The Board went into a closed Executive Session at 2:00 pm to discuss personnel, negotiations, legal matters, and administrative functions. Board President Susan Mike Diaz opened the Public Meeting at 3:15 pm with Board Members Susan Morgan and Chris Wheedleton present. Board Member Sheri Hubbard attended virtually.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Student Board Representatives Dylan Ruppert and Trinity Murray presented highlights of recent activities at North Dorchester HS and Cambridge-South Dorchester (CSD) HS, respectively. Their presentations can be found on the DCPS Board Docs website at https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/dcps/Board.nsf/Public.    

The Board unanimously approved Hazard, Young, Atte Associates (TYA), to provide Superintendent Search services for the Board. 

Ms. Patricia Prosser, Principal of Maces Lane Middle School (MLMS), presented a mid-year update on the performance of MLMS students: Only 13% of students were reading on Grade Level at the end of SY2022-23, while 37% are currently approaching grade level or higher. During SY2022-23, MLMS students were suspended for a total of 13,000 hours. So far this year, student suspension hours are about 29% lower than this time last year. Referrals for class-cutting and disrespect/disruption have gone down, but referrals for fighting have gone up. The Ron Clark House System has been implemented to promote student engagement and academic success.  Additional activities are provided to support academic success and to promote student involvement.

Mr. Dave Stofa, Principal of North Dorchester High School (NDHS), presented a mid-year update on NDHS that described the many Ron Clark Academy, Mental Health, and School Improvement initiatives taking place there. The School Improvement initiative stresses academic achievement in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math, readiness for post-secondary success, access to a well-rounded curriculum, programs to address chronic absenteeism, and parent/community engagement. He also cited the success of the internal and external Vision Quest Alternative Education programs in addressing the behavioral and academic challenges of certain students. Markedly increased engagement with students, parents, and the community has been made possible by the new DCPS website and communications platform that has supported 74,397 contacts overall and an average of 400-500 weekly views of the NDHS weekly newsletter that includes pertinent information in a centralized location. Mr. Stofa indicated that NDHS has instituted a new policy prohibiting cell phone use during instructional time, but noted the importance of teaching responsible cell phone and social media usage.

The Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, consisting of the minutes of the February 22 Board Meeting and the February 26 Open Work Session, as well as the Second Reading of Board of Education Policies on Immunity of Board Members, Maintenance of School System, Setting Policy, Appointment of Legal Counsel and Auditing Firm, Termination of Employment, and Performance Appraisal.

The Board unanimously approved the following items: Personnel for March 21, 2024; Proposed school calendar for SY2024-25; Creative Leadership Solutions instructional leadership learning, coaching, and support for DCPS Principals and Vice Principals ($137,898 over 3 years); 100% State funding for Choptank, Maple, and Sandy Hill Elementary School security and visitor screening vestibules, contingent upon scope review and approval (Choptank, $218,610; Maple, $319,371; Sandy Hill, $318,638); 220 Dell Latitude laptop computers for teachers and staff ($234,520); and advancing the following proposed Board of Education Policies for a Second Reading:  Board Code of Ethics, Number of Members, Legal Authority, Personnel Transfer, Classification of Positions, Americans With Disabilities Amendments Act, and Attendance and Punctuality.

The Board received the following information items: No cost Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Consortium Parent Encouragement Program (for parents and primary caregivers of children 5-18 years old), Appropriations & Expenditures Report, and Capital Projects Report.  

Superintendent Thompson indicated that the Executive Team is reviewing MOUs to ensure that the external organization provides concrete value to DCPS. President Diaz directed the Policy Committee to develop a policy requiring Board approval of MOUs to ensure that external organizations provide performance and outcome data to DCPS.

There were no oral or written comments from the Public.

Dr. Morgan quoted Michelle Obama regarding success. Mr. Wheedleton thanked Mike Diaz and Sherri Hubbard for their dedication in continuing to work through their recovery periods. He noted that  Career Coaches are making a great impact delivering concrete benefit to our students through collaboration with the community and local businesses. Mr. Diaz thanked Dr. Thompson for his vision and the innovations that he has already undertaken.  President Diaz and Ms Hubbard thanked everyone for their kind words and support.

Dr. Thompson thanked Student Board Representatives Ruppert and Murray, Principal Prosser, and Principal Stofa for their presentations. He reminded everyone that success in the school system is something we all need to think about to identify what each of us needs to do to ensure the success of every student. He emphasized that ranking 23rd in the State on student performance is just not good enough, and it should keep all of us up at night. Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet is tomorrow night (March 22nd).

The meeting was adjourned at 4:58 pm.

On August 2, 2023, the Dorchester County Board of Education voted unanimously to end the Facilities Feasibility Study, which began in February 2023 and was conducted by Baltimore-based consultants Hord Coplan and Macht (HCM). The purpose of the study was to determine the condition of Dorchester County Public Schools’ aging infrastructure. This would assist the BOE in their assessment of the facilities during a time of declining enrollment and increasing financial pressures through the Maryland Blueprint Law.

According to DCPS Board Vice President Mike Diaz, the study was proving to be a “distraction” at a time when the Board’s focus should be on academics, safety, alternative education, and teacher retention. The BOE members feel the information from the study will assist them in decisions involving building maintenance, renovation needs, or proposed new buildings, but those decisions are for the future.

The online comment section of the feasibility study will remain open through the summer. The BOE will use HCM’s final report to glean information for use to improve school facilities. For the foreseeable future, no changes will be made.

Mr. Bromwell highlighted DCPS’s many accomplishments over the past four school years, including providing students and staff with technology devices for at-home learning, expanding tutoring and summer academy opportunities, implementing structural changes to teacher salaries, strengthening behavioral intervention programs, and installing weapons detection systems at the high schools. 

Mr. Bromwell then summarized the significant budgetary challenges facing DCPS going forward, such as regular replacement of obsolete technology devices and software, the ongoing teacher shortage, and the requirements of the Maryland Blueprint for Education relative to teacher salary increases and program improvements in early childhood education, teacher quality and diversity, college and career readiness, resources for students, and governance/accountability. 

Mr. Bromwell indicated that these requirements, along with declining DCPS enrollment, will necessitate changes in State and County funding formulas by the incoming Governor and legislature. Mr. Bromwell has met with Dorchester County’s State Legislators regarding school funding and Blueprint requirements.

Updated Information

Superintendent Bromwell presented the following updated information regarding the budget process:

Mr. Bromwell noted that he, President Morgan, and Vice-President Diaz are meeting regularly with Dorchester County Council members and that there will be a brunch event with Board Members and County Commissioners within the next few weeks.

Mr. Bromwell indicated that the budget process seems to be progressing well so far and provided an update on initial State aid and local share numbers as follows:

• On January 20, 2023, after the release of the Governor’s budget, we received draft State Aid and County Local Share projections.
• State aid to DCPS is projected to increase by $3,180,114 over FY23.
• The “Local Share” for Blueprint initiatives is projected to increase by $3,385,248 over FY23 Maintenance of Effort
• With changes in local receipts and use of fund balance, the total projected new revenue is $5,939,907.

He summarized the following budget requests that will affect the use of the projected new revenue:

• Hybrid Alternative Programs – Additional $369,900.
• Weapons Detection System (WDS) units & related costs – $502,800 for 12 support staff, $980,421 for 8 WDS units, or $1,840,500 for 15 WDS units (open floor plan schools may require more than one WDS unit).
• Salary Negotiations & Being Competitive.  Other counties are trying to recruit DCPS teachers. – to be determined.
• Major Capital Projects & unknown repairs (especially in our oldest schools) – $2,000,000

Superintendent Bromwell provided the following clarifications in response to questions raised by Board Members.

• ESSER III funding for 1 English as a Second Language (ESL) position, 7 IT positions, 1 special education coordinator, 1 HVAC position, 3 social worker positions, and several other positions will run out next year.  Most social workers are funded through Concentration of Poverty (COP) funding at eligible schools. Mr. Bromwell will provide a breakdown of funding sources for various positions. The Board would like to see performance measures that demonstrate impact of these positions. The Board stressed that expenditures should be justified by impact measures.  
• The Board Budget Committee would like to receive the requested grant information prior to its meeting on Wednesday.

There were no questions or comments from the public.

The Talbot County Board of Education has identified finalists for the Talbot County Superintendent of Schools.  The four finalists, in alphabetical order are:

James C. Bell, Jr., Ed.D., Director of Student Services and Secondary Leadership for the Seaford School District, Seaford, Delaware.  

Dr. Bell earned a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Mathematics from Southern University A & M,  and a Master of Education in School Leadership and a Doctor of Education in Innovation and Leadership from Wilmington University in Georgetown, Delaware.  He began his career as a mathematics teacher in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was recruited by Talbot County Public Schools to teach at Easton High School, where he was later promoted to Assistant Principal.  Dr. Bell has also served as Principal of Maces Lane Middle School and Supervisor of Student Services for Dorchester County Public Schools.  

Carol E. Flenard, Ed.D., Interim Superintendent, Spotsylvania County Public Schools, Virginia. 

Dr. Flenard earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Penn State University, and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.  She began her career as an elementary teacher, and has served as an assistant principal, principal, director of education, executive director of instruction, deputy superintendent-chief academic officer and interim superintendent.   

LeTrecia M. Gloster, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent of Schools, The School District of the City of York, Pennsylvania.   

Dr. Gloster earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from Bowie State University, a Master of Science in Administration from Trinity University, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Bowie State University.  She taught secondary mathematics in Talbot and Prince George’s County, Maryland and Charlotte, North Carolina, before returning to Maryland and serving as a middle school principal in Caroline and Prince George’s counties. She has also been Executive Director of School Support and Improvement for Metro Nashville Public Schools, Tennessee, and Director of Learning for the District of Columbia Public Schools Leadership Development Division, Washington DC.  

Sharon Pepukayi, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent of PreK-5 Schools, Appoquinimink School District, New Castle County, Delaware. 

Dr. Pepukayi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, from Bennett College, a Master of Arts in Early and Middle Childhood Education from Ohio State University, and a Doctor of Education in Innovation and School Leadership from Wilmington University.  She previously served as Assistant Superintendent of PreK-12 Schools, principal, and assistant principal in the Appoquinimink School District.   She also taught in the Dublin School District and was a teacher and an administrator in the Red Clay Consolidated School District in Delaware.  

The four finalists will participate in interviews with the Talbot County Board of Education and with stakeholders to include members of the community, staff, students, and parents. 

The Board has been working with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education  (MABE) to conduct the superintendent search. 

Any questions regarding the search process should be directed to William Middleton, search consultant at MABE at 410-841-5414, or at [email protected].