Mrs. DiGiacomo stated she missed the autonomy that teachers used to have and also thought there should be less testing.

Mr. Plutchak highlighted the Colonel Richardson Middle School Drama Club play. He commended the students and staff on a job well done.

Mrs. Wayman shared that she read to three classes during Read Across America Week. She also attended the MABE equity meeting, the NCHS vs. Kent Island playoff game, and the Eastern Shore Literacy presentation for the Science of Reading at Chesapeake College .

Mr. Jones highlighted attending FFA Legislative Day with the FFA students. The group toured the state house, watched a bill being debated and the associated testimony, met with the various elected representatives and attended a press conference.

Mr. Barton highlighted his attendance at the MABE Legislative Reception. He also attended school faculty meetings with Dr. Simmons to present the budget, and stated attendees were engaged and appreciative.

Finance Report

Chief Financial Officer Erin Thornton presented the Finance Report as of February 29, 2024. She explained that CCPS is eight months into the fiscal year and spent or encumbered 82% of the budget. She said there are no new overages, issues or concerns.

The Board approved personnel items as presented by Supervisor of Human Resources Dr. Willoughby. They also approved the minutes from the February board of education meetings.

The Board approved the recommendation of CDW-G’s bid of 2,220 Lenovo Chromebook laptop computers for $970,090.00.

Background: In an effort to minimize the soaring costs of student computer devices, student devices are transitioning from MacBook laptops to Lenovo Chromebook laptops. This budget- friendly initiative is being instituted for grades 3, 6, and 8. All students from 3rd – 8th grade will now have Chromebook laptops, and no longer using MacBooks. The cost differential of a Chromebook laptop versus a MacBook laptop is a 2.5 :1 ratio while not sacrificing computer efficiencies or effectiveness.

Explanation/Discussion: This award provides for 2,200 laptops, complete with EDU Google Chrome Management, and 4-year Accidental Damage Protection (ADP). The bid process and procedures complied with Board policy and applicable state laws and regulations. A total of four vendors submitted bids. The lowest bidding vendor was CDW-G.

Bid Approval for Chromebook Laptops
Fiscal Impact: $0 to CCPS
Dollar: $970,090
Budgeted: Yes
Budget Source: Funded by ARP/ESSR

The Board approved the recommendation for JBK Contracting as the subcontractor implementing the PES Partial Roof Replacement project for $1,397,929.

Background: The PES project is a partial roof replacement only encompassing 25,700 square feet of roofing. Replacement will begin early June and is anticipated to be completed by August 17, 2024 (minus Punch List tasks). 340 solar panels need to be removed prior to the replacement. The panels will be securely stored on the ground so as to not interfere with the roof replacement. Following the roof completion, those solar panels will be reinstalled to the original roof top positions.

Explanation/Discussion: This award provides for all labor, materials, services, and equipment necessary to completely tear off and replace the existing roof system designated within the scope and specifications of the partial roof project, and with a 30-year warranty. As an OMNIA cooperative purchasing member, Garland/DBS, Inc. will serve as the general contractor for this project. The lowest bidding roofing subcontractor is JBK Contracting and will report directly to Garland/DBS. The solar panels are owned by Tesla. They will be in charge of all required solar panel disconnections, removals, reinstallations and reconnections.

Bid Approval for PES Partial Roof Replacement – Proposal# 25-MD-240181
Fiscal Impact: $1,314,053 State / $83,876 Local-County
Dollar: $1,397,929 ($1,197,929 – JBK Contracting / $200,000 – Tesla)
Budgeted: $1,400,000
Budget Source: Funded by the IAC’s Health School Facility Fund and Local-County

The Board approved CCBOE approved the recommendation of JBK Contracting as the subcontractor implementing Phase 2 of the NCHS Roof Replacement project for $3,048,183.

Background: The NCHS roof replacement project is a two-phase project. Phase 2 will finish this project. Approximately 75,000 square feet remain to be completed during the 2024 summer. Phase 2 will begin early June and is anticipated to be completed by August 17, 2024 (minus Punch List tasks).

Explanation: This award provides for all labor, materials, services, and equipment necessary to completely tear off and replace the existing roof system designated within the scope and specifications of Phase 2, and with a 30-year warranty. As an OMNIA cooperative purchasing member, Garland/DBS, Inc. will serve as the general contractor for this project. The lowest bidding roofing subcontractor is JBK Contracting and will report directly to Garland/DBS.

Bid Approval for NCHS Roof Replacement (Phase 2) – Proposal# 25-MD-240180
Fiscal Impact: $2,865,292 State / $182,891 Local-County
Dollar: $3,048,183
Budgeted: $3,200,000
Budget Source: Funded by the IAC’s Capital Improvement Program and Local-County

Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Dr. Tara Downes reviewed the background of the Blueprint Plan, summarized progress, and identified strengths and challenges. Dr. Downes reviewed the timeline for upcoming submissions. She went into detail as to how CCPS vision, goals, and strategic plan, align with Blueprint including aligning funding and resources, regular communication and collaboration among committees, stakeholder feedback, expanding partnerships, collaboration across departments to best support all students, professional development and growth opportunities for staff, funding challenges, and monitoring progress toward the goals of Blueprint. 

Blueprint Implementation Response Report

Dr. Simmons provided the Board Legislative Update, highlighting the following bills:

HB196 / SB724 Motor Vehicles - School Buses - Seat Belts: Requires every school bus purchased on or after October 1, 2024 to be equipped with seat belts that are accessible to passengers for every seat on the school bus. Likewise, every school bus in operation before October 1, 2024, must have seat belts that are accessible to passengers installed for every seat on the school bus by October 1, 2026.

Dr. Simmons advised there are multiple concerns with this bill including liability if students remove or refuse to wear the seatbelt, as well as the safety concerns in any kind of emergency for getting students out quickly and safely.

SB 984 Blueprint for Maryland's Future - Alterations: Requiring the Secretary of Labor to prioritize activities, programs, and services that contribute to meeting a certain statewide goal when administering the business of the Maryland Department of Labor; requires the State Board of Education, rather than the AIB, to approve certain specifications of teachers for spending time outside the classroom and approving when a career ladder has become effective; etc.

Dr. Simmons shared that this bill makes some changes to Blueprint, including dual enrollment, limiting what courses qualify and how many a student can take, and changing the authority from the AIB to the State Board of Education.

HB1336 / SB1077 Public Schools - Appropriations for School Safety Expenditures - School Security Employees: Alters the allocation of certain grant funds to be based on student enrollment; and authorizing local school systems to use certain funds for school security employees.

The bill sought to expand funding for school safety but the way it was originally submitted actually caused the majority of the Eastern Shore counties to lose funding. Dr. Simmons was asked to provide feedback from the sponsor of this bill, and his suggestions were included in the amendment, making it more beneficial to the students.

Dr. Simmons updated the Board on the current status of FY25 budget. He reviewed the expected increases to the cost of doing business items and explained that the budget team is still discussing the grant funded positions, intent process, and negotiations.

Supervisor of Data & Research Melissa Mulligan and Supervisors of Instruction Katey Allis-Fisher (K-5 ELA), Renee Hesson (Secondary English & Fine Arts), Nicole VonDenBosch (Math) reviewed multiple platforms and teacher resources, interventions, mid-year assessment scores, support and practices in place to support all students where they are, and increase student achievement. 

Opportunities for growth were also discussed including scheduling options, professional development, continuing before and after school interventions, and summer programming.

Mid-Year Assessment Data 

Supervisor of Instruction Renee Hesson presented a course pilot. She explained how it will fill gaps in student learning, shared the essential skills to be targeted, and detailed how it will pilot student selection process and demographics, course descriptions, and school team process.

English 9 and 10 Essentials Pilot

Dr. Simmons reviewed the current budget summary and reminded the Board that state revenue income was not finalized yet so this budget summary has not been updated. He explained that staff are still completing their intent process and negotiations are ongoing with the union.

Budget Update