BoardNotes: October 2021
Highlights from the Caroline Board of Education Meetings
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.
OCTOBER 4th MEETING
Board Member Reports
Superintendent's Report
Dr. Simmons his plan to spend a full day each month at one of the schools, without a formal agenda for the visit, which will enable him to develop a deeper understanding and connection to the everyday work of schools. He discussed his first visit, which was to Greensboro Elementary, and how enlightening and enriching it was to interact with students and staff throughout the school day.
Directors' Report
Lindsey McCormick, Director of Instruction, highlighted a professional development opportunity for Health and Physical Education teachers to certify them in CPR. With this, high school teachers can now certify students in health classes as they complete the course.
Elizabeth Anthony, Director of Special Programs and Student Services, highlighted the Early Childhood professional development for Conscious Discipline. She also briefed the board on Project AWARE’s first year successes and upcoming plans for year 2 of the grant.
Bill Mengel, Director of Operations, highlighted the Food Services department including a grant from Maryland Food Bank, summary of meals served and food processing in Summer 2021, update of Shore Gourmet Mobile Unit. He also mentioned that Supervisor of Food Services, Beth Brewster, was recently appointed by the Governor’s Office for the State Food Resiliency Council to represent public schools.
Student Representative Reports
Student Representative Reports
North Caroline High School Student Board Representative, Zachary O’Brien, highlighted events and information for the schools in the north county he represents including, homecoming events, fall testing, and book fairs.
Colonel Richardson High School Student Board Representative, Zahid Ashraf, highlighted events and information for the schools in the south county he represents including, homecoming, fall testing, and college application week at both high schools.
Finance Report
Erin Thornton, Comptroller, explained and reviewed a recent redesign of the finance report that makes it easier to read and understand. She explained that while there are some negative figures on the budget, it is because the budget needs to be realigned for decisions or changes that were made after the budget was approved and because of some unexpected emergencies.
Personnel
RECOGNITIONS
Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS)
- Caroline Career & Technology Center
- Colonel Richardson High School
- Colonel Richardson Middle School
- Denton Elementary School
- Greensboro Elementary School
- Lockerman Middle School
- Ridgely Elementary School
PUBLIC COMMENT
INDIVIDUAL ACTION ITEMS
Citizens Advisory Committee
Each year, members of the Board of Education and school principals alternate the responsibility of making nominations to the Citizens Advisory Committee. This year the school principals have submitted the following names for consideration which were unanimously approved by the Board.
Stefanie Johnson (DES)
Richard and Renee Wilson (GES)
Savannah Winston (PES)
Jennifer Mayer (RES)
Robin Bowman-Smith (FES)
Whitney Meissner (CRMS)
Kristen Robinson (LMS)
Bonnie Bassford (CRHS)
Michele Scharf (CCTC)
Megan Miller (NCHS)
Negotiations Team
The Board of Education approved exempt administrators and the negotiating team for the purpose of beginning the negotiating process.
- Ms. Deborah Siachos, Chief Negotiator
- Ms. Elizabeth Anthony
- Dr. Yolanda Holloway
- Ms. Erin Thornton
- Ms. Penny Bradley
- Mr. Robert Willoughby
FY23 Capital Improvement Program
A Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is required by the Interagency Committee for School Construction (IAC) to be updated and approved annually by all local boards of education. Following the Board of Education’s acceptance and approval, the CIP is also submitted to the County Commissioners for its acceptance.
The approved FY23 CIP reflects the Board’s priorities as shown in the previously approved Educational Facilities Master Plan. A summary of all current and future years projects is included, Form 102.4, and can be found on page 4 of the document.
FY22 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan
Bill Mengel, Director of Operations, presented the Board with the FY22 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan for their approval.
The Interagency Commissioner on School Constructions (IAC) requires an annual update of the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP). This plan represents one of several activities enabling the IAC to monitor and evaluate how well Maryland’s school systems are systematically and comprehensively protecting the state’s capital investment. Caroline County’s specific objectives for its CMP are to:
- Provide the most effective environment possible for teaching and learning.
- Minimize potential disruptions to the educational program.
- Preserve and protect the asset value of school property and facilities.
- Maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of facility functions and systems.
- Provide the foundation for effective risk management and preventative maintenance programs.
Superintendent Search Vendor
The Board approved a contract with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) for the purpose of conducting a search for the next superintendent of schools.
President Newcomb shared that as the first step in the search process, a Stakeholder Input Survey has been developed for staff, students, families and the general public. The survey will remain open until November 24. The purpose of the survey is to determine the strengths of the county as a whole, the characteristics the public believes a superintendent should possess, and what challenges a new superintendent may face.
Once survey information is reviewed, the Board will work with MABE to develop advertising, candidate criteria and interview questions, and to set a timeline for application review and subsequent interviews. The Board intends to make a final decision that is announced to the public by the end of May 2022.
PRESENTATIONS
COVID-19 Update
September Enrollment Update
Bill Allen, Supervisor of Pupil Services, updated the Board on enrollment figures for the month of September.
Sept302021OctBoardCountPreK-12 (2).pdf
Sept302021UnofficialEnrollmenttoBoard(3).pdf
CCPSPK-12EnrollmentTrendGraph.pdf
CCPSElementaryEnrollmentTrendGraph.pdf
CCPSMiddleEnrollmentTrendGraph.pdf
Class Size Report
Lindsey McCormick, Director of Instruction, Curriculum, and Assessment provided the Board an update on class sizes for the 2021-2022 school year.
2022 Elementary Class Sizes.pdf
2021-22 Budget Calendar
DateActivity
- Tuesday, December 7, 2021 Budget Development discussion - 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 4, 2022 Budget Development discussion - 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 18, 2022 Board Work Session with County Commissioners - 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 19, 2022 - School System Improvement Council - 4:30 p.m and Citizens Advisory Council - 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, February 1, 2022 Budget Approval - 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Submit approved budget to Caroline Co. Commissioners
- TBD Caroline Co. Government public hearing to receive testimony on budget requests
- TBD Caroline Co. Government public hearing on proposed budget
- Tuesday, June 7, 2022 Final Budget Approval - 6:00 p.m.
ARP / ESSER Grant Update
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
October:
- Friday, October 8 at 5 p.m.: NCHS Homecoming Parade
- Friday, October 8 at 7 p.m.: NCHS Homecoming Game (NCHS vs. Stephen Decatur)
- Friday, October 8 at 6 p.m.: CRHS Homecoming Game (CRHS vs. Kent County)
- Saturday, October 9 at 10 a.m.: CRHS Homecoming Parade in Federalsburg
- Tuesday, October 19 at 6 p.m.: CCBOE Work Session
November:
- Tuesday, November 2 at 6 p.m.: CCBOE Board Meeting
- Tuesday, November 16 at 6 p.m.: CCBOE Work Session
December:
- Wednesday, December 1 at 7 p.m: Federalsburg Winter Concert
- Thursday, December 2 at 7 p.m.: Preston Elementary Winter Concert
- Tuesday, December 7 at 6 p.m.: CCBOE Board Meeting
- Wednesday, December 8 at 7 p.m.: CRMS Chorus & Orchestra Concert
- Thursday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m.: DES Winter Concert
- Thursday, December 9⋅7:00 p.m.: CRMS Band & Jazz Band Concert
- Thursday, December 16 at⋅6:30: LMS Winter Concert @ NCHS
- Friday, December 17 at 7 p.m.: CRHS Winter Concert
- Tuesday, December 21 at 6 p.m.: CCBOE Work Session
- Tuesday, December 21⋅6:00 p.m.: NCHS Winter Concert
OCTOBER 19th WORK SESSION
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
Kindergarten through Fifth Grade Reading Curriculum
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