In accordance with Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-305(b),(1), (9) the Board met in Closed Session on July 8, 2020 at 6:33 pm via teleconference to consider matters related to personnel and to receive an update on negotiations with the Frederick County Teachers Association (FCTA) and the Frederick Association of School Support Employees (FASSE).
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
The Board of Education (Board) will revisit the draft reopening plan. Dr. Barbara Brookmyer, Director-Frederick County Health Department, will be present to answer additional questions the Board may have. The Board may choose to modify the plan and/or to identify the model for the start of the 2020-2021 school year.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Dr. Karen Salmon, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, has required all local school systems to publish a Recovery and Reopening Plan pursuant to guidance provided by the Maryland State Department of Education in collaboration with the MD Department of Health and guidance from the Center for Disease Control. The plan must align with the Stages of Recovery identified by the Governor. Since Maryland is in Stage 2, it was requested that plans align with the guidance for Stage 2.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
Staff asks the Board to identify the model they prefer for the start of the 2020-2021 school year so that staff can finalize planning.
PRESENTER/TITLE:
Mike Markoe, Ed.D.
Deputy Superintendent
SUBMITTED BY:
Mike Markoe Ed.D.
Deputy Superintendent
Due to the critical health situation that our community is currently experiencing, the July 29th Board meeting will take place via teleconference. Should anyone wish to provide public comment, please send an email that includes your full name to: FCPSBoEmtg@fcps.org the day of the Board meeting. The Board allocates 30 minutes for public comment. Public comments will be read up to 30 minutes; however, all public comment, whether read or not, will be posted on BoardDocs within 24 hours of the meeting. Please note that public comment is for statements and questions will be directed to the appropriate staff for response.
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. Public comment is not intended to be a question and answer platform with the Board. Generally, the Board will not respond to comments made.
If you are speaking as an individual you have up to 3 minutes and will be asked to complete your thoughts when the buzzer sounds. On behalf of an organization you have up to 5 minutes.
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
To seek Board of Education acceptance of a Judy Center Expansion Grant.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) has been awarded a $275,000 grant from the Maryland State Department of Education to open a Judy Center at Butterfly Ridge Elementary School (BRES).
FCPS has a long-standing commitment to our youngest learners and their families. We strongly believe that parents are their child’s first teacher. Our goal is to support all families in that role and ensure that each and every young child in Frederick County benefits from rich learning experiences that help prepare them for school success.
FCPS does this best in our Judy Centers. For the past 20 years, FCPS has been home to the Judy Center Early Learning Hub at Waverley and Lincoln elementary schools, which provides early intervention and comprehensive services to families at these two schools. Services are provided through the Judy Center Partnership, a collaboration of agencies that include Child Care Choices, Family Partnership, Frederick Community College, the Frederick County Health Department, Frederick County Public Libraries, Head Start, Healthy Families Frederick, Infants and Toddlers, Notable Progressions Music Therapy Services and the YMCA of Frederick County, as well as child care centers and family-based child care providers. Monthly coordination meetings between Judy Center staff and partners ensure that services are not duplicated. All classroom prekindergarten programs undergo an extensive validation/accreditation process through MSDE to ensure both the quality of the programs and consistency among the programs.
If the Judy Center Expansion Grant is accepted by the Board of Education, the Judy Center Partnership would be expanded to provide intervention and services to young children and their families at BRES. Grant funds would be used to:
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):
Leslie Frei, Supervisor of Early Childhood Education & Judy Centers
Kathleen Allen, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education & Judy Centers
SUBMITTED BY:
Kevin Cuppett, Ed.D., Executive Director, Curriculum, Instruction & Innovation
Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent