Jan 13, 2026 Board of Education Meeting

SOON.

[00:00:01]

I CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 13TH, 2026.

THIS EVENING'S BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING IS BEING BROADCAST THROUGH THE BCPS ONLINE LIVE MEETING BROADCAST AND ON BCPS TV, COMCAST XFINITY, CHANNEL 1 0 7 3 AND VERIZON FIOS, CHANNEL 34.

IN ORDER TO EFFICIENTLY CONDUCT THIS MEETING, ALL VOTING ITEMS THIS EVENING WILL BE DONE BY ROLL CALL VOTE.

MAY I HAVE A MOTION

[A. CLOSED SESSION]

CONSULT WITH COUNSEL TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE AND CONSULT WITH STAFF, CONSULTANTS OR OTHER INDIVIDUALS ABOUT PENDING OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION.

SO MOVES LESKI.

THANK YOU.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND DOKI.

THANK YOU.

MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE PLEASE.

MS. HE? YES.

MS. FONG.

MS. HARVEY? YES.

MS. ABE? YES.

MS. LESKI? YES.

DR.

SAVOY? YES.

MR. MCMILLIAN? YES.

MS. POEY.

MR. YOUNG? YES.

MS. DOKI? YES.

MS. LICHTER? YES.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING.

THIS IS CHAIRWOMAN JANE LICHTER.

I NOW CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 13TH, 2026.

I INVITE YOU TO RECITE

[B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/SILENT MEDITATION (6:30 p.m.)]

WE'LL THEN HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND RECOGNITION OF THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED EDUCATION IN BALTIMORE COUNTY, ANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU.

TONIGHT'S BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING IS BEING BROADCAST THROUGH THE BCPS ONLINE LIVE MEETING BROADCAST AND ON BCPS TV, XFINITY CHANNEL 1 0 7 3 AND VERIZON FIOS, CHANNEL 34.

IN ORDER TO EFFICIENTLY CONDUCT THIS MEETING, ALL VOTING ITEMS THIS EVENING WILL BE DONE BY ROLL CALL VOTE.

THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA

[C. AGENDA (6:35 p.m.)]

ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO TONIGHT'S AGENDA, MR. YOUNG? YES.

MR. LICHTER.

I MOVE TO ADD CONTRACT RBE DASH 8 0 2 DASH 26 EDGEMERE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DEED OF EASEMENT TO THE, TO THE AGENDA AS ITEM L 24.

THANK YOU.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND ESKI.

THANK YOU.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.

MS. HEM? YES.

MS. HARVEY? YES.

MS. OOBE? YES.

MS. LESKI? YES.

DR.

SAVOY? YES.

MR. MCMILLIAN? YES.

MS. HUMPHREY? YES.

MR. YOUNG? YES.

MS. DOKI? YES.

MS. LICHTER? YES.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THE REVISED AGENDA IS APPROVED AND THE AGENDA STANDS AS NOW PRESENTED EARLIER THIS EVENING.

THE BOARD MET ENCLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT ASSIGNMENT, PROMOTION, DISCIPLINE, DEMOTION, COMPENSATION, REMOVAL, RESIGNATION OR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF APPOINTEES, EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS OVER WHOM IT HAS JURISDICTION OR ANY OTHER PERSONNEL MATTER THAT AFFECTS ONE OR MORE SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS.

CONSULT WITH COUNSEL TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE AND CONSULT WITH STAFF, CONSULTANTS OR OTHER INDIVIDUALS ABOUT PENDING OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION.

THE CLOSED SESSION SUMMARY AND THE OPEN SESSION INFORMATION SUMMARY CAN BE FOUND ON BOARD DOCS UNDER THE BOARD MEETING AGENDA DATE.

THE NEXT ITEM ON

[D. NEW BUSINESS - PERSONNEL MATTERS (Mr. McCall) (6:45 - 6:50 p.m.)]

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD

[00:05:01]

CHAIR, TER, VICE CHAIR, HARVEY, SUPERINTENDENT, DR. ROGERS AND MEMBER BOARD.

I'D LIKE THE BOARD'S CONSENT FOR THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL MATTERS.

TONIGHT WE HAVE RETIREMENTS, RESIGNATIONS, LEAVES, AND EDUCATOR LICENSURE APPOINTMENTS.

THANK YOU.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL MATTERS AS PRESENTED IN EXHIBITS D ONE THROUGH D FOUR? SO MOVE YOUNG.

THANK YOU.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND, HARVEY.

THANK YOU.

ANY DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE PLEASE.

MS. HE? YES.

MS. HARVEY? YES.

MS. OOBE? YES.

MR. LUKI? YES.

DR.

SAVOY? YES.

MR. MCMILLIAN? YES.

MS. EY? YES.

MR. YOUNG? YES.

MR. ROMANOWSKI? YES.

MS. TER? YES.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT ITEM IS

[E. PUBLIC COMMENT (6:50 - 7:20 p.m.)]

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 THIS BOARD AND THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM, THIS IS NOT THE PROPER FORM TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC STUDENT OR EMPLOYEE MATTERS OR TO COMMENT ON MATTERS THAT DO NOT RELATE TO PUBLIC EDUCATION IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.

INAPPROPRIATE PERSONAL REMARKS OR OTHER BEHAVIORS SUCH AS LANGUAGE THAT PROMOTES VIOLENCE AGAINST A-B-C-P-S EMPLOYEE OR THAT DISRUPTS OR INTERFERES WITH THE CONDUCT OF THIS MEETING ARE OUT OF ORDER AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

PERSONS WHO OTHERWISE DISRUPT OR DISTURB THIS MEETING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE THEIR REMARKS AND WILL BE ESCORTED FROM THE MEETING.

PLEASE OBSERVE THE THREE MINUTE CLOCK, WHICH WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP.

THE MICROPHONE WILL BE TURNED OFF AT THE END OF YOUR TIME OR PRIOR TO THE TIME AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD CHAIR.

AT THIS TIME, WE WILL START WITH SCHOOL SYSTEM AFFILIATED GROUPS AND OUR SPEAKER IS MS. LESLIE WEBER FROM OUR PTA COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, AND I BELIEVE SHE IS VIRTUAL.

MS. WEBER.

YES, I'M HERE.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? HI.

YES.

GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING, CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS AND DR. ROGERS.

I'M LESLIE WEBER, PRESIDENT OF THE PTA COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, A COUNTY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING FEATURING TESTIMONY ON ICE AND TWO BILLS TO SUPPORT AND PROTECT.

OUR IMMIGRANT MIXED STATUS COMMUNITY IS TAKING PLACE TONIGHT, THE CHAIR OF OUR JUSTICE EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE, EDWIN PEREZ, WHO OFTEN TESTIFIES BEFORE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION REGISTERED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF PTA COUNCIL BILL 97 25 WOULD ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS AND A PERMANENT CHIEF OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS BILL 98 25.

THE TRUST ACT WOULD ENSURE THAT COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND POLICE FOCUS ON PUBLIC SAFETY RATHER THAN CIVIL IMMIGRATION STATUS.

NATIONAL PTA RECOGNIZES THAT THE SEPARATION OF CHILDREN FROM THEIR FAMILIES OR THE LOOMING THREAT OF IT CREATES TOXIC STRESS AND TRAUMA THAT CAUSE LIFELONG HARM TO A CHILD'S BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.

MANY OF US ARE AWARE THAT A NUMBER OF BCPS PARENTS FEAR SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, WHICH IS A TRAGEDY.

THESE BILLS ARE ABOUT DIGNITY, SAFETY, AND EQUITY.

THEY ENSURE THAT BALTIMORE COUNTY IS A PLACE WHERE EVERY STUDENT, REGARDLESS OF THEIR FAMILY STATUS, CAN REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

NATIONAL PTA'S POSITION, RIGHTS AND SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN IMMIGRANTS AND MIXED STATUS FAMILIES ASSERTS THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO A QUALITY EDUCATION.

ADEQUATE FOOD AND HEALTHCARE NATIONAL PTA RECENTLY SHARED IMPORTANT KNOW YOUR RIGHTS RESOURCES WITH MEMBERS.

THESE WERE RESOURCES FROM THE NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER AND CENTER FOR LAW AND SOCIAL POLICY, EXPLAINED THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS WHO ARE BEING APPREHENDED AND DETAINED RESOURCES FROM THE IMMIGRANT FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM AT THE INSTITUTE FOR JUVENILE RESEARCH.

DETAIL HOW FAMILIES CAN TALK TO THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

AS NOTED IN THE NATIONAL PTA INFORMATION SHARED WITH MEMBERS, NATIONAL PTA URGES EVERYONE TO TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT POLICIES, THE SUPPORT OF SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL FAMILIES AND STUDENTS, INCLUDING STUDENTS IN IMMIGRANT AND MIXED STATUS FAMILIES.

WE'RE HAPPY TO SHARE NATIONAL PTA'S POSITION AND RESOURCE RESOURCES WITH ANYONE.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MS. WEBER.

OUR NEXT CATEGORY ARE OUR UNIONS, AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS MR. BILLY BURKE FROM CASE WHO IS ALSO VIRTUAL.

GOOD EVENING CHAIR, MRS. LICHTER, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT DR. ROGERS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU ON BEHALF OF CASE.

[00:10:01]

WE ARE UNDER NO ILLUSIONS REGARDING THE FISCAL CLIMATE FACING OUR COUNTY.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE BUDGET BEFORE YOU REQUIRES MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICES THAT DEFINE LEADERSHIP CASES ALWAYS SOUGHT TO BE A PARTNER IN THESE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS.

IN FACT, JUST LAST YEAR, OUR MEMBERS STOOD IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE SYSTEM BY SIGNING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO DELAY PAY INCREASES UNTIL JANUARY.

WE DID THAT WITH ONE GOAL IN MIND TO PROTECT THE POSITIONS AND LIVELIHOODS OF OUR CASE MEMBERS AND TO PREVENT THE VERY CUTS WE ARE DISCUSSING TONIGHT.

HOWEVER, AS WE LOOK AT THE FY 27 COST SAVING BUDGET, WE MUST BE HONEST ABOUT THE HUMAN COST OF THESE EFFICIENCIES.

THE PROPOSAL TO REDUCE 524.6 POSITIONS, INCLUDING OVER 324 DUE TO STAFFING FORMULA CHANGES, 40 ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS POSITIONS AND 36 CENTRAL OFFICE POSITIONS REACHES DEEP INTO THE HEART OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES.

WHILE THESE ARE PRESENTED AS FISCAL ADJUSTMENTS, THEY WILL BE FELT AS SERVICE ADJUSTMENTS BY THE MOST IMPORTANT CLIENTS.

WE SERVE OUR STUDENTS.

WHEN THESE CUTS TAKE EFFECT, THE ENVIRONMENT CHANGES.

FEWER STAFF MEMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE CRITICAL SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS AT THE CAR LINES AND IN THE HALLWAYS DURING ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL.

WE MUST ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT 36 CENTRAL OFFICE POSITIONS BEING CUT REPRESENT A LOSS OF THE VITAL EXPERT BACKBONE OF OUR DISTRICT.

THESE INDIVIDUALS PROVIDE THE SPECIALIZED CURRICULUM SUPPORT, LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS THAT ALLOW, THAT ALLOW OUR SCHOOL-BASED ADMINISTRATORS TO FOCUS ON THEIR BUILDINGS.

SOME CASE MEMBERS WERE CALLED TO HR MEETINGS TODAY.

I CAN ONLY ASSUME THE REASSIGNMENTS HAVE BEGUN.

WHEN CENTRAL OFFICES THINNED, THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN INEVITABLY SHIFTS BACK TO OUR PRINCIPALS AND APS REDUCING 40 ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS PLACE AS PLACES AN IMMENSE BURDEN ON THE REMAINING ADMINISTRATORS WHO ARE ALREADY WORKING AT CAPACITY TO ENSURE SAFETY AND INSTRUCTIONAL EXCELLENCE.

BEYOND THE LOGISTICS, OUR ADMINISTRATORS WILL SPEND THE COMING MONTHS AS THE PRIMARY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF ENTERING THE PRIORITY TRANSFER PROCESS TO MITIGATE THE INSTABILITY OF THE THIS, THAT THIS CAUSES CASES MAKING A FORMAL REQUEST TO THE BOARD TONIGHT, AS ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS AND CENTRAL OFFICE CASE MEMBERS ARE REASSIGNED DUES TO THESE CUTS, WE REQUEST THAT NO NEW HIRES EITHER INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL BE MADE UNTIL EVERY SINGLE IMPACTED CASE MEMBER HAS BEEN PLACED IN EITHER A PROMOTIONAL OR LATERAL POSITION.

WE MUST PRIORITIZE THE TALENT AND DEDICATION OF THOSE ALREADY SERVING BCPS BEFORE LOOKING ELSEWHERE.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE CUTS ARE UNAVOIDABLE.

HOWEVER, WE ADVOCATE TONIGHT FOR THE MEMBERS OF CASE WHO WILL BEAR THE BRUNT OF THESE REDUCTIONS WE PROVED LAST YEAR THROUGH OUR MOU THERE THAT WE ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE TO SAVE JOBS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP.

THANK YOU MR. BURKE.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER FOR UNIONS IS MS. KELLY OLDS FROM TABCO.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU.

CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, DR. ROGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATE THAT THE BUDGET PRESENTED YESTERDAY INCLUDES THE FUNDING FOR THE THIRD YEAR OF OUR BILATERAL WAGE AGREEMENT.

I PARTICULARLY APPRECIATE TREATING OUR BILATERAL WAGE AGREEMENTS AS FIXED COSTS.

WE AGREED TO A THREE YEAR CONTRACT SO WE COULD SPEND TIME FOCUSING EFFORTS ON INITIATIVES THAT ADVANCE STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND SCHOOLS AWAY FROM THE BAR, AND THAT IS WHERE WE TURN OUR ATTENTION NOW.

THESE CUTS ARE TOO DEEP.

WE ARE CONCERNED THEY WILL BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE GAINS OUR EDUCATORS HAVE HELPED WIN WITH OUR STUDENTS.

WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO CURB THEIR SCOPE, SIZE, AND IMPACT.

THE REASON I SAY WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THESE CUTS INSTEAD OF SOMETHING MORE DEFINITIVE IS BECAUSE WE ALSO CALL FOR ADDITIONAL TRANSPARENCY AROUND THESE CUTS.

TO HAVE THE PUBLIC DISCUSSION ABOUT CUTS AND LOSSES, THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW FULLY WHAT IS PLANNED.

THE MORE THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING OUR COUNTY LEADERS AT THE COURTHOUSE IN TOWSON, UNDERSTAND WHAT COULD BE LOST.

THE MORE WE CAN TOGETHER WORK TO INCREASE COUNTY FUNDING TO REDUCE THE POTENTIAL HARMS THAT WOULD FALL UPON OUR STUDENTS.

IN MY 22 YEARS AT LANS ZONE HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAD YEARS WITH LARGE CUTS, PAINFUL CUTS TO OUR FACULTY.

THE YEARS AFTER THOSE CUTS, MORALE WAS IMPACTED.

STUDENTS LOST ACCESS TO THE ADULTS AND RESOURCES THEY NEEDED.

CLASS SIZES GREW

[00:15:01]

SORRY, I HAVE TO TURN THE PAGE.

IT'S GOT STUCK.

.

IT LIMITED EDUCATORS TO WORK IN SMALL GROUPS.

IT LIMITED EDUCATOR'S ABILITY TO WORK IN SMALL GROUPS WITH LEARNERS AND REDUCED THE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION.

THAT CAN BE THE TRUE CATALYST FOR LEARNING.

I'VE ALSO SEEN WHEN FORMER STUDENTS COME BACK TO THE SCHOOL TO SEE A BELOVED EDUCATOR THAT IS PARTICULARLY HEARTBREAKING WHEN THEY FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED BECAUSE OF CUTS.

IT REDUCES COMMUNITY CONTINUITY AND WORKS AGAINST THE, AND WORKS AGAINST THE GAINS IN CULTURES OUTTA SCHOOL.

ALL OF THIS IS TO SAY THE WORK NOW IS TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THESE CUTS.

I'VE SAID IT HERE BEFORE I'VE SAID IT TO ANY OF YOU THAT I'VE MET WITH AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN.

NOW LET'S WORK TOGETHER TRANSPARENTLY WITH OUR CARDS ON THE TABLE TO CALL FOR MORE THAN 2% OVER MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT AT THE BUDGET BUDGET RELEASE EVENT.

YESTERDAY, DR. ROGERS TALKED ABOUT THE LOSS OF OVER 2000 STUDENTS FROM OUR SYSTEM.

WE SHARE THE CONCERN WITH STUDENT LOSS AND FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WE MUST MAINTAIN RESOURCES IN OUR SCHOOLS TO CONTINUE TO MAKE BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THE BEST PLACE TO EDUCATE CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU, .

THANK YOU, .

OUR NEXT CATEGORY ARE NONPROFIT COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS MARIETTA ENGLISH FROM THE BALTIMORE COUNTY NAACP CP.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

CHAIR LECTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS.

MY NAME IS MARIETTA ENGLISH AND I'M CHAIR OF AXO AND THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE FOR THE BALTIMORE COUNTY BRANCH OF THE NAACP.

THE BALTIMORE COUNTY BRANCH OF THE NAACP REPRESENTS THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND OUR MEMBERSHIP IS FAR AND WIDE AND I'M HAPPY TO BE BACK AFTER SUFFERING FROM A FALL AND THE FLU.

IF YOU NOTICE, I HAVEN'T BEEN HERE, SO I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND DR. ROGERS AND THE STAFF OF BCPS ON HAVING HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE TOP 50 IN THE STATE, INCLUDING PIKESVILLE WHERE MY GRANDDAUGHTER ATTENDS AND WILL BE GRADUATING IN MAY.

AND THIS IS A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND DR. ROGERS AND THE BOARD AND ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET YESTERDAY.

THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF BALTIMORE COUNTY ARE OUTSTANDING.

YOU HAVE MANAGED TO DO A LOT WITH A LITTLE BIT.

I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE LABOR AGREEMENTS WILL BE MET.

THIS IS HUGE IN THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT.

I KNOW IT WAS DIFFICULT, BUT YOUR INCLUSIONS OF ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS HOLDERS AS YOU DEVELOP THIS BUDGET IS TO BE COMMENDED.

I ALSO SAID AS ON SOME OF THE COMMITTEES AS A, AS WE, WHAT OUR BUDGET PRIORITIES WOULD BE.

WE DON'T ALWAYS GET WHAT WE WANT.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE ESSENTIALS THAT WILL HELP US AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

WE WILL BE SUPPORTING YOU IN ANNAPOLIS AS WE FIGHT FOR MORE FUNDING FOR OUR SCHOOLS.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE THE GROWTH OF OUR STUDENTS.

WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED WITH JUST A LITTLE IS AMAZING.

I WANNA, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF AXO.

I'M SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS IN AXO WHO PARTICIPATE ARE ENRICHED BY THEIR EXPERIENCES IN THE SCHOOLS AND HELP US MOVE FORWARD.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS AND THE BOARD AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE FEELING BETTER.

THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JACOB GERDING FROM THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIANS AND ALSO VIRTUAL MR. GERDING.

UM, GOOD EVENING, UH, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS.

MY NAME IS JACOB GERDING.

I AM THE PRESIDENT OF ACT AS WELL AS THE ADVOCACY CHAIR FOR THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL.

LIBRARIANS.

MASLOW'S SUBMISSION IS TO ENSURE EVERY MARYLAND STUDENT HAS EQUITABLE ACCESS TO A HIGH QUALITY SCHOOL LIBRARY PROGRAM WHILE BEING TEACHERS OF RECORD FOR UP TO TWO CLASSES A DAY IS LESS THAN IDEAL.

WE APPRECIATE THAT BCPS HAS WORKED TO RETAIN SECONDARY LIBRARY POSITIONS IN THIS BUDGET.

THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE

[00:20:01]

A CENTRAL STRATEGY IN THE BCPS BLUEPRINT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN IS THE INTEGRATION OF PROJECT BASED LEARNING.

PBL CANNOT SUCCEED IN A VACUUM.

IT REQUIRES AN INSTRUCTIONAL ENGINE, A SPECIALIST WHO CAN COLLABORATE ACROSS DEPARTMENTS TO TEACH STUDENTS HOW TO CONSTRUCT MEME FROM COMPLEX RESEARCH.

A SECONDARY LIBRARIAN IS THAT ENGINE.

WHEN A LIBRARIAN IS, UM, A TEACHER OF RECORD, YOU SHUT DOWN THE PBL HUB FOR AN ENTIRE SCHOOL BUILDING DURING THOSE HOURS.

WE RECOGNIZE IN THIS MOMENT THE IMMENSE STAFFING PRESSURES FACING BCPS.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN, IN A FISCAL CRISIS, SCHEDULING A LIBRARIAN TO TEACH TWO CLASSES A DAY IS A NECESSARY COMPROMISE.

HOWEVER, MAZEL MUST BE CLEAR THIS IS NOT AN IDEAL SOLUTION AND GOING FORWARD, IT SHOULD NOT BECOME A LONG TERM STRATEGY.

BY MAKING LIBRARIANS TEACHERS OF RECORD, YOU ADD THE ADMINISTRATIVE WEIGHT OF GRADE TESTING AND CONFERENCES TO A SPECIALIST WHO IS ALREADY TASKED WITH MANAGING A SCHOOL-WIDE DIGITAL COLLECTION AND MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE WITH THE FREEDOM TO READ ACT.

MAZEL URGES THE BOARD TO COMMIT TO A SUNSET FOR THIS STRATEGY AND TO PROTECT THE FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING THAT MAKES SECONDARY LIBRARIES WORK.

DO NOT AVAIL A PREMIER DISTRICT TO CREATE LIBRARY DESERTS IN OUR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS.

THAT'S ENSURED THAT THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE REMAINS A PLAN FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE WITH FLEXIBLY SCHEDULED LIBRARIANS AND PROGRAMS, UH, THAT BY CERTIFIED LIBRARIANS THEY HAVE PROVEN RECORDS FOR IMPROVING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT CATEGORY ARE INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS OR STUDENTS, AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS SHARON SOFF.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

I HOPE YOU CAN HEAR ME WITH THIS ON BECAUSE I DON'T WANNA SPREAD WHAT I HAVE.

UM, I'M SHARON SOFF, UM, AND I AM A SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATE THAT'S BEEN WORKING WITH THIS COUNTY FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

UM, AND I SAW A HEADLINE THIS MORNING THAT GREATLY CONCERNED ME ABOUT INCREASING CLASS SIZE TO 25 STUDENTS PER TEACHER.

I DEAL WITH TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL ED ON A DAILY BASIS AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COMES UP A LOT IS CLASS SIZE CAME UP THIS MORNING AT A MEETING WHERE A CONCERNED PARENT WAS SAYING, WELL, WHAT DO I DO? I HAVE OF MY CHILD IN A CLASS OF 26 KIDS AND SHE'S IN KINDERGARTEN.

26 KIDS IN A KINDERGARTEN CLASS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING.

BUT MY OTHER ALTERNATIVE IS TAKE HER OFF DIPLOMA TRACK BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A LOT OF THE IN BETWEEN.

WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO KEEP STUDENTS IN SMALLER CLASSES BECAUSE OUR TEACHERS ARE ALREADY OVERBURDENED.

THEY HAVE FEWER RESOURCES AND I CAN TELL YOU HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO GET ASSISTANCE, AIDES, PARAS, WHATEVER YOU WANNA CALL THEM, INTO CLASSROOMS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY WHEN THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY IN OTHER DISTRICTS.

YOU CAN'T HAND, YOU CAN'T HANDLE 25 KIDS IN A KINDERGARTEN CLASS WHEN YOU HAVE IEPS FOR BEHAVIOR FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

IT'S JUST NOT A WORKABLE SITUATION AND I AM GETTING SO MANY PHONE CALLS FROM PARENTS WITH YOUNGER KIDS THIS YEAR THAT I AM LITERALLY TURNING PEOPLE AWAY.

I CANNOT HANDLE THAT KIND OF A CASELOAD.

WE KNOW OUR SPECIAL ED STAFF HAS BEEN OVERBURDENED FOR A WHILE.

WE HAVE FEWER SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPISTS, FEWER SPECIAL ED TEACHERS.

WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO NOT

[00:25:01]

SO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD RECONSIDER THAT CLASS SIZE.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

AND WE HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER TOO.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS STACY NUNN.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

CHAIR LICHTER TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS AND TO DR.

UM ROGERS SUPERINTENDENT, DR. ROGERS.

MY NAME IS STACY NUNN.

I'M A LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST AT SOUTHWEST ACADEMY WHO IS ENTHUSIASTIC AND PROUD OF THIS TIRELESS WORK LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY.

THIS EVENING I VOLUNTEERED TO SPEAK FOR SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALISTS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY AS A UNIFIED VOICE TO AFFIRM THE CRITICAL INSTRUCTIONAL ROLE OF CERTIFIED LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALISTS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR POSITION.

WE'VE ALL SEEN THE BREAKDOWN OF BLUE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE AND WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH COMAR OF COURSE, BUT TONIGHT I AM POINTING OUT DIRECTLY TO BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, UM, POLICY 6,200.

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY RECOGNIZES THAT THE SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTERS PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PRINT AND DIGITAL RESOURCES ESSENTIAL TO 21ST CENTURY LEARNING, UM, TEACHING AND LEARNING THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT SCHOOL.

LIBRARIANS UPHOLD THIS POLICY DAILY BY SUSTAINING INCLUSIVE RESOURCE RICH LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT SUPPORT BOTH STUDENTS AND STAFF.

IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE POLICY.

LIBRARIANS COLLABORATE AND CO-TEACH WITH CLASSROOM TEACHERS TO INTEGRATE INFORMATION LITERACY RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SKILLS AND CONTENT AREA INSTRUCTION.

IN ADDITION TO THESE CORE RESPONSIBILITIES, LIBRARIANS MANAGE COMPREHENSIVE LIBRARY PROGRAMS THAT ENCOMPASS COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT, DIGITAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, STUDENT ACCESS, INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT, AND SCHOOL-WIDE LITERACY INITIATIVES.

THESE DUTIES ARE FOUNDATIONAL TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND REQUIRE SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION.

COLLECTIVELY, BALTIMORE COUNTY LIBRARIANS REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT INSTRUCTIONAL WORKFORCE.

OUR STRENGTH LIES IN NUMBERS.

IT ALSO LIES IN OUR SHARED EXPERTISE AND THE CONSISTENT IMPACT OF SCHOOLS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE SCOPE OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES ASSIGNED TO THE LIBRARIANS HAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE TEACH THE TEACHING OF TWO ADDITIONAL COURSES OUTSIDE OF OUR CERTIFIED CONTENT AREA.

AS A RESULT, LIBRARY PROGRAM DATA, INCLUDING INSTRUCTIONAL REACH, COLLABORATION AND ACCESS METRICS, HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED.

DESPITE THESE MEASURABLE EFFECTS, SCHOOL LIBRARIANS HAVE MET THIS CHALLENGE WITH PROFESSIONALISM, ADAPTABILITY, AND CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS.

WE RAISE THESE DATA INFORMED CONSIDERATIONS TO ADVOCATE FOR THOUGHTFUL ALIGNMENT BETWEEN POLICY, PRACTICE AND STAFFING WHILE LIBRARIANS CONTINUE TO MEET THE EXPANDED EXPECTATIONS.

UM, SUSTAINING HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION, UM, AND EQUITABLE ACCESS AT SCALE REQUIRES INTENTIONAL SUPPORT.

IN ADDITION TO MAINTAINING OUR POSITIONS, ALIGNING WORKLOAD AND NON CERTI CERTIFICATE INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS, WE WANT TO BE REASSURED THAT UM, BALTIMORE COUNTY SCHOOL LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MAKITA SCOTT, WHO IS VIRTUAL MS. SCOTT.

YES.

HI, GOOD EVENING.

CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? YES.

GREAT.

GOOD EVENING, CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT ROGERS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS EVENING.

I AM HERE TO FOLLOW UP ON THE PRESENTATION DELIVERED TO THE EQUITY COMMITTEE AND A LETTER I SENT TO THE FULL BOARD REGARDING THE EQUITY COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 OPERATING BUDGET.

THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GROUNDED IN EQUITY CENTERED SOLUTIONS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL SO THAT BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CAN CREATE A SYSTEM WHERE ALL STUDENTS THRIVE.

AT THE TIME OF THE PRESENTATION, THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

IT HAS SINCE BEEN UPLOADED TO BOARD DOCS AND I URGE ALL BOARD MEMBERS TO REVIEW IT IN FULL.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS REFLECT THE COLLECTIVE WORK OF THE EQUITY COUNCIL, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PARENTS AND EDUCATORS WHOSE

[00:30:01]

THIS WAS THOUGHTFUL, RIGOROUS, WORK ROOTED IN THE REAL NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE FULL BOARD'S DISCUSSION ON HOW THESE RECOMMENDATIONS CAN BE MEANINGFULLY CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET.

OUR EXPECTATION IS NOT SIMPLY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BUT TRANSPARENT COMMUNICATION REGARDING FEASIBILITY NEXT STEPS AND TIMELINES.

EQUITY REQUIRES FOLLOW THROUGH AND WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BOARD TO ADVANCE THIS WORK.

I WOULD ALSO WANT LIKE TO REQUEST AN UPDATE REGARDING THE BOARD'S REQUIRED ANTI-BIAS TRAINING FOR BOARD MEMBERS.

SENATE BILL 2 93 REQUIRES DUE TO BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS TO COMPLETE ANTI-BIAS TRAINING AT LEAST ONCE DURING THEIR TERM.

THIS REQUIREMENT TOOK EFFECT ON JULY 1ST, 2025.

AT THIS TIME, WE ARE REQUESTING WRITTEN COMMUNICATION FROM BOARD LEADERSHIP OUTLINING WHEN THIS TRAINING WILL BEGIN AND WHEN IT WILL BE COMPLETED.

THIS IS A MATTER OF BOTH COMPLIANCE AND LEADERSHIP.

FINALLY, I'M REQUESTING AN UPDATE ON THE POLICY INTRODUCED BY MS. EY AT THE PRC COMMITTEE MEETING ON APRIL 1ST, 2025, DRAFTED BY TABCO AND CASA.

THIS POLICY WAS INTENDED TO PROVIDE CLEAR GUIDANCE TO STAFF REGARDING PARENTAL CONSENT FOR THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION AND ACCESS TO KNOW YOUR RIGHTS RESOURCES.

IF THE BOARD DOES NOT PLAN TO ADOPT THIS POLICY, WE ASK, UH, REQUEST A CLEAR EXPLANATION OF THAT DECISION AND INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT POLICY WILL BE USED IN ITS PLACE.

OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY REALLY DESERVE CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY, SO WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR ATTENTION TO THESE MATTERS.

AND WE AS THE EQUITY COUNCIL, LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUED DIALOGUE AND CONCRETE ACTION IN THE INTEREST OF EQUITY, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TEAM.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS RAMONA BA.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING, GOOD 2026.

I WOULD SAY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

UM, BUT BASED ON EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE HEARD, THERE'S A LOT OF CONSTERNATION, THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGITIMATE CONCERNS, THERE ARE A LOT OF PAIN.

UM, SO I WILL SAY, UM, GOOD 2026 AND WE HOPE THAT IT'S A BETTER, A BETTER YEAR FOR EVERYONE.

UM, MANY OF YOU KNOW ME IN MY CONNECTION WITH THE PTA COUNCIL.

I COME TODAY WEARING MY OTHER HAT AND THAT'S A VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR AND A MEMBER OF SEVERAL NATIONAL VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING AMERICORPS, A FORMER ORGANIZATION CALLED THE CAMPUS OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY LEAGUE, THE CORPORATE VOLUNTEER COUNCIL OF UNITED WAY.

I COME IN SUPPORT OF POLICY NUMBER 1260 REGARDING VOLUNTEERS AND OFFER SOME, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A TIME TO DO THAT 'CAUSE I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE AGENDA.

UM, BUT TO OFFER SOME SUGGESTIONS AND SOME FEEDBACK ON HOW WE CAN LOOK AT VOLUNTEERS IN A NEW, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT STAFFING AND BUDGET SITUATION.

I'VE LIVED LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THIS IS NOT NEW WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH, AND I'VE LIVED LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT THERE'S TALENT, THERE'RE VOLUNTEERS, AND FOR SOME OF MY CRITICS WE'RE NOT SAYING HAVE VOLUNTEERS INSTEAD OF STAFF, TEACHERS AND WORKERS.

WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS THERE'S A NEW LOOK THAT WE HAVE TO PRESENT ON VOLUNTEERS.

FIRST REGARDING THE POLICY.

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE INCLUDE A STATEMENT ABOUT NONPROFITS AS A PART OF THAT.

SECONDLY, THE POLICY IS WRITTEN, FOCUSES ALMOST ENTIRELY ON TRAINING AND WHAT WE ARE SUGGESTING, WHAT I'M SUGGESTING IS THAT WE INCLUDE A STATEMENT THAT RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERS FROM A YOUTH VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION PERSPECTIVE.

ACCORDING TO UNITED STATES SENSORS, VOLUNTEERISM IS RISING.

UM, 16 YEAR OLDS AND ABOVE ARE DOING A LOT OF SERVICE.

75 MILLION PEOPLE ARE VOLUNTEERING.

THE MAJORITY OF IT COMES FROM MILLENNIALS.

AS WE THINK ABOUT VOLUNTEERISM, LET'S HAVE A POLICY AND I WOULD OFFER THAT WE ADD A B THAT WILL PROVIDE RECOGNITION FOR MEANINGFUL STRUCTURED STUDENT YOUTH VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS. AND I WOULD ALSO ADD A THANK YOU AND MY C WOULD BE TO ADD A RECOGNITION COMPONENT.

AND I'M USING THIS AS A VERY PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU BECAUSE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO I WAS SELECTED ONE OF YOUR VOLUNTEER CHAMPIONS.

I HOLD THAT AWARD OUT OFTEN.

MY GRANDSON SAYS, WHY? I SAID, BECAUSE IT REMINDS ME THAT I'M NOT FINISHED.

SO THOSE ARE

[00:35:01]

AND IN ADDITION TO IMPLEMENTATION, IT SAYS DIRECTOR, SUPERINTENDENT TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICY, EXCUSE ME, ADDRESS RESPIRATORY ISSUES.

UM, I WOULD SAY ADD RULE 20, RULE 1260 BECAUSE IF I'M LOOKING AT THIS THE FIRST TIME, THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ME TO GET MORE INFORMATION.

THANK YOU.

WE HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER TOO.

OUR LAST SPEAKER IS, UM, BS FARONE.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

UH, HAPPY FOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, I HOPE.

UM, PLEASE READ MY LETTER TO YOU.

I SEND MY EMAIL.

IT'S LENGTHY.

UM, I WANT TO FOCUS ON TWO POINTS.

I READ, UH, THE GOOD JOB THAT THE, UH, UH, THE WEBSITE HAS PORTRAYED THE STUDENTS.

SO A FEW DAYS AGO, BASICALLY THE FRONT PAGE TALKS ABOUT OUR STUDENTS AND WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED IN THE YEAR 2025.

AND IT'S AN INTERVIEW IF YOU DIDN'T SEE IT WITH, UH, ABOUT 15 OR MAYBE 20 STUDENTS.

SO THE FIRST PERSON SAID, WHAT ACCOMPLISHED IN YEAR 2025 SAID, LEARNING MUSIC.

THE SECOND STUDENT SAID, I WAS ACCEPTED IN COLLEGE.

THAT'S GREAT.

THE THIRD ONE SAID, I GOT A JOB.

THE FOURTH ONE SAID I PASSED SAT.

THE FIFTH ONE SAID, I GOT RID OF BAD FRIENDS.

THE SIXTH ONE SAID, I DO NOT KNOW.

THE SEVENTH ONE SAID, FINALLY I CAN MAKE MONEY.

THE F1 SAID, FINALLY, I CAN GROW A GOATEE.

THE NEXT ONE SAID, I GOT A NEW CAR.

AND THE LAST ONE VERY IMPRESSIVE.

I FINALLY MADE IT TO THE END OF THE YEAR.

SO AS AN OBSERVER, IT'S A GOOD JOB DONE BY THE MEDIA DEPARTMENT, BUT IT REALLY SHOWS THE LOW BAR THAT IS SET BY THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT AND THE PREVIOUS ONES.

STUDENTS PORTRAY THAT THEIR ASPIRATIONS ARE LOW.

NOBODY SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT IN DOING RESEARCH OR ACCEPTING ACCEPTED IN HOPKINS OR UNIVERSITY OR RESEARCH INSTITUTION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S ABOUT MAKING MONEY.

IT'S ABOUT GOATEE MUSIC, ET CETERA.

AND I, I THINK IF YOU ADD THAT TO THE, UM, SMALL AMOUNT OF IMPROVEMENT THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS MADE, WHICH I TALKED ABOUT, THE SYSTEM IS NOT REALLY SET FOR PROGRESS.

THANK YOU.

I KNOW THREE MINUTES JUST FLIES BY .

THE NEXT ITEM

[F. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT (7:20 - 7:25 p.m.)]

THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING, CHAIR LICHTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

UM, AT THIS TIME, THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM HAS, UH, PROVIDED A PREVIEW OF THE BUDGET PRESENTATION.

UM, ALL OF YOU WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH TEAM BCPS KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGING IN THESE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE FISCAL CLIMATE FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

UM, AND SO WE'RE GONNA TAKE A LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE COMMUNITY, UM, ALONG WITH WHAT OUR PRIORITIES HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON OUR STUDENTS.

THANK YOU.

OUR SYSTEMS KEY PRIORITIES AND INVESTMENTS ARE ALL FOCUSED ON MOVING BCPS FORWARD.

WE KNOW THAT IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE TELLS US THAT IT TAKES ABOUT THREE YEARS OF INVESTING IN AN INFRASTRUCTURE,

[00:40:01]

WE ARE FORTUNATE, UH, IN BCPS THAT IT HAS NOT TAKEN THREE YEARS BEFORE WE HAVE STARTED TO SEE PROGRESS IN OUR STUDENTS.

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS INVESTED IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, HIGH QUALITY AND DIVERSE TEACHERS AND LEADERS, COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND MORE RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS ARE SUCCESSFUL.

THIS WILL BE ANOTHER DIFFICULT BUDGET CYCLE FOR OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AND OTHER LEAS ACROSS THE STATE WITH THE CONTINUED EXPANSION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BLUEPRINT AND PROBABLE LOWER FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL REVENUE.

FOR THIS REASON, WE WILL ENSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE OPERATING BUDGET AND THE CAPITAL BUDGET PROCESSES, KNOW HOW OUR FUNDING IS SPENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR, AND UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFERENT ROLES ACROSS TEAM BCPS DIRECTLY IMPACT THE EXPERIENCES OF OUR STUDENTS.

WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS ENGAGING OUR STAFF, FAMILIES, AND STAKEHOLDERS IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET AND PRIORITY AREAS FOR OUR SYSTEM.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO US THAT OUR COMMUNITY KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS SOURCES OF BCPS FUNDING, HOW FUNDING IS SPENT, AND WHERE THEY CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

AS WE DID WITH THE LAST TWO BUDGET CYCLES, WE WILL ENSURE THAT WE GIVE EXTRA SCRUTINY TO ALL BUDGET SUBMISSIONS TO HELP IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SAVINGS THAT CAN BE REDIRECTED TO OFFSET POTENTIAL SHORTFALLS.

OVER THE PAST TWO FISCAL YEARS, BCPS HAS MADE MORE THAN $168 MILLION IN REDUCTIONS AND ELIMINATED HUNDREDS OF POSITIONS TO ADDRESS BUDGET SHORTFALLS AND INCLUDING 69 SUPERVISORY LEVEL POSITIONS.

I'LL SUBMIT A BALANCED PROPOSED BUDGET TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR ITS REVIEW AND DELIBERATION.

SOME KEY THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT THE PROPOSED BUDGET, IT WILL BE ALIGNED TO THE COUNTY TARGET OF A 2% INCREASE ABOVE WHAT WE RECEIVE IN FY 26.

THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL INCLUDE THE FULL YEAR THREE COMPENSATION PACKAGE FOR TEAM BCPS STAFF AND TO ENSURE THAT THE BUDGET IS BALANCED AND MEETS THE COUNTY TARGET.

IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL REDUCTIONS.

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU AND TO ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES IS UNWAVERING.

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.

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU IS THAT I'M GOING TO RESPOND TO OUR STUDENTS.

I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING THAT WE DO PUTS OUR STUDENTS FIRST, NOT ONLY IN WORD, BUT INDEED SUSTAINING OUR FORWARD PROGRESS WILL REQUIRE CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN THE PRIORITY FOCUS AREAS THAT WE KNOW ARE WORKING FOR OUR SYSTEM.

THESE INVESTMENTS WILL YIELD POSITIVE RESULTS, NOT JUST FOR OUR SYSTEM, BUT ALSO FOR THE COUNTY AND THE STATE.

NEXT ON

[G. CHAIR'S REPORT (7:25 - 7:30 p.m.)]

I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A RESTFUL WINTER BREAK.

MANY THANKS TO TAP GO AND E-S-P-B-C FOR ORGANIZING THEIR ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST AT SUMMIT PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THIS PAST SATURDAY.

THE EVENT GIVES ELECTED OFFICIALS AND BOARD MEMBERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR AND DISCUSS THE EFFORTS OF TEAM BCPS FOCUSING ON SUCCESSES AS WELL AS AREAS NEEDING IMPROVEMENT.

I APPRECIATE MY FELLOW BOARD OF MEMBERS AND THE MANY ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO DEDICATED THEIR SATURDAY MORNING TO ATTEND, LISTEN AND ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION.

THANKS AS WELL TO TAPCO AND E-S-P-B-C MEMBERS WHO JOINED US.

YOUR PARTICIPATION AND INSIGHTS ARE ESSENTIAL AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO ADVANCE OUR SYSTEM.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THE OPPORTUNITY I HAD TO VISIT WOODLAWN MIDDLE SCHOOL LAST FRIDAY.

AS WE INITIATE THE FY 27 BUDGET APPROVAL PROCESS, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO REMAIN FOCUSED ON OUR CORE PURPOSE, OUR COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING STUDENT OUTCOMES FOR ALL BCPS STUDENTS.

VISITING CLASSROOMS ALLOWED US TO WATCH AND LISTEN TO TEACHING AND LEARNING.

THERE WAS MUTUAL RESPECT AMONG STAFF AND STUDENTS.

NOTABLE EXAMPLES OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP AND ENVIRONMENT THAT WAS BOTH SAFE AND WELL ORGANIZED.

I'M VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE AT WOODLAWN MIDDLE SCHOOL UNDER MS. ARCH'S LEADERSHIP, AND I REALIZED THAT WE WITNESSED IS NOT AN ANOMALY, BUT RATHER AN EXAMPLE OF THE HARD WORK OUR SCHOOL LEADERS AND STAFF ARE DOING THROUGHOUT BCPS ON BEHALF OF OUR STUDENTS.

THIS BRINGS US TO OUR BUDGET.

SHORTLY.

DR. ROGERS WILL PRESENT THE PROPOSED FY 27 BUDGET.

I'D LIKE TO THANK HER FOR ASSEMBLING OUR SCHOOL AND SYSTEM LEADERSHIP TEAM TOGETHER YESTERDAY AND PROVIDING A DETAILED OVERVIEW

[00:45:01]

OUR PRESENTATION OFFERED VALUABLE INSIGHT INTO THE PROCESS AND THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

I APPRECIATE HER COMMITMENT TO PRESENTING A BALANCED BUDGET WHILE PRIORITIZING FULL FUNDING FOR OUR STAFF'S COMPENSATION PACKAGES.

THIS REFLECTS HER ONGOING DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE, SPECIFICALLY THE PERCENTAGE ABOVE MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT THAT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE HAS INDICATED SHE WOULD SUPPORT ACHIEVING THIS FUNDING PRIORITY.

A FULL COMPENSATION FOR STAFF REQUIRES CAREFUL ADJUSTMENTS IN OTHER BUDGETARY AREAS.

THE DIFFICULT DECISIONS PROPOSED HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY STAFF AND COMMUNITY SURVEYS.

DR. ROGERS DIRECT ENGAGEMENT WITH STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND A RESEARCH DRIVEN APPROACH TO BUDGETARY REDUCTIONS.

DR. ROGERS, BASED ON ALL INFORMATION GATHERED, IS PUTTING FORWARD A BALANCED BUDGET THAT REFLECTS SUBSTANTIAL INPUT AND THOUGHTFUL PLANNING IN A CHALLENGING FISCAL TIME.

THOUGH WE ARE JUST AT THE START OF THE APPROVAL PROCESS, I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED THEIR FEEDBACK AND TO ALL OF THE STAFF FOR THE HARD WORK THAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR.

WHILE BCPS HAS SEEN NOTABLE PROGRESS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, MORE IS NEEDED FOR EVERY STUDENT TO SUCCEED.

IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT OUR BUDGET DECISIONS KEEP STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AT THE FOREFRONT.

NEXT ON OUR AGENDA

[H. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER'S REPORT (7:30 - 7:35 p.m.)]

GOOD EVENING BOARD CHAIR, MRS. LICHTER, VICE CHAIR, MRS. HARVEY, SUPERINTENDENT.

DR. ROGERS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, STAFF FAMILIES AND BCPS STUDENTS.

THE NEW YEAR HAS STARTED WITH MOMENTUM AND COLLABORATION ACROSS BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ONE OF THE MOST MEANINGFUL PROJECTS THIS MONTH HAS BEEN WORKING LAST MONTH HAS BEEN WORKING WITH OUR OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY TO DEVELOP A STUDENT CENTERED PSA EXPLAINING THE IL YOU GUYS EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROTOCOL.

ENSURING THAT EVERY STUDENT UNDERSTANDS WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY IS ESSENTIAL, AND I'M GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF CONTRIBUTING TO A RESOURCE THAT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT SCHOOL SAFETY IN ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS.

I'VE ALSO BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS TO RESTRUCTURE AND STRENGTHEN OUR AREA EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCILS SO THEY BETTER REFLECT THE NEEDS, IDENTITIES, AND VOICES OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THEY SERVE.

ALONGSIDE THIS, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL TAPCO AND E-S-P-B-C LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST WHERE I HEARD DIRECTLY FROM EDUCATORS AND LEGISLATORS ABOUT POLICY SHAPING OUR CLASSROOMS. I'VE ALSO BEEN RECENTLY RECRUITING STUDENTS FOR THIS YEAR'S STUDENT HANDBOOK REVIEW COMMITTEE TO ENSURE POLICY DECISIONS REMAIN GROUNDED IN STUDENT EXPERIENCE.

BUT THE HIGHLIGHT OF THESE PAST FEW MONTHS HAS UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN THE SERIES OF SCHOOL VISITS.

FROM CONVERSATIONS WITH ADMINISTRATORS TO LISTENING SESSIONS WITH STUDENTS, EACH VISIT OFFERED SOMETHING UNIQUELY POWERFUL.

I HEARD ABOUT ACTIVITY BUSES EXPANDING ACCESS TO AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS. I HEARD OF PIZZAS WITH PRINCIPALS.

EVENTS THAT HELP RISING SIXTH GRADERS BUILD EARLY RELATIONSHIPS WITH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP.

AND I EVEN HEARD ABOUT THE INSPIRING LEARNING AND EARNING APPROACH AT GENERAL JOHN STRICKER MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHERE STUDENTS ARE MOTIVATED TO STAY ENGAGED, ACCOUNTABLE, AND SUPPORTED.

ACROSS THE ACROSS THE COUNTY.

PRINCIPAL ADVISORY COUNCILS ARE THRIVING AND IT'S ENCOURAGING TO SEE STUDENTS NOT ONLY INCLUDED BUT UPLIFTED WITHIN THEIR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES.

OUR BALTIMORE COUNTY STUDENT COUNCILS HAS BEEN GOING STRONG AND WE'RE EXCITED TO BE HOSTING THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCILS ON JANUARY 20 AT LOCK GRAVE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THEIR ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE YEAR WHERE STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE COME TOGETHER TO DEBATE AND PASS MA'S OFFICIAL BILL STANCES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AS ONE OF MA'S STATE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COORDINATORS, I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP FACILITATE THESE CONVERSATIONS.

DURING THIS SESSION, WE WILL ALSO SELECT THE FINALIST FOR THE POSITION OF THE STATE STUDENT MEMBER ON THE BOARD.

AN ESSENTIAL STEP IN ELEVATING STRONG STUDENT LEADERSHIP AT THE STATE LEVEL.

I HOPE TO SEE MANY BCPS STUDENTS PRESENT AS WE COME INTO THE NEW YEAR.

I ALSO WANTED TO USE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESTATE AND CLARIFY THE M'S ROLE.

THE STUDENT MEMBER SERVES AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN STUDENTS AND THE BOARD, BRINGING FORWARD STUDENT PERSPECTIVES, HIGHLIGHTING CONCERNS, AND ENSURING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF YOUNG PEOPLE GUIDE DECISION MAKING.

THE SMOP PROVIDES INSIGHT.

INSIGHT THAT ONLY SOMEONE LIVING THE DAY-TO-DAY REALITY OF OUR SCHOOLS CAN OFFER.

IN ESSENCE, THE SM ENSURES THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT JUST TALKED ABOUT BUT TRULY HEARD.

THANK YOU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERY STUDENT, STAKEHOLDER, DECISION MAKER AND EDUCATOR WHO CONTINUES TO SPEAK UP, ENGAGE AND CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM STRONGER.

THANK YOU.

THE NEXT ITEM ON

[I. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - PROPOSED FY2027 COUNTY CAPITAL BUDGET REQUEST (Dr. Grim) (7:35 - 7:45 p.m.)]

AND FOR THAT I CALL ON DR.

GRIM.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

CHAIR LECTER, VICE CHAIR HARVEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SUPERINTENDENT DR. ROGERS, UH, HERE THIS EVENING FOR THE BOARD'S, UH, VOTE AND HOPEFULLY APPROVAL ON THE, UH, CAPITAL BUDGET REQUEST.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PROPOSED FY 2027 COUNTY CAPITAL BUDGET.

SO MOVE YOUNG.

THANK YOU.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND

[00:50:01]

THANK YOU.

ANY DISCUSSION? JUST CHECK TEAMS. OKAY.

MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE PLEASE.

MS. HEN? YES.

MS. HARVEY? YES.

MS. OOBE? YES.

MS. LESKI? YES.

DR.

SAVOY? YES.

MR. MCMILLIAN? YES.

MS. HUMPHREY? YES.

MR. YOUNG? YES.

MS. DOKI? YES.

MS. LICHTER? YES.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

OKAY.

ONE SECOND.

OKAY, THE NEXT ITEM

[J. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - BOARD POLICIES (Ms. Pumphrey) (7:45 - 7:55 p.m.)]

THIS IS THE SECOND READER FOR THESE POLICIES AND FOR THAT I CALL MS. CHRISTINA PUMPHREY, CHAIR OF THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE ASKS THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO AMEND THE FOLLOWING BOARD POLICIES, BOARD POLICY 1260 SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS BOARD POLICY 1600 PUBLICS CHARTER SCHOOLS BOARD POLICY, EXCUSE ME, 32 10 PURCHASING GUIDELINES.

THESE POLICIES ARE PRESENTED TO YOU ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS EXHIBITS J ONE THROUGH J THREE.

THANK YOU MS. EY, BOARD MEMBERS, ARE THERE ANY SEPARATIONS BEING REQUESTED? OKAY.

OKAY.

THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD'S POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR BOARD POLICIES? TWELVE SIXTY SIXTEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO.

10.

SO MOVED.

THANK YOU.

IS THERE A SEC? OH, WE DON'T NEED THAT BECAUSE COMES FROM THE BOARD, FROM THE COMMITTEE.

SO MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE PLEASE.

MS. HAN? YES.

MS. FROM, UM, MS. HARVEY? YES.

MSEE? YES.

MR. LUKI? YES.

DR.

SAVOY? I'M SORRY.

YES.

THANK YOU.

MR. MCMILLION? YES.

MS. HUMPHREY? YES.

MR. YOUNG? YES.

MS. DOKI? YES.

MS. LICHTER? YES.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THE NEXT ITEM ON

[K. NEW BUSINESS - ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION (Board Counsel) (7:55 - 8:00 p.m.)]

AND FOR THAT I CALL ON MS. TI.