TENTATIVE MINUTES

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND

Tuesday, June 12, 2001

The Board of Education of Baltimore County, Maryland, met in open session at 4:35 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, Ms. Jean M. H. Jung, Mr. Michael Kennedy, Mr. James R. Sasiadek, and Mr. James E. Walker. In addition, Dr. Joe A. Hairston, Superintendent of Schools, was present.

Mr. Barnhart immediately moved the Board go into closed session to discuss personnel matters, consult with counsel, and to discuss matters relative to negotiations pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article, §10-508(a)(1), (a)(7), and (a)(9). The motion was seconded by Mr. Sasiadek and unanimously approved by the Board.

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

Mr. Grimsley reviewed with Board members the status of renegotiations with several of the employee groups.

Dr. Hayman entered the room at 5:03 p.m.

Ms. Saffran-Brinks advised the Board on potential litigation. She also briefed the Board on the progress of settlement negotiations/discussions.

Dr. Hairston, Ms. Johns, and the Executive Directors for Schools reviewed the appointments and transfers on tonight’s agenda.

At 7:08 p.m., Mr. Kennedy moved to end the closed session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sasiadek and approved by the Board.

OPEN SESSION MINUTES

The Board of Education of Baltimore County, Maryland, reconvened in open session at 7:48 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, Mr. James R. Sasiadek, 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 media.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The open session commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, which was led by Ms. Erica Cohn, student member of the Board of Education, and a period of silent meditation for those who have served education in the Baltimore County Public Schools.

MINUTES

Mr. Arnold noted a correction to the Report on the selection of the New Reading Series. The correction in the May 30^th minutes reflected that the Houghton Mifflin series, A Legacy of Literacy, was recommended for grades one to five to address the comprehension, guided reading, and written language components of the literacy instruction framework. It would also provide continued phonics instruction and vocabulary development for students in grades four and five.

Hearing no further additions or corrections to the open and closed session minutes of May 30, 2001, Mr. Arnold declared the minutes approved as amended.

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

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

Mr. Arnold presented Ms. Lynn Anderson, a correspondent for the Baltimore County Bureau of The Sun, with a bouquet of flowers.   Ms. Anderson, who covered Board of Education matters for two years, has recently been assigned to cover Anne Arundel County government. Ms. Anderson’s replacement, Stephanie Desmond, was introduced.

Mr. Arnold read a resolution recognizing the service of H. J. Jack Barnhart who is leaving the Board after five (5) years service.

Mr. Arnold read a resolution honoring Erica A. Cohn who served as student Board member during the 2000-2001 school year. Ms. Cohn was also presented a gift from the Board.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Hairston announced that a Catonsville resident and a Baltimore County Public Schools’ graduate, Chris Warner, would be visiting the Catonsville Alternative Center later this week. Mr. Warner recently climbed Mt. Everest.

Ms. Cohn recognized members of the study group that reviewed mid-term and final examination schedules. Ms. Cohn was motivated to convene the study group by her own experiences where there was the potential to have three or more exams scheduled on one day. The group’s findings were given to the Area Superintendents who then disseminated the findings to every high school principal for their input.

Among the group’s recommendations are:

§Schools should adhere to a schedule which ensures that no more than two mid-terms or final examinations are administered on any given day,

§Exams should have a one-week time frame. Make-up exams should follow the last scheduled exam and continue through Friday of the exam week,

§Teachers who choose to give the exam over a time period of two or more days, either prior to or during the exam week, must submit their proposals to the principal or another designated administrator for approval, and

§Principals will recommend to teachers that, if necessary to give homework assignments during exam week, these assignments should be limited in scope.

Ms. Ettinger expressed concern about security issues with systemwide finals. Ms. Penny Booth, Coordinator for Mathematics, and Ms. Paula Simon, Coordinator for English and Reading, assured Ms. Ettinger they have not had any problems with test security in the past. Ms. Simon noted there are two forms of the English exam, and Ms. Booth stated there are 24 math exams. The process for reviewing and updating exams was shared with the Board. Ms. Booth also stated the exams are hand delivered and teachers are reminded of their responsibility with regard to test security.

Dr. Hayman asked about the next step. Ms. Bailey responded this report would be referred back to the Executive Cabinet and the Superintendent for further action. She stated the recommendations could become an extension of an existing rule, or they may be released as a directive from the Superintendent.

Dr. Hairston announced that he just received a summary report for the CTBS testing. In all categories in grades 2, 4, and 6, we have increased. A full report will follow later this summer or fall.

OLD BUSINESS

Mr. Hayden moved approval of the proposed revisions to Policy 5550 – Disruptive Behavior. The motion was seconded by Mr. Barnhart.

On behalf of Ms. Ross-Holmes, who was absent, Mr. Kennedy asked if there was a definition of “disrespect.” Mr. Rauenzahn noted that there was not at the present time, but noted that a committee is working on definitions for all the terms used in the policy. He noted that any changes to the wording of the rule as a result of this committee’s work are a year away.

Ms. Ettinger inquired about the definition of “disruptive behavior” in Category 2. She stated that the term was broad and open to interpretation. She also stated that by defining these terms as closely as we can, we can deal as fairly as possible with students.

The Board approved the proposed revisions to Policy 5550.

PERSONNEL MATTERS

Dr. Hairston pointed out there were 25 listed recommended appointments and transfers. He noted that if 10 of those actions effected by the MGT study were subtracted, it would leave 15 actions for tonight, which is considerably less than is normally presented this time of year.

Mr. Barnhart moved approval of the personnel matters. The motion was seconded by Mr. Walker.

Ms Jung stated that not only has staff worked together for a considerable amount of time for intensive study of candidates, there has been development of more processes and procedures that have been placed in writing than in recent history. In an attempt to support the Superintendent, the Board has come as close as possible to the perfect match of the needs of students and the needs of staff to be able to maximize their skills, abilities, and desires.

Mr. Kennedy expressed the Board’s appreciation to those staff members who will be moving to different positions.

The Board approved the personnel matters as presented on Exhibits C, D, E, F, and G. (Copies of the exhibits are attached to the formal minutes.)

CONTRACT AWARDS

On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Barnhart, the Board approved items 1-16.

1.Assistive Technology Equipment

2.Contracted Services: Containerized Refuse Collection Services –

Extension

3.Contracted Services: Lawn Mowing Services

4.Contracted Services: Office Disassembly and Restoration, Re-routing

of Network and Security Systems – Timonium Offices

5.Contracted Services: Programmer – Extension

6.Dust Collector System for Carver Center for the Arts

7.Football Supplies and Equipment

8.Installation of Greenhouse – Chesapeake High School

9.Interscholastic Athletic Supplies and Equipment

10.Medications and First Aid Supplies

11.Paper: Continuous (Computer) Stock

12.School Classroom/Office Supplies – Unique and Non-Standard

13.Telephone Supplies and Equipment

14.Welding Booths and Curtains – Overlea High School

15.Curriculum Software Management

16.Extension of Employee Assistance Program

BUILDING COMMITTEE

The Building Committee, represented Mr. Barnhart, recommended approval of items 1, 2, and 4-29. Mr. Hayden pulled items 15, 19, and 29. The Board approved recommendations 1-14, 16-18, and 20-28. Item 3 was withdrawn.

1.IT Cabling for Major Maintenance Renovation Projects - Baltimore

Highlands Elementary, Berkshire Elementary, and Grange Elementary Schools

 

2.IT Cabling for Major Maintenance Renovation Projects – Battle

Grove Elementary and Orems Elementary Schools

4.IT Cabling for Major Maintenance Renovation Projects – Chapel Hill

Elementary and Perry Hall Elementary Schools

5.IT Cabling for Major Maintenance Renovation Projects – Chesapeake

Terrace Elementary, Glenmar Elementary, and Mars Estates Elementary

Schools

6.IT Cabling for Major Maintenance Renovation Projects – Fort

Garrison Elementary and Scotts Branch Elementary Schools

7.IT Cabling for Major Maintenance Renovation Projects –

Norwood Elementary and Sussex Elementary Schools

8.IT Cabling for Major Maintenance Renovation Projects – Owings

Mills Elementary, Edmondson Heights Elementary, and Campfield

Early Childhood Center

9.IT Cabling for Major Maintenance Renovation Projects – Rodgers

Forge Elementary and Timonium Elementary Schools

10.IT Cabling for Major Maintenance Renovation Projects – Villa

Cresta Elementary and Woodmoor Elementary Schools

11.Ethernet Switches for Major Maintenance Renovation Projects –

Forty-four Elementary Schools

12.Electrical Service Upgrade – Campfield Early Childhood Center

13.Parking Lot Resurfacing – Colgate Elementary School

14.Parking Lot Resurfacing – Shady Spring Elementary School

 

16.Carpet Removal/Floor Tile Replacement – White Oak School

17.Duct Cleaning – General John Stricker Middle, Powhatan Elementary,

and White Oak Schools

18.Construction Packages for Addition – Woodlawn High School

20.Fee Acceptance – Architectural/Engineering Design Services –

Contract Extension – New Town High School

21.Fee Acceptance – Construction Management – Contract Extension –

New Town High School

22.Fee Acceptance – Architectural/Engineering Design Services –

Contract Extension – Woodlawn High School Addition

23.Fee Acceptance – Construction Management – Contract Extension –

Woodlawn High School Addition

24.Change Order – Major Maintenance Renovation Program – Grange

Elementary School

25.Change Order – Consultant Design Services for Major Maintenance

Renovation Program – Colgate Elementary School

26.Change Order – Consultant Design Services for Major Maintenance

Renovation Program – Norwood Elementary School

27.Change Order – Consultant Design Services for Major Maintenance

Renovation Program – Villa Cresta Elementary School

28.Change Order – Design Services for Walk-in Freezer/Refrigerator

Replacements – Ten Schools

Items 15, 19, and 29

As recommended by the Building Committee, the Board approved items 15, 19, and 29. Mr. Hayden abstained from voting on these items.

15.Science Laboratory Improvements – Eastern Technical High School

19.Walk-in Refrigerator/Freezer Replacement – Eleven Schools

29.Corrected Award of Contract – Major Maintenance Renovations – Owings Mills Elementary School

 

BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFER – CAPITAL BUDGET

Ms. Ettinger commended Dr. Krempel and the Facilities’ staff for the effective management of these projects that permits the system to do additional, much-needed work.

Mr. Barnhart complimented Dr. Krempel. He noted that during his tenure on the Board, the school system has saved money, and change orders have become nearly non-existent.

On motion of Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Ms. Cohn, the Board approved a budget appropriation transfer for the capital budget in the amount of $7,497,512.

BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFER – OPERATING BUDGET

In response to a question from Mr. Arnold at the last Board meeting with regard to utility costs, Ms. Burnopp distributed and reviewed a handout comparing actual utility costs this past school year with what was budgeted.

Ms. Burnopp noted that a large portion of the budget appropriation transfer relates to fuel and utility costs.

On motion of Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Mr. Hayden, the Board approved a year-end budget appropriation transfer for the operating budget in the amount of $3,493,000.

Mr. Sasiadek and Mr. Barnhart left the room at 9:00 p.m.

 

ADOPTIION OF FISCAL YEAR 2002 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS

In accordance with Policy 3112, on motion of Mr. Hayden, seconded by Dr. Hayman, the Board formally adopted the Fiscal Year 2002 Operating and Capital Budgets as approved by the County Council.

Ms. Ettinger thanked community members for their support during the budget process. She also thanked the County Executive and the County Council for their support of the budget.

INFORMATION

The Board received the following as information:

Minutes of the Central Area Educational Advisory Council meeting, April 18, 2001.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Arnold made the following announcements:

ØMable Brooks, mother of former Board President Dunbar Brooks, passed away last week. Funeral services were held today.

ØOn Wednesday, June 13, 2001, the Southeast Area Educational Advisory Council will meet at the Southeast Area Office at 7:30 p.m.

ØSummer schools and offices will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, 2001, in observance of Independence Day.

ØThe next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of Baltimore County will be held on Tuesday, July 10, 2001, 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 approximately 7:30 p.m. The public is welcome at all open session.

Ms. Jung announced that she, Mr. Hayden, and Mr. Walker recently visited Randallstown Elementary School. The panels outside the Board room were put together by students to show the past condition of the building, the construction taking place, and what they anticipate in the future.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. JoLynn Chadwick, Chair of the Advisory Committee for Gifted and Talented Education, spoke of the composition of the Reading Series Selection Committee. She indicated that she had been included at the end of the process and expressed her feeling that it may have been a good idea to include someone from the Gifted and Talented Education Office from the beginning of the process.

Ms. Teresa LaMaster, Chair of the Advisory Committee for Special Education, commended Erica Cohn for her service this past year. She expressed her surprise there was no information shared tonight about the reorganization as it relates to Special Education. She encouraged the Superintendent and Board to share with the public the next steps in the reorganization.

Ms. Maggie Kennedy, Coordinator of Area Educational Advisory Councils, requested a meeting with the Board prior to the publishing the Councils’ policies and procedures so that some changes may be resolved. She also noted that some area councils need to recruit additional members. Ms. Kennedy wished Erica well in the future.

Ms. Meg O’Hare, Chair of the Northeast Area Educational Advisory Council, provided Board members a preview of next year’s meeting schedule. She thanked Dr. Hairston for meeting with parents recently to discuss the rationale for the way the reading series was chosen. Ms. O’Hare noted that her research revealed that it is difficult to put two series together as Baltimore County is attempting to do. She suggested that all of the advisory committees and councils come together to work on a uniform process for these types of committees so that it is known how they work as well as the expectations.

Ms. Bernadette Worthing, a representative of the Central Area Educational Advisory Council, noted the Council’s planning meeting tomorrow. She noted that a change in the way meetings are conducted would be considered. Ms. Worthing expressed a desire to see more of a connection between what the Councils do, what the Board does, and what the community knows.

Mr. Boyd Crouse, Chair of the Southeast Area Educational Advisory Council, thanked the Superintendent, the Deputy Superintendent, Board members, support staff, faculty, administrators, parents, and business partners for their commitment to education. He noted the group’s goal this past year was to increase participation, and in the last 6 weeks, some changes have been seen. Mr. Crouse asked the Board to consider the efforts of the Patapsco High School PTA in its attempt to establish academic requirements for continued participation in extracurricular activities. He also asked for the Board’s support and assistance as appropriate. On behalf of the Dundalk Elementary School PTA, he asked the Board to consider expediting the window replacement at the school.

Mr. Stephen Crum, a representative of the Southeast Area Educational Advisory Council, informed the Board that the first music scholarship established in his mother-in-law’s memory at Kenwood High School has been awarded to an extremely talented trumpet player who will attend UMBC.

Ms. Marcella Kehr, President of the Baltimore (County Instructional) Assistants and Clerical Employees (BACE), expressed her group’s disappointment that County fiscal authorities did not fund the reclassification. She stated BACE wants to continue to work with the Board to acquire the funding needed. Ms. Kehr also mentioned that paraeducators and clericals received no professional development this year.

Ms. Nikki Hart, Chair of BACE’s negotiating committee and administrative secretary at Middleborough Elementary School, noted how support personnel relate to students every day, such as assisting in classrooms, acting as a substitute nurse, and helping students who come to the office for assistance.

Ms. Susan O’Connell, an instructional assistant, recognized the Board did not make the cuts to the budget. She noted that overwhelmingly, IA’s and clericals are female. Some are single and the sole support for their family. Ms. O’Connell spoke of the school system’s three goals as they relate to support personnel. She asked the Board to advocate for fair compensation for support personnel.

Ms. Lora Williams, President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 434, introduced the Local’s vice president, executive board, members of Local 434, and Council representative Tom Kelleher. Noting that 500 bus drivers have waited 9 years for an upgrade and 800 custodians who have been informed there is no money for reclassification, Ms. Williams asked the Board to bring to the attention of the County government the needs and priorities of AFSCME.

Ms. Laura Nossel, President of the PTA Council of Baltimore County, spoke of how the Council’s activities this past school year tied in with their theme, Connect For Success. She noted the upcoming leadership training later this week. Ms. Nossel also announced that Maryland would be the host state for the national PTA conference at the end of June. She also announced that the Ridge Ruxton PTA would be recognized as a national PTA Parent Involvement Award winner. Pens were distributed to Board members in appreciation for making student success a priority. Ms. Nossel wished Ms. Cohn well as she heads off to college.

Mr. Mark Beytin, President of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County, spoke in support of BACE and AFSCME. He noted how these support personnel support our teachers and students and asked the Board to make this funding a priority.

Ms. Roslyn Hodnett, a Woodbridge Elementary School parent, asked the Board to give serious consideration to construction of walls in open space areas at Woodbridge. She also asked the Board for a written response to the group’s request.  

Ms. Marcy Murphy, a Woodbridge Elementary School parent, urged the Board to support walls for Woodbridge. She noted that underachieving schools surround Woodbridge and that there are some open space schools that have received partitions. Ms. Murphy stated bids are going out for the much needed renovation at the school and expressed the hope that the construction of walls could be done at the same time, rather than after the renovation has been completed.

At 9:53 p.m., Ms. Cohn moved to adjourn the open session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kennedy and approved by the Board.

Respectfully submitted,

___________________

Joe A. Hairston

Secretary-Treasurer

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