TENTATIVE MINUTES

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND

Monday, November 6, 2000

The Board of Education of Baltimore County, Maryland, met in open session at 5:15 p.m. at Greenwood. President Donald L. Arnold and the following Board members were present: Mr. H. J. Jack Barnhart, Ms. Phyllis E. Ettinger, Dr. Warren C. Hayman, 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.

Dr. Hairston announced that at the evening meeting, a number of schools would be recognized for their performance on MSPAP. Ms. Ettinger noted that Mr. Sasiadek's school (in Baltimore City) was recognized at the recent State ceremony.

Mr. Hayden entered the room at 5:16 p.m.

At 5:20 p.m., Mr. Barnhart moved that the Board go into closed session to discuss a personnel matter, to discuss matters relative to negotiations, and to discuss the contents of a bid or proposal pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article, Sections 10-508 (a)(1), (a)(9), and (a)(14). The motion was seconded by Mr. Sasiadek and unanimously approved by the Board.

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

Mr. Grimsley discussed a proposed settlement with an employee group. He also reviewed with the Board the members of this year's negotiating teams. Mr. Grimsley described a recommendation with regard to a negotiations proposal. He also reviewed a negotiations issue relative to a particular employee group.

Ms. Johns discussed a candidate selected for a position.

Board members discussed the performance of a vendor and the services to be performed by the vendor and our staff.

At 6:41 p.m., Mr. Barnhart moved the Board come out of closed session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hayden and approved by the Board.

OPEN SESSION MINUTES

Mr. Kennedy reminded Board members of two future seminars coming up in December. The seminars are sponsored by the Maryland Association of Boards of Education. Mr. Hayden encouraged his colleagues to attend.

At 6:43 p.m., Mr. Barnhart moved to adjourn the open session for a brief dinner recess. The motion was seconded by Mr. Teplitzky and approved by the Board.

OPEN SESSION MINUTES

The Board of Education of Baltimore County, Maryland, reconvened in open session at 7:33 p.m. at Greenwood. President Donald L. Arnold and the following Board members were present: Mr. H. J. Jack Barnhart, Ms. Phyllis E. Ettinger, Mr. John A. Hayden, III, Dr. Warren C. Hayman, 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 Mr. John Desmone, Prinicpal of Timonium Elementary School, 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 Report of the Work Session, September 28, 2000, and the open and closed session minutes of October 24, 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.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

Dr. Hairston announced that two Baltimore County educators--Linda Schoenbrodt and William Barnes--have been recognized by the Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Dr. Hairston also noted the recent testimony of himself, the County Executive, Dr. Poff, and Mr. Arnold at the Thornton Commission hearing held at Towson University. Some of the issues addressed were support for special education funding and transportation for special education children. The need to place some emphasis on the budget formula for prekindergarten was acknowledged.

Dr. Hairston announced the selection of Estelle Collins for a leadership award for student service at the recent 5th Annual Conference of Service Learning Leaders.

Twenty-eight (28) schools were recognized for their successes in MSPAP. Representatives of the schools had their pictures taken with Dr. Hairston and Board President Arnold. These schools were also honored at a recent breakfast hosted by State School Superintendent Nancy Grasmick.

REPORT

The Board received the following report:

Resolution Proclaiming November 15, 2000, as Educational Support Personnel Day.

PERSONNEL MATTERS

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

CONTRACT AWARDS

On motion of Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Ms. Ettinger, the Board approved items 1-3.

1. Contracted Services: Removal and Disposal of Underground Storage Tanks

2. Individual Education Plan (IEP) Software Upgrade

3. Voluntary Long-Term Disability Insurance

BUILDING COMMITTEE

The Building Committee, represented by Mr. Barnhart, recommended approval of items 1-3. The Board approved these recommendations.

1. Construction Inspection Testing Services &endash; Randallstown Elementary School

2. Change Order &endash; Architectural Design Services &endash; New Town Elementary School

3. Fee Acceptance &endash; Contract Extension &endash; 47 Elementary Schools

PROPOSED SCHOOL NAME CHANGE

On motion of Ms. Ettinger, seconded by Mr. Barnhart, the Board approved a name change for the Ruxton School to Ridge/Ruxton School to become effective immediately. This change was necessitated by the closure of the Ridge School and the placement of students at the Ruxton School.

PROPOSED AGREEMENT

On motion of Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Ms. Ettinger, the Board approved the agreement between the Council of Administrative and Supervisory Employees and the Board of Education of Baltimore County for the 2000-01 school year, pending ratification by CASE's membership.

PROPOSED NEGOTIATING TEAMS, 2000-01

On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Barnhart, the Board approved its negotiating teams for 2000-01.

BUDGET SUPPLEMENT

On motion of Ms. Ettinger, seconded by Mr. Barnhart, the Board approved a budget supplement in the amount of $398,725.

INFORMATION

The Board received the following as information:

Summary of the Southwest Area Pre-Budget Meeting Speakers, October 11, 2000.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Sarahjeanne Davis, Baltimore County's Teacher of the Year, expressed her appreciation to the Board for its support. She also thanked the Board for its support of two programs at Catonsville Middle School and briefly described the impact of these programs on the school. Board members were given bags containing pencils, paper pads, a highlighter, and candy.

 

Mr. Arnold made the following announcements:

• Schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 7, 2000, for Election Day.
  
  
• On Wednesday, November 8, 2000, the Southwest Area Educational Advisory Council will meet at Arbutus Middle School at 7:30 p.m.
  
  
• On Tuesday, November 14, 2000, the Northwest Area Educational Advisory Council will meet at Randallstown High School at 7:30 p.m.
  
  
• Also on Tuesday, November 14, 2000, the Southeast Area Educational Advisory Council will meet at General John Stricker Middle School at 7:30 p.m.
  
  
• On Wednesday, November 15, 2000, the Central Area Educational Advisory Council will meet at Oakleigh Elementary School at 7:30 p.m.
• Also on Wednesday, November 15, 2000, the Northeast Area Educational Advisory Council will meet at Orems Elementary School at 6:30 p.m.
• The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of Baltimore County will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2000. The meeting will begin with an open session at 4:30 p.m. After the Board adjourns to meet in closed session, followed by a brief dinner recess, the open meeting will reconvene at approximately 7:30 p.m. The public is welcome at all open sessions.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Sasiadek announced American Education Week will be November 13-18 and urged everyone to visit his or her neighborhood schools.

Ms. Teresa LaMaster, Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee for Special Education, spoke about the status of the Special Education Staffing Plan presented to the Board on September 28. She expressed concern that the plan was submitted to the Maryland State Department of Education nearly three months after it was due and, apparently, without Board approval. Ms. LaMaster noted that in the plan for 2002 a student/teacher ratio is set forth to meet the needs of the students. Based on the ratios, we are 100 positions short and, therefore, out of compliance. She asked the Board to respond publicly to the following questions:

• When will the 2001 plan be approved?
• When the plan for 2002 be approved?
• Will a budget request be put forward that will put us in compliance with the law?

Ms. Lynn Sklar, representing the Central Area Educational Advisory Council, noted the recent Central Area pre-budge meeting and spoke of the main issues brought forth at that meeting--funding for athletics and the need for health suite assistants.

Ms. Laura Nossel, President of the PTA Council of Baltimore County, spoke of the recent statewide PTA conference and recognized the Baltimore County schools that were honored for their accomplishments during the conference.

Mr. Michael Franklin, a representative of the PTA Council, noted the Maryland PTA Council's support of the funding for full-day kindergarten. He also noted that during the conference the Maryland PTA Council passed a recommendation that "all boards of education…will pursue public policy that promotes frank and meaningful discussion and public comment."

Ms. Emily Wolfson expressed her appreciation to Dr. Hairston and Mr. Arnold for their support of the inclusion of prekindergarten before the Thornton Commission. She suggested that Board members promptly, and with a sense of urgency, lobby the two Baltimore County representatives on the Thornton Commission&emdash;Senator Collins and Senator Hoffman&emdash;as well as all of the County state legislators on this issue.

Ms. Mary Pat Kahle, a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee for Special Education, shared her distress at the events described earlier by Ms. LaMaster. She stated it is the Board's obligation to assure compliance with Maryland and Federal laws. Ms. Kahle asked the Board to investigate Ms. LaMaster's charges.

Ms. Jasmine Shriver, Chair of the Special Education Committee for the PTA Council, noted that in the Transition Report it was concluded that the leadership system had not led to the alignment of significant portions of the Essential Curriculum. She stated that outside of the Early Reading Program, it does not appear that the leadership has devoted sufficient resources to developing the curriculum and fully aligning needed support systems, thereby hampering the successful deployment of Essential Curriculum in all areas. Coupled with the statement from the Special Education work session that there is no special education professional development coordinator or dedicated professional development staff, and the concerns voiced by Ms. LaMaster, Ms. Shriver stated it is obvious that special education students are not receiving the free and appropriate education they are entitled to.

At 8:23 p.m., Mr. Barnhart 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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