Board Meeting, January 13, 2022

https://youtu.be/6qm3QkyC0FY?list=PL4585E4C6234DE895

 

Note: Zoom meeting starts about 15 minutes due to what are described as “technical difficulties.”

Mickens-Murray leads the prayer and pledge of allegiance. Roll call is done with Harris the only board member absent.

Agenda is adopted without change.

The next item is a monthly spotlight on people who have made contributions to PGCPS. Miller recognizes Thurmond Jones, who is the founder of the Patriot Technology Training Center and has been supporting PGCPS students in STEM for 25 years, including holding STEM competitions. Jones states he is very proud of the students who have come through his program and he thanks the BOE for the recognition.

 

Miller then presents the Report of the Chair. She congratulates the PGCPS immersion programs, which have been selected as one of five Silver Magna award winners for the over 20,000 enrollment category and will be recognized in the April edition of the American School Board journal and at a reception at the National School Board Association’s annual conference in San Diego, California. She then asks for a moment of silence for those associated with PGCPS who have recently passed away. Finally, Miller announces upcoming BOE meetings.

 

Howard Burnett presents the report of the CEO, who is on travel. Over 20,000 people participated in the recent town hall about the return to in-person learning. PGCPS continues to partner with the county Department of Health to hold vaccine clinics. There is still a bus driver shortage that is causing route delays, and the system continues to actively recruit new drivers. Comments are due on the draft school calendars for next year, and finally the TAG lottery application window is open and closes on 3/23.

Belinda Queen notes she has heard concerns from parents on the townhall call who did not get to ask questions. Burnett responds that staff looks at the questions submitted and groups them. He encourages people to submit questions to the administration they want answered. Queen responds that the question about how PGCPS will enforce 3’ social distancing was not answered.

Adams-Stafford asks Burnett to elaborate on the policy re: the shortened quarantine time and how the testing kit/mask distribution will be handled. Burnett answers that PGCPS is following updated guidance from the state and county. Each time the system receives new guidance they post them on their website and implement them. Masks and test kits will be distributed at each school. Adams-Stafford then asks if uploading COVID test results will be possible on mobile devices, and Burnett replies affirmatively.

Miller then asks about the COVID coordinator position planned for each school. Burnett states that the plan is to have such a coordinator at each school, which is paid for by grant funding.

In the second round of questions, Queen notes her concern about buses and asks if they are being sanitized between each run? She recently had the opportunity to do a ride along in her district. Mark Fossett responds that he will ask Mr. Saunders, the head of transportation, to remind staff that buses are to be cleaned between each run. Windows are being cracked open to allow for air flow and they are going to add hand sanitizer to buses. He thanks Queen for bringing this to our attention.

Adams-Stafford inquires about contact tracing and whether staff have been assigned and trained. She also asks if there is more than 1 staff person at larger schools. Burnett replies that they are using grant funding for COVID positions.

 

Next Raaheelah Ahmed presents the progress report of the Policy  and Governance Committee, which is also available on Board Docs. A review of the updated, newly enacted, and in process policies is given. Mickens-Murray comments that they are also having to review the bullying policy because of new state requirements.

 

Public Comment is next.

Timothy Meyer, Mount Rainier ES PTO president, speaks in favor of PGCPS enacting a vaccine mandate.

Patrick Paschall, parent, thanks the board for their leadership in LGBTQIA policies. He also reports a petition has been delivered to leadership asking for a vaccine mandate.

Mayor Celina Benitez of Mount Rainier is a parent of a PGCPS student and is also in support of a vaccine mandate.

Dalia Hunt Sobers speaks about the uniform policy and is happy to hear there have been changes. She couldn’t find the updates to the policy on the website but questions how effective a uniform policy actually is.

Zena Whitworth speaks in support of the community-based classroom program and alternative school that are proposed for closure in the proposed 2023 budget.

Gleidy Luz Clavijo is also in support of retaining the community based classroom and alternative school and speaks about their importance in the lives of students.

Sarah Schauffler is a teacher and supporter of the community based classroom program.

Daniel Daughtry-Weiss is in support of the climate change committee’s proposal to have a climate change officer added to the PGCPS administration.

Written comments are also provided on Board Docs.

 

The consent agenda passes unanimously and includes a Proclamation for Observation of African American Read-In Month, Proclamation for Observation of National African American History Month, and Proclamation for Observation of Career and Technical Education Month.

 

The budget consent agenda includes the February 2022 expenditure requirements and the Stephen Decatur Addition and Renovation Project Approval of Change Order No. 1 for New Fire Alarm System.

Ahmed appreciated the detailed justification for the change order at Stephen Decatur MS but wondered why a fire alarm system was not included in the original scope? Shawn Matlock replies that the scope and budget included a partial update to the fire alarm system but when the contractors got into the project they realized it was much more degraded than expected and required complete replacement.

Williams has a question about the November 2021 expenditure report, specifically the line items for textbooks and instructional supplies and the food services.

Adams-Stafford also has a follow up question about what constitutes other instructional items.

These questions will be followed up on by administration.

Queen has similar questions. She makes a motion to delay item 5.1, Feb. 2022 Expenditure Requirements until next month since the budget officer is not present that evening (he and his wife just had their first child).

Mickens-Murray asks if they table the item, will it have any adverse effect?

Burnett states that the Feb. 2022 expenditures won’t be paid if not passed.

Queen then rescinds her motion.

Ahmed clarifies that if expenditure is tabled, would it affect payroll?

Williams also points out that her question was about the November 2021 expenditure and was intended to be a follow-up item.

The budget consent agenda passes, with two absent: Harris and Thomas, and the student board member not able to vote.

 

The motion to confirm actions taken in executive session passes, although there is some conversation after the fact that the student board member needs to be able to vote so it is redone.

 

Mickens-Murray then points out the board did not address Item 2.6, approval of the meeting minutes from 12/9. The motion passes with Murray, Thomas, and Harris absent.

 

The meeting adjourns.