In accordance with Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-305(b), (1) the Board met in Closed Session on 9/23/20 at 7:13 p.m. in the Board Room to discuss a matter related to personnel.
Due to the critical health situation that our community is currently experiencing, the October 7th Board meeting will be broadcast from the central office of Frederick County Public Schools; however, the meeting will not be open to the public. 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:
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) staff will ask the Board of Education to recognize and proclaim Dyslexia Awareness Month in FCPS.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Dyslexia Awareness Month is designated by the International Dyslexia Association annually in October to raise awareness and understanding of dyslexia. School districts and other public entities across the nation issue proclamations for Dyslexia Awareness Month to encourage families, staff members, and young people, to identify, and talk about issues surrounding dyslexia. The overarching goal of the month is to continually raise awareness and ensure that every student can succeed academically.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
FCPS Executive Director of Public Affairs, Daryl Boffman, will briefly describe Dyslexia Awareness Month and read the Dyslexia Awareness Month Proclamation, seeking Board's approval to recognize and proclaim October as Dyslexia Awareness Month in FCPS.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Daryl Boffman, Executive Director of Public Affairs
SUBMITTED BY: Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
To present the tentative Contract Agreement, for the 2020-2023 school years, between the Board of Education of Frederick County (“Board”) and the Frederick Association of School Support Employees (“FASSE”) for ratification by the Board.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Negotiations for the successor Collective Bargaining Agreement with FASSE has concluded. The teams are prepared to share with the Board for their ratification, the Tentative Agreement. FASSE has conducted a ratification vote of its members. A summary of the changes include:
Salary – Article IV
Leave – Article VI
Insurance – Article VII
Workers Compensation – Article VII
Leave Provisions – Article VI
Miscellaneous – Article VIII
Committee |
Purpose |
Food and Nutrition Services Group |
To discuss: (1) concerns regarding additional time for morning set up and inventory, (2) staffing at sites that may have a single employee stationed, and (3) lunch breaks and their impact on FTE. |
Custodian Group |
To discuss: (1) school inspection criteria, (2) safety equipment in schools, (3) scheduling of outside user groups, and (4) pay when a custodian works for an outside user group. |
Transportation Group |
To discuss: (1) bus driver/bus assistant pay schedule, and (2) pay periods with inclement weather closings. |
School Based Group |
To discuss: (1) the stipend for instructional assistants/special education instructional assistants when used as a substitute, (2) stipends for employees with degrees not required for their position, and (3) flex days. |
Sign Language Interpreters |
To discuss an appropriate stipend amount for holding national certification. |
Article IX – Duration
The parties will meet on or before December 1 of each intervening year to negotiate salary and insurance, only two language proposals submitted by each party, and will begin negotiations on or before December 1, 2020 to negotiate a successor Agreement.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Robert W. Wedge, Senior Manager, Support Talent Acquisition and Management, Human Resources
Elaine Crawford, Uniserv Director, Frederick Association of School Support Employees
Sharon Eburg, President, Frederick Association of School Support Employees
SUBMITTED BY:
Robert W. Wedge, Senior Manager, Support Talent Acquisition and Management, Human Resources
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 for Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS).
RFP 21A1, Green Valley Elementary and Valley Elementary Schools Feasibility Study - Architect Selection
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The intent of this solicitation is to establish a contract for architectural services for the feasibility study of the modernization or replacement of Green Valley Elementary and Valley Elementary Schools.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kim Miskell, CSBO, Assistant Purchasing Manager
Elizabeth Pasierb, AICP, Supervisor of Facilities Planning
SUBMITTED BY:
Kerrie Koopman CPPB, CPPO, CPP, 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 Howard County Public Schools.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: This contract will be utilized by FCPS to purchase online instructional reading materials to support student’s continuous growth and learning.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Shane Ryberg, Purchasing Agent
Dr. Kevin Cuppett, Executive Director, Curriculum Instruction and Innovation
SUBMITTED BY:
Kerrie Koopman CPPB, CPPO, Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: Staff recommends the closure of the Earth and Space Science Lab 2.0 Fund currently at the Community Foundation of Frederick County (CFFC).
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: In FY2014, the Board of Education of Frederick County (the Board), opened a fund with the CFFC to raise funds “to support the purchase, replacement, and/or upgrade of high-cost equipment and improvements for the Earth and Space Science Lab (ESSL)”. The goal of the fund was to raise $200,000 and efforts were made to advertise and promote this fund. Unfortunately, the fund never exceeded $8,000 and our annual management fees now exceed any annual interest earned.
Also, in FY2020, FCPS funded the replacement of the large projector at ESSL and in the FY2020 operating budget there was an additional $25,000 in recurring appropriations added to establish a replacement fund for large ESSL purchases.
The staff at ESSL has requested the remaining funds from the CFFC fund to help fund the rehabbing of exhibits from the Maryland Science Center.
In light of the noted actions, staff’s recommendation is to close the ESSL fund at the CFFC. Should individuals still wish to donate specifically to ESSL, FCPS has a restricted project that can be used within the operating budget.
Since this fund was established formally by the Board with the CFFC in FY2014, it is within the Board’s role to approve the closing of the fund.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Leslie Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer
Lisa Bruck, Co-Director Earth and Space Science Laboratory
SUBMITTED BY:
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 to cover the body repair for all light and medium duty vehicles, as well as buses for the Transportation Department.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Shane Ryberg, Purchasing Agent
Joseph Iannuzzi, Fleet Maintenance Manager, Transportation
SUBMITTED BY:
Kerrie Koopman CPPB, CPPO, CPP, 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 the repair, replacement, and new installation of concrete walks. This will include curbed gutters, freestanding curbs, and slabs.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Shane Ryberg, Purchasing Agent
Gary Barkdoll, FMP, Manager of Maintenance Projects and Grounds, Maintenance Department
SUBMITTED BY:
Kerrie Koopman CPPB, CPPO, CPP, Purchasing Manager
Leslie R. Pellegrino, Chief Financial Officer
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
The Calendar Committee Interim Co-Chair will inform the Board that the waiver request to have November 3rd, 2020 (Election Day) be used an instructional day has been denied by the Maryland State Department of Education.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
The 2020-2021 calendar changes were previously approved at the August 5, 2020 BOE meeting.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
Since MSDE denied the request to waive Election Day as a mandated holiday, the 2020-2021 calendar will be revised accordingly.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kevin Cuppett, Ed.D., Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation, Interim Committee Co-chair
SUBMITTED BY:
Kevin Cuppett, Ed.D., Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation
Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
To provide the Board with an update from the Return to Play (RTP) committee.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
On behalf of the FCPS Return to Play (RTP) committee, staff will be providing an update regarding interscholastic athletics and marching band RTP activities, sharing the RTP committee’s recommendations related to the option of allowing Local School Systems (LSSs) the ability to begin fall sports on October 7, 2020, and seeking direction from the BOE regarding the expansion of in-person co-curricular activities (outside and inside).
PROCESS STATEMENT:
Upon approval from the BOE, FCPS instituted first semester small group RTP conditioning and skill-based practices for fall, spring and winter sports, as well as small group RTP marching band activities that followed the pandemic-related health and safety guidelines. Protocols for these activities were developed by the FCPS RTP Committee in collaboration with the Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) and were based on guidance from the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) and their Roadmap for Return to Interscholastic Athletics and Activities resource documents.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Daniel Lippy, Ed. D., Director, School Management
Kevin Kendro, Supervisor, Athletics and Extracurricular Activities
SUBMITTED BY:
Jamie Aliveto, Ed. D., Executive Director, System Accountability and School Administration
Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
The Board of Education (Board) will review the plan to return students to in-person instruction at schools using a hybrid model. Staff will provide clarification to questions posed by the Board at its September 23, 2020 meeting.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
On July 29,2020 the Board voted to start the 2020/2021 school year virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 5, 2020 the Board voted to allow teachers and instructional assistants to only return to Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) facilities on a voluntary basis. In response to a requirement from the State Superintendent that all school systems re-evaluate their reopening plans before the end of first quarter, the Board reviewed a proposed step-by-step implementation of a hybrid school model at the September 23, 2020 meeting.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
Staff recommends moving forward with the implementation of a step by step hybrid school model using metrics and a timeline identified by the Board of Education.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
SUBMITTED BY:
Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
Discuss next steps for the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) as established in Policy 101 Organization of the Board.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
On August 28, 2019 and October 30, 2019, the Policy Committee reviewed proposed changes to Policy 101 Organization of the Board regarding section 101.3 ¶B Citizens Advisory Council (CAC). Below are the BoardDocs links to those Policy Committee agenda items:
http://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/fcps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BEUGDS429FD5
http://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/fcps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BGCM4M59714A
On December 11, 2019, Policy 101 with proposed changes to section 101.3 ¶B CAC was presented for the Board’s first reading with several documents for the Board’s review and discussion. Below is the link to that discussion:
http://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/fcps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BJAJM84DCFF1
On February 26, 2020, the Board approved changes to Policy 101.
On August 19, 2020, the Policy Committee discussed next steps for the CAC as noted below:
http://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/fcps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BRXNJG5FDC48
Today, the Board will discuss membership and purpose of the CAC (backup1). A copy of the CAC’s Bylaws is attached, as well as Policy 101 with section 101.3 ¶B highlighted and suggested changes. (backup2 and backup3)
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel
Michael Bunitsky, Liz Barrett and Dr. Lois Jarman, Board of Education Members
SUBMITTED BY:
Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel
The Board will discuss draft Legislative Principles for the 2021 session.
These principles will be discussed again at the Board's October 21, 2020 meeting, and voted on via the consent agenda at their meeting on November 11, 2020.
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
Staff recommends Board approval of the recently displayed textbook(s).
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
The textbook(s) listed on the attached memorandum was on public digital display from September 8-15, 2020.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
FCPS Regulation 500-38, "D. All textbooks intended for instructional use with students must be approved by the Board prior to purchase."
SUBMITTED BY:
Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
ACTION/CONSENT
PROCESS STATEMENT:
On September 23, 2020, the Policy Committee reviewed proposed changes to Policy 115 Responsible Use of Social Media. Below is the BoardDocs link to that Policy Committee agenda item:
http://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/fcps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BSUMRK5C6BE0
The Policy Committee recommends Policy 115 with changes for the Board’s consent agenda approval. (backup1)
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel
Michael Bunitksy, Liz Barrett and Lois Jarman, Board of Education Policy Committee
SUBMITTED BY:
Jamie Cannon, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
The Board of Education of Frederick County (Board), Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS), and the Frederick Association of School Support Employees (FASSE) executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated October 7, 2020, regarding the temporary reduction in force (RIF) of support employees for semester 1 of the 2020-2021 school year.
The MOU is presented for approval as an addendum to the current Board-FASSE Negotiated Agreement. (backup1)
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Robert W. Wedge, Chief Negotiator, Board of Education of Frederick County
Elaine Crawford, Chief Negotiator, Frederick Association of School Support Employees
Sharon Eburg, President, Frederick Association of School Support Employees
SUBMITTED BY:
Robert W. Wedge, Chief Negotiator, Board of Education of Frederick County