At its Work Session on September 26, 2018, the Board heard the plans for the field test of the State's School Climate Survey, to be given early October through early November in preparation for the formal administration of the survey in the spring.
The Board took note that the field test window conflicted with the regular administration of the system's perceptual survey, now in its fourth administration. The Board considered a variety of actions, including administering the field test and foregoing administration of its own perceptual survey, or administering a "truncated" version of its local perceptual survey.
The Board decided that FCPS should respectfully decline to participate in the fall field test, but affirmed the commitment to participate, as required for accountability purposes, in the spring administration. The Board tasked the Superintendent with communicating the Board's intent and to seek clarification as to whether participation in the field test was mandatory and whether non-participation would result in any penalty or consequence. Further, the Board directed the Superintendent to administer FCPS's full perceptual survey in a timeframe that staff identified as most optimal.
On October 12, 2018, the Board received correspondence from State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon communicating the importance that all systems participate fully in the pilot survey. Included in the correspondence were references to both the Protect Our Schools Act of 2017, which mandates a "reliable" school climate survey as a component of the State accountability system, as well as to Section 5-213(a) of the Maryland Annotated Code, noting that failure to comply with the requirements of Maryland State Department of Education "may jeopardize State aid payment to Frederick County Public Schools."
The Board discussed the potential consequences outlined by the State Superintendent at its regular meeting on October 24, 2018. The Board voted to affirm its position and provide explanation of its position to the State Superintendent and the State Board, along with supporting documentation.
On October 26, 2018, the Board received correspondence from the State Superintendent and the State Board President urging the Board to reconsider its decision and informing the Board that if Frederick County schools do not participate in the field test of the school climate survey by November 9, 2018, the State Superintendent would initiate the withholding process and notify the Comptroller to withhold $21,783,000. The letter referenced the State Superintendent's legal authority to withhold the "entire amount of the installment." Further, consideration of whether additional withholding was warranted would be taken up by the State Superintendent in consultation with the State Board.
The Board will discuss their decision in light of the most recent correspondence received from the State Superintendent and the State Board President.
Documentation includes: