1. Closed Session, 4:00 p.m.
2. Regular Session, 6:00 p.m.
2.01 Pledge of Allegiance
2.02 Approval of the Regular Agenda for July 21, 2022. Approved.
2.03 Calendar:
Monday, August 8, 2022: New Teachers Report to Work for School Year 2022-2023, NDMS
Thursday, August 18, 2022 4:00 pm: August Meeting of the Dorchester County Board of Education DCTC
Monday, August 22, 2022: All Teachers Report to Work for School Year 2022-2023
Monday, August 29, 2020: Grades 1-5, 6 and 9 Report for School. All SDS Grades Report for School.
Tuesday, August 30, 2022: Grades 1-12 Report to School
Wednesday, August 31, 2022: PreK and K Report for the First Day of School
Monday, September 5, 2022: Schools/Offices Closed for Labor Day
2.04 Comments from the Public:
Speaker #1 The Speaker, Vice Chair of Lower Eastern Shore Sierra Club, strongly endorsed taking advantage of the EPA grant opportunity to provide electric school buses and the supporting infrastructure to DCPS. The EPA has designated Dorchester as a priority a county and will provide up to 25 buses and the supporting infrastructure at no cost. The Speaker pointed out that DCPS will soon be faced with mandatory conversion to electric busses and will face fines for failure to comply. The Speaker noted that DCPS cannot, from a fiscal standpoint, afford to pass up this opportunity.
Speaker #2 The Speaker also endorsed taking advantage of the EPA grant opportunity which makes electric school buses and infrastructure available at no cost to Dorchester County as one of five priority counties. She also noted that DCPS will soon be faced with mandatory conversion to electric busses and will face fines for failure to comply. The Speaker noted that DCPS cannot, from a fiscal standpoint, afford to pass up this opportunity.
Speaker #3 The Speaker urged the Board to take advantage of the opportunity from EPA to acquire electric school buses and infrastructure at no cost to Dorchester County. The Speaker noted the importance of this opportunity as highlighted by the two previous speakers.
Speaker #4 The Speaker thanked the Board for its strong support of summer programs for children. The noted that representatives from the Latino community came to the Speaker expressing concern because there are no Spanish language versions of the DCPS website and robocall system. They are also concerned about the lack of interpreters in schools and noted that bilingual students are being called upon to interpret for other students with no oversight for accuracy.
Speaker #5 The Speaker echoed appreciation of the Board’s support for community programs for children. The Speaker noted that recent classroom observations have demonstrated that teachers are overwhelmed by large classroom sizes and uncooperative children. The Speaker urged the Board to consider reducing class sizes and/or evening out class sizes in schools across the county. The Speaker also asked the Board to consider providing students with options to attend public schools outside their assigned areas and to provide transportation to support these options.
2.05 Safe Schools Reopening Plan – Ms. Regina Teat, Director of Leaderships & School Improvement. Ms. Teat indicated that changes to the plan may be required if mandated by the State Health Department. *
3. Consent Agenda
3.01 Approval of Personnel Items for July 21, 2022
3.02 Approval of Personnel Items for July 14, 2022
3.03 Approval of the Minutes of the June 16, 2022, Regular Board of Education Meeting *
3.04 Second Read/Approval of BOE Policy 180.06 Board of Education: Meetings *
3.05 Second Read/Approval of BOE Policy 100.01 Board of Education: Board Policy; Board Policy *
3.06 Approval of BOE Policy 100.02 Board of Education: Board Policy; Boardmanship *
3.07 Additional Grants Acceptance: 1. Grant from MSDE for $6,768,076 to be used mainly for science curriculum and staff incentives. 2. Grant from the MD Center for Computing Education for $9,044 to be used for computer science education.
3.08 Lexia LETRS Professional Development, Materials, and Licenses – Emergency Approval: This program meets the requirements of the Science of Reading MD Leads Grant initiative.
4. Items for Board Action
4.01 Special Education Staffing Plan for SY 2022-2023. Approved. *
4.02 AMN HealthCare Contract -Teleservices: Speech Therapy. $102,000. Approved.
4.03 Soliant Contract-Teleservices – One School: Speech Therapy. $135,000. Approved.
4.04 Soliant Contract – Teleservices Three Schools Speech Therapy. $126,481. Approved.
4.05 Apex Learning: Comprehensive course for high school students for credit recovery opportunities during the 2022-2023 school year. $74,790. Approved.
4.06 Purchase of School Pace Subscription for SY 22-23 from American Reading Company: Web-based student achievement dashboard that allows educators to monitor growth and performance in real-time. $59,500. Approved.
4.07 Contract for Professional Development with American Reading Company for Blended Learning: The program works with teachers in their own classrooms as they learn to integrate ELA Standards into their daily practices. $30,600. Approved.
4.08 Textbook Adoption: Hole’s Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology, McGraw-Hill © 2021: Students will have access to the hardcopy textbook as well as the eBook. Students will also have access to the interactive cadaver dissection tool used to enhance lectures and labs. $11,344.62. Dr. Morgan noted that neither electronic nor hardcopy versions of this text were provided in time for Board Members to review the text adequately. Tabled pending examination of text by Board Members.
4.09 Textbook Adoption: Inspire Physics, McGraw-Hill © 2020: Students will not only have access to the hardcopy textbook but also to the eBook. The eBook has built-in accommodation tools for our special needs population. Videos are embedded in the eBook. $7,436.52. Dr. Morgan noted that neither electronic nor hardcopy versions of this text were provided in time for Board Members to review the text adequately. Tabled pending examination of text by Board Members.
4.10 Purchase of Textbook – Inspire Science for Biology; Chemistry; Physical Science; and Environmental Science: The Inspire Science curriculum already received Board of Education approval in June 2021. The teachers want to have the physical textbooks in addition to just the eBooks for this curriculum. $72,521.07. Approved.
4.11 Purchase of Fitness Equipment for C-SDHS from Wilder Fitness Equipment: Funding from the Maryland Leads Grant. $35,967. Approved.
4.12 Approval of Virtual Day Plan: The Maryland State Department of Education requires each local Board of Education to approve a 2022-2023 Virtual Day Plan. Once the DCPS plan is approved, it will go to the State Superintendent for final approval. Dr. Collins indicated that the plan was approved last month to be posted on the DCPS website for comment. Mr. Diaz noted that a number of questions were presented to him by teachers. Dr. Collins replied that staff are working to provide satisfactory answers to questions received from the public so any problems can be addressed before implementation is needed. Dr. Collins offered to add the comments received by Mr. Diaz to the list of questions to be addressed. * Approved.
4.13 Upgrade to New Video Camera System on all Dorchester County School Buses: This new system will allow every area of a bus to be viewed eliminating blind spots in the current system. There is also a dash camera looking to the front area of the bus. Mr. Diaz raised the issue of cars passing stopped busses illegally. Drivers are instructed to note violators and the system informs the police agencies. $241,152.65. Approved.
4.14 School Infrastructure Purchase E-Rate: The use of the E-Rate program funds to purchase new network switches to replace our existing switches, which are nearing their end of service date. $116,875.83. Approved.
4.15 FY 2023 Produce Bid: granted to Simmons Center Market; with four (4) additional one-year extension options. This is the initial one-year contract period. The Board is aware that there was only a single bid, and that the owner of Simmons Market (which submitted the bid) sits on the County Board. The Attorney advised that this does not involve a conflict of interest for the Board. $100,000. Approved.
4.16 Dish Machine Replacement at Vienna Elementary: The existing machine was installed in 1975. It is failing and parts can no longer be found. $41,578. Approved.
4.17 Tray line for South Dorchester K-8: The existing tray line is one unit. One of the hot wells stopped working and parts can’t be found so the entire tray line must be replaced. New units will be separated, and the cold unit will help to keep food cold which is important for food safety and palatability. $35,806. Approved.
4.18 Tray line for Maple Elementary: The existing tray line doesn’t include a refrigerated unit for cold food which is important for food safety and palatability, and the hot unit has been deemed unsafe. $29,734. Approved.
4.19 Annual License Renewal for Microsoft Office 365 and Defender for O365 Advanced Threat Protection, Windows Server Licenses, SQL Licenses, Visio Licenses, and Audio Conferencing: Required as a part of normal operating expenses each year. $57,420.36. Approved.
4.20 FY 22 Budget Amendment. Financial record closeout with reconciliation of categorical over/under spending. *
4.21 Annual Update Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP): Pre-requisite to be eligible for State funding of the Capital Improvement Plan. There are no substantive updates from the most recently approved document other than enrollment, inventory, programmatic, and future project priority updates. Approved *
4.22 Hurlock Elementary School (HES)-Chiller Replacement: The chiller at HES is in desperate need of replacement prior to terminal failure. The Chiller plant has been minimally functional, a maintenance challenge and in need of replacement for the last year. $366,425. Approved.
4.23 Emergency Replacement of Main Switchgear at Hurlock Elementary School (HES): This electrical infrastructure must be replaced immediately for safety reasons. $116,284. Approved.
4.24 First Read – Review of BOE Policy 430.00 – Student Attendance; Attendance Philosophy. Approved for second reading. *
4.25 First Read – Review of BOE Policy 430.02 – Student Attendance; Lawful Absences. Approved for second reading. *
4.26 First Read – Review of BOE Policy 430.05 – Student Attendance; Grade Reduction/Retention Consequences for Unlawful Absences. Approved for second reading. *
5. Items for Information
5.01 DCPS Maryland Blueprint Steering Committee Update. The Committee is beginning its work by organizing its
subcommittees and beginning to assign tasks. Dr. Morgan suggested that parents be added to the Steering Committee and subcommittees where possible.*
5.02 Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) Annual Report. The Committee is chaired by the parent of a special education student. Efforts are being made to involve additional members. *
5.03 Corsica River Mental Health Services, Inc. MOU: Provision of School- based mental health services by qualified staff of Corsica River Mental Health Services, Inc. to DCPS students. No costs involved.
5.04 Discovering Serenity Counseling Services, LLC. MOU: Provision of School- based mental health services by qualified staff of Discovering Serenity Counseling Services, LLC. to DCPS students. No costs involved.
5.05 Appropriations and Expenditures Report. Draft report pending completion of outstanding accounting tasks and adjustments per budget amendment above. External auditors begin their work in August with their final report due to the Board in October. *
5.06 Capital Projects and Quarterly Technology Reports. No major changes other than actions approved above. *
5.07 Quarterly Grant Report. Draft report pending completion of outstanding accounting tasks. In response to a question from Dr. Morgan, Mr. Brooke indicated that they make every effort to spend all grant funds received and request extensions if additional time is needed. Unspent funds must be returned to the State.*
6. Other Business
6.01 Board Comments
Dr. Morgan clarified that her motion to table two textbook approvals was due solely to the fact that Board Members were not provided access to these texts in time to review them adequately before the meeting. She noted that Board Members have been criticized in the past for approving texts that they have not reviewed. She thanked everyone who spoke during tonight’s meeting or prepared materials for the meeting.
Mr. Hull wished everyone a good evening and noted the many items approved tonight. He noted that there is strength in unity.
Mr. Diaz echoed Dr. Morgan’s comments about textbook review and thanked everyone for their participation at tonight’s meeting.
Ms. Hubbard thanked everyone for their participation at tonight’s meeting.
Ms. Layton thanked all those who made public comments and emphasized that the Board Members want to hear
community concerns and that they try their best to be responsive. She thanked all of the staff who contributed this evening and those who contributed to the recent Board retreat.
6.02 Announcements from the Superintendent. Summer academies are in full swing with 742 students participating at all levels. The Superintendent encourages parents to ask questions of candidates related to the school system. He noted that strategic planning review will be undertaken this year, and that a committee is working on redesign of the DCPS website. He reminded everyone that revised COVID guidance is pending from State and that the State guidance may affect DCPS operations. He noted that clear backpacks and water bottle will be provided to all students this year and that parents should communicate with their local schools as to supplies and logistics. He thanked all of the staff and members of the public who contributed this evening either virtually or in person.
7. Adjournment
7.01 Adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Note: * Supporting documents may be found on the CAN website at CambridgeCan.org and the DCPS Board Docs website at https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/dcps/Board.nsf/Public
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