Report of the Work Session of the
Board of Education of Baltimore County, Maryland
Wednesday, July 11, 2001

President Donald L. Arnold called the work session to order at 6:40 p.m. In addition to Mr. Arnold, the following Board members were in attendance: Ms. Erica A. Cohn, Ms. Phyllis E. Ettinger, Dr. Warren C. Hayman, Ms. Jean M. H. Jung, Mr. Michael P. Kennedy, 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 groups were present as was the media.

Mr. Arnold reminded Board members to contact Mrs. Zepp by Friday regarding their attendance at an October conference.

Mr. Hayden entered the room at 6:42 p.m.

Dr. Hairston stated tonight's presentation would provide an overview of the central office restructuring and operating organization. He also stated the presentation would demonstrate services and how the model will be implemented this year. Dr. Hairston noted that tonight's presentation reflects a $1.5 million savings for the school system.

Ms. Ross-Holmes entered the room at 6:48 p.m.

Ms. Johns' presentation included a visual of the service model for schools. She emphasized that this is not a reporting structure. Ms. Johns noted that principals are the heart of the organization. They report directly to the Executive Directors of Schools. The model shows that any principal may seek support or advice from the Superintendent.

Mr. Hayden noted that in the service model presented, it appears that only the Superintendent has access to the Board of Education. He pointed out that all employees should have access to the Board. Dr. Hayman disagreed. He stated the public should have access to the Board, and school system employees should have access to the Superintendent rather than the Board. Mr. Teplitzky stated it is important for the public to understand the role of Board members so people know if it's appropriate to come to them with concerns. Ms. Ettinger noted that a free flow of information in both directions is important, and one of the keys to that is appropriate access to the Board, especially by the public. The model shows the Superintendent as the Board's only employee, and this needs to be clear to the public.

Mr. Haines emphasized that the service model is about student achievement; it is a way of organizing functional operation so that the vision can be delivered. He confirmed that this model has nothing to do with the Board's interaction with the public. Mr. Haines stated services could be obtained from a number of locations. We must identify those people who are not working in the most efficient and effective manner and help them become more efficient, thus allowing schools to spend more time on education. Mr. Haines stated we must identify the needs of students, staff, the leadership, and how the needs support student achievement.

Dr. Hayman noted that everyone has a role with respect to accountability. He also suggested that the term "student achievement" be defined and perhaps expanded to go beyond students' achievement on tests.

Mr. Teplitzky noted in the area of shared accountability, the issue of clearly defined expectations and the uniform communication of those expectations to the public should be included.

Ms. Johns reviewed the reporting structure for her area of responsibility, Curriculum and Instruction. She provided a brief overview of the responsibilities of Elementary Programs, Secondary Programs, Special Programs, Assessment, Education Channel, and Student Support Services.

Ms. Jung asked for clarification about the role and responsibility of the Middle School Improvement Director. Ms. Johns responded that the director will work with the Executive Directors of Elementary, Secondary, and PreK-12 Programs. This person will also look at the middle school program to establish a task force to see how we can make the program better.

In response to questions raised by Ms. Ettinger and Ms. Cohn with regard to a smooth transition between elementary and secondary levels and ensuring students enrolled in special programs are equally prepared, Dr. Hairston emphasized the primary function of the Executive Directors of Schools will be to monitor the performance and resources in the schools.

Mr. Sasiadek stated he would be looking to Ms. Johns as Deputy Superintendent to ensure key people in Curriculum and Instruction are working together. Ms. Johns stated that is part of her role and responsibility. She noted that she will meet regularly with her Executive Directors, and at those meetings issues can be identified and teams can be set up to work together.

Mr. Teplitzky inquired as to where the system is with regard to delivering services to schools with an understaffed work force, i.e. social workers, psychologists, counselors. Ms. Johns indicated that Dr. Mohler is currently looking at one concept with respect to psychologists, and we also need to look at how we are doing business. Dr. Mohler stated that his department is working with Assessment to rate each school using a number of factors. The neediest schools will be identified and it will then determine how existing resources can be deployed to assist them. Dr. Mohler is developing a comprehensive Student Support Services model that will impact student achievement. Mr. Teplitzky voiced his hope that part of this model will bring to the attention of central office the successes in our system so they can be shared with schools that are struggling.

Ms. Ettinger shared her concern about the movement of the IST Facilitator to Psychological Services, noting that it is an instructional support model. Dr. Kidder, Coordinator of Psychological Services, explained she had concerns about the future and generalization of this program. Psychological Services wants to focus on IST so it can be in a position where the program can be generalized to a number of schools. Dr. Mohler added his department is looking at the IST program so it can be strengthened. The department is also looking at 504 programs to make sure they are being implemented, monitored, assessed, and evaluated in the manner they should.

Dr. Hayman suggested the coordination of services so there is no duplication.

Ms. Ettinger suggested we look at various program delivery models being used. She also stated we must use existing resources well before asking for more. Ms. Ettinger also expressed concern about the role of guidance counselors. She stated their time needs to be guarded so it is not used in inappropriate ways.

Ms. McMahon provided a brief overview of the Department of Elementary Programs and the service model for that area.

Mr. Kennedy, Ms. Cohn, and Ms. Ettinger expressed concern that no one from the curricular offices would be involved in the supervision/evaluation of teachers. Ms. Johns stated that it is expected that central office staff will be in the schools, but they will provide support rather than supervision.

Mr. Hayden left the room at 9:00 p.m.

Ms. Ettinger shared her concern that content expertise be available to teachers, department chairs, and administrators to make certain we are delivering a written curriculum. Ms. Cohn stated that principals should be encouraged to seek support from instructional services.

In response to a question by Ms. Ettinger, Ms. Collins, Executive Director of Secondary Programs, described the involvement of the curricular offices in the selection of people to fill department chair positions.

Ms. Jung communicated the importance of placing emphasis on curriculum writing, support to teachers, and the learning that takes place in the early grades (pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade). She also echoed the concerns expressed by Mr. Kennedy and Ms. Ettinger with respect to curricular offices being involved in teacher evaluation.

Ms. Ettinger voiced her hope that the arts programs would not be negatively impacted because of its placement under Elementary Programs. As a supporter of the arts, she would like to see the arts sustained and strengthened.

Mr. Arnold announced that due to the late hour, the discussion on the reorganization would continue on a date to be announced. At that time, Special Education and Professional Development will make their presentations.

The work session was concluded at 9:28 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joe A. Hairston

Secretary-Treasurer