Attached for your information is a copy of the County requested “CIP Project Status Report” for the quarter ending September 30, 2014.

This report provides information concerning the financial status for all projects currently active with the construction fund, and for projects that are completed but have a remaining budget balance.  The document lists the projects in two categories – major projects including new schools, major renovations and additions, and systemic renovation projects.  Details concerning an individual project are available upon request.  Please note projects solely funded by the State are excluded from this report.

This report is being presented as an informational item; no action is necessary.

PRESENTERS:    Heather Clabaugh, Accountant, Fiscal Services Division

School Construction Budget Amendment 15-06 transfers the remaining balance from the Lincoln Elementary Addition/Modernization and a portion of the anticipated surplus from the Urbana Elementary Renovation Feasibility Study and Career and Technology Center Roof Replacement projects to the Urbana Middle Fitout/Renovation. 

The architect’s estimate for the Urbana Middle Fitout/Renovation exceeds the FCPS budget.  The requested additional funds are required to move the project forward.  FCPS anticipates bidding the project in December 2014, with construction to commence in January 2015.  The project is scheduled to be complete by August 2015.

This budget transfer is consistent with terms and conditions for capital budget transfers included in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the County Commissioners and Board of Education dated May 30, 2013.

Staff will be available to answer questions about these projects at the meeting.

PRESENTERS:    Heather Clabaugh, Accountant, Fiscal Services Division

Staff reviewed the above referenced request for proposals and recommends approval by the Board of Education as part of its consent agenda.

The Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) Facilities Services division staff has been reviewing future plans for the development called Linganore Town Center (LTC).  This section of Lake Linganore is located next to Oakdale High School (HS) and includes about 1200 houses, along with commercial uses.

The developer and Frederick County Planning staff have approached FCPS staff about a proposal to extend a new road along the southern edge of the Oakdale HS property, connecting the LTC project with another future development called Oakdale Village.   Part, if not most, of this new road encroaches on the Oakdale HS property.  FCPS staff does not support the new road as currently shown, since it unnecessarily impacts Oakdale HS property.   We have recommended the alignment of the new road be pushed further south onto the adjoining property owned by the developer, or be eliminated altogether.  Frederick County Planning staff has indicated this road provides an important connection between two large residential developments, and this consideration supersedes concerns about the loss of Oakdale HS property. 

The Frederick County Board of Education (BOE) Policy 202.6 allows the superintendent or designee to approve rights-of-ways or easements if less than one acre in size.  However, given that FCPS staff is not in support of the alignment, the developer and the Frederick County Planning staff are appealing to the BOE for consideration of their request.  They are requesting time on a future BOE agenda to present their case as per the memo (Backup 1) from Jim Gugel, Director of the Department of Planning and Development Review.  The BOE will be asked at the meeting on November 5, 2014, if this matter should be scheduled for further consideration.

PRESENTER:          Ray Barnes, Executive Director, Facilities Services Division

The new West Frederick City Area Elementary School (WFCAES) has been granted planning and site approval by the State Interagency Committee for School Construction and the Board of Public Works.  The design is for a preK-5 school. Design funding by the Board of County Commissioners of Frederick County has been approved for Fiscal Year 2015.

A Board of Education of Frederick County (BOE) work session held on July 9, 2014, reviewed the prototype design.  There was consensus that ongoing WFCAES project status reports with opportunities for community participation would be planned.

As part of the outreach plan to the community, the BOE met on September 17, 2014, at Hillcrest Elementary School.  Staff gave the first status report, presenting information about the WFCAES design, location, construction schedule, and redistricting process.  Following the presentation, community members engaged in a question and answer session with the BOE.

This work session will serve as the second WFCAES status report.  Staff will review information shared at the September 17 work session.  Additionally, the BOE and staff will discuss paired school considerations.  Staff will also share details regarding future community engagement opportunities.  Finally, following the work session discussion between the BOE and staff, the BOE will invite the community to share views during time designated for public comment.

PRESENTERS:  Ann N. Bonitatibus, Chief Operating Officer

                        Ray Barnes, Executive Director of Facilities Services

                        Michael Doerrer, Director of Communications, Community Engagement

                              and Marketing

                        Mark Pritts, Instructional Director for Elementary Schools   

In accordance with Maryland's Open Meetings Act, Section 10-508(a)(1), the Board of Education met in Closed Session on October 28, 2014, at 1:05 p.m. in Conference Room 1A to discuss a performance evaluation.

Governor Martin O’Malley proclaimed November 10-14, 2014, as School Psychology Week in Maryland.  In the fall of 2010, with the passage of Senate Resolution 631 and House Resolution 1645, the U.S. Congress acknowledged in the Federal Register that “school psychologists are highly trained individuals that work directly with students, teachers, and families to form collaborations that meet the educational needs of our children.”  When Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) initially introduced this Resolution to the House at that time, he announced that “School psychologists can play an important role in increasing a student’s engagement in school.  School psychologists are a vital resource in helping us narrow the achievement gap and reducing disproportionate representation of students from diverse backgrounds in special education.”

In addition to performing psychological assessments, Frederick County Public School (FCPS) psychologists help children succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally.  They help FCPS staff meet the needs of our culturally diverse population, promote appropriate academic and behavioral interventions to ensure student success, and provide professional development to staff, parents and community members.  School psychologists evaluate and address violence-risk concerns, provide assistance with positive behavior intervention plans, and provide short-term individual and group counseling.

In Governor O’Malley’s Proclamation (attached) he acknowledges that school psychologists play a valuable role in leaving no child behind and making Maryland’s schools the finest in the nation.  Tonight we recognize the valuable contribution our school psychologists make to all FCPS school communities.

PRESENTER:     Ann Hammond, Supervisor, Psychological Services

Drug resources on FCPS website:  http://www.fcps.org/page/138

School Construction Budget Amendment 15-06 transfers the remaining balance from the Lincoln Elementary Addition/Modernization and a portion of the anticipated surplus from the Urbana Elementary Renovation Feasibility Study and Career and Technology Center Roof Replacement projects to the Urbana Middle Fitout/Renovation. 

The architect’s estimate for the Urbana Middle Fitout/Renovation exceeds the FCPS budget.  The requested additional funds are required to move the project forward.  FCPS anticipates bidding the project in December 2014, with construction to commence in January 2015.  The project is scheduled to be complete by August 2015.

This budget transfer is consistent with terms and conditions for capital budget transfers included in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the County Commissioners and Board of Education dated May 30, 2013.

Staff will be available to answer questions about these projects at the meeting.

PRESENTERS:    Heather Clabaugh, Accountant, Fiscal Services Division

Staff reviewed the above referenced request for proposals and recommends approval by the Board of Education as part of its consent agenda.

Over the past several years, Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) middle schools have transitioned away from Maryland School Assessment Program performance standards to the more rigorous Maryland College and Career Readiness Standards (MCCRS).  During this transition period, a new middle school schedule has been implemented, an infusion of digital devices and resources have been introduced, a new teacher and principal evaluation system has been instituted and a focus on supporting staff and students through these many changes has been expanded.

Attached is a middle school update report, “Moving Forward in the Middle,” a collaborative effort of two departments: (1) School Administration & Leadership (SAL), and (2) Curriculum, Instruction & Innovation (CII).  This report highlights the progress that has been made in FCPS middle schools over the past few years. Staff will share information about student learning and engagement, stakeholder feedback, technological expression and delivery and action steps moving forward.

Goal 2  Every student will learn in an intellectually challenging environment, prepared as a life-long learner to excel in college, further study and the workplace.

Goal 6  Every division and school will have sufficient resources and will manage those resources in a publicly accountable and cost-effective manner.

PRESENTERS:

           Thomas M. Saunders, Instructional Director of Middle Schools (SAL)

Brett Stark, Curriculum Director (CII)

Jeanine Molock, Ph.D., Director of Research Development & Accountability (RDA)

Mita Badshah, Principal, Ballenger Creek Middle School

Barbara Keiling, Principal, Brunswick Middle School

Stephanie Ware, Principal, Oakdale Middle School

This presentation will update the Board of Education of Frederick County (BOE) on the current status of Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) conservation efforts associated with recycling and school construction.

BOE Policy 204 states: “It is the goal of the board that Frederick County Public Schools employees and students have an awareness and understanding of the effects of their actions upon the environment in which they live and work. It is an expectation that the superintendent develop and implement procedures for a system wide program of environmental awareness with the primary focus for employees and students to reduce, reuse, recycle and conserve resources.”

Information will be presented on current techniques used in the construction and renovation of FCPS buildings in support of resource and energy conservation.  This presentation will focus on the recently constructed North Frederick Elementary School and Lincoln Elementary School projects, the first silver “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEEDS) projects.

Also presented will be the current recycling program within FCPS. This program is coordinated with Frederick County Division of Utilities and Solid Waste Management.  Annmarie Creamer, Frederick County’s Recycling Program Outreach Coordinator, will assist in the presentation. She will provide examples of how schools support FCPS efforts associated with recycling.  

The presentation includes a short video of how single stream recycling works. This video is presented to FCPS staff as part of training associated with recycling. It was prepared by the FCPS recycling vendor, Waste Management, Inc.            

PRESENTERS:    Brad Ahalt, Senior Project Manager

                          Larry Phillips, Custodian Support Specialist

                          Annmarie Creamer, Recycling Program Outreach Coordinator, Frederick County

The Community Foundation of Frederick County, through its Henry E. Droneburg Memorial Fund, has awarded Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) a $1,036 grant to support art education at Governor Thomas Johnson High School.

Per the restrictions of the Droneburg Memorial Fund, grant monies will be used to purchase supplies for the art department at Governor Thomas Johnson High.

Acceptance of this $1,036 grant does not obligate FCPS to expend additional local resources.

Goal 5 – All sectors of the community will be engaged in the education of our children.