF THAT REFUND THIS YEAR.
I HAD THE HONOR OF FILLING A 1.5 TEACHING POSITION.
I WAS ONLY PAID FOR A 1.0, BUT I DID THE WORK OF A 1.5.
THIS INCLUDES SUPPORTING CASE MANAGING 22 STUDENTS ACROSS FOUR GRADE LEVELS.
I SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT MATH AND READING NEEDS TO SIGNIFICANT BEHAVIOR NEEDS.
NOW I DON'T WANT TO BE A GOOD TEACHER.
I WANT TO BE THE KIND OF TEACHER THAT CAN GIVE A HUNDRED PERCENT TO EVERY STUDENT AND FAMILY THAT I WORK WITH.
THAT'S WHAT MY STUDENTS AND FAMILIES DESERVE.
THIS YEAR I WAS A GOOD TEACHER.
I SPENT TOO MANY NIGHTS LAYING AWAKE THINKING ABOUT MY STUDENTS.
I HAD A COUPLE OF GOOD CRIES IN MY CLASSROOM CLOSET BECAUSE I FELT LIKE I WAS FAILING MY KIDS.
I CHANGED MY SCHEDULE ABOUT A HALF A DOZEN TIMES.
I'M ALSO CO-CHAIR OF THE TAPCO SPECIAL EDUCATION WORKING IN ACTION GROUP.
I'VE BEEN WORKING HARD TO SUPPORT FELLOW SPECIAL EDUCATORS IN ADVOCATING FOR REDUCED WORKLOADS.
INSTEAD, WE WERE GIVING MORE WORK ON OUR PLATES AND LESS TIME TO DO IT.
BUT HEY, AT LEAST OUR WAGES HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED FOR THREE YEARS.
SO IN THE NEXT CONTRACT WE CAN FOCUS ON SOMETHING ELSE, RIGHT WRONG.
HERE WE ARE AGAIN ASKING YOU TO PAY US NOT ONLY WHAT WE ARE WORTH, BUT WHAT YOU PROMISED.
ANY TEACHER SPECIAL EDUCATION OR GENERAL EDUCATION HAS TO CONSTANTLY READ THE ROOM IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. ARE THE STUDENTS UNDERSTANDING? ARE THEY ENGAGED? ARE THEY SAFE? SO TODAY I'M ASKING YOU TO REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN THE CLASSROOM.
YOUR TEACHERS ARE NOT GOING TO BACK DOWN.
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT ANYTHING LESS THAN WHAT YOU PROMISED IN GOOD FAITH.
RESPECT YOUR PROMISES, RESPECT YOUR TEACHERS.
NOT SURE IF THE NEXT SPEAKER IS STILL HERE, BUT IT WAS A UNION PERSON THAT GOT, UM, MISSED.
OKAY, SOMEBODY ALREADY SAID NO.
NEXT ON THE AGENDA ARE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON BOARD POLICY 54 40 TELEHEALTH AND IN-PERSON SERVICES FROM EXTERNAL BEHAVIOR AND PHYSICAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.
AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS FAVOR GRAY.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE SIGN UP FOR OTHER THINGS.
OKAY, OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SHARON SOFF.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KAYA TOLAND.
AND OUR NEXT SPEAKER FOR POLICY 54 40 IS BOSCH FARONE.
[01:10:01]
GOOD EVENING AGAIN.THE POLICY SAYS THE BOARD IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING ACCESS TO BEHAVIOR AND PHYSICAL.
I THINK JUST REALLY I SUPPORTING ACCESS IS WEAK.
I SUGGEST THAT YOU WORD, YOU WORD IT IN A WAY.
IT SAYS EFFECTIVE, SUPPORTIVE.
YOU WANT TO ASSERT THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR EFFECTIVENESS.
LINE 20 TALKS ABOUT TELEHEALTH.
TELEHEALTH IS A VIABLE METHOD.
VIABLE IS, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN HAVE SOMEBODY IN THE ICU VIABLE BREATHING BUT ALMOST DEAD.
UH, I RECOMMEND THAT YOU WOULD SAY THAT TELEHEALTH IS AN EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR DELIVERING CERTAIN BEHAVIOR.
I THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH PROOF ABOUT THAT LINE.
30 31 SAYS THAT HEALTH PROVIDERS SHALL BE DELIVERED BY, AND THE WORDS ARE STUCK TOGETHER.
I THINK THEY NEED TO BE SEPARATED.
ALSO ON PAGE ONE, IT SAYS BE APPROVED BY AN EXTERNAL BEHAVIORAL OR PHYSICAL HEALTH PROVIDER.
AND HERE, I THINK SHOULD SAY SOMETHING LIKE QUALIFIED OR COMPETENT EXTERNAL BEHAVIORAL PROVIDER.
YOU KNOW, YOU CAN HAVE SOMEBODY THAT IS NOT COMPETENT BUT IS EXTERNAL PROVIDER.
PAGE TWO, LINE EIGHT TO 10 SAYS THAT ACCESS TO THE EXTERNAL BEHAVIOR AT AND OR PHYSICAL HEALTH SERVICE IS SAFE AND PRIVATE.
SO HERE, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY AND PRIVACY, BUT IN THE PREVIOUS ONE, A PROVIDER SHOULD BE COMPETENT.
I FIND THAT, YOU KNOW, NOT REALLY APPROPRIATE.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, AND I STATED THAT BEFORE AT PAGE TWO, LINE 13, YOU TALK ABOUT THE SUPERINTENDENT TO, UM, WRITE IT IN THE BOOK AND MAKE EVERYBODY AWARE IT'S A COMMON SENSE.
AND I KNOW I TOLD YOU IN SO MANY POLICIES, YOU KNOW WHY YOU SAY COMMON SENSE THINGS AND I NEVER REALLY GET THE ANSWER.
AND IF IT IS A LEGAL MATTER, THEN YOU SHOULD SAY A LOT OF MORE COMMON SENSE THINGS.
[H. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT (7:30 - 7:35 p.m.)]
IS THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.AND FOR THAT I CALL ON DR. ROGERS.
GOOD EVENING, CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I AM PLEASED TO PROVIDE MY JUNE REPORT.
SO THE FIRST THING THAT I WANT TO DO FOR THE PEOPLE REMAINING IN THE ROOM IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE EVERYONE WHO'S HERE.
I APPRECIATE YOUR POSITION WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
I THINK EVERYONE AT THIS POINT KNOWS THAT I STARTED MY CAREER IN BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS A SCHOOL TEACHER AT WOODLAWN HIGH SCHOOL.
UH, MY COMMITMENT TO YOU AND TO ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES IS UNWAVERING.
UM, I WANNA USE THIS TIME TO SPEAK NOT ONLY TO THAT COMMITMENT, BUT TO REGROUND US IN WHAT WE ARE ALL COMMITTED TO, WHICH ARE THE 111,000 STUDENTS THAT WE SERVE.
UH, I AM UNDER NO ILLUSION THAT IN ORDER TO SERVE THOSE STUDENTS WELL, WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE ADULTS THAT ARE IN THE DIFFERENT ROOMS AND SPACES WITH THEM.
AND SO THIS FIRST SLIDE SPEAKS TO OUR PRIORITIES.
UH, TWO YEARS AGO, OR ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO, NOT QUITE, WE IDENTIFIED FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, FOUR SPECIFIC AREAS THAT WE NEEDED TO FOCUS ON IN ORDER TO REVERSE THE TRAJECTORY OF ACADEMIC DECLINE.
WHAT YOU SEE NEXT TO THE FOUR PRIORITIES IS AN UNMARKED LINE CHART REPRESENTING THE ACADEMIC DECLINE.
WHAT YOU SEE AFTER GOING DOWN FOR A DECADE IS THE MOVEMENT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
[01:15:01]
MOVEMENT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, NOWHERE NEAR WHERE THE BAR USED TO BE, BUT IT'S MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.THE COMMUNITY IS CLEAR THAT THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK OF ALL MEMBERS OF TEAM BCPS.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE MOVEMENT AND THE RIGHT DIRECTION, WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR YET WHERE WE NEED TO BE.
BUT THIS SLIDE, YOU'VE SEEN IT BEFORE MANY TIMES, IT JUST POINTS TO THE DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT EXTERNAL MEASURES THAT SHOW PROGRESS, PROGRESS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR STUDENTS AS WE MOVE FORWARD, AS WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN INDIVIDUALS, WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT STUDENTS ARE IN SCHOOL SO THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN THAT, TAKE A VARIETY OF PEOPLE CONTRIBUTING TO THAT, OR OUR STUDENTS LEARNING HOW TO READ.
BY THE END OF GRADE THREE, OR WHAT I SPENT THE LAST TWO WEEKS DOING, ATTENDING ALMOST ALL OF OUR GRADUATION CEREMONIES FOR 7,000 GRADUATES, OUR GRADUATION RATE INCREASING FOR OUR STUDENTS.
THIS IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK OF MEMBERS OF TEAM BCPS.
I HAVE SPOKEN MANY TIMES ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES FOR A SCHOOL SYSTEM TO REVERSE THAT TRAJECTORY AND THEN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS THAT IS ACROSS THE SYSTEM AND IT IS SUSTAINABLE.
WE HAVE ALREADY INVESTED IN AND STARTED THIS WORK, A COMMITMENT TO HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR OUR STUDENTS, MAKING SURE THAT THE MATERIALS THAT WE HAVE ARE ALIGNED TO STANDARDS AND EVIDENCE-BASED.
BUT THE KEY PIECE TO THAT WORK IS NOT ONLY TO HAVE MATERIALS, YOU ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IMPLEMENTING WITH FIDELITY.
THAT'S WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN THE OUTCOMES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE, WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OPERATIONS, THE CLASSROOM CENTRAL OFFICE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IN TEAM BCPS HAS ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY STRATEGIES AND, UH, TRAINING THAT THEY NEED TO DO THEIR BEST WORK.
AND LASTLY, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES.
QUITE PLAINLY, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES SPEAKS TO HOW WE DO OUR WORK.
THE ABILITY FOR US TO COME TOGETHER, NO MATTER WHAT ROLE YOU SERVE IN, TO PROBLEM SOLVE AROUND THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS, AROUND THE NEEDS OF OUR FACILITIES.
THAT IS THE COMMITMENT THAT WE MAKE TO COLLABORATIVE CYCLES OF INQUIRY AND ACTION.
AND SO THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO THAT IS WITH CONTINUED INVESTMENTS, WHICH IS WHY WE PUT FORWARD A BUDGET THAT HAD RECORD INVESTMENTS.
IT IS THE SAME REASON WHY IN GOOD FAITH, WE CAME TO THE TABLE, WE COSTED OUT, WE WORKED WITH OUR FUNDING PARTNERS AND ANNOUNCED A RECORD THREE YEAR COMPENSATION PACKAGE.
WHAT I DON'T WANT US TO LOSE SIGHT OF IS THAT IT TAKES EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF TEAM BCPS TO POUR INTO OUR STUDENTS FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
I HAVE NOT, THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST, BUT THIS IS, UM, THIS INCLUDES SEVERAL OFFICES THAT CONTRIBUTE DIRECTLY TO THE IMPROVEMENT AND SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS.
IT STARTS WITH OUR TRANSPORTATION WORKERS THAT SAFELY TRANSPORT MORE THAN 70,000 STUDENTS ACROSS OUR SYSTEM DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
THEY ARE THE FIRST FACE OF BCPS THAT THEY SEE, AND THE FAMILIES ARE TRUSTING US TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STUDENTS ARRIVE SAFELY.
FACILITIES, WE ALL KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE THIRD OLDEST SET OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
THERE ARE A GROUP OF INCREDIBLY HARDWORKING PEOPLE THAT MAKE SURE THAT OUR BUILDINGS ARE RESPONDED TO.
THEY TAKE CARE OF EMERGENCIES.
THEY WORK AROUND THE CLOCK TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE TO MISS SCHOOL TIME.
AS A RESULT OF HAVING OLDER INFRASTRUCTURE, PAYROLL AND ACCOUNTING, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WORKING IN PAYROLL AND ACCOUNTING IN AN ANTIQUATED SYSTEM THAT ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS RECEIVE THEIR COMPENSATION AS THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO.
AND IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH PAYROLL, THAT THEY RESPOND TO THAT IMMEDIATELY.
ACCOUNTING, MAKING SURE THAT OUR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND OUR ACCOUNTS BILLABLE ARE HAPPENING IN A, UH, IN RECORD FASHION AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.
THESE ARE PEOPLE WORKING TO TAKE CARE OF THE STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
WE KNOW THAT IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS OUR RETIREES TO BE ABLE TO COUNT ON THEIR BENEFITS.
WE HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE AND HUMAN RESOURCES THAT ARE DOING THIS WORK DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM, ONE THING THAT WE HEARD FROM
[01:20:01]
OUR COMMUNITY, LOUD AND CLEAR AS WE WENT AROUND TO COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF MY TENURE, WAS A NEED FOR US TO SHARE INFORMATION FREQUENTLY, OPENLY, AND CLEARLY.AND SO OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM, THIS IS THEIR CHARGE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE KEEPING ALL OF OUR FAMILIES AND ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS AWARE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN TEAM BCPS.
WHETHER IT IS EXCELLENT NEWS OR IT IS INFORMATION LIKE AROUND THIS BUDGET THAT CAUSES CONCERN, THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO THAT INFORMATION.
HIGH QUALITY CURRICULUM LEARNING IS ABSOLUTELY OUR CORE PURPOSE.
WE CAN ONLY DO THAT BY HAVING MATERIALS THAT MEET STANDARDS AND THAT WE ARE PROVIDING THOSE MATERIALS TO OUR STUDENTS.
UM, OUR CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION, UH, TEAM MEMBERS, THEY WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING WHAT THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REQUIRES US TO FOLLOW FOR OUR STUDENTS.
BUT THEY ALSO WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S IMPLEMENTATION IN THE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE THAT DIRECT FIRSTHAND SUPPORT IN CLASSROOMS. UM, THIS IS THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
SCHOOL LEADERS, AS MUCH AS WE KNOW THE DATA POINTS TO TEACHERS HAVING A GREAT EFFECT SIZE ON THE ACADEMIC OUTCOMES OF STUDENTS, WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE RESEARCH SAYS 25% OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IS ATTRIBUTED TO SCHOOL LEADERS.
OUR SCHOOL LEADERS HAVE SIGNIFICANT WORK TO DO AND PLAY A ROLE IN MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS ARE CARED FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS.
IT IS UNQUESTIONABLE AND UNDENIABLE THE WORK THAT OUR TEACHERS AND PARAPROFESSIONALS DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.
AS I STARTED, I, I BEGAN THIS WORK AS A CLASSROOM TEACHER TEACHING CHEMISTRY.
THE WORK THAT YOU DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT MAKES A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN WHAT YOU DO ON A REGULAR BASIS.
WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE FREE MEALS TO OUR STUDENTS, BREAKFAST AND LUNCH TO ALL OF THEM TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY THAT WE KNOW EXISTS, NOT ONLY IN BALTIMORE COUNTY, BUT ACROSS THE NATION.
THIS MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR STUDENTS.
WE HAVE HEARD YOUR FEEDBACK AND ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE THE OPTIONS, BUT WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS REMAIN FED.
THESE HARDWORKING INDIVIDUALS THAT COME INTO OUR BUILDINGS EVERY DAY MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE.
THE WE HAVE INCREASED NOT ONLY OUR EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS, BUT OUR INTERNAL STAFF MEMBERS, WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT COUNSELORS, MTSS WORKERS, UM, SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS, ALL OF THEM PLAY A ROLE IN ADDRESSING THE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS.
OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE WELL IN ORDER FOR THEM TO ACCESS THE ACADEMICS THAT WE ARE PRESENTING TO THEM ON A DAILY BASIS.
SAFETY AND SECURITY, WE'VE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS, UM, SIGNIFICANTLY AND THANKFULLY DUE TO, UH, THE APPROVAL OF THIS BOARD AS WELL AS OUR FUNDING PARTNERS, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO INVEST IN SAFETY AND SECURITY, BOTH TECHNICAL AS WELL AS CHANGES IN, UH, RULES AND GUIDANCE AND POLICY, AS WELL AS MONITORING AND IMPLEMENTATION TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR OUR STUDENTS, OUR CLERICAL STAFF.
THERE IS NO WAY THAT WE COULD EXIST WITHOUT THEM AND THEIR SUPPORT.
THEY ARE THE FIRST GREETERS, WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A BUILDING OR AN OFFICE.
THEY RESPOND TO PHONE CALLS FROM PARENTS.
THEY ALSO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS THAT WALK DIRECTLY TO THEM SEEKING THAT SUPPORT.
AND LASTLY, THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT.
I KNOW I TOOK, UM, LONGER TIME THAN I TYPICALLY WOULD TAKE ON A SLIDE GOING THROUGH THIS, BUT I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT AS WE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE FACING FISCALLY, THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT EVERYONE PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN DE TEAM BCPS TO TAKING CARE OF AND MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS.
AND WHILE THE LIST WAS NOT EXHAUSTIVE, I, I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO SPEAK TO THE IMPACT.
THERE IS NO PIECE ON THIS CHART THAT WE COULD PULL OUT THE PEG AND STILL DO RIGHT BY THE 111,000 STUDENTS THAT ARE ACCOUNTING ON US EACH AND EVERY DAY.
I ALSO CAN SAY THAT, UH, IN MANY RESPECTS, I, UM, TAKE NO ISSUE WITH, UH, COMMENTS MADE, UH, BY MR. BURKE IN PARTICULAR.
UH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE HIGHLIGHTED WAS THAT WE ARE MOVING FORWARD IN A TIGHT FISCAL TIME THAT IS GOING TO REQUIRE US TO DO MORE WITH LESS.
UM, THAT IS THE REALITY OF WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES.
[01:25:01]
UH, IN A MOMENT, WE'LL SPEAK TO SPECIFICALLY SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT NECESSITATE THAT.UH, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO, UH, REMIND OURSELVES THAT AS SOON AS BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, UM, STARTED RECEIVING COMMUNICATION THAT POINTED TO, UH, CONCERNS AROUND THE BUDGET THAT WE STARTED SHARING THAT WITH OUR B OUR, UH, PUBLIC, WITH ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS, OUR BUDGET PROGRESS BEGAN IN OCTOBER.
WE INVOLVED MANY STAKEHOLDERS.
UH, WE STILL HAVE ALL OF OUR MATERIALS AVAILABLE ON BUDGET 1 0 1.
UM, IT WAS POINTED OUT RECENTLY THAT SINCE WE'VE DELIVERED THE BUDGET, WE HAVE SENT NO LESS THAN 20 COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT BUDGET TO MEMBERS OF TEAM BCPS.
THIS IS TO DEMONSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT TO SHARING ONGOING ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR CURRENT STATE TO MEMBERS OF TEAM BCPS.
IT IS TRUE, UM, THAT THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT IS OUT THERE.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION, THAT WE ADDRESS MISINFORMATION WHEN IT COMES TO OUR ATTENTION AND SHARE NOT ONLY THE WHAT, BUT OUR RATIONALE AROUND TOUGH DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE HAD TO MAKE.
I DID NOT WANT TO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT COMPENSATION FOR THREE YEARS.
I CAN ALSO SAY THAT ACROSS THIS DAY, AS I, I BELIEVE I SPEAK WHOLEHEARTEDLY FOR EVERY BOARD MEMBER, THERE IS NO BOARD MEMBER THAT WANTED TO BE IN THIS POSITION TALKING ABOUT COMPENSATION THIS YEAR.
HOWEVER, UM, THAT IS NOT THE SITUATION THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN.
WE FIND OURSELVES IN A, IN A POSITION WHERE WE HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN SEVERAL TOUGH DECISIONS.
AND I WANNA SPEND THE REST OF MY TIME TALKING YOU THROUGH SOME OF THOSE DECISIONS AND SHARING JUST MORE ACCURATE INFORMATION, NOT IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE EVERYTHING OKAY, TO MAKE EVERYONE AGREE WITH THE, UM, THE DELAYED COMPENSATION, BUT TO INFORM, TO, TO PROVIDE A BROADER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW WE GOT HERE AND WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO, UM, AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
AND SO THIS SLIDE IS ONE THAT YOU'VE SEEN BEFORE.
WHEN WE HAD THE JANUARY WORK SESSION, UM, I SHARED TWO SLIDES.
ONE WAS ABOUT THE STAFFING ALLOCATIONS, AND THE SECOND ONE WAS ABOUT HOW SCHOOLS USE THE ALLOCATION TO MAKE DECISIONS INTERNALLY, UM, FOR ASSIGNMENTS.
UH, ONE OF THE PIECES OF FEEDBACK THAT WE'VE BEEN HEARING AND WE'VE BEEN HEARING INQUIRIES ABOUT, UM, HAVE BEEN AROUND, UH, NEW ADDITIONAL STAFFING, UH, CUTS.
UH, STAFFING ALLOCATIONS WERE PRESENTED IN JANUARY OF 2025.
WHEN WE PRESENTED THOSE ALLOCATIONS, WE ALSO PROVIDED THIS TOOL TO ALL OF OUR SCHOOL LEADERS.
WE SHARED PUBLICLY HOW WE WERE ALLOCATING IN CLASSROOMS. AGAIN, I WANNA REITERATE THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS SITTING IN A CLASS IS NOT HIGHER THAN THIS NUMBERS.
UM, IF DECISIONS ARE MADE TO REALLOCATE STAFFING IN A DIFFERENT WAY, THAT IS GOING TO PUSH SOME NUMBERS ONE DIRECTION OR ANOTHER.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU CHOOSE TO HAVE FIVE STUDENTS IN A CLASS, AND YOU WERE PROVIDED WITH TWO TEACHERS FOR 44 STUDENTS, YOU HAVE THE REMAINING STUDENTS AND THE REMAINING TEACHER.
AND SO WE PROVIDED THOSE JANUARY ALLOCATIONS.
ONE, WE PROVIDED THOSE JANUARY ALLOCATIONS.
WE ALSO PROVIDED, UH, CLEAR COMMUNICATION TO OUR SCHOOL LEADERS THAT ALL OF OUR ALLOCATIONS WERE TENTATIVE PENDING COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE OPERATING BUDGET IN MAY.
UH, WE SHARED THAT IF THE COUNTY COUNCIL, UH, FULLY FUNDED OUR BUDGET, WE WOULD ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS.
IF THEY DID NOT FULLY FUND OUR BUDGET, WE WOULD HAVE TO DETERMINE BASED ON OUR FORMULAS POSITIONS THAT HAD TO BE PULLED BACK AND ADJUSTED.
AND SO YOU ARE HEARING THAT, UM, WE ARE LOOKING AT AREAS WHERE WE ARE OVERSTAFFING.
WE HAD TWO DECISIONS WHEN THE, UH, BUDGET WAS NOT FULLY FUNDED.
UH, THE BUDGET INCLUDED ADDITIONAL DECREASE IN POSITIONS.
AND SO OUR DECISION WAS EITHER TO INCREASE CLASS SIZE ACROSS THE BOARD BASED ON ENROLLMENT, AND WE HEARD QUITE LOUD AND CLEAR FROM ALL STAKEHOLDERS, AND RIGHTFULLY SO, THAT WE WANTED TO DO EVERYTHING TO AVOID INCREASING CLASS SIZES ACROSS THE BOARD.
OR THE OTHER OPTION, WHICH IS THE ONE THAT WE EMPLOYED, WHICH WAS TO ELIMINATE STAFFING TO ANY FY 26 GRANT THAT WE RECEIVED, WHICH
[01:30:01]
WE RECEIVED THE CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY GRANT FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO OFFSET AS MANY POSITIONS FROM OPERATING GRANT, UH, EXCUSE ME, OPERATING BUDGET OVER TO, UM, GRANT FUNDING FOR US TO EXAMINE OUR VACANCIES, UM, PARTICULARLY ANY LONGSTANDING VACANCIES.AND, UM, WHETHER OR NOT THAT, UH, IT WAS SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO CONTINUE TO EXIST AND LOOK AT NON-TEACHING ROLES, UM, FIRST BEFORE WE ADDRESSED ANY TEACHING ROLES.
AND SO, UM, IT, I THINK IT WAS MR. BURKE WHO SPOKE TO, UM, CERTAIN POSITIONS THAT WERE REDUCED OR CERTAIN POSITIONS THAT DIDN'T, UH, NO LONGER EXIST.
UM, THAT IS BASED ON OVERT STAFFING, WHERE WE WERE IN A FISCAL POSITION BEFORE THAT WE COULD, UM, LEAVE ADDITIONAL STAFFING ABOVE THE RATIO.
WHEN WE RECEIVE A BUDGET THAT IS NOT FULLY FUNDED, WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE FORMULAS THAT EXIST.
SO, FOR EXAMPLE, UH, ONE EXAMPLE THAT WE HEARD WAS, UH, LOSS OF MORE THAN 10 TEACHERS AT A SCHOOL IN JANUARY WHEN WE LOOKED AT THAT EXAMPLE, THAT VERY SCHOOL LOST MORE THAN 200 STUDENTS DUE TO A NEW SCHOOL BEING BUILT.
AND SO THE STAFFING FOLLOWS THE STUDENT.
AND THAT SCHOOL ALSO HAPPENED TO BE OVERSTAFFED THIS CURRENT YEAR.
AND I, I WANT TO REITERATE, THE STAFFING FOLLOWS THE STUDENT.
IF WE WERE TO LEAVE THOSE 10 TEACHERS, EVEN THOUGH WE REDUCE 200 STUDENTS IN THAT BUILDING, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SCHOOL THAT IS RECEIVING THE 200 STUDENTS? WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION WHERE WE CAN PROVIDE 10 ADDITIONAL TEACHERS IN THE SECOND SCHOOL AND AFFORD TO LEAVE 10 TEACHERS, UH, IN ONE SCHOOL WHERE THE STUDENT LEAVES.
UH, THE ONE THING THAT THE BLUEPRINT IS CLEAR ABOUT WITH THE FUNDING SOURCES AND THE PILLARS THAT THEY PROVIDE IS THAT THE STAFFING IS TO FOLLOW THE STUDENTS.
AND SO, WHILE THAT IS A STATE MANDATE FOR BLUEPRINT FUNDS, IT IS ALSO THE SITUATION WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES IN AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM WHEN WE DON'T RECEIVE THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT WE REQUESTED.
UM, THERE WAS ALSO INFORMATION INDICATING THAT UNILATERAL INDIVIDUAL DECISIONS WERE MADE, UH, ABOUT SCHOOLS.
IT IS SIMPLY INACCURATE, UH, THE WAY THAT DECISIONS WERE MADE.
YOU SEE THE GROUPS THAT CAME TOGETHER IN A ROOM, UM, TO REVIEW SCHOOL BY SCHOOL, TO LOOK AT DATA, TO LOOK AT REQUIREMENTS, TO LOOK AT FORMULAS, TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS, IMPORTANT TO HAVE HUMAN RESOURCES IN THE ROOM.
SO WHEN RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BEING MADE, THEY DON'T CREATE OTHER PROBLEMS IN OTHER AREAS.
AND SO THIS IS, UH, THIS SLIDE, UH, IS TO SHOW THE PUBLIC AND EVERYONE WHO IS HERE, HOW THE DECISIONS WERE MADE.
AGAIN, NONE OF THESE ARE DECISIONS THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE.
UM, WE HAVE NOT ONLY REQUESTED THE FUNDING, UH, THAT WAS NECESSARY TO FULLY FUND, UH, PRIOR JANUARY 14TH.
UM, BUT I HAVE MADE REQUESTS SEVERAL TIME FOLLOWING THAT.
AND I DO KNOW THAT OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY HAVE REQUESTED ADDITIONAL FUNDS SEVERAL TIMES, UH, BEYOND THE INITIAL FORMAL REQUEST FOR FUNDING.
AND SO THE REMAINING SLIDES, UH, REALLY WALK YOU THROUGH OUR MOST RECENT COMMUNICATIONS TO TEAM BCPS.
UM, MANY ARE ASKING WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE WE AGREED TO A THREE YEAR COMPENSATION PACKAGE.
FISCALLY EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED.
EVERYTHING FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL WHERE WE HAVE, UM, 1200 OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE FUNDED ON FEDERAL GRANTS, UM, PRIMARILY IN TITLE ONE SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS SPECIAL EDUCATION POSITIONS.
OVER 700 OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE TEACHER POSITIONS.
UM, WE ARE CONCERNED, WE KNOW THAT THE STATE OF MARYLAND IS ONE OF 18 STATES, UH, THAT IS INVOLVED IN A LAWSUIT TO PROTECT THOSE FEDERAL FUNDS, UM, STATEWIDE.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE STATE HA IS FACING A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT OF SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS.
THAT HAS SLOWED DOWN THE PROJECTION, UM, AND THE PROGRESSION OF BLUEPRINT FUNDS.
WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT DUE TO ADVOCACY OF, UH, SUPERINTENDENTS ACROSS THE STATE, UH, AND MANY OTHER GROUPS, THAT WE MOVED FROM A POSITION WHERE WE WERE, UH, FACING A LOSS OF $20 MILLION FROM THE STATE TO RECEIVING, UH, $3.7 MILLION, UH, OVER WHAT WE WERE EXPECTING.
BUT WE KNOW THAT THE PROJECTION FOR BLUEPRINT AND THE ROLLOUT OF THOSE FUNDS, THAT THAT IS GOING TO BE SLOWED DOWN IN THE YEARS TO COME.
THAT HAS BEEN STATED CLEARLY BY THE LAWMAKERS AS WELL AS THE GOVERNOR.
[01:35:01]
FUNDS.UM, WE KNOW THAT FEDERAL HAS AN IMPACT ON STATE, STATE HAS AN IMPACT ON LOCAL.
AGAIN, WE MADE A, UH, REQUEST, UH, BASED ON WHAT WE NEEDED.
UH, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAD TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS AS WELL.
THEY WERE UNABLE TO FULLY FUND OUR REQUEST.
AND AS A RESULT, WE RECEIVED $29 MILLION MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, WHICH IS WHAT PUTS US IN THIS POSITION.
UH, WE KNOW THAT THE PLACEHOLDER THAT WAS AVAILABLE IN THE BUDGET, IT ALLOWED FOR A ONE AND A HALF PERCENT COLA.
UH, WE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR FROM ALL OF OUR UNION PARTNERS, AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO MENTION THAT 98.5% OF THE EMPLOYEES IN BALTIMORE COUNTY BELONG TO A UNION.
THERE IS ONLY ONE AND A HALF PERCENT OF OUR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE NON-REPRESENTED.
UM, WE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR THAT A STEP WAS NECESSARY.
AND SO WE WENT BACK TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE IN THE BUDGET, WORKING WITH OUR FUNDING, FUNDING PARTNERS, UH, REQUESTING FUNDS, UM, THAT WERE AVAILABLE TO US SO THAT WE COULD MOVE FORWARD TO THIS DELAYED COMPENSATION PACKAGE.
I WON'T DETAIL ALL THE STEPS THAT WERE TAKEN, UM, TO ADDRESS THE BUDGET SHORTFALL, BUT THEY WERE PROVIDED IN THE INFOGRAPHIC THERE ON OUR WEBSITE.
AND ALSO ON THIS SLIDE, WHAT IT ALLOWS US TO DO IT ON A DELAYED SCHEDULE ON THE 5% INCREASE IN COMPENSATION.
AGAIN, I WILL NOT PRETEND THAT ANYBODY WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD ON A DELAYED SCHEDULE, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT I WANNA MAKE SURE ARE VERY CLEAR TO ALL MEMBERS OF TEAM BCPS.
OUR PRIORITY IS TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE JOBS IN BCPS.
WE CAN SEE IN THE NEWS IN NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE AND OUTSIDE OF THE STATE, BASED ON THESE FISCAL REALITIES THAT POSITIONS ARE BEING ELIMINATED.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE, WE HAVE NOT ELIMINATED ANY NON-REPRESENTED POSITION IN BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
AND SO IN ORDER TO TRY TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE JOBS IN BCPS WHEN PEOPLE ARE LOSING THOUSANDS OF JOBS EVERY SINGLE DAY, WE HAVE MOVED FORWARD WITH RECOMMENDING A PROPORTIONAL IMPACT BASED ON EARNINGS THAT EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE IN BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WOULD HAVE A DELAYED COMPENSATION INSTEAD OF JULY ONE THAT WE WOULD MOVE TO JANUARY 1ST, 2026.
THE SAVINGS ARE REALIZED TO US AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM SOLELY BASED ON THE TIMING.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE MAJORITY OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE 10 MONTH EMPLOYEES.
AND SO BEING 10 MONTH EMPLOYEES, 55% OF THE PAY IS AFTER JANUARY ONE.
UH, THE NINE, IT WOULD BE NINE PAY PERIODS OF DELAY BEFORE, UM, STAFF MEMBERS WOULD ACTUALIZE THE INCREASE THAT THEY WERE PLANNING ON.
AND SO I WILL, UH, FINISH BY SHARING SOME OF THE, UH, FAQS THAT WE SENT OUT TO, UM, ALL MEMBERS OF TEAM BCPS.
AGAIN, IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE REALLY SHARING ACCURATE INFORMATION, UM, UH, WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
UM, I HAVE ADDRESSED THE, UH, JULY ONE DATE AND THE WHY, UM, DON'T SOME EMPLOYEES BEGIN RECEIVING RAISES JULY 1ST.
UM, WHY CAN'T WE USE MORE OF OUR FUND BALANCE? UM, WANT TO SHARE THIS, OUR PROJECTED START OF FUND BALANCE IS $65 MILLION FOR NEXT YEAR.
UM, THE AMOUNT FOR UNUSED FUND BALANCE WOULD BE $30 MILLION.
WE ARE ALREADY PLANNING TO USE $35 MILLION OF FUND BALANCE.
A PORTION OF THAT IS FOR INCREASED COMPENSATION.
UM, WE STARTED OFF AT THE BUDGET CYCLE PLANNING ON $12 MILLION OF FUND BALANCE.
IT HAS BEEN INCREASED TO 35 MILLION.
IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THERE IS A MINIMUM PERCENT OF FUND BALANCE THAT WE ARE TO USE.
OUR FUND BALANCE IS, UM, TO BE USED FOR ONE TIME EXPENSES AND EMERGENCIES.
AND AS I POINTED TO, UM, UNDER, UH, MARYLAND BEING PART OF THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT, WE HAVE ALMOST 1200 POSITIONS THAT ARE, UH, GRANT FUNDED.
AND, UH, WE ARE HOPING THAT THAT DOES NOT, UH, COME IN JEOPARDY.
BUT WHEN YOU HAVE OVER 700 OF THOSE POSITIONS THAT ARE TEACHERS WORKING DIRECTLY IN CLASSROOMS WITH STUDENTS, WE NEED TO HAVE THE EMERGENCY FUNDING AVAILABLE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ADDRESS THAT NEED AND NOT LET OUR STUDENTS STAY WITHOUT,
[01:40:01]
UM, IF THE SHORTFALL IS AFFECTING THE ENTIRE STATE.HOW ARE SOME NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, UH, ABLE TO START RAISES IN JULY? UH, ON JULY ONE? SOME HAVE GONE BACK.
UH, MANY OF YOUR, UH, COLLEAGUES HAVE, UH, THERE THE NET VALUE OF THEIR COMPENSATION INCREASE IS LESS THAN 5%.
UM, THERE ARE LAYOFFS AND, UM, FURLOUGHS HAPPENING IN PLACES.
UM, SOME COUNTIES ARE ABLE TO RAISE TAXES AND THEY ARE, UM, AND SOME PLACES ARE INCREASING CLASS SIZE FOR US.
WE HAVE MADE CRITICAL CUTS, UM, THAT INCLUDE THE DELAYED, UM, RAISE.
UH, WE HAVE AVOIDED LAYOFFS AND FURLOUGHS, AND WE HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MINIMIZE SCHOOL LEVEL CUTS, PARTICULARLY ANY CUTS THAT IMPACT THE CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION DIRECTLY.
UH, STATE OF MARYLAND HAS FULLY COVERED THE COMPENSATION INCREASES FOR FY 26.
STATE OF MARYLAND HAS PROVIDED, UH, BLUEPRINT FUNDING IN 13 VERY PRESCRIPTIVE CATEGORIES.
AND, UM, I SHARED, UH, WITH YOU A FEW MINUTES AGO, THE ADDITIONAL, UH, FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
UH, BCP S IS TOP HEAVY, HEAVY.
WHY CAN'T WE ELIMINATE CENTRAL OFFICE POSITIONS TO FUND THE INCREASE, UH, THE RESPONSES WE HAVE, UH, OVER THIS BUDGET CYCLE? WE HAVE ELIMINATED 90 CENTRAL OFFICE POSITIONS, UM, THAT IS, UH, TO, UH, GOING TO REQUIRE US TO WORK DIFFERENTLY, UH, THIS UPCOMING YEAR.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE HAVE THE SMALLEST EXECUTIVE TEAM OR CABINET AMONGST THE LARGE AND THE MEDIUM SIZED SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
UM, AND I THINK WE HAVE ADDRESSED, UH, THE, THE OTHER STATEMENTS THAT ARE THERE.
UM, I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR THE, UH, POINT, BUT AS I COME TO A CLOSE, THE LAST SLIDE, PLEASE.
UM, I SIMPLY WANT TO AGAIN REITERATE OUR COMMITMENT TO ALL MEMBERS OF TEAM BCPS.
THE WORK YOU DO IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.
THERE IS NO WAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO RIGHT BY THE STUDENTS THAT NEED US WITHOUT US WORKING HAND IN HAND.
I KNOW THIS IS NOT WHAT ANYONE WANTED TO HEAR.
UM, THIS IS NOT WHAT ANY OF US WANTED TO DELIVER, BUT I THINK IN THIS MOMENT PARTICULARLY, UH, WE ARE BETTER SERVED COMING TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN PROBLEM SOLVE, HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE ON THE, UH, FEDERAL, UH, STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
AS WE ARE NOT A SELF-FUNDING ENTITY, UH, WE RELY ON EXTERNAL, UH, SOURCES FOR OUR RESOURCES TO SEE HOW WE CAN INCREASE THE FUNDING THAT IS NECESSARY SO WE CAN, UM, HONOR ALL AGREEMENTS AS WE MOVE FORWARD AS SOON AS THE, UH, MONEY IS AVAILABLE.
UM, AND JUST, JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS REALLY CLEAR TO OUR MEMBERS OF TEAM BCPS.
WE CERTAINLY ARE, UH, COMMITTED TO YOU AND UNDERSTAND, APPRECIATE, AND THE RE RESPECT THE WORK THAT EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF TEAM B-S-B-C-P-S DOES ON A REGULAR BASIS.
[I. CHAIR'S REPORT (7:35 - 7:40 p.m.)]
THE CHAIR'S REPORT.AS WE'RE ALL AWARE, THIS BUDGET CYCLE FOR BCPS HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY COMPLEX AND CHALLENGING.
MANY EMAILS RECEIVED AND NOTED THAT THEY DO NOT RECALL A BUDGET CYCLE WITH SIMILARLY DIFFICULT DECISIONS.
WE'VE ALSO NEVER EXPERIENCED A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND INFLUX OF FEDERAL FUNDING IN SCHOOLS WITH SOME ITEMS REQUIRING ONGOING FUNDING AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT MAJOR GRANTS.
AFTER WORKING AND SERVING THE SYSTEM FOR 40 YEARS, I AGREE THAT THE CHALLENGES AND VARIABLES ASSOCIATED WITH DRAFTING THIS BUDGET FEEL UNPRECEDENTED.
THERE HAS BEEN ONGOING DISCUSSION ON THE THREE YEAR COMPENSATION PACKAGE AGREED UPON LAST YEAR.
FOUR OUT OF FIVE UNIONS HAVE ACCEPTED THE DELAYED COMPENSATION PACKAGE.
MEMBERS OF THESE UNIONS WILL RECEIVE THE NEGOTIATED YEAR TWO COMPENSATION, INCLUDING STEP AND COLA ENHANCEMENTS THAT PROVIDE A 5% AVERAGE INCREASE FOR STAFF BEGINNING IN JANUARY.
APPRECIATION IS EXTENDED TO THE STAFF AND UNION LEADERSHIP WHO HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO REACH THIS POINT.
IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE PROCESS HAS BEEN CHALLENGING AND VERY DIFFICULT.
THERE ARE VARIOUS NARRATIVES REGARDING THE FUNDING OF THE COMPENSATION PACKAGES WITH SOME SUGGESTION THAT WE HAVE NOT FULFILLED OUR PROMISE FROM LAST SPRING.
THE BOARD REMAINS COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTING THE AGREED COMPENSATION PACKAGE FOR ALL STAFF AS OUTLINED LAST SPRING.
UNFORTUNATELY, UNFORESEEN FISCAL VARIABLES INCLUDING CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS HAVE CAUSED A VERY NEGATIVE IMPACT.
IT'S CRITICAL TO NOTE THAT THE AGREEMENT SIGNED LAST YEAR INCLUDED PROVISIONS FOR SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICH SEEM TO BE OVERLOOKED IN CURRENT DISCUSSIONS.
[01:45:01]
APPROVED AGREEMENTS STATE THE BALTIMORE COUNTY FISCAL AUTHORITIES IN EXERCISING THEIR AUTHORITY UNDER THE LAW, REDUCE THE BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD AND SUCH ACTION MAKES ITS NECESSARY FOR THE BOARD TO REDUCE ONE OR MORE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED.SUCH ITEMS AND ALL OTHER NEGOTIATED ITEMS THAT ARE DEPENDENT UPON BUDGET FUNDING SHALL BE SUBJECT TO RENEGOTIATION.
THIS DECISION AND THIS DELAY ARE NOT ABOUT WANT.
THE BOARD WANTS THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE FUNDED BEGINNING IN JULY, BUT CURRENT FI FISCAL REALITIES DO NOT ALLOW FOR THAT.
DESPITE CHALLENGES WE HAVE REMAINED FOCUSED ON OUR PRIORITIES.
NO STAFF LAYOFFS ALL REPRESENTED BCPS STAFF WILL RETAIN POSITIONS MAINTAINING CURRENT CLASS SIZE RATIOS, AN IMPORTANT REQUEST FROM STAKEHOLDERS AND FUNDING THE COMPENSATION PACKAGES WITH A 5% INCREASE EFFECTIVE JANUARY, WHICH IS THE SAME TIMELINE FOR GOVERNMENT WORKERS RECEIVING THEIR 2% INCREASES IN PUBLIC SAFETY WORKERS, INCLUDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE SERVICES RECEIVING THEIR 3% INCREASE.
WOULD WE RATHER BE ABLE TO DO MORE? OF COURSE, I WISH WE WERE ADDING TO CENTRAL OFFICE NOT CUTTING.
I WISH THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE WAS BEGINNING IN JULY AND NOT JANUARY.
I WISH WE HAD MORE FUNDS TO DO MORE BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THERE IS SO MUCH MORE WE NEED TO DO, BUT WE DO NOT CONTROL NOR CREATE OUR OWN FUNDING.
WE SUBMITTED A BUDGET PROPOSAL TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE THAT INCLUDED OUR NEEDS, BUT IT WAS NOT FULLY FUNDED.
INSTEAD, IT CONTAINED FURTHER REDUCTIONS.
THE COUNTY COUNCIL HAS THE AUTHORITY ONLY TO MAKE ADDITIONAL CUTS TO OUR BUDGET NOT TO INCREASE IT.
WE APPRECIATE THE MEMBERS OF THE, THE COUNTY COUNCIL FOR APPROVING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVES BUDGET WITHOUT MAKING FURTHER REDUCTIONS AS THEY WERE PERMITTED TO DO.
ONCE THE BUDGET WAS PASSED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL AT THE END OF MAY, WE HAD TO IMPLEMENT THE ADDITIONAL REDUCTIONS AS REQUIRED.
WE ARE STILL NOT INCREASING CLASS SIZE, HOWEVER, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HAD TO BRING A CROSS DIVISIONAL TEAM TOGETHER, INCLUDING DEPARTMENTS OF SCHOOLS, HUMAN RESOURCES, STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION TO REVIEW ALL OF OUR ALLOCATIONS AND EXISTING FORMULAS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE ADHERING TO THE GUIDELINES AND MOVE RESOURCES AS APPROPRIATE.
NO REPRESENTED STAFF MEMBER LOST A POSITION.
HOWEVER, WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO OVERSTAFF AS WE KNOW.
TABCO HAS DECIDED TO AGREE TO THE DELAY IN THE COMP, HAS DECIDED NOT TO, WHOOPS, SORRY, HAS DECIDED NOT TO AGREE TO THE DELAY IN THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE AND IS UP TO GO TO IMPASSE.
WE KNOW MANY OF TABCO MEMBERS ARE HERE IN THIS ROOM.
THEY WERE OUTSIDE AND THEY PROBABLY ARE LISTENING.
WE SO APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PROFESSION.
WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE FRUSTRATED.
PLEASE KNOW THAT WE HAVE HEARD YOU.
IN ADDITION TO ALL OF OUR OTHER EMPLOYEES, WE VALUE YOUR WORK AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SYSTEM.
AS DR. ROGERS DESCRIBED, THE SUCCESSES OF STUDENTS ARE DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE WORK ALL EDUCATORS DO WITH OUR STUDENTS EACH DAY.
DESPITE NOT RECEIVING THE REQUESTED FUNDS FOR COMPENSATION, SIGNIFICANT EVER EFFORTS TO ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR RAISES WERE MADE.
DR. ROGERS AND HER TEAM HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO REDUCE THE FUNDING GAP THROUGH HER ADVOCACY AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THE DETAILED BUDGET ANALYSIS.
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND SCHOOL SYSTEM HAD A SHARED DESIRE TO FUND THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE ACCORDING TO THE AGREED TIMELINE.
HOWEVER, THE FISCAL SITUATION DOES NOT ALLOW FOR IT, BUT IT DOES ALLOW FOR US TO AVOID LAY LAYOFFS, NOT INCREASE CLASS SIZE RATIO ACROSS THE BOARD AND FUND THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE AT THE AGREED UPON NEGOTIATED YEAR TWO COMPENSATION, WHICH AGAIN INCLUDES STEP AND CALL ENHANCEMENTS THAT PROVIDE A 5% AVERAGE FOR STAFF BEGINNING IN JANUARY.
THE SAVINGS FROM THE DELAY ALLOW US TO PROVIDE EVERY STAFF MEMBER WITH THE SAME LEVEL OF INCREASE THAT WAS NEGOTIATED IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
I WANNA BE CLEAR THAT TAPCO AND THE PUBLIC, OUR BUDGET IS MORE THAN 80% COMPENSATION.
WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT CUTS TO CENTRAL OFFICE SERVICES, GOODS AND THINGS IF REQUESTED.
FUNDS ARE NOT PROVIDED, WHICH THEY WERE NOT.
THE ONLY REMAINING PLACE TO CUT 28 MILLION AND INCREASE AVAILABLE FUNDING IS THE WORKFORCE.
71% OF OUR COMPENSATION BUDGET GOES TO TAPCO.
DR. ROGERS HAS PRESENTED INFORMATION ABOUT CLASS SIZES BEFORE MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS, PARENTS, LEADERS, AND THIS BOARD HAVE SAID, WE DO NOT WANNA INCREASE CLASS SIZE TO GIVE STUDENTS THE BEST CHANCE POSSIBLE.
WE DO REMAIN COMMITTED TO FAST FORWARDING STUDENT PROGRESS IN OUR SYSTEM.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
PART OF THAT WORK IS TO RETAIN AS MANY EXISTING TEACHERS AS POSSIBLE.
WE CANNOT DO THAT BY CUTTING SEVERAL HUNDRED
[01:50:01]
TEACHERS AND INCREASING WORKLOAD.I KNOW THAT WE ALL WANTED A FULLY FUNDED BUDGET, BUT THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.
WE DO VALUE ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND HOPE WE'LL BE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE FOR MORE STATE FUNDING AND LOCAL FUNDING FOR THE UPCOMING YEARS.
[J. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER'S REPORT (7:40 - 7:45 p.m.)]
IS OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER.AND THAT'S YOUR MS. CHIA KALU.
WELL, FOR THE FINAL TIME, GOOD EVENING, CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DEDICATED STAFF, OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND OF COURSE THE SCHOLARS OF BALTIMORE COUNTY.
FIRSTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE GRADUATING SENIORS AND THE STUDENTS IN OUR TRANSITION PROGRAMS WHO ARE WRAPPING UP THIS CHAPTER.
AND TO JUST LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE CELEBRATED AND WE AS TEAM BCPS ARE PROUD OF YOU.
BUT BEFORE I BEGIN MY REPORT, I AGAIN WOULD LIKE TO SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT ON TWO PHENOMENAL WESTERN TECH STUDENTS WHO EXEMPLIFY WHAT IT MEANS TO LEAD WITH EXCELLENCE.
MY LEADING LIGHTS OF BALTIMORE COUNTY.
SHE'S A 2025 GRADUATE OF WESTERN SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY WITH A 3.9 GPA AND THE RECIPIENT OF THE PRESTIGIOUS BANNEKER KEY SCHOLARSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, WHERE SHE'LL STUDY IN THE FALL.
SHE'S COMMITTED TO HEALTHCARE AND COMMUNITY IMPACT.
HAVE AN INTERN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER AND EARN CERTIFICATIONS AS A CLINICAL MEDICAL ASSISTANT.
UH, SHE'S ALSO A STATE CHAMPION AND NATIONALLY RANKED AS A HURDLER WHERE SHE BALANCES HER ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS WITH TIRELESS LEADERSHIP AS A MEMBER OF MULTIPLE ADVISORY BOARDS, STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF THE GOODNESS CHILDHOOD SARCOMA SOCIETY, A NONPROFIT UPLIFTING PEDIATRIC CANCER AWARENESS AND RESEARCH.
SHE WAS A QUESTBRIDGE FINALIST AND AP SCHOLAR WITH HONOR, AND SHE WAS FEATURED IN THE BALTIMORE SUN AND FOX 45 NEWS.
EVERY THROUGH EVERY CHALLENGE, OGECHI CONTINUES TO SHINE AND HER AND SHE HAS BEEN GUIDED BY THE PROMISE OF HER HOPEFUL FUTURE OR LIKE, OR HOW SHE LIKES TO SAY, GROWING THROUGH WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH.
FOR OUR SECOND LEADING LIGHT, WE HAVE NATHAN, A RISING SOPHOMORE IN WESTERN'S AI MAGNET PROGRAM WITH A 5.1 WEIGHTED GPA.
HE'S A CARSON SCHOLAR, A FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF VILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL, AND HE SERVES AS BOTH FRESHMAN CLASS VICE PRESIDENT AND SOPHOMORE CLASS PRESIDENT.
AND THE NEW SOPHOMORE CLASS PRESIDENT ELECT AT WESTERN.
NATHAN IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM AND AWARD-WINNING MESA PROJECT MANAGER, A PROUD MEMBER OF BOYS TO MEN IN THE LIBRARY TEAM.
AND ON TOP OF THIS, HE COMPLETED HARVARD'S CS 50 X COURSE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE WHILE STILL IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ACTIVELY SUPPORTS MEDIA AND SOCIAL OUTREACH FOR OAKS CHURCH.
HE ADVOCATES WITH INTENTION, GRACE AND A SPIRIT THAT LIFTS EVERY ROOM HE ENTERS.
AND THESE ARE STUDENTS OF BALTIMORE COUNTY OR FEATURES OF BALTIMORE COUNTY.
AND FOR MY REPORT, I WILL SAY IT IS SURREAL TO BELIEVE THAT I'VE SAT AT THIS DICE FOR A YEAR, BUT TODAY I WANT TO EXP GRATITUDE AND JUST REFLECT ON WHAT IT'S MEANT TO AS WHAT IT HAS MEANT TO SERVE AS YEAR 2024 TO 2025 STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD.
WHILE I KNOW TECHNICALLY THIS ISN'T MY LAST MEETING, IT IS MY LAST REPORT.
AND SO WHILE I'M NOT ONE FOR LONG GOODBYES, I MUST FIRST SAY THANK YOU FOR SITTING THROUGH A FULL YEAR OF MY ENDLESS UPDATES, STUDENT SHOUTOUTS AND EIGHT MINUTE LONG REPORTS, YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO LEAD EVEN WHEN I WAS LONG MEANT THE WORLD.
BUT AGAIN, I DO KNOW WHEN YOU'RE A BALTIMORE COUNTY STUDENT, YOU ARE ALWAYS A BALTIMORE COUNTY STUDENT.
AND I'VE BEEN ABSORBED INTO A KINSHIP AND A SHARED MISSION.
AND SO, WHILE IT'S EASY TO LIST ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WHAT STAYS WITH ME THE MOST IS THE WORK WE DID TOGETHER ACROSS SCHOOLS, COUNTIES, AND STATE LINES.
THIS YEAR WAS SHARE SHARED SHAPED GOD BY SHARED EFFORT.
FROM THE BEGINNING OF MY CAMPAIGN THROUGH THE END OF MY TERM, I ALWAYS TOLD STUDENTS, WHEN YOU LEAD WITH THE GOMA, WE LEAD TEAM BCPS.
AND TOGETHER, I BELIEVE WE DID, FROM THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE TO THE ASPEN INSTITUTE, WE BROUGHT STUDENT VOICE INTO NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS.
WE ALSO FOUGHT FOR STUDENTS TO HELP REIMAGINE WHAT MADE, REIMAGINE WHAT MADE ASSESSMENTS MORE EQUITABLE AND WHAT RESPONSIVE LEARNING COULD LOOK LIKE.
THROUGH UNIDOS, WE SUPPORTED THE, THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENT BOARDS IN STATES LIKE LOUISIANA, GEORGIA, AND CALIFORNIA.
AND WE HELPED LEAD THE DC MARYLAND SMALL NETWORK.
AND THROUGH EVERY STEP FROM POLICY DISCUSSIONS TO SCHOOL VISITS, STUDENTS WERE PRESENT AND STUDENTS WERE HEARD.
BUT NONE OF THIS HAPPENED ALONE.
THESE MOMENTS WERE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF SO MANY STUDENTS, STAFF, AND FAMILIES WHO STOOD BESIDE THIS WORK FROM START TO FINISH.
AND THOUGH THIS YEAR WASN'T PERFECT, I HOPE TO SAY IT WAS PURPOSEFUL.
AND THROUGH EVERY VISIT, MEETING, COMMUNITY CONVERSATION, AND OF COURSE ALL-NIGHTERS, WE KEPT MOVING FORWARD TOWARDS A SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T JUST ASK STUDENTS WHAT
[01:55:01]
THEY THINK, BUT IT MAKES SPACE FOR THEM TO LEAD.IT TRULY HAS BEEN TEAM BCPS ALL THE WAY THROUGH, BECAUSE IN THE END, THE MOST MEANINGFUL PART OF THIS ROLE TRULY HASN'T BEEN THE MOTIONS OR THE MEETINGS, BUT IT'S BEEN THE AS THEY'RE THE CONSTANT REMINDER THAT OUR VOICES ARE THE FOUNDATION.
AND SO TO FORESIGHT, THE INCOMING SNOB, I GIVE YOU MY SINCEREST LOVE AND MY HIGHEST PRAISES.
YOU TRULY ARE THE EMBODIMENTS OF INTEGRITY, WISDOM, AND HEART.
FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, I'VE WATCHED YOU LEAVE WITH THE HUMILITY AND GRACE, AND THIS SEAT IS BETTER BECAUSE IT IS BEING PASSED TO YOU.
YOU ARE HERE TO ASK BETTER QUESTIONS.
AND I TRUST YOU WITH EVERY PART OF THIS WORK TO THE BOARD.
IN MY VERY FIRST REPORT, I CALLED YOU COLLEAGUES, THANK YOU FOR LIVING UP TO THAT WORD.
THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING ME, WELCOMING MY VOICE AS MORE THAN SYMBOLIC.
AND I HOPE THAT YOU CONTINUE TO UPLIFT STUDENT VOICE, NOT ONLY IN POLICY, BUT IN PRACTICE.
TO CONTINUE TO SPEAK TO STUDENTS BEFORE YOU SPEAK WITH THEM, AND TO ALWAYS LOOK THE TABLE, BE THERE FOR THEM.
AND TO BCPS STAFF, THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS MADE THIS JOURNEY.
OF COURSE, MY BOARD MEMBERS, MY ADVISOR, MS. WADE, MS. RALPH, MS. JOSEPH, MS. CHARLIE GREEN, AND THE ENDLESS LAUNDRY LIST.
AND TO THOSE I'VE WORKED WITH, BOTH IN AND OUT OF BALTIMORE COUNTY AND COUNTLESS OTHER AREAS TO HELP FIELD MY ENDLESS REQUESTS, BRAINSTORM INTO THE NIGHT AND SUPPORT ME AS I RAN OFF OF NOTHING BUT ENERGY DRINKS.
AND TO THE BCSC OFFICER TEAM, THANK YOU FOR HOLDING ME AND WELCOMING ME WITH LOVE, JOY, AND BELIEF.
AND TO STUDENTS OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE THE SOUL OF THE DISTRICT.
THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING ME WITH YOUR VOICES AND TO ALSO JUST WELCOMING ME INTO THIS POSITION.
MY GOAL THIS YEAR WAS NEVER TO BE THE LOUDEST IN THE ROOM, BUT TO BE A STEADY AND FAITHFUL ONE.
I CAME IN HOPING TO ELEVATE THE STANDARD OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP THROUGH PRESENCE AND TENSION AND CARE.
AND IF I'VE LEFT THE DOOR EVEN A LITTLE WIDER FOR THE NEXT ONE TO WALK THROUGH THAN I'VE DONE WHAT I CAME HERE TO DO AND TO STUDENTS, I ALWAYS, I WANT TO PASS THE WORDS THAT MY MOTHER ONCE LEFT ME.
YOU ARE NOT BORN TO PASS THROUGH THE WORD QUIETLY.
YOU ARE BORN TO ASK BETTER QUESTIONS, TO LEAVE EVERY SPACE STRONGER THAN YOU FOUND IT.
AND TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT WHILE YOU MAY BE THE YOUNGEST IN THE ROOM, YOU ARE NEVER THE SMALLEST.
THAT IS WHAT HAS GUIDED ME IN EVERY STEP OF MY TERM.
ASM AND FORESIGHT CARRY THAT TRUTH.
LET IT GROUND YOU WHEN THINGS FEEL IMPOSSIBLE AND REMIND YOU THAT EVEN IN THE HARDEST MOMENTS, YOUR LEADERSHIP WILL MATTER.
AND WHILE YOU MAY BE THE YOUNGEST, YOUR IMPACT WILL NOT BE SMALL AT ALL.
AND TO EVERY BALTIMORE COUNTY STUDENT STILL FINDING THEIR VOICE, THIS IS YOUR REMINDER THAT YOU ARE NOT BORN TO PASS THROUGH THE WORLD QUIETLY.
AND THIS SYSTEM IS NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT YOU.
SO THIS IS NOT THE END, BUT RATHER THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER.
AND AS I PASS THIS TORCH, I LIKE TO THINK OF IT NOT AS A PERIOD, BUT AS AN M DASH, A CONTINUATION OF THE WORK WE'VE STARTED AND A BRIDGE TO THE WORK AD.
YOU NOW HAVE A BOLD, VISIONARY YOUNG WOMAN FROM EASTERN TECH READY TO LEAD AND LISTEN, SHE'S HERE TO SPEAK AND NOW SHE HOLDS THE PEN TO WRITE IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.
SHE WILL HELP WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER OF BALTIMORE COUNTIES AND THEIR STUDENTS AND FORESIGHT.
MAKE SURE YOU ROUTE RIGHT LOUDLY AND LEAVE EVERY SPACE STRONGER THAN YOU FOUND IT.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE, THE TRUST, AND THE SEAT AT THIS TABLE.
IT HAS BEEN THE HONOR OF MY LIFE.
A SURREAL AND UNIMAGINABLE ONE, BUT ONE NONETHELESS.
WELL CERTAINLY WENT OUT WITH A BANG.
[K. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - BOARD POLICIES (Ms. Pumphrey) (7:45- 7:55 p.m.)]
ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS UNFINISHED BUSINESS CONSIDERATION OF BOARD POLICIES.THIS IS THE SECOND READER FOR THESE POLICIES.
AND FOR THAT I CALL ALL MS. CHRISTINA PUMPHREY, CHAIR OF THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE ASKS THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE FOLLOWING BOARD POLICIES, BOARD POLICY 55 50 STUDENT BEHAVIOR CODE BOARD POLICY 64 0 1 ADVANCED ACADEMICS AND GIFTED EDUCATION BOARD POLICY 6,500 RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT.
THESE POLICIES ARE PRESENTED TO YOU ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS EXHIBITS K ONE THROUGH M FIVE.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD'S POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR BOARD POLICIES 55 50 64 0 1, AND 6,500.
SINCE THE RECOMMENDATION COMES FROM THE COMMITTEE, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, MS. DOKI? UH, YES.
UM, I WAS WONDERING, UH, SO ON PAGE THREE, UNDER STANDARDS, UH, IT SAYS, UH, ON IN SECTION A POLICY POLICY, I'M SORRY, THE FIRST POLICY STUDENT STUDENT BEHAVIOR CODE, UM, IT SAYS, AND TRAININGS THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL ESTABLISH GUIDELINES AND TRAININGS.
[02:00:02]
WHO, WHO ARE THE TRAININGS FOR, I GUESS, I MEAN, MAYBE THAT MIGHT BE A SUPERINTENDENT QUESTION, BUT I I JUST KIND OF JUST WANTED A LITTLE CLARIFICATION ON WHAT THE TRAININGS MEANT.MR. KNUCK, IF YOU CAN COME FORWARD AND SPEAK TO THE, UH, SAFETY TRAININGS, PLEASE.
OH, I JUST WAS, WANTED SOME CLARIFICATION ON WHAT THE TRAININGS MEANT UNDER STANDARDS ON PAGE THREE.
WHAT KIND OF TRAININGS ARE THEY FOR TEACHERS? ARE THEY FOR ADMINISTRATORS, ARE THEY FOR STUDENTS? EVERYBODY ALL INVOLVED? ALL THE ABOVE.
I WOULD SAY ALL THE ABOVE, BUT MAINLY ADMINISTRATORS, SINCE THEY'RE DOING THE DISCIPLINE RELATED, UH, CALLS IN THE SCHOOLS.
SO WE DO A MULTITUDE OF TRAINING, REQUIRED TRAINING.
IT STARTS IN THE SUMMER AND LEADS INTO SEPTEMBER SCHOOL SAFETY TRAINING AS WELL.
AND IT, IT COVERS A, A WHOLE VAST ARRAY OF TOPICS.
UM, AND THEN MY OTHER QUESTION, UM, WAS ON PAGE FOUR WHERE WE HAVE, UM, IN SHORT PRACTICES ARE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE, BUT WE DON'T HAVE IT, UM, UNDER DEFINITIONS.
SO I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THE DEFINITION OF CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE WAS.
SO THAT WAS ADDED BY PRC MS. HUMPHREY, YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT? I BELIEVE THAT WAS A RECOMMENDATION FROM ANOTHER COMMITTEE MEMBER.
I'M NOT SURE IF I'M SUPPOSED TO NAME THEM.
IT DOESN'T, WE TALKED ABOUT IT IN COMMITTEE, MS. HEN, I BELIEVE WE DEFINE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE, POSSIBLY AN OH 100 EQUITY.
BUT I'M, WITHOUT LOOKING IT UP, I CAN'T THANK YOU FOR THAT REMINDER.
AND I THINK THAT ACTUALLY CAME FROM, UM, AN EQUITY EQUITY COMMITTEE MEMBER AS WELL.
SO THAT'S WHY WE ADDED HERE AND DIDN'T, UM, ADD THE DEFINITION AT THE BEGINNING.
MS. N, COULD WE ADD THAT TO THIS? BECAUSE I'M JUST CURIOUS AS HOW, UM, CULTURAL RESPONSIVE WOULD BE DIFFERENT.
ARE WE CHANGING THE CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF CULTURAL DIFFERENT? I, I JUST UNDERSTAND, I'M, I'M TRYING TO, I WANNA UNDERSTAND HOW IT'S BEING APPLIED TO, UM, STUDENT BEHAVIORS.
ARE WE GOING TO TREAT DIFF STUDENTS DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE OF BACKGROUNDS OR I, IF, IF IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WANTED TO BE ADDED, IF YOU, THAT YOU WANTED ADDED TO THE DEFINITIONS, YOU WOULD MOVE TO DO THAT.
I DO HAVE TO PUT CAUTION HERE BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO GET, NOT THAT THIS SHOULDN'T BE INCLUDED, BUT WE NEED TO GET THIS APPROVED IN ORDER TO GET IT INTO THE HANDBOOK BY THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
SO WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH HOW WE PROPOSE THE AMENDMENTS AND HOPEFULLY CAN PROCESS QUICKLY.
MS. HARVEY, I KNOW YOU'RE ON THE COMMITTEE.
DID YOU WANNA RESPOND? I, I JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON MS. HEN'S, UH, COMMENT.
CULTURALLY, RESPONSIVENESS IS DEFINED IN POLICY ZERO 100 AND STATES USING ASSET-BASED KNOWLEDGE OF VARIOUS RACIAL ETHNIC CULTURES, VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES, AND INCORPORATING THEM INTO TEACHING AND LEARNING TO STRENGTHEN AND ENRICH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
I JUST, I'M TRYING TO UN THAT'S FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING.
I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT'S BEING APPLIED FOR STUDENT BEHAVIORS.
LIKE THAT'S A VERY BROAD DEFINITION.
AND I, I'M, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT TOO BROAD, I GUESS IS MY POINT.
SO DO I NEED TO MAKE A MOTION TO, AND I, I, I DON'T MEAN TO, I, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE APPLYING PUNISHMENTS OR BEHAVIOR CODE OF BEHAVIORS CORRECTLY.
UM, TWO COMMENTS REGARDING THAT.
AND I BELIEVE WE DID DISCUSS THIS IN COMMITTEE ONE, THE IMPORTANT FINDING OR KEEPING THOSE DEFINITIONS WITHIN ONE POLICY FOR CONSISTENCY SO THAT IT'S ALWAYS UPDATED IN ONE, BUT ALSO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS, I'M WONDERING IF THOSE DETAILS WOULDN'T BE FOUND IN THE RULE.
UM, AND DR. ROGERS, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANNA WEIGH IN ON MS. DOM'S QUESTION OR NOT.
YEAH, I THINK, UM, YOU ARE CORRECT.
AND, UH, IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS WOULD BE IN THE ROLE.
UH, WHEN, WHEN I THINK OF, UH, CONTR, UH, CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS, I THINK THIS IS MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS AWARENESS, UM, THAT EVERYONE HAS THE APPROPRIATE TRAINING.
AND I KNOW THAT WE AS A SYSTEM HAVE DONE SOME SIGNIFICANT WORK ON DISCRETIONARY VERSUS NON-DISCRETIONARY, UH, SUSPENSION.
SO THAT'S THE NATURAL PLACE WHERE I THINK, UH, THERE WOULD BE THESE CONVERSATIONS AND, YOU KNOW, THE DISCRETIONARY MEANING, UH, WHETHER A STUDENT WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE INTERRUPTING, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS VERSUS, UM, THE EGREGIOUS BEHAVIORS THAT I THINK YOUR COUNTY, YOU'RE, YOU'RE SPEAKING TO THOSE CATEGORY
[02:05:01]
TWO AND CATEGORY THREE OFFENSES, UM, WOULD BE APPLIED ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS.FURTHER DISCUSSION, MS. BOOKER DWYER.
SO I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT, UH, POLICY 5 5 5 0, THE STUDENT BEHAVIOR.
SO DOES THIS POLICY APPLY TO STUDENTS, UM, IN APPRENTICESHIPS ON WORK-BASED LEARNING SITES, UM, ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES WHEN THEY'RE DULY ENROLLED OR TAKING COLLEGE COURSES? DR. JONES KEEPS, YES.
AND IS THAT, SO WHERE WOULD, SO, SO AS A PARENT, AND I'M LOOKING AT THIS POLICY, WHERE WOULD THAT FALL IN THIS POLICY? SO IF MY CHILD IS ON A WORK-BASED LEARNING SITE AND I WANTED TO POINT SPECIFICALLY TO SOMETHING IN THIS POLICY THAT, THAT COVERS THAT, WHERE WOULD I FIND IT? GOOD EVENING.
I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE CAME UP WITH THE, UM, THE FIRST TIME 'CAUSE I WAS A PART OF THE POLICY REVIEW, UM, COMMITTEE.
UM, WE CAN ACTUALLY SHARE WITH YOU, YOU CAN POINT OUT WHERE IN THE POLICY AND THEN AFTER THAT I'LL JUST EXPLAIN HOW IT APPLIES.
YOU WANNA SHARE THAT? UM, SURE.
IF YOU LOOK ON PAGE TWO UNDER SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITIES, IT DEFINES WHAT THEY MEAN BY THE SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITY AND WHAT IT ENCOMPASSES.
AND SO WHAT WE, WE'D OFFER MS. BOOKER DWYER, AND I'M NOT SURE IF WE'RE ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION, UM, AS PRESENTED, UM, ONCE STUDENT, ONCE THE IN FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY, WHETHER IT'S A FIELD TRIP, WHETHER IT'S DUAL ENROLLMENT, UM, YOU KNOW, SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITIES, AS LONG AS THE BCPS SPONSORED ACTIVITY, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STUDENTS AND THE, UM, THE CODE OF CONDUCT OR OUR SAFETY POLICIES ARE APPLICABLE.
SO IN, SO EITHER IN THIS POLICY OR IN THE HANDBOOK, COULD WE PUT AN EXAMPLE LIKE THAT SO THAT IT'S REALLY CLEAR FOR PARENTS? 'CAUSE WHEN I FIRST READ THIS, THAT WAS MY FIRST QUESTION.
LIKE, WHAT DOES THIS APPLY IF MY CHILD IS AT CCBC OR IS, AND IF, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE TAKING A, A COURSE THAT MAYBE IS OCCURRING LATER ON OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SO IF WE COULD PUT AN EXAMPLE EITHER IN THE HANDBOOK OR, UM, WITHIN THIS POLICY, THAT'LL BE HELPFUL FOR CLARITY.
SO I'M GONNA LOOK TOWARD MS. EY AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT EXAMPLES EVEN DURING POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE AND, UM, EVEN SOUGHT, UM, LEGAL COUNSEL.
I JUST WANNA MAKE A COMPLIMENT 'CAUSE I JUST, ONE THING I FORGOT TO ASK ABOUT WAS SOCIAL MEDIA ASPECT OF IT.
AND I, I WANTED TO COMPLIMENT YOU FOR ADDING THAT ON PAGE 10.
UH, ON THE, IT SAYS USING A PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO STREAM OR PUBLISH ON SOCIAL MEDIA, A RECORDED EVENT EVOLVING OR, OR MORE OF CONDUCT OF, I WOULD JUST COMMENT THAT THAT WAS A LENGTHY DISCUSSION.
WE REALLY WENT INTO DEPTH WITH THAT, WHICH IS, I THINK IT'S A BIG PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE.
SO, UM, I APPRECIATE THAT COMMENT BECAUSE WE, ALL OF OUR, ALL THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS REALLY DUG INTO THAT AND HAD A LENGTHY DISCUSSION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TRIED TO MAKE THAT AS APPROPRIATE AS POSSIBLE.
AND UM, JUST FOR A QUICK SECOND, JUST TO REVISIT, UM, YOUR CONVERSATION AROUND, UM, STUDENT OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AND STUDENTS, UM, ADHERENCE TO THE POLICY.
IT IS IN THE STUDENT, UM, HANDBOOK UNDER SCOPE OF AUTHORITY ON PAGE SEVEN, MR. KNOX WANTED ME TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE AWARE.
AND THANK YOU MS. DOKI FOR POINTING OUT SOMETHING WE WORKED REALLY HARD ON
MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
[L. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - FINAL FY2026 OPERATING BUDGET (Mr. Sarris) (7:55 - 8:05 p.m.)]
AGENDA IS THE FINAL FY 2026 OPERATING BUDGET.GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND DR. ROGERS.
UH, UH, FOR INFORMATION I PRESENT TO THE BOARD THE FY 2026 BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPERATING BUDGET INTRODUCED ON APRIL 11TH, 2025 BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE KLOS MEYER AND ACCEPTED IN TOTAL BY THE BALTIMORE COUNTY COUNCIL ON MAY 22ND, 2025.
THIS ANNUAL BUDGET TAKES EFFECT AND WILL
[02:10:01]
BE IMPLEMENTED ON JULY 1ST, 2025.ANY QUESTIONS, MS. HEN? THANK YOU, MS. LICHTER.
UM, NOT A QUESTION, BUT I HAVE A MOTION FOR THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION.
I MOVE TO REQUEST THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT COST AND CONSIDER INCLUDING AND PRIORITIZING FUNDING IN THE FISCAL YEAR 27 AND 28, PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGETS FOR ONE-TIME PAYMENTS TO CURRENT BCPS EMPLOYEES COVERED UNDER THE MASTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOARD AND TABCO.
THE PAYMENT SHALL BE ISSUED ON DECEMBER 1ST, 2026 RETROACTIVELY FOR FISCAL YEAR 26 AND DECEMBER 1ST, 2027 RETROACTIVELY FOR FISCAL YEAR 27, AND SHALL BE EQUIVALENT TO THE SUM OF THE DIFFERENCE IN SALARY PAYMENTS AGREEMENT VERSUS ACTUAL FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 26 AND FISCAL YEAR 27 PERIODS OTHERWISE REFERENCED AS YEARS TWO AND THREE OF THE MASTER AGREEMENT.
IS THERE A SECOND? MR. MCWILLIAMS? GO AHEAD.
LESKI, WOULD YOU LIKE TO THAT'S, I'M SORRY.
MS. HAN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOUR MOTION? YES, BRIEFLY.
SO MY MOTION IS TO, UM, MAKE OUR EDUCATORS WHOLE AND HOWEVER WE NEED TO DO THAT, WE NEED TO DO THAT.
UM, I BELIEVE THIS BOARD IS, UM, UNIVERSALLY IN AGREEMENT THAT WE NEED TO FUND OUR, OUR COMPENSATION, WHETHER THAT'S FEASIBLE THIS YEAR OR IN THE FUTURE.
UM, THERE IS PRECEDENT IN THIS MATTER WHEN THE COUNTY AND STATE WHO WE, WE RELY ON OUR FUNDING PARTNERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE TIMELINES THAT WE DESIRED.
WE HAVE DONE THAT IN THE PAST, UM, RETROACTIVELY.
SO MY MOTION PROVIDES OR ASKS THE SUPERINTENDENT TO HAVE STAFF COST OUT WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE AND TO CONSIDER INCLUDING THAT AS A PRIORITY IN THE FUNDING, UM, PROPOSAL FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 27 AND 28 BUDGETS.
SO THERE IS NO IM IMPACT ON THE FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET, BUT RATHER IT PROVIDES OR REQUESTS THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT INVESTIGATE THIS AND TO CONSIDER IT, INCLUDING IT IN THE NEXT TWO OPERATING BUDGETS AS ONE-TIME PAYMENTS TO MAKE OUR EDUCATORS WHOLE.
WE, WE, WE WANNA MAKE OUR EDUCATORS WHOLE.
WE KNOW THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE TEACHERS THAT ARE IMPACTED, IT'S ALL OF THE UNIONS THAT ARE IMPACTED.
WHAT I WOULD RATHER, AND WE COULD REQUEST THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT DO THIS INVESTIGATION, BUT THAT'S NOT GONNA GIVE US THE MONEY.
THE MONEY COMES FROM THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.
SO IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MONEY, THEN WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING AS A BOARD, OR WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND AS A BOARD IS THAT WE SEND A LETTER OR WE DO SOMETHING, UM, TO REQUEST THAT OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE MAKE EITHER RAISE TAXES BY A PENNY BECAUSE ARE WE SAYING THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE NOT WORTH THE PENNY? BECAUSE IF THEY, IF THAT WAS DONE IN BALTIMORE COUNTY, WE WOULDN'T BE SITTING HERE IN THIS SITUATION RIGHT NOW.
AND SO IF WE WANNA GET MONEY, WE HAVE TO GO TO WHERE THE MONEY IS.
IT'S NOT IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, IT'S AT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
I ALSO THINK AS A BOARD FOR THOSE CANDIDATES WHO ARE RUNNING FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE, THAT WE PUT PRESSURE ON THEM TO COMMIT TO FULLY FUNDING OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
WE CAN DO ALL THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT WE WANT.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN BALTIMORE COUNTY IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO CUT POSITIONS.
WE ARE, YOU KNOW, WE'VE CUT CENTRAL OFFICE DOWN TO THE BARE BONES.
WE, I MEAN, THIS IS NOT A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION FOR BALTIMORE COUNTY.
WE HAVE TO GO TO WHERE THE MONEY IS.
IT'S NOT IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
IT'S AT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
BY, BY LOOKING AHEAD, WE'RE NOTIFYING OUR FUNDING PARTNERS THAT THESE ARE OUR PLANS.
UM, AND BY ASKING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO FIRST COST THIS OUT, BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THESE NUMBERS, WE ARE DOING OUR LEGWORK NOW TO LOOK AHEAD TO MAKE THAT REQUEST.
AND I DON'T THINK THOSE ACTIONS THAT MS. BOOKER DWYER MENTIONED ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.
MY MOTION SIMPLY ASKS TO PLAN TO MAKE OUR EDUCATORS WHOLE, AND I WOULD BE OPEN TO AMEND THIS, TO INCLUDE ALL OF OUR STAFF.
UM, IF SOMEBODY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT MOTION, I'M, I WOULD SUPPORT THAT.
HOWEVER, THIS GETS THE BALL ROLLING.
THIS SAYS WE NEED TO LOOK AHEAD, WE NEED TO MAKE THAT REQUEST.
WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT THAT WOULD COST AND TO PLAN TO INCLUDE IT IN OUR NEXT TWO BUDGET REQUESTS SO THAT WE CAN PLAN FOR IT AND MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUST ADJUSTMENTS AND PREPARE OUR FUNDING PARTNERS FOR THAT.
AND WE PREPARED OUR FUNDING PARTNERS.
THAT'S WHY WE ESTABLISHED THAT THREE
[02:15:01]
YEAR CONTRACT AND OUR FUNDING PARTNERS LOOKED AT THAT AND DIDN'T GIVE US THE FUNDS TO DO THAT.WE CAN GO THROUGH THE EXERCISE AGAIN UNTIL WE GET THE MONEY.
UM, AND UNTIL THERE'S A, WE, WE KNOW WHAT IT COSTS.
WE HAD A THREE YEAR CONTRACT THAT IDENT THAT LAID OUT THE COST AND WHAT WE WOULD NEED, BUT THAT WAS NOT HONORED.
SO I, I JUST, I, I DON'T WANT US TO, CENTRAL OFFICE IS CUT TO THE BARE BONES.
I DON'T KNOW THE STAFF THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO DO THAT INVESTIGATION.
MAYBE WE COULD PULL FROM THE BOARD BUDGET.
UM, I MEAN, I'M ALL FOR ASKING.
I'M, I'M FINE WITH THAT, BUT I, I JUST, I WANNA SEE SOMETHING THAT'S GONNA GIVE US THAT RETURN ON INVESTMENT.
FIRST, UM, COULD WE HAVE THE MOTION IN WRITING IN CASE AN AMENDMENT, UM, IS IN CASE SOMEONE WANTS TO, UH, A MOTION FOR AN AMENDMENT? MOVE FOR AN AMENDMENT? UM, SECOND, SECOND QUESTION THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER, SO I'LL SKIP THAT.
MY COMMENT IS I ALSO DO NOT THINK EITHER, BOTH THINGS ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.
I THINK AS A BOARD, UM, WE SHOULD BE MAKING A STATEMENT TO OUR TEACHERS THAT WE ARE INVESTED IN THIS.
UM, I THINK MY QUESTION WAS ALONG THE LINES OF, UH, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ASKING AS AN INVESTIGATION.
WE'RE NOT COMMITTING TO ANYTHING AT THIS POINT.
SO I DON'T THINK IT'S, IT'S HURTS US TO DO THAT AND TO MAKE A STATEMENT TO OUR TEACHERS THAT WE SUPPORT THEM.
AND THAT'S HOW WE FEEL AS A BOARD.
WE'RE SAYING THAT SUPPORT OUT LOUD IN OUR WORDS, UM, BUT WE'RE NOT TAKING ACTION.
AND I THINK THIS IS A WAY TO TAKE ACTION WHERE IT DOESN'T FISCALLY, UM, DO AFFECT ANYTHING FISCALLY FOR THIS YEAR.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MOTION BECAUSE MAYBE WE CAN PUT WORDS IN THERE BECAUSE I AGREE THAT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE IS SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO, WHETHER NOW OR IN THE FUTURE WHO NEEDS TO, UM, FUND THIS.
SO MAYBE IT'S THEIR LANGUAGE CAN BE IN THERE, WHICH IS WHY I REQUESTED THAT THE MOTION BE PUT IN WRITING SO THAT I CAN LOOK AT THAT AS WELL.
MAY I RESPOND MADAM CHAIR? UM, I'D LIKE TO GIVE OTHER PEOPLE VOICE.
AND THEN JUST TO MS. HUMPHREY'S QUESTIONS? YES, GO AHEAD.
UM, AND MS. GO IF YOU WOULD PLEASE.
UM, YOU HAD ANOTHER QUESTION, MS. EY, SO YOU'LL GET THE MOTION IN IN WRITING, BUT ONE YOU MENTIONED THE FUNDING PARTNERS.
MY MOTION SPECIFICALLY MENTIONS, UM, ONE-TIME PAYMENTS, WHICH, UM, MAY NOT COUNT TOWARDS MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT, WHICH IS DESIRABLE FOR OUR FUNDING PARTNERS, WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN THE FUNDING MODEL, UM, CURRENTLY PROPOSED, WHICH IS, UM, A SALARY PAYMENT THAT WOULD NEED TO BE SUSTAINABLE.
SO IT MAY BE MORE FEASIBLE, UM, WHICH IS ONE INTENT OF MY MOTION.
DID YOU WANNA SPEAK? OKAY, KEEP GOING.
I WANNA THANK MS. HEN FOR MAKING THIS MOTION.
I THINK IT'S A WONDERFUL IDEA FOR US TO PLAN FINANCIALLY TO, UM, DO THE ABSOLUTE BEST WE CAN TO KEEP OUR PROMISE TO THE TEACHERS.
UM, I THINK IT'S AN ACTION OF GOOD FAITH.
IT GIVES ALL OF THE, UM, THE EXPERT'S TIME TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO INCORPORATE THIS INTO THE BUDGET.
UM, WE, WE'VE HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT OUR JOB AS A BOARD AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR US TO BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.
AND, UM, I THINK THIS IS AN ACT OF GOOD FAITH ON OUR PART AS WELL.
UM, AND THEN THE LAST THING OF COURT, UM, OKAY.
I CAN'T REMEMBER THAT POINT, SO I'LL STOP THERE.
SO, THANK YOU, UM, UH, MS. HEN FOR, UM, UH, SHARING THIS MOTION.
I, I DON'T THINK THERE'S EVER ANYTHING WRONG WITH US DOING, UM, INVESTIGATION AND HOMEWORK IN ADVANCE.
THE ONLY THING THAT I WOULD REQUEST, UM, IS THAT WE HAVE 20,000 HARDWORKING EMPLOYEES.
ALL OF THEM MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS.
UM, I DON'T WANNA KEEP GOING BACK TO THIS EXAMPLE, BUT IF THE BUS DRIVERS DON'T PICK UP THOSE 80,000 KIDS, CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, AND THE TEACHERS HAVE NO STUDENTS TO TEACH, UM, AND SO I WOULD, UH, RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE INCLUSION OF ALL OF THE STAFF MEMBERS AS A PART OF THE INVESTIGATION THAT WE WILL CONDUCT.
I, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO AMEND.
UM, I'D LIKE TO AMEND THE MOTION TO REMOVE THE WORD AND TABCO AND ADD THE BOARD AND ALL EMPLOYEES ALL BE CPS EMPLOYEES.
SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION I HAVE MY CONCERN, AND I'M TRYING TO FIND WHERE IT'S WRITTEN, UM, IS THAT, I DON'T WANT IT TO SOUND TOO MUCH LIKE A PROMISE.
'CAUSE RIGHT NOW WE ARE GETTING, I'M SORRY, JUST A POINT OF ORDER.
I THINK WE NEED, WE JUST NEED TO DISCUSS THE AMENDMENT BEFORE WE DISCUSS THE MOTION.
'CAUSE YOU'RE JUST CHANGING THE WORD EMPLOYEE.
IT STILL HAS THE END PART ABOUT THE YEARS.
I AM ALL FOR THE INVESTIGATION AND THE FRONT PART OF IT.
I'M JUST WORRIED THAT THE SECOND PART OF IT
[02:20:01]
SOUNDS TOO MUCH LIKE A PROMISE.AND I DON'T WANT US TO GET, I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT YET.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S FEASIBLE.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S SUSTAINABLE.
SO I AM FINE WITH THE INTENT OF IT, WHICH IS LOOKING INTO IT.
UM, BUT I'M WORRIED ABOUT US MAKING IT SOUND LIKE WITH THE WAY YOU HAVE WORDED THE DEFINITE DATES OF IT, THAT IT SOUNDS TOO MUCH LIKE THIS WILL, THIS WILL HAPPEN.
UM, THE REASON FOR THE SPECIFICITY MM-HMM
IS SO THAT IT CAN BE COSTED ACCURATELY BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT IN PLANNING.
AND WHEN TALKING TO OUR FUNDING PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE ACCURATE NUMBERS, THAT WE ARE GOING TO THEM, WE, WE NEED TO MAKE A SPECIFIC REQUEST.
SO THAT'S THE REASON FOR THE SPECIFICITY.
WE ARE NOT COMMITTING, WE, WE CAN'T COMMIT, WE, WE DON'T RAISE OUR OWN FUNDS.
WE'RE RELYING ON OUR FUNDING PARTNERS.
THERE IS NO COMMITMENT EITHER IMPLIED OR INHERENT IN THE MOTION.
THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
AM I MISSING MR. BURNS? I, I THOUGHT I HEARD SOMEONE SECOND AND I WAS GONNA SAY IT WAS ROD.
DID ANYBODY SECOND THE AMENDMENT REQUEST? YES.
MR. DOKI? NO, I WAS JUST GONNA ADD THAT IT, IT'S RELEVANT TO HAVE THE YEARS THERE BECAUSE WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE OFFERED A THREE YEAR CONTRACT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO RENEGOTIATE DEBATE DEPENDENT ON THE BUDGET IF IT GETS APPROVED.
AND WE, WE, I FEEL LIKE WE OWE IT TO ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES THAT WE CAN PAY THEM WHAT WE TALK ABOUT.
AND I, I, I JUST, YES, WE ARE DEPENDENT ON WHAT THE, UM, THE CE APPROVES, BUT SHE DOESN'T TELL US HOW TO SPEND THAT BUDGET.
SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK INTO HOW WE KEEP, YOU KNOW, FUNDING THE PEOPLE.
'CAUSE THE PEOPLE ARE WHAT DRIVES THE, I AGREE.
I'M STILL THINKING ABOUT, UM, I GUESS THE STATEMENT.
SO I DO STILL ALSO HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THE LAST PIECE BECAUSE IT SAYS THAT THE PAYMENT SHALL BE ISSUED.
AND SO THAT DOES SOUND LIKE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ARE INTENDING TO DO WITH THIS MOTION.
SO I UNDERSTAND WHERE IT MAY BE IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE DATES SO THAT THE COSTING CAN BE, UM, ACCURATELY ACCOUNTED FOR.
UM, BUT THAT LAST, I GUESS I'M MAKING A MOTION TO AMEND THE CURRENT, UM, WHERE WE WOULD STRIKE THAT LAST PART FROM THE PAYMENTS.
UM, AND THEN WE CAN SIMPLY ADD THAT, UM, THIS WOULD BE RETROACTIVELY FOR FFY 26 AND FY 27.
SO LET, LEMME JUST GET THE AMENDMENTS ON THE AMENDMENTS.
RESOLVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT BEFORE YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF SECOND.
FURTHER DISCUSSION ON MS. HUMPHREY'S AMENDMENT.
UM, YEAH, I, I REMEMBERED WHAT I WAS GONNA SAY BEFORE WAS HOW IMPORTANT IT WOULD BE TO HONOR ALL OF THE UNIONS IN THE AMENDMENT.
SO THANK YOU FOR AMENDING THAT MOTION.
AND MS. BOOKER DWYER'S POINTS ABOUT OUR, OUR JOB AS ADVOCATES FOR FUNDING IS ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT.
UM, I, HOWEVER, THINK IT IS A HUNDRED PERCENT OUR PRIORITY NO MATTER WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IN GOOD FAITH TO FIND A WAY TO FUND THIS MONEY AT A LATER TIME AS STATED, BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR PROMISE TO ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES IN ALL OF THE UNIONS.
YES, MS. HEN, UM, PRIOR TO MS. F FONG'S MOTION, I WAS GOING TO RECOMMEND THAT WE CHANGE THE WORD SHALL AND I I CAN DO THIS HOWEVER WE NEED TO DO IT PROCEDURALLY, BUT CHANGING THE WORD SHALL TO WOOD, UM, FOR THE LAST PART WOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO THE SUM OF THE DIFFERENCE IN SALARY PAYMENTS.
THAT WAY THAT STATEMENT IS LESS DECLARATIVE AND MORE, UM, REQUESTING A, A COST BASIS FOR THAT.
SO I WANTED TO RESPOND TO MS. FONG'S SUGGESTION FOR THAT, WHICH WE CAN COME BACK TO.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S A, I DON'T THINK THAT IS ORGANIC TO THE CURRENT AMENDMENT THAT'S ON THE FLOOR.
MY RECOMMENDATION, THE BOARD IS TO TRY TO DISPOSE OF, 'CAUSE YOU CAN STILL GO AND AMEND AGAIN, BUT LET'S, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU TRY TO DISPOSE OF THE FIRST PIECE OF THIS, WHICH WAS THE AMENDMENT THAT WAS PROPOSED.
SO IF WE VOTE AND THEY PASSES MS. HUMPHREY'S AMENDMENT, WE CAN STILL AMEND AFTER WE VOTE? YES.
UM, MS. GOR, CAN YOU REPEAT THE AMENDED? SO MS. HUMPHREY MOVED TO A, STRIKE THE WORDS AND TABCO AND INSERT ALL BCPS EMPLOYEES.
[02:25:01]
DO YOU WANT THE WHOLE THING, RIGHT OR YES.CAN YOU READ THE WHOLE THING PLEASE? I MOVE TO REQUEST THE SUPERINTENDENT YOUR MICROPHONE.
I MOVE TO REQUEST THE SUPERINTENDENT TO COST AND CONSIDER INCLUDING AND PRIORITIZING FUNDING IN THE FY 27 AND FY 28.
PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGETS FOR ONE-TIME PAYMENTS TO CURRENT GIFTS EMPLOYEES COVERED UNDER THE MASTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOARD AND ALL BCPS EMPLOYEES.
AND IT GOES ON TO SAY THE PAYMENT SHALL BE ISSUED ON DECEMBER ONE, ET CETERA.
MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT THAT WAS JUST READ.
MS. FONG, DID YOU HAVE A AMENDMENT TO MAKE? I WILL DEFER TO BOARD MEMBER HEN BECAUSE I THINK SHE UNDERSTOOD THE INTENT OKAY.
SO IF SHE HAS THE WORDING THAT SHE WOULD LIKE FOR HER, UM, MOTION THAT I, I'LL LISTEN TO THAT.
AND, BUT I THINK SHE CAPTURED THAT IN WHAT I HEARD HER SAY.
BUT, UM, MS. HARVEY, YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE? I'LL MAKE THAT, UH, YES.
I, I THINK I'M OFFERING THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, EMOTION FRIENDLY.
I'M GETTING ALL THESE NODS OVER THERE.
WE CAN'T BE FRIENDLY NOW I CAN BE FRIENDLY OF ALL PEOPLE.
I'M OFFERING AN AMENDMENT IN THE LANGUAGE TO US TO CHANGE THE SENTENCE.
THE PAYMENTS SHALL BE ISSUED ON DECEMBER 1ST, ET CETERA, TO IF FULLY FUNDED, THE PAYMENTS WOULD BE YES.
ANY DISCUSSION ON MS. BOOKER DWYER? AND SO I'M JUST WONDERING, ARE WE PUTTING OURSELVES BACK IN THE SAME SITUATION WE WERE JUST IN BECAUSE THAT WAS SIMILAR LANGUAGE THAT WAS IN OUR CONTRACT.
I'M, I'M IN SUPPORT OF IT, BUT I JUST DON'T WANT US TO BE BACK IN THIS SITUATION AGAIN BECAUSE WE, IF IT'S FULLY FUNDED, THAT GOES BACK TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.
SO WHAT IS GONNA BE, WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO DIFFERENTLY TO HELP TO GET THAT FULL FUNDING? UM, AND I FEEL LIKE THAT IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE.
WHAT IS OUR STEP TWO? BECAUSE IF NOT, WE'RE WE'RE GETTING EVERYONE ALL EXCITED ABOUT SOMETHING THAT THEN MAY NOT BE FUNDED AND THEN WE'RE BACK IN THE SITUATION AGAIN.
SO I'M JUST WONDERING, COULD WE STEP THIS OUT SO THAT WE HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION, UM, SO THAT WE CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO GET FUNDING FOR OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
MS. DOKI? UH, I, I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT AS WELL.
I THINK WE NEED, I I WOULD SUGGEST TAKING OUT THE, IF FULLY FUNDED, BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THAT GIVES US AN OUT AND SAYING THAT THE BUDGET IS FULLY FUNDED AND WE'RE RELYING ON THIS, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.
BUT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE DOESN'T SAY YOU HAVE TO SPEND THIS ON THIS AND THIS ON THAT.
AND I THINK WE NEED TO PUT SOMETHING IN THERE THAT SAYS, WE PUT, YOU KNOW, OUR STAFF FIRST AND WE PRIORITIZE THEIR SALARIES, MS. HARVEY.
SO THIS IS, THIS IS PART OF THIS PROCESS THAT I THINK EVERYONE IS STRUGGLING WITH.
WE CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YES, WE GET A POT OF MONEY AND IT'S UP TO THE SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY WHERE IT GOES.
WE ALSO CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE DO NOT PROVIDE OUR OWN FUNDING, BUT WHAT WE, WHAT IS ESCAPING US IN THIS CONVERSATION IS THAT WE DO MAKE CHOICES AND WE MAKE CHOICES BASED ON WHAT OUR STUDENTS NEED.
WE MAKE CHOICES BASED ON WHAT OUR COMMUNITY WANTS.
WE COMMITTED TO NOT INCREASING CLASS SIZES.
WE COMMITTED TO NOT DOING FURLOUGHS, NOT FIRING PEOPLE.
WE, WE COMMITTED TO THOSE THINGS AND THOSE THINGS AREN'T FREE.
AND SO WHILE WE DO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, I, I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO, UH, BE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS AN EITHER OR.
AND WE HONORED THE COMMITMENTS THAT WE MADE.
THE TEACHERS SAID WERE IMPORTANT TO THEM.
[02:30:01]
WE HONORED THE COMMITMENTS WE MADE TO SPECIAL EDUCATION.WE DID OUR VERY, VERY BEST TO FULLY HONOR, EXCUSE ME, THE COMMITMENT WE MADE, UH, FOR COMPENSATION.
BUT THE REALITY IS YOU CAN'T TAKE OUT THE, IF THE, IF IS THE FOUNDATIONAL PART OF THAT CONTRACTUAL LANGUAGE.
IT IS, IF IT IS FUNDED, IF WE COULD FUND IT OURSELVES, I'M SURE EVERYBODY ON THIS BOARD WOULD DO SO.
AND SO IF, IF THE PURPOSE OF THIS MOTION OF THIS ACTION THAT WE'RE ASKING THE SYSTEM TO TAKE, TO LOOK INTO THIS IS TO REALLY SEE WHAT WE CAN DO, NOT KNOWING WHAT OUR FUNDING WILL BE IN FY 27 OR 28, THEN I THINK IT'S DISINGENUOUS FOR US TO SAY THAT WE CAN DO IT.
IT IS AN IF, IF THE MONEY IS NOT THERE, THEN THIS BOARD AND THIS SYSTEM HAS TO BE WILLING AND OUR, OUR, OUR STAFF HAVE TO BE WILLING TO SAY, OH, MAYBE I WILL ACCEPT A LARGER CLASS SIZE.
OR, OH, MAYBE, YOU KNOW, I WILL TAKE A COUPLE OF FURLOUGH DAYS.
WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE EVERYONE WHOLE.
WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS DON'T GET SHORTED.
BUT THE REALITY OF IT IS, IS THAT THE IF IS NOT GONNA GO AWAY.
AND SO I AM FOR BEING PREPARED.
I'M FOR LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE, BUT I AM NOT FOR, UH, I CAN'T SUPPORT, UH, NOT BEING CLEAR ON, I'M SORRY, ON THE, IF MR. YOUNG, JUST A CLARIFICATION.
WE SUBMIT A BUDGET THAT STATES WHAT WE'RE SPENDING IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES, NOT, AND, AND THE COUNTY EXEC AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVES THAT BUDGET.
THEY DON'T JUST GIVE US A POT OF MONEY TO SPEND AS WE LIKE, BECAUSE IF THEY DID, WE COULD POTENTIALLY SHIFT MONEY AROUND TO MAKE OUR STAFF WHOLE.
SO IT'S ALLOCATED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSE AND SPECIFIC CATEGORIES, NOT JUST, HERE'S $2 BILLION, GO HAVE FUN.
IT DIDN'T, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TELLS MORE REDUCTIONS HAD TO BE MADE IN.
MS. HUMPHREY, JUST BACK TO THE COMMENT ABOUT OUR SECOND, ADDING A SECOND STEP, THAT CONVERSATION, UM, I THINK IT NEC THE SECOND STEP ISN'T NECESSARILY A STEP THAT HAS TO BE PUT INTO HERE, BUT AGAIN, IT'S AN ALIGNMENT OF SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE NEED TO DO.
SO IN ADDITION TO THIS MOTION, WE ALSO NEED TO CONTACT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, CONTACT THE CANDIDATES FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND TELL, AND TELL THEM WHAT WE EXPECT AND WHAT WE NEED FOR FUNDING FOR OUR BUDGET.
UM, SO I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK IS A SECOND STEP TO THIS, BUT AN, AN ALIGNED STEP, SOME, ANOTHER ACTION THAT WE ALSO HAVE TO TAKE.
SO DID YOU MAKE AN AMENDMENT? YES.
AND DID WE HAVE A SECOND ON HER AMENDMENT? WE DID.
DID WE ANY MORE DISCUSSION? MS. HEN? JUST A COMMENT AND I SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT TO ADD THE, IF I, I THINK IT COULD GO EITHER WAY BECAUSE AS WAS DISCUSSED, UM, WELL IN OUR CONTRACTS, THE, IT INCLUDES AN IF.
AND, AND THAT'S, UM, BEEN DISCUSSED AD NAUSEUM TONIGHT, IF IT'S ALL DEPENDENT ON WHETHER OR NOT WE GET FUNDING.
SO WHETHER WE INCLUDE THAT IN OUR MOTION OR NOT.
AND AGAIN, I SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT TO MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT THIS IS RELIANT ON FUNDING THAT, FOR THOSE THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT INCLUDING IT, IT'S THERE WHETHER WE INCLUDE IT OR NOT.
ON MS. HARVEY'S, MADAM CHAIR, THIS IS MS. OH, I'M SORRY.
AND I THINK, AGAIN, MS. HAND, UM, SPOKE TO IT, BUT I GUESS I DID ALSO WANT TO HEAR FROM LEGAL.
SO, UM, JUST BECAUSE WE MAKE A MOTION AND IF WE INCLUDE THE IF OR IF WE DON'T INCLUDE THE IF, UM, IS IT WHAT'S GONNA BE BINDING? IT'S GOING TO BE THE CONTRACTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY IN WRITING AT THIS POINT? OR IS IT, IT, I GUESS COULD WE SUPERSEDE THAT WITH THIS MOTION, MR. BURNS CHAIR? I, I THINK THAT THAT'S A COMMON THAT THANKS FOUR COUNTS FOR THE RECORD.
I THINK THAT'S A COMPLICATED QUESTION.
AND IN LIGHT OF THE SITUATION, AT LEAST ONE OF THE BARGAINING UNITS, I DON'T THINK THAT'S A QUESTION THAT SHOULD BE ADVISED TO THE BOARD IN PUBLIC.
IF YOU WANNA TAKE A RECESS, WE CAN DISCUSS, BUT, UM, MS. MS. FONG'S ASKED A COMPLICATED QUESTION THAT I HESITATE TO, TO ADVISE YOU, UH, IN THIS SETTING.
[02:35:01]
ON MS. HARVEY'S AMENDED MOTION, WHICH SHE PUT IN THE CHAT? OKAY.SO THAT MOTION PASSED CORRECT.
NOW WE HAVE TO, RIGHT, LEMME GET BACK TO THE, THE MOTION AS AMENDED NOW.
SO MAY I, UM, ROLL CALL, VOTE ON THE MOTION AS AMENDED.
IS THERE DISCUSSION? FINISHED OUR DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION AS AMENDED? YEAH.
TOO MANY YESES, MR. MCMILLION, I THINK, AND I CAN THINK WHATEVER I WANT TO THANK.
THAT, UH, A VOTE FOR THIS IS A VOTE FOR THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND FOR THE TEACHERS, THE BUS DRIVERS, THE CUSTODIANS, THE GRASS CUTTERS, EVERYBODY, AND I'M VOTING FOR IT.
ANY FURTHER? OH, MS. LESKI? YES.
I JUST, UM, I KNOW THAT, UM, MS. ONG WAS SUGGESTING POSSIBLE LEGAL COUNSEL, SO I JUST WANTED TO CHECK IN WITH HER TO SEE IF SHE WANTED TO PROCEED WITH THAT BEFORE WE VOTE.
AGAIN, UH, I AGREE WITH A, A LOT OF WHAT, UM, YOU GUYS HAVE SAID, MY COLLEAGUES, BUT I JUST WOULD LIKE THAT CLARIFICATION.
SO IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DISCUSS THAT BEFORE THE VOTE, THEN I'LL KEEP MY, MY VOTE AS AN ABSTAINING, OKAY? OKAY.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ME TO RESTATE, DID YOU HAVE IT REREAD AS AMENDED? YES.
MS. GOR, CAN YOU REREAD IT AS AMENDED? SO I MOVE TO REQUEST THE SUPERINTENDENT TO COST AND CONSIDER, INCLUDING THE PRI PRIORITIZING FUNDING IN THE FY 27 AND FY 28 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGETS FOR ONE-TIME PAYMENTS TO CURRENT BCPS EMPLOYEES COVERED UNDER THE MASTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOARD AND ALL BCPS EMPLOYEES.
IF FULLY FUNDED, THE PAYMENTS WOULD BE ISSUED ON DECEMBER 1ST, 2026 RETROACTIVELY FOR FY 26 AND DECEMBER 1ST, 2027 RETROACTIVELY FOR FY 27 AND SHALL BE EQUIVALENT TO THE SUM OF THE DIFFERENCE IN SALARY PAYMENTS AGREEMENT VERSUS ACTUAL FOR THE FY 26 AND 20 FY 27 PERIODS, OTHERWISE REFERENCED AS YEARS TWO AND THREE OF THE MASTER AGREEMENT.
THANK YOU FOR THAT, MS. GOVER.
THAT WAS, THIS IS BOARD MEMBER FONG.
THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT WAS IN THE CHAT VERSUS WHAT MS. GOVER JUST READ, BECAUSE IN THE CHAT IT SAYS IF FUNDED, AND I HEARD MS. GOVER SAY A FULLY FUNDED, THERE'S ALSO A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STAFF AND EMPLOYEES.
I, I INITIALLY SAID FULLY FUNDED, AND I BELIEVE, UH, MS. EY SAID, UH, THE MOTION THAT WAS APPROVED EARLIER WAS EMPLOYEES.
ON WHAT MS. GOVER JUST READ TO US.
[M. NEW BUSINESS - ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION (Board Counsel) (8:05 - 8:10 p.m.)]
NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSE SESSION FOR THAT I CALL MR. BURNS POINT OF ORDER? YES.DID WE NEED TO VOTE ON THE I WAS LOOKING AND THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE NOTES THAT SAID WE
[02:40:01]
NEEDED TO VOTE ON IT.DID WE NEED TO VOTE? IT WAS JUST INFORMATIONAL CONSIDERATION OF THE FINAL FISCAL YEAR.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TALKING, RIGHT? WHAT? OH, I'M SORRY.
CONSIDERATION ITEMS WE NORMALLY VOTE ON.
THAT'S WHY WE WERE WONDERING WHETHER WE VOTE OKAY ON THE FINAL.
AND I WAS LOOKING TOO, BUT IT'S, UM, I BELIEVE WHAT MR. CS, IF YOU COME FORWARD AND CONFIRM, UH, WHAT YOU PRESENTED IS SHOWING WHAT THE COUNTY COUNCIL PASSED, THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THAT.
IT CANNOT BE CHANGED AT THIS POINT.
AND WE HAVE THOSE FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO US THE, UH, DOCUMENTS THAT ARE PRESENTED, PAGE ONE AND TWO ARE ESSENTIALLY OUR BUDGET ORDINANCE FOR FY 2026.
UM, AND THERE'S REALLY, UH, NOTHING FURTHER THAT WE CAN DO TO CHANGE IT.
UM, AS MS. DOKI SAID, WE HAVE THE MONEY, IT'S IN CATEGORIES, WE CAN SPEND IT WITHIN THOSE CATEGORIES.
UM, AND WE CANNOT INCREASE IT.
UM, IF, UH, WE WILL COME BACK TO THE BOARD, UH, AT SOME POINT IN, IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR, BECAUSE WE NEED TO DO TWO THINGS.
WE NEED TO APPROPRIATE AN ADDITIONAL PORTION OF FUND BALANCE.
SO THAT WOULD BE A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION AND WE WOULD NEED, UM, TO, UH, WHAT'S THE OTHER THING? WE'VE GOT, UM, STATE FUNDED.
ADD THE, UH, STATE AID $3.7 MILLION TO THE, UH, CURRENT BUDGET.
SO WE, WE WILL HAVE A FUTURE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION FOR THOSE TWO ITEMS. BUT THERE'S, UH, THE DETAIL AND THE PARAMETERS OF THE BUDGET ARE REALLY SET AT THIS POINT.
AND IT TYPICALLY IS A FORMALITY WHEN IT COMES BACK TO THE BOARD BECAUSE OF OUR LIMITATIONS.
MS. DOKI, I JUST HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION AND I, WE BRIEFLY TOUCHED ON THIS THE LAST TIME WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, UM, THE FIXED CHARGES.
THE INCREASE, THE 4.6 MILLION, IS THAT JUST ALL COMP, LIKE NOT COMPENSATION, BUT HEALTHCARE BENEFITS? THE TOTAL IN INFECTION? I, I KNOW, YES.
THE, UH, THE COUNTY, UH, INDICATED TO US THAT THEIR ORIGINAL ESTIMATE FOR INCREASED HEALTHCARE WAS LOWER THAN, UH, IT TURNED, THAT TURNED OUT TO BE, THEY CAME BACK TO US AND SAID, BUMP IT UP TO 8%.
THIS IS WHAT IT'S GONNA COST YOU.
IS IT, IS IT JUST BECAUSE THAT'S THE COST OF HEALTHCARE THIS RIGHT NOW? OR IS IT THEY, WHAT WAS THE CHANGE? WHY IS IT, UH, THEY EMPLOY AN, A CONSULTANT, BOLTON PARTNERS WHO PROJECTS FUTURE HEALTHCARE COSTS, AND THAT'S, UH, THEY ARE REALLY THE ADMINISTRATORS OF OUR HEALTHCARE PLAN, UH, AND SELECT THE PROVIDERS AND SO FORTH.
SO, UH, JUST AS THEY ACCESS OR DIRECTED US TO ADD $14 MILLION FOR RETIREMENT BENEFITS BASED ON THE SAME CA UH, ACTUARIAL ASSESSMENT OF WHERE, UH, FUTURE RETIREE HEALTH COSTS ARE GOING, SO THAT WAS 17 MILLION OF OUR 29 MILLION THAT THEY, UH, GAVE US.
AND THEY MORE OR LESS DIRECTED IT TO THOSE FIXED CHARGES.
SO THEY DON'T GIVE YOU LIKE A, YOU NEED THIS 4 MILLION BECAUSE THIS COSTS MORE AS FAR AS EMPLOYEE BENEFITS OR THERE ISN'T ANY KIND.
IT'S JUST THE BROKER JUST TELLS YOU HOW MUCH WELL, DISCUSSION, YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY SAID THAT, UH, FOR RETIREE BENEFITS THAT OUR RETIREES ARE USING MORE SERVICES.
SO I GUESS THAT HAPPENS
AND I, SORRY, I DIDN'T REALIZE WE DIDN'T DO QUESTIONS.
WE WENT RIGHT TO THE, UM, TO THE MOTION.
ARE THERE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. SARAS? OKAY.
NOW THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION.
AND FOR THAT I RECALL MR. BURNS.
GOOD EVENING, CHAIR, LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR. ROGERS, UH, THIS EVENING ENCLOSED SESSION YOU TOOK ACTION ON SIX APPEALS CAPTIONED, HEA 25 0 0 9 0 1 9 0 2 6 0 2 8 0 2 9 0 3 0.
[02:45:08]
THANK YOU.UM, BOARD MEMBERS, ARE THERE ANY SEPARATIONS OF THESE CASES BEFORE WE VOTE ON THEM COLLECTIVELY? OKAY.
THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ACTION TAKEN ENCLOSED SESSION ON HEARING EXAMINER'S CASE HE 25 0 0 9 0 1, 9 0 2, 6 0 2, 8 0 2 9 AND OH 30.
SO MOVE CHI SECOND PEN AND AUTHORIZE MS. GOR TO SIGN FOR THOSE BOARD MEMBERS NOT PHYSICALLY PRESENT, MOVE CHIEKO.
MAY I HAVE A SECOND? THANK YOU.
ANY DISCUSSION? WHO SECOND MS. HEN MS. ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
[N. 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 MS. CHRISTINA PUMPHREY, CHAIR OF THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE ASKS THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT THIS REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO BOARD POLICY 54 40 TELEHEALTH AND IN-PERSON SERVICES FROM EXTERNAL BEHAVIORAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.
THIS POLICY IS PRESENTED TO YOU ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS EXHIBIT N ONE.
MS. PUMPHREY MAY HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD'S POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR BOARD POLICY 54 40.
SINCE THE RECOMMENDATION COMES FROM THE COMMITTEE, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION MS. BOOKER DWYER? I DID HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE PROVIDERS.
IS THAT INCLUDED IN THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT? OH, THAT'S WHAT I, OKAY.
WE GOT THAT'S A YES FROM THE BACK, A YES FROM THE BACK.
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES FROM DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES.
MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
[O. NEW BUSINESS - SPECIAL PROJECT REQUEST (Dr. Jones and Dr. Gregory) (8:20 - 8:30 p.m.)]
ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS SPECIAL PROJECT REQUESTS.AND FOR THAT, I CALL ON DR. JONES.
BOARD CHAIR, LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS.
I BRING BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE 73 30 SPECIAL PROJECT REQUESTS FOR THE JACKSONVILLE ELEMENTARY OUTDOOR CLASSROOM.
THE PROPOSED OUTDOOR CLASSROOM WOULD BE ENOUGH SPACE FOR SIX OUTDOOR TABLES, A POST MOUNTED OUTDOOR CHALKBOARD AND TWO BENCHES WITH BOARD APPROVAL.
THE PTA AT JACKSONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS PROPOSING THE PROVISION OF ALL MATERIALS AND LABOR NECESSARY TO CREATE AN OUTDOOR LEARNING CLASSROOM ON THE SCHOOL'S PROPERTY.
COLLABORATION FOR THIS PROJECT TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THE PRINCIPAL AT JACKSONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT WILL COMMENCE UPON BOARD APPROVAL AND WILL CON CONCLUDE APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER THE START DATE.
AGAIN, I BRING BEFORE YOU CONSIDERATION OF THIS 73 30 SPECIAL PROJECT AT JACKSONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 73 30 SPECIAL PROJECT REQUEST FOR JACKSONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S OUTDOOR CLASSROOM.
ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
OH, RIGHT, THE NEXT ONE? YEAH.
BOARD CHAIR ELECT, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS.
I BRING BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING FOR CONSIDERATION, THE 73 30 SPECIAL PROJECT, PRIVATELY FUNDED CAPITAL PROJECT AT STONLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, A MEMORIAL GARDEN WITH BOARD APPROVAL.
THIS MEMORIAL GARDEN AT STONLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WILL BE PLANTED IN HONOR OF A BELOVED STAFF MEMBER WHO HAS PASSED.
IT'LL INCLUDE A TREE BENCH AND TWO RAISED GARDEN BEDS.
THIS PROJECT WILL BE FUNDED AND DONATED AND INSTALLED BY THE STONLY PTA COLLABORATION TOOK PLACE ACROSS, UM, MULTIPLE OFFICES WITH THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS, EXECUTIVE
[02:50:01]
DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING.THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THE 73 30 PROJECT AT STONELEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 73 30 SPECIAL PROJECT REQUEST FOR STONELEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S MEMORIAL GARDEN.
ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
[P. NEW BUSINESS - CURRICULA (Dr. DiDonato) (8:30 - 8:45 p.m.)]
ON THE AGENDA IS CONSIDERATION OF COURSE CHANGES FOR THE 25 26 SCHOOL YEAR.GOOD EVENING, CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, DR. ROGERS, UM, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I AM BRINGING TO YOU THIS EVENING, THE ANNUAL COURSE UPDATES FOR SCHOOL YEAR 25 26.
UM, PART OF THE COURSE, OH, SORRY.
PART OF THE, UH, COURSE CHANGE PROCESS IS FOR US TO USE A PROCESS CALLED PHASE FORMS WHERE WE IDENTIFY COURSES THAT, UM, NEED TO BE ADDED TO THE CURRICULUM.
THAT MIGHT BE BECAUSE WE HAVE, UM, AN EXTENSION OF A LEVELING OF A COURSE OR COURSES THAT NEED TO BE DISCONTINUED FOR A MYRIAD OF REASONS.
UM, THIS YEAR WE DID A COMPLETE REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE, UH, DIGITAL COURSE CATALOG IN FOCUS.
UM, AND AS WE WERE MAKING CHANGES WITH THE HALF COURSE CREDITS, UM, WE NEEDED TO RENUMBER ALL COURSES.
SO THERE WERE, UH, THOUSANDS OF CHANGES THAT WERE MADE IN OUR COURSE CATALOG, UM, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THAT UPDATE SO THAT SCHEDULING WOULD BE EASIER FOR SCHOOL STAFF.
UM, THE COURSE NAMES WERE, UH, REVISED TO ENHANCE AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE VERY DESCRIPTIVE OF THE COURSES THAT, UH, THE CONTENT WITHIN THE COURSES.
WE HAD, UH, CLARITY OF CONTENT BECAUSE EACH OF THE COURSES INCLUDES A DESCRIPTION THAT ALIGNS WITH, UM, THE MSDE, UH, COURSE STANDARDS, SO THAT, UH, AGAIN, WHAT WE'RE SUBMITTING TO THE STATE AS FAR AS CREDIT FOR A CERTAIN COURSE, ESPECIALLY AT OUR SECONDARY LEVEL, IS INDICATIVE OF WHAT THE STATE EXPECTS TO BE TAUGHT WITHIN CERTAIN COURSE LEVELS.
UM, AND AGAIN, THE DIVIDING OF THE COURSES INTO AN A AND B, THE TWO PARTS FOR 0.5 CREDITS EACH.
SO WHEN WE LOOK AT NEW COURSE CODES, AGAIN, SOMEWHERE TO PROVIDE CLARITY, UM, SOME OF THE SPECIFICITY THAT WE ADDED WAS SPECIFICALLY AROUND READING INTERVENTION.
SO THAT, THAT WHAT TYPE OF, UH, TIERED INTERVENTION A STUDENT WAS RECEIVING WAS INDICATED WITHIN THE COURSE.
UM, NAME, WHICH IS HELPFUL TO BOTH PARENTS AS WELL AS, UH, THE MASTER SCHEDULER OR TO, UH, THE FRONT OFFICE SECRETARY OR A COUNSELOR WHO MIGHT BE SCHEDULING A STUDENT.
UM, WE ADDED ADDITIONAL AP COURSE OFFERINGS SPECIFICALLY.
UM, AN EXAMPLE OF THAT IS WE DID NOT PREVIOUSLY, UM, OFFER AP PRE-CALCULUS IN BCPS.
HOWEVER, OUR AP OUR PRE-CALCULUS COURSE THAT WE OFFERED MANY CHILDREN IN THE CLASS TOOK THE AP PRE-CALCULUS EXAM AND DID VERY WELL.
SO WE MIGHT AS WELL GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR IT ALL AROUND, NOT ONLY IN THE COURSE, BUT IN THE QUALITY POINTS FOR THEIR COURSE.
SO OUR SYLLABUS CURRENTLY ALIGNS VERY CLOSELY WITH THAT FOR COLLEGE BOARD.
SO IT WAS NATURAL FOR US TO WANNA ADD THAT BECAUSE THAT'S A, A GREAT GAIN FOR QUALITY POINTS FOR STUDENTS FOR THEIR GPAS.
UM, WE ALSO LOOKED AT, UM, INTEGRATING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE ACCESSING OUR ALTERNATE LEARNING FRAMEWORK.
PREVIOUSLY, OUR STUDENTS WHO WERE, UM, WORKING TOWARDS A CERTIFICATE VERSUS THEIR DIPLOMA HAD SEVERAL COURSES THAT REPEATED OVER TIME.
SO IT LOOKED LIKE THE STUDENT WAS JUST RETAKING THE SAME COURSE.
IN FACT, IT WAS ACTUALLY CHANGING, BUT WE ONLY HAD A FEW NAMES THAT WE WERE USING FOR THOSE COURSES.
WE'VE NOW REFINED THAT SO THAT IT IS MORE DESCRIPTIVE.
IT PROVIDES PARENTS WITH BETTER INFORMATION.
AND FOR THE CHILD'S TRANSCRIPT, IT ACTUALLY, YOU CAN SEE A PROGRESSION OF COURSES VERSING A VERSUS A DUPLICATION OF COURSES.
UM, WE ALSO, UH, REVISED OUR COURSES WITH REGARDS TO PRE-KINDERGARTEN.
SO SINCE WE HAVE MORE AND MORE FULL DAY PRE-KINDERGARTEN COURSES, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ACTUALLY HAD ALL THE CONTENT THAT'S TAUGHT DURING PRE-K LABELED OUT CORRECTLY.
SO WE ADDED THOSE CORRECTIONS.
SO, UM, THERE IS A LARGE CHART TRIED TO GROUP TOGETHER AND CLUSTER THE AREAS
[02:55:01]
OF, UM, NEW COURSES.UM, YOU CAN SEE THERE ACROSS THE AREA, UM, IN LANGUAGE ARTS, UM, ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT, SPECIAL EDUCATION, EARLY CHILDHOOD WORLD, LANGUAGES, CTE, AGAIN, THE ADDITION OF THAT PRE-CALCULUS, UM, AP PRE-CALCULUS, UM, AS WELL AS, UM, REDEFINING THE SCIENCE STEM COURSE NAMES IN OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
UM, WE WERE USING COURSE TITLES FROM OUR HIGH SCHOOLS, WHICH THE STUDENTS DON'T ACTUALLY EARN CREDITS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR THOSE COURSES.
THEY'RE ACTUALLY DIFFERENT COURSES, BUT BECAUSE OF SIMILAR CONTENT WE HAD PREVIOUSLY USED, UM, THE SAME NAMES.
WHEN WE LOOK AT COURSE COURSES THAT ARE DELETED OR ELIMINATED, UM, AGAIN, WE HAD DUPLICATE COURSE CODES.
WE OFTEN, UM, THERE WAS A SYSTEM THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY IN PLACE.
THERE IS A SYSTEM THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY IN PLACE THAT FOR EACH COURSE THAT WE HAD, THERE WAS THREE DIFFERENT WAYS TO NUMBER IT.
UM, THAT CREATED A LOT OF CHALLENGES WHEN WE LOOKED AT CREDIT RECOVERY AND HOW TO, UM, WHEN STUDENTS TRANSFERRED BETWEEN SCHOOLS.
SO WE ELIMINATED THE DUPLICATIVE COURSES.
SO NOW THERE'S A SINGLE NUMBER FOR EACH OF THE COURSES.
UM, WE HAD COURSES THAT DIDN'T ALIGN TO THE COLLEGE AND CAREER READY STANDARDS.
UM, SOME OF THESE COURSES HAVE NOT BEEN USED FOR MANY YEARS.
UM, OLD SUMMER SCHOOL COURSE NUMBERS AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
SO WE ELIMINATED THOSE FROM THE COURSE CATALOG.
UM, OUR COURSE CATALOG WAS RATHER LARGE.
AND WHEN YOU'VE GOT LOTS OF COURSES LISTED, PEOPLE CAN SCHEDULE CHILDREN INTO THE WRONG THINGS.
WHAT THAT MEANS IN THE FUTURE IS THEN THEY GET THE WRONG OR OLD OR NO INFORMATION SENT TO SCHOOLOGY FOR THEM.
UM, AND SO ELIMINATING THAT PROVIDES CLARITY FOR SCHOOLS.
IT PROVIDES MORE CLEAR INFORMATION FOR PARENTS.
UM, RENAMED COURSES FOLLOWING THE RANSOMWARE.
WHEN WE DID THE VERY QUICK TRANSITION, UM, FROM OUR FORMER, UM, STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM INTO FOCUS, UM, SOME OF THE WAYS COURSE NAMES TRANSFERRED, UM, INCLUDED AMPERSANDS AND OTHER SYMBOLS.
SO AGAIN, WE HAD SOME NOMENCLATURE ISSUES.
UM, WE CLEANED UP ALL OF THAT THIS YEAR.
SO AGAIN, ALL TITLING IS ACTUALLY INDICATIVE OF WHAT THE COURSE IS, AND IT IS CLEAR.
UM, AND AGAIN, THAT'S GREAT FOR STUDENTS'.
TRANSCRIPTS, CHANGES IN LEVEL IS REALLY LOOKING AT WHEN WE'RE OFFERING COURSES AT JUST A STANDARD LEVEL OR WHETHER WE'RE, UM, OFFERING IT AS AN HONORS OR A GT COURSE.
SO THERE'S A PROCESS WHERE CONTENT, UM, OFFICES REVIEW COURSES LOOK AT THE LEVEL OF RIGOR.
UM, THERE'S A FRAMEWORK AND MATRIX THAT THEY REVIEW TO IDENTIFY IF A COURSE, UM, SHOULD BE LEVELED UP.
UM, AND SO WE LOOKED AT THAT FOR SOME COURSES WHERE WE'D RECEIVED FEEDBACK OR THE CONTENT OFFICES REALLY FELT LIKE THE COURSES WERE MORE CHALLENGING.
AND SO AGAIN, THAT AFFECTS THE QUALITY POINTS FOR STUDENTS' GPAS.
UM, AND THEN IN SOME CASES, COURSE CODES ARE, WERE ELIMINATED IF THE CONTENT WAS BEING TAUGHT IN OTHER COURSES OR WAS OBSOLETE.
SO, UM, THIS WE SAW IN A COUPLE OF OUR SCIENCE CLASSES WHERE THERE WAS DUPLICATION OF CONTENT.
AND SO WE'RE OFFERING A SINGLE COURSE.
ALL THE CONTENT IS COVERED WITHIN IT, UM, THAT NEEDS TO BE COVERED, BUT IT VERSUS HAVING TWO COURSES THAT TEACH OVERLAPPING CONCEPTS.
AND AGAIN, THERE ARE COURSE DELETIONS ACROSS THE BOARD IN ALL OF OUR CONTENT AREAS.
AND THIS WAS REALLY PART OF A, A LARGE SCALE CLEANUP OF OUR COURSE CATALOG.
I CERTAINLY TAKE QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE THEM.
SO LET ME DO THIS PART AND THEN WE'LL DO THE DISCUSSION.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE COURSE CHANGES FOR THE 25 26 SCHOOL YEARS? PRESENTED EXHIBIT P.
UM, THE POWERPOINT FILE WE HAVE ON BOARD DOCS IS DIFFERENT.
UM, COULD MS. GROVER UPLOAD THE VERSION I HAVE? YEAH.
I'LL, BEFORE WE VOTE, WE'RE TRYING TO FOLLOW ALONG WITH DR.
WE HAVE DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE FILE.
THEN WHY DON'T WE TAKE QUESTIONS FIRST THEN.
MR. MCMILLIAN, YOU HAD A QUESTION? YEAH.
DITO, I GOT INVOLVED IN A CONVERSATION WITH A TEACHER FROM SOS THE OTHER DAY.
AND THEY WERE, SHE WAS TALKING THAT A LOT OF THOSE TEACHERS WERE UPSET ABOUT CHANGES COMING TO THEIR CLASSES.
AND SHE SAID IT WAS MSDE THAT WAS REQUIRING THESE CHANGES.
AND, AND THIS COURSEWORK, DOES THAT FALL ON FALL UNDER YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES? IT DOES, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
I, WE WILL HAVE CHANGES IN OUR MATH COURSES, BUT THAT IS NOT FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS.
UM, BECAUSE THE MATH PATHWAYS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, UM, ARE CHANGING.
AND SO WE WILL HAVE TO ADOPT THAT.
BUT THAT IS NOT FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
SO MSD DOES HAVE LOTS OF CHANGES ON THE HORIZON.
[03:00:01]
THEM WILL BE IN SCHOOL YEAR 26, 27, AND 27, 28 WITH CHANGES IN COURSES THAT THEY'VE IDENTIFIED.SO IN, UM, MATH IS THE, PROBABLY THE BIGGEST CHANGE.
SO INSTEAD OF HAVING AN ALGEBRA AND GEOMETRY ALGEBRA TWO SEQUENCE, THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED INTEGRATED MATH.
IT'LL BE INTEGRATED MATH ONE AND TWO.
SO INTEGRATED MATH ONE WILL BE A COMBINATION OF ALGEBRA ONE AND SOME GEOMETRY.
INTEGRATED MATH TWO WILL BE ALGEBRA TWO WITH AGAIN, SOME GEOMETRY.
SO IT'S REALLY INTEGRATING MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS VERSUS THE THREE SEPARATE COURSES THAT WE PREVIOUSLY HAD.
AND THE TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL AREAS, WILL, THEY HAVE HALF CREDIT AND CREDIT CLASSES? THEY'RE ALL OF THE, ALL FULL CREDIT COURSES ARE GONNA BE DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS.
SO, UH, YOU'LL LEARN 0.5 CREDITS AFTER COMPLETING SEMESTER ONE AND 0.5 AFTER COMPLETING SEMESTER TWO.
AND THAT SAME WILL HOLD TRUE WITH OUR CTE COURSES.
THAT IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WILL START NEXT SCHOOL YEAR? YES.
IT ALREADY STARTED THIS YEAR FOR ALL COURSES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF OUR CTE COURSES.
SO THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.
DID WE PROCESS THE MOTION? NO, BECAUSE I WAS WAITING FOR MS. GO.
I JUST THOUGHT I FELL ASLEEP FOR A MINUTE.
I WAS JUST ALLOWING FOR QUESTIONS WHILE EVERYBODY GOT WHAT THEY HAD ASKED FOR.
SO IN THE POWERPOINT THAT I'M LOOKING REFRESH, BECAUSE MY QUESTION WAS AROUND THAT COURSE ALGEBRAIC TOPICS FROM MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS, COULD YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT COURSE AND IT, SO YEAH, TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT COURSE.
ADDITIONAL, YEAH, IT'S, UM, YEAH.
LET ME PULL UP THE RATE POWERPOINT.
I SAY, SO THAT, UM, MS. BOOKER DWYER, THAT'S LIKE A PREREQUISITE ALGEBRA COURSE FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE NEWCOMERS MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS.
SO IT'S MEANT TO BE TAUGHT IN CONJUNCTION WITH ALGEBRA ONE SO THAT THEY'RE GETTING, IT'S LIKE PRE-ALGEBRA CONCEPTS.
SO THEY'RE GETTING BOTH THAT AT THE SAME TIME, UM, AS THEY'RE TAKING ALGEBRA ONE TO TRY TO BUILD THOSE FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS.
UM, SO IT'S REALLY MEANT TO BE A COMPLIMENTARY CLASS.
WE USED TO DO, UM, LIKE A RESOURCE ROOM OR SOME OTHER SUNDRY SCHEDULING THINGS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAD ALMOST A DOUBLE PERIOD OF MATH.
UM, THIS ACTUALLY GIVES THEM ANOTHER ELECTIVE CREDIT, UM, WHILE THEY'RE EARNING THEIR ALGEBRA ONE CLASS.
SO IT PROVIDES A MUCH MORE COHESIVE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM FOR THEM.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? MS. LESKI? JUST HAVE A FOLLOW UP QUESTION TO THAT.
UM, IN THE ALGEBRA COURSE, DO THEY LEARN IN ENGLISH, IN SPANISH IN COMBINATION? IT'S TAUGHT IN ENGLISH UNLESS THERE'S A BILINGUAL TEACHER WHO HAPPENS TO BE A MATH TEACHER, ELD TEACHER, AND THEY MIGHT INFUSE THAT, BUT IT IS TAUGHT IN ENGLISH.
AND THEN IS THERE ANYTHING THAT'S DONE TO SUPPORT THE LANGUAGE TRANSITION TO HELP THE STUDENTS WITH COMPREHENSION AS NEEDED? SO THAT'S REALLY WHY WE TRY TO HAVE THOSE CLASSES WHENEVER POSSIBLE, EITHER CO-TAUGHT WITH AN ELD TEACHER TO PROVIDE THAT LANGUAGE SUPPORT, OR IF WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A CO-TEACHER THAT'S REALLY THAT INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING.
WE DID A LOT OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THIS YEAR WITH ALGEBRA ONE TEACHERS AND OUR ELD TEACHERS TO WORK ON PEDAGOGY AND PRACTICES THAT WOULD SUPPORT OUR MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS WITHIN THE CLASSROOM.
ANYONE ELSE, MS. CHI KALU? UM, I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY, WILL TWO CREDIT COURSES STILL EXIST? SO LIKE FOR AP BIOLOGY? SO IF THAT WAS A TWO CREDIT COURSE, WOULD IT ONE CREDIT AND SEMESTER ONE AND ONE CREDIT SEMESTER TWO? YES.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE COURSE CHANGES FOR THE 20 25 20 26 SCHOOL YEAR AS PRESENTED IN EXHIBIT P? SO MOVED.
MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND YOUNG.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? THIS IS BOARD MEMBER FONG.
SO I JUST HAD A QUESTION, I GUESS, ABOUT COMMUNICATION, UM, TO PARENTS.
IS THIS, UM, I GUESS WHAT TYPE OF COMMUNICATION WILL GO OUT TO PARENTS ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES IN THIS? MORE SO I GUESS LIKE FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE A, A PARENT WHO HAS HAD AN OLDER AND A YOUNGER CHILD AND IS USED TO A CERTAIN ACADEMIC PATH, UM, FOR A CHILD.
AND THEN, UM, NOW IF THEY'RE WORKING WITH A YOUNGER CHILD AND THEY SEE THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT COURSES, SO HOW IS THIS INFORMATION COMMUNICATED AND UM, SO THAT THE PARENTS ARE CLEAR, LIKE WHAT ARE THE ACADEMIC, THE NEW, I GUESS IF YOU WANNA SAY NEW ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS MM-HMM
[03:05:01]
UM, THAT THE STUDENTS NEED TO TAKE COURSES IN ORDER TO MEET REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION.UM, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
THAT'S ACTUALLY A REALLY TIGHT PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE.
UM, WITH THE OFFICE OF STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES, WE WORK WITH OUR STU UM, SCHOOL COUNSELORS WHO REALLY PROVIDE THAT GUIDANCE TO THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH REGARDS TO SCHEDULING COURSES, UM, AND REALLY, UH, HELP MAP OUT THE COURSE TRAJECTORY WITH STUDENTS, UM, BEGINNING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
SO THAT'S REALLY DONE THROUGH A COLLABORATION.
SO NOT NECESSARILY DIRECTLY FROM C-N-I-C-N-I WORKS WITH THE SCHOOL COUNSELORS TO CREATE, UM, A DIGITAL VERSION, WHICH IS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE OF THE DOWNLOADED VERSION OF, UM, THE STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM COURSE, REGI, TO CREATE A COURSE REGISTRATION GUIDE.
SO PARENTS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THAT.
UM, ADDITIONALLY, WITH REGARDS TO SOME OF THE BIG CHANGES, WHICH ARE REALLY GOING TO BE THE CHANGES THAT HAPPEN IN MATH IN UPCOMING YEARS, THERE WILL BE A VERY DELIBERATE COMMUNICATION PLAN ABOUT THAT.
THAT'S ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS TALKED ABOUT.
HOW DO WE START COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILIES, UM, BEGINNING IN THE SPRING OF NEXT YEAR ABOUT THE NEW COURSE PATHWAYS FOR MATH? BECAUSE I THINK THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST SALIENT, UM, CHANGES WITH THE TRADITIONAL MATH PATHWAY OF ALGEBRA ONE, GEOMETRY AND ALGEBRA TWO.
THAT WILL BE A VERY BIG CHANGE FOR FAMILIES.
SO I THINK THE COMMUNICATION, DEPENDING ON THE CHANGE, WILL, UM, EBB AND FLOW A LITTLE BIT.
IT'LL BE VERY ROBUST ABOUT THE MATH.
UM, AND RIGHT NOW WE REALLY WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR OFFICE OF SCHOOL COUNSELING.
JUST ONE MORE CLARIFYING QUESTION.
FOR THE, UM, ORTON-GILLINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL, WILL THEY ALL BE THE SAME VENDOR OR ARE THERE TWO DIFFERENT, ARE THERE DIFFERENT VENDORS THAT WILL BE USING TO, TO PROVIDE THAT COURSE? SO THE ORTON-GILLINGHAM PE PEDAGOGY IS WHAT'S BEING USED.
WHETHER THE STAFF MEMBER WAS TRAINED IN, UM, MZ OR BOWMAN, WE WOULD USE WHATEVER THE TEACHER IS TRAINED IN.
UM, AND THAT WOULDN'T BE DELINEATED IN A SCHEDULED TRANSCRIPT BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S COMMON TO BALTIMORE COUNTY OR MARYLAND.
UM, OTHER STATES USE OTHER VENDORS FOR ORTON-GILLINGHAM TRAINING.
SO WE WOULDN'T PUT A SPECIFIC VENDOR IN OUR COURSE CATALOG.
UM, THE MZ, I'VE JUST LOOKED IT UP REAL QUICK.
THEY HAVE, UH, THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN K THROUGH TWO AND THREE THROUGH FIVE.
SO WOULD THOSE STUDENTS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL BE LIKE AT READING LEVELS THAT WERE EQUIVALENT TO THAT? AND THAT'S WHY THEY'RE RECEIVING THAT? SO IF THE STUDENT AND I'M AS DR.
KRAFT, 'CAUSE YOU'RE GETTING A LITTLE OFF THE COURSE CATALOG, MORE INTO READING INTERVENTION DISCUSSION, BUT THE STUDENTS WOULD BE IDENTIFIED BASED ON THEIR NEEDS FOR ORTON-GILLINGHAM AND IT'S OUR STUDENTS WITH THE MORE SIGNIFICANT, UM, READING DISABILITIES OR, OR WHO IDENTIFIED.
DITO SAID IS THE, UH, TRAINING ACTUALLY SAYS INTERMEDIATE.
AND SO THAT WOULD BE FOR STUDENTS THAT ARE NOT AT THAT BEGINNING LEVEL, BUT WE DO PLACE THEM BASED ON THEIR GRADE LEVEL AND THAT'S WHERE WE START THEM IN THE SCOPE AND SEQUENCE.
AND IF A STUDENT IN SECONDARY DOES NEED, UM, DECODING INTERVENTION, THEN THEY ARE USUALLY FOUR OR FIVE, SIX YEARS BELOW GRADE LEVEL.
THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
[Q. NEW BUSINESS - CONTRACT AWARDS (Dr. Grim and Mr. Sarris) (8:45 - 9:05 p.m.)]
AGENDA IS CONTRACT AWARDS.AND FOR THAT I CALL MR. YOUNG CHAIR OF THE BUILDING AND CONTRACTS COMMITTEE.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THE BOARD'S BUILDING AND CONTRACTS COMMITTEE MET ON MONDAY, JUNE 9TH, 2025.
ITEMS Q1, Q2 AND Q4 THROUGH Q 21 WERE FORWARDED TO THE FULL BOARD FOR APPROVAL.
ITEM Q3 WAS FORWARDED TO THE FULL BOARD WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU MR. YOUNG BOARD MEMBERS, WE WILL SEPARATE ITEMS Q3 FOR THE VOTE.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL SEPARATIONS BEING REQUESTED? OKAY.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS? Q1, Q2, AND Q4 THROUGH Q 21.
NO SECOND IS NEEDED SINCE THE RECOMMENDATION COMES FROM THE COMMITTEE.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THOSE CUES? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE PLEASE.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM Q3? SO MOVED.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND HARVEY.
[03:10:01]
ANY DISCUSSION DR.I LISTENED TO THE CONTRACT MEETING LAST NIGHT AND I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS MENTIONED THAT WE WERE GONNA GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CONTRACT TODAY.
I DON'T KNOW IF I MISUNDERSTOOD THAT COMMENT.
UH, JUST, UH, MR. MCMILLIAN HAD ASKED ABOUT THE TEACHER TRAINED.
SO, UH, I SAID THAT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THAT AND OF COURSE THE ANSWER.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? AND SO, UH, WHAT WE DID WAS WE WENT BACK AND LOOKED THROUGH, UH, 2000 AND, UH, 22.
UM, AND WE HAD 86 TEACHERS TRAINED IN, UM, EYELET AND 101 TRAINED IN READ 180.
I DO WANNA NOTE, NOTE THAT LITERACY INTERVENTION IS A VERY TRANSIENT, UH, TEACHER POPULATION.
AND WE, SO ALL OF THOSE TEACHERS THAT ARE TRAINED AREN'T CURRENTLY TEACHING.
AND BASED ON IF THEY MOVED SCHOOLS, WE COULD HAVE TEACHERS THAT ARE IN BOTH COUNTS.
THEY COULD HAVE BEEN TRAINED IN READ 180 AND PILOT BASED ON I WAS IN THIS SCHOOL AND THEN MOVED TO THIS SCHOOL.
UM, AND SO, UH, THOSE ARE THE MOST ACCURATE, UH, NUMBERS.
SO I THINK THAT WAS THE MAIN FOLLOW UP THAT I WAS GONNA HAVE.
BUT I CERTAINLY, I, I ALSO THOUGHT, AND MAYBE I'M MISTAKEN, SOMEBODY WAS IN THE COMMITTEE MEETING, MIGHT BE ABLE TO CLARIFY.
I THOUGHT MR. CS MENTIONED THAT WE WERE GONNA HAVE ADDIT ADDITIONAL PRESENTATION ABOUT THIS CONTRACT.
SO I THINK THAT WE JUST UPDATED THE, UM, SHEET TO REFLECT, UM, THE PRICE PER STUDENT.
UM, AND SO THAT REALLY, UM, AND SO WHILE THE CONTRACT IS PRESENTED AS A WHOLE, IT'S REALLY FOR BOTH READ 180 AND EYELET IN CONJUNCTION.
SO WHEN YOU SEE THAT TOTAL, IT'S TO FUND BOTH OF THE PROGRAMS. WE ARE SCALING READ 180 BACK SIGNIFICANTLY, UM, BASED ON OUR OWN, UM, REVIEW OF DATA, UM, AND LOOKING AT SCHOOLS WITH HIGH FIDELITY AND HIGH GROWTH, KEEPING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY.
AND SO WE'VE ALREADY STARTED TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH SCHOOLS, UH, TO LET THEM KNOW IF THEY ARE MOVING OVER TO ILIT, WHERE WE DO HAVE THAT FOUR YEAR HISTORICAL TREND DATA WHERE WE'RE GROWING TWO YEARS AT A TIME.
SO IF A STUDENT ENTERS SIXTH GRADE READING AT A THIRD GRADE LEVEL, UM, IN SIXTH GRADE, THEY GROW THAT TWO YEARS.
NOW THEY'RE AT FIFTH GRADE, THEY'RE UNDER IN SEVENTH GRADE, THEY GROW ANOTHER TWO YEARS.
BY THE END OF SEVENTH GRADE, WE CAN EXIT THEM OUT OF INTERVENTION.
AND NOT ONLY THAT, THEY'RE GOING INTO HIGH SCHOOL ONLY TAKING CREDIT BEARING COURSES.
AND SO THAT REALLY IS THE GOAL.
UM, AND SO FOR, UM, A HANDFUL OF OUR SCHOOLS READ 180 IS WORK WORKING EXCEEDINGLY WELL.
UM, AND SO WE WOULD LIKE THE OPTION TO KEEP IT AT THOSE SCHOOLS, BUT THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE SHOWING THE LOW GROWTH, WE ARE GOING TO DO A REBOOT WITH ILI.
UM, AND SO FOR EXAMPLE, WITH RE 180 FOR THE SCHOOL, WHEN I DID THE DATA FOR JUST THE SCHOOLS THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING TO KEEP, UM, WHAT WE WERE SEEING IS THAT STUDENTS WERE STARTING, UM, BASED ON, UH, MAP NORMS AT THE 18TH PERCENTILE IN THE FALL, AND THEY WERE GOING TO ABOUT THE 36TH PERCENTILE IN THE SPRING.
NOW, I KNOW THAT DOESN'T SOUND SIGNIFICANT AND I'M GONNA TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT COVERS UP, BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT 78% OF THE STUDENTS IN THOSE SCHOOLS WERE MAKING THEIR GROWTH GOALS.
UM, AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THOSE IN AN AGGREGATE WAY, WHAT YOU LOSE IS, AND I'M JUST USING A AN EXAMPLE OF ONE SCHOOL IN THE FALL, 40% OF THEIR STUDENTS FELL IN THE FIRST THROUGH 20TH PERCENTILE.
UM, AND 54% OF THEIR, UH, STUDENTS FELL IN THE 21ST TO 40TH PERCENTILE, 4% IN THE 41 TO 60 AND 2% IN THE 61 TO 80.
BY SPRING, 23% WERE IN THAT RED FIRST THROUGH 20TH, 21% IN THE 21 TO 40, 15% IN THE 41ST TO 60TH, UM, 8% IN YOUR 61ST TO 80TH AND 33% WERE AT THE 80TH PERCENTILE OR HIGHER.
SO WHEN I GIVE YOU AVERAGES, WHILE THAT MIGHT NOT SOUND SIGNIFICANT, 18 TO 36, WE ARE MOVING HOLISTICALLY STUDENTS UP TO WHERE THEY ARE, WHAT WE WOULD DESIGNATE AS COLLEGE AND CAREER READY.
AND WAS THIS USED FOR ALL STUDENTS OR ONLY ELL STUDENTS? UH, READ ONE E IS USED FOR ANYONE THAT NEEDS LITERACY.
UM, WE DO USE THE ELL VERSION AND I'M, I'M REALLY GLAD THAT YOU ASKED THAT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK THAT IT IS JUST FOR ELL AND WHAT I CALL IT IS, IS A VALUE ADD.
SO THEIR EYELET 45 AND THEIR EYELET ELL ARE IDENTICAL EXCEPT WHAT IT ADDS IN, IN ADDITION TO THE COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS, IT ADDS IN THE WIDA STANDARDS.
SO FOR TEACHERS THAT ARE TEACHING MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS, THEY WOULD HAVE THE MARYLAND, UH, ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS.
THEY WOULD ALSO HAVE THE WIDA STANDARDS, AND THEY ALSO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SCAFFOLDS, ONE OF WHICH BEING
[03:15:01]
THE ABILITY TO TRANSLATE IN ABOUT 70 LANGUAGES.SO WHAT WE KNOW FROM THE RESEARCH IS L ONE TO L TWO, UM, ABILITY FOR A CERTAIN WORD OR SENTENCE INCREASES COMPREHENSIBILITY FOR STUDENTS.
AND SO BY HAVING THAT AVAILABLE, WE'RE NOT TAKING ANYTHING AWAY, BUT WE'RE ADDING THINGS FOR STUDENTS THAT WILL REALLY HELP SUPPORT THEM.
YOU, YOU MENTIONED THAT THE, UM, FOR READ 180, WE WERE DECREASING THE USE.
SO I'M LOOKING AT THESE NUMBERS AND I'M PROBABLY MISUNDERSTANDING, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE HMH, WHICH I BELIEVE IS RE 180, IS LISTED, UH, SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER AMOUNT THAN THE, UM, SABBATH, WHICH I BELIEVE IS ILI.
UM, SO REED 180 COST PER LICENSE ABOUT TWICE AS MUCH AS STUDENT, WHICH IS WHY WE WENT AHEAD AND BACKED IT UP TO UNDERSTANDING THE PRICE PER STUDENT.
SO I'M GONNA GIVE YOU APPROXIMATES BECAUSE SCHOOLS ARE STILL FINALIZING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR.
SO WHAT I HAVE IS REALLY THE KIND OF THE MID-YEAR RECOMMENDATION.
SO THIS YEAR WE HAD ABOUT 3,300 STUDENTS IN READ, 180, WHICH IS A LOT.
UM, NEXT YEAR IT WILL BE BETWEEN FIVE AND 700 STUDENTS.
SO WE ARE SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASING AND ONLY KEEPING IT WORKING.
I JUST WANNA BE SURE IN THE SCHOOLS WHERE IT'S REALLY WORKING, ARE WE ENSURING THAT THE TEACHERS THAT ARE IMPLEMENTING THIS, THAT THEY'RE GONNA STAY, THAT THEY'RE, 'CAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO, TO DO IT WITH HIGH FIDELITY? SO MS. DOKI, IF I WERE QUEEN OF THE WORLD, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY DO THAT.
UM, WE MAKE STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THAT.
UM, AND WE HAVE ALSO CREATED, UM, A LEADERSHIP CADRE TO REALLY HONOR THOSE TEACHER LEADERS THAT ARE DOING REALLY WELL.
AND SO BY DOING THAT, WE'RE HOPING THAT ELEVATING THAT TEACHER LEADERSHIP WILL ALSO ALLOW THEM TO STAY IN THAT POSITION WITHIN THEIR SCHOOLS.
UM, BUT I DON'T HAVE DIRECT CONTROL OVER STAFFING, BUT I CERTAINLY MEET WITH THE PRINCIPALS AND THE EDS.
WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND WE TALK HOLISTICALLY ABOUT WHAT MAKES SENSE.
AND SO, UM, I DO KNOW THAT ONE OF THE TEACHERS THAT WE HAVE REALLY TAPPED AS ONE OF OUR TEACHER LEADERS, UM, WILL BE CONTINUING NEXT YEAR.
UM, I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE A HUNDRED PERCENT WILL, BUT THAT IS ALWAYS OUR STRONG RECOMMENDATION WHEN WE SEE THAT GROWTH.
I, I THINK THAT THAT'S WHERE MY BIGGEST CONCERN LIES IN WITH THIS, IS THAT WE ARE MAKING AN ADJUSTMENT TO KEEP THIS FOR THOSE STUDENTS BECAUSE IT'S WORKING SO WELL IN THERE BECAUSE THOSE TEACHERS ARE TEACHING IT WITH THE FIDELITY.
AND IF THAT CHANGES, ARE THEY STILL GONNA HAVE THE SAME RESULTS? AND, AND THAT'S WHY I'M JUST, I'M, I WANTED TO ASK THAT QUESTION.
YEAH, IT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION AND I CERTAINLY AM WILLING TO GO BACK AND TALK TO THOSE PRINCIPALS OF THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE KEEPING IT, WHICH I THINK THAT THOSE SCHOOLS ARE VERY EXCITED THAT THEY ARE HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP IT AND JUST SEE WHAT THE PLANS ARE NOW THAT'S ASSUMING THEY'RE STAYING AT THAT SCHOOL, UM, BUT WITHIN THAT SCHOOL, YOU KNOW, TO SEE IF WE CAN REALLY MAKE SURE THAT WE PRIORITIZE THAT STAFFING.
JUST A FOLLOW UP QUESTION TO MS. DOKI.
SO FOR THOSE, UM, EXPERT TEACHERS YES.
WERE ANY OF THOSE TEACHERS ACCESSED SO THAT THAT THAT WOULD MEAN LIKE THEY WERE YEAH, AS FAR AS I KNOW, THEY WERE NOT.
UM, BECAUSE WE DO, WE TALK TO THEM A LOT.
UM, AND SO AT THIS POINT WE HAVE NOT, UM, HEARD SPECIFICALLY, UM, ANY OF THOSE.
AND SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN THE P UH, PROCESS OF DOING WHAT WE CALL MATERIALS MEETINGS, WHERE WE GO AND WE KIND OF JUST MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL THE ACCURATE INFORMATION TO PLACE OUR ORDER TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING'S IN PLACE FOR AUGUST.
UM, AND USUALLY AT THAT TIME IF THERE'S ANY STAFFING CHANGES, THEY LET US KNOW BECAUSE WE DO OFFER, WE'RE GONNA OFFER A JUNE TRAINING AND AN AUGUST TRAINING IN A, IN AN EFFORT TO HIT OUR A HUNDRED PERCENT OF TEACHERS TRAINED BEFORE THEY WALK IN DAY ONE IN THE CLASSROOM.
AND MS. BOOKER DWYER, THE 1.8 MILLION THAT'S FOR THE THREE TO 500 STUDENTS? OR IS HOLD ON.
UM, SO THE, DO YOU MEAN THE WHOLE CONTRACT? THERE'S GEORGE? YES.
SO FOR THE, UM, THAT THE LINE ITEM THAT HMH EDUCATION COMPANY DIGITAL LICENSE, YEAH, THE PHYSICAL IMPACT.
SO WHAT WE DID WAS, AND, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT.
UM, I DO THINK THAT THEY ARE GONNA UPLOAD THE WAY WE BROKE IT DOWN DIFFERENTLY.
SO THE HMH EDUCATION COMPANY DIGITAL LICENSES COST 109 PER STUDENT PER YEAR.
UM, THE STUDENT CONSUMABLES IS 30 PER STUDENT PER YEAR.
UM, THEN THERE'S A FREIGHT COST FOR THE SHIPPING OF THE CONSUMABLES.
UM, AND THEN SAVI, UM, COST 83 PER STUDENT PER YEAR.
BUT THAT DECREASES WHEN WE DO THE MULTI-YEAR, BRINGING IT DOWN TO ALMOST $62 A STUDENT.
UM, AND THEN WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BUFFERED IN MONEY FOR SCHOOLS.
SOME SCHOOLS DO BUY THE STUDENT LIBRARIES FROM THE, THE COMPANIES.
AND SO THAT ALLOWS THEM TO DO THAT.
[03:20:01]
THANK YOU.YOU COULD HAVE CUT ME OFF A LOT.
AND I'M LIKE, AND WE ALSO HAVE SORRY ABOUT THAT, BUT I WAS THOROUGH.
DID YOU A, DID YOU GET YOUR ANSWER? NO.
I MEAN, WELL, YES, I GOT MY ANSWER.
I DON'T, I DON'T HAVE A FOLLOW UP AT THIS TIME.
KRAFT, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CHILD THAT DOES A SCHOOL THAT'S DOING READ 180 AND THEY'RE NOT HAVING SUCCESS? THAT, THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.
SO WE, UM, MONITOR, SO THERE'S A COUPLE, I'M GOING TO ANSWER IT MULTIPART.
SO FIRST OF ALL, WE DO THREE DATA MEETINGS A YEAR.
SO WE DO A BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR TESTING TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE WERE, STUDENTS WERE PLACED IN THE CORRECT PLACES.
UM, THEN AT MIDYEAR WE DO ANOTHER DATA MEETING.
AND IF WE NOTICE STUDENTS THAT ARE NOT MAKING PROGRESS, WE DISCUSS LOTS OF THINGS.
ONE OF WHICH COULD BE DO WE NEED TO CHANGE INTERVENTIONS? UM, OUR GOAL IS NOT TO HAVE A STUDENT GO THROUGH AN ENTIRE YEAR OF A PROGRAM WHERE THEY'RE NOT MAKING PROGRESS.
UM, AND SO WE LOOK AND SAY, DO WE NEED TO DO A, A, A MORE INTENSIVE TIER? WHERE THEY IN THE RIGHT PLACEMENT? WERE THEY IN COMPREHENSION, BUT THEY NEEDED DECODING? AND SO THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE HAVE.
AND WE MEET WITH EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL IN THIS KIND OF ONE-ON-ONE SETTING.
SO, UH, I HAVE MY INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST, A MEMBER, ME, OUR MS WICK, OUR MS CEVI, OR IN THAT MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL OR AP, UM, AND THEIR READING TEACHER.
AND WE GO THROUGH THE DATA, UM, DOWN TO THE STUDENT LEVEL.
THAT'S, SO I'M LOOKING AT THIS.
IT'S 109 PER STUDENT FOR THE READ.
180 AND 83 PER STUDENT FOR THE S.
AND YOU SAID IT GOES DOWN AFTER A MULTI-YEAR DEAL? YES.
SO THAT DOESN'T, I, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT BREAKS DOWN TO 1.8 MILLION FOR SPENDING AUTHORITY FOR, UM, THE READ 180 AND THEN 750,000 FOR S.
SO WE PREPARED THESE EXHIBITS BEFORE WE HAD ALL THE DATA.
UM, AND SO WHEN WE ORIGINALLY PUT THESE IN, WE HADN'T PLANNED TO MOVE SO MANY.
UH, KIDS READ 180 SCHOOLS OVER.
WHEN WE DID THE, UM, WE HAD THE MAP, THE SPRING MAP TESTING, WHICH IS WHAT WE DIDN'T HAVE WHEN WE DID.
THAT'S THE DATE I WAS USING WITH YOU ALL TONIGHT WHEN WE PREPARED THIS, WHICH IS WHY WE HAD ASKED FOR THAT SPECIAL EXHIBIT TO JUST BREAK IT DOWN BY LICENSE.
SO ORIGINALLY, REMEMBER WHEN I SAID WE HAD 3,300 STUDENTS FROM READ 180? THAT'S REALLY WHERE A LOT OF THAT NUMBER CAME FROM.
NOW, WHAT I WOULD SAY IS WE STILL ARE REQUESTING, WELL, WHAT? SO NOW WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT MONEY AND PUT IT INTO THE S BECAUSE NOW WE'RE JUST ADJUSTING NUMBERS, RIGHT? SO ALL THOSE SCHOOLS, WHICH IS BETWEEN I THINK 15 AND 17 SCHOOLS, WERE MOVING FROM RE ONE H TO ISLET, THEY NOW HAVE TO HAVE ISLET LICENSES.
SO WE'RE JUST, WE'RE JUST MOVING THINGS AROUND.
UM, AND REALLY UNTIL THE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE, AND WE DON'T HAVE ACCOUNTS.
SO, UM, WHAT WE WERE DOING WAS ESTIMATES BASED ON THE MID-YEAR RECOMMENDATIONS AND LOOKING AT THE MID-YEAR DATA WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE END.
AND SO FOR SOME OF THE SCHOOLS, WE HAD KEPT THEM TO SAY LIKE, OKAY, WE'RE GONNA KEEP THEM IN READ 180, BUT THEN WHEN WE GOT TO THE END OF THE YEAR DATA, WE JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE IT'S WORKING HOLISTICALLY AT THAT SCHOOL.
AND WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE, UM, BECAUSE IN OUR ISLET SCHOOLS, WE ARE MAKING THAT TWO YEARS OF GAIN.
AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT BY EVERY SINGLE STUDENT, AND THAT WE ARE NOT WASTING THEIR TIME AND WE ARE GIVING THEM EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED TO MAKE THE GAINS AND GET OUT OF INTERVENTION.
SO HOW MUCH ARE WE ASKING FOR? BECAUSE THE TWO DOCUMENTS HAVE TWO DIFFERENT MAXIMUM CONTRACT SPENDING AUTHORITY.
SO IS IT 3.2 OR 3.9 MILLION? SO, YEAH, GREAT QUESTION.
UM, WHEN WE WENT TO REVISE IT, WE DID, UM, BUMP IT UP TO, UH, ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL SCHOOL BASED SPENDING.
UM, BECAUSE WE DID REALIZE THAT IF THEY WANNA BUY LIBRARIES, WHICH WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE BOOKS STILL BEING IN STUDENTS' HANDS, UM, THAT WE WOULD ALLOW FOR THAT.
UM, AND BECAUSE IT IS A SIX YEAR CONTRACT, IT'S REALLY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE DOING OUR BEST TO DO A GUESSTIMATE, BUT YEAR TO YEAR, WE DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THEY'LL BE, IT'S NOT LIKE WHERE WE CAN LOOK AT, UH, ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS WHEN WE'RE JUST PLANNING FOR ENGLISH, WE'RE BASING IT ON, OKAY, IF WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE IN NEED OF READING INTERVENTION YEAR TO YEAR, THAT NUMBER FLUCTUATES.
AND SO THAT, IT JUST ALLOWS US TO HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY AS WE, UM, AS FIRST OF ALL, PROGRAM COSTS COULD INCREASE, BUT ALSO WE JUST DON'T KNOW NUMBERS FOR THE NEXT SIX YEARS.
[03:25:01]
MS. BOOKER DWYER'S QUESTION IS WE'RE USING THE REVISED CONTRACT YES.WHICH IS ASKING FOR A MAXIMUM CONTRACT SPENDING AUTHORITY.
BUT I DID WANNA UNDER, I DID WANNA, YES, THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE, BUT I DID WANNA EXPLAIN WHY WE BUFFERED IT A LITTLE BIT FOR SCHOOL SPENDING.
AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT, UM, THINGS CHANGE AND THAT, YOU KNOW, PRICES AND CONSUMABLES ALL THAT FACTOR IN AND CHANGE.
AND THAT, AND TRUST ME WHEN I SAY WE DO NOT WANNA PUT ANY ADDITIONAL STUDENTS IN READING INTERVENTION THAT DON'T NEED TO BE THERE.
IN FACT, ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE WORKED REALLY HARD ON IS TO HAVE AN EXIT PLAN EVEN AT MIDYEAR.
UM, SO THAT WHEN STUDENTS, UM, IF THEY HIT THEIR GOAL BY THAT MIDYEAR, THAT THEY CAN EXIT OUT.
SO OUR GOAL IS TO ALWAYS, AND I ALWAYS SAY, LET'S WORK OURSELVES OUT OF A JOB, RIGHT? LIKE, THEY DON'T NEED READING INTERVENTION ANYMORE.
UM, I MEAN, NOT A JOB, BUT COMPLETELY, BUT IN INTERVENTION
UM, AND SO REALLY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE DIDN'T NEED TO SPEND ALL THIS BECAUSE OUR NUMBERS KEEP DECREASING AND THAT IS OUR GOAL.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE PRICES ARE NOT GONNA CHANGE BASED ON THE CONTRACT.
IT'S THE ENROLLMENT, THE STUDENTS, THE NEED THAT ARE PARTICIPATING AT THESE PER PUPIL FEES THAT ARE GOING TO, THAT'S THE, THE VARIABLE IN HERE.
MAY I, MR. MCMILLION, MR. SARAS, CONSIDERING THIS IS TWO DIFFERENT PRODUCTS, WOULD THERE BE ANY NEED TO SEPARATE THIS INTO TWO CONTRACTS? WELL, I MEAN, THERE ARE TWO VENDORS.
THEY EACH SUBMITTED PRICE PROPOSALS FOR THEIR PRODUCTS.
UH, FROM MY STANDPOINT, THERE WOULDN'T BE, UNLESS THE, I MEAN, AND THEY'RE BOTH TIERED, UH, READING AND ELD INTERVENTIONS.
SO I, I MEAN, THEY'RE COMPARABLE FROM THE STANDARDS THAT WE USE FOR PROCUREMENT.
MS. WEBSTER, WHAT DO YOU WANNA SAY? GOOD EVENING, MR. MCMILLIAN.
THEY, THE SOLICITATION WAS ISSUED AS A SINGLE SOLICITATION, WHICH IS WHY IT APPEARS BEFORE YOU AS A SINGLE CONTRACT, SINGLE EXHIBIT.
MAY I HAVE ROLL CALL VOTE ON Q3? MR. MCMILLION? NO.
MS. CHIKE, KALU, EPSTEIN, MS. DOKI? NO.
SO DOES THIS MEAN OUR STUDENTS WON'T HAVE ANY READING INTERVENTION OR WHAT, WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? THAT'S CORRECT.
THEY WILL NOT HAVE AN INTERVENTION.
AND SO WE ARE OKAY AS A BOARD WITH OUR STUDENTS NOT HAVING A READING INTERVENTION.
LIKE WHAT, WHAT ACTION DO WE NEED TO TAKE? AND I'M, AND I'M SPEAKING AS THIS, AS SOMEONE WHO, WHO, WHO HAS EXPERIENCED READ 180 IN A SCHOOL THAT WORKS AND HAD THAT WAS IMPLEMENTING IT WELL AND HAVE SEEN STUDENTS MOVE.
UM, AND SO I'M JUST AS A BOARD, ARE WE OKAY WITH OUR STUDENTS NOT RECEIVING ANY READING INTERVENTION FROM, UM, FROM PRO? LIKE, WHAT, WHAT ARE OUR NEXT STEPS? HAVE YOU BEEN, I, I, MS KY? I, I THINK THAT THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE THAT WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND IF WE COULD COME BACK WITH A CONTRACT THAT IS MORE SPECIFIC AS TO WHAT WE'RE SPENDING IT ON FOR IT, WE HAD TWO VERSIONS OF A CONTRACT HERE AND ONE, AND THE ONE THAT WAS PASSED BY THE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE IS NOT THE ONE THAT WAS BEING PRESENTED TONIGHT.
AND, UM, IN THAT RIGHT WAY, WE DON'T KNOW.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE NUMBERS OF THE SCHOOLS WHERE IT'S BEING SPENT, HOW MUCH WE'RE SPENDING ON READ 180.
I THINK THAT WE DO NEED TWO SEPARATE CONTRACTS.
ONE FOR EYELID AND ONE FOR 180.
BECAUSE IN THIS WAY, LIKE THERE'S NO LIMIT AS FAR AS YES.
I KNOW I SHOULDN'T HAVE LET, I DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT MS. BOOKER DWYER WAS GOING TO.
OH, YOU WANT ME TO COMMENT? SURE.
[03:30:01]
ON THE AGENDA IS[R. REPORT - HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEACHERS, LEADERS, AND STAFF (Mr. McCall ) (9:05 - 9:25 p.m.)]
THE REPORT ON THE HIRING UPDATE.AND FOR THAT I CALL MR. MCCALL, MS. GEISINGER, AND MS. SIMMONS.
ALRIGHT, GOOD EVENING, BOARD CHAIR, LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, UH, SUPERINTENDENT DR. ROGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
TONIGHT WE WANNA BRING TO YOU A HIRING UPDATE.
AND OF COURSE, I HAVE WITH ME MS. ANNE GEISINGER, THE MANAGER OF STAFFING.
TONIGHT, ANNE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE ORACLE HR RECRUITMENT CLOUD SYSTEM, UH, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE APPLICATION AS WELL AS THE ONBOARDING PROCESS.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, SHE'LL BE TALKING A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT OUR RECRUITMENT EVENTS AND THOSE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE ACTUALLY TO BUILD OUR POOLS FOR THE 25 26 SCHOOL YEAR.
AND THEN I ALSO HAVE WITH ME MS. CARLA SIMONS, WHO IS THE MANAGER OF EDUCATORS.
UM, I WAS GONNA SAY CERTIFICATE, BUT LICENSED
AND OF COURSE, CARLA WOULD BE TALKING WITH US ABOUT THE, UM, GROW OUR OWN PROGRAM AND THOSE THINGS THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY DOING WITH OUR PARTNERSHIPS THROUGH, UH, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HERE WITHIN THE AREA TO ACTUALLY HELP THOSE WHO ARE CONDITIONALLY CERTIFIED TO BE OR LICENSED TO BECOME, UH, PROFESSIONALLY LICENSED, UH, EDUCATORS IN THE SYSTEM.
SO, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO MS. ANNE GEISINGER.
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT ON MONDAY, JUNE 16TH, WE WILL BE USING OUR ORACLE HR RECRUITING CLOUD SYSTEM FOR OUR APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM.
WE PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THIS.
IT'S A VERY ROBUST SYSTEM THAT OFFERS A LOT OF OPTIONS FOR US TO CONTINUE TO RECRUIT AND HIRE STAFF THAT ARE EFFECTIVE FOR OUR SCHOOLS, OUR OFFICES, UM, AND OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY.
UM, WITH THAT, ON THE 14TH, OUR APPLICANTS WILL ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO BEGIN TO APPLY.
SO WE'LL START USING IT ON MONDAY.
THE APPLICANTS CAN ACTUALLY APPLY VIA THE BCPS WEBSITE AT THE JOBS, UH, CAREERS, CLICK TO APPLY TO JOBS.
AND OUR TEAM HAS BEEN, UH, WORKING THIS WEEK IN BUILDING THE SYSTEM AND GETTING OUR POSTINGS UP AND READY.
AND SOON WE WILL BE DOING, UM, TRAINING WITH OUR PRINCIPALS AND OTHER STAFF OUT IN THE OFFICES TO DO OUR HIRING.
ONE EXCITING THING I JUST WANNA POINT OUT ABOUT IT IS, OUR APPLICANTS WILL START IN THE SYSTEM AND RUN THE FULL LIFE CYCLE TO GET THEIR PAYCHECK IN ONE SYSTEM.
ORACLE ISN'T THE ONLY THING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IN THE STAFFING OFFICE.
WE'VE ALSO BEEN DOING RECRUITMENT EVENTS THIS YEAR BETWEEN BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL EVENTS.
WE DID 66, UM, EVENTS THAT WERE BY US OR, UM, OFFSITE.
OUR BIG EVENT THIS YEAR, WHICH ATTRACTED OVER 800 ATTENDEES, WAS THE SECOND WEEK OF MARCH.
WE HAD THREE EVENTS AND THEY WERE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS.
UM, THE DATE THAT WE CREATED THIS PRESENTATION, WE HAD JUST 150 VACANCIES, BUT ACTUALLY AS OF TODAY, WE'RE DOWN TO 135.
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO, UM, DO SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT YOU SEE LISTED HERE ON THE SLIDE TO CONTINUE TO FIND THAT QUALITY STAFF FOR OUR STUDENTS.
AND WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO CARLA.
SO, COLLABORATIONS, UH, WITH OUR LOCAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES NOW SIT IN THE EDUCATOR LICENSURE.
UM, THIS UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR, UH, WE ARE PLEASED TO OFFER SEVERAL COHORTS, UM, THAT REFLECT OUR RECRUITMENT AND STAFFING EFFORTS.
UH, THOSE COHORTS INCLUDE, UH, ONE, UH, TEACHER EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS FOR CONDITIONAL TEACHERS.
UM, AND THOSE, UH, TEACHERS INTERESTED IN ACHIEVING NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION, UM, INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE NOT APPROVED COHORTS, THEY MAY SHARE THEIR PROGRAMS WITH US.
AND WE POST THAT TO OUR, OUR EMPLOYEES, UM, EMPLOYEES THAT WISH TO ENROLL IN THESE PROGRAMS MAY REQUEST TUITION REIMBURSEMENT, UM, THROUGH THE TEACHER QUALITY AND DIVERSITY PROGRAM, THE, UH, MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION, UH, APPROVED $1 MILLION, UH, TO FUND 11, UH, MARYLAND INSTITUTIONS TO SUPPORT
[03:35:01]
THEM WITH BUILDING INITIATIVES TO HELP TRAIN, UM, OUR FEDERAL WORKERS WHO WERE DISPLACED, UM, AS WELL AS CONDITIONAL TEACHERS.UM, SO THE GRANT EMPHASIZES A SPECIAL, UM, UH, EMPHASIS ON TRAINING AND ENSURING THESE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE LICENSURE.
UH, FIVE OF THESE LOCAL DISTRICTS REACHED OUT TO THE DIVISIONS OF HR, UM, UH, TO, AS A, A LEVEL OF SUPPORT.
AND, UM, WE ANSWERED THAT CALL.
AND, UM, YOU SEE THEM POSTED HERE ON THE SLIDE.
UM, THEY WILL BE WORKING WITH US TO, TO DESIGN, UH, PATHWAYS TO TEACHER LICENSURE AND ADDRESS CRITICAL SHORTAGE NEEDS.
OVERALL, THESE PARTNERSHIPS SUPPORT THE EFFORTS, UH, FOR OUR BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE PILLAR, HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND DIVERSE TEACHER LEADERS.
UM, THE BALTIMORE TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, OR BTAP, UM, IS ONE OF OUR GROW OUR OWN INITIATIVES IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.
UH, IT CREATE, IT CREATES A PIPELINE, UM, TO, UH, CREATE HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS IN OUR COUNTY.
AGAIN, THIS IS ANOTHER INITIATIVE UNDER BLUEPRINT PILLAR TWO.
UH, OUR GOAL IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LICENSED EDUCATORS BY CREATING A PATHWAY FOR OUR PARAEDUCATORS AND, UH, COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
UM, THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES SHORTAGE AREAS IN THE AREA OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SPECIAL ED.
UM, THE INITIATIVE WAS SUCCESSFUL THIS YEAR.
UH, WE HAD FOUR APPRENTICESHIPS, FOUR APPRENTICES WHO COMPLETED THEIR, THEIR PROGRAM THIS YEAR.
UM, WE SERVE THIS YEAR SERVED AS A PILOT, UM, AND THEY WERE RECEIVED STRUCTURED MENTORSHIP, UH, COURSEWORK IN SCHOOL TRAINING EXPERIENCES.
UM, WE PROVIDE THEM WITH SUPPORT AROUND TUITION ASSISTANCE, UM, AND A DESIGNATED MENTOR.
UM, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, BCPS OR THE OFFICE OF EDUCATOR LICENSURE MET WEEKLY, OR EXCUSE ME, MONTHLY WITH THE LOYOLA TEAM, UH, TO ENSURE JOINT PLANNING AND THAT OUR EFFORTS ALIGN WITH THE CURRICULUM REALITIES OF BEING IN A-B-C-P-S CLASSROOM, UH, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS PER MSDE.
UH, AS WE MOVE INTO YEAR TWO, WE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING, UM, UH, WE'VE DECIDED TO SCALE UP THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS, UH, AND EXPAND THE PROGRAM FROM ONE YEAR TO A TWO YEAR STRUCTURE.
UM, THE TWO YEAR STRUCTURE ALLOWS PARTICIPANTS TO, UH, WORK ON THE COURSEWORK ON A PART-TIME BASIS VERSUS, UM, THE ONE YEAR STRUCTURE HAD PARTICIPANTS IN A FULL-TIME MASTER'S PROGRAM IN ONE YEAR, COMPLETING IN ONE YEAR.
THAT WAS A HEAVY LOAD, AND WE SAW THAT VERY EARLY ON.
UM, WE AS A PROGRAM HAVE JOINED THE NCTR NETWORK.
UM, BTAP IS A MEMBER OF THIS NATIONAL CENTER FOR TEACHER RESIDENCIES NETWORK.
UM, IT IS A PARTNERSHIP THAT ALLOWS US TO PARTICIPATE IN PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, UM, TECH RECEIVE TECHNICAL PROGRAM ASSISTANCE, AND, UH, ACCESS TO NATIONAL BEST PRACTICES, UH, FOR IMPLEMENTING A TEACHER RESIDENCY OR APPRENTICESHIP.
UM, WITH THE MEMBERSHIP, IT OPENS UP TO US UP TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR, UM, THE NCTR BOUNDLESS EDUCATOR INITIATIVE GRANT.
UH, THIS GRANT IS AWARDED ANNUALLY TO RESIDENCIES OR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS IN THE NETWORK, AND THE MONEY WOULD GO DIRECTLY TO, UM, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM.
SO IT CAN INCLUDE TUITION ASSISTANCE, UH, ASSESSMENT FEES, UM, INCREASED SUPPORT.
AND ONE OF THE, UH, INITIATIVES IN THIS GRANT WOULD BE TO TRAIN THE MENTORS ASSIGNED TO THE APPRENTICES.
UM, WE ARE WAITING ON NOTIFICATION, UH, FOR THIS APPLICATION, SO PLEASE SEND WELL WISHES,
AND OF COURSE, THAT CONCLUDES THE, UH, PRESENTATION TO ANY QUESTIONS.
BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? MR. MCMILLION, WHO KNOWS HOW MANY HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS? DO YOU WOULD KNOW THAT? WOULD YOU, MR. MR. MCMILLION? WE CAN GET THAT INFORMATION.
I DON'T KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.
I'M JUST CURIOUS, HAVE WE LOOKED AT THAT? HAVE WE TAPPED INTO THAT AT ALL? BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE ARE PRETTY EXTENSIVE.
[03:40:01]
WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET SOME PARA OF EDUCATORS OUT OF THAT, OR, OR WE, WE PROBABLY ARE, BUT MAYBE EVEN A COUPLE TEACHERS OUT OF THOSE PROGRAMS. I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT.AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE, IN THE PAST, WE'VE ACTUALLY HAD THE, UM, THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT WE'VE ALSO HAD WITH OUR, UM, I THINK YOU PROBABLY, UM, TO WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO.
AND OF COURSE, WE ARE LOOKING TO CONTINUE THAT BECAUSE IF WE DON'T START, YOU KNOW, EARLY ON TO GET A LOT OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN THE SYSTEM TO COME BACK INTO TEACHING, THEN OF COURSE THAT THAT PUTS US AT A DEFICIT.
'CAUSE OTHER SYSTEMS ARE DOING IT AS WELL.
SO I THINK THAT'S, UH, SOMETHING THAT WE COULD CERTAINLY, UH, UH, CONTINUE TO DO AND CONTINUE TO, UH, RECRUIT FROM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT PRESENTATION.
[S. REPORT - ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (Dr. Jones, Mr. Jammal, Ms. DiMino, and Dr. Berquist) (9:25 - 9:45 p.m.)]
ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE REPORT ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UPDATE.AND FOR THAT, I CALL ON DR. JONES, MR. JAMAL, DR.
OH, DR. JONES IS SITTING THIS ONE OUT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE TONIGHT.
DR. ROGERS, BOARD CHAIR, LICHTER VICE CHAIR, AND THE TEAM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
UH, TONIGHT WE ARE GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT OUR FOCUS ON PROFESSIONAL LEARNING THAT SUPPORTS HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION.
SO WE'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOU A BIT ABOUT WHERE WE'VE BEEN, WHERE WE ARE NOW, AND WHERE WE'RE GOING.
SO WHEN WE BEGAN THIS JOURNEY, WE THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT OUR SYSTEM DATA TELLS US RELATED TO INSTRUCTION, AND WE REALIZED THAT WE HAD NOT HAD ANY SYSTEMIC TRAINING ON INSTRUCTIONAL EXPECTATIONS ACROSS ALL OF OUR LEADERSHIP GROUPS IN MANY YEARS.
AND THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT CONTRIBUTES TO WHAT OUR DATA TELLS US ABOUT STUDENT PERFORMANCE.
SO WE DID A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RESEARCH, UM, LOOKING AT TEXTS THAT CAN HELP US SOLIDIFY A COMMON LANGUAGE AROUND BELIEFS AND EXPECTATIONS.
UM, HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION, THE ABILITY TO DESIGN LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS, THE ABILITY TO PLAN INSTRUCTION, AND THE SKILLFUL TEACHER TEXT ROSE TO THE TOP.
SO, SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE COMPANY THAT WROTE THE SKILLFUL TEACHER.
UM, IT'S NOT ANYTHING THAT'S EARTH SHATTERING OR BRAND NEW TEACHING TOPICS.
IT REALLY DOES REPRESENT A RETURN TO THE BASICS, AND IT HELPS US THINK ABOUT A COMMON LANGUAGE ACROSS CONTENT AREAS, ACROSS GRADE LEVELS.
AND IT'S A FRAMEWORK THAT IS GOING TO HELP US LEVEL SET, AND IT ACTUALLY ALREADY HAS.
UM, SO WE'D LIKE TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE RESEARCH FOR BETTER TEACHING COMPANY, AND THEN WE WILL GET INTO SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE.
IN ADDITION TO THE WORK THAT WE'VE HAD THROUGH THE TRAINERS FROM THE COMPANY.
RESEARCH FOR BETTER TEACHING REPRESENTS A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO IMPROVING EXPERTISE IN TEACHING AND SCHOOL LEADERSHIP.
FOUNDED IN 1979, RESEARCHER BETTER TEACHING STRIVES TO STRENGTHEN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONALIZE THE STUDY OF TEACHING WITHIN SCHOOLS AND THROUGHOUT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SYSTEMS. FOR MORE THAN 45 YEARS, RESEARCH FOR BETTER TEACHING HAS DELIVERED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO TEACHERS AND LEADERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND INTERNATIONALLY.
THEY HAVE WORKED WITH EDUCATORS IN 41 STATES AND 18 COUNTRIES THUS FAR, WE'VE HAD 318 EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED 151 TEACHER LEADERS AND 167 LEADERS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING FEEDBACK AND EVALUATIONS, UH, FOR OUR INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM.
ALL TEACHERS HAVE BEEN AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING THAT EMBEDS THE CORE FOUNDATIONS OF QUALITY INSTRUCTION.
AND WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE LEARNING, WE, WE'VE BEEN EXCITED WITH THE WAY THAT OUR PRINCIPALS AND OUR SCHOOL LEADERS HAVE TAKEN THE LEARNING BACK TO THEIR BUILDINGS.
AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE COME OUT OF THAT LEARNING.
SO WE HAVE A BRIEF VIDEO WHERE TWO OF OUR SCHOOL LEADERS ARE SHARING ON SOME OF THEIR EXPERIENCES AND TAKEAWAYS,
[03:45:01]
BECAUSE MY ILT IS FAIRLY NEW IN THEIR POSITIONS.THIS WAS A GREAT JUMPING OFF POINT FOR US TO REALLY TALK ABOUT WHAT FEEDBACK CAN LOOK LIKE AND WHAT, HOW WE SET EXPECTATIONS WITH OUR STAFF, UH, FOR EVERY DAY IN EVERY CLASSROOM.
AND TO REALLY HONE IN ON WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC SKILLS AND TEACHING STRATEGIES AND TEACHING, UH, MOVES THAT TEACHERS CAN MAKE THAT WE CAN REPLICATE ACROSS ALL CLASSROOMS IN OUR BUILDING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING THE SAME RESULTS ACROSS ALL OF THOSE CLASSROOMS. ONE WAY I CAN TAKE THIS BACK INTO THE SCHOOLHOUSE IS FIRST EXPOSING MY ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND MY LEADERSHIP TEAM.
SO IN WORKING WITH THE ILT, I'VE ALREADY BROUGHT BACK, FOLLOWING EVERY MEETING WE'VE HAD SO FAR, THAT TO MY ILT AND SAID, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE LEARNED THAT'S NEW, AND HOW DO WE SEE IT HAPPENING ALREADY IN OUR BUILDING? AND WHAT ARE THOSE NEXT STEPS THAT WE CAN DO WITH OUR TEACHERS? EVEN SPEAKING AS LOW AS THE OBJECTIVES AND WHAT WE SEE WRITTEN ON THE BOARD AND HOW WE WRITE THE OBJECTIVES.
ARE THEY MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENT LEARNING? AND ARE THE TEACHERS REALLY HAVING THAT GREAT UNDERSTANDING? SO IT'S ALLOWED US TO STEP BACK, REALLY EVALUATE KIND OF WHERE WE'RE AT AS A SCHOOL AND WHERE WE'RE AT AS INDIVIDUAL TEACHERS, AND THEN MY INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP.
THEN AS WE PUSH IN AND WE HAVE THOSE GRADE LEVEL MEETINGS WITH OUR TEACHERS, AND WE HAVE THOSE, UM, ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS WITH OUR TEACHERS, WE'RE ABLE TO REALLY IMPLEMENT SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
ALSO THAT LONG RANGE PLANNING COMPONENT PLANNING FORWARD INTO THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
'CAUSE WHERE WE'RE AT IN THIS YEAR, HOW ARE WE GOING TO LEVERAGE SOME OF THESE COMPONENTS AND BUILD THEM INTO OUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR TEACHERS AND JUST INTO OUR PLANNING STAGES.
SO THE COURSE IS BASED ON THE BELIEF THAT SKILLFUL TEACHERS NEVER STOP LEARNING THROUGH EXPERIMENTATION, DATA ANALYSIS STUDY AND COLLEGIAL SHARING PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN REFLECTIVE DIALOGUE WHILE APPLYING RESEARCH-BASED STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE TEACHING AND LEARNING.
SO THE COURSES THAT THE ADMINISTRATORS TOOK WERE TAUGHT BY THE FOLKS FROM THE SKILLFUL TEACHER COMPANY RESEARCH FOR BETTER TEACHING.
SO OUR ADMINISTRATORS, UM, PARTICIPATED IN ANALYZING TEACHING FOR STUDENT RESULTS.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAD, UM, TEACHER LEADERS PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDYING SKILLFUL TEACHER COURSE.
SO THOSE WERE TAUGHT BY THE COMPANY.
SOMETHING THAT WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IS THAT WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO, FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME TRAIN, GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN EVERY SINGLE TEACHER IN PARAEDUCATOR IN BCPS ON THE CORE COMPONENTS THAT ARE PART OF THE SKILLFUL TEACHER FRAMEWORK.
SO THE COMPANY DOES THE SPECIFIC TRAINING ON THEIR TEXT AND THEIR MATERIALS, AND THEN OUR LEADERSHIP TEAMS. UM, WE DEVELOPED MATERIALS BASED ON THOSE CORE COMPONENTS THAT YOU CAN SEE ON THE SCREEN.
SO WE SELECTED FIVE LAST SUMMER, THAT WAS ROUTINES, MOMENTUM AND ATTENTION, CLARITY, HIGH EXPECTATIONS, OBJECTIVES.
AND WE WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH JUST UNDER 8,000 STAFF MEMBERS, WHICH IS A GREAT NUMBER.
UM, THIS SUMMER WE ARE ON TRACK TO, UM, HAVE EVERYONE TRAINED BY AUGUST 19TH IN THE SUMMER, OUR NUMBER FOR REGISTRATION IS JUST UNDER 6,000.
AND THEN THE REMAINDER OF THE TEACHERS WILL GO THROUGH THE CONTENT ON AUGUST 19TH, WHICH IS A CONTRACTUAL DUTY DAY FOR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING.
AND THEY WILL FOCUS ON THE TOPICS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, WHICH IS PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND HIGH EXPECTATIONS, THE SCIENCE OF LEARNING AND USING TIME WISELY.
SO THAT'S A HUGE WIN FOR US TO HAVE THAT STAFF, ALL OF OUR STAFF HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT.
UM, WE ALSO HAVE BEEN WORKING TO MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION, LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON, WHAT ARE WE SEEING? AND THE CHART ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE THAT IS EVIDENCE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF WHAT THEY SAW WHEN THEY WENT ON THEIR CLASSROOM WALKTHROUGHS, UM, BASED ON THE CONTENT THAT WE TAUGHT LAST YEAR.
AND THEN WE ARE DEVELOPING A WALKTHROUGH TOOL THAT IS, UM, GOING TO BE USED NEXT YEAR AS WELL FOR THE TOPICS THAT WE'RE TEACHING THIS SUMMER.
DURING THIS UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR, 28 LEARNING SITES BE PILOTING AN EVALUATION TOOL THAT IS ALIGNED TO RESEARCH A BETTER TEACHING.
THIS PILOT WILL ALLOW INPUT FROM TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS IN PREPARATION TO ADOPT A NEW EVALUATION SYSTEM DURING THE SUBSEQUENT SCHOOL YEAR.
PENDING APPROVAL FROM MSTE RESEARCH, A BETTER TEACHING COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES WILL PARTICIPATE IN AN EVALUATION STEERING COMMITTEE.
THEY WILL ENGAGE WITH THE SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE EDUCATOR EFFECTIVENESS COMMITTEE WITH THE STRATEGIC INTENT OF APPLYING EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH OF TEACHERS.
29 COURSE OFFERINGS WILL BE OFFERED DURING THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
FOUR SYSTEM LEADERS WILL WORK WITH COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES TO BECOME CERTIFIED AS SYSTEM TRAINERS TO EVENTUALLY LEAD THE COURSES.
COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN SITE VISITS TO SCHOOLS TO ENGAGE IN REFLECTIVE DIALOGUE AND OBSERVATION
[03:50:01]
OF INSTRUCTION.AS WE CONTINUE TO DEVOTE EFFORTS AND TIME TO ENHANCING TEACHING AND LEARNING WITH HIGH QUALITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
WE SINCERELY THANK DR. ROGERS, EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR INVESTING IN THE GROWTH OF OUR INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS.
UM, ANY QUESTIONS FROM BOARD MEMBERS? MS. BOOKER DWYER
SO, UM, THIS IS, I THINK THIS IS DEFINITELY THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I DO HAVE A QUESTION AROUND THE EVALUATION DEVELOPMENT.
SO THIS EVALUATION IS FOR TEACHER EVALUATION NEW TEACHERS? CORRECT.
IS IT GONNA BE BUILT INTO THE PRINCIPAL'S EVALUATION WITH HOW THE PRINCIPAL IS EVALUATING NEW TEACHERS BASED OFF OF THIS? SO WILL ANYTHING CHANGE WITH THE PRINCIPAL'S EVALUATION BASED OFF OF THE NEW TEACHER EVALUATION? SO, MS. BOOKER DWYER, IF YOU ARE REFERRING TO WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S GOING TO BE AN EXPECTATION SET THAT PRINCIPALS ARE USING THAT AND THAT'S PART OF MONITORING THEM.
BUT THIS UPCOMING YEAR IS MORE OF THE PILOT AND MAKING SURE THAT, UM, THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO BE A PART OF THE PILOT, THEY'RE TRAINED, THEY'RE IMPLEMENTING, THEY'LL WORK OUT ALL OF THE KINKS, GIVE US FEEDBACK BEFORE WE SCALE IT UP TO, UM, OTHER, YOU KNOW, UH, ACROSS THE BOARD.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT PRESENTATION.
[T. INFORMATION (9:45 p.m.)]
ON THE AGENDA IS INFORMATION, WHICH INCLUDES THE 2025 CLIMATE SURVEY SYSTEM REPORT, ANNUAL REPORT ON THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION IN THE SOUTHEAST AREA ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 28TH AND MAY 19TH, UM, BASED ON A REQUEST FROM BOARD MEMBERS, THE 2025 CLIMATE SURVEY SYSTEM REPORT WILL ALSO COME BACK AS AN AGENDA ITEM IN A FUTURE MEETING.NEXT ON THE AGENDA, WHOOPS, IS, OOPS.
[U. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND AGENDA SETTING (9:45 - 10:00 p.m.)]
AND AGENDA SETTING.AND I'LL START WITH, UM, ANYBODY, I'LL JUST GO TO THE LATE HOUR.
DOES ANYBODY, IF YOU RAISE YOUR HAND, IF YOU HAVE ANY BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS OR AGENDA SETTING ITEMS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE? MS. UMEY, I KNOW EVERYONE'S TIRED, BUT I JUST REALLY WANNA SAY THIS.
ON THURSDAY, I ATTENDED THE 37TH ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION.
UM, I LEARNED THAT I GIVE YOU ONE OF THE, ONE OF THESE PAMPHLETS.
I LEARNED THAT VISUAL ARTS HAS BEEN PART OF R-B-C-P-S CURRICULUM FOR 118 YEARS.
IF I'M INCORRECT ABOUT THAT, SOMEBODY TELL ME, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE THAT'S WHAT I LEARNED ON THURSDAY.
UM, I'VE BEEN ATTENDING THIS EVENT EVERY YEAR SINCE I WAS ELECTED TO THE BOARD HERE.
I'M MORE AND MORE IMPRESSED BY, UM, THE ARTWORK THAT I SEE FROM OUR STUDENTS THIS YEAR IS BEYOND AMAZING.
UM, THE JUDGES, UH, HAVE THE WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY SELECT THE WINNERS FOR THIS.
EVERY PIECE OF ARTWORK IS JUST ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.
UM, THE EXHIBITION IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT THE STARTUP AT TOWSON UNIVERSITY THROUGH JUNE 30TH.
SO I ENCOURAGE, IF YOU CAN, TO ATTEND AND SEE THE ARTWORK OF OUR STUDENTS.
AS WITH MANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS, CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE WITHIN THE OFFICE OF VISUAL ARTS.
AND I WOULD LIKE US TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS AND THE VISUAL ARTS CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION THAT IS PROVIDED TO THEM IS NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY ANY OF THESE CHANGES.
OUR ARTS, OUR ARTS CURRICULUM IS IMPORTANT.
UM, JUST AS IMPORTANT AS MATH, READING, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES.
UM, THERE ARE SEVERAL CAREER PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS THROUGH THE ARTS, AND THOSE PATHWAYS CONTINUE, CONTINUE TO GROW.
WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO KEEP THE QUALITY OF OUR ARTS PROGRAMS IN PLACE, REGARDLESS OF BUDGET CONSTRAINTS.
UM, I WANTED TO OFFER A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN OUR OFFICE OF VISUAL ARTS WHO ORGANIZE THE EXHIBITION AND CONTINUE TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR STUDENTS BY GIVING THEM ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY ART INSTRUCTION.
AND FINALLY, I ALSO WANTED TO EXPRESS MY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR GRADUATES.
I ATTENDED SEVERAL GRADUATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY, AND JUST SEEING THE LOOKS OF PRIDE ON OUR STUDENTS' FACES, SOME IN TEARS, OTHERS SMILING.
UM, AND THE EXCITEMENT JUST BROUGHT ME JOY.
AND IT WAS A WONDERFUL REMINDER OF WHERE OUR FOCUS SHOULD REMAIN, WHICH IS ON OUR STUDENTS.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR GRADUATES, AND I'M SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THAT, MS. HUMPHREY.
ANYONE ELSE? MS. LESKI? THANK YOU.
YEAH, THE ARTS DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY IS INCREDIBLE MUSIC, UM, DANCE, VISUAL ARTS, REALLY AN INCREDIBLE PROGRAM.
SO IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THIS EVENING, AND I DO BELIEVE, UM, IT'S BEEN A REQUEST FROM A BOARD MEMBER IN THE PAST, AND I KNOW THE PUBLIC HAS
[03:55:01]
REQUESTED IT AS WELL.UM, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT BOARD MEMBERS CAN ASK QUESTIONS AND OBTAIN ANSWERS FOLLOWING THE MONTHLY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
UH, YOU MEAN NOT THE WRITTEN ONE? YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE DURING THE BOARD MEETING? DURING THE BOARD MEETING, YES.
IS THERE A SECOND TO I WILL SECOND SO WE CAN DISCUSS.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TALK TO YOUR MOTION? SURE.
I KNOW THAT IT WAS A REQUEST FROM THE PUBLIC THIS EVENING, BUT ALSO IN THE PAST THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE IN TERMS OF, UM, OUR ROLE AS BOARD MEMBERS.
AND, UM, I DO BELIEVE IT WOULD BE AN INCREDIBLE ACT OF INCREASED TRANSPARENCY.
ANY DISCUSSION?
MS. HUMPHREY, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO HEAR THE SUPERINTENDENT'S THOUGHTS ON THAT.
LIKE, IS THERE, IS, DOES IT BRING YOU MORE, I DON'T KNOW.
I GUESS THAT'S A BAD QUESTION.
UH, IT IS NOT TYPICAL THAT IN THE REPORT THAT THERE IS QUESTION AND RESPONSE TO MONTHLY REPORT.
UH, TYPICALLY THE, UH, SUPERINTENDENT, BOARD CHAIR AND STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD PROVIDE AN UPDATE.
I HAVE IN THE PAST, DEPENDING ON THE CONTACT, UH, DEPENDING ON THE CONTENT, DEPARTED FROM PAST PRACTICE AND, AND ANNOUNCED THAT, UH, I WOULD OPEN IT UP, UH, TO QUESTIONS, UH, YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON WHAT THAT CONTENT IS.
UH, MORE SO IF, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION, UH, WE'RE HAPPY TO, UH, CONSIDER THAT FOR ADDITION TO THE AGENDA AND PROVIDE IT AS A TRADITIONAL REPORT AND THEN ENGAGE IN THE, UH, NORMAL DISCUSSION.
AND I THINK THAT WAS THE POINT OF MY QUESTION.
IS THERE A BETTER WAY THAT WE CAN HANDLE THIS? CAN WE ASK FOR AN AGENDA ITEM IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS FURTHER EXPLANATION OR CLARITY? UM, MS. HARVEY, DID YOU HAVE YOUR HAND UP? UH, NO.
OH, MS. HEN, THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.
UM, I SUPPORT THIS MOTION, I THINK, AND THANK YOU MS. LESKI, FOR MAKING IT.
UM, OFTENTIMES THE MOST IMPORTANT TOPICS ARE ADDRESSED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT IN HER REPORT, THE MOST TIMELY UPDATES, UM, AREAS OF CONTENT THAT WE MAY NOT ALWAYS FORESEE COMING IN, IN THE REPORT BECAUSE WE DON'T RECEIVE OUTLINES.
THESE ARE VERY TIMELY UPDATES.
SO IT'S NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO REQUEST AGENDA TOPICS IN ADVANCE WHEN WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO BE IN THE REPORT IN ADVANCE.
SO I WOULD APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS AND ASK QUESTIONS.
UM, SO I, I AM IN SUPPORT OF THIS MOTION FOR THAT REASON.
OTHER DISCUSSION, MS. FONG? OH, MS. FONG.
MS. ONG, I HAD PUT MY HAND DOWN ONCE THIS THAT STARTED.
I ACTUALLY WANTED TO MAKE COMMENTS ON SOMETHING ELSE, SO THAT'S WHY MY HAND WENT BACK DOWN.
I DO HAVE SOMETHING, BUT IT'S OKAY TO STAY ON TOPIC.
I'M PUTTING MY HAND BACK DOWN.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON MS. LES'S MOTION? MS. HARVEY? I, I'M JUST ASKING A CLARIFYING QUESTION.
MS. LESKI, CAN YOU, CAN YOU SPEAK TO YOUR MOTION AGAIN? I, I HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT TRANSPARENCY, BUT I'M NOT MAKING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN INFORMATION THAT'S BEING REPORTED AND WHAT PEOPLE WHO YOU'VE TALKED TO OR WHATEVER FEEL IS NOT TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE REPORT.
I KNOW, UM, MS. SEXTON IN HER SPEECH TONIGHT, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT SHE SPOKE ABOUT WAS, UM, YOU KNOW, JUST THE IMPORTANCE OF US ASKING QUESTIONS AND BEING ACTIVELY ENGAGED.
SO THERE MAY BE, UH, SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORTS WHERE WE DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BUT I JUST THINK HAVING THAT OPPORTUNITY CAN JUST BE TRANSPARENT WITH THE PUBLIC.
I KNOW SOMETIMES IMMEDIATELY I HAVE QUESTIONS, BUT THEN THE FOLLOW-UP ISN'T THE SAME.
I FEEL LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO, UM, WHATEVER THE SUPERINTENDENT RES, UH, PRESENTS, UM, AS OPPOSED TO A FOLLOW-UP LATER, JUST THE, THE PUBLIC CAN HEAR THE RESPONSES AS WELL, WHICH I THINK IS IMPERATIVE.
AND, YOU KNOW, THE CALL IS ALWAYS FOR INCREASED TRANSPARENCY.
I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY REASONABLE AND NATURAL WAY TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT.
MY CONCERN IS, ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND THE POINT ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND ASKING QUESTIONS, AND THE QUESTIONS MAY ARISE, MY CONCERN IS THAT WE HAVE AN AGENDA TO KEEP THE MEETING RUNNING SMOOTHLY.
UM, AND DEPENDING ON WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT IS COMPOSED OF AT THAT, AT, AT EACH MEETING, UM, IT COULD REALLY TAKE US COMPLETELY OFF OF AGENDA.
[04:00:01]
UH, I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THE INFORMATION.I'M JUST NOT SURE ASKING QUESTIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT IS THE, UM, MOST EFFICIENT WAY OF DOING THAT.
UM, AND I'M ALS AND, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I ALSO FEEL LIKE MAYBE IF WE PUT THIS IN PLACE, THE SUPERINTENDENT WILL BE MORE RELUCTANT TO PROVIDE AS MUCH INFORMATION IN HER REPORT KNOWING THAT QUESTIONS WERE GONNA COME, UM, THAT NEEDED TO BE IMMEDIATELY ANSWERED.
UM, AND THAT WOULD COMPROMISE OUR AGENDA AT THE MEETING.
UM, I APPRECIATE BOARD MEMBER PUMPHREY ASKING ABOUT ALTERNATIVE MM-HMM
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL QUESTION, UM, TO DR. ROGERS ON THAT, BECAUSE AGAIN, I APPRECIATE NOT WANTING TO PUT THE SUPERINTENDENT IN THE HOT SEAT, UM, AND ASKING QUESTIONS IN AN AD HOC FASHION.
UM, THAT'S A VERY DIFFICULT POSITION TO BE IN.
HOWEVER, UM, SOMETIMES WHEN WE DO ASK QUESTIONS BY EMAIL, OUR PUBLIC DOESN'T HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF GETTING THAT INFORMATION, AND WE, IT'S NOT EASILY SHARED.
OR SOMETIMES IF IT'S SHARED THIRD HAND OR BY BOARD MEMBERS, IT'S NOT THE SAME AS HEARING IT DIRECTLY FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT, WHICH IS OF COURSE, OUR PREFERENCE.
RIGHT? WE, WE PREFER THAT IT BE SHARED DIRECTLY BY YOU, DR. ROGERS, AND SO THAT THE PUBLIC HEARS IT, WE ARE HEARING IT AT THE SAME TIME.
IF WE HAVE CLARIFYING QUESTIONS, AS MRS. FKI SAID, WE CAN ASK THEM WHEN THEY'RE FRESH ON, UM, EVERYONE'S MINDS.
AND WE ALL RECEIVE THE INFORMATION AT THE SAME TIME.
SO I THINK IT IS THE MOST EFFICIENT AND MOST TRUTHFUL IF, I KNOW WE WERE TALKING ABOUT TRANSPARENCY, BUT MOST ACCURATE WAY OF GETTING THE INFORMATION TO OUR PUBLIC ALSO.
AND WE'VE TALKED A LOT ON THE BOARD ABOUT MISINFORMATION BEING OUT THERE.
AND I THINK IN ORDER TO AVOID THAT, THIS IS ONE WAY TO AVOID MISINFORMATION BEING PUT OUT THERE, IS BY HAVING THE SUPERINTENDENT ADDRESS THESE THINGS IMMEDIATELY WHEN SHE'S PREPARED TO DO SO.
SHE'S ALREADY PRESENTING ON THOSE TOPICS.
AND IF WE, UM, MAKE SURE THAT OUR QUESTIONS ARE VERY FOCUSED TO THE MATERIAL AT HAND, THEN I THINK WE CAN STICK TO, UM, ANY TIME CONSTRAINTS AND, AND BE TIMED, YOU KNOW, BY MR. BURNS OR WHATEVER MADAM CHAIR'S, UM, DEEMS REASONABLE, THEN WE CAN LIMIT OUR DISCUSSION TO THAT.
BY LAW, WE HAVE ONE EMPLOYEE THAT'S DR. ROGERS THE SUPERINTENDENT.
SO I THINK, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA, AND I'VE TOLD HER TODAY, I'VE SEEN HER DOZENS OF TIMES SPEAK IN FRONT OF PEOPLE, IN FRONT OF GROUPS, AND I THINK SHE DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB.
I'M CONFIDENT THAT SHE CAN HANDLE OUR QUESTIONS.
YOU KNOW, PERHAPS, UM, AND I'M HAPPY TO AMEND THE MOTION, WE PUT SOME KIND OF LIMIT MAYBE INSTEAD OF THE THREE MINUTE TIME, EACH BOARD MEMBER HAS ONE MINUTE, OR, YOU KNOW, WE ALLOCATE A TOTAL OF 10 MINUTES.
INSTEAD OF TWO MINUTES, WE EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE, OR WE ALLOCATE A TOTAL OF 10 MINUTES.
SO, SO CERTAINLY A A A TIME CONSTRAINT IS CERTAINLY REASONABLE, MR. YOUNG.
I THINK WE CAN, UM, PUT A BETTER PROCESS IN PLACE WHERE THE SUPERINTENDENT IS NOT NECESSARILY PUT ON THE SPOT, BUT YET THE INFORMATION IS STILL RECEIVED.
UM, SIMILAR TO LIKE WHAT WE DO DURING THE BUDGET WHERE WE SUBMIT QUESTIONS, THEY'RE ANSWERED, BUT THEY'RE ALSO POSTED.
THIS WOULD ALSO GIVE THE SUPERINTENDENT, UM, WHILE I COMMEND HER FOR HER IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THE SYSTEM, THIS WILL ALSO GIVE HER THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION SHE IS PROVIDING IS A HUNDRED PERCENT ACCURATE.
SO, I, I DON'T QUESTION, UH, IF ANY MEMBER ON THIS BOARD WANTS THE PUBLIC TO BE INFORMED.
I THINK WHEN WE, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY IN PARTICULAR, UH, WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL THAT WE'RE PROVIDING INFORMATION AND THAT WE'RE PROVIDING IT ACCURATELY AND IN CONTEXT.
AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, A ASKING QUESTIONS IS COMPLETELY WITHIN OUR, UH, OUR SPHERE OF RESPONSIBILITY.
UH, BUT I DO THINK THE SUPERINTENDENT SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER, UH, THE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS, CONSULT HER STAFF.
SHE DOES NOT RUN BCPS BY HERSELF.
AND THAT THOSE RESPONSES SHOULD COME TO US AND TO THE PUBLIC IN GOOD AND DECENT ORDER.
AND SO, I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF AN AD HOC QUESTION ANSWER, UM, SESSION, UH, FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
WELL, I ALSO AGREE WITH THE INTENT.
I DO REALIZE THAT WHILE SHE APPEARS TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK ALL OF THIS
[04:05:01]
INFORMATION OFF THE TOP OF HER HEAD, I REALIZE THE AMOUNT OF PREPARATION THAT GOES INTO HER BOARD REPORTS AND GOES INTO ANY PUBLIC SETTING WHERE SHE IS, IT SOUNDS AS IF SHE'S SPEAKING JUST FREELY, BUT IT IS HOURS AND HOURS.AND I DON'T WANNA SPEAK FOR YOU, BUT I'VE WATCHED YOU WORK AND I KNOW THAT IT IS MANY HOURS OF PREPARATION.
WE SHOULD FOLLOW UP IN SOME WAY.
AND THERE'S OTHER PROCESSES TO MR. YOUNG'S, UM, COMMENTS.
BUT I AM RELUCTANT TO PUT HER ON THE SPOT WITHOUT ENOUGH PREPARATION AND RESEARCH, UM, WHICH IS THE WAY SHE WORKS, UM, TO PUT THINGS TOGETHER, MS. DOKI, I, THIS MIGHT BE TO MS. ALKIS, UM, MOTION, BUT WE CAN ONLY ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT WAS IN THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT, CORRECT.
THAT, THAT, THAT WOULD BE THE, THE INTENT, RIGHT? THAT WOULD BE THE INTENT OF THIS IS JUST WE CAN'T GO OFF TOPIC.
IT COULD ONLY BE WHAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
IF WE CAN, IF WE CAN DO THAT, SOMETIMES WE SENTENCE YES AND IT IS WITH THE UNDER, I THINK THAT WOULD BE NO, IT'S OKAY.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE, THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO REIN IT IN.
WE COULDN'T ASK QUESTIONS THAT WERE OFF TOPIC, THAT WERE OFF THE REPORT.
I MEAN, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER, BUT I THINK THAT IT'S, AND IF, IF YOU WOULD ASSUME THAT, I MEAN, I KNOW THAT YOU DO ALL THAT, YOU'VE DONE ALL THE RESEARCH AND THE WHAT YOU PUT IN FRONT OF US, AND IT JUST TO BE ABLE TO ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT WHAT'S IN YOUR REPORT, THAT'S, IT WOULD BE GOOD.
BUT THAT WOULD JUST BE MY SUGGESTION.
OH, WE GOT LOTS OF THEM, MR. YOUNG, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK AROUND.
I MEAN THAT TO MS. DOMINO'S, UM, STATEMENT.
THAT SOUNDS GOOD IN THEORY, BUT WE DO HAVE THE TENDENCY AT TIMES TO FALL DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE AND ASK THAT ONE QUESTION THAT WE FEEL IS RELATED TO THE INFORMATION THAT WAS GIVEN US, BUT TAKES US THROUGH A WHOLE NOTHER PATH.
MS. HUMPHREY, TWO QUICK THINGS.
FIRST, UM, I'M NOT SURE IF ANY OF OUR LEGAL TEAM HAS ANY INFORMATION REGARDING LEAS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT DO THIS AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
AND MY SECOND COMMENT WOULD BE, IF THIS, IF, DEPENDING ON HOW THE VOTE GOES TONIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS IN THE FUTURE AS A DISCUSSION REGARDING ANOTHER WAY TO, TO GET THIS INFORMATION.
IF IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S NOT ASKED DIRECTLY AFTER THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
OKAY, MR. MCMILLIAN, IN REGARDS TO STAYING ON TOPIC, I THINK THAT'S THE CHAIR'S RESPONSIBILITY.
IF A QUESTION IS OFF TARGET, JUST, I'M SORRY, THAT QUESTION'S OFF TARGET.
SECONDLY, YOU KNOW, AND I'M, I, LIKE I SAID TO YOU IN THE DINING ROOM, I THINK YOU'RE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB OF THIS, AND I'M, I'M NOT PUTTING YOU OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, TO EXPOSE YOU IN ANY WAY.
BUT IF YOU THOUGHT, STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT, ALL THE, ALL THE DIFFERENT CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD ABOUT BUDGET, YOU ANSWER THOSE, YOU KNOW, ALL YOU HAVE SUPPORT OUT THERE, BUT YOU DON'T SEEM TO NEED IT.
AND WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU IF YOU NEED SUPPORT TO ASK SUPPORT TO HELP YOU WITH THAT QUESTION, I DON'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
I JUST THINK IT'S A GREAT WAY TO GET INFORMATION OUT THERE TO OUR PEOPLE AND OUR LISTENING AND OUR VIEWING PUBLIC.
YEAH, AND JUST ONE THING TO ADD ON TO THAT, WHEN, UM, WE HAVE PRESENTATIONS AND THERE'S A QUESTION, THEY SOMETIMES SAY, WE'LL FOLLOW UP BY EMAIL AND, OR WE'LL FOLLOW UP, UM, IN WRITING.
SO I THINK THAT'S PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE.
YOU DO A GREAT JOB ADDRESSING QUESTIONS.
YOU CERTAINLY, UM, ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE, BUT I THINK IT'S ALSO VERY REASONABLE THAT NOT ALL QUESTIONS WOULD BE ANSWERED FOR SURE.
SO ANY QUESTIONS THAT, UM, COME UP TO THEM, CHANCES ARE WE'RE HAVING THE SAME QUESTIONS COME UP.
SO IT, IT SERVES THEM, IT SERVES US.
AND IF WE DON'T ASK THEM, THEY'RE GOING TO BE ASKING US THIS, THOSE SAME QUESTIONS.
AND I WOULD RATHER THEM HEAR FROM DR. ROGERS DIRECTLY THAN BE ASKED THE QUESTION AND GET, GET THE WRONG ANSWER.
RIGHT? AND, AND TRY TO INTERPRET WHAT I'VE HEARD.
AGAIN, I'M HEARING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
WE DON'T GET THE PRESENTATIONS IN ADVANCE.
WE DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ONE-ON-ONES.
WE'RE, WE'RE HEARING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME AS OUR PUBLIC IS.
SO, I'M, I'M ASKED QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY AFTER BOARD MEETINGS.
I MEAN, OUR PUBLIC IS ENGAGED WITH US, IT'S GREAT, BUT I DON'T, I'M NOT CAPABLE OF ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS BASED ON THE PRESENTATIONS WE GET WHEN I'M JUST HEARING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME AND CAN'T ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS.
AND I RATHER THEM PUT THE WRONG INFORMATION OUT THERE OR TRY TO SERVE MY CONSTITUENTS BY GIVING THEM ANSWERS THAT THEY SEEK.
I WOULD RATHER ASK THOSE QUESTIONS DIRECTLY MYSELF AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE GETTING IT FROM, FROM THE SOURCE.
THANK YOU, MS. OKAY, MS. HARVEY, JUST, UH, REALLY QUICK.
I I JUST WANT TO, UH, BE CLEAR.
ONE, I AGREE WITH MS. HUMPHREY.
THIS IS NOT AN EITHER OR SITUATION.
THIS IS NOT A SITUATION WHERE QUESTIONS DON'T GET ASKED IMMEDIATELY AFTER A REPORT THAT THEY DON'T GET TO GET ASKED AT ALL.
[04:10:01]
OF LIMITATIONS ON THE TIMEFRAME FROM WHICH A BOARD MEMBER CAN ASK A QUESTION.AND I THINK THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS DEMONSTRATED HER WILLINGNESS, UH, AND HER, UH, DISCIPLINE AROUND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE ACCURATE INFORMATION.
AND, UH, SO I AGREE WITH MS. HUMPHREY THAT, UM, SHOULD WE GO ANOTHER ROUTE FROM THIS MOTION THAT WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO ASK THE SUPERINTENDENT QUESTIONS AND HOW THOSE RESPONSES WOULD BE, UH, DISSEMINATED NOT ONLY TO THE BOARD, BUT TO THE PUBLIC, MS. BOOKER DWYER.
AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S ACCURATE INFORMATION OUT THERE, BECAUSE WHENEVER WE ASK THE SUPERINTENDENT A QUESTION, WE GET A RESPONSE.
WE CAN REQUEST A ONE-ON-ONE AT ANY TIME, AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN DENIED.
THE CONTENT THAT'S IN THAT BOARD REPORT OFTENTIMES IS DISCUSSED IN OTHER MEETINGS, OR IT'S LEADING UP TO IT.
SO THIS IDEA THAT THIS IS THE, THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT IS JUST COMING OUT NOWHERE, UM, IS AN INACCURATE, UM, IT, IT'S JUST ISN'T, IS INACCURATE.
AND SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT, UM, THAT THAT IS CLEAR AND ON THE RECORD.
UM, AND I DO AGREE WITH MS. HUMPHREY AND MS. UM, MS. HARVEY AND, AND MS. YOUNG, LIKE, LET'S DO THIS, UM, IN A THOUGHTFUL WAY.
AND IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WANNA DO, THEN LET'S DO IT IN A THOUGHTFUL WAY.
SO I WILL BE VOTING NO ON THIS MOTION.
DO YOU WANNA SAY ANYTHING YOU WANNA SAY? OKAY.
MR. MCWILLIAMS, I WANNA GO BACK TO THE VIEWING AND LISTENING PUBLIC.
YOU KNOW, WE CAN EMAIL ANY, AND WE CAN REQUEST CONVERSATIONS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT THAT'S JUST IT.
THAT'S ONE-ON-ONE, OR THAT'S AN EMAIL THAT WE GET.
I THINK IT'S THE VIEWING AND THE LISTENING PUBLIC.
THERE'S PEOPLE LISTENING RIGHT NOW, EVEN THOUGH THIS ROOM'S EMPTY, THERE'S PEOPLE LISTENING TO THIS CONVERSATION, AND TO ME, THAT'S CRITICAL THAT THEY GET FEEDBACK, YOU KNOW, RIGHT FROM YOUR STATEMENT, YOU KNOW, FOR WHATEVER YOUR REPORT'S ABOUT, AND YOU CONSTRUCT IT AND, AND I GIVE YOU CREDIT FOR IT, YOU KNOW? UH, BUT I THINK THAT THAT INTERPLAY, THAT ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PUBLIC IS CRITICAL TO ME.
OKAY, LAST COMMENT, MS. LESKI? YEAH.
I CHOSE TO MAKE THE MOTION DIRECTLY BASED ON MS. SEXTON'S SPEECH BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SHE'S REPRESENTING THOUSANDS OF TEACHERS.
AND THE MESSAGE THAT I HEARD FROM HER WAS THAT THEY WANT TO SEE US MORE ENGAGED IN A WAY WHERE THEY CAN HEAR THE ANSWER.
SO JUST, THAT'S WHAT INSPIRED MY MOTION.
MAY WE HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
MS. FONG, I APPRECIATE THE INTENT, BUT DIFFERENT PROCESS.
COULD THIS BE ADDED JUST AS AN AGENDA ITEM FOR ANOTHER MEETING INSTEAD? OKAY.
MS. LESKI? YES, MS. UH, LICHTER NO FAVOR IS FOUR.
ANY OTHER? MS. FONG? YOU HAD A COMMENT BEFORE YOUR HAND WAS UP BEFORE THE MOTION WAS MADE.
UM, SO JUST ALSO WANTED TO SPEAK TO OUR GRADUATION SEASON.
UM, SO WE HAD SPRING GRADUATION SEASON THAT BEGAN ON MAY 20TH WITH OUR FIRST BCPS GRADUATION AT RIDGE ROCKTON, AND IT JUST ENDED THIS PAST FRIDAY ON JUNE 6TH WITH WOODLAWN HIGH SCHOOL.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES AND THEIR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THEM AND POURED INTO THEM TO GET THEIR GRADUATES THIS FAR.
SO, AS THIS CHAPTER OF THEIR LIVES END WITH HIGH SCHOOL, NEW CHAPTER BEGINS NO MATTER WHETHER THEIR GRADUATES ARE ATTENDING TWO OR FOUR YEAR COLLEGES, TRADE SCHOOL, WORKING OR ENTERING THE MILITARY, OR EVEN STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESSES.
SO FOR OUR GRADUATES, YOU HEARD MANY INSPIRING, UM, COMMENTS.
AND JUST TO ADD, I GUESS A LITTLE BIT, UM, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU OR REMIND YOU THAT TRUE DESTINY NEVER REQUIRES YOU TO SACRIFICE WHO YOU ARE.
AND SO, AS YOU HAVE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN LIFE, PLEASE DON'T TWIST YOURSELF INTO SHAPES TO PLEASE OTHERS.
IT'S EVEN IF YOU MAKE MISTAKES, YOU'RE STILL WORTH WORTH IT AND DOING IT YOUR WAY.
SO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND EVEN AMAZE YOURSELF BY DOING BEYOND WHAT YOU THINK YOU COULD OR WOULD DO.
SO MAY YOU LIVE AND LIVE MORE ABUNDANTLY.
AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2025.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE SUMMER GRADUATES IN AUGUST.
[04:15:01]
LAST COMMENTS, MS. STALOWSKI? YEAH, I'M SORRY.I DO HAVE ONE OTHER QUICK THING, BUT I KNOW WE DON'T MEET AGAIN FOR A MONTH.
UM, SO I ALSO WANNA MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DISCUSS THE CENSURE OF MS. DOKI MO TO DISCUSS THE CENSURE RIGHT NOW.
UM, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND THAT, OKAY.
AND YOU WANNA TALK TO YOUR MOTION? UM, YES, PLEASE.
SO I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND, UM, NATIONALLY THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A CENTER OF A BOARD MEMBER FOR THE REASON CITED.
UM, I LOOK AT THIS BOARD, THERE ARE TIMES WE'RE PASSIONATE.
I KNOW MR. MCMILLIAN, HE KIND OF JOKES THAT HE'S ANIMATED.
AND, UM, I, I JUST FEEL IN THE, IN THE PUBLIC EYE RESPECTFULLY, THE, THE OPTICS LOOK TERRIBLE.
AND, UM, I BELIEVE THAT SHE HAS CONDUCTED HERSELF WITH GRACE AND WITH A HUNDRED PERCENT DILIGENCE TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, IF ANYBODY IS WILLING TO SHARE, I, I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND, UM, THE REASONS FOR EITHER YOUR HOLDOUT TO, TO REVOKE THE CENSURE OR FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR REVOKING THE CENSURE.
UM, AGAIN, RESPECTFULLY, I, I REALLY THINK THAT THIS LOOKS, UNFORTUNATELY VERY, UM, POOR ON OUR PART IN THE PUBLIC EYE.
POINT OF ORDER, UM, BEING THAT THIS MATTER IS CURRENTLY, UH, HAS JUST LEGAL ADVICE, IS THIS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE DISCUSSING RIGHT NOW CONSIDERING THE, THE STATUS OF WHERE THIS, UM, WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS IS MS. BOOKER DWYER? I THINK IF YOU WERE ASKING IF WE SHOULD DISCUSS SOME SORT OF STRATEGY RELATED TO THE CASE, I WOULD SAY NO.
UM, IT WAS AT A MEETING NOT THAT LONG AGO, MAYBE THE LAST MEETING, IF I'M RECALLING CORRECTLY, WHILE THE CASE WAS PENDING, THAT A MOTION WAS MADE ON THE TOPIC AND NOBODY HAD A POINTED ORDER AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
AND, AND I DON'T, I I, YOU KNOW, THIS PART OF YOUR MEETING SEEMS TO BE ABOUT OFFERING COMMENTS ABOUT RECENT ACTIVITIES AND, AND THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE SORT OF SELF-GOVERNING THINGS.
IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU ALL ARE COMFORTABLE WITH DOING AND HAVING SOME, SOME DISCUSSION OF TOPICS THAT WEREN'T ON THE AGENDA PRIOR, UH, HEADING INTO THE EVENING, YOU'LL HAVE TO DECIDE THAT.
UM, IT DOES SEEM DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU NORMALLY TALK ABOUT WHEN YOU TALK AT THIS POINT OF YOUR MEETING.
BUT BEYOND THAT, I CAN'T POINT TO A LAW OR RULE THAT SAYS THAT THAT'S AN INAPPROPRIATE COMMENT.
MR. MCMILLIAN, I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.
I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIX SOMETHING AND MAKE IT RIGHT.
AND THEN WE ALL LOOK LIKE WE ALL COME COMMAND THE GOOD GUYS ON THIS.
UM, THIS WAS A, IS THIS A MOTION THAT WE ACTUALLY BE DISCUSSING THIS AGAIN AT THIS POINT? AM I CLEAR ON THAT OR IS IT JUST ASKING THAT? ARE WE YES, I'M MADE THE MOTION TO DISCUSS.
I BELIEVE I CAN'T WORD A MOTION THE SAME WAY AS I MADE IT AT THE LAST MEETING.
SO, UM, YOU KNOW, I'M HAPPY TO AMEND THE MOTION.
SO, SO THE MOTION'S JUST TO DISCUSS, CORRECT? I MEAN, IF, SO, I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE VOTED ON THAT BEFORE WE HAD THE DISCUSSION.
SO, MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
SO, WELL, THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO BE CLEAR, MADAM CHAIR, BECAUSE I WOULD ACTUALLY ASK, I GUESS IF WE'RE MAKING THE MOTIONS THAT AT THIS POINT WE WOULD LAY ON THE TABLE AS FAR AS THIS, SO THAT WE TEMPORARILY POSTPONE THE MOTION FOR LATER CONSIDERATION BECAUSE WE HAVE TALKED AT LENGTH ABOUT THIS IN OPEN AND CLOSED SESSION.
WELL, THAT HER MOTION IS TO DISCUSS.
SO RIGHT NOW, WE'LL VOTE WHETHER WE WANT TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER.
[V. ANNOUNCEMENTS (10:00 p.m.)]
THE AGENDA IS ANNOUNCEMENTS.THE BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL VIRTUAL MEETING FOR PERSONAL MATTERS, FOR PERSONAL MATTERS ONLY ON TUESDAY, JUNE 24TH, 2025 AT 6:30 PM THE BOARD'S NEXT FULL MEETING WILL BE ON TUESDAY, JULY 8TH, 2025 AT 6:30 PM THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.