notes from Board of Education meeting 6/9/22

I attended the 4pm meeting in person but had to catch up virtually with the 7pm session due to our middle school orchestra concert.  
It was nice to be back in person to observe the meeting.  The last time I had been there had been for public forum in May 2021, speaking for the last time as PTA President on behalf of the EES PTA.  At that point people were allowed in to testify or speak at public forum by appointment, and ushered out at the conclusion of their remarks.  

The meeting began with public forum during which topics covered included support for Pride Week and LGBTQ students, concerns about restraint and seclusion, gratitude for additional summer meals site, and concern over backlash against LGBTQ affirming events.  

The superintendent announced many new administrative appointments and promotions as well as administrative transfers.  Current Long Reach High School principal, Joshua Wasilewski, was announced as the first principal for the 13th high school which will open in school year 23-24.  

The student member of the board recapped the board's visit to the three school construction/renovation projects currently underway in his report.  

The superintendent's report included an in person celebration of teacher and principal of the year winners from 2020, 2021, and 2022.  Other topics mentioned included high school graduations, the Bright Minds Foundation Celebration, a meeting with Congressman Sarbanes and County Executive Ball on expanding mental health supports, the state superintendent visiting HCPSS, and a celebration of 237 staff who are retiring.  The superintendent also made mention of the naming process for the new high school, which is governed by policy 6050.  A naming committee will be convened in September which will submit a recommendation to the board in January.  

A report was presented on school start times.  The final bell times schedule will not be set until redistricting is complete but a first draft will be shared in July.  Bus routing will take place in late fall and early winter.  Approximately 4000 students could be affected by the change to the walk zones in the proposed updates to policy 5200.  Walking distance is measuring walkable paths.  Two action items will be presented at the next board meeting.  

Policy 4060 Medicaid Reimbursement for Health-Related Services - approved effective immediately
Policy 6060 Community Improvements to School Sites or School Facilities- approved effective July 1, 2022
Policy 4050 Procurement of Goods and/or Services- approved effective July 1, 2022
Policy 8020 Grading and Reporting: Middle and High School- Report  Proposed Changes **Public hearing will be July 14 and Board action on August 16**
Dr. Walker mentioned that course lists for next year are now available on synergy under more options, 2022-2023 courses (for the grades that have class choices).  I immediately looked up my rising 9th grader's classes.  Schedules and teacher assignments will be available late summer.

Feasibility study presentation began.  

7pm session
Public forum topics included concern about restraint and seclusion, supporting LGBTQ students, and concerns about school shootings

The redistricting consultants continued the presentation, covering the portion with potential redistricting scenarios.  
There is an online survey, community input meetings during the summer, planned focus groups that people can apply to participate in, and then public hearings in the fall.  

I will have lots more to share about redistricting in a future post.

-Meg