Board Meeting, June 24, 2021

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNO0w4GTbeA

 

Miller starts by explaining that although a lawyer was brought on to serve the board in accordance with the law, in order to cut down on confusion and to not waste the public’s time, legal counsel and someone to provide parliamentary procedure will not be present at this meeting.

Roll is taken, with all present at that time except Thomas.

Miller notes prior to the motion to approve the agenda that item 4.1 (Proclamation Commemorating June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the Prince George’s County Public School System) has been removed because of concerns regarding its submission. The agenda is adopted unanimously.

There is some discussion regarding the board meeting minutes for April 28, with a typo pointed out by Burroughs regarding the names of those present and absent at that meeting. Miller says they will pull those minutes for review as that meeting was questionable. After further discussion, the board determines the appropriate fix to the minutes so they accurately reflect those in attendance.

Miller then presents the Report of the Chair, which includes a point of personal privilege to extend her congratulations to outgoing student board member Ninah Jackson, who has received a full ride for BA to PhD or whatever higher degree she wants to earn (she will be attending Bucknell).

Ninah Jackson provides a reflection of her time on the board, which occurred throughout the pandemic. Her advocacy was based on the idea that every student deserves equal access to education. To improve PGCPS, the work of the board must be grounded in equity, excellence, and empowerment. She notes for a while it seemed the board was on the same page. But since the turn of the calendar year, this board has unequivocally been its own worst enemy. She continues “we fail to effectively communicate, only to stand before the public bickering and arguing not over substantive policy differences or school operations but over personal agendas, bad faith actions, power struggles, and narrative weaving.” The board is playing into the “us versus them” mentality and alienating our colleagues. The vote of the student board member has been nullified, even though the board nearly unanimously approved student board member voting rights as a state legislative priority. We “allow the school system to be used as a rag doll or kickball by local and state officials and as a pawn by people searching for nothing more than campaign points, campaign dollars, and campaign clout.” She says her words are not to agitate or to single any one board member out—we are beyond that point. Instead this is a call from your colleague and a product of this school system to DO BETTER, to BE BETTER. We are responsible to each other and bound to ensure that every student receives a world-class education and nothing less. She concludes by thanking everyone on the board, her peers, mom and friends, and the Oxon Hill Clippers, and passes it on to the next student board member from Eleanor Roosevelt High School: Alvaro Ceron-Ruiz.

Miller continues her report, stating that the board will begin its usual 6-week break but if the board needs to convene a meeting, the public will be alerted. She does expect there will be a need for meetings as the board chair has established a task force to work on the board office restructuring; they will present that report to the board for input.

Goldson presents the CEO’s report, thanking the BOE, staff, families, and students for their support and work during this pandemic.

Goldson has technical difficulties, so the chair moves on to the next agenda item, the Policy & Governance Committee’s Annual Report for School Year 2020-2021 [posted to Board Docs]. Chair Ahmed presents the report.

Goldson then completes her report, reporting on the PGCPS foundation’s fundraising efforts for scholarships, reminding the public to fill out the boundary survey, and providing an update on the summer programs and summer meal distribution.

Public comment follows.

Martin Diggs of ACE-AFSCME, Local 2250, speaks about the need for legal counsel as his organization represents approximately 6,000 PGCPS support professionals. Local 2250 has filed appeals on behalf of the security professionals and before/after care employees and other appeals. These are all sitting in limbo. They also affect parents. He wants the CEO to know Local 2250 is ready to work with her and the administration.

Teresa Dudley provides her final testimony as the president of PGCEA and an overview of her 6 years in that role.

Dr. Donna Christy is the president-elect of PGCEA and reflects on the lessons learned over the last year, including just how wide the digital divide is and how some students thrived in a virtual environment. She looks forward to being a labor partner with the board.

Michele Clark speaks about the upcoming contract with teachers and notes her appreciation that Goldson upheld all the negotiated contracts in the current budget. She urges that the PGCPS teacher salary scale continue to be increased in order to retain teachers.

Tonya Wingfield speaks about policy changes. She notes the hard work of the policy committee and their dedication to updating policy but points out that the policy revisions need to have the CEO’s report of the legal ramifications and operational impact of the changes. For example, the uniform policy has schools supplying uniforms for students who are financially struggling, but the economic impact of that is unknown.

The budget consent agenda is next. Ahmed requests that 5.7 be discussed separately, and Williams asks to pull 5.11. The consent agenda, introduced by Goldson, includes:

5.1 Baden ES univent and fancoil final payment and acceptance;

5.2 recommendation for award for provision of mental health services for elementary and secondary schools;

5.3 recommendation for award for instructional services for eligible Title 1 students;

5.4 July 2021 expenditure requirements;

5.5 August 2021 expenditure requirements; and

5.6 FY 2022 facility usage fees.

Queen asks Goldson for more details about the facility use fee. The fees have been increased to pay for custodial staff so they break even, and there are different fees for non-profit and for-profit entities. Civic associations and HOAs with under 50 attendees do not have to pay a fee.

The items pass unanimously.

 

Item 5.7 is the FY2022 non-resident tuition rate. Ahmed states she wants to explain why she will not be voting to increase the rates. As she reads it, the system is charging some students to attend PGCPS and it’s her belief that no student should be charged to attend school.  Goldson explains that the rates are for students who do not reside in Prince George’s County; for example, they may live in DC. The school system does not get a per pupil expenditure for those students outside the county so the system has to absorb those costs. Ahmed reiterates it’s her cultural perspective that there should be no charge to public education. Goldson clarifies she just does not want the public to think the school system is turning away undocumented youth. Queen adds to Goldson’s comments that in her experience as a foster parent of kids from DC, until she gained guardianship, DC was responsible for paying for their education. When the kids were at her residence, then they no longer had a fee to attend PGCPS.

The item passes with Ahmed the only nay.

 

Goldson presents the next items:

5.8 ratification of the FY2022-24 compensation improvements and contractual amendments for employees represented by the Association of Supervisory and Administrative School Personnel (ASASP) Unit II and Unit III;

5.9 ratification of the FY2022-24 compensation improvements and contractual agreements for employees represented by Service Employees International Union Local 400 Prince George’s County CTW-CLC (SEIU Local 400); and

5.10 executive level and Board of Education office personnel compensation changes in accordance with the approved negotiated agreements settled by the Association of Supervisory and Administrative School Personnel (ASASP) for Unit III.

Williams makes a motion to approve the CEO’s recommendations; Queen seconds. All items pass with Valentine abstaining.

 

5.11 is the reconciliation and adoption of the FY2022 annual operating budget. Goldson provides an overview of the operating budget and the proposed steps taken to close the budget deficit while still providing all the needed resources. The operations, budget and fiscal affairs committee reviewed the proposal at its June 15 meeting and accepted it with no amendments. Queen thanks the administration for their work and notes that despite all the hardship this year, the board and administration got this budget done.

Murray asks Goldson how this budget will support reading in grades K-3. Goldson outlines how they will use funds from the budget and also from ESSR1 and 2 and Kirwan to begin closing the reading gap for students not just in K-3 but all grades and other planned strategies.

Boozer-Strother says this is budget is really a celebration of unity and the effort of our local and state officials and the incredible PGCPS budgeting team. The choices being made show we are listening to our parents. She wants to say to the news media, Fox 5 and Channel 9, who came two hours ago, this is when you should have been here. This is the moment she hopes the public will remember.

Adams-Stafford thanks Goldson for focusing on the Bridge to Excellence schools and asks for more information on how additional supports will be at those schools. Goldson notes they will have more tutorial support and small group instruction to close gaps in academic achievement two days/week after school with transportation provided.

Valentine recognizes how long and hard this year has been and thanks the administration, budget team, and board for their work. He asks how this budget will ensure recruitment and retention of staff who are culturally competent. Goldson notes they are focusing on recruitment of Latinx teachers and staff and working on making sure teachers acquire the necessary certifications in the required timeframe. There is a report with all these details.

The budget passes with Murray the only member voting no.

 

Next is the 2021-2022 Board of Education Meeting Calendar, presented as second reader. Williams moves to accept it and Queen seconds.

Ahmed introduces a substitute motion with amendments to the calendar to bring it in compliance with policy that includes adding meetings in July, December, and January. Thomas seconds.

Boozer-Strother explains she will not be supporting the substitute motion as the board handbook is clear that they take off July, and she thinks the six week break is critical for Goldson and staff so they can focus on planning for the school year. Queen states she thinks the operations, budget and fiscal affairs committee meetings are part of the tally of official board meetings. She agrees that people need a break. Jackson asks for further information on how policy committee assignments will be done if the July meetings are not held and what Ahmed recommends in terms of policy changes to ensure consistency around the calendar. Ahmed responds her recommendation is to apply the policies for this coming school year but then also make the necessary changes; they are already in the committee’s workplan for next year. Burroughs clarifies with Ahmed that the current board calendar is not in compliance with board policy. Boozer-Strother notes there has been inconsistency for years and the board has accepted this inconsistency for years.

Roll call.

Yes: Adams-Stafford, Ahmed, Burroughs, Harris, Murray, Thomas

No: Boozer-Strother, Monteiro, Valentine, Williams, Miller

Abstain: Jackson, Queen

The motion does not pass.

The original motion is then voted on.

Yes: Boozer-Strother, Monteiro, Queen, Valentine, Williams, Miller

No: Adams-Stafford, Ahmed

Abstain: Burroughs, Harris, Jackson, Murray, Thomas

The motion does not pass.

That leaves the board with no meeting calendar after June 30.

Queen makes a motion to accept Ahmed’s calendar amendments except for the ones in July. Adams-Stafford makes a friendly amendment to have 1 meeting in July because as the chair had earlier stated there will be a need for a meeting in the summer. Queen accepts that compromise. Williams as seconder cannot accept that amendment because she has a lot of travel in July but could accept early August. Adams-Stafford points out the board retreat is supposed to be in August, but Miller says it may have to be postponed to the fall until this board can straighten some things out. Adams-Stafford states she thinks the board retreat needs to be a priority so they can work together in a functional manner. Miller responds her point is well taken.

Thomas reiterates Queen’s prior point that the chair can call a meeting at any time, as can five board members. He wants the public to know the reason they cannot agree on the calendar is there is a lack of respect on the part of chair and other board members evidenced when members try to call a meeting or have an item placed on the agenda.

Burroughs believes that this item will not receive the votes, so he recommends that Ms. Ahmed and Ms. Boozer-Strother or someone else work on some sort of compromise committee to put together a calendar before June 30. He is willing to work on the compromise if needed. Murray asks Miller if the meetings will be in person or virtual. Miller says they can be virtual. Murray highlights the discrepancy between the board voting to send students back in person but the board meetings remaining virtual. Miller clarifies the board needs clarification on if the public can attend the in-person meetings. Boozer-Strother says she sees no need to compromise because the chair can call a meeting as needed. Thomas asks her if five board members call a meeting, will she also attend? Boozer-Strother says she chooses not to answer. Burroughs says to Boozer-Strother that she may be content with this calendar, but it will not receive the votes. So rather than dig in our heels, let’s work in a collaborative fashion. We have to give and take like legislative bodies do. Valentine volunteers to work on the calendar with Ahmed.

Miller asks the calendar be tabled, which Adams-Stafford moves and Queen seconds.

Thomas asks if he can make a friendly amendment to the motion to have it be voted on Wednesday, June 30.

There is some confusion about what Adams-Stafford describes as the motion and what the chair requested.

The motion to table eventually passes with Jackson abstaining (she explained earlier she would abstain from all votes as she will not be on the board next school year).

 

First readers include the following (policies are available on BoardDocs) and are presented by Ahmed. Board members request that 7.1, 7.4, and 7.5 be presented separately.

7.1 Policy 0114, School Uniforms

7.2 Policy 1500, Parent and Community Advisory Council

7.3 Policy 5122, Interscholastic and Extracurricular Activities Academic Requirements for Participation

7.4 Policy 5211, Student Demonstrations

7.5 Policy 9340, Policy Development

7.6 Policy 5151, Student Journalists and School-Sponsored Media

7.7 Policy 5143, Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation

Queen again reiterates her concern about inclusion of the person who applied to be on the advisory council in the discussions. The board votes on 7.2, 7.3, 7.6, and 7.7, and they pass with Williams the only one voting no.

 

Ahmed presents on the school uniform policy. Valentine clarifies that this will effectively dismiss any current uniform policy at the school and will require schools to vote on it. There is already a process in place for schools to make these decisions, and there are implications to changing this uniform policy. Queen also presents the parent perspective on changing uniform policies, and her concern that many schools do not have PTOs and don’t have the parent votes. The uniform policy can benefit families and homeless students. Jackson asks for clarification on current practices if students do not have access to a uniform. Goldson responds that schools with uniform policies often get donations from community organizations, maintain wardrobes of uniforms to give to students, or even have students donate back their uniform pieces. Goldson concludes that changing this policy that was already working for those school communities who had chosen school uniforms is concerning. Valentine suggests the uniform policy seems the perfect topic for the new parent and community advisory council to discuss. Thomas clarifies the policy changes were based on feedback from his constituents. He makes a substitute motion to send it back to the policy and governance committee for further review. Queen seconds. The motion carries.

 

Ahmed presents on policy 5211 regarding student demonstrations. Williams notes it is important to give students the opportunity to have their voices heard. Queen thanks Jackson for her leadership on this issue. The motion passes.

 

Ahmed then presents policy 9340 on policy development. Adams-Stafford thanks the board for putting this forward as it can be confusing to new board members on what to do. Boozer-Strother notes she worked on the original version and she preferred the roles as defined in the earlier version and will be voting no. Williams asks about the ramifications of the proposed changes, noting there seems to be a shift in how policies are reviewed and the comments provided by general counsel. Ahmed responds this will streamline the process and allow the committee to collect public comments first as well as provide a role for the board’s policy director. Williams cautions against moving quickly when developing policy. Adams-Stafford reiterates how confusing it was as a new member to know how to introduce policy. Boozer-Strother states for the record this policy exists and a tremendous amount of work was done already on it. Queen points out that she sees places where the CEO was removed and Policy Director was put in its place and could they not work together? Adams-Stafford clarifies was the CEO taken out of this version and did the administration accept the changes? Goldson responds if there was true collaboration than the CEO would not be stricken from the policy, so it’s not about intent, but what is written so it cannot be misconstrued. Queen says she would like this returned to the committee.

Burroughs moves to remand this back to the committee. It passes with Ahmed voting no.

 

There was no executive session so there are no actions to confirm.

Meeting is adjourned.