PRESENTATION OF 2 BID CALENDAR ITEMS
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff would like to inform the Board of Education of Frederick County of upcoming bid solicitations for Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS).
Bid 24T2, School Buses
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The intent of this solicitation is to establish a contract for the purchase and delivery of school buses.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
David Guzman, Purchasing Agent
Fred Punturiero, Director of Transportation
Bid 24M3, Unit Price Contract for Bituminous Concrete
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The intent of this solicitation is to establish a contract to furnish labor, materials, equipment and incidentals necessary to repair, and/or installation of bituminous concrete to various locations throughout FCPS.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Roy McHaffa, CPP, CPDW, Purchasing Agent
Gary Barkdoll, Manager of Maintenance Projects and Grounds, Maintenance Department
SUBMITTED BY:
Bill Meekins CPPB, CPPO, NIGP-CPP, CSBO, CPCP, Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff has reviewed the attached contract and recommends approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The recommendation is to prequalify photography vendors that meet FCPS data transmission security requirements.
Staff recommends that RFQ 23MISC15, Request for Qualifications of Photography Vendors, be awarded to Chy Media,LLC of Baltimore, MD; Commonwealth Imaging, Inc. dba: Classic Photography & Imaging of Elkridge, MD; R.L. Kuhn, Inc. dba: Pictures Plus & O’Roke Photography of Waynesboro, MD; Shutterfly Lifetouch, LLC. of Eden Prairie, MD; Strawbridge Studios, Inc. of Durham, NC.; and Traditions School Photography of Union Bridge, MD.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
David Guzman, Purchasing Agent
Kyle Barnette, Acting Director, System Accountability and School Administration
SUBMITTED BY:
Bill Meekins, CPPB, CPPO, NIGP-CPP, CSBO, CPCP, Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff has reviewed the attached contract and recommends approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The recommendation is to establish a contract with certified personnel and equipment to provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation services to students for educational and extracurricular programs.
Staff recommends that RFP 23T4, Contracted Bus Services, be awarded to Bauer Bus Service, Inc. of Woodbine, MD; Johnson Bus Service, LLC of Westminster, MD; K&V Limousine Service, LLC of Capitol Heights, MD; Rill's Bus Service, Inc. of Westminster, MD; and Schrock, Inc. dba: Varsity Travel of Winchester, VA.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
David Guzman, Purchasing Agent
Fred Punturiero, Director, Transportation
SUBMITTED BY:
Bill Meekins, CPPB, CPPO, NIGP-CPP, CSBO, CPCP, Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff has reviewed the attached contract renewal and recommends approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This recommendation is to renew the contract for a grade 6-8 enrichment program to support a comprehensive summer program. The program will provide students with STEM enrichment activities in a summer camp model.
Staff recommends renewal of the contract for RFP 22CURR2, STEM Comprehensive Summer Program-Middle Schools to National Inventors Hall of Fame, Inc., of North Canton, OH.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
David Guzman, Purchasing Agent
Dr. Kevin Cuppett, Executive Director, Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation
SUBMITTED BY:
Bill Meekins, CPPB, CPPO, NIGP-CPP, CSBO, CPCP, Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff has reviewed the attached contract renewal and recommends approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This recommendation is to renew the contract for the purchase of fresh produce to be served by the Food and Nutrition Services.
Staff recommends that RFP 20FS1, Fresh Farm Food Products be renewed to Catoctin Mountain Orchard of Thurmont, Maryland and Moon Valley Farm of Woodsboro, Maryland.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Roy McHaffa, Purchasing Agent
Robert Kelly, Director, Food and Nutrition Services
SUBMITTED BY:
Bill Meekins, CPPB, CPPO, NIGP-CPP, CSBO, CPCP, Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: To seek Board of Education approval of grant funds to support career and technology education.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: FCPS has been awarded a $417,254 Perkins Grant from the Maryland State Department of Education.
The federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Program (Perkins V) provides funds to states for the development and implementation of career and technology education (CTE) programs. Perkins requires that states distribute these funds by formula to local education agencies and community colleges that offer CTE programs.
Grant funds will be used to support the following CTE programs at our comprehensive high schools and the Career and Technology Center:
Funds have also been allocated to FCPS Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Program ($17,622) to support the costs associated with an apprenticeship software system that will assist staff in effectively managing FCPS apprenticeship programs.
Minimal funds ($1,226) have been allocated to the purchase of technology for administrative staff. Lastly, funds have been set aside for the indirect costs associated with this project ($5,038)
Acceptance of this grant does not obligate FCPS to expend additional local resources.
Staff recommends approval of this grant.
PROCESS STATEMENT: According to FCPS Regulation 500-21, all grant awards over $50,000 must be approved by the Board of Education.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kristine Pearl, Supervisor, Career & Technology Education
SUBMITTED BY:
Michael Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
Kevin Cuppett, Ed.D., Chief Academic Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: To seek Board of Education approval of grant funds to support Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) Pre-Kindergarten program.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: FCPS has been awarded a $3,872,872 Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) Expansion Grant from the Maryland State Department of Education to support the addition of 360 Pre-K slots at six elementary schools (Butterfly Ridge, Hillcrest, Lincoln, Valley, Walkersville and Waverley) and Thurmont Primary School
Grant funds will be used to cover the salary and fringe benefit costs of 18 Pre-K teachers, 18 instructional assistants and eight English Learner instructional assistants ($3,383,417). Grant funds will also be used to provide enrichment learning opportunities that will increase kindergarten readiness ($39,675). Pre-K students will participate in field trips that will assist in building knowledge, vocabulary and social and emotional skills ($26,700). Supplies and materials, including furniture, will be purchased to support two new Pre-K classrooms (one each at Lincoln and Waverley), as well as provide instructional materials Pre-K programs at the seven schools ($146,000).
Grant funds will cover the costs of quarterly family engagement events at the seven schools ($181,720). Costs of these events include dinner and materials that will promote continued learning at home, as well as per diem pay for teachers and assistants to work beyond the school day to support the events.
Teachers will engage in professional learning on Instructional Quality Review (IQR) as well as attend the Ready at Five symposia ($29,610). Grant funds are also allocated to assist schools with promoting and advertising Pre-K opportunities ($15,750). Lastly, funds have been allocated to support indirect costs associated with this grant ($50,000).
Acceptance of this grant does not obligate FCPS to expend additional local resources.
Staff recommends approval of this grant.
PROCESS STATEMENT: According to FCPS Regulation 500-21, all grant awards over $50,000 must be approved by the Board of Education.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Leslie Frei, Supervisor of Early Childhood Education and Judy Centers
SUBMITTED BY:
Michael Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
Kevin Cuppett, Ed.D., Chief Academic Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
To share with the Board of Education the updated Parent/Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct document and the systemic implementation plan for this school year.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) has always had high expectations for positive student behavior. The updated Parent/Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct reinforces system goals, promotes consistent behavioral expectations for students, provides an expectation of consistent and progressive responses to behavioral incidents by FCPS staff, and supports students with increasing behavioral and mental health concerns.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
FCPS staff will share information about the process used for updating the Parent/Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct document, the professional learning that has been provided for school-based staff and bus drivers and the communication plan implemented with FCPS families.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Dana Falls, Director, Student Services
Reggie Gunter, Principal, Monocacy Middle School
Troy Keller, Director, Special Education
Kim Muniz, Supervisor, Mental Health and Psychological Services
Tom Saunders, Director, System Accountability and School Administration
SUBMITTED BY:
Dr. Jamie Aliveto, Chief, System Accountability and School Administration
Dr. Mike Markoe, Deputy Superintendent
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
The Calendar Committee seeks parameters from the Board in order to develop the 2025-26 academic school year draft calendar.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
The Board of Education has charged the Calendar Committee with developing a 2025-26 school year academic calendar. The Calendar Committee is comprised of representative stakeholders from the FCPS Community.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
The FCPS Calendar Committee is a diverse committee representing a variety of stakeholder groups. The Board of Education will send out a FindOutFirst in August of 2023 advertising for potential members to serve on the committee to replace members who have chosen not to continue. Applications will be reviewed and representatives will be selected. The membership of the committee is a diverse cross-section of both community and FCPS stakeholders. In addition to the parent and community members who serve on the committee, community members always have the opportunity to offer feedback via the FCPS website and at Board of Education meetings.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Eric Louers-Phillips, DOL, Associate Superintendent, Public Affairs, Committee Chair
SUBMITTED BY:
Eric Louers-Phillips, DOL, Associate Superintendent, Public Affairs, Committee Chair
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
Policy 102.D.7 Community Listening Sessions states:
SUBMITTED BY:
Rae Gallagher, Board Member
Dean Rose, Board Vice President
Karen Yoho, Board Member
In accordance with Maryland's Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-305(b),(1), (2) and (7) the Board will meet in Closed Session at 4:00 pm in the Board Room to consider and appoint new members to the Family Life Advisory Committee (FLAC), to discuss personnel matters, and to consult with Counsel to receive legal advice.
In accordance with Maryland's Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-305(b),(1), (2) and (7) the Board met in Closed Session at 4:00 pm today in the Board Room to consider and appoint new members to the Family Life Advisory Committee (FLAC), to discuss personnel matters, and to consult with Counsel to receive legal advice.
In accordance with Maryland's Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-104, the Board met in Administrative Function at 4:30 p.m. today in the Board Room to discuss Board responsibilities as stated in the Superintendent's Employment Contract, to discuss Board procedures for requesting an addition of an agenda item, and to discuss Board procedures as stated in the Board Norms.
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: To recognize Dr. Suzanne Dashiell Elder as the recipient of the 2023 Charles E. Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: Dr. Elder has more than 20 years of experience in Frederick County Public Schools, all at Urbana High. Dr. Elder is a distinguished teacher who has been active in the district wide secondary science community. She is a caring teacher who not only teaches her students science and critical thinking, but also inspires them to enjoy what they are learning. Dr. Elder has a passion for teaching that shines through to her students.
The late Samuel Eig of Gaithersburg, Maryland established the Charles E. Tressler Award to recognize Dr. Tressler, a Giles professor emeritus of early childhood education who taught at Hood College from 1964 to 1990. Dr. Tressler chaired Hood's education department for 18 years and served on the school's graduate school council for 12 years. The Tressler Award is presented annually to honor distinguished teaching in Frederick County Public Schools. It recognizes an FCPS teacher who has had a significant impact on young people.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
Dr. Louers-Phillips will make a brief statement regarding the award and Sue Johnson, Board of Education President, will present Dr. Elder with a Board pin and an award.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Eric Louers-Phillips, DOL, Associate Superintendent, Public Affairs
SUBMITTED BY:
Eric Louers-Phillips, DOL, Associate Superintendent, Public Affairs
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) is proud to recognize the 2023-2024 Frederick County Teacher of the Year, Nicole Rhoades.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Nicole Rhoades earned a Bachelor's of Science in biology from Salisbury University. After achieving National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Science in 2013, she served as a coach for others pursuing this certification. Prior to joining the Windsor Knolls Middle faculty, Ms. Rhoades taught in Baltimore County and conducted biomedical research at Johns Hopkins Medical Research. Rhoades has earned several honors in her teaching career, including an Excellence in Gifted & Talented Education award. She is also a past nominee for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson notified Ms. Rhoades that she earned the award during a SurPRIZE Patrol visit to Windsor Knolls Middle on April 26. Dr. Dyson was joined by students, teachers, administrators and community and education leaders.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
Dr. Louers-Phillips will make a brief statement regarding the award and will introduce Ms. Nichole Rhoades. Board President Johnson will present Ms. Rhoades with a Board pin. Ms. Johnson will then invite Ms. Rhoades to make remarks.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Eric Louers-Phillips, DOL, Associate Superintendent, Public Affairs
SUBMITTED BY:
Eric Louers-Phillips, DOL, Associate Superintendent, Public Affairs
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
To recognize Mr. Justin McConnaughey as a finalist for the 2023 Washington Post Principal of the Year Award.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The Washington Post Principal of the Year Award recognizes principals who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their position to create an exceptional educational environment.
Hillcrest Elementary's Justin McConnaughey has been with FCPS for 20 years serving first as a physical education teacher then assistant principal and later as principal. Prior to becoming Hillcrest's principal, he served as principal at Brunswick Elementary. McConnaughey was an assistant principal at Spring Ridge Elementary and Walkersville Elementary. In 2016, he was named a National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year.
McConnaughey earned both a bachelor of arts degree in Education and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Shepherd University. Mr. McConnaughey represented FCPS as a finalist for the 2023 Washington Post Principal of the Year award.
The Washington Post awards were established to encourage excellence in school leadership and to contribute in a substantive way to the improvement of education in the Washington metropolitan area.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
Dr. Louers-Phillips will briefly describe the Washington Post Principal of the Year process. Board President Johnson will present Mr. McConnaughey with a Board pin.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Eric Louers-Phillips, DOL, Associate Superintendent, Public Affairs
SUBMITTED BY:
Eric Louers-Phillips, DOL, Associate Superintendent, Public Affairs
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
To recognize Ms. Mary Geasey as a finalist for the 2023 Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
The Washington Post recognizes teachers who exemplify excellence in their profession.
Walkersville Elementary School's Mary Geasey is a special education instructor who's been a teacher with FCPS for 18 years. Prior to joining Walkersville Elementary, she taught at Middletown Primary and Kemptown Elementary. Ms. Geasey is in the Vanguard Teacher program and is a member of both the Teacher Advisory Council and the Frederick County Teacher Association's Leadership Development committee.
She earned a master's degree in Special Education from Frostburg State University, a master of arts in Elementary Education from West Virginia University (WVA) and a bachelor of arts degree in Multi-Disciplinary Studies from WVA.
Ms. Geasey was nominated to be a finalist for the 2023 Washington Post Teacher of the Year award. The regional winner was announced on April 25, 2023.
In addition to recognizing excellence in teaching, the goal of the Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award has been to contribute to improvements in education in the Washington Metropolitan area.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
Dr. Louers-Phillips will briefly describe the Washington Post Teacher of the Year process. Board President Johnson will present Ms. Geasey with a Board pin.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Eric Louers-Phillips, DOL, Associate Superintendent, Public Affairs
SUBMITTED BY:
Eric Louers-Phillips, DOL, Associate Superintendent, Public Affairs
The Board views public comment as an opportunity to hear concerns of the public, with the understanding and expectation that it is not considered a question and answer platform with Board members. Consequently, the Board will not provide a response to public comment presented in its meeting or by submission of a written comment, although it may follow-up with the individual as may be appropriate.
Public comment will be received by the Board on issues relating to the school system, except those that pertain to individual personnel issues, complaints identifying individual students, matters that are on appeal, or advertising or solicitations for products or services. If individuals have specific concerns relating to actions of staff members, such concerns may be communicated to the Superintendent.
Allocated Public Comment Time:
Pre-Registration:
For those persons wishing to speak, the Board will provide the opportunity to pre-register for public comment. The window to pre-register will open five (5) days in advance of each scheduled Board meeting concurrent with the public posting of the meeting agenda and will close two (2) days before the scheduled Board meeting. A person wishing to speak may pre-register by completing the form linked here or by calling (301) 696-6965.
Same-Day/Walk-In Registration:
For those persons wishing to speak who do not pre-register or who are not selected to speak from those who do pre-register, the Board will provide the opportunity to sign-up for public comment thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of the regular evening meeting. Speakers will be asked to provide the same information as those who pre-register by completing the registration form electronically on a device that will be made available by the Board for such purpose. Registration will close no later than five (5) minutes before the start of the meeting.
Written Comments:
Individuals are provided the opportunity to and encouraged to submit written comments electronically and email them to BoardPublicComment@fcps.org. Written comments must be submitted as a PDF attachment (strongly preferred) or a Microsoft Word document with the .doc or .docx extension and will be uploaded to BoardDocs as part of the official meeting record. Comments in the body of an e-mail will not be accepted.
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
In February 2022, several members of the of the Board of Education of Frederick County expressed an interest in exploring the installation and use of cameras in Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) specialized programs. Staff will provide a summary of their findings surrounding the possible camera pilot program.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Through collaboration with the Frederick County Teachers Association (FCTA) and specialized programs staff, a survey was developed and implemented to query the level of support for a camera pilot program.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Stephanie Happel, Expressions Program Coordinator
Erin Horman, Assistant Principal, Centerville Elementary School
Michael Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
SUBMITTED BY:
Michael Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: To provide the Board with an overview of the Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG) findings and recommendations from the special education services audit/review.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: In May of 2022, FCPS convened a Blue Ribbon Task Force, consisting of central and school-based staff members, parents, and community members, charged with reviewing current programming and practices associated with FCPS specialized programs. In addition, the Task Force explored proactive best practices for behavioral intervention. Through the recommendations of the Task Force, program structures, resources and training will be augmented to guarantee optimal outcomes for the students of FCPS. The Blue Ribbon Task Force recommended a neutral third party to evaluate, investigate, and audit special education programming and provide recommendations for our district. In December 2022, FCPS engaged with PCG to conduct an independent audit/review of its special education services. The presentation will report on the findings from the audit and make recommendations to guide the department towards continuous improvement.
PROCESS STATEMENT: The neutral third-party audit conducted by Public Consulting Group was a mixed methods research design study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Focus groups, interviews, surveys, observations, data and document analysis was used to determine strengths and opportunities for improvement. Sixteen recommendations will be shared with draft action plans for two recommendations.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Jennifer Bingman, Associate Superintendent, Special Education and Student Services
Dr. Jennifer Meller, Project Director and Associate Manager, Public Consulting Group
Matthew Scott, Senior Consultant, Public Consulting Group
SUBMITTED BY:
Jennifer Bingman, Associate Superintendent, Special Education and Student Services
Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent