Mar 13, 2024 Board Meeting

[00:00:02]

OKAY. 4:30 I'M GOING TO CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY, MARCH 13TH,

[1. Regular Meeting - 4:30 p.m.]

PRESENT. ONE BOARD MEMBER.

ARE YOU THERE, MRS. DIXON? ARE YOU THERE, RENEE? YEAH.

OKAY. ATTENDING VIA TELEPHONE.

SO WE HAVE A QUORUM.

I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL MATTERS AS PURSUANT TO MARYLAND ANNOTATED CODE GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE

[2. Closed Session]

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. WELL. HOLD ON.

ROLL CALL VOTE, MR. FERDINANDO. AYE. MR. DAVIS. AYE. MRS. HEATH, AYE.

MRS. DIXON.

RENEE. OKAY.

WE LOST HER. NO ANSWER.

WELL, WE HAVE WE HAVE FOUR.

WE HAVE FOUR. I'LL TRY AGAIN.

OKAY. WE ARE IN CLOSED SESSION.

ALL RIGHT. IT IS 5:30.

[3. Open Session - 5:30 p.m.]

WE ARE GOING TO RECONVENE AND WE ARE GOING TO RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION.

THE I GOT TO GET THE DATE RIGHT.

THE BOARD MEETING GENERAL BOARD MEETING ON MARCH 13TH, 2024.

WE DO HAVE A BOARD MEMBER WHO IS PARTICIPATING VIA TELEPHONE.

SO BECAUSE OF THAT, I'M GOING TO DO ROLL CALL VOTING TONIGHT.

AND I ALSO AM GOING TO DO A ROLL CALL TO ESTABLISH QUORUM.

SO WHEN I SAY YOUR NAME, PLEASE SAY HERE, MRS. RODGERS HERE, MR. FERDINANDO HERE, MR. DAVIS HERE, MRS. HEATH HERE.

I'M HERE. AND MRS. DIXON. HERE.

THANK YOU. WE HAVE A QUORUM.

ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT, EITHER IN PERSON OR VIA PHONE.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

MRS. RODGERS, WILL YOU PLEASE LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE? I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU. BOARD REFLECTION MR. FERDINANDO. THE MISSION OF THE CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS TO SERVE EQUITABLY THROUGH POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AS A SAFE, COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY.

WE WILL ENSURE ALL LEARNERS ACQUIRE THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND QUALITIES TO BE RESPONSIBLE, CARING AND ETHICAL CITIZENS.

THANK YOU, MR. FERDINANDO.

THE ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ADOPT THE MEETING AGENDA AS PRESENTED? I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPT THE MEETING AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? OKAY. ROLL CALL VOTE THANK YOU APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

CONSENT AGENDA BEFORE WE DO A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, I JUST WANT TO ASK BOARD MEMBERS IF THERE'S ANY ITEMS YOU NEED TO REMOVE FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[4. Consent Agenda]

IS THERE ONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE? THE UPPER CHESAPEAKE SUMMER CENTER FOR THE ARTS.

OKAY. LET'S APPROVE THE THE REST OF IT FIRST, AND THEN I'LL DO THE THAT AS A SEPARATE AGENDA ITEM.

ANY OTHER ITEMS TO REMOVE FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY. HEARING NONE, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING AGENDA, THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE 4.06? I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED WITH THE REMOVAL OF 4.06.

THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. OKAY.

ALL IN FAVOR? OH, GOSH.

SORRY. ROLL CALL VOTE PPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT UP, WE ARE GOING TO DO THE CONTRACT FOR THE UPPER CHESAPEAKE SUMMER CENTER FOR THE ARTS.

[00:05:07]

YOU WANT TO TALK. YEAH. SO THE QUESTION IS, IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE.

I WAS JUST CURIOUS AS TO WHERE THAT'S BEING PAID FOR.

I KNOW IT DOESN'T SAY IT'S COMING FROM OPERATING BUDGET.

IT SAYS GRANTS AND STUDENT FEES, SO I WILL I WILL TAKE A STAB AND DR.

HASTINGS IS HERE TO PUT SOME MEAT ON THE BONES IF I MISS ANYTHING.

TYPICALLY, IT'S TUITION BASED FAMILIES THAT PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM PAY.

AND THEN WE DO HAVE A SERIES OF GRANTS TO AUGMENT THE COST TO WILMINGTON COLLEGE.

DR. HASTINGS, DO YOU.

I'M SORRY. WASHINGTON COLLEGE.

HASTINGS, COME ON UP HERE, PLEASE TO THE MICROPHONE.

SO THERE ARE SEVERAL GRANTS.

ONE IS THROUGH TITLE FOUR THAT COVERS STAFF.

SOME OF THE STAFF FOR THE CAMP.

AND THERE'S ANOTHER ONE THROUGH THE ARTS COUNCIL THAT COVERS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS THAT CAN'T AFFORD THE TUITION.

THE REST IS COVERED BY STUDENT TUITION.

AND DR. HASTINGS IS WELL AWARE THAT THIS PROGRAM HAS TO OCCUR INDEPENDENT OF THE OPERATING BUDGET.

YES. THANK YOU. I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THAT.

WAS IT? YEP, YEP. THANK YOU.

SHOULD I READ THE RECOMMENDATION? YEAH. IF YOU CAN READ THE RECOMMENDATION.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY WITH THAT, I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY APPROVE A CONTRACT TO WASHINGTON COLLEGE FOR THE UPPER CHESAPEAKE SUMMER CENTER FOR THE ARTS PROGRAM IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $150,000 FOR ALL COSTS.

OKAY. YOU'VE HEARD THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

SECOND. OKAY.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT. ROLL CALL VOTE.

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT WE HAVE OUR NEW BUSINESS.

[5. New Business]

GOOD EVENING.

OUR WINTER SPORTS SEASON HAS COME TO AN END.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINTER SPORTS TEAMS FOR THEIR HARD WORK THIS SEASON.

SPRING SPORTS STARTED LAST WEEK OR THIS WEEK I THINK.

SO GOOD LUCK TO THOSE ATHLETES IN THEIR SEASON.

FINALLY, COLLEGE DECISION LETTERS CAME OUT IN LESS THAN A MONTH FROM NOW AND HAVE STARTED COMING OUT.

SO SENIORS, PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR EMAILS, UPDATE YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR WITH ANY AND ALL ACCEPTANCES TO YOUR COLLEGES THAT YOU APPLY TO.

ALSO, IF YOU'RE A SENIOR AND CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON, THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT RESOURCES ON THE CCPS WEB PAGE UNDER THE STUDENT TAB, SO I WOULD CHECK THAT OUT.

ALSO, THANK YOU TO ALL THE READERS THAT PARTICIPATED IN READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK.

IT WAS LOVELY SEEING EVERYBODY GETTING INVOLVED IN THE CLASSROOM.

ON ANOTHER NOTE, AGAIN, I'M JUST GOING TO REITERATE THAT THERE IS EVERYTHING WE'VE BEEN SEEING WITH BUDGET AND EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON CURRENTLY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE MADE THE COMMENT THAT THERE'S A LOT TO CUT AND THAT THEY SHOULD CUT.

BUT I THINK CURRENTLY WITH EVERYTHING THAT THERE ARE, EVERYTHING IS IMPORTANT.

EVERYTHING IS ESSENTIAL.

THESE PROGRAMS, THESE TEACHERS, THESE PARAPROFESSIONALS, THESE LIBRARY SPECIALISTS ARE WORTH THE INVESTMENT.

CECIL COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE WORTH THE INVESTMENT.

HERE IS A REMINDER TO THOSE STUDENTS THAT ARE VOTING AGE.

YOUR VOICE DOES MATTER AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL IN MAY.

WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE.

LASTLY, BEST OF LUCK TO THOSE STUDENTS THAT ARE TAKING SAT [INAUDIBLE] SOMETHING [INAUDIBLE] AND CERTIFICATION EXAMS AT CCSD.

WE HAVE LESS THAN A MONTH TO THE NEXT MARKING PERIOD.

LET'S FINISH STRONG.

THANK YOU, MRS. RODGERS, MR. FERDINANDO.

QUICK AND TO THE POINT. CONGRATULATIONS.

I'M HAPPY TO SEE WINTER SPORTS BEING DONE, BECAUSE THAT MEANS THAT SPRING SPORTS ARE ON THE WAY AND SUMMER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

SO NO INSULT TO THIS WINTER.

SPORTS GUYS. WE LOVE WINTER SPORTS, BUT I'M HAPPY THAT SPRING IS ON THE WAY.

SECOND, THANK YOU TO ALL THE STUDENTS THAT ARE ADVOCATING.

ESPECIALLY UP HERE ON THE FRONT ROW.

YOU'VE BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB.

IT'S BEEN REALLY A PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO SEE OUR STUDENTS ADVOCATING FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND BEING OUT IN FULL FORCE.

SPEAKING THEIR MINDS AND GETTING IN FRONT OF THE MICROPHONE, WHICH IS NOT AN EASY THING TO DO.

ASKING FOR SUPPORT FOR WHAT THEY LOVE AND FOR THEIR SCHOOLS.

SO IT'S BEEN REALLY FUN TO WATCH THAT HAPPEN.

AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU'RE DOING.

THANK YOU, MR. FERDINANDO.

MR. DAVIS. THANK YOU, MRS. HAWLEY. JUST A FEW BRIEF COMMENTS.

FIRST, I WANT TO START BY GIVING A SINCERE THANK YOU TO DR.

LAWSON AND THE LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK AND EFFORTS, PUTTING TOGETHER A COMPREHENSIVE CCPS OPERATING BUDGET, WHICH WAS SUBMITTED TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE EARLIER THIS MONTH FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL.

OUR HOPE IS THAT THE BUDGET WILL BE APPROVED IN ITS ENTIRETY, WHICH IS WHAT OUR STUDENTS DESPERATELY NEED AND DESERVE.

ON FEBRUARY 23RD, I ATTENDED THE ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY FESTIVAL AT ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH WAS A WONDERFUL WAY TO CAP OFF FEBRUARY AS AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ELKTON PRINCIPAL DR.

JAMES LEITGEB, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL JEFFERS BROWN AND CHRIS FIELDER, AND TO EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH THIS OUTSTANDING ANNUAL EVENT.

LASTLY LAST WELL SINCE SINCE 1987, MARCH HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

[00:10:01]

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE JUST A QUICK MINUTE TO RECOGNIZE SEVERAL OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY.

MISS LUCY WHEELOCK WAS BORN IN 1857.

SHE WAS ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES OF ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL EDUCATION REFORMS OF THE 20TH CENTURY.

HER ACTIONS AND COMMITMENTS TO EDUCATION PAVED THE WAY FOR FIVE YEAR OLD'S TO RECEIVE CLASSROOM EDUCATION, AND LED TO THE CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF KINDERGARTEN.

THE BENEFITS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ARE WELL DOCUMENTED, AND SOMETHING MISS WHEELOCK CALLED, QUOTE UNQUOTE, THE GREATEST CAUSE THAT CAN BE SERVED.

MARY JANE MCLEOD BETHUNE WAS A PHILANTHROPIST, HUMANITARIAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST, BEST KNOWN FOR STARTING A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS IN DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA. THAT SCHOOL WOULD LATER MERGE WITH COOKMAN INSTITUTE AND BECOME BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY IN 1904, AS AN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY.

THESE TWO HISTORICAL EDUCATORS ARE JUST A FEW WHO DESERVE RECOGNITION AND OUR APPRECIATION DURING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS.

MRS. DIXON.

I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND SKIP SINCE I'M NOT THERE.

OKAY. THANK YOU, MRS. HEATH. GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU ALL FOR ATTENDING.

IT'S GREAT TO SEE ALL OF OUR WINTER ATHLETES HERE.

CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR SUCCESSFUL SEASONS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING YOU IN A LITTLE WHILE.

A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WAS ABLE TO DO OVER THE PAST MONTH WAS PARTICIPATE IN READ ACROSS AMERICA.

IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE EVENTS GOING IN TO THE CLASSROOM.

I REALLY ENJOY.

AND I GOT TO READ IN SEVERAL CLASSROOMS, SO I APPRECIATED THE INVITATION TO DO THAT.

ALSO, I HAD AN INFANTS AND TODDLERS MEETING THAT I PARTICIPATED IN.

I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE TO THANK MISS DENISE SOPA, HER DEPARTMENT AND TECHNOLOGY FOR PUTTING TOGETHER AND REFORMATTING OUR BUDGET SO THAT EVERYONE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT WHENEVER THEY NEED TO.

I ALSO, I DON'T KNOW, I'VE MENTIONED IT BEFORE, BUT EVERY EVERY WEEK I GO INTO THE CLASSROOM IN THE MORNINGS, TWICE A WEEK INTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A QUICK MINUTE AND GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I RAN INTO THIS WEEK. AND THIS IS HAPPENS ALL OF THE TIME THAT I'M IN THERE.

AND IT JUST I GO IN TO VOLUNTEER SO THAT I CAN FIRST OF ALL, I LOVE BEING WITH THE STUDENTS.

BUT I ALSO GET TO, YOU KNOW, JUST TALK WITH STAFF, TALK WITH TEACHERS AND JUST SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR, IN OUR SCHOOLS.

AND I THINK IT REALLY HELPS ME AS A BOARD MEMBER TO JUST SEE WHAT'S, WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

SO JUST THIS WEEK, JUST BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE, I THINK WHEN, YOU KNOW, FOR MY PEOPLE MY AGE, YOU KNOW, WE THINK THAT SCHOOLS THE SAME AS IT WAS WHEN WE WERE IN SCHOOL.

AND IT'S NOT THERE'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN WHAT THE STUDENTS ARE DEALING WITH TODAY.

AND THIS IS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

SO ONE OF MY CLASSES I WAS IN AND ONE OF THE KIDS THAT I KNOW, HE HE LOVES ME TO COME IN AND AND JUST GIVE HIM PRAISE OVER HIS HANDWRITING BECAUSE I HAD ONE TIME I TOLD HIM WHAT GREAT HANDWRITING HAS.

AND SO HE'S ALWAYS BUBBLY WHEN HE SEES ME COME IN AND HE TRIES TO SHOW ME HIS HANDWRITING.

AND HE JUST WASN'T THE SAME THAT MORNING.

AND SO I'M HELPING SOMEONE ELSE, AND I SEE HIM OVER THERE AND YOU CAN SEE HE'S UPSET.

AND SO THE TEACHER ASKED ME TO GO OVER AND JUST CHECK ON HIM.

SO I GO TO CHECK ON HIM AND I'M LIKE, HEY, BUD, WHAT'S GOING ON? ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? HE JUST CAN'T DO HIS WORK.

HE'S GOT HIS HEAD DOWN, HE'S CRYING, AND I'M LIKE, WHAT'S HAPPENING? AND HE'S LIKE, I JUST REALLY MISS MY MOM.

AND YOU KNOW, FOR SOMEONE MY AGE, NORMALLY I THINK, OH, MOM'S AT HOME.

AND SHE, YOU KNOW, SHE CAN'T.

HE JUST WANTS TO GO HOME AND SEE HER.

NO, HE'S BEEN PULLED FROM HIS MOM BECAUSE SHE WASN'T ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF HIM.

SO HE AND HIS LITTLE SISTER ARE LIVING WITH ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER IN A DIFFERENT PART OF THE STATE, SO HE DOESN'T GET TO SEE HER.

AND THAT'S WHAT HE COMES TO SCHOOL WITH AND DEALS WITH EVERY DAY.

SO A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, I'M IN ANOTHER SCHOOL AND I'M IN ANOTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASS.

AND ONE OF THE STUDENTS GETS A HANDLE WITH CARE NOTE, AND WHAT THAT IS, IS BASICALLY SOMETHING'S HAPPENED AND THE TEACHER GETS A NOTICE SAYING, HEY, JUST SOMETHING HAPPENED FOR THIS CHILD.

SO JUST BE CAREFUL AND SEE WHAT'S, YOU KNOW, BE CONSCIOUS OF THAT.

AND SHE WAS UPSET BECAUSE OVER THE WEEKEND, SHE SAW HER DAD CHOKE OUT HER MOM.

SO THAT IS WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE DEALING WITH.

IT'S NOT.

OH, I'M I'M SAD BECAUSE MY MOM'S AT HOME AND I CAN'T SEE HER.

AND THAT'S WHAT OUR TEACHERS ARE DEALING WITH EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THEY'RE NOT JUST GOING IN AND TEACHING MATH AND SCIENCE, AND IT'S NOT AND TAKING THE KIDS OUT TO RECESS.

[00:15:02]

SO I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE SO THAT EVERYONE CAN BE AWARE.

SO WHEN PEOPLE SAY, YOU KNOW, OUR TEACHERS GET PAID TOO MUCH OR, YOU KNOW, JUST TEACH THEM MATH AND READING, WELL, IT'S NOT THE SAME.

SO I JUST.

I JUST ASK THAT PEOPLE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF I DON'T KNOW, JUST COMPASSION AND EMPATHY FOR FOR WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR SCHOOLS.

SO ON TO SOMETHING THAT'S A LITTLE BIT HAPPIER.

SPRING SPORTS HAS STARTED.

MANY OF YOU WHO KNOW ME KNOW IT'S MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR BECAUSE I COACH [INAUDIBLE] SOFTBALL.

SO WATCH OUT.

ALL THE OTHER COUNTY SOFTBALL TEAMS WERE COMING.

OKAY. AND I JUST ENJOY THAT BECAUSE, AGAIN, I GET TO I GET TO BE WITH OUR STUDENTS.

AND I'M ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO LAST THING IS PARTICIPATING IN PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY.

SO I'LL BE DOING THAT LATER THIS MONTH.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE WILL BE DOING THAT, AND IT'S A REALLY FUN EVENT, SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MRS. HEATH. NORTHEAST SOFTBALL.

RIGHT. THERE WE GO.

I'M JUST THROWING THAT OUT THERE.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S IN SESSION I JUST WANT TO TALK STATE LEVEL REAL FAST.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S STILL IN SESSION.

AND THIS IS SORT OF THE TIME IN THE SESSION WHEN MOST OF THE BILLS HAVE BEEN HEARD IN THE HOUSE, MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN HEARD IN THE SENATE.

AND WE THROUGH MABE, THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION, WE TRACK ABOUT THIS YEAR 440 EDUCATION RELATED BILLS. USUALLY IT'S SOMEWHERE IN THE RANGE OF 325 TO 350.

SO 440 IS A LOT.

THERE'S A LOT OF LEGISLATION, PROPOSED LEGISLATION OUT THERE, WE SUBMIT THROUGH MAY WRITTEN TESTIMONY, VERBAL TESTIMONY ON BILLS THAT WE'VE CHOSEN TO SUPPORT OR OPPOSE BASED ON OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

I JUST WANTED TO THROW THAT OUT THERE LOCALLY.

LOTS GOING ON LOCALLY.

FIRST, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE CCPS MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION OFFICE AND THE JUDY CENTER.

THEY ORGANIZED THE SECOND ANNUAL MULTILINGUAL FAIR.

I THINK IT WAS LAST WEEK.

I WAS ABLE TO TO POP INTO THAT FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

IT WAS SUPER WELL ATTENDED.

GREAT EVENT.

AND IT'S REALLY JUST I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE SERVICES THAT THEY OFFER TO OUR MULTILINGUAL FAMILIES.

THAT NUMBER IS GROWING.

IT'S GROWING, GROWING QUICKLY.

SO IT'S REALLY GREAT THAT WE HAVE THOSE SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE FAMILIES IN THE COUNTY.

READ ACROSS AMERICA.

YOU HEARD A COUPLE PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THAT.

IT IS AN AWESOME WEEK TO GO INTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, CELEBRATE THE LOVE OF READING.

IT'S REALLY JUST A FUN TIME TO GO INTO THE CLASSES AND AND JUST SHOW THEM HOW FUN READING CAN BE.

YEAH, READING IS IMPORTANT, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE FUN.

AND I THINK I'M A BIT OF AN OVERACHIEVER IN THAT WEEK.

I THINK I READ TO ABOUT 20 SOME CLASSES DURING READ ACROSS AMERICA, AND IT'S JUST IT'S AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE TO DO.

YOU HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

I, I JUST WANT I THINK WE ALL CAN AGREE THAT DRUG EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE THAT FOR OUR STUDENTS.

AND ONE OF THE KEYS TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE IS PREVENTING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND WE DO HAVE, YES, THE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SOURCE, DRUG FREE CECIL.

AND THEY ARE COMPRISED OF YOUTH LEADERS AND PREVENTION CLUBS AT EACH OF THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

THEY ALSO ARE PILOTING A PROGRAM AT RISING SUN MIDDLE SCHOOL THIS YEAR.

AND I JUST PUT THIS ON YOUR CALENDARS, GUYS.

YOUTH, THEY'RE DOING A YOUTH PREVENTION RALLY THIS MONDAY, MARCH 28TH FROM 6 TO 7:30 AT ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL.

SO AT THAT POINT, STUDENTS WILL GIVE PRESENTATIONS, SHOWCASE SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT THEY'RE DOING AT EACH OF THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

AND THEY DID PSA'S.

THERE'S NEW PSA'S THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SHOWCASE AT THIS EVENT.

SO IF IF YOU IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE AND WANT TO HELP SUPPORT OUR YOUTH AND THEIR IMPORTANT PREVENTION EFFORTS, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ATTEND THAT.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

DR. LAWSON.

THANK YOU. I HAD A LIST OF THINGS TO GO OVER, BUT I THINK ENOUGH HAS BEEN SAID.

I JUST WANT TO TOUCH ON ONE CENTRAL PIECE.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT THIS EVENING, IS SPORTS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR ATHLETES HERE THIS EVENING TO RECOGNIZE FOR WINTER SPORTS.

AND THERE'S REALLY JUST TWO MESSAGES I WANT TO TRY TO LEAVE YOU WITH.

YOU KNOW, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO PLAY IN COLLEGE.

DR. BUCKLEY, DR.

HAMMER, DR. BOYER DR.

FOYE ALL PLAYED.

AND I WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO BE THE SUPERSTAR.

I WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TEAM AND HAVE FUN AND PLAY.

RIGHT. AND SO THAT WAS LIKE THE BIG THING.

AND SO I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING IS, IS TWOFOLD.

[00:20:04]

MAKE SURE YOU TAKE A STEP BACK AND APPRECIATE HOW SPECIAL IT IS.

YOU WILL NEVER FORGET IT.

YOU WILL HAVE LESSONS THROUGH LIFE THAT YOU'VE LEARNED COMPETING, THAT YOU JUST CAN'T LEARN ANYWHERE ELSE.

AND IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER HOW GOOD YOU WERE IN TERMS OF ALL CONFERENCE, ALL STATE AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

IT'S THE EXPERIENCE.

IT'S THE TEAMWORK, IT'S THE DEDICATION, IT'S THE DISCIPLINE TO GO AND PRACTICE EVERY DAY AFTER SCHOOL AT 2:40, WHEN YOU DEFINITELY DON'T FEEL LIKE IT, OR SATURDAY MORNING, THE TRAINING, THE PREP.

IT IS ONE OF LIFE'S GREATEST LESSONS.

SO JUST KNOW THAT WHAT YOU'RE DOING NOW WILL WILL IMPACT YOU, YOU KNOW, FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

TO THE PARENTS, THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE PRACTICE RIDES, THE GOING TO THE GAMES.

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES AS PARENTS, WE GO TO THESE ATHLETIC CONTESTS WHERE THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THE STANDS, RIGHT, EVERYBODY IN THE STAND LOVES SOMEBODY ON THE FIELD, YOU KNOW.

SO IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE IT'S AT 10:00 IN THE MORNING GAME AND THERE'S LIKE 16 PEOPLE THERE WATCHING, YOU KNOW, SO IT'S COMMITMENT ON YOUR PART AND YOU'RE DOING IT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR YOUR KID.

AND IT IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DEDICATION.

AND THEN FINALLY, TO THE COACHES, YOU KNOW, AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME WHEN I WAS A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER COACHING.

IT'S HARD, IT'S GRINDING, IT'S AGGRAVATING, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE REALLY COMPETITIVE BY NATURE.

YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO DO WELL.

YOU WANT TO WIN AT ALL TIMES.

JUST A QUICK STORY OF WHERE I AM IN MY LIFE.

LAST TWO SATURDAY NIGHTS AGO, I WAS HAVING DINNER WITH MY WIFE, JUST THE TWO OF US, A NICE, QUIET DINNER, AND I HAD MY PHONE OUT, PROPPED UP ON THE LITTLE LIGHT THAT WAS AT OUR TABLE. AND I WAS WATCHING MASON IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, RIGHT, FOR WRESTLE FOR RISING SUN.

AND SO MY WIFE, SHE'S A SOLDIER, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS ANNOYED UNTIL ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SHE GOES, OKAY, IS HE WINNING? I SAY HE'S WINNING.

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO SOME OF THE RISING SUN KIDS AND EVERYBODY.

BUT JUST DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF JUST HOW SPECIAL THIS WHOLE EXPERIENCE IS FOR YOU ALL.

THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU, DR.

LAWSON. NEXT UP WE HAVE THE CCPS EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION STARTING WITH THE CECIL COUNTY CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, MRS. HRINKO. IN THE BACK ROW.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HAWLEY, DR.

LAWSON, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, LEADERSHIP TEAM AND GUESTS.

A FEW. THANK YOU.

A FEW THINGS THAT WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED THIS MONTH.

MARCH IS FINE ARTS MONTH, AND MANY OF US MIGHT DRAW A STRUGGLE WITH DRAWING A STRAIGHT LINE, OR MAKING A CIRCLE, OR EVEN CARRYING A TUNE.

BUT MANY OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE JUST INCREDIBLE TALENTS IN ART, DRAWING, PAINTING, DANCE, THEATER, INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC.

THEY'RE PHENOMENAL AND CREATING, PERFORMING, PRODUCING, PRESENTING, RESPONDING TO THAT ART, IT REALLY ENHANCES OUR STUDENTS ABILITIES OUTSIDE THE ART WORLD.

IT HELPS THEM REASON, THINK, PROBLEM SOLVE, AND IT REALLY BUILDS OUR CULTURE.

SO MY HATS ARE OFF TO YOU.

ALL OF OUR STUDENTS WITH THOSE SKILLS KEEP ON MAKING THAT ART.

KEEP ON MAKING THAT MUSIC.

YOU'RE BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY.

ALSO, AS MENTIONED, OUR WINTER SPORTS AGAIN, I CAN'T BARELY WALK A STRAIGHT LINE.

OUR ATHLETES ARE PHENOMENAL.

THERE ARE MANY HERE BEING RECOGNIZED.

AND IN ADDITION TO THAT ATHLETIC PROWESS IS THE DISCIPLINE, THE TEAMWORK AND DEDICATION THAT THEY PRACTICE DAILY TO HAVE THOSE ATHLETIC SKILLS AND THOSE SKILLS NOT ONLY ARE HELPFUL FOR ATHLETICS, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE CHALLENGES THAT THEY FACE IN LIFE, THOSE SKILLS THAT THEY'RE LEARNING.

WE ALSO ARE GOING TO BE RECOGNIZING PARAPROFESSIONALS ON APRIL 3RD.

AND AS A TEACHER, I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT I COULD NOT DO MY JOB WITHOUT OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

OUR STUDENTS ARE BETTER FOR THEM.

OUR SCHOOLS ARE BETTER FOR THEM.

THEY WORK WITH SOME OF OUR STUDENTS WITH THE MOST SIGNIFICANT NEEDS, AND THEY HELP AND CARE FOR ALL OF OUR CHILDREN, FOR THEIR PERSONAL NEEDS AND THEIR EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.

AND I'M THANKFUL EVERY DAY FOR OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS.

APRIL'S ALSO SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA MONTH.

AND IF YOU'RE THINKING BACK TO LIBRARIANS BACK IN THE DAY WHILE THEY WERE PHENOMENAL PEOPLE, THEY HAVE NOTHING ON OUR MEDIA SPECIALISTS NOW.

THEY ARE EXPERTS IN RESEARCH, FINDING CREDIBLE RESOURCES USING TECHNOLOGY BEFORE WE EVEN KNOW IT EXISTS, AND JUST CONTINUING TO INSTILL AND ENCOURAGE THE LOVE OF READING AND LEARNING.

[00:25:02]

SO THANK YOU TO OUR MEDIA SPECIALISTS.

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE AND YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE REALIZED IT, BUT TODAY IS MARCH 13TH AND FOUR YEARS AGO WE WERE PACKING UP OUR CLASSROOMS FOR WHAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE A TWO WEEK STAY AT HOME.

IN REALITY, THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A WHOLE NEW WAY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING AND WORKING.

WE LEARNED NEW SKILLS.

OUR CAFETERIA WORKERS, NURSES, AND IT STAFF WERE RECOGNIZED AS THE HEROES THAT THEY STILL ARE, AND EVERYONE PITCHED IN TO MAKE THE BEST OF A BAD SITUATION. WE WERE UNITED TOGETHER THEN AND WE NEED TO STAND UNITED TOGETHER NOW.

WE ARE EDUCATORS.

WE HAVE A DEEP PASSION FOR WHAT WE DO, THE PEOPLE AND THE COLLEAGUES THAT WE DO IT WITH, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE PEOPLE, THE CHILDREN THAT WE DO IT FOR.

REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF WORK WE DO TEACHERS, PARAS, SECRETARIES, CUSTODIANS, ADMINISTRATORS, OUR MAINTENANCE STAFF, CAFETERIA WORKERS, OUR IT FOLKS, RELATED SERVICE PROVIDERS WE ALL FIND FULFILLMENT AND MEANING AND PURPOSE IN OUR ROLES IN OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

WE ARE DEDICATED TO YOUR CHILDREN AND TO OUR SCHOOLS, AND THE HOPE AND THE PROMISE THAT A SOLID EDUCATION BRINGS TO EACH CHILD AND THEIR FAMILY.

AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED YOU TO STAND WITH US AS WE NAVIGATE THESE CHALLENGING TIMES WHERE DIVISION AND NEGATIVITY THREATEN THE GOOD WORK THAT WE DO EACH DAY.

WHEN OUR CHILDREN ARE FACING GREATER CHALLENGES THAN EVER BEFORE, WE NEED OUR COMMUNITY TO STAND UP AND SAY THAT OUR KIDS AND THEIR EDUCATION AND THEIR SAFETY ARE TOO IMPORTANT TO LET SLIDE.

WE NEED THE STAFF AND THE RESOURCES TO HELP EACH CHILD LEARN TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

WE NEED TO DO THIS TOGETHER OUR SCHOOLS, OUR FAMILY, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITY.

PLEASE HELP US. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MRS. HRINKO, THE CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATORS AND SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION.

MR. ERIC BROWN, PRESIDENT.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

GOOD EVENING TO YOU, DR.

LAWSON, BOARD PRESIDENT.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD MEMBERS ARE SITTING IN OUR AUDIENCE.

I WANT TO FIRST SAY THANK YOU.

ON BEHALF OF OUR ASSOCIATION.

I WANT TO THANK YOU TO THE BOARD.

THANK YOU TO THE EXECUTIVE TEAM FOR THE TRANSPARENCY THAT YOU CONTINUE TO SHOW WITH OUR BUDGET MATTERS.

IT IS APPRECIATED.

WE DO APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHERE EVERY PENNY IS GOING.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE TO SHOW THAT TO THE PARENTS.

AND THE FOLKS THAT LOVE OUR CHILDREN.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT THAT YOU PROVIDE THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR RISING UP IN DEFENSE OF OUR CHILDREN AND OF OUR SCHOOLS AND OF OUR SYSTEM.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BUILDING A COHESIVE UNIT TOGETHER.

NOW, I WANT TO ADMONISH YOU.

DON'T GET WEARY, DON'T GET TIRED, DON'T GET DISTRACTED.

YOUNG PEOPLE.

YOU'VE DONE SOMETHING THAT SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE DETRACTORS OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM WOULD SUGGEST YOU DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO.

YOU HAVE THOUGHT FOR YOURSELF.

YOU HAVE READ THE FACTS.

YOU HAVE REASONED OUT WHAT YOUR RESPONSE HAS WOULD BE, AND YOU HAVE BEEN COHESIVE IN THAT RESPONSE.

DON'T GET WEARY, DON'T GET DISTRACTED, DON'T FALL FOR IT, STAY WITH IT.

WE HAVE THEIR ATTENTION.

WE ARE DOING WHAT WE SHOULD DO AND WE CANNOT FALL ASLEEP.

ELECTION DAY IS COMING.

I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO EDUCATE YOURSELF TO WHAT THE FACTS ARE.

LOOK AT THE BUDGETS, LOOK AT THE CORRESPONDENCE, AND THEN MAKE A DECISION BASED UPON WHETHER OR NOT YOU BELIEVE OUR CHILDREN ARE WORTH THE EFFORT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. BROWN. THE CECIL EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL ASSOCIATION, MR. THOMAS GUNS.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HAWLEY MORE BOARD MEMBERS, DR.

LAWSON, MRS. OLSON AND THE LEADERSHIP TEAM.

I WANTED TO START BY EXTENDING A FEW ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

TO THE FUND CCPS TEAM AND STUDENTS OF CCPS, I [INAUDIBLE] ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS.

YOU TRULY UNDERSTAND COLLECTIVE POWER AND HOW TO ACHIEVE IT.

[00:30:03]

TO THE CECIL EDUCATORS ADVOCACY TEAM, WHICH IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN CCCTA AND CESPA.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND IMPLEMENTING THE VOTER REGISTRATION, THE ACTION CENTER THAT WE HAD, AND THE LIVE STREAMING OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVES TOWN HALL BUDGET MEETING WE DID THAT NIGHT ON FEBRUARY 29TH DURING THE CCPS FUND, FUND CCPS STUDENT ADVOCACY NIGHT.

TO THE CECIL EDUCATORS EQUITY TEAM.

GREAT JOB TO THE CCCTA AND CESPA MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS YEAR'S DISPLAY AT THE ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL AFRICAN AMERICAN FESTIVAL.

IT WAS A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY EVENT AND OUR THEME THIS YEAR WAS HONORING THE PAST AND INSPIRING THE FUTURE.

THE TEAM CREATED AN INTERACTIVE MAP WITH QR CODES TO SPOTLIGHT THREE HISTORIC POINTS IN CECIL COUNTY.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN CECILTON WITH HETTY BOLDEN, WHO WHO RISKED HER LIFE TO LEAD THE BRITISH INVADERS INTO AN AMBUSH, AND A WELL DISPLAY BOARD HONORING FREDERICK DOUGLASS AND HARRIET TUBMAN, AND THE INFORMATION ON THE HISTORY BEHIND BLACK HISTORY MONTH. IF YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO ATTEND THIS YEAR'S EVENT AT EHS, ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL, WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO DO SO NEXT YEAR.

TO OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS.

FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW IT, I'M A MODIFIED INSTRUCTION PROGRAM PARAPROFESSIONAL AT RISING SUN MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND I'M HONORED TO BE ABLE TO EXTEND MY [INAUDIBLE] SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR THE AMAZING WORK OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS DO EVERY DAY.

FROM THE LOVE AND CARE YOU HAVE FOR OUR STUDENTS TO THE INSTRUCTIONAL, MENTAL HEALTH, AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT YOU PROVIDE TO OUR STUDENTS.

OUR WORK IS CHALLENGING BUT VERY REWARDING, AND WE'RE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EDUCATOR TEAM.

ON APRIL 3RD.

I HOPE YOU CONTINUE.

YOU WILL TAKE A MOMENT AND THANK OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.

LASTLY, I'D LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A BLESSED AND RELAXING SPRING BREAK.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. GUNS. THE CENTRAL OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICE LEADERSHIP ASSOCIATION.

MOUTHFUL, MR. SCOTT HECKERT. EXCUSE ME.

I HAVE IT ON MY PHONE TODAY.

NOT IN THE BIG PRINT, SO A LITTLE HARDER TO SEE.

NO. I'M GOOD. THANKS.

THANK YOU, DR. LAWSON, PRESIDENT HAWLEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND LEADERSHIP TEAM.

I'M HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF THE CENTRAL OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES LEADERSHIP ASSOCIATION, TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF.

I CAN PROUDLY REPORT THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE CASTLE GROUP ARE WORKING HARD TO TRANSPORT STUDENTS TO AND FROM SCHOOL.

MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ARE FULFILLING WORK ORDERS TO FIX AND CLEAN BUILDINGS.

TECHNOLOGY IS WORKING TO KEEP OUR TECH UP TO DATE AND SAFE FOR ALL TO USE.

BUSINESS SERVICES IS PUTTING ALL KINDS OF WORK INTO DEVELOP REPORTING SO THAT SOME MAY UNDERSTAND THEM.

AND OF COURSE, FOOD AND NUTRITION IS PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS TO FILL THE BELLIES OF OUR LEARNERS PRE-K THROUGH 12.

THIS HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT TIME FOR ALL BECAUSE THERE HAVE THERE HAS BEEN SUCH SCRUTINY RIGHT NOW AROUND CCPS AND THE BUDGET.

I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN ALL DEPARTMENTS.

PEOPLE ARE STRESSED OUT AND MORALE IS FRAGILE.

BUT ONE THING IS TRUE ABOVE ALL ELSE, WHEN I TALK AND COLLABORATE WITH MY TEAMMATES IS THAT WE ARE SURROUNDED BY THE MOST ETHICAL, HARDWORKING AND PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE TO SERVE THE STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY.

I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE BECAUSE I SEE IT EVERY DAY WHEN I COME TO WORK.

WE ARE CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE ARE PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE DO.

IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS DOES NOT SEE THE VALUE IN WHAT WE DO, AND DOES NOT THINK THAT WE, SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS OF SUPPORT SERVICES ARE WORTH THE SALARIES THAT WE HAVE EARNED.

HOWEVER, WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR THE SUPPORT THAT THE REST OF YOU SHOW, NOT ONLY TO OUR STUDENTS, BUT TO THE FOLKS THAT WORK BEHIND THE SCENES TO MAKE CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS A GREAT PLACE.

SO THANK YOU, AND I HOPE THAT I SEE EVERYBODY ON MAY 14TH AT THE POLLS.

PLEASE VOTE. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MR. HECKERT.

NEXT WE HAVE CONSTRUCTION REPORT.

DR. LAWSON.

THANK YOU, MRS. HAWLEY, AS THE BOARD CAN SEE DR.

BOYER HAS PREPARED A SET OF SLIDES AND PICTURES OF OUR TWO MOST RECENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, ONE OF WHICH IS CONOWINGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S SAFE AND SECURE ENTRANCE IS COMPLETED AND BEING USED NOW.

[00:35:02]

THE SECOND SET OF PICTURES WE HAVE ARE RISING SUN ELEMENTARY.

SAME THING. BOTH PROJECTS OVER $1 MILLION, BOTH VERY COMPLEX.

CHANGE THE ENTIRE FOOTPRINT.

WE EVEN HAVE TONY THE TIGER THERE.

FROSTED FLAKES, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

THE EYES ARE PRETTY BIG.

DOESN'T LOOK THAT BIG IN PERSON.

SO ANYWAY, ON TIME, WITHIN BUDGET IT WAS A JOINT EFFORT FINANCIALLY BETWEEN US AND THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO TO ENSURE THAT THESE LAST TWO SCHOOLS, SAFE AND SECURE ENTRANCES ARE COMPLETE. THE ONLY ONE LEFT HANGING OUT THERE NOW IS NORTHEAST HIGH.

AND WE ARE HOPING TO GET A NEW SCHOOL.

SO WE DON'T NEED A NEW ENTRANCE FOR NORTHEAST HIGH.

AND WITH THAT, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. OKAY.

HEARING NONE. MOVING ON TO BEPAC REPORT.

DR. LAWSON AGAIN.

YES. MRS. JEN SHAW, OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER HAS PREPARED A BEPAC REPORT FOR THE BOARD'S VIEWING.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS THANK MISS SHAW FOR HER EFFORT.

LAST MONTH, WE HAD HEARTS FOR EDUCATION.

IT WAS THE ANNUAL FUNDRAISER AT SCHAEFER'S WHERE WE RAISED MORE THAN $20,000.

THAT MONEY GETS USED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AS WELL AS CLASSROOM MINI GRANTS.

TEACHERS CAN WRITE AN IDEA SUBMITTED TO BEPAC AND THEY WILL FUND UP TO $1,000.

SO IT WAS A GREAT EVENING, FUN, A LOT OF HARD WORK.

AND SO THANK YOU JEN.

ANY QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS BY THE BOARD.

PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY RESOLUTION, DR.

LAWSON. AT THIS TIME, DR.

JENNY HAMMER, OUR ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT FOR EDUCATION SERVICES, WILL PRESENT THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING APRIL 3RD, 2024 AS PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY.

DR. HAMMER AND I HAVE A RECOMMENDATION.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HAWLEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR.

LAWSON LEADERSHIP TEAM AND ALL OF OUR GUESTS THIS EVENING.

I WILL REINFORCE SOME OF THE LANGUAGE THAT PEOPLE USED ABOUT THE OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS WHO ARE THE UNSUNG HEROES.

WE'RE GOING TO SING THEM TONIGHT.

SO THE FOLLOWING FOLKS, IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME FORWARD.

TOM GUNS, PARAPROFESSIONAL AT RISING SUN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND PRESIDENT OF CESPA.

ALSO, IF YOU ARE HERE, NATALIE ALBRECHT PARAPROFESSIONAL AT CECIL MANOR ELEMENTARY.

LORI GRIEST, PARAPROFESSIONAL AT RISING SUN MIDDLE SCHOOL CAROLYN SAUNDERS, PARAPROFESSIONAL AT BOHEMIA MIDDLE SCHOOL, ANN WEVODAU, PARAPROFESSIONAL AT ELKTON HIGH. AND RUTH WHELAN, PARAPROFESSIONAL AT GILPIN MANOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

I THINK I HIRED YOU, RUTH A LONG TIME AGO.

I'M GOING TO READ THIS RESOLUTION TO YOU THIS EVENING.

CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY, APRIL 3RD, 2024, RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS PARAPROFESSIONALS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL TEAM THAT PROVIDES A SAFE AND HEALTHY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS.

AND WHEREAS PARAPROFESSIONALS SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS WITH GREAT SKILL, CARE, COMPASSION, HUMOR, AND SENSITIVITY.

AND WHEREAS THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE CRITICAL IN THE LIVES OF THE STUDENTS WITH WHOM THEY WORK.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY, CONVENED IN PUBLIC SESSION, HEREBY PROCLAIMS APRIL 3RD, 2024 AS PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY TO BE OBSERVED IN ALL CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

PRESENTED THIS 13TH DAY OF MARCH 2024.

SIGNED DIANA B HAWLEY, BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT JEFFREY A LAWSON SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS [APPLAUSE].

CECIL COUNTY ADOPT THE RESOLUTION PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY, AS PRESENTED TO BE OBSERVED IN ALL CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON APRIL 3RD, 2024, PER THE RECOMMENDATION. IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED. SECOND.

OKAY. ANY DISCUSSION? ROLL CALL VOTE.

MOTION CARRIED.

CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE].

[00:40:34]

LAWSON. DR.

JOHNSON, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EDUCATION, WILL SHARE THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING APRIL AS SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA MONTH.

DR. JOHNSON, THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING. PRESIDENT HAWLEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR.

LAWSON LEADERSHIP TEAM AND GUESTS.

I'M EXCITED TONIGHT TO PRESENT A RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD HONORING APRIL AS SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA MONTH.

BEFORE I READ THE RESOLUTION, I'M GOING TO ASK SOME GUESTS TO JOIN US UP FRONT.

I'LL START WITH MR. KYLE RICKANSRUD, THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING LIBRARIANS WHO ARE HERE WITH US THIS EVENING MRS. KIMBERLY DYAR FROM RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL, MRS. JULENE STEPHAN FROM PERRYVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

MRS. DIANE PANTALONE FROM CHERRY HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL.

MRS. CHRISTINE GASPEREAU FROM ELKTON MIDDLE SCHOOL.

MRS. MISSY FREEL FROM RISING SUN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND MRS. BRIDGETTE COOK FROM ELK NECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND CHARLESTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA MONTH THEME READY SET LIBRARY.

WHEREAS MEDIA SPECIALISTS ENSURE THAT THE SCHOOL LIBRARY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM OF THE SCHOOL.

AND WHEREAS, MEDIA SPECIALISTS HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED TO TEACH THE SKILLS OF LOCATING AND USING INFORMATION THROUGH TRADITIONAL RESOURCES AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO PROVIDE LITERATURE APPRECIATION ACTIVITIES AND TO GUIDE AND ENCOURAGE CONTENT AND RECREATIONAL READING TO EVERY STUDENT.

AND WHEREAS THE MEDIA SPECIALISTS OF CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO WORK FOR QUALITY SCHOOL LIBRARIES FOR ALL PATRONS.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY THAT'S HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 2024 AS SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA MONTH IN ALL CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PRESENTED THIS 13TH DAY OF MARCH 2024.

SIGNED DIANA B HAWLEY, BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT AND DR.

JEFFREY LAWSON, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA MONTH AS PRESENTED TO BE OBSERVED IN ALL CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

YOU'VE HEARD THE RECOMMENDATION. IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED. SECOND.

OKAY. ANY DISCUSSION? ROLL CALL VOTE.

CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE].

ALL RIGHT.

FINE ARTS IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH RESOLUTION.

ALL STATE CHORUS AND BAND RECOGNITION AND RECOGNITION OF THE NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND, DR.

LAWSON. DR. DAVID FOYE, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION, WILL READ THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MARCH 2024 AS FINE ARTS IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH, DR.

FOYE. THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HAWLEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR.

LAWSON LEADERSHIP TEAM AND GUESTS.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL HAVE DR.

DAVE HASTINGS, PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR FINE ARTS, TO COME FORWARD TO RECEIVE THE RESOLUTION.

[00:45:04]

RESOLUTION. WHEREAS FINE ARTS SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE THE MORALE AND QUALITY OF THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, AND ART EDUCATION CONTRIBUTES EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS BY REQUIRING STUDENTS TO USE THEIR EYES AND HANDS TO GIVE FORM TO IDEAS GENERATED IN THE BRAIN.

THE STUDY OF MUSIC CONTRIBUTES TO A YOUNG PERSON'S DEVELOPMENT THROUGH HEIGHTENED SKILLS IN LISTENING, READING, SELF-EXPRESSION AND CREATIVITY, AND CREATIVITY, AND THE STUDY OF THEATER IMPROVES ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND ENHANCED SELF-ESTEEM.

AND WHEREAS, THE COUNCIL FOR ART EDUCATION HAS DESIGNATED MARCH 2024 AS YOUTH ART MONTH AND WHEREAS, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION HAS DESIGNATED MARCH 2024 AS MUSIC AND ART SCHOOL MONTH.

AND WHEREAS, THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE FOR THEATER AND EDUCATION AND THE EDUCATIONAL THEATER ASSOCIATION HAS PARTNERED TO SPONSOR MARCH 2024 AS THEATER IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY ENDORSES THE OBSERVANCE OF FINE ARTS IN OUR SCHOOL MONTHS TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT A QUALITY FINE ARTS EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS.

PRESENTED THIS 13TH DAY OF MARCH 2024.

SIGNED DIANA B HAWLEY, BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT SIGNED DR.

JEFFREY A LAWSON SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

THANK YOU, DR. FOYE.

I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY ADOPT THE RESOLUTION FINE ARTS IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH AS PRESENTED TO BE OBSERVED IN ALL CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION.

OKAY. ROLL CALL VOTE.

CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE].

GOOD EVENING, DR.

LAWSON, PRESIDENT HAWLEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, LEADERSHIP TEAM AND GUESTS.

FINE ARTS IN OUR SCHOOL MONTHS, TO ME IS A CELEBRATION OF OUR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AND ALL THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF SO MANY FANTASTIC EVENTS THAT MAKE OUR MONTH VERY SIGNIFICANT, INCLUDING ART SHOWS, FESTIVALS AND ALL COUNTY EVENTS.

ALL OF OUR FINE ARTS PROGRAMS ARE THRIVING.

WE HAVE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES IN ALL COUNTY MUSIC TO INCLUDE ELEMENTARY ORCHESTRA THIS YEAR.

AS A RESULT, 500 STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROGRAMS. OPPORTUNITIES IN ART ARE ALSO SUBSTANTIAL, WITH 500 STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN OUR TWO COUNTYWIDE ART SHOWS.

IN ADDITION, WE HOSTED ANOTHER ART SALE FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO SOLD OVER $3,200 OF THEIR OWN WORK.

THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS CANNOT BE DONE WITHOUT THE HELP AND SUPPORT OF OUR TEACHERS.

THEY DEDICATE THEIR TIME TO PROVIDE THESE EXPERIENCES.

WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID, IT IS GREAT TO WATCH THESE AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN IN CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

OUR FIRST RECOGNITION GOES TO THE NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND [APPLAUSE].

THESE STUDENTS ARE INCREDIBLY BUSY.

SO BUSY THAT THEY WON THIS AWARD ALL THE WAY BACK IN OCTOBER.

AND THEY'VE HAD SOMETHING IN TERMS OF BAND EVERY MONTH SINCE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I COULD GET THEM HERE, SO WE'LL JUST MEMBERS OF THE STAFF AND STUDENTS OF THE BAND COME TO THE FRONT [APPLAUSE].

AND I HAVE SOMETHING I'LL READ.

ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21ST, NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPATED IN THE REGION NINE TOURNAMENT OF BANDS HELD AT APPOQUINIMINK HIGH SCHOOL.

NORTHEAST RECEIVED FIRST PLACE IN THE 1A REGION.

HERE REPRESENTING NORTHEAST IS THEIR TEACHER, MRS. MEGHAN OWENS.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, MR. ERIC BROWN. BAND STAFF MEMBER MEGAN MALONE AND THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS JAMES MORALES, TYCE WOLFKILL, TRENTON

[00:50:09]

ALSO CASSIE MCCULLOUGH IS A DRUM MAJOR AND DRUM MAJOR LEANNA RODGERS, ANNA MARTIN, MIGUEL DARRA, ANNA OWENS, JOSH OWENS, TIM GRAY, AND CONNOR BROWNE.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR MEMBERS [APPLAUSE].

NORTHEAST BAND.

WE WILL TAKE YOUR PICTURE OUTSIDE, SO BUT YOU CAN WAIT OUT THERE FOR US.

YOU CAN SAY IT ON THE MICROPHONE, EXCEPT CONNOR BROWNE YOU STAY IN HERE.

EVERYBODY ELSE.

OKAY.

I AM ALSO HERE THIS EVENING TO RECOGNIZE SOME OTHER AMAZING STUDENTS.

STUDENTS AUDITION FOR ALL-STATE MONTHS PRIOR IN THE BALTIMORE AREA.

AFTER SELECTED, THEY LEARN CHALLENGING MUSIC IN A WEEKEND'S WORTH OF TIME AND PERFORM A CONCERT FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS FUNDED ALL STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EXPERIENCE, WHICH IS UNLIKE A LOT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS. THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THIS OPPORTUNITY.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE STUDENTS FROM PERRYVILLE SCHOOLS COULD NOT BE HERE THIS EVENING DUE TO ONE OF THEIR CONCERTS.

AT THIS TIME, I'D FIRST LIKE TO INVITE THE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF THESE STUDENTS FORWARD.

MR. JEFF BROWN BROWN FROM ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL, MR. JIM MORROW FROM RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL.

AND MR. ERIC BROWN FROM NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL, ALONG WITH TEACHERS MRS. MAKYNZIE BARTON FROM ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL, MRS. BRITTANY OPIE FROM RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL, MRS. CAROLINE HAAR FROM NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL, MRS. MEGHAN OWENS FROM NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL.

AND NOW I WILL CALL EACH OF THE STUDENTS FOR ALL STATE.

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER AVA BAGINSKI, ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].

MAX BOCKLAGE, RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].

CONNOR BROWNE, NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].

ONE IMPORTANT NOTE FOR CONNOR BROWNE IN TEN YEARS I'VE DONE THIS POSITION.

THERE'S ONLY BEEN THREE KIDS THAT HAVE BEEN AN ALTERNATE OR MADE ALL-STATE BAND IN THIS COUNTY, AND HE'S ONE OF THE THREE, SO CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE].

JAMES ESTEP, ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].

ALYONA FALKO, RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].

AALIYAH FLEET, ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].

ADDISON GOODWIN, ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].

EMMA HAMMEN, NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].

MICHAEL JAY, ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].

AND MADISON SWANN, ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].

[00:55:07]

ALL RIGHT. NEXT I SEE NORTHEAST MIDDLE BACK THERE.

WE HAVE THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS, MARYLAND UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOL DR.

LAWSON. THANK YOU, MRS. HAWLEY.

AT THIS TIME, DR.

DAVID FOYE AND MISS AMY SEXTON, OUR PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS, WILL LEAD THIS RECOGNITION AS WELL AS THE NEXT DR.

FOYE. THANK YOU.

AT THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL.

NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL HAS EARNED A DISTINCTION OF A SPECIAL OLYMPIC MARYLAND UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOL.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MARYLAND IS EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR NORTHEAST CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO ENHANCING THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND CULTURE THROUGH INCLUSION.

NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL IS IMPROVING THE LIVES OF MANY, MOST IMPORTANTLY STUDENTS, BY MAKING ACCEPTANCE AND INCLUSION TYPICAL IN THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS OF SCHOOL.

THE NORTHEAST, NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT AND LIKE FOR THEM TO COME FORWARD, TO BE RECOGNIZED AND TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH THE BANNER IS MR. TONY EVANS, PRINCIPAL [APPLAUSE].

MRS. TAMMY MARTIN TEACHER MATH TEACHER, COACH AND NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY COORDINATOR [APPLAUSE].

MRS. KELLY REED, LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER AND NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY COORDINATOR [APPLAUSE].

MRS. KAITRIN LAWSON, RISE-C TEACHER [APPLAUSE].

MR. ROGER CLEMENTS, SCIENCE TEACHER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR [APPLAUSE].

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

PLEASE, LET'S GIVE THEM ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE [APPLAUSE].

MIC] MRS. SEXTON CONTINUES.

OH. THANK YOU.

WE'RE READY. THANK YOU.

THERE YOU GO.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HAWLEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR.

LAWSON, LEADERSHIP TEAM, AND MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE.

IT'S AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE TONIGHT AS WE CELEBRATE OUR WINTER ATHLETIC PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTY.

I WOULD LIKE FIRST TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND NUMBERS FROM THE WINTER SEASON.

WE HAD ONE UP BACK DIVISION WINNER, RISING SUN WRESTLING.

WE HAD THREE STATE CHAMPIONS, WHICH I WILL INTRODUCE IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

[01:00:01]

ALL OF THESE REGIONAL CHAMPS, PLUS OTHER TOP FINISHERS WENT ON TO COMPETE AT THE STATE LEVEL.

WE HAD 16 TRACK AND FIELD INDIVIDUALS AND WRESTLERS PLACED IN THE TOP SIX OF THE STATE, WHICH IS FANTASTIC.

WE ALSO HAD THREE SPORTSMANSHIP WINNERS.

I ALSO WANTED TO MENTION THAT NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL WON THE COUNTY BUMPER DIVISION, AND RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL WON THE NON BUMPER DIVISION OF THE COUNTY UNIFIED BOWLING TOURNAMENT. AND I WANTED TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE NUMBERS OF STUDENTS THAT WE HAD PARTICIPATING.

WE HAD 174 MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETES PLAYING GIRLS AND BOYS BASKETBALL, 736 HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES PLAYING FIVE DIFFERENT SPORTS, WITH 516 BEING VARSITY AND 220 PLAYING JV SPORTS THIS WINTER.

SOME IMPRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND NUMBERS.

AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THREE INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT TO BE RECOGNIZED AS STATE CHAMPIONS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPORTS.

IF YOU COULD PLEASE WAIT UNTIL AFTER I RECOGNIZE YOU, THEN I WILL CALL YOU UP TO RECEIVE CERTIFICATES.

FIRST FROM ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SYTIEIA BROWN.

SHE IS THE 2A INDOOR TRACK GIRLS SHOT PUT CHAMPION.

SHE'S A FOUR TIME STATE CHAMPION THREE TIMES IN SHOT PUT AND ONE TIME IN DISCUS HER FRESHMAN YEAR.

THIS YEAR, SHE WON WITH AN IMPRESSIVE THROW OF 36FT, 10.25IN, SETTING A NEW RECORD AND EARNING HER TOP SPOT ON THE PODIUM.

SHE HAS ONE MORE CHANCE TO EARN ANOTHER TITLE IN OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD THIS SPRING.

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IF SHE CAN ACHIEVE THIS MILESTONE.

AND ALL OF THIS WAS PLAYING THREE YEARS BECAUSE OF AN INJURY, SHE DID NOT COMPETE LAST YEAR.

SHE PLANS TO CONTINUE HER EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS NEXT YEAR AT COLLEGE, BUT YET TO BE DETERMINED WHERE.

AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MRS. BROWN, COACH BROWN, WHICH IS HER DAD, AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL JEFFERS BROWN TO COME FORWARD ALL THE BROWNS [APPLAUSE].

THIS CERTIFICATE IS A WELL DESERVED HONOR.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I PRESENT TO YOU THE MARYLAND STATE CLASS 2A INDOOR TRACK SHOT PUT CHAMPION, SYTIEIA BROWN [APPLAUSE].

AND NOW FROM RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR TYLER GARVIN.

THE STATE 1A-2A WRESTLING, 120 POUND WEIGHT CLASS THREE TIME CHAMPION.

TYLER WAS STATE CHAMPION IN HIS FRESHMAN FRESHMAN YEAR AT 106 POUND WEIGHT CLASS, LAST YEAR AT 113 WEIGHT CLASS, AND NOW STATE CHAMPION AT THE 120 WEIGHT CLASS.

TYLER WAS RANKED NUMBER ONE GOING INTO THE STATE FINALS AND NEVER LOOKED BACK.

HE WON ON A 6-4 DECISION OVER HIS OPPONENT.

A REMATCH OF LAST YEAR'S 113 POUND FINAL.

TYLER IS IN THE COMPANY OF 50 OTHER STATE WRESTLERS WHO HAVE EARNED THE LABEL OF THREE TIME CHAMPION, IF NOT FOR COVID, NO DOUBT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOUR TIMES.

TYLER HAS NEVER LOST A MATCH THROUGH HIS HIGH SCHOOL CAREER, WITH 136 WINS AND ZERO LOSSES [APPLAUSE].

WHAT AN IMPRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENT, ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND HIGH SCHOOL CAREER HE HAD.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING YOU NEXT YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AS YOU CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION AND WRESTLING CAREER.

AT THIS TIME, MR. GARVIN, COACH SETH GARVIN, UNCLE, COACH LUKE GARVIN, DAD, COACH ANTHONY [INAUDIBLE], ATHLETIC DIRECTOR CLEM VAUGHN, AND PRINCIPAL

[01:05:02]

THIS CERTIFICATE IS A WELL-DESERVED HONOR.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I PRESENT TO YOU THE MARYLAND CLASS.

STATE 1A-2A WRESTLING, 120 POUND STATE CHAMPION, TYLER GARVIN [APPLAUSE].

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS.

AND NOW, FROM RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR MASON TESTERMAN, THE STATE 1A-2A WRESTLING, 190 POUND WEIGHT CLASS STATE CHAMPION.

THIS IS MASON'S FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

LAST YEAR, HE FELL SHORT IN THE 182 POUND WEIGHT CLASS, FINISHING SECOND, BUT AN IMPRESSIVE SEASON THIS YEAR CLINCHED THE TITLE.

HE WON BY A 3-0 DECISION AFTER HAVING THREE STRAIGHT PINS IN THE OPENING ROUND, QUARTERFINALS AND SEMIFINALS.

HE WAS THE NUMBER ONE SEED GOING INTO THE TOURNAMENT WITH A 43 AND 1 RECORD THIS YEAR.

OVER HIS CAREER, HE FINISHED 127 WINS AND 9 LOSSES.

MASON IS LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING HIS EDUCATION AND WRESTLING CAREER IN COLLEGE NEXT YEAR, BUT HAS YET TO DETERMINE WHERE.

CONGRATULATIONS ON A SPECTACULAR SEASON AT THIS TIME, I ASK MR. TESTERMAN, COACH SETH GARVIN, COACH LUKE GARVIN, COACH ANTHONY [INAUDIBLE], ATHLETIC DIRECTOR CLEM VAUGHAN AND PRINCIPAL JIM MIRO TO COME FORWARD.

THIS CERTIFICATE IS A WELL-DESERVED HONOR.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I PRESENT TO YOU THE MARYLAND STATE CLASS 1A-2A WRESTLING, 190 POUND STATE CHAMPION, MASON TESTERMAN [APPLAUSE].

THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS.

AND JUST A LITTLE NOTE.

MASON AND TYLER HAVE BEEN WRESTLING TOGETHER SINCE THEY WERE 5 YEARS OLD, WHICH MEANS 12 YEARS AND THEIR FINAL YEAR THEY BOTH WIN A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

WE WILL. WE WILL RECOGNIZE THE 2023 WINTER UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SPORTSMANSHIP WINNERS FROM CECIL COUNTY.

THIS MARKS THE 20TH YEAR WE RECOGNIZE SPORTSMANSHIP AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CONFERENCE.

I AM HONORED TO BE HERE TONIGHT AS WE PAY TRIBUTE TO THREE TEAMS FROM OUR COUNTY AND RECOGNIZE OUR STUDENT ATHLETES FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES THIS SEASON.

AT THIS TIME, THE SPORTSMANSHIP PLAQUES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE TEAMS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED THIS HONOR, AND THE PLAQUES WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE WINTER OF 2025.

FIRST, FROM RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM CHESAPEAKE DIVISION, WE HAVE PLAYERS ALLISON STOUT AND JILLIAN REAGAN.

COACH KATHY MCGUIRE AND ASSISTANT COACH LANCE NEWBY, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR CLEM VAUGHAN AND PRINCIPAL JIM MIRO.

CONGRATULATIONS TO RISING SUN [APPLAUSE].

[01:10:42]

GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM SUSQUEHANNA DIVISION PLAYERS REGAN HASSEL, ABBY CISNEROS, ELENA FORAN, JASMINE KRISTAL, ABBY CULBUS, AND ARIANA CAUDILL.

COACH MATT HAAKE, ASSISTANT COACH CHRIS HAGIS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ERIC BROWN, AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR GARY BROWN [APPLAUSE].

MIC] GOT ONE MORE COMING.

OKAY. AND NOW FROM NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL, UNIFIED BOWLING TEAM PLAYERS PAIGE GIONIS AND DESTINY ROBINSON AND COACH PAIGE ARMOR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ERIC BROWN AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR GARY BROWN [APPLAUSE].

THANK YOU GUYS.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR WINTER STUDENT ATHLETES.

OKAY, NOW WE HAVE.

LET ME GET.

I'M GOING TO GET STARTED.

JUDY CENTER EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION CONTRACT DR.

LAWSON. BEFORE I GO THROUGH THESE, WHAT 12345 DIFFERENT, FOUR DIFFERENT CONTRACTS.

IF BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ALONG THE WAY, I'LL PAUSE.

JUST ASK IN TERMS OF FUNDING SOURCE, PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

SO I'LL BEGIN WITH THE JUDY JUDY CENTER EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANT CONTRACT.

I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH UPPER BAY COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR JUDY CENTER EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION CONTRACT FOR AN ANNUAL AMOUNT OF $65,064.

OKAY, YOU'VE HEARD THE RECOMMENDATION.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? OKAY. ROLL CALL VOTE.

YOU. MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT CCPS RFP NUMBER 24-10 RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL WATERLINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT.

DR. LAWSON. I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY APPROVE AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO RF WATER FOR THE RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL WATERLINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT IN THE

[01:15:07]

THERE'S A RECOMMENDATION.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MOTION CARRIES.

CCPS RFP NUMBER 24-10 THE NETWORK SWITCH REPLACEMENT DR.

LAWSON 24-11 OH 24-11 I'M SORRY.

I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY APPROVE AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO CNI SALES INCORPORATED FOR THE AMOUNT OF $1,265,444 FOR THE CCPS RFP NUMBER 24-11 NETWORK SWITCH REPLACEMENT.

OKAY, YOU'VE HEARD THE SUPERINTENDENTS RECOMMENDATION.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? OKAY.

MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 514.

THE CCPS RFP NUMBER 24-14 SCHOOL PORTRAITS AND YEARBOOKS.

DR. LAWSON.

THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS AWARDING CONTRACTS TO THE FIVE MULTIPLE PROPOSERS LISTED FOR SCHOOL PORTRAITS AND YEARBOOKS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

YOU'VE HEARD THE RECOMMENDATION.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? OKAY.

MOTION CARRIES THAT'S A MOUTHFUL.

THANK YOU. FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET UPDATE.

DR. LAWSON. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK MRS. DENISE SOPA, OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, TO COME FORWARD TO SHARE THIS MONTH'S BUDGET RECOMMENDATION.

EXCUSE ME? THE BUDGET REPORT AND I HAVE A RECOMMENDATION UPON CONCLUSION.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HAWLEY.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR.

LAWSON, LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS AND GUESTS.

I'M PRESENTING OUR BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, AND SEE HERE IF I CAN.

SO AGAIN, THE FIRST PAGE IS THE LETTER THAT IS SENT TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL THAT SHOWS OUR INCREASES IN REVENUE EQUALS OUR INCREASE IN EXPENSE TO PRESENT A BALANCED BUDGET THERE.

THE NEXT PAGE ACTUALLY SHOWS WHERE THE REVENUE IS COMING FROM AND HOW THE REVENUE IS BEING USED.

SO YOU CAN SEE UNDER RESTRICTED OTHER REVENUE, THERE IS A MARYLAND AGRICULTURE EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANT TO CHARLESTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO SUPPORT AG DAY STUDENT ACTIVITIES.

WE'VE HIGHLIGHTED SOME OF THE LARGER AMOUNTS OF REVENUE ON THIS PAGE, SO YOU'LL SEE SOME THAT ARE HIGHLIGHTED.

WE ALSO HAVE A DONATION FROM GREAT WOLF LODGE TO PERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL TO SUPPORT STUDENT ENRICHMENT.

WE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL RESTRICTED STATE REVENUE.

THE CECIL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT CATCH MY BREATH GRANT TO SUPPORT TOBACCO AND ELECTRIC CIGARETTE USE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, AND THE CECIL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT DONATION TO ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL, ASPIRA CLUB, HISPANIC YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM FOR STUDENT TOBACCO AND VAPE USE PREVENTION WORK.

ALSO SOME ADDITIONAL FEDERAL REVENUE.

SO OUR FY 24 PERKINS GRANT FOR CAREER TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION SUPPLIES, THERE WAS AN INCREASE TO THAT GRANT AND FY 24 MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS EDUCATION GRANT TO SUPPORT STUDENT SUPPLIES AND TRANSPORTATION.

AND IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN WE I BELIEVE IT WAS FEBRUARY 6TH WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION AND THE COSTS IN OUR BUDGET.

VERY LITTLE OF THIS WAS ALLOWED TO BE USED FOR TRANSPORTATION.

THE MAJORITY OF IT IS FOR SUPPLIES.

AND THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THE GRANT PROGRAM.

AND THEN ALSO SOME UNRESTRICTED OTHER REVENUE.

SO A DONATION OF TWO LAPTOPS TO PERRYVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR THE ROBOTICS CLUB, AND A DONATION FROM NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR ADDITIONAL MEDIA BOOKS.

THIS NEXT PAGE JUST HIGHLIGHTS THE THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS.

SO IT SHOWS YOU THE ACTUAL REASON AND THE CATEGORIES THAT MONEY WAS MOVED IN AND OUT FOR THE BUDGET AMENDMENT.

SO WE'VE ADDED THAT AS INFORMATION FOR YOU THIS YEAR.

THE NEXT THREE PAGES ARE THE SAME PAGES THAT WE LOOK AT EVERY MONTH THAT SHOW OUR UNRESTRICTED BUDGET, OUR RESTRICTED BUDGET, AND THEN OUR TOTAL BUDGET AT THE END.

KEEPING IN MIND ON EACH ONE OF THESE PAGES THAT WE START WITH THIS ORIGINAL BUDGET AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR ANY YEAR TO DATE AMENDMENTS ADDED TO THE ORIGINAL BUDGET GIVE US OUR

[01:20:08]

SO WE SHOW IT IN THE TOP PART OF THE CHART BY REVENUE SOURCE.

IN THE MIDDLE, WE SHOW IT BY STATE CATEGORY, AND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE WE SHOW IT BY OBJECT.

SO SAME NUMBER SHOWN IN THREE DIFFERENT WAYS.

SO THESE THREE PAGES, UNRESTRICTED, RESTRICTED AND THE TOTAL.

THIS PAGE IS JUST OUR THREE YEAR TREND TO SHOW YOU WHERE WE'RE TRENDING IN EXPENSES TO DATE, COMPARED TO THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THIS IS JUST A GOOD GAUGE FOR US TO SEE IF WE'RE TRENDING HIGH, TRENDING LOW.

NONE OF THIS HAS REALLY CHANGED IN SOME OF OUR PAST PRESENTATIONS.

SO I'M STILL RUNNING HIGH HERE WITH THE ADDITION OF SUSQUEHANNA WORKFORCE NETWORK AS PART OF BLUEPRINT THIS YEAR.

IN THIS CATEGORY, YOU CAN SEE OUR, AS WE'VE DISCUSSED A LOT, OUR NONPUBLIC COSTS AND OUR RELATED SERVICE PROVIDER COSTS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION ARE HIGH.

YOU CAN SEE BUSSES FOR TRANSPORTATION AND AGAIN ACTIVE AND RETIREE HEALTH CARE RUNNING HIGH.

THE LAST PAGE IS JUST OUR UNRESTRICTED BUDGET BY DEPARTMENT.

WE USUALLY HIGHLIGHT SOMETHING THAT'S AN ANOMALY, AND THERE'S REALLY NOT ANYTHING THAT STICKS OUT TO US IN THIS REPORT TO HIGHLIGHT, BUT THIS JUST SHOWS YOU THE SAME INFORMATION FOR OUR UNRESTRICTED BUDGET, BUT BREAKS IT DOWN BY DEPARTMENT.

I THINK THAT'S IT.

OKAY. HEARING NONE, YOU HAVE A RECOMMENDATION? I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY APPROVE THE OPERATING BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR $111,436 AS PRESENTED.

SO MOVED. THANK YOU.

SECOND. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION.

OKAY MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, MRS. OLSEN. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

ALL OF THE GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ARE OUTLINED IN POLICY BDD, AND I WILL HIGHLIGHT SOME AS A REMINDER.

THE AMOUNT OF TIME ALLOTTED FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD PRESIDENT.

IN GENERAL, A MAXIMUM OF 30 MINUTES WILL BE RESERVED FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THREE MINUTES ARE ALLOTTED TO EACH SPEAKER.

WHEN THE ALLOTTED TIME EXPIRES, THE SPEAKER WILL BE PERMITTED TO COMPLETE A SENTENCE.

NOTICE WILL BE PROVIDED WHEN 30 SECONDS REMAIN AND YOU WILL HEAR THIS BELL.

BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS, AND SPECIFIC STUDENT DISCIPLINARY MATTERS MAY NOT BE DISCUSSED.

ABUSE OF PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PROFANITIES MAY BE CONSIDERED OUT OF ORDER.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY EXPRESS OPINIONS FAVORABLE AND UNFAVORABLE ON THE PERFORMANCE AND CONDUCT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, LEADERSHIP TEAM AND ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS IN THEIR PUBLIC ROLE ONLY.

COMPLAINTS CONCERNING SCHOOL SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS AND OTHER NON ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SHOULD BE COMMUNICATED DIRECTLY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT. SPEAKERS MUST STATE THEIR NAMES AND MAY NOT SPEAK ON BEHALF OF AN ANONYMOUS INDIVIDUAL.

THE BOARD PRESIDENT MAY INTERRUPT OR TERMINATE AN INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT WHEN IT IS TOO LENGTHY OR VIOLATES THE GUIDELINES.

THE BOARD ENCOURAGES SPEAKERS TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN COPY OF THEIR REMARKS, AND THERE IS A BOX ON THE CORNER OF THE TABLE IF YOU WISH TO LEAVE YOUR REMARKS.

WE HAVE TEN PEOPLE SIGNED UP THIS EVENING.

WE'D LIKE TO HAVE EVERYONE PREPARED TO MOVE UP ONCE THE OTHER PERSON HAS FINISHED.

OUR FIRST SPEAKER ALREADY AT THE TABLE IS SEAN BRIM AND HE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY DEB SHORT.

GOOD EVENING. I'M SEAN BRIM WITH NORTHEAST.

CCPS BOOK REVIEW PROCESS IS A REACTION TO THE EVENTS OF 2021, IN WHICH BOOK COMPLAINTS BECAME WEAPONIZED.

I'VE HEARD COMPLAINTS ABOUT CERTAIN BOOKS ALL MY LIFE, AND PUBLIC SCHOOL OFFICIALS IN MY YOUTH DID NOT TAKE THEM ALL THAT SERIOUSLY, BECAUSE THE COMPLAINTS THEMSELVES WERE NOT ALL THAT SERIOUS. THAT IS UNTIL 2021.

AND I'LL TELL YOU, SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE KIND OF UNHINGED, I KNOW, BECAUSE I'VE READ THEM.

IN CARROLL COUNTY AFTER DEMANDING A BOOK REVIEW PROCESS SIMILAR TO CCPSS, THE MOMS FOR LIBERTY CROWD TOTALLY BROKE IT.

[01:25:07]

MORE BOOKS WERE PULLED IN FEBRUARY.

YESTERDAY, HB 0785, THE FREEDOM TO READ ACT HAS GONE TO ITS THIRD READING IN BOTH THE MARYLAND HOUSE AND SENATE.

MY READ THIS BILL IS GOING TO PASS.

WHEN I SAY THIS, I'M USING A SKILL I LEARNED IN KEN WARNER'S SEVENTH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS CALLED CURRENT EVENTS.

I HAVE TWO DEGREES IN THIS SUBJECT, AKA HISTORY.

QUOTE THAT COLLEGE DEGREE WHERE YOU GET TO READ ALL DAY LONG.

HB 0785 IS A LOUD AND CLEAR STATEMENT IN FAVOR OF LEARNING, READING, AND COMMON SENSE.

IT WILL PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT FOOLED WHEN GROWN UPS SAY YOU CAN'T READ THIS AS WELL AS LIBRARIANS THEMSELVES, DON'T MESS WITH THE LIBRARIANS.

JUST DON'T DO IT.

TRUST ME ON THIS.

I WILL INCLUDE THE TEXT OF PART OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THIS BILL, WHICH APPEAR IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE VERSIONS, AND WHICH IS AIMED AT THE PROBLEM CARROLL COUNTY RAN INTO. I HOPE THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT WILL CONSIDER ADDING IT TO THE BOOK REVIEW POLICY HB 0785 CODIFIES EVERYTHING THAT CCPS HAS ALREADY DONE ON THE SUBJECT.

FINALLY, BOOKS SAVE LIVES, SO KEEP READING.

I'VE ALSO INCLUDED A COPY OF MY EMAIL OF SUPPORT TO THE SPONSORS OF THE BILL HB 00785. WHEN I SAY BOOKS SAVE LIVES, I'M NOT.

I'M. THAT'S NOT HYPERBOLE.

THAT IS NOT METAPHORICAL.

THIS THAT IS LITERAL.

FOR ME THAT IS THE LITERAL TRUTH.

AND THAT IS WHAT I'VE TOLD THE SPONSORS OF THE BILL THAT THIS THIS BILL WILL SAVE LIVES.

I'VE ALSO INCLUDED A COPY OF AN ARTICLE THE LAST FEW DAYS, WHICH A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT HAS SLAMMED RON DESANTIS SO-CALLED ANTI-WOKE BILL AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND REPUGNANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU, MR. BRIM. DEB SHORT, FOLLOWED BY RON ROBUSTO.

GOOD EVENING, DEB SHORT, ELKTON.

YOUR SCHOOL BUDGET HAS CERTAINLY BEEN A PRIMARY SOUND PIECE IN OUR LOCAL MEDIA.

YOU'VE MADE A HUGE DEAL OUT OF IT, EVEN HOLDING RALLIES THAT WE KNOW ARE SUPPORTED BY GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN PASSIONATE ABOUT CHANGING OUR WONDERFUL COUNTY FROM RURAL TO ONE LIKE BALTIMORE.

LET'S GET RID OF POLICE KIND OF ATTITUDE.

YOU SAY YOU ARE FOR THE STUDENTS, BUT THE WAY THEY HAVE BEEN USED BY YOU CAUSES ME TO WONDER THAT WHAT I BELIEVE IS FOR THE GOOD OF THE STUDENTS AND WHAT YOU BELIEVE ARE VERY DIFFERENT.

I QUESTION YOUR BUDGETING NOW PLEASE DON'T TAKE OFFENSE.

I KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF WORK IN BUDGETING FAIRLY AND HONESTLY.

THAT IS THE MONEY GIVEN TO YOU TO USE.

BUT THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT CAUSE ME TO WONDER IF THE PEOPLE'S MONEY IS HANDLED PROPERLY.

FIRST, THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME HIDDEN ITEMS THE PUBLIC DOESN'T SEE.

WHY AREN'T WE SEEING IT ALL? AND TWO THERE IS A POLITICAL SENSE ABOUT GETTING THIS FUNDING THAT APPEARS ALMOST LIKE IT'S MY MONEY AND I WANT IT NOW KIND OF ATTITUDE, THE RALLY SCARING THE STUDENTS THAT THEY WILL LOSE THINGS, ETC.

TRULY, I AM HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME BELIEVING IT'S THE STUDENTS YOU ARE LOOKING AT, BUT RATHER YOUR OWN SELVES.

YES, I KNOW AND APPRECIATE ALL THE TIME AND EFFORT YOU HAVE PUT INTO THIS BUDGET.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE ARE MANY LIKE MYSELF WHO DOUBT YOUR EFFORTS ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

ONE EXAMPLE IS EXPLOITING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.

IT'S SHAMEFUL FOR THOSE IN YOUR POSITIONS TO BE DOING THIS.

AND LOOKING BACK AT WHAT SHE HAS ACCOMPLISHED FOR OUR GREAT COUNTY, I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYONE ELSE STEPPING INTO HER POSITION AND BUILDING THIS COUNTY SOUND FINANCIAL SITUATION TO A PLACE WHERE IT IS TODAY, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MUCH TALK ABOUT RECESSION, WANTING EVERYTHING BUT NOT BEING A GOOD STEWARD IS THE PATH TO TOTAL DESTRUCTION.

AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE NOTHING.

NOW, NOT THAT YOU REALLY SEEM TO CARE, BUT YOU ARE USING THE TAXPAYERS FOR YOUR OWN WANTS.

THAT ISN'T GOING TO WORK, BUT IN REALITY.

AND TRUST ME, I'M SURE MY REALITY AND YOURS ARE TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

YOU AND I GREW UP IN A TIME WHEN THERE WERE RULES.

RULES BASED ON COMMON SENSE, LIKE RED IS RED AND GREEN IS GREEN.

BUT TODAY WE ARE LIVING IN A TIME THAT IN FACT WAS WRITTEN 75 YEARS AGO.

YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THE TITLE OF THE BOOK 1984.

[01:30:04]

FOR ME AND MANY OTHERS, TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS WHAT? YES, IT EQUALS FOUR.

BUT FOR ALL OF YOU, TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS FIVE.

SO MY THREE MINUTES HERE HAS PROBABLY DONE NOTHING TO PERSUADE YOU TO LOOK AT THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

YOU HAVE BEEN SUCKED INTO AN AGE THAT WILL DESTROY OUR YOUR LIVES, THE LIVES OF OUR YOUR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN.

OH, AND BY THE WAY, YOU SAY YOU ARE TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYONE FIRST.

THAT ISN'T POSSIBLE.

WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS PLEASING THOSE WHO ARE TEARING DOWN OUR GREAT COUNTY.

THANK YOU. RON ROBUSTO, FOLLOWED BY BRIAN HAMPTON.

GOOD EVENING. BOARD PRESIDENT, HAWLEY AND BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS RON ROBUSTO FROM ELKTON.

I KNOW EACH OF YOU CARES DEEPLY FOR OUR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR SAFETY.

MY COMMENTS TODAY ARE ABOUT SAFETY IN SCHOOLS.

AFTER CONSIDERING MY COMMENTS AND AFTER THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PORTION OF THE MEETING IS COMPLETED, I ASK YOU TO STAY AND TALK ABOUT IT WITH ME AND OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS.

YOU DID THIS FOLLOWING THE KILL LIST INCIDENT AT BOHEMIA MANOR AND IT WAS VERY EFFECTIVE IN CALMING PUBLIC, CALMING THE PUBLIC.

I THANK YOU FOR THAT BOLD ACTION AND STRONG LEADERSHIP.

IN OCTOBER OF 2022 THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS ASKED TO IDENTIFY THEIR TOP CONCERNS.

SAFETY AND CURRICULUM WERE THE TOP TWO ITEMS. FOR THE PAST 16 MONTHS DESPITE MULTIPLE REQUESTS, THESE TOPICS HAVE NEVER BEEN BROUGHT TO THIS COMMITTEE.

TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY, I UNDERSTAND THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE THE TOPIC OF SAFETY.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT APPEARS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS SAFETY IN SCHOOL MAY BE MISSED AGAIN.

THE MEETING IS ONLY SCHEDULED FOR ONE HOUR, AND AT LEAST ONE OTHER TOPIC IS ON THE AGENDA.

THIS IS HARDLY ENOUGH TIME TO SCRATCH THE SURFACE OF THE PROBLEM, REVIEW THE DATA TRENDS AND ROOT CAUSES.

GOING FORWARD, YOU ONLY HAVE ONE OTHER CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULED BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDS.

TO GO ALMOST TWO YEARS WITHOUT A SERIOUS CONVERSATION WITH CONCERNED CITIZENS IS NOT AT ALL REASONABLE.

ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY, CHILDREN ARE DYING AND BEING INJURED FROM VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS.

EACH INCIDENT WAS PREVENTABLE.

CECIL COUNTY IS NOT IMMUNE AND WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE, STARTING WITH SHARING DATA, TRENDS AND ACTIONS TO PREVENT RECURRENCE.

PARENTS HAVE AN EXPECTATION THAT THEIR CHILD WILL BE SAFE WHEN IN YOUR CARE.

THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 1,000 DOCUMENTED INCIDENTS INVOLVING SERIOUS THREATS, WEAPONS BROUGHT INTO OUR SCHOOLS AND OTHER VIOLENCE IN CCPS SINCE 2021.

THIS IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.

PARENTS AND CHILDREN ARE SCARED.

A SENSE OF URGENCY NEEDS TO OCCUR BEFORE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS.

PARENTS NEED TO KNOW THEIR CHILDREN ARE SAFE.

WE NEED INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION.

THIS IS NOT POLITICAL.

I URGE YOU TO DEMONSTRATE THE STRONG LEADERSHIP YOU DISPLAYED AFTER THE BEAUMANOR INCIDENT.

PLEASE ADDRESS THIS TONIGHT.

AS A MEMBER OF THE CAC, I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU REQUESTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION PRIOR TO THE MARCH 27TH MEETING.

THE MOST RECENT DATA ON THREATS, VIOLENCE, WEAPONS AND BULLYING.

ANY UPDATE ON ANY SCHOOLS THAT ARE NOT HARDENED.

HOW FIVE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS ARE ASSIGNED TO 29 SCHOOLS TO PREVENT, PROTECT AND RESPOND TO INCIDENTS.

IN CLOSING, I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO PLEASE STAY AFTER THIS MEETING TO TALK ABOUT IT.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE.

THANK YOU, MR. ROBUSTO.

BRIAN HAMPTON, FOLLOWED BY RODNEY BREWER.

GOOD EVENING, DR. LAWSON, PRESIDENT HAWLEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

I'M BRIAN HAMPTON FROM PERRYVILLE, AND BOTH MY KIDS ATTEND CCPS.

MRS. DIXON, I'M SORRY YOU'RE UNABLE TO BE WITH US AGAIN TONIGHT.

I HOPE YOU'RE DOING WELL.

I'M ALSO GLAD THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY AND BE OPTIMISTIC.

BUT WHY DO YOU FEEL YOUR PRAYERS AND OPTIMISM SOMEHOW NEGATE YOUR DUTY TO DO YOUR JOB? AFTER MONTHS OF CONCERN OVER THE CCPS BUDGET, YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO HIGHLIGHT HOW THE BUDGETED ASK COULD BE REDUCED, YET STILL ENABLE CCPS TO DELIVER ON ALL OF THE SERVICES THE COMMUNITY EXPECTS AND DEMANDS.

INSTEAD, YOU PHONED IN TIRED TALKING POINTS AND WHEN POINTEDLY ASKED, WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC THING THAT RENEE DIXON THINKS WE SHOULD CUT FROM THIS BUDGET, ALL YOU COULD DO WAS RESPOND WITH QUOTE, HONESTLY, I CAN'T THINK OF ANY AT THIS MOMENT, END QUOTE, BUT I'M SURE YOUR BIGGEST CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS, COUNTY EXECUTIVE HORNBERGER AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT GREGGORY, ARE PLEASED WITH THEIR INVESTMENT BECAUSE THIS ISN'T ABOUT BUDGETS, BUT KILLING PUBLIC EDUCATION IN CECIL COUNTY.

[01:35:06]

JUST SCREAMS I DIDN'T DO MY HOMEWORK.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU AS LONG AS THEY GET WHAT THEY WANT FROM YOU.

OUR CHOICES GOING FORWARD ARE CLEAR.

IF YOU LIKE TO SEE NECESSARY MAINTENANCE TO SCHOOL BUILDINGS DEFERRED.

IF YOU LIKE THE IDEA OF CECIL COUNTY BEING SYNONYMOUS WITH UNDERFUNDED SCHOOLS, THEN VOTE FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND THOSE THEY SUPPORT.

IF, HOWEVER, YOU WANT BETTER FOR YOUR CHILDREN, IF YOU WANT BETTER FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR'S CHILDREN, IF YOU WANT BETTER FOR CECIL COUNTY, THEN VOTE FOR THEIR OPPONENTS.

THANK YOU. RODNEY BREWER, FOLLOWED BY MICHAEL ROSATO.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HAWLEY, DR.

LAWSON, BOARD MEMBERS AND ALL WHO ARE PRESENT.

MY NAME IS RODNEY BREWER AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE THIS EVENING.

SOMEONE ASKED ME HOW I GOT STARTED SHARING MY IDEAS, AND I TOLD THEM THAT I REMEMBERED AT THE FIRST MEETING I EVER CAME TO, DR.

LAWSON HAD MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT FINDING GOOD BOOKS THAT WOULD INTEREST EIGHTH GRADE BOOKS OR BOYS.

I SHARED WITH YOU BOOKS TITLED SUCH AS GODS SAMURAI, UNBROKEN, AND NOT ASHAMED.

THESE BOOKS AND OTHERS HAD THEMES OF FORGIVENESS AND OVERCOMING TRIALS IN OUR LIVES.

AS WE PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, EDUCATORS NEED TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO READ MORE BOOKS.

WHOLESOME BOOKS AND SPEND LESS TIME ON THEIR PHONES.

THIS EVENING, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU ABOUT A BOOK TITLED THE YOUNGEST HERO BY JERRY JENKINS.

THE FICTIONAL YOUNG CHARACTER ELGIN LOVES TO PLAY BASEBALL.

[INAUDIBLE] EVEN AT THE AGE OF 11, HE PLAYS LIKE A HIGH SCHOOL STAR.

HIS FATHER TAUGHT HIM ALL HE KNOWS ABOUT BASEBALL, BUT NOW HE IS IN PRISON.

HIS SINGLE MOTHER IS RAISING HER SON ON THE STREETS OF CHICAGO, WHERE ELGIN PLAYS STICKBALL ON THE STREET.

THEY'RE JUST MAKING ENDS MEET.

LIKE MANY PARENTS TODAY, SHE SACRIFICED THINGS SHE WANTS FOR HER TALENTED BASEBALL PRODIGY SON.

THIS BOOK ALSO DEALS WITH ELGIN COMING TO TERMS ABOUT HIS FATHER'S FATE AND HIS MOTHER'S FORGIVENESS OF HIS FATHER.

YOU KNOW, I WAS EXPECTING THE BOOK WOULD MENTION GOD AND JESUS FORGIVENESS, BUT I WAS SURPRISED THAT IT DIDN'T.

IT IS SIMPLY AN EASY READ BOOK WITH ADVENTURE, DISAPPOINTMENT, HUMOR, AND SUCCESS.

AND I THINK ANY BOY INTERESTED IN BASEBALL WILL FIND THIS STORY ENJOYABLE.

NOW TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT.

AS WE ALL KNOW, EASTER SUNDAY IS THE 31ST OF THIS MONTH AND I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE ALL AND I DO MEAN ALL WHO ARE PRESENT TO ATTEND A CHURCH OF YOUR CHOICE.

ALL AROUND THE WORLD CHRISTIANS WILL BEGIN ACKNOWLEDGING JESUS'S ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM, AND WE CALL THAT PALM SUNDAY, HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS, GOOD FRIDAY.

AND TO DEMONSTRATE GOD'S POWER OVER SIN AND DEATH, JESUS ROSE FROM THE GRAVE ON THAT GLORIOUS SUNDAY MORNING.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN ME AT MY CHURCH, I ATTEND GRACE BIBLE CHAPEL ON BIGGS HIGHWAY, AND THAT'S THE ROAD LEADING FROM RISING SUN TO CECIL COLLEGE.

AND OUR SUNDAY SERVICE IS 9:30 TO 10:30.

AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU, MR. BREWER.

MICHAEL ROSATO IS THE NEXT SPEAKER, FOLLOWED BY LISA NURNBERGER.

ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING.

FIRST OFF, I JUST WANT TO THANK MR. DAVIS FOR PROVIDING ME THOSE RESOURCES TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE BUDGET AND PRESIDENT HAWLEY FOR THAT VERY DETAILED EXPLANATION ON HOW HE CAME UP WITH THOSE NUMBERS.

I APPRECIATE THAT GREATLY.

SO AFTER REVIEWING THE INFORMATION, WHAT I FOUND WAS THAT FOR FOR THE PAST, I WENT ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2012, AND I SAW THAT THE MONEY THAT CCPS HAS BEEN VERY CONSISTENT AND WITH INCREASES EVERY SINGLE YEAR, ROUGHLY EVERYWHERE BETWEEN 1 TO 5%.

OKAY. SO THAT'S FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS.

THAT PREDATES THE CURRENT COUNTY EXECUTIVE BY 8 YEARS.

SO WHEN I LOOKED AT THE CURRENT REQUEST FOR $115 MILLION, THAT'S ROUGHLY $24 MILLION MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

SO THAT'S ON AVERAGE WE'RE GETTING $1 OR $2 MILLION NOW WE'RE ASKING FOR $24 MILLION.

THAT'S A RATHER LARGE INCREASE, ABOUT 26 TO 30% INCREASE, WHICH IS UNPRECEDENTED.

THAT'S WHY I WENT ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2012.

I COULD PROBABLY GO BACK SEVERAL DECADES AND FIND THE SAME INFORMATION.

SO THAT INFORMATION I DON'T THINK WAS PRESENTED VERY WELL.

SO AS A CITIZEN, WE LIKE TO KNOW WELL WHY SUCH A MASSIVE INCREASE? THAT'S A VERY BIG NUMBER.

I KNOW YOU GET MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL AS WELL, AND THAT FEDERAL BUDGET IS USUALLY THEY GIVE YOU ABOUT 5%.

SO AND YOU'VE GOT SOME MORE MUCH MORE MONEY DURING THE COVID YEARS.

AND THEN YOU GOT A LITTLE BIT LESS.

SO THAT DECREASE IS ACTUALLY FROM THE FEDERAL AND NOT ACTUALLY FROM THE COUNTY END.

[01:40:03]

IT'S BEEN VERY CONSISTENT EVERY SINGLE YEAR WITH WITH MINOR INCREASES, I UNDERSTAND INFLATION THAT WAS A GOOD POINT YOU BROUGHT UP.

WE'VE ALL HAD TO DEAL WITH INFLATION AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

WE'VE HAD OUR WE'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH INFLATION AND THEN THE RISING INTEREST RATES TO COMBAT INFLATION.

SO WE'RE GETTING HIT TWICE.

SO WHEN THAT HAPPENS WE HAVE TO DECREASE COSTS.

I JUST CAN'T ASK FOR MORE MONEY FOR MY HOUSEHOLD.

I EITHER GOT TO DECREASE COSTS OR TRY TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO EARN MORE MONEY.

SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO ASK FOR MORE MONEY, I THINK A MORE REASONABLE REQUEST WOULD BE, WELL, WHAT ABOUT MAYBE 4 TO 8%, WHICH HAS BEEN GENERALLY WHAT INFLATION HAS BEEN AT 8%, BEING AROUND THE HIGHEST THAT I COULD PROBABLY STOMACH AS A AS A TAX PAYING CITIZEN.

OKAY, 8% WE'VE EXPERIENCED SOME INFLATION, BUT I MEAN A 24% INCREASE OR I'M SORRY, 26%.

WITH $24 MILLION INCREASE.

IT'S HARD TO STOMACH.

IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE A SLAP IN THE FACE AS A TAXPAYER.

SO I JUST THINK WE NEED TO BE MUCH MORE HONEST AND TRUTHFUL WITH THE CITIZENS SO WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND NOT AGAINST EACH OTHER, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I FELT DURING THIS WHOLE PROCESS WAS US.

IT'S CONSTANTLY YOU AGAINST THEM, US AGAINST YOU.

AND I THINK IT'S NOT VERY PRODUCTIVE AT ALL.

WE COULD HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

THAT'S THAT'S WHY THAT'S WHY I SENT THOSE EMAILS AND RESPONDED HONESTLY.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

SO WE COULD HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS AND SEE MAYBE WE NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY.

BUT AGAIN, I CAN'T FOR THE LIFE OF ME WITH THE NUMBERS FIND WHERE WE COULD GET WHERE WE WANT TO GET A 26% INCREASE.

IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MAKE SENSE.

IT'S IT'S UNPRECEDENTED IN OUR HISTORY HERE IN CECIL COUNTY.

WITH THAT, THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. HAVE A GOOD ONE.

THANK YOU MR. ROSATO. MRS. LISA NURNBERGER, FOLLOWED BY LINDSEY BERGMAN DEBUS.

HELLO, MY NAME IS LISA NURNBERGER.

I'M FROM NORTHEAST, AND FIRST I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD, THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS TO THE BEST POSSIBLE IN THE BUDGET WORST CASE SCENARIO, I NOTICED THAT DRUG EDUCATION WAS ON THE LIST OF THINGS TO BE CUT, SO I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT.

I AM A PERSON IN LONG TERM RECOVERY AND AS OF MAY 24TH, I WILL BE SOBER FOR 13 YEARS.

I HAVE TWO NIECES WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN VICTIMS OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

I'VE SEEN ONE OF THEM GIVE BIRTH TO A BABY ADDICTED TO HEROIN.

ALL THREE OF THE CHILDREN BORN TO THESE TWO WOMEN ARE CURRENTLY SUFFERING WITH EITHER AUTISM, ADHD, ADD, ADHD, AND COMPLEX PTSD.

I KNOW THEIR STORIES, AND I SEE HOW THEY'VE HOW TRAUMA HAS AFFECTED THEM AND OUR WHOLE FAMILY.

WHEN ONE PERSON IS SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION, THE WHOLE FAMILY IS IMPACTED.

IN 2022, THE CECIL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONFISCATED 367G OF POWDER COCAINE, 49G OF CRACK COCAINE, 2.9KG OF FENTANYL, 472 PILLS, 634G OF MARIJUANA AND 1.7KG OF METHAMPHETAMINE.

IN 2022, WHICH IS THE LAST CALENDAR YEAR WE HAVE OFFICIAL RECORDS FOR, THERE WERE 315 OVERDOSES REPORTED. 86% OF THOSE INVOLVING HEROIN OR FENTANYL.

OF THESE, 61 OF THEM WERE FATALITIES.

WITH THIS INFORMATION DOESN'T SHOW IS HOW MANY ADDICTS IN CECIL COUNTY SUCCESSFULLY USED THEIR DRUG OF CHOICE WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT OR DYING.

WHAT IT DOESN'T SHOW IS HOW MANY OF CECIL COUNTY'S CHILDREN ARE BEING RAISED WITH A PERSON IN ACTIVE ADDICTION IN THEIR HOME, OR WORSE, AS THEIR PRIMARY CAREGIVER. IT DOESN'T SHOW THE TRAUMA INFLICTED ON THE CHILDREN SIMPLY BY SEEING THEIR PARENT OR CAREGIVER USING DRUGS, OVERDOSING, OR BEING ARRESTED.

WHAT TEACHERS IN OUR CLASSROOMS CAN'T SEE IS WHICH OF THEIR STUDENTS LIVE IN A HOME AFFECTED BY ADDICTION.

I WOULD LIKE I WOULD LIKE IT IF WE COULD ACT AS IF EVERY CHILD IS POSSIBLY AFFECTED BY ADDICTION AND COULD BE SUFFERING FROM COMPLEX PTSD.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IEPS BECOME AVAILABLE TO ANY STUDENT WITH BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, WITH OR WITHOUT A DIAGNOSIS, BECAUSE THEIR FAMILIES MAY BE ENGULFED IN SOMEONE ELSE'S ADDICTION.

WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE DRUG EDUCATION IN OUR CLASSROOMS. BUT WE CAN REACH OUT TO OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE VOICES OF HOPE, WHICH I WAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF.

I THINK WE COULD FIND SOME CREATIVE WAYS TO KEEP KIDS FROM USING DRUGS.

[01:45:02]

GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, DR.

LAWSON LEADERSHIP TEAM, AND GUESTS.

I'VE SPOKEN SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNDING OUR SCHOOLS, BUT I KNOW THESE AREN'T THE EARS THAT NEED TO HEAR IT.

TONIGHT, I'M HERE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE OF CCPS, TO THE ADMINISTRATION WHO CONSISTENTLY GOES THE DISTANCE DESPITE A VOCAL MINORITY ATTACKING THEM AT EVERY TURN.

TO THE TEACHERS WHO DAY IN AND DAY OUT, PROVIDE THE BEST EDUCATION THEY CAN WITH WHAT THEY HAVE, AND TO THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE MOBILIZED AND ARE FIGHTING A BATTLE THAT NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO FIGHT AT 17 OR 18.

MRS. HAWLEY, YOUR COURAGE AND CONVICTION IMPRESSES ME EVERY TIME YOU SPEAK UP FOR THE STUDENTS OF CCPS, YOU'RE DOING YOUR BEST TO MOVE MOUNTAINS AND I AM PROUD TO KNOW YOU.

MRS. HEATH AND MR. DAVIS, I WILL WORK HARD TO GET BOTH OF YOU REELECTED BECAUSE YOU TRULY PUT YOUR HEART INTO THIS WORK.

WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE YOU SERVING ON THIS BOARD, AND I HOPE THAT OUR COUNTY SEES PAST THE SIGNS PAID FOR BY THE REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE PROMOTING YOUR OPPONENTS IN A NONPARTISAN RACE.

MR. FERDINANDO, I REMEMBER STARTING OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT BECAUSE I DIDN'T TRUST YOU, BUT YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST GENUINE PUBLIC SERVANTS I'VE SEEN, AND YOU TRULY WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, MRS. RODGERS. YOU ARE GOING TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

I'M CONSISTENTLY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR DEDICATION AND THE WAY YOU ARE WISE BEYOND YOUR YEARS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING FOR YOU SOMEDAY IF YOU CHOOSE TO COME BACK HERE BECAUSE YOUR PASSION AND DRIVE ARE AN ABSOLUTE INSPIRATION.

FINALLY, MRS. DIXON, I HAVE BEEN VERY HARD ON YOU, BUT I TRULY HOPE THAT AS YOU CONTINUE TO SERVE IN YOUR ROLE, YOU WILL LISTEN MORE TO THE COMMUNITY AND LESS TO JACKIE AND DANIELLE. I KNOW YOU ARE A RELIGIOUS PERSON, SO I ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER WHAT CHRIST WOULD DO WHEN CONFRONTED WITH THE NEEDS OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

OUR SCHOOLS PROVIDE SO MUCH MORE THAN AN EDUCATION TO OUR STUDENTS.

THEY PROVIDE A HOME AWAY FROM HOME, A SAFE SPACE WHERE THEY CAN RECEIVE HELP FOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, AND A SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT WILL CHEER THEM ON FROM PRE-K TO GRADUATION. PLEASE GO OUT INTO ANY OF OUR NINE CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY SCHOOLS AND BEAR WITNESS TO THE GOOD OUR TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS ARE DOING, AND ASK YOURSELF IF IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO CUT ANY OF THAT.

AND I DIDN'T HAVE THIS IN MY WRITTEN REMARKS, BUT I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO MRS. SOPA BECAUSE SHE HAS EXPLAINED OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO SOMEBODY WHO DOES NOT UNDERSTAND NUMBERS AT ALL, WHAT A BUDGET LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT IT MEANS. AND EVERY MONTH SHE GOES AND EXPLAINS IT.

AND I'M JUST SO GRATEFUL TO HER.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING, AND HERE'S HOPING THAT MAY 14TH BRINGS THE CHANGE WE SO DESPERATELY NEED IN THIS COMMUNITY [APPLAUSE].

THANK YOU. NORMA CAREY, FOLLOWED BY KELLY SENGSTOCK.

MY NAME IS NORMA CAREY.

I LIVE IN ELKTON.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU ATTENDED THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S OPEN PUBLIC MEETING LAST MONTH, OR MAYBE LISTENED BY SIMULCAST.

I WAS THERE, AND I WAS APPALLED AT THE LEVEL OF DISRESPECT FOR OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE BY ADULTS, TEACHERS, AND EVEN STUDENTS.

THERE WERE KINDERGARTNERS DEMANDING THAT OUR CE GIVE THEM MONEY STUDENTS, YOUNG STUDENTS ACCUSING HER OF NOT CARING.

THE FEAR FROM THESE, THE FEAR FROM THESE SPEAKERS, YOUNG AND OLD, WAS UBIQUITOUS.

WHAT BROUGHT THE ALL THIS INTENSE FEAR IN OUR PARENTS AND STUDENTS? IT WAS THAT SURVEY THAT WAS SENT OUT BY DR.

LAWSON. THAT SURVEY INSTILLED FEAR IN OUR STUDENTS AS YOUNG AS KINDERGARTEN.

AND THAT SURVEY SENT TO PARENTS BEFORE THE BOARD EVEN FINALIZED THE BUDGET AND WELL BEFORE IT WAS PRESENTED TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL, BUT PARENTS DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

CCPS CLAIMS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS.

DO YOU THINK THIS INTENSE FEAR INSTILLED BY THE BOE ENHANCED THE HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS, OR DO YOU THINK IT HURT THEM? MY NEIGHBOR'S DAUGHTER WAS ONE OF 11 STUDENTS ACCEPTED INTO THE CECIL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY BY MERIT IN HER PROGRAM.

EVEN WITH THAT GOOD NEWS, THE ACCEPTANCE LETTER HAD AN ANNOTATION THAT ONLY IF THEY GET THE FUNDING WILL THIS PROGRAM BE AVAILABLE, AGAIN, INSTILLING FEAR.

AS FAR AS STUDENT LED PETITION, MY TWO HIGH SCHOOL GRANDDAUGHTERS SIGNED THIS PETITION TO OUST OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE.

THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT, EXCEPT THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE WON'T GIVE THEM MONEY FOR SCHOOLS.

THAT'S WHY ALL THE PROGRAMS ARE BEING CUT.

WE NEED MORE MONEY FOR THE SCHOOLS, SO THEY SIGNED IT.

[01:50:02]

THEY FELT REALLY BAD.

IT WAS A GOOD LEARNING LESSON FOR THEM THOUGH, AND THEY ARE ALL THE WISER FOR IT.

MOST OF THESE STUDENTS DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND ABOUT SCHOOL BUDGET.

NOT ALL, BUT MOST DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND ABOUT SCHOOL BUDGETS, GOVERNMENTS, TAXES, AND MOST DON'T KNOW THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.

AND WHY WOULD THEY THEY'RE KIDS.

THEY SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON THINGS LIKE LEARNING FRIENDS, SPORTS, JUST HAVING FUN.

WAS THIS A GOOD, VALUABLE EDUCATIONAL TIME TO HAVE STUDENTS BEING PREOCCUPIED WITH BUDGETS AND FUNDING FOR THEIR TEACHERS, OUR YOUTH WHO ARE ABLE TO WHO ARE TO BE EDUCATED, TO READ AND WRITE AND HAVE SKILLS TO LIVE PRODUCTIVE AND SATISFYING LIVES, ARE INSTEAD BEING EXPLOITED AND MANIPULATED TO SWAY PUBLIC OPINION IN SOME TWISTED MISUSE OF THIS ONE SIDED POLITICAL PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN DURING AN ELECTION TIME TO HAVE OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE REMOVED, OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE, THE ONE WHO DOES CARE ABOUT CHILDREN OF THE TAXPAYING FAMILIES IN OUR COUNTY.

AND THE LAST SPEAKER, KELLY SENGSTOCK.

GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS KELLY SENGSTOCK.

I HAVE TWO I'VE HAD TWO CHILDREN GRADUATE FROM NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL, AND I'VE LIVED IN NORTHEAST FOR 14 YEARS.

FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW, I HAVE BEEN ATTENDING MONTHLY CCPS BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS, AND I HAVE TO SAY, I'M DISAPPOINTED IN THE PERSONAL ATTACKS TOWARDS RENEE DIXON FROM MY FELLOW CECIL COUNTY CITIZENS AT THESE MEETINGS.

I'VE LISTENED TO THEM SAY REPEATEDLY THAT EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE HEARD AND EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

AND MY FAVORITE, EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL SAFE AND I WONDER IF THEY REALLY MEAN THAT.

I'M GUESSING NOT BECAUSE THEY CONTINUE TO ATTACK HER PERSONALLY FOR HER RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND HER CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLES, AND BY DEFAULT, THOSE WHO AGREE WITH HER. I'M ALSO PRETTY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LACK OF SUPPORT AND DEFENSE FOR MRS. DIXON BY THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD.

IT'S TOTALLY OKAY TO DISAGREE ON SOMETHING.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES AMERICA GREAT.

THE RIGHT TO OUR OWN OPINIONS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES TO VOICE THEM.

IT IS NOT OKAY TO STAND BY WHEN YOUR DULY ELECTED FELLOW BOARD MEMBER IS ATTACKED.

AND IF PERSONAL ATTACKS ON MRS. DIXON WEREN'T ENOUGH, I'M LISTENING TO AND WATCHING AS SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY TELL OUR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO THINK OUR STUDENTS AREN'T WORTH A FULLY FUNDED CCPS.

I DON'T KNOW A SINGLE PERSON, A PARENT, NOT A GRANDPARENT, NOT A TAXPAYER WITHOUT CHILDREN, OR EVEN AN ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO THINKS THAT EDUCATION ISN'T WORTH FULLY, APPROPRIATELY FUNDING APPROPRIATELY.

THIS TYPE OF HARMFUL RHETORIC SHOULD BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY IN ALL OF ITS FORMS. NOTHING HAS BEEN DECIDED AS THE BUDGET WAS ONLY JUST RECENTLY SENT TO THE COUNCIL.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHAT KIND OF TERRIBLE MESSAGE DOES THIS SEND TO YOUNG CHILDREN? I'M SOMEONE WHO QUESTIONS THE HUGE SUM OF MONEY BEING REQUESTED AND HOW IT'S GOING TO BE SPENT.

REMEMBER WHEN ASKING QUESTIONS WAS A GOOD THING WHEN IT WAS APPLAUDED.

I'M SOMEONE WHO EXPECTS TO SEE READING AND MATH SCORES IMPROVE WHEN SUCH SUMS ARE PROVIDED, SO HOW DARE ANY OF YOU TELL MY GRANDCHILDREN, I DON'T THINK THEY'RE WORTH IT BECAUSE I'VE ASKED THESE QUESTIONS OR VOICE CONCERNS.

I UNDERSTAND THE BOARD NEEDS TO MAKE THE MEET RIDICULOUS REQUIREMENTS OF THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND.

IT'S CAUSING TROUBLE FOR ALL MARYLAND COUNTIES AND SHOULD NEVER, EVER HAVE BEEN PUT INTO EFFECT.

I THANK THE TEACHERS FOR THEIR HARD WORK ON A DAILY BASIS, AND I THANK THE SUPPORT STAFF FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS TO MAKE THE SCHOOL DAY A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

I HAVE HAD THE GREAT HONOR TO VOLUNTEER IN SEVERAL SCHOOLS AND I SEE ALL THAT GOOD WORK.

I PRAY THAT WE CAN, AS A COMMUNITY, GIVE SOME THOUGHT TO OUR ACTIONS AND WORDS.

OUR CHILDREN ARE IN FACT WATCHING, AND WE MUST BE GOOD EXAMPLES OF CIVIL DISCUSSION AND DISAGREEMENT, OR OUR COUNTY WILL SUFFER.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. UPCOMING EVENTS.

DR. LAWSON.

YEAH. AS THE BOARD CAN SEE MARCH 21ST IS A VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION DAY ONLY FOR HIGH SCHOOLS, AS THE VAST MAJORITY OF HIGH SCHOOLS WILL BE TAKING THE PSAT AND SAT.

YOU CAN SEE THERE'S SOME ALL COUNTY CONCERTS GOING ON THIS MONTH.

ALSO, MARCH 28TH IS AN INCLEMENT WEATHER MAKEUP DAY, WHICH IS A SYNCHRONISTIC AND THEN SCHOOL SYSTEM IS CLOSED FROM THE 29TH

[01:55:10]

HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S HAPPENING THAT FAST.

AND THAT'S ALL WE. OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING IS APRIL 28TH OR EXCUSE ME, APRIL 10TH AND TWO WEEKS FROM TONIGHT WE HAVE OUR WORK SESSION WITH THE CAC TO FOLLOW. AND IT'S AT THAT POINT WHERE WE WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY.

MYSELF OR THE STAFF AREN'T READY TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION TONIGHT.

AS WELL AS BOARD MEMBERS CAN'T STAY DUE TO OMA VIOLATIONS.

WE'VE COME TO THE END OF THE AGENDA.

IT'S IT'S REALLY TONIGHT WAS A LOT OF OF NIGHT TO CELEBRATE OUR STUDENTS.

AND I THINK IT'S WORTH SAID THAT THEY'RE WORTH CELEBRATING THEIR SUCCESSES.

ALL OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND EVEN THE THE STAFF AND THE FAMILIES WHO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS.

SO I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING AND HAVE A WONDERFUL SPRING BREAK.

AND MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.