Section 4-205 Appeal of Cindy A. Rose.

The Board of Education has scheduled Oral Arguments in the Appeal of Cindy A. Rose, pursuant to Board Policy 105.7 to be heard in the Board Room of the Central Office Building, 191 South East Street, Frederick, MD.

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: 

To clarify the process for appealing grades based on questions the Board of Education (BOE) received from several parents regarding their child's grade on the CRES. exam

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: 

Several parents asked the BOE to consider excluding the score from the CRES exam in the calculation of student grades for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.  Parents questioned whether or not the exam aligned with the curriculum, wondered if instruction of the new standards was appropriate, and expressed concerned that the majority of students had failed the exam.

Per Board Policy 105 and Regulation 500-05, appeals of grades are to be handled at the school level and the decision of the principal is considered final.  Parents may appeal the principal's decision to the Board if a policy is violated or due process is not followed for the student.  Therefore, the BOE asked the Superintendent to evaluate if there was a systemic issue with the exams that should be addressed.  The Superintendent and staff reviewed data and interviewed both central office and school-based staff regarding the concerns raised by parents. 

The findings are summarized below:

• The majority of students did in fact, pass the CRES exams in these 3 courses.  For high school students, about 1/3 of the students did fail these exams in both 2014 and 2015.  For middle school students in 2015, only 1 student failed the exam.  These pass/fail rates in math final exams align with results we have historically seen with the Algebra HSA, where typically 60% of high school test takers passed on their first attempt.
• The current CRES exam is aligned with the curricular standards for each of these courses.  That alignment and quality of the items were confirmed by a vendor who compared our tests to the vendor's item bank for these new standards and felt our items were of higher quality.
• There were 104 teachers providing instruction in these 3 math courses in 2014-2015. Many of these teachers' classes had significant numbers of students who passed the CRES exams.  It would be unfair to say that the instruction provided to students was not adequate.  The connection among curriculum, assessment, instruction, and grading practices is complex. To understand the reason behind a student's grade for a term versus a final exam is best addressed at the school level; the nuances and decisions made by individual teachers have to be considered before any grade change is considered.

The Superintendent and staff did not believe it was possible to identify a single systemic issue regarding the CRES scores and therefore did not feel that a systemic solution should be applied.  The procedures outlined in Regulation 500-05 will allow any parent who is concerned about the grade a student received to address that concern with the principal.

PROCESS STATEMENT: 

Regulation 500-05 states that a student and/or parent/legal guardian may only appeal the principal’s decision (regarding a grade change) for alleged violations of procedures or violations of a student’s due process in accordance with Board Policy 105. Otherwise, the principal’s decision in the matter is final. 

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE (S):  Theresa R. Alban, Ph.D., Superintendent 

SUBMITTED BY:  Theresa R. Alban, Ph.D., Superintendent 

In accordance with Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-305(b),(1), (7), the Board will meet in Closed Session at 3:34 p.m. in room 5A to discuss performance evaluation and to receive advice of counsel and appeal.  

The Board welcomes and encourages public comment. With the exception of confidential and personnel related matters, individuals may speak about matters relating to the school system. If individuals have specific concerns relating to the actions of staff members, such concerns may be communicated to the superintendent who will address the concern with the appropriate staff or if the concern is about the superintendent an individual may share that concern with the Board through written or private verbal communication.

If you are speaking as an individual you have up to 3 minutes and I ask that when the buzzer goes off that you complete your thoughts.  On behalf of an organization you have up to 5 minutes.

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:

To recognize the Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) recipient of the 2015 Parent Involvement Matters Award (PIMA) as recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:

In its eighth year, this annual award program recognizes parents and legal guardians for their exceptional support of public education.  Tracy Herald, a long-time volunteer at Kemptown Elementary School (KES), was selected by the MSDE as the recipient of this year's award.  Ms. Herald is one of 24 winners in Maryland.

MSDE selected Ms. Herald to receive this award because of her passion and commitment to family-school engagement.  She recently served two terms as PTA president.  She consistently collaborated with school administrators and parents to provide outstanding opportunities for all students' families to be involved at the school.  Spearheading Kemptown's first STEM Night in 2012, and building on its success in subsequent years with an afterschool STEM Club, are activities many cite when describing positive differences Ms. Herald has made for students, families and staff.  Ms. Herald is also a classroom volunteer and has served as PTA County Council representative and chair of the school's Family Fun Night, Rebate Committee and Buzz Book.

MSDE presented Ms. Herald the award at a special dinner celebration on Friday, June 5 at Martin's West in Woodlawn, Maryland.

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Board of Education (BOE) President Brad Young will recognize Donna Quatman-Wilder, FCPS Family and Community Involvement Teacher Specialist, who will provide a brief overview of the award program.

KES Principal Kristen Canning will introduce Ms. Herald and provide a few comments about the work for which she earned the award.

Mr. Young will present Ms. Herald with a BOE pin and then invite her to make comments.

SUBMITTED BY:

Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  The superintendent is proud to highlight how summer work prepared Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) for the opening of the new academic year.  Two brief video presentations will showcase staff and students.

The first video will highlight the range of activities undertaken by FPCS employees during the summer months. Even though schools are not in session, the work of FCPS employees does not decrease. In fact, the opposite is true – summer at FCPS comes with a flurry of activity. Employees run a wide range of programs for students, work diligently to prepare buildings and other facilities, maintain the fleet of buses, prepare the curriculum, and train employees, among other things. This video is intended to offer a snapshot of this important summer work.

The second video presentation will highlight scenes from the first day of school (August 24) for FCPS students from across the county. This video is intended to offer a snapshot of the excitement and energy of FCPS students, teachers, and staff on the first day.

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):  Michael Doerrer, Frederick County Public Schools Director of Communications, Community Engagement and Marketing

SUBMITTED BY:

Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  

Approved as third reading.

To make changes to Board Policy 309 Discrimination Unlawful to align with current Maryland law.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: 

Policy 309 is attached with proposed changes following the Board’s discussion on August 12, 2015. (backup1)

PROCESS STATEMENT: 

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Jamie R. Cannon, Esquire - Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel

Paula Lawton – Executive Director, Human Resources

SUBMITTED BY: 

Jamie R. Cannon, Esquire – Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  Staff recommends Board approval of recently displayed textbook.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:  The textbook(s) listed on the attached memorandum were on public display at the C. Burr Artz Public Library and Frederick County Public Schools Central Office at 191 South East Street from July 13-18, 2015.

:

PROCESS STATEMENT:  FCPS Regulation 500-38, "D.  Approval of textbooks intended for instructional use with students must be approved by the Board prior to purchase."

PRESENTER(S)/TITLE(S):  N/A

SUBMITTED BY:  Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  Present 2015 Draft Superintendent’s Recommended Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP).

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:  Each year, the Board of Education of Frederick County (BOE) reviews and updates the ten-year EFMP for the Frederick County Public Schools.  This plan serves a number of purposes, some of which include the following:

·         To inform the public about long-range plans for educational facility improvements in Frederick County.

·         To present long-range enrollment projections and future facility needs.

·         To coordinate future new educational facility locations with county and municipal officials.

·         To coordinate with state officials regarding future facility needs and funding requirements.

·         To establish a schedule of needed major renovation and maintenance projects for existing buildings.

·         To comply with state regulations for an annual update of the local jurisdiction's facilities plan.

PROCESS STATEMENT:  The Draft Superintendent’s Recommended EFMP is the first draft of the plan and is presented to the BOE in August for information and discussion.  The BOE will hear public comment on the Draft Superintendent’s Recommended EFMP at a September 9, 2015 public hearing.  Following review of public comments, the BOE will make such changes as it deems appropriate.  The BOE is scheduled to approve the plan as well as a prioritized list of fiscal year 2017 major and systemic capital project funding requests at the September 23, 2015 BOE meeting.  The approved EFMP is the basis for capital funding requests submitted to the state in early October 2015 and to the County in November 2015.  Electronic copies of the plan can be found at http://www.fcps.org/facilities/Educational-Facilities-Master-Plan.cfm.

Staff will provide a brief overview of the plan and be available for questions.

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Beth Pasierb, Supervisor, Facilities Planning

Holly Nelson, Facilities Planner

SUBMITTED BY: 

Ray Barnes, Chief Operating Officer

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  

First Reading

Section 200.3 “School Closing or Consolidation” of Board Policy 200 School Attendance Areas and Redistricting is presented for information and discussion.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: 

At the Board of Education’s request, Section 200.3 “School Closing or Consolidation” is presented for Board discussion. (backup1)

Board policies on school closures from Garrett County, Howard County and Harford County are attached for informational purposes. (backup2, backup3 and backup4)

PROCESS STATEMENT: 

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Ray Barnes – Chief Operating Officer

Jamie R. Cannon, Esquire - Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel

SUBMITTED BY: 

Ray Barnes – Chief Operating Officer

Jamie R. Cannon, Esquire – Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: 

The Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) is seeking its next charge from Board members; ideas will be shared for future work.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:  The Board of Education of Frederick County formed a Citizen Advisory Council comprised of community members to assist the Board when given a direct charge.

PROCESS STATEMENT:  Initially, Board members directed the Citizen 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 presented their report and shared their findings and recommendations with the Board on April 8, 2015.  At the July 8, 2015 Board meeting, a subgroup of Board members was formed to establish priorities for the CAC and to recommend future work to be completed by the Council.

PRESENTER(S)/TITLE(S):

Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent & Liaison to the Citizen Advisory Council

SUBMITTED BY:

Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent