PRESENTATION OF 1 BID CALENDAR ITEM

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  Staff would like to inform the Board of Education of Frederick County of an upcoming bid solicitation.

RFP 19T1, Mobile Literacy Classroom

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:   Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Farmers Insurance Thank America’s Teachers Dream Big Teacher Challenge.  The intent of this solicitation is to request proposals for the purchase of a Class C recreational vehicle (RV) to serve as a mobile literacy classroom for Valley Elementary School in partial support of this grant.

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M., CSBA, Purchasing Manager

Doreen Bass, Grant Coordinator, School Administration & Leadership

SUBMITTED BY: 

Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M., CSBA, Purchasing Manager

Leslie R. Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  Staff would like to inform the Board of Education of Frederick County that Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) entered into a cooperative contract with Frederick County Government (FCG) and Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association Inc. (FCVFRA) for an Employee Assistance Program (AEP).

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:  FCG, FCVFRA and FCPS combined their needs in an effort to maximize leverage in the market to obtain the best over-all pricing.  A committee of FCG, FCVRFA and FCPS staff evaluated the proposals.  Seven proposals were received and based on the evaluation criteria set forth in the solicitation, three companies met the criteria.  The evaluation criteria included work proposal, qualifications of contractor, general administrative capabilities, and references for similar projects. The three companies that met the criteria were interviewed.  Best and final offers were requested from the top two vendors after the interviews.  The top two vendors were equal in qualifications and services and the final determining factor was price.  This contract will provide FCPS with services equal to or better than our current contract while saving approximately $18,720 per year. The estimated annual cost is $62,640.00.

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Kim Miskell, CSBO, Assistant Purchasing Manager

Penny Opalka, Senior Manager, Human Resources

SUBMITTED BY:

Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M., CSBA, Purchasing Manager

Leslie R. Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  Staff seeks approval of School Construction Budget Amendment #19-09.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:  Budget Amendment #19-09 proposes the transfer of surplus balances out of five completed projects (Urbana High School Auditorium Repairs, Hillcrest Elementary Windows/Doors Replacement, Underground Storage Tank Removals, Brunswick High School Tennis Courts Reconstruction and the Middletown High School Gym Floor Replacement) into the Carroll Manor Elementary School Windows/Doors Replacement project.   Bids received for the Carroll Manor Elementary School Windows/Doors Replacement project were within budget.  However, additional funding is needed for hazmat abatement, monitoring, and replacement flooring.  A budget transfer is required to complete the full scope of the project.

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.

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):  

Dawn Worrell, Accountant

SUBMITTED BY: 

Leslie Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:   

Staff seeks approval from the Board of Education of Frederick County (BOE) to accept funds from the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC), School Safety Grant Program (SSGP). 

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:

Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) has received a $468,000 grant from the IAC SSGP to build security vestibules at Ballenger Creek MS, Catoctin HS, Monocacy MS, Middletown ES, Middletown MS, and Thurmont MS.  The funding will allow FCPS to perform interior renovations and provide security vestibules to improve school security and to better control access.

Acceptance of this grant does require the expenditure of local funds that aligns to the current state and local cost share percentage. 

PROCESS STATEMENT:  N/A

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Paul Lebo, Chief Operating Officer

SUBMITTED BY:

Paul A. Lebo, Chief Operating Officer

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  Staff seeks approval of School Construction Budget Amendment #19-10.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:  Budget Amendment #19-10 recognizes additional state funding received in FY2019 to fund the Security Vestibules at the following school sites:  Ballenger Creek Middle, Catoctin High, Middletown Elementary, Middletown Middle, Monocacy Middle and Thurmont Middle.  Frederick County Public Schools received approval and funding of these projects in the amount of $468,000, on January 15, 2019 through the School Safety Grant Program (SSGP). 

Projects approved through the SSGP have a local funding match requirement.  As such, this budget amendment also proposes a local funds transfer among projects.  FCPS staff recommends transferring the surplus balance of the Security Vestibules project into the Ballenger Creek Middle, Catoctin High and Monocacy Middle projects as the design of these projects is complete and bids have been received.  The Middletown Middle, Middletown Elementary and Thurmont Middle projects are currently in design.  A separate transfer will be requested to add local funding to these projects once the design is complete and bids are received.

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.

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):  

Dawn Worrell, Accountant

SUBMITTED BY: 

Leslie 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:  This recommendation is to establish a contract for new security vestibules at Monocacy Middle, Ballenger Creek Middle and Catoctin High Schools.

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Kim Miskell, CSBO, Assistant Purchasing Manager

Brad Ahalt, Senior Project Manager, Construction Management

SUBMITTED BY: 

Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M., CSBA, Purchasing Manager

Leslie R. Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  Staff is presenting the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project Status Report for information only.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:  Attached for your information is a copy of the County requested “Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project Status Report” for the quarter ending December 31, 2018.

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 three categories – major projects (new schools, major renovations and additions), systemic renovation projects and closed projects.  Details concerning an individual project are available upon request.  Please note projects solely funded by the State are excluded from this report.

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S): 

Dawn Worrell, Accountant

SUBMITTED BY: 

Leslie Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  

FIRST READING AND

ACTION/CONSENT

PROCESS STATEMENT: 

On January 23, 2019, the Policy Committee reviewed changes to Policy 101 Organization of the Board, specifically section 101.3 Advisory Committees new paragraph H Investment Committee.

This is the BoardDocs link to the January 23, 2019 Policy Committee item:

http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/fcps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=B7LL9J5579E6

Policy 101 is presented today for the Board’s first reading and approval. (backup1)

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel

SUBMITTED BY: 

Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  

FIRST READING

PROCESS STATEMENT: 

On January 23, 2019, the Policy Committee reviewed proposed changes to Policy 114 Policy Development specifically section 114.4 regarding criteria for policy development and review.

This is the BoardDocs link to the January 23, 2019 Policy Committee item:

http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/fcps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=B8GLXX51AC7C

Policy 114 is presented today for the Board’s first reading. (backup1)

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel

SUBMITTED BY: 

Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:

To provide an annual report and review of the Frederick Classical Charter School (FCCS) program.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:

FCCS is in its sixth year of operation, having opened in the fall of the 2013-14 school year. FCCS currently serves 376 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. FCCS actively follows its mission to provide students a well-rounded, college-focused instructional program that develops knowledge, reason and self-expression. The school utilizes the classical approach to organize its educational focus. This approach to education follows the trivium, which divides the 12 years of education into three phases: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. This approach also emphasizes a culture and climate of respect, responsibility and accountability which are systematically taught and modeled for every student. FCCS was renewed for an eight-year period in December 2016.

PROCESS STATEMENT:

During the presentation, presenters will share the 2017-18 annual report, updates on the current instructional program and answer questions about the school’s instructional program and operating procedures.

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Nkechi Ileka-Adeoye, President, Frederick Classical Charter School, Inc.

Dr. Camille Bell, Head of School, Frederick Classical Charter School

Mark Pritts, Instructional Director for Elementary and Charter Schools, School Administration and Leadership

SUBMITTED BY:

Tracey Lucas, Executive Director of School Administration and Leadership

Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent

In accordance with Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-305(b),(1) the Board will meet in Closed Session at 4:00 pm in Conference Room 5A to consider matters related to personnel.

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  

The purpose of this evening’s presentation is to honor and congratulate nine (9) FCPS teachers who have achieved National Board Certification.  Those teachers, their school sites, and national board certification areas are: 

Jessica Kachur, Urbana High School, Library Media - Early Childhood through Young Adulthood

Ashley Lancaster, Governor Thomas Johnson Middle School – Mathematics - Early Adolescence

Joseph ‘Tom’ Mitchell, Urbana Middle School, Music – Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood - Orchestra

Maria O’Toole, Carroll Manor Elementary School, Library Media – Early Childhood through Young Adulthood

Kristen Rowe, Urbana High School, English Language Arts – Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Mark Trice, Frederick High School, Science - Adolescence and Young Adulthood - Biology

Anita Waravdekar, Oakdale Middle School, Science – Early Adolescence

Melissa Watson, Oakdale High School, Mathematics - Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Sarah Yoder, Urbana High School, English Language Arts – Adolescence and Young Adulthood

FCPS now has sixty-five (65) educators who have achieved National Board Certification.  All of these educators have shown outstanding effort and deserve our highest respect and admiration.  They are an example of how our teaching staff continues to “Reach, Challenge and Prepare” the students of Frederick County Schools.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: 

The National Board Professional for Teaching Standards (NBPTS) assists teachers in their quest for excellence by assessing and certifying teachers throughout the nation who demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to assist students to meet high standards of achievement.  The mission of the National Board is to establish high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do.  Their mission is to develop, retain, and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide.

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Sarah Ianacone – Personnel Officer, Human Resources

SUBMITTED BY: 

Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff

In accordance with Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-104, the Board met on February 5, 2019 in Administrative Function at 2:30 pm in Conference Room 1A of FCPS Central Office for new Board member orientation.

In accordance with Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-305(b),(1) the Board met in Closed Session at 4:00 pm in Conference Room 5A to consider matters related to personnel.

The Board welcomes and encourages public comment. With the exception of confidential and personnel related matters, and issues pending in appeals to a local or State Board, 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:  

FIRST READING AND

ACTION/CONSENT

PROCESS STATEMENT: 

On January 23, 2019, the Policy Committee reviewed changes to Policy 101 Organization of the Board, specifically section 101.3 Advisory Committees new paragraph H Investment Committee.

This is the BoardDocs link to the January 23, 2019 Policy Committee item:

http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/fcps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=B7LL9J5579E6

Policy 101 is presented today for the Board’s first reading and approval. (backup1)

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel

SUBMITTED BY: 

Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:   

Staff seeks approval from the Board of Education of Frederick County (BOE) to accept funds from the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC), School Safety Grant Program (SSGP). 

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:

Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) has received a $468,000 grant from the IAC SSGP to build security vestibules at Ballenger Creek MS, Catoctin HS, Monocacy MS, Middletown ES, Middletown MS, and Thurmont MS.  The funding will allow FCPS to perform interior renovations and provide security vestibules to improve school security and to better control access.

Acceptance of this grant does require the expenditure of local funds that aligns to the current state and local cost share percentage. 

PROCESS STATEMENT:  N/A

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Paul Lebo, Chief Operating Officer

SUBMITTED BY:

Paul A. Lebo, Chief Operating Officer

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:

N/A

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:

Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) has been awarded $141,459 from the Maryland State Department of Education’s Heroin and Opioid Policy Development Grant program to conduct a public relations campaign on heroin and opioid substance abuse prevention, as well as place overdose-reversing medication in our schools.
 

Heroin and opioid drug dependency surged in Maryland over the last decade, resulting in an urgent and growing public health threat. To combat this epidemic, the Maryland General Assembly passed statute §7-426.5 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland requiring that school districts establish policy to authorize school personnel to administer overdose-reversing medication to a student or other person located on school property who is experiencing an opioid overdose. In addition, the statute requires that (1) all schools obtain and store overdose-reversing medication on site, and (2) each district develop and implement a method for notifying the community of the district’s policy. In FY19, Governor Hogan appropriated funds for the purpose of assisting school districts in implementing statute §7-426.5

Frederick County Board of Education Policy 112, Promoting a Drug-Free, Alcohol-Free, and Tobacco-Free Environment, was revised in September 2018 in compliance with statute §7-426.5. If accepted by the Board of Education, grant funds would be used to implement other requirements of the statute—

• Conduct public relations efforts on Policy 112 and heroin/opioid substance abuse prevention that includes parent contacts, electronic media, and public service announcements (PSAs). A public relations campaign has been developed in collaboration with the Frederick County Health Department. Grant funds would be used to cover the costs of direct mailings to families of all FCPS students, the placement of still PSAs on billboards in locations throughout Frederick County, the placement of still PSAs on Frederick County TransIt buses, and the showing of digital PSAs at the two movie theaters in Frederick County.
• Place additional doses of overdose-reversing medication (naloxone) in all school buildings. Through FCPS funds, two naloxone kits have already been placed in all FCPS schools. School health staff and other school-based personnel have received training on naloxone administration. Grant funds would be used to purchase additional naloxone kits that would be attached to an automated external defibrillator (AED) in each school building, making the kits more easily accessible. “Save a Life with Naloxone” posters would be hung near the AED to promote the location of the naloxone kit.

Acceptance of this grant would not obligate FCPS to expend additional local resources.

Staff recommends approval of this grant.

PROCESS STATEMENT:

N/A

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Doreen A. Bass, Grants Coordinator

Jenifer L. Waters, MSN, RN, Health Services Specialist

SUBMITTED BY:

Tracey Lucas, Executive Director, School Administration and Leadership

Michael Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:

N/A

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:

Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Farmers Insurance Thank America’s Teachers Dream Big Teacher Challenge to support literacy instruction and family engagement at Valley Elementary School.

Over the past few summers, Valley Elementary has held a Summer Reading Clinic that provided intensive reading instruction to struggling readers. Transportation to the clinic, which was held at the school, was not provided. Because of the transportation barrier, many students who were in need of reading intervention were unable to participate.

Grant funds would be used to support the creation of a mobile literacy clinic that would bring reading intervention into the community. This would eliminate the transportation barrier, as well as provide opportunities for families to be involved in literacy instruction. Instructional materials purchased through the grant would be used to support the mobile literacy clinic, as well as classroom instruction during the school year.

Upon conclusion of the grant (January 2020), the mobile literacy clinic would be made available to other FCPS elementary schools. Costs such as fuel, maintenance and insurance would become the responsibility of FCPS upon the conclusion of the grant.

Staff recommends approval of this grant.

PROCESS STATEMENT:

N/A

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Doreen A. Bass, Grant Coordinator

Jill Barnes, Literacy Specialist, Valley Elementary School

Tracy Poquette, Principal, Valley Elementary School

SUBMITTED BY:

Tracey Lucas, Executive Director, School Administration & Leadership

Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  The Board of Education of Frederick County (BOE) will approve the Fiscal Year 2020 Proposed Operating Budget.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:  The Superintendent’s Recommended Budget was released on January 7, 2019.  The BOE was briefed on the budget at the January 9, 2019 regular BOE meeting.  On January 16, the BOE held an all-day work session with FCPS department heads and staff.  At this meeting, the BOE reviewed, individually, each cost center’s operating budget.  On January 23, the BOE reviewed and made changes to the budget.  The BOE held its public hearing on February 6.  The BOE will approve the Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget for submission to the County Executive of Frederick County.

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Heather Jo Clabaugh, Budget Officer

SUBMITTED BY: 

Leslie Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer

Calendar Bills:

On January 30, 2019, the Board's Legislative Liaison Joy Schaefer testified before and submitted written testimony to the Senate Education Committee in strong support of Senate Bill 128. She also communicated to the Committee the Board's support of Senate Bill 131.

Senate Bill 128 County Boards of Education - School Year- Start and End Dates (Senator Pinsky)

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/sb/sb0128T.pdf

Senate Bill 131 County Boards of Education - Length of School Year - Adjustments (Senator King)

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/sb/sb0131F.pdf

Cross-filed House bills will be heard in Ways & Means on Thursday, February 14. Mrs. Schaefer will provide written and oral testimony in support of those bills.

House Bill 437 County Boards of Education - School Year- Start and End Dates (Delegate Ebersole)

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/hb/hb0437F.pdf

House Bill 53 County Boards of Education - Length of School Year - Adjustments (Senator Chang)

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/hb/hb0053F.pdf

Kirwan Commission Bill Update:

The Commission’s 2019 preliminary report is due to be released in the next few weeks. The Commission identified $325 million in funding priorities for the FY20 budget, as well as recommending that $750 million be set aside in this session for next year's fiscal year budget to support specific recommendations.

FY 20 Budget priorities include:

Expand preK funding formula to include all 4-year-olds                $29 million

being served in full day public school programs

Fund seed grants for collaboratives between local                       $2.5 million

school systems and teacher preparation programs

Increases to teacher salaries                                                     $75 million

Transitional Supplemental Instruction                                         $23 million

Begin Concentration of Poverty Grants                                        $55 million

Increase Health/Behavioral Health Funding                                  $2 million

Special education placeholder weight                                          $137.5 million

Oversight Board/Training/Public Outreach                                    $1 million

$325 million

There are two funding sources to launch Kirwan in the FY 2020 budget. The $200 million Kirwan Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education Fund created during session last year, and is fully available. In addition, $125 million in casino revenue is now available, due to the passage of Question 1 on the 2018 ballot to convert the entire Education Trust Fund to new, increased funding to support Kirwan Commission initiatives.

However, Governor Hogan’s proposed State Budget does not allocate any of the $200 million Kirwan fund toward FY 2020 spending, and would invest only $24 million of the $125 million in the Education Trust Fund in Kirwan recommended areas. Instead, $45 million would be used to launch a new school construction program administered by the Maryland Stadium Authority, a program intended to receive $125 million per year in Ed Trust Fund money beginning next year.

Public School Capital Funding:

The Governor's FY20 budget allocates $366 million to the construction and renovation of public

school facilities. The capital budget also includes $6.1 million for the Aging Schools Program. In addition, the Governor’s budget includes $30 million to the Healthy School Facilities Fund established in 2018 to ensure prompt funding for improvements to heating and cooling systems in aging schools and $10 million for school safety enhancements to public schools.

The Governor's budget also allocates $65 million for the newly proposed Building Opportunity Act (including $45 million in casino revenue from the ETF, and $20 million for a Local Share of School Construction Costs Revolving Loan Fund). MABE's Legislative Committee voted against support of this legislation (SB 159/HB 153) as introduced. There was substantial concern regarding the diversion of casino revenues intended to support Kirwan Commission recommendations, as well as the proposed role of the Maryland Stadium Authority relative to dictating construction standards and management.

Building Opportunity Act of 2019

Senate Bill 159: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/sb/sb0159F.pdf (President)

House Bill 153: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/hb/hb0153F.pdf (Speaker)