Monday, June 13, 2005

Questions regarding these Board Highlights may be directed to Don Morrison, Director of Public Information, 410-588-5203.

At the business meeting on June 13, 2005 at the Center for Educational Opportunity the following actions and discussions took place.

Recognition

The Board of Education recognized those student members and managers of DI teams which qualified for the global tournament held at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, May 25-28, 2005. Recognized were Ring Factory Elementary School's DIsigning Bridges - team manager Vicki Manning, and team members James Drake, Kelly Manning, Torrie Manning, and Jessica Uline; William S. James Elementary School's IMPROVing Along team - Manager Marcia Cole and Tim Odell, team members Tyler Ansel, Nick Bailey, Tim Odell, Dominique Overman, Brianna Palmer and Kelsey Thom; and Southampton Middle School's Sudden SerenDIpity team, manager Patty Gangl and team members included Megan DiGeorgio, Marianna Fleischman, Katlyn Gangl, Geri Martin, Amy Tannenbaum, Lisa Tannenbaum, and Kelsey Woolcot. At the end of each sports season during the school year, the Board of Education recognizes those teams and student athletes who had won MPSSAA state titles by inviting them to a Board meeting and presenting them with certificates. The Board also recognizes regional champion teams and student athletes by having their names read during the Board meeting.

The Harford County Public Schools had no team MPSSAA champions during the spring, 2005 season. However several individuals in track and field won state titles. Lamar Clayton, Thomas Hawkins, Paul Robinson, and Kenneth Hunter of Havre de Grace won the Class 1A MPSSAA boys state title in the 4x100 relay. Lamar Clayton also won individual state titles in the 110 boys high hurdles and the triple jump. Brian Pendleton of Harford Technical High School won a Class 2A boys MPSSAA state title in the long jump. At 3A, C. Milton Wright High won several individual and relay state boys titles. Dan Bailey won the 3200 meter run. Chris Rye (4x800, 4x400, and 4x200 meter relays); Josh Kres (4x800 and 4x400 meter relays), Kyle Wettlaufer (4x800 meter relay), Barsheid Bowman (4x800 and 4x400 meter relays), Bryan Halterman (4x200 meter relay), Jason Rice (4x200 and 4x400 meter relays), and Lance Cannington (4x200 meter relay). Fallston High School won three individual state girls 3A titles. In the pole vault, Linsey Vollmer was the winner; and Alyssa Evering won two individual titles - the 100 meter dash and the triple jump.

Several teams won regional titles. Havre de Grace (1A North), North Harford (2A East), and Bel Air high schools (3A North) won regional baseball titles. In softball, C. Milton Wright High won the 3A North region title. In tennis, C. Milton Wright High won the District VII title. Also in tennis, two C. Milton Wright performers won individual District VII titles - Roger Torres won in men's singles and Jessica Ahn won in women's singles. Also, Fallston High won two District VII double titles - Jordan Bukovsky and Matt Winter in boys doubles; and Jackie Conrad & Jeremy Butanis in mixed doubles. Also, in track and field, C. Milton Wright High's boys team won the 3A North region title; and Fallston High's girls team won the 3A North region title.

Also, the following teams were named Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference Sportsmanship winners: North Harford High (Baseball/Chesapeake Division), Bel Air High (Softball/Susquehanna Division), Harford Technical High (Boys Track/Susquehanna Division), Edgewood High (Girls Track/Susquehanna Division), and Bel Air High (Tennis/Chesapeake Division).

General Public Comments

Larry Leahy spoke about school bus stops in the Centennial Oaks sub-division.

Old Business

Action Items

Acting on the motion of Board Vice President R. Robin Rich and the seconds of Board members Mark M. Wolkow and Salina M. Williams the Board voted unanimously to accept items on the Consent agenda including the Affirmation of Monthly Contract Awards; Minutes of Previous Meetings, May 9, 2005 Board Business Meeting and May 16, 2005 Board Work Session; and Approval of Award for Fire Alarm System Replacement at Havre de Grace High School.

Carol Sadowski provided her views on the proposed 2006-2007 calendar. Acting on the motion of Mr. Wolkow and second of Ms. Rich the Board voted unanimously to approve the proposed 2006-07 Harford County Public Schools calendar.

The school year will begin on Monday, August 28 and conclude on Monday, June 11 for students (providing there are no inclement weather days to be made up). The calendar includes six inclement weather make-up days June 12-15, 2007 and April 2 & 3, 2007. The calendar also includes a six day spring break for students April 2-9. New Business Action Items

New Business

Action Items

In a series of actions the Board of Education approved a list of administrator promotions recommended by Superintendent Jacqueline C. Haas and received a list of administrator transfers.

The Board voted unanimously to approve contracts with three employee associations for the 2005-06 school year. Approved were contracts with Harford County Education Association; Association of Public School Administrators and Supervisors of Harford County; and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. HCEA president Keith Goodell and MSTA Uniserv Representative Pat Kohler joined Board President Robert B. Thomas, Jr. and Superintendent Haas in signing the agreement between HCEA and the Board of Education.

Acting on the motion of Ms. Rich and the second of Mr. Wolkow, the Board approved recommended changes to the FY 2006 budget. It is the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the changes to the proposed FY2006 Budget. It is also the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the revised FY 2006 Unrestricted Fund Budget at $338,815,327; Restricted Fund Budget at $22,445,068; and the Food Service Fund Budget at $11,545,410.

Acting on the motion of Ms. Rich and the second of Mr. Wolkow, the Board approved the superintendent's recommendation to approve the Award of Contract for the Roof Replacement for the John Archer School to Alliance Roofing and Sheetmetal Inc. in the amount of $743,550, pending availability of funds. The amount is the sum of the base bid.

Kathleen Sanner, Supervisor of Planning and Construction, reviewed the 2005 Educational Facilities Master Plan. The Superintendent recommends that the Board of Education endorse the 2005 Educational Facilities Master Plan for submission to the State by July 1, 2005.

Acting on the motion of Mr. Wolkow and Board member Patrick L. Hess, the board voted unanimously to approve the Superintendent's recommendation for the development of a Teacher Education Academy program for Harford County Public Schools and approve the pilot implementation of a Teacher Education Academy at a maximum of two high schools in fall, 2006.

Rev. Al Reeves and his brother Mike Reeves presented the Board with an informational report on the Boys II Men Clubs which are operating in five Harford County public schools this year - Magnolia and Edgewood middle schools; and Edgewood, William Paca/Old Post Road elementary schools. The clubs address issues of appropriate behavior, dress, peaceful and respectful interaction skills, problem solving skills and academic achievement. Dr. Haas recommended the Board of Education continue to support this program.

June Streckfus, Executive Director of Maryland Business Roundtable presented the Board with an update on the Maryland Scholars Program which is being piloted in Frederick and Harford counties. Maryland Scholars, which enjoys the support of MBRT, is an effort to encourage high school students to take more rigorous courses. Ms. Streckfus provided information on the increase among Harford students in the taking of courses such as Algebra I, Algebra II, Chemistry and Physics and a fourth year of science. Ms. Streckfus emphasized that growth was especially impressive among minority groups and students in poverty.

Superintendent's Report

Dr. Haas discussed the prospects of beginning a Jr. ROTC Program in Harford County Public Schools. She said that, with the construction of Patterson Mill Middle/High School, sufficient space would be available to begin such a program. She said the county executive has urged the school system to consider such a program and that she would have a meeting later in the week with Army officials about the program.

Board Comments

Ms. Rich commented on the previous Saturday's HCCPTA annual leadership meeting during which President Thomas was the keynote speaker and that he was presented with an honorary lifetime membership into the Maryland PTSA, the highest honor possible from the parent organization.

Mr. Thomas said all the Harford County Public Schools' graduation ceremonies the previous week were well done. He complimented staff members on their preparation and execution of the ceremonial groundbreaking for Patterson Mill Middle/High School, calling it a monumental day as the first school ever forward funded by the county. He mentioned a conversation he had in 1997 with the late Harford Senator Bill Amoss during which the issue of forward funding of schools was broached. Senator Amoss had said that forward funding was not a possibility in Harford County. Mr. Thomas said he participated in the previous week's announcement by Governor Robert Ehrlich concerning money that would be appropriated to battle the influence of gangs. The announcements, which occurred on the courthouse steps in Bel Air, included a pledge by the Harford County Public School system to serve as partners in finding the influence of gangs in the county. Mr. Thomas said that a budget amendment passed by Congress mandates the teaching of the U.S. Constitution on September 17. He called it one more mandate placed on schools by government, adding that he was not opposed to teaching about the Constitution but legislative mandates complicate the delivery of educational services. Mr. Thomas mentioned that the following Saturday the Board's Annual Retreat would be held at the Center for Educational Opportunity. He said since this was the last Board meeting prior to the close of schools, he wanted to wish the best for all students and extend his appreciation for the excellent job done by teachers. Mr. Thomas mentioned there would be a Work Session to be held June 22 on the capital budget; and the final Board Business Meeting for FY 2005 would occur on June 27th. Both meetings are to be held at the Center for Educational Opportunity.

Acting on the motion of Mr. Wolkow and second of Mrs. Williams, the Board adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

This document contains a summary of issues that came before the Board of Education of Harford County and actions taken by the Board at the public business meeting at the meeting date referenced on the document. These are not official Board-approved minutes. Board minutes are not posted on the HCPS web site because of the time lapse that occurs between the meeting, their preparation, and ultimate approval by the Board.
For copies of approved Board minutes, please e-mail Lynn.Hutchinson@hcps.org