BOE Meeting, Jan. 14, 2021
Dr. Goldson
presented the School Safety and Security Report and her recommendations,
available in agenda items.
In June 2020, some BOE members
proposed eliminating PGCPS School Resource Officers (SROs) in secondary schools.
The discussion was tabled until September. At the 9/17 meeting, the BOE
directed the CEO to bring a report and recommendations to the BOE by 1/8/2021
regarding SROs, school security, and support.
The presentation on 1/14/2021 was
of her research and findings, including the community survey results and the
Prince George’s County Police Reform Task Force Recommendations for PGCPS.
Dr. Goldson agreed to accept the
recommendations of the Police Reform Task Force and asked for approval from the
BOE to move forward in implementing the recommendations.
Valentine/Monteiro moved to accept recommendations.
Adams-Stafford stated that she had heard concerns from
constituents about the survey’s design, reported bias in questions, and that it
was not available in Spanish or French.
Goldson responded that the survey, as with all other surveys
put out by PGCPS, was vetted by PGCPS Office of Research and Evaluation, was
offered in Spanish and French, and that she does not see responses.
Ahmed stated
she too had heard same concerns about survey. She stated she wants to not renew
school system’s contracts with law enforcement, which is not in the recommendations.
She proposed a substitute motion of continuing the conversation in the policy
committee and presenting recommendations at a later date.
Thomas seconded.
Then follows a discussion with BOE lawyer, Roger Thomas, about procedure
for voting on this substitute motion and number of votes needed to pass with
Burroughs asking for reading of specific law.
Burroughs
argues that these are important recommendations that need to be discussed and
it is “disheartening” to hear a motion on this on the floor.
Chairwoman Miller agrees to table agenda item. Burroughs
seconds. Motion passes unanimously. Chairwoman Miller says will appear back
before body in February.
From consent agenda, Ahmed asked that items 6.7 (Change
Order for Central HS HVAC Upgrade Project, contracted to Oak Contracting LLC,
in amount of $4.5 million) and 6.8 (Contract for Lobbying Services) be
presented for separate votes.
The Central HS project initially involved demolition and
replacement of the steam-powered HVAC equipment with an energy-efficient system
and required the relocation of the students for two years. The project was
expanded to maximize having students out of the building to provide a “more
comprehensive renovation” that will include a new fire alarm system, floors,
painting, white boards, etc.
Ahmed
explained this project has already had a $5 million change order and
explanation does not give details on need for full amount. She will not vote in
favor of this one.
Queen
urged her colleagues to support the change order, which will result in a
greatly improved school for the students.
Item passes with all but Ahmed voting yes.
Item 6.8 is a proposed lobbying contract with DJ Williams
and Associates LLC to provide “legislative lobbying services” to the BOE at a
monthly rate of $10,000 with the opportunity for the lobbyist to further submit
out-of-pocket expenses to the BOE for reimbursement. The BOE will also pay for
costs associated with annual legislative meetings with the county delegation. The
BOE can terminate the contract at any time with/without cause with 90-days
notice.
Valentine asks
Burroughs series of questions:
What was selection process
The
resume provided to BOE does not show she has lobbyist experience
Will the SOW be based on the
current legislative agenda and subsequent votes at board meetings
How was the compensation negotiated
as it is higher than other similar contracts the BOE has negotiated in past,
particularly since budget cuts will be needed for COVID
Burroughs
responds that BOE had agreed that comments and questions regarding the contract
were supposed to be submitted to him prior to the meeting. He clarified that
the lobbyist will attend the BOE’s Policy Committee meetings and work closely
with that committee. The salary will be financed by the board’s existing office
budget. He then stated he wanted to call the question.
Valentine asked for a follow up as one of his questions was
not answered, but Burroughs stated they were not having back-and-forth about
this item. He did not choose to answer Valentine’s last question.
Vote is
taken and passes.
Yes: Adams-Stafford, Ahmed, Burroughs, Harris, Murray,
Queen, Thomas
No: Boozer-Strother, Monteiro, Shepherd, Valentine, Williams
Abstain: Miller, as she is just coming on board and not
fully aware of this contract
New Business-first reader items include establishing Climate
Action Plan Focus Work Group (proposed by Boozer-Strother and Jackson-student
member) and Equity Learning Hubs pilot project (proposed by Adams-Stafford).
Both passed to second reader.