Notes from the Feb. 12 Meeting of the Wicomico County Board of Education
The Wicomico County Board of Education at its monthly meeting Thursday, Feb. 12, approved on first reading a revision to the school system’s Code of Conduct and announced progress on the selection of a site for the relocation of Bennett Middle School.
The Code of Conduct lays out in detail the rights and responsibilities of everyone from students to the superintendent with regard to conduct. It also explains the appeals process for disciplinary decisions, and lists disciplinary offenses and penalties. A draft of the Wicomico County Public School System Code of Conduct is posted on the Board’s web site at www.wcboe.org for review, and public input may be made by e-mail to comments@wcboe.org, or by mail to Board of Education of Wicomico County, PO Box 1538, Salisbury MD 21802.
Second reading and a final vote are planned for the March 10 Board meeting. If the revised Code of Conduct is approved, it would be implemented for the 2009-2010 school year, with public meetings over the summer to acquaint everyone in the community with the new Code of Conduct.
In other news, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen announced that the Board of Education has signed six-month purchase options on two properties for the relocation of Bennett Middle School. Both properties are located within the Bennett Middle attendance area (in the city of Fruitland and the Snow Hill Road area) and cover approximately 34 acres each.
The school system is currently conducting due diligence on the primary property in cooperation with the state clearinghouse for the evaluation of school property sites. Wicomico County has already provided funds through its capital bond for the acquisition of the final selected property.
During the Feb. 12 meeting the Board of Education also:
Moment of Silence
Observed a moment of silence in memory of Anitra Pirkle, a Wicomico High School graduate, and Tyrone Hitchens, custodian at Pittsville Elementary and Middle, both of whom died in January.
Superintendent’s Report
Heard from Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen that:
• Information for the fiscal 2010 budget continues to trickle in from the state and national level, and that everyone should “stay tuned” for an interesting and challenging budget process. The Wicomico school system is letting elected officials know that it has a number of “shovel-ready” projects that could be done if funds become available. Discussions about insurance for employees and post-employment benefits for retirees are ongoing.
• In capital plans, Wicomico is waiting to hear the result of its appeal to the Board of Public Works for full fiscal 2010 funding for the James M. Bennett High replacement project, funding for the HVAC project at Northwestern Elementary, and planning approval for the relocated Bennett Middle School.
• Meetings are ongoing with Wor-Wic Community College and the Maryland State Department of Education for a transition in the Adult Basic Education program planned for July 1, 2010. Other teams are meeting on the grade point average requirement for participation in extracurricular activities, and on educational leadership internships with Salisbury University.
• Plans are under way for a massive MSDE survey of teachers on school climate. Wicomico will encourage its teachers to participate, and is looking at doing its own surveys of teachers, staff, students and families to compile data for decision-making.
• Wicomico is eagerly awaiting results from the January High School Assessment (HSA) retest. Most students have met the state’s HSA requirement for graduation, and schools will continue to work closely with those students who have not yet met the requirement.
• The next Superintendent’s Open Door session will take place from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Superintendent’s Office in the Board of Education, Mt. Hermon Road and Long Avenue, Salisbury. Anyone who would like to have a one-on-one conversation with the superintendent is invited to come at that time. For information call 410-677-4495.
• There is now a Superintendent’s Video Message on the Board’s web site at http://www.wcboe.org/BOE/Parents/?view=BOE/Superintendent
Reports
Heard the monthly student reports from the four high schools, approved the monthly personnel report for certificated employees, received for information the monthly report for classified employees, and received the monthly update on grant applications. Since July 1, Wicomico and its schools and programs have applied for 53 grants totaling $955,893, with $785,583 granted.
Awards and Scholarships
Approved the Beacon of Light Humanitarian/Community Service Award, from the Beacon of Light Seventh Day Adventist Church, for a graduating senior with a documented community service record of 110 or more hours. A $1,000 check will be made payable to the student’s college for expenses. The Board also approved the Roger Welch Memorial Scholarship, a $250 annual award in memory of the late carpentry instructor. The honoree will be a graduating senior enrolled in the Parkside CTE carpentry program, and the $250 scholarship may be used for educational and/or vocational expenses. Both awards will be listed in the Scholarship Booklet that is available in school guidance offices and on the Board’s web site at http://www.wcboe.org/resources/pdf/ScholarshipBooklet.pdf
Textbook Supplement and Curriculum
Approved on first and final reading a supplement to the National Center for Construction Education & research textbooks used for many 11th grade students at the Parkside Career & Technology Education. The supplement is called “Your Role in the Green Environment.” The Board also approved a FLEX (Foreign Language Exploratory) curriculum revision for middle schools.
Bus Contracts
Awarded a spare bus contract to Bernard James, assigned the contract for Bus 64 to F.L.C. Massey (Freddy Massey), and transferred the contract for Bus 4 from Phyllis A. Esham to Esham Bus Service Inc. The Board also approved a bus replacement schedule for 18 buses for fiscal 2010.
Bid
Awarded the contract for student agendas for 2009-2010 to Premier Agendas Inc. as the low responsive and responsible bidder. The contract value to provide agendas for all Wicomico students is valued at approximately $60,000.
Budget Transfers
Approved budget transfers for the month of February, including $30,676 in transfers between category (over $1,000, requiring county approval), $3,581 in transfers between category of less than $1,000, and $35,545 in transfers within category requiring only Board approval.
Board Member Report
Heard from Board member Brian Kilgore that his son is spearheading a campaign at North Salisbury Elementary called Thank America’s Soldiers, and that contributions to that effort are welcome from anyone who wants to give. Items will be collected through March 1 and will then be mailed to soldiers in Afghanistan. Call North Salisbury at 410-677-5807 for information.