BoardNotes: May 2022
Highlights from the Caroline Board of Education Meeting
Caroline County Board of Education meetings are livestreamed and may also be viewed after the meeting has concluded. For information about the Board of Education, including agendas and meeting schedules, please visit the Leadership page of our website.
MAY 4 BOARD MEETING
Pledge of Allegiance
Superintendent Announcement
President Newcomb announced the selection of Dr. Derek L. Simmons as superintendent, effective July 1, 2022, and voted to approve a four-year contract.
“This is the most important job any Board of Education is charged with, and we wanted a fair and comprehensive search,” Board President Jim Newcomb said. “In following the process outlined by our search consultant, we were proud to find that it led to the best candidate for the job right here in Caroline, Dr. Derek L. Simmons.” (Complete information in the News Release)
Board Member Reports
- Ms. Wayman highlighted her attendance at the National Technical Honor Society induction, Teacher of the Year presentation and Thomas Carney Historic Marker at Caroline County courthouse.
- Mr. Jones highlighted his attendance at the National Technical Honor Society induction,Teacher and Support Employee of the Year, and Denton Spring Chorus concert.
- Mr. Barton highlighted his attendance at various athletic events throughout the month.
- Mr. Newcomb highlighted his attendance at the Support Employee of the Year presentation, the closing of the Superintendent search process and selection of Dr. Simmons.
Below L-R: Richard Barton, Donna DiGiacomo, James Newcomb, A. Michele Wayman, Mark Jones
Interim Superintendent's Report
Interim Superintendent's Report
Dr. Simmons congratulated the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year Mirta Bradner and Support Employee of the Year Matt Sartwell.
Directors Snapshot
Director of Instruction Lindsey McCormick highlighted various student field trips, Regional History Day competition, and the Advanced Manufacturing Program nesting box projects.
Director of Special Programs and Student Services Elizabeth Anthony highlighted the 5th Annual Staff Appreciation event that celebrated 29 of staff members were nominated by families for outstanding work with Special Education students.
Director of Operations Bill Mengel highlighted the Operations Department Summer to-do list of maintenance projects, summer school transportation, and summer feeding. He also briefly discussed the newly required energy policy, technology updates, and congratulated the Support Employee of the Year, Matt Sartwell.
Student Representative Reports
Student Representative Reports
Colonel Richardson High School Student Board Representative Zahid Ashraf highlighted events and information for the schools in the south end of the county.
North Caroline High School Student Board Representative Zachary O’Brien highlighted events and information for the schools in the northern end of the county.
Finance Report
Comptroller Erin Thornton presented the most recent finance report through April 30, 2022. She highlighted the negative figure in Transportation Supplies and explained it was due to increasing fuel prices. She also informed the board that finances are on track for this point in the year, having spent 90% of the budget.
Personnel
RECOGNITIONS
Governor Hogan's Healthcare Heroes Poster Contest
Abbigail Marshall, 3rd grader at Greensboro Elementary, was recognized for winning 3rd place in Governor Hogan's Healthcare Heroes Poster Contest. Art teacher Melissa Lewis, Principal Dawn Swann, Supervisor of Instruction Renee Hesson, and the Marshall family were in attendance.
Upper Shore Regional History Day Competition
Principal Matt Spiker, History teacher Andrew Buffenmyer, and Supervisor of Instruction Rob Willoughby were in attendance.
Maryland State Wrestling Tournament
Two members of the Colonel Richardson High School Wrestling Team were recognized for placing at Maryland State Wrestling Tournaments.
Saleta Nichols, 11th grader at Colonel Richardson High School, was recognized for winning 4th Place for the 140 Weight Class at the MPSSAA Maryland State Girls Wrestling Tournament. Austin Alexander, 11th grader at Colonel Richardson High School, was recognized for winning 2nd Place for the 285 Weight Class in the MPSSAA Maryland State Wrestling Tournament.
CRHS Head Wrestling Coach Bryan Hall, Principal Nikki VonDenBosch, Supervisor of Instruction Rob Willoughby and the Nichols and Alexander families were also in attendance.
INDIVIDUAL ACTION ITEMS
Policy Revision to III.34.110: Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation
Supervisor of Instruction Dr. Willoughby presented the final draft policy, III.34.110 (Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation), which is a policy required by Section 7-424.1 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Dr. Willoughby explained that policy revisions were presented to the School System Improvement Council, the Citizens Advisory Committee, and shared via news release with the public for feedback.
Section 7-424.1 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland requires each local school system to develop and adopt a policy prohibiting bullying, harassment, and intimidation in schools. In December of 2021, MSDE updated the model policy to align with recent changes to the Education Article. The revisions presented represent language from the model policy.
Contract #22-022 Furnish and Install Flooring at 5 Schools
The Board accepted the bids as provided in the exhibit and awarded a contract to Fitz Flooring LLC, in the total amount of $315,000.00, to furnish and install flooring at five schools. The cost encompasses the base bid of $265,000 plus the add alternates of $50,000.
The award provides for all supervision, labor, necessary materials, floor preparation, equipment, tools, services, and other incidentals required to remove all existing carpet and floor tile in designated areas and furnish and install new cove base molding and flooring at five (5) CCPS school locations. The schools affected are Ridgely Elementary, Denton Elementary, Federalsburg Elementary, Colonel Richardson Middle, and North Caroline High. The contract will be a firm, fixed price contract. Performance will begin on June 20, 2022, and the project will be completed by the close of business on August 8, 2022. The funds associated with this project are provided for in the Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER II) grant.
The bid process and procedures complied with Board policy and applicable state laws and regulations.
PRESENTATIONS
Teacher Evaluation Committee
Director of Instruction Lindsey McCormick provided the Board an update from the Teacher Evaluation Committee that was formed in November 2021 to review new platform options and to determine if “Developing” should be added to evaluate teachers.
The committee recommended purchasing 'Perform' which is a Powerschool product. Ms. McCormick summarized the chosen platforms capabilities and benefits. She also reported that the committee recommended restoring 'developing' as an overall observation range but that the Professional Practice Score not have a 'developing' option. The committee recommended keeping the current calculation method for the Professional Practice Score as it currently stands.
Summary of 2022 Staff Survey Results
Dr. Simmons summarized results from the 2022 Employee Engagement Survey. He reviewed the 73% participation rate and key findings in the areas of strengths and opportunities, as well as steps for moving forward.
Dr. Simmons shared that while there was significant growth in the perceptions of confidence and communication from the district leadership, this should remain a priority area that needs to be strengthened.
DISCUSSION OF ITEMS FOR FUTURE BOARD ACTION
Budget Summary
Comptroller Erin Thornton advised the board that Governor Hogan signed HB 1450 to hardcode the Maintenance of Effort into statute the funds form the State of Maryland are finalized. She reviewed various line items on the budget summary.
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