Notes From The April 21 And April 14 Meetings Of The Wicomico County Board Of Education

The Wicomico County Board of Education at a special meeting Tuesday, April 21:

Approved $600 in monetary assistance from the Board to help with traveling costs for the SkillsUSA students competing at the national level this summer.

Announced, along with Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen, that the school system is close to completing the evaluation process on two properties under option as possible sites for the relocated Bennett Middle School. The superintendent and Board expect to announce the acquisition of one of the properties soon. More information on the Bennett Middle School sites is posted in the News section at www.wcboe.org.

At its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 14, the Board:

Heard from Fred Peterson of the Wicomico County Chapter of the NAACP that the 13th annual NAACP Perfect Attendance Day will be held May 18. The Wicomico elementary, middle and high schools (one at each level) with the highest attendance rate that day will receive a $50 award.

Heard in Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen’s report that:

The school system is working diligently with Wicomico County on the fiscal 2010 budget. The county has submitted to the Maryland State Board of Education a request for a waiver from maintenance of effort, the school system has responded to that request, and a public hearing on the request will take place in Baltimore April 27.

The school system is still awaiting details on how it will be able to spend federal stimulus funds, and that it continues to seek any available federal funding for “shovel-ready projects.”

The next meeting of the GPA (grade point average) team will be held at the end of April, and anyone who would like to be on this team for the evaluation of the current minimum GPA for participation in extracurricular activities and the discussion of whether to change the GPA requirement, should call 410-677-4495.

Fewer than 69 seniors must still meet the state’s new HSA (High School Assessment) requirement to graduate; this total was 177 students in October. The number of students still needing to meet the HSA requirement will continue to decrease as students receive results from the April 20-23 seniors-only HSA testing, take the HSAs in May, or successfully complete a Bridge Project. However, many of the 69 students also fall short on the number of credits or service learning needed for graduation. “Our goal is that no child will miss graduation as a result of not meeting the HSA requirement,” Dr. Fredericksen said.

A team that is exploring health insurance and benefits options for employees and retirees will meet with the Board in a work session later this month to present recommendations.

The school climate team continues to gather information from previous surveys and the governor’s statewide teacher survey on school climate as the school system prepares to conduct its own survey later this year.

In communications, the final Superintendent’s Open Door session for 2008-09 was scheduled for April 22. A new superintendent’s video message is posted each month at www.wcboe.org. The superintendent also shared copies of the April 2009 edition of “A Round of Applause,” detailing outstanding students and teachers and highlighting upcoming events.

Students at East Salisbury Elementary enjoyed a visit from U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, while Wicomico High School students welcomed U.S. Rep. Frank Kratovil.

Monthly Reports

Received for information the monthly grants report (68 grant applications in 2008-09, $868,678 funded) and the classified personnel matters, and approved the personnel matters for certificated employees.

Memorandum of Understanding

Approved a memorandum of understanding formalizing the arrangement between the Wicomico Mentoring Project and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Maryland.

Family Involvement Policy Revision

Approved on first reading a revised Family Involvement Policy. A second and final reading will take place at the May Board meeting. The policy is updated annually as part of the Bridge to Excellence Master Plan. This year’s revisions to the policy came from a committee of parents and staff members.

Approved the receipt of a $2,000 state grant to provide an annual stipend for a new National Board certified teacher.

Bid Awards

Awarded the following bids to the evaluated low responsive and responsible bidders:

For gym masonry restoration at Parkside High School, to Professional Improvements LLC, $20,500
For roof replacement Area B-4 at Parkside High School, to RRH Associates LLC, $196,546
For gym roof repairs at East Salisbury Elementary School, to Potteiger-Raintree Inc., $13,190
For breezeway panel replacement at Fruitland Primary School, to Walker and Laberge Co., $26,132
For gym floor refinishing at Mardela High School, to Freedom Floors LLC, $8,400
For tennis court renovations at Wicomico High School, to Terra Firmma of Delmarva Inc., $78,208
For tennis court fence replacement, Wicomico High School, to Abel Fence LLC, $20,300
For drainage improvements at Wicomico County Stadium, to Eric’ Sons, $73,012.18
For postage meter for WCBOE, lease program with Neopost for 69 months, $20,217
For XIRRUS Wi-Fi radio array (unit price contract for wireless access in buildings), $50,700 initial contract value
For energy recovery ventilator replacement at Fruitland Intermediate School, to Wilfre Co. Inc., $118,000

Budget Transfers

Approved budget transfers for April 2009 including $102,580 between category requests over $1,000 (requiring County Council approval), $3,667 in between category requests under $1,000, and $92,247 in requests in category.

Board Member Reports

Heard from Vice President Mark S. Thompson that he attended the National School Board Association conference and found it informative and interesting. He recommended all Board members take advantage of opportunities to attend conferences where they can learn more about what others are doing and what issues face school systems across the country.

Heard from Board member Sue Hitch that she has handed in a letter to the Board stating that for personal and professional reasons, she will not seek re-appointment to a second term. Her term on the Board expires June 30.