BoardNotes: December 2020
Highlights from the Caroline Board of Education Meeting
Caroline County Board of Education meetings may be viewed live or after the fact on the district's Vimeo page. For information about the Board of Education, including agendas and meeting schedules, please visit the CCPS website Leadership page.
OPENING ITEMS
Swearing In of Newly Elected Board Members
Reorganization of the Board & Board Attorney (Election of Officers)
The Board conducted their annual re-organization of the board with the following results:
James A. Newcomb, Jr. - President
Donna L. DiGiacomo - Vice President
William Sandy McAllister - Board Attorney
Photo: President James A. Newcomb, Jr.
CONSENT AGENDA
Personnel
RECOGNITIONS
Wellness at Work Award
The Healthiest Maryland Businesses Wellness at Work Awards Program recognizes Maryland businesses that are committed to improving employee health and well-being and highlight wellness initiatives that meet all components of the CDC's Workplace Health Model. There are four award levels businesses can achieve: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and On the Path.
Dr. Saelens announced that Caroline County Public Schools earned and was awarded the Silver Level, thanks to the leadership of Health Services Coordinator Jennifer Yost. Ms. Yost thanked her team for their hard work, and said it was definitely a team effort to keep staff as healthy as possible.
Also on the topic of wellness, Mr. Nagel shared that CCPS, Caroline County Educators Association (CCEA), Caroline County Educational Support Association (CCESPA), and Caroline County Administrators and Supervisors (A&S) had all recently agreed to suspend the perfect attendance incentive until the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Given the severity of the pandemic and the need for staff to be honest and stay home when they are symptomatic, the mutual feeling was that suspending the perfect attendance incentive is the most responsible action to ensure the safety of all staff and students.
INDIVIDUAL ACTION ITEMS
New Course Proposal: AP Music Theory
The Board approved the curriculum for the Advanced Placement Music Theory course. Amy Shepler, Supervisor of Instruction, presented the Advanced Placement Music Theory Course proposal. She explained that the course is designed for college-bound students who desire to study music in college or post-secondary studies. Students will extend and expand their music theory knowledge, sight-singing skills and aural musical skills. This course is specifically for those students who will take the AP exam.
Contract #21-007 Furnish, Deliver and Install Diesel Generator
The Board accepted the bid and awarded a contract to Lywood Electric, Inc., in the amount of $50,458 for the provision and installation of a diesel generator at the Support Services Warehouse.
The contract is to provide and install a diesel generator at CCPS’ Support Services Center. In the event of a power outage, the generator will provide power back-up for the newly installed refrigeration unit as well as the rest of the warehouse and the Support Services office building. The funds associated with this project are provided for through the lease purchase financing for the support services project.
The bid process and procedures complied with Board policy and applicable state laws and regulations.
REPORTS
Board Member Reports
Superintendent's Report - Thank You to Mr. Abner
Mr. Abner in turn thanked Dr. Saelens and the staff. He shared that his initial reason for coming onto the Board was because he had children in the schools and had always been involved; however, "I'm glad I stuck around (after his children graduated) and have been able to see so much progress in the county."
Superintendent's Report - Return to Virtual Learning Update
Dr. Saelens shared that information about the timeline needed to be shared with staff and families as soon as possible. She said she is aware this news will be disheartening for families and even more so for staff who want students back for face-to-face learning.
(News release: Schools to remain virtual at least through early January)
Board members asked questions about the timing of a return. Dr. Saelens said they will continue to assess metrics daily but could not consider setting a date until January 3rd at the earliest for a student return date of January 11th.
There were also questions about communicating processes and data with the community, and Dr. Saelens shared the specific website page with that information.
The Board asked questions about instructional-based staff in the buildings. Dr. Saelens shared that this decision was made based on the following:
- Without students in school, the buildings are at approximately 10% capacity.
- Virtual learning is better facilitated from the classroom where equipment and resources are readily available.
- The Recovery Plan provides protocols for health and safety measures in all CCPS buildings.
- Teachers with a documented medical reason have been given approval to telework.
- Teachers have the Family Accommodation option which allows their school-aged children to join them in their classroom.
Dr. Saelens also explained that metrics are assessed daily for each school, and should an outbreak occur in an individual school, it would be closed for the appropriate period of time.
Director of Instruction Lindsey McCormick reported that 600 Kajeet HotSpots had been distributed to students and to date, the device does not enable connectivity for 30 students.
Assistant Superintendent & Directors Report (Snapshot)
Student Representative Reports
Student representatives Zachary O'Brian from North Caroline High School and Gillian Cheezum from Colonel Richardson High School virtually provided reports on activities from schools in their respective ends of the county.
Gilliam Cheezum, CRHS
Student Representative Reports
Zachary O'Brien, NCHS
Finance Report
PRESENTATIONS
New Meeting Streaming Services
PUBLIC COMMENT
Caroline County Public Schools
Email: pio@ccpsstaff.org
Website: carolineschools.org
Location: Caroline County, Maryland
Phone: 410.479.1460
Facebook: facebook.com/carolineschools.org
Twitter: @CarolineCoPS