Board Meeting, November 18, 2021

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu2hnMphuIs&list=PL4585E4C6234DE895

 

Note: the meeting starts nearly 40 minutes late.

 

Chair Juanita Miller is absent, so Vice Chair Sonya Williams leads the meeting.

The meeting minutes from the October 28, 2021, meeting pass unanimously.

The board watches a video newsbreak called “Do the Math.”

 

Sonya Williams reads the report of the chair, which includes a moment of personal privilege for Belinda Queen.

Queen announces her annual prayer breakfast will be held tomorrow. She calls on all Prince George’s faith-based leaders, no matter their religion, to pray this weekend for PGCPS students, staff, administration, and parents.

Williams continues with the report, which includes a list of PGCPS related people who have recently passed away. A moment of silence follows.

 

Dr. Goldson presents the report of the CEO, congratulating Keishia Thorpe, a PGCPS teacher at the International High School, who recently won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize. COVID vaccination clinics for students are being held at various schools. The school system is looking forward to welcoming back the 10,000 virtual ES and MS students who will be returning to in-person instruction when the second semester starts in February. Finally, schools will be closed for Thanksgiving next week.

 

Shayla Adams-Stafford gives the academic achievement committee report, noting the group’s focus this year has been on literacy and special education. The committee has requested additional information from PGCPS administration on various topics.

 

Ed Burroughs then presents the report of the School to Prison Pipeline workgroup, which is available on BoardDocs. The report concludes phase 1 of the workgroup activities and includes recommendations such as establishing districtwide mentoring programs, better communication of available mental health supports, and phasing out out-of-school suspensions for nonviolent offenses. The second phase will develop recommendations around educator training, needed staffing to provide supports to students, and community partners and social service organizations that can assist in providing services.

Pamela Boozer-Strother then presents a plaque from the BOE to Keishia Thorpe, recognizing her for her significant award.

 

Next is public comment, which includes a number of educators describing the crushing workload they are experiencing as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, staffing shortages, and lack of substitutes. One parent testifies that she is concerned about safety at her daughter’s high school due to the fights and notes maintenance issues with only two janitorial staff in the building. Dannine Johnson of Progressive Maryland makes some recommendations for edits to the Community Schools policy, and Amity Pope also speaks in favor of that policy.

 

Item 4.1 is a proclamation for Computer Science Education Week and item 4.2 is for revisions to the 2021-2022 PGCPS school calendar.

During discussion, Ahmed comments on her support of PGCPS’ prioritization of the mental health of their teachers reflected in the calendar changes. Queen asks why this change may cause a need for additional days being added if there are snow days when other counties don’t have to. Goldson responds that in order to be in compliance with COMAR, the school system must have a certain number of hours. Queen follows up and suggests schools look at having programming or assemblies that will keep students engaged but give teachers a break for planning or other tasks. Boozer-Strother notes her support of the calendar changes as she realizes from her own personal experience of having a student that the transition back to in-person learning has been difficult. She also would support opening up a discussion about involving vaccinated parents so they can be back in the buildings and providing support. Adams-Stafford also expresses her empathy for teachers and thanks them for expressing their concerns tonight.

Both items pass unanimously.

 

Next are items 5.1 and 5.2 on the budget consent agenda, which are the December expenditure requirements and final payment and acceptance of a roof replacement at C. Elizabeth Rieg Special Center. These pass unanimously.

 

On second reader are four draft policies: 0014 – School Uniforms; 1100 – Community Schools; 0118 – Basic Commitments; and 0125 – Nondiscrimination.

Williams asks if anyone wants to take them separately, but forgets that she wanted to pull out policy 0014 until after the motion to consider them all together has been seconded. There is some discussion as to whether 0014 can be pulled out, which is ultimately done. Boozer-Strother asks for clarification about whether or not 0014 (school uniform) will re-set every school with a uniform policy in place to not having one at the start of next school year. Chief of Staff Brandon Cooper responds that no, it is not rescinding all current uniform policies in place at schools but does mandate a 5-year term upon which they sunset unless re-approved by the school.

Monteiro and Williams vote no, everyone else votes yes on 0014.

The other policy rewrites pass unanimously.

 

Item 7.1 is a first reader for an extension of public charter school agreements for Imagine Lincoln and Imagine Foundations at Morningside. Kenneth Harris speaks in support. Ahmed explains she will be voting no because when they came before the board a few years ago, their student achievement data was abysmal. She asks for more recent data from administration to review prior to the second reader. Goldson responds the information was already delivered to the Board Office. Ahmed asks that board office communicate that to board members.

Yes: Adams-Stafford, Ceron-Ruiz, Harris, Mickens-Murray, Murray, Queen, Thomas, Valentine, Williams

No: Ahmed, Boozer-Strother, Burroughs, and Monteiro

 

The board returns to executive session, but prior to doing so, Williams explains that they did decide to close the RFP for legal counsel and did vote on having interim legal counsel provide information on the procurement process.