Frederick Campus

MEMBERS PRESENT: Benjamin Bahan, Ph.D.; Cynthia Neese-Bailes, PhD.; David S. Birnbaum; William J. Bowman; John Ertel, Ph.D.; H. Mitchell Goldberg; Robin Kittleman; Anjali Desai-Margolin; Edgar B. Palmer; Charles E. Poyer, Jr.; Barbara Raimondo; Elliot Rosen; Carol Stevens; Laurie Yaffe.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Irajean W. 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 9:02 a.m. Roll call was called by passing around the roll call sheet.

Two changes were recommended for the day's Agenda

1.  The Staffing Plan was on the agenda for discussion but no changes were recommended by the Maryland State Department of Education therefore the staffing plan approved by the BOT in February does not need to be reviewed.

2.  President Raimondo asked that review and approval of the closed session minutes from the February meeting be added to the agenda.

A MOTION was made at 9:15 a.m. to approve the Agenda with the two changes -SECONDED – PASSED.

Treasurer Mitch Goldberg stated that the February 2005 minutes reflected the wrong amount in the petty cash account. The correct amount is $382.59.
A discussion was held regarding the BOT account. The Treasurer and the Superintendent explained how the BOT funds were set up and why the MSD Foundation holds the checkbook for the BOT account.

A MOTION was made to approve the February BOT meeting minutes with the correction on the petty cash amount – SECONDED – PASSED.

President's Report:
President Raimondo thanked all of the committee members for all their hard work. This is a busy time of year for the committees. The nomination committee, Dr. Neese-Bailes and Mr. Bowman, have been working on the list of candidates for today's election; the Personnel Committee has been working on the Superintendent's evaluation and the Trusteeship Committee has been working on a self analysis for the Board. They will be presenting their information to the Board later in the meeting.

Ms. Raimondo said that the Superintendent has been meeting with her regularly in order to keep her informed regarding school activities.

President Raimondo announced to the Board members that the school's Academic Bowl team won the National Academic Bowl sponsored by Gallaudet. This is a great accomplishment.

Vice President Report:
Vice President Bernie Palmer congratulated MSD for winning the National Championship at the Academic Bowl this year.

Mr. Palmer shared with the members that the committee meeting regarding the handbook changes included the addition of language on anti-bullying. He explained that MSD has a staff member who is an expert in the field and recommends that we tap into her knowledge to help guide the school in its anti-bullying efforts this coming year.

Secretary's Report:
No report

Treasurer's Report:
Treasurer Goldberg announced that the petty cash account currently has $382.59. He has not yet received an updated report on the money being managed by the MSD Foundation.

Executive Committee Report:
No report

Education Committee Report:
President Raimondo, committee member, reported that the group had met earlier in the week to review the proposed changes to the Parent/Student Handbook. The proposed changes will be discussed later in the meeting.

Fiscal Matters/Facilities Management Committee:
No Report

Personnel Committee Report:
The Committee is currently working on the Superintendent's evaluation.

Student Life Committee:
No Report

Trusteeship Committee:
Mr. Charles Poyer shared that the committee has been researching assessment tools that could be used to measure the Board's effectiveness. A full report will be given later in the meeting.

Superintendent's Report:
Mr. Tucker explained that the school had fared well in Annapolis this year – both for the operating budget and for the capital budget.

The Superintendent praised the school's academic bowl team members and shared that Mark Denton, one of the team's coaches, deserved some of the credit for their success. They practiced often and competed against 76 other teams. Next year will be a rebuilding year as all but two of our team members are graduating this year.

Mr. Tucker explained that he is still meeting with Dr. Carol Ann Baglin of the MD Department of Education (MSDE). She has been very supportive of MSD in their discussions of No Child Left Behind and Highly Qualified teachers. Their next meeting is scheduled for September.

On June 4 th 39 seniors will graduate. Thirty of these students will receive an MSDE diploma. This is the tenth year that students at MSD can earn MSDE diplomas. Delegate James Proctor will be the graduation speaker this year. Board members are invited both to the graduation speaker reception on Friday June 3, 2005 and to the graduation on June 4th .

Superintendent Tucker shared with the BOT that the student who was most severely injured in the car accident this past fall is improving. She hopes to finish the one class she has remaining so she can graduate next month.

A state wide workshop on Cochlear Implants (CI) was held recently at the Columbia Campus of MSD. The workshop was very well attended and as a result, the Family Education/Early Intervention (FE/EI) Department has seen a significant increase in enrollment. Discussions are now taking place on how MSD can best serve this increased population of implanted children. We are reviewing what kind of additional services we will need to provide and how best to do so. The CI consultant working with MSD will present her recommendations to the BOT in the near future.

Superintendent Tucker explained that Principal Kathy Meagher is out on a medical leave of absence. We are hoping that she will recover over the summer and be back in the fall. Until then, her duties have been split between the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, Chad Baker.

Trusteeship Committee Report – cont.:

Ms. Laurie Yaffe and Mr. Charles Poyer presented the Trusteeship's recommendation regarding BOT goal setting and evaluation. It was suggested that the national standards set for Maryland non-profit Boards be modified and adopted for the BOT's use. Ms. Yaffe proposed that a retreat would be beneficial in order to get the process started. A discussion was held regarding a Board retreat which took place in 1993. Recommendations on the duration of the retreat ranged from a one day event to at least two days.

A MOTION was made for the Trusteeship Committee to develop a process to set up goals for the Board of Trustees and to bring recommendations for Board action to the August BOT meeting. – SECONDED – PASSED.

Dr. Bahan and Dr. Ertel volunteered to assist the Trusteeship Committee in this task.

Old Business – Update on State Highway Administration

Ms. Suzanne Schwertman, Chief Financial Officer for MSD, explained to the BOT that she had recently met with people from both the State Highway Administration (SHA) and Alleghany Power Company regarding the sale of MSD property. The property being transferred from the school to SHA will be used in the extension of East Street . MSD will need to sign an agreement in the near future allowing them access to the property while the contract is being written. The transfer of this property is being done by Memorandum of Understanding that will be reviewed and approved by the Department of Public Works. In return for the property, SHA is investigating the possibility of erecting the fence on 355 along the Loats Farm property.

Alleghany Power Company is going to need five (5) acres. For drainage reasons, MSD can not use this land. The power company will pay the State for this property in two ways: first, they will move some power lines which are currently in the way of the new elementary school project. The school would have to pay the power company to move them so this saves us money on the new school project. They will make a cash payment for the remainder. Since the school is on State land, any income generated by the sale of the land belongs to the State, therefore, the school must work within the state system to try to re-appropriate the money to our needs. Mr. Tucker and Ms. Schwertman will meet with the legislature to try to get the payment donated to the school for necessary repairs to the Hessian Barracks.

Ms. Schwertman was requested to get a written statement from the SHA that the noise level around the school will not increase due to the new traffic pattern and that a sound barrier is not necessary to maintain acceptable noise levels on school property. Ms. Schwertman indicated that negotiations with the power company are not complete. Ms. Schwertman confirmed that the Barracks are on the historical registry and will remain as a museum even with the changes being made to the other buildings on MSD grounds.

President Raimondo congratulated Ms. Schwertman and Mr. Tucker for working through this process which will save the school money and will help ensure that the Barracks, which are highly valued in Frederick , will be preserved and improved.

Ms. Schwertman informed the BOT that sixty (60) architectural firms have bid to work on the elementary school project. She is in the process of working with the Department of Budget and Management to finalize this process. She also told the Board members that the school would be requesting community input on the design of the building in the near future.

New Business – Out of State Tuition
Ms. Schwertman explained that the out of state tuition this year reflects a one percent (1%) increase over last year. The fee is based on what it actually costs to educate a student at MSD. Ms. Schwertman and Mr. Tucker gave a brief explanation of how students from other states may be placed at MSD.

MOTION was made to accept the out of state tuition as presented - SECONDED – APPROVED.

There was a brief discussion by Board members regarding the possible change of some of the By Laws in reference to adding items to the agenda after the agenda has been approved for the day. This will be reviewed for the next meeting.

The following dates were chosen for the 2005/2006 school year Board meetings:

• Friday August 26, 2005 - Columbia Campus
• Friday November 18, 2005 – Frederick Campus
• Friday February 24, 2006 – Columbia Campus
• Friday May 19, 2006 – Frederick Campus

The possibility of having the meeting on another day during the week was discussed but Friday is the most convenient for the majority of the members.

At 11:00 a.m. a presentation was made by Ms. Lori Bonheyo and Ms. Cheri Dowling, co-chairs of the Unity and Diversity Committee. It was explained that this committee was formed as a result of input collected from the community on the accreditation surveys. While the committee is still in the infancy stage, their main objective is to help the school identify ways to support the many diverse groups on both campuses and help the groups work together for a common goal. It was explained that each campus has a U&D committee and the committee meets every two weeks (sometimes together, other times separately) They have been reviewing the feedback from our constituents on the relationship between the two campuses, hearing and deaf members of the community, special needs program vs essential curriculum program etc.

The Committee is still working on their action plan and hope to have it ready to present to the Orioles Management Team (OMT) in the fall of 2005. Ms. Bonheyo explained that the Board of Trustees are included in the action plan so BOT input will be requested once the action plan is finalized. Ms. Dowling invited Board members to attend the committee meetings. Ms. Laurie Yaffe and Ms. Carol Stevens volunteered to join the committee as a Board representative.

Old Business – cont.:

Mr. Tucker provided the BOT with a handout from Dr. Richard Steffan, chairperson for the anti-bullying taskforce on the Columbia Campus and from Dr. Jack Gilbert, Consultant for the Frederick County Public Schools on anti-bullying efforts. Mr. Gilbert will serve as a consultant and work in conjunction with Dr. Patti Hodgdon on the Frederick Campus anti-bullying effort.

Dr. Hodgdon, member of the MSD psychology dept., specialized in the bullying phenomenon while working on her Ph.D.

Dr. Hodgdon discussed her research and showed a power point presentation which reflected the kind of work that is being done with the elementary school children at MSD.

Open Forum:
At 12:55 p.m. the first presenter came before the BOT.

Ms. Audrey Frank , a mother of three children – two of which attend MSD, spoke regarding her concern with school rules and policies. It is her belief that the rules are not consistently followed by the administrative staff. Ms. Frank gave examples where she believed favoritism took place in the discipline of students. It is her belief that athletes are not as severely punished as other students.

Ms. Sandra Erasmus, Ms. Audrey Frank spoke for Ms. Erasmus who is also a parent at MSD. Ms. Erasmus shares the belief that athletes and the children of staff members are not as severely punished as other children at MSD.

Ms. Liz Katz , a parent of two high school students at MSD, Ms. Katz shared three concerns:

1. The community is unclear of the roles between the athletic department and the dorm staff
2. There should be more praise for the students who are involved in extra curricular activities such as the play. Her daughter was co-director of the school play this year and does not feel she received the proper recognition for this work.
3. The rules are more strictly enforced with male students than with female students.

Ms. Felece Steele, a parent of two students at MSD, shared that she is concerned with what she believes to be inconsistency in discipline. Ms. Steele feels that athletes or staff children attending MSD are not punished. She also stated that MSD was given fewer tickets to a play in the community than MSSD was given. She is unsure why MSD is treated differently than MSSD by community members.

Ms. Diane Hause, a parent of two boys here at MSD, also believes that the discipline policy is not followed consistently.

Mr. Paul Simmons – Mr. Simmons has been working as a teacher in the Life Based Education Department at MSD this year and has been a contractual employee since he started working at the school. He is concerned about the system in place for allocating the positions with benefits (PINs). Mr. Simmons shared with the Board that he has been very flexible and has moved to different departments several times in his tenure at the school. He is also considered a “Highly Qualified” teacher by NCLB standards. He believes that there are no clear cut or defined criteria listed for the allocation of PINs and that this needs to be rectified.

Ms. Marsha Flowers, Assistant Principal for the Middle School at MSD, thanked the BOT and Superintendent Tucker for all of the improvements made to the school's Information Technology (IT) access. The increased use of computers has been a great asset to the school program.

A MOTION was made to go into Closed Session at 1:23 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel issues – SECONDED – PASSED. (see attached)

MEMBERS PRESENT: Benjamin Bahan, Ph.D.; Cynthia Neese-Bailes, PhD.; David S. Birnbaum; William J. Bowman; John Ertel, Ph.D.; H. Mitchell Goldberg; Robin Kittleman; Anjali Desai-Margolin; Edgar B. Palmer; Charles E. Poyer, Jr.; Barbara Raimondo; Elliot Rosen; Carol Stevens; Laurie Yaffe.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Irajean W. Harper; David A. Severn, Esq.

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Elizabeth Kameen, Esq.

INTERPRETERS: Roberta Quinn; Brenda Kelly-Frey.

A MOTION was made at 3:19 p.m. to go into open session – SECONDED – PASSED.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Benjamin Bahan, Ph.D.; Cynthia Neese-Bailes, PhD.; David S. Birnbaum; William J. Bowman; John Ertel, Ph.D.; H. Mitchell Goldberg; Robin Kittleman; Anjali D. Margolin; Edgar B. Palmer; Charles E. Poyer, Jr.; Barbara Raimondo; Elliot Rosen; Carol Stevens; Laurie Yaffe.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Irajean W. Harper; David A. Severn, Esq.

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Elizabeth Kameen, Esq.

INTERPRETERS: Roberta Quinn; Brenda Kelly-Frey.

New Business (continued):

Board elections were held. The following people will hold these positions until May, 2007

President – Barbara Raimondo
Vice President – Benjamin Bahan
Secretary – Anjali Desai-Margolin
Treasurer – William Bowman
At large – Charles Poyer
John Ertel
Elliot Rosen

Student Life Committee:
Edgar B. Palmer – Chairperson
David Birnbaum
Carol Stevens

Education Committee:
Robin Kittleman – Chairperson
Cynthia Neese-Bailes
Barbara Raimondo

Personnel Committee:
David Severn, Esquire – Chairperson
David Birnbaum
Elliot Rosen
Benjamin Bahan

Trusteeship Committee:
Sandra Harriman – Chairperson
Charles Poyer
Laurie Yaffe

FM/FM Committee:
H. Mitchell Goldberg – Chairperson
William Bowman
John Ertel

Gift Fund Committee:
andra Harriman,
David Severn,
Mitch Goldberg

Executive Committee:
William Bowman – Chairperson
Barbara Raimondo – Secretary

Personnel Handbook: The Personnel Committee members met at lunchtime with the MSD Personnel Director and Assistant Director to review the proposed changes to the Employee handbook. While many of the changes are mandated by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), several other changes are controlled by the school. The committee had two concerns regarding the recommended changes 1) the domestic exchange policy and 2) Inservice training. The domestic exchange policy comes from the Parent/Student handbook and therefore will be discussed with other committees. The inservice training paragraph had to be deleted as that department at the DBM has been eliminated. It is the Committee's recommendation that an alternative training option be provided to the staff and that this option be placed in the handbook.

Due to time limitations, it was decided that both the Parent/Student Handbook and the Employee handbook changes be reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee at a future date.

A MOTION was made to go into Closed Session at 3:49 p.m. for the purpose of protecting the privacy or reputation of individuals. – SECONDED – PASSED. (see attached)

MEMBERS PRESENT: Benjamin Bahan, Ph.D.; Cynthia Neese-Bailes, PhD.; David S. Birnbaum; William J. Bowman; John Ertel, Ph.D.; H. Mitchell Goldberg; Robin Kittleman; Anjali D. Margolin; Edgar B. Palmer; Charles E. Poyer, Jr.; Barbara Raimondo; Elliot Rosen; Carol Stevens; Laurie Yaffe.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Irajean W. Harper; David A. Severn, Esq.

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Elizabeth Kameen, Esq.

INTERPRETERS: Roberta Quinn; Brenda Kelly-Frey.

A MOTION was made at 4:02 p.m. to go into Open Session – SECONDED – PASSED.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Benjamin Bahan, Ph.D.; Cynthia Neese-Bailes, PhD.; David S. Birnbaum; William J. Bowman; John Ertel, Ph.D.; H. Mitchell Goldberg; Robin Kittleman; Anjali D. Margolin; Edgar B. Palmer; Charles E. Poyer, Jr.; Barbara Raimondo; Elliot Rosen; Carol Stevens; Laurie Yaffe.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Irajean W. Harper; David A. Severn, Esq.

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Elizabeth Kameen, Esq.

INTERPRETERS: Roberta Quinn; Brenda Kelly-Frey.

President Raimondo discussed the process by which handbook changes are presented to the BOT committees. This process will be reviewed and revised to make it more streamlined and efficient.

The meeting adjourned at 4:06 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Anjali Desai-Margolin

Secretary