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Education Advisory Councils of Baltimore
County
Mission Statement
To improve the quality of education in Baltimore
County and to strengthen the relationship between the school
and community by serving as informed advisors to the Board
of Education on issues that affect students, families, communities,
and schools.
Description
The Education Advisory Council of Baltimore County is made
up of five area councils and serves a unique and important
role in our school system. Recognizing the essential role
parents and community members play in supporting our public
school system, the Advisory Council was established in 1972.
Since that time, the Advisory Council members have served
as both informed advisors to the Board of Education and
as liaisons to the communities they represent.
As informed advisors to the Board, the Advisory Council provides
the Board with community input and advises the Board about
concerns and issues. The information comes directly from you—the
parents and community members the Council represents—and
it helps the Board conduct business in a manner that is sensitive
to the needs of our children in the context of their communities.
As community liaisons, we hold local meetings to provide information
about new initiatives, goals and plans, new policies and curriculum,
opportunities for advocacy, and legislation affecting the
schools. We also take public comment and suggestions at meetings
and hearings to bring directly to the Board. In addition,
we are available to help people navigate the school system
and find answers to their questions and concerns.
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Functions of the Advisory
Council
- We provide a forum for interested citizens and community
groups to bring forward issues and concerns.
- We hold annual pre-budget hearings to solicit comments
from the public about budget priorities.
- We function as a sounding board for proposed policy changes.
- We advise the Board of Education about community opinions
and reactions to issues and policy.
- We bring together policymakers and experts to interpret
and educate the community about new legislation, Board of
Education policy, and new school initiatives.
- We meet with elected officials to advocate on behalf of
public education.
- We provide information that is used in the development
of the school system’s educational program.
- We are available when community members have questions
to direct them to the appropriate school officials.
- We monitor and have input in areas such as student enrollment
projections and facilities issues, including architectural
planning and design.
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Membership and Responsibility
Advisory Council members are appointed by the Baltimore County
Board of Education. They are parents, students, community
members, and business people. Members serve a three-year term
and can be reappointed for two additional terms for a maximum
total of nine years of service.
Duties of an advisory member are to:
- Come to meetings
- Be a liaison to designated schools in his or her area
- Participate in committee work of the Council
- Stay connected to his/her communities
- Be informed about issues and policy changes
- Participate in advocacy efforts
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the council may
submit his or her resume to the appropriate Area Advisory
Chair. The Council will review it and forward it to the Board
of Education for consideration and approval. For more information
or to apply, contact the Coordinator or your Area Chair.
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Meetings
of the Advisory Council
Meetings are held monthly and are open to the public. The
majority of the monthly Advisory Council meetings are held
locally in each area, but some meetings are joint meetings
of the entire Education Advisory Council. Meetings are
held at local schools, but locations vary from month to
month. A schedule of joint meetings is provided below. For
a schedule of local meetings with dates, topics, and locations,
please contact the Coordinator or Area Chairs.
2007-2008 Joint Meetings
Meetings will be held on the Greenwood Campus in the ESS Building,
Room 114.
October 24, 2007, 7-9 pm
January 24, 2008, 7-9 pm
May 15, 2008, 7-9 pm
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How to Contact Area Chairs
The Education Advisory Council Area Chairs for
2007-2008
Council Coordinator: Boyd Crouse
boydcrouse@hotmail.com
Southwest Area: Robert Lesnevich
RRLesnevich@verizon.net
Northwest Area: Clifford Collins
cjacob123@aol.com
Central Area: Jan Thomas
Jan560@comcast.net
Northeast Area: Peter Mattes
mattesedu@yahoo.com
Southeast Area: Buddy Staigerwald
budstaigerwald@aol.com
Web Contact: Sue Hahn
shahn2@bcps.org
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