Aug 26, 2026 Board Meeting

[00:00:06]

OKAY, IT'S 4:30. I WILL CALL

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

DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ENTER

[2. Closed Session ]

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

TODAY IS AUGUST 26TH OF 2026 AND THIS IS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING FOR CECIL COUNTY, MARYLAND. MR. JOHNSON, COULD YOU LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE? THANK YOU.

WOULD SOMEONE LIKE TO LEAD US IN THE BOARD REFLECTION? 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 NOW WOULD SOMEONE MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT TONIGHT'S AGENDA? I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPT THE MEETING AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

MOTION CARRIES. I TOLD YOU I HIT MY HEAD TODAY.

[4. Consent Agenda]

SEEING NONE, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[5. New Business]

MR. JOHNSON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO FIRST? SO THIS MONTH I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE MAY NEW STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD ORIENTATION. IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. I GOT TO MEET A LOT OF OTHER FELLOW STUDENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARDS.

I LEARNED A LOT, MADE SOME CONNECTIONS THAT I HOPE TO UTILIZE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

WE'RE APPROACHING THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, SO MONDAY STUDENTS WILL BE BACK.

I GUESS I'LL SAY I'M HALF LOOKING FORWARD TO IT, BUT I AM.

IT'S GOING TO BE NICE TO BE BACK IN THE SWING OF THINGS.

FALL SPORTS ARE BACK IN FULL SWING, HAVING PRACTICES. I HAVE A SCRIMMAGE ON FRIDAY FOR MY FOOTBALL TEAM, SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SCHOOL YEAR COMING BACK.

MS. HAWLEY? AS MR. JOHNSON SAID, WE'RE READY TO KICK OFF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR, READY OR NOT.

THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY GOOD GETTING READY STUFF HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

I WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SOME OF IT, AS MR. JOHNSON MENTIONED, THE SMOB ORIENTATION AT MABE.

THERE WAS A LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, THE BACK TO SCHOOL BASHES, WHICH WERE WONDERFUL.

WE ALSO THEN WELCOMED OUR NEW STAFF AT OUR ANNUAL RECEPTION, AND JUST THANKS TO THE FOUNDATION FOR ORGANIZING THAT, AND YORK BUILDING PRODUCTS, WHO WAS THE EVENT SPONSOR FOR THAT.

THEN YESTERDAY, ALL THE STAFF RETURNED TO THE BUILDINGS.

MS. HEATH AND I WERE AT NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO HELP WITH A STAFF PG.

WE PARTICIPATED IN COPE, WHICH IS A COST OF POVERTY EXPERIENCE.

IT WAS REALLY JUST SUCH A VALUABLE SIMULATION THAT HELPED EVERYONE REALLY BETTER UNDERSTAND THE MANY SYSTEMIC BARRIERS FACING FAMILIES WHO ARE NAVIGATING POVERTY.

SO MANY OF OUR FAMILIES EXPERIENCED THESE VERY REAL CHALLENGES.

IT WAS DEFINITELY A POWERFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT WILL HELP BUILD STRONGER CONNECTIONS WITH OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY.

FINALLY, I'M EXCITED, MAYBE A LITTLE MORE EXCITED THAN MR. JOHNSON, FOR OUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS IS MONDAY, AUGUST 31ST.

BETWEEN THAT AND GRADUATIONS, I THINK IT'S TWO OF THE BEST DAYS OF THE YEAR.

IT'S JUST A TIME OF CELEBRATING FRESH STARTS AND NEW

[00:05:01]

I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. THANK YOU.

MR. HAMPTON? GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

I GOT TO TOUR SOME OF THE BIG PROJECTS BEING WORKED THIS SUMMER.

THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES ON IN THE SCHOOLS OVER THE SUMMER.

SOME OF THE WORK I SAW WAS AT CECIL MANOR AND LEEDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS RECENT WORK AT THE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY.

I ALSO GOT TO TOUR THE PROGRESS AT THE NORTHEAST MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS.

I ATTENDED THE THREE BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS EARLIER THIS MONTH AND SPOKE WITH A LOT OF STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF, AS WELL AS VENDORS.

I MET SEVERAL NEW TEACHERS AND STAFF DURING LAST WEEK'S NEW TEACHER ORIENTATIONS.

I WISH EVERYONE A SAFE AND HAPPY BACK TO SCHOOL NEXT WEEK.

PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THE STUDENTS THAT WILL BE WALKING TO AND FROM SCHOOLS, AND PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE SCHOOL BUSES AND THE BUS STOPS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MR. HAMPTON. MR. FERDINANDO? GOOD EVENING. I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH MR. JOHNSON.

I'M ABOUT BEING, I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF I'M HALF EXCITED FOR SCHOOL TO START.

I LOVE SUMMERTIME.

SUMMERTIME'S GREAT.

I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE EVER BEEN EXCITED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

SO I HATE TO SAY THAT, BUT SUMMERTIME IS THE BEST TIME, AND IT'S ENDING SOON.

SO FALL'S COMING, BUT WITH THAT COMES FALL SPORTS.

AND I BELIEVE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO KILL ME WITH THIS ONE.

I'M VOLUNTEERING AND HELPING THE NORTHEAST GOLF TEAM THIS YEAR.

YEAH, COMING OVER TO THE BLUE SIDE.

MY ORANGE FRIENDS ARE MAD AT ME, SO I GREW A MUSTACHE SO THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE ME AS EASILY IN PUBLIC.

OR I'M TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THIS GUY, ONE OR THE OTHER.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY TODAY. THANK YOU.

MR. DAVIS? THANK YOU, MS. HEATH. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

ON MONDAY, I ATTENDED THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION, THE MAY MEETING WHERE I SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE NOMINATION COMMITTEE.

WE MET TO SELECT THE MAY BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBERS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.

I AM HONORED TO REPORT THAT OUR VERY OWN BOARD, PRESIDENT DIANNE HEATH, WAS RE-ELECTED TO SERVE ON THE MARYLAND STATE BOARD, WHO WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHAPE STATE EDUCATION POLICY.

SO CONGRATULATIONS, MS. HEATH.

AND OF COURSE, DIANA HAWLEY IS OUR CURRENT MAY PRESIDENT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS WELL.

LASTLY, SINCE THIS IS OUR LAST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING BEFORE THE SORT OF SCHOOL ON MONDAY, I JUST WANTED TO SAY I HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYED THEIR SUMMER, SPENT SOME TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

BUT NOW IT'S TIME TO GET BACK TO WORK, ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES, AND RETURN TO LEARNING AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERY STUDENT IN THE EASTERN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR SUCCESS.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS. I JUST HAVE A FEW ITEMS. FIRST, I WAS ALSO ABLE TO TOUR THE NEW NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL WITH SOME OF MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS.

VERY EXCITING AND JUST CONTINUING TO BE EXCITED ABOUT SEEING THE PROGRESS ON THAT.

I ALSO WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL KICKOFFS FOR THE ELKTON AND BO FEEDERS, AND I ATTENDED THE ED LEADERSHIP DAY AND THE NEW TEACHER RECEPTION, WHICH WAS VERY NICE.

CECILTON ELEMENTARY DID KIND OF A COOL THING THIS YEAR TO KIND OF KICK OFF.

THEY HAVE A NEW PRINCIPAL THIS YEAR, AND THEY DID A BUS TOUR WHERE THEY WENT TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT STOPS AROUND THE COMMUNITY JUST TO MEET SOME OF THE STUDENTS AND LET THEM MEET THE STAFF, GAVE OUT FREE BOOKS AND POPSICLES, AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY, REALLY A NEAT IDEA AND A LOT OF FUN, AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP AT ONE OF THE STOPS WHERE THEY WERE AND TALK TO EVERYONE, SO THAT WAS FUN.

I ALSO, LIKE MR. DAVIS SAID, I WILL BE CONTINUING ON MABE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND I JUST FEEL THAT'S IMPORTANT THAT IT ALLOWS CECIL TO CONTINUE TO HAVE A VOICE ON THE MABE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

LINDA HAWLEY HAS BEEN THE PRESIDENT, AND SHE WILL BE PHASING OUT OF THAT ROLE, SO WE WILL STILL HAVE AT LEAST A CECIL COUNTY MEMBER ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

AND I WAS ALSO ABLE TO ATTEND THE COPE EXPERIENCE WITH MS. HAWLEY IN NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THAT WAS A REALLY, REALLY NEAT EXPERIENCE, AND I ALSO ATTENDED BO MANOR'S FIRST DAY AND WAS ABLE TO MEET THE TEACHERS AT BO MIDDLE AND HIGH.

I THINK THAT'S ABOUT IT.

I JUST WANT TO WISH EVERYONE AN AMAZING SCHOOL YEAR, AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE SOME PEOPLE GET A LITTLE MORE EXCITED ABOUT SCHOOL AS WE CONTINUE.

SO NEXT I HAVE DR. LAWSON'S SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.

I WANT TO TAKE SOME TIME AND SHARE SOME INFORMATION.

I HAVE PRETTY COLORS AND I HAVE CHARTS, AND I THINK IT REALLY SPEAKS TO SOME OF THE GREAT WORK HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, NOT ONLY LAST YEAR BUT GOING BACK YEARS PRIOR.

SO OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

[00:10:01]

AND SO WHAT WE HAVE, THIS IS THE DATA THAT CAME IN FOR LAST YEAR'S CLASS OF 26.

YOU CAN SEE THAT THESE ARE THE NUMBER OF TESTS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN ACROSS ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS.

THERE WERE NEARLY 1, 400 TESTS.

THAT'S A CONSIDERABLE SPIKE FROM WHAT WE'VE DONE THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

AND AGAIN, THESE ARE PART, A REAL COMMON AP CLASS WOULD BE AP GOVERNMENT, AP PSYCHOLOGY, AP U.S. HISTORY, AP LANGUAGE COMPOSITION.

THEY'RE SOME OF THE REAL COMMON ONES THAT ARE TAKEN PRETTY MUCH IN ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS.

SO OUR NUMBER OF STUDENTS TAKING THESE TESTS, AND THE THING IS THERE'S SOME PRETTY COOL RESEARCH OUT THERE THAT SHOWS THAT EVEN IF A STUDENT TAKES A TEST OR TAKES THE CLASS AND DOESN'T PASS THE TEST, THEIR LIKELIHOOD OF GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS LIKE TRIPLES COMPARED TO IF THEY DIDN'T TAKE THE COURSE.

SO SIMPLY TAKING THE COURSE A LOT OF TIMES IS REALLY GOOD PREPARATION.

BUT BE THAT AS IT MAY, 1, 380 TESTS WERE TAKEN.

AND YOU CAN SEE THIS BREAKS IT DOWN BY OUR DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.

THE YELLOW BAR TO THE RIGHT IS EACH OF THE DIFFERENT, OF OUR FIVE COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOLS.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBERS ARE UP, PARTICULARLY WAY UP AT BOTH PERRYVILLE AND RISING SUN.

AND SO A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL MYSELF, YOU ALWAYS TRY TO ENCOURAGE KIDS TO PUSH THEMSELVES, TO TAKE THE TOUGHER COURSES.

BUT IT'S A NORM REFERENCE TEST.

AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE MORE KIDS TAKE IT IN A SCHOOL, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE NECESSARILY MORE KIDS PASS.

SO A LOT OF TIMES AS PARTICIPATION INCREASES, SUCCESS MAY DECREASE.

SO THAT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER BECAUSE WE DID NOT SEE THAT.

AND I DO MY OWN SLIDES.

AND YOU CAN SEE SOMEHOW, I DON'T KNOW IF I'M PROUD OF THAT ON THIS SLIDE, BECAUSE SOMEHOW RISING SUN IS UP IN THE ETHER.

IT'S WAY UP THERE.

BUT WE HAD 564 STUDENTS PASS AN EXAM.

NOW MIND YOU, THIS ISN'T 564 TESTS BECAUSE MANY OF THESE STUDENTS TOOK MORE THAN ONE TEST.

AND I'LL SPEAK TO THAT IN A MINUTE.

BUT AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE THE, SO OUR PARTICIPATION RATES ARE WAY UP AS ARE THE SUCCESS RATES.

SO ALL OF THESE STUDENTS ARE GOING INTO, WHETHER IT'S UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE, THESE ARE TIER ONE RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES.

THEY'RE GOING IN WITH CREDITS UNDER THEIR BELT.

AND TO PARENTS, IT'S FREE ON THAT END.

THE SCHOOL SYSTEM PAYS FOR THE TEST.

THE TEST, DR. FOY, I BELIEVE, ARE ABOUT $100 EACH TO TAKE.

AND SO IF A STUDENT'S TAKING THREE, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM PAYS THE $300, THAT'S PART OF THE BLUEPRINT, FOR THE STUDENT TO TAKE THAT TEST.

AND AGAIN, A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS ARE GOING INTO COLLEGE WITH CREDITS ALREADY IN THEIR POCKETS, WHICH IS A GOOD THING FOR FAMILIES.

SO THIS LOOKS AT THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF AP SCHOLARS WE HAVE.

AND AN AP SCHOLAR IS A STUDENT WHO HAS TAKEN THREE TESTS AND PASSED ALL THREE.

AND YOU CAN SEE AN AP SCHOLAR WITH HONORS IS FOUR TESTS AND PASSED FOUR.

AND THEN AP SCHOLARS WITH DISTINCTION, THESE STUDENTS HAVE TAKEN FIVE AP CLASSES IN A YEAR AND PASSED ALL FIVE.

SO THOSE STUDENTS ARE LIKELY GOING INTO COLLEGE WITH AT LEAST A FULL SEMESTER UNDER THEIR BELT OF COURSEWORK.

AND THE THING WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF, AS YOU CAN SEE RIGHT HERE, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AP SCHOLARS IS 168.

COMPARED TO LAST YEAR, WE WERE 115.

SO SOME REALLY, REALLY GOOD THINGS COMING OUT OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS.

SO THAT SPEAKS TO REALLY THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT KIDS.

AND THEN THERE'S THIS LARGER ISSUE IN MARYLAND NOW THROUGH THE BLUEPRINT CALLED COLLEGE AND CAREER READY.

SO YOU'RE TAGGED AS BEING A CCR STUDENT IF YOU MEET ANY ONE OF A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT MARKERS.

AP IS ONE, BUT SO IS MCAT.

AND HERE'S A LIST OF DIFFERENT WAYS WHERE A STUDENT CAN BE DECIDED THEY WILL BE CCR.

A FLAT OUT GPA.

THEY CAN GET AN INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CREDENTIAL THAT COULD BE PASSING A CERTIFICATION EXAM AT THE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY OR TAKING A CERTIFICATION EXAM AT THEIR HOME SCHOOL.

THEY CAN ALSO TAKE DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES WHERE THE CECIL COLLEGE COMES IN AND ACTUALLY TEACHES A COURSE OR OUR KIDS WILL GO TO THE CAMPUS ITSELF.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER MR. JOHNSON IS A FULL TIME EARLY COLLEGE STUDENT.

SO HE WILL GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR WITH AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE IN ADDITION TO HIS DIPLOMA.

SO AN AWFUL LOT OF GOOD THINGS HAPPENING IN OUR HIGH SCHOOLS.

IF A STUDENT SIGNS UP WITH THE AVSAB TO GO INTO THE SERVICE, IF THEY SCORE A CERTAIN NUMBER ON THAT TEST, THEY AGAIN ARE COLLEGE AND CAREER READY.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE GROWTH WE'RE MAKING IN OUR CCR KIDS RIGHT HERE.

SO THE NUMBERS ARE REALLY LOOKING GOOD

[00:15:01]

AND WE KNOW A LOT OF TIMES, FOR INSTANCE, OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION RATE IS THE HIGHEST IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF STUDENTS COMING FROM POVERTY.

AND SO WHEN WE CAN MOVE KIDS THE WAY WE DO, THERE'S CERTAINLY A LOT OF PRIDE ON OUR END.

YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS COMING OUT WITH INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS.

SO THESE STUDENTS OFTENTIMES ARE COMING OUT OF APPRENTICESHIPS, WHETHER AN ELECTRICIAN, PLUMBER.

I BELIEVE WE HIRE 15 OR 16 APPRENTICES.

THESE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT COME IN.

THEY MAKE $17 AN HOUR TO WORK PART TIME IN THE KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM.

AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING OUT OF THAT IS WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE BOYS THAT MAY WANT TO GO INTO TEACHING, ESPECIALLY WITH THE LITTLE GUYS.

SO AGAIN, REAL NEAT STUFF COMING.

AND BEFORE I WRAP IT UP, MS. HEATH, I JUST WANT TO TOUCH ON THE ISSUE OF WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THIS SUM AND CLOSE SESSION, ABOUT THE ISSUE OF STAFFING.

MOST PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE RIF, R-I-F, REDUCTION IN FORCE 30 TEACHERS COMING INTO THIS YEAR.

AND I THINK IT'S HARD TO GET YOUR HEAD AROUND, WELL, IF YOU REDUCE 30 TEACHERS, NOTICE THAT RIGHT THERE IN THE BUDGET, WE REDUCED 60 TEACHERS.

BUT WE HAD 30 RETIRE AND OR RESIGN BEFORE WE PASSED THE BUDGET.

SO THAT LEFT US WITH ANOTHER 30 TO RIF.

AND SO RIFING, BASICALLY, YOU GO TO YOUR LEAST EXPERIENCED, NON-CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND YOU SAY, WE CAN'T GUARANTEE YOU A JOB NEXT YEAR.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT A RIF IS AND THAT YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO BE PATIENT.

AND YOU HEARD SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS REPORT JUST THE OTHER DAY, WE HAD A NEW TEACHER RECEPTION AT THE PRINCIPIO MANSION AND WE WELCOMED 26 NEW TEACHERS.

SO WHAT THAT'S TELLING YOU IS THAT WE HAVE HAD ADDITIONAL RESIGNATIONS AND RETIREMENTS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO CALL ALL OF OUR PEOPLE BACK AND WE'VE HIRED 26 NEW PEOPLE.

THE MAGIC NUMBER RIGHT NOW IS 01, 989.9.

THAT IS THE BUDGETED STAFFING NUMBER.

AND WE ARE FULLY STAFFED RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE NO TEACHING VACANCIES AS I STAND HERE.

IF WE HAVE THREE MORE TEACHING VACANCIES IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AND WE DO GET VACANCIES THROUGH THE YEAR, THAT NUMBER WILL NOT CHANGE.

BUT YET WE WILL STILL HAVE TO HIRE THREE NEW TEACHERS.

SO I THINK SOMETIMES WHEN PEOPLE HEAR, OH, THEY'RE HIRING NEW TEACHERS, WE DO NOT EXCEED THAT NUMBER THIS YEAR WITHOUT BOARD APPROVAL.

SO IF WE WERE TO GET A GRANT OF SOME SORT AND WE WANTED TO HIRE A POSITION WITH THAT GRANT, WE WOULD SIMPLY APPLY FOR THAT GRANT, GET THE GRANT, COME TO THE BOARD, SAY WE'VE EARNED THIS GRANT, AND THAT NUMBER WOULD GO UP.

BUT THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT NUMBER WOULD GO UP.

SO I JUST THINK THAT'S A NUANCE.

AND YOU CAN SEE HOW IT WOULD BE CONFUSING FOR WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

AND WITH THAT, THANK YOU.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY.

NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS OUR CCPS EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS, MS. HARENKO, WITH OUR TRIPLE CTA.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT.

LADIES, DR. LAWSON, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, LEADERSHIP TEAM, AND GUESTS, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYBODY BACK TO THE 26TH, 27TH SCHOOL YEAR.

IF THE KIDS HAVEN'T STARTED YET, WE HAVE.

SO IT'S BEEN A GOOD START.

OVER THE SUMMER, OUR TEACHERS AND THERAPISTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS HAVE BEEN TAKING CLASSES AND COURSEWORK, DEVELOPING CURRICULUM, AND WORKING WITH STUDENTS TO GET READY FOR THE COMING YEAR, IN ADDITION TO HOPEFULLY ENJOYING SOME MUCH-NEEDED REST AND QUALITY TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

I HOPE YOU AND OUR FAMILIES HAVE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT.

OUR TRIPLE CTA MEMBERS ENJOYED KICKING OFF THE SCHOOL YEAR BY HANDING OUT SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND FUN LITTLE TREASURES TO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN ACROSS THE COUNTY AT THE THREE CCPS BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHTS IN RISING SUN, ELKTON, AND NORTHEAST.

AND I KNOW WE SAW MANY OF YOU THERE.

AND THANK YOU ALSO TO ALL OF THE COMMUNITY SPONSORS THAT ALSO HELPED BRING SUPPLIES TO OUR STUDENTS.

WE ALSO WELCOMED THE NEW HIRES LAST WEEK DURING ORIENTATION, AND WE'RE ABLE TO HOLD OUR TRADITIONAL NEW TEACHER STORE THIS TIME AT PERRYVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL TO GIVE OUT SUPPLIES TO THE NEW FOLKS, EVEN THOUGH, AS DR. LAWSON MENTIONED, IT WAS A MUCH SMALLER GROUP THAN USUAL.

AND TO THAT 27, I CAN TELL YOU THERE ARE YEARS WHERE WE'VE HIRED 150 NEW PEOPLE.

SO THERE IS GIVE AND TAKE WITH RETIREMENT AND POSITIONS, BUT THAT JUST SPEAKS TO THE CUTS THAT WERE MADE ON TOP OF THAT.

THIS WEEK, WE WERE BUSY SETTING UP OUR CLASSROOMS, GREETING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ALREADY, AND ATTENDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS TO PREPARE FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE, AGAIN, COMING ON MONDAY.

BUT AS WE'RE PREPARING SEATING CHARTS AND MATERIALS, SOME OF OUR TEACHERS ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CLASS SIZES WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT THEIR ROSTERS THIS YEAR.

POSITION CUTS AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND HIRING A FEWER STAFF

[00:20:02]

SOMETHING ELSE THAT OCCURRED AT THE END OF LAST SCHOOL YEAR WAS THE PRIMARY ELECTION IN MARYLAND.

AND IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN AND HEARD IT, SADLY, CECIL COUNTY HAD THE LOWEST VOTER TURNOUT RATE IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

WE NEED TO DO BETTER.

SO IF IT'S NOT ON YOUR CALENDAR YET, NOVEMBER 3RD IS THE GENERAL ELECTION.

WE HAVE TWO BOARD OF EDUCATION SEATS, TWO COUNTY COUNCIL SEATS, AND MANY IMPORTANT STATE AND FEDERAL SEATS ON THE BALLOT.

SO PLEASE, PLEASE EDUCATE YOURSELVES ON ALL THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND MAKE SURE YOU GET OUT AND VOTE ON NOVEMBER 3RD.

AND FINALLY, AS PARENTS ARE FINISHING THAT BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING AND GETTING READY TO SEND YOUR CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL, WE DO ASK THAT YOU CONNECT WITH US AND GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL.

JOIN YOUR PTA, VOLUNTEER DURING THE DAY TO WORK WITH STUDENTS, HELP IN THE OFFICE, THE MEDIA CENTER, EVEN THE CAFETERIA.

WHATEVER YOU LIKE TO DO, WE CAN FIND A SPOT FOR YOU.

WE CAN ALWAYS USE HELP. AND SCHOOL IS REALLY A PARTNERSHIP.

AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING YOUR STUDENTS GROW AND LEARN THIS YEAR.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT WITH YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS OUR CONSTRUCTION REPORT.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE HAVE PICTURES AND ALONG THE WAY, IF THE BOARD HAS ANY QUESTIONS FOR DR. BOYER, JUST FEEL FREE TO INTERRUPT A COUPLE.

OBVIOUSLY, THE BIG THERE IT IS RIGHT THERE AS A VERY RECENT PICTURE OF THE NEW NORTHEAST MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL.

THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, IT IS OPEN AND GETTING READY TO WELCOME KIDS AND TEACHERS ARE IN BY NOW AND HAVE THEIR CLASSROOMS SET UP.

SO JUST A REAL QUICK RUN THROUGH THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW. A IS THE GYM AREA.

B IS THE CAFETERIA MEDIA CENTER AREA. C IS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL WING.

D IS THE AUDITORIUM. F IS THE BEHIND THE AUDITORIUM. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT IS.

E IS SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS AND THE COUNSELORS, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

AND G IS THE HIGH SCHOOL IN BETWEEN C AND G WILL BE A BUS LOOP. AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE FOOTBALL STADIUM IS.

IF YOU TAKE AN IMAGINARY LINE AND GO FROM E TO THE FOOTBALL STADIUM, YOU SEE THAT PATCH OF GRASS THAT WILL BE PARKING.

THAT WAS THE INFAMOUS $700, 000 HOLE THAT USED TO BE THE FOOTBALL PRACTICE FIELD FOR NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL THAT WHEN WE WENT TO START DIGGING AND MOVING DIRT AROUND TO PUT A PARKING LOT THERE, THEY REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A BUNCH OF CLEAN FILL FROM A LONG TIME AGO. AND SO THEY HAD TO DIG OUT $700, 000 WORTH OF DIRT AND PUT IN NEW DIRT.

AND SO IT WILL BE A PARKING LOT HERE FAIRLY SOON. OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S ON TIME AND REALLY CLOSE TO BEING ON BUDGET.

THIS IS THE MAIN ENTRANCE COMING IN. IF YOU'RE FACING THAT, YOUR BACK IS TOWARDS THE FOOTBALL STADIUM.

SO YOU'RE GETTING READY TO WALK IN RIGHT DOWN THE DAY CALL AT THE BOARDWALK, WHICH IS LIKE THE MAIN CORRIDOR AS SOON AS YOU COME INTO THE BUILDING.

AND THAT IS JUST PRETTY MUCH A RANDOM CLASSROOM.

BUT YOU CAN SEE HOW FAR ALONG IT'S COMING.

YOU KNOW, IT'S GOT THE DRYWALL, THE WINDOWS, THE HVAC WORK IS DONE UP TOP, CONCRETE FLOOR. THE FLOOR WILL HAVE TILE. KEEP GOING.

CEILING GRIDS ARE IN. THAT'S A BIG DEAL ALL THROUGHOUT. IF YOU WALK AND TOUR THE BUILDING, YOU'LL SEE THAT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL IS FURTHER ALONG THAN THE HIGH SCHOOL.

SO THEY'RE STARTING AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND KIND OF WORKING TOWARDS IRISH TOWN ROAD.

WE JUST AS A QUICK SEGUE, SOME OF YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO PURCHASE 1.4 ACRES OF THE ELK NECK FOREST TO ACCOMMODATE A ROAD WIDENING.

AND SOME OF YOU FROM THAT AREA, YOU'VE NOTICED IF YOU GO PAST WHERE THE NEW SCHOOL IS ON THE RIGHT DOWN A LITTLE FURTHER, ABOUT A QUARTER MILE, THEY'RE REALLY STARTING TO MAKE SOME HEADWAY ON CLEARING GROUND FOR THAT NEW NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO THERE WILL BE A ROAD WIDENING THERE. AND WE EXPECT THAT TO GO OUT TO BID IN OCTOBER.

WHAT YOU SEE HERE ARE STEPS COMING DOWN INTO THE CAFETERIA. SO THOSE LITTLE KIND OF CURVY THINGS THERE WOULD BE AN AREA FOR KIDS TO SIT AND EAT.

YEAH. AND THEN UP TOP, THE KIDS CAN WALK AROUND LIKE THROW GUM AT THEIR FRIENDS. AND I'M SCARRED FROM A LOT OF CAFETERIA DUTY OVER THE YEARS.

THIS IS THE CECIL MANOR FOUR AND A HALF TO FIVE MILLION DOLLAR TOTAL HVAC RENOVATION.

IT WAS FINISHED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

IT IS FULLY OPERATIONAL NOW.

THE CRANE IS BRINGING IN I GUESS THAT'S A CONDENSER AND THAT IS CECIL MANOR.

AND THAT WAS THAT PROJECT WAS BETWEEN FOUR AND A HALF, FIVE MILLION DOLLAR TOTAL HVAC REPLACEMENT.

NEXT SLIDE. THIS IS NOW ON THE GROUND, WHICH YOU JUST SAW HANGING FROM THE CRANE. SO KEEP GOING.

AND THAT IS IT. QUESTIONS

[00:25:01]

AS THE BOARD CAN SEE, MS. JAN SHAW, OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, HAS COMPLETED A FOUNDATION REPORT FOR YOUR VIEWING.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR HER AT THIS TIME? NO QUESTIONS. AND SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE MONTH.

SO AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK MR. JAMES WHEELER, PRESIDENT OF THE FIRST FINANCIAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION TO COME FORWARD.

MS. LENNY MCCOLLUM TO JOIN HIM, AS WELL AS MR. DARRELL MONTGOMERY, THE RELATIONSHIP MANAGER.

SO AND YOU CAN JOIN MS. HEATH FOR EVERYBODY, THE BANNER, WHATEVER THAT IS.

SO MANY YEARS AGO IN CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, A GROUP OF TEACHERS GOT TOGETHER AND THEY ORGANIZED AND ASSEMBLED THE CECIL COUNTY SCHOOL EMPLOYEES FEDERAL CREDIT UNION. AND REALLY WHAT IT WAS DONE TO DO IS TO HELP, AND THIS IS YEARS AGO, NEW TEACHERS, OFTEN YOUNG, DON'T MAKE MUCH MONEY, TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A FINANCIAL SERVICE THAT WOULD SERVE THEIR NEEDS.

AND CREDIT UNIONS ARE PRETTY COMMON, ALTHOUGH THEY'RE KIND OF A DWINDLING BREED THESE DAYS.

SO FAST FORWARD TO LAST YEAR OR SO, THE FOLKS FROM FIRST FINANCIAL CAME FORWARD AND THE CECIL COUNTY SCHOOL EMPLOYEES FEDERAL CREDIT UNION IS NOW UNDER THEIR UMBRELLA. AND THEY HAVE JUST DONE AN AMAZING JOB.

IT TOOK ALL OF ABOUT A WEEK FOR THEM JUST TO COMPLETELY IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN SUPPORTING THE SCHOOL, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF CECIL COUNTY, THEIR DONORS. THEY SHOW UP TO EVERYTHING.

AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN I FIRST HEARD THAT YOU ALL WERE GOING TO ABSORB THE CECIL COUNTY, I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT'S LIKE COSTCO COMING IN AND ABSORBING MOM AND POP CONVENIENCE STORE. AND SO YOU'RE ALWAYS A LITTLE LEERY OF THAT.

BUT TO SEE THE WAY THESE FOLKS HAVE COME IN AND IMMEDIATELY BECOME PART OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND THEY'RE SO COMMITTED TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND SO IT'S APPRECIATED ON OUR END.

AND WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE YOU AS OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE MONTH. SO THANK YOU.

NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PRESENTATIONS OF THE ENTIRE YEAR, THE UPPER CHESAPEAKE SUMMER CENTER OF THE ARTS PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU, MS. HEATH.

BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO DR.

FOY, OUR CHIEF OF STAFF, I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK OF DR. DAVE HASTINGS, WHO IS OUR PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS. JUST UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS ENDEAVOR IS.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE LIKE A FOUR OR FIVE MINUTE VIDEO CLIP FROM WASHINGTON COLLEGE. IT'S THE UPPER CHESAPEAKE STUDENT CENTER OF THE ARTS, SUMMER CENTER OF THE ARTS. AND THERE'S HOW MANY STUDENTS, DAVE? 158 STUDENTS FOR FOUR NIGHTS? SO THINK ABOUT CHAPERONING THAT.

THAT'S WHERE MY HEAD GOES. AND IT'S 158 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND MIDDLE SCHOOL, ALL OF THE ARTS FLAVOR. AND THEY JUST DO A FANTASTIC JOB, DAVE.

I KNOW IT'S A LABOR OF LOVE.

IT DOES A GREAT JOB OF HODGEPODGING FUNDING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN EVERY YEAR.

WASHINGTON COLLEGE ARE GREAT PARTNERS WITH US ON THIS. AND IT'S A LONG-STANDING PROGRAM THAT'S JUST REALLY, REALLY SUCCESSFUL, DAVE, AND A LOT OF IT'S DUE TO YOU.

SO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD AND MYSELF.

THANK YOU, DR. LAWSON. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HEATH, DR.

LAWSON, LEADERSHIP TEAM AND GUESTS.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL HAVE DR.

DAVE HASTINGS COME UP AND GIVE A PRESENTATION FOR UCSCA, WHICH IS HELD IN WASHINGTON COLLEGE.

[00:30:07]

SO THE RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH WASHINGTON COLLEGE IS PROBABLY THE STRONGEST WE'VE HAD SINCE MY TENURE HERE AND PROBABLY LONGER.

THEY HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF NEW STAFF, UPPER-LEVEL STAFF.

AND THEY, THIS YEAR, WERE TREMENDOUSLY ACCOMMODATING TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WANT TO HAVE A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT DONE WITH US, COMPLETED WITH US.

AND THEY'VE DEFINITELY WORKED TO MAKE IT AFFORDABLE FOR OUR STUDENTS FOR QUITE A LONG TIME.

AND I'M CONFIDENT TO SAY THAT WHATEVER STUDENTS CAN AFFORD, YOU KNOW, I SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN MAKING SURE EVERY STUDENT CAN ATTEND WHATEVER FINANCES THEY HAVE.

SO WE HAD 158 STUDENTS. AND SPEAKING OF, I WAS ABLE TO SECURE $23, 250 IN SCHOLARSHIPS, WHICH IS A LOT.

SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS ANY STUDENT THAT NEEDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT RECEIVED IT.

AND WE'RE HAPPY WITH IT AND WE'RE ABLE TO ATTEND. AND THESE KIDS, SOME OF THESE STUDENTS WILL NOT GET AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS OTHERWISE AND MAY NOT AGAIN.

SO THERE ARE SEVERAL DISCIPLINES. AND IT KIND OF GOES BEYOND THE ARTS A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE YOU HAVE VISUAL ARTS AND CHORUS AND BAND AND DANCE AND THEATER AND ORCHESTRA.

BUT YOU ALSO HAVE LITERARY ARTS, WHICH IS WRITING, WHICH IS A STRONG PROGRAM.

OUR TEACHER WHO DOES WRITING LITERALLY DRIVES FROM OHIO EVERY YEAR. IT'S THE HIGHLIGHT OF HER SUMMER.

SHE WAS A WRITING PROFESSOR AT WEST VIRGINIA, AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, AND COMES OUT HERE AND PREPARES THESE KIDS WHO ARE WRITERS FOR COLLEGE.

AND SHE TAUGHT IT IN COLLEGE.

SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE'S DOING.

AND THAT'S AN EXAMPLE.

SO THERE WE GO. WE HAVE EIGHT TEACHERS, 12 COUNSELORS, A NURSE AND TWO DIRECTORS.

SO EVERY DAY, IT'S LIKE A COLLEGE FOR THEM. THE PARENTS DROP THEM OFF.

THEY SET UP THEIR DORM ROOMS AND THEY SAY GOODBYE AND THEY CHEER BECAUSE THEY HAVE A FREE WEEK.

SO THEY HAVE CLASSES WHERE THEY'RE DISCIPLINED FOR SIX HOURS A DAY.

IT'S COMPLETELY SCHEDULED FROM THE TIME THEY GET UP UNTIL 930 AND THEY'RE TIRED AT 930.

IT LIGHTS OUT AND THEY GO TO BED.

SO WHAT WE FILL THE TIME WITH OTHER THAN THE DISCIPLINE TIME ARE ACTIVITIES WITH COUNSELORS AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

A LOT OF TEAM BUILDING, A LOT OF GETTING TO KNOW, AND A LOT OF SOME FUN THINGS.

WE ARE REGULATED BY SEVERAL ENTITIES.

CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BECAUSE THIS IS CONSIDERED A YOUTH CAMP.

SO WHEN YOU'RE A YOUTH CAMP, YOU HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE DEPARTMENTS, THESE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE FULLY COMPLIANT WITH THEM.

AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, NOT FULLY, JUST FULLY COMPLIANT WITH CECIL COUNTY, BUT THIS CAMP IS IN KENT COUNTY.

SO THERE'S A WHOLE OTHER ENTITY THERE.

EACH STUDENT AT THE END IS GIVEN A LITTLE REPORT CARD FROM THEIR TEACHERS WITH A LOT OF COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK ABOUT HOW THEIR WEEK WENT AND IF THEY COME BACK, WHAT THEY CAN DO.

GRANTS TO SUPPORT.

THERE'S A GRANT CALLED THE FINE ARTS INITIATIVE AND SOME OF THAT FUNDS FROM GRANT STAFFING AND SCHOLARSHIPS.

TITLE IV GRANT STAFFING, ARTS AND EDUCATION GRANT SCHOLARSHIPS, THAT'S THROUGH THE CECIL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL.

AND THEN OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A LOT OF PARTNERS THAT HELP AS WELL.

I ALWAYS TRY TO, FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE HEARD THIS EVERY YEAR, I TRY TO BRING UP SOMETHING DIFFERENT EACH YEAR.

TO TALK ABOUT SOME ASPECT THAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW, AND HERE'S THE ONE I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS YEAR.

I TAKE PRIDE AND FULL RESPONSIBILITY IN MAKING SURE ALL THE STUDENTS ARE SAFE.

WHEN YOU HAVE 158 STUDENTS FROM GRADE 7 TO GRADE 12 ON A FOREIGN CAMPUS 50 MILES AWAY FROM YOUR PARENTS,

[00:35:02]

SO WE HAVE COUNSELORS WHO ARE COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS, PROBABLY 90% OF THEM WENT TO THE CAMP.

REALLY 100%, I SHOULD SAY.

THEY ARE ON THE DORM FLOORS.

THEY TAKE ATTENDANCE ALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

THEY DO BED CHECKS AT NIGHT.

SO BASICALLY THEY MAKE SURE THOSE STUDENTS ARE IN THOSE ROOMS AND THEY CHECK IT OFF AND THEY HAVE TO COMPLETE A LIST.

THEY ALL HAVE RADIOS AND MY RADIO IS ON ALL NIGHT.

SO ARE THE DIRECTORS TO MAKE SURE.

I DIDN'T GET ONE RADIO CALL THE WHOLE TIME, WHICH HAS NEVER HAPPENED.

WE HAVE SAFETY DRILLS JUST LIKE SCHOOL.

WE ARE REGULATED BY DOING A FIRE DRILL TWICE, A CIVIL DEFENSE DRILL.

I CAREFULLY TAKE SOME TIME AND SELECT ROOMMATES TO THE POINT WHERE I LET STUDENTS CHOOSE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT AND THEN I REALLY LOOK AT FOR KIDS THAT DIDN'T SELECT.

I LOOK AT AGE LEVEL.

I LOOK AT WHAT DISCIPLINE THEY'RE IN.

I SPEND A LOT OF TIME AND SOMETIMES IT'S PHONE CALLS TO PARENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SOCIAL TIME IS ASSIGNED, BUT THE SOCIAL TIME IS AROUND THIS PERIMETER, WHICH IS SUPERVISED BY COUNSELORS AROUND THE PERIMETER.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THANKS TO GOOGLE PHONE, AND I'M NOT TRYING TO SELL THE PRODUCT, BUT I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU, WHEN I CAN CALL A PARENT ON MY CELL PHONE AND WHEN THE PARENT SEES CARVER CENTER, THAT'S JUST AMAZING TO ME.

I DON'T HAVE A PHONE IN MY OFFICE ANYMORE.

I JUST USE MY CELL PHONE AND THAT'S THE VALUE OF THAT.

SO PARENTS CAN GET A HOLD OF ME.

THEY CAN SEND ME A TEXT AND WHEN THEY COME DOWN, IF THEY COME DOWN, IT'S JUST LIKE A SCHOOL.

THEY HAVE TO CONTACT ME AND I'M THE FIRST POINT OF CONTACT WITH ANYONE THAT GETS ON THAT CAMPUS TO MAKE SURE IT'S LEGITIMATE.

SO SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS, WE HAVE PRIVATE DONATIONS.

NORTHEAST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, NORTHEAST VFW, RISING SUN AMERICAN LEGION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IS A HUGE FINANCIAL RESOURCE FOR US, PROVIDING SOMETIMES UPWARDS OF SEVEN TO EIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS.

I PROBABLY LEFT SOME DONATION FUNDING PARTNERS OFF OF THERE, BUT PRETTY MUCH AROUND THIS COUNTY, IN ALL AREAS, CHESAPEAKE CITY, I THINK THEY DONATED.

WE HAVE SUPPORT AND WE HAVE A COUNTY THAT REALLY WANTS TO SEND KIDS TO THIS CAMP.

THIS IS OUR TEAM.

THIS IS OUR GROUP PHOTO.

SO THE LIGHT BLUE ARE THE KIDS.

THE TIGHT EYED ARE THE SENIORS.

THEY ALWAYS GET A SPECIAL SHIRT.

THEY LIKE TO STAND OUT.

THERE ARE JUNIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THERE ARE SENIORS NEXT YEAR, BUT WE CALL THEM SENIORS.

AND THEN THE DARK BLUE ARE THE STAFF.

THERE IS.

AND HERE IT IS.

I LIKE UCSCA BECAUSE IT GIVES ME THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH NEW PEOPLE IN A MUSICAL SETTING, WHICH IS REALLY HELPFUL FOR WHEN I GO OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AND I GO INTO MUSIC PROGRAMS. AND IT DEFINITELY GIVES ME MOTIVATION TO WORK ON THAT KIND OF STUFF OVER THE SUMMER.

I REALLY LIKE THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE FRIENDS WE MAKE HERE.

THEY REALLY LIKE HELP YOU GROW AS A PERSON.

AND IT'S JUST AMAZING TO GET TOGETHER WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE REALLY GOOD AT THE ARTS AND WHAT THEY DO.

I'M A REALLY BIG FAN OF UCSCA BECAUSE I GET TO SEE MY FRIENDS FOR A WHOLE WEEK IN THE SUMMER WHEN I NORMALLY DON'T GET TO.

PLUS, I GET TO FRIEND PEOPLE THAT I NORMALLY WOULDN'T GET TO.

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT UCSCA IS EVERY YEAR I COME HERE, I JUST BECOME A BETTER MUSICIAN.

AND I'VE MET SO MANY FUNNY, HILARIOUS PEOPLE HERE.

I'VE FORMED SO MANY CONNECTIONS.

I LOVE IT HERE A LOT.

WHEN I THINK ABOUT UCSCA, I THINK ABOUT COMING BACK HERE AND EATING ALL THE FOOD I CAN FIND WITH ALL MY HEART.

MY NAME IS GAVIN AND I LOVE UCSCA BECAUSE I GET TO CREATE AMAZING FRIENDSHIPS WITH OTHER GREAT MUSICIANS.

IT ALSO CREATES THE PERFECT ENVIRONMENT FOR FUN NEW GAMES.

AND IT'S SOMETHING I LOOK FORWARD TO EVERY YEAR AFTER I LEAVE SCHOOL.

[00:40:17]

WE HAVE A BEST IN SHOW EVERY YEAR FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS FOR AN ART STUDENT.

AND IT'S VOTED BY THE WHOLE STAFF, THE BEST ART PIECE.

I FORGOT TO BRING IT IN, IT'S IN THE LOBBY.

BUT IF YOU GO OUT INTO THE LOBBY AND LOOK TO THE RIGHT, THERE'S THREE BIG PICTURES THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE THE LAST THREE WINNERS.

BUT THE ONE I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT IS THIS YEAR'S WINNER.

IT'S A CITY, A NIGHT SCENE OF A CITY.

THIS BOY AT NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL DID IT IN ONE DAY.

HE MADE IT SOUND LIKE HE JUST THREW IT TOGETHER.

ANYBODY? OH, LOOK AT THAT. SHE DID IT.

THIS IS CHARLIE SHIRLEY AT NORTHEAST HIGH.

PUT THAT TOGETHER AND HE'S CURRENTLY WORKING ON A ZETL PROJECT.

AND WE'RE WORKING ON DEVELOPING A MURAL AT CHESAPEAKE CITY AND BOWMANER HIGH, I THINK.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A MEETING ABOUT IT.

SO, TALENTED KIDS.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, DR. HASTINGS.

I'M ALWAYS VERY JEALOUS AFTER I SEE THAT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I HAVE ZERO ARTISTIC

[6. Public Participation]

OKAY, NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

MS. OLSON, WOULD YOU READ THE RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, I GUESS? GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

I WOULD LIKE TO READ THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES AND JUST SAY THAT 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 CONSIDERS ALL EMAILS AND PUBLIC FEEDBACK, 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 30 SECONDS REMAIN AND YOU WILL HEAR THE SPELL.

SPEAKERS MAY NOT YIELD THEIR TIME TO SOMEONE ELSE OR SPEAK ON BEHALF OF AN ANONYMOUS INDIVIDUAL.

RUDE, SLANDEROUS, OR THREATENING REMARKS ARE CONSIDERED OUT OF ORDER.

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.

COMMENTS MAY BE PLACED IN THE BOX ON THE TABLE.

THIS EVENING, WE HAVE NINE PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.

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

OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS ACTUALLY A MOM AND SON, AND THAT IS JEN AND COLTON CASTO, AND THEY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY KEN STICKNEY.

THANKING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MY NAME IS COLTON CASTO AND I AM A THIRD GRADER AT KENMORE ELEMENTARY.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO OUR CONCERNS AND FOR HELPING MAKE SURE OUR TEACHER IS BROUGHT BACK.

I AM VERY HAPPY THAT I GET TO KEEP MY TEACHER AND THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO BE IN A CLASSROOM WITH 34 STUDENTS.

I KNOW THAT I AM ONLY A THIRD GRADER, BUT I HAVE LEARNED THAT DECISIONS MADE LIKE GROWN-UPS CAN HAVE A VERY BIG IMPACT ON KIDS.

SOMETIMES ADULTS MAKE DECISIONS BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY ARE DOING WHAT IS BEST, BUT WE ARE THE ONES WHO ARE IMPACTED.

SO WE ARE ASKING YOU TO COME TALK TO US AND HEAR OUR SIDE SHOW.

WHEN I THOUGHT I MIGHT LOSE MY TEACHER AND BE PLACED IN A CLASSROOM WITH 34 STUDENTS, I WAS WORRIED.

I KNEW THAT IT WOULD BE HARDER FOR MY TEACHER TO HELP EVERYONE AND HARDER FOR STUDENTS TO GET THE ATTENTION THEY NEED TO LEARN.

WE ARE THE ONES SITTING IN THOSE CLASSROOMS EVERY DAY.

WE ARE THE ONES WHO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THESE DECISIONS.

I AM THANKFUL THAT YOU HEARD OUR GROWN-UPS WORK TOGETHER TO FIND A SOLUTION AND CHANGE THEIR DECISIONS.

I HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE STUDENTS WILL HAVE A VOICE BEFORE THE STUDENTS THAT ARE MADE THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR CLASSROOMS AND OUR EDUCATION.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER GIVING ELEMENTARY STUDENTS A SEAT ON THE BOARD OR ANOTHER PLACE WHERE WE CAN SHARE OUR THOUGHTS AND CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WITH THEIR EDUCATION.

WE MAY BE KIDS, BUT WE ARE THE REASON OUR SCHOOL EXISTS.

[00:45:01]

IF WE ARE ABLE TO BE INVOLVED NOW, WE CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE FUTURE.

KIDS HAVE VOICES TOO, AND WE DESERVE TO BE HEARD.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE TEACHERS AND CLASSROOMS WE NEED TO LEARN TO SUCCEED.

I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO REMEMBER THAT EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE AFFECTS REAL STUDENTS LIKE ME. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MR. SICKNEY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY MICHELLE MARKS.

THERE WE GO. I'LL START ALL OVER.

GOOD EVENING. I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE WE HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PROGRAM AND THE WAY THOSE CONCERNS HAVE BEEN HANDLED.

PARENTS DISCOVERED THAT PLAYERS STATISTICS WERE BEING MANIPULATED BY ASSISTANT COACH BLANKENSHIP AND HEAD COACH LEBRON TO BENEFIT ONE PLAYER, THE ASSISTANT COACH'S SON.

WE HAVE DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE SHOWING THAT HIS STATISTICS HAVE BEEN CHANGED IN 21 OF 23 GAMES OVER THE COURSE OF ONE AND A HALF SEASONS.

THIS WAS NOT A ONE-TIME MISTAKE. IT WAS AN ONGOING PATTERN.

WE BROUGHT THAT EVIDENCE TO THE MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL, HEAD COACH, ASSISTANT COACH, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, AND SEVERAL PARENTS.

DURING THAT MEETING, WHEN THE ASSISTANT COACH WAS DIRECTLY ASKED ABOUT THE CHANGES, HE WOULD NOT ANSWER.

INSTEAD, THE HEAD COACH STEPPED IN AND DEFENDED HIM.

HE SAID HE HAD APPROVED THE CHANGES HIMSELF AND BECAME DEFENSIVE AND HOSTILE TOWARDS THE PARENTS, ASKING QUESTIONS.

THAT WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY MEETING WE HAD.

AFTER THAT MEETING, WE WAITED BECAUSE WE BELIEVED THE SCHOOL WAS LOOKING INTO AND SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK TO US.

NOBODY GOT BACK TO US.

SINCE THEN, PARENTS HAVE TO REPEATEDLY CHASE DOWN ANSWERS.

WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS INVESTIGATED, WHAT CONCLUSIONS WERE REACHED, OR WHETHER THE ASSISTANT COACH IS COMING BACK OR NOT.

WE WERE TOLD THAT A SMALL GROUP OF PLAYERS WERE QUESTIONED TOGETHER.

THESE ARE TEENAGERS WHO WE MAY FEAR SAYING THE WRONG THING THAT COULD AFFECT THEIR PLAYING TIME.

HOW CAN WE EXPECT THEM TO SPEAK HONESTLY WITH THEIR TEAMMATES SITTING RIGHT BESIDE THEM? IF THE SCHOOL WANTED HONEST ANSWERS, THOSE PLAYERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SPOKEN TO INDIVIDUALLY AND PRIVATELY, WHICH THAT'S WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN OUR MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL.

THAT WAS NOT FOLLOWED UP HOW WE TALKED ABOUT IN OUR MEETING.

WE WERE TOLD THAT A SMALL GROUP OF PLAYERS... I JUST READ THAT.

THROUGHOUT OF ALL THIS, THEY WERE EXPECTING TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATING, MEANING THE PLAYERS, THE KIDS, PLAYING UNDER THE SAME COACHES AS THOUGH EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL.

THEY HAD TO JUST PRETEND EVERYTHING WAS FINE.

THEN THERE IS THE ISSUE OF THE HEAD COACH'S RESPONSE.

IF YOU FIND OUT THAT YOUR ASSISTANT COACH HAS DONE SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, THEN YOU ADDRESS IT.

YOU ASK QUESTIONS. YOU FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED.

YOU DON'T DEFEND IT AND THEN TURN TO THE PARENTS WHO BROUGHT IT TO YOUR ATTENTION.

EITHER THE HEAD COACH KNEW THIS STATISTICS WERE BEING CHANGED AND IMPROVED OR LEARNED AT THE MEETING TO CHOOSE TO DEFEND IT.

NEITHER GIVES US CONFIDENCE IN THE LEADERSHIP.

THESE PLAYERS EXPECT TO SHOW UP, WORK HARD, FOLLOW RULES, RESPECT COACHES, AND BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR OPTIONS.

THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPECT THAT SAME ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE ADULTS RUNNING THE PROGRAM.

AT THIS POINT, THIS GOES BEYOND ASSISTANT COACH.

WHATEVER ULTIMATELY HAPPENS TO THE ASSISTANT COACHES DOES NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD COACH.

HE STOOD BEHIND WHAT HAPPENED.

HE SAID HE APPROVED IT.

THE PLAYERS AND PARENTS LOST CONFIDENCE IN HIM AND ARE NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING HE WANTS TO COME BACK AS HEAD COACH.

SO WHAT'S THE POINT OF THIS? I'VE GOT LIKE TWO MORE LINES.

YOU COULD JUST LEAVE IT IN YOUR BOX AND WE'LL READ IT.

THANK YOU.

AND IF ANYBODY WANTED ME TO SHARE THE EVIDENCE THAT WE HAD, I COULD SPEAK TO ANYBODY AT ANY TIME, PRIVATELY, INDIVIDUALLY, AT ANY POINT.

THERE'S STACKS OF WHAT WENT ON.

I COULD WALK YOU THROUGH IT AND SHOW YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MICHELLE MARKS, AND SHE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY KATHERINE JOHNSON.

GOOD EVENING.

THERE IS MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THE PROPOSED CECIL CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL, BUT ONE THING HAS NOT BEEN SAID ENOUGH.

JUST HOW MUCH THE COMMUNITY WANTS THIS TYPE OF SCHOOL.

THIS WEEK, I SAT HUGGING A FELLOW CCPS MOTHER AS SHE BROKE DOWN IN TEARS.

SHE LIMITS HER CHILDREN'S SCREEN USE AT HOME PER PEDIATRICIAN RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE DAILY RELIANCE ON TECHNOLOGY THAT HER SON REPORTS BACK FROM HIS CLASSROOM.

SHE SAID SHE KNOWS IN HER GUT THAT SHE IS DOING RIGHT, BUT SHE FEELS ALONE IN HER EFFORTS AND

[00:50:01]

THAT SENTIMENT BROKE MY HEART.

NO PARENT SHOULD FEEL LIKE THEIR EFFORTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN VAIN OR THAT THOSE EFFORTS FIGHT AGAINST THE OTHER EDUCATORS IN THEIR LIFE.

I WISH I COULD SAY THAT THIS MOM IS ALONE IN HER FEELINGS.

HOWEVER, SHE'S NOT.

NEARLY EVERY HOMESCHOOL FAMILY THAT I'VE ENCOUNTERED HAS EXPRESSED THAT THEY HOMESCHOOL TO CONTROL TECH USE AND PROVIDE BASIC FOUNDATIONAL EDUCATION BUILDING BLOCKS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

THESE ELEMENTS ARE CORE ELEMENTS OF CLASSICAL EDUCATION.

THE CLASSICAL EDUCATION THAT THE PROPOSED CHARTER SCHOOL WANTS TO MAKE AN AVAILABLE OPTION TO ALL CECIL COUNTY FAMILIES.

THE EXISTENCE OF THIS OPTION ALLOWS ALL FAMILIES TO FEEL WELCOMED AND INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THIS IS SIGNIFICANT.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE TOLD THAT DESPITE SOME ELEMENTARY CLASSES HAVING OVER 30 STUDENTS, THE COUNTY IS OPERATING AT ONLY 60 PERCENT CAPACITY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THAT MEANS A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF CECIL FAMILIES ARE ALREADY EXCLUDING THEMSELVES FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SEEKING ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION.

THE PUBLIC SYSTEM IS MEANT TO HAVE OPTIONS THAT SERVE AND MEET ALL OF OUR FAMILIES NEEDS.

IN SPEAKING TO CECIL COUNTY FAMILIES BETWEEN USING LESS TECH AND PROVIDING TRADITIONAL CLASSICAL EDUCATION, MANY FAMILIES AND MANY HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES WANT TO APPLY TO THE CHARTER SCHOOL.

THESE FAMILIES AND ALL FAMILIES SHOULD FEEL WELCOMED AND INCLUDED IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

FAMILIES ARE LITERALLY CRYING FOR CLASSICAL EDUCATION WITHIN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND THE CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD IS HERE TO COLLABORATE TO BRING THIS WANTED OPTION TO THE COMMUNITY.

THE CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD HAS BEEN COLLABORATING WITH EDUCATORS FROM THE START, BUT HAS FURTHER SOLIDIFIED THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

I AM HONORED TO BE ONE OF THREE NEW CECIL CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WITH FORMAL TRAINING AND A GRADUATE DEGREE IN EDUCATION.

ANOTHER NEW BOARD MEMBER BRINGS A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE AS A CLASSROOM EDUCATOR AND IS CURRENTLY A CCPS TEACHER.

THE FINAL EDUCATOR ADDITION TO THE BOARD HAS ALSO TAUGHT FOR CCPS, BEEN A UNION REP, AND WORKED SUCCESSFULLY AS AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.

AS PROFESSIONALS IN EDUCATION, WE HAVE FORMALLY JOINED THE CHARTER SCHOOL MOVEMENT IN ORDER TO BRING THIS POSITIVE ADDITION TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WE LOVE.

OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES THIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN CCPS AND THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION.

OUR CHILDREN DESERVE THIS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY.

OUR SUPPORTERS OF MORE THAN 100 CECIL COUNTY FAMILIES DESERVE TO SEE THIS BECOME REALITY.

WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

WITH YOUR APPROVAL AND COLLABORATION, WE WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

KATHERINE JOHNSON WILL BE FOLLOWED BY SHERRY ROSTEC.

I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO ANNOUNCE MY POSITION AS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE CECIL CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL.

NOT ONLY AS A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF CECIL COUNTY, BUT AS A CONCERNED PARENT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

WORKING WITHIN CECIL COUNTY FOR 10 YEARS, I HAD HELD MULTIPLE POSITIONS, INCLUDING THAT OF THE UNION REP IN MY BUILDING, UPHOLDING THE NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT.

MOVING INTO AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ROLE IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, I WORKED WITH A COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER TO IMPLEMENT RESTORATIVE PRACTICES AS WELL AS BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERFUNDED SCHOOL SYSTEM.

DUE TO THE NEEDS OF MY SON, I SHIFTED MY CAREER BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM.

MY CURRENT POSITION AS WELL AS MY EXPERIENCE ACROSS MULTIPLE MARYLAND SCHOOLS HAS SHED LIGHT ON THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR SCHOOLS TODAY.

IT IS MY GOAL TO OPEN THE CHARTER SCHOOL TO GUIDE THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY INTO A POSITIVE WAY BY BRINGING BACK THE FOCUS ON OUR STUDENTS.

MANY EDUCATORS WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS ARE EXPERIENCING PRESSURE TO MEET THE STATE EXPECTATIONS.

THEY ARE BEING ASKED OVER AND OVER TO IMPLEMENT NEW INITIATIVES.

MEANWHILE, THE ONES WHO ARE SUFFERING ARE THE STUDENTS.

AS PART OF THE INCONSISTENCIES, THEY'VE LIMITED THE STUDENTS' ABILITIES TO INTERACT AND ENGAGE WITH THE CONTENT AND IN TURN HINDERING THEIR ABILITY TO ADAPT IN THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

THE GOAL AS EDUCATORS IS TO PROVIDE AN ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THEIR LIFELONG LEARNING, WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO CREATE WITHOUT SHARING THE LOAD OF THE RESPONSIBILITY.

WHEN LOOKING AT THE DATA, ONE CANNOT DENY THAT THE CLASSICAL MODEL HELPS TO IMPROVE LITERACY RATES AMONG STUDENTS.

FOR INSTANCE, FREDERICK, THE CHARTER SCHOOL, WHEN COMPARING THE DISTRICT AVERAGES SHOWS STUDENTS ACHIEVING 50% HIGHER IN THEIR PROFICIENCY WITH ENGLISH AND 20% HIGHER PROFICIENCY IN MATHEMATICS, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMPARED TO CECIL COUNTY.

WHEN LOOKING AT OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, ONE CAN SEE OUR STUDENTS ARE STRUGGLING TO ACHIEVE.

NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY ALONE, FOR EXAMPLE, SHOWS 26% OF THE STUDENTS ONLY ACHIEVE PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH, WHILE 16% OF THE STUDENTS ACHIEVE PROFICIENCY IN MATHEMATICS.

GILPIN MANOR FALLS RIGHT IN THE LINE WITH THAT.

SIMILAR RANGE OF 22% OF STUDENTS ACHIEVING PROFICIENCY

[00:55:01]

EVEN AS A COUNTY, OUR DISTRICT IS STILL AN AVERAGE 20% LOWER THAN THAT OF THE STATE AVERAGE IN ENGLISH AND MATH.

OUR PROPOSED CHARTER SCHOOL SERVES TO MEET THE UNMET NEEDS AND BOOST ENROLLMENT WITHOUT REPLACING OR DEFUNDING THE EXISTING SCHOOLS.

WE'RE HERE TO BUILD A LASTING RELATIONSHIP AND PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION TO BETTER THE FUTURE POSSIBLE EDUCATION OPTIONS FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THANK YOU.

IS SHERRY ROSTEC HERE? WE'LL MOVE ON AND THE NEXT PERSON ON THE LIST IS MEGAN BRENNEMAN.

AM I ON NOW? OTHERS HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO TAKE THIS ISSUE ON FOR FEAR OF RETALIATION.

LET ME REPEAT THAT.

COACHES RETALIATING AGAINST STUDENTS.

THIS IS HAPPENING.

IT HAS HAPPENED AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN UNTIL THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED.

I AM HERE BECAUSE THIS IS SIMPLY NOT A DISAGREEMENT WITH COACHES.

THIS IS ABOUT STUDENT ATHLETES, INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PROVIDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS AND WHETHER CCPS IS FOLLOWING ITS OWN POLICY WHEN THE PEOPLE ACCUSED OF WRONGDOING ARE ADULTS.

OUR CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT TO FOLLOW THE RULES, TO BE HONEST, TO BE ACCOUNTABLE, TO TREAT OTHERS WITH RESPECT, AND ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES WHEN THEY DO NOT.

I BELIEVE THOSE SAME STANDARDS HAVE TO APPLY TO ADULTS RESPONSIBLE FOR TEACHING AND COACHING THEM.

KEN'S ALREADY GONE INTO A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HAPPENED, SO I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT, BUT THE STATISTIC ISSUE IS ONLY PART OF THE PROBLEM.

THERE HAS BEEN A MUCH LARGER CONCERN ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT CREATED BY THE HEAD COACH AT RISING SUN.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT NORMAL COACHING.

I UNDERSTAND THAT COACHES YELL.

I UNDERSTAND THAT BASEBALL IS COMPETITIVE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT PLAYERS NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BEHAVIOR THAT PARENTS AND PLAYERS HAVE EXPERIENCED AS DEMEANING, BELITTLING, AND INTENDING TO BREAK CHILDREN DOWN RATHER THAN DEVELOP THEM.

CURRENT AND PAST ENVIRONMENTS HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED BY PLAYERS AND PARENTS AS TOXIC.

PLAYERS FROM PREVIOUS SEASONS DID NOT RETURN BECAUSE OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

SOME HAVE CONTEMPLATED CHANGING SCHOOLS, AND OTHERS ARE READY TO GIVE UP THEIR PASSION TO PRESERVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

THAT SHOULD CONCERN EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM.

THE PRINCIPAL IS AWARE OF IT.

APPROXIMATELY FIVE GAMES INTO THE SEASON WE MET WITH HIM, AND A DIRECT QUOTE IS, I AM AWARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

IT HAS BEEN TOXIC SINCE MY NEPHEW PLAYED.

THAT STATEMENT IS IMPORTANT.

IT MEANS THAT ADMINISTRATION IS NOT UNAWARE OF CONCERN.

THE PRINCIPAL HAS ACKNOWLEDGED IT, THAT IT IS NOT A NEW ISSUE, AND THAT WE WERE TOLD THAT ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AFTER THE SEASON BECAUSE OF POLITICS AND THE DIFFICULTY OF REPLACING SOMEONE DURING THE SEASON.

MY QUESTION IS, WHEN DID THE CONVENIENCE OF WAITING UNTIL THE SEASON ENDED BECOME MORE IMPORTANT THAN ADDRESSING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGES IS TOXIC? THE COACH, MORE THAN ANY OTHER PERSON, SETS THE TONE AND THE ATTITUDE FOR THE TEAM MEMBERS.

THE COACH IS NOT SIMPLY THERE TO TEACH BASEBALL.

THE COACH SETS THE TONE FOR THE PROGRAM, AND HE IS SUPPOSED TO MODEL BEHAVIOR.

IF WE EXPECT OUR CHILDREN TO DEMONSTRATE INTEGRITY, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND RESPECT, THEN THE ADULTS HAVE TO MODEL THOSE THINGS FIRST.

WHEN THEY DO NOT, THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DONNA CULBERSON AND FOLLOWED BY KELLY SANGSTOCK.

GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS DONNA CULBERSON.

I'M FROM CONOWINGO, AND I'M REPRESENTING THE CHARTER SCHOOL.

BASED ON WHAT YOU'VE HEARD FROM OTHER BOARD MEMBERS TONIGHT, I HOPE YOU RECOGNIZE THAT WE CONSIDERED YOUR FEEDBACK AND ACTED PROMPTLY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS.

WE HAVE ADDED BOARD MEMBERS WITH SIGNIFICANT EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUNDS AND EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, IEP ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, UNION LEADERSHIP, AND SCHOOL LEADERSHIP.

WE HAVE INITIATED CONVERSATIONS WITH AN ACCOUNTING FIRM WHOSE FOUNDER PREVIOUSLY WORKED FOR CCPS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE.

[01:00:01]

WE HAVE A KITCHEN MANAGER WITH MANY, MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN A LONG-TERM SETTING, LONG-TERM CARE SETTING, READY TO JUMP IN ONCE WE PURCHASE KITCHEN EQUIPMENT.

WE HAVE A GRANT WRITER WHO HAS DEVELOPED A FINANCIAL PLAN THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING UNDER, AND SHE IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR GRANTS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR US.

WE ARE WORKING WITH AN ATTORNEY TO ENSURE OUR FOUNDING FAMILY CONTRACT, UPDATED BYLAWS, AND ANY ADDITIONAL LEGAL DOCUMENTS ARE APPROPRIATE AND BINDING.

WE UNDERSTAND YOU DON'T WANT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF KEEPING THE EXISTING NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND WE ARE IN FULL SUPPORT OF THAT.

IN FACT, WE WOULD PREFER TO NEGOTIATE AN ARM'S LENGTH AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWN OF NORTHEAST TO TAKE OVER FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUILDING ONCE IT IS VACATED AND TURNED OVER TO THEM.

THAT RELEASES CCPS AND THE TOWN OF NORTHEAST FROM ANY MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES, AND WE ARE WILLING TO PUSH BACK THE OPENING TO THE FALL OF 2028.

WHILE WE DON'T AGREE WITH EVERYTHING IDENTIFIED IN THE DENIAL COMMENTS FROM THE REVIEW COMMITTEE, WE HAVE ADDRESSED IMPORTANT ISSUES AND WILL CONTINUE PUSHING FORWARD BECAUSE THERE IS A NEED FOR THE CHARTER SCHOOL.

AS WE STATED ALL ALONG, WE WANT TO PARTNER WITH CCPS AND EDUCATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY.

HOWEVER, THIS CAN'T BE A ONE-WAY STREET.

COOPERATION AND MUTUAL RESPECT FROM BOTH SIDES IS CRUCIAL FOR THE CHARTER SCHOOL TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

WE MAY NOT AGREE ON EVERYTHING, AND WE MAY HAVE DIFFERING OPINIONS, BUT WE MUST WORK TOGETHER.

WHAT WE ASK FOR IS PRODUCTIVE FEEDBACK, PROMPT AND APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO ALL QUESTIONS, THE ABILITY TO POSE THOSE QUESTIONS TO THOSE WHO ARE BEST EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE RESPONSES, AND THE AUTONOMY TO IMPLEMENT PROCESSES COMBINED WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS AS WELL AS THE CLASSICAL EDUCATION WE OFFER.

MANY FAMILIES IN THIS COUNTY ARE EXCITED FOR THE SCHOOL TO OPEN AND FOR THE RETURN OF A TRADITIONAL EDUCATION OPTION.

I AM ASKING YOU TO PLEASE APPROVE THIS CHARTER SCHOOL AND WORK TOGETHER WITH US TO NEGOTIATE A CHARTER CONTRACT BECAUSE WE KNOW OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FUTURE ARE WORTH IT.

THANK YOU. KELLY SENGSTOCK IS NEXT, AND THE LAST SPEAKER WILL BE SEAN BRIM.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS KELLY SENGSTOCK. I HAVE LIVED IN CECIL COUNTY FOR 16 YEARS.

TWO OF MY THREE CHILDREN GRADUATED FROM NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL, AND TWO OF MY THREE GRANDCHILDREN ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN CCPS SCHOOLS.

I AM THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE PROPOSED CECIL CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL.

I'M NOT A TEACHER, BUT THAT'S NOT A REQUIREMENT TO HAVE AN OPINION, NOR DOES IT NEGATE MY EXPERIENCES.

I'M A PARENT WHO IS VERY INVOLVED IN HER CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND AM BLESSED NOW TO BE AS INVOLVED WITH MY GRANDKIDS' EDUCATION AS POSSIBLE.

FOR OVER A YEAR, OUR BOARD HAS RESEARCHED AND VISITED CHARTER SCHOOLS IN MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND PENNSYLVANIA.

WE HAVE CONSULTED WITH CURRENT TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS, RETIRED TEACHERS, RETIRED SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, AND CHARTER SCHOOL SPECIALISTS.

WE AS A GROUP HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF HOURS LEARNING ABOUT HOW THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE TRI-STATE AREA AND IN OUR COUNTRY HELP THEIR STUDENTS ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS.

THE MISSION OF CECIL CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL IS TO PURSUE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND CHARACTER ENRICHMENT THROUGH RIGOROUS, CONTENT-RICH, CLASSICAL CURRICULUM TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO BECOME EXEMPLARY CITIZENS.

CHARTER SCHOOLS IN MARYLAND ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THAT MEANS NO TUITION, NO TESTING TO GET IN, WE DON'T GET TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHO SHOWS UP.

PARENTS WANT TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO OUR SCHOOL. TEACHERS WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME LICENSING AND CREDENTIALS THAT CCPS TEACHERS HAVE NOW.

WE WILL FOLLOW ALL COMAR REGULATIONS. CHARTER SCHOOLS CAN OFFER THINGS PARENTS WANT, LIKE SMALLER CLASSROOM SIZES, UNIFORMS, AND REDUCED RELIANCE ON COMPUTERS FOR EVERYDAY TASKS.

TECHNOLOGY IS A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO THE POWER AND CREATIVITY OF THE HUMAN BRAIN, BUT IT SHOULD NEVER REPLACE IT.

I THINK IT'S SAFE TO BET THAT EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM AGREES WITH MR. DAVIS THAT WE WANT THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE FOR THE CHILDREN OF CECIL COUNTY.

ONLY WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER WILL

[01:05:01]

WORKING TOGETHER MEANS WE IDENTIFY THE SHORTCOMINGS AS WELL AS THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND THEN FIND WAYS TO OFFER TO FIX WHAT'S NOT WORKING AND PROMOTE WHAT IS.

WORKING TOGETHER WITH CCPS, CECIL CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL WILL DO EXACTLY THAT.

WE'VE TALKED TO COUNTLESS PARENTS OF CURRENT AND FORMER STUDENTS, AND WE KNOW THERE IS A REAL DESIRE FOR THE CHANGE AND CHOICE CECIL CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL WILL PROVIDE.

THANK YOU.

AND OUR FINAL SPEAKER IS SEAN BRIM.

I'M SEAN BRIM OF NORTHEAST.

AFTER ATTENDING A RECENT SEMINAR GIVEN BY THE APPLICANTS OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL, NOW BEFORE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND AFTER GETTING A RATHER STRANGE RESPONSE WHEN I EXPRESSED HOW ASTOUNDED I AM ABOUT THE APPLICATION, AT A COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING SOME WEEKS AGO, I MUST ADMIT I AM STILL NOT SURE WHAT TO MAKE OF ALL OF THIS.

THE SLIDESHOW PRESENTATION AT THE LIBRARY SEMINAR CLEARLY STATED THAT THE CHARTER SCHOOL WILL NOT BE SUPERVISED BY THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE.

COUNSELOR CULBERSON DENIED THAT THEY MISUNDERSTOOD THE COMA REQUIREMENTS. SHE ALSO DENIED SOMETHING ELSE I POINTED OUT.

I THINK THERE'S AN OPEN QUESTION ABOUT THE FATE OF THE CURRENT NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING, WHICH IS NOW A CENTURY OLD.

COUNSELOR CULBERSON ANSWERED ME DIRECTLY AT THE SAME MEETING.

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ABIDES BY A RULE NOT TO RESPOND TO COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC AT THE SAME MEETING.

I HAVE SPENT WEEKS PLANNING WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR OTHERS TO RESPOND TO ME IN THE THREE MINUTES IT TAKES FOR ME TO DELIVER MY WORDS TO YOU, NOT IN A WAY THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE.

SCHOOLS ARE ALL ABOUT DELIBERATION.

AND I'M AFRAID THE CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICANTS MAYBE ARE NOT APPLYING ENOUGH OF THAT TO THE TASK.

THIS REQUEST FOR A WAIVER FROM SUPERVISION BY THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE SHOULD PUT THIS ALL IN DOUBT.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT SOMETHING ABOUT CCPS'S INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY INTO THE CURRICULUM.

CCPS HAS BEEN TEACHING SOFTWARE APPLICATION ENGINEERING NOT SINCE THE INVENTION OF THE SMARTPHONE, NOT EVEN SINCE THE INVENTION OF MICROSOFT'S WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM, WHICH HAS NOW JUST PASSED ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY.

I LEARNED THE BASICS OF SOFTWARE CODING IN 1988 IN NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL'S COMPUTER LAB, WHICH WAS THEN DOMINATED BY APPLE IIS AND APPLE IIIS.

THESE LESSONS I HAVE SPECIFICALLY USED IN MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER.

CCPS HAS SPENT THE LAST HALF CENTURY TEACHING HOW HIGH TECHNOLOGY WORKS.

THIS MEANS CCPS HAS BEEN DOING THIS BUSINESS BEFORE MANY OF THE PARENTS OF TODAY'S STUDENTS WERE EVEN BORN.

AT LEAST TWO OF MY 1988 CLASSMATES HAVE GONE ON TO BECOME SOFTWARE ENGINEERS THEMSELVES, BOTH OF WHOM ARE WOMEN IN A MALE-DOMINATED FIELD.

I WANT TO REITERATE, I AM NOT OPPOSED TO CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND I GAVE THE APPLICATION THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT UNTIL THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

LOGISTICAL QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED AND PLANS B, C, AND D MUST BE MADE BEFORE ANY SCHOOL'S DOORS OPEN.

THE COUNTY DOES NOT OWE THAT TO THE CHARTER APPLICANTS.

THEY AND WE OWE IT TO THE CHILDREN OF CECIL COUNTY, WHETHER THEY ATTEND THE CHARTER SCHOOL OR NO.

AND LASTLY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IF ANYBODY DOUBTS WHAT I SAID ABOUT MY LESSONS AS A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR IN 1988, I BROUGHT MY YEARBOOK.

IN IT, YOU CAN SEE A HORRIBLE PICTURE OF ME IN THE COMPUTER LAB WITH ONE OF MY FLANNEL SHIRTS, WHICH I REGRET WEARING TO THIS DAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

[8. New Business - continued]

NEXT ON THE AGENDA, NEW BUSINESS.

CONTINUED.

IT IS THE VOTE FOR THE CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE CHARTER SCHOOL REVIEW COMMITTEE TO DENY THE 2026 CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION FOR THE CECIL CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL AS PRESENTED AT THE JULY 8TH, 2026 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

IS THERE A SECOND? COMMENTS.

AFTER WE DO A SECOND, THEN WE WILL HAVE OUR DISCUSSION.

SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? THERE WE GO.

MR. FERDINANDO.

THANK YOU.

[01:10:04]

ALL OF YOU, YOUR BOARD, ALL OF OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM, A LOT OF HOURS INTO IT.

THE INTEREST IN THE CHARTER SCHOOL, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY, IS LEGITIMATE.

IT'S TANGIBLE.

FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING, THERE'S A POPULATION THAT'S EITHER NOT BEING SERVED BY OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM THROUGH HOMESCHOOLING OR PRIVATE SCHOOL, OR THEY'RE BEING SERVED AND THEY DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THE ENVIRONMENT, IN THE CURRENT SYSTEM THAT THEY'RE IN.

A COUPLE ITEMS THAT I WANT TO POINT OUT JUST TO GET OUT IN THE OPEN IS THAT PARENTS OF THESE STUDENTS ARE PAYING TAXES.

WE DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE A WAY IN OUR COUNTY OR OUR STATE FOR THOSE TO BE RECOUPED OR FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL OR WHATEVER OTHER SCHOOL TO BE USED AS A TAX WRITE-OFF.

THERE'S NO WAY TO USE THOSE FUNDS THAT THEY'VE PAID ANYWHERE ELSE.

THE OTHER PART THAT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS IS THAT WE AS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM DON'T RECEIVE THOSE MONIES EITHER.

IF YOUR STUDENT DOES NOT GO TO CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE MONEY YOU PAY FOR TAXES DOES NOT COME TO CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT IS AT THE COUNTY OR WHEREVER IT MAY BE.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE CONFUSED BY THAT AND THINK THAT WE HAVE MONEY FOR STUDENTS THAT WE'RE NOT SERVING.

WE DO NOT.

ANOTHER THING THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT TO THE HOMESCHOOLERS IS THAT MARYLAND DOESN'T ALLOW HOMESCHOOL STUDENTS TO PLAY SPORTS IN THEIR HOMETOWNS.

PENNSYLVANIA DOES RIGHT OVER THE BORDER.

IN OXFORD, IF YOU'RE HOMESCHOOLED, YOU CAN PLAY FOR THE TEAM THAT YOU GO TO SCHOOL FOR.

I THINK THAT'S A GAP THAT I WISH WE COULD CLOSE.

THOSE ARE A COUPLE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT I'VE HEARD FROM THE PARENTS THAT HAVE COME TO ME.

THEY'RE ASKING FOR A MORE TRADITIONAL, CLASSICAL, WHATEVER WORD YOU WANT TO USE FOR IT, ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR STUDENTS, SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE DO NOW.

I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S A KNOCK ON HOW WE'RE DOING THINGS.

IT'S ANOTHER WAY OF DOING THINGS.

I BELIEVE THAT THERE'S A BIG ENOUGH GROUP IN OUR COMMUNITY TO EVALUATE THAT AND TO LOOK INTO THAT FURTHER.

I THINK WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.

IF IT'S THIS CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION, IF IT'S ANOTHER FORM, IF IT'S BLENDED VIRTUAL WITH SOME SORT OF SETUP THAT WORKS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

WE HAVE A PROPOSAL IN FRONT OF US TODAY THAT IS AN OPTION.

I DON'T THINK THAT AN ANSWER TODAY SHOULD BE A NO IF IT'S A NO.

I THINK IT SHOULD BE A NOT YET.

I DO THINK THAT THERE'S MORE RESEARCH THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, MORE TIME THAT NEEDS TO BE SPENT.

I THINK THE APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE.

AS YOU HEARD TODAY, THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT YOU MENTIONED THAT HELPED COMPLETE IT.

BUT IN ITS CURRENT FORM, I DON'T THINK IT MEETS THE STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS THAT WE NEED.

BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD STOP THINKING ABOUT THIS OR STOP TALKING ABOUT IT.

I DO THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.

WE DO HAVE A GROUP OF STUDENTS IN OUR POPULATION, IN OUR COMMUNITY, THAT SHOULD NOT BE LOOKED AT IN ANY OTHER WAY THAN THEY ARE OUR STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO FEEL COMFORTABLE IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER.

I THINK WE CAN FIND A WAY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

I THINK THAT THERE'S AN OPTION THAT'S WITHIN COMAR.

IT'S NOT EASY.

BUT I THINK WE SHOULD KEEP LOOKING INTO THAT.

NO MATTER WHAT THE ANSWER IS TODAY, IT SHOULDN'T CLOSE THE DOOR.

THAT'S MY OPINION.

AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MR. FERDINANDO.

ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR DISCUSSIONS? AS BOARD MEMBERS, OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS IT RELATES TO APPROVING CHARTERED SCHOOLS EXTENDS FAR BEYOND JUST RECEIVING THE CCPS REVIEW COMMITTEE'S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT OBLIGATION TO CAREFULLY REVIEW THE ENTIRE RECORD, INCLUDING APPLICATIONS, THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT, THE APPLICANT'S PRESENTATION, AND ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED DURING THE PROCESS.

THE DECISION OF THE BOARD MUST BE BASED ON THE EVIDENCE BEFORE US AND ON WHETHER THE APPLICATION DEMONSTRATES THE ACADEMIC, OPERATIONAL, GOVERNANCE, AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY NECESSARY TO SUCCESSFULLY ESTABLISH AND SUSTAIN A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL THAT SERVES ALL STUDENTS WHO ATTEND CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WHILE I RESPECT THE APPLICANTS AND THEIR DESIRE TO PROVIDE ANOTHER EDUCATION OPTION FOR CECIL COUNTY FAMILIES, I DO WORRY ABOUT THE PROPOSAL AS PRESENTED DURING THE INITIAL REVIEW PROCESS, WHETHER IT SUFFICIENTLY DEMONSTRATES THAT THE SCHOOL WILL PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY, EQUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM WHILE PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF ALL CECIL COUNTY STUDENTS AND TAXPAYERS.

BUT I DO RESPECT THE FACT THAT THE COMMITTEE HAS DONE LOTS OF WORK AND HAVE ACTUALLY TRIED TO MOVE THE PROCESS FORWARD BY RESPONDING TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THE BOARD PRESENTED TO THEM.

I'M SORRY THAT THE REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED TO THEM.

BUT AS MR. FERDINANDO SAID, I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO BE KIND OF IMPROVED UPON IN ORDER FOR THE PROPOSAL TO BE WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE.

AND THAT'S JUST MY OPINION.

THANK YOU.

[01:15:02]

ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY COMMENTS? I JUST WANTED TO MENTION ONE THING THAT WE DID RECEIVE AN EMAIL ALSO THAT A GENTLEMAN WAS ON THE FOUNDING FATHER OR THE FOUNDING FAMILY'S LIST AND WAS VERY UPSET BECAUSE HE WAS NOT DID NOT WANT TO BE A FOUNDING FAMILY.

AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DID KNOW THAT AND HE WAS UPSET THAT HE WAS SOMEHOW ON THE LIST.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE EVERYONE AWARE OF THAT.

OKAY, IF THERE'S NO OTHER DISCUSSION.

THEN WE CAN HAVE A VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR OF THE RECOMMENDATION THAT MISS HAWLEY PUT FORTH.

SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? OPPOSED.

SEEING THAT WE HAVE FOUR IN FAVOR AND ONE OPPOSED.

THE MOTION CARRIES.

AND THEN NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS OUR STOP LOSS INSURANCE COVERAGE.

DR. LAWSON.

THANK YOU, MISS HEATH.

BEFORE I READ THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE STOP LOSS COVERAGE, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR EITHER MYSELF OR MISS SOPA? THERE ARE NO CHANGES.

THE EMPLOYEES WILL NOT SEE ANY CHANGE, CORRECT? NO CHANGE IN THEIR PREMIUMS. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF WHO WILL COVER AN EMPLOYEE CLAIM DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE CLAIM.

AND THIS IS THE INCREASE CCPS IS DEDUCTIBLE FOR A SINGLE CLAIM FROM 300K TO 325K, WHICH THEN REDUCES THE PREMIUMS BY ABOUT 160K, RIGHT? YES.

AND BASED ON YOUR WORK WITH YOUR CONSULTANT, YOU BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE COST SAVINGS THERE? BECAUSE ANYTHING THAT GOES ABOVE ANY SINGLE CLAIM THAT GOES ABOVE 300K, IT'S INTO THOSE PREMIUM SAVINGS.

RIGHT, THAT'S CORRECT.

OKAY.

OTHER QUESTIONS? BASED ON THE RFP COST ANALYSIS, I RECOMMEND THAT THE CCPS CONTINUE OUR CONTRACT WITH AETNA TO PROVIDE STOP LOSS INSURANCE FOR OUR SELF-INSURED MEDICAL AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2026.

YOU'VE HEARD DR. LAWSON HAS A RECOMMENDATION.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? CARRIES.

NEXT IS OUR CONTRACT AWARD FOR NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL REPLACEMENT PROJECT, THE MILLWORK AND CASEWORK CHANGEOVER.

BEFORE I READ THIS RECOMMENDATION, QUESTIONS FOR MS. SOPER OR DR. BOYER? SO WAS THIS WORK NOT INCLUDED IN THE INITIAL BID? THESE WERE THE CLASSROOMS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SHELLED OUT IN THE ORIGINAL BID, SO THEY WEREN'T TO BE COMPLETELY FINISHED.

12 THAT WERE SHELLED OUT IN THE INITIAL BUILD.

THIS IS 15.

THIS IS THE CTE CLASSROOMS. I'M SORRY.

THESE ALSO WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL BID, SO IT WAS AGAIN A SHELLED OUT ROOM, NOT FINISHED.

IT WAS PART OF THE 15 CLASSROOMS AND THEN THESE CLASSROOMS. I APOLOGIZE.

I SAW 15.

OKAY, SO IT WASN'T INCLUDED, BUT THE COUNTY'S HELPING WITH THAT.

OKAY.

YES.

THANK YOU.

I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY AMEND RFP NUMBER 24-15 FOR THE NORTHEAST MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL REPLACEMENT PROJECT 06B MILLWORK AND CASEWORK TO INCLUDE THE PRESENTED CHANGE ORDER FOR A TOTAL OF $144, 742.

WE'VE HEARD DR. LAWSON'S RECOMMENDATION.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

AND NEXT IS THE CONTRACT AWARD FOR NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL REPLACEMENT PROJECT MECHANICAL AND PLUMBING CHANGE ORDER.

ALONG THE SAME LINES.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. SOPA OR DR. BOYER REGARDING THIS CHANGE ORDER? THIS JUST CAME ABOUT FROM OBSERVATIONS FROM THE RAINSTORMS WE HAD OVER THE SUMMER.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE TO IMPROVE THE DRAINAGE AND THE GRADING AROUND THE BUILDING TO HELP PUT THAT WATER FLOWING AWAY? YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

DO YOU HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS? I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY AMEND RFP 24-15 FOR THE NORTHEAST MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL REPLACEMENT PROJECT 23A MECHANICAL AND PLUMBING TO INCLUDE THE PRESENTED CHANGE ORDER FOR A TOTAL OF $58, 865.86.

YOU'VE HEARD DR. LAWSON'S RECOMMENDATION.

IS THERE A MOTION?

[01:20:01]

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

AND NOW WE HAVE 805.

OKAY.

SO WE DO HAVE THAT WE NEED A VOTE FOR 805 SUPPLEMENTAL CCPS RFP 25-11 THERAPY NURSING AND OTHER SCHOOL BASED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.

THIS SIMPLY ADDS ANOTHER VENDOR TO OUR CHOICE.

ARE THERE QUESTIONS FOR MS. SOPA? OPEN THIS ONE.

I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH UNLIMITED INSTRUCTION AND HUFFMAN EDUCATION AS AN ADDITIONAL CONTRACTOR UNDER CCPS RFP 25-11 THERAPY NURSING AND OTHER SCHOOL BASED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.

DR. LAWSON HAS A RECOMMENDATION.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

AND 8.06, OUR FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET UPDATE.

THANK YOU, MS. HEATH.

MS. SOPA.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HEATH, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR. LAWSON, LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS AND GUESTS.

IN JUNE OR JULY, AT OUR JULY MEETING, WE PRESENTED OUR FIRST ROUND OF BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE.

SO FOR THE END OF THE CLOSE OF FISCAL 26.

AND SO TODAY YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A CONTINUATION OF THE BUDGET AMENDMENT.

SO STARTING ON THIS FIRST PAGE.

THANK YOU.

STARTING ON THE FIRST PAGE, YOU CAN SEE THE ADDITION OF REVENUE AND EXPENSE.

TWO POINT ONE MILLION DOLLARS.

AND THEN SOME DETAILS FOLLOWING.

SO WHAT WE SHARED IN THE MEETING IN JULY IS IN THE FIRST COLUMN.

SO THIS WAS ALREADY SHARED.

SO NOW WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL COLUMN IS WHAT TODAY'S BUDGET AMENDMENT IS REFERRING TO.

YOU CAN SEE A SMALL DONATION TO PERYVILLE HIGH TO SUPPORT BIOMEDICAL CLASSROOM SUPPLIES.

AND AGAIN, THESE ARE JUST TALLYING THE WHOLE AMOUNT FOR THE COLUMN.

RESTRICTED STATE REVENUE.

THERE IS NO CHANGE.

YOU CAN SEE RESTRICTED FEDERAL REVENUE.

THE BIG CHANGE HERE IS MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

SO THIS WAS MEDICAL ASSISTANCE BILLING THAT BROUGHT IN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE REVENUE FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN.

AN ADDITIONAL 262, 000.

THIS IS A REDUCTION HERE FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS.

THIS MEANS WE ACTUALLY BROUGHT IN LESS FOR OUR BILLING THAN WHAT WE HAD ACTUALLY BUDGETED THAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO RECEIVE IN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS.

SO THIS IS JUST REDUCING WHAT WE ACTUALLY RECEIVED FOR THAT AGE GROUP.

AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE NOTHING IN THE ADDITIONAL COLUMN IN THE NEXT TWO AREAS.

AND THEN HERE UNDER ADDITIONAL UNRESTRICTED OTHER REVENUE.

THIS GASB 84 IS ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

AND SO THIS IS RECOGNIZING STUDENT ACTIVITIES FUNDS.

SO STUDENT ACTIVITIES FUNDS ARE THOSE MONIES RAISED BY STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS.

AND SO WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE EXPENSES THAT HAPPEN IN THOSE ACCOUNTS.

THAT'S ALL OUTSIDE OF OUR OPERATING BUDGET.

BUT FOR OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE REVENUE SO THAT WE CAN RECOGNIZE THE CORRESPONDING EXPENSE.

SO THIS IS JUST TAKING ALL THE STUDENT ACTIVITIES FUNDS EXPENSES TOGETHER AND PROVIDING A REVENUE STATEMENT SO THAT WE CAN RECORD THE EXPENSES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.

AND THEN YOU SEE A DONATION OF A 2013 GMC TRUCK TO BE USED IN INSTRUCTION FOR SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS.

AND WE RECORD THE VALUE OF THAT ASSET THAT WAS PROVIDED TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

SO THOSE ARE THE CHANGES IN REVENUE EXPENSE.

KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE ARE UNAUDITED BECAUSE WE'RE WORKING THROUGH OUR AUDIT RIGHT NOW.

AND OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WILL BE PRESENTED TO YOU AT THE WORK SESSION AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

AND WHILE WE DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY FURTHER BUDGET AMENDMENTS, THERE ARE STILL ENTRIES BEING DONE TO ACCOUNT.

SO THERE MAY BE SOME CHANGES AS FAR AS ACCOUNTS, BUT NOT AMENDMENTS.

AND THE REST OF THE REPORTS ARE WHAT FOLLOWS NORMALLY IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

ON THE UNRESTRICTED BUDGET ITEMS, FOR FY26 WE BUDGETED $261 MILLION.

THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WAS ADDED $9 MILLION TO THAT.

AND WE DIDN'T SPEND ALL THAT.

SO THAT IS WHAT GETS ADDED POTENTIALLY TO THE FUND BALANCE OR GETS CARRIED OVER THE $5 MILLION TO CARRY OVER TO THE FY27 OPERATING BUDGET, RIGHT? SO ANYTHING WE DON'T, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THIS AVAILABLE BALANCE UP HERE? YES.

OKAY.

WHAT THIS MEANS IS THIS IS SHOWING, THIS TOP PART SHOWS REVENUE THAT WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE.

WE NEVER RECEIVE FUND BALANCE

[01:25:02]

SO YOU'RE NEVER, YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO SEE A BALANCE THERE.

WHAT YOU SEE HERE, IF YOU SEE IT, WHEN YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REVENUE RECEIVED AND EXPENSES, THAT'S WHERE IT SHOWS WHERE YOU HAVE TO DIP INTO FUND BALANCE.

SO IF YOUR REVENUE EXCEEDS YOUR EXPENSES, THEN YOU'RE ADDING TO THE FUND BALANCE.

IF YOUR EXPENSES EXCEED YOUR REVENUE, THEN YOU'RE USING THE FUND BALANCE. OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY APPROVE THE OPERATING BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR $2, 175, 707 AND LET ME REPEAT THAT. $2, 175, 702 AS PRESENTED. WE'VE HEARD THE RECOMMENDATION. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. MOTION CARRIES.

[9. Upcoming Events]

BUT AGAIN, FIRST DAY BACK FOR SCHOOL FOR ALL STUDENTS IS MONDAY, AUGUST 31ST. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY IS LABOR DAY. WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK HERE ON SEPTEMBER 9TH FOR A BOARD OF ED MEETING AT 530 FOR OPEN SESSION. AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TONIGHT. AND MEETING'S ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.