1. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

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Board of Education of Charles County Board Meeting

La Plata, Maryland 20646 Meeting No. XVII-53-2021

August 10, 2021

The Board of Education of Charles County held an in-person Board Meeting on August 10, 2021, at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, 5980 Radio Station Road, La Plata, Maryland. The meeting was streamed live on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website at ccboe.com. The meeting convened in executive session at 11:20 a.m.; adjourned executive session at 12:59 p.m.; convened in open session at 1:07 p.m.; recessed at 2:51 p.m.; reconvened at 3:08 p.m.; recessed at 4:40 p.m.;

reconvened in executive session at 4:43 p.m.; recessed at 5:07; reconvened in open session at 6:01 p.m.; and adjourned at 6:26 p.m.

1. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

Latina L. Wilson, Chairperson; Virginia R. McGraw, Vice Chairperson; Jennifer S.

Abell, Elizabeth C. Brown; David Hancock, Tajala Battle-Lockhart; Michael Lukas and Ian Herd, student Board member.

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT None

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT

Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., superintendent of schools Karen Acton, assistant superintendent of fiscal services Michael Heim, assistant superintendent of supporting services Nikial Majors, assistant superintendent of human resources Linda Gill, Ed.D., executive director of schools

Marvin Jones, Ed.D., executive director of schools Steve Andritz, director of planning and construction Shelley Mackey, acting director, communications Eric Schwartz, staff attorney

Kessandra Stubblefield, executive assistant to the elected Board Kyle Graves, video production specialist

OTHERS PRESENT

Andrea Kornegay, student liaison, St. Charles High School Charlie Klinger, student liaison, Henry E. Lackey High School Daniel Mears, student liaison, Maurice J. McDonough High School Angelina Smith, student liaison, Thomas Stone High School

Eric Valentine, student liaison, La Plata High School

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2. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Chairperson Wilson opened the meeting at 11:20 a.m.

Mrs. Abell made the motion, seconded by Mrs. Brown, that the Board meets in Executive Session as permitted by the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Sections 3- 305 and 3-103 of the General Provisions Article to discuss:

(a) personnel matters, specifically concerning the Superintendent's recommendations on certificated positions,

(b) personnel and contractual matters, specifically involving the terms of an employment contract,

(c) legal advice, specifically concerning charter schools, Board voting and access to Board minutes;

(d) litigation update concerning appeals filed with the Board of Education;

(d) administrative function matters, specifically concerning negotiations with the county concerning land use and school seating allocations,

(e) a vacancy on the Board’s Ethics Panel and,

The vote to go into executive session was unanimous.

Present: Chairperson Latina L. Wilson, Vice Chairperson Virginia R. McGraw, Jennifer S. Abell; Tajala Battle-Lockhart, Elizabeth C. Brown, David Hancock and Michael Lukas.

Absent: None

Staff Members Present: Superintendent Maria Navarro, Ed.D.; Deputy Superintendent Kevin Lowndes; Assistant Superintendent of Supporting Services Michael Heim; Assistant Superintendent of Fiscal Services Karen Acton; Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Nikki Majors; Acting Director of Communications Shelley Mackey; and Staff Attorney Eric Schwartz.

The executive session adjourned at 12:59 p.m.

3. OPENING

Chairperson Wilson opened the meeting at 1:07 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Sharon Hancock, Circuit Court Clerk, swore-in Ian Herd as student member of the Board of Education Association of Charles County for the 2021-2022 school year.

4. SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE TO THE BOARD

Superintendent Maria Navarro greeted the Board and shared updates highlighting her meetings with students, teachers, staff, local officials and

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community leaders. Also included were two meet and greets where she shared her plans for the school system. Additionally, Superintendent Navarro underscored the concerns of the community regarding reopening schools; efforts currently underway to safely reopening schools; the success of the virtual summer school program; the in-person Summer Boost and Summer Enrichment programs; the success of the Aug. 6 summer school commencement ceremony;

and the welcoming of new Deputy Superintendent Kevin Lowndes, who will join staff on Aug. 12 at the Ronald G. Cunningham Leadership Institute. Dr. Navarro shared the new Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) motto, “Think, Inspire, Grow,” and she encouraged everyone to do so.

5. CORRESPONDENCE/BOARD MEMBERS’ UPDATES

Student Board member Herd shared highlights of his meeting with Sean Heyl, the new president of the Education Association of Charles County.

Mrs. McGraw shared updates on the Maryland Association of Boards of Education Ad hoc Committee on Equity and her appointment by Governor Larry Hogan to serve on the Early Childhood Advisory Council. She thanked Superintendent Navarro and staff for “making themselves available” to hold recent meet-and- greet events.

Chairperson Wilson welcomed the new student liaisons and thanked them for serving as student leaders. Following, she shared highlights of a Zoom meeting she and Superintendent Navarro participated in with the Charles County Chamber of Commerce; a town hall forum to provide internet access to rural areas; and her attendance at and success of summer graduations.

6. EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF CHARLES COUNTY (EACC) UPDATE

Sean Heyl, EACC president, was not present and Chairperson Wilson shared that he would present his update during Public Forum.

7. AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) UPDATE

Sarah Burch, AFSCME president, welcomed Dr. Navarro, read a prepared statement to welcome Superintendent Navarro and plans for an AFSCME website.

8. SUMMER SCHOOL AND RETURN TO SCHOOL FALL 2021

Marvin Jones, Ed.D. and Linda Gill, Ed.D., executive directors of school administration, and Jason Stoddard, director of school safety and security, shared a PowerPoint on summer school and the return to school for Fall 2021.

Highlights included all-virtual summer programs for middle and high schools students; in-person summer boost programs with transportation for elementary

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and middle school students; a breakdown of bus transportation provided for 1,296 students; health partnerships and testing program with the Charles County Department of Health; building preparation to include summer and fall cleaning;

disinfectant and other preventative measures; health and safety protocols and Fall transportation to include bus service and protocols.

Return to In-Person Learning

Dr. Jones, Dr. Gill and Mr. Stoddert shared attendance protocols and instructional preparation for the return of students to in-person learning. Highlights included athletics including online registration; summer workouts for all sports; the CCPS eligibility policy 6431 suspended and to be reinstated at the end of the first marking period with Board approval; and the social and emotional supports in place to help students reconnect, re-establish and re-engage.

After a detailed question-and-answer session ensued, Mrs. Battle-Lockhart asked for a breakdown of the students who attended summer school. Dr. Gill said the information would be provided to the Board in a Weekly Update.

9. ECONOMIC RELIEF FUNDING THROUGH THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT (CARES) AND THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARP)

Superintendent Navarro, Karen Acton, assistant superintendent of fiscal services and Sherri Fisher-Davis, budget manager, shared a PowerPoint highlighting how CCPS intends to use funding from the COVID-19 Economic Relief Funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP).

A question-and-answer session ensued.

Intercategory Budget Change Request Report

Sherri Fisher-Davis, budget manager and shared a report on the Intercategory Budget Change.

The Superintendent is asking to transfer $60,000 to support student transportation funds, etc., we request this and if approved, it will be presented to Commissioners at their next meeting in Sept.

The recommendation is for the Board to approve the request for an Intercategory Budget Change and forward the request to the County Commissioners for their consideration and approval.

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10. RECESS

Chairperson Wilson recessed the meeting at 2:51 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 3:08 p.m. Mr. Hancock did not return after the break. Ms. Wilson asked the student liaisons to introduce themselves.

11. PROJECT STATUS UPDATE

Mike Heim, assistant superintendent of supporting services, and Steve Andritz, director of planning and construction, shared an update on projects underway throughout the school system.

Summer Projects

Mr. Heim and Mr. Andritz shared a PowerPoint on summer projects underway throughout the school system. Projects include, but are not limited to, work being done to close open spaces at Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School; Use and Occupancy of Eva Turner Elementary School; Benjamin Stoddart Middle School; and other various maintenance projects throughout the school system.

Mr. Hancock left the meeting during this update.

Chairperson Wilson asked about lead testing throughout the school system. Mr.

Heim said he would provide an update on lead testing in the Weekly Update.

FY2023 CIP State and Local Program Report

Mr. Heim and Mr. Andritz shared a report on the FY2023 CIP State and Local Program. The Board must submit the approved Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) with documentation to the Interagency Commission on Public School Construction by Oct. 4, 2021, for funding eligibility. The local program submission will follow a similar county government schedule to be announced within the near future. The recommendation is that the Board review and comment on the proposed state and local fiscal year 2023 and five-year CIP requests in the priority order shown. This report will be an action item at the Sept. 14, 2021, Board meeting.

12. MIDDLE SCHOOL REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE UPDATE

Mr. Heim introduced committee members, to include in Group A: Curry Werkheiser, principal, Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, and Shannell King, parent; and Group B: Brian King, Ed.D., principal, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School and Sangeetha Rajamohan, parent. Also presenting were Brad Snow, director of transportation and Mr. Andritz. A detailed PowerPoint on the CCPS Comprehensive Middle School Redistricting for the 2022-2023 school year was presented to include, but not limited to, the Superintendent’s charge; general

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guidelines; the timeline; the make-up of the redistricting committee; and overviews of Alternatives A and B.

Next steps include a virtual public hearing on Aug. 23 from 6–8 p.m.; a public hearing from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at La Plata High School; the Superintendent’s recommendation presented at the Sept. 14, 2021, Board meeting; a public hearing on Sept. 27 from 6-8 p.m.; a virtual public hearing on Sept. 28 from 6-8 p.m. and the Board’s action on Oct. 12., 2021. Redistricting would take effect at the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

Mrs. McGraw and Chairperson Wilson thanked staff for the update.

13. RECURRING RESOLUTIONS

American Education Week; American Freedom Week; Inclusion and Diversity Resolution; Black History Month; Gifted and Talented Education Month; Career and Technology Education Month; National School Counseling Week; Read Across America; Women’s History Month; Fine and Performing Arts Month;

Month of the Young Child; National Student Leadership Week; Teacher

Appreciation Week; Administrative Professionals’ Week; Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week; National Physical Education and Sport Week; Washington Post Principal of the Year Awards Program; Washington Post Teacher of the Year Awards Program; Maryland Teacher of the Year (MTOY): Charles County nominee; Be the Difference; Retirement Resolution

Mrs. Abell asked for the National School Counseling Week and Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week resolutions to be posted to BoardDocs.

The Board’s consensus was to add to its list of recurring resolutions for recognition of the following:

• Hispanic Heritage Month

• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

• National Library Week

Mrs. Abell abstained. Absent: Mr. Hancock.

14. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None

15. NEW BUSINESS

Staff Attorney Eric Schwartz shared the recommendation to continue the suspension of Board Policy 6431: “Students who wish to participate in fall extracurricular and/or athletic activities will need to meet eligibility requirements

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based on their fourth quarter grade-point average at the end of the previous year.”

(The Board may decide to suspend this policy based on the concern that student absences and grades may have been affected by distance learning for the fourth quarter. All students would start the 2021-2022 school year with full eligibility.) MRS. MCGRAW MOVED, SECONDED BY MRS. BROWN, TO CONTINUE THE SUSPENSION OF POLICY 6431.

VOTING YES: CHAIRPERSON WILSON, VICE CHAIRPERSON MCGRAW, MRS.

ABELL, MRS. BATTLE-LOCKHART, MRS. BROWN, MR. LUKAS, AND STUDENT BOARD MEMBER HERD. VOTING NO: NONE. ABSENT: MR. HANCOCK

MRS. MCGRAW MOVED, SECONDED BY MRS. BROWN, TO AMEND THE SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT TO INCREASE THE MOVING AND TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES.

BROWN, MR. LUKAS, AND STUDENT BOARD MEMBER HERD. VOTING NO: MRS.

ABELL, MRS. BATTLE-LOCKHART. ABSENT: MR. HANCOCK.

16. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Mr. Lukas asked for an update on the possibility of students from different high schools being able to simultaneously take virtual classes using one teacher.

Mrs. Battle-Lockhart asked for an update on virtual learning options for students.

Mr. Schwartz read aloud the rules for the Board to reconvene in Executive Session.

MRS. MCGRAW MOVED, SECONDED BY MR. LUKAS FOR THE BOARD TO RECESS TO RECONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

ABELL, MRS. BATTLE-LOCKHART, MRS. BROWN, MR. LUKAS, AND STUDENT BOARD MEMBER IAN HERD. VOTING NO: NONE. ABSENT: MR. HANCOCK.

17. RECESS

Mr. Schwartz read aloud the rules for the Board to reconvene in Executive Session.

The Board meet in Executive Session as permitted by the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Sections 3-305 and 3-103 of the General Provisions Article to discuss:

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(a) administrative function matters, specifically regarding a personnel matter concerning a vacancy on the Board’s Ethics Panel.

Chairperson Wilson recessed the meeting at 4:40 p.m. and reconvened in executive session.

The Board reconvened in open session at 6:01 p.m.

18. PUBLIC FORUM – PRE-REGISTERED SPEAKERS ONLY

Mr. Schwartz read aloud the rules for Public Forum.

In-Person:

Sean Heyl, EACC president, welcomed Superintendent Navarro and shared his background information; teachers’ COVID concerns as they prepare to return to schools; the Board and EACC successfully working together on previous issues and hopes that both will continue to do so in “this moment.”

Melissa Carpenter, teacher, expressed concerns that teachers get do not get to vote on Board issues and feel they are not valued or appreciated. She thanked Superintendent Navarro for hosting meet-and-greets and said she hopes it will start the “conversations with CCPS leaders and the Board to continue to support teachers.”

Virtual Public Forum

Kiesha Drake, parent, expressed COVID-19 concerns about staff preparations for students returning to schools for in-person learning and whether a “hybrid”

virtual option would be available for students.

Sean Moran, parent, shared concerns about COVID-19 and he advocated for a virtual option for students.

Pascale Small, parent, expressed COVID-19 concerns and she advocated for a virtual option for students.

Shawnn and Brenette Lucas, parents, shared their concerns about COVID-19 and they advocated for a virtual option for students.

Michelle White, parent, shared their concerns about COVID-19 and they advocated for a virtual option for students.

Chasity Bryant, parent, shared their concerns about COVID-19 and they advocated for a virtual option for students, particularly for special needs students.

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19. MINUTES

MRS. ABELL MOVED, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIRPERSON MCGRAW, TO APPROVE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF THE JUNE 8, 2021, BOARD MEETING.

ABELL, MRS. BROWN, MRS. BATTLE-LOCKHART, AND MR. LUKAS. VOTING NO:

NONE. ABSENT: MR. HANCOCK.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER HERD MOVED, SECONDED BY MRS. BROWN, TO APPROVE THE REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF THE JUNE 8, 2021, BOARD MEETING.

ABELL, MRS. BROWN, MRS. BATTLE-LOCKHART, MR. LUKAS AND MR. HERD.

VOTING NO: NONE. ABSENT: MR. HANCOCK.

MRS. ABELL MOVED, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIRPERSON MCGRAW, TO APPROVE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF JUNE 17, 2021, BOARD MEETING.

ABELL, MRS. BATTLE-LOCKHART, MRS. BROWN, MR. LUKAS. VOTING NO:

VICE CHAIRPERSON MCGRAW MOVED, SECONDED BY MRS. BROWN, TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MINUTES OF THE JUNE 17, 2021, BOARD MEETING.

ABELL, MRS. BROWN, MRS. BATTLE-LOCKHART, MR. LUKAS, AND STUDENT BOARD MEMBER HERD VOTING NO: NONE. ABSENT: MR. HANCOCK.

MRS. ABELL MOVED, SECONDED BY MRS. BROWN, TO APPROVE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF THE JULY 12, 2021, BOARD MEETING.

ABELL, MRS. BROWN, MRS. BATTLE-LOCKHART, MR. LUKAS AND STUDENT BOARD MEMBER HERD VOTING NO: NONE. ABSENT: MR. HANCOCK.

MRS. BROWN MOVED, SECONDED BY MRS. ABELL, TO APPROVED THE REGULAR MINUTES OF THE JULY 12, 2021, BOARD MEETING.

VICE CHAIRPERSON MCGRAW MOVED, SECONDED BY MRS. ABELL, TO APPROVE THE JULY 29, 2021, EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES.

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20. PERSONNEL

MRS. ABELL MOVED, SECONDED BY MRS. BROWN, TO APPROVE PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS COVERING 164 CERTIFICATED APPOINTMENTS; 44 RELEASES WITHOUT PREJUDICE; 21 RELEASES WITH PREJUDICE; 12 RETIREMENTS; NINE LEAVES OF ABSENCE AND TEN ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS.

21. INTERCATEGORY BUDGET CHANGE

MR. LUKAS MOVED, SECONDED BY MRS. BROWN, TO APPROVE THE INTERCATEGORY BUDGET CHANGE.

ABELL, MRS. BROWN, MRS. BATTLE-LOCKHART, MR. LUKAS, AND STUDENT BOARD MEMBER HERD VOTING NO: NONE. ABSENT: MR. HANCOCK.

22. ADJOURNMENT

MRS. ABELL MOVED, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIRPERSON MCGRAW, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

ABELL, MRS. BROWN, MRS. BATTLE-LOCKHART, MR. LUKAS AND STUDENT BOARD MEMBER HERD VOTING NO: NONE. ABSENT: MR. HANCOCK.

Chairperson Wilson adjourned the meeting at 6:26 p.m.

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CHAIRPERSON

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SECRETARY

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DATE APPROVED/ DATE SIGNED

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