PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff has reviewed the attached proposal and recommends approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This recommendation is for the relocation and design build of modular classrooms throughout Frederick County for FY15.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Bill Meekins, CPPB, CPCP, Buyer Specialist
Tony Ray, Project Manager III
SUBMITTED BY:
Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M., Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Executive Director of Fiscal Services
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff has reviewed the attached proposal and recommends approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This recommendation is to establish a contract to remove, configure and replace the asphalt and track surface at Walkersville High School.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kim Miskell, Assistant Purchasing Manager
Tony Ray, Project Manager III
SUBMITTED BY:
Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M., Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Executive Director of Fiscal Services
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff has reviewed the attached proposal and recommends approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This recommendation is to establish a contract for the replacement of approximately 25,345 square feet of roof section and all associated work at New Market Elementary School.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kim Miskell, Assistant Purchasing Manager
Ryan Carter, Project Manager III
SUBMITTED BY:
Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M., Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Executive Director of Fiscal Services
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff has reviewed the attached proposal and recommends approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This recommendation is to establish a contract for the replacement of approximately 31,765 square feet of roof section and all associated work at Brunswick Middle School.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kim Miskell, Assistant Purchasing Manager
Brian Staiger, Senior Project Manager
SUBMITTED BY:
Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M., Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Executive Director of Fiscal Services
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff has reviewed the attached furniture and equipment list and recommends approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This recommendation is for the approval of the list of furniture and equipment to be purchased for Urbana Middle School Lower Level Fit-Out project.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kim Miskell, Assistant Purchasing Manager
Tom Saunders, Middle School Instructional Director
SUBMITTED BY:
Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M., Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Executive Director of Fiscal Services
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff seeks Board of Education approval of Current Expense Amendment #3-15.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: Current expense amendment #3-15 is needed to align expenses by category for two large grants (the Race to the Top Local Education Agency Assessment Grant and the Maryland Digital Learning Innovation Fund) that were received after the FY 2015 budget was approved.
PROCESS STATEMENT: N/A
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Robert G. Reilly, Director, Budget & Finance
SUBMITTED BY:
Leslie Pellegrino, Executive Director of Fiscal Services
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff seeks Board of Education approval of Current Expense Amendment #4-15.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: Current expense amendment #4-15 is needed because the cost of non-public placements of disabled students is higher than the approved budget. As compared to last year, Frederick County Public Schools has seen an increase in the number of total placements, more residential student placements and fewer student discharges.
PROCESS STATEMENT: N/A
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Robert G. Reilly, Director, Budget & Finance
SUBMITTED BY:
Leslie Pellegrino, Executive Director of Fiscal Services
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
This presentation will provide an overview of the life insurance coverage offered to current retirees and a recommendation by the Human Resources staff to utilize actual retiree premium rates and amend the cost share between the school system and the retirees to reduce costs for the school system.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
FCPS currently offers retirees the opportunity to continue group term life insurance equal to one times annual salary, capped at $50,000. The premium rate is blended with the active employee rate, and FCPS contributes 25% toward the cost of the premium.
Current coverage levels and number of retirees who continue life insurance follow:
$25,000 or less | 312 |
Between $25,001 and $49,999 | 399 |
$50,000 | 956 |
Total retirees with life insurance coverage as of 1-31-15 | 1,667 |
16/24 schools systems recently responded to a survey regarding life insurance benefits offered to their retirees. Based on the responses:
The Human Resources staff recommends the following changes to the retiree life insurance benefits effective July 1, 2015:
Staff recommends maintaining the same level of coverage for current retirees since many selected their monthly pension option based on the life insurance offered to them at retirement.
Any changes in retiree life insurance benefits will be taken into consideration during the next bi-annual OPEB actuarial report.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
Human Resources staff sought input from our internal accountants for modeling savings scenarios based on charging retirees the new rate quoted by our life insurance vendor and changing the cost share between FCPS and the retirees. Potential savings are included in the attached spreadsheet. Staff sought input from Maryland school systems to assess how our retiree life benefits compare to other systems. Staff also obtained life insurance rates from large commercial entities such as AARP and AAA to compare with our recommended rates. These commercial rates are attached for information.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Colette Baker, Senior Manager – Benefits and Wellness
SUBMITTED BY:
Paula Lawton, Executive Director, Human Resources Division
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff will present information on a new model for managing partnerships between Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) and businesses and other community organizations.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban charged Communication Services with developing a new approach for proactively managing and administering FCPS’s partnerships with businesses and other community organizations. In particular, she was seeking to develop an approach that fostered more transparency, consistency, and accountability. Her overarching goal was to ensure that FCPS had a clear and reliable process for working with organizations that wish to partner with FCPS to advance our strategic goals and enhance student achievement. The new model that was developed has several features. First, it clearly defines the various kinds of partnerships in which FCPS engages, from relationships that have strategic, system-wide reach, to one-on-one relationships between organizations and individual schools. The new model also defines roles and responsibilities and step-by-step standard operating procedures for initiating, managing, and evaluating partnerships.
PROCESS STATEMENT: Superintendent Alban charged Communication Services with developing a new model for partnerships in June 2014. Communication Services presented its preliminary work to Cabinet in September 2014. It then presented its work at a Principals Advisory Council meeting in October 2014 and to the Family/Community Engagement Council in February 2015. A final presentation was made to Cabinet in March 2015.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Michael Doerrer, Director, Communications, Community Engagement and Marketing
Tiana Haile, Community Engagement Coordinator
SUBMITTED BY: Ann N. Bonitatibus, Ed.D., Chief Operating Officer
Musical selection "America the Beautiful - 2nd & 3rd verses" performed by Mrs. Kocher's First Grade Class and Mrs. Goldstein's Fifth Grade Class, under the direction of Sharon Cheek at New Market Elementary School
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: School Library Month Recognition
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
The American Association of School Librarian officials and local and national dignitaries recognized April as School Library month on April 1, 1985, with a ceremony on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol. Then Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan delivered the keynote address. Senator Moynihan told the school librarians in the audience, "I want to thank you for what you do. I hope you know how important your work is. You change lives for the better. You touch people while they can still be touched." The theme of the first national observance of School Library Month was "Where Learning Never Ends: The School Library Media Center."
In 2010, the name of the celebration was changed nationally to School Library Month after the Board of Directors voted to readopt the professional title “school librarian,” from the former school library media specialist.
Studies continue to show that schools staffed with a certified school librarian do in fact make a difference in a child’s life: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/advocacyuniversity/additup
Schools in Frederick County celebrate this month in a variety of ways, most of which include reading, book fairs or a visit by an author.
PROCESS STATEMENT: N/A
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Mary Jo Richmond, Supervisor, Media Services, Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation
SUBMITTED BY: Kevin Cuppett, Ed.D., Executive Director, Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Recognition of the Month of the Young Child
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
To provide information about activities in Frederick for the Month of the Young Child, specifically the Children’s Festival on April 25, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Baker Park.
PROCESS STATEMENT: N/A
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Cathy Nusbaum, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education and Judy Center
SUBMITTED BY:
Kevin Cuppett, Ed.D., Executive Director, Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: To recognize and honor Pupil Personnel Workers (PPWs). Kathleen Hartsock will introduce each PPW and a video will be shown.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: Pupil Personnel Workers are certified professionals trained to assess student needs, serve as student advocates and facilitate or provide appropriate services. They recognize that behaviors such as absenteeism, disruption and disrespect, as well as dysfunction in the family can prevent students from achieving their academic potential. PPWs recognize and value the role families play in student success. They encourage family and school communication by promoting family involvement in the educational process. PPWs also work to ensure equitable and consistent implementation of student-related laws, regulations, school policies and procedures.
PROCESS STATEMENT: N/A
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kathleen Hartsock, Director of Student Services
Pupil Personnel Workers
Joh Burau
Jim Corley
Amanda Furajter
Cindy Glass
Brenda Harne
Michael Hombach
Sharon Joseph
Heather Krystofiak
Tim Policastro
SUBMITTED BY:
Tracey Lucas, Executive Director of School Administration & Leadership PreK-12
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
This presentation will provide an overview of the life insurance coverage offered to current retirees and a recommendation by the Human Resources staff to utilize actual retiree premium rates and amend the cost share between the school system and the retirees to reduce costs for the school system.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
FCPS currently offers retirees the opportunity to continue group term life insurance equal to one times annual salary, capped at $50,000. The premium rate is blended with the active employee rate, and FCPS contributes 25% toward the cost of the premium.
Current coverage levels and number of retirees who continue life insurance follow:
$25,000 or less | 312 |
Between $25,001 and $49,999 | 399 |
$50,000 | 956 |
Total retirees with life insurance coverage as of 1-31-15 | 1,667 |
16/24 schools systems recently responded to a survey regarding life insurance benefits offered to their retirees. Based on the responses:
The Human Resources staff recommends the following changes to the retiree life insurance benefits effective July 1, 2015:
Staff recommends maintaining the same level of coverage for current retirees since many selected their monthly pension option based on the life insurance offered to them at retirement.
Any changes in retiree life insurance benefits will be taken into consideration during the next bi-annual OPEB actuarial report.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
Human Resources staff sought input from our internal accountants for modeling savings scenarios based on charging retirees the new rate quoted by our life insurance vendor and changing the cost share between FCPS and the retirees. Potential savings are included in the attached spreadsheet. Staff sought input from Maryland school systems to assess how our retiree life benefits compare to other systems. Staff also obtained life insurance rates from large commercial entities such as AARP and AAA to compare with our recommended rates. These commercial rates are attached for information.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Colette Baker, Senior Manager – Benefits and Wellness
SUBMITTED BY:
Paula Lawton, Executive Director, Human Resources Division
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: At the Board's request, SECAC submits an annual report of activities and progress for the previous school year.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The Frederick County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) was officially established in December, 2004. This is an active committee of 28 members, representing parents of students with disabilities, FCPS staff, and community members who make every effort to include a high school student with special needs as part of their membership. Meetings are held monthly from September to May and are open to the public. For the 2014-15 school year, SECAC has identified the following priority areas for subcommittee focus:
The Membership Subcommittee is an outstanding team that works throughout the year to maintain SECAC membership as outlined in the bylaws.
PROCESS STATEMENT: SECAC has established that an annual retreat will be held at the end of each school year to review their work, make recommendations and commendations for the Board report, and establish priorities for the coming year.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Dan Martz, Director of Special Education & Psychological Services
Bob Walsh, SECAC Chairperson
SUBMITTED BY:
Bob Walsh, SECAC Chairperson
Dan Martz, Director of Special Education & Psychological Services
Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: To provide Board members information and recommendations on the format and content of FCPS Board policies and the process for approval and ongoing review of Board polices.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The Board of Education of Frederick County directed the newly formed Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) to conduct a comprehensive review of Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) policy development, adoption and implementation. Based on the review, the CAC has produced a report sharing findings and recommendations to the Board.
PROCESS STATEMENT: Since the initial December 2 meeting, The CAC has met five times. At a meeting on December 18, 2014, the Council organized into three work groups with the purpose of collecting information specifically related to their charge.
Work Group 1: Format and content of Board policies
Work Group 2: Accessibility of Board policies
Work Group 3: Process for Board policy review and approval
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S): Kyle Bostian, Citizens Advisory Council Chair
SUBMITTED BY: Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
The Board will receive updates on legislation on which it has taken positions, or legislation that will likely affect the school system if should they be passed. This will be the final legislative update the Board will receive before sine die on April 13, 2015.