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TENTATIVE MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND
Tuesday, September 26, 2000
The Board of Education of Baltimore County,
Maryland, met in open session at 5:24 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. 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,
was present.
Mr. Barnhart immediately moved that the Board
go into closed session to consult with counsel
pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland,
State Government Article, Section 10-508(a)(7).
The motion was seconded by Mr. Walker and unanimously
approved by the Board.
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
Board members consulted with Mr. Haines concerning
a policy.
Mr. Hayden entered the room at 5:25 p.m.;
Ms. Jung entered the room at 5:55 p.m.
At 6:18 p.m., Mr. Barnhart moved that the
Board end the closed session for a brief dinner
recess. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hayden
and approved by the Board.
OPEN SESSION MINUTES
The Board of Education of Baltimore County,
Maryland, reconvened in open session at 7:38
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,
Mr. James R. Sasiadek, Mr. Sanford V. Teplitzky,
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
Peter Gordon, 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 session minutes of September
12, 2000, Mr. Arnold declared the minutes approved
as presented.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Hairston informed Board members and the
audience of his attendance at the recent Baltimore
County Student Councils Leadership Conference
at Camp Airy. Dr. Hairston stated there were
approximately 300 students in attendance. He
noted the exemplary caliber of students in the
school system, and he thanked Ms. Cohn and Ms.
Kotula for their leadership.
Dr. Hairston also visited several schools
over the last two weeks. His goal is to visit
every school during the school year.
Dr. Hairston informed the Board and the audience
of his recent receipt of the Transition Team's
Report. He stated the information in the report
is Superintendent's information and was conducted
in the spirit of information only. The purpose
of the report is to assist Dr. Hairston in his
deliberations on the strategies the school system
will pursue over the next five years.
REPORT
The Board received the following report:
Report on Study Circles&emdash;Ms. Marchione
gave a brief overview of the Study Circles program.
Study Circles is a process designed to offer
a service to the community and includes a variety
of community members. It's a way to be respectful
and democratic in working toward improving communication.
A PTA, an advisory council group, or any governmental
agency can sponsor a study circle. (The Study
Circle will not usurp what is already in place,
i.e. the redistricting committee studying a
boundary issue.)
A preliminary Study Circle will be formed in
the Owings Mills area. Data will be collected
to determine if the Study Circle is successful
in involving more people in the community in
the process of education. Facilitator training
will take place in October/November, and a coalition
meeting, inviting all of the organizations to
hear about Study Circles and inviting them to
participate, will take place the end of November.
The kick-off is scheduled for January 2001.
Study Circles have been successful in Anne Arundel
and Harford Counties as well as Baltimore City.
Ms. Cohn inquired if the facilitator should
be a school-based person. Ms. Marchione responded
that the plan is to use both a school-based
person and a community member to bring balance
to the group.
At Mr. Teplitzky's request, Ms. Marchione provided
an example of an issue addressed in Study Circles
and how the process works from beginning to
end. Mr. Teplitzky noted that some issues do
not have an answer, and perhaps the purpose
is to get people to feel comfortable with each
other to discuss the issues. Mr. Teplitzky also
stated that it is critical for the facilitators
to know when it's time for the discussion to
end on a particular issue and to move on. Ms.
Marchione noted that the facilitator training
will be very specific and practice oriented.
Mr. Teplitzky inquired about assessment of
the pilot program. Ms. Marchione stated that
the Steering Committee will examine how productive
the meetings are, how well attended they are,
the commitment people have made to it, and if
it has resulted in creating a better understanding
among members. If so, a referral will be made
to the appropriate agency. The Steering Committee
will report back to the Board later in the school
year on the success of the pilot program.
Ms. Marchione also noted that high school students
would be involved in the Study Circles. Ms.
Cohn suggested the group seek out students who
are not involved in other activities in leadership
roles.
Mr. Barnhart left the room at 8:03 p.m.
In line with Ms. Cohn's comment, Ms. Ettinger
suggested we seek participation from adults
at all levels.
When questioned about the fiscal implications
of this program, Ms. Marchione indicated that
while there are no state funds forthcoming,
the budget would be kept at a minimal level
until an assessment has been completed for the
pilot program.
PERSONNEL MATTERS
On motion of Mr. Teplitzky, seconded by Mr.
Kennedy, the Board approved the personnel exhibits
as presented on Exhibits C, D, E, and F. (Copies
of the exhibits are attached to the formal minutes.)
RECISION OF CONTRACT AWARD
On motion of Ms. Ettinger, seconded by Mr.
Kennedy, the Board approved the recision of
a contract award for Food Service: Mechanical
Equipment Maintenance.
CONTRACT AWARDS
Mr. Teplitzky pulled item 1 for further discussion;
Dr. Hayman pulled item 2. On motion of Mr. Kennedy,
seconded by Ms. Ettinger, the Board approved
item 3.
3. Supplies Contract: L.P. Gas and Associated
Services
Item 1
Mr. Teplitzky noted that the bid being chosen
differed very little from the rescinded bid
and asked Ms. Cook if she was comfortable that
the recommended award bidder would be able to
perform at the bid price. Ms. Cook responded
that she was very comfortable with the potential
award bidder who has an excellent reputation.
She also noted that the vendor did not bid on
this item the first time.
On motion of Ms. Jung, seconded by Dr. Hayman,
the Board approved a contract award for Food
Service: Mechanical Equipment Maintenance (Areas
I and III).
Item 2
Dr. Hayman inquired about the minimal amount
of money being awarded for instruments, the
distribution of instruments, and the criteria
used to determine what schools receive. Mr.
Carr, Music Office Specialist, explained music
teachers send him a list indicating what is
needed for their schools. With regard to the
amount being awarded, Mr. Carr stated that $120,000
is what the Music Office received for this purchase.
On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr.
Teplitzky, the Board approved contract awards
for Instrumental Music Equipment.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
The Building Committee, represented by Ms.
Ettinger, recommended approval of items 1-5.
The Board approved these recommendations.
1. Boiler Repairs &endash; Dundalk High School
2. Purchase and Installation of Playground
Equipment &endash; Hebbville, Pine Grove, and
Woodmoor Elementary Schools
3. Purchase and Installation of Playground
Equipment &endash; Dundalk, Sandy Plains, Scotts
Branch, and Warren Elementary Schools
4. Electrical Connections for Relocatable Classrooms
&endash; Patapsco High School
5. Change Order &endash; Site Excavation &endash;
Dogwood Elementary School
INFORMATION
The Board received the following as information:
- Minutes of the Central Area Educational
Advisory Council meeting, June 14, 2000.
Mr. Arnold informed the audience of the various
sessions in which Board members had participated
earlier that afternoon.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Arnold made the following announcements:
- On Thursday, September 28, 2000, the Board
will conduct a work session on Special Education
at 7 p.m. at Greenwood.
- On Monday, October 9, 2000, schools and
offices will be closed in observance of Yom
Kippur.
- The next regularly scheduled meeting of
the Board of Education of Baltimore County
will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2000,
at Greenwood. The meeting will begin with
an open session at 5:00 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
Ms. Meghan Kotula, President of the Baltimore
County Student Councils, spoke of the recent
Camp Airy activities and the upcoming General
Assembly and executive board meetings in October.
BCSC will be discussing school resource officers
and an after Labor Day school start. She announced
that Perry Hall High School will host the legislative
session of the Maryland Association of Student
Councils Conference in February.
Ms. Teresa LaMaster, Chair of the Citizens
Advisory Committee for Special Education, noted
the Thornton Commission recommendation of a
50% increase in Special Education funding for
the 2001 budget and a 250% increase over the
next five (5) years. The Committee has written
to the Commission in support of that recommendation.
She noted that according to the Commission's
website, there are some issues regarding equity
statewide and districtwide. Ms. LaMaster encouraged
Board members to support the recommendation
by writing to the Commission or the Governor.
The advisory committee has put together a briefing
packet for its members that includes how to
contact the Commission, an article from The
Sun, a listing of the members of the Commission,
and a report on how Maryland fares in education
funding. She asked the Board to advise the advisory
council of any communication with the Thornton
Commission or the Governor.
Ms. Maggie Kennedy, Coordinator of the Area
Advisory Councils, reiterated the pre-budget
meeting schedule. The five (5) council chairs
have requested an executive summary of the Baldridge
Report. Ms. Kennedy noted a meeting for council
officers in October and dinner with the Board
in November.
Ms. Meg O'Hare, Chair of the Northeast Area
Educational Advisory Council, asked that advisory
councils be included in receiving a copy of
the Baldrige Report. The advisory council handbook
is in the process of being rewritten. Ms. O'Hare
mentioned a recent meeting with the Superintendent
and the Deputy Superintendent. She also spoke
of the council's recent visits to Red House
Run Elementary, Golden Ring Middle, and Overlea
High Schools.
Ms. Laura Nossel, President of the PTA Council
of Baltimore County, shared her excitement about
the upcoming Fall Workshop on October 12. With
regard to the recent newspaper article on the
Transition Report, she expressed hope that any
future interviews will include parents' perceptions
on student achievement, special education, student
assessments, and interventions. The PTA Council
feels there is a need for increased communication
between departments as to the impact of their
program on each other and the school system.
They strongly recommend any major policy revision
allow a timeline for public input. Ms. Nossel
noted the importance of public input and the
importance of making choices collaboratively.
The Council awaits the results of the requested
policy analysis and looks forward to a dialogue
with the Board.
Mr. Mark Beytin, President of the Teachers'
Association of Baltimore County, echoed the
comments of Ms. LaMaster. He spoke of articles
in the most recent edition of Newsweek that
dealt with the national teacher shortage. Mr.
Beytin also noted the State Board certified
all 24 Maryland school districts as having teacher
shortages as they did last year. He listed the
content fields identified as critical shortage
areas. Mr. Beytin also stated that the State
Board has declared that minorities and males
would be considered critical shortages for this
year.
Ms. Nancy Murray, a teacher at Sussex Elementary
School, asked the Board to consider air conditioning
classrooms, not just administrative offices.
She noted that Sussex has a number of summer
programs and air conditioning classrooms would
provide a safe and comfortable environment for
students. Ms. Murray also mentioned that security
is compromised when doors and windows have to
be left open for ventilation.
Ms. Kathy Beard, Secretary of the Sussex Elementary
School PTA, also asked the Board to consider
placing money in the budget to air condition
schools. She noted that student achievement
during spring testing can be affected when students
are unable to focus and concentrate because
of the warm temperatures.
Ms. JoLynn Chadwick, Chair of the Citizens'
Advisory Committee on Gifted Education, advised
the Board of the group's first meeting. The
Committee's top priorities will be:
- Advocate for staff development,
- Increase parent awareness, and
- Emphasize the need for accountability for
delivery of the curricular program in each
school.
The Advisory Committee encourages the Board
to support the PTA Council's recommendations
on the issue of public comment. Ms. Chadwick
stated the difficulty of communication is a
recurring theme at committee meetings.
Mr. Carl Klein, the Forensics Director at
Catonsville High School, noted that his team
meets once a week to practice for events, and
students spend many hours of their own time
practicing. He stated last year his team participated
in six regional tournaments, attended the national
convention, and won the state championship.
There were also invitational tournaments attended
by the team. Most of the team's expenses were
paid by the students themselves and the volunteer
coaches. Mr. Klein asked the Board to consider
a proposal allocating $5,000 to any high school
in Baltimore County that has had a Debate team
for three or more years.
Mr. Ray D'Amario, the Foresenics Coach at
Franklin High School, noted that during his
nearly 30 years as coach of Franklin's Forensics
team, the team has attended 20 state or national
tournaments. Last year, the team raised $800
to cover traveling expenses. The school contributed
$800, and students spent $200 of their own money.
Mr. D'Amario spoke of Baltimore County's teams
beginning to lose their competitive edge because
they lack the budgets of other schools.
Board of Education September 26, 2000
Open and Closed Session Minutes Page 8
At 9:04 p.m., Mr. Walker moved to adjourn the
open session. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Hayden and approved by the Board.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________
Joe A. Hairston
Secretary-Treasurer
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