PRESENTATION OF 3 BID CALENDAR ITEMS
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff would like to inform the Board of Education of Frederick County of upcoming bid solicitations.
Bid 19C13, Walkersville High School Asphalt Paving Modifications and Improvements
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The intent of this solicitation is to establish a contract for asphalt paving modifications and improvements at Walkersville High School. This contract will improve the site logistics, traffic patterns and security.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kim Miskell, CSBO, Assistant Purchasing Manager
Brad Ahalt, Senior Project Manager, Construction Management
Bid 19T3, Warehouse Courier Van
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The intent of this solicitation is to establish a contract for the purchase of a replacement courier van for the Warehouse.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Bill Meekins CPPB, CSBO, CPCP, Purchasing Agent
Roy McHaffa, Warehouse Manager
Bid 19MISC9, Trash and Recycling Services
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The intent of this solicitation is to establish a contract for trash removal and recycling services for Frederick County Public Schools.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Shane Ryberg, Purchasing Agent
Charlie Dalphon, Energy and Utilities Coordinator
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) is riding the above contract from the National Cooperative Purchasing Agency (NCPA).
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This contract will be utilized by FCPS for the purchase of equipment and services from TimeClock Plus. TimeClock Plus integrates with our PeopleSoft 9.2 Human Resource System to allow for management of an employee’s time via a time clock.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Bill Meekins CPPB, CSBO, CPCP, Purchasing Agent
Charles Adams, Technology Systems Administrator, Business Services
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) will be riding the above contract from Baltimore County Public Schools.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This contract will be utilized to provide an academic and post-secondary research, advising and planning tool for FCPS. The awarded vendor, Naviance, Inc., provides a web-based solution to facilitate student advising, goal setting, college and career research, college application support and stakeholder communication.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kim Miskell, CSBO, Assistant Purchasing Manager
Janet Shipman, Counseling and Student Support Coordinator, Student Services
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) will be riding the above contract from Montgomery County Government.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This contract will be utilized by FCPS for foreign language written document translation services.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kim Miskell, CSBO, Assistant Purchasing Manager
Linda Chambers, Acting Director of Compliance and Student Support
SUBMITTED BY:
Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M., CSBA, Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. 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 the purchase of a mobile literacy classroom. Frederick County Public Schools has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Farmers Insurance Thank America’s Teachers Dream Big Teacher Challenge.
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 has reviewed the attached contract renewal and recommends approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This recommendation is to renew the contract for tree maintenance services for Frederick County Public Schools.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Bill Meekins CPPB, CSBO, CPCP
Gary Barkdoll, Maintenance Projects and Grounds Manager
SUBMITTED BY:
Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M., CSBA, Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff has reviewed the attached contract renewal and recommends approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This recommendation is to renew the contract for property and casualty insurance coverage for Frederick County Public Schools.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kim Miskell, CSBO, Assistant Purchasing Manager
Leslie Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer
SUBMITTED BY:
Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M., CSBA, Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff has reviewed the attached contract renewal and recommends approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This recommendation is to renew the contract for professional auditing services for Frederick County Public Schools.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Stephen P. Starmer, C.P.M, CSBA, Purchasing Manager
Melissa Rollison, Financial Reporting Manager
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 #19-11.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: Budget Amendment #19-11 proposes to transfer a portion of the surplus balance from the completed Brunswick High School Tennis Courts Reconstruction project into the Woodsboro Elementary Boiler Replacement project. The Woodsboro Elementary Boiler Replacement was included in the Energy Performance Contract (EPC). The EPC utilized a budget estimate for the project costs identified in the contract. There was additional architect and engineering work and HAZMAT abatement required for the project. A budget transfer of $43,200 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:
The Construction Documents (CD) for the Rock Creek School Replacement Project have been produced and are being presented for approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County (BOE). The CD submission presentation is attached (see backup 1) showing the site plan, building orientation, floor plans and proposed building elevations for the new school. The CD drawings are the third and final phase of the three-phase design process.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
The new Rock Creek School is being designed to provide special education programs for FCPS students ages 3-21 that have complex medical conditions and severe intellectual, physical, emotional, hearing and learning disabilities. The location of the new Rock Creek School will be on the same campus as Walkersville Middle School. The project architect is Proffitt & Associates and the Construction Manager is Dustin Construction, Inc.
The following approvals have been given by the BOE for this project:
Educational Specifications- November 18, 2015
Feasibility Study- August 10, 2016
Architect Selection- August 23, 2017
Site Selection- December 13, 2017
Schematic Design- June 13, 2018
Design Development- October 24, 2018
The new Rock Creek School design will have a State Rated Capacity (SRC) of 120 students, and will be a single-story facility comprised of approximately 79,474 gross square feet (GSF), excluding any add/alternates. The base bid design has incorporated two (2) main clusters (Primary and Secondary) that each have six (6) general purpose classrooms. In addition to classrooms, there is a therapy pool, an outdoor learning area/courtyard, gymnasium, dining area, media center, and all the appropriate vocational and maker/music labs. There are also four major add-alternates for the project: Middle School Cluster, Parks & Recreation Gym, Alternate Education Wing, and Greenhouse that if all accepted, bring the building gross square footage to 101,173.
The new RCS Replacement will be an energy efficient building that meets, at a minimum, USGBC LEED Silver certification requirements (see backup 2), current local building codes of the authorities having jurisdiction, and the educational program specifications. The design is also being performed in accordance with the State of Maryland IAC and DGS requirements.
Bidding of the project is expected to take place during the summer of 2019, and construction is anticipated to begin that fall. The substantial completion date for construction is March 2021 and the new RCS is expected to be open and occupied for school by September 2021.
The project’s construction completion schedule is contingent upon receiving the necessary approvals, adequate funding, and required permits from Frederick County and the State of Maryland.
The CDs have been completed for the Rock Creek School Replacement Project and are being presented for review and approval. Staff and the project team recommend approval.
The CDs will be submitted to the State IAC for their review and approval after receiving approval from the BOE.
PROCESS STATEMENT: N/A
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kori Purdum, Proffitt and Associates Architects
Brian Staiger, FCPS Senior Project Manager
SUBMITTED BY:
Paul A. Lebo, Chief Operating Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
Monocacy Valley Montessori Public Charter School (MVMPCS) seeks to modify their current charter.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
MVMPCS was granted a Charter Renewal for a 10-year term in 2018. At that time, several proposed contract modifications were discussed.
Attached is the request letter provided to the Board of Education Members, seeking to increase enrollment by 5 students beginning in SY2019-20.
Leslie Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer and Mark Pritts, Instructional Director for Elementary and Charter Schools are available to answer questions.
SUBMITTED BY:
Tracey Lucas, Executive Director for School Administration and Leadership
Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
FIRST READING
PROCESS STATEMENT:
On February 27, 2019, the Policy Committee reviewed proposed changes to Policy 444 Educational Equity.
This is the BoardDocs link to the February 27, 2019 Policy Committee item:
http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/fcps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=B9DL3R4EF01E
Policy 444 is presented today for the Board’s first reading. (backup1)
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel
Dr. Keith Harris, Executive Director of Accelerating Achievement and Equity
Eric Phillips, Supervisor of Accelerating Achievement and Equity
Toby Heusser, Equity Teacher Specialist
SUBMITTED BY:
Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel
In accordance with Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-305(b),(1), (9), (10) the Board will meet in Closed Session at 4:00 pm in Conference Room 5A to consider matters related to personnel, to receive an update on negotiations with the Frederick County Teachers Association (FCTA), and to receive information concerning school security.
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
Recognition of Robert Wilkinson, FCPS Director of Maintenance and Operations, as the recipient of the Association of School Business Officials’ (ASBO) 2018 Pinnacle of Excellence Award.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Each year ASBO International awards a Pinnacle of Excellence Award from applications submitted by school systems highlighting their best practices. The Pinnacle of Excellence Awards celebrate the work of outstanding individuals whose original solutions maximize resources and enhance student achievement.
Mr. Wilkinson won this award for his innovative approach to employee onboarding. Mr. Wilkinson’s team created an online, self-directed onboarding program with the necessary information for employees to serve our students and to find individual success. The program consists of ten training modules addressing critical topics such as an organizational overview, work processing, budget and purchasing, and cultural proficiency.
This project has been a resounding success and the onboarding program is both deliberate and welcoming. The program provides new employees guidance and the information they need to succeed at the outset of their career.
This award exemplifies FCPS’ commitment to excellence.
PROCESS STATEMENT: N/A
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Paul Lebo, Chief Operating Officer
SUBMITTED BY:
Paul A. Lebo, Chief Operating Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
March 21, 2019 worldwide is recognized as World Down Syndrome Day. FCPS has partnered with Families Reaching, Influencing, Educating, & Networking for Down Syndrome (F.R.I.E.N.D.S.) to promote and foster awareness of Down Syndrome throughout Frederick County. This primarily has occurred through the creation of posters highlighting students with Down Syndrome, and distribution and display of them in all our schools and other buildings throughout our school system.
In order to promote inclusive opportunities for all students with Down Syndrome and recognize World Down Syndrome Day, representatives from FCPS Special Education Department Staff and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. will share a short video of a FCPS student alumni in their current work environment. They also seek the board’s recognition of March 21, 2019 as World Down Syndrome Day in Frederick County Public Schools.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Down Syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, and is universally present across racial, gender or socio-economic lines. It affects approximately 1 in 800 live births, although there is considerable variation worldwide. Down Syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disabilities and associated medical issues.
World Down Syndrome Day has been officially observed by the United Nations each year on March 21st since 2012. This year, March 21, 2019 marks the 14th anniversary of this observance. The date for WDSD, being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome. The original idea was proposed by members of the European Down Syndrome Association and Down Syndrome International. The Secretary-General of the United Nations said when WDSD was first recognized, "On this day, let us reaffirm that persons with Down Syndrome are entitled to the full and effective enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Let us each do our part to enable children and persons with Down Syndrome to participate fully in the development and life of their societies on an equal basis with others. Let us build an inclusive society for all.”
PROCESS STATEMENT: N/A
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Linda Chambers, Acting Director of Special Education & Psychological Services
Bob Walsh, Vice President, F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
SUBMITTED BY:
Dr. Keith Harris, Executive Director, Accelerating Achievement & Equity
Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
In accordance with Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-305(b),(1),(9), (10) the Board met in Closed Session at 4:00 pm in Conference Room 5A to consider matters related to personnel, to receive an update on negotiations with the Frederick County Teachers Association (FCTA), and to receive information concerning school security.
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: Board approval of the Quarterly Agenda.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: At the January 14, 2015 meeting the Board voted to adopt the new quarterly agenda process and instituted a new process for submitting requests for future agenda items. The request form is attached.
PROCESS STATEMENT: To provide quarterly agendas that will be posted on Board Docs at each Board meeting. This process will enable the public and staff to plan for upcoming Board meetings. The quarterly agenda is a dynamic document that will be revised as needed to accommodate time sensitive business items and items requested using the form adopted for the Board.
The April - June 2019 Quarterly Agenda is attached for board approval.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Mr. Young, Board President
SUBMITTED BY: Mr. Young, Board President
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
The Construction Documents (CD) for the Rock Creek School Replacement Project have been produced and are being presented for approval by the Board of Education of Frederick County (BOE). The CD submission presentation is attached (see backup 1) showing the site plan, building orientation, floor plans and proposed building elevations for the new school. The CD drawings are the third and final phase of the three-phase design process.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
The new Rock Creek School is being designed to provide special education programs for FCPS students ages 3-21 that have complex medical conditions and severe intellectual, physical, emotional, hearing and learning disabilities. The location of the new Rock Creek School will be on the same campus as Walkersville Middle School. The project architect is Proffitt & Associates and the Construction Manager is Dustin Construction, Inc.
The following approvals have been given by the BOE for this project:
Educational Specifications- November 18, 2015
Feasibility Study- August 10, 2016
Architect Selection- August 23, 2017
Site Selection- December 13, 2017
Schematic Design- June 13, 2018
Design Development- October 24, 2018
The new Rock Creek School design will have a State Rated Capacity (SRC) of 120 students, and will be a single-story facility comprised of approximately 79,474 gross square feet (GSF), excluding any add/alternates. The base bid design has incorporated two (2) main clusters (Primary and Secondary) that each have six (6) general purpose classrooms. In addition to classrooms, there is a therapy pool, an outdoor learning area/courtyard, gymnasium, dining area, media center, and all the appropriate vocational and maker/music labs. There are also four major add-alternates for the project: Middle School Cluster, Parks & Recreation Gym, Alternate Education Wing, and Greenhouse that if all accepted, bring the building gross square footage to 101,173.
The new RCS Replacement will be an energy efficient building that meets, at a minimum, USGBC LEED Silver certification requirements (see backup 2), current local building codes of the authorities having jurisdiction, and the educational program specifications. The design is also being performed in accordance with the State of Maryland IAC and DGS requirements.
Bidding of the project is expected to take place during the summer of 2019, and construction is anticipated to begin that fall. The substantial completion date for construction is March 2021 and the new RCS is expected to be open and occupied for school by September 2021.
The project’s construction completion schedule is contingent upon receiving the necessary approvals, adequate funding, and required permits from Frederick County and the State of Maryland.
The CDs have been completed for the Rock Creek School Replacement Project and are being presented for review and approval. Staff and the project team recommend approval.
The CDs will be submitted to the State IAC for their review and approval after receiving approval from the BOE.
PROCESS STATEMENT: N/A
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kori Purdum, Proffitt and Associates Architects
Brian Staiger, FCPS Senior Project Manager
SUBMITTED BY:
Paul A. Lebo, Chief Operating Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
To discuss proposed revisions to the Board’s measurable goals.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
In the 2015-2016 school year (SY), FCPS initiated a new 5-year Strategic Plan containing five Aspirational Goals, 10 priorities (two per goal), and subsequent measurable goals (three per priority). The school system has presented on the existing measures over the last three years. The Aspirational Goals and Priorities provide a vision for FCPS. The measurable goals allow us to evaluate our success in meeting the vision. The Board of Education is looking to focus their attention and identify budget priorities. They are seeking data that speaks to evidence of progress and ultimately evidence of impact to improve student achievement and eliminate achievement gaps. The data reporting landscape has changed significantly in some areas of education over the past four years. Eliminating redundancy and streamlining the measures will help schools focus their improvement plans and support the system in realizing the goals.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
The Board has reviewed progress on the initial 30 measurable goals for the past several years. The Board is seeking to revisit the measures to ensure the data shared focuses their attention to policy or fiscal needs. The Board met in work session on January 23, 2019, to share their feedback and discuss the data they are seeking. System Accountability and School Improvement staff reviewed measures used on other Local School System plans. Staff met to synthesize the Board’s feedback, current state reporting requirements, and departmental feedback. Staff gathered input from the Administrative Leadership group during their meeting on March 12, 2019. Proposed measures for Goals 1 and 2 will be shared. The measures are separated into Board measurable goals and staff progress monitoring measures.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Jamie Aliveto, Director, System Accountability and School Improvement
Natalie Gay, Coordinator, Data Analysis and Research
SUBMITTED BY:
Jamie Aliveto, Director, System Accountability and School Improvement
Mike Markoe Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
Bill Updates:
SB 128 / HB 437 County Boards of Education – School Year – Start and End Dates
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/sb/sb0128E.pdf
Requires each local board of education to set a start and end date each year for public schools in the county and repeals any law prohibiting boards from beginning or ending its school year before or after a certain date. Bill takes effect July 1, 2019. This Senate bill has passed enrolled with a veto-proof majority and with amendments to address any future ballot initiatives. The Board took a position of support for these bills and provided both written and oral testimony.
(Testimony is attached)
HB 1136 Task Force to Study the Frederick County Public School System’s Elementary School Social – Emotional Learning Pilot Program (Del. Pippy)
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/amds/bil_0006/hb1136_71596901.pdf
This bill, as amended in consultation with our Board, passed unanimously in the House, with five members absent, on March 13, 2019 and had a hearing in the Senate this afternoon. We provided Delegate Pippy with a letter of support. (Letter of support is attached)
SB734 Education – Students with Reading Difficulties – Screenings and Interventions
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/sb/sb0734T.pdf
This bill requires, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, each local school board to ensure that specified students are screened to identify if the student is at risk for reading difficulties. If the screening results indicate that the student is at risk of reading difficulties, the local board must provide supplemental reading instruction, as appropriate, and provide a notification letter to the student’s parent as specified. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) must develop and update resources for local boards every four years and provide technical support to local boards allowing them to provide training opportunities annually. Local boards must report annually to MSDE beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. The bill takes effect July 1, 2019. The heavily amended bill passed in the Senate and received a favorable report with amendments from Ways & Means. The Board provided a letter of information to the Delegation regarding this legislation. (Statement of support is attached)
Operating Budget Update
HB 100 – Budget Bill (FY2020)
he House Appropriations Committee approved the State Budget on March 8 with amendments that would fully fund the Kirwan Commission (Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education) legislation in FY2020 and FY 2021, with an appropriation of $324 million. The Senate Budget and Tax Committee then approved the bill on March 14 with substantial amendments to reduce the Kirwan funding status to $224 million.
On March 26, the House and Senate Conference Committee approved the budget with a total investment in the Kirwan Commission recommendations of $255 million. There is an additional $36 million set aside for FY 21, which is contingent on enactment of the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (HB 1407).
|
Kirwan Programs |
Recommended |
Approved |
|
PreK (full day, 4yo) |
29.0 |
$31.7 |
|
Teacher Salary Grants |
75.0 |
75.0 |
|
Special Education |
137.5 |
65.5 |
|
Concentration of Poverty (inc. MSDE coordinator) |
55.0 |
54.6 |
|
Supplemental Instruction (Struggling Learners) |
23.0 |
23.0 |
|
Teacher Collaboratives |
2.5 |
2.5 |
|
Mental Health Coordinators (1 FTE/LEA) |
2.0 |
2.0 |
|
Outreach & Training |
1.0 |
.3 |
|
MSDE IT System |
|
.5 |
|
TOTALS: |
$325.0 |
$255.0 |
Other Bills of Interest:
Curriculum
HB 110 Elementary School Students – Daily Physical Activity (Student Health and Fitness Act)
Requires a specified program of physical education for prekindergarten students. The bill also establishes a goal that each public elementary school student be provided a daily program of developmentally appropriate moderate to vigorous physical activity of at least 150 minutes per week, including recess and at least 90 minutes per week of physical education. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) must collect data from each public elementary school on the daily program of physical activity provided to students. MSDE must annually publish this data, and whether a public elementary school has met the goal discussed above, on its website. The bill takes effect July 1, 2019.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/hb/hb0110T.pdf
HB 1224 County Boards of Education – Computer Science Courses
This bill requires each local board of education, beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, to submit an annual report on computer science courses to the General Assembly and the State Board of Education. The report must include the number of computer science courses offered in each public school in the county, along with other specified information and disaggregated data. Each local board must post the prior fiscal year data (i.e., data required to be included in the annual report) conspicuously on its website.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/hb/hb1224T.pdf
Calendar
HB 1078 Education – Public School Holidays – Presidents’ Day and Easter
This bill repeals Presidents’ Day and the Monday after Easter as being required public school holidays. The bill also adds Presidents’ Day to the list of days for which a part of the day must be devoted to appropriate exercises. Further, the bill clarifies that these exercises on these days are only required if the public schools are open and in session on the specified days. This bill passed overwhelmingly in the House and had a hearing in the Senate on March 20, during which it received no opposition.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019rs/bills_noln/hb/fhb1078.pdf
Health and Safety
HB 148 / SB 165 Safe Schools Maryland Act of 2019
This Administration bill establishes the Safe Schools Maryland program within the Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS) to establish procedures for anonymous reporting of behaviors of concern and other dangerous, violent, or unlawful activities, or the threat of these activities, involving one or more students. Participation in the program is voluntary for local school systems. The bill takes effect July 1, 2019.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/hb/hb0148F.pdf
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/sb/sb0165T.pdf
HB 1253/SB481 Environment – Drinking Water Outlets in School Buildings – Elevated Level of Lead and Grant Program
This bill redefines “elevated level of lead” to mean a lead concentration in drinking water that exceeds five parts per billion (ppb) for the purposes of required lead water testing and remedial measures in public and nonpublic schools in the State. The bill also requires the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), in consultation with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), to establish and administer a grant program to provide grants to local school systems to assist with specified remedial costs. The bill takes effect June 1, 2019.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/hb/hb1253T.pdf
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/sb/sb0481F.pdf
HB 439 Public Schools – School Resource Officers – Prohibited Conduct
Prohibits a school administrator or school safety coordinator from directing a school resource officer (SRO) to enforce discipline-related school policies, rules, regulations, or procedures. It also bars an SRO from unilaterally enforcing discipline-related school policies, rules, regulations, or procedures, and requires that training provided to them reflect that prohibition. The bill takes effect July 1, 2019.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/hb/hb0439T.pdf
Student Discipline
HB 1208 Board of Restorative Practices in Schools – Establishment
Establishes a Board of Restorative Practices in Schools to analyze student
disciplinary practices and policies, including implementation of restorative practices, and make annual legislative and budgetary recommendations for future data-driven and fiscally sound policies that reduce the school-to-prison pipeline and incorporate restorative practices in school discipline practices. The bill specifies the membership and terms of the board and requires the board to meet at least four times each year. Board members do not receive compensation for service on the board, but are entitled to reimbursement for expenses. The Maryland Equity Project at the University of Maryland College of Education provides staff for the board, and its director (or designee) serves as the board chair. The board must annually report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly. The bill takes effect July 1, 2019.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/hb/hb1208T.pdf
Accountability
HB 1113/SB 640 State Government – Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability and Maryland Program Evaluation Act
Establishes the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPE) in the Department of Legislative Services, which has similar powers to the Office of Legislative Audits (OLA) but related to conducting performance evaluations rather than audits.
NOTE: The Kirwan legislation (HB1314/SB1030) cross-references these bills as the legislative leadership’s approach to enhancing state oversight of school syste performance accountability.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/hb/hb1113T.pdf
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/sb/sb0640T.pdf
Local BoE and Superintendent Relations
HB 238 / SB 747 Education – Removal of County Superintendents – Procedures
Authorizes a local board of education to remove a local superintendent of schools for the same reasons that the State Superintendent of Schools may remove a local superintendent under current law and sets out a process that must be followed similar to the current process for removal by the State Superintendent. A local superintendent may appeal from the decision of the State Superintendent or the local board to (1) the State Board of Education or (2) an arbitrator. The bill specifies the procedures and terms for such an arbitration as well as parties responsible for fees and expenses. The bill does not apply to Baltimore City. The bill takes effect July 1, 2019. House bill passed in the House and is now in the Senate. Senate bill was recommitted to the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee from the Senate floor.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/hb/hb0238T.pdf
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/sb/sb0747F.pdf
Personnel
HB 486 / SB 541 Education – Personnel Matters – Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Prevention
Sets forth a process, including requirements for specific documentation regarding whether an individual has ever been disciplined for allegations of “child sexual abuse” or “sexual misconduct,” for the hiring of public school and nonpublic school employees who have direct contact with minors. The bill takes effect July 1, 2019.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/hb/hb0486T.pdf
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/bills/sb/sb0541T.pdf