TENTATIVE MINUTES

 BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND

 Tuesday, August 8, 2000

The Board of Education of Baltimore County, Maryland, met in open session at 5:08 p.m. at Greenwood. President Donald L. Arnold and the following Board members were present: Mr. H. J. Jack Barnhart, Ms. Erica A. Cohn, Ms. Phyllis E. Ettinger, Mr. John A. Hayden, III, Dr. Warren C. Hayman, Ms. Jean M. H. Jung, Mr. Michael P. Kennedy, Ms. Carolyn Ross-Holmes, and Mr. James E. Walker. In addition, Dr. Joe A. Hairston, Superintendent of Schools, and staff members were present.

The Board will hold its public hearing on the proposed capital budget on September 19 at 7 p.m. at the Ruxton Center and hold a work session on the budget on September 26 at 4 p.m. at Greenwood. (The capital budget will be presented to the Board at the September 12 meeting.)

At 5:15 p.m., Mr. Walker moved that the Board go into closed session to discuss personnel matters and to consult with counsel pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article, §10-508(a)(1) and §10-508(a)(7). The motion was seconded by Ms. Jung and unanimously approved by the Board.

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

Mr. Haines briefed the Board on an appeal request. After discussion, the Board directed Mr. Haines how to proceed.

Dr. Hairston and the Area Superintendents reviewed the appointments on tonight's agenda.

Mr. Haines updated the Board on current litigation.

At 6:40 p.m., Mr. Barnhart moved to end the closed session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kennedy and approved by the Board.

OPEN SESSION MINUTES

The Board immediately reconvened in open session. Dr. Hairston distributed information on a school leaders' conference scheduled for October.

Mr. Arnold distributed a list of constituent groups and asked Board members to prioritize their choices for meeting with various organizations during this school year. Mrs. Zepp will compile a list of groups to be invited to meet with the Board based on Board members' preferences.

At 6:45 p.m., Mr. Barnhart moved to end the closed session for a brief dinner recess. The motion was seconded by Mr. Walker and approved by the Board.

The Board of Education of Baltimore County, Maryland, reconvened in open session at 7:34 p.m. at Greenwood. President Donald L. Arnold and the following Board members were present: Mr. H. J. Jack Barnhart, Ms. Erica A. Cohn, Ms. Phyllis E. Ettinger, Mr. John A. Hayden, III, Dr. Warren C. Hayman, Ms. Jean M. H. Jung, Mr. Michael P. Kennedy, Ms. Carolyn Ross-Holmes, and Mr. James E. Walker. In addition, Dr. Joe A. Hairston, Superintendent of Schools; staff members; members of various civic, employee, and community organizations were present as was the press.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The open session commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, which was led by Ms. Christine Johns, Deputy Superintendent, and a period of silent meditation for those who have served education in the Baltimore County Public Schools.

MINUTES

Hearing no additions or corrections to the open and closed minutes of July 11, 2000, Mr. Arnold declared the minutes approved as presented.

Mr. Arnold informed the audience of the various sessions in which Board members had participated earlier that afternoon.

PERSONNEL MATTERS

On motion of Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Dr. Hayman, the Board approved the personnel matters as presented on Exhibits B, C, D, E, and F. (Copies of the exhibits are attached to the formal minutes.)

CONTRACT AWARDS

Mr. Arnold pulled items 2, 6, 10, and 14; Ms. Ettinger pulled items 7, 8, and 9; and Ms. Ross-Holmes pulled items 11 and 12 for further discussion. On motion of Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Ms. Jung, the Board approved items 1, 3-5, 10, 13, and 15-16.

1. Classroom Paper

3. Contracted Services: Housekeeping/Custodial

4. Contracted Services: Rental/Service - Portable Commodes

5. Contracted Services: Science Chemicals Disposal

10. Instructional Services: Title 1 Services - Non-Public Schools

13. Office Equipment (Extension)

15. Replacement Parts: Lavatory Partitions

16. Vehicle Towing Services (Extension)

Item 2

Mr. Arnold questioned the award to two bidders. Ms. Cook indicated the awards were made on a line item basis, for two different products.

Mr. Kennedy inquired about situations during major renovations where carpet quality may be downgraded because of a lack of funds. Ms. Cook said this particular contract will be used predominantly for replacing individual rooms or an area in a school/office. Large areas of replacement are usually bid separately.

On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Barnhart, the Board approved a contract award for Contracted Services: Carpet (Installation) at various sites.

Item 6

Mr. Arnold stated he had a philosophical concern regarding promotional items for cafeteria programs. Ms. Kohler explained that many students are not eating a nutritious lunch, and promotional programs are used to encourage students to eat a healthy meal in the cafeteria. She also stated they are finding that students who eat nutritious meals in elementary schools tend to continue that pattern in middle school.

On motion of Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Dr. Hayman, the Board approved a contract award for Food Services: Cafeteria Promotional Program.

Items 7, 8, and 9

Ms. Ettinger thanked Dr. Thomas for the analysis included for item 9. She had hoped the same type of information would have been provided for items 7 and 8. Ms. Ettinger expressed concern that if the programs listed in tonight's exhibit are having a significant impact on student achievement, why are we not looking at how their successes can be applied to other school settings.

Dr. Thomas indicated these three Challenge Grant programs receive rigorous review by the Maryland State Department of Education as part of the Challenge Grant approval process.

Ms. Ettinger requested in the future that particular portion of the grant application be shared with Board members when similar programs are brought before the Board for consideration. Ms. Jung asked for the Challenge Grant information for items 7 and 8. Dr. Thomas responded that it may be more appropriate to wait for the MSPAP data.

On motion of Mr. Walker, seconded by Ms. Ettinger, the Board approved contract awards for:

7) Instructional Services: Expeditionary Learning

(Chase Elementary and Middle River Middle Schools)

8) Instructional Services: Modern Red Schoolhouse

(Seneca Elementary School)

9) Instructional Services: Sylvan Learning

(Grange and Riverview Elementary Schools).

Item 10

Mr. Arnold pointed out that the contract award of $120,000 is for Title 1 services the school system provides for non-public schools.

On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Ms. Ettinger, the Board approved a contract award for Instructional Services: Title 1 Services (Non-Public Schools).

Dr. Hayman requested a presentation on the Title 1 program. Mr. Kennedy suggested that for the amount of money being awarded to Sylvan, the school system could hire teachers for those schools.

Items 11 and 12

Ms. Ross-Holmes asked if the service was for only secondary schools or just those that are networked. Ms. Cook indicated all the libraries have access to the internet and this service is available to the students in the libraries. It is the schools' option to participate.

Ms. Curtis explained the services provided by Galenet. Some Board members were concerned that students in technical schools may be short changed by not having this service available in their school(s). Ms. Cohn stated that all students should have access to

the service. Ms. Churchill offered to increase the award value of the contract to allow flexibility. Dr. Hayman expressed concern that the decision by a school not to use the service could be tied into student expectations.

On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Walker, the Board approved contract awards for Library Services: Reference Subscription and Library Services: Research Software.

Item 13

Noting that the Board will begin a new budget cycle shortly, Mr. Kennedy asked President Arnold to conduct a study with regard to whether schools have the office equipment, primarily copiers, needed to run copies for students. Mr. Arnold asked Dr. Hairston to see that such a study is done.

Item 14

Mr. Arnold asked for clarification of what appeared to be a duplicate award to different vendors. Ms. Cook explained the items in question were different.

On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Dr. Hayman, the Board approved contract awards for Paint: Exterior/Interior.

BUILDING COMMITTEE

The Building Committee, represented by Mr. Barnhart, recommended approval of items 1-13 and 15-24. (Item 14 was deferred.) The Board approved these recommendations.

1. Recision of Fee Acceptances for Consultant Services

2. Industrial Hygiene Services at Three (3) Elementary Schools (Package #1)

3. Industrial Hygiene Services at Four (4) Elementary Schools (Package #2)

4. Industrial Hygiene Services at Five (5) Elementary Schools (Package #3)

5. Industrial Hygiene Services at Five (5) Elementary Schools (Package #4)

6. Industrial Hygiene Services at Four (4) Elementary Schools (Package #5)

7. Parking Lot Improvements - Battle Grove Elementary School

8. Interior Door Replacement - Colgate Elementary School

9. New Gas Service - Dundalk Middle School

10. Replacement of Boilers and Hot Water Heaters - Kenwood High School

11. Science Classroom Renovations - Patapsco High School

12. Purchase and Installation of Playground Equipment - Warren Elementary School

13. Purchase and Installation of Playground Equipment - Five (5) Elementary Schools

15. Fee Acceptance - Architectural/Engineering Design Services - New Town High School

16. Request to Negotiate - Architectural/Engineering Design Services - Woodlawn High School Addition

17. Request to Negotiate - Engineering Services for Electrical Upgrades for Networking - Five Middle Schools

18. Request to Negotiate - Architectural/Engineering Design Services - Kitchen Refrigerator/Freezer Replacement at Various Schools

19. Change Order - Toilet Stall Partition Replacement - Campfield Early Childhood Center and Woodmoor Elementary School

20. Change Order - Systemic Renovations - Oakleigh Elementary School

21. Change Order - Design Services for Assessment Program Renovations Project - Scotts Branch Elementary School

22. Change Order - Systemic Renovations - Stoneleigh Elementary School

23. Road Improvement and Storm Drainage - Martin Boulevard Elementary School

24. Approval of Property - New Town High School

INFORMATION

The Board received the following as information:

Revisions to Rule 3611 - Tuition Fees.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Arnold made the following announcements:

-- The Board will meet in retreat on Sunday, August 20, 2000, from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Greenwood Administration Building.

-- On Monday, September 4, 2000, schools and offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day.

-- On Tuesday, September 5, 2000, schools will open for students for the 2000-2001 school year.

-- The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of Baltimore County will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2000, at Greenwood. The meeting will begin with an open session at approximately 5:30 p.m. After the Board adjourns to meet in closed session, followed by a brief dinner recess, the open meeting will reconvene at 7:30 p.m. The public is welcome at all open sessions.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Barnhart left the room at 8:30 p.m.

Ms. Jung announced that Patapsco Center for the Arts will host a one-week dance workshop featuring an internationally known dancer who is a Baltimore native. The performer will donate part of his services, and the dance instructor is also providing funds for this workshop and has made all the arrangements. Ms. Jung cited this as another example of what our teachers do as individuals for the students in our community.

Ms. Maggie Kennedy, Coordinator of Area Advisory Councils, thanked area offices for forwarding council membership lists to her. Area council officers will meet on August 31 to make plans for the coming year. Ms. Kennedy recognized council chairs, Boyd Crouse and Meg O'Hare, who were in the audience. The other three council chairs were also recognized.

Mr. Boyd Crouse, Chair of the Southeast Area Educational Advisory Council, congratulated the new members of his council. He invited Board members, residents of the Southeast Area, as well as all residents of Baltimore County, to attend the Southeast Area council meetings.

Ms. Meg O'Hare, Chair of the Northeast Area Educational Advisory Council, stated members of her council are looking forward to an upcoming meeting with the Superintendent. A few of the council's future activities were shared. The Northeast Area Council is reaching out to the community in an effort to foster greater attendance at Council meetings. Dr. Mohler is scheduling meetings with local politicians and the advisory council on issues affecting that area. Finally, Ms. O'Hare welcomed Ms. Johns and Ms. Cohn.

Ms. Laura Nossel, President of the PTA Council of Baltimore County, recognized the PTA Council's Treasurer, Kelly Hallock, and Vice President for Membership, Donnie Saine. The Council hopes that school-based management teams will be more actively monitored. PTA Council is optimistic that by offering on-going training, teams can be strengthened and parental involvement barriers can be removed. Open and honest communication based on mutual trust and respect is the key to breaking down these barriers. Ms. Nossel asked that the school system empower teams by providing training opportunities for all team members, by requiring scheduling flexibility, and improving communication between the teams and school communities. Board members were invited to a reception on August 29 at Parkville High School.

With regard to the Library Services contracts discussed earlier in the meeting, Mr. Michael Franklin, Vice President of the PTA Council of Baltimore County, asked the Board to make every service available to every child.

Mr. Tim Peach, Vice President of Baltimore County Student Councils, shared information from a recent meeting held by the Maryland State Department of Education for students with regard to the High School Assessments and school newspapers. Three major considerations were developed by the two focus groups:

1) Some students have trouble taking tests;

2) Students were concerned that teachers will teach to the test; and

3) Students want more freedom on voicing opinions on school policies and procedures.

At the request of Board members earlier in the afternoon, Dr. Smeallie provided a status report on the hiring of teachers. Over 850 teachers have been hired for next year; the vacancy count is under 100, which is good. Critical shortages continue in the area of special education and mathematics. Personnel continues to identify and hire new teachers for the new school year.

Ms. Meg O'Hare, former President of the Parkville High School PTA, and Ms. Nancy Henderson, President of the Catonsville High School PTA, voiced their concerns over the long-standing use of these two schools for night school and Saturday School. Parkville High School has housed night school for over 30 years. Ms. Henderson spoke of trying to schedule school activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings and how sometimes parents have to choose between two functions scheduled on the same night. Ms. O'Hare indicated that there is wear and tear on the facilities because of the constant use, and adult supervision is not responsive. Both women asked that these programs be relocated to other facilities.

Mr. R. J. Marshall, Past President of the Parkville High School PTA, noted that in addition to night school and Saturday School, Parkville also holds night classes for Essex Community College. In a meeting with former Superintendent Marchione two years ago, Mr. Marshall repeated Dr. Marchione's opinion that night school and Saturday School locations could be rotated.

Ms. Emily Wolfson reminded the Board of the resolution it adopted two years ago which supported the inclusion of prekindergarten and kindergarten in the state formula. She stated that prekindergarten does not have a secure source of funding. She asked the Board to take responsibility to see that the resolution becomes a reality. With only four months remaining before the start of the General Assembly, there is little time to lobby for legislation to be submitted in January. She asked that if the Board has sought the support of the County Executive and other politicians to please share their response. If the Board has not made an effort in this direction, she asked that it do so. Mrs. Wolfson asked for a response from the Board.

Mr. Wayne Thibeault, representing CASE, SSAA, and MASSP, welcomed Ms. Johns to Baltimore County, and stated he is looking forward to working with the new Deputy Superintendent to improve student achievement.

Ms. Toni Griffin, a Winands Elementary School parent, and representing 25 other parents, asked the Board to consider providing transportation for her children and the other children along Winands Road who will be attending Deer Park Middle Magnet School in the fall. She indicated she had only recently sent a letter to Donna Flynn regarding this matter, but had not yet received a response.

At 8:58 p.m., Mr. Walker moved to adjourn the open session. The motion was seconded by Ms. Ettinger and approved by the Board.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________

Joe A. Hairston

Secretary-Treasurer

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