REPORT OF THE RETREAT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY

Sunday, August 20, 2000

The Board of Education of Baltimore County, Maryland, met in open session on Sunday, August 20, 2000, at 11:05 a.m. at Greenwood. President Donald L. Arnold and the following Board members were present: Ms. Erica A. Cohn, Ms. Phyllis E. Ettinger, Mr. John A. Hayden, III, Ms. Jean M. H. Jung, Mr. Michael P. Kennedy, Ms. Carolyn Ross-Holmes, Mr. James R. Sasiadek, Mr. Sanford V. Teplitzky, and Mr. James E. Walker. In addition, Dr. Joe A. Hairston, Superintendent of Schools; Ms. Christine Johns, Deputy Superintendent; Ms. Margaret-Ann Howie, Counsel to the Superintendent; Mr. J. Robert Haines, Counsel to the Board of Education; Mr. Charles Herndon, Communications Officer; and Ms. Denise Zepp, Administrative Assistant to the Board, were present as was Mr. Mark Beytin, President of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County; Ms. Emily Wolfson; Mr. Michael Franklin, Vice President of the PTA Council; and Ms. Lynn Anderson of The Sun.

OLD BUSINESS

The Building Committee, represented by Ms. Ettinger, recommended approval of the fee acceptance for the architectural and engineering design services for the science room renovations at Eastern Technical High School. The Board approved this recommendation.

LEASE AGREEMENT

The Building Committee, represented by Ms. Ettinger, recommended approval of a lease agreement for the Infants and Toddlers program. The Board approved this recommendation.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Mr. Arnold announced Board member assignments to internal committees. He also announced the creation of an Ethics Review Study Group to be chaired by Mr. Hayden. Ms. Jung and Mr. Walker will also serve with Mr. Hayden. The purpose of the group will be to review the ethics policies already established to make certain they have the flexibility that was intended when the policies were adopted. Mr. Hayden suggested a non-Board member be added to the group, such as a member of the Baltimore County judiciary, to offer impartial guidance. Mr. Teplitzky suggested this additional person be an ex-officio member of the committee.

Board members feared calling the group a "committee" would appear to send a message to the community that the Board did not care about ethics once the group's work was complete. Mr. Haines suggested the name, "Ethics Study Group," which was agreed to by Board members. Mr. Hayden asked Board members to suggest individuals to serve in an ex-officio capacity.

CONSTITUENT GROUPS

Mr. Arnold announced the first groups to be scheduled this school year for meetings with the Board--Area Advisory Councils, Disabilities Commission, Baltimore County Student Councils, and TABCO. The PTA Council has requested a mid-year meeting with the Board, and the Council of Administrative and Supervisory Employees has requested a meeting in

September or December. Ms. Zepp will schedule these groups over the next several months.

FUTURE WORKSHOPS

Mr. Arnold stated he would like to schedule additional retreats in November, January, and March. He also plans to have Ms. Zepp schedule a number of workshops during the school year.

Mr. Arnold asked Board members to let Ms. Zepp know if they plan to attend the MABE meetings on August 30 or September 6.

Any Board members who have received an invoice for their fax machine should forward it to Ms. Zepp for processing.

Board representation on MABE committees will remain the same as last year. Mr. Arnold reminded Board members of the upcoming MABE Conference in October.

BALDRIGE UPDATE

Ms. Johns provided an overview of the Baldrige initiative. This pilot program will involve four or five Baltimore County schools and is funded by a $100,000 Maryland State Department of Education grant. The educational purpose of this initiative is to improve the organization's performance, practices, and capabilities, and is based on core values and concepts.

Mr. Sasiadek noted the importance of staff development training for principals, because principals have a direct effect on learning in the classroom.

Dr. Hairston stated that his speech to administrators and supervisors later that same week would provide more detail of his expectations for the school system over the next several years.

At 12:05 p.m., Mr. Kennedy moved the Board adjourn its meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sasiadek and approved by the Board.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________

Joe A. Hairston

Secretary-Treasurer

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