MEMBERS PRESENT: Benjamin Bahan, PhD.; Cynthia Bailes, PhD.; David S. Birnbaum; John Ertel, Ph.D.; H. Mitchell Goldberg; Sandra Harriman; Robin Kittleman; Joseph J. Innes, Ph.D.; Jeffrey W. Lewis, Ph.D.; Anjali D. Margolin; Edgar B. Palmer; Charles E. Poyer; Barbara Raimondo; Elliot Rosen; Carol Stevens; Laurie Yaffe.
MEMBERS ABSENT: William J. Bowman; Irajean Harper; David A. Severn, Esq.
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Elizabeth Kameen, Esq.
INTERPRETERS: Roberta Quinn; Brenda Kelly-Frey.
President Raimondo called the meeting to order at 9:12 a.m. Roll call was called by passing around the roll call sheet.
President Raimondo commented that the BOT has several new members. Introductions of all those attending were made.
The President informed the attendees that the Executive Committee had met in closed session earlier that month. She requested that the approval of closed session minutes be added to this meeting's agenda.
A MOTION was made to approve the agenda as changed – SECONDED, PASSED.
President Raimondo distributed the Closed Session Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting for Board review. The President explained that this particular Executive Committee meeting was closed because a Personnel issue was discussed. A MOTION was made to approve the Closed Session minutes with the addition of H. Mitchell Goldberg's name under attendees - SECONDED, PASSED.
A discussion was held regarding who would be allowed to vote at today's BOT meeting. It was determined that all Board members who were sworn in were permitted to vote. Departing Board members would be allowed to vote today as this was their last official meeting.
President's Report:
For the benefit of the new members, President Raimondo explained the process the school followed this past year for the re-accreditation of the school. She explained that she and Board member Carol Stevens were involved from the beginning as members of the Accreditation Planning Committee. The visit from the Accreditation Team took place the week of November 8 th and the Chairman of the Visitation Team stated that he and the team members were very impressed with the school.
President Raimondo shared with the BOT that the First Annual Golf Tournament held by the Maryland School for the Deaf Foundation was a huge success. Several Board members attended this event and Ms. Raimondo looks forward to seeing Board members attend future events at the school.
Vice President Report:
Vice President Palmer welcomed the new Board members and bid farewell to those departing members who served the school well for so long. Mr. Palmer announced that the position of Executive Committee Chairperson is open and the Board will be looking for a replacement among the current Board members.
Secretary's Report:
Secretary Anjali Desai-Margolin welcomed the new Board members. She explained that she and President Raimondo would be discussing the Chairmanship of the Executive Committee during the day.
Treasurer's Report:
Mr. H. Mitchell Goldberg shared with the Board members that the petty cash account currently has $382.59. The money in the Ferris, Baker, Watts account currently totals $96,505.94.
Mr. Goldberg announced that proceeds from the Foundation's golf tournament totaled approximately $21,000.00. Next year's tournament will be held on September 23 rd and the Foundation will be hosting a bowling tournament in April. Mr. Goldberg also informed everyone that the December fundraising event for the Foundation would be held on the 14 th at the Hard Times Café on route 40 in Frederick .
Superintendent's Report:
Superintendent Tucker thanked the Board members who are leaving the Board after twelve years of service.
Mr. Tucker gave a brief overview of the activities that took place during the Accreditation Visitation week as well as how the action plans relate to the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the school's Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). He reminded everyone that the minutes to all of the meetings are posted on the MSD website as are the three action plans: Reading , Math and Information Technology. The non-Accreditation for Growth (AFG) group working on Unity and Diversity will have the minutes to their meetings posted in the near future.
Superintendent Tucker informed the Board members that Delegate James Proctor, Chairperson of the Education and Economic Development subcommittee, along with members of his committee, came to visit the school in early October. On November 10 th , Senator Patrick Hogan toured the school with a couple of members of the Education, Business and Administration subcommittee. They were very interested in the capital improvements scheduled for the school.
Mr. Tucker shared that he was very pleased with the turnout for the golf tournament this year. There was a good mix from the hearing and deaf community and the silent auction was a huge success. Next year the tournament will be held at Musket Ridge Golf Club.
The Superintendent reminded the Board members that, with the Board support, the school challenged the findings of a special audit that was done at the school last year. Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Suzanne Schwertman, was invited in to the meeting to explain to the Board the inaccuracies in the auditors report. Mr. Tucker explained that he has a phone appointment with the head of the Legislative Auditors to discuss the schools concerns with the report and hopes that this will lead to a meeting at which time the matter can be finally put to rest. MSD does not believe that the auditors will change their report but the school wants to go on record that it disagrees with the findings. We are hoping for a mutual agreement to disagree.
A MOTION was made to give the Superintendent and the CFO full support for their recommended course of action in resolving the audit issue – SECONDED – PASSED.
Superintendent Tucker shared with the Board the draft of the Pilot Bilingual Education Policy Amendment. This policy was developed and piloted in Columbia last year as a plan for working with those children who have cochlear implants. The school is now asking the Board's support to expand this program to Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten children on the Columbia Campus and to the Family Education program on the Frederick Campus. In order to help the Board members understand how the program works, Ms. Deborah Marquez came before the Board at 10:27 and gave a brief presentation. Ms. Marquez explained that of the 72 children currently served by MSD's FE/EI Department, 40% of those children have cochlear implants and that number is increasing on a regular basis. Our staff, which took the training at Johns Hopkins University , have adapted the method of sign supported speech to support our population. It was explained that the curriculum is presented in ASL but then the children break out into groups for verbal support. A visual presentation was given to better illustrate the program. It was explained that the program would have very little, if any, negative fiscal impact on the school.
A discussion was held on how the school will monitor the new program. It was recommended that the school investigate the possibility of collaborating with a university or a research institution to follow the success of the program.
A MOTION was made to approve the request to accept the proposal for the Educational Programming for Students with Cochlear Implants with the addition of point #16 which states that the school will investigate the possibility of partnering with a university or research institution to follow the success of the program – SECONDED – PASSED.
Mr. Tucker informed the Board that our new Budget Analyst informed the school recently that in the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2003, language was added to the MSD Minimum Funding Law to allow for the reduction of Administrative costs on a as needed basis. At this time, we are still expecting to receive all of our funding for next year. The language does help other agencies see us as being in the same boat as they are.
Superintendent Tucker told the Board members that he had recently met with Dr. Carol Ann Baglin of the MD State Dept. of Education and Dr. Gary Heath, point person for state testing. Mr. Tucker said that the State agreed to take out all of the phonic based questions and that they would go back to the scores for last year and correct them to reflect the scores without the phonetic questions. It was announced that Dr. Baglin will address the Board and be available for questions at the February Board meeting in Columbia . Dr. Baglin will present at 2:00 p.m.
The school is in need of new brochures for marketing purposes so Mr. Tucker asked the Board for some money to update the school's marketing materials. Mr. Tucker predicted that he would need between $10,000 and $15,000.00 for Marketing and Development.
A MOTION was made to give MSD up to $15,000 for marketing and development – SECONDED, 9 members voted in favor, 3 opposed – PASSED.
Ms. K.C. Russell and Ms. Nancy Verdier, Transition Coordinators for Junior High, High School and Life Based Education (LBE) students presented to the BOT. Their brief presentation described the role they play in helping the students prepare for life after MSD including college and job placement. Ms. Della Hagar, Guidance Counselor discussed her role at the school as the guidance counselor for all aged children.
Lunch was served at 12:30 p.m.
Open Forum: Mr. Alex Simmons signed up for Open Forum. He read a letter from his wife, Ms. Jennifer Simmons, regarding what they believe are bullying issues in the elementary department which have impacted their son.
A MOTION was made at 1:36 to go into Closed Session to protect the privacy or reputation of individuals. SECONDED – PASSED 16-0. (See Attached)
PRESENT : Benjamin Bahan, Ph.D.; Cynthia Bailes, Ph.D.; David S. Birnbaum; John Ertel, Ph.D.; H. Mitchell Goldberg; Sandra Harriman; Robin Kittleman; Joseph J. Innes, Ph.D.; Jeffrey W. Lewis, Ph.D.; Anjali D. Margolin; Edgar B. Palmer; Charles E. Poyer; Barbara Raimondo; Elliot Rosen; Carol Stevens; Laurie Yaffe.
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Elizabeth Kameen, Esq.
INTERPRETERS: Roberta Quinn; Brenda Kelly-Frey.
At 1:45 a MOTION was made to return to Open Session - SECONDED – PASSED 16 – 0.
PRESENT : Benjamin Bahan, Ph.D.; Cynthia Bailes, Ph.D.; David S. Birnbaum; John Ertel, Ph.D.; H. Mitchell Goldberg; Sandra Harriman; Robin Kittleman; Joseph J. Innes, Ph.D.; Jeffrey W. Lewis, Ph.D.; Anjali D. Margolin; Edgar B. Palmer; Charles E. Poyer; Barbara Raimondo; Elliot Rosen; Carol Stevens; Laurie Yaffe.
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Elizabeth Kameen, Esq.
INTERPRETERS: Roberta Quinn; Brenda Kelly-Frey.
Executive Committee Report:
No report
Education Committee Report:
No report
Fiscal Matters/Facilities Management Committee:
No report
Personnel Committee Report:
The report from this committee will be made in Closed Session.
Student Life Committee:
No report
Trusteeship Committee:
Ms. Sandra Harriman, Chairperson of the Trusteeship Committee, announced that there is now only one vacancy left to fill on the BOT.
Old Business:
A. The expansion of the Pilot Bilingual Policy was approved earlier in the meeting.
B. Ms. Raimondo announced that all the results of the University of Baltimore survey are now on the MSD website for anyone to view. The Board was also given a hard copy of the results in a large binder. She will work on making this material available for the BOT members. President Raimondo and Board member Carol Stevens shared their thoughts on the success of the accreditation process and said that they believe all community members should be proud of the successful venture.
New Business:
At 2:37 p.m. a MOTION was made to go into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing a Personnel issue. SECONDED – PASSED 16 – 0. See attached.
PRESENT: Benjamin Bahan, Ph.D.; Cynthia Bailes Ph.D.; David S. Birnbaum; John Ertel, Ph.D.; H. Mitchell Goldberg; Sandra Harriman; Robin Kittleman; Joseph J. Innes, Ph.D.; Jeffrey W. Lewis, Ph.D.; Anjali D. Margolin; Edgar B. Palmer; Charles E. Poyer; Barbara Raimondo; Elliot Rosen; Carol Stevens; Laurie Yaffe.
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Elizabeth Kameen, Esquire
INTERPRETERS: Brenda Kelly-Frey; Roberta Quinn
At 3:45 a MOTION was made to return to Open Session . SECONDED – PASSED 16-0.
PRESENT: Benjamin Bahan, Ph.D.; Cynthia Bailes, Ph.D.; David S. Birnbaum; John Ertel, Ph.D.; H. Mitchell Goldberg; Sandra Harriman; Robin Kittleman; Joseph J. Innes, Ph.D.; Jeffrey W. Lewis, Ph.D.; Anjali D. Margolin; Edgar B. Palmer; Charles E. Poyer; Barbara Raimondo; Elliot Rosen; Carol Stevens; Laurie Yaffe.
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Elizabeth Kameen, Esquire
INTERPRETERS: Brenda Kelly-Frey; Roberta Quinn
Committee membership was reviewed. Carol Stevens resigned from the Executive Committee. Dr. Benjamin Bahan and Dr. John Ertel have been added to this committee.
Mr. William Bowman has been added as a member of the FM/FM Committee and Mr. Elliot Rosen has joined the Personnel Committee.
The Board of Trustees congratulated the Superintendent and the administration on receiving the Verizon grant for additional computers and also wanted to commend the MSD community on the outstanding achievement with the Middle States Association Accreditation process.
The meeting adjourned at 3:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Anjali Desai-Margolin
Secretary