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
