MARYLAND SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Meeting Minutes
August 27 , 2004
Columbia Campus

MEMBERS PRESENT: David S. Birnbaum; John Ertel, Ph.D.; H. Mitchell Goldberg; Sandra Harriman; Jeffrey W. Lewis, Ph.D.; Anjali D. Margolin; Charles E. Poyer; Barbara Raimondo; Samuel M Sonnenstrahl; Carol Stevens.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Irajean W. Harper; Joseph J. Innes, Ph.D.; Edgar B. Palmer; David A. Severn, Esq.; Laurie Yaffe.

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Elizabeth Kameen

INTERPRETERS: Jan Nishimura, Brenda Kelly-Frey.

President Raimondo called the meeting to order at 9:13 a.m.. Roll call was called by passing around the roll call sheet.

The new Assistant Attorney General for MSD, Ms. Elizabeth Kameen, was introduced to the Board members.

A MOTION was made to approve the agenda with the recommended changes – SECONDED, PASSED.

A MOTION was made to approve the May 21, 2004 minutes – SECONDED, PASSED.

President's Report:
President Raimondo announced that a representative of the University of Baltimore 's Schaffer Center would present the results of the survey that they conducted for MSD this past spring. President Raimondo explained that Reading Implementation Team, Math Implementation Team and the Information Technology Implementation team have started meeting and that Mr. Baker would report on the progress during his presentation. The Board was reminded that the Middle States Association Accreditation Visitation Team would be on both campuses the week of November 8 – 11 th .

The President handed out copies of the flyer announcing the Maryland School for the Deaf Foundation's annual picnic. All Board members are encouraged to attend if they can.

Ms. Raimondo explained that the Chairperson for the Trusteeship Committee, Ms. Sandy Harriman, worked over the summer on a presentation packet for the Governor's Appointment Office. The packet will be presented to the BOT for approval later today.

President Raimondo told the Board that she will be writing letters to the parents who attended the May Open Forum to thank them for their time and input.

Vice President Report:
No Report

Secretary's Report:
No Report

Treasurer's Report:
Mr. Goldberg distributed a copy of his report. He explained that there is still one check for the November dinner that has not cleared. Treasurer Goldberg will call the bank to verify the status of this check. Mr. Goldberg informed the Board that the BOT has not yet received the invoice from the University of Baltimore . This invoice will be paid out of the Ferris, Baker, Watts account.

The BOT was reminded that the MSD Foundation will hold its first annual Golf Tournament on October 18 th at the Holly Hills Country Club.

Superintendent's Report:
Mr. Tucker shared with members of the Board that MSD has had a very ambitious summer. Much work was done to the infrastructure of the school. Our maintenance staff on both campuses has been very busy over the summer months. On the Columbia Campus many renovations were made to bring the campus in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act including a complete renovation of the bathrooms in the Baker Dormitory building. On the Frederick Campus an air conditioning system is currently being installed in the Benson Gym, the concrete on many walkways was replaced, the auditorium is being renovated and a ramp has been added to the front of the Shockley House.

Mr. Tucker explained that he and Ms. Schwertman met with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in July regarding the FY '06 Capital Budget request. Our design money has been approved for the Frederick Campus Family Education/Early Intervention and Elementary buildings and for the Columbia Campus elevator. Construction money for these projects will be requested in the FY '07 budget. Approval for the 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th phases should be easier to obtain. The Superintendent explained that the FY '06 budget looks good. The Funding Formula has been left intact so far.

Mr. Tucker said that the attention of the school community now has turned to preparing for the November accreditation visit.

Superintendent Tucker explained that he continues to meet with Dr. Carol Ann Baglin of the Maryland Department of Education (MSDE) regarding the validity of the standardized tests given to MSD students. He continued by explaining that he and President Raimondo joined other leaders in the Deaf Community in discussion regarding the same subject with representatives from the United States Department of Education. The meeting was very positive and future meetings are being planned.

Mr. Tucker explained that the number of children with cochlear implants at the school is increasing. In an effort to better serve the needs of the children, a pilot Bilingual Education policy for Pre-K and Kindergarten children in Columbia is being developed and a meeting will be held with the parents to discuss this program in the fall. The draft of the policy will be brought to the BOT in November.

Some of the upcoming events this fall at the school are the Clerc Classic Basketball tournament in December and the Academic Bowl hosted by MSD in the spring. On October 6, 2004 a group of Maryland Delegates will tour the school. This first visit will be of the Frederick Campus. A separate visit of Columbia will hopefully take place in the spring.

A discussion was held regarding the enrollment numbers at MSD. Superintendent Tucker explained that the numbers fluctuate from year to year and that this year we have a very large senior class. This means the numbers will go down next year unless MSD becomes more aggressive in promoting itself and the programs offered at the school. Vice President Palmer brought up the issue of transition planning from MSD to the world. It was decided that this would be discussed under new business.

A MOTION was made at 9:50 a.m. to add transition planning to New Business on the agenda - SECONED – PASSED

Executive Committee Report:
No report

Education Committee Report:
No report

Fiscal Matters/Facilities Management Committee:
Ms. Suzanne Schwertman shared with the BOT that the school has submitted its FY '06 budget for General funds of $23,289,000.00. The school does receive additional funds from the MSDE to help with the Enhanced Program.

Ms. Schwertman explained the school has put money aside in preparation for higher fuel costs this year, network/computer repairs and replacements and updates needed in the high school science lab.

The CFO shared that we are now in our 2 nd year of the 3 year faculty pay plan that was approved by the BOT last year. Ms. Schwertman explained that the school has been spared many of the personnel cuts that other state agencies have experienced in the recent past. We are able to argue that as a school, our personnel are essential to our work. We are unable, however, to secure extra permanent positions. Positions that need to be filled are done so with contractual people. Ms Schwertman was asked if any of the schools programs are suffering due to lack of personnel. Ms. Schwertman explained that we have not had to give up any positions at this time. If we were granted the extra positions, it would be without extra money which means programs would have to be cut to pay for the position. Asking for money beyond our appropriation could give the General Assembly a negative view of the school in this financial climate. Discussion of the schools program and staffing needs can be discussed again before the submission for the FY '07 budget next spring. Mr. Tucker explained the people who review our budget request are the same people who review and approve the money for our capital budget. It is imperative that the school be seen as a team player so as not to jeopardize the money for our future projects. Ms. Schwertman told the BOT that she is currently holding four maintenance projects in order to keep enough money in the budget for services.

A question was asked regarding money that was returned to the state at the end of the last fiscal year. Ms. Schwertman explained that the State of Maryland cancelled deferred compensation for state employees last year therefore, the money that was already in our budget needed to be returned to the state. MSD did not have an option in this matter.

Personnel Committee Report:
President Raimondo announced that she would be in contact with the Chairperson for the Personnel Committee, Mr. David Severn, regarding the Superintendent's evaluation.

Student Life Committee:
No Report

At 10:30 a.m. Mr. Stanley C. Baker gave the BOT the update on the accreditation process. He informed the Board members that the school submitted its objectives to the MSA office in Philadelphia for technical review in July. The objectives were returned with the highest approval rating from MSA. The results of the Standards survey will be posted on the MSD website as will the student survey results. The University of Baltimore Survey is now complete and results will be shared with the BOT at the meeting today. They will be shared with the MSD community on September 7 th and then dates for presentation at both the Columbia and Frederick PTCA will be set.

Mr. Baker explained that the Validation Team Chair, Mr. Patrick Johnson, is from Trappe Maryland and that the Assistant Chair, Ms. Candace White-Ciarco is from Long Island , N.Y.

Mr. Baker gave an overview of the Accreditation Training Day planned for the MSD Community on September 7 th and invited any BOT member who would like to attend.

At 10:45 a Power Point presentation was given by the University of Baltimore on the results of the survey they conducted. It was explained that every family, staff member, Board member, Foundation member and alumni were sent group specific surveys. After two weeks, if they had not responded, they were sent reminder letters and two weeks after that, a second copy of the survey was sent out if the person had not yet responded.

The results of the survey are posted on the MSD website. Overall, the results of this survey mirrored the results of the Standards survey sent out earlier in the school year. IT was identified as the weakest area in the school.

Trusteeship Committee:
President Raimondo explained that the MSD Board of Trustees is a 19 member board. As of October 1 there will be seven (7) vacancies. We currently have agreed upon six (6) names to submit to the Governor's appointment office and Ms. Harriman has also recommended that we add Ms. Robin Kittleman to the list. Ms. Kittleman is a teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and her grandmother is an MSD alumni. It was agreed that Ms. Kittleman's name would be added to the list of recommendations.

Open Forum: No one signed up for Open Forum

At 12:35 Mr. Stanley C. Baker, Assistant Superintendent and Director of Student Achievement and Results, and Ms. Kathy M. Meagher, Assistant Superintendent/ Frederick Campus Principal, presented the Frederick Campus annual report for the Board of Trustees. It was explained that, unlike the previous year, the Frederick Campus did not meet its Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goal this year in reading. Mr. Baker explained that while reading proficiency increased in the elementary program in Frederick , it decreased in the 10 th grade. This year, extra efforts will be made with the high school students to improve this area. MSDE has not yet published all of the results for the math test but it seems that the proficiency rate is improving in this area.

Mr. Baker explained that test bias, the number of years spent as an MSD student are major factors influencing the student's proficiency. MSDE understands our concerns with the tests but tell MSD that they currently have a contract with the Harcourt Company and are unable to change the tests during this contract period. The Federal law requires that phonetics be included in the tests and the State must abide by Federal law.

At 1:28 p.m. Dr. Richard Steffan presented the Columbia Campus annual report. Dr. Steffan announced that, unlike last year, the Columbia Campus did achieve AYP this year. It was explained that additional time was spent in teaching reading and math last year. The classes were increased to 90 minutes per day.

Dr. Steffan explained that while the socio-economic demographics are virtually the same this year as they were last year, there has been a shift in age groups at the school. Numbers in the elementary program have decreased but enrollment in the middle school has increased. There is also a larger population of children with additional disabilities at the school than the previous year. The numbers in the Family Education/Early Intervention program are steady. This is quite an accomplishment considering many hospitals and county programs do not tell parents about our program.

Last summer seventeen students participated in the Extended School Year (ESY) program. This was done through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with local school systems. This was a costly program for MSD but was worthwhile.

New Business:
Fiscal Budget - A MOTION was made to approve the FY '06 budget as presented – SECONDED – PASSED.

Superintendent Goals – A draft of the Superintendent's goals was distributed to the Board members. A discussion was held regarding staff training in regards to No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements, curriculum and sensitivity. It was discussed that parents should be made aware of the training that takes place on campus and the opportunity that is provided to the staff for furthering their education through the tuition reimbursement program. The Board also asked about communication with the MSD Community and were informed that the Superintendent writes monthly community letters, holds quarterly Community Forums, bi-annual Superintendent Forums on both campuses in the evening and puts all pertinent information on the MSD website.

It was decided that the Executive Committee would review the Superintendent's proposed goals before the next meeting for approval. Those goals could possibly include extended out-reach programs for parents, to ensure that everyone understands the test information that is posted on the website or sent home.

President Raimondo shared with the BOT that she had received an email from a parent who was concerned about the athletic schedule. The parent was upset that a football game was scheduled during a religious holiday which the family observes. After much discussion the Board agreed that the school should continue make every effort not to schedule games during holidays but there was no motion to make a new school policy regarding the scheduling of games.

Vice President Bernie Palmer asked if MSD worked with students who are graduating from the school to prepare them for life away from home and high school. There was a discussion regarding student's rights and how the process differs in high school verses higher education institutions. Superintendent Tucker explained that MSD starts developing the Individual Transition Plan with students once they reach the age of 14. Mr. Tucker said that he would ask our transition coordinators to present to the Board at the November meeting regarding the work they do with the children.

A MOTION was made to adjourn the meeting at 3:11 p.m. - SECONDED – PASSED.

Respectfully submitted,

Anjali Desai-Margolin

Secretary