Jun 11, 2024 Business Meeting Agenda

[1. Closed Session Approval - 9:00 a.m.]

[00:00:07]

GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THIS JUNE 11TH CLOSED SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE WILL STEP, ESTABLISH ROLE, ESTABLISH A QUORUM BY CALLING A ROLL.

GOOD MORNING, REBECCA SMONDROWSKI, DISTRICT TWO GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

BRENDA WOLFF, DISTRICT FIVE.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING.

EVERYONE, GRACE RIVERA-OVEN FOR DISTRICT ONE. WE'RE EAGER. GOOD MORNING, JULIE YANG, DISTRICT THREE AND I'M KARLA SYLVESTRE, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD.

AND NOW WE WILL BE READ INTO CLOSED SESSION.

I MOVE THAT THE BOARD MEET IN CLOSED SESSION TO ADDRESS TOPICS LISTED IN THE POSTED RESOLUTION FOR TODAY'S CLOSED SESSION AND FOR THE REASONS AND ON THE BASIS AS STATED THEREIN. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HANDS.

THAT'S UNANIMOUS. WITH THOSE PRESENT, WE WILL NOT GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.

[2. Opening of Meeting - 12:00 p.m.]

WELCOME TO OUR BOARD MEMBERS, MCP, A STAFF AND MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE JOINING US HERE TODAY AND THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING THIS MEETING VIA LIVESTREAM.

NOW, LET US BEGIN BY STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

I WILL CALL THE ROLL TO RECOGNIZE BOARD MEMBERS AND ESTABLISH WE HAVE A QUORUM AND A SEVENTH.

GOOD AFTERNOON. GREAT TO SEE EVERYONE.

SHEBRA EVANS, DISTRICT FOUR.

GOOD AFTERNOON, REBECCA SMONDROWSKI, DISTRICT TWO.

GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

LYNN HARRIS I USUALLY HER PRONOUNS.

I'M AN AT-LARGE MEMBER OF THE BOARD.

GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

BRENDA WOLFF, DISTRICT FIVE.

GOOD AFTERNOON. WHEN I STARTED THIS, GRACE RIVERA OVEN DISTRICT ONE.

GOOD AFTERNOON. JULIE YANG, DISTRICT THREE.

LET'S JUST SAY GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

I AM HERE VIRTUALLY SAMMY'S AIDES TO THE MEMBER OF THE BOARD, AND I'M VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY.

I'M CARLA SYLVESTER, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD.

NOW WE CAN BEGIN THE MEETING, BUT FIRST, WE NEED A MOTION TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO REMOVE CONSENT ITEM 6.2 FROM TODAY'S AGENDA.

SO MOVED A SECOND ON FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS. AND THAT'S UNANIMOUS.

AND WE ALSO NEED A MOTION IN A SECOND TO MOVE ITEM 9.1.

FINAL ACTION HOMEWORK POLICY AND ITEM 15.1.

SO MOVED. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS. AND THAT'S UNANIMOUS.

NOW, CAN I GET A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING AGENDA AS AMENDED? I MOVE. WE APPROVE THE MEETING AS AMENDED.

SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS. AND THAT'S UNANIMOUS.

OKAY. VERY GOOD.

[3. Human Resources and Development - 12:01 p.m.]

THE MONTHLY REPORT. GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU, PRESIDENT SILVESTRI.

AND SO WE HAVE A TWO THAT I'D LIKE TO BRING FORWARD.

SO WHEREAS TO DEATH ON APRIL 23RD, 2024 OF MS..

A PHILIP PARA EDUCATOR AT NEWPORT MILL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, DEEPLY SADDENED THE STAFF, STUDENTS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

AND. WHEREAS, DURING HER MORE THAN 22 YEARS OF SERVICE AT MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, MS..

PHILIP MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO CREATE A POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT.

HER CARING AND SUPPORTIVE DEMEANOR MADE HER STUDENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE AND VALUED IN HER CLASSROOM.

AND. WHEREAS, MS..

PHILIP WAS HIGHLY DEDICATED PARA EDUCATOR WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR THE SUCCESS OF HER STUDENTS, SHE WAS AN ADVOCATE FOR THEIR NEEDS AND DEEPLY CARED ABOUT THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS.

HER UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO CREATING A POSITIVE AND SECURE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HER STUDENTS, COLLEAGUES AND THE COMMUNITY.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS EXPRESS THEIR SORROW AT THE DEATH OF MS.

[00:05:06]

PHILIP MOVE APPROVAL.

SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HANDS.

AND THAT UNANIMOUS NEXT.

WHEREAS THE DEATH ON APRIL 12, 2024, OF MISS CONNIE, A SINGER, PARA EDUCATOR AT DR.

CHARLES DREW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, DEEPLY SADDENED THE STAFF, STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

AND. WHEREAS, DURING THE MORE THAN 25 YEARS MS..

ED SINGER WORKED FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SHE FULLY UNDERSTOOD HOW HER ROLE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF STUDENTS.

SHE DEMONSTRATED DEDICATION TO STUDENTS AND STAFF BY CONTRIBUTING TO AN ENJOYABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND.

WHEREAS, MS.. ED SINGER WAS A HIGHLY VALUED STAFF MEMBER AT DR.

CHARLES DREW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SHE CONSISTENTLY MAINTAINED A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH OTHER STAFF MEMBERS TO MEET STUDENTS NEEDS. MR. SINGER'S INTERACTIONS WITH STUDENTS WERE ALWAYS KIND AND ENCOURAGING, WHICH MADE THEM FEEL SAFE AND WELCOMED IN HER PRESENCE.

HER POSITIVE APPROACH SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED TO STUDENTS HAPPINESS, COMPOSURE AND PREPARATION.

AS FOR THEIR SCHOOL DAY.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS EXPRESSED THEIR SORROW AT THE DEATH OF MRS. ED SINGER AND EXTEND DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY.

AND FURTHER, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION BE FORWARDED TO THE FAMILY OF MRS. ED SINGER. MOVE APPROVAL.

SO AGAIN, ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HANDS.

AND THAT'S UNANIMOUS. AND I SKIPPED OVER THE MONTHLY REPORT.

SO CAN I GET A MOTION TO PASS THE MONTHLY REPORT? THIS IS SO MOVED. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS. AND THAT'S UNANIMOUS.

OKAY. AND NOW WE MOVE ON TO 3.2 RECOMMENDED APPOINTMENTS.

THANK YOU. AND SO TODAY WE HAVE SEVEN APPOINTMENTS.

THE FIRST IS DR.

GENEVIEVE L FLOYD, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF CAREER AND POST-SECONDARY PARTNERSHIPS AND CAREER ADVISING, OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER.

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT ATTENDING.

JOINING HER TODAY ARE HER COLLEAGUES, STAKEHOLDERS, MENTORS, AND CLOSE FRIENDS FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

DR. FLOYD HAS BEEN EMPLOYED WITH CPS FOR 24 YEARS.

SHE HAS SERVED IN A ROLE AS A TEACHER, CAREER ACADEMY, LEAD TEACHER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT COORDINATOR, AND MOST RECENTLY A SUPERVISOR OF THE DIVISION OF CAREER AND POSTSECONDARY PARTNERSHIPS AND CAREER ADVISING.

SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO SERVING IN HER NEW ROLES AND TO WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH MCP STAFF, PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN SERVICE TO OUR STUDENTS.

SHOUT OUT TO HER FAMILY WATCHING ONLINE FROM FLORIDA, GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA MOVE APPROVAL. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS. SORRY, THAT'S MRS. EVANS. IT'S HARRIS MYSELF, MISS YANG.

MR. SADE. ABSTAINING.

THIS IS MY DESK. THE SWOFF OF THE MOTION TO.

CONGRATULATIONS. I DO WANT TO JUST TAKE A MINUTE TO LET YOU GO.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

IT'S ABOUT THE PROCESS. SO JUST MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT.

NEXT IS MRS. MEREDITH ELLE BENNING, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF.

ATTENDING. JOINING HER TODAY IS HER HUSBAND, ROBERT DAUGHTER GEMMA, AND HER FATHER, PRESTON LIVERS.

MRS. BENNING HAS BEEN EMPLOYED WITHIN CPS FOR 17 YEARS.

SHE HAS SERVED IN A ROLE OF SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, TEACHER, RESOURCE TEACHER, CONTENT SPECIALIST, CONSULT TEACHER AND MOST RECENTLY AS COORDINATOR, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT.

MRS. BENNING LOOKS FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT TO RECRUIT AND HIRE FOR EXCELLENCE AND DIVERSITY, AS WELL AS SUPPORTING THE CURRENT WORKFORCE MOVE APPROVAL. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS. MRS. EVANS. MS.. HARRIS, MYSELF.

MR. YANG. MR. SET.

ABSTAINING. MRS. MADRAS. MS.. WOLFE.

MR. ROBERTA OVEN. CONGRATULATIONS.

[00:10:10]

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER.

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT ATTENDING.

JOINING HER TODAY IS HER FATHER, DR.

ROBERT E PARILLA, AND FRIEND SARA SMITH.

MS. PEREA HAS BEEN EMPLOYED WITH CPS FOR 30 YEARS.

SHE HAS SERVED IN THE ROLE OF PARA EDUCATOR, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST, SUPERVISOR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND MOST RECENTLY AS ACTING SUPERVISOR, DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES.

SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO JOINING THE DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES MOVE APPROVAL.

SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS, MRS. EVANS. MS.. HARRIS, MYSELF, MRS..

MR. SAYEED ABSTAINING.

THIS IS MY DESK. MS..

WOLFE. MR. ROBERTA IRVIN.

CONGRATULATIONS. AND THE NEXT STEP IS MRS. RACHEL CARSON, SUPERVISOR ELEMENTARY, ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LEARNERS AND MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION, OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER.

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT ATTENDING.

JOINING HER TODAY IS HER HUSBAND, ANDREW SON MATTEO, AND FRIEND AMANDA CUTTY.

NOW, MRS. CARSON COMES TO US WITH MORE THAN 12 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION AS A TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR.

MRS. CARSON IS HONORED TO BE JOINING MCP AS SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO EMPOWERING EDUCATORS OF MULTILINGUAL STUDENTS, EXPANDING INSTRUCTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES MOVE APPROVAL.

SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS. MRS. EVANS. MS.. HARRIS, MYSELF.

IF MS.. YANG. MR. SAEED ABSTAINING.

THIS IS MY DRAW. MS..

WOLF. MR. BEETHOVEN OVEN.

CONGRATULATIONS. NEXT IS MR. DANIEL AH YIP SUPERVISOR SECONDARY ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LEARNERS AND MULTI LINGUAL EDUCATION OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER.

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT ATTENDING.

JOINING HIM TODAY IS HIS WIFE, RUBY AND MCP TEACHER AND HIS TWO SONS, CADEN AND HUNTER.

YEP. BOTH MCP STUDENTS.

MR. YIP HAS BEEN EMPLOYED WITH MCP FOR 14 YEARS AS AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT TEACHER, CURRICULUM SPECIALIST, TEACHER AND MOST RECENTLY AS ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT TEACHER OF PARKLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL.

HE LOOKS FORWARD TO REJOINING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LEARNERS AND MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION TO SUPPORT EMERGENT MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN GRADES 6 TO 12 TOWARDS COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS.

MOVE APPROVAL. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS. MRS. EVANS. MS.. HARRIS, MYSELF, YANG.

MR. SAYEED. ABSTAINING.

MRS. MADRAS, MAY 4TH.

MR. GOODWIN. CONGRATULATIONS.

NEXT IS MRS. CHRISTIANA J.

DEAN, PRINCIPAL GREEN CASTLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

JOINING HER TODAY IS HER HUSBAND, KEITH DEAN AND MENTOR MS..

STACY BROWN, PRINCIPAL WILLIAM TYLER PAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

MRS. DEAN HAS BEEN EMPLOYED WITHIN CPS FOR 24 YEARS.

SHE HAS SERVED IN A ROLE AS A TEACHER, FOCUSED TEACHER, STAFF DEVELOPMENT TEACHER, INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST, SUPERVISOR, AND MOST RECENTLY AS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.

WILLIAM TYLER PAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO JOINING GREENCASTLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITY AND ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION.

SHOUT OUT TO HER CHILDREN, SHAWN, JASMINE AND MYLES, WHO ARE WATCHING ONLINE AND TO THE COUNTLESS FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO HAVE SUPPORTED MRS. DEAN ON HER JOURNEY.

MOVE APPROVAL. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS. AND THAT'S UNANIMOUS.

CONGRATULATIONS. NEXT IS MS..

ALLISON EL SERINO, PRINCIPAL OF BANNOCKBURN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ATTENDING.

JOINING HER TODAY IS HER HUSBAND, BRIAN BESS KOSKI, MEDIA SPECIALIST.

[00:15:05]

MS.. SERINO HAS BEEN EMPLOYED WITH CPS FOR 30 YEARS.

SHE HAS SERVED IN A ROLE AS A TEACHER, STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, AND MOST RECENTLY PRINCIPAL WEST LINN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO JOINING THE COMMUNITY OF CARE AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AT BANNOCKBURN ELEMENTARY.

SHOUT OUT TO HER MOTHER, MARILYN SERINO, WHO IS WATCHING ONLINE FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

MOVE APPROVAL. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HANDS.

AND THAT'S UNANIMOUS. CONGRATULATIONS.

REAL QUICK, IF I COULD ALSO POINT IF I COULD JUST SAY ONE THING.

MISS SERINO WAS A FORMER STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD.

SO FROM A CURRENT STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD TO A FORMER, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR STAYING WITH THE SYSTEM.

THANK YOU. MR.. SAY. MOVING ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR, RECOGNITIONS.

[4. Recognitions - 12:20 p.m.]

I AM EXCITED BECAUSE WE HAVE SEVERAL RECOGNITIONS TODAY.

SO THE FIRST RECOGNITION IS REGARDING COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR AWARD.

SO WHEREAS THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL OF THE YEAR AWARD IS CELEBRATED TO SPOTLIGHT THE EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN GUIDING STUDENTS TOWARDS ACADEMIC SUCCESS, CAREER PLANNING AND COLLEGE READINESS.

AND. WHEREAS, THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF STUDENTS INTRICATELY ARE CONNECTED TO THEIR OVERALL LEARNING AND PERSONAL GROWTH, WITH SCHOOL COUNSELORS UNIQUELY EQUIPPED TO ADDRESS DIVERSE STUDENT NEEDS ACROSS THE ACADEMIC, PERSONAL, INTERPERSONAL CAREER AND HEALTH DOMAINS.

AND. WHEREAS, SCHOOL COUNSELORS DEMONSTRATE UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO STUDENT WELFARE BY IDENTIFYING OBSTACLES TO LEARNING, EMPLOYING DATA DRIVEN DECISION MAKING PROCESSES, IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED INTERVENTIONS, EVALUATING OUTCOMES AND ENHANCING ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES.

AND. WHEREAS, THROUGH FOSTERING COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS AMONG PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND EDUCATORS, SCHOOL COUNSELORS CULTIVATE A SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ATMOSPHERE CONDUCIVE TO STUDENT PROGRESS AND ATTAINMENT.

AND. WHEREAS, IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO HONOR THE INDISPENSABLE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELORS IN STUDENTS, PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC JOURNEYS BY RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS WITH THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS COUNSELOR, SCHOOLS COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR AWARD ONE EXEMPLARY COUNSELOR FROM EACH EDUCATIONAL LEVEL.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS STAFF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES CONGRATULATE THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2024 SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR AWARD.

AND THAT IS MS..

ANNE MARIE HETRICK, SCHOOL COUNSELOR AT CANDLEWOOD ELEMENTARY.

MR. RICHARD B SOLOMON, RESOURCE COUNSELOR, SILVER SPRING INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND MS.. MELANIE A CARNEY SCHOOL COUNSELOR.

BETHESDA. CHEVY CHASE HIGH SCHOOL.

MOVE APPROVAL. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HANDS.

AND THAT'S YOUR NAME.

UNANIMOUS WITH THOSE PRESENT TEXAS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS.

SO WHEREAS THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE AT ITS ANNUAL FREEDOM FUND DINNER AWARD, AWARDED 23 $1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

AND. WHEREAS, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE SELECTED EMBRACING OUR LEGACY AS THE THEME FOR ITS 49TH FREEDOM FUND DINNER HELD ON SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024, TO RECOGNIZE BLACK OR AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS FOR THEIR POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY.

AND. WHEREAS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECOGNIZES AND CELEBRATES A STUDENT'S DEDICATION TO THEIR ACADEMIC PURSUITS AND PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACHIEVEMENTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO OUR COUNTY, OUR STATE, AND OUR COUNTRY.

AND. WHEREAS, THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TAKES GREAT PRIDE THAT MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HONORS THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT ON BEHALF OF THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, STAFF MEMBERS, STUDENTS, PARENTS, GUARDIANS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE MEMBERS OF THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION CONGRATULATE THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE SCHOLARSHIP

[00:20:02]

SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS. AND THAT'S UNANIMOUS WITH THOSE PRESENT.

THE LAST RECOGNITION IS REGARDING MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS.

SO WHEREAS MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATES ITS COMMITMENT TO PARTNERING WITH LOCAL INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT ASPIRING EDUCATORS AND BRING THE BEST POSSIBLE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES TO OUR STAFF.

AND. WHEREAS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECOGNIZES AND CELEBRATES THE MORE THAN 942 EMPLOYEES ENROLLED IN 11 INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, OFFERING 23 PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS. OF THESE, MORE THAN 324 2023 2024 HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE COMPLETERS WHO HAVE EARNED CERTIFICATES, CERTIFICATES, CERTIFICATIONS AND VAST PILLARS AND MASTER'S DEGREES.

AND BE IT RESOLVED THAT ON BEHALF OF THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND ALL MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, STAFF MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, WE CONGRATULATE AND RECOGNIZE OUR HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERS AND THEIR GRADUATES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND FOR CREATING A CULTURE OF LIFELONG LEARNING AND THE PURSUIT OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

MOVE APPROVAL. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS. AND THAT'S UNANIMOUS WITH THOSE PRESENT.

OKAY. THANK YOU. WE ARE MOVING ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE, WHICH IS PUBLIC COMMENTS.

[5. Public Comments - 12:30 p.m.]

BUT IT IS NOT OUR PRACTICE TO TAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME ON ISSUES THAT ARE RAISED.

WE ENCOURAGE PUBLIC INPUT ON POLICY PROGRAMING PRACTICES.

THIS IS NOT THE PROPER AVENUE TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC STUDENT OR EMPLOYEE MATTERS, SO WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO UTILIZE EXISTING AVENUES OF REDRESS FOR COMPLAINTS.

THIS IS A PUBLIC MEETING AND WE EXPECT THE CONDUCT OF ALL SPEAKERS AND MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE TO BE WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF PROPER ETIQUETTE.

INAPPROPRIATE PERSONAL REMARKS, RUDE RETORTS AND OTHER SUCH BEHAVIOR IS OUT OF ORDER AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

THOSE WHO DEMONSTRATE DISRUPTIVE OR DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE ROOM.

PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS, HEARINGS AND WORK SESSIONS, INCLUDING ANY CHANGES TO OUR MEETING START TIMES.

WE HAVE 13 PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO PROVIDE IN-PERSON TESTIMONY.

EACH SPEAKER WILL RECEIVE 2 MINUTES FOR COMMENTS.

WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED, PLEASE APPROACH THE TABLE.

SPEAK CLEARLY AND DIRECTLY INTO THE MICROPHONE.

30 SECONDS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF A SPEAKER'S TIME, A YELLOW LIGHT WILL GO ON, ACCOMPANIED BY A BEEP, A RED LIGHT AND A BUZZER SIGNAL THAT YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.

PLEASE PUSH THE FLAT BUTTON BELOW THE MICROPHONE TO TURN IT ON AND BEGIN SPEAKING.

PUSH THE SAME BUTTON ONCE MORE AT THE SOUND OF THE BUZZER TO TURN IT OFF.

IN ADDITION TO OUR SPEAK IN PERSON SPEAKERS TODAY, WE HAVE FIVE PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO PROVIDE VIDEO TESTIMONIES.

WE WILL PLAY THESE SUBMISSIONS ONCE THE IN-PERSON TESTIMONIES HAVE CONCLUDED.

COPIES OF TESTIMONIES CAN BE FOUND ON BOARD DOCS WHERE THEY ARE POSTED WITH OTHER MATERIALS FOR THIS MEETING.

OKAY, SO WE CAN GET STARTED WITH OUR FIRST SIX SPEAKERS.

IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME FORWARD AND CALL YOUR NAME SUJIT HEJ, CHRISTINE HANDY, JENNIFER MARTIN C, EVELYN CHUNG, JULIA ROGERS AND AMY.

I GUESS. OKAY, THE SUBJECT CATCH HERE.

YOU MAY BEGIN. GOOD EVENING, DR.

FELDER, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

MY NAME IS SUJIT HAEG AND I AM CURRENTLY A JUNIOR AT RICHARD MONTGOMERY HIGH SCHOOL.

I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR NARCAN TRAINING FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CPS.

AS AN EMT PROVIDER AT ROCKVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, OPIOID OVERDOSES AREN'T FOREIGN TO ME.

AS FIRST RESPONDERS, WE ARE TAUGHT THAT TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

THE MOMENT WE SEE SIGNS OF AN OPIOID OVERDOSE, WE KNOW WE HAVE TO ACT FAST.

IT IS INGRAINED IN OUR STATE.

[00:25:01]

TO THIS DAY, I REMEMBER THE FIRST OVERDOSE I WAS DISPATCHED TO.

WE ARRIVED ON SCENE TO FIND A YOUNG FEMALE WITH THE USUAL SYMPTOMS, PINPOINT PUPILS, UNRESPONSIVENESS AND A LACK OF BREATHING.

THROUGH OUR PROMPT USE OF NARCAN.

WE WERE ABLE TO RESUSCITATE THE PATIENT FOR WEEKS AFTER THE IMAGE OF THAT YOUNG WOMAN WHO LOOKED NOT MUCH OLDER THAN I DID, REMAINED IN MY MIND.

IF WE HAD ARRIVED ON SCENE 5 MINUTES LATER, OR IF WE HAD WAITED ANY LONGER TO DELIVER NARCAN, OUR LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST.

ANYONE COULD HAVE BEEN IN MY POSITION.

DATA SHARED BY CPD SHOWS YOUTH OVERDOSES CONTINUE SPIKING, INCREASING BY 77% IN 2022 AND RISING YEAR BY YEAR.

THIS DATA SHOWS THAT OPIOID OVERDOSES ARE VERY REAL AND CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE, ESPECIALLY IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

IN THESE SITUATIONS, PEOPLE MUST BE PREPARED.

HESITATION CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

IT IS VITAL THAT WE GIVE OUR STUDENTS THE TRAINING TO HANDLE THESE EMERGENCIES DECISIVELY.

00:25:06:14 - 00:25:30:15 UNKNOWN I PROPOSE TO DO THIS THROUGH HEALTH CLASSES IN OUR HIGH SCHOOLS, IN OUR CAN TRACE TRAINING SESSION INCLUDES EDUCATION ON RECOGNIZING OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS, LOCATING NARCAN, ADMINISTERING NARCAN, AND A FINAL TEST TO ASSESS KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.

IN ALL THESE SESSIONS WILL TAKE AROUND 40 MINUTES AND COULD EASILY BE ADAPTED TO A SINGLE LESSON.

THIS IS THE PREPARATION OUR STUDENTS NEED TO ACT IN A VITAL MOMENT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU, DOCTOR HANDY, YOU MAY BEGIN.

GOOD AFTERNOON, DR.

FELDER, MR. VESTRY, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO SAMMY SAEED, OUR STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ON YOUR GRADUATION AND UPCOMING COLLEGE ENROLLMENT.

SAMMY, YOUR DEDICATION AND ADVOCACY FOR THE STUDENTS IN OUR ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE BEEN TRULY EXCEPTIONAL.

YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SEEK FEEDBACK FROM MY CAP ON YOUR PROPOSALS AND THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW IS A TESTAMENT TO YOUR COMMITMENT AND LEADERSHIP ON BEHALF OF MCAP.

WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT YOUR NAME WILL BE ON THE BALLOT IN THE AT THE POLLS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD TODAY.

TODAY YOU ARE GOING TO BE VOTING ON THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

AND WHILE WE HAVE DONE ALL THAT WE CAN TO ADVOCATE WITH THE COUNTY COUNCIL FOR THE CPS BUDGET ITEMS THAT WE BELIEVE ARE IMPORTANT, WE FELL SHORT THIS YEAR.

BUDGET IS PRETTY MUCH DONE.

SO I SIT HERE HOPING THAT WE CAN BEGIN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR WITH THE END IN MIND.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND ENSURE THEY FULLY UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THAT WE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL OFFICIAL BUDGET SEASON TO START THAT DISCUSSION.

THE 26 OPERATING BUDGET IS ALREADY PROJECTED TO BE MORE CHALLENGING THIS THAN THIS YEAR, AND THAT IS HARD TO IMAGINE.

IT WILL BE UP TO YOU AND OUR SUPERINTENDENT TO START WORKING ON BUDGET ADVOCACY EARLY AND TO MEND AND BUILD BRIDGES WITH OUR COUNTY OFFICIALS.

WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU.

ADDITIONALLY, YOU MUST WORK TO COLLABORATE AT WORK AND COLLABORATE WITH OUR UNIONS.

WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER, WE ARE BETTER.

MUCH BETTER. DR.

FELDER, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DEEP APPRECIATION FOR YOUR CALM AND SPIRIT, INSTRUCTIONAL AND FISCAL LEADERSHIP AND COURAGE AND LEADING MSPS DURING SUCH A CHALLENGING TIME.

YOUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT AND RESILIENCE HAVE TRULY BEEN INSPIRING.

IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY, BUT YOUR STEADFASTNESS HAS NEVER WAVERED.

AND I'VE NEVER SEEN YOU CLUTCH YOUR PEARLS.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. JENNIFER MARTIN.

GOOD AFTERNOON. LET ME FIRST CORRECT A STATEMENT I MADE PREVIOUSLY REGARDING THE FY 24 BUDGET LINE ITEM, SUPERINTENDENT SCALA.

I'VE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS DID NOT REFER TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S HOLIDAY PARTY, WHICH MCP DID NOT FUND.

IT WAS IN REFERENCE TO THE SUPERINTENDENTS GALA FOR THE ARTS.

I'VE SENT APOLOGIES TO THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT AND A LETTER OF CORRECTION TO THIS BOARD YESTERDAY.

OVER 100 MTA EDUCATORS, PARENTS, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS GATHERED IN DOWNTOWN SILVER SPRING TO DRAW PUBLIC ATTENTION TO THE SERIOUS UNDERFUNDING WE'RE FACING FOR NEXT YEAR.

THE WE WERE THERE TO DRAW THAT ATTENTION TO THE COUNCIL'S FAILURE TO HONOR THIS BOARD'S BARE BONES BUDGET REQUEST, AND YOUR LACK OF PASSIONATE ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF OUR STUDENTS HAS LED TO ANGER AND FEAR ABOUT OUR WORKING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS IN THE YEAR AHEAD.

HUNDREDS OF US ARE FACING INVOLUNTARY TRANSFERS AND HUNDREDS OF NEW TEACHERS CONTRACTS ARE AT RISK.

WE REALIZE THAT AMONG ELECTED LEADERS, WE HAVE FEW, IF ANY, EFFECTIVE CHAMPIONS FOR EDUCATION.

WHILE ALL OF YOU ON THE BOARD SAY YOU CARE ABOUT SCHOOLS AND THE SOULS WHO WORK AND LEARN HERE.

WHERE IS THE COURAGE OF YOUR CONVICTIONS? WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO SPEAK FORCEFULLY AND ACT WITH DECISIVENESS IN SEEKING RESOURCES WE DESPERATELY NEED? IT'S NOT EASY FOR US TO FIGHT ON THE STREETS AS WE DID, BUT WE ARE FRUSTRATED BY THE EMPTY WORDS AND DISMISSIVENESS WE RECEIVE FROM OUR ELECTED

[00:30:10]

ALL THE GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOL BUILDINGS EACH DAY SEEM TO HAPPEN IN SPITE OF RATHER THAN BECAUSE OF MAKEPEACE AND COUNTY LEADERSHIP.

IN THE YEAR AHEAD, MTA WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO RESTORE THE EXCELLENCE OF OUR SCHOOLS.

WE NEED YOU TO BE THERE WITH US.

NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BE POLITE AND MEEK.

STAND UP TO COUNTY LEADERS AND DEMAND FROM THEM WHAT OUR STUDENTS NEED AND DESERVE.

THANK YOU. INSTEAD OF A LUMP SUM, EVELYN CHUNG.

SORRY I MISSED YOU. THERE WAS.

YES. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

MY NAME IS EVELYN CHUNG, AND I AM SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY AS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION OF MISSISSIPPI, AS AN ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO FULFILL FURTHERING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD. THE NCC PTA HOPES THAT OUR VISION IS SHARED BY OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THE FINAL MCP BUDGET DOES NOT MEET THAT STANDARD.

THIS MCP HOUSE BUDGET WAS TROUBLED FROM THE TIME OF ITS RELEASE WHEN IT WAS PRESENTED PUBLICLY WITHOUT BEING AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW.

WHEN THE COUNTY EXECUTIVES RECOMMENDED BUDGET WAS RELEASED IN MARCH, OFFERING MCP LESS LESS THEIR REQUEST, AND CPS SHOULD HAVE OPENED ITS BOX.

THAT TRANSPARENCY WAS AND STILL IS MISSING.

WE URGE THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF EDUCATION TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE PUBLIC IN THE INTERESTS OF OUR CHILDREN AND ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY IN A TRANSPARENT AND HONEST MANNER TO PROVIDE GREATER TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY GOING FORWARD.

AT THIS POINT, THE BOARD AND CPS SHOULD PROVIDE A LIST OF CUTS AND ADDITIONS FOR FY 2025 BY OFFICE AND SCHOOL AND ALL MAJOR CONTRACTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DIGITAL LICENSES, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, CONTRACTS AND CONTRACTUAL SERVICES.

IT SHOULD COMMUNICATE WHAT HAPPENS TO UNSPENT FUNDS AND WHAT RESERVES IT HAS.

IN ADDITION, CPS SHOULD PUBLISH PROJECTIONS OF MAJOR CONTRACTS AND LABOR EXPENSES FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO ENSURE STABLE, MULTI-YEAR FINANCIAL PLANNING.

AND FINALLY, CPS SHOULD CLEARLY IDENTIFY WHICH NEW PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES WILL BE REQUIRED BY THE MARYLAND BLUEPRINT IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

IN ADDITION, WE ASKED THIS BOARD AND MSPS TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF THE $30 MILLION SHORTFALL, ESPECIALLY ON CLASS SIZES.

WE ASK YOU TO ENSURE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY STUDENTS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD LOSE ACCESS TO COMPACTED MATH OR WHO HAVE SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS TO PRIORITIZE DISTRICT FUNDS FOR HIGH POVERTY SCHOOLS AND TO EXPLAIN AND ADDRESS THE LOSS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER.

AND FINALLY, WHEN MCP SPENDS MONEY, THEY MUST FOLLOW UP.

AND CPS HAS BEEN ENGAGING IN SIGNIFICANT SYSTEMWIDE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING THE SHIFT TO STRUCTURED LITERACY.

WE NEED STABLE LEADERSHIP DURING THIS TRANSITIONAL PERIOD AND URGE THE BOARD TO CONSIDER THIS AS IT DETERMINES THE TIMELINE FOR SELECTION OF A NEW SUPERINTENDENT.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE BOARD CREATES A TRANSPARENT SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH PROCESS THAT IS CALCULATED TO RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN THEIR FINAL SELECTION.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

THANK YOU. JULIA ROBERTS MAY BEGIN THINKING ABOUT JULIA ROGERS AS.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JULIA ROGERS AND I'M A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER HERE AT THE MVA.

I KNOW I'M GOOD AT MY JOB.

AND THAT VOIDING OF THE BOARDS AND CPS ADMISSION IS NOT A REFLECTION ON ME.

MY COLLEAGUES AT THE MBA OR THE 14,000 EDUCATORS I STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH TODAY.

WE KNOW OUR MISSION, AND THAT IS TO PROVIDE NOT JUST AN EDUCATION BUT A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL CAN THRIVE.

AT THE MVA, WE PROVIDE A FULL SCHOOL DAY TO OVER 800 STUDENTS WITH A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY OF STUDENTS AND HAVE THEY HAVE HAD SOCIAL INTERACTION BOTH HERE AND AT THEIR HOME SCHOOLS.

A CLOSURE OF THIS PROGRAM WOULD DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT STUDENTS OF THE GLOBAL MAJORITY, WHICH IS 85% OF OUR POPULATION, AND THOSE RECEIVING FARMS, WHICH IS 55%.

THIS IS ALSO NOT THE SAME AS ICE.

IT JUST ISN'T THE EQUIVALENT.

68 HOURS A WEEK OF INSTRUCTION IS NOT THE SAME.

NOT RECEIVING ALL IEP SERVICE HOURS AS STUDENTS DO AT THE MVA FROM SPEECH TO CLASSROOM SUPPORT IS NOT THE SAME AS IS AT THE MVA.

OUR STUDENTS HAVE TEST SCORES THAT SHOW PROGRESS.

FOR EXAMPLE, K-2 TO READING PROFICIENCY SPECIFICALLY FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND HISPANIC STUDENTS.

THERE WAS A 79% AND 25% INCREASE, RESPECTIVELY, IN PROFICIENCY FROM FALL TO SPRING.

TAKE BACK YOUR POWER SUPPORT FROM MSRPS AND STEER US AS YOU SEE FIT.

WE HAVE STUDENTS PLAYED WITH US WHO ARE CHRONICALLY ABSENT.

SOME BY PARENTS. SOME BY THEIR HOME SCHOOLS.

A SAMPLE TO SHOW HOW WE ARE MOVING THAT NEEDLE.

WE WENT FROM 27 STUDENTS ON THE CHRONIC WEEKLY ABSENTEEISM LIST IN OCTOBER TO JUST 11 IN MAY.

AND NOW OUR GRADUATION RATE IS AT 86%.

I LEAVE YOU WITH A QUOTE FROM A STUDENT.

MCP PRIDES ITSELF ON THE DIVERSITY OF THIS COUNTY.

YET YOU ARE PLANNING ON TAKING AWAY ONE OF THE SAFE SPACES FOR THOSE IN NEED.

BOARD TAKE BACK YOUR TIME.

TAKE BACK YOUR POWER. THE FINAL DECISION RESTS WITH YOU.

NOT THE SUPERINTENDENT, NOT THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, BUT WITH YOU, THE BOARD, WHO ARE ELECTED TO MAKE DECISIONS TO ENSURE SUPPORT OF OUR STUDENTS.

[00:35:01]

SEND CPS THE EDUCATORS.

YOUR QUALITY OF WORK YOUR LEGACY IS NOW SUPPORT THE MVA DON'T INCREASE OUR WORKLOADS AND DON'T LAYOFF EDUCATORS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, AMY.

YOU MAY BEGIN. GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS AMY. I HAVE BEEN AN ELEMENTARY EDUCATOR WITH MCP FOR 25 YEARS AND HAVE PROUDLY SERVED THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY FOR THE LAST THREE.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK WITH YOU ABOUT THE VALUE AND IMPACT THE MBA HAS HAD ON STUDENTS WHO ARE THRIVING AND EXCELLING AT THEIR ONLINE LEARNING.

I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ONE OF THE MVA IS CURRENTLY THRIVING FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS TESTIMONY ABOUT WHY THE MVA MUST STAY.

ADRIAN, A TEN YEAR OLD WHO IS FINISHING FIFTH GRADE, IS THRIVING BECAUSE OF THE MBA.

WHEN SHE ATTENDED IN-PERSON SCHOOL, SHE WAS STRUGGLING WITH ALL OF THE DISTRACTIONS AND BEING SHY.

THE MBA HAS NOT ONLY ALLOWED HER TO DO WELL IN SCHOOL, BUT EXCEL.

THAT'S BECAUSE TEACHERS HAVE ALLOWED HER TO GO TO QUIET BREAKOUT ROOMS BY HERSELF TO COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS.

SHE HAS CONSISTENTLY TESTED IN THE 99TH PERCENTILE PERCENTILE.

HOWEVER, WHEN SHE DOES IN-PERSON TESTING, SHE DOES VERY POORLY DUE TO ALL THE DISTRACTIONS.

IF YOU INSIST ON CLOSING THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY, SHE WON'T BE THE ONLY EXCELLING STUDENT WHO WILL FAIL TO THRIVE.

MANY OF HER CLASSMATES WILL TOO.

HER QUESTIONS FOR THE BOARD ARE, DON'T WE COUNT? DO YOU THINK PUTTING US IN HUGE, NOISY CLASSROOMS IS THE RIGHT DECISION? THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY IS HER PATHWAY TO SUCCESS, AND IF YOU CLOSE IT, YOU'RE DOING IT, DOOMING STUDENTS TO FAILURE.

ANOTHER TESTIMONY THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE IS FROM MY CURRENT THIRD GRADE STUDENT, ARNAV, WHO IS EXCEPTIONAL AND THRIVING WITH TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN ALL ACADEMIC AREAS.

HE COMMENTS ON WHY MBA MUST STAY.

ARNOLD BELIEVES THAT CLOSING THE MBA IS A BAD IDEA.

HE HAS MADE GOOD FRIENDS, HAS HAD GREAT TEACHERS, AND DONE WELL IN SCHOOL.

HE WANTS HIS SUCCESS TO CONTINUE BY LEARNING AT THE MBA.

HE HAS REQUESTING TO PLEASE NOT CLOSE THE MBA.

THE MBA PROVIDES AN EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO RECEIVE A COMPARABLE EDUCATION.

WE ARE PROVIDING EDUCATION TO STUDENTS WHERE STAFFING IS NOT AVAILABLE AND HYBRID MATH CLASSES.

WITHOUT THE MVA, STUDENTS LIKE ARNAV WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ENRICHED MATH INSTRUCTION.

STUDENTS WHO TOOK COMPACTED MATH AT THE MVA THIS YEAR WILL LIKELY END UP HAVING TO REPEAT A HALF YEAR INSTRUCTION NEXT YEAR BECAUSE IN-PERSON SCHOOLS DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE ENRICHED MATH INSTRUCTION THAT IS NOT MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS.

ALL MVA STAKE HOLDERS WERE PROMISED IN FEBRUARY BY THE BOARD OF ED THAT MBA WOULD STAY.

NOW FAMILIES ARE LEFT TO SCRAMBLE AND PATCHWORK EDUCATIONAL PLANS FOR AUGUST WHILE.

EDUCATORS ARE NOW SEARCHING FOR JOBS THAT ARE NOT BY CHOICE.

THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT TO DO TO EDUCATORS AND FAMILIES.

IN JUNE, WHEN ALL BOARD MEMBERS AGREED TO EXTENDING THE MBA JUST THREE MONTHS AGO.

THE MVA MUST STAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.

IF WE COULD GET OUR NEXT SIX SPEAKERS TO PLEASE COME FORWARD.

VICTORIA HILL. JULIA KEY AND WILLIAMS. SAMIR HUSSEIN.

CHARLES ROLLINS.

TIMO TAIWO AND LAYLA KADEEM IN VICTORIA HILL. YOU MAY BEGIN.

GOOD AFTERNOON. I WROTE TO YOU IN APRIL REGARDING THE LACK OF A MERGER EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT SOME ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS NOT ONLY LACK CELL SERVICE, THEY DO NOT HAVE LANDLINE PHONES EITHER.

ONE SCHOOL NOTED THAT 12 CLASSROOMS ONLY HAVE ACCESS TO A SINGLE PHONE AT THE END OF A HALLWAY FOR USE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

ALTHOUGH I HAVE PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COMMUNICATION ISSUES WITH YOU THROUGH A SECURITY LENS, THE REALITY IS THAT THE LACK OF 911 CALLING CAPABILITY SCHOOL WIDE INTERCOMS AND PANIC BUTTONS IN OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IS NOT JUST A SAFETY SECURITY ISSUE, IT'S A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

RECENTLY, A MONTGOMERY COUNTY TEACHER HAD TO STOP LIFE SAVING CARE ON A FACULTY MEMBER BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT CALL 911 INSIDE THE SCHOOL.

THEY HAD TO RUN OUTSIDE TO CALL FOR HELP WHEN ANYONE ATTENDING OR VISITING OUR SCHOOLS EXPERIENCES A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

SECONDS. TODAY I AM HERE TO ASK THAT YOU DIRECT ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO UTILIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S SCHOOL SECURITY ASSESSMENT TOOL.

THE ASSET IS A FREE TOOL DESIGNED TO HELP SCHOOLS TAKE STOCK OF WHAT SECURITY MEASURES AND SUPPORTS ARE IN PLACE AND RECOMMENDS WHERE IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE.

THE TOOL DOES NOT STORE OR PROCESS ANY INFORMATION, MEANING IT COLLECTS NO DATA ON THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OR STUDENTS.

THE RESULTS OF THE ZERO COST THIRD PARTY ASSESSMENT WOULD GIVE YOU AND ALL 136 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS BASELINE KNOWLEDGE OF WHERE VULNERABILITIES

[00:40:03]

IN APRIL, A STUDENT WAS ARRESTED FOR WRITING A MANIFESTO THAT OUTLINED PLANS TO CARRY OUT A SHOOTING AT ONE OF OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

I HAVE SINCE BEGUN A CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS VULNERABILITIES THAT RISK THOUSANDS OF K THROUGH FIVE LIVES ACROSS OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

PLEASE MANDATE THE USE OF THE FREE NON ATTRIBUTION TOOL AT ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

ASSESS THE RESULTS AND ACT ACCORDINGLY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS HOOLIGAN WILLIAMS AND I'M A FOUNDING MEMBER OF POET EDUCATORS.

WE ARE A COLLECTIVE OF MSPS, HISPANIC EDUCATORS FROM ALL THREE UNIONS.

PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR COLLEAGUES AND THE STUDENTS WE SERVE.

TODAY WE ARE HERE TO TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF THE HISPANIC, LATINO STAFF, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY.

IN MARCH, THE BOARD ASKED FOR FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY AS THE SEARCH FOR A NEW SUPERINTENDENT BEGAN.

AMONG THE TOOLS THE BOARD DEPLOYED WERE COMMUNITY FORUMS, A FOCUS GROUP OF COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, AND A SURVEY SENT TO MCP STAKEHOLDERS.

I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU FEEDBACK ON THAT SURVEY.

THE SURVEY HAD 4880 RESPONSES, MOSTLY PARENTS AND TEACHERS.

A MAJORITY OF THE RESPONDENTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO INDICATE THEIR RACE OR ETHNICITY.

23 AND A HALF PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS DID NOT DISCLOSE THEIR RACE OR ETHNICITY.

WERE THOSE RESPONDENTS HISPANICS OR LATINO? FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME, THE SURVEY WAS OPEN.

HISPANIC LATINO WAS NOT AN OPTION THAT COULD BE SELECTED IN THE FINAL FEW DAYS OF THE SURVEY.

ONE OF OUR LEADERS ALERTED SOMEONE IN CENTRAL OFFICE, AND WITHIN MINUTES, HISPANIC LATINO WAS ADDED TO THE SURVEY, GIVING OUR COMMUNITY PRECIOUS FEW DAYS AND ZERO NOTIFICATION TO PARTICIPATE, SHARE OUR VOICE, IDEAS AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT WITH YOU.

THE MAY REPORT, CITING THE RESULTS OF THE DATA COLLECTION EFFORT, SAYS THAT 1.3% OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE HISPANIC LATINO.

THAT MAY BE BECAUSE WE WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO IDENTIFY OURSELVES IN THE FINAL FEW DAYS OF THAT, THE SURVEY WAS OPEN.

THE EFFECT OF THIS EGREGIOUS ERROR OR OVERSIGHT MISTAKE IS THAT WE WERE VIRTUALLY ERASED FROM THE CONVERSATION.

THE HISPANIC LATINO WORKFORCE IN MCP DESERVES BETTER.

WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, PARENTS OF IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND THE BACKBONE OF THIS ENTIRE OPERATION.

WE HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED, ERASED AND SILENCED IN THIS PROCESS.

THE BOARD FAILED TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY THAT REPRESENTS 35% OF THE STUDENT POPULATION IN CPS.

WE WERE RENDERED MUTE IN A PROCESS THAT IMPACTS US ALL.

THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS SAMIR HUSSEIN AND I AM A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE.

AND A RECENT SHOULD BE AS A RETIREE WHO HAS PROVIDED OVER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, I HAVE LISTENED TO MANY SPEAKERS IN THIS ROOM, THE OLD ROOM WHO WE HAVE, WHO HAVE DEHUMANIZED THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND THOSE WHO ARE PERSONALLY CONNECTED TO PALESTINIANS.

MORE INCIDENTS ARE HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS AGAIN AGAINST PALESTINIAN STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES BY ADULTS, INCLUDING SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.

I WANT TO BELIEVE IT IS NOT HATE OR RACISM, BUT A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.

EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL SOLUTION TO THIS MATTER.

IT COSTS LESS THAN IGNORANCE.

ONE EXAMPLE, AS YOU WITNESSED THAT LAST BOARD MEETING ON MAY 9TH, ONE SPEAKER WHO WAS IN THE LEADERSHIP ROLE IN HER CHILD'S SCHOOL KEPT REFERRING TO THOSE WHO EXPRESSED SOLIDARITY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AS LIARS.

THEY CONTINUED, SHE CAN.

THEY CONTINUE TO HARASS SOME OF US IN THE AUDIENCE AND OUTSIDE THE BOARDROOM.

THANKS TO THE SECURITY AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS WHO ESCORTED THEM AWAY FROM US.

WHAT KIND OF AN EXAMPLE IS THIS BEING AROUND STUDENTS INSIDE A SCHOOL? INDIVIDUAL SUCH AS HATEFUL RACIST CONDUCT SHOULD BE RESTRICTED FROM BEING AROUND CHILDREN.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNSAFE STUDENTS MAY FEEL IN THAT WHEN THAT PERSON'S PRESENCE AS A PERSON WHO IS NOT LISTED AS A PERSON IS NOT DISTINGUISHED OVER ANOTHER BY APPEARANCE OR RACE, BUT RATHER BY THE QUALITY OF ONE'S CHARACTER AND CONDUCT.

I WAS RAISED IN A COMMUNITY TO FOLLOW TEACHING IDENTITY RACISM AS A SYSTEM OF ARROGANCE IN THE HEART.

NO PERSON HAS SUPERIORITY OVER ANOTHER EXCEPT IN PIETY AND DISPLAYED THROUGH ACTIONS, BY THE WAY, LED BY RESPECT.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE SIR MR. ED FOR ALL HIS LEADERSHIP, AND I WISH I WISH HIM A CONTINUOUS SUCCESS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CHARLES RAWLINS.

YOU MAY BEGIN. GOOD AFTERNOON.

YES, GOOD AFTERNOON, DR.

FELDMAN. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MY NAME IS CHARLIE ROLLINS AND I'M CURRENTLY A SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I'LL BE THE TREASURER ABOUT THAT.

[00:45:01]

I'M HERE TODAY TO ADDRESS A CRITICAL NEED WITHIN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THAT NEED IS FOR ALLOCATING FUNDING TOWARDS ADDRESSING ANTI-BLACK RACISM AND TO INCLUDE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES FOR SCHOOL BASED STAFF TO SUPPORT THIS WORK.

I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT RESOLVING MATTERS THAT REGARD MY PEERS SO THAT I CAN ENSURE THAT I FEEL SAFE, SECURE AT ALL TIMES.

THE RECENT INCIDENT INVOLVING THE PRINTING OF THE N-WORD 1000 TIMES ON 1000 SEPARATE PIECES OF PAPER EMPHASIZES A SIGNIFICANT GAP IN OUR CURRENT PROCEDURES.

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION IS ADEQUATE TRAINING AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES IN PLACE WHEN EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT MET.

THE LEARNING CURVE OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATOR AT OUR SCHOOL WHO DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT PROPERLY IS UNACCEPTABLE.

OUR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ARE TASKED WITH BEING THE LEADERS WHO KEEP STUDENTS SAFE AND ENSURE THAT EVERYONE FEELS VALUED EQUALLY.

THE DELAY IN THE REPORTING OF THIS INCIDENT HAS ONLY BEEN SOLVED IN EACH ONE OF THESE 1000 WOUNDS INFLICTED BY EACH HATEFUL WORD ON THOSE SHEETS OF PAPER.

HOWEVER, I CAN'T MAKE MY PEERS FEEL SAFE IF THE ADMINISTRATION LACKS THE ABILITY TO ADDRESS HATE AND BIAS INSTANCE PROPERLY IN ADDITION TO APPROPRIATE TRAINING AND ADEQUATE CONSEQUENCES FOR ADMINISTRATORS, I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS NEED TO ALLOCATE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE STAFF MEMBERS WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOL RUINS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE COURSE MRS. VANCE AND OUR SOCIAL WORKER, MS..

BRENNAN, BOTH OF WHOM ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN, PROVIDE CRITICAL SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND REPRESENTATION IN SCHOOLS THAT GOES A LONG WAY IN MAKING BLACK STUDENTS FEEL SEEN AND HEARD. I UNDERSTAND THAT MISTAKES HAPPEN, HOWEVER, THEY ARE OFTENTIMES PREVENTABLE.

TAKING THESE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THE ISSUES SUCH AS THESE DO NOT REPEAT THEMSELVES IN THE FUTURE IS AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP.

I'M ONE OF FOUR CHILDREN IN MY FAMILY.

TWO OF MY SISTERS HAVE ALREADY GRADUATED FROM WITHIN AND EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ACTS OF RACIAL HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION.

HOWEVER, I HAVE ONE YOUNGER SISTER WHO IS A SEVENTH GRADER ATTENDING HAVING JOHN.

I URGE YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER ALL THAT I PRESENTED FOR YOU TODAY.

I DON'T WANT MY SISTER OR FUTURE CLASSES TO ENDURE THESE PREVENTABLE TRAUMAS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. TIMO TAIWO, YOU MAY BEGIN. GOOD AFTERNOON, DR.

FELDER, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

MY NAME IS TERRY MALLOY, TAIWO, AND I AM A JUNIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THE CO-PRESIDENT OF THE BLACK STUDENT UNION.

ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, A STUDENT PRINTED THE N-WORD ON 1000 SEPARATE PIECES OF PAPER UNTIL THE PRINTER RAN OUT.

A STAFF MEMBER CAME ACROSS THIS PRINTER AND REPORTED IT TO AN ADMINISTRATOR.

DESPITE THEIR ACTIONS, NOTHING WAS DONE TO RECTIFY THE MATTER.

AS A RESULT, AN ADDITIONAL INCIDENT OCCURRED ON FRIDAY, MAY 17TH, WHEN A BLACK STAFF MEMBER WENT TO REFILL THE PRINTER AND WAS MET WITH HUNDREDS OF THE REMAINING PAGES SPILLING OUT. FIRST, ACCORDING TO THE MCP, IS HATE BIAS INCIDENT REPORTING PROCEDURES.

INDIVIDUALS SHOULD FIRST MAKE A VERBAL REPORT TO STAFF OR ADMINISTRATION.

IN THIS CASE, THIS WAS PROMPTLY DONE BY THE STAFF MEMBER.

THE SECOND ACTION ITEM IS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR TO SUBMIT A HATE BIAS INCIDENT REPORTING FORM TO THE PRINCIPAL.

HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT DONE.

THE QUESTION REMAINS FOR WHICH WE NEVER HAVE AN ANSWER.

WHY WAS THERE A TWO DAY PERIOD WAIT THE TWO DAY WAITING PERIOD UNTIL THIS INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO OUR PRINCIPAL? AND WHY DID IT TAKE AN ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBER, THIS TIME A BLACK MEMBER, TO COME ACROSS THIS PRINTER FOR ACTIONS TO TAKE PLACE? WE MAY NEVER KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS, BUT I HAVE COME UP WITH A FEW POTENTIAL ANSWERS.

FIRST, OUR HUMANITY ONLY MATTERS WHEN IT IS ELEVATED BY BLACK STAFF MEMBERS, OF WHICH THERE ARE ONLY A HANDFUL.

AND SECONDLY, WHEN AN ISSUE ARISES, WE ARE IN THE HANDS OF ADMINISTRATORS WHO NEED TO BE TOLD HOW AND WHEN TO ACT.

EVEN WHEN THE INCIDENT IS AS EGREGIOUS AS THIS ONE.

ALL OF THESE ANSWERS ARE UNACCEPTABLE.

WHICH LEADS ME TO ASK WHAT CONSEQUENCES, IF ANY, CAME AS A RESULT OF THE ADMINISTRATORS ACTIONS? PHIL THANKFULLY, TO THE IT SPECIALISTS, THE 1000 PAGE JOB WAS ABLE TO BE CANCELED IN MINUTES.

IT TOOK MINUTES, MINUTES TO PREVENT ANYONE ELSE FROM EXPERIENCING THIS ACT OF HATE.

MINUTES AT AN ADMINISTRATOR DID NOT TAKE TO PREVENT IMMENSE DAMAGE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. YOU LOOK LIKE COMEDIAN.

YOU MAY BEGIN. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS LAYLA KETAMINE, AND I'M THE CO-PRESIDENT OF THOMAS WOOTON HIGH SCHOOL'S BLACK STUDENT UNION.

IN AUGUST, I'LL BE ENTERING MY SENIOR YEAR.

IT IS BEYOND DISAPPOINTING THAT I, A 17 YEAR OLD CHILD, NEED TO BE HERE TO TELL THE ADULT STUDENTS TO DO THEIR JOBS.

I WAS ELECTED TO FIGHT NOT TO BE A FIGUREHEAD.

I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT THESE DISPARITIES NEVER HAPPEN IN A VACUUM.

THIS IS NOT JUST A WOOTEN ISSUE, BUT A COUNTY WIDE ISSUE.

IT IS EXTREMELY IT IS AN EXTREMELY UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS TO TO ASK STUDENTS AND STAFF TO COME TO A BUILDING THAT THEY DO NOT FEEL 100% COMFORTABLE AND PROTECTED IN.

THIS INVOLVES DISCRIMINATION AND PREJUDICE, JOB SECURITY, MISTREATMENT OF EMPLOYERS AND STABLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE CANNOT PERFORM AS OUR BEST SELVES, BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND ACADEMICALLY.

IF WE DID NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES WE NEED TO THRIVE.

WE'VE SEEN MANY SHORTCOMINGS IN RESPONSES TO ACTS OF HATE AND AGGRESSION.

[00:50:03]

CLEARLY, SOME TYPE OF REFORMATION NEEDS TO BE MADE.

WE PROPOSE THAT MORE FUNDING BE PUT INTO DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION INCLUSION TRAINING FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF, AND THAT ADEQUATE BACKGROUND CHECKS MUST BE CONDUCTED AS PART OF THE HIRING AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS.

WHEN WE DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THESE DISPARITIES, IT MAKES IT SEEM AS THOUGH OUR COLLABORATION AND ALL OUR HARD WORK ARE PERFORMATIVE AT BEST.

TYING INTO THIS, THE RECENT BUDGET CUTS WILL SPELL NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FOR THE SCHOOLS AFFECTED.

IT IS NO SECRET THAT OUR EDUCATORS ARE OFTEN MORE OR MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, OVERWORKED AND UNDERPAID.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, STUDENTS WILL SUFFER BECAUSE THERE WON'T BE ENOUGH ATTENTION AND CENTRALIZED LEARNING FOR THEM TO PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE MATERIAL THEY'RE BEING TAUGHT.

WITH THE INCREASE IN CLASSROOM SIZES AND REDUCTION IN SUPPORTING STAFF WITH LARGER CLASS SIZES AND REDUCED STAFF, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT ISSUES SUCH AS THE ONE STATED BEFORE WILL BE REPORTED AS FREQUENTLY WHEN THEY ARISE OR OR ARE ADDRESSED PROPERLY.

WE VALUE YOUR VOW TO COMMITMENT TO AN ANTI-RACIST SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUT WE MUST ALSO HAVE YOUR WORD THAT YOU WILL PROTECT THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING IT.

BECAUSE TRUST THAT THE HANDLING OF THIS INCIDENT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

WE'VE HEARD YOUR WORDS AND NOW WE DEMAND ACTION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. IF WE COULD GET OUR NEXT SPEAKERS TO PLEASE COME FORWARD, MARTA RICCIO, AMY ORAM AND BARBARA GALASSO.

LEAH HAGAN, MEADOWS.

MARTA RICCIO, YOU MAY BEGIN.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MARTA RICCIO, AND I'VE BEEN AN EDUCATOR IN MCP FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND A MATH TEACHER AT THE UPPER SCHOOL AT THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY SINCE OUR LAUNCH THREE YEARS AGO. I'M ASKING THAT YOU FIND A WAY TO FUND THE MVA FOR OUR STUDENTS.

WE HAVE OVER 800 STUDENTS, BUT HAVE YOU STOPPED TO THINK ABOUT EACH STUDENT, EACH STORY, AND THE NEW CHAPTER YOU'RE WRITING FOR THEM TODAY WITH YOUR VOTE? HERE ARE SOME OF MY STUDENTS PERSONAL STORIES AND HOW THEIR ATTENDANCE HAS IMPROVED BECAUSE OF THE MVA.

I TEACH A BRIGHT NINTH GRADE GIRL WHO USED TO MISS DAYS OF SCHOOL AT A TIME BECAUSE OF TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES IN HER SCHOOL THAT LEFT HER ATTEMPTING SELF-HARM, FEELING SUICIDAL, AND THEN GOING INTO A PSYCHIATRIC WARD.

SHE SHARED THAT THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY HAS TRULY ALLOWED HER TO HEAL, AND SHE'S ANXIOUS AND AFRAID THAT IF SHE GOES BACK IN PERSON, SHE'LL RELAPSE.

I WISH YOU COULD MEET THE ASTUTE NINTH GRADE BOY WHO, DUE TO MENTAL TORMENTS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, WAS AT THE POINT OF CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE.

AFTER THE THOUGHTS OF DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL, HE CAME TO THE MVA.

HE SHARED THAT THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY HAS BEEN HIS LIFELINE, AND HE'S RECENTLY STARTED TALKING ABOUT GOING TO COLLEGE.

I TEACH AN AMAZING NINTH GRADE GIRL WHO I'VE TAUGHT FOR TWO YEARS.

SHE HAS ATOPIC DERMATITIS THAT'S TRIGGERED BY DUST, MOLD AND STRESS THAT OFTEN LEFT OPEN WOUNDS ON HER BODY WHEN SHE WAS IN PERSON.

THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY HAS ALLOWED HER TO MANAGE HER CONDITION BETTER WITHIN HER HOME AND ATTEND SCHOOL DAILY.

ANOTHER PERSON YOU'LL AFFECT WITH YOUR VOTE IS AN 11TH GRADE GIRL WITH DRUG RESISTANT EPILEPSY.

AFTER SUSTAINING A CONCUSSION FROM FALLING DOWN THE STAIRS DUE TO A SEIZURE, HER WAY TO THE HEALTH ROOM.

THE SCHOOL TOLD HER AND HER FAMILY THERE WAS NO WAY THE SCHOOL COULD ENSURE HER SAFETY.

SHE WROTE IN HER STORY. PLEASE CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED COMMUNITY BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION.

BEING ABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL ONLINE IN THE SAFETY OF MY HOME HAS ALLOWED ME TO THRIVE AND GIVEN ME THE PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION I AM PROMISED THROUGH THE ADA.

DO NOT TAKE AWAY THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY.

WHAT OF THE GREATEST FIVE OR FOUR ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME? WHEN VOTING TODAY, THINK ABOUT THESE FOUR STUDENTS.

I WISH I HAD MORE THAN 2 MINUTES TO SHARE COUNTLESS MORE STORIES.

THINK ABOUT OUR OVER 790 OTHER STUDENTS AND THEIR STORIES AND WHAT CHAPTER YOU WILL WRITE WITH YOUR VOTE.

I URGE YOU TO FIND A WAY TO FUND THE MVA.

THANK YOU. AMY ORAM, YOU MAY BEGIN.

MY NAME IS AMY ORAM AND I AM THE MOTHER OF THEO ORAM, A SIXTH GRADER AT THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY.

I AM SPEAKING TODAY BECAUSE I AM DISMAYED THAT MCP WOULD CLOSE A SCHOOL WITHOUT TAKING A DEEP DIVE INTO WHY IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR SO MANY STUDENTS.

WHAT STARTED AS A PROGRAM TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM COVID HAS BECOME A LIFELINE FOR STUDENTS FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

I PERSONALLY CHOSE IT BECAUSE IT ALLOWS MY SON TO HAVE A QUALITY EDUCATION, BUT IN A SETTING THAT HAS LESS DISTRACTIONS AND MORE FLEXIBILITY.

I FEEL THAT NO OTHER SCHOOL IN THE COUNTY PROVIDES THIS UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT THAT KEEPS OUR CHILDREN SAFE.

INCLUDED ENGAGED AND HAPPY.

[00:55:03]

I DID THIS BECAUSE I WANTED TO ENSURE THAT MY SON WAS RECEIVING THE SAME QUALITY EDUCATION THAT HIS PEERS DO AT OUR LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND EVERY DAY I AM IMPRESSED WITH THE HIGH CALIBER OF TEACHING IN HIS CLASSES.

IF YOU VISITED A CLASSROOM, YOU TOO WOULD SEE THAT THE STUDENTS ARE ENGAGED IN LEARNING WHERE THEY GET IMMEDIATE INPUT AND FEEDBACK ON THEIR WORK.

UNLIKE AT IN-PERSON SCHOOLS WITH FEWER DISTRACTIONS AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, TEACHERS AREN'T SPENDING CLASS TIME DISCIPLINING OR LECTURING STUDENTS, BUT TAKING THE TIME TO CONNECT WITH THEM.

I CANNOT IGNORE THE VERY REAL SUCCESSES THAT MY SON HAS HAD AT THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY AND THAT OTHER CHILDREN ARE HAVING AND WHY FAMILIES KEEP COMING BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR.

ONE OF THE CORE VALUES ON THE MTF AND DPS WEBSITE IS EQUITY.

IF YOU VOTE ON THE BUDGET CUTS AND ELIMINATE THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY, YOU ARE TAKING AWAY EQUITY FROM VIRTUAL STUDENTS BY FORCING THEM INTO AN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT THAT DOES NOT WORK FOR SO MANY OF THEM.

YOU NEED TO DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO FIND THE MONEY TO KEEP THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY OPEN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

BARBARA GALASSO AND LEAH HAGAN MEADOWS HIGH MIND.

GOOD AFTERNOON. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SOMETHING TO DR.

FELDER, PLEASE. AS SHE DOES THAT, WE'RE PART OF THE MBA PTA, AND BARB AND I ARE HERE BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AND ALL THE CHILDREN OF MAY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE DECISION TO CLOSE MVA.

THERE'S A MIXTURE OF DISBELIEF AND REALLY RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION.

111 DAYS AGO, WE WERE ASSURED AS OUR SCHOOL WOULD REMAIN OPEN AND WE TRUSTED YOUR COMMITMENT.

HOWEVER, IN A SHOCKING REVERSAL, YOU'VE CHOSEN TO SCHOOL CLOSE MVA BY CITING BUDGET CONSTRAINTS, ATTENDANCE AND GRADUATION RATES.

ALL OF THESE FACTORS WERE NOT INITIALLY PRESENTED AS DECISION CRITERIA TO US AS PARENTS WHO ARE STAKEHOLDERS AND ALSO TO OUR STUDENTS.

WHO ARE YOUR DATA? WE REQUEST THAT YOU HONOR YOUR PRIOR COMMITMENT TO KEEP THE NDA OPEN, AT LEAST FOR ANOTHER YEAR, TO FUND THIS PROGRAM.

AND BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN, THEY DESERVE THE STABILITY, THE CONTINUITY IN THEIR EDUCATION AND NOT A SUDDEN UPHEAVAL AND A SUDDEN UPHEAVAL.

BASED ON YOUR GUYS, THE SHIFTING CRITERIA.

GOOD AFTERNOON, YOU MICROPHONE, PLEASE, AT A TIME.

MICROPHONE HAS GONE BACK ON ITS WORD.

I TEACH MY CHILDREN TO TELL THE TRUTH AND I HAD A REALLY HARD TIME TRYING TO EXPLAIN THEM, THE SITUATION TO THEM.

OUR SCHOOL IS A COMMUNITY, A SAFE PLACE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

MY TWIN DAUGHTERS JUST GRADUATED FROM THE EIGHTH GRADE YESTERDAY WITH ALL A'S AND B'S ONE EVEN MAKING THE HONOR ROLL FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER THIS YEAR BECAUSE THEY HAD AMAZING TEACHERS ENOUGH TIME TO GET HELP WITH CLASSES, BEING THE CLASSES BEING SMALLER AND THE SPACE TO REMAIN FOCUSED.

MY OTHER DAUGHTER LEARNS HOW TO READ.

SHE STARTED BELOW LEVEL AND WENT UP OVER 150 POINTS ON HER.

DEEBLE SCORE AND UP IN HER HER OTHER TESTS, AND SHE DOES REALLY WELL WITH MATH.

AND GUESS WHAT? SHE'S ONLY BEEN IN THE NBA.

THERE ARE SO MANY AWESOME THINGS THAT I COULD TALK ABOUT REGARDING THE NBA, BUT THE ONE I'M MOST PROUD OF IS HOW WE COME TOGETHER TO PROTECT OUR KIDS, TO GIVE THEM THE FREEDOM TO LEARN HOW THEY NEED TO LEARN, TO SHOW THEM THAT YOU DON'T GIVE UP.

YOU STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN OR YOU FALL FOR ANYTHING.

AND HOW MUCH THESE STUDENTS AND STAFF CARE ABOUT OUR SCHOOL.

THE BOND WE HAVE MADE IS UNBREAKABLE.

SO I BEG YOU TO PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP THE ACADEMY OPEN FOR ALL 800 CURRENT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND FOR THE ONES THAT ARE ON THE WAIT LIST, HOPING AND PRAYING TO GET IN THE NBA BECAUSE THE NBA MUST STAY.

NBA MUST STAY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.

NBA EVERY DAY WE RECEIVE FIVE VIDEO TESTIMONIES.

THE FIRST ONE COMES FROM DIANE NEESON.

PLEASE PLAY THE VIDEO. MY NAME IS DIANE NEESON, AND I'VE BEEN A DEDICATED MCP TEACHER FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS AND CERTIFIED IN MATH AND SPECIAL ED.

WHEN THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY STARTED, I WAS EXCITED TO SEE THIS LONGSTANDING NEED FINALLY ADDRESSED.

COVID BROUGHT ATTENTION AND RESOURCES TO A POPULATION THAT'S ALWAYS EXISTED, BUT HAS BEEN QUIETLY FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS.

AS A LONGTIME SPECIAL ED TEACHER, I KNOW THERE ISN'T ONE UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING CONVENTIONAL SKILLS SIMPLY AND QUANTIFIABLY DO NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF EVERY STUDENT. THE MBA WAS NEEDED.

THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM'S BEEN CITED AS A JUSTIFICATION FOR ITS CLOSURE, AND CPS WILL NOT SAVE MONEY BY CLOSING THE MBA IN A LONG TERM.

IN FACT, THEY MUST CONSIDER THE ADDED COSTS TO SUPPORT THIS VULNERABLE POPULATION.

THESE STUDENTS AND THEIR NEEDS WON'T DISAPPEAR IF THE NBA DOES, AND ULTIMATELY ACCOMMODATING THEM ELSEWHERE WILL BE MORE EXPENSIVE.

MORE GRADUATION RATES ALSO BEEN CITED.

FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

I HAVE BEEN THE CASE MANAGER FOR EVERY SENIOR AT THE NBA WITH AN IVY.

THESE STUDENTS HAVE A NEAR PERFECT GRADUATION RATE, ESPECIALLY IMPRESSIVE CONSIDERING THEY MAY NOT HAVE SUCCEEDED WITHOUT THE MBA.

[01:00:02]

LAST MINUTE ADMINISTRATIVE PLACEMENTS FROM IN-PERSON SCHOOLS ARTIFICIALLY DEFLATE OUR GRADUATION RATE.

FOURTH QUARTER SENIORS PLACED WITH SIX CREDITS IN THEIR NAMES SIMPLY CANNOT GRADUATE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

IT'S AN IMPOSSIBLE EXPECTATION.

TO USE THAT DATA AGAINST US IS WRONG.

THREE MONTHS AFTER YOU, THE BOARD, COMMITTED TO FUNDING THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY, IT WAS ANNOUNCED ABRUPTLY THAT WE'RE BEING CLOSED.

THIS LAST MINUTE SHUTDOWN CAUSED EXTREME STRESS AND ANXIETY OVER OUR FUTURES.

I HAD A STUDENT TELL ME THAT WHILE ATTENDING IN-PERSON SCHOOL, SEVERE BULLYING CAUSED A SUICIDE ATTEMPT.

SHE WANTS TO DROP OUT AND NOT GO BACK.

ANOTHER STUDENT STOPPED TURNING WORK BECAUSE HE SAID, WHY BOTHER? I'M GOING TO DROP OUT OF MIND TO GO BACK IN-PERSON.

ANOTHER STUDENT HAD A BABY AND DOESN'T HAVE CHILDCARE LINED UP.

SHE WANTS TO DROP OUT.

THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE SCENARIOS OF WHAT OUR FAMILIES ARE FACING.

AS A TENURED VETERAN TEACHER, I HAVE MY OWN CONCERNS ABOUT THE THOUGHTLESS AND CARELESS THREATS MADE BY CPS THAT TEACHERS MAY BE RIPPED OR LAID OFF OR VOLUNTARILY TRANSFERRED PAST THE DEADLINE IN OUR CONTRACTS.

PLEASE CONSIDER THE REAL PEOPLE AND THE REAL LIVES IMPACTED BY YOUR CHOICE.

DO THE RIGHT THING. FIND THE FUNDING.

FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS.

PRIORITIZE OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

KEEP THE MVA. THANK YOU.

WELL, OUR NEXT VIDEO TESTIMONY COMES FROM JONATHAN AND KRISTEN LASCO.

PLEASE PLAY THE VIDEO WHERE KRISTEN AND JONATHAN LASKO.

OUR SON MAX IS A FOURTH GRADER AT THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY.

PLEASE CONTINUE FUNDING THE NBA AS A SAFE AND EQUITABLE OPTION FOR STUDENTS WITH DIVERSE NEEDS.

MAX HAS A DISEASE CALLED SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY.

IT IS DEGENERATIVE, LIFELONG AND LIFE THREATENING.

HE USES MACHINES TO BREATHE, SWALLOW, SPEAK, SIT AND MOVE.

DESPITE ALL THIS, MAX IS COGNITIVELY UNAFFECTED WITH THE MIND, INTERESTS AND HUMOR.

A TYPICAL FOURTH GRADER.

THE NBA PROVIDES A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

A COMMON COLD CAN PUT MAX IN THE HOSPITAL FOR WEEKS SINCE ATTENDING THE NBA.

MAX HAS NOT HAD A SINGLE RESPIRATORY ILLNESS.

IF MAX WERE TO ATTEND SCHOOL IN PERSON, HIS ACADEMICS WOULD LIKELY SUFFER.

THE NBA ELIMINATES BARRIERS TO LEARNING.

BRICK AND MORTAR SCHOOLS ARE HEAVILY OPTIMIZED AROUND ASSUMPTIONS THAT CATER TO TYPICALLY ABLED PEOPLE.

SCHOOL BUSSES, BATHROOMS, PLAYGROUNDS, DESKS, PAPER AND PENCIL.

THESE FACILITATE LEARNING FOR THE MANY, BUT CREATE BARRIERS FOR THE FEW.

IN MAX'S CASE, HE UTILIZES MULTIPLE ROOMS OF COMPLEX MEDICAL EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY, KEEPING HIM SAFE AND HEALTHY.

ONGOING MEDICAL PROCEDURES LIKE RESPIRATORY TREATMENTS, FEEDS AND TOILETING ARE STREAMLINED IN THE HOME SETTING.

KEEPING AND LEARNING WITHOUT INTERRUPTION WHILE MINIMIZING DISTRACTION TO OTHERS.

THE NBA INCREASES ACCESSIBILITY FOR MAX ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, MAX ATTENDED SCHOOL USING A TELEPRESENCE ROBOT.

DESPITE HIS TEACHER'S BEST EFFORTS, HE FELL BEHIND.

MAX CAN'T TURN HIS HEAD TO LOOK DOWN AT A BOOK.

HE USES A COMPUTER TO WRITE AND SPEAK.

THE NBA'S DIGITAL CURRICULUM OFFERS MAX GREATER INDEPENDENCE, WITH EQUAL ACCESS TO THE SAME MODES OF LEARNING AND SUBMITTING WORK AS HIS PEERS.

WHILE MAX CANNOT RAISE A HAND IN REAL LIFE ON ZOOM, HE CAN.

HE CAN SHARE HIS IDEAS IN THE CHAT, COLLABORATE WITH HIS PEERS IN BREAKOUT ROOMS, AND ENLARGE THE VIEW OF HIS TEACHER AND ASSIGNMENTS AT THE MVA.

MAX HAS THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES FOR FRIENDSHIP AND COLLABORATION AS EVERY OTHER STUDENT.

MAX IS THRIVING AT THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY.

THE ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS ARE IRREPLACEABLE.

BOARD MEMBERS, PLEASE DON'T LEAVE MAX AND HIS FRIENDS BEHIND.

FUND THE MVA A SAFE AND EQUITABLE OPTION FOR STUDENTS OF ALL ABILITIES.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT VIDEO TESTIMONY COMES FROM ETHAN EVANS.

PLEASE PLAY THE VIDEO. HI, MY NAME IS STERLING.

HI. I'M THE FATHER OF TWO CHILDREN, A FOURTH GRADER AT MIA AND A KINDERGARTNER WHO'S RECEIVING I.S..

LIKE MANY FAMILIES, WHEN WE FOUND OUT THE INTENT TO CLOSE THE NBA THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, WE WERE LEFT SCRAMBLING TO TRY TO FIND APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVES FOR OUR CHILDREN. AND THE TWO ALTERNATIVES PROVIDED BY MSPS ARE BOTH INADEQUATE AND SOMETIMES UNSAFE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

LET ME TELL YOU EXACTLY WHY.

THE FIRST OPTION IS TO TAKE A CLOSER TO SEND YOUR KIDS FROM THEIR HOME SCHOOL TO A DIFFERENT SCHOOL.

BUT FOR MANY FAMILIES AND CHILDREN THAT GO TO THE NBA, THEY GO BECAUSE IT IS INAPPROPRIATE OR EVEN UNSAFE FOR THEM TO ATTEND A BRICK AND MORTAR SCHOOL AT ALL.

TO TAKE THESE KIDS FROM A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT LIKE IN VA AND TRY TO FORCE THEM BACK IN-PERSON IS UNSAFE FOR A LOT OF THESE KIDS.

THE SECOND ALTERNATIVE IS INTERIM INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES, AND WE HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE INADEQUACIES OF I.S., AS OUR DAUGHTER HAS BEEN IN IT FOR HER WHOLE KINDERGARTEN YEAR. IMAGINE YOU'RE A BRIGHT AND EAGER YOUNG LEARNER LIKE SHE IS, AND YOUR WHOLE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER IS NO CLASSMATES AND ONLY 4 HOURS OF INSTRUCTION A WEEK.

AND JUST MATH AND READING ALONE, AS OPPOSED TO THE FULL EDUCATION THAT KIDS GET IN THE NBA.

ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT IT IS AN IRS STUDENT IS ACTUALLY ABSENT FROM A CLASSROOM, THE EQUIVALENT OF 153 DAYS OUT OF 180 DAY SCHOOL YEAR.

TALK ABOUT AN ABSENTEEISM CRISIS AND TO THINK A LOT OF THESE KIDS WERE IN IRS FOR YEARS AT A TIME BEFORE THE NBA ALONG.

IMAGINE FINALLY LEARNING WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A PART OF A FULL COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS AND TO HAVE THAT TAKEN AWAY.

IT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

IT'S ALSO INAPPROPRIATE FOR A TEMPORARY SUPERVISOR TO PERMANENTLY ELIMINATE A SCHOOL FOR THESE KIDS JUST THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

[01:05:02]

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT VIDEO TESTIMONY IS SUSAN HERROD.

PLEASE PLAY THE VIDEO. SUZANNE HERROD, FIFTH GRADE TEACHER AT THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY.

EVERY STUDENT WILL HAVE THE ACADEMIC, CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN COLLEGE AND CAREER.

THESE WORDS SHOULD SOUND FAMILIAR.

THEY ARE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE LABELED AS MISSION STATEMENT.

AS AN EDUCATOR, IT IS MY DUTY TO ABIDE AGREE TO THIS MISSION STATEMENT.

IT'S THE BOARD OF EDUCATION DUTY TO UPHOLD THIS PROMISE BY CONTINUING THE NBA.

THE NBA NURTURES STUDENTS CREATIVITY THROUGH CHOICE AND EXPERIMENTATION.

THE NBA ENCOURAGES PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS FEEL SAFE TO TAKE RISKS.

THE NBA DEVELOPS SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS THAT CAN'T BE DEVELOPED IN THE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM.

THE NBA PROVIDES SECURITY TO SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS IN OUR COUNTY.

THE NBA IS PRIVILEGED TO ENTER THE HOMES OF OUR STUDENTS EACH DAY.

WHERE WE OFTEN PROBLEM SOLVE IN REAL TIME WITH PARENTS, AND CPS PRIDES ITSELF ON EQUITY AND DIVERSITY.

NEVER IN ALL OF MY YEARS TEACHING I SERVED SUCH A DIVERSE POPULATION AS I HAVE THESE PAST THREE YEARS AT THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY.

STUDENTS NEEDING ENRICHMENT AND READING AND MATH, STUDENTS NEEDING ENRICHMENT IN TECHNOLOGY, STUDENTS NEEDING ENRICHMENT AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. STUDENTS HAVE GROWN EXPONENTIALLY IN CONFIDENCE BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE SPACE, THE TIME AND ENCOURAGEMENT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED IN THE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM.

STUDENTS STRUGGLING TO FIT IN HAVE DISCOVERED IMPORTANCE THEIR IDENTITY, THEIR WORTH AND THEIR VOICE.

THAT'S EQUITY.

HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY THE DISSOLVING OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT PUT INTO PUT IN PLACE TO SERVE THIS POPULATION? FUND THE MBA. DO NOT RENEGE ON THE MCP VISION.

WE INSPIRE LEARNING BY PROVIDING THE GREATEST PUBLIC EDUCATION TO EACH AND EVERY STUDENT.

OUR STUDENTS NEED YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING, FUND THE MBA.

THANK YOU. OUR FINAL VIDEO TESTIMONY COMES FROM NATALIE STAHL.

PLEASE PLAY THE VIDEO. MY NAME IS NATALIE STAHL AND I'M ABOUT TO COMPLETE MY 23RD YEAR OF SERVICE AT MAKEPEACE.

WITH ME TODAY ARE MY TEAMMATES, LAUREN DAY AND KAREN CONRAD.

WE ARE THE ELEMENTARY HYBRID MATH PROGRAM THAT IS CURRENTLY PART OF THE MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY.

TOGETHER, WE PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO ACCELERATED MATH INSTRUCTION FOR OVER 200 IN-PERSON STUDENTS AT OVER 25 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

DESPITE WHAT APPEARS TO BE IMMINENT CLOSURE OF THE MBA, THE HYBRID MATH PROGRAM CAN AND SHOULD CONTINUE.

WE ARE HERE TODAY TO ADVOCATE FOR ELEMENTARY HYBRID MATH TO BECOME AN INDEPENDENT PROGRAM WITHIN AN ESTABLISHED DEPARTMENT AND MSPS.

MY NAME IS LAUREN DAY.

THIS PROGRAM GREW FROM JUST 19 STUDENTS TWO YEARS AGO TO OVER 200 CURRENTLY ENROLLED.

MANY OF THE SCHOOLS WE SERVE WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS LEVEL ENRICHMENT TO THEIR STUDENTS DUE TO STAFF SHORTAGES AND THE SMALL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IDENTIFIED FOR COMPACTED MATH. IF WE TAKE AWAY THIS PROGRAM, WE ARE TAKING AWAY FROM THESE STUDENTS DIRECT EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.

EVERY SINGLE STUDENT IN OUR PROGRAM HAS HIGH ACHIEVEMENT ON THE MAP.

AN ASSESSMENT THIS YEAR.

THIS PROGRAM IS NOT A WANT, BUT A NEED.

I'M KAREN CONRAD.

IN OUR EFFORTS TO SAVE THE ELEMENTARY HYBRID MATH PROGRAM.

THE HYBRID MATH TEAM ASKED FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS TO SHARE THEIR FEEDBACK.

127 SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES EXPRESSED THEIR OVERWHELMING SUPPORT.

COMMON TRENDS IN OUR COLLECTED DATA INCLUDE EQUITABLE ACCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY TO AN ADVANCED MATH CURRICULUM.

WITHOUT THIS PROGRAM, MANY FAMILIES STATED THEIR CHILD WOULD NOT HAVE ACCESS TO AN ADVANCED MATH.

IN SHORT, NATALIE, LAUREN AND I URGE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND MCP LEADERS TO PLEASE ALLOW US TO LEAD AN INDEPENDENT ELEMENTARY HYBRID MATH PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FIVE SCHOOL YEAR AND BEYOND.

OUR CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE HYBRID MATH STUDENTS.

THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR SCHOOLS ARE DEPENDING ON US.

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR ADVOCACY.

THANK YOU. THIS WILL CONCLUDE OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THE NEXT BUSINESS MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR PUBLIC COMMENT IS TUESDAY, JUNE 25TH, 2020 FOR SENIORS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT WILL OPEN ON TUESDAY, JUNE 18TH, 2024 AT 6 P.M..

IN ADDITION TO ONLINE SIGNUPS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, ALLOW FOR IN-PERSON SAME DAY SIGNUPS WHEN SPACE ALLOWS AN ALLOCATED SLOTS MAY BE FILLED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE

[01:10:04]

IN ORDER TO SIGN UP IN PERSON, PLEASE ARRIVE AT LEAST 15 TO 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF THE OPEN SESSION AND SIGN THE FORM IN PERSON.

SIGN UP FOR UP CLOSE 15 MINUTES BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT BEGINS OR WHEN ALL SLOTS ARE FILLED.

I WILL NOW TURN TO MY COLLEAGUES TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

PLEASE TURN YOUR LIGHT OFF. THIS IS EVANS.

YES. SO WE ALWAYS START OFF BY SAYING THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY THAT COMES OUT TO GIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE FIRST TIME WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A DISCUSSION DURING THE OPERATING BUDGET, BUT THIS IS PROBABLY THE FIRST TIME SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD IN EIGHT YEARS WHEN I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AGREEMENT WITH ANY OF THE CUTS THAT WE WERE MAKING.

IT GIVES ME GRAVE CONSTERNATION TO HAVE TO CUT PRE-K STAFF DEVELOPMENT THE VA, BECAUSE I DID AT A PUBLIC HEARING, I SAID THAT WE WOULD SUPPORT THAT FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

SO I DO WE HAVE I'VE RECEIVED ALL OF YOUR EMAILS.

I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS THAT YOU'VE BEEN MAKING.

SO AS I STATED, I'LL GET INTO IT FURTHER DURING THE OPERATING BUDGET SECTION, BUT I DID WANT TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE STUDENTS THAT.

CAME FROM WOOTON HIGH SCHOOL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRAVERY AND YOUR COURAGE.

TODAY'S A SCHOOL DAY.

I BELIEVE SO. IT MEANT A LOT FOR YOU ALL TO COME HERE TO SHARE WITH US YOUR.

I HAD NOT HEARD THAT INCIDENT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW WE NEED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE'RE GATHERING WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS AROUND.

RACISM, ANTI-HATE.

I KNOW WE'VE HEARD FROM SEVERAL GROUPS THAT FROM OUR STUDENTS, A COPIER MACHINE OF A THOUSAND COPIES MADE WITH THAT TYPE OF SLUR IS VERY DISTURBING.

SO IF WE COULD HAVE SOMEONE LOOK INTO WHAT IS HAPPENING AT WOOTON HIGH SCHOOL AROUND THIS INCIDENT, WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO FEEL SAFE AND SECURE.

SO THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION.

I HEARD MS..

SAMIR HUSSEIN COME OUT AND ALSO STATE THE COMMENTS THAT YOU MADE.

THIS IS WE'VE SAID IT A MILLION TIMES, THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM, THERE'S NO PLACE FOR HATE.

RIGHT. AND SO ALL WE CAN DO IS TO GET BETTER.

THERE ARE THERE'S A STUDY GROUP GOING ON AROUND HATE AND BIAS THAT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK INTO.

BUT WE DO NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE EMPLOYING.

RIGHT. I DON'T KNOW HOW GET DEEPER INTO BEHAVIORS.

RIGHT. BUT WE DO NEED TO BE SERIOUS AND MORE FOCUSED ON WHO WE'RE HIRING, WHO WE HAVING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

I HOPE I CAN'T REMEMBER YOU STATED THAT YOU'RE A RESTORATIVE JUSTICE COACH, THAT YOU DO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT PERSON IN THE SCHOOL.

OKAY, VERY GOOD. VERY GOOD.

BECAUSE WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE ADEQUATE TRAINING AND THE WHEREWITHAL TO DO THAT JOB.

BUT I DID WANT TO MAKE MENTION THERE WERE THREE OF YOU THAT CAME TODAY, DID NOT WANT THAT TO GO UNNOTICED.

SO I DO APPRECIATE THAT.

I KNOW THAT MY COLLEAGUES WANT TO BE ABLE TO COMMENT POSSIBLY ON OTHER TESTIMONY THAT WE'VE HEARD TODAY.

BUT I'VE MADE NOTE PARTICULARLY, I THINK IT WAS VICTORIA HILL.

THEY TALKED ABOUT THE THE FREE TOOL AROUND SCHOOL SECURITY.

SAFETY AND SECURITY IS VERY HIGH ON NOT ONLY MY LIST BUT ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES LIST.

SO WHENEVER WE SAY WE FEEL SO PASSIONATELY AND STRONGLY ABOUT SOMETHING, ALL OF US HAVE THE SAME NEEDS.

WE WANT EVERYBODY IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM TO BE SAFE.

WE DON'T WANT ANY INCIDENTS TO HAPPEN.

THERE'S A WAY THAT WE CAN USE A FREE TOOL THAT CAN HELP US.

WE'LL LOOK INTO IT. SO I'M NOT STATING THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO USE IT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK INTO IT.

BUT I DON'T SEE WHY A FREE TOOL THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO LOOK AT WHAT ADVANCEMENTS OR ENHANCES WE CAN MAKE, WHY WE COULDN'T DO THAT AND THAT STATED AT OUR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEETING THAT WE HELD LIKE MAYBE A MONTH OR HALF AGO, THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK INTO THAT.

SO THERE'S ALWAYS MORE THAT WE CAN DO.

WE ARE A SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT ABSOLUTELY AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY WANTS TO GET BETTER.

AND THEN I'LL JUST SPEAK TO DR.

HANDY AND MS..

MARTIN'S TESTIMONY.

APPRECIATE DR.

HAND, THESE COMMENTS THAT SHE MADE.

AND TO MS..

MARTIN, THIS IS WHAT I'LL SAY.

SO ARE WE TALK IN LIKE ONE ON ONE AND IN GROUPS ABOUT HOW WE FEEL AND WE ADVOCATE TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

SO THIS IS WHAT I'M NOT GOING TO DO.

I AM NOT GOING TO BLAME THE COUNTY COUNCIL ON WHAT WE HAVE AND THE DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE VARIOUS AGENCIES THAT THEY HAVE TO FUND AS WELL.

SO KNOW THERE'S A LIMITED AMOUNT OF FUNDING.

RIGHT. THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO HERE.

WHAT WE CAN DO IS CONSISTENTLY HAVE ONGOING REGULAR MEETINGS IN ADVANCE, LIKE MS..

HANDY, DR. HANDY SAID THAT WE SHOULD BE HAVING ONGOING CONVERSATIONS.

WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT, BUT WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOING THAT, PARTICULARLY AS THE ESSER FUNDING IS GOING TO BE GONE RIGHT? NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT COVID, BUT WE DO HAVE TO DISTANCE OURSELVES, BUT WE DO HAVE TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT AS A RESULT OF COVID, WE WERE GIVEN MONEY THAT WE HAD NEVER HAD IN THE PAST TO DO THE THINGS THAT WE'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO.

[01:15:03]

BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IS TALK TO PARTNERS ABOUT WAYS THAT WE CAN OFF BOARD SOME THINGS THAT MAYBE SHOULD GO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THAT AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM, WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON EDUCATION.

BUT WHAT WE'VE TRIED TO DO, AT LEAST WHAT I CAN SAY AS A MEMBER ON THIS BOARD, WHAT I'VE TRIED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE CONTINUE TO DO AT EVERY POINT IS TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE WELL, IF THEY'RE NOT WELL, IF THEY'RE NOT FIT, THEY CANNOT BE READY TO LEARN.

AND WE NEED OUR STUDENTS TO BE READY TO LEARN.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE THAT MAYBE WE CAN'T AS THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND THIS IS ACROSS THE NATION, WE CAN'T DO ALL THE THINGS RELATED TO HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, BUT WE'VE TRIED TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE CERTAIN THAT OUR STUDENTS CAN ACCESS THEIR EDUCATION.

SO I JUST TO AND I'LL SAY THIS, HAVE VERY THICK SKIN.

AND I TOOK A LITTLE OFFENSE THAT AS A BOARD MEMBER THAT I'M NOT DOING MY JOB BECAUSE AT EVERY TURN I'M DOING MY JOB, I'M HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE AND WE'RE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GET THE FUNDING THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS, OUR STUDENTS CAN, WHICH IS I HEARD ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SAMMY SAID, AND CONGRATULATIONS, SAMMY, FOR GRADUATING. HE'S NOT ONLINE ANYMORE.

THIS IS WE DO OUR WORK TO ENSURE THAT THE STUDENTS CAN WALK ACROSS THE STAGE TO DO WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY DESIRE TO DO, THAT.

THAT IS THE GOAL OF EVERYBODY UP HERE.

THAT IS OUR GOAL.

AND SO TO THINK THAT WE ARE ARE PERCEIVED AS NOT DOING OUR JOB, WE'RE DOING IT RIGHT, WE'RE DOING IT.

BUT GUESS WHAT? WE CAN ALWAYS PARTNER AND DO BETTER AND WORK MORE TOGETHER.

SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I'M NOT SPEAKING FOR MY COLLEAGUES, I'M SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, THAT I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THIS IS A QUALITY PREMIER SCHOOL SYSTEM AND OUR KIDS ARE GETTING THE HIGHEST EDUCATION.

AND THAT'S IT FOR ME IN TERMS OF MY COMMENTS, THIS IS MY ADDRESS.

YEP. SO I WILL ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH MANY OF THE COMMENTS THAT MS..

EVANS MADE. YOU KNOW, I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS MORE AT THE BUDGET, BUT I KNOW PEOPLE ARE WHO ARE SPEAKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES ARE HERE.

I'D RATHER JUST GET SOME INFORMATION.

I HOPE EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO FUND EVERYTHING AND IT'S NOT FOR LACK OF TRYING TO FIND THE MONEY.

DESPITE OTHER AGENCIES MIGHT SAY, AND WE WANT TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS.

IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT BOARD MEETINGS 12 YEARS AGO, I WAS ADVOCATING FOR THE MBA.

SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT OPTIONS, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME AND IT'S GOING TO KILL ME TO RAISE MY HAND TO AN EYE.

I ACTUALLY DON'T. I WENT ON TO SAY TO SABRA THAT IT'S GOING TO BE HARD FOR US.

PLEASE, WE HAVE TO HAVE A SILENCE IN THE AUDIENCE SO WE CAN MOVE ON WITH OUR MEETING.

THANK YOU. BUT I DO WANT HAVE A I HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. HALL. TWO QUESTIONS ACTUALLY.

NUMBER ONE, BACK WHEN, YOU KNOW, A LONG TIME AGO, AS I WAS MENTIONING, 12 YEARS AGO WHEN I STARTED TALKING ABOUT THE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM STUFF, IT WAS MORE OF A HYBRID TYPE OF THING. I KNOW YOU'RE NOT THE CHIEF OF SCHOOLS, BUT I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHAT KIND OF FUNDING WOULD BE INVOLVED TO PUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT INTO PLACE FOR SOME OF OUR STUDENTS.

YOU KNOW, THAT REALLY THE VIRTUAL LEARNING IS WHAT'S BEST THEM.

SO I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THAT AND AND WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S A POSSIBILITY.

I ALSO YOU KNOW, I AGREE WITH MS..

EVANS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE LOOKING FOR AREAS WHERE WE CAN PARTNER WITH OTHER AGENCIES AND TRY AND DO MORE.

BUT MY LAST QUESTION FOR MR. HALL WAS, AFTER OUR BUDGET IS FINISHED, ARE WE ABLE TO ASK THE COUNTY COUNCIL FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION TYPE OF THING? SO THANK YOU FOR THOSE QUESTIONS.

AS FAR AS THE HYBRID LEARNING OPTIONS THAT YOU DISCUSSED, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WOULD NEED TO DISCUSS WITH DR.

MORAN AND HIS TEAM, BUT WE CERTAINLY CAN LOOK AT THAT AND THEN PROVIDE THE BOARD WITH SOME INFORMATION AS FAR AS WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE AND WHAT IT WOULD COST AS FAR AS THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION.

THE BOARD CAN CERTAINLY REQUEST OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION AFTER JULY 1ST, AFTER THE TURN OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

SO THAT WOULD BE A BOARD DECISION.

OKAY. WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO ADVOCATE THAT WE GO AHEAD AND DO THAT WHEN POSSIBLE.

MS.. WHILE. MS..

[01:20:02]

I TOO WANT TO ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH THE COMMENTS OF MS..

EVANS. I WAS PARTICULARLY MOVED BY THE TESTIMONY FROM THE STUDENTS AT WOOTEN.

THAT WAS AN INCIDENT THAT I HAD NOT HEARD OF.

BUT I'M ALSO CONCERNED BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT THERE IS AN UNDERREPORTING OF INCIDENTS OF BIAS IN THE SCHOOLS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW SPECIFICALLY WAS A HATE BIAS REPORT FILED FOR THIS INCIDENT.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE SMEAR.

I THINK SHE MIGHT BE GONE NOW.

SHE MENTIONED SHE USE AN INCIDENT THAT I HEARD ABOUT THIS WEEK ALSO WHERE THIS THE STUDENT, OUR PARENT, WAS CALLED A LIAR.

I THINK IT WAS A CHILD, WASN'T IT, THAT WAS WAS PRESENTING ON SOMETHING.

IT WAS CALLED A LIAR AT A FIFTH GRADE GRADUATION.

I'M NOT GOING TO CALL OUT THE SCHOOL HERE, BUT I WILL BE GETTING WITH YOU, CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE WAS AN INCIDENT REPORT ON THAT.

ALSO, BECAUSE WE ARE NEVER GOING TO GET A HANDLE ON THESE THINGS IF WE DON'T HAVE THIS.

DO THIS. THE SCHOOL'S ACCURATELY REPORTING THE INFORMATION.

AND IN ADDITION, WHO'S INVOLVED AND WHAT CONSEQUENCES THERE WERE.

I BELIEVE THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY HAVE TO START TAKING A DEEPER DIVE INTO, AND THAT IS CONSEQUENCES.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE, AS MS..

EVANS DID, MS..

HILL, WHO RAISED THE ISSUE OF A TOOL THAT HOMELAND SECURITY HAS.

I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT, BUT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT EXACTLY WHAT THAT IS AND WHAT IT MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO FOR US.

LIKE MS.. EVANS, I'M A LITTLE BIT DISTURBED BY BY THE TESTIMONY OF THE UNION BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING TO MAKE IT KNOWN WHAT WE NEEDED IN ORDER TO RUN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

IN FACT, WE HAVE AND BACKED DOWN FROM OUR ORIGINAL REQUEST, BUT THEY HAVE DECIDED WHAT THEY WANTED TO GIVE US.

AND WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPETING INTERESTS THAT THEY HAVE.

AND SO WE HAVE MADE THE BEST DECISIONS THAT WE COULD MAKE WITH WHAT WE HAVE.

I DO AGREE WITH MS..

HANDY, DR.

HANDY, WHEN SHE SAID WE NEED TO START EARLIER.

WE HAVE THIS YEAR SPENT MANY MORE HOURS WITH THE COUNTY COUNCIL WORKING ON THE BUDGET, BUT IT'S NEVER ENOUGH BECAUSE STILL THERE ARE THINGS THAT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THEY QUITE UNDERSTAND ABOUT OUR BUDGET AND THAT WE NEED TO START EVEN EARLIER EDUCATING THEM ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS. AND I THINK THAT'S PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE.

I DO UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OF THE PARENTS AT THE MVA.

THIS HAS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT DISCUSSION AND DECISION.

SO JUST KNOW THAT WE HEARD YOU AND WE DO UNDERSTAND HOW YOU'RE FEELING RIGHT NOW.

THANK YOU, MR. RIVERA. OVEN THANK YOU, MR..

THAT OVEN. THANK YOU.

I, I JUST WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS AND I, YOU KNOW, I AM A PROUD OF CPS.

MY KIDS ARE PRODUCTS OF FAITH IN CPS.

I HAVE NIECES AND THEM CPS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY CLOSE TO ME.

I HAVE SOMEBODY VERY CLOSE TO ME AND A VIRTUAL ACADEMY.

BUT BEFORE I GO THERE, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO SURJIT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE FOR FOR SERVING AS AN EMS. SUCH AN EXAMPLE. MY SON WAS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN AT THE AGE OF 14.

AND SO I APPRECIATE YOUR TESTIMONY.

SO SO KNOW THAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY MOVED THE NEEDLE ON THAT ON THAT WHOLE ISSUE OF NARCAN TRAINING.

IN FACT, WE HAD STUDENTS USE NARCAN, ANOTHER STUDENT EVEN OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL SAVING LIVES.

SO I APPRECIATE YOUR ADVOCACY AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU WROTE IT, THAT IT SHOULD BE PART OF THE HEALTH CURRICULUM.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE SYSTEM SHOULD LOOK INTO IT TO THAT EVERY YOUNG PERSON IN HIGH SCHOOL IS TAKING HEALTH CLASSES AND KNOWS HOW TO PROPERLY USE NARCAN.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MRS. HILL ALSO FOR HER TESTIMONY, AND I JUST CANNOT IMAGINE HAVING A COLLEAGUE COLLAPSING.

YOU'RE NOT BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH 911.

THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN 2025.

SO WE NEED TO ENSURE AND FIND THE TOOLS TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

AND I WANT TO TALK TO MRS. HOOLEY AGAIN FROM POLAND.

I AM I'M VERY DISTURBED BY BY THE TESTIMONY, AND THIS IS THE FIRST I HEARD OF IT.

I DON'T KNOW IF A STAFF COULD TALK IT, BUT THAT THE FACT THAT THE THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD NOT IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOW IT MAKES SENSE.

[01:25:07]

AND IT WASN'T BECAUSE THEY WERE DISENGAGED OR DIDN'T CARE BECAUSE THAT YOU COULD BE AN ASSUMPTION, RIGHT? IT WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE FORGOTTEN.

SO THIS IS WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY TO THAT.

IT SEEMS TO ME WE'RE FORGETTING A LOT OF THINGS LATELY WHEN IT COMES TO OUR COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY OUR MINORITY COMMUNITIES, DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, COMMUNITIES, YOU KNOW, THAT ARE HANDICAPPED.

IT SEEMS TO ME WE NEED TO REALLY, REALLY, REALLY JUST HAVE A DEEP SORROW IN OUR SOULS WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.

AND IT NEEDS TO BE A CLEAR MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP THAT THIS IS AN LEVEL AND TO SAY THAT I AM DEEPLY TROUBLED, TROUBLED BY WHAT? THE YOUNG ARE YOUNG LEADERS BECAUSE THEY ARE LEADERS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT WHO CAME FROM WOODEN HIGH SCHOOL IS TO MINIMIZE WHAT I'M REALLY THINKING.

I AM APPALLED. I AM APPALLED THAT IN 2025, IN THE MOST DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IN STATES, WE ARE STILL HAVING THESE REALLY HATEFUL ACTS TOWARDS PEOPLE WHO THINK DIFFERENTLY, LOOK DIFFERENTLY ACTIVELY THAN WE THEN THAN THE REST OF US.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR LEADERSHIP TO FOLLOW UP, TO ENSURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR THAT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THESE KIND OF ACTIONS ARE NOT GOING TO BE TOLERATED AT ANY LEVEL FROM STAFF, FROM ANYBODY ELSE ARE IN THE BUILDING, BECAUSE EVERY PERSON IN THAT BUILDING SHOULD FEEL SAFE, ACCEPTED AND WELCOME AND VALUE AS A HUMAN BEING AND NOT FEEL THAT THEY DON'T BELONG THERE.

SO THAT THAT WAS JUST VERY DISTURBING.

SO HOPEFULLY WE'LL FOLLOW UP ON THAT.

AND LET ME JUST SAY TO TO THE MEMBERS OF AND THE PARENTS RIGHT.

SO I DON'T HAVE A CHILD, BUT I DO HAVE SOMEBODY VERY CLOSE TO ME WHO IS WHO IS A STUDENT.

SO THIS IS VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY HARD FOR ME.

BUT I DO NOT I'M A VERY STRAIGHT SHOOTER AND TALKER.

WE CAN ASK FOR THE APPROPRIATION.

I DON'T WANT TO MISLEAD YOU, HOWEVER.

RIGHT. BECAUSE IN ORDER FOR FOR FOR THAT TO HAPPEN FROM POINT A TO Z, THERE'S A LOT OF LIFTING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

HAVE TO HAPPEN ON THE SIDE OF THE COUNCIL.

RIGHT. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A MAJORITY VOTE.

RIGHT. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT BY THE TIME ALL THAT HAPPENS IS GOING TO BE PROBABLY IN LATE JULY.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT MISLEADING YOU INTO GIVING YOU HOPE THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

IT IS MY HOPE THAT SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, AND I AM, WHAT ARE THOSE PEOPLE? AND FROM THE BEGINNING THAT I SAID THAT I, I, I WAS NOT SEEING A POSITIVE OUTCOME IN THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS YOU KNOW, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A RESULT FROM BACK THEN WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT.

AND I SPOKE TO A FEW OF YOU AND ASKED AND AND SAID PLEASE AND I THINK SOME OF YOU ARE SAYING, YES, WE DID.

AND I WAS VERY CANDID IN SAYING, LISTEN, I THINK, YOU KNOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE LATER ON AND I'M SORRY IT HAS BEEN.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE DONE A DILIGENCE.

AND LET ME. YES, WE HAVE.

AND I'M SORRY TO DISAGREE WITH YOU, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, SOME OF US, THE ADVOCACY THAT YOU DO, THAT WE DO, YOU MIGHT NOT SEE IT DIRECTLY, BUT THE ADVOCACY THAT WE DO, THE WORK THAT WE PUT IN CALLING INTO THE LATE NIGHTS AND MEETING.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT? I HAVE SOMEBODY WHO I CARE GREATLY IN THE NBA.

SO THIS IS TO ME IS ALSO VERY PERSONAL.

SO I AM INCREDIBLY SORRY THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT YOU THE PARENTS ARE IN THIS POSITION.

AND, YOU KNOW, AS A SOMEONE WHO WHO CARES GREATLY AND IS IN THIS POSITION BECAUSE I TRULY LOVE EVERY CHILD, EVERY 160,000 WHO MIGHT NOT KNOW US, BUT WE ALL INCREDIBLY CARE FOR THE CHILDREN.

WE WOULD NOT BE IN THIS POSITION.

WE WILL NOT BE RUNNING FOR OFFICE IF WE DID IT.

AND IF WE DO WANT TO HAVE CHANGE IN OUR COUNTRY, EVERYBODY.

BUT PLEASE KNOW, I REALLY NEED YOU TO HEAR ME THAT WE TRULY, TRULY CARE ABOUT EVERY CHILD IN THE ACADEMY AND WE'RE DOING OUR BEST WE CAN.

AND WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO SAY I APPRECIATE YOU COMING HERE AND I APPRECIATE THE STUDENTS BEING HERE AND JUST KNOW THAT. LET'S MOVE ON. THANK YOU, MRS. EVANS. SURE.

I JUST WANTED TO JUST STATE FOR THE RECORD IN MY COMMENTS.

I WAS NOT SAYING THAT THE COUNTY COUNCIL IS NOT AWARE AND FULLY UNDERSTAND OUR BUDGET.

WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT AS A SYSTEM, WE'VE MADE SOME MISSTEPS, RIGHT, IN PROVIDING INFORMATION THAT WASN'T ALWAYS AS ACCURATE TO MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT NEEDED TO BE

[01:30:06]

OKAY. I JUST WANT TO WELL, FOR THE RECORD, THERE HAS BEEN NO CONVERSATION IN THIS BOARD ABOUT A SPECIAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE MP.

I JUST WANTED TO CLEAR THAT UP.

THANK YOU. THAT'S WHY I WAS ASKING IF WE CAN.

THERE HAS BEEN NO DISCUSSION.

I JUST WANT I DON'T WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE FALSE I DO NOT WANT TO GIVE ANYONE FALSE HOPES.

OKAY. WE ARE NOW CONCLUDED WITH PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

WE ARE NOW MOVING ON TO CONSENT.

[6. Consent Items - 1:30 p.m.]

STARTING ON YOUR LIKE SIX, NINE, 6.9.

MS. HARRIS 6.20 AND 6.246 26 TO 4.

OKAY. CAN I GET A MOTION TO MOVE THE REST IN? BLOCK SO MOVED SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HANDS AND THAT'S UNANIMOUS WITH THOSE PRESENT.

OKAY. IF WE COULD GET 6.9 TO THE TABLE.

[6.9 Contract Approval for Request for Proposal No. 4181.1, Student Information System—Extension]

SORRY. THANKS. I REALLY JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY SOMETHING MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS THE SAME DATA SYSTEM THAT WE'VE EXTENDED FOR.

I DON'T KNOW. I'M GOING TO SAY AT LEAST EIGHT YEARS NOW TO BE BUILT.

AND IF IF WELL, LET'S START WITH THAT.

IF THIS IS THE SAME THING WE'RE STILL THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

SO THIS IS OUR STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM.

WE HAVE HAD THE STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM THAT HOUSES OUR GRADE BOOK THAT HOUSES OUR REGISTRATION, ITS PARENT VIEW.

IF YOU'VE HEARD I KNOW WE HEAR ABOUT PARENT VIEW, WHICH HAS BEEN EXISTENCE, I BELIEVE WE LAUNCHED IT RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC IN 2020.

OKAY. OKAY.

I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, BECAUSE I HAD HAD AN ISSUE WITH RAISING MY HAND FOR THIS OF ALLOCATION WHEN WHERE'S THERE'S NO COMMITMENT ON A TIMELINE OF WHEN THESE THINGS.

BUT AGAIN, IT'S A DIFFERENT DATA SYSTEM THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

SO SORRY I. APOLOGIZE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

4.4. EXCUSE ME.

6.20, YEAH.

[6.20 Change Order Over $100,000—Charles W. Woodward High School Reopening Project]

BUT HAS WE'VE HEARD A LOT FROM SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT A COUPLE OF ISSUES, PRIMARILY RELATED TO THE SITUATION OF ATHLETIC FIELDS.

AND SO I JUST ASKED MR. ADAMS IF HE COULD SHARE AGAIN, JUST FOR CONTEXT, THIS IS A THIS SITE HAS BEEN A HIGH SCHOOL FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY, BUT IN THE REDESIGN, THE SITE HAS BEEN RECONFIGURED.

SO WHY WE DECIDED TO LAYOUT THE SITE IN THE WAY WE HAVE.

AND THE CONCERNS ALSO GO TO CONCERNS ABOUT NOISE ABATEMENT RELATED TO TENNIS COURTS AND THE PLAYING PICKLEBALL THANK YOU. MR.. SO YES, THIS IS A PROJECT THAT OBVIOUSLY WE'VE BEEN WORKING THROUGH DESIGN PROCESSES FOR AT LEAST SIX YEARS NOW.

THERE'S BEEN ROBUST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGHOUT EACH PHASE OF THIS.

YOU WERE CORRECT, THIS THIS WAS A SCHOOL THAT WAS IN OPERATION FROM 1966 TO 1985.

THERE WAS OBVIOUSLY A HIATUS WHERE IT WAS TEMPORARY LOCATION FOR CHILDREN, AND WE TRANSITIONED INTO CREATING A NEW HIGH SCHOOL FOR WOODWARD HIGH SCHOOL.

PART OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE HAD IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS.

IF THE BOARD RECALLS, WE WE STARTED OUT LOOKING AT A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT AMENITIES, ATHLETIC FUNCTIONS, ORIENTATIONS, AND WE HAD ROBUST COMMUNITY DISCUSSIONS JUST AROUND LOCATIONS. AND QUITE HONESTLY, WHAT MAKES MOST SENSE FOR STUDENTS, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL HERE FOR, RIGHT? IT'S WHAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE.

AND THIS IS A PLAN THAT WAS WAS DECIDED ON.

IT WAS IT MAKES SENSE FOR OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND FOR US.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORS, BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BACK DOWN ON WHAT WHAT AMENITIES ARE PROVIDED AT OUR SCHOOLS FOR OUR STUDENTS.

[01:35:01]

IT'S ALL PART OF WHAT WE PROVIDE AT THESE SCHOOLS.

AND AND CERTAINLY I KNOW THERE'S SOME FOLKS THAT STILL ARE NOT QUITE HAPPY WITH THE PLAN OR THE APPROACH, BUT WE FEEL THAT WE'VE HAD ROBUST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WE'VE HAD ROBUST CONSENSUS BUILDING.

AND THIS IS THE BEST APPROACH FOR FOR OUR STUDENTS.

AND THIS CHANGE ORDERS IS JUST AS WE'RE MOVING FROM PHASE ONE TO PHASE TWO.

THIS IS PHASE TWO WORK THAT WE'RE ACCELERATING SO THAT THE NORTHWOOD STUDENTS HAVE THE AMENITIES THAT THEY NEED WHEN THEY ARRIVE AS THE TEMPORARY SWING SPACE SCHOOL BY THEIR SCHOOL IS BEING CONSTRUCTED. AND I COULD YOU TALK JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT IS DONE AROUND NOISE CONCERNS WHEN WE HAVE A SCHOOL WHOSE FACILITIES, ATHLETIC FACILITIES AND OTHERS ARE REALLY CLOSELY LOCATED IN A NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND I THINK A LOT OF US THINK OF PCC, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, RIGHT, NESTLED IN IN A NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO WE DO HAVE SCHOOLS THAT ARE VERY ACTIVE, THAT ARE NEIGHBORHOOD BOUNDED AND.

SO HOW WE DO ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT NOISE FOR THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.

SURE. AND THAT'S A QUESTION THAT COMES UP QUITE FREQUENTLY.

RIGHT. WE ARE NESTLED IN COMMUNITIES.

I MEAN, EVERY ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS, WE'RE NOT WE'RE NOT IN COMMERCIAL LOCATIONS.

WE'RE IN COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY OUR HIGH SCHOOLS.

THERE'S A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT HAPPEN BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, ATHLETIC EVENTS OR OTHER EXTRACURRICULARS.

WE DO WORK TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FROM A FROM A NOISE ABATEMENT TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T EXASPERATE ANY ANY OF THE NOISE CONCERNS.

BUT THE REALITY IS IT'S A HIGH SCHOOL SITE.

THERE ARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITES OR MIDDLE SCHOOL SITES, AND THERE'S ACTIVITIES THAT HAPPEN.

THERE'S THERE'S PLAY, THERE'S THERE'S THERE'S EVENTS, THERE'S ATHLETIC FUNCTIONS.

SO I DO THINK THAT WE WORK TO TRY TO POSITION AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO MINIMIZE IMPACTS ON NEIGHBORS.

BUT THE REALITY IS IT IS AN EDUCATIONAL USE.

IT'S A HIGH SCHOOL SITE.

THERE WILL BE SOME NOISES COMING FROM OBVIOUSLY, THESE EVENTS.

WE'LL WORK TO OBVIOUSLY BE AS GOOD A NEIGHBOR AS WE CAN.

BUT I THINK THE REALITY IS THAT IS STILL A HIGH SCHOOL SITE.

THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE ACTIVITIES THAT GENERATE NOISE.

WE LIKE TO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE LIKE TO HEAR THE SOUND OF KIDS PLAYING AND LAUGHING AND HAVING A GOOD TIME.

WE'LL CERTAINLY WORK TO TO MAKE SURE WE MANAGE THAT AND FIT WELL WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

BUT I DO THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT PLAN, THE RIGHT APPROACH FOR FOR THE FUTURE STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL.

AND WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GOOD NEIGHBORS, WORKING WITH WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL NEIGHBORS ALONG THE WAY AS WELL, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. AND SO PART OF THE CONCERNS THAT WE'VE HEARD IS THE TENNIS COURTS ARE LOCATED WITHIN AND I, I HAVE NOT MEASURED THIS MYSELF, SO I'M JUST I'M RELAYING THE COMMENTS WE'VE HEARD 50 FEET AWAY FROM THE CLOSEST RESIDENTS AND WONDERING ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING AS FAR AS NOISE ABATEMENT TECHNOLOGY FOR THOSE TENNIS COURTS SPECIFICALLY, THERE SEEM TO BE CONCERNS THAT PICKLEBALL IS VERY LOUD.

I CAN'T SAY THAT I HAVE DIRECT EXPERIENCE LIVING NEXT TO A PICKLEBALL COURTS.

SO I I'M RELYING ON WHAT I'M BEING THE INFORMATION THAT'S BEING SHARED THAT ARE WE LOOKING AT TECHNOLOGY SPECIFIC TO THAT KIND OF AN ATHLETIC FACILITY THAT WOULD HELP ALLEVIATE CONCERNS ABOUT NOISE? SURE. AND WE HAVE HIRED A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT TO DO SCREENING.

SO EVERGREEN SHRUBS AND BUSHES WERE LOOKING, YOU KNOW, ONCE ONCE THESE SPACES CONSTRUCTED, WE'RE ABLE TO DO SOME ACOUSTIC TESTING.

SO IF WE NEED TO ADD SOME SOFT SURFACES SO THAT WE DON'T CREATE REVERBERATION OF NOISES THAT THAT SORT OF ECHO IN COMMUNITIES WILL INSTALL THAT.

BUT AGAIN, THE REALITY IS, IS WE CAN DO WE CAN DO THINGS THAT THAT WILL HELP AGAIN FROM SCREENING FROM FROM, YOU KNOW, LANDSCAPING, OTHER SOFT SURFACES. BUT BUT WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS WHERE THERE'S CLOSE PROXIMITY TO NEIGHBORS.

I KNOW BC HIGH SCHOOL, EVEN DAMASCUS HIGH SCHOOL, THERE'S THERE'S QUITE A FEW FACILITIES THAT ARE VERY CLOSE TO NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND SO WE'VE WORKED TO PROVIDE AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO TO MINIMIZE THE NOISE.

BUT THE REALITY IS WE'RE CLOSE AND YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR SOME OF THESE FUNCTIONS AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO WORK TO MAKE SURE THE SCHOOL OPERATIONS ARE FIT WITHIN, AGAIN, THAT NEIGHBOR OF THE SPIRIT OF OF COOPERATION AND MINIMIZING IMPACTS.

OKAY. I THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. 624 MONTHLY REPORT.

[6.24 Monthly Financial Report]

[01:40:01]

AND JUST IF YOU COULD WALK US THROUGH WHERE WE ARE, BUDGET BOTTOM LINE.

SURE. AS YOU MENTIONED, MS..

HARRIS, THIS IS THE LAST TIME THAT WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THE FY 24 MONTHLY BUDGET, BUT THERE'S NOTHING REALLY NEW HERE.

WE'VE BEEN HAVING THIS DISCUSSION SINCE SEPTEMBER ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

WE DISCUSS WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THE WITH OUR ESSER SPENDING, WITH OUR EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN SPENDING AND WITH OUR BUDGET TO ACTUAL FOR THE OPERATING BUDGET.

SO NO SURPRISES HERE, BUT I'LL KIND OF WALK US THROUGH THIS.

THIS ALSO GETS SHARED WITH THE COUNTY COUNCIL TOO, ON A MONTHLY BASIS AS WELL.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'LL A COUPLE OF EXTRA NUMBERS IN THE GRID ON PAGE TWO.

SO WHAT WE'VE DONE AS AS EVERYBODY KNOWS AT THIS POINT, OUR EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN IS IN TROUBLE.

IT WAS IN TROUBLE. WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A FEW YEARS.

THE AMOUNT OF CLAIMS AND THE THE RISE IN INFLATIONARY EXPENDITURES HAVE RISEN DRAMATICALLY.

MULTI INCREASES OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO TRY TO MAKE THAT FUND MORE SUSTAINABLE.

ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN DO THIS IS BY LOOKING AT OUR CURRENT YEAR FUNDING.

SO THE THE STATUS OF THE FUND WHEN WE TALKED IN JANUARY WAS THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE HAVING TROUBLE PAYING OUR BILLS FOR THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

SO WITH THAT NECESSITATED OUR EXPENDITURE FREEZE, AS YOU KNOW.

SO THIS DOCUMENT RECORDS SOME OF THAT SAVINGS THAT WERE THAT WERE THAT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF THAT FREEZE.

AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE PUTTING THIS WE'RE ALLOCATING THIS AS A SUPPLEMENTAL FOR THIS YEAR, AS WELL AS SOME FUNDS FOR NEXT YEAR AS WELL TO TO PUT US IN A BETTER POSITION.

BUT I DO WANT TO READ IT. I WANT TO ITERATE THAT THIS IS A ONE TIME FUNDING.

WHAT'S REALLY GOING TO HELP IS THE INVESTMENT THAT THIS BOARD HAS MADE INTO NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.

THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO KIND OF CORRECT THE SITUATION WHERE WE CURRENTLY HAVE A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT BECAUSE OUR RECURRING EXPENDITURES EXCEED OUR RECURRING REVENUE AS THE SO SO I ASKED FOR.

ESSER SO THERE IS RIGHT NOW, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, WE HAVE $36 MILLION LEFT TO SPEND IN THAT.

SIR, AS YOU KNOW, THIS FUNDING RUNS OUT IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024.

SO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 29 MILLION LEFT THAT WILL ALL BE SPENT.

THERE'LL BE NOTHING ON THE TABLE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024 FOR THE EVP.

AS I AS I NOTED, SOME OF THE ONE TIME THINGS WE'RE DOING IS GOING TO HELP US GET THROUGH THIS YEAR.

WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO NEXT YEAR AND THE YEAR AFTER.

IT'S GOING TO BE A MULTI-YEAR PLAN TO TO RIGHT THAT SHIP AND THEN FINALLY OUR OPERATING BUDGET.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S NEW HERE IS REDUCTION OF OUR FUND BALANCE OR OUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

YOU KNOW, $25 MILLION.

IT'S CREATED SOME DIFFICULTIES DURING THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR ON HOW TO NAVIGATE WITHOUT THAT SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

WHAT'S HAPPENED IS, AS WE ALL KNOW, NOT ONLY THIS HAS INFLATION AFFECTED OUR EVP FUND, IT'S AFFECTED ALMOST ALL OF OUR SERVICES AND AND SUPPLIES AND CONTRACTUAL SERVICES.

SO WE'VE HAD TO FIND WAYS TO KIND OF MEET THAT THOSE NEEDS WITH SAVINGS ELSEWHERE.

SO YOU'LL SEE FOR THE FIRST TIME THERE'S ACTUALLY IN THE DETAILS, THERE'S SIX CATEGORIES OUT OF OUR 13 STATE CATEGORIES THAT WILL BE NEGATIVE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

THE COUNTY DOES AFFORD US THE ABILITY TO DO A CATEGORICAL TRANSFER AT THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THOSE BALANCES THAT WERE IN THE PAST WHERE WE KIND OF HAD 20 WHERE WE WERE SAVING $25 MILLION.

SO THAT THAT'S SOME OF THE BIG CHANGES THAT YOU'LL SEE IN THIS MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT.

THANK YOU, MR. REILLY.

AND JUST COMING ATTRACTIONS ON FEBRUARY 27TH, THE FISCAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING.

WE'RE GOING TO MEET AND ONE OF WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING TAKING THE HARD LOOK AT THE INS AND OUTS OF THIS YEAR'S OPERATING BUDGET, BUT ALSO LOOKING AT STRATEGIES WE NEED TO START TO IMPLEMENT FOR TO HAVE A LONG TERM STRATEGY TO CORRECT OUR STRUCTURAL BUDGET DEFICIT, TO SAFEGUARD OUR EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TRUST FUNDS AND OUR EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE TRUST FUNDS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AS FULLY FUNDED AS WE CAN BE TO GIVE US SOME PROTECTION AGAINST THE SORT OF INFLATIONARY AND OTHER PRESSURES THAT YOU'VE MENTIONED.

AND ALSO TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF THE WORK THAT THE COUNTY COUNCIL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE HAS DONE AROUND THEIR OPEB WORK TO SEE HOW WE CAN BE TIGHTER ON AND CREATE PROCESSES THAT PROVIDE US MORE STABILITY WHEN INFLATIONARY AND OTHER FISCAL PRESSURES COME AND GO.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

COMING ATTRACTIONS ON THE 27TH MAY 7TH.

MR. REILLY. YES, YES.

SO IT WILL BE IMPORTANT THAT THE COMMUNITY SEES THAT WE'RE GETTING OUR BENEFITS PLAN BACK HEALTHY.

THIS CORRECTION PLAN GOING TO COME BACK TO THE BOARD BEFORE SEPTEMBER BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED SEPTEMBER 2024.

SO FOR ESSER, THE ESSER FUNDING ENDS IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024.

[01:45:03]

WE WANTED TO GET BACK HEALTHY.

YOU WERE MENTIONING HOW WE'RE JUST NOT QUITE WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

YES. SO SO FOR FURTHER DETAIL, AN INVESTMENT OF MORE THAN $40 MILLION WAS MADE FOR THE FY 25 BUDGET.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT FOR FY 26 AS WELL, TOO, BECAUSE IN ESSENCE, WHAT WE'RE INVESTING IN 25 COVERS THE INFLATIONARY ASPECT, BUT NOT THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT THAT THAT WAS.

I UNDERSTAND. I KNOW IN FISCAL MANAGEMENT YOU'LL BE HAVING THAT DISCUSSION.

THAT'S THE SEXY COMMITTEE.

YEAH, WELL, SO TOO MUCH DETAIL, BUT I'M SAYING THAT THE FULL BOARD SHOULD ALSO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THE COMMUNITY KNOWS AND HEARS THE INFORMATION AS WELL.

CAN WE? AND WE CERTAINLY CAN PROVIDE, YOU KNOW, A BIG PIECE OF THIS.

YOU KNOW, LIKE ANY BUDGET, THE EVP IS NO DIFFERENT.

THERE'S THE REVENUE SIDE AND THE EXPENSE SIDE.

AND SO THIS BOARD, AS MR. REILLY NOTED, HAS PUT $40 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL REVENUE IN TO COVER THE ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT WE'RE SEEING THIS YEAR.

THERE'S ALSO THE EXPENSE SIDE, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR ASSOCIATION THROUGH BECAUSE ANY CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE THERE NEED TO BE DONE THROUGH THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROCESS.

AND SO WE HAVE MET ONCE AND WILL CONTINUE TO MEET TO SEE HOW WE CAN BEND THE COST CURVE BECAUSE WE CAN KEEP DUMPING REVENUE IN.

BUT IF THE COSTS ARE OUT OF CONTROL AND CONTINUING TO ESCALATE, THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE A LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION, RIGHT? I'M JUST ASKING FOR THE DISCUSSION TO CONTINUE AND TO COME TO THE FULL BOARD.

THANK YOU. WE'RE HAVING AGENDA SETTING PLANNING MEETINGS NEXT WEEK, I THINK, FOR OUR SUMMER SESSION, SO WE WILL CERTAINLY PUT THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.

I DIDN'T HAVE A SET. THEY JUST WANT US TO COME TO THE BOARD IS IMPORTANT.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

COULD WE GET A MOTION TO MOVE SIX, NINE, SIX, 20 AND 624 MOVE APPROVAL SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HANDS. THAT'S UNANIMOUS WITH THOSE PRESENT.

OKAY, WE ARE NOW MOVING ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, ITEM OF DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON THE FINAL ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 OPERATING

[7. Item of Discussion/Action - 1:45 p.m.]

PRESIDENT SYLVESTER AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

TODAY, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL ADOPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 OPERATING BUDGET FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET FOR CPS TOTALS $3.3 BILLION.

THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 147.3 MILLION OR A 4.6% INCREASE COMPARED TO THE CURRENT FCI 2024 OPERATING BUDGET.

WITHOUT QUESTION, THIS HAS BEEN AN EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT BUDGET YEAR FOR ALL OF US.

WITH THE LOSS OF THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EMERGENCY RELIEF, ALSO KNOWN AS ESSER FUNDING AND INCREASED INFLATION COSTS, WE REQUESTED A FUNDING LEVEL FOR AN OPERATING BUDGET THAT WE BELIEVE IS ESSENTIAL TO SUPPORT THE TEACHING AND LEARNING NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS.

IN ALL 211 SCHOOLS IN LATE MAY, OUR COUNTY GOVERNING PROVIDED LESS FUNDING THAN WE REQUESTED.

AS A RESULT, WE HAVE A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TO MAKE VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS ABOUT REDUCTIONS IN THE OPERATING BUDGET.

SINCE WE ASKED FOR A LIMITED FINANCIAL BUDGET THAT REPRESENTS OUR NEEDS, THERE ARE NO EASY REDUCTIONS TO TAKE.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT EVERY REDUCTION TO THE BUDGET HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR STUDENTS, OUR FAMILIES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ASSOCIATIONS AND OUR STAFF FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE Y 2025 OPERATING BUDGET PROCESS FOR CPS.

WE ALSO COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE MORE THAN 160,000 STUDENTS.

WE ARE HONORED TO SERVE EACH AND EVERY DAY IN THIS DISTRICT.

I ALSO AGREE THAT THE WORK OF THE 2026 BUDGET BEGINS IMMEDIATELY.

WE MUST BEGIN THAT PROCESS WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND COUNTY GOVERNING BODY.

I NOW ASK MR. BRIAN HALL, CHIEF OFFICER, TO INTRODUCE THE TEAM AND TO BEGIN THIS PRESENTATION.

GREAT. THANK YOU, DR. FELDER, AND GOOD AFTERNOON, PRESIDENT SYLVESTER AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

BEFORE I BEGIN THE PRESENTATION, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO RECOGNIZE THE ENTIRE BUDGET TEAM WHO WORKED LONG HOURS AND OFTEN OVER WEEKENDS THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE YEAR TO PRODUCE THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET.

THE TEAM IS LED BY MR. ROB RILEY, ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCE.

THE DIVISION OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET IS LED BY DIRECTOR YVONNE ALFONSO WINDSOR.

[01:50:02]

CARLY THOMPSON AND THEIR SEVEN BUDGET SPECIALISTS AND SUPPORT STAFF.

FINALLY, THE BUDGET TEAM IS ASSISTED BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TOM CROSSING.

CAN WE PLEASE GIVE THEM? A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. SO EACH YEAR IN JUNE, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS TO ADOPT THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR THAT BEGINS ON JULY 1ST.

THIS ADOPTION BY THE BOARD FOLLOWS THE ACTION OF THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

THE COUNTY COUNCIL SETS THE FUNDING LEVEL AND ALLOCATES BY STATE CATEGORY IN THEIR BUDGET RESOLUTION.

TODAY, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OFFICIALLY ADOPTS THAT FUNDING LEVEL, WHICH THIS YEAR IS APPROXIMATELY $30 MILLION LESS THAN THE TENTATIVELY APPROVED BUDGET THE BOARD PASSED THIS PAST FEBRUARY.

THIS LEAVES A GAP OF $30 MILLION BETWEEN REVENUE AND EXPECTED EXPECTED EXPENDITURES THAT NEEDED TO BE CLOSED, WHICH LED TO, AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED ALREADY TODAY, SOME VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION AND THIS BOARD.

CLOSING A $30 MILLION GAP IS NEVER EASY, BUT IT IS MADE ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE SUPERINTENDENTS RECOMMENDED BUDGET BACK IN DECEMBER ALREADY INCLUDED $14 MILLION IN REDUCTIONS TO CENTRAL SERVICES ON OF OVER $12 MILLION IN REDUCTIONS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT WERE TAKEN LAST YEAR. SO A TOTAL OF $26 MILLION IN REDUCTIONS BEFORE WE RECEIVED THE ADDITIONAL $30 MILLION IN REDUCTIONS FOR A TOTAL OF OVER $55 MILLION IN REDUCTIONS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THIS CANNOT BE DONE WITHOUT SOME DIFFICULT DECISIONS.

THE BUDGET PROCESS IS A YEAR ROUND.

ACTUALLY. IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THE BUDGET PROCESS IS A YEAR ROUND PROCESS THAT STARTS IN JULY.

BACK IN JULY OF 2023, WE BEGAN ENGAGEMENT WITH MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, OUR DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION.

WE HELD SEVERAL MEETINGS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENTS BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SIX COMMUNITY FORUMS. THE BOARD HELD THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS, ALONG WITH MULTIPLE WORK SESSIONS WITH STAFF.

LAST YEAR, AT THE START OF THE FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, THE BOARD IDENTIFIED FOUR PRIORITIES.

IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE, THEY WE GO FOR PRIORITIES THAT ALIGN WITH THE THREE PILLARS OF THE MCP STRATEGIC PLAN.

THE FIRST PILLAR IS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, AND WITHIN THAT PILLAR, THE BOARD PRIORITY CONTINUES TO BE IMPROVING MATH AND LITERACY RATES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY FOR.

ALL STUDENTS. THE SECOND PILLAR OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN IS WELL-BEING AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT.

WITHIN THAT PILLAR, THE BOARD IDENTIFIED TWO PRIORITIES.

THE FIRST IS BUILDING A SAFE AND INCLUSIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE IN EVERY SCHOOL.

THE SECOND PRIORITY IS SUPPORTING TWO WAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES.

THE THIRD AND FINAL PILLAR IS PROFESSIONAL AND OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE, AND THE PRIORITY UNDER THIS PILLAR IS IMPROVING RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF A HIGH QUALITY WORKFORCE.

BOTH THE DISTRICT'S STRATEGIC PLAN AND BOARD PRIORITIES AT THE START OF THE FFA 25 OPERATING BUDGET DEVELOPMENT SERVED AS ROADMAP SERVED AS A ROADMAP FOR US THAT LED US THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS AND BRINGS US TO ADOPTION.

TODAY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO AS DR. FELDER MENTIONED EARLIER, FOR A 25 OPERATING BUDGET YOU ARE ADOPTING TODAY, TOTALS 3.3 TO $2 BILLION.

THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 147 MILLION OR A 4.6% INCREASE ABOVE OUR CURRENT F Y 24 OPERATING BUDGET OF $3.175 BILLION.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

EACH YEAR THE CHANGE IN REVENUE MUST EQUAL THE CHANGE IN EXPENDITURES SO THAT WE MAINTAIN A BALANCED BUDGET FOR FFA 2025.

WE HAVE AN INCREASE OF $147.3 MILLION IN REVENUE.

MOST OF THE REVENUE CHANGE OVER $123 MILLION COMES FROM THE LOCAL CONTRIBUTION FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

HISTORICALLY, THE LOCAL CONTRIBUTION FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY MAKES UP THE LARGEST SOURCE OF FUNDING AT AROUND 65% THIS YEAR.

THAT TOTAL IS ACTUALLY 84% OF LOCAL FUNDING.

THE NEXT LARGEST SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR MCP IS THE MCP RECEIVES COMES FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

FOR FY 2025, MCP HAS RECEIVED AN INCREASE OF $38.3 MILLION IN STATE AID, AS WELL AS GRANT FUNDING FOR THE BLUEPRINT FOR

[01:55:09]

WE WILL ALSO RECEIVE A SMALL INCREASE OF ABOUT $1 MILLION IN FUNDING FROM THIS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO EVEN THOUGH THE FUNDING WILL GO UP BY 1 MILLION, WE ARE ALSO LOSING OUR ESSER FUNDS, WHICH WE CURRENTLY HAVE BUDGETED AT A LEVEL OF $120 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FY 24. SO AGAIN, LOSING REVENUE OF CLOSE TO $120 MILLION IS SIGNIFICANT AND IMPACTFUL.

THE NEXT LINE REFLECTS $9.8 MILLION INCREASE IN REVENUE PROJECTED FOR OTHER OTHER GRANTS, AS WELL AS OUR ENTERPRISE AND SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS.

THESE FUNDS INCLUDE OUR FOOD SERVICE FUND, OUR ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY FUND, AND OUR REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT FUND.

FINALLY, OUR ANTICIPATED REVENUE FOR FY 25 REFLECTS A DECREASE OF $25 MILLION IN THE MCP FUND BALANCE.

IN THE PAST, MCP WITH BUDGET FOR USE OF END OF YEAR FUND BALANCE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR BUDGET, INCLUDING THIS CURRENT YEAR.

WE STARTED THIS CURRENT YEAR BUDGET WITH $25 MILLION THAT WAS SAVED FROM FCI 23 FOREVER 25.

THAT REVENUE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.

AND SO THAT IS A DECREASE OF APPROXIMATE WELL OF EXACTLY $25 MILLION THAT WE ARE STARTING THIS BUDGET PROCESS WITH.

SO I WILL STOP THERE AND TURN THE PRESENTATION OVER TO MR. RILEY. THANK YOU, MR. HULL. AND GOOD AFTERNOON, PRESIDENT SYLVESTER, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND DR.

FELDER. SO AS MR. HULL JUST NOTED, OUR CHANGES IN REVENUE FROM 2024 TO WHAT WILL BE IN FY 2025 IS BEING ADOPTED TODAY, AND THAT IS 147.3 MILLION. HOWEVER, THE LOCAL CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT FROM THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT WAS NOT KNOWN FOR CERTAIN UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN THE COUNTY COUNCIL ADOPTED THE FY 25 OPERATING BUDGET FOR ALL OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

THIS NEXT SLIDE.

THIS SLIDE SHOWS A VISUAL OF THE THREE DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE BUDGET.

IN DECEMBER, THE SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS AN OPERATING BUDGET TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND AT THAT POINT WE NEED TO ESTIMATE THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE BASED ON OUR PROJECTED ENROLLMENT AND COUNTY WEALTH RELATIVE TO ALL THE OTHER ELEMENTS IN THE STATE.

THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE BASED ON A $10 MILLION PROJECTED STATE INCOME INCREASE AT THE TIME AND $167 MILLION INCREASE IN LOCAL FUNDS.

THE BUDGET PROPOSED INCREASES IN COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS MOVING $33 MILLION OF ESSER INVESTMENTS INTO THE OPERATING BUDGET AND ADDRESSING INFLATION.

THE SUPERINTENDENT'S FY 25 OPERATING BUDGET ALSO HAD TO ADDRESS THE PRIOR ELIMINATION OF $25 MILLION OF MCP FUND BALANCE AND TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, THERE WERE EFFICIENCY REDUCTIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $14 MILLION FOCUSED ON CENTRAL SUPPORT SERVICES.

IN FEBRUARY, THE BOARD TENTATIVELY ADOPTED ITS OPERATING BUDGET FOR FY 25, AND AT THAT POINT WE HAD LEARNED THAT WE WERE RECEIVING A $38 MILLION INCREASE IN STATE FUNDING, OR 28 MORE THAN WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROJECTED.

KEEP IN MIND THAT 5 MILLION OF THE STATE FUNDING INCREASE WAS RESTRICTED FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

THE REST OF THE UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN STATE REVENUE ALLOWED THE BOARD TO INCREASE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR OUR EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN, FOR WHICH THE SYSTEM HAD RECENTLY MOVED INTO AN EXPENDITURE FREEZE THAT NO BEFORE TO TO ADDRESS AN UNPRECEDENTED YEAR OVER YEAR INCREASE IN COST AND CLAIMS. WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO REDUCE THE ASK FROM THE COUNTY LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY A SMALL AMOUNT AT THAT POINT AS WELL.

IN MAY, THE COUNTY COUNCIL FINALIZED THEIR BUDGET OF $3.3 BILLION.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO THE FINAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE FY 25 FROM THE COUNTY COUNCIL NECESSITATE NECESSITATED US TO REDUCE THE BUDGET THAT THE BOARD HAD TENTATIVELY ADOPTED IN FEBRUARY.

THIS IS PERHAPS THE MOST DIFFICULT ASPECTS OF BUDGET DEVELOPMENT AS OUR BUDGET IS CENTERED AROUND THE PILLARS OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND THE BOARD PRIORITIES AND THE NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. ANY REDUCTION WILL HAVE AN IMPACT.

THE LARGEST REDUCTION IN THIS BUDGET IS AN INCREASE IN CLASS SIZE GUIDELINES BY ONE STUDENT IN ELEMENTARY SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

BY INCREASING CLASS SIZE GUIDELINES, THERE IS A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF BUDGETED TEACHERS DUE TO ANTICIPATED TEACHER VACANCIES FROM RESIGNATIONS AND RETIREMENTS.

IT WILL REDUCE THE NEED TO ELIMINATE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED TEACHERS AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASE IN CLASS GUIDELINES.

ANOTHER REDUCTION AS YOU CAN IS THE DELAY OF OUR PRE-K EXPANSION PLAN FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

THIS BUDGET ALSO ELIMINATES THE MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY.

THE MBA CAME ABOUT IN THE MIDST OF THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.

HOWEVER, ENROLLMENT HAS BEEN DECLINING OVER THE LAST YEAR.

[02:00:04]

ADDITIONAL REDUCTIONS INCLUDE CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF AS HALL MENTIONED, AS NOTED, THERE WAS A REDUCTION OF $14 MILLION TO CENTRAL OFFICE IN THIS FINAL, AND THE FINAL BUDGET ADDS AN ADDITIONAL 20 POSITIONS AND $3.4 MILLION IN CUTS.

THERE'S ALSO A REDUCTION IN CONTRACTUAL SERVICES.

THIS BUDGET REDUCES CONTRACTUAL SERVICES BY OVER $3 MILLION FROM THE BOARD'S FEBRUARY BUDGET.

MUCH OF THE CONTRACTUAL SERVICES AT TPS REPRESENT CRITICAL SYSTEM NEEDS AND THAT 3% OF TOTAL OF OUR EXPENDITURES FOR MCP AS CONTRACTUAL SPENDING ALSO RANKS ONE OF THE LOWEST OUT OF OUR PEERS IN MARYLAND.

IN ADDITION, A REDUCTION HAS BEEN MADE TO STAFF DEVELOPMENT, TEACHERS AND SECONDARY.

FINALLY, WE HAVE ELIMINATED THE ACCELERATOR FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT REPAIR AND PURCHASE.

ALTHOUGH THE CPS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION MAY BE ABLE TO FUND A PORTION OF THESE EXPENDITURE NEXT YEAR.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

IN ADDITION TO THESE REDUCTIONS, THERE WERE OTHER ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED TO BALANCE THE FY 25 REVENUES TO EXPENDITURES, FOR INSTANCE, DUE TO THE STAFFING RELATED CHANGES MENTIONED ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE. THE INVESTMENT IN OUR EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN NEEDS TO BE INCREASED TO RECOVER FROM THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS.

ALSO, SINCE THE BOARD'S FEBRUARY TENTATIVELY ADOPTED BUDGET, THE NEEDS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION HAVE BEEN REEXAMINED AND AN ADDITIONAL $3.1 MILLION HAS BEEN ADDED TO NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET. THE COUNTY ALSO REVISED ITS ESTIMATE FOR SCHOOL BUS FINES THAT ARE COLLECTED BY CPS AND TURNED OVER TO THE COUNTY.

FINALLY, THERE WERE TWO TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS RELATED TO STATE AND LOCAL REGARDING COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND INSTRUCTIONAL TELEVISION.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO THIS SLIDE SUMMARIZES THE CHANGES FROM THE BOWIE BUDGET REQUEST IN FEBRUARY THAT ADDS A REDUCTION IN TOTAL EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES OF $30.6 MILLION.

ON A POSITIVE NOTE, DUE TO THE INCREASE IN INVESTMENT RATES AND TPS WAS ABLE TO RECOGNIZE A $3 MILLION INCREASE IN THE 25 BUDGET FOR PROJECTED INTEREST INCOME.

THIS ADDITIONAL FUNDING HELPS TO COVER SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURES.

AT THIS POINT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT BACK OVER TO MR. HALL TO COVER THE FINAL SLIDE.

THANK YOU, MR. RILEY. IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO I DID WANT TO TAKE JUST A MINUTE TO RECOGNIZE THIS BUDGET DOES FUND.

OBVIOUSLY, AS HAS BEEN STATED HERE MULTIPLE TIMES, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY CHALLENGING BUDGET YEAR WITH SOME VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT NEEDED TO BE MADE.

HOWEVER, WE WERE ABLE TO FULLY MAINTAIN THE SECOND YEAR OF OUR TWO YEAR NEGOTIATED CONTRACTS WITH OUR EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATIONS.

THAT REPRESENTS A 3%, THE EQUIVALENT EXCUSE ME, OF A 3% INCREASE IN A STEP FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES AND MAKES UP BETWEEN THE HEALTH CARE AND THE SALARIES ABOUT $120 MILLION OF THE INCREASE.

WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO ADD ABOUT $13.5 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.

WE HAVE ADDED, OR WE ARE ADDING ADDITIONAL COMMUNITIES, SCHOOLS AND ABOUT $20 MILLION TO ACCOUNT FOR THE INFLATIONARY INCREASES THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN GOODS AND SERVICES ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

INFLATION IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CONTROL, BUT SOMETHING THAT WE MUST ADDRESS THROUGHOUT OUR BUDGETING PROCESS.

FINALLY, WITH THE EXPIRATION OF THE FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDING, THE FAA 25 BUDGET PROVIDES CONTINUED FUNDING FOR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS AND OTHER EXPENSES THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY FUNDED THROUGH THE FEDERAL ESSER GRANT.

THIS INCLUDES SOCIAL WORKERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, PARENT AND COMMUNITY COORDINATORS, AND A NEW ELEMENTARY ENGLISH LANGUAGE CURRICULUM.

WITH THAT, I WILL PAUSE AND WE ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE BOARD MAY HAVE.

OKAY, COLLEAGUES, PLEASE TURN YOUR LIGHTS ON FOR ANY CALL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

I WANTED TO ASK DR.

FELDER AND THE ADMINISTRATION IN TERMS OF OUR COMMUNICATIONS PLAN, THIS IS A COMPLEX BUDGET WITH A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

HOW WILL PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY I THINK WE HAD SOME TESTIMONY ABOUT UNDERSTANDING WHAT HAS BEEN CUT.

AND YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OF KIND OF OUTLINING THE BIG TICKET ITEMS. BUT LIKE YOU SAID, WE STARTED THIS BUDGET BEFORE YOU EVEN PRESENTED IT TO THE BOARD BY CUTTING $15 MILLION TO CENTRAL SERVICES.

SO HOW WILL PEOPLE KNOW WHAT IS NO LONGER THERE, BESIDES WHAT YOU HAVE OUTLINED HERE TODAY.

SO I YOU, MIKE, SO I CAN START.

AND DR. FELDER, PLEASE CHIME IN.

BUT WE WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT AND HAVE BEEN WE'VE PUT OUT A COUPLE OF STATEMENTS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

[02:05:07]

BUT WE STAND READY TO PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.

THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

AND SO WE'VE STARTED THAT PROCESS AND WE'RE JUST WAITING TO GET THROUGH TODAY'S MEETING BEFORE MOVING FURTHER.

BUT THAT IS THE GOAL TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S CLARITY AND THAT WE'RE COMMUNICATING THOROUGHLY WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS.

THANK YOU. MRS. EVANS.

YES. SO I KNOW TOMORROW WILL BEGIN A NEW BUDGET.

SO MY RECOMMENDATION AND MY COLLEAGUES I KNOW IS WHATEVER ONE INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDS, IT HAS TO BE THE WILL OF THE BOARD.

BUT GOING FORWARD, SO THAT NOT ONLY THE BOARD CAN SEE PROVIDING OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUT THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

WE SHOULD HAVE LIKE TWO BUDGETS ALONGSIDE, LIKE WE SAID, THREE YEARS TO KIND OF GIVE AN ESTIMATE OF WHERE WE'RE GOING SO PEOPLE CAN SEE WHAT THE PROJECTIONS ARE LIKE THREE YEARS OUT, BECAUSE WE CAN'T KEEP JUST THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT YEAR.

AND I KNOW THAT YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT TWO YEARS, BUT I'M SAYING PUBLICLY WE NEED TO DISPLAY AND SHOW THE NUMBERS SO THAT WE HAVE AN IDEA THAT OUR BODY THAT'S ELECTED TO GIVE US THE FUNDING HAS AN IDEA.

EVERYBODY, LADY DOTTIE AND EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE FOR THE NEXT 2 TO 3 YEARS SO THAT WE DON'T GET OURSELVES CAUGHT UP IN THE POSITION THAT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW. I TELL YOU WHAT, I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS BUDGET AND ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IN THE TIMES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE FOR US TO GET BACK ON TRACK.

IT'S LIKE ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER.

WE HAD COVID RIGHT.

WE DID THE VIRTUAL LEARNING.

OUR STUDENTS HAD A LOSS OF LEARNING.

WE HAD OUR EDUCATORS TEACHING IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT.

AND SO NOW AS AS I STATED EARLIER, LIKE IN EIGHT YEARS, I'VE NEVER BEEN ON THE BUDGET WHERE IT'S JUST I HAVE THE WORST TASTE IN MY MOUTH EVER.

AND AS SOMEONE WHO HAS CAMPAIGNED FROM THE VERY BEGINNING ON EQUITY, THERE'S AND THIS IS NOT A FAULT OF OURS, BUT THE DECISIONS THAT WE MADE.

PRE-K STAFF DEVELOPMENT, JUST EVERYTHING.

IT JUST IT JUST MAKES ME NOT FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS IN MY COLLEAGUES HAVE HEARD ME SAY THIS.

DR. FELDER HAS HEARD SAY THIS, BUT PUBLICLY YOU HAVE NOT HEARD ME SAY THAT THIS IS NOT A BUDGET THAT MAKES ME HAPPY AT ALL.

THERE ARE TO ME, THERE ARE NO WINNERS.

THERE ARE NO WINNERS IN THIS BUDGET, PARTICULARLY FOR OUR STUDENTS.

AND SO I'LL I'LL GIVE MY VOTE BACK.

I WILL NOT GIVE THEM A VOTE.

BUT WILL MAKE MY DECISION AS WE BEFORE WE RAISE OUR HAND.

BUT I'M NOT HAPPY WITH HOW WE HAVE TO DO THIS.

IT DOES NOT MAKE ME FEEL GOOD.

AND THESE ARE JUST REALLY TOUGH DECISIONS THAT WE'RE IN.

BUT I THINK THAT GOING FORWARD, WHAT WE CAN DO, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS WE NEED TO SHOW THREE YEARS OUT, TWO YEARS OUT, MORE THAN ONE YEAR, BECAUSE WE CANNOT END UP IN THIS SITUATION AGAIN.

AND WHAT I'VE HEARD IS THAT IT WILL BE EVEN TOUGHER TIMES NEXT YEAR THAT WE HAVE TO REALLY THINK ABOUT NEXT YEAR AND HOW DIFFICULT IT WILL BE.

BUT WITH KNOWING THAT WE HAVE TO COME BACK WITH BETTER PLANS EARLY AND, COMMUNICATE AS OFTEN AS WE CAN TO OUR FUNDERS, TO US AND TO THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SAY. THIS SAYING YES, THANK YOU.

AND I WANT TO ECHO EVAN'S POINT SO WE CAN NEVER LOOK AT OUR BUDGET, OUR YEAR BUDGET IN ISOLATION.

RIGHT IN OUR BUDGET.

NOW WE INCLUDE MORE SERVICES AND ITEM ADDED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS IT HAS IT ADDS UP.

FOR EXAMPLE, ITEMS SUCH AS MORE SEATS FOR PRE-K EDUCATION, READING SPECIALIST MATH COACHES, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE STIPEND AND COACHES, STAFF DEVELOPMENT TEACHERS, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN TERMS OF SOCIAL WORKERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, TRAUMA CONSULTATION FOR OUR NEW ARRIVAL ARRIVALS, I BE AP TEST FEES, DUAL ENROLLMENT, TWO ISSUES AND WE CAN NEVER LOOK AT IT ALSO MERELY BY ENROLLMENT NUMBERS AND PER PUPIL FUNDING.

BECAUSE OUR DEMOGRAPHIC HAS CHANGED.

WE HAVE MORE FROM STUDENTS, EMS STUDENTS, MORE NEEDS OF OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.

NOW WE ARE PUTTING MORE MONEY, LIKE YOU SAY, IN THIS AREA, IN THIS BUDGET.

BUT JUST TAKE A SIMPLE EXAMPLE.

SO WE SO APPRECIATE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE PROVIDE BREAKFAST FOR OUR STUDENTS, WHICH VERY MUCH NEEDED THEY PROVIDE THE

[02:10:08]

SO TO SAY THIS SO, SO TOO TO SAY ALL THIS IS TO PUT IN SIMPLE WORDS THAT WE HAVE MANY MORE PIECES OF OUR PIE NOW. RIGHT.

AND AND ALSO SO WHEN WE LOOK OUR BUDGET LIKE THIS YEAR, WE ARE ALSO HONORING OUR NEGOTIATIONS WITH OUR ASSOCIATIONS.

SO WHEN YOUR BUDGET IS 90% PEOPLE, THAT ANY GAP IS GOING TO IMPACT OUR SERVICES AND PEOPLE.

RIGHT. SO WHAT I'M LOOKING AT IS NEXT YEAR WE HAVE TALK ABOUT PROGRAM BUDGETING AND I WOULD REALLY HOPE THAT WE CAN DO PROGRAM BUDGETING.

SO WE ARE MORE CLEAR AT THE COST OF EACH PROGRAM WE HAVE AND WE NEED TO.

I THINK THIS YEAR I THINK THE BOARD HAS ASKED MORE QUESTIONS AND HAVE MET MORE TIMES.

AND I REMEMBER EVEN STARTING THE SUMMER MEETING DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, UNDERSTANDING THE BUDGET.

HOWEVER, THEY ARE STILL MORE LINE ITEMS THAT WE CAN FURTHER BREAK DOWN FOR TRANSPARENCY, FOR PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING, AND EVEN FOR OUR DIFFERENT LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT AGENCY TO TO UNDERSTAND.

SO SO IT IS THE WORK DOES START TOMORROW THE START TOMORROW.

AND I WANT TO SAY IS THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO PROGRAM EVALUATION.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A PERSONNEL AUDIT AND TO SEE WHERE WE DEPLOY OUR PEOPLE AND CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF THE FUNDING AGENCIES.

AND REALLY ALSO LOOK AT A SCHOOL SYSTEM WE DO TEACHING AND LEARNING MAYBE MORE PARTNERS AND AGENCIES CAN JOIN US IN SUPPORTING OUR FAMILY AND STUDENTS SO THEY ARE READY TO LEARN IN OUR SCHOOLS.

SO EVERY ITEM THAT WE DISCUSS HERE, IT'S NOW WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

BUT IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NUMBER WORK.

BUT THE WORST STARTS TOMORROW.

AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE SOME SPECIFIC THINGS FOR THE COMING BUDGET.

THANK YOU, MISS HARRIS.

YEAH, THANK YOU. I ECHO THE COMMENTS THAT MY COLLEAGUES AND I JUST IN OBSERVING THE FACT THAT I THINK WE ALL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE CONVERSATION AROUND THE F 26 BUDGET STARTS, WELL, ESSENTIALLY TOMORROW, BUT NO LATER THAN JULY 1ST.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO TO REALLY BE INTENTIONAL AND DIRECT ABOUT IS ACKNOWLEDGING I MEAN, ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT I HEAR FROM MANY COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OTHERS IS YOUR BUDGET HAS GONE UP SO MUCH AND YOUR ENROLLMENT HAS DECLINED AND IT'S NOT RECOVERING AND THEY'RE NOT WRONG.

AND SO WE HAVE GOT TO CONFRONT THAT REALITY HEAD ON AND AND SITUATE OUR CONVERSATION WITH A SOLID UNDERSTAND ENDING OF WHY THAT IS AND WHAT THOSE DOLLARS HAVE MEANT TO SUPPORTING THE ENROLLMENT THAT WE HAVE, EVEN THOUGH IT'S LESS THAN, YOU WHERE WE WERE, AND THEY AVOID 20 SCHOOL YEAR AND BECAUSE THAT IT DOESN'T DO US ANY SERVICE TO SORT OF DO A DANCE AROUND THAT REALITY AND THAT FACT.

AND THEN JUST FOR ME PERSONALLY, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND I THINK MISS CHUNG'S TESTIMONY ALLUDED TO IT, AND ALSO I THINK MR. ACTIVITY I BELIEVE HE'S GONE.

HIS TESTIMONY ALSO REALLY HIGHLIGHTED THIS FOR ME IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE HAVING TO SACRIFICE IN THIS BUDGET IS OUR MEDICAL OFFICER AND AS MR. HEGARTY NOTED IN HIS CONCERN THAT WE ARE VERY PROACTIVE IN ADDRESSING THE OPIOID CRISIS.

DR. COONAN'S WORK HAS BEEN TRANSFORMATIONAL AND WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO CONTINUE HER WORK.

MRS. EVANS. I'M SORRY, MRS. MY TRUSTEE, BUT I DON'T THINK OUR LIGHTS ON.

I, I IN THE EFFORT OF BEING VERY SHORT, I'M JUST GOING TO ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH MY COLLEAGUES COMMENTS.

BUT SPECIFICALLY, MS..

EVANS, I HAVE SPENT THE LAST TWO DAYS NOT KNOWING WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO, WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.

[02:15:04]

IT'S MAKING ME IT'S JUST THESE ARE DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE, AND NONE OF THEM ARE GOOD, IN MY OPINION.

ONE THING I WOULD REQUEST IN ADDITION TO EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS SUGGESTED IN TERMS OF REACHING OUT AND STARTING TOMORROW AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF IS A WAY OF US LETTING PEOPLE SEE A LITTLE BIT BETTER LINE BY LINE, WHAT THINGS ARE COSTING AND WHAT THINGS, YOU KNOW, WHERE WHERE WE CAN LOOK.

BECAUSE I THINK IT'S EASY TO SAY WE SHOULD KEEP EVERYTHING.

IT'S HARDER TO PICK OUT WHAT CAN GO.

AND I DO THINK I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT NEED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THE COST OF THESE CUTS AND AND THAT WE AS A SYSTEM CONTINUE TO REMEMBER WHAT THE COST OF THESE CUTS IS. SO THAT'S ALL I SAY.

MR.. BUT IRVIN, THANK YOU.

JUST CONCUR WITH WHAT EVERYONE HAS SAID, BUT I AM JUST GOING TO SAY THIS AND.

MR.. HALL YOU, YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I THOUGHT WE WERE PRETTY CLEAR IN THIS PROCESS WITH ESPECIALLY WITH COUNTY COUNCIL.

I THINK WE WERE THE ONLY AGENCY THAT WENT BACK BUT FOUR TIMES.

RIGHT. OF ANY OTHER AGENCY.

AND I THOUGHT WE WERE PRETTY THOROUGH, PRETTY MUCH GOING LINE BY LINE.

AND THIS IS, YOU KNOW, A SYSTEM THAT IS 90% HUMAN.

THIS IS WE DEAL WITH PEOPLE, WE DEAL WITH STUDENTS, WITH TEACHERS AND SO ON.

SO I THOUGHT, LOOK, THIS IS MY SECOND BUDGET.

I'M NOT THE BIGGEST EXPERT IN TOWN, BUT IN MY OPINION IS SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN FOLLOWING MCP AS CLOSELY FOR YEARS AND SEEN THE PROCESS OF THE BUDGET, YOU KNOW, BEING IN THE INSIDE.

SO DIFFERENT STORY, RIGHT? BEING ON THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE IS QUITE DIFFERENT THAN JUST YOU.

RIGHT? SO I THOUGHT WE WERE THOROUGH.

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, I AGREE.

AND I THOUGHT WE WERE PRETTY TRANSPARENT IN WHAT WE PRESENTED.

AND WHEN THE WHENEVER, YOU KNOW, I THINK IF WE ASK OUR COLLEAGUES AT A COUNCIL LIKE, YOU KNOW, CHAIR JOANNE DOE AND COUNCIL WOMEN AND THE OTHER ESPECIALLY THAT WERE THERE, THEY THEY SAID WE WERE PRETTY THOROUGH.

SO THOUGH I AGREE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE, YOU KNOW, WE FORESEE WHAT THE NEXT THREE YEARS ARE GOING TO BE.

I THINK THE MESSAGE IS THAT 90% OF OUR BUDGET GOES TO PEOPLE WHO MAKE THIS SYSTEM WORK AND THAT THERE IS A HUMAN COST OF THE OTHER SIDE, RIGHT.

THAT SOME FOLKS IN THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE THE EMPATHY OR WHATEVER, BECAUSE BUT AS A PARENT, THERE IS AN IMPACT THERE IS. SO EVEN IF WE CUT FOLKS LIKE THAT'S NOT HAPPENING, WHO HAS BEEN AMAZING IN HER WORK, YOU KNOW, WITHIN NARCAN TRAINING AND SO ON THAT HAS MADE DIFFERENCE IN KIDS LIVES AND ADULT LIVES, RIGHT? THAT THERE IS A COST.

AND I THINK THE MESSAGE NEEDS TO BE THAT WE CAN LOOK AT IT AS MUCH AS WANT TO, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE NEED TO DO THE FUNDING.

AND THAT 90% GOAL GOES TO PEOPLE IN THE SYSTEM, RIGHT? THAT WE TO HAVE ARTISTS IN CERTAIN AREAS TOTALLY AGREE, RIGHT.

THAT THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO GET DONE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, RIGHT.

PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET AND CPS HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE 90% GOES PRETTY MUCH TO OUR KIDS. TO ME, THAT'S LIKE VERY CLEAR.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE THE MYSTERY IS.

SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LIST, RIGHT, IT BREAKS MY HEART THAT WE ARE DELAYING CERTAIN THINGS THAT WE'RE CUTTING, YOU KNOW, PROGRAMS THAT HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON INDIVIDUALS ON FOLKS WHO HAVE A NAME.

RIGHT. WHO WHO ARE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHO ARE PART OF WHO WE ARE AS A COUNTY, AS THAT'S I WANT TO SAY AND I JUST I KNOW THIS IS REALLY HARD AND I JUST WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR HAVING BEEN SO PATIENT, YOU KNOW, WITH WITH THIS BUDGET.

AND IF I COULD JUST RESPOND TO A APPRECIATE THAT AND I APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK FROM ALL OF THE BOARD MEMBERS.

AND CERTAINLY WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER AND THAT THAT IS OUR GOAL.

EVERY YEAR WE START THE NEW BUDGET PROCESS TOMORROW AND THE GOAL IS TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, INCREASE UNDERSTANDING, INCREASE COMMUNICATION.

[02:20:05]

SO FIRST, YOU KNOW, WE DO INTERNALLY LOOK AT MULTI-YEAR BUDGETING.

CERTAINLY WE ARE GOING TO BE APPLYING FOR THE ASBO OR THE ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS MERIT IS BUDGET AWARD, WHICH REQUIRES MULTI YEAR BUDGETING.

AND SO THAT'LL BE SOMETHING OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF BUDGET CYCLES THAT WILL BE FULLY INCORPORATED.

WE ALSO, WORKING WITH OUR TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, ARE ROLLING OUT SOME REALLY NEAT DASHBOARDS ON THE BUDGET THAT WILL PROVIDE DRILL DOWN OPPORTUNITIES AND JUST MORE INFORMATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO FIND WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

YOU KNOW, ADVOCACY AND ADVOCATE FOR THEIR INTERESTS.

THE PROGRAM BUDGET IS ON THE WAY.

I WAS TALKING TO THE BUDGET DIRECTOR, MRS. ALFONSO WINDSOR, THIS MORNING ABOUT THAT ALSO WILL BE PART OF THE DASHBOARD THAT'S COMING.

WE ALSO MEET MONTHLY WITH DHHS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR EFFORTS ARE ALIGNED AND STREAMLINED SO THAT THERE'S NOT A DUPLICATION OF EFFORT AND THAT THE POSITIONS AND THE PEOPLE AND THE SERVICES ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

I PERSONALLY MET WITH EVERY SINGLE COUNCIL MEMBER BETWEEN LAST BUDGET YEAR AND THIS YEAR JUST TO ASK IF THEY HAD ANY QUESTIONS, TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS, TO TRY TO ADDRESS THOSE AT THIS BOARD PROVIDED AS MS. RIVERA OF IN MENTIONED SCENARIOS, CLEARLY LAYING OUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT WAS LIKELY TO HAPPEN AT EACH OF THE POSSIBLE FUNDING LEVELS.

AND AS FAR AS OUR ENROLLMENT GOES, WELL, THAT UNFORTUNATELY KIND OF FLATLINED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

WE'RE STILL SEEING SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN MANY OF OUR SUBGROUPS, INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS AND STUDENTS RECEIVING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES.

AND SO ALTHOUGH THE OVERALL ENROLLMENT IS DOWN, WE DO CONTINUE TO SEE INCREASING COSTS IN SOME VERY SPECIFIC AREAS.

SO I THINK WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF LAYING OUT THE LINE BY LINE COSTS, GETTING THOSE OUT THERE EARLY SO THAT PEOPLE CAN ASK QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK.

BUT I TRULY APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK OF THIS BOARD, OF OUR COMMUNITY, OF OUR ASSOCIATION PARTNERS, SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THIS PROCESS AND MAKE IT EVEN BETTER NEXT YEAR. THANK YOU.

SEE, NO OTHER COMMENTS.

DR. FELDER, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY BEFORE I CONCLUDE? NO. WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I, TOO, APPRECIATE ALL OF THE INPUT AND THE PROCESS.

I ECHO WHAT MR. HALL SAID. I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY THOROUGH AND THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND WE WERE ALREADY THINKING ABOUT WAYS THAT WE CAN IMPROVE.

SO THIS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS IS HELPFUL IN THAT IMPROVEMENT PROCESS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

SO WE I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE WE'VE CALLED THIS THE SIR CLIFF HERE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WE RECEIVED ADDITIONAL FUNDING DURING THE PANDEMIC TO DO A LOT MORE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

AND WE KNEW THAT WHEN THIS DRIED UP, THIS SUMMER, THIS FALL, THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT STAYS AND WHAT GOES.

IN THE MEANTIME, INFLATION HAS SKYROCKETED.

WE HAVE NEW REQUIREMENTS OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THROUGH THE MARYLAND BLUEPRINT, SO THE COSTS JUST KEEP GOING UP AND UP.

SO AS HAS BEEN STATED HERE TODAY, WE HAVE MADE DECISIONS NOBODY WANTED TO MAKE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILY NEED ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY PROVIDING AND MORE. WE HAVE FANTASTIC SYSTEM AND THERE ARE GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN EVERY CORNER OF THIS COUNTY.

AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT, IN ORDER TO HAVE A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION, A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION, WE NEED RESOURCES.

SO AS THIS BUDGET CONCLUDES, AND AS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE STATED, WE START THE NEXT BUDGET TOMORROW.

WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILIES.

TOO IMPORTANT. THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT OF WORK FOR US TO GET IN THE WAY OF OURSELVES.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

WE HAVE TO WORK WITH OUR ELECTED.

WE HAVE TO WORK WITH OUR FAMILIES.

AGAIN. WE HAVE A WORK TO DO, BUT WE CAN DO BETTER.

AND I HAVE HOPE THAT WE WILL WORK WELL AS A COMMUNITY TO FULLY FUND THE SERVICES THAT OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES NEED IN THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU. AND WITH THAT, I BELIEVE THERE IS A RESOLUTION.

CAN I JUST SAY ONE QUICK THING? I'M SORRY. I JUST WANTED TO I DON'T LIKE THIS BUDGET, BUT I GREATLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR WORK.

MR.. HALL I'VE HEARD FROM MANY THAT THERE'S BEEN A REAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND AND THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE AS A TEAM WITH OTHER OFFICES, PARTNERS, WHATEVER WE WANT TO CALL THEM.

SO I JUST DIDN'T WANT IT TO GO UNSAID THAT WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE HOW MUCH WORK YOU'VE PUT INTO AND WORKING WITH US AND THE AND THE REST OF THE STAFF AND SOCIETY AS WELL.

SO I JUST WANTED TO THROW THAT OUT THERE BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA MUCH WORK GOES INTO THIS.

[02:25:03]

SO NOW THEREFORE, BE IT.

RESOLVED THAT BASED ON AN APPROPRIATION OF 3,322,000,000, 306,000 AND $526, THAT INCLUDES AN ALLOCATION OF 2,128,642,000 AND $338 AND LOCAL FUNDING.

$971,613,288 IN STATE FUNDING AND $112,833,603 IN FEDERAL FUNDING.

18,176,826 AND FUNDING FROM SOURCES.

$89,459,271 FOR ENTERPRISE FUNDS AND $1,581,200 FOR SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVED ITS FISCAL YEAR 2025 OPERATING BUDGET, REFLECTING THE CHANGES AS INDICATED IN ATTACHMENT C, AND BE IT FURTHER THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVED THE 2024 SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFFING PLAN AS INCLUDED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 RECOMMENDED OPERATING BUDGET AND IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFFING PLAN BE SUBMITTED TO THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT A COPY OF THIS ACTION BE TRANSMITTED TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE COUNTY COUNCIL MOVE APPROVAL. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

RAISE YOUR HANDS AND C AND THAT YOU SAID CARE ABOUT ABOUT PLEASE.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE WITH OUR MEETING.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. YEAH.

EXCUSE ME, PLEASE.

HOW BIG OF A BUILDING? WE NEED TO CONTINUE WITH OUR MEETING OUR KIDS NOW.

MY STAFF HAPPY? I SAID, YOU GUYS, I SAID I APPRECIATE YOUR COOPERATION.

FIRST FAMILIES, THE VOTE IS GREAT, BUT PLEASE PUT YOUR HANDS UP SO I CAN SEE THE VOTE.

MS.. YANG. MS..

RIVERA, OVEN MYSELF.

MYSELF. MRS. HARRIS. MS.. MADRAS.

MRS. EVANS. THAT'S UNANIMOUS WITH THOSE PRESENT.

THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT AGENDA.

ITEM 315.

OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF.

OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS A MONTGOMERY COUNTY REGIONAL STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION.

[8. Item of Discussion - 2:15 p.m.]

SO AND WE NOW ASK OUR STUDENTS TO PLEASE COME FORWARD.

OH, AND WE WILL WAIT.

WE WILL WAIT TO TRANSITION BEFORE WE GET STARTED.

WE WELCOME OUR STUDENTS, DISABLED PEOPLE ON THE SCHOOL FLOOR.

YOU REPRESENT CAME WITH THAT.

WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS AT THIS TIME.

AND I ASK DR. FELDER TO PLEASE GET US STARTED.

THANK YOU. PRESIDENT SILVESTRE.

SO MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS TWO COUNTYWIDE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATIONS THAT REPRESENT STUDENTS ACROSS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE SCHOOL BASED STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATIONS THAT THEY SERVE.

THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY REGION OF THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCILS, ALSO KNOWN AS NCR, IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS THE VOICE OF 26 HIGH SCHOOLS AND THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY JUNIOR COUNCILS.

NC JAYCEE, WHICH REPRESENTS THE 40 MIDDLE SCHOOLS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTY.

TODAY WE HAVE THE NCR STUDENT OFFICERS FROM THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR AND THE OFFICERS ELECT FOR NEXT SCHOOL TO SHARE AN INTRODUCTION OF THEIR ORGANIZATION AND PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE 2023 2024 SCHOOL YEAR TO INCLUDE THE WORK OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPMENT EVENTS AND PROGRAMS AND ADVOCACY DAYS, AS WELL AS THE GOALS FOR THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR.

I WILL NOW TURN THE PRESENTATION TO MRS. CHERRY, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP AND EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES TO INTRODUCE THE STUDENTS AND TO BEGIN THE PRESENTATION.

MRS. CHERRY. GOOD AFTERNOON.

BOARD PRESIDENTS OF VESTRY.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

DR. FELDER, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TODAY.

AGAIN MY NAME IS SHEILA CHERRY, AND I PROUDLY SERVE THE DISTRICT AS THE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF RUNNING FOR DISTRICT WIDE PROGRAMS TO INCLUDE OUR STUDENTS SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAMS, NON-ATHLETIC EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, PARENT COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, AND, OF COURSE, OUR DISTRICT WIDE STUDENT LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS. ONE OF THE GREAT JOYS OF MY JOB IS SERVING AS THE ADVISOR TO THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY REGIONAL STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, AN INCREDIBLE GROUP OF PASSIONATE HIGH SCHOOLS STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTY WHO, OUTSIDE OF THEIR ACADEMIC AND THEIR EXTRACURRICULAR COMMITMENTS, SERVE ENLIST COUNTLESS HOURS TO IMPROVING THE

[02:30:10]

IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO BRING FORWARD THE OFFICERS OF THIS ILLUSTRIOUS ORGANIZATION TO YOU, TO SHARE AN OVERVIEW OF THEIR ORGANIZATION, THEIR GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM THIS SCHOOL YEAR, AND THEIR GOALS AND AIMS AND ASPIRATIONS AS THEY PREPARE FOR SUMMER AND THE SCHOOL TO COME.

THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

MY NAME IS ANUSHA KRISHNAN AND I WAS A SENIOR AT POULSBO HIGH SCHOOL AND SERVED SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY REGIONAL STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, OR NCR FOR SHORT. THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I'D LIKE TO GIVE THE 2023 24 OFFICERS A CHANCE TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AS WELL, STARTING WITH PERNILLE.

HI, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS PRONOUNCED SUVARNA.

I SERVED AS THE NCR VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE 2023 2024 SCHOOL YEAR, AND I NOW CURRENTLY SIT AS A STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD ELECT FOR THE 2024 2025 SCHOOL YEAR.

I'M A JUNIOR AT CLARKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL RISING SENIOR AND I SEE HIM PRONOUNS.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

MY NAME IS NICO DRYSDALE.

I SERVE AS THE TO NCR LAST YEAR.

I HAVE JUST GRADUATED FROM ONE HIGH SCHOOL.

THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

MY NAME IS SOPHIE NOONAN.

I SERVED AS SORRY SECRETARY, BUT I AM NOW THE PRESIDENT.

I'M A RISING SENIOR AT RIVAL HIGH SCHOOL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TIME AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THIS PAST YEAR AS AN ORGANIZATION, WE SEEK TO REPRESENT THE VOICES OF ALL 26 HIGH SCHOOLS AND OVER 40,000 STUDENTS.

WE WORK TO RAISE AWARENESS AND LOBBIED LEGISLATORS ON ISSUES ABOUT WHICH WE ARE PASSIONATE IN TERMS OF OUR STRUCTURE.

WE HAVE A HIERARCHY PYRAMID WHERE EVERY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION IN THE COUNTY FALLS UNDER NCR.

NCR FALLS UNDER THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCILS, WHICH FALLS UNDER THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCILS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. OUR BOARD IS COMPOSED OF NINE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND 115 STUDENTS FROM EVERY SINGLE HIGH SCHOOL AND MSPS.

WE MEET EVERY MONTH TO DISCUSS FUTURE GOALS AND INITIATIVES, WORK TO CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVE AND ALTER OUR STRUCTURE TO BEST FIT THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY AND OUR GOALS AS AN ORGANIZATION. OUR MAIN GOAL AS AN ORGANIZATION IS TO PROMOTE LEADERSHIP, ADVOCACY AND STUDENTS TO HELP THEM FIGHT FOR THE CHANGE THEY WISH TO SEE IN OUR COUNTY.

EACH OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS REPRESENTS A DIFFERENT SIDE OF STUDENT ADVOCACY.

OUR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AND EDUCATIONAL POLICY DEPARTMENTS WORK TO WRITE WHITE PAPERS, TESTIFY AND RESEARCH, TESTIFY AND RESEARCH ON CURRENT BILLS ON THE COUNTY, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL THAT WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING.

WE USE OUR WORKSHOPS AND SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE HIGH QUALITY MENTORSHIP AND CHARITY EVENTS.

OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM TO ENSURE ACCESS TO NCR THROUGH SCHOOL VISITS, REGULAR EVENTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS.

NEXT, WE HAVE OUR FINANCE TEAM THAT'S RUN BY A TREASURE, WHICH YOU'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT LATER.

FINALLY, NCR WORKS CLOSELY WITH OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNTERPART, THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY JUNIOR COUNCILS, ALSO KNOWN AS M.C.

J.C., TO INSTILL LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

STARTING IN SIXTH GRADE, ADVOCATING FOR ISSUES IN A SIMILAR WAY TO NCR TOGETHER AND J.C.

AND NCR USE THESE STRUCTURES TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS ARE REPRESENTED IN MULTIPLE WAYS ACROSS MULTIPLE AREAS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. I WAS PRIVILEGED ACTIONS.

AMC'S CONVICTION IS TO REPRESENT CPS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

SERVING THIS ROLE, NCR STRIVES TO BRING THE VOICES OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY STUDENTS TO A STATEWIDE SCALE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR PARENT ORGANIZATION, THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCIL. ALSO ONGOING ITS MEAC.

WE HAVE HOSTED A VARIETY OF STATEWIDE CONFERENCES RIGHT HERE AT MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

IN FACT, EACH YEAR WE HOST THE THREE DAY MASC ADVANCED LEADERSHIP CAMP, WHICH TRAINS YOU TO LEAVE WORKSHOPS AND PROVIDES THE MSA EXECUTIVE BOARD WITH A PLACE TO MEET AND CONNECT AND CONDUCT IT'S SORRY AND CONDUCT ITS BUSINESS.

LAST YEAR WE SUBSEQUENTLY HOSTED THE MSI FALL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AT SENECA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL WITH OVER 700 STUDENTS ATTENDING FROM ACROSS MARYLAND'S AND ENGAGING IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.

FURTHERMORE, BY SUPPORTING NORTHBROOK HIGH SCHOOL AND IN IN HOSTING THAT MSI STATE LEADERSHIP CONVENTION AND SENDING A DELEGATION TO THE MSI SPRING LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, WE HAVE PROVIDED HUNDREDS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR LEADERSHIP SCORES, MEET PEERS FROM OTHER COUNTIES, AND VOICE THEIR OPINIONS ON STATEWIDE ISSUES. I ALSO NOTE THAT MANY OF THE MSI OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE BEEN MEMBERS OF NCR, INCLUDING THIS UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

MASC VICE PRESIDENT MADISON WATTS, A RISING SENIOR AT ROCKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. MOREOVER, WE HAVE FIVE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES THIS YEAR WHERE 300 TO 500 STUDENTS FROM SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTY CAME TO ESSENTIALS LIKE A CENTRALIZED LOCATION AND PROVIDED INPUT ON ISSUES THAT IMPACTED THEM.

[02:35:03]

AFTERWARDS, I'M SURE COMPILED ALL THEIR FEEDBACK AND INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF POLICY PRIORITIES TO FOCUS ON.

WE INVITED GUEST SPEAKERS, INCLUDING OUR STATE'S MEMBER OF THE BOARD, OBVIOUSLY YOUR COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER.

BOLDUAN DOE, AND THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. IN ADDITION, STUDENT LEADERS HELP SUPPORT NEXT GENERATION LEADERSHIP DAY AS WORKSHOP PRESENTERS AND SUPPORT STAFF.

THIS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE CONSISTED OF NEARLY 504TH AND FIFTH GRADERS FROM ALL THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICTS.

HERE ARE THE WORKSHOPS INTO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS AMONG STUDENT LEADERS, PROVIDING THEM WITH A SPACE TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WITHIN NCR, PRESENT MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT LEADERS TO INVOLVE THEMSELVES AND ADVOCATE THROUGH OUR ISSUE SPECIFIC TASK FORCES, WHICH FOCUS ON A MULTITUDE OF PRESSING ISSUES RANGING FROM ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY TO MENTAL HEALTH.

OUR FIVE DISTINCT TASK FORCES HAVE WORKED HARD THIS YEAR TO PUT ON SEVERAL ISSUE SPECIFIC EVENTS THE GENDER EQUITY AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT TASK FORCE HELD NUMEROUS PERIOD PRODUCT DRIVES TO REDISTRICT REDISTRIBUTE PRODUCTS AT SCHOOLS ACROSS MSPS.

FURTHER, THE EQUITABLE EDUCATION TASK FORCE HAS RUN MULTIPLE AP AND IVY BOOK DRIVES TO HELP PROVIDE BOOKS FOR THOSE WHO COULD USE THEM AND LOWER BARRIERS TO ENTRY FOR AP AND IVY COURSE. STUDYING THE OPIOID AND DRUG TASK FORCE, WHICH IS NEW THIS YEAR, HAS FOCUSED ON PUSHING FOR BETTER ACCESS TO NARCAN WITHIN THE COUNTY, AND ITS COORDINATORS ARE CERTIFIED BY DHHS TO TRAIN OTHERS IN NARCAN ADMINISTRATION AS WELL.

MOREOVER, THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE HAS HOSTED NUMEROUS TRASH PICKUPS AND WORKED ON EDUCATING ITS MEMBERS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES HAPPENING IN THE COUNTY. LASTLY, THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS TASK FORCE HAS HELD NUMEROUS EVENTS AND SERIES SAYS ABOUT MANAGING STRESS WITHIN SCHOOLS AND ENSURING STUDENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE TALKING ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES.

THIS IS JUST A SMALL LIST OF THE EVENTS HOSTED BY OUR TASK FORCE'S DEPARTMENT.

NEW THIS YEAR, OUR SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT HOSTED A SCHOOL SUMMIT FOCUSED ON BRIDGING THE LANGUAGE BARRIER GAP LED BY OUR MULTI-LINGUAL ENGLISH SORRY ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT LIAISONS.

THIS SUMMIT FOCUSED ON CALLING ATTENTION TO VARIOUS ISSUES EMERGENT MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS FACE WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS.

THEN, THROUGH REFLECTION AND PROCESSING, STUDENTS IDENTIFIED VARIOUS WAYS OF COMBATING THESE ISSUES AND ADVOCATING FOR THE RIGHTS OF CPS EMO STUDENTS FEATURING CURRENT STUDENT ADVOCATES AS OUR GUEST SPEAKERS.

NONNO PRINCESS STUDENTS ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR EVEN MORE ABOUT HOW THE FIRST EXPERIENCES OF EARLY STUDENTS AFFECTED THEM IN SCHOOLS, AND HOW TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE ADVOCACY THAT THEY IDENTIFIED DURING OUR WORKSHOPS AND BREAKOUTS.

WE ARE ESPECIALLY PROUD OF THIS SUMMIT BECAUSE IT SPARKED ADVOCACY SOLUTIONS TO CRITICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED ISSUES THAT STUDENTS SEE WITHIN THEIR OWN PROGRAMS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. EVERY YEAR, THE SHARED LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT HOSTED A BUSY DAY IN ANNAPOLIS, WHERE NEARLY 50 STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH 34 STATE.

AND MY NAME IS DIANE NEESON AND ADVOCATE FOR YOUTH CENTRIC BILLS THAT SPANS DIFFERENT TOPICS RANGING FROM SUSTAINABILITY TO EDUCATIONAL POLICY.

FOR INSTANCE, I'M SARAH ADVOCATED FOR THE CREDIT FOR ALL LANGUAGE LEARNING ACT, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO AWARD ALL PELL GRANT ELIGIBLE L.D.

COURSES WITH COLLEGE CREDITS, SUPPORTING MULTILINGUAL ENGLISH LEARNERS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

SARAH ALSO TOOK A STANCE ON MENTAL HEALTH BY SUPPORTING HB 74 OR THE LIFESAVER SCHOOLS PROGRAM.

THIS BILL WOULD RECOGNIZE AND REWARD SCHOOLS THAT PROVIDE HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING THROUGH INITIATIVES SUCH AS PURE MENTORING AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS. THESE BILLS WERE ALL VOTED ON AND SUPPORTED BY THE MCI EXECUTIVE BOARD.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS YEAR, WE HAD THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO BE ABLE TO OUR ADVOCACY TO THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

WE HELD OUR VERY FIRST CAPITOL HILL ADVOCACY DAY, WHERE WE LOBBIED OUR NATIONAL LEGISLATORS IN A SIMILAR FORMAT TO OUR STATE ADVOCACY DAY.

WE WERE ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT MANY KEY ISSUES AND PROMINENT PLATFORM POINTS, SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH, MENSTRUAL EQUITY, SCHOOL SAFETY AND GUN CONTROL AND EQUITABLE EDUCATION.

SOME THE BILLS WE LOBBIED FOR INCLUDED THE JANET L HOFFMAN LOAN ASSISTANCE REPAYMENT PROGRAM FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN SCHOOLS, THE GUN SAFETY ACT OF 2023 AND CIVIL FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND ITS STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS.

IN PREPARATION, WE EQUIPPED A SELECT GROUP OF STUDENTS WHO SHOWED INTEREST IN THESE TOPICS WITH LEADERSHIP AND LOBBYING SKILLS AND PROVIDED TRAINING AND PREPARATION TO ADVOCATE FOR THESE BILLS OVER THE COURSE OF A MONTH.

IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS AS WE ESTABLISHED STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR NATIONAL LEGISLATORS THAT WE KNOW WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE US WITH STRONG MENTORSHIP AND SUPPORT.

WE HOPE TO CONTINUE THIS AS AN ANNUAL EVENT IN THE COMING YEARS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. ANOTHER IMPACTFUL EVENT WE HELD THIS YEAR WAS OUR SAVE A STUDENT SUMMIT PLANNED BY OUR SERVICE COORDINATORS AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MARYLAND STUDENTS AGAINST DRUGS OR INSIDE AND THE MARYLAND STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

STUDENTS ENGAGED IN A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY, SUCH AS WORKSHOPS AND DISCUSSION SPACES, TO DISCUSS THE ONGOING AND OPIOID CRISIS.

THEY THEN SPENT THE SECOND HALF OF THE DAY LEARNING TO USE NARCAN, AND WE WERE ABLE TO EQUIP OVER 120 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH NARCAN AND PROPER KNOWLEDGE TO

[02:40:09]

THE SPEAK UP SAVE A LIFE PSA WINNING VIDEOS WERE VIEWED, AND EACH WINNER WAS THEN AWARDED THEIR PRIZE MONEY.

WE ALSO HOPE TO CONTINUE THIS AS ANOTHER ANNUAL NCR EVENT.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. NCR ALSO BEEN ABLE TO HOST A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS WELL.

STARTING OFF WITH OUR ANNUAL ANNUAL SUMMER WORKSHOP SERIES WHERE STUDENT LEADERS ARE TAUGHT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS OF EMAIL WRITING, TESTIFYING IN POLICY RESEARCH, PUBLIC SPEAKING AND EVENT PLANNING. ADDITIONALLY, OUR WORKSHOPS DEPARTMENT HELD A LEADERSHIP ACADEMY WHERE NEARLY 50 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVED CERTIFICATES FOR PARTICIPATING IN INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS TO ADVOCACY AND DEVELOPING VARIOUS LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

IN PREPARATION FOR ABC DAYS IN ANNAPOLIS AND CAPITOL HILL.

OUR DEPARTMENTS HELD TRAININGS, PREPARED STUDENTS TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR LEGISLATORS, SEE OUR GUIDED STUDENTS IN BEING KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE BILLS, CREATE, CREATING, PREPARE TALKING POINTS FOR THEIR CONVERSATIONS AND HOW TO EFFECTIVELY CONVEY THEIR MESSAGE.

ADDITIONALLY, EMSA HOSTED A LAW MAKING LAB WHERE STUDENTS FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES THE STATEWIDE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND GAIN THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS TO LEGISLATORS. THESE EVENTS WERE BOTH OPEN TO STUDENT LEADERS ACROSS KPS SO STUDENTS COULD LEARN ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE STRUCTURE IN MARYLAND AND BE INVOLVED IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS AT CONSTITUENTS.

LASTLY, NCR HAS REMAINED COMMITTED TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.

IN FACT WITH THE GREAT HELP OF MY FINANCE DEPARTMENT, NCR HAS RAISED NEARLY $4,000 THIS YEAR.

FURTHERING OUR IMPACT, OUR FUNDRAISERS HAVE BEEN STRUCTURED TO ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE.

ENSURING GEOGRAPHIC INCLUSIVITY BY HOSTING OUR TAI CHI FUNDRAISER, OUTGOING EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING, OR ALLOWING STUDENTS TO APPLY BOTH ME AND SOFI DURING A GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE TAKE PRIDE IN THE OPEN ACCESS OF OUR FUNDRAISING FUNDRAISERS FURTHER BY WINNING BIDS TO HOST STATEWIDE CONFERENCES.

WE NOT ONLY BRING LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY, BUT WE USE THE FUNDS THAT WE RAISE TO OPEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVEN MORE STUDENTS.

THIS IS BECAUSE OUR FISCAL POLICY HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO CHANNEL FUNDING BACK TO STUDENTS.

NEARLY ALL OF THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE RAISED ARE BOTH DIRECTED DIRECTLY TO OUR GRANT PROGRAM AND TO OFFERING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EVENTS FOR CPS STUDENTS, IN PARTICULAR.

OUR GRANT PROGRAM OFFERS MICRO GRANTS FOR SCHOOL CLUBS TO GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING BLAIR'S YELLOW ROBOTICS CLUB POOLS, THOSE MINORITY SCHOLARS PROGRAM AND SPEAK IN SONG CLUB. WE'VE HAD AN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL YEAR BY YEAR, SO IT'S TARGETED TO ACCOMPLISH EVEN MORE IN THE COMING YEAR.

ON OUR PASS OFF TO THE CURRENT IMC, OUR OFFICERS DISCUSS THEIR GOALS FOR NCR IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR.

SLIDE, PLEASE. IN APRIL, STUDENT LEADERS WERE ABLE TO ELECT THE NEW OFFICERS FOR THE 2024 TO 2025 YEAR BY OVER 200 STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

MY NAME IS SOPHIE NOONAN AND I'M THE PRESIDENT.

AND I'M ALSO A RISING SENIOR AT ROCKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.

I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MINUTE FOR EVERYONE ELSE AND CHOOSE THEMSELVES.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CEDRIC DUKE.

I'M A RISING SENIOR AT WE IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND I'M SERVING AS THIS YEAR'S NCR VICE PRESIDENT.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MARY.

I'M A RISING SENIOR AT NORTHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, AND I'LL BE SERVING AS THIS YEAR'S NCR TREASURER.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ANNA JOHN, AND I'M A RISING JUNIOR AT WALTER JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL AND WILL BE SERVING MACAU'S NEXT SECRETARY AS WE PREPARE FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR. OUR FIRST GOAL IS TO CONTINUE EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION FROM EVERY HIGH SCHOOL ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.

LAST NEXT YEAR, WE AIM TO CONSISTENTLY MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION WITH EACH HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH SCHOOL VISITS, ENSURING THAT I'M WAS PROMOTED TO THE STUDENT BODY AND THAT WE REPRESENT THE VOICES OF ALL HIGH SCHOOLS.

WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO STAY INVOLVED IN LOCAL AFFAIRS BY DIRECTLY BRINGING STUDENT FEEDBACK TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND COUNTY COUNCIL.

WE PLAN TO HELP BRING EVERY VOICE TO THE TABLE THROUGH INCREASED STUDENT TESTIMONIES.

OUR NEXT GOAL ENTAILS CONTINUING TO AMPLIFY STUDENT VOICE THROUGH VARIOUS METHODS OF INCREASING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, FOR WHICH WILL EMPLOY SEVERAL STRATEGIES.

THESE INCLUDE LEVERAGING OUR TASK FORCES DEPARTMENT OFFERS STUDENTS OUTSIDE OF OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC ISSUES SUCH AS DRUG AND OPIOID CRISIS, GENDER EQUITY IN SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, EQUITABLE EDUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS.

ADDITIONALLY, WILL COLLABORATE WITH OUR SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE RESPECTIVE SCHOOL AND SCHOOL AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS.

AND FINALLY, WILL UTILIZE OUR COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT TO BUILD CONNECTIONS WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK TO FURTHER PROMOTE STUDENT ADVOCACY.

THIS OPPORTUNITY ALONE TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT TO YOU ALL IS A GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

MOVING ON. OUR NEXT GOAL IS TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WITH STUDENT, LOCAL AND STATE NATIONAL FOR POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT AND EFFICACY.

SPECIFICALLY, THIS YEAR, NCR HAS BEEN ABLE TO FOSTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO SPEAK WITH LEGISLATORS AND ADVOCATE AREAS THAT THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT.

WE ARE LOOKING TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH LEGISLATORS AND LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS.

[02:45:03]

THIS PAST YEAR, WE REVIEWED OUR POLICY PLANS AT EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS AND GENERAL ASSEMBLIES.

THAT STUDENT CONCERN IS SHOWN THROUGHOUT THE POLICY THAT NCR SUPPORTS.

NEXT YEAR WE'RE LOOKING TO STRENGTHEN OUR POLICY PLATFORM AND MAKE SURE WE REMAIN COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT WITH THE POLICIES.

NCR WANTS TO PUSH FORWARD.

WE ALSO STRIVE TO ENSURE THAT WE ACTUALLY REPRESENT THE NEEDS OF THE MCP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

SO, AS YOU CAN TELL, I'M SARA'S DEVOTED TO REPRESENTING AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS ALL OVER THE COUNTY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL IN THE COMING YEAR AND FOSTERING A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BOARD WHILE BRINGING STUDENT PERSPECTIVE TO THE TABLE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, PRESIDENT SYLVESTER AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND DR.

FELDER FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION AND WE ARE OPEN FOR DISCUSSION.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FOR YOUR WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND YOUR PRIORITIES THIS YEAR AND FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

AND THANK YOU FOR MISS CHERRY, ALSO FOR GUIDING OUR STUDENTS THROUGH THEIR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY.

SO I WILL NOW OPEN IT UP TO OUR MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS TO SEE IF THEY HAVE COMMENTS.

MISS WOLF. I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT WE ARE IN GREAT HANDS.

I SAY THAT ALL THE TIME AND YOU ALL EXAM IFY IT EVERY TIME YOU COME BEFORE THE BOARD.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK MS..

CHERRI. SHE DOES AMAZING WORK.

I JUST WANT TO KNOW, WAS THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY THAT YOU HELD AT WHEATON PART OF THIS? YEAH. SO NEXT GENERATION LEADERSHIP DAY WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT RUN BY NCR, BUT MANY OF OUR MEMBERS CAME OUT AND WERE WORKSHOP PRESENTERS, HELPED WITH SET UP AND CLEAN UP AS WELL, AND DID A LOT OF THE SORT OF BEHIND THE SCENES WORK ON THAT EVENT.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS A FABULOUS EVENT.

I DID SEE NICO THERE, SO I THOUGHT IT WAS RUN BY YOU.

I THINK THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT, PARTICULARLY FOR OUR FIFTH GRADERS, TO GET THEM INTERESTED LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SCHOOLS.

OF COURSE, I HAVE A PERSONAL INTEREST.

I HAVE A RISING FIFTH GRADER, BUT I DO THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

JUST ONE QUESTION ABOUT YOUR SUMMER WORKSHOP SERIES.

IT'S EXCELLENT. BUT YOU REFERRED TO IT AS BEING AVAILABLE FOR STUDENT LEADERS.

HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT EXPANDING THAT TO MORE STUDENTS TO BRING THEM INTO WHAT THE WORK IS ABOUT AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. SO OUR SUMMER SERIES IS OPEN FOR OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR.

BUT THAT'S ALSO WE RECOGNIZE THAT THESE ARE SKILLS THAT WE WANTED TO OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY, WHICH IS WHY WE STARTED OUR M.S., OUR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.

SO THAT IS OPEN TO ALL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT SIGN UP AND WE'RE ABLE TO TEACH THEM SIMILAR THAT WE LEARN FOR THE EXECUTIVE BOARD THROUGH THE SUMMER AND ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS AS WELL.

AND SO THAT HAD A PRETTY GOOD TURNOUT RATE.

WE HAD TWO DIFFERENT SESSIONS, SO WE HAD A FALL SESSION, LIKE A WINTER SLASH SPRING SESSION WITH A LOT OF ENGAGEMENT.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE WERE ABLE TO GARNER MORE INTEREST INTO ADVOCACY AND MORE SPECIFICALLY, BUT WE FEEL THAT WE WERE ABLE TO EQUIP THEM WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND I REALLY LIKE TO SEE YOU KEEP THAT UP AND EXPAND IT IF POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU. YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE.

ARE YOU THE ONLY ONE HERE IN NACO THAT'S STILL LEFT THAT GRADUATED? SO THIS MEETING AND YOU SHOULD HAVE GOT TO TO BOTH OF YOU.

I ALSO LIKE TO AG IN REFERENCE TO THE WORKSHOP SERIES.

WE DO TEND TO ADVERTISE IT THROUGH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND THROUGH OUR EMAIL NETWORKING.

ANY STUDENT WHO IS INTERESTED, WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE AN INTERACTIVE BOARD MEMBER, IT CAN APPLY.

IT'S JUST GEARED MORE TOWARD OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS BY PROVIDING THEM SKILLS THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO SERVE ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.

MS.. HARRIS. YES, THANK YOU.

IT'S SO NICE TO SEE YOU ALL HERE.

SO NICE TO SEE SO MANY OF YOU THAT I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF GETTING TO KNOW AND WORK WITH OVER THESE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

AND I WISH EVERYBODY THAT HAD LEFT THIS ROOM HAD STAYED SO THAT THEY COULD HEAR DIRECTLY FROM OUR STUDENTS ABOUT THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE WORK THAT YOU DO ON AN ONGOING BASIS TO ENGAGE, TO SUPPORT OTHERS, TO EMPOWER OTHERS, AND TO REALLY SPEAK TO THE ISSUES THAT YOU CARE ABOUT.

BECAUSE I REALLY DO THINK FROM, YOU KNOW, HAVING VISITED OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEMS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AND IN TALK TO PEOPLE FROM OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEMS AROUND THE COUNTRY, MCCORMICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE TRULY UNIQUE IN THE POWER THEY BRING TO TO THE VOICES THAT THEY RAISE, YOU KNOW, REALLY HAVE SET A VERY HIGH BAR.

AND YOU'VE BEEN SO VERY, VERY EFFECTIVE.

AND I'M LOOKING AT THIS NEW YEAR AND RIGHT NOW, WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THE ACCESS TO CARE ACT PASSED THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS YEAR WHEN IN JANUARY, THE ELECTEDS THAT WE MET WITH AROUND THAT BILL SAID, DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP.

NOT GOING ANYWHERE. AND SAIL THROUGH BOTH HOUSES.

SO THE POWER OF THESE STUDENTS IS REAL AND THE SUBSTANCE THEY BRING TO THEIR WORK IS REAL.

AND I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THAT SUBSTANCE.

[02:50:02]

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THAT? YEAH, FOR SURE.

SO AGAIN, LIKE WE MENTIONED BEFORE, WE PLAN ON DOING SCHOOL VISITS.

SO I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND DIRECT WAYS TO GET MORE STUDENT INPUT FROM STUDENTS ACROSS THE SCHOOLS, SO EVERY YEAR IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, SO PROBABLY IN AROUND SEPTEMBER WE CREATE THESE PLANKS OR THIS POLICY PLATFORM WHERE WE COMPILE A LOT OF OUR POLICY PRIORITIES.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE LIKE THE ENVIRONMENT, EDUCATIONAL POLICY, SCHOOL SAFETY, ETC.

WE GATHER ALL THOSE STUDENT INPUT FROM OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD, BUT ALSO NON ACR MEMBERS, AND WE JUST KIND OF CREATE A LIST OF ALL THE THINGS WE WANT TO FOCUS ON AND HOPEFULLY DIRECTLY WORK WITH THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS TO WORK ON IMPLEMENTING THOSE POLICIES LATER ON.

WELL, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO SHARE THAT WITH US DIRECTLY.

WHEN YOU FINALIZE YOUR PLATFORM, SEND IT ON, BECAUSE I THINK IT REALLY INFORMS OUR WORK AND REALLY SEEING YOU ALL BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE THINGS, THE ISSUES THAT YOU ELEVATE ARE THE ISSUES THAT ARE RESONATING WITH WITH YOU AND YOUR YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS.

AND I SO APPRECIATE WE SEE SEVEN STUDENT LEADERS HERE, SEVEN DIFFERENT HIGH SCHOOLS REPRESENTED.

AND I AND I REALLY I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK THE LEADERSHIP IN THIS COUNTY CLUSTERS AND THAT YOU GUYS ARE VERY DIRECT REPRESENTATION THAT THAT IS NOT TRUE. AND BUT I DO HAVE TO STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU AS YOU WORK ON POLICY ISSUES AND PLATFORMS, TO TO SHARE THEM WITH US VERY DIRECTLY.

AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THIS TABLE A LOT NEXT YEAR.

THIS IS AN ADDRESS. YEAH.

I JUST ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH MUCH OF WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ALREADY SAID.

VERY, VERY IMPRESSIVE.

AND THIS WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING IS JUST AMAZING.

I LOVE HOW MUCH EFFORT YOU'VE PUT INTO TRYING TO EXPAND AND GROW THE PROGRAM AND LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT.

I DO.

WELL, FIRST, I WANT TO THANK MS..

SLATTERY AS WELL.

I FOR ALL YOUR WORK.

I SEE YOU EVERYWHERE.

YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY 24 SEVEN KIND OF PERSON.

YOU ALWAYS GO ABOVE AND BEYOND YOUR EVENTS AND STUFF.

COME OUT SPECTACULARLY, AND THE KIDS LOVE YOU.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

MY QUESTION IS, HOW WERE YOU TRYING TO ENGAGE THE KIDS THAT DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT? SO I KNOW THAT YOU KIND OF TOUCHED ON IT, LIKE YOU INVITE THEM, WHATEVER.

BUT THE GUY ATTENDED AN ESAU CLASS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND WAS ASKING THEM ABOUT, YOU KNOW, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN STUDENT GOVERNMENT? THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT WAS.

AND I SAID, WELL, DID YOU VOTE FOR YOUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER? THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT WAS.

HOW WOULD WE THEM? BECAUSE THERE IS THAT PERCEPTION SOMETIMES THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS, YOU'RE GOING TO BE GREAT.

AND WE NEED TO USE UTILIZE THIS TYPE OF TOOL TO HELP SOME OF OUR STUDENTS WHO MAYBE STRUGGLE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

YEAH. SO I CAN SPEAK FOR THE PAST YEAR AT LEAST.

AND THEN MAYBE SOPHIE CAN SPEAK ON WHAT SHE'S DOING FOR THE COMING YEAR.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO BE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO DEMOGRAPHICS THAT, LIKE YOU SAID, THEY ALREADY THEY HAVE NO IDEA, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE ORGANIZING IS AS A WHOLE.

AND SO THAT'S WHY WE STRIVE FOR OUR BOARD TO HAVE DEPARTMENTS THAT REPRESENT DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS OF OUR STUDENT BODY.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT LIKE ENGLISH LEARNING STUDENTS, WE HAVE AN ELDER, YOU KNOW, LIAISON THAT WORKS TO GO TO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND HAVE SCHOOL VISITS TO TALK TO THOSE STUDENTS, TO TRY AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT NCR IS.

WE ALSO DO OUR BEST TO DO AS MANY TRANSLATIONS AS POSSIBLE.

SO WE'RE REACHING STUDENTS THAT DON'T NECESSARILY SPEAK ENGLISH.

WE'VE ALSO WORKED WITH THIS TO TRY AND HAVE, YOU KNOW, STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TO BE REPRESENTED ON OUR BOARD, BUT ALSO IN OUR PLATFORM AND LIKE THE POLICIES SO THAT STUDENTS THAT ATTEND OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLIES CAN KIND OF FEEL THEMSELVES OR RESONATE WITH THEMSELVES ON THE BOARD AND WITH NCR, BECAUSE ULTIMATELY WE ARE TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, REPRESENT EVERY SINGLE STUDENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND HELP THEM FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A VOICE.

AND SO, AGAIN, ASIDE FROM JUST LIKE OUR BOARD ITSELF AND OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD, WE TRY AND HOST THESE EVENTS THAT ARE GOING TO KIND OF GARNER IN MORE, MORE INTEREST, OOPS, SORRY, I'M INTO STUDENT GOVERNMENT.

SO LIKE THE NEXT GENERATION LEADERSHIP DAY, EVEN STARTING FROM AN EARLY AGE OF LIKE FIFTH GRADE, WORKING WITH OUR MONTGOMERY COUNTY JUNIOR COUNCIL.

SO STARTING WITH MIDDLE SCHOOLERS SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE THAT INTEREST INTO HIGH SCHOOL, BUT ALSO EVENTS LIKE OUR SAVE A STUDENT OR SAVE A LIFE SUMMIT TRYING TO KIND OF, YOU KNOW, REACH DIFFERENT AREAS OF OUR OF OUR COUNTY.

WE TRY AND HOLD THESE DIFFERENT EVENTS SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO STUDENTS THAT DIDN'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHAT NCR WAS BEFORE, BUT TRY AND MAKE IT KNOWN THAT WE ARE HERE FOR THE STUDENTS AND WE WANT TO DO OUR BEST TO REPRESENT AND REACH OUT TO AS MANY STUDENTS AS POSSIBLE.

WELL, I APPRECIATE THAT ALL.

VERY, VERY. DID YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING? YEAH, I DID. THANK YOU. I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT, YOU KNOW, NEXT YEAR WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DIVERSIFY HOW WE OUTREACH THE STUDENTS.

[02:55:04]

IT'S JUST KIND OF THESE LIKE ONE MINUTE MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS WHERE WE CAN SEND IT TO EVERY SCHOOL THEY CAN JUST KIND OF IT'S KIND OF JUST LIKE A REPORT ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE DONE AND HOW STUDENTS CAN GET INVOLVED WITH STUDENT GOVERNMENT.

HOPEFULLY THIS WILL GARNER MORE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND JUST KIND OF, YOU KNOW, INCREASE STUDENT INVOLVEMENT FOR STUDENT ADVOCACY.

THAT'S AMAZING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO ADD ON TO WHAT SYLVIE SAID.

AND I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT MICHEL DEAN FOR OVERSEEING AC DC.

SHE'S AMAZING. AGAIN, LIKE ALICIA MENTIONED, WE WANT TO WORK REALLY CLOSELY WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE STARTING THESE THINGS FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL SO THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THESE THINGS. AND I CAN SAY THAT WHILE I WAS A FRESHMAN, WE IN WAS ONCE HIGHLY UNDERREPRESENTED ON THIS BOARD, AND NOW IT'S LIKE ONE OF THE MOST REPRESENTED SCHOOLS.

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THERE'S POWER IN OUR SCHOOL AND THE STUDENTS THAT ARE ON THOSE BOARDS BECAUSE AGAIN, WE OVERSEE THOSE DIRECTLY.

SO JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THIS CULTURE OF UPLIFTING STUDENTS SO THAT THEY FEEL AS THOUGH THEY SHOULD GO TO OTHER STUDENTS WITHIN THEIR SCHOOLS.

BECAUSE, AGAIN, IT DOES DOWN AND IT DOES DEPEND ON EVERY INDIVIDUAL.

ALL OF US HERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, PUSHING OTHER STUDENTS TO TALK TO EVERYONE IN THEIR SCHOOLS, TALK TO EVERY KIND OF STUDENT, AND WE WANT TO SEE MORE REPRESENTATION FOR THEM. SO A HUGE PART OF THE CULTURE THAT WE'RE PUSHING IN THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WE'LL HAVE NEXT YEAR IS GOING TO BE STRUCTURED AROUND TALK TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.

THAT'S AMAZING AND VERY IMPRESSED BY ALL OF YOU IN THERE AND THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING WITH THAT.

KEEP IT UP. KEEP DOING THAT OUTREACH BECAUSE EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY.

SO THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

MRS.. YES. SO, MRS. MADRAS, ACTUALLY TOUCHED ON THE QUESTION I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, SO WE NEED TO INVITE YOU BACK NEXT YEAR, SAME TIME, AND PUT YOU BEFORE THE BUDGET DISCUSSION.

THAT WAY, EVERYBODY CAN SEE AND HEAR FROM YOU.

RIGHT. BUT I DO WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOUR RESPONSE IS LIKE ON STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND PULLING IN THE NOT SO USUAL SUSPECTS.

THEN WE CAN USE YOU ALL AS A RESOURCE WHEN WE'RE LOOKING TO GATHER STUDENT VOICES FROM THE VARIOUS GROUPS THAT WE WANT TO HEAR FROM, THAT WE NEED TO HEAR FROM.

WE CAN REACH OUT TO YOU AS PARTNERS.

SO COME BACK NEXT YEAR.

SHARE WITH US. THIS IS A GREAT INTRODUCTION SO THAT WE CAN KNOW YOUR FACES IN ADVANCE BEFORE WE HAVE OUR MEETING WITH YOU ALL.

BUT IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU AND TO LISTEN TO ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE.

BEEN SO THOUGHTFUL. SO. MS..

CHERRY, YOU'VE BEEN.

MR.. BEEN RECOGNIZE.

I'M GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN. SHE IS AMAZING AND HAS KIDS, RIGHT? AND THEY'RE SUPER BUSY, BUT SHE STILL MAKES TIME FOR HER WORK.

SO OF COURSE, WE COULD TELL THAT YOU'RE VERY PASSIONATE AND AND THAT HAS TRANSFERRED OVER TO THE STUDENTS.

SO APPRECIATE THE WORK AND HEAR FROM YOU ALL.

AND GOOD.

AND SO I WANT TO SAY, I HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT YEAR AND YOU ENJOY YOUR SUMMER.

IT SOUNDS LIKE GOING TO BE BUSY. AND CONGRATULATIONS ON GRADUATION.

YES. AND OUR GRADUATES AND THEN.

YEAH, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING TO US HERE TODAY AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING IN THE UPCOMING YEAR.

MR.. BUT EVERYONE HAS A COMMENT.

JUST I WANTED TO SAY THAT NICO, AND IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE MEETING YOU AND YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE SENIORS WHO ARE INVOLVED AND IN YOUR GROUP BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT YOU GUYS DID DO THE SEMINAR ON LANGUAGE BARRIER, RIGHT? I WOULD HIGHLIGHT THAT BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS A TOPIC THAT IS, YOU KNOW, CLOSE TO MANY OF YOU GUYS HEARTS, SOME OF YOU KNOW, SOME OF US WHO ARE FIRST GENERATION ARE VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT OF WHAT THAT TAKES AND THAT WHAT THAT ENTAILS.

AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT, BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST GROWTH IN OUR IN OUR SCHOOL POPULATION.

AND THE FACT THAT YOU ALSO SOMEBODY SAID YOU'RE INCLUDING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES AS WELL, AND WITH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION, I THINK THAT IS SO IMPORTANT AS WELL THAT THEY HAVE A VOICE AT THE TABLE.

IT'S ALWAYS WONDERFUL TO SEE YOUNG PEOPLE.

THEY'RE ALWAYS AHEAD OF THE CURVE, RIGHT? THEY'RE ALWAYS THINKING AHEAD.

AND AND I JUST HAVE SO MUCH HOPE WHEN I SEE YOU ALL, ESPECIALLY IN THE BUDGET MEETING, RIGHT, THAT WE'RE HERE BECAUSE BECAUSE WE ARE HERE FOR YOU AND IN A SENSE AND FOR YOU TO ENSURE THAT YOU GUYS GO ON AND DO WONDERFUL THINGS AND THEN COME BACK TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND DO MORE WONDERFUL THINGS.

BUT I DID WANT TO SAY, I KNOW YOU HAD A LOT OF YOUR SUMMITS AROUND THE COUNTY.

I DO WANT TO PLUG IN EAST COUNTY, RIGHT.

THAT THAT MIGHT BE AN AREA THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO EXPLORE AS WELL.

IT'S AN AREA THAT IS GROWING QUITE A BIT.

AND THERE'S AN INCREDIBLE THINGS HAPPENING IN THIS COUNTY.

BE NICE ALSO TO KIND OF CAPTURE THAT, BUT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL.

AND GOOD LUCK TO TO THE SENIORS IN THE GROUP DR.

FELDER. THANK YOU.

I, TOO, WANT TO LAUD MISS CHERRY AND EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE AND CONTRIBUTING TO IMPROVING YOUR SCHOOLS AND THE DISTRICT

[03:00:03]

BUT THANK YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING TODAY.

HEY, WE ARE MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM ACTION, ITEM NUMBER

[9. Action on Board Policies - 2:45 p.m.]

MRS. BEDROSIAN. YES, THANK YOU.

SO TODAY WE'VE GOT TWO POLICIES THAT WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON, OR I'M HOPEFUL WE WILL TAKE ACTION ON.

THE FIRST ONE BEING POLICY I0D EDUCATION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

FOR A LITTLE BACKGROUND, ON APRIL, THE BOARD MET THE BOARD TENTATIVELY ADOPTED A REVISED DRAFT OF POLICY.

I SHOWED THE TENTATIVELY ADOPTED POLICY WAS DISTRIBUTED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FROM APRIL 12TH TO 2024 TO MAY 6TH. ON MAY 16TH, OUR POLICY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REVIEWED THE PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED AND IS NOW RECOMMENDING FINAL ACTION BY THE BOARD TODAY TO ADOPT THE REVISIONS TO POLICY IAG AND CONSIDERING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED AND THE POLICY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE'S REVIEW.

REVISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THIS POLICY TO ALIGN WITH GUIDANCE FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THE CENTER FOR APPLIED LINGUISTICS EVALUATION OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROGRAM AND CURRENT RESEARCH.

SO WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO YOU.

MY NAME IS SALLY DAVIS.

I'M THE SUPERVISOR OF POLICY AND REGULATIONS IN THE OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS TAMARA HULETT.

I AM THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LEARNERS AND MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION.

GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M STEPHANIE WILLIAMSON, GENERAL COUNSEL TONYA MICHAEL.

MS.. HULETT HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE REWRITING OF THIS POLICY.

SO AS WE PRESENT THE CHANGES IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMITTEE'S EFFORTS AND THE PUBLIC COMMENT, I WILL TURN TO MISSOULA TO GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE COMMENTORS AND SOME OF THE GENERAL THEMES.

THANK YOU AND DAVIS. GOOD AFTERNOON.

BOARD MEMBERS. YOU WILL NOTICE IN YOUR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY FOR POLICY THAT OUR STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT BEGAN WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

EXTENSIVE FEEDBACK WAS SOUGHT AND RECEIVED DURING JULY 23 PERIOD FROM CLOSE TO 200 STUDENTS, AS WELL AS TEACHERS WHO COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES, PARTICIPATED IN DISCUSSION GROUPS, AND ALL OF THESE THINGS HELPED TO INFORM THE INITIAL POLICY DRAFTING STAGE. COMMENTERS PROVIDED ON STAFFING, WHICH WAS VERY PREVALENT LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT THAT WAS ALSO VERY PREVALENT.

WE HAD FEWER COMMENTS ON INSTRUCTIONAL MODELS, PARTICULARLY TWO WAY IMMERSION SHELTERED INSTRUCTION SLICE STUDENTS WITH LIMITED OR INTERRUPTED FORMAL EDUCATION, ABOUT 2 TO 3 COMMENTS.

FOR EACH OF THOSE CATEGORIES WE HEARD ABOUT CURRICULUM.

WHAT ARE WE CALLING A CURRICULUM? THE ABSENCE OF A CURRICULAR RESOURCES IN THE CURRICULUM.

WE HAD SOME COMMENTS ABOUT NAMING CONVENTIONS EMO VERSUS YELLOW VERSUS YELLOW VERSUS EASEL VERSUS EML.

SOME ARE OKAY WITH THE NAMING POLICY, SOME SUGGESTED CHANGES, SOME EQUATED EMERGING WITH WEED, A LEVEL OF EMERGING JUST WANTING TO GO WITH EML, SOME NOTING THAT THERE SHOULD BE A DIFFERENCE IN THE NAMING IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY EMAILS RECEIVING SERVICES SOME WANTING TO STICK WITH AESOP.

WE HAD SOME COMMENTS ABOUT RECLASSIFICATION.

THAT'S THE STUDENTS WHO EXIT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

WE HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT CERTIFICATION, GRADING EXPECTATIONS OF EMERGING MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS BEING SIMILAR TO THAT OF MONOLINGUAL ENGLISH SPEAKERS AND THAT NOT BEING OKAY.

AND THEN WE HAD, YOU KNOW, SOME WITH SOME OF THOSE COMMENTS WERE CONNECTED TO GRADING AS WELL AND SOME CONNECTED TO ASSESSMENTS. SO WHEN IT COMES TO THE NAMING CONVENTIONS, YOU'LL NOTE WE'VE CHANGED THE NAME OF THE POLICY TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO CLARIFY THAT THE POLICY ADDRESSES MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS LEARNING TO UNDERSTAND, SPEAK, READ AND WRITE IN

[03:05:04]

MS.. DAVIS WILL ADDRESS OUR RECOMMENDED RESPONSES IN THE DRAFT.

THANK YOU, MICHEL. IT SO ON MAY 16TH, MRS. MADRAS AND THE POLICY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS RECEIVED A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE 11 CHANGES WE MADE IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS, AND SO WAS MILDRED SYLVESTER.

MRS. NON-DROWSY, I WILL JUST PAUSE AND ASK IF FOR THE RECORD YOU'D LIKE ME TO GO THROUGH THOSE CHANGES OR JUST HIT A COUPLE MORE HIGHLIGHTS.

I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHAT MY COLLEAGUES WERE LIKE.

NO HIGHLIGHTS. EVERYONE'S GOOD.

WELL, WE'RE GOOD, SO WE HIT THE HIGHLIGHTS.

OKAY, LET'S SEE.

SO JUST A FEW.

WE WANTED TO APPROPRIATELY REFERENCE SOME OF THE RIGHTS UNDER FEDERAL LAW THAT ENGLISH LEARNERS HAVE.

SO WE HAVE REFERENCED THAT.

WE'VE CLARIFIED SOME THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE MEAN BY MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS AND REGARDING THE THE EXPECTATION LANGUAGE, WE WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT.

WE WANTED ALL STUDENTS TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN, AND THEN SO THAT WE DID SOME REPHRASING THERE.

LET'S SEE, I THINK THAT'S IT.

I THINK THE OVERALL POLICY TRIES TO STRESS THE SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL EDUCATORS, NOT JUST THOSE TEACHING IN A SPECIFIC PROGRAM.

OKAY, GREAT.

THANK YOU. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT, SIR.

SO I NEED TO READ THE RESOLUTION.

I ALWAYS FORGET I ALWAYS FORGET TO READ THE LA RESOLUTION AND JUST GO AHEAD AND MOVE IT FROM COMMITTEE.

OKAY. I'LL JUST MOVE THE GREEN SHEET FROM COMMITTEE AND I DON'T NEED A SECOND.

SO ALL IN FAVOR OF MAKING THIS FINAL ACTION.

BY THE WAY, JUST TO CLARIFY. OKAY, THAT'S UNANIMOUS OF THOSE PRESENT.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

51 DAY. THANK YOU.

SORRY. OKAY, SO THIS POLICY IS POLICY.

A BOARD APPOINTMENT OF MCP LEADERS.

ON MARCH 19TH, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TENTATIVELY ADOPTED A NEW DRAFT POLICY G.A.

BOARD APPOINTMENT OF MSI VEST LEADERS, AND THE TENTATIVE ADOPTED POLICY WAS DISTRIBUTED FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM MARCH 20TH TO APRIL 24TH. ON MAY 16TH, THE BOARD'S POLICY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REVIEWED THE PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED AND IS NOW RECOMMENDING FINAL ACTION BY THE BOARD TODAY TO ADOPT POLICY GPA.

IN CONSIDERING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED, THIS IS PRETTY STANDARD.

NOW DID TO MAKE SOME RECOMMENDED CHANGES BASED ON SOME OF THE FEEDBACK, AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR FINAL ACTION TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE INFORMED BOARD DECISION MAKING REGARDING CANDIDATES FOR CPS LEADERSHIP POSITIONS RECOMMENDED TO US BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

THE NEW POLICY ESTABLISHES CRITERIA FOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS SUBJECT TO APPOINTMENT BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUIRES DUE DILIGENCE IN VETTING PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES, SETS FORTH PROCESSES TO APPOINT LEADERS IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND IDENTIFIES INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

RECOMMENDATION OF ANY.

AND WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO SALLY.

OKAY. JOINING US NOW IS APRIL KEY, THE CHIEF OF THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT.

AGAIN, WE'LL BE PRESENTING THE CHANGES THE WRITING TEAM PROPOSES IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS AND THEN FURTHER COMMITTEE.

AND FIRST, I'LL TURN TO MS..

KEY FOR PROVIDING AN OVERVIEW OF THE COMMENTERS AND ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.

THANK YOU, MS.. DAVIS.

DR. PHIL, DEAR MR. VESTRY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO MOVE THIS POLICY THROUGH.

YOU'LL NOTICE IN YOUR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY FOR POLICY, A BETTER STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT BEGAN WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER, DECEMBER.

IN JANUARY, WE ENGAGED A VARIETY OF STAKEHOLDERS IN CONVERSATIONS AND THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, AND THEY RAISED A WIDE RANGE OF CHANGES OF, SAY, A WIDE RANGE OF THEMES.

SINCE REVIEWING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS WITH THE POLICY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW.

NUMBER ONE, TO MINIMIZE THE USE OF LONG TERM ACTING OR TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATORS UPDATES PROVIDE FOR THE BOARD TO APPROVE IN CLOSED SESSION ANY ADMINISTRATOR VACANCY ANTICIPATED TO BE FILLED IN AN ACTING CAPACITY BY CONSULTING ITS TEMPORARY PART TIME

[03:10:03]

YOU'LL SEE THIS CHANGE IS ON PAGE FOUR.

TO FURTHER, WE TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY THE COMMENT THAT STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THE APPOINTMENT SHOULD PARTICIPATE AND BE PART OF THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, WHICH IS WHY WE CALL FOR IDENTIFIED CATEGORIES OF STAKEHOLDERS TO PARTICIPATE ON INTERVIEW PANELS AND WE CAN ELABORATE ON THESE CATEGORIES AND SELECTION PROCESSES FURTHER IN THE REGULATION WRITING PROCESS, YOU'LL SEE THIS CHANGES ON PAGE FIVE WITH WE'VE ALSO CODIFIED THE BOARD'S EXISTING PRACTICE OF SURVEYING INTERVIEW PANELISTS AFTER THE INTERVIEW WITH THAT FEEDBACK GOING DIRECTLY TO THE BOARD OF ED AND YOU'LL SEE THIS ON PAGE SIX LINES 180 AND 181.

I'D LIKE TO BRIEFLY ADDRESS THE PROFESSIONAL GROWTH SYSTEM AS IT APPLIES TO ADMINISTRATORS AND HOW THEY ARE EVALUATED AFTER THEY ARE APPOINTED TO THE POSITION.

YOU'LL SEE THIS ON PAGE NINE, A FEW COMMENTS RELATED TO EVALUATION, AND WE ADDED LANGUAGE TO REFERENCE THE PROFESSIONAL GROWTH SYSTEM, WHICH HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

THE PROFESSIONAL GROWTH SYSTEM PROVIDES MENTORING FOR ADMINISTRATORS, SUPERVISORS AND MORE, AND HAS CLEAR TIMELINES FOR PROFESSIONAL REVIEW.

FINALLY, I'LL SAY THAT WE TAKE HARD THE NEED FOR TRANSPARENCY IN THIS PROCESS AND APPRECIATE THE NEED TO CODIFY THE BOARD'S COMMITMENTS IN POLICY AND IMPLEMENTING PROCEDURES IN REGULATORY LANGUAGE THAT WILL FOLLOW.

AND I DO USE THE WORD CODIFIED, DO IT DELIBERATELY.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THAT.

WHILE A NUMBER OF THESE PRACTICES WERE IN PLACE, WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FORMALLY DOCUMENT OUR PROCEDURES.

INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY WAS INSUFFICIENT AND PREVIOUS DOCUMENTATION NEEDED TO BE REVIEWED, REVISED AND PUBLISHED TO BRING ABOUT A GREATER TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THIS DAVIS WILL HIGHLIGHT THE REMAINING CHAIR CHANGES.

THANK YOU, MS.. KEY.

AND IN ADDITION TO THE UPDATES, MS..

KEY HAS ALREADY RAISED, I'D LIKE TO BRIEFLY POINT OUT TWO FURTHER AMENDMENTS ON PAGE EIGHT LINES 222 TO 230, THE LANGUAGE HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO READ SORRY THAT NO CANDIDATE FOR ANY POSITION WILL BE CONSIDERED UNTIL THE OUTCOME OF ANY INVESTIGATION OF THE CANDIDATE IS COMPLETE.

IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS TO CLARIFY THOSE COMPLAINTS GRIEVANCES ALLEGATIONS SUBJECT TO INVESTIGATE ACTION AND APPLICABLE TO THIS REQUIREMENT. THE OUTCOME OF SUCH INVESTIGATIONS SHALL BE FULLY AVAILABLE TO THE BOARD.

AND THE LAST I'LL POINT OUT IS ON PAGE NINE, LINE TO 54, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR CONSISTENT SCREENING AND INTERVENTION INTERVIEW AND APPOINTMENT PROTOCOLS.

SO IT NOW READS CONSISTENT.

I'LL I'LL START BACK AT THE STEM.

THE SUPERINTENDENT ESTABLISH REGULATIONS OR OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES NECESSARY FOR CARRYING OUT THE OBJECTIVES OUTLINED IN THIS POLICY TO INCLUDE CONSISTENT AND EFFICIENT INTERVIEW AND APPOINTMENT PROTOCOLS THAT APPOINT CPS LEADERS IN A TIMELY MANNER, THEREBY PROVIDING CONTINUITY OF LEADERSHIP THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO SYSTEMWIDE NEEDS AND TIME IN PROCESS OF NO MORE THAN TWO MONTHS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

AND WITH THAT, WE WILL CONCLUDE WE'RE READY FOR YOUR DISCUSSION.

GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES, SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

THE ONE THAT I DID NOTICE THAT WE DISCUSSED IN COMMITTEE WAS ONLY JUST ABOUT THE SECTION 225 TO LINE 225.

SO THAT SPECIFICALLY THAT LINE, I'M JUST SAYING THAT THAT SECTION THAT WE THAT WAS ADJUSTED, WE HAD TALKED ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT IT WAS CLEAR THAT IT'S PAST AND PRESENT IN TERMS OF ONGOING INVESTIGATION.

SO IF INVESTIGATION SO IF SOMEONE HAD INVESTIGATION HAD AN INVESTIGATION IN THE PAST, IT WOULD STILL BE WE'D STILL BE NOTIFIED EVEN IF IT WAS FOUND, YOU KNOW, NOT WHATEVER I DID BACK TO THE TRANSCRIPT AND I LISTENED TO IT A COUPLE OF TIMES, SO I CAUGHT EVERYTHING THAT WAS IN THAT DISCUSSION.

SO WHAT I WHAT I UNDERSTOOD US TO SAY AT THE COMMITTEE LEVEL WAS THAT THE WOULD SEEK TO CLARIFY THREE THREE MAIN ISSUES, RIGHT? ONE WAS TIMING PRE PRESENT OR PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS.

THE SECOND WAS THE STATUS COMPLETED, PENDING OR OPEN.

[03:15:02]

I CAN'T YOU. OH, SORRY.

WE ALSO NEEDED REGULATORY LANGUAGE TO CLARIFY, YOU KNOW, GRIEVANCES VERSUS ALLEGATIONS VERSUS THOSE OF COMPLAINTS THAT WOULD RISE TO THAT LEVEL.

WE ALSO NEEDED TO CLARIFY THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT WE WOULD HAVE CONDUCTED IN-HOUSE OR EXTERNALLY THAT WE WOULD HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT.

SO I THINK WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO GET INTO REGS, BUT IT IS SEVERAL LAYERS.

YEAH, I WAS GOING TO SAY THE OTHER THING I CAN THINK OF THAT WE TALKED ABOUT FOR THE REGULATION ASPECT OF IT WAS CLARIFYING THE PROCESS OF THINGS LIKE WHAT DOES A APP, WHAT'S THE WHAT'S THE TERM APPLICATION ADMINISTRATOR, THE MANAGER WHO PICKS THAT WHAT ARE CALLED SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TWO PEOPLE PICKING FOR ONE JOB AND FIVE PEOPLE PICKING FOR ANOTHER JOB AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

SO I JUST LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT GETS CLARIFIED IN THE REGULATIONS.

SO COLLEAGUES, ANYBODY HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR CONCERNS? I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THERE AND I APOLOGIZE.

I DON'T HAVE MY NOTES WITH ME THERE IN THE OTHER ROOM.

THE 45 DAY LENGTH OF TIME BEFORE THE BOARD NEEDS TO BE NOTIFIED IF SOMEONE'S GOING TO BE IMPACTING LONGER THAN 45 DAYS.

JUST WONDERED WHERE THE 45 DAYS CAME FROM.

IS THAT WHY 45 NOT 60? WHY NOT 30? AS I SAY, MR. SAYEED HAD ASKED 30, SO I JUST WONDER WHERE THAT NUMBER IS COMING FROM.

WHY DOES THAT MAKE SENSE ADMINISTRATIVELY IN TERMS OF PLACING A PERSON IN A JOB? ADMINISTRATIVELY, THERE WASN'T REALLY AN IMPACT.

WE WERE FLEXIBLE.

IT WAS WHAT THE BOARD WANTED WASN'T SOMETHING THAT WE SUGGESTED.

JUST WANT TO FALL IN LINE WITH WHAT YOUR NEED IS WITH REGARD TO NOTIFICATION AND THE I KNOW A POLICY SAYS THAT THE BOARD HAS TO APPROVE IT AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE IT, RAISING THE CORRECT LEVEL RIGHT? YES, THAT'S CORRECT. OKAY.

ANYONE ELSE? NO, I IN THAT CASE, I WILL MOVE THE GREEN SHEET AND I DO NOT NEED A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR OF TAKING FINAL ACTION.

I DON'T KNOW WHY I KEEP DOING THIS ON POLICY, G.A.

IT'S UNANIMOUS OF THOSE PRESENT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOUR WORK.

AGAIN, I NOW I TELL YOU THE POLICY COMMITTEE, BUT I KNOW HOW MUCH TIME AND ENERGY YOU PUT INTO THESE THINGS, SO I'M GRATEFUL.

THANK YOU. OKAY, LET'S SEE.

WE NOW HAVE A RECESS.

[10. Recess - 3:45 p.m.]

SO WE'LL COME BACK AT ARE WE LIVE? HAVE WE READY BECAUSE I TO RIGHT SAID TAKE ONE JUST JUST JUST THE CHAIR SETH.

YEAH. BRENDA HAS A COMMENT FOR YOU LATER.

OKAY. WE ARE BACK FROM RECESS AND MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT AGENDA.

[11. Item of Discussion - 4:15 p.m.]

DR. FELDER THANK YOU, PRESIDENT SYLVESTER SO THIS EVENING WE WILL DISCUSS THE MVC, A BUSINESS LEARNING INSTITUTE IN BLY AND THE CONTINGENT CHARTER SCHOOL AGREEMENT IN PREPARATION FOR THE BOARD'S ACTION ON JUNE 25TH, 2024, ONE NOVEMBER NINE, 2023. THE BOARD AWARDED THE MENTORING BY EXAMPLE FOUNDATION IN ITS APPROVAL TO OPEN AND OPERATE THE NB CHARTER SCHOOL IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, CONTINGENT UPON DEMONSTRATING THE ABILITY TO MEET FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING AND RENOVATING A BUILDING SUITABLE FOR USE AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN MARYLAND TODAY, M.B.

EAF WILL PRESENT A FINAL FINANCIAL AND FACILITY PLAN TO ADDRESS THE REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN.

THE CONTINGENT CHARTER SCHOOL AGREEMENT ON JUNE 25TH, 2024.

THE BOARD WILL VOTE TO DETERMINE IF THE NB CHARTER SCHOOL HAS MET THE CONTINGENCIES FOR THE OPENING AND 2025 2026 SCHOOL YEAR.

AND I NOW INVITE MS..

NIKKI HAZEL, ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS, AND DR.

KENNETH MARCUS, CHARTER SCHOOL LIAISON, TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE AND INTRODUCE OUR PRESENTERS.

THANK YOU, DR. FELDER.

GOOD AFTERNOON. ON MAY 17TH, MBA SUBMITTED ITS FINAL FACILITY AND FINANCE PLANS TO DEMONSTRATE THE CONTINGENCY, TO DEMONSTRATE THE

[03:20:06]

AS DR. FELDER STATED, THEY WILL PRESENT THESE PLANS TODAY AND YOU WILL BE HERE JUST TO ASK QUESTIONS AND HEAR RESPONSES.

THERE WILL BE NO VOTING TODAY.

OUR CHARTER SCHOOL LIAISON, DR.

KENNETH MARCUS, WHO IS A RETIRED PRINCIPAL OF CPS, HAS BEEN HELPING SUPPORT THIS WORK AND HE WILL SHARE MORE ABOUT THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THAT'S BEEN PROVIDED.

BEFORE HE SHARES, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST THANK OUR MCP TEAM IN THE AUDIENCE, HAVE FOLKS FROM THE OFFICE OF FINANCE, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, GENERAL COUNSEL, AND OUR CURRICULUM TEAM WHO'VE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER AND WITH OUR CONTINGENT CHARTER SCHOOL JUST TO PROVIDE THEM WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

SO AT THIS TIME, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO DR.

MARCUS. GOOD AFTERNOON.

THE CONTINGENT CHARTER SCHOOL MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM FINANCE, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS NINE TIMES FROM JANUARY THROUGH MAY 24.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ALSO INCLUDED MEETINGS WITH THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, SPECIAL EDUCATION, SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY, AND THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

IN ADDITION, IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A TECHNICAL ASSISTANT MEETING WITH MTF, THE MCP ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND THE MCP CHARTER SCHOOL LIAISON AT THE PROPOSED CHARTER SCHOOL SITE.

I'M NOW GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO MR. CASSANDRA GRAHAM, WHO'S GOING TO INTRODUCE FROM MBETE, WHO'S GOING TO INTRODUCE HER TEAM.

GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD MEMBERS.

DR. FELDER. THANK YOU, NIKKI, AND THANK YOU, DR.

MARCUS, FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TODAY.

LIKE DR. MARCUS SAID, I'M GOING TO CHALLENGE PROGRAM.

TO MY RIGHT IS TRACY COOPER IN THE AUDIENCE? WE HAVE WITH US TODAY, LYNNETTE, OUR PROJECT MANAGER.

AND THEN TO MY LEFT IS ALEX, OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR.

TODAY, WE ARE HERE TO DISCUSS THE MEGA BUSINESS LEARNING INSTITUTE, PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL AND OUR PLANS TO CLEAR THE CONTRACT CONTINGENCIES RELATED TO ITS FACILITIES.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

OUR PRESENTATION TOPICS WILL COVER THE FOLLOWING INTRODUCTION.

FACILITY AND FINANCIAL CONTINGENCY REQUIREMENTS FACILITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, FACILITY DESIGN PLANS, FACILITY BUDGET AND FINANCING.

ENSURING OPERATIONAL READINESS.

COMPLETED ACTIONS.

AND PLEASE MOVE TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

MEGA IS DEDICATED TO REVOLUTIONIZING EDUCATION THROUGH COLLABORATIVE AND INNOVATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.

WE AIM TO OPEN THE MEGA BUSINESS LEARNING INSTITUTE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL IN FALL 2025.

TO ACHIEVE THIS, WE SEEK YOUR SUPPORT TO CLEAR THE CONTRACT CONTINGENCIES RELATED TO OUR FACILITIES.

OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT OUR FACILITIES MEET EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS AND PROVIDE A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENT SUCCESS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. OUR PRESENTATION OBJECTIVE AIMS TO DEMONSTRATE OUR COMPLIANCE WITH FACILITY CONTINGENCIES IN THE CHARTER AGREEMENT, ENSURING A SMOOTH AND TIMELY OPENING OF THE MEGA BUSINESS LEARNING INSTITUTE OR AMBERLEY IN THE FALL OF 2025.

TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS, WE'VE HAD TO COMPLETE SEVERAL KEY MILESTONES.

ONE THE EXECUTION OF A CONTINGENT CHARTER AGREEMENT IN WHICH ALL PARTIES HAD TO SIGN AND FINALIZE THE AGREEMENT, ENSURING ALL CONDITIONS WERE MET TO A PRELIMINARY AND FINANCIAL REPORT.

WE HAD TO INCLUDE PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGETS, FUNDING SOURCES AND CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR CONTINUED OPERATIONS IF PROJECTED REVENUES FELL SHORT.

THREE PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL FACILITIES PLAN.

THE PLAN HAD TO DETAIL FACILITY LOCATIONS, SPATIAL REQUIREMENTS, POTENTIAL EXPANSIONS, RENOVATION COSTS, TIMELINES STRATEGIES, FINAL BUDGET SECURED FINANCING DOCUMENTATION AND A CONTINGENCY PLAN, AND FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

MEETING MCP.

AS DR. MARCUS EARLIER, I HAD TO SCHEDULE AT LEAST THREE MEETINGS WITH AND ALLY TO ASSIST WITH COMPLETING AND REVISING REQUIRED REPORTS, ENSURING ALL REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES WERE MET. NEXT SLIDE.

ADDITIONALLY, IN BIELLA, I HAD TO ALSO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING TASKS.

ENSURE THE CHARTER SCHOOL IS WITHIN THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL BOUNDARIES.

SUBMITTED A COPY. SUBMIT A COPY OF THE FACILITY LEASE AGREEMENT.

SUBMIT AN AGREEMENT WITH THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT.

NOTIFY THE MARYLAND NATIONAL CAPITAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION ABOUT THE TO OPEN A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL CONTRACT WITH A FACILITY PROFESSIONAL, EXPERIENCED AND CODE COMPLIANT TO SURVEY THE FACILITY AND SUBMIT THE REPORT.

CONTRACT AN ACCREDITED ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT COMPANY APPROVED BY THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. HERE IS THE FUTURE SITE OF THE MEGA BUSINESS LEARNING INSTITUTE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL, LOCATED AT

[03:25:07]

THIS SITE, PART OF THE GOLDEN ROD INDUSTRIAL CENTER AND ADJACENT TO MONTGOMERY COLLEGE, HAS BEEN CAREFULLY SELECTED TO PROVIDE AN OPTIMAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THIS SPACIOUS LOCATION WILL ACCOMMODATE BOTH ACADEMIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

THE EXISTING BUILDING WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A TWO STOREY STRUCTURE OF APPROX.

APPROXIMATELY 70,000 SQUARE FEET TO MEET OUR GROWING STUDENTS POPULATIONS NEEDS.

OUR PHASE DEVELOPMENT APPROACH ENSURES EFFECTIVE COST MANAGEMENT AND ADHERENCE TO OUR FALL 2025 OPENING TIMELINE.

THIS SITE WILL SUPPORT THE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH OF OUR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS, EFFECTIVELY SERVING THE COMMUNITY'S EDUCATIONAL.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF THIS LOCATION TO BECOME A VIBRANT HUB FOR LEARNING, INNOVATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AT FACILITY DEVELOPMENT.

PARTNERS IN THIS WORK INCLUDE ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL CONTRACTING FIRMS. FINANCIAL ADVISORS AND LENDERS.

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS.

AND LEGAL ADVISORS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE ARCHITECTURAL VISION FOR MOBILEYE INVOLVES CONVERTING THE EXISTING SINGLE STOREY BUILDING INTO A TWO STOREY STRUCTURE OF APPROXIMATELY 70,000 SQUARE FEET.

THIS WILL BE DONE IN PHASES TO, REDUCE INITIAL PROJECT COSTS AND ENSURE A TIMELY OPENING IN THE FALL OF 2025.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE ARE TARGETING AN INITIAL ENROLLMENT OF 250 STUDENTS IN THE FIRST YEAR, WITH A SIX YEAR PLAN TO INCREASE INCREMENTALLY INCREASE ENROLLMENT TO 700 STUDENTS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE FIRST, THE FLOOR LAYOUT PLANS.

THE FIRST FLOOR PLAN ENSURES ACCESSIBILITY AND FUNCTIONALITY FEATURING MULTIPLE CLASSROOMS FOR VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS, A FLEXIBLE MULTIPURPOSE SPACE FOR A GYMNASIUM, AUDITORIUM OR CAFETERIA USE, AND A CENTRALLY LOCATED LIBRARY.

ADMINISTRATIVE ARE NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE FOR CONVENIENCE.

SPECIALIZED ROOMS FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER SUBJECTS SUPPORT HANDS ON LEARNING.

ADDITIONAL AREA SUPPORT INCLUDES.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AREAS INCLUDE RESTROOMS, STORAGE AND STAFF LOUNGES.

AGAIN, SOME KEY FOCUS FEATURES OF THE FIRST FLOOR.

IT IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE ACCESSIBLE TEAM FUNCTIONALITY WHILE SUPPORTING A WIDE RANGE OF ACADEMIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE SECOND FLOOR PLAN INCLUDES ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS FOR HIGHER GRADE LEVELS, SPECIALIZED LABS FOR ADVANCED SUBJECTS LIKE COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING AND STUDY AND COLLABORATION AREAS FOR GROUP WORK AND INDEPENDENT STUDY.

FACULTY OFFICES PROVIDE PRIVATE SPACES FOR TEACHERS AND SUPPORT AREAS, INCLUDING RESTAURANTS AND OTHER FACILITIES.

ENSURING A COMPREHENSIVE AND CONDUCIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

THE KEY FOCUS OF THIS FLOOR IS THAT IT ENHANCES THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WITH ADVANCED LABS AND STUDY AREAS, ENSURING COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE OUR PHASED DEVELOPMENT PLANS INCLUDE THE FIRST PHASE, WHICH WILL BE DONE IN 2425, IN WHICH WE WILL RENOVATE THE EXISTING BUILDINGS TO HOUSE THE SIXTH AND SEVENTH GRADE CLASSROOMS AND CONSTRUCT A NEW MULTIPURPOSE AREA FOR VARIOUS SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.

ADDITIONALLY, WE WILL COMPLETE THE CORE AND SHELF FOR THE SECOND FLOOR TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE EXPANSION.

PHASE TWO, WHICH WILL ALSO BE COMPLETED IN 2526, WILL CREATE NEW CLASSROOM FOR EIGHTH GRADE, ALLOWING US TO ACCOMMODATE OUR GROWING STUDENT POPULATION AND CONTINUE EXPANDING OUR EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS.

THIS PHASED APPROACH ENSURES EFFECTIVE COST MANAGEMENT AND TIMELY DEVELOPMENT.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

PHASE ONE ALSO INCLUDES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COURT AND SHELL FOR THE SECOND FLOOR.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE EXPANSION AND PHASE THREE.

PHASE TWO ALSO INCLUDES WHERE WE BEGAN PARTIAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND FLOOR TO ACCOMMODATE NINTH GRADE CLASSROOMS, ENSURING CONTINUED GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OUR STUDENT POPULATION. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

AND PHASE THREE, WHICH WILL HAPPEN IN 2627.

WE WILL COMPLETE THE SECOND FLOOR TO ACCOMMODATE 10TH TO 12TH GRADE CLASSROOMS. FINALIZING THE EXPANSION AND ENSURING A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE ESTIMATED TOTAL SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT BUDGET IS 18,000,005 40 6308.

THIS FUNDING COMES FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES, INCLUDING LENDING BY CIVIC BUILDERS WHO ARE PURCHASING THE PROPERTY ON OUR BEHALF AND FUNDING THE RENOVATION.

A START UP GRANT FROM THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, A CONTINUATION GRANT FROM THE MARYLAND ALLIANCE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL DONORS.

[03:30:03]

MEETING THE CONTINGENCY REQUIREMENTS ENSURES THAT ALL NECESSARY FINANCIAL FACILITY AND REGULATORY CONDITIONS SATISFIED FOR SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH IN THE FALL OF 2025.

THIS COMPREHENSIVE PROCESS INVOLVES SECURING FUNDING, FINALIZING FACILITY PREPARATIONS AND ADHERING TO ALL RELEVANT REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE HAVE COMPLETED THE REQUIRED ACTIONS, INCLUDING TIMELY NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE CHARTER AGREEMENT WITH MGP STAFF SUBMISSION OF PRELIMINARY AND FINAL FACILITY PLANS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS.

PARTICIPATION IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE MEETINGS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS SLIDE OUTLINES THE ADDITIONAL ACTIONS COMPLETED AS REQUIRED TO FULFILL THE CHARTER SCHOOL CONTRACT. THE CHOSEN SITE AT GOLDEN ROD LANE COMPLIES WITH THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOUNDARIES AND WAS TAUGHT BY KEY OFFICIALS.

ON MAY 23RD, 2024, MECA SECURED A LETTER OF WITH CIVIC BUILDERS FOR THE LEASE, DRAFT LEASE TERM SHEETS AND LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM CIVIC BUILDERS CEO. QUIET WATERS PARK WAS CONFIRMED AS THE PREFERRED LOCATION FOR STUDENT ACTIVITIES COVERED UNDER THE DISTRICT'S EXISTING AGREEMENT.

THE MANDATORY REFERRAL PROCESS WITH THE MARYLAND NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING WAS INITIATED WITHIN THE REQUIRED FRAME TIME FRAME.

A COMPREHENSIVE COLD COMPLIANCE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY ALPHA AND ASSOCIATES, MECA WILL CONTRACT WITH ACM SERVICES INC FOR BEST DOSE MANAGEMENT, ENSURING THE PROCESS IS COMPLETED BEFORE STAFF OCCUPANCY IN JULY 2025.

THESE ACTIONS OUR COMMITMENT TO MEETING ALL FACILITY REQUIREMENTS AND ENSURING A SAFE, COMPLIANT ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. IN CONCLUSION, MECA HAS SUCCESSFULLY MET THE CONTINGENCY REQUIREMENTS ENSURING THAT ALL NECESSARY FINANCIAL FACILITY AND REGULATORY CONDITIONS ARE IN PLACE FOR A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH IN FALL OF 2025.

WE REQUEST THE BOARD'S FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION TO MOVE FORWARD, REALIZING OUR MISSION OF PROVIDING AN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR.

THE COMMUNITY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. AND THIS CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION AND WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

CAN I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO TURN ON LIGHTS ON IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME? MRS. MIZER COMMENTS.

THIS IS GREAT. THIS IS A LOT OF DETAILED INFORMATION.

I KNOW IT'S PROBABLY BEEN A LONG ROW FOR YOU, BUT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED.

SO I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

I GOT THAT BIG OLD THICK BOOK THAT YOU ALL HAD IS LOOKING AT OVER THE WEEKEND.

AWESOME. THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THIS. ALWAYS DO.

IS HARRIS. YEAH.

COULD YOU JUST REMIND US ABOUT NOW THAT YOU'VE FINALIZED YOUR SITE SIZE AND WE'VE SEEN YOUR YOUR PROJECTION ENROLLMENTS AND THE PROGRESSION OVER TIME, HOW ARE YOU GOING? WHAT IS YOUR ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH PLAN TO IDENTIFY STUDENTS TO PUT IN YOUR IN YOUR FIRST? SO I THINK YOU START WITH A GRADE SIX AND SEVEN.

YEAH, WE'RE OPENING WITH SIX OR SEVEN AND ALSO HOW YOU'RE PLAN TO ENGAGE AND IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS AND WHAT YOU'RE HOW YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT, AS WE'RE ALL SEEING.

SOMETIMES OUR ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS DON'T QUITE MATERIALIZE THE WAY WE THINK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO.

SURE. SO AS MS..

EVANS INDICATED EARLIER, WE HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, DOWN A LONG ROAD AND WE HAVE NOT STOPPED OUR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT WE WOULD GET TO THIS POINT.

SO WE HAVE CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT, SPEAKING LARGELY WITH THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS THAT ARE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA FOR THE PROPERTY.

BUT WE HAVE REFRAINED FROM PROVIDING ANY CORRESPONDENCE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE DISTRICT'S PLANS ON HOW TO DO THAT.

BUT WE HAVE BEEN ASKED AND WERE INVITING OURSELVES TO THEIR COMMUNITY EVENTS, TRYING TO BE AS PRESENT AS POSSIBLE AND CONTINUE IN OUR COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND ATTENDING EVENTS.

WE HAVE AN UPCOMING SCHEDULED THIS JULY IN AUGUST, WHERE WE ARE GOING TO FLOAT AROUND AND ATTEND VARIOUS COMMUNITY EVENTS BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS SO THAT WE CAN ALSO SHARE THE THE EXPERIENCE COUNTYWIDE.

SO WE ARE CONTINUING OUR ENGAGEMENT.

WE'VE NEVER STOPPED ENGAGING.

WE HAVE OUR WEBSITE, HAVE OUR FLIERS AND OUR MATERIALS.

WE ARE BRINGING ON SOME SOCIAL MEDIA INTERNS THIS SUMMER THAT WILL HELP US WITH THAT SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE YOUTH AND, YOUNG ADULTS OF TODAY'S GENERATION. SO WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO BE AS ACTIVE AS POSSIBLE IN THAT ARENA AS WELL.

SO WE HAVE CONTINUED OUR ENGAGEMENT AND WE'RE CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT OUR OPERATIONS AND OUR PLANS.

[03:35:03]

THE ENROLLMENT WE HAD IN OUR APPLICATION PROCESS DONE A SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS AROUND WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE TO HAVE A FIVE OR TEN 50% CHANGE IN OUR ENROLLMENT PLANS.

OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR WHO THIS IS ALEX OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR WITH FIRST TRY ON HAS BEEN VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING US MODEL WHAT THAT NEEDS TO LOOK LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN, YOU KNOW, SUCCESSFULLY AFFORD OUR FACILITIES AND MAINTAIN OPERATIONS.

SO I THINK WITH THE PROFESSIONALS THAT ARE SUPPORTING US, WE'RE NOT ALONE IN THIS WORK.

I THINK WE ARE CONFIDENT AND CAN STAY AND CONFIDENT IN OUR ABILITY TO COMPLETE AND OPEN AND REMAIN OPEN AND SUCCESSFUL.

SO LOOKING AT YOUR ENROLLMENT, YOUR PROPOSED ENROLLMENT SIZE, ARE YOU THINKING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO FOCUS YOUR SORT OF RECRUITMENT AND ENGAGEMENT IN SORT OF REGIONALLY OR ARE YOU ARE YOU REGIONALLY TO START OR WHAT WHAT CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE? I'M SORRY, CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS IN THE COUNTY.

SO WE WE SAY THAT WE ARE ONLY GOING TO TARGET THE AREA.

OF COURSE, WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THE COMMUNITIES THAT SURROUND THE SCHOOL.

WE ARE VERY ACTIVE IN THAT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IS IS GOING TO BE CONVENIENT FOR THOSE PARENTS AND THOSE FAMILIES.

BUT WE DON'T WANT TO ACT AS IF PARENTS ARE NOT WILLING TO TRAVEL FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS SCHOOL PROGRAMS, VARIOUS STEM PROGRAMS, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THAT.

SO WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE NEED TO SORT OF MEANS TO ENSURE THAT THE FULL COUNTY IS AWARE AND APPRIZED OF WHAT OUR PLANS ARE AND THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THE OPPORTUNITY OPEN TO STUDENTS THAT LIVE IN THE COUNTY WIDE VERSUS JUST ONLY RELEGATED TO WHERE WE ARE.

SO IF NOT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO TARGET A PARTICULAR AREA.

WE'RE GOING TO BE ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SURROUNDS THE PROPERTY.

BUT WE WILL ALSO BE JUST AS ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE.

AND ARE YOU ARE YOU PLANNING ON SORT OF A LOTTERY PROCESS? WELL, LOTTERIES HAPPEN BASED ON THE APPLICATION, SO WE KNOW THAT WE'RE OPEN WITH 250 SEATS.

IF WE HAVE MORE STUDENTS THAN THE 250 THAT APPLIED IN THE LOTTERY.

IS THE RANDOMIZED PROCESS THAT YOU TO ENSURE FAIRNESS IN THE SELECTION.

IF WE ONLY HAVE, LET'S JUST SAY, 240 STUDENTS, THEN WE'RE NOT SUBJECT TO THE LOTTERY.

IT IS WHEN IT GOES ABOVE THE SEATS THAT HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED.

OKAY. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME.

MR. IRVIN. YEAH.

IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN.

I THINK IT'S BEEN A YEAR, RIGHT? YES. I'M GOING TO BE SAFE.

I THINK I WILL COME BACK AGAIN.

I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

I JUST WANT TO GET AN IDEA OF A TIMELINE AND SO YOU'RE DOING THE CONSTRUCTION ALL THE WAY TO YEAR TWO, 26, 2027.

I THINK WE HAVE WE HAVE A PHASE CONSTRUCTION PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT PHASE RIGHT.

SO SO BUT IN PHASE ONE, WHEN THAT IS COMPLETED, ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE THAT'S WHEN DOES YOUR FIRST STUDENT WALK THROUGH THE DOORS? I GUESS AS FALL OF 25, ALL OF US.

2025. YEAH. FALL OF NEXT YEAR, THE SCHOOL WILL OPEN WITH SIXTH AND SEVENTH GRADE.

OKAY. SO YOUR CONSTRUCTION THAT'S GOING TO BE GOING ON WHEN THE KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL FOR THE SECOND PHASE.

NO, NO, NO, NO.

WHAT THE PLAN IS FOR THE SECOND PHASE WITH WHEN WE ADD ON THE EIGHTH GRADE CLASSROOMS, WE'RE GOING TO USE MODELERS AND THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE SUMMERTIME.

SO IT DOES NOT AFFECT SCHOOL OPERATIONS.

OKAY. SO CONSTRUCTION FOR THE SECOND FLOOR OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL IS GOING TO BE OVER THIS SUMMER.

YEP. OKAY. AND THEN JUST FOR ACCESSIBILITY, IS THERE GOING TO AN ELEVATOR? YES, MA'AM. FOR OKAY. I MEAN, SEE, I'M NOT AN ARCHITECT HERE.

AND IT MAY BE HARD BECAUSE WE HAD TO TRY TO CONDENSE IT FOR THE PRESENTATION IN THE PLANS.

BUT YES, WE HAD ACTUALLY WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE ELEVATOR SHAFT IN THERE, BUT WE DO DEFINITELY HAVE ELEVATOR SHAFT.

AND THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD FOR YOU WAS, SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE YOU'RE PLANNING TO THE FRESHMAN TO HAVE 125 KIDS IN SIXTH GRADE? 125 KIDS IN SEVENTH GRADE? YES, MA'AM. AND YOU SAY YOU'RE TALKING TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS, WHICH I THINK IS GREAT, BUT ARE YOU ELEMENTARY TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL? YES, MA'AM. OKAY. SO AND I GUESS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL IS ALSO TOO, RIGHT? YES. BUT IN TERMS OF LIKE FEEDING AND PLANNING, WE'RE WE'VE LOOKING AT THE ELEMENTARY GRADES BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN AT THIS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW.

SO WE ACTUALLY STARTED IN THE ELEMENTARY HOPING THAT WE WOULD FOLLOW THOSE KIDS AND CATCH THEM FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL.

BUT WE'RE NOT JUST WE'RE NOT JUST GOING TO ONLY FOCUS ON ELEMENTARY.

WE WERE JUST LOOKING AT THE ELEMENTARY STUDENT BECAUSE WE HOPE THAT BY THE SCHOOL YEAR 25, THAT THOSE STUDENTS WOULD BE PREPARING FOR SCHOOL.

THAT WAS. QUESTION SO IS THERE A TIMELINE WHERE YOU EXPECT TO HAVE LIKE HALF OF THE KIDS THERE? WILL WE EXPECT TO HAVE 75 OF KIDS BY THIS BY BY THE MONTH OF WHATEVER, WHATEVER.

IF THEY DO HAVE A TIMELINE LIKE, YOU KNOW, AS YOU ARE RECRUITING, YOU WANT TO HIT CERTAIN TARGETS OF KIDS THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE IN-HOUSE.

WELL, WE WILL FOLLOW THE ENROLLMENT PROGRAMS AND THE ENROLLMENT TIMELINES FOR THE SPECIAL PROGRAMS.

[03:40:03]

SO WE'LL FOLLOW THAT TIMELINE AND THEN HAVE OUR ENROLLMENT.

I BELIEVE, NICK IS IN THE SPRING, SO WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE OUR OPENING AND OUR ENROLLMENT BE ABLE TO BE CONFIRMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DISTRICT TIMELINE.

RIGHT. I GUESS WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS THAT YOU AND I HAVE 120 50 KIDS IN EACH GRADE BY THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, OR YOU HOPE TO HAVE.

BUT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THAT, OUR DAILY TARGET TARGET TIMES THAT YOU START THINKING NOW, SAY BY SUCH AND SUCH DAY, WE SHOULD HAVE SO WE WHERE WE ARE LIKE ON TARGET TO HIT THAT TARGET BY THE TIME THE SCHOOL STARTS.

YEAH, I GUESS I NOW UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO SAY.

SO ULTIMATELY WE WOULD LIKE TO PLAN TO HAVE THE FULL ENROLLMENT FOR THE 125.

SO THE GOAL WOULD BE TO HAVE ALL OF OUR PRE ENROLLMENT, ALL OF OUR HAPPEN HEAVY SO THAT BY THE TIME THE ENROLLMENT OPENS THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR HOPEFULLY A LOTTERY SCENARIO WHERE WE HAVE FILLED YOU KNOW, WE HAVE PLANS TO FILL MORE SEATS THAN WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

SO OUR GOAL IS 100%, BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO BE AT LEAST AT THE 90% MARK AT THE TIME OF THE THE APPLICATIONS OPENING, THE ENROLLMENT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO OFFICIALLY ENROLL.

SO WE WILL HAVE THEM JOIN OUR CHOICE PROGRAM WHEN WE DO OUR OPEN HOUSES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

SO THAT STARTS IN THE FALL.

THIS THIS FALL.

I THINK WHAT I HEAR IS MAYBE PUTTING TOGETHER A PLAN THAT BY CERTAIN MONTHS YOU WOULD AT LEAST HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF STUDENTS AS A GOAL AND INCREASING THAT NUMBER OVER TIME SO THAT YOU CAN ENSURE THAT YOU REACH YOUR TOTAL BY THE END OF WHATEVER SET DATE.

SURE. AND I THINK IT'S ALSO WE HAVE A BACKFILL PLAN AS WELL SO THAT IN THE EVENT, LET'S JUST SAY TO YOUR POINT THAT WE HAVE PLAN 425, WE OPEN WITH MAYBE 98, RIGHT? SO WE CAN TAKE IF WE HAVE MORE STUDENTS IN THE SEVENTH GRADE, MAYBE INTEREST IS HIGHER IN SEVENTH GRADE VERSUS SIXTH GRADE.

WE CAN PULL IN SOME ADDITIONAL STUDENTS IN THE SEVENTH GRADE TO BACKFILL WHAT THE SIXTH GRADE SLOTS HAVE LEFT OPEN.

BUT ULTIMATELY FOR US, WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PLAN TO HAVE FULL ENROLLMENT.

SO WE WANT TO YOU KNOW, OUR GOAL IS GOING TO BE 100% FOR THE ENROLLMENT, BUT PLAN A BACKFILL SHOULD ONE OF THE GRADES HAVE THE ADDITIONAL SLOT AND OPPORTUNITIES.

OKAY. AND I GUESS MY OTHER QUESTION HERE, I KNOW WE ALL WANT THIS TO SUCCEED, BUT I'M THINKING WHAT'S PLAN B IF YOU DO NOT MEET YOUR ENROLLMENT GOALS BY THEN? LIKE WHAT IS WHAT? HOW DOES THAT AFFECT THE PROGRAM ECONOMICALLY? HOW DOES AFFECT THE PROGRAM? YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THE GOAL IS IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR TO BRING EIGHTH TO HAVE EIGHTH GRADERS ARE GOING TO BE MOVING UP, RIGHT.

AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

SO HOW DOES THAT AFFECT IF IF YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO MEET THOSE THOSE THOSE NUMBERS OR STANDARDS, DOES THAT HAVE A YOU KNOW, AND ACCORDING TO WHAT HARRIS HAD BROUGHT UP EARLIER, THE ENROLLMENT SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS THAT WE DID AS A PART OF OUR APPLICATION IS A BIG PART OF THAT PLANNING AND THAT UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE WE CAN COMFORTABLY OPERATE.

SO WE'VE TRIED TO LOOK AT THAT AT THE FIVE, TEN AND 15% REDUCTION LEVELS TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, WHERE WE NEED TO LAND IN OUR TARGET, IN OUR GOALS.

SO WE HAVE DONE THAT SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS SO THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

BUT LIKE I SAID, WE'RE GOING TO PLAN TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE WITH NIKKI HALEY'S OFFICE ON DR.

MARCUS'S, YOU KNOW, EIGHT AND TO TO, TO TO SHIP IT, BECAUSE BEING A FORMER PRINCIPAL ALL AROUND, HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE EFFECTIVELY MARKETING OUR SERVICES AT EACH OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE PRESENTED TO US.

OKAY. AND THE LAST QUESTION IS THIS CHANCE WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SERVE EMAILS AS WELL? YES, WE HAVE PLANS FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, SPECIAL EDUCATION TAG.

WE FOLDED ALL OF THAT INTO OUR CURRICULAR PROGRAM.

YES, MA'AM. MY OTHER QUESTION FOR A SPECIAL ED.

OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YES, THEY DID ADDRESS THAT IN THEIR APPLICATION, HOW THEY WOULD SERVE ALL OF THE STUDENTS AND STAFF.

YEAH, I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T READ THAT.

AND THAT'S OKAY. THINK JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BUT. BUT THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. NO PROBLEM, MRS. MAJESTIC. YEAH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION.

LOOKS PHENOMENAL, I'M NOT GOING TO LIE.

I DID NOT SPEND MY WEEKEND READING THE ENTIRE BOOK THAT YOU SAID.

SO I DID GLANCE THROUGH IT, GO THROUGH IT A LITTLE BIT, BUT COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

HOW ARE THE KIDS GOING TO GET THERE? WE'RE STILL PLANNING FOR YELLOW BUS TRANSPORTATION FOR ALL ENROLL STUDENT SO YOU'RE GOING TO HIRE A COMPANY OR YOU'RE USING US? WELL, WE WILL NEGOTIATE THAT.

WHEN THAT TIME GETS HERE, WE WILL WORK WITH THE DISTRICT.

SO WHATEVER PLAN IS THE MOST VALUABLE FOR US IS WHAT WE'LL PURSUE, WHETHER IT IS WITH THE CONTRACT SERVICES OR DIRECTLY THROUGH THE DISTRICT.

BUT WE ARE STILL PLANNING FOR YELLOW BUS TRANSPORTATION.

OKAY. I JUST BECAUSE I WAS I WASN'T SURE IF THAT WAS INCORPORATED IN YOUR FINANCIAL FACTORS.

YES, MA'AM. IT'S STILL IN THE BUSSES AND THE DRIVERS.

[03:45:01]

WELL, YOU KNOW, WE BUILD A LOT OF BUILDINGS HERE AND MCP AND NO OFFENSE, STEPH, BUT WHILE THINGS NORMALLY GO PRETTY WELL, SOMETIMES THERE'S DELAYS, SOMETIMES CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS INCREASE, THERE'S, YOU KNOW, ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT CAN HOLD THE PROJECT UP.

WHAT HAPPENS IS THIS YOUR LEASE OR OURS? BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS? OKAY, SO IF THINGS DON'T GO THE WAY WE WERE HOPING, WE DON'T CPS DOESN'T HAVE TO PICK UP.

NO. ANY FINANCIAL RESOURCES? NO, IT'S ALL ON. OKAY, THEN MY LAST QUESTION IS, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY THIS WAY.

WHAT HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM OUR COLLEGE AND CAREER PROGRAM LIKE EDISON AND SILICON? WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WE'RE STARTING AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL, SO CAREER ACADEMIES DON'T CURRENTLY EXIST AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES.

SO THAT'S WHAT'S DIFFERENT. FIRST AND FOREMOST IS THAT WE'RE INTRODUCING CAREER ACADEMIES AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL.

SO THE CURRENT PROCESS RIGHT NOW, THE CURRENT PLAN RIGHT NOW IS TO INTRODUCE CAREER ACADEMIES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL BECAUSE STUDENTS HAVE EARLY OPPORTUNITIES TO INTERNSHIPS AND EVERYTHING IN THE HIGH SCHOOL.

BUT WE'VE CREATED AND BROUGHT IT DOWN A LEVEL SO THAT WE CAN BEGIN EARLY ENGAGEMENT WITH THE STUDENT IN EARLY PLANNING FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL AND INTRODUCING THEM TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE, WHETHER IT'S COLLEGE, WHETHER IT'S DIRECTED TO THE JOB FORCE.

WE'RE STARTING THAT ENGAGEMENT IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL, WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM THE DISTRICT.

SO THIS PROGRAM IS REALLY INTENDED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS.

BUT YES, THAT'S OUR TARGET AUDIENCE.

IT'S JUST WE'RE FOLLOWING THEM TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 12.

OKAY. I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU TO MS..

HAZEL OR ANYBODY ABOUT POTENTIALLY PARTNERING.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU START IF YOU'RE STARTING WITH THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND THEN IT'S IN GERMANTOWN, THEY COULD GO TO SENECA VALLEY OR SOMETHING TO SEE IF WE NEEDED.

SO I JUST, I WAS JUST NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND WHY WHAT, WHAT THE NEED IS.

WELL, WE'RE STARTING AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE FOUND THE DEFICIT OF SUPPORT IS FOR THAT THAT GRADE AND THAT GREAT NEEDING A LITTLE BIT EXTRA HANDHOLDING THE EIGHTH GRADE AND SO WE'RE FOCUSED ON THEM, BUT WE WANT IT BASED ON WHAT OUR PARENT FEEDBACK HAS BEEN IS A CONTINUOUS PROGRAM BECAUSE OFTENTIMES WITH ATTENDING A CHARTER SCHOOL, YOU MAY BE OUTSIDE OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND SO THE CONCERN WAS THAT IF THEY GO BACK TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, LET'S JUST SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO CONTINUE ON THE HIGH SCHOOL.

THEIR HIGH SCHOOL MAY NOT HAVE A BUSINESS PROGRAM THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE ON IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO THERE WAS THAT WAS THE CONCERN OF WHY WE ADDED ON THE MIDDLE SCHOOL THAT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL AND PARTNERED THOSE TOGETHER SO THAT THE KIDS COULD MAINTAIN A CONTINUATION OF LEARNING.

SO IS YOUR CURRICULUM THEN WHAT'S THE WORD ON CORRESPONDING WITH THEM? MCP YES, YES.

THE HIGH SCHOOL THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMING IS CONSISTENT.

I JUST MEANT LIKE EVEN LIKE THE ENGLISH AND YES, WE TEACH THE SUBJECTS ARE VERY SIMILAR IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT STUDENTS ARE PREPARED FOR NORMAL ACCREDITED SUBJECT AREAS SUCH AS LANGUAGE ARTS, ENGLISH, MATH, READING, SOCIAL STUDIES, SCIENCE, ALL OF THOSE SUBJECTS AS WELL AS ART, MUSIC, ETC.

THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE WE ADD IN ANOTHER ELEMENT OF BUSINESS TO HELP STUDENTS FOCUS ON FINANCIAL LITERACY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BUSINESS PRACTICES AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

AND SO THAT ADDITIONAL CLASS ALLOWS US TO GIVE STUDENTS A LITTLE BIT MORE EMPHASIS IN THE BUSINESS SPACES WITHOUT SACRIFICING TRADITIONAL LEARNING IN THE.

ALSO, MR. ANDRUSKA, AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, THE CTE PROGRAM HAS STATE LEVEL STANDARDS.

SO THE SAME STANDARDS THAT THE DISTRICT EMPLOYS IS WHAT WE'RE FOLLOWING FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMING.

AND SO WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING CONTINUES, YOU KNOW, IN SEQUENCE WITH WHAT THE DISTRICT WILL BE PERFORMING, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT SORT OF DICTATED AT THE STATE AS WELL. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF SOMEONE WAS IN YOUR PROGRAM AND LEFT, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, A YEAR BEHIND OR.

NO, NOT AT ALL. AND PROMOTE PEOPLE AND NOT AT ALL.

SO THEN MY LAST QUESTION IS, WILL MS..

HAZEL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OR SOMEONE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE CHOICE OF OF CAREERS, I GUESS, AND CERTIFICATIONS THAT YOU'RE PLANNING ON THIS, OF COURSE, AS WELL AS ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO WILL BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR BUSINESS SYMPOSIUM AND SPEAK TO OUR STUDENTS AND TALK ABOUT YOUR CAREERS OUTSIDE OF YOUR BOARD MEMBERSHIP HERE AND YOUR LEADERSHIP HERE.

BECAUSE ALL OF YOU ALL ARE PROFESSIONALS IN YOUR OWN RIGHT OUTSIDE OF YOUR BOARD DUTIES.

SO YOU ALL WILL GET AN ANNUAL TO SPEAK TO OUR STUDENTS AND SHARE YOUR BACKGROUNDS WITH THEM AS WELL.

NIKKI HAZEL DR. MARCUS WILL PROBABLY BE VERY REGULAR FACES IN OUR PROGRAMING AS WE ESTABLISH.

HE DOESN'T KNOW THAT YET. HE JUST FIND OUT JUST NOW, TODAY, WHATEVER.

BUT THE GOAL IS TO CONTINUE THE POSITIVE PARTNERSHIP AND THE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE DISTRICT, MAKING SURE THAT EVERYTHING CONTINUES ON.

IT MAINTAINS LOVE, THE LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE THAT WE KNOW MONTGOMERY CAN EXPECT.

THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. MS..

HARRIS. I'M SORRY.

I HAD ONE ADDITIONAL QUESTION.

LOOKING AT AT THE AGREEMENTS AND THINGS AND YOU INDICATE IT'S BECAUSE OF THE SITE YOU NEED.

YOU NEED ACCESS TO A PLACE FOR ACCESSING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

[03:50:02]

HOW ARE THEY ENSURING THAT YOU HAVE PRIORITY ACCESS AND USE DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, DURING THE SCHOOL HOURS THAT YOU WOULD BE, FOR INSTANCE, SPEAKING A P.E.

CLASS OVER THERE? BECAUSE WE DO HAVE SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW THAT KIND OF STRUGGLE WITH THAT ON AN ONGOING BASIS WHEN THEY'RE OUT THERE ON THEIR ATHLETIC FIELD TRYING TO HAVE PE CLASS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SORT OF THINK THEY CAN COME.

YEAH, FOR SURE. SO SO BUT WHAT THE OFFICE HAS INDICATED TO US IS THAT THE DISTRICTS SCHOOL, THE DISTRICT RECEIVES CORRESPONDENCE EVERY SPRING AROUND THE FALL PLANS FOR THAT YEAR. AND THEN THE SCHOOLS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DESIGNATE THEIR PREFERRED PARK OF USE.

AND THEN CARL, WHO WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH, INDICATED THAT WE NEED THAT THE BEST WAY FOR US TO SECURE OUR IS TO PUT IN A FULL PERMIT.

SO WE'LL BE WE'LL BE PARTICIPATING IN BOTH WAYS.

WE'RE GOING TO DO A PERMIT FOR USE OF THE PARK AS IF WE WERE A PRIVATE ENTITY.

AND THEN WE WILL ALSO BE ENGAGED THROUGH THE DISTRICT'S EMAIL, THE EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE AND THINGS THAT COME OUT FOR THE SCHOOLS TO BE ABLE TO SELECT THOSE SITES.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME. I'M JUST FOLLOWING UP ON MR. RIVERA IRVIN'S QUESTION, IF YOU COULD JUST BE REAL SPECIFIC FOR ME.

IF YOU DON'T MEET YOUR ENROLLMENT TARGET ON DAY ONE, YOU GET 50 STUDENTS INSTEAD OF YOUR TARGET.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN? WE WILL CONTINUE ON BECAUSE WE HAVE FULL ENROLLMENT AT 700 STUDENTS.

RIGHT. BUT THE FINANCIALS, HOW WILL THE FINANCIALS WORK FOR YOU IN THAT CASE YOU NEED TO HIRE TEACHERS AND YOU ONLY HAVE 50 STUDENTS, SO YOU JUST HIRE ME.

HOW DO YOU PAY FOR YOUR RENT? HOW DOES THE MONEY WORK? YOU DON'T MEET YOUR FULL ENROLLMENT.

SO, I MEAN, IT REALLY DEPENDS, I GUESS, ON ON WHAT? SO FOUR ON FOUR LISTS IS LIKE LOOK AT THE LEASE PAYMENT, RIGHT? SO THE LEASE PAYMENT IS STRUCTURED WHERE THERE'S ABOUT 30% OF CUSHION ALREADY BUILT INTO THAT.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE KIND OF OPERATING ON A DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR RAZOR'S EDGE.

SO THERE'S ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT OF CONTINGENCY AND CUSHION BUILT INTO ALL THIS.

ADDITIONALLY, OTHER KIND OF REVENUES, LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE GRANT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE KIND OF BACK HOLDING THAT AS KIND OF LIKE A NICE TO HAVE BUT NOT A MUST HAVE.

SO WHAT WE ARE BUILDING SOME CUSHION AROUND THESE NUMBERS.

YOU KNOW, WE DON'T YOU KNOW, OUR FIRM NEVER RECOMMENDS ANY CHARTER SCHOOL OPERATE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF DOWN TO THE DOLLAR.

AND SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD SAY, WELL, IF ONE OF ONLY TEN KIDS SHOW UP, I MEAN, THAT'D BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T. SO ALL WE CAN DO IS SAY, YOU KNOW, WE BUILD IN A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF CUSHION AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.

ALSO SAY THAT THE LAST START UP CHARTER SCHOOL THAT THE STATE OF MARYLAND SAW WAS LEGENDS AND P.G.

COUNTY. AND THEY ACTUALLY COMPARED TO THIS SWING FOR THE FENCES, THEY WANTED 600 KIDS ON DAY ONE RAMPING TO 900, AND THEY TOOK ON $26 MILLION DEBT, YOU KNOW, WAY MORE THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE AT A MUCH HIGHER INTEREST RATE, PAID CRAZY FEES.

THE DEVELOPERS I MEAN, THIS WAS LIKE MAYBE TWICE, THREE TIMES THE RISK.

THEY FULLY ENROLLED A 600 KIDS, THEY FULLY ENROLLED THE 900 KIDS COMPLETELY ON SCHEDULE WITH GREAT DEMAND.

AND NOW THEY'RE DOING HEALTHY AND GREAT.

AND WE'LL PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, BE WORKING WITH THEM TO REFINANCE THAT DEBT SOON.

SO, YOU KNOW, IF IT HELPS AT ALL IN 2020, IT WAS KIND OF THE LAST CASE STUDY AND IT WENT REALLY WELL AND WAS IN A SITUATION THAT WAS MUCH HIGHER THAN THIS ONE IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, THIS ECONOMY.

OKAY. I SEE NO OTHER QUESTIONS.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. OUR NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS ITEM NUMBER 12,

[12. Item of Discussion - 5:15 p.m.]

AND I WILL ASK DR.

FELLER TO GET US STARTED.

THANK YOU. PRESIDENT SILVESTRE SO THIS EVENING WE PRESENT THE RESULTS OF OUR RECENT DISTRICT WIDE SURVEY ON SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE, WHICH WAS CONDUCTED FROM FEBRUARY 12 TO MAY 1ST, 2024.

WE GATHERED FEEDBACK FROM THE STUDENTS, PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND STAFF ON THE ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS SAFETY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AND COMMUNICATION.

WE KNOW THE IMPORTANCE AND VALUE OF HEARING FROM THOSE WE SERVE AS THIS PROVIDES INSIGHTS INTO HOW WELL WE ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY IN THESE AREAS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO INCLUSIVITY, TRANSPARENCY AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND FOSTERING A POSITIVE LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL.

IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY.

THE PRESENTATION OF THESE RESULTS THIS AFTERNOON AND THOSE AVAILABLE PUBLICLY ONLINE AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS PRESENTATION DEMONSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT TO BEING OPEN AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR FEEDBACK RECEIVED FROM FAMILIES, STUDENTS AND STAFF.

[03:55:03]

ADDITIONALLY, THEY WILL HIGHLIGHT KEY STRENGTHS AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT AND PROVIDE ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SURVEY'S RESULTS. I NOW TURN IT OVER TO MRS. STEFANI, SHARON, CHIEF OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, WHO WILL INTRODUCE THE TEAM BEFORE THEY BEGIN THE PRESENTATION.

MS.. SHARON THANK YOU, DR.

FELDER. GOOD EVENING.

SO TODAY WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE SCHOOL AND OFFICE CLIMATE SURVEY RESULTS.

I'M WITH DR. PETER MORAN, CHIEF OF SCHOOLS, DR.

KECIA PATTERSON, WHO IS IN CHARGE OF SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND I'M SORRY, MR. MCGEE, MAKE IT TO FIVE EVERYONE'S TITLES.

CORRECT. WHO IS THE FUTURE? RIGHT. CURRENTLY ACTING, BUT GOING TO BE THE PERMANENT ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE OFFICE, SCHOOL SUPPORT AND WELL-BEING.

IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO FOR THE AGENDA TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO FIRST TALK ABOUT THE SURVEY FOCUS AREAS, HOW THE SURVEY WAS DEVELOPED, WHAT WAS INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SURVEY SO THAT WE COULD TRULY MAKE SURE THAT WE GOT THE INPUT AND WE WERE GOING TO BE SURVEYING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY FOR BOTH STAFF, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SURVEY LOGISTICS, HOW WE DEPLOYED THE SURVEY, HOW WE WERE INTENTIONAL ABOUT OUR OUTREACH INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT OUR RESPONSE RATES AND WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE AND THE ONGOING FEEDBACK THAT WE CONTINUOUSLY COLLECT AS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT HOW WE ENGAGE IN CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.

DR. ADDISON IS GOING TO PROVIDE US A DEEP DIVE ON OUR SURVEY KEY FINDINGS, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR ACTION STEPS.

WHAT ARE WE DOING AS A RESULT OF WHAT WE SEE HERE TODAY? NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO WHEN WE DEVELOPED THE SURVEY, THE DEPARTMENT OF SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY INITIALLY CREATED THE SURVEY QUESTION FOR STUDENTS, STAFF AND CAREGIVERS, AND THEY DREW ON PANORAMA, WHICH IS A RESEARCH BASED ORGANIZATION, TO DRAFT THE SURVEY QUESTIONS.

BUT THEY DIDN'T STOP THERE. AFTER THE SURVEY WAS DRAFTED, WE COLLECTED INSIGHTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM A VARIETY OF FOCUS GROUPS, RANGING FROM STUDENTS TO OUR COMMUNITY TO OUR STAFF MEMBERS TO OUR ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP IN ORDER TO SEE ARE WE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

THROUGH THAT PROCESS, WE REFINED OUR QUESTIONS TO ENSURE THAT OUR SURVEY WAS MORE INCLUSIVE AND WAS REALLY MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR TARGETED AUDIENCE.

WE ALSO REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE ENSURING EFFECTIVENESS AND CAPTURING THE PERSPECTIVES AND THE NEEDS OF THOSE THAT WE SERVE THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.

SO THROUGH THAT FEEDBACK AND DATA COLLECTION PROCESS, WE REVISED THE SURVEY AND THE FEEDBACK THAT WE RECEIVED ACTUALLY DIRECTLY INFLUENCED IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE MADE NOT ONLY TO THE SURVEY QUESTIONS BUT THE SURVEY PROCESS, WHICH WAS HUGELY HELPFUL AND IMPACTFUL AS WE ENGAGED IN THIS WORK.

NEXT SLIDE. SO BEFORE WE ACTUALLY DIVE INTO THE SURVEY AND THE DATA, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING AND WHAT ARE THE AREAS THAT WE WERE ACTUALLY ASSESSING BECAUSE IT WAS STRATEGIC TO ENSURE THAT THE AREAS THAT WE WERE ASSESSING WERE AREAS THAT ARE DIRECTLY ALIGNED TO OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND THE BOARD'S PRIORITY AREAS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE COLLECTING DATA THAT WAS GOING TO BE USEFUL IN BOTH SCHOOL AND OFFICE PLANNING.

SO FOR OUR STUDENTS, YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAD A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ON SCHOOL SETTING AND ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT, SCHOOL FRIENDS AND RELATIONSHIPS AND THEIR SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, SCHOOL SAFETY AND DISCIPLINE AND FAIRNESS AND EVERYONE BELONGING, WHICH GETS TO THAT EQUITY AND INCLUSION PIECE.

AND I BELIEVE IT WAS MS..

EVANS EARLIER TODAY WHEN WE WERE HAVING THE BUDGET CONVERSATION, WAS MENTIONING THAT YOU WHEN WE ARE ENGAGING IN TEACHING AND LEARNING, IT CAN'T JUST BE ABOUT THE CONTENT.

WE KNOW THE CONDITIONS HAVE TO BE SET.

SO A LOT OF THESE QUESTIONS GET TO WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO OPTIMIZE THE ENVIRONMENT FOR KIDS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE THAT A LOT OF THE CATEGORIES MIRROR THE QUESTIONS THAT WE ASK FOR STUDENTS.

AND THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU'RE TRYING TO TRIANGULATE INFORMATION BETWEEN THE THREE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THAT WERE SURVEYED. IN ADDITION WAS ONE ADDITIONAL CATEGORY THAT WE ADDED FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, AND THAT WAS AROUND COMMUNICATION.

WE ASKED NOT JUST ABOUT COMMUNICATION AT THEIR SCHOOL LEVEL.

FOR INSTANCE, WHAT THAT COMMUNICATION PLANT LOOKS LIKE AND FEELS LIKE.

BUT ALSO AND WE GOT A LOT OF FEEDBACK TO ADD THIS AND COMMUNICATION FROM CPS IN GENERAL.

SO IT WASN'T JUST ABOUT THE SCHOOL THAT WAS ACTUALLY A BIG ENHANCEMENT THAT WE HEARD FROM A LOT OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS AS WE WERE REVISING THE SURVEY IS HOW DO WE ACTUALLY ALSO

[04:00:05]

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SETTING THE CONDITIONS FOR THAT TO OCCUR.

NEXT SLIDE. SO SURVEY LOGISTICS.

THIS WAS WE HAD A UNIQUE YEAR.

THIS YEAR HAS BEEN QUITE SOME TIME SINCE WE SENT OUT A DISTRICT WIDE DISTRICT WIDE SURVEYS TO PARENTS, STUDENTS AND AS AND SCHOOL BASED AND CENTRAL OFFICE BASED STAFF.

IF YOU RECALL, LAST YEAR WE ONLY SENT THE SURVEY OUT TO STAFF.

SO THIS YEAR IT IS A MUCH MORE HOLISTIC LENS TO WHICH WE'RE LOOKING AT OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR RESPONSES.

OUR ADMINISTRATION WINDOW WAS FROM FEBRUARY 12TH AND MARCH 15TH.

THAT WAS DECIDED BASED ON A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM OUR COMMUNITY THAT SAID, DON'T SURVEY US AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

EVERYBODY IS TIRED, DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT A SURVEY.

THEY'RE READY FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR TO END.

PLEASE MOVE THAT UP.

WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THAT WHERE THAT NICHE WAS GOING TO BE, AND THAT'S A DIFFICULT THING TO WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT. AND THIS IS WHERE WE LANDED ON.

I WILL SAY THAT BASED ON OUR RESPONSE RATES IN COLLABORATION WITH SSA, WB, WE DID MAKE THE DECISION TO ACTUALLY KEEP THE SURVEY OPEN THROUGH MAY 1ST, EVEN THOUGH THAT WAS PUSHING A VERY TIGHT TIMELINE FOR SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY TO BE ABLE TO TURN OVER THE DATA QUICKLY THAT SCHOOLS AND OFFICES COULD GET THAT INFORMATION BY THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. BUT THE REASON WE DID THAT IS AS WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS, WE REALIZED OUR RESPONSE RATES ACROSS ALL THREE AREAS WERE NOT AS HIGH AS WE HAD INITIALLY ANTICIPATED.

SO WE WORKED TO REALLY TRY TO BRING SOME OF THOSE ACROSS THE BOARD.

SO THAT'S ONE OF MAIN REASONS THAT WE EXTENDED.

IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE RESPONSES ON THE SURVEY WERE CONFIDENTIAL AND THE RESULTS WERE AVAILABLE AT WERE AVAILABLE INTERNALLY WEEK OF MAY 27TH TO PRINCIPALS.

WE DID PROVIDE OUR PRINCIPALS THEIR SURVEY DATA VIA MEMO.

THEY HAD AN INTRANET CODE TO WHICH THEY COULD ACCESS THAT INFORMATION SO THEY COULD PROCESS WHAT THEIR RESULTS ARE.

AND TODAY THEY ARE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

ON THE SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY WEBSITE.

NEXT SLIDE. SO ENGAGING FAMILIES PREVIOUSLY AND HOW THIS WAS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

WE DID PARENT SURVEYS PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

WE DID A SAMPLING APPROACH WHERE NOT EVERY SINGLE PARENT RECEIVED A SURVEY, BUT WE SAMPLED DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PARENTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

SO THIS WAS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.

SO WE DECIDED TO ACTUALLY FULLY SURVEY OR PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF OUR STAFF, ALL OF OUR FAMILIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SURVEY.

SO WITH THIS IN MIND, KNOWING THAT WE WERE DOING THIS FULL FULLY THROUGHOUT ACROSS THE WHOLE DISTRICT, WE STARTED WORKING IN THE SUMMER OF ACTUALLY 2023 TO UNCOVER THE BARRIERS TO ENGAGING FAMILIES AND TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE ENGAGEMENT PLAN AROUND THE SURVEY.

WE ACTUALLY USE THE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE ENGAGEMENT PLANNING TOOL, WHICH ALL LEADERS WERE TRAINED ON IN ORDER TO GET TO ENGAGE IN THIS WORK.

AND WE ALSO STARTED WITH FOCUS GROUPS LAST SUMMER, STAFF AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY THE BARRIERS TO FAMILIES ACTUALLY PARTICIPATING IN THE SURVEY TO HELP INFORM HOW WE WERE GOING TO BE ENGAGING OUR FAMILIES.

WE THEN COLLABORATED WITH THE MCP A.RE CIS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CHARTER TEAM, WHICH WAS A GROUP THAT WAS DEVELOPED OUT OF THE ANTI-RACIST ACTION PLAN TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES AND MATERIALS FOR OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT WITH FAMILIES THAT WERE TRADITIONALLY UNDERREPRESENTED, UNDERREPRESENTED IN DISTRICT SURVEYS.

SO THROUGH ALL OF THAT ENGAGEMENT, WE CREATED A COMPREHENSIVE ENGAGEMENT TOOLKIT FOR PRINCIPALS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

SO THE TOOLKIT INCLUDED CULTURE, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SAMPLE LANGUAGE, ELECTRONIC TEMPLATES FOR THEM TO FLIERS THAT COULD BE PRINTED.

EVERYTHING WAS PROVIDED IN THE EIGHT LANGUAGES.

THE TOOLKIT ALSO INCLUDED SOME BEST PRACTICES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW SCHOOLS INDIVIDUAL COULD ENGAGE THEIR FAMILIES.

BECAUSE ALTHOUGH WE CAN DO A LOT OF COMMUNICATION ON THE DISTRICT LEVEL, WE KNOW THAT THE TRUST IS OFTEN MORE SO WITH THE SCHOOLS AND OUR AND OUR FAMILIES RESPOND MORE ON THE SCHOOL LEVEL.

SSW B DIRECTOR IS ACTUALLY DISTRIBUTED AND EXPLAINED AND WENT OVER THE TOOL KIT AND EXPECTATIONS DURING THE AGENCY MEETING AND THEN THROUGH MULTIPLE COMMUNICATIONS

[04:05:03]

AND THEN THE OFFICE OF COMMUNICATION ALSO ADDITIONALLY SENT MESSAGES TO FAMILIES, STAFF AND STUDENTS MULTIPLE TIMES USING A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATION VEHICLES.

THEY EVEN DID A FACEBOOK LIVE WITH OUR FAMILIES TO WORK ON TRYING TO GET OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEYS UP.

SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE PROVIDED YOU THAT.

ALL OF CONTEXT.

AND I'M NOW GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DR.

ADDISON, WHO'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU A DEEPER DIVE INTO BOTH OUR RESPONSE RATES, AS WELL AS THE RESULTS THAT WE HAD.

THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.

KIESHA ADDISON, DIRECTOR SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO WE GET INTO THE RESULTS WE WANTED TO TAKE SOME TIME TO SHARE WITH YOU THE RESPONSE RATES OF THE SURVEY YOU JUST HEARD ME SHARE AND SHARE THE PROCESS.

USE TO ENGAGE FAMILIES.

AND ON THIS SLIDE YOU SEE OUR RESPONSE RATE AND TO THE RIGHT, WHICH YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE WELL, BUT TO THE RIGHT IS AN EQUATION FOR HOW WE DETERMINE RESPONSE, WHICH IS ABOUT HOW MANY SURVEYS ARE SENT OUT BASED ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SURVEYS THAT WE RECEIVE BACK.

AND SO PRIOR TO LAUNCHING THE SURVEYS TO EACH TARGET GROUP, WE HAD TARGET RESPONSE RATES.

AND ON THIS SLIDE YOU'LL SEE FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS WE HAD A TARGET RESPONSE RATE OF 40% FOR STUDENTS, 80 AND FOR OUR STAFF, SCHOOL BASED OR CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF RESPONSE, A TARGET RATE OF 60% OF SURVEYS RECEIVED.

YOU WILL NOTICE THAT DID NOT HIT OUR RESPONSE RATES THIS TIME.

AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT AND WE SEE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO IMPROVE IN THIS AREA.

THE COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO POINT OUT AS IT RELATES TO RESPONSE RATE.

ONE, YOU'RE PROBABLY THINKING WHILE THESE ARE PRETTY LOW RESPONSE RATES, WHICH IS TRUE, AND WHEN WE HAVE LOW RESPONSE RATES, ONE THING WE NEED TO CONSIDER IS THE POTENTIAL FOR BIAS AND THE RESPONSES, RIGHT? SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT A LOW RESPONSE RATE, THERE COULD BE BIAS IN TERMS OF THOSE WHO RESPONDED AS OPPOSED TO THOSE WHO DIDN'T RESPOND.

AND SO FOR THOSE WHO RESPONDED, THEY COULD HAVE A STRONG OPINION, POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE ABOUT THE TOPIC, WHICH COULD BIAS THE INFORMATION THAT WE RECEIVE.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING TO CONSIDER.

AND IT WOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ME TO PRESENT THIS INFORMATION WITHOUT POINTING OUT THE POTENTIAL THAT AREA.

SO AS WE REFLECTED ON THE WHY, AS IT RELATES TO THESE RESPONSE RATES, ONE POTENTIAL CULPRIT WAS SURVEY FATIGUE.

SO OUR COMMUNITY RECEIVED MULTIPLE SURVEYS FROM US TO SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVES ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS THIS SCHOOL YEAR, AND THIS LIKELY LED TO SURVEY FATIGUE CAUSING THIS SURVEY TO BE IGNORED.

SO ONE THING WE WILL BE BRINGING BACK FOR THIS UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR TO REDUCE THE OVERLAP OF OF MINISTER IS A SURVEY CALENDAR WHICH IS MANAGED BY A SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE REENGAGING IN THAT PROCESS SO WE DO NOT HAVE THIS OVERLAP IN FOUR SURVEYS BEING LAUNCHED AT THE SAME TIME.

ADDITIONALLY, ANOTHER FACTOR THAT MAY HAVE IMPACT OF RESPONSE RATES, PARTICULARLY FOR CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF, WAS OUR LOGIN SYSTEM.

WE TRIED A NEW APPROACH TO OUR LOG IN SYSTEM TO ENSURE ACCURACY OF REPORTING AND AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SURVEY.

AND HOWEVER, BASED ON ONGOING FEEDBACK I HEARD FROM SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES, THEY WEREN'T COMFORTABLE WITH THAT LOG IN SYSTEM.

AND SO FOR SOME THEY OPTED NOT TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT FEEL THAT IT WOULD BE CONFIDENTIAL.

EVEN THOUGH WE PUT SOME INTENTIONAL LANGUAGE OUT THERE AROUND, ONLY ONE INDIVIDUAL WILL SEE WHO MAY HAVE COMPLETED THE SURVEY.

FOR SOME, IT JUST THAT WASN'T ENOUGH.

AND I FIELDED A CALL FROM A PARENT ONE TIME, TOO, WHO ALSO WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING TO ENTER THEIR CHILD'S ID TO GET INTO THE SURVEY.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER AND REEVALUATE.

HOW DO WE CREATE A SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS FOR US TO HAVE ACCURACY OF REPORTING? BECAUSE THAT WAS A REQUEST PRINCIPALS TO SAY, HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THE INFORMATION YOU RECEIVE IS FOR MY SCHOOL AND ALSO CREATE THAT COMFORT AND CONFIDENCE FOR PEOPLE TO REPORT IN THAT WAY AND.

THEN FINALLY, ANOTHER FACTOR THAT MAY HAVE IMPACTED OUR RESPONSE RATES IS JUST FOR SOME THE PERCEPTION THAT WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL IT MAKE RIGHT? AND SO FOR SOME PEOPLE THEY FELT WHY? WHY SHOULD I DO THIS? WHAT WHAT CHANGE IS IT GOING TO BRING? AND SO THEY OPTED NOT TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY.

AND SO THOSE ARE SOME THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER AS WE GO FORWARD IN TERMS OF HOW DO WE CREATE THAT CONFIDENCE IN INDIVIDUALS SO THAT THEY WILL COMPLETE THE SURVEY. AND WE HAVE HIGHER RESPONSE RATES AND CAN HAVE MORE INFORMATION TO IMPROVE OUR PRACTICE.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO IN ADDITION, WELL, WHY THE SURVEY WAS OPEN.

WE ALWAYS RECEIVE ONGOING FEEDBACK.

IT WAS A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS WERE FIELDED BY OUR ASK THEM CPS TEAMS.

[04:10:03]

AND THEN THEY WERE ALL SENT TO ME AND I ANSWERED ALL OF THEM OR I HOPE I ANSWERED ALL OF THEM.

BUT ON THIS SLIDE YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THE COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO TOOK THE SURVEY.

THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE TAKEN THE SURVEY, BUT THEY DECIDED TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK.

AND A COUPLE OF THINGS YOU'LL NOTICE.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, SOME INDIVIDUALS DID NOT LIKE THAT.

OUR RESPONSE SCALE DID NOT PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEUTRAL OPTION.

SO SOME PEOPLE TO BE IN THE MIDDLE, THEY JUST THEY WANT TO SAY A NEUTRAL RESPONSE.

THEY DON'T WANT TO AGREE OR DISAGREE.

THEY WANT TO SAY STAY IN THE MIDDLE.

SO WE GOT FEW COMMENTS RELATED TO THAT.

SOME INDIVIDUALS DID NOT LIKE THAT THERE WAS NOT AN OPTION TO PROVIDE WRITTEN FEEDBACK.

SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO CREATE, YOU KNOW, OPEN ENDED ITEMS. WE INTENTIONALLY DON'T HAVE OPEN ENDED ITEMS JUST TO SUPPORT WITH TURNING AROUND ANALYSIS.

BUT THERE'S SOMETHING FOR US TO CONSIDER GOING FORWARD AND EVEN FURTHER.

THERE WERE SOME PARENTS AND GUARDIANS WHO BELIEVED THAT THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH SURVEY ITEMS FOCUSED ON ACADEMICS AND THE SUCCESS OF STUDENTS.

AND ALTHOUGH NOT INCLUDED ON THE SLIDE, SOME DID NOT LIKE THAT THE RESPONSE SKILLS WERE NOT CONSISTENT.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS YOU'LL NOTICE AS WE GET INTO THE FINDINGS IS THAT YOU'LL SEE OPTIONS FOR AGREEMENT SO STRONGLY AGREE TO STRONGLY DISAGREE, OR YOU'LL SEE SOME OPTIONS FOR POSITIVE. SO QUITE POSITIVE, NOT AT ALL POSITIVE.

AND LAST YEAR WHEN WE LAUNCHED THE STAFF SURVEY, WE GOT FEEDBACK THAT OUR RESPONSE CHOICES WEREN'T SPECIFIC ENOUGH.

SO WE INTENTIONAL THIS YEAR TO MAKE THEM MORE SPECIFIC, BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK WELL FOR EVERYONE.

AND SO OUR INTENT IS TO USE THE FEEDBACK THAT WE RECEIVED, CONTINUE TO MODIFY AN IMPROVED SURVEY AND FUTURE ADMINISTRATIONS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO NOW ON TO THE SURVEY FINDINGS.

IN AN EFFORT TO HAVE FEWER SLIDES BUT COVER MULTIPLE RESPONSE GROUPS, YOU WILL SEE RESULTS FROM EACH SCHOOL LEVEL.

ADDITIONALLY, SOME ITEMS FROM THE SURVEY WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED DURING THIS PRESENTATION.

HOWEVER, RESULTS FOR ALL ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE.

AS MS.. SHARON SHARED EARLIER.

WE BEGIN WITH RESPONSES FROM PARENTS OR GUARDIANS, THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT FOR THREE QUESTIONS.

AND BEFORE I BEGIN, I WANT TO POINT OUT I DID NOTICE LIKE PUNCTUATION IS MISSING, SO WE HAVE AN ACCURATE ON THE SURVEY TOOL, BUT IT STOOD OUT TO ME, SO I HAD TO CALL IT OUT.

SO THE THREE QUESTIONS WE'RE TO HIGHLIGHT IS MY CHILD IS GIVEN CHALLENGING MATERIAL TO LEARN AT MY CHILD'S SCHOOL.

ADMINISTRATORS CREATE A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT THAT HELPS CHILDREN LEARN, AND MY CHILD'S TEACHER IS EXPECT MY CHILD TO DO WELL IN CLASS AND THE RESPONSE SCALE.

THE RESPONSE OPTIONS WERE STRONGLY AGREE, AGREE, DISAGREE AND STRONGLY DISAGREE.

FOR THIS SLIDE, THE PERCENTAGES PRESENTED ARE FOR THOSE IN THE AGREEMENT SCALE ONLY, SO MEANING THEY AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREE.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE TWO COLORS ARE SO AGREE IS BLUE, STRONGLY AGREE IS ORANGE, AND AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL, CLOSE TO 5800 SURVEYS WHERE RETURN FROM PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ARE AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL.

CLOSE TO 2400 SURVEYS WERE RETURNED FROM PARENTS OR GUARDIANS AND AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL WAS CLOSE TO 2600 AND THE PERCENTAGES ON THIS SLIDE ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THOSE WHO NOT ONLY RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY, BUT ALSO RESPONDED TO THE SPECIFIC ITEMS INDICATED AND ALMOST ALL INSTANCES FOR EACH OF THESE ITEMS. YOU WILL NOTICE HIGH PERCENTAGES OF AGREEMENT ACROSS ALL THREE LEVELS.

IN ALL INSTANCES, PERCENTAGE OF AGREEMENT WAS 80% OF RESPONDENTS OR HIGHER.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. CAN I ASK A QUESTION? YES. IT TAKES A CERTAIN LEVEL OF EDUCATION UNDERSTANDING TO EVEN BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

IF YOU ARE A PARENT, WHICH QUESTIONS THAT MY CHILD IS GIVEN CHALLENGING MATERIAL TO LEARN, DOESN'T IT? I THINK YOU HAVE TO KNOW.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT IS MEANT BY CHALLENGING MATERIAL.

AND IT MAY MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT, BUT THAT CERTAINLY COULD BE SOME CONCERNS FOR PARENTS, TOO, IS JUST ONE OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE ABOUT THE QUESTIONS.

BECAUSE TO ME IT TAKES A CERTAIN LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF TO EVEN BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THAT QUESTION OR TO MS. WAS POINT. CAN WE FROM THE DATA, WE CAN DETERMINE WHICH SCHOOLS RESPONDED IN THIS WAY TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE GETTING AT RIGHT.

BUT YOU DON'T DO THE SCHOOLS AT EVERY SCHOOL.

YOU HAVE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF PARENT.

[04:15:02]

BUT YOU TAKE AN IMMIGRANT PARENT, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE ASKING HERE.

SO YOUR FEEDBACK IS NOTED IN TERMS OF THE WORDING OF THE QUESTIONS.

OUR GOAL AND AS MS..

SHARON, IN TERMS OF OUR ENGAGEMENT IN ADVANCE AND WORKING WITH DIFFERENT GROUPS TO REVIEW THE ITEMS, OUR INTENT AND THE FEEDBACK FROM THEM WAS THAT THESE QUESTIONS WOULD WORK WELL, ALL FAMILIES.

BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CONSIDER IN TERMS OF THE WORDING.

BUT AGAIN, OUR INTENT WAS TO ENSURE THAT IT WAS RELEVANT FOR ALL FAMILIES, REGARDLESS EDUCATIONAL LEVEL.

I HAD ONE, BUT I COULD.

I WANT TO KNOW WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE FOCUS GROUPS.

DID YOU EXAMINE QUESTIONS AROUND? WE CAN PROVIDE YOU THE LIST OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ON THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CHARTER GROUP.

YEAH, BUT IT'S ALWAYS THE SAME PEOPLE THAT OKAY, I JUST GO WITH THEM.

OH, OKAY.

IT DOESN'T MATTER. I JUST WAS GOING TO INTERJECT THERE THAT ABOUT COUNTING YOUR NUMBERS FOR JUST ME COUNTING THE NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUALS.

I WAS GOING TO ASK IF YOU WERE HAD THE ABILITY TO SEE, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE PARTICIPATED, WERE YOU ABLE TO SEE WHO LOGGED IN AND THEN DIDN'T LIKE IF YOU I WAS SURPRISED BY THE AGREE AND STRONGLY AGREE AND NO DISAGREE.

IF I WERE A PARENT, I'D PROBABLY LOG OFF BECAUSE I'D BE LIKE, WELL, THIS ISN'T, YOU KNOW, AN ACCURATE AND I SEE THAT GOING FORWARD.

YOU HAVE THE DISAGREE STUFF BUT I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF IT MAYBE PEOPLE PARTICIPATED THAT DIDN'T ACTUALLY FILL IT IN.

SO FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS PRESENTATION AND FOR AND BECAUSE THEY WERE HIGH LEVELS OF AGREEMENT FOR THIS SLIDE AND A FEW MORE SLIDES, THE DISAGREEMENT OPTIONS WERE NOT INCLUDED, BUT THEY ARE ON THE WEBSITE AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS SAID STRONGLY AGREE, AGREE, DISAGREE, STRONGLY DISAGREE.

AND I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT.

WE CAN SEE, FOR EXAMPLE, HOW MANY MAY HAVE LOGGED IN AND DIDN'T COMPLETE THE SURVEY.

I THINK THAT'S THE QUESTION YOU'RE ASKING.

SO WE CAN LOOK INTO THAT AND JUST SAY HOW MANY NON RESPONSES WE HAD.

WE DID. A LOT OF YOU DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THIS, BUT A LOT OF CLEAN UP IN TERMS OF INDIVIDUALS INDICATING THE LOCATION.

SO EVEN WITH OUR LOGGING SYSTEM, WE'VE RAN INTO CHALLENGES MORE SO FOR SCHOOLS, BUT SOMETIMES FOR FAMILIES WHERE THEY SELECTED THE INCORRECT SCHOOL.

AND SO WE HAD TO DO A LOT OF CLEANING UP TO REASSIGN.

AND SO THAT'S PART OF OUR CHALLENGE AS WE LOOK TO GET SOME OF THIS DONE.

SO IS THAT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT SCHOOL THEY WERE AT? WELL, I DON'T KNOW, BUT I KNOW IF IT WAS AS A AS A WE ASSURED PRINCIPALS THAT THE FEEDBACK RECEIVED WOULD BE FOR THOSE WHO WERE IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

SO WE WERE INTENTIONAL TO ENSURE THAT WE REALIGNED AND REASSIGNED INDIVIDUALS TO WHERE THEY WERE, WHERE THEY'RE ENROLLED.

AND I DO WANT TO JUST ADD ONE THING BEFORE WE GO ON.

A LOT OF THESE QUESTIONS CAN BE MEAN, DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, NOT JUST THE ONE THAT MS..

WOLF MENTIONED, BUT ANY OF THEM.

AND THIS IS WHY AND YOU'LL HEAR A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS WHEN MR. MCGEE SHARES ABOUT THE ACTION PLAN AND HOW YOU'RE USING THIS DATA.

YOU KNOW, THE SURVEY IS AN ENTRY POINT OF CONVERSATION TO FIGURE OUT WHERE YOU MIGHT NEED TO DIG DEEPER WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY.

AND A LOT OF TIMES EVEN THE ABSENCE OF DATA TELLS YOU WHERE YOU NEED TO DIG IN DEEPER WITH YOUR COMMUNITY.

SO IF I'M IN A COMMUNITY AND I'M LOOKING AT MY INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL RESULTS, I HAD TWO PARENTS RESPOND ON THE SURVEY ENTIRELY.

WELL, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY, WELL, THESE TWO RESPONDENTS, THIS IS HOW I'M GOING TO JUDGE OUR ACTION PLAN, RIGHT? I KNOW THAT MY NEXT ARE GOING TO BE LIKE, OKAY, GREAT.

NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE TO DO MORE PARENT OUTREACH.

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SIT AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO INVITE FAMILIES IN SO THAT I CAN DIG DEEPER.

IT'S THE SAME THING WITH ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS IS THAT THE THE INVESTIGATION AND THE ACTION PLANNING, WHICH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS WORK, DOESN'T END WITH THE WITH IT STARTS WITH THE SURVEY, BUT IT DOES NOT END WITH IT, IF THAT MAKES SENSE.

ALL RIGHT. CONTINUING WITH RESPONSES FROM PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ACROSS THE THREE SCHOOL LEVELS, WE SHIFT TO A FOCUS ON SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT AND THE ITEMS ON THIS SLIDE. AND I'M READING THEM OUT BECAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE CUT OFF IS I FEEL, CONNECTED TO OTHER ADULTS AT MY CHILD'S SCHOOL, AT MY CHILD'S SCHOOL, ADULTS SHOW ME RESPECT THE SCHOOL DOES A GOOD JOB TEACHING MY CHILD HOW TO WORK OUT PROBLEMS WITH OTHER STUDENTS.

I HAVE ADULTS FROM MY CHILD'S SCHOOL THAT I CAN COUNT ON TO HELP ME NO MATTER WHAT.

AND AGAIN, WITH THIS SLIDE, A FOCUS ON THE PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS WHO AGREED WITH THESE STATEMENTS.

[04:20:05]

AND THERE ARE LOWER LEVELS OF AGREEMENT INDICATED FOR FEELING CONNECTED TO OTHER ADULTS, PARTICULARLY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL WAS ABOUT 53% AGREEMENT AND HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH WAS 54% AGREEMENT COMPARED TO ELEMENTARY.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE NOW EXAMINE FEEDBACK RELATED TO COMMUNICATION BASED ON RESPONSES FROM PARENTS AND OR GUARDIANS.

THE ITEMS INCLUDED FOR THIS ARE IT IS EASY FOR ME TO TALK TO MY CHILD'S TEACHER ABOUT THINGS CONCERNING MY CHILD, MY CHILD'S TEACHER.

TEACHERS KEEP ME INFORMED ABOUT MY CHILD'S PROGRESS IN SCHOOL.

I'M SATISFIED WITH THE WAYS I CURRENTLY RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MSPS, AND I GENERALLY FEEL WELL INFORMED ABOUT CPS.

AND AGAIN, YOU'LL SEE HOW PERCENTAGES OF AGREEMENT ACROSS ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ON THE MAJORITY OF ITEMS WITH THE SLIGHTLY LOWER LEVELS OF AGREEMENT OBSERVED AT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE STATEMENT TEACHERS KEEPING THEM INFORMED, THEY BOTH WERE AROUND 70%.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS IS THE SLIDE FOR RESPONSES FOR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS, WHICH IS ALIGNED TO THE FINAL FEW QUESTIONS IN THE SURVEY WHERE WE ASKED FOR GRADING NOT OF THEIR CHILD'S SCHOOL, BUT ALSO PROVIDING CPS WITH AN OVERALL GRADE.

AND THIS SLIDE ALSO INCLUDES RESPONSE THE RESPONSE OPTIONS OF A, B, C, AND F, AND WHAT YOU WILL NOTICE ACROSS ALL LEVELS IS THAT PARENTS OR GUARDIANS GRADED THEIR SCHOOL WITH A'S OR B'S AT HIGHER RATES THAN THEY DID OVERALL DISTRICT.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE NOW SHIFT TO RESPONSES FROM STUDENTS SIMILAR TO THE LAYOUT FOR THE RESULTS FROM PARENTS.

THE RESULTS FROM STUDENTS ARE PRESENTED IN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH END FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE ITEMS IDENTIFIED FOR TODAY INCLUDE I BELIEVE SCHOOL WILL HELP ME IN THE FUTURE.

MY TEACHER OR TEACHERS SEEM HAPPY TO BE TEACHING CLASSES AT MY SCHOOL AND MY TEACHERS HELP ME WHEN I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

ONE THING TO NOTE IS THAT FOR THE STUDENT SURVEY, ITEMS WERE MODIFIED BASED ON LEVEL, MEANING THE ITEMS FOR THE ELEMENTARY SURVEY WERE WRITTEN TO ENSURE READABILITY BASED ON THEIR READING SKILLS.

AND AS A REMINDER, THIS SURVEY WAS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES THREE THROUGH 12 AND SO CLOSE TO 28,000 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPLETED THE SURVEY.

ABOUT 22,000 MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPLETED THE SURVEY, AND CLOSE TO 20,000 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPLETED THE SURVEY.

ACROSS THE THREE ITEMS HIGHLIGHTED, YOU WILL NOTICE HIGH LEVELS OF AGREEMENT AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL FOR EACH OF THE ITEMS. SIMILARLY, HIGH LEVELS OF AGREEMENT ARE OBSERVED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL AS WELL.

ONE ITEM THAT STANDS OUT IS AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL, WHERE THERE IS A LOWER PERCENT PERCENTAGE FOR AGREEMENT WITH THE STATEMENT RELATED TO TEACHERS SEEMING HAPPY, WHICH WAS ABOUT 67% HAPPY TO BE TEACHING CLASSES.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. REMAINING WITH RESULTS FOR STUDENTS, WE HAVE SEVERAL ITEMS RELATED TO THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE SCHOOL.

YOU MAY NOTICE THAT THE ITEM NUMBERS DO NOT MATCH FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, THOSE OF MIDDLE AND HIGH.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS RELATED TO THE MODIFICATION AND ADJUSTMENTS OF ITEMS THAT WERE RELEVANT FOR STUDENTS AT THAT LEVEL.

THE ITEMS HIGHLIGHTED HERE.

OVERALL, I FEEL LIKE I BELONG AT MY SCHOOL.

I MATTER TO OTHER STUDENTS AT MY SCHOOL.

THE ENERGY OF MY SCHOOL IS POSITIVE.

I HAVE TEACHERS AND OR STUDENT OTHERS FROM SCHOOL THAT I CAN COUNT ON TO HELP ME NO MATTER WHAT.

MY TEACHERS CARE ABOUT ME AS A PERSON, AND MY TEACHERS RESPECT STUDENTS FOR ALMOST ALL OF THESE ITEMS. THERE IS OBSERVED HIGH PERCENTAGES OF AGREEMENT.

WHAT MAY STAND OUT TO YOU, WHICH STOOD OUT TO ME IS A LOWER PERCENTAGE OF AGREEMENT, ABOUT 52% AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL REGARDING THE ENERGY OF THE SCHOOL BEING POSITIVE.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AND AS WE LOOK AT THE ITEMS AND LEVEL OF AGREEMENT FOR THIS SECTION, WHICH IS FOCUSED ON SCHOOL SAFETY AND DISCIPLINE, IT MAKES ME WONDER IF THE POSITIVE ENERGY QUESTION MIGHT BE.

AND SO THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO KIND OF DO SOME CROSS ANALYSIS OF THE ITEMS, AND WE HAVE NOT YET ENGAGED IN THAT YET.

BUT FOR THESE QUESTIONS RELATED TO SCHOOL SAFETY AND DISCIPLINE, WE HIGHLIGHT THE FOLLOWING ITEMS AT MY SCHOOL.

THE BEHAVIOR OF OTHER STUDENTS HELPS MY LEARNING.

OVERALL, I FEEL SAFE AT SCHOOL.

MOST THE TIME. MY TEACHERS CAN TEACH WITHOUT BEING INTERRUPTED BY STUDENTS WHO MISBEHAVE.

AND YOU WILL NOTICE THAT OF THE STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED THE SURVEY, THERE ARE HIGH PERCENTAGES ACROSS ALL THREE LEVELS, AGREEING THAT THEY FEEL SAFE AT SCHOOL OVER 80% AT EACH LEVEL. THIS IS THE MIDDLE BAR THAT'S IN THE CHART WHERE YOU WILL NOTICE LOWER LEVELS OF AGREEMENT ARE FOR THE TWO ITEMS RELATED TO STUDENT BEHAVIOR.

AT THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVELS, THERE WAS LESS THAN 50% OF US RESPONDENTS WHO AGREED THE TOP AND BOTTOM STATEMENTS AND AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL ARE SLIGHTLY

[04:25:08]

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SIMILAR TO THE QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, STUDENTS WERE ASKED TO GRADE THEIR SCHOOL AND OR THE DISTRICT AND THE DISTRICT.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WERE ONLY ACTS TO GRADE THEIR SCHOOL.

WE DIDN'T ASK THEM TO GRADE THE DISTRICT, UNLIKE WHAT WAS OBSERVED FOR AND GRADING OF THE DISTRICT AND THE SCHOOL BY PARENTS, GUARDIANS, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RESPONDED. WHO RESPONDED GRADED MCP YES, HIGHER WITH A'S OR B'S THAN THEY DID THEIR SCHOOL.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE ARE NOW TRANSITIONING TO RESULTS BASED ON RESPONSES FROM SCHOOL BASED STAFF AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL.

SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 5600 STAFF RESPONDED AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL.

A LITTLE OVER 2100 RESPONDED AND A LITTLE OVER 2600.

AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL. THE ITEMS FOCUSED ON THE ITEMS WE'RE FOCUSING ON FOR THIS ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT SECTION IS I HAVE A SCHEDULE THAT PROVIDES ME TIME TO PLAN MY INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS TEACHERS OR STAFF AND THE SCHOOL BELIEVE EVERY STUDENT CAN LEARN.

THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION ENCOURAGES SCHOOL STAFF TO TALK TO ONE ANOTHER ABOUT INSTRUCTIONAL MATTERS, AND THIS SCHOOL SETS HIGH STANDARDS FOR THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ALL STUDENTS. AGAIN, OVERALL, THERE ARE HIGH LEVELS OF AGREEMENT WITH THESE STATEMENTS ACROSS EACH LEVEL.

AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, YOU WILL NOTICE ABOUT 62% AGREED THAT IS AGREE OR STRONGLY AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT OF THE SCHOOL SETTING HIGH STANDARDS FOR ALL STUDENTS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. ON THIS SLIDE, WE CONTINUE WITH RESPONSES FROM STAFF WITH THE ADDITION OF A CHART THAT INCLUDES CENTRAL OFFICE RESPONSE AND AS A NOTE 900 CENTRAL OFFICE STEP.

CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF COMPLETED THE SURVEY AND ADDITIONALLY ON THIS SLIDE, THE RESPONSE SCALE.

ALL RESPONSE SCALE OPTIONS INCLUDED STRONGLY AGREE THROUGH, STRONGLY DISAGREE.

AND THE TWO ITEMS HIGHLIGHTED HERE ARE SCHOOL OR OFFICE STAFF MEMBERS RESPECT ONE ANOTHER AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TO WORK EACH DAY AND ACROSS SCHOOLS AND CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF.

THERE WERE HIGH PERCENTAGES OF AGREEMENT WITH EACH OF THESE STATEMENTS.

PERCENTAGES OF DISAGREEMENT RANGED FROM 12% MIDDLE SCHOOL AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL TO 15% FOR CENTRAL OFFICE, FOUR STAFF MEMBERS RESPECTING EACH OTHER AND FOR LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING TO WORK.

PERCENTAGE OF DISAGREEMENT RANGED FROM 21%.

FOR CENTRAL, IT WAS A TIE BETWEEN CENTRAL OFFICE AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO 26% AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. CONTINUING WITH RESULTS FOR CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF AND SCHOOL BASED STAFF, WE SHIFT TO A FOCUS ON THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, WITH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS BEING HIGHLIGHTED.

OVERALL, HOW POSITIVE IS THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AT YOUR SCHOOL OR OFFICE? OVERALL, HOW POSITIVE IS THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND MSPS? HOW POSITIVE THE TONE THAT SCHOOL LEADERS OR OFFICE LEADERS SET FOR THE CULTURE OF THE SCHOOL OR OFFICE? AND HOW POSITIVE IS THE TONE THAT DISTRICT LEADERS SET FOR THE CULTURE OF MSPS? FOR THESE ITEMS, WE TRANSITION FROM A SCHOOL FOCUSED ON AGREEMENT, A SCALE SORRY, FOCUSED ON AGREEMENT TO A SCALE THAT RANGES FROM NOT AT ALL POSITIVE, WHICH IS THE BLUE SOMEWHAT POSITIVE, WHICH IS ORANGE, QUITE POSITIVE, WHICH IS GREAT AND EXTREMELY POSITIVE, WHICH IS YELLOW.

THE MORE POSITIVE RESPONSES, AGAIN ARE THOSE IN THE GREEN AND YELLOW AND RESPONDERS WHO COMPLETED THE SURVEY HAD HIGH PERCENTAGES FOR QUIET AND EXTREMELY FOR HAVING A POSITIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR OFFICE AND OR.

WHAT YOU WILL NOTICE ARE THE PERCENTAGES WHO INDICATED NOT AT ALL FOR THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT IN MSPS RANGING FROM 18% AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL TO 24% AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND CENTRAL OFFICE LEVEL.

SIMILARLY, YOU WILL NOTICE PERCENTAGES OF THOSE WHO INDICATED NOT AT ALL FOR THE POSITIVE TONE THAT DISTRICT LEADERS SET, RANGING FROM 22% AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL TO 32% AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. NEXT, WE FOCUS ON SUPPORT AND SAFETY FOR SCHOOL BASED AND CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF ACROSS ALL GROUPS.

HIGH PERCENTAGES OF RESPONDENTS REPORTED STAFF INTERACTIONS WITH EACH OTHER AS QUITE SUPPORTIVE OR EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE AS SHOWN IN THE GRAY AND YELLOW ON THE SLIDE AND ADDITIONALLY HIGH PERCENTAGES OF STAFF ACROSS ALL GROUPS REPORTED FEELING QUITE SAFE OR EXTREMELY SAFE IN THEIR SCHOOL OR OFFICE.

AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, ABOUT 10% REPORTED NOT AT ALL SAFE, AND ABOUT 9% OF MIDDLE SCHOOL RESPONDENTS ALSO REPORTED NOT AT ALL SAFE.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SORRY.

HOW MANY PEOPLE FILLED OUT A SURVEY IN CENTRAL OFFICE? 909. YES.

[04:30:01]

OKAY. COME ON. I THINK THIS IS MY FINAL SLIDE DISCUSSION.

ALL RIGHT, SO ENDING WITH GRADING OF THE SCHOOL OR OFFICE AND MCP PIECE BY SCHOOL BASED IN CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF.

SO SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS OBSERVED FOR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS, HIGHER PERCENTAGES OF A'S AND B'S WERE INDICATED FOR THE OFFICE OR SCHOOL COMPARED TO THOSE FOR THE DISTRICT MCP S AS A WHOLE. I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO MR. SEAN MCGEE, WHO WILL SHARE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO RESULTS FROM SCHOOL BASED STAFF.

CIVICS. GOOD. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.

OH. OH. WE'RE DISCUSSING.

WE SWITCHED THIS AROUND, SO WE'LL WE'LL GO BACK.

COLLEAGUES, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE TURN OUR LIGHT ON.

AND I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE, SO IF YOU COULD KEEP YOUR QUESTIONS BRIEF, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU, MICHELLE. YEAH, I WILL KEEP THE AFTER PORTION OF QUESTION AFTER MR. MCGEE'S PRESENTATION, BUT I DO WANT TO FIRST THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO THE BOARD THIS YEAR IN A MUCH MORE TIMELY MANNER, I SUPPOSE, OF WAITING A SEMESTER TO SEE THE RESULTS.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I THINK YOU HEARD OUR FEEDBACK AND THAT'S AN IMPROVEMENT.

AND NOW I NOTICED THAT THE STAFF PARTICIPATE HAS INCREASED THIS YEAR COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

IS IT BECAUSE NOW IT'S UP? OH, SYSTEM PARTICIPATION INSTEAD OF NO SO IT'S NOT SO LAST YEAR WAS A WHOLE SYSTEM STAFF RIGHT.

SO CAN YOU LINK ONE MEASURE THAT HAVE HELP INCREASE PARTICIPATION FROM THE STAFF? IT'S A 10% TEN POINT GAIN.

I'LL LET DR. ADDISON JOIN IN.

BUT I DO THINK ONE OF THE THING IF WE ONLY KEPT THE SURVEY OPEN WAS VERY IT WAS A VERY LATE ADMINISTRATION LAST YEAR, I BELIEVE IT WAS.

JUNE. CORRECT. DR. ADDISON AND END OF MAY.

AND IT WAS ONLY OPEN FOR TWO WEEKS.

SO WE HAD THIS OPEN FOR MULTIPLE MONTHS.

OKAY. THANK YOU. SO I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR US TO REMEMBER THAT PARENT IS 6%.

THAT'S VERY SAD.

OKAY. SO I THINK IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T DO IT LAST YEAR, BUT PREVIOUS YEARS WE HAVE DONE IT.

SO IS THE NUMBER HIGHER IN PREVIOUS YEARS? I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A CONNECTION BACK TO WHAT YOU JUST FIRST SAID, AND IT GOES BACK TO WHAT MR. ON WAS SHARING AROUND THE IDEA OF TAKING ACTION OR DOING SOMETHING WITH DATA.

SO THIS YEAR WE DEVELOPED THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SPECIFICALLY AROUND THE QUESTIONS FROM, THE CLIMATE SURVEY, WHICH THE STAFF PARTICIPATED IN.

YOU SAW A 10% INCREASE IN PARTICIPATION.

OKAY? AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE A LOW RETURN RATE ON PARENTS.

I THINK THAT KIND OF SPEAKS TO WHY YOU SEE AN INCREASE IN STAFF.

I DON'T KNOW THAT PARENTS SEE THEMSELVES IN THE ACTION OR RESPONSIVENESS TO WHAT THE FEEDBACK THAT THEY'RE PROVIDING AS IF THEY DID, WHICH THEY WILL THIS THIS SUMMER. I THINK THERE WILL BE A MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE RETURN.

OKAY. THAT'S GOOD REFLECTION.

AND I ALSO KNOW THAT SOME PARENT HAS MENTIONED THAT THEY DON'T TEND TO GO TO EMAIL TO DO THINGS, BUT WE HAVE THAT REMINDER APP.

DOES IT EVER OCCUR TO US THAT IT CAN BE ON A MOBILE DEVICE FOR CONVENIENCE FOR PARENTS? I'LL LET HER SPEAK TO THE MOBILE UTILIZATION, BUT WE DID SEND OUT REMIND MESSAGES WE DID USE.

Q A QR CODES AS WELL AS SOME PRINCIPLES FOR REALLY CREATIVE.

AND THEY THEY CREATED THEY HAD THE QR CODE AND THEY PUT THEM ON LITTLE LIKE INDEX CARDS AND IN THE PICK UP AND DROP OFF LANE, THEY WERE GIVING THEM OUT THE WINDOWS TO THE PRINCIPALS AND THAT THOSE WERE SOME STRATEGIES WE HAD SUGGESTED.

RIGHT NOW LET ME MOVE TO THE STUDENT WE HAVE A TARGET RATE OF 80% FOR STUDENTS.

DO WE GIVE TIME IN SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS TO FILL OUT THIS FORM SO THAT THAT THAT BE THE BEST PRACTICE THAT ONE WOULD TAKE? RIGHT. SO AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, YOU HAVE THE ADVISORY PERIOD, YOU COULD ADMINISTER THE SURVEY ALL AT THE SAME TIME THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SCHOOL.

SIMILAR AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT MORE CHALLENGING AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL, BUT ESSENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, TAKING A FIFTH GRADE CLASS AND, YOU KNOW, HAVING THEM BUILT IN 30 MINUTES INTO THEIR SCHEDULE.

SO THEY THAT NUMBER SHOULD BE HIGHER THAN 55%.

OKAY. SO THAT'S THAT'S ABOUT PARTICIPATION.

NOW, I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE DATA PRESENTATION.

[04:35:01]

AND I JUST UNDERSTAND YOU MAKE YOUR LIFE TODAY SO IT WASN'T HELPFUL FOR ME TO PREPARE FOR THE MEETING BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING.

HAVING A PDF PRESENTATION FOR ME DOESN'T TELL ME ONE.

ONE PART OF MY ROLE IS OVERSEEING THE WHOLE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

SO WOULD REALLY LIKE TO MAKE A REQUEST IN THE FUTURE IF WE CAN HAVE A SPREADSHEET.

RIGHT. SO I CAN SEE MULTIPLE SCHOOLS THAT I CAN SEE SOME TRENDS AND SEE SOME AREAS OF CONCERN OR AREA OF IMPROVEMENT.

RIGHT. AND I'M WONDERING, I JUST WENT ON AS A PARENT, I GUESS I CAN SEE OUR SCHOOLS COMPARED TO OUR CLUSTER OR MCP AS SCHOOLS NOW I'M WONDERING FOR OUR DIRECTORS, ASSOCIATES OR OR CHIEFS, DO YOU GET TO SEE THE WHOLE SPREADSHEET OR DO YOU GET TO SEE JUST TOO? SO I'LL JUST CHIME IN IN TERMS OF HOW WE PREPARE IT AND THEN I'LL TURN IT OVER.

SO THE TOOL THAT YOU SEE ONLINE WAS ORIGINALLY BECAUSE WE WEREN'T DOING CENTRAL HERE IN THE MANNER THAT WE DO THAT I CAN'T HEAR, I CAN'T HEAR YOU.

YOU KNOW, JUST YOU JUST NEED TO BE CLOSE TO.

ALL RIGHT. SO THE TOOL THAT WE HAVE ONLINE WAS DESIGNED FOR SCHOOL BASED.

IT WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR CENTRAL OFFICE.

AND SO WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR WHEN WE LAUNCHED THE SURVEY AND THE RESULTS, WE CREATED RESULTS FOR EACH DIRECTOR, EACH ASSOCIATE IS CHIEF IN ALIGNMENT WITH THEIR RESPONSE RATES. AND SO OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THAT SAME LEVEL OF INFORMATION THIS YEAR SO THAT THEY SEE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY OVERSEE IN THEIR DEPARTMENT OR OFFICE OR WHATEVER, WHAT HAVE YOU IN TERMS OF THE OVERALL RESULTS, CAN YOU DO THAT FOR THE BOARD MEMBER? SO WE HAVE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OR WE GET THIS PDF THAT'S A REALLY TELL ME A LOT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AT THE SCHOOLS.

YOU KNOW NOT JUST ONE SCHOOL.

I HAVE TO COLLECT ONE SCHOOL AT ONE SCHOOL.

THAT'S NOT HELPFUL FOR ME.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE WE HAVE OVER 200 SCHOOLS AND SO PREPARING A SPREADSHEET WITH MAYBE BY MR. MCCARTHY IS GOING TO TAKE US SOME TIME.

WE CAN DEFINITELY DO IT. BUT I JUST WANT TO CAUTION THAT WITH THE VOLUME AND THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS AND A NUMBER OF ITEMS, KIND OF WHY WE HAVE DON'T ONE LINE.

DR. THINK COULD YOU SHARE WHAT YOU SHARE WITH THE DIRECTORS.

YES. SO THAT SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO RESOURCES DIRECTORS OR SEE FOR SCHOOLS THEY SEE THE SAME THING YOU ALL SEE SO THEY SEE IT IN THE SAME MANNER THAT YOU SEE IT ONLINE FOR THE SCHOOLS. AND IT'S A NAVIGATION.

SO IT'S NOT AT A GLANCE, IT IS NOT MANIPULATED, IT'S NOT SPREADSHEET THAT YOU MANIPULATE AND YOU DRILL DOWN.

IT REALLY IS RIGHT THERE INTERACTIVE AND YOU PICK WHAT SCHOOLS YOU WANT TO COMPARE SO YOU CAN BRING IN THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS THAT YOU WANT TO LOOK AT AND LOOK AT THEIR RESULTS AND COMPARE. OKAY.

I THINK GOING WITH LONG STANDING, I REMEMBER WE DO SCHOOL AT A GLANCE BEFORE LIKE THAT PREP SHEET, AND WE HAVE LONG SAID THAT THAT IS NOT THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY FOR US TO TO, TO SEE IT.

I, I DON'T TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION NOW GIVING THE INTEREST OF TIME, BUT MY INTEREST IS REALLY AT AN EASIER COMPARISON FOR TRENDS.

NO, I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT ONE LINE IS NOT A PDF, IT'S NOT A PDF.

I KNOW, BUT. BUT IT'S JUST THAT ONE SCHOOL THAT YOU KNOW, YOU CAN PUT IN MULTIPLE SCHOOLS.

OH, WELL THEN I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT.

OKAY, I CLICK IN ONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND FOR EXAMPLE I CLICK ON LUCY V BOSLEY AND IT'S SHOWING ME YOUR SCHOOL.

YOU CAN COMPARE TO ALL MCP SCHOOL AND THEN YOU GO BACK, CLICK ANOTHER BUTTONS, A CLUSTER THAT YOU CAN COMPARE YOU TO A CLUSTER THERE.

THAT'S ALL I'M SEEING.

WE CAN DEFINITELY PROVIDE MORE CLARITY.

THERE'S AN OPTION TO PICK WHAT SCHOOLS YOU WANT TO COMPARE, AND THAT'S ALL.

OKAY, SO I'M PRETTY LIKE, I THINK I HAVE A REGULAR LEVEL OF COMPUTER SAVVINESS AND TECHNOLOGY, SO I DON'T SEE THAT RIGHT NOW. OKAY.

BECAUSE IT'S MISSING THAT.

YOU COULD WEAVE ON ONE LAST QUESTION BECAUSE IT HAS LOTS OF LIGHTS ON.

YEAH, RIGHT. EVERYBODY, I UNDERSTAND NOW, YOU KNOW WHAT? ALL THE OTHER QUESTIONS.

I CAN'T WAIT TILL AFTER MR. MCGEE'S PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU, MS.. WOLFE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS.

IT NEEDS SOME WORK, FOR SURE, BUT IT IS HELPFUL IN SOME WAYS.

I WAS TALKING TO OUR CHIEF OF STAFF WHO MENTIONED THAT THERE USED TO BE A COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP.

[04:40:05]

WE DID USE A COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP THIS.

OKAY. I GUESS YOU TALKED ABOUT USING THE ANTI-RACIST FOCUS GROUP.

SO THEY ARE A COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP THAT FOCUS SPECIFICALLY ON HOW WE'RE ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

SO THEY ARE A COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP.

OKAY. I GUESS WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET TO IS THAT WE ALWAYS USE THE SAME PEOPLE.

WE NEED SOME OF OUR NAYSAYERS.

IF YOU WOULD WANT TO USE THAT TERM IN THE GROUP, THEY WERE ALL, I CAN GIVE YOU THE LIST.

I WOULD WANT TO GET THE LIST BECAUSE THINK THAT'S PART OF THE PERCEPTION ABOUT US IS THAT WE ARE NOT AS INCLUSIVE AS WE NEED TO BE.

BUT I DO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR IT BECAUSE IT DOES GIVE ME SOME INFORMATION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THAT THOSE GROUP LISTS FROM YOU. THANK YOU, MR. BETTER. ERVIN OH, COOL.

JUST VERY QUICKLY ON THE RESPONSE RATES THAT YOU YOU I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT BETTER IDEA TO TO SEE IT AS MORE DISAGGREGATED DATA, LIKE I KNOW LIKE 6.6 PARENTS.

RIGHT. PERCENTAGE OF PARENTS RESPONDENT, WHICH IS ABOUT 11,000 PARENTS FOR ME.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW LIKE OUT OF THOSE PARENTS, IF YOU COULD BREAK DOWN LIKE HOW MANY WERE IN SPANISH, HOW MANY WERE IN MANDARIN, HOW MANY, HOW MANY ACTUALLY USED THE LANGUAGE, THE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES THAT WE PROVIDED THE SURVEY ON AND I WOULD I ALSO LIKE TO HAVE AN IDEA OF THE GEOGRAPHY.

IS THERE A WAY TO DO THAT BASED ON THIS SURVEY? SO SO LIKE FOR FOR EXAMPLE, MY DISTRICT, RIGHT? DISTRICT ONE, LIKE I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY PARENTS IN DISTRICT ONE PARTICIPATED IN THIS SURVEY, HOW MANY STUDENTS IN DISTRICT ONE PARTICIPATED IN THIS SURVEY, STAFF MEMBERS.

AND MAYBE THAT'S EASIER THAN GOING SCHOOL BY SCHOOL BY THE KIND OF LIKE BY CLUSTER.

BUT JUST TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY HOLES THERE THAT WE ARE NOT SEEING PARTICIPATION.

AND THEN I GUESS THE QUESTION WOULD BE WHY ARE WE NOT SEEING PARTICIPATION? IS IT THAT MAYBE WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR PRINCIPALS A LITTLE BETTER ON IDEAS ON HOW TO GET PARENT ENGAGEMENT, OR IS THERE A DISCONNECT WITH THAT? I JUST WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A BETTER IDEA BECAUSE THAT'S THAT'S EVEN THOUGH, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALMOST 11,000 PARENTS, IT'S LIKE, OKAY, BUT IN THE YOU KNOW, WE HAVE 160,000 STUDENTS, RIGHT? SO THAT'S A VERY SMALL NUMBER.

AND I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THAT NUMBER EITHER.

I JUST KIND OF LIKE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WHAT IS IT? AND I KNOW THERE IS SURVEY FATIGUE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY QUESTIONS THERE WERE FOR THE PARENTS.

DO DO YOU KNOW, LIKE HOW MANY QUESTIONS WERE IN THE SURVEY? THERE WERE ABOUT 35, 35.

SO OUR ORIGINAL GOAL AND MISSION.

SO THIS IS WHERE THE THEME BUT OUR ORIGINAL PLAN WAS NO MORE THAN 25 ITEMS AND.

THEN WE, WE ACTUALLY WENT TO MORE GROUPS.

SO WE WENT TO PRINCIPALS, WE WENT TO THE ADVISORY GROUP, WE CHECKED THEM WITH SOME PIECES ON THE ITEMS AND A LOT OF THE FEEDBACK WAS AROUND THINGS THAT WE WERE MISSING. AND SO WE WERE INTENTIONAL TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE THINGS THAT WERE MISSING, TO ADD THEM, WHICH INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ITEMS. BUT OUR GOAL WAS NOT TO HAVE MORE THAN 25 ITEMS ORIGINALLY.

OKAY. SO I'M JUST GOING TO SAY FOR ME PERSONALLY THAT GIVES ME FATIGUE, SORT OF A FATIGUE.

IS THAT WHAT YOU GUYS SAID EARLIER? LIKE THREE TIMES A LOT.

SO THAT WOULD BE ALSO TO THE POINT THAT I DON'T KNOW WHO ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES SAID ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY OPENED IT, STARTED IT.

I'M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE I'M SORRY.

I'M GOING TO I'M GOING TO CONFESS NOW, LIKE I STARTED SURVEY LIKE LADY SAYING, YOU KNOW, AND I HAD SUCH A GOOD YOU KNOW EXPERIENCE AND I WANT TO.

AND THEN THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THERE'S LIKE ANOTHER 40 QUESTIONS.

AND I'M LIKE, NO, I CAN'T. I DO.

RIGHT? SO I JUST I JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY ACTUALLY PEOPLE CLICKED ON IT AND HOW WE CAN, YOU KNOW, MAYBE GO BACK TO THOSE FOLKS LATER ON WHEN WE DO ANOTHER SURVEY. RIGHT.

JUST TO ENCOURAGE YOU, I GUESS I'M SORRY.

I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. THANK YOU.

THIS JUST HAPPENED. THIS IS MY ADDRESS.

I'M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE, TOO. SO BUT THAT, YOU KNOW, KIND OF GOES IN HAND IN HAND WITH WHAT I WAS SAYING ABOUT THE ARE ASKING ABOUT CAN YOU TELL HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE CLICKED ON IT AND THEN LOGGED OUT THAT THAT WAS BASICALLY WHAT I WAS REFERENCING.

YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT.

SO LIKE ON PAGE 11, YOU SAID THAT YOU HAVE THE DISAGREE OR WHATEVER THE OTHER ONE WAS.

WHAT DOES THE MIDDLE ONE NEED FOR STRONG, STRONGLY DISAGREE OR DISAGREE?

[04:45:02]

NO, THE THE COMPLAINT FOUR IS THAT WE DID NOT HAVE A NEUTRAL OPTION, SO WE HAD STRONGLY WHAT SOME INDIVIDUAL WERE LOOKING FOR WAS STRONGLY AGREE, AGREE, NEUTRAL OR UNDECIDED, DISAGREE STRONGLY.

SO WE DIDN'T HAVE A MIDDLE CATEGORY.

THAT'S WHAT THAT ITEM IS IN REFERENCE TO.

THEY WANTED TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF NEUTRAL OR MODERATE DESIGNATION.

THEY DIDN'T WANT. THE FIRM KIND OF WELL, I JUST ENJOYED THE OTHER.

I APPRECIATE THAT USES A FIRM BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO KIND OF ASK ABOUT THAT IN A LITTLE BIT OF WAY.

BUT I READ THAT VERY DIFFERENTLY THAN THAN YOU DO IT TO ME, IT READS THAT BEING BECAUSE THE QUESTIONS ARE SO GENERAL MODERATELY OR DISAGREE OR A NEUTRAL OPTION SHOULD BE AVAILABLE, MEANING BOTH MODERATELY DISAGREE OR DISAGREE AND NEUTRAL SHOULD ALL BE ON THERE.

THAT'S HOW I TAKE IT. SO IF I CAN LOOK UP THE RESPONSES, I WILL DO THAT.

THE MY OTHER QUESTION WAS IN REFERENCE TO USING A FIRM BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO SOUND LIKE A SILLY THING, BUT WHEN IT'S THE ABC ADS, THEY WERE THERE ABCDE.

BUT WHEN IT'S THE WRITTEN OUT, IT'S THE NEGATIVE FIRST.

NOT AT ALL DISAGREE, SOMEWHAT DISAGREE.

AND I JUST KNOW A LOT OF TIMES WITH ME WHEN I'M GOING DOWN, I WON'T REREAD IT.

SO I JUST MAKE AN ASSUMPTION THAT THEY'RE ALL ON THE SAME BLOCK, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

MAYBE YOU'RE LOOKING LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE I'M FROM.

ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE LAYOUT FOR THE SLIDES OR ON THE WEB PAGE? ON THE WEB PAGE, I'M SAYING LIKE THE ORDER.

IF I START A SURVEY AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, RATE IT 1 TO 1010 AS STRONGLY AGREE, ONE IS NOT AGREE.

I GO ON THE ASSUMPTION AS I CONTINUE TO GO DOWN THAT THEY'RE ALL LIKE THAT THAT ONE WOULD BE NEGATIVE AND TEN WOULD BE POSITIVE.

THIS FLIPS THEM AROUND AND I'M JUST CONCERNED THAT PEOPLE HAVE NOT REALIZED THAT.

NO, THANKS. AND SO BUT THAT'S WHY I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT THE FIRM, BECAUSE I'M GLAD TO HEAR YOU HAD A COMMITTEE THEN THAT HELPS WORK ON THIS SO THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE BETTER FEEDBACK LIKE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF STUFF THAT WE'RE DOING.

SO I WAS THANK YOU.

SEVEN. YES.

SO ON PAGE IS IT PAGE 17 WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT IT, WE SHOW THE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL ON SCHOOL SAFETY AND DISCIPLINE AND THE THE RESPONSE RATES FOR QUESTION 22 LIKE THIS FOR EACH AT EACH LEVEL. THE QUESTION AROUND MOST OF THE TIME MY TEACHERS TEACH WITHOUT BEING INTERRUPTED BY STUDENTS WAS FAIRLY LOW.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT IN GETTING THIS SURVEY DATA BACK? I AT BOTH THE SCHOOL LEVEL AND CENTRAL OFFICE LEVEL, WHAT IS IT THAT WE WOULD DO? LIKE WHAT IS THEIR RESPONSE TO INFORMATION LIKE THAT? ARE WE CHECK IN AND SEE IF IT FALLS INTO CLASS MANAGEMENT OR LIKE WHAT IS THE RESPONSE TO TRY TO GET TO THE ISSUES THAT COME ABOUT? I'M SHOT ON A WELL, I'M LOOKING AT YOU ABOUT, LOOK, ANYBODY, I'M LOOKING AT ANYBODY WHO CAN RESPOND LIKE, GIVE ME AN IDEA OR GIVE US A LIKE WALK US THROUGH THE THINKING BEHIND WHAT A SCHOOL AND WHAT AT CENTRAL OFFICE WE WOULD THINK TO TO HELP SUPPORT THE SCHOOLS BASED ON THIS DATA.

YEAH, EVERYONE I THINK IT'S A IT'S AN INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE.

I GUESS WHEN YOU HAVE LIKE A DISRUPTION THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM, WHETHER IT'S THE STAFF'S PERCEPTION OF THAT OR A STUDENT'S PERCEPTION OF THAT.

IF WE SEE THAT AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL, OBVIOUSLY ARE RESOURCES THAT THE SCHOOL CAN PUT INTO PLACE IN REGARDS TO MITIGATING THAT, TRYING TO DETERMINE WHY THAT DISRUPTION IS HAPPENING, IF IT BECOMES SOMETHING LARGER THAN WHAT THE SCHOOL CAN, THEY CAN ALWAYS REACH OUT TO CENTRAL OFFICE FOR OUR SUPPORT.

TYPICALLY, OUR OFFICE WOULD BE INVOLVED WITH THAT BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE DO GET REQUESTS FROM SCHOOLS TO HELP STUDENTS IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE HANDLED THROUGH, YOU KNOW, THE TYPICAL MEASURES THAT A SCHOOL WOULD DO WITH RESTORATIVE JUSTICE OR WITH CLASS DISCIPLINE CLASS MANAGEMENT, THOSE TYPE OF STRUCTURES THAT ARE IN PLACE.

SO IS IT NOT A AND LIKE I'M AT CENTRAL OFFICE, I'M DIRECTOR OR UP AND I MIGHT SAY, OH, I SAW YOUR DATA.

AND SO WHAT'S HAPPENING? ARE WE THINKING TO DO THIS OR ARE YOU JUST WAITING FOR THE SCHOOL TO RESPOND AND SAY THEY NEED HELP?

[04:50:01]

SO I THINK YOU CAN LOOK AT THE DATA AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.

WHICH PART OF WHAT I'LL TALK ABOUT IN JUST A SECOND, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT.

BUT I ALSO THINK THERE'S THE OTHER PART OF THAT, TOO, TO SAY THAT SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS WHERE IT ISN'T REFLECTING THE DATA AND THE SCHOOL IS REACHING OUT OR SOMETIMES PARENTS REACH OUT TO, THEY'LL SAY, AND SOMETIMES YOU ALL MIGHT RECEIVE EMAILS ABOUT THAT TO SAY THERE'S A DISRUPTION IN THE CLASSROOM AND WE NEED HELP BECAUSE IT'S DISTRACTING THE LEARNING.

SO ON BOTH SIDES OF THAT, WE'RE TO SUPPORTING THE SCHOOL BECAUSE IN BOTH CASES WE'RE GOING TO THE SCHOOL TO SAY TO THEM, WHAT SUPPORT DO YOU NEED? OKAY, SO IN LOOKING AT ALL THE RESULTS, MY INITIAL THOUGHT WERE IN THINKING ABOUT THE LOW RESPONSE RATE, PARTICULARLY FOR PARENTS, WAS, OKAY, SO HOW DO WE THINK ABOUT AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THIS IN FRONT OF PARENTS WHEN THEY'RE IN THE SCHOOL, WHICH IS PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE? RIGHT. DO WE HAVE COMPUTERS AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO FILL OUT THE THE FORM AT THAT TIME OR JUST GIVE IT THEIR FEEDBACK? BECAUSE WE HAVE A GREAT BIT OF PEOPLE COMING IN AND IT STILL MAY NOT REACH EVERYBODY, BUT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET MORE THAN 6.6% RIGHT BECAUSE WANTS TO KNOW HOW THEIR CHILD IS DOING. BUT THEN I HEARD DR.

ADDISON MAKE THE COMMENT ABOUT JUST THE APPREHENSION ABOUT PEOPLE WANTING TO RESPOND.

THERE IS STILL AT LEAST ONE PERSON THAT CAN SEE THE INFORMATION.

AND I KNOW IN TALKING WITH TEACHERS IN PARTICULAR, THEIR APPREHENSION TO RESPONDING IS BECAUSE IT'S NOT ANONYMOUS.

RIGHT. AND SO PAPER WOULD BE DIFFICULT.

BUT AT WHAT POINT SHOULD WE THINK ABOUT HIRING SOMEBODY ON THE OUTSIDE.

I THINK AT ONE POINT WE TALKED ABOUT THE AMOUNT.

MAYBE I'M NOT MAYBE I'M MS..

MAYBE I'M FORGETTING. BUT I WOULD THINK THAT AT THIS POINT IN TIME, BECAUSE THERE IS MISTRUST RIGHT ON THE INSIDE, EXTERNALLY AND INTERNALLY, THAT WE TAKE A YEAR TO SEE WHAT THEIR RESPONSE WOULD LOOK LIKE IF WE USE AN EXTERNAL FIRM TO GATHER THE DATA AND IF IN FACT OUR OUR TARGETS ARE MET THEN BY GEORGE.

WE GOT IT. WE GOT IT RIGHT.

BUT IF NOT, THEN WE WE TRY THE INTERNAL.

BUT I JUST THINK THAT BECAUSE WE'RE IN THE PLACE THAT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW AND PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, DR.

MARIA AND YOU WERE HERE, BRENDA I CAN'T REMEMBER HER LAST NAME, BUT SHE LEFT.

YOU ALL WERE CHARGED WITH COMING TOGETHER TO DO THE CLIMATE SURVEY.

WE WERE GOING TO DO IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY AND THEN THE PANDEMIC HIT AND WE WEREN'T ABLE TO DO IT.

AND OF COURSE, BRENDA IS NO LONGER WITH US.

SHE MOVED AWAY AND I CAN'T REMEMBER HER LAST NAME, BUT I DO KNOW THAT THERE WAS INTENTIONALLY INTENTIONALITY BEHIND WANTING TO DO OUR CLIMATE SURVEYS IN A DIFFERENT WAY TO GATHER INFORMATION FROM EVERYBODY THE STUDENTS, PARENTS AND STAFF.

BUT RIGHT NOW, PEOPLE JUST DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE SAYING WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID.

AND WE ACTUALLY REALLY NEED TO HEAR WHAT THEY NEED TO SAY BECAUSE IT HELP INFORM OUR WORK RIGHT? AND SO I JUST BELIEVE WE SHOULD GIVE SOME THOUGHT TO WE TRIED IT, WE COME BACK AND WE'VE TRIED IT.

RIGHT. SO LAST YEAR WE DID A DEPLOYMENT.

EVERYBODY WAS TIRED SO NOW WE TRIED ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT IN FEBRUARY.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU DO IT IN JANUARY WHEN PEOPLE ARE HAPPY TO JUST COME BACK FROM BREAK FOR.

RIGHT. BUT THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT THE OF THE YEAR ALREADY AND THAT'S A GOOD TIME.

YOU JUST LEAVE IT OPEN COMPLETELY.

BUT I REALLY THINK THAT IS IT WOULD BOLD AS WELL AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME AS WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD BACK TRUST THAT WE JUST DO THINGS A DIFFERENT WAY AND LISTEN TO WHAT OUR OUR EDUCATORS ARE TELLING AND THEY'RE SAYING WE DON'T TRUST YOU.

WE DON'T ACTUALLY TELL YOU WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY BECAUSE IT COULD BE USED AGAINST US.

RIGHT? PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT.

AND I THINK THESE NUMBERS SHOW IT.

SO THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHT.

LET'S TRY AND LOOK TO SEE IF THERE'S SOMEBODY ON THE OUTSIDE THAT CAN DO THIS WORK FOR US THAT THAT WON'T BREAK THE BANK, BUT COULD GET US SOME RETURN. ONE COMMENT I'D LIKE TO MAKE ABOUT THAT AND I THINK WE'RE SEEING IT ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS IS, THE RE-IMAGINING OF BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT.

SO WE'VE TRIED TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX WITH THAT.

AND WHEN YOU ASK SCHOOLS NOW ABOUT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT AND WHAT THEY DID THIS YEAR, IT TURNED MORE INTO A INTERACTIVE, ALMOST LIKE A CARNIVAL FESTIVAL. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, INSTEAD OF HAVING, YOU KNOW, HALF, 75%, EVERYONE'S COMING BECAUSE OF THIS EXPERIENCE.

AND WHAT YOU WERE SAYING IS THAT WOULD BE A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY.

SO I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT, BUT THEN I THOUGHT ABOUT SO DO YOU.

SO I THOUGHT ABOUT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT AS I WAS SITTING HERE.

BUT THEN I THOUGHT, IF YOU ARE A NEW FAMILY COMING TO THE SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME, THEN YOU ACTUALLY CAN'T REALLY ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW.

SO UNLESS YOU SAY THIS, THIS IS ONLY GOING TO BE RESPONDED TO COLLECT DATA FROM RETURNING PARENTS, THEN THAT IS PERFECT.

AT THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL YEAR, YOU'RE FEELING GOOD.

SO WHAT YOU SAY MIGHT BE DIFFERENT, BUT I JUST I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT, MR.

[04:55:03]

RIGHT? BUT GUESS WHAT? AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, WE'RE ALL HAPPY WE'RE COMING BACK.

I SIMPLY ASK YOU COMMENT ON IT.

IT IS. IT IS EXACTLY RIGHT TO CONFERENCE.

BY THAT TIME, YOU'VE KIND OF SETTLED IN.

YOU KIND OF YOU'RE GETTING YOUR FEET A LITTLE WHERE YOU'RE TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT.

I JUST THINK HOW YOU WOULD RESPOND TO BE DIFFERENT THAN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

AT THE END OF THE YEAR, ASK ME AT THE SPRING BREAK AND THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO FOR PARENTS.

WE'RE FROM VACATION.

OR MAYBE NOT BECAUSE YOUR KIDS HAVE DROVE ME CRAZY.

THEY'VE BEEN ALL OVER HAWAII. I JUST DON'T KNOW.

BUT I JUST I WAS TRYING TO THINK ABOUT A WAY TO COLLECT DATA IN AN INTENTIONAL WAY WHERE WE JUST REALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE AND GET THEIR RESPONSES IN.

AND AT THAT TIME, WHEN YOU'RE AS YOUR CHILD IS GOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL, YOU MIGHT GET THE RESPONSE THAT YOU EAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

AND THEN THERE'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY WE TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO WE WANT PARENTS TO GET FROM WHAT WE'RE DOING, RIGHT? WHAT DO WE WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND AND KNOW? AND I DON'T KNOW. WE THROW SOME QUESTIONS IN THERE AT THAT TIME TO GET A FEEL.

ARE YOU GETTING WHAT YOU NEED.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND? DO YOU KNOW THE THE NEXT MILESTONES OR TOUCH POINTS FOR YOUR STUDENT? SO THAT'S JUST A THOUGHT THAT AS I WAS, EVERY QUESTION THAT I HAD, EVERY EVERY QUESTION I HAD OVER HERE WAS KIND OF NULL AND VOID.

AFTER THINKING ABOUT THE MISTRUST AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE INFORMATION IS NOT ANONYMOUS, PUTTING YOUR KIDS I.D.

IN THERE OR ONE PERSON SEEING IT IS JUST IS THAT ANONYMOUS? RIGHT. SO HOW DO WE DO IT IN AN ANONYMOUS WAY TO GET THEIR INFORMATION OR DO WE REALLY ACTUALLY, REALLY WANT IT? I DO. HOW DO YOU DO THAT? SO THAT'S IT FOR ME. I WAS JUST I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU LAST QUESTION AND THEN WE'LL MOVE ON.

YEAH, THAT'S FINE. I JUST I WANT TO ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH SHEPARD'S COMMENTS BECAUSE THAT'S WHY I WAS ASKING ABOUT EVEN SOMETHING LIKE FLIPPING RESPONSES.

CAN SKEW THE RESULTS.

AND I THOUGHT YOU SAID THAT YOU DID WORK WITH A COMPANY, THOUGH.

I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU JUST HEAR FROM.

I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU SAID WE DID NOT WORK WITH THE COMPANY WHEN WE STARTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SURVEY, WE LEVERAGED THE ITEMS THAT CAME FROM PANORAMA EDUCATION, WHICH IS RESEARCH BASED AND HAVE A LOT OF THEIR ITEMS. AND SO WE STARTED WITH THAT AS OUR BASE IN TERMS OF THOSE ITEMS. AND THEN AS WE WENT AND GATHERED FEEDBACK, WE MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS.

OKAY, THEN I AM 100% AGREE WITH MS..

EVANS THAT WE SHOULD LOOK AT USING A FIRM.

OKAY, PLEASE CONTINUE. OKAY.

IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

AND THIS JUST CONNECTS TO THE CONVERSATION THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THE SCHOOL BASED RESPONSES, THE NUMBER OF RESPONSES THAT WE HAVE AND CAN SEE THERE IS A YEAR TO YEAR COMPARISON BETWEEN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL.

AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE IS AN INCREASE OF CHANGE, 10% CHANGE FROM 2023 IN 9%, CHANGE FROM 2023 IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND THEN 7% CHANGE FROM FROM HIGH SCHOOL FOR 40 TO 47%.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AND THIS IS JUST BRINGING OUT A FEW QUESTIONS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THAT WE WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT.

CERTAINLY THE LAST QUESTION.

BUT AGAIN, CAN SEE SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS WHERE WE HAVE POSITIVE CHANGES.

WE WE PULLED OUT FOUR QUESTIONS.

HOW POSITIVE IS A WORKING ENVIRONMENT? HOW IS THE TONE AT THE SCHOOL? HOW SAFE AT SCHOOL DO YOU FEEL? HOW OFTEN DO YOU RECEIVE FEEDBACK FOR YOUR TEACHING IN YOUR WORK? AND YOU CAN SEE THE CHANGE OVER TIME FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT YEAR.

AND THE ONE THAT I REALLY WANTED TO BRING OUT HERE IS THE THE LAST ONE IS HOW OFTEN DO YOU RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON YOUR WORK FOR ONE OF THE SCHOOLS THAT WERE SUPPORTING THAT, WHAT ENDED UP BEING ONE OF THE LOWER LOWER MARKS THAT THEY THAT THE STAFF HAD RESPONDED TO.

AND SO WHEN YOU LOOK ACROSS THE BOARD OF THAT HIGH OF A RESPONSE RATE, THE DIFFERENCE OF 34% OR 35% OR 31%, WE CAN ATTRIBUTE THAT TO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IN JUST A SECOND IS THE EMPHASIS OF BUILDING AN ACTION PLAN BASED UPON THE SCHOOL CLIMATE GOALS, HAVING A CLIMATE GOAL ITSELF.

AND THEN FOR US AS OUR OFFICE AS WE WENT IN FOR SUPERVISORY VISITS, WE BUILT QUESTIONS THAT WERE DESIGNED FOR CLIMATE, DESIGNED FOR WELLBEING INTO THE QUESTIONS THAT WE'RE ASKING THE ABOUT.

SO IN ONE OF THE THINGS YOU CAN SEE THAT SCHOOLS RESPONDED AND I HAD SEVERAL PRINCIPALS THAT SAID THAT WAS INTERESTING THAT WE HAD WE HAVE STAFF MEMBERS WHO SAID THEY'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH FEEDBACK ON THEIR WORK AND SO THEY PUT STRUCTURES IN PLACE THIS YEAR IN ORDER TO INCREASE THEIR THE NUMBER OF TIMES THAT THEY'RE COMING INTO THE CLASSROOM AND

[05:00:03]

AND IT IS REALLY MADE FOR, IN OUR PERSPECTIVE, YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY GOING TO HELP IMPROVE TEACHING AND LEARNING.

SO IT'S JUST THE WAY THAT WE'VE USED THIS AND CONNECTED THROUGH IT THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROCESS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AND SO WE TALKED THIS ALREADY, SO I'LL KIND OF GO OVER THIS REALLY QUICKLY.

OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A COHESIVE APPROACH.

WE'VE WORKED WITH ALL OF OUR UNIONS IN ORDER TO GO THROUGH AND MAKE SURE THESE QUESTIONS OBVIOUSLY, THE POINTS THAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT, ARE WELL TAKEN.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. I'M GOING TO TRY TO MOVE FAST BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE SOME TIME.

SO IT IS OUR SCHOOL CLIMATE REMAINS A SHARED ENDEAVOR.

IT'S NOT OWNED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

IT'S NOT OWNED BY ANY GROUP.

IT'S A COLLECTIVE EFFORT BY ALL OF US.

THE DATA FROM THE SCHOOL CLIMATE PLAN IS REVIEWED BY EACH SCHOOL GOALS, AND ACTION STEPS ARE CREATED BY EACH SCHOOL TEAM.

THE PROCESS IS THE SAME FOR ALL THE SCHOOLS AND THE CLIMATE.

THE BUILDING IS A FREQUENT DISCUSSION POINT DURING SCHOOL AND AMAZING SCHOOL CHECK INS AND WITH US WITH DIRECTORS AND ASSOCIATES.

THIS IS A CONSTANT CONVERSATION THAT WE'RE HAVING TO UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CLIMATE SURVEY THAT IS POSITIVE TO STUDENT LEARNING.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S WE WANTED TO JUST BRING OUT, YOU KNOW, TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF DATA POINTS, ONE FOR CLIMATE DATA POINTS HERE, ONE FOR WELL-BEING DATA POINTS. AND THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE ARE CONSIDERING, SCHOOLS ARE CONSIDERING AS WE MONITOR.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU CAN SEE THE CLIMATE SURVEY IS A CLIMATE DATA SOURCE.

THERE IS LOCAL CLIMATE VOICE DATA.

TYPICALLY WE SEE THAT COMING THROUGH WHAT WE WOULD CALL THE TRIAD MEETING WITH THE TRIAD MEETING IS WITH THE PRINCIPAL REPRESENTATIVE FROM NCEA, THE EFA, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM SEIU, WHICH IS THE ESR, AND THEY MEET MONTHLY.

SO TYPICALLY THEY COULD GET CLIMATE AND SEE HOW THINGS ARE GOING.

BUT THERE'S ALSO OTHER WAYS TO DO THAT AS WELL.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SLIDE, WE HAVE OTHER DATA SOURCES THAT WE DO MONITOR IN.

WE ASK SCHOOLS QUITE FREQUENTLY, WHICH IS ABSENTEEISM, SUSPENSIONS, THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, THAT THEIR WELLBEING TEAMS, THE REFERRALS.

AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SEE DISCIPLINARY REFERRALS, SUICIDE RISK CRISIS OR REFERRAL DATA AS WELL.

SO THOSE ARE JUST SOME DATA POINTS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AS WELL AS WE'RE HAVING THESE MEETINGS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO THIS IS JUST KIND OF A SUMMARY OF OUR PROCESS WHERE WE ARE EXAMINING THE DATA, JUST LIKE WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. WE'RE MAKING GOALS BASED UPON THAT DATA.

WE AS A AS AN OFFICE GO IN.

WE ASSESS IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE WITH THE DATA, CHECKING IN, PARTICIPATING IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, IF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS NEEDED ONCE AGAIN, CHECKING AGAIN. IT'S KIND OF A CONTINUOUS CYCLE FOR THOSE OF US WHO'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

FOR BALDRIDGE, THE PDSA CYCLE THAT WE HAVE, IT'S SIMILAR WITH THAT AND THIS IS AT ONE PART OF OUR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROCESS THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THE CLIMATE DATA IS INCLUDED IN. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AND AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DR.

MORAN AND HE'S GOING TO GIVE US A SUMMARY JUST IN TERMS OF KEY TAKEAWAYS AND NEXT STEPS.

THANK YOU, MR. MCGEE. I JUST LISTENED TO YOUR FEEDBACK.

I WOULD I WOULD SHARE THE OLD ADAGE THAT WHEN WHEN EVERYTHING'S IMPORTANT, NOTHING IS IMPORTANT.

AND I MEAN, TIE THAT INTO THE FEEDBACK QUESTION.

SO IF THERE'S 35 QUESTIONS ON A SURVEY AND YOU ISOLATE ONE AND TURN THAT INTO A GOAL FOR YOUR STAFF, YOU GET A RETURN OF A 30% INCREASE.

AND SO I THINK THE THING THAT WE REALLY NEED TO CONTINUE TO IS AND THERE'S TWO PIECES OF THAT FEEDBACK QUESTION THAT I THINK I WANT TO PULL OUT FOR YOU.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE SCHOOLS, YOU HAD THAT GROWTH IN FEEDBACK.

THEY ALSO HAD A HIGHER RATE, WHICH MEANS THE PRINCIPAL THIS YEAR HAS CREATED A CULTURE WHERE FEEDBACK IS RECIPROCAL.

IT'S NOT JUST FLOWING ONE WAY.

THE STAFF FEELS LIKE THEY CAN GIVE FEEDBACK AND THEREFORE THEY HAVE A HIGHER RESPONSE RATE ON THEIR SURVEY.

SO THERE'S A CULTURAL PIECE THAT MRS. EVANS WAS POINTING OUT THIS AROUND CREATING TRUST.

I'M TRUSTING YOU TO GIVE ME FEEDBACK ON MY PERFORMANCE IN THE CLASSROOM AS A TEACHER.

AT THE SAME TIME, YOU'RE TRUSTING ME TO GIVE FEEDBACK ON THE CLIMATE OF THE SCHOOL, THE MORALE, LEADERSHIP AND HOW IT'S IMPACTING THAT.

SO I JUST WANTED TO PULL THAT OUT AS LIKE AN ACTION ITEM.

THOSE FOUR QUESTIONS ARE PRINCIPALS DO TAKE THE QUESTIONS AND THEY DO.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS THAT ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN OTHER ONES.

AND SO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS AND EVERYTHING, I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER WHICH ARE THE MOST VALUABLE QUESTIONS TO, THE STAFF THAT THEY PUT MORE STOCK IN TO, AND I DON'T KNOW AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND, YOU KNOW, MOVING DOWN IN THROUGH THE FUTURE.

AND THE OTHER THING AND MS.. RIVERA, ALVIN AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS RECENTLY IS A SURVEY IS ALSO IT IS IT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD INITIATE OTHER THINGS.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS.

AND SO IT PEOPLE WANT TO GET IT.

[05:05:03]

THEY WANT TO END. SO I THINK THAT THE TRUST PIECES IS CREATING ENVIRONMENTS AROUND THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, LIKE MR. MCGEE WAS DISCUSSING WHERE FEEL THAT THEY CAN ENTER A SPACE AND JUST SAY WHAT THEY REALLY FEEL AND THINK WITHOUT WITH KNOWING THAT IT'S GOING TO BE TAKEN AND TURN INTO ACTION. AND AND SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE SURVEY FATIGUE PART, I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER ON.

YOU KNOW, AND I THINK PRINCIPALS WHEN WE LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, JUST THE REGULAR MONITORING, ALSO, WHEN YOU ADMINISTER A ONE SURVEY THAT IS THAT COMPREHENSIVE, HOW ARE YOU COLLECTING DATA ALONG THE WAY? IN ADDITION, LIKE LIKE A FIVE QUESTION SURVEY, BOOM, YOU GET THAT.

EVERYBODY WILL FILL UP 5 TO 5 QUESTIONS SURVEY AT YOUR SCHOOL AND.

SO I THINK LIKE A LOT OF THE PRINCIPALS HAVE TAKEN THE QUESTIONS FROM THE SURVEY, THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT AND MADE THOSE KEY BENCHMARKS THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH THEIR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND ASKED DURING EACH EVALUATION AT THE QUARTER AND GOTTEN A RETURN.

SO I JUST I THINK THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT CONVERSATION.

I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO TO TO TAKE BACK AND IMPROVE UPON.

AND AND AND I MEAN, WE WE CERTAINLY HAVE WORK TO DO AROUND THE RESPONSE RATE.

BUT BUT I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE SOLUTIONS OUT THERE.

AND, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW NECESSARILY MORE SURVEYS OR MORE QUESTIONS IS THE SOLUTION TO GET A HIGHER RESPONSE RATE.

SO SO AT THE END, THAT IS THE AND THANK YOU.

I'LL ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO TURN THEIR LIGHTS ON AND I'LL START WITH ONE QUESTION.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE DIRECTOR? IF A SCHOOL IS SHOWING MULTIPLE AREAS WHERE IT'S SCORING LOW ON CLIMATE? WELL, AS PART OF THAT ACTION PLAN.

SO IF I SEE A SCHOOL THAT'S HAS MULTIPLE LOW DATA POINTS, I'M GOING IN ASKING THEM A CONVERSATION WITH THAT SCHOOL, HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE STAFF, CREATE AN ACTION PLAN THAT IS BASED UPON DATA, BASED UPON ACTIONS THAT THEY CAN SEE AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.

AND THEN MY TOUCH POINTS AS THE DIRECTOR THERE, BECAUSE IT FITS, IT'S SHOWING UP THERE.

IT'S SHOWING UP IN OTHER PLACES, THEN I HAVE A KIND OF A LASER FOCUS ON THAT SCHOOL TO HELP THEM, TO SUPPORT THEM, TO SEE YOU HAVE TO UNPACK TO SEE WHERE THAT'S COMING FROM, WHAT YOU KNOW.

IS IT LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT IN THIS EVIDENCE, IS IT BEHAVIORAL? IS IT SOMETHING THAT THERE'S STUDENTS THAT MAY NOT BE ALLOWING OTHER STUDENTS TO LEARN? IS IT SOMETHING THAT THROUGH THE TRIAD MEETING COMING UP THAT'S CLIMATE BASED, THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN SUPPORT? IS IT SOMETHING THAT IT'S COMING FROM THE STAFF OR FROM THE COMMUNITY FROM MAYBE IT'S A COMMUNICATION PART.

FEEL LIKE I'M NOT GETTING A LOT OF COMMUNICATION, SO YOU HAVE TO UNPACK WHAT THAT DATA IS.

BUT FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE AS DIRECTORS AND ASSOCIATES, WHAT THAT DOES IS ALLOW US TO SAY THERE'S A BIG PRIORITY HERE FOR THIS SCHOOL FOR US TO GO AND SUPPORT.

SO OUR TOUCH POINTS AND OUR FREQUENCY OF VISITING WITH THEM TO HELP SUPPORT THEM INCREASES GREATLY AND KNOW YOUR CASE LOADS ARE GREAT.

SO THAT ALSO MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH SUPPORT YOU CAN GIVE, SAYS EVANS.

YES, I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY AND WHAT I AM MUCH AWARE OF IS THAT THE CLIMATE SURVEY IS JUST ONE MEASURE, RIGHT? BUT BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE USE, THEN WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT RIGHT? YEAH. YEAH, EXACTLY.

YEAH. I HAD OTHER THOUGHTS, BUT MY HEAD IS KIND OF FLOATING ALL AROUND.

BUT ANYWAY, SO BUT I DO THINK THE SCHOOLS, THEY TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY AND I'M NOT INSINUATING.

NO, NO, NO. I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW, YOU KNOW, HOW DO YOU GET PEOPLE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO RESPOND.

YEAH. TO SAY, WELL, WE NEED TO KNOW.

RIGHT. AND FOR THEM TO BELIEVE THAT WE ACTUALLY REALLY WANT TO KNOW AND WE PLAN TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

SO I'M GLAD THAT THERE ARE SCHOOLS THAT TAKE THE INFORMATION AND ARE INSTANTLY ABLE TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT AND THEN SHOW IN THE STAFF IS ABLE TO SEE THAT REFLECTED IN THE WORK IN THE SCHOOL.

BUT HOW DO WE HELP SUPPORT OTHER SCHOOLS TO DO THAT? YEAH, I DO THINK IT'S TRUST AND I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF IT.

THERE'S A FEW SCHOOLS, THERE'S ACTUALLY PROBABLY MANY SCHOOLS.

WHEN THIS FIRST CAME OUT, WHEN WE HAD THE DATA EARLY IN THE SCHOOL YEAR, YOU KNOW, MANY OF MY PRINCIPALS FELT SO STRONGLY ABOUT IT THAT WANTED TO GIVE THE CLIMATE SURVEY AGAIN IN JANUARY. WE WANT TO CHECK, WE WANT TO DO A DIPSTICK.

AND AT THAT POINT, WE HAD JUST MADE THE DECISION.

WELL, HOLD ON A SECOND, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT IN FEBRUARY.

SO HOLD. BUT THAT'S IN TERMS OF LIKE WHAT THEY, YOU KNOW, BUILDING TRUST.

RIGHT. TO SEE. I WANT TO SEE WHAT WE'VE DONE.

THOSE ACTIONS THAT WE PUT IN PLACE, PUT IN PLACE HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE AND IF THEY HAVEN'T, THEN LET'S GO BACK TO THE DRAW.

AND AGAIN, IT'S A COLLECTIVE.

LIKE I SAID, IT'S NOT JUST THE PRINCIPAL LEADING IT.

IT'S IT'S THE IT, IT'S THE COMMUNITY.

[05:10:01]

SO I DO THINK IT'S ABOUT ESTABLISHING THAT TRUST.

AND AND LIKE YOU SAID, I CAN I CAN SPEAK FREELY WITH YOU WITHOUT ANY YOU KNOW, WE JUST WANT MAKE THIS BETTER FOR EVERYBODY.

ABSOLUTELY. MS..

FORGET OVEN NOW.

THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO JUST SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ON ON THE WHOLE SUPPORT FOR PRINCIPLES ON SOMETHING MRS. EVANS SAID.

I THINK WHAT SHE WAS I THINK WHAT YOU WERE TRYING TO SAY IS, IS HOW CAN WE BE STRATEGIC ABOUT USING THIS DATA TO GET BETTER AND TO GROW AND TO GET MORE WORK, MORE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY FEEL INVOLVE OR THAT THEY FEEL THAT THEY CAN TAKE, YOU KNOW, THE SURVEY AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SEE AT LEAST IN MY DISTRICT, IS I SEE INCREDIBLE PARENT INVOLVEMENT FROM ESPECIALLY IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES.

BUT WHEN IT BUT WHEN IT COMES TO CONNECTING THEM TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THERE IS A DISCONNECT, RIGHT? BECAUSE ONE, THERE'S A LANGUAGE BARRIER.

THEY DON'T DO THAT. WE DON'T DO A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN LATIN AMERICA.

SO IN OTHER PLACES THEY DON'T DO SURVEY SAY YOU GO TO SCHOOL, YOU GO TO SCHOOL AND HOW YOU KNOW HOW THERE IS A CULTURAL, YOU KNOW, INGREDIENT IN THE SCHOOLS.

BUT THERE'S ALSO CULTURAL COMPONENT AND PRESENTING SURVEYS TO COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT HISTORICALLY TAKING SURVEYS. RIGHT SO BUT YOU HAVE ENGAGEMENT, RIGHT? YOU HAVE ENGAGEMENT. SO HOW DO WE THEN SUPPORT THE THE DIRECTORS AND THE PRINCIPALS TO KIND MAKE THAT LEAP? RIGHT. SO FOR ME IS WHEN YOU HAVE THAT PIECE MISSING IN SOME OF THESE COMMUNITIES, YOU ARE MISSING A LOT OF INFORMATION, A LOT OF GOOD FEEDBACK THAT WE COULD BE GETTING BACK TO MAKE US EVEN MORE RECEPTIVE AND DELIVERING ON SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO.

SO GOING BACK TO SOMEBODY WHO SAID, YOU KNOW, MAYBE GETTING SOMEBODY FROM THE OUTSIDE AND SO ON, I'M THINKING FROM THERE SOME OF THAT HAS THAT CULTURAL COMPONENT, YOU KNOW, THAT TO WORK WITH, WITH DISTRICTS WHO HAVE A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY LIKE OURS.

AND THEN IT GOT ME THINKING, AND MAYBE THIS IS A LITTLE DERAILING FROM IT, BUT I KNOW WE HAD TO ASK ABOUT EXIT INTERVIEWS FOR OUR STAFF, RIGHT.

AND THEM FEELING COMFORTABLE IN TELLING THIS EXACTLY, EXACTLY WHY THEY'RE LEAVING AND, MAYBE HAVING THAT THIRD PARTY WHERE THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE ENOUGH OR EVEN THE FOLKS WOULD JUST RETIRE. RIGHT.

BEING COMFORTABLE ENOUGH IN A SAFE SPACE WHERE THEY CAN SAY, YOU KNOW, THE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY TRULY FEEL RIGHT.

SO ANYWAY, THAT DOES I KNOW THAT WAS A LITTLE DERAILED, BUT BUT I JUST THINK THAT HAVING ALL THOSE COMPONENTS TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE TWO FOLKS WHO ARE NOT USUALLY ENGAGED ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

CAN I MAKE ONE COMMENT ON THAT? AND THIS IS ONE EXAMPLE THAT I THINK HIT YOUR POINT WAS WITH OUR NORTHWARD TRANSITION TO GOING TO WOODWARD.

SO WHEN WE ARE HOLDING OUR COMMUNITY MEETINGS AT NORTHWOOD, WE ARE MISSING AN ENTIRE POPULATION.

AND SO WE ENDED UP ORGANIZING AND HAVING, YOU KNOW, ALL IN SPANISH A MEETING TO TRY TO GET OUT BY HAVING EVERYBODY COME AND BE A PART OF THAT.

AND THAT WAS GREATLY ATTENDED.

I THINK THAT'S KIND OF THE OUT OF THE BOX SPEAKING WHAT YOU'RE TALKING, THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO AS A SYSTEM IN ORDER TO GET THAT BECAUSE THEY'RE ENGAGED, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE COMING. THEY KNOW THERE'S YOU KNOW, THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF IT.

AND I THINK WE WE'VE GOT TO ABOUT THAT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

I APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE I THINK WE SOMETIMES THINK THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE ENGAGED.

WE MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. AND ALSO WE'RE NOT THE ONLY AGENCY THAT HAS THIS ISSUE.

BY THE WAY RIGHT.

THERE'S MANY OTHER AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY FAIR PARKING PLANNING TO HHS, TO OTHERS WHO THE POLICE WHO HAVE THIS ISSUE.

SO IF WE CAN BE THE THE CATALYTIC IN PAVING THE WAY ON HOW TO DO IT AND HOW TO DO IT IN THE BEST WAY, THAT WOULD BE AMAZING.

THANK YOU, MISS. WELL, I JUST WANT TO FOLLOW UP ONE ON GRACE'S POINT.

I THINK PARTICULARLY FOR MY COMMUNITY, IF THEY SEE RESULTS FROM THIS, THEY WILL BE MORE INCLINED TO RESPOND. SO THE QUESTION THAT YOU HAD WHERE YOU SHOWED THAT THE STAFF NUMBER HAD GONE UP TO 71 FROM 30, THAT'S THE KIND OF DATA THEY NEED TO SEE. THEN THEY BELIEVE IT'S WORTH ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS MORE.

THANK YOU. MS..

YANG. YES.

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON THAT QUESTION.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON YOUR TEACHING? OUR WORK RATE, 35% GAIN WHEN YOU FOCUS ON THAT IS TREMENDOUS.

IS TREMENDOUS. NOW, I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT TRUST, RIGHT?

[05:15:02]

SO HOW DO YOU HANDLE THAT AS A LEADER IN THE CENTRAL OFFICE, SUPPORTING PRINCIPALS? SO I THINK THE AND I WON'T USE ANY SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF SCHOOLS, BUT WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, ENCOUNTERED THAT THIS YEAR WHERE WE'VE ENGAGED IN LISTEN AND LEARNS AND COLLECTED FEEDBACK SOMETIMES ON BEHALF OF THE PRINCIPAL AND THEN THEMED IT AND LOOKED AT IT WITH THEM AND THEN WORKED WITH THEM TO CREATE A AN ACTION PLAN THAT THEY THEN, YOU KNOW, PRESENT TO THEIR STAFF OR PARTNER WITH KEY MEMBERS TO THEIR STAFF TO, TO CREATE. SO THAT THAT IS ONE WAY WE'VE WE'VE IN THE PAST CALLED IT OUT A LISTEN AND LEARN SESSION TO TAKE OUT ALSO KIND OF ANY PERSONAL PIECES THAT THAT MIGHT BE A PART OF THAT THE OTHER I THINK AND AND I COMMEND OUR PRINCIPALS ONE IN PARTICULAR HAS ENCOUNTERED A LOT OF CHALLENGES WITH WITH HER COMMUNITY.

SHE DID A MARVELOUS JOB JUST MAKING HERSELF VERY VULNERABLE AND ASKING THE QUESTIONS AND AND LISTENING WITH THE INTENT OF MAKING IT A BETTER LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN. SHE CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, NEEDED SOME SOME SUPPORT WITH THAT FROM HER DIRECTOR.

BUT HER CLIMATE DATA FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR HAS GROWN UPS HAS GROWN SIGNIFY VACANTLY.

SO WE HAVE PROCESSES IN PLACE FROM THE FROM THE PARENT ENGAGEMENT PART, WHICH I THINK IS SOMETIMES THE MOST COMPLEX AT THE STAFF PART, WHICH IS SOMETHING I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU BECAUSE IT WAS AN ACTION ITEM THAT WE DID DISCUSS EARLIER IN THE YEAR, IS THAT ALL OF OUR PRINCIPLES ARE TWO STANDARDS THAT ARE RECEIVING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WITH THEIR F, R, AND THEIR ESR, THEIR ELECTED SUPPORTING STAFF REPRESENTATIVE, ELECTED FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE TO START THE SCHOOL YEAR.

SO WE'RE GOING TO STANDARD SET THAT PROCESS BECAUSE THAT THAT STRUCTURE YOU FIND, YOU KNOW, YOU FIND OUT THINGS AHEAD OF TIME AND YOU'RE ABLE TO INTERVENE PROACTIVELY AND RESOLVE THINGS BEFORE THEY, YOU KNOW, GATHER NEGATIVE ENERGY AND MOVE ACROSS YOUR SCHOOL.

UNFORTUNATELY, I KNOW WE USE THIS LINE A LOT.

TRIADS FALL FOLLOWING THE THE PANDEMIC, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW PRINCIPALS OF EFFORTS REQUIRES THAT THAT 216 SCHOOLS NEED TO RECEIVE THE EXACT SAME PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, THE EXACT SAME EXPECTATIONS, SO THAT THEY'RE FUNCTIONING ENTIRELY THE SAME.

I THINK THAT ALONE WILL DEMONSTRATE A SIGNIFICANT BUMP IN OUR SCHOOL CLIMATE.

AND THEN YOU ALSO HAVE THE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURE WHEN YOU'VE STANDARD SET THINGS FOR 216 PEOPLE.

THEY'VE RECEIVED THE INFORMATION, THEY'VE RECEIVED, THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING.

YOU CAN THEN HOLD 216 PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE EXACT SAME THING.

WHEN AS A DIRECTOR YOU GO OUT AND START AND ARE HAVING THOSE KIND OF CONVERSATIONS.

NOW TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU TALK ABOUT THAT SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT THE DIRECTORS CAN HAVE DIRECT CONVERSATION WITH THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK PART OF IT IS WE ARE MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THAT OUR STUDENTS COME FROM ALL DIFFERENT CULTURES AND BACKGROUNDS.

THEY ARE SOME CULTURES.

CONFRONTATION OR EVEN JUST HONEST CONVERSATION CAN BE REALLY A DIFFICULT THING.

DO, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE DOING IT WITH WHAT WE PERCEIVE OF PEOPLE OF AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE BIGGER POWER THAN YOUR FAMILY, YOU ARE VERY VULNERABLE WHEN YOU SEND YOUR CHILDREN IN THE CARE OF THESE ADULTS.

RIGHT? SO THE THE THE EVERY STEP OF DISCUSSION, COLLABORATION, PROBLEM SOLVING THAT IT'S WONDERFUL STUFF I THINK PEOPLE ARE APPRECIATE THE HOW WE DO IT WHO IS THE PERSON TO DO IT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING CAREFULLY CONSIDER

[05:20:06]

THANK YOU.

YEAH I THINK TO ME THIS GETS TO ONE OF THE MOST ESSENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS IN MSPS, AND THAT IS DIRECTORS, THE PRINCIPALS THAT THEY SUPERVISE BECAUSE THIS WORK CAN BE VERY FRAUGHT.

AND IN ORDER FOR A DIRECTOR TO DO THIS WORK AND TO LOOK VERY OBJECTIVELY AT THE CLIMATE DATA, AND I DO APPRECIATE WE'RE SEEING AGGREGATE DATA HERE.

I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR SAYING THIS IS DISAGGREGATED BY SCHOOL.

SO YOU CAN SEE AND MAKE COMPARISONS, WHETHER IT'S HOW MANY FAMILIES AND STAFF AND STUDENTS ARE ACTUALLY PARTICIPATING IN THE SURVEY OR, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE DATA THAT THAT'S BUBBLING UP AND HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO THE PRIOR YEAR? BUT, YOU KNOW, HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS CAN BE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT.

AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT, THAT TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PERSON IS COMING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOU, IT'S NOT GOING TO GO VERY WELL.

AND TO ME, THAT GETS TO WHY IT IS SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

I MEAN, THE ONLY OKAY, I'M JUST SPEAKING FOR MYSELF HERE, BUT REALLY DO BELIEVE THE ONLY JOB OF CENTRAL OFFICE IS TO SUPPORT PRINCIPALS AND SCHOOLS, BECAUSE IF WE'RE NOT SUPPORT, YOU CAN'T HAVE A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SUCCESSFUL PRINCIPAL.

AND SO THAT RELATIONSHIP, HAVING AND I THINK HAVING THE DIRECTOR TODAY, WE NEED TO SUPPORT PRINCIPALS WELL MEANS WE CAN'T OVERBURDEN THOSE DIRECTORS. AND BECAUSE CAN'T BUILD A TIGHT TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO SUPERVISE, I DON'T KNOW, 25 PRINCIPALS WHO ARE ALL IN DIFFERENT PLACES IN THEIR CLIMATE DATA AND IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THEY'RE SERVING AND THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS AND YOU'RE TRYING TO BE EVERYTHING TO ALL OF THEM.

AND YOU JUST CAN'T WITH THOSE NUMBERS IT THAT WAY, I THINK IS SO ESSENTIAL.

WE REALLY FOCUS ON THAT ROLE AND CREATING THAT AND REDUCING THAT THE LOAD OF OUR DIRECTOR SO THAT THEY CAN BUILD THOSE TIGHT, CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR PRINCIPAL TO HAVE THESE VERY DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS AND REALLY SUPPORT THEM IN MOVING THROUGH THEM.

YOU CITED THE EXAMPLE OF A PRINCIPAL WHO HAD A VERY IF SHE WAS NOT GETTING GOOD NEWS AND VERY VULNERABLE CONVERSATION WITH HER COMMUNITY, BUT SHE WAS SUPPORTIVE AND, YOU KNOW, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT IF THEY HADN'T HAD THAT SUPPORT.

SO AND A QUESTION I HAVE IS SO EMPHASIZED, THE SURVEY, THIS IS ONE DATA POINT.

SO WHEN YOU GET THESE SO YOU GET YOU GET THE RAW DATA, IT'S DISAGGREGATED BY SCHOOL.

YOU'VE GOT YOUR DIRECTOR, YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR SCHOOLS ARE.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT SCHOOL DATA. ARE YOU TRIANGULATING WHAT YOU'RE SEEING THERE WITH OTHER PIECES, LIKE WHAT'S THE STAFF TURNOVER RATE LIKE? RIGHT. YOU KNOW, ARE THERE, YOU KNOW, COMPLAINTS BEING FIRED BY BY BY STAFF AGAINST OTHER STAFF THAT BECAUSE YOU YOU ARE YOU LOOKING AT THAT KIND OF DATA TO TO FURTHER INFORM THIS OF THIS PIECE OF DATA.

YEAH. SO IN THAT RESPECT MYSELF AS SHE WAS ASKING EARLIER, ABSOLUTELY.

WE LOOK AT MULTIPLE PIECES OF DATA, BUT THIS IS A VERY GOOD INDICATOR OF THE HEALTH OF THAT RELATIONSHIP, OF THE CLIMATE IN THE BUILDING.

AND A LOT OF TIMES IT IS CONNECTED, LIKE YOU SAID, STAFF TURNOVER.

IT COULD ALSO BE CONNECTED TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

AND WHEN WE GO IN AND I'M GLAD THAT SAID ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DIRECTOR AND THE PRINCIPAL, IT'S ESSENTIAL TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, FREQUENT IN BACK TO THAT TRUST AND THAT OPENNESS TO BE ABLE TO JUST, OKAY, HERE'S WHERE WE ARE AND BUILD THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER.

AND IN MY POSITION AND PETER HAS BEEN HERE LONGER THAN I HAVE FIVE OR SIX YEARS, IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THAT.

AND I THINK THAT'S ESSENTIAL TO GETTING US TO THE POINT TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THEM, TO SAY NOT ONLY USE THIS DATA POINT, BUT IT'S ALSO THIS DATA POINT, THAT DATA POINT.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER.

AND WHEN I WAS LISTENING TO PETER, THE THING, THE WORD THAT COMES TO MY MIND IS COACHING.

WE'RE TRYING TO COACH ADULTS TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT DATA AND TO BE ABLE TO MAKE CHANGE.

AND THEN JUST LIKE MISSY SAID, IF WE HAVE POSITIVE DATA, WE CAN SEE THAT.

THEN WE CELEBRATE THAT AND WE SEE THAT A LOT THROUGH THROUGH OUR INTERACTIONS WITH OUR SCHOOLS.

BUT ABSOLUTELY, IT'S IT'S NOT JUST ONE DATA POINT WE WANT TO MAKE AND WE WANT TO BE FAIR TO BE LOTS OF DATA POINTS TO LOOK THAT TOO, AND HAVE OPPORTUNITIES EVEN TO INTERACT WITH STAFF AND WITH WITH THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

THANK YOU. I MEAN, THIS IS SUCH IMPORTANT WORK, SO THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

AS HAS BEEN STATED, THIS IS ONE TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX IN TERMS OF HOW WE DETERMINE HOW WELL OUR SCHOOLS DOING FOR OUR STUDENTS, FOR OUR FAMILIES, AND FOR OUR STAFF.

LET US REMEMBER THAT FEBRUARY WAS A VERY TUMULTUOUS TIME HERE IN MSPS.

AND SO HOPEFUL THAT AS WE, YOU KNOW, MAKE PLANS FOR ADMINISTERING THE SURVEY NEXT YEAR, YOU KNOW, WE WILL HAVE GREATER PARTICIPATION BECAUSE OF THE LEARNINGS THAT YOU HAD YEAR, BUT ALSO HOPEFULLY A BETTER TIME TO GET SURVEY TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES AND OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS.

[05:25:06]

MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM, WE ARE AT NUMBER 13, WHICH IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 14. I MAY I GET A MOTION TO MOVE 11 ONE AND TWO IN BLOCK SO MOVED.

CAN I GET A SECOND, SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HANDS AS UNANIMOUS WITH THOSE PRESENT.

14.3 IS A NEW BUSINESS ITEM.

I WILL ASK MISS EVANS TO EXPLAIN HER BUSINESS ITEM.

SURE. SO THE TIMING WAS NOT ON PURPOSE, BUT ACTUALLY WORKS OUT VERY WELL TODAY.

AS WE TALKED ABOUT OUR OVER $3 BILLION BUDGET, THE RESOLUTION THAT I WANTED TO BRING IS ACTUALLY NOT FOR ADMINISTRATION BUT FOR BOARD STAFF.

WE'VE TALKED A LOT HERE LATELY, OR I'LL JUST SAY THIS, AS EVERYONE KNOWS THAT IS PART TIME.

OUR SALARY IS A NOMINAL AMOUNT, BUT WE ARE IN THE TOP 20 OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THIS NATION, AND WE HAVE MORE THAN 160,000 STUDENTS SPEAKING MORE THAN 150 LANGUAGES.

THE NEEDS ARE VERY DIVERSE AND CONTINUING TO GET COMPLEX AS WE AS WE GO ON.

AND SO WHAT I WANT THE BOARD STAFF TO BE ABLE TO DO IS STUDY AND ASSESS OUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WITH US HAVING TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOVERN A SCHOOL SYSTEM OF THIS SIZE.

WE NEED TO BE FULL TIME.

AND SO WHO BETTER EQUIPPED GATHER THAT INFORMATION THAN OUR BOARD STAFF? AND I WOULD LIKE OUR BOARD MEMBERS TO TO BE ABLE TO ADD THE THE STUDY, THEIR LEVEL OF EFFORT THAT THEY PROVIDE ON A WEEKLY, MONTHLY BASIS.

AND ALL THROUGHOUT YEAR.

AS WE GATHER THIS INFORMATION, I KNOW THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHOW THAT WE DO A LOT.

AND THAT DOESN'T EVEN INCLUDE IF YOU ARE IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE AS AND VICE PRESIDENT, THERE ARE ADDITIONAL DUTIES THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF. AND SO I JUST WANT US TO BE A BIT OF STUDY THE TIME THAT IT TAKES FOR US TO REVIEW AND DO OUR HOMEWORK AND ALSO LOOK AT HOW WE ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY AS WE'VE HEARD LEGISLATORS TALK ABOUT LOOKING AT PROVIDING OR LOOKING AT MAKING OUR POSITIONS FULL TIME.

AND I AND I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A COMMISSION DONE BY OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC WHERE HE HAD THE PEOPLE ON THE COMMISSION. WHAT THEY DID IS THEY INTERVIEWED EVERY BOARD MEMBER AT THAT TIME I WAS THE BOARD PRESIDENT.

IT WAS A CONVERSATION.

AND SO IT WAS A CONVERSATION.

I HADN'T GATHERED ALL THE INFORMATION I DON'T THINK ANY OF US HAD.

WE WERE JUST HAVING A CONVERSATION AND GIVING THEM TOUCH POINTS ON WHAT THE WORK LOOKED LIKE.

BUT I REALLY WANT US TOGETHER.

I WANT OUR STAFF TO GATHER ALL OF THE INFORMATION SO AS OUR LEGISLATORS ARE MAKING DECISIONS, POSSIBLY IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THEY HAVE ACCURATE INFORMATION, ACCURATE DATA THAT DETAILS VERY SPECIFICALLY WHAT OUR WORK LOOKS LIKE.

SO WHAT I COULD DO IS JUST READ THE RESOLUTION.

AND WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT IT WILL LIE ON THE TABLE UNTIL OUR NEXT MEETING.

BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT JUST TO READ IT.

WHEREAS THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IS THE PUBLICLY ELECTED BODY CHARGED WITH LEADERSHIP, POLICYMAKING AND OVERSIGHT AT THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ONE OF THE 20 LARGEST SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES, SERVING OVER 160,000 STUDENTS IN 211 SCHOOLS AND EMPLOYING NEARLY 25,000 MEMBERS.

AND. WHEREAS, EXECUTING THE NECESSARY LEADERSHIP AND OVERSIGHT FOR CPS HAS GROWN MORE COMPLEX OVER THE PAST DECADE AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM SERVE STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT NEEDS, INCLUDING CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS AN INCREASED NUMBER OF STUDENTS IMPACTED BY SPECIAL EDUCATION, LANGUAGE DIFFERENCES AND VARYING SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, INCLUDING THE NEED FOR INCREASED FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS.

AND. WHEREAS, THE BOARD IS CHARGED WITH OVERSEEING THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRITICAL STUDENT SERVICES THAT INCLUDE NOT ONLY THE TRADITIONAL TEACHING AND LEARNING PROGRAM, BUT ALSO ACADEMIC RECOVERY INITIATIVES, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC SUPPORTS AND TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION EFFORTS.

AND WE'RE ASKED TO PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT AND EQUITABLE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO ALL STUDENTS IN THIS CHANGING LANDSCAPE.

THE BOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANALYZING, ADOPTING AND STEWARDING AN APPROXIMATELY 3.3 BILLION ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AND AN APPROXIMATELY 2,000,000,006 YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

[05:30:01]

AND. WHEREAS, THE BOARD PROMOTES THE INCORPORATION OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS IN ALL PARTS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND BELIEVES THAT THE SAME COMMITMENT SHOULD BE APPLIED IN, ASSESSING ITS OWN WORK NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION DIRECTS SPORTS STAFF TO COLLABORATE WITH THE BOARD TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE BOARD'S CURRENT AND PROJECTED SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES BY THE DATE.

IT'S BLANK, BUT I WANT TO SAY BY AUGUST, AHEAD OF WHEN ALL OF OUR COUNTY OFFICIALS GET TOGETHER FOR THEIR ANNUAL RETREAT IN MAY.

GO THAT'S USUALLY IN SOME TIME IN AUGUST.

THERE'S NOT A DATE, BUT WE'LL SAY YOU HAVE A DATE.

OH. OH, NO.

A DATE ON THE RESOLUTION. YEP.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE LEVERAGED TO SHAPE THE BOARD'S ANNUAL WORK PLAN.

BILL PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE VAST SCOPE OF SERVICES IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY FALL UNDER THE BOARD'S OVERSIGHT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CAPITAL AND OPERATING BUDGET REVIEWS AND APPROVAL PROCESS.

EDUCATING APPEALS, ADVOCATING IN FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL POLITICAL ARENAS, HIRING AND EVALUATING THE SUPERINTENDENT, ENGAGING IN COMMUNITY EVENTS AND MEETINGS AND NUMEROUS CONSTITUENT ENGAGEMENTS.

THIS STUDY WILL ENHANCE THE BOARD'S CAPACITY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY PERFORMING ITS MANY RESPONSIBILITIES.

MS.. EVANSTON MAY CALL THIS YEAR IS AUGUST 14 TO 17.

OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION.

SO DID YOU WANT TO ADD THAT DATA? YES, I WANT TO ADD I WANT TO ADD JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE WILL SAY BY THE AUGUST, AUGUST 1ST, AUGUST 1ST, THERE'S THE THURSDAY.

THIS IS THE MONDAY, AUGUST 5TH.

YEAH, I HAVE SO GOOD.

I DON'T NEED TO ACT ON IT TODAY.

NO, NO, WE DON'T NEED ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

YES. AND I WOULD LOVE ANY FEEDBACK OR RESPONSE FROM OUR I LOOK AT HISTORY.

BUT IRVING, IT'S NO SECRET THAT YOU AND I HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION MULTIPLE TIMES.

IT'S NO SECRET THAT AS SOON AS I GET ON THE BOARD, COUPLE OF MONTHS INTO IT, I MAKE COMMENTS.

AND I THINK, JULIAN, I'M IN COMMENTS THAT THIS IS THIS IS QUITE A FULL TIME JOB.

AND I THINK THE TIME HAS COME THAT WE NEED TO DO THE ADVOCACY BECAUSE I BELIEVE IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE SYSTEM OF OUR CHILDREN AND THE TEACHERS THAT WE REPRESENT AND THAT, YOU KNOW, THE JOB IS IMMENSE AND SOME OF US ARE KILLING OURSELVES TRYING TO DO THE JOB BECAUSE WE WANT TO DO IT.

WE WANT TO DO A GOOD JOB BECAUSE OF THE KIDS.

AND I THIS YEAR.

AND EVERYBODY SAID, NO, THIS YEAR HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK THAT USUALLY THIS IS NOT WHAT IT'S LIKE.

BUT GUESS WHAT? THIS IS A REALITY NOW.

AND I THINK THIS IS WHAT THE JOB IS GOING TO BE LIKE.

AND IF WE WANT TO DO DILIGENCE TO DO WHAT WE'RE DOING, AND I THINK PEOPLE PEOPLE ARE SOMETIMES SURPRISED THAT WE ARE PART TIME.

THEY ARE SURPRISED THAT, YOU KNOW, MOST OF YOU KNOW, ALL OF US FOR THIS JOB WORK FROM HOME, THAT WE DON'T EVEN HAVE, YOU KNOW, OFFICES HERE.

WE DON'T EVEN HAVE, YOU KNOW, LIKE SOME OF THE STAFF THAT WE NEED.

SO AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY A STIPEND.

WHAT WE GET RIGHT NOW, A SALARY.

MY KIDS MAKE FUN OF ME.

SOMETIMES IT GOES, OKAY, MOM, YOU COULD BE MAKING MORE AT THE DRIVE THROUGH A MCDONALD'S PART TIME AND WITHOUT ALL THESE STRESS IN YOUR LIFE.

SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I TOTALLY SUPPORT IT.

AND I'VE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF IT, I THINK, SINCE I GOT ON THE BOARD.

AND I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT TIME.

AND I, I, YOU KNOW, I HOPE EVERYONE WILL SUPPORT IT AS WELL.

I JUST WANTED TO ADD, HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE INTERSECT OF COMPENSATION? BECAUSE WE CAN BE FULL TIME, BUT STILL MAKE LESS THAN MINIMUM, YOU KNOW, MINIMUM WAGE AND IT ATTRACTS PEOPLE THAT WANT TO MAKE A LIVING WAGE.

IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, FOR EXAMPLE, GREAT.

SO THAT SO THE THOUGHT DID OCCUR OR CROSSED MY MIND, BUT I THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE EASIER TO MAKE CASE FOR COMPENSATION IF PEOPLE ACTUALLY SEE THAT THIS IS A FULL TIME JOB.

RIGHT. AND SO I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'RE IN THE POSITION TO ATTACH A DOLLAR AMOUNT, BUT WHEN YOU WHEN YOU TAKE

[05:35:11]

I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO MIX THE TWO.

I JUST REALLY WANTED TO FOCUS ON THIS IS A FULL TIME JOB AND THE HOW YOU ATTRACT DIVERSITY IN VOICES AND IS MAKE IT SUCH THAT ANYBODY WOULD WANT TO DO THIS JOB IF THEY CAN MAKE A LIVABLE WAGE. DOING IT FOR SO LONG, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT PEOPLE GO BACK TO HOW THIS THIS IS WHAT I REMEMBER WHEN I SIDNEY SO SIDNEY IS NOW SHE'LL BE A SENIOR IN COLLEGE IN THE FALL WHEN SHE WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HER HER HER PRINCIPAL AT THAT TIME WHEN SHE RETIRED, SHE GAVE ME I HAD LETTER STILL, BUT ON THE BACK OF A LETTER THAT SHE GAVE ME, JUST WRITING A LETTER TO ME THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP, ME BEING THE PTA LEADER AT THE SCHOOL, HER THE PRINCIPAL, SHE SHOWED ME THE CHART, HOW THE DEMOGRAPHICS CHANGED IN THE NEEDS CHANGE FROM THE TIME SHE STARTED BEING THE PRINCIPAL UNTIL THE YEAR THAT SHE WAS RETIRING.

AND SHE SAID THAT SCHOOL FOR 27 YEARS AND IT WAS A HUGE CHANGE AND HUGE SHIFT.

AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WE HEAR PEOPLE COME AND ADVOCATE BEFORE US WITH THE BUDGET AND TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE TIMES WHEN ARE THE YEAR IT LOOK SO DIRE IN TERMS OF THAT OUR FISCAL CLIMATE WAS WE'VE JUST CHASED I MEAN, YEAH, I MEAN IT WAS IT WAS A LITTLE LESS COMPLICATED BUT NOW IT'S JUST CHANGED A LOT.

I JUST REALLY WANT US TO WRITE DOWN.

SO I GUESS WHAT I'M GOING TO ASK EACH OF YOU TO REALLY DOCUMENT HOW MUCH TIME YOU SPEND READING, REVIEWING YOUR YOUR WORK, GETTING PREPARED WHEN YOU TALK TO VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, IN ADDITION TO THE TIME THAT WE SPEND GOING TO CLUSTER MEETINGS.

I MEAN, I WANT TO SET DOCUMENT PART OF OUR JOB SO THAT PEOPLE CAN REALLY SEE HOW MUCH TIME AND EFFORT GOES INTO THIS WORK SO THAT WHEN PEOPLE DECIDE THEY WANT TO RUN FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD, THEY REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GETTING INTO BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T.

AND YOU LOOK AT US, YOU DON'T GET A GOOD PICTURE OF WHAT WE DO AND WE DO A LOT.

I HAVE TWO KIDS, ONE IS ABOUT THE SECOND WAS ABOUT TO GO TO COLLEGE AND I REALLY TO TAKE TIME THIS YEAR AND I KNOW I GOT A LOT OF FLACK TO BE THERE FOR MY CHILD.

AND I FELT BAD, RIGHT? I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO FEEL BAD.

THIS IS A PART TIME JOB THAT I LOVE DOING, BUT IT TAKES US AWAY FROM OUR FAMILY MORE TIMES THAN NOT.

AND IT'S REALLY SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND IF WE DO THE JOB THE WAY I KNOW MOST OF YOU DO, THERE'S NO ALL THE TIME PEOPLE ARE BUZZING MY PHONE AT ANY TIME, LIKE, RIGHT.

SO THEY EMAIL YOU.

AND GUESS WHAT? I DON'T MIND BECAUSE I, I SAY CONTACT ME, RIGHT? I RESPOND WHEN I CAN, BUT I JUST THINK THERE'S WAY MORE TO THIS JOB THAN WHAT IT APPEARS.

AND I JUST WANT IT DOCUMENTED.

I WANT IT DOCUMENTED. SO WHEN PEOPLE SAY YOU ALL ARE PART TIME, WE'RE NOT.

WE'RE WE'RE FULL TIME.

WE GET PAID PART TIME.

WE RUN AS PART TIME.

YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. SO ANYWAY, BUT LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING FURTHER DISCUSSION.

THE NEXT BOARD MEETING WITH EVERYBODY HERE TO, TO MAKE THE DECISION AS TO AS TO WHETHER OR NOT WE'LL MOVE THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD I THINK IS IMPORTANT.

YEAH. I JUST WANTED TO I MEAN DOCUMENTING ALL OF OUR TIME, I'M NOT SURE PEOPLE BELIEVE IN HOW MUCH TIME GOES INTO THIS JOB, HONESTLY.

BUT I DO WANT TO I'M YOU KNOW, AND I APPRECIATE WHERE WE'RE STARTING THIS RESOLUTION AND NOT TYING ANY KIND OF A DOLLAR AMOUNT TO IT.

JUST DID WANT TO CONTEXTUALIZE IN THE 2019 COMMISSION DID MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.

SURE. AND JUST FOR CONTEXT, LOOKING AROUND THE BELTWAY, YOU KNOW, IF WE IF WE'RE LOOKING FOR SORT OF BENCHMARKING OURSELVES BY SIZE, THE CLOSEST SCHOOL DISTRICT TO OURS IS FAIRFAX.

THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT BIGGER THAN US, BUT NOT MUCH.

AND JUST LESS THAN A LITTLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO.

THEY HAVE 12 BOARD MEMBERS RAISE THEIR SALARY TO $60,000 A YEAR.

SO THAT IS A REGIONAL SORT OF BENCHMARK FOR A REGIONAL BENCHMARK TO SORT OF LOOK AT, BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS THIS JOB IS WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY ALL THE TIME. THIS IS NOT EQUITABLE, IT IS NOT AN EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY, YOU'RE TRYING TO SUPPORT, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU YOU CANNOT YOU CANNOT DO THIS JOB AND SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY.

[05:40:05]

THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO.

BUT RIGHT NOW, THEY CAN'T HANDLE IT.

AND SO THAT IS A NETHERLANDS TO LOOK AT THIS THROUGH.

IS IS IS THIS AN EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WE TALK CONTINUOUSLY ABOUT EQUITY OF OPPORTUNITY WELL AS ONE MORE THING AND TO THE ADVANTAGE OF LIVING IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IS WE HAVE A HIGHLY ENGAGED, HIGHLY EDUCATED COMMUNITY AND THE BENEFIT OF BEING ON THE BOARD, GOING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND TALKING TO A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS, YOU KNOW, THEY TALK AND SHARE.

AND I FEEL LIKE THIS YEAR MORE SO THAN EVER.

EVERYBODY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT YOU ALL NEED TO BE FULL TIME, RIGHT? AND SO I TOOK THAT TO HEART AND I DID WANT TO SAY THAT THIS THIS YEAR WAS VERY TRYING.

BUT YOU KNOW, WHAT IS GETTING US TO A PLACE THAT WE NEEDED TO BE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

RIGHT? SO IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT WE WEREN'T THERE, BUT I DID WANT SAY THAT EVERY YEAR IS A REALLY THERE'S ALWAYS A BIG ISSUE AND THE JOB IS NO MORE DIFFICULT THIS YEAR THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR THAN, THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

BUT STILL, THIS WILL HELP.

SO I JUST NEED A SECOND, SECOND, SECOND, THIRD POINT AND THEN IT'LL LIE ON THE TABLE TILL THE 25TH.

OKAY. OKAY.

SO WE AMENDED THE AGENDA.

SO WE'RE NOT DOING ITEM 15 AND WE DO HAVE A CLOSED SESSION AFTER THIS.

SO WE WILL NEED TO ADJOURN THE OPEN SESSION AND THEN READ INTO THE CLOSED SESSION.

SO CAN I GET A MOTION TO ADJOURN OPEN SESSION.

SO MOVED SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HANDS AND THAT'S UNANIMOUS WITH THOSE PRESENT.

CAN I GET A MOTION FORECLOSE SESSION? OKAY. I MOVE THAT THE BOARD MEETING CLOSED SESSION TO ADDRESS TOPICS LISTED IN THE POSTED REVISED RESOLUTION FOR TODAY'S CLOSED SESSION FOR THE REASONS AND ON THE BASIS STATED THEREIN. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HANDS NOTHING INTIMATE WITH THOSE PRESENT WE NOT GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.