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CALLING TO ORDER THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY MEETING, JULY 8TH, 2026.
[1. Regular Meeting - 4:30 p.m.]
WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE PUT.SEEING THAT IT'S 5:30, WE'RE GOING TO START OUR MEETING TONIGHT.
[3. Open Session - 5:30 p.m. ]
I'D LIKE TO RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY MEETING, JULY THE 8TH OF 2026.OH, I FORGOT. MR. JOHNSON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE? THANK YOU. I WAS LIKE, OH.
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. MR. HAMPTON, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO DO THE BOARD REFLECTION FOR US TONIGHT? SURE. THANK YOU. 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. AND CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA? I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPT THE MEETING AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[4. Consent Agenda ]
NEXT, WE HAVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA. BEFORE I ASK FOR A MOTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, I'D LIKE TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO ITEMS THAT ANY BOARD MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AS A SEPARATE DISCUSSION OR VOTE.SEEING NONE, IS THERE A MOTION? I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. MOTION CARRIES. OKAY. NEW BUSINESS.
[5. New Business ]
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME OUR NEW STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD, ISAIAH JOHNSON.HE IS A SENIOR AT. WELL, WILL BE A SENIOR. WELL, I GUESS HE IS A SENIOR.
AT PERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL. AND WE'RE EXCITED TO WORK WITH YOU.
AND WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND START TONIGHT WITH YOUR BOARD REPORT? THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD FOR THE WARM WELCOME YOU HAVE GIVEN ME AS I TRANSITION INTO THIS ROLE.
I AM GRATEFUL TO ADDI, THE PREVIOUS STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD.
I'M EXCITED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT STUDENTS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY THIS SCHOOL YEAR. THIS HAS BEEN AN EXCITING MONTH FOR MANY STUDENTS. THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR HAS BROUGHT WITH LOTS OF GREAT SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS.
THAT INCLUDES WORKING, VACATIONING, TRAINING FOR FALL SPORTS, AND MORE.
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IN THIS PAST MONTH, I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES THAT REFLECT WHAT STUDENTS IN CECIL COUNTY ARE DOING THIS SUMMER.I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING THE NAVAL ACADEMY SUMMER SEMINAR WHERE I LEARNED ABOUT LIFE AT THE ACADEMY. I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND BOY'S STATE, A WEEK LONG PROGRAM RUN BY THE AMERICAN LEGION TO TEACH YOUNG MEN ABOUT THEIR GOVERNMENT.
MY SCHOOL HAS ALSO BEGUN SUMMER FOOTBALL WORKOUTS.
THIS WEEK, THE DRUG FREE CECIL COALITION HOSTED ITS FIRST MONTHLY MEETING FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR.
WE WELCOME NEW STUDENT LEADERS AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER YEAR SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU, MR. JOHNSON. MISS HAWLEY, UP NEXT.
AS MR. JOHNSON MENTIONED, SCHOOL YEAR OFFICIALLY ENDED SINCE OUR LAST MEETING.
WAS, I THINK WE HAD TWO DAYS LEFT, TWO HALF DAYS LEFT WHEN WE MET LAST TIME.
IT WAS JUST A WONDERFUL CHANCE TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK ALL OF THE CCPS EMPLOYEES WHO REALLY JUST POURED THEIR HEARTS INTO THEIR WORK AND INTO THEIR STUDENTS DURING THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR. AND IT'S REALLY COOL TO SEE COLLEAGUES FROM DIFFERENT BUILDINGS BE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER.
LAST MONTH, MR. HECKERT MENTIONED ABOUT FREE SUMMER MEALS.
I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT THAT'S ONLINE ON THE CCPS WEBSITE INFORMATION.
THERE ARE SUMMER MEALS ON SITE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND THERE'S ALSO THE SEVEN DAY BOXED MEALS FOR.
ALL INDIVIDUALS 18 AND UNDER HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OF THOSE MEALS.
THERE'S 158 STUDENTS THIS YEAR. JUST PROPS TO DR.
HASTINGS AND HIS CREW. THEY'RE THERE NOW. THEY PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.
AND JUST BEING THERE TO PROVIDE THIS REALLY COOL FINE ARTS EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.
AND OTHER EXCITING NEWS TODAY, THE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOUSE THAT OUR SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS DEDICATED A TON OF HOURS AND OUR STAFF A TON OF HOURS IN TIME INTO BUILDING THIS HOUSE.
AND FINALLY, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME OUR NEWEST STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD, MR. JOHNSON. YOU'VE HEARD HIM CLEARLY. HE'S A VERY IMPRESSIVE GENTLEMAN, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM AND SEEING THE POSITIVE IMPACT THAT I'LL KNOW HE'LL BRING. AND JUST A FUN FACT, I STARTED THIS JOB IN 2018, AND THIS IS THE FIRST MALE STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD SINCE THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR.
SO I'VE NEVER WORKED WITH A MALE SMOB BEFORE.
SO THIS WILL BE A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND I THINK FOR A LOT OF YOU.
SO THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. MR. HAMPTON, PLEASE.
THANK YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT.
SINCE THE LAST BOARD MEETING, I ATTENDED BAINBRIDGE ELEMENTARY'S 5TH GRADE PROMOTION CEREMONY.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION IN ELKTON AND INTERACTED WITH A LOT OF CCPS STUDENTS.
I GOT TO ENJOY SEVERAL OF THE 4TH OF JULY FESTIVITIES, AND I HOPE YOU ALL DID TOO.
OF COURSE, STORMS AT NIGHT WERE QUITE SEVERE IN PLACES, AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE QUICK WORK FROM OUR CUSTODIAL AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO CLEAN UP THE SCHOOL GROUNDS. THERE WERE SEVERAL DOWNED TREES AND LARGE LIMBS AT PERRYVILLE ELEMENTARY AND PERRYVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOLS, BUT BY MONDAY AFTERNOON, YOU WOULDN'T KNOW THE SEVERITY OF THE STORMS BASED ON THE CONDITIONS OF THE GROUNDS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MR. DAVIS. THANK YOU, MISS HEATH.
SO THAT TIME GOES BY PRETTY FAST. SO HAVE FUN, STAY SAFE AND WE'LL SEE YOU LATER NEXT MONTH.
ONE OTHER QUICK NOTE, JUST WANT TO SAY WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD, MR. ISAIAH JOHNSON. WELCOME ON BOARD. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU OVER THE NEXT YEAR, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT YOU WILL BRING AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THIS BODY.
SO WELCOME ABOARD. AND THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
THANK YOU. AND I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS SINCE THE LAST BOARD MEETING.
I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY THE SCHOOLS THAT I VOLUNTEER IN AND SAY SEE YOU NEXT YEAR AND HAPPY SUMMER,
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WHICH WAS GREAT TO SEE THEM. AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT AGAIN NEXT YEAR.AND WE ALSO HAD OUR BOARD RETREAT, WHICH WAS VERY PRODUCTIVE.
ATTENDED THE ESMEC MEETING AND WE HAD OUR EMPLOYEE PICNIC.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ORGANIZED IT AND ALL THE DONATIONS THAT WE HAD.
WE HAD SEVERAL DONATIONS FOR ICE CREAM AND FUNNEL CAKES AND FUN THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THAT. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY WE HAD AND A VERY FUN EVENT.
SO LOOK FORWARD TO THAT AGAIN NEXT YEAR. SO NEXT ON THE AGENDA WOULD BE OUR SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
DR. LAWSON. THANK YOU, MISS HEATH. GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.
AGAIN, I TOO WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME ISAIAH. A FINE YOUNG MAN, KNOWN YOU FOR A FEW YEARS NOW, AND FAMILIES PROUD, I'M SURE, AND LOOK FORWARD TO THIS EXPERIENCE WITH YOU.
WE'VE GOT A SNEAK PEAK AT OUR MCAT SCORES AND I CAN ONLY SAY SO MUCH, BUT YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SOME REAL, REAL BRIGHT SPOTS. AND THEN AS USUAL, WE HAVE SOME WORK TO DO.
AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME GOOD NEWS IN THERE, BUT AS ALWAYS, THERE IS WORK TO DO.
DR. JENNI HAMMEL WILL CONTINUE TO BE OUR EDUCATION.
EXCUSE ME. ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT FOR EDUCATION SERVICES.
MISS DENISE SOPA WILL BE OUR ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT FOR OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES.
DR. DAVID FOY WILL BE CHIEF OF STAFF. DR. SEAN JOHNSON WILL BE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER.
AND DR. TED BOYER WILL BE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.
SO, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF EXPERIENCE OVER HERE AND SOME REAL TALENTED PEOPLE.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CHANGES, FRANKLY. AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE.
OKAY. GETTING THROUGH THIS AGENDA PRETTY QUICKLY TONIGHT.
NEXT WOULD BE OUR CCPS EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS, BUT I DON'T SEE ANYONE HERE, SO.
OKAY. COMMISSIONER GOES ON VACATION. PERFECT.
GOOD FOR HER. AND THEN NEXT WOULD BE OUR CONSTRUCTION REPORT.
THANK YOU, MISS HEATH. AS THE BOARD CAN SEE, DR.
AND AS USUAL, THE BULK OF THE ACTIVITY IS AT IRISHTOWN ROAD, THE NEW NORTHEAST MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL.
AND THERE IT IS RIGHT THERE. JUST TO RECAP, THESE ARE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETIC FIELDS.
SO G IS THE HIGH SCHOOL WING. C IS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL WING.
THAT THERE BETWEEN E AND D IS THE ROOF OF THE AUDITORIUM.
DOWN HERE IS THE MAIN CORRIDOR. WHAT IS UNDER F IS DOWNSTAIRS IS THE MEDIA CENTER, AND THERE'S KIND OF A LOBBY AREA THAT FEEDS OUT TO THIS HORSESHOE. AND THIS WILL BE THE PICK UP DROP OFF AREA FOR STUDENTS THAT'LL BE LANDSCAPED IN THERE.
AND THE BUS PICKUP, THEY'LL STACK UP OUT HERE.
THIS IS THE GYM AND B IS THE CAFETERIA, WHICH FEEDS INTO THE MEDIA CENTER.
AGAIN, SEPARATE CAFETERIA FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH, BUT THEY WILL SHARE A KITCHEN.
GO AHEAD. MORE PICTURES. SO THIS WILL BE THE BASEBALL STADIUM, AS SOON AS THE NEW SCHOOL OPENS, THIS WILL BE DEMOED AND PARKING.
AND THE BASEBALL FIELD WILL BE BUILT IN ITS PLACE.
KEEP GOING. YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE ROOMS ARE STARTING TO GET THEIR DRYWALL UP.
KEEP GOING. SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE STUFF.
AGAIN, NOT TERRIBLY SEXY, BUT IT GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF JUST HOW FAR THE PROJECT'S COMING.
AGAIN, RIGHT NOW IT'S COMING IN AT ABOUT 185, 186 MILLION DOLLARS.
AND THAT IS THE MAIN CORRIDOR THAT GOES STRAIGHT OUT TO THE PARKING LOT.
AND THE FOOTBALL STADIUM WOULD BE OUT THERE. GO AHEAD.
THEY'RE PUTTING THE FACE ON IT. SOME OF IT'S BRICK.
I WAS OUT THERE TODAY. THE WINDOWS ARE BEING INSTALLED.
SO IT'S REALLY, REALLY EXCITING COMING, ALONG NICELY.
THIS IS THE GYM. THERE'S ACTUALLY THREE GYMS, AGAIN, TO ACCOMMODATE THE TWO SCHOOLS.
I BELIEVE THAT IS THE HIGH SCHOOL WING. KEEP GOING.
IT'S THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES BUILDING NEXT TO BAYVIEW, WHICH IS GETTING A NEW SPACE CAPSULE.
BUT NO, THAT IS A BOILER. THAT'S A BOILER THAT'S BEING INSTALLED.
AND BOILERS ARE NOT CHEAP. AND THE
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ROOF. NO, THIS IS CECIL MANOR. SO THIS IS THE BIG ONE.SO THAT'LL BE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING. AND THIS HAS BEEN NEEDED FOR YEARS.
BUT YOU CAN SEE THEY'VE GOT THE PLACE TORN UP PRETTY GOOD.
THAT'S THE CAFETERIA OF CECIL MANOR RIGHT THERE.
AND THIS IS THE GYM. SO, YEAH. AND THAT IS IT.
QUESTIONS FOR DR. BOYER OR MYSELF. THANK YOU.
I SEE DR. JOHNSON IS JOINING US FOR THE CCPS ANNUAL REPORT.
THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. PRESIDENT HEATH, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR.
THIS REPORT SUMMARIZES HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT DURING THE 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR, AND THE REPORT ITSELF IS LAID OUT IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S STRATEGIC THEMES. I'M CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO READ THE WHOLE REPORT TO YOU THIS EVENING, BUT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF THINGS. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, ON PAGE THREE, AS IT RELATES TO SAFE SCHOOLS ACROSS THE DISTRICT, YOU'LL SEE HERE THAT EACH DAY NEARLY 14,000 MEALS ARE SERVED TO STUDENTS.
AND THAT HAPPENS IN 29 BUILDINGS CROSSING ALMOST 2.5,000,000FT² OF CLASSROOM SPACES TO MAINTAIN.
SO THIS REPORT GIVES YOU AN OVERVIEW OF ALL KINDS OF DATA AROUND SAFE SCHOOLS.
IT DOES THAT FOR EACH OF THE STRATEGIC THEMES.
THESE ARE MEASURES OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. INCLUDES INFORMATION ABOUT OUR GRADUATION COHORT RATE, AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE EARNED INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS THROUGH OUR CTE PROGRAMS. ALSO INCLUDED HERE INFORMATION AROUND THE NUMBER OF STUDENT APPRENTICES THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PLACE IN AND THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE COMMUNITY.
ADDITIONALLY, WE DO PROVIDE INFORMATION HERE ABOUT MCAT.
JUST A QUICK NOTE, AS DR. LAWSON MENTIONED, THE DATA THAT YOU SEE IN THIS REPORT ON PAGE SIX IS LAST YEAR'S MCAT DATA, RIGHT? SO THE CURRENT DATA IS STILL EMBARGOED BY THE STATE BOARD.
BUT THIS DOES REVIEW INFORMATION THAT WE'VE PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED WITH THE BOARD.
BUT THIS IS SHARED WITH OUR LARGER COMMUNITY HERE FOR THEIR INFORMATION AS WELL.
FINALLY, WE HAVE INFORMATION IN THE REPORT AROUND FINE ARTS, ATHLETICS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
AND IT'S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW OUR STUDENTS CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
SO THIS IS A PART OF THE WORK THAT WE DO TO COMMUNICATE WHERE ALL THOSE DOLLARS GO AS WELL.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ON THE PART OF THE BOARD. OKAY.
THANK YOU. NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DR. JOHNSON.
I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS THE ACADEMY FOR LEADERSHIP OF SALISBURY UNIVERSITY.
WE HAVE SEVERAL OF OUR EDUCATORS ATTEND THIS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.
AND DR. HAMMER IS HERE TO LEAD US IN THAT. THANK YOU INDEED.
THANK YOU. PRESIDENT HEATH, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR.
LAWSON, LEADERSHIP TEAM AND OUR GUESTS HERE THIS EVENING.
THE ACADEMY FOR LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATION, OR ALE, IS DESIGNED FOR EDUCATORS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CONSIDERING AN ADMINISTRATIVE CAREER PATH, THEIR CURRENT ADMINISTRATORS OR DESIRE TO IMPROVE THE LEADERSHIP SKILLS THAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE.
ALE IS STAFFED AND FACILITATED BY LEADERSHIP EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS IN THE FIELD OF LEADERSHIP, AND PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN A TWO YEAR LONG, 12 PART SERIES OF IN-DEPTH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS.
SO AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE MISS MORGAN COOPER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL, TO PLEASE COME FORWARD. MISS NICOLE HAMMOND, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT ELKTON MIDDLE SCHOOL, TO PLEASE COME FORWARD AND MISS REBECCA VAN RENSSELAER, DEAN OF STUDENTS AT THOMPSON ESTATES ELEMENTARY, TO PLEASE COME FORWARD. NOT ABLE TO BE HERE THIS MORNING.
THIS THIS EVENING BECAUSE SHE'S IN VERMONT, IS MISS NICOLE.
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WHO HOSTS THIS ALE IS DR. RON SIRES, WHO IS THE COORDINATOR, AS WELL AS MISS RUTH MALONE, I THINK, WHO ALSO WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT SOME CERTIFICATES TO THEM.IF YOU COULD COME FORWARD AND BE A PART OF OUR PHOTO.
WE ARE VERY, VERY GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE TRAINING AND WORK THAT YOU'VE ENGAGED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT.
THANKS FOR TAKING THE DRIVE UP HERE. WE LOVED HAVING YOU.
WELL DONE, WELL DONE, WELL DONE. AND YOU CAN HEAR.
I'M SO PROUD OF YOU. SO GLAD TO MEET YOU. ABSOLUTELY.
THANK YOU. REAL QUICKLY. MISS HEATH, BEFORE WE CONTINUE, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE CANDIDATES FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE SALISBURY EXPERIENCE. IT'S BEEN AROUND MISS MALONE, MR. SEARS FOR A LONG TIME. AND YOU KNOW THE FOUR OF YOU THAT DID THIS.
AND MISS HYMAN'S NOT HERE. YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO EXTRA PAY FOR THIS.
THIS IS STRICTLY YOU'RE DOING THIS TO BECOME BETTER. AND SO IT'S ACKNOWLEDGED ON THE PART OF MYSELF, LEADERSHIP TEAM, THE BOARD THAT THIS IS ABOVE AND BEYOND AND IT MAKES YOU BETTER.
AND SO WE'RE PROUD. SO AGAIN, THANK YOU TO OUR SALISBURY COLLEAGUES FOR FOR MAKING THE RIDE NORTH.
THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
OKAY. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS 5.07 CHARTER SCHOOL REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION.
SO THANK YOU, MISS HEATH. OBVIOUSLY THE BOARD'S AWARE THAT WE RECEIVED A CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION A PACKET FROM A GROUP INTERESTED IN ESTABLISHING A CHARTER SCHOOL IN CECIL COUNTY, AND AS PER STATE CODE, IT IS TO BE REVIEWED WITH A RECOMMENDATION COMING FROM ME, AND I WILL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD.
THE BOARD WILL THEN HAVE A PERIOD OF TIME TO CONSIDER MY RECOMMENDATION AND ULTIMATELY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION PRIOR TO 120 DAY WINDOW, WHICH I BELIEVE IS SEPTEMBER 10TH, I THINK. YEAH.
SO AND WITH THAT DR. HAMMER DR. HAMMER CONVENED A REVIEW COMMITTEE WHICH ESSENTIALLY IS COMPRISED OF OUR, WHAT I CALL THE SUPERINTENDENTS CABINET. IT IS THE LEADERSHIP TEAM.
AND THEN EACH DIRECTOR THAT WOULD BE THE DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY, SPECIAL EDUCATION, FOOD SERVICES, STUDENT SERVICES. AND I'M PROBABLY MISSING A COUPLE IN ANY EVENT, DR.
HAMMER. THANK YOU. SHE MET WITH THE CHARTER SCHOOL REVIEW FOLKS HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF MAN HOURS INVOLVED IN REVIEWING THIS APPLICATION. AND SO WITH THAT, I WILL ASK DR.
HAMMER TO GO AHEAD AND SHARE THEIR FINDINGS. GREETINGS AGAIN THIS EVENING.
THAT WAS PRESENTED TO DR. LAWSON FOLLOWING THE REVIEW OF THE CLASSICAL.
THE CECIL CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION.
AS YOU ARE AWARE, AS OUTLINED IN THE CODE OF MARYLAND REGULATIONS, EACH COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IS DESIGNATED AS THE PUBLIC CHARTERING AUTHORITY IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. AND AS YOU KNOW, THE BOARD RECEIVED AN APPLICATION, AS DR.
LAWSON STATED, TO OPEN A CHARTER SCHOOL IN CECIL COUNTY FROM THE CECIL CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL ON MAY 13TH, 2026. THEIR PROPOSED OPENING, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, IS IN THE FALL OF 2027, WITH THE INTENT TO EVENTUALLY HAVE THEIR STUDENTS SUPPORT GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE. KUMAR OUTLINES THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MUST EITHER APPROVE OR DENY THE CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION WITHIN 120 DAYS OF ITS RECEIPT.
IF YOU RECALL, AT OUR MARCH MEETING, I GAVE YOU A BRIEF ORIENTATION ABOUT THE CHARTERING AUTHORIZING PROCESS WITH YOU, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION COMPONENTS AND THE REVIEW PROCESS.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DR. LAWSON, CCPS ESTABLISHED THIS CHARTER SCHOOL REVIEW COMMITTEE OR THE CSC.
YES. ANOTHER ACRONYM WHICH COMPRISED OF EXPERTS IN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AND INSTRUCTION.
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ONCE THE APPLICATION WAS RECEIVED AND THE COMMITTEE QUICKLY CONVENED TO ENGAGE IN THE OPEN AND FAIR PROCESS TO REVIEW THE APPLICATION, THEY MET ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO UNDERSTAND THE COMPONENTS OF THE APPLICATION AND INCLUDING THE PROPOSED GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE, THE INSTRUCTION AND STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAM.THE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION PLANS. AFTER THAT CAPACITY INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED BY THE CCSC ON JUNE 1ST WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE FOUNDING BOARD OF THE CCPS. THESE INTERVIEWS.
IN THESE. DURING THESE INTERVIEWS, THE CCSC ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPLICATION TO SEEK CLARIFICATION REGARDING SEVERAL INCONSISTENCIES THAT WE NOTED IN THE APPLICATION. ALSO, DURING THESE INTERVIEWS, THE FOUNDING BOARD RESPONDED TO TWO PERFORMANCE SCENARIOS SO THAT THE CCSC COULD MEASURE THEIR RESPONSE TO SITUATIONS THAT OFTENTIMES ARISE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
THE CCSC RECENTLY COMPLETED THE REVIEW AND HAVE UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND TO DR.
THE CCSC WILL SUBMIT TO YOU A MEMO THAT OUTLINES SPECIFIC RATIONALE THAT WILL ALSO BE SHARED WITH THE PRESIDENT OF KCS AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS OF THIS EVENING'S MEETING. THERE ARE SEVERAL NEXT STEPS THAT THE BOARD SHOULD TAKE TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.
FIRST, THE BOARD SHOULD REVIEW THE CSC'S FINDINGS.
FINALLY, THE BOARD SHOULD REVIEW THE VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE CAPACITY INTERVIEWS THAT WERE PROVIDED.
INSIGHT TO YOUR QUESTIONS. TO COMPLY WITH COMAR, THE BOARD SHOULD RENDER A DECISION BY SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2026. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DR. HAMMER. QUESTIONS FOR MISS HAMMER.
SO IT'S NOT SO MUCH. WELL, IT IS A QUESTION. I HAVE A FEW STATEMENTS AND I WANT YOU TO JUST INTERJECT IF I'M OFF BASE, BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND AND EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS.
SO APPROVAL OF A CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION IS NOT THE SAME AS A CHARTER AGREEMENT APPROVAL.
THAT IS CORRECT. APPROVING A CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION IS ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF A VIABLE OPERATING PLAN TO RUN A SCHOOL, CORRECT? THERE IS NO STATUTE. BUT THE STATE BOARD HAS SAID THAT UPON APPROVAL OF A CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION, A CHARTER AGREEMENT SHOULD BE APPROVED WITHIN 30 DAYS, BARRING SOME.
RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS LIKE A CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION COULD BE APPROVED.
BUT AN AGREEMENT NOT APPROVED PENDING PROCUREMENT OF A BUILDING, AS AN EXAMPLE.
BUT ONCE THAT BUILDING IS OBTAINED, THE AGREEMENT WOULD BE APPROVED AND THE SCHOOL COULD OPERATE.
DO I HAVE THAT RIGHT? THAT'S AN EXAMPLE. AN EXAMPLE, AN EXAMPLE.
RIGHT. AND JUST TO SUMMARIZE, WHAT YOU JUST SAID IS THE REVIEW COMMITTEE'S ASSESSMENT IS THAT THE CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION DOES NOT MEET THE THRESHOLD OF A VIABLE OPERATING PLAN.
AND YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO NOT APPROVE. THAT IS CORRECT APPLICATION.
THAT IS CORRECT. OKAY. THANK YOU. SO JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR, THAT IS MY RECOMMENDATION.
YEAH. OTHER QUESTIONS. I MEAN, I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS, BUT I THINK WHAT WE SHOULD DO IS IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE A LOT TO REVIEW.
BUT WE HAVE YOUR DOCUMENTATION TO REVIEW AND THEN ALSO CAPACITY INTERVIEWS TO REVIEW.
AND THEN I THINK WE SHOULD PROBABLY HAVE A WORK SESSION SCHEDULED WORK SESSION.
WE WOULD DO A WORK SESSION. AND THAT WAY WE COULD ASK QUESTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE AND THEN IF WE NEED FURTHER QUESTIONS, THEN WE WOULD GO BECAUSE THEN THAT WOULD GIVE US TIME TO KIND OF REVIEW EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED TO REVIEW BEFORE WE ASK THE COMMITTEE QUESTIONS, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SEEN ALL OF THE RATIONALE YET.
SO THAT'S MY. AUGUST 26TH IS THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.
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SO WE HAVE UNTIL WE'D HAVE TO DO THAT WORK SESSION BETWEEN NOW AND AUGUST 26TH.BE OPEN. YEAH. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR NOW OR COMMENTS? I JUST HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION FOR DR.
HAMMER. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT IT, BUT JUST MAYBE I'LL ASK IT ANYWAY.
THIS THE SCENARIO THAT YOU MENTIONED, THE TWO REAL LIFE SCENARIOS, CAN WE TALK ABOUT THOSE OR ARE THOSE SOMETHING BETTER TO DISCUSS? I CAN CERTAINLY SHARE THEM WITH YOU. BROADLY, I MEAN, SURE, SURE.
WE PRESENTED THREE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS TO THE FOUNDING BOARD.
THEY WERE ABLE TO CHOOSE TWO OF THEM. ONE OF THE SCENARIOS INVOLVED A BEHAVIOR CONCERN AND THE ACTIONS THAT THEY WOULD TAKE TO ADDRESS THE THREAT AND THEN COMMUNICATE THAT WITH THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
ANOTHER ONE WAS A FINANCIAL SCENARIO. THEY CHOSE NOT TO, TO, TO USE THAT ONE.
AND THE FINAL ONE INVOLVED JUST OH IS MTSS. YES.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DR. JOHNSON. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR DR.
HAMMER? THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU TO YOUR COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU. AND I GUESS WE'LL BE GETTING EVERYTHING AFTER THIS MEETING TO BE ABLE TO START REVIEWING.
AND WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HAVE THE ENTIRE REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENT.
IN THE EVENT YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON A NUANCED ISSUE SURROUNDING TECHNOLOGY OR TRANSPORTATION, THOSE FOLKS WILL ALL BE HERE, I ASSUME FOR SURE.
YEAH, BECAUSE THAT'S BIG FOR ME. YEAH. OKAY. OKAY.
YEAH. THANK YOU, MISS HEATH. KEEPING IN MIND THAT THIS STANDALONE RECOMMENDATION COMING FROM ME IS NOT IN THE CONSENT AGENDA BECAUSE IT HAD ITS OWN RFP, AND I AM. AND IT IS A PIECE OF THE NEW SCHOOL.
IT'S A A 1 MILLION, $83,000 PROJECT FOR FENCING.
UPON GETTING BOARD APPROVAL, WE WILL ENTER INTO DISCUSSION WITH THE CONTRACTOR TO SEE IF THERE'S A WAY WE CAN VALUE ENGINEER AT THIS POINT, YOU KNOW, WITH INFLATION BEING THE WAY IT IS.
AND SO IT'S EXCITING. AND SO WITH THAT, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS CONTRACT IN PARTICULAR THAT EITHER MYSELF OR MISS SOPA CAN ANSWER? SO FUNDING IS AVAILABLE WITHIN THE CAPITAL BUDGET? YES. AND IS THERE A RISK OF OVERRUN OR NOT, BY AWARDING THIS CONTRACT, WOULD THERE BE RISK OF OVERRUNS ELSEWHERE? NO, WOULD BE MY SHORT ANSWER. AND I THINK THIS IS A STANDALONE CONTRACT IN THE SENSE THAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY PACKAGED AS PART OF THE LANDSCAPING CONTRACT. BUT WHEN WE PUT IT OUT FOR BID, THERE WERE WHEN WE PUT THE RFP OUT, THERE WERE NO BIDDERS.
EXCUSE ME? WITH THE WARRANTY THAT THE SHRUBS WON'T DIE.
SO THAT KIND OF THING REALLY DOES COME INTO PLAY.
BUT THE SHORT ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS NO, WE'RE THIS IS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE JOB.
COST OVERRUN IS PROBABLY THE WRONG TERM BECAUSE THAT IMPLIES THINGS GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE, BUT THERE'S NOT A JEOPARDY TO OUR ABILITY TO PAY FOR WHAT WE'RE ALREADY CONTRACTED.
NO, WE'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT IT AT THAT AT THIS POINT. OKAY.
I RECOMMEND THE CONTRACT FOR $1,083,398 TO CMJ FENCE AND SECURITY, LLC, WHO WAS THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR THE NEW NORTHEAST MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL REPLACEMENT PROJECT? OKAY. YOU'VE HEARD DR. LAWSON'S RECOMMENDATION. IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.
[00:35:01]
SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. MOTION CARRIES.AND NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS THE CAPITAL BUDGET AMENDMENT.
SOPA. SOPA. GOOD AFTERNOON. PRESIDENT HEATH. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
DR. LAWSON. LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS AND GUESTS.
TODAY WE DO HAVE A CAPITAL BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR APPROVAL.
AND SO IF YOU REMEMBER EARLY IN 26, WHEN WE BROUGHT THE ASC ROOF TO THE TABLE FOR APPROVAL FOR THE CONTRACT, WE ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO USE PART FUNDING FROM THE COUNTY AND PART FUND BALANCE FOR THE PROJECT.
AND THEN AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE YEAR WITH OUR SMALL CAPITAL PROJECTS WITH CECIL COUNTY GOVERNMENT, THERE WERE SOME PROJECTS THAT CAME IN UNDER BUDGET, AND SO THEY CAME BACK TO THE TABLE WITH US AND WE REDISTRIBUTED.
WE PROVIDED A NEW A NEW CHART THAT A NEW CHART WHERE WE REORGANIZED THE BUDGETS.
AND SO WE WERE ABLE TO USE SOME OF THOSE FUNDS.
AND SO INSTEAD OF USING FUND BALANCE, WE WERE USING COUNTY FUNDING.
AND THEN WE WERE USING ESTATES FUNDS. SO REMEMBER THOSE ARE FUNDS.
WHEN SOMEONE PASSES AWAY, EITHER THEY LEAVE THEIR ESTATE TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, OR IF THERE ARE NO LIVING HEIRS, IT REVERTS TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. AND SO THOSE FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR PROJECTS FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
SO THIS PROJECT CAME IN A LITTLE HIGHER THAN BUDGETED.
AND SO THERE'S AN EXTRA $7,775 NEEDED IN REVENUE TO FINISH THIS BUDGET.
SO IS THERE A SEPARATE POOL OF ESTATE FUNDS THAT'S AVAILABLE SO WE DON'T NORMALLY RECEIVE IT'S REALLY HIT OR MISS WHEN YOU RECEIVE THEM. IF YOU RECEIVE MONEY, SOMETIMES IT'S A SMALL AMOUNT, 5000, $15,000.
WE HAVE TO HOLD THOSE FUNDS FOR THE LATTER OF EITHER ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE THAT WE RECEIVE IT, OR THREE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF DEATH OF THE PERSON WHO PASSED AWAY.
AND SO WE HOLD THEM IN A LIABILITY ACCOUNT, BECAUSE IF AN ERROR WAS TO COME FORWARD IN THAT TIME PERIOD, THAT MONEY REVERTS BACK TO THOSE FAMILIES SO THAT THERE'S NOT A POT OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF ESTATE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO CCPS RIGHT NOW, IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
I DIDN'T BRING THAT NUMBER WITH ME, BUT I CAN.
SO WE RECOGNIZE IT WHEN WHEN IT HITS THAT THRESHOLD, IT PASSES THAT TIME.
AND THEN WE PROPOSE USING THOSE FUNDS TO ASSIST WITH THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS.
THANK YOU. THERE'S NO CONDITION OR THERE'S NO RULING ON WHAT YOU CAN OR CAN'T DO WITH THE FUNDING.
IT'S JUST NOT A CONSTANT OR A CONSISTENT REVENUE SOURCE.
OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? DR. LAWSON HAS A RECOMMENDATION.
CAPITAL BUDGET OF $37,875,522. YOU HEARD DR. LAWSON'S RECOMMENDATION.
IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED. SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. MOTION CARRIES. AND THE SOPA AGAIN CONTINUES.
BUDGET UPDATE. THIS IS OUR BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE, KEEPING IN MIND THAT THROUGH JULY AND AUGUST AND PART OF SEPTEMBER, WE ARE STILL CLOSING THE BOOKS FOR FY 26 AND TRANSITIONING TO FY 27.
AND THE NEXT PAGE REALLY SUMMARIZES WHERE THAT COMES FROM.
TWO OF THEM IN PARTICULAR THAT ARE BEING USED FOR AG DAY OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOME OF OUR STUDENTS.
SO YOU CAN SEE THE ADDITION TO RESTRICTED OTHER REVENUE IS $10,093.
SOME ADDITIONS TO STATE REVENUE. A MARYLAND TEACHER ACADEMY GRANT TO SUPPORT SUBSTITUTES AND STUDENT TRANSPORTATION COSTS, AND THEN A SYSTEM OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING GRANT TO PROVIDE STAFF DEVELOPMENT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.
[00:40:01]
SO STATE REVENUE WAS AN ADDITIONAL 43,776. AND I WOULD SAY THE NEXT TWO UNRESTRICTED, LOCAL AND UNRESTRICTED STATE.THESE ARE RELATED. SO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, WHEN WE RECEIVE OUR BUDGET, WE RECEIVE A CAREER LADDER BUDGET FOR TEACHERS WHO HAVE MET NATIONAL BOARD REQUIREMENTS AND RECEIVED A NATIONAL BOARD STIPEND IN THEIR SALARIES.
SO WHAT THIS SHOWS HERE IS THAT BASICALLY WE WERE PULLING FUNDS FROM A NON BLUEPRINT ACCOUNT FROM COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND MOVING THEM INTO A BLUEPRINT ACCOUNT TO PAY FOR THESE NATIONAL BOARD STIPENDS FOR TEACHERS. AND THEN THIS 3000 HERE IS THE STATE SIDE OF THOSE NATIONAL BOARD STIPENDS.
AND AT THE BOTTOM HERE WE HAVE UNRESTRICTED OTHER REVENUE.
AND THESE ARE SCHOOLS USING STUDENT ACTIVITIES ACCOUNTS TO PURCHASE THINGS FOR CLASSROOM AND STUDENT USE IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,848. THE REST OF THE REPORTS THAT FOLLOW ARE SIMILAR FROM THE OTHER MONTHS.
QUESTIONS? I'M SORRY. I WAS JUST GONNA SAY THAT.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR MISS SOPA? I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY APPROVE THE OPERATING BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR $92,741 AS PRESENTED. DR. LAWSON HAS MADE A RECOMMENDATION.
IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED. SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
THANK YOU. NEXT IS OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. GOT
[6. Public Participation ]
THE CHAIR? YEAH. THANK YOU.WELL DONE, DR. JOHNSON. OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.
EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST. MISS OLSON, WOULD YOU GO AHEAD WITH THE.
GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD WITH CONCERNS RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS OR MATTERS WITHIN THE BOARD'S AUTHORITY. THE BOARD DOES CONSIDER ALL EMAILS AND FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC, EVEN IF REMARKS ARE NOT PRESENTED OR READ ALOUD AT MEETINGS THIS EVENING.
A TIMELINE FOR COMMENTS HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD PRESIDENT.
IN GENERAL, THREE MINUTES WILL BE ALLOTTED TO INDIVIDUALS.
WHEN THE ALLOTTED TIME EXPIRES, THE SPEAKER WILL BE PERMITTED TO COMPLETE A SENTENCE.
NOTICE WILL BE PROVIDED WHEN 30S REMAIN AND YOU WILL HEAR THE SPELL.
SPEAKERS MAY NOT YIELD THEIR TIME TO SOMEONE ELSE OR SPEAK ON BEHALF OF AN ANONYMOUS INDIVIDUAL.
ROUTES. LANDIS SLANDEROUS OR THREATENING REMARKS ARE CONSIDERED OUT OF ORDER.
THIS EVENING WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
WE'D LIKE TO HAVE EVERYONE PREPARED TO MOVE UP ONCE THE OTHER PERSON HAS FINISHED, OUR FIRST SPEAKER WILL BE MICHELLE MARKS, AND SHE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY SHELLY ALARCON. I GET THAT RIGHT.
SO YOU MAY COME UP. AND I BELIEVE THE GREEN BUTTON IS ALREADY ON.
YES. I DON'T THINK I'M THIS TALL, THOUGH. LET'S SEE.
NOW, I COME AS SOMEONE WHO PREVIOUSLY HAD A CAREER IN EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION.
I HAVE MADE COST BENEFIT DECISIONS LIKE THESE BEFORE.
THEY ARE NOT EASY. THEY'RE NOT FUN, BUT THEY HAVE TO HAPPEN.
LET'S CONSIDER THE CHARTER SCHOOL. IT'S NOT A NICE TO HAVE ENDEAVOR.
IT'S A NEED TO HAVE. WE NEED SMALLER CLASS SIZES.
[00:45:06]
INSTEAD, WE HAVE THE CURRENT SITUATION WHERE FAMILIES OFTEN LEAVE TO HOME SCHOOL, PRIVATE SCHOOL OR MOVE OUT OF COUNTY.AS ONE EXAMPLE, THE CHARTER SCHOOL WILL ESSENTIALLY REQUIRE PARTNERSHIPS WITH FAMILIES IN THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN. IN FACT, UNLIKE OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR THE CHARTER SCHOOL TO SURVIVE.
CONSIDERING SIMILAR SITUATIONS I HAVE WITNESSED IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION SPHERE, BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THE PROGRAMS THAT ATTENDEES WANTED RESULTED IN MORE TUITION DOLLARS AT THE UNIVERSITY'S DISPOSAL, WHICH PARALLELS HOW MORE TAX DOLLARS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO CCPS AS A RESULT OF ALLOWING THE DESIRED CHARTER SCHOOL.
CONSIDER EXISTING EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY EDUCATION DESIRABILITY.
IN OUR OWN STATE, WE FIND THAT FREDERICK COUNTY OFFERS THE COVETED AND HIGHEST RANKED CHARTER SCHOOL IN MARYLAND, ONE THAT ALSO FOLLOWS THE CLASSICAL EDUCATION MODEL.
HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY OF EDUCATIONAL CHOICE HAS BEEN SHOWN TIME AND AGAIN AS A DESIRABLE OPTION.
WE COULD IGNORE THE REQUEST TO USE SOME TAX FUNDING TO CREATE THE CHARTER SCHOOL.
HOWEVER, WE THEN ALSO IGNORE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT IT BRINGS.
WE PUT OUR COUNTY AT A DISADVANTAGE COMPARED TO NEARBY AREAS AND RUN THE RISK OF PEOPLE DECIDING TO LIVE ELSEWHERE, TAKING THEIR TAX DOLLARS AWAY WITH THEM. IF WE OFFER A PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT ALLOWS FOR PERSONALIZED EDUCATION, PARENTAL PARTNERSHIPS AND A CLASSICAL CURRICULUM, WE CREATE OUR OWN DRAW FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTY.
THIS INCREASED APPEAL OF CECIL, THANKS TO THE CREATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE, BECOMES TANGIBLE TO ALL THROUGH SUCH THINGS AS GREATER APPEAL TO PRIVATE INVESTMENTS, OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURES WITHOUT RAISING TAXES AND INCREASED PROPERTY VALUES ALL AROUND.
THEREFORE, SPENDING SOME TAXES TOWARD THE CHARTER SCHOOL WOULD LIKELY RESULT IN INCREASED COUNTY TAX REVENUE, WHICH BENEFITS OUR AREA AS A WHOLE. THAT IS THE GOAL OF THE TAX SYSTEM.
AFTER ALL, FOR US TAXPAYERS TO ELECT YOU LOCAL OFFICIALS, TO STEWARD OUR TAX DOLLARS TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR SOCIETY AS A WHOLE. AS ONE EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL TO ANOTHER, THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS BENEFIT FOR OUR COUNTY.
UNTIL NEXT TIME. [APPLAUSE]. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SHELLY ALARCON, AND OUR FINAL SPEAKER THIS EVENING WILL BE NORMA CAREY.
I'M A PARENT HERE IN CECIL COUNTY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SENDING MY CHILD THERE IF POSSIBLE.
CLASSICAL EDUCATION IS A TIME TESTED AND PROVEN APPROACH THAT EQUIPS STUDENTS WITH KNOWLEDGE, CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS, STRONG LITERACY FOUNDATIONS, AND A LIFELONG LOVE OF LEARNING.
ITS EMPHASIS ON MASTERING FACTS, DEVELOPING REASONING, AND ENGAGING WITH GREAT IDEAS HAS HELPED GENERATIONS OF STUDENTS SUCCEED, NOT ONLY ACADEMICALLY, BUT AS THOUGHTFUL AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS.
THE SCHOOL PLANS TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE BASED SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA THROUGH THE ORTON-GILLINGHAM APPROACH, WHILE ALSO CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIFTED AND ADVANCED STUDENTS TO BE CHALLENGED BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS.
EQUALLY IMPORTANT, IT SEEKS TO INSPIRE EVERY STUDENT IN BETWEEN BY CULTIVATING CURIOSITY, CHARACTER, AND A GENUINE LOVE OF LEARNING. THE PROPOSAL ALSO STRENGTHENS RATHER THAN COMPETES WITH OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.
TEACHERS AT CECIL CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL WILL BE EMPLOYEES OF CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, HOLDING THE SAME CREDENTIALS AND RECEIVING THE SAME BENEFITS AS OTHER CCPS EDUCATORS.
IN ADDITION, THE SCHOOL'S GOAL OF MAINTAINING SMALLER CLASS SIZES ALIGNS WITH WHAT MANY EDUCATORS AND PARENTS CONSISTENTLY VALUE MORE PERSONALIZED INSTRUCTION, STRONGER TEACHER STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS, AND GREATER OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF EACH CHILD.
WHEN STUDENTS ARE KNOWN WELL AND TAUGHT WELL, THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO THRIVE.
TONIGHT, I ASK YOU TO VIEW THIS APPLICATION AS AN OPPORTUNITY.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO BROADEN EDUCATIONAL CHOICE.
[00:50:02]
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, YOUR SERVICE, AND YOUR DEDICATION TO THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN.THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. AND OUR FINAL SPEAKER, MRS. CAREY. GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I'M NORMA CAREY. I LIVE IN ELKTON AND I SERVE ON THE BOARD OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL.
HE HAD BROUGHT HOME A MATH PAPER WITH A GRADE OF 41%.
LIKE ANY GOOD MOTHER, SHE SAT DOWN WITH HIM TO REVIEW THE CONCEPT.
HE CLEARLY DID NOT UNDERSTAND. MY DAUGHTER, WHO HAS A BACHELOR'S IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, COULD NOT COMPLETE THE SECOND GRADE MATH ASSIGNMENT.
THIS YEAR. THEY HAVE SINCE ENROLLED HIM IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL.
THIS HAPPENS TO BE MY FAMILY, BUT I'M NOT ALONE.
I HEAR SIMILAR STORIES FROM FRUSTRATED PARENTS ALL AROUND THE COUNTY.
I KNEW CCPS MATH PROFICIENCY SCORES DECLINE AS STUDENTS GET OLDER, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE EXACT NUMBERS, SO I LOOKED THEM UP ON MARYLAND.GOV. SCHOOL REPORT CARD WEBSITE.
I FOUND THAT 33.8% OF THIRD GRADE STUDENTS WERE PROFICIENT IN MATH.
BY FIFTH GRADE, THAT NUMBER DROPPED TO 21.3%, AND BY EIGHTH GRADE, IT FELL EVEN FURTHER TO 7.2%.
I ALSO LOOKED UP NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL, THE FEEDER SCHOOL FOR ELK NECK ELEMENTARY, AND I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT ONLY 5% OF ITS EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS ARE PROFICIENT IN MATH. AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG HERE. IF MY INTELLIGENT, COLLEGE EDUCATED, SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN ARE UNABLE TO DO SECOND GRADE MATH, SOMETHING IS NOT WORKING AND THE PROFICIENCY SCORES PROVE THIS.
THIS BRINGS ME TO THE PROPOSED CHARTER SCHOOL.
WE HEAR SIMILAR STORIES FROM FORMER CCPS FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTY.
LAST MONTH, LORI SPOKE PASSIONATELY ABOUT TEACHERS LOSING THEIR JOBS.
IF THE BOARD APPROVES THIS CHARTER SCHOOL, WE WILL HAVE MORE OPTIONS.
CCPS ENROLLMENT CAN GROW AND STUDENTS LIKE MY GRANDSON CAN RETURN.
WE WOULD SERVE CHILDREN WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT ATTEND CCPS.
YOU KNOW HOW DILIGENTLY WE ALL HAVE WORKED TO GET TO THIS POINT THE BOARD HAS WORKED.
AND WE WILL NOT LET UP. WE WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO WORK WITH YOU AND TO PROVIDE CECIL COUNTY FAMILIES WITH THIS MUCH NEEDED AND LONG OVERDUE EDUCATIONAL OPTION. AND AS ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU GO TO ASK QUESTIONS TO THE REVIEW COMMITTEE, ASK US QUESTIONS.
WE'RE OPEN. WE WOULD LOVE TO SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH ANY OF YOU AND ANSWER ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS.
AND WE HOPE TO PARTNER TOGETHER IN THIS VENTURE FOR CECIL COUNTY AND OUR STUDENTS.
[8. Upcoming Events ]
THINGS LEFT ON THE AGENDA IS THE UPCOMING EVENTS.AUGUST 13TH IS THE EDUCATION LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AT OAKTON HIGH SCHOOL.
AUGUST 19TH, PROFESSIONAL DAY FOR NEW TEACHERS.
AUGUST 24TH, PROFESSIONAL DAY FOR RETURNING STAFF.
AND THEN AUGUST 26TH IS OUR NEXT MEETING HERE AT 5>30 FOR OPEN SESSION.
AND I BELIEVE THAT IS THE END OF OUR AGENDA. SO MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
06:22.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.