BoardNotes: April 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.
APRIL 6 BOARD MEETING
Pledge of Allegiance
Today I pledge to be the best me I can be.
Today I pledge to treat others with respect and courtesy.
Today I pledge to be helpful to others.
Today I pledge to be a positive role model.
Today I will demonstrate I’m a Gentleman!
Board Member Reports
Mr. Newcomb provided an update on the status of the current superintendent search (see news release link below).
Mr. Barton highlighted the Shore Gourmet Mobile Ribbon Cutting and applauded Shore Gourmet and everyone involved for an excellent event. He also mentioned both high school groups that participated in the Special Olympics Maryland Polar Bear Plunge.
Ms. DiGiacomo shared that the Retired Teachers Luncheon was a great event. She worked with the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education to help conduct mock interviews that prepare students for employment.
Mr. Jones highlighted his attendance at the recent National School Boards Association conference. He attended workshops on a variety of topics including STEM education, Board Self-Evaluation, and Board communication.
Below L-R: Richard Barton, Donna DiGiacomo, James Newcomb, Arevia Michele Wayman, Mark Jones
Superintendent's Report
Interim Superintendent's Report
Interim Superintendent Dr. Simmons highlighted his participation in the virtual Polar Bear Plunge at Federalsburg Elementary. He thanked SRO Bealefeld and Physical Education teacher Kyle Herring for involving him and 'plunging' alongside him.
Dr. Simmons also highlighted a visit by Maryland State Superintendent Mohammad Choudhury. Mr. Choudhury shadowed a Greensboro Elementary student throughout the morning, and attended a Collective Impact community meeting with Dr. Simmons in the afternoon.
Directors Snapshot
Director of Special Programs and Student Services Elizabeth Anthony highlighted the details of recent assessments, upcoming Summer Camp for students, and a successful Career & Technology Education night for the Caroline Career & Technology Center. She also shared that the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee hosted a very successful Bowling Event with students, parents, grandparents and school leadership.
Director of Operations Bill Mengel reported that the Shore Gourmet Mobile Market was taken to an event in Annapolis where lawmakers expressed great interest in the concept. He also explained the basics of the procurement process for CCPS.
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
Personnel
RECOGNITIONS
State of Maryland Literacy Association (SOMLA) High School Young Authors Contest State Winners
Supervisor of Instruction Renee Hesson presented the State of Maryland Literacy Association (SOMLA) High School Young Authors Contest State Winners from Caroline:
- Joanna Schoonover, CRHS, 11th grade, 1st place Short Story for "The Leper"
- Brooklyn Lindsey-Taylor, NCHS, 12th grade, 2nd place Poetry for "Jane Doe"
- Olivia Ordonez, NCHS, 12th grade, 1 place Short Story for "The Curse of the Phantom Heart"
Between March 13th and April 2nd, the State Writing Contest Chairperson emailed each State winner and by April 15th, a published anthology of winners will appear on SoMLA's website.
Joanna Schoonover, CRHS
Brooklyn Lindsey-Taylor, NCHS
Olivia Ordonez, NCHS
Spring 2022 Maryland First Lady's Art Exhibit
Supervisor of Instruction Renee Hesson reported that two Caroline students were recognized at a virtual reception by First Lady Yumi Hogan and the MSDE Office of Fine Arts for being selected for the Spring 2022 Maryland’s First Lady’s Art Exhibit. The artwork will be displayed in the Maryland House of Delegates and in a virtual exhibit through the fall.
- Ava Carels, Colonel Richardson High School for Princess Teapot (Art Teacher: Melanie Bolles)
- Rebekah Mitchell, North Caroline High School for Among the Sunflowers (Art Teacher: Tim Goodger)
INDIVIDUAL ACTION ITEMS
Contract #22-013 Food and Food Related Items
The Board awarded a contract to Sysco Eastern Maryland, LLC, in the total amount of $4,101,884.55 to establish a contract for the furnishing and delivery of Food and Food Related Items for the Child Nutrition Food Service Programs for Maryland’s Shore 7 Educational Food Service Consortium (MSEC). The participating school systems are Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties. Caroline County Public Schools (CCPS) acted as the solicitation agent. The term of the contract is July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, with four additional one-year terms.
It was reported that the bid process and procedures complied with Board policy and applicable state laws and regulations.
Contract #22-019 Door Locks and Hardware
The Board awarded a contract to Selma, Inc. d/b/a Salisbury Door and Hardware, in the total amount of $100,280.00, to furnish and install all materials for Door Locks and Hardware in eight schools. The cost encompasses the base bid of $93,680 plus the add alternate of $6,600 for required keying of the new locks.
It was reported that the funds associated with this project are provided for in the School Safety Grant Program, and the bid process and procedures complied with Board policy and applicable state laws and regulations.
PRESENTATIONS
K-8 Mathematics Curriculum Update
Supervisor of Instruction Melissa Mulligan provided an update to the Board on Mathematics curriculum for grades K-8. The presentation covered current student data, options for curriculum and the state requirements involved, and the math framework and timeline.
Legislative Update
Maryland LEADS Grant
Dr. Simmons provided the Board with a summary of the Maryland LEADS grant opportunity. He reviewed the background and explained that CCPS had chosen to focus on the following four strategies:
- Grow Your Own
- Staff Support and Retention
- Science of Reading
- Reimagining the Use of Time
DISCUSSION OF ITEMS FOR FUTURE BOARD ACTION
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