The Board president will call the meeting to order and note Board member attendance.
In partnership with families and community, we prepare all students to achieve college, career, and life readiness through a challenging and progressive educational experience.
Board members report and comment on their activities for the month.
Dr. Simmons will report out on activities / highlights from the last month.
The students report on activities from their respective schools.
Supervisor of Human Resources Dr. Rob Willoughby will present the following personnel items to the Board for approval:
The members of the Caroline County Board of Education desire to hear the views and have the advice of interested citizens. The public comment session is held at each Board meeting for that purpose.
In-Person Public Comment - The time allotted for the Public Comment portion of the agenda is no more than 30 minutes total. The Board of Education does not engage in a discussion of the matter being brought to it but will, if appropriate, direct the Superintendent to respond at a later time.
Individuals interested in participating during the Public Comment portion may sign up in advance by emailing publiccomment@ccpsstaff.org or by signing in at the podium prior to the beginning of the meeting. Individuals will be called to the podium in the order in which they registered by email or sign-in.
Individuals will be advised that:
Written Public Comment emailed to publiccomment@ccpsstaff.org – Emails must be received no later than noon one day prior to the Board meeting, and must clearly state in the subject line or body of the email 'For Public Comment.' Emails will be provided to Board members prior to the start of the meeting and attached to the agenda. Written comments will not be read aloud during the meeting.
Policy II.20.10 – Family Life and Human Development was last revised on 1/2/1990 and requires revision due to changes in COMAR over the last 30 years. This policy, with a new title (Comprehensive Health Education) outlines the standards the make up the Health curriculum (as outlined in COMAR) and reinforces the Board’s commitment to parental notification of Human Growth and Development lessons and their choice to opt-out to the greatest extent of the law.
While this is a policy revision that could be approved in one reading, it is recommended that the following be the course of action due to the volume of changes as well as public attention to the topic.
PROPOSED BY: | Rob Willoughby, DPA Supervisor of Human Resources |
RECOMMENDED BY: |
Derek L. Simmons, Ed.D. |
Each year, CCPS Policies are reviewed on a rotating basis to determine the need for revisions or potential retirement. As this is a relatively new process, there are many active policies that have not been reviewed for a number of years. Because of this, some policies may no longer be relevant and therefore should be retired. The policies appearing on the list below are recommended for retirement at this time.
Policy Title (Date) |
Reference Number |
Reasoning |
The School Day (1989) |
I.12.50 |
Grants to the Superintendent and the Board of Education the ability to set the school day and school hours, and defines the number of days that teachers work. This is redundant as the authority is already granted via COMAR and the teacher (and staff) work day is defined through Negotiated Agreements. |
Inclement Weather Work Conditions (1989) |
I.12.40 |
This policy broadly governs working conditions during periods of inclement weather. In Maryland, all matters defined as working conditions shall be negotiated, making this policy redundant. Workdays and work-years are also defined by employee group and classification. |
Student Safety (2004) |
III.34.90 |
This policy is a single line that states that all students have access to safe and appropriate educational environments that are free from discrimination. This is expanded upon in a more recent policy (I.12.80 – Educational Equity) which was adopted in 2019, and is therefore redundant. Overall student safety is defined in Policy V.51.20 (Safety) which is being revised this cycle. |
Civil Defense (No Date) |
V.51.10 |
Outlines what to do in case of air or missile strike, and is out of compliance with our current policies and practices involving emergency situations. Is incorporated into V.51.20 (Safety) which is up for revision this year. |
Loan of School Audio-Visual Equipment (1989) |
VII.70.1 |
Sets regulations for how community organizations can borrow school-owned audio-visual equipment. This is not a current practice given how technology has advanced. |
Elementary Placement and Promotion (1987) |
III.32.20 |
Is a single-line policy which discusses appropriate grade placement, but policy III.32.10 (Advanced Grade Placement of Elementary Students) covers this process in more depth with procedures, making it redundant. |
Caroline Inclusion Program for Three-Year-Olds Enrollment (2010) |
III.32.61R |
This is a regulation but is numbered as a policy, but the Caroline Inclusion Program for Three-Year-Olds is now under the Pre-Kindergarten program, and therefore is governed under III.32.70 (Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment). |
PROPOSED BY: | Rob Willoughby, DPA Supervisor of Human Resources |
RECOMMENDED BY: |
Derek L. Simmons, Ed.D. |
The IAC requires an annual update of the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan. This plan represents one of several activities enabling the IAC to monitor and evaluate how well Maryland’s school systems are systematically and comprehensively protecting the state’s capital investment. Caroline County’s specific objectives for its CMP are to:
1. Provide the most effective environment possible for teaching and learning.
2. Minimize potential disruptions to the educational program.
3. Preserve and protect the asset value of school property and facilities.
4. Maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of facility functions and systems.
5. Provide the foundation for effective risk management and preventative maintenance programs.
PROPOSED BY: | William Mengel Director of Operations |
RECOMMENDED BY: |
Derek L. Simmons, Ed.D. |
Each year, members of the Board of Education and school principals alternate the responsibility of making nominations to the Citizens Advisory Committee. This year the school principals have submitted the below names for consideration. If approved, these individuals will serve for two years (2023-2024 and 2024-2025).
NOMINEE: | NOMINATED BY: |
Stefanie Johnson (DES) | Ms. Sarah Crebs |
Edith Ramirez (GES) | Ms. Mary Jo Kerr |
Lisa Cody (PES) | Mr. A.J. Angeloni |
Jennifer Mayer (RES) | Mr. Lee Sutton |
Alouse Jean (FES) | Ms. Stephanie Brohawn |
Richard Petroske (CRMS) | Dr. Yolanda Holloway |
George Raburn (LMS) | Ms. Jeannine Necessary |
Carrie Cooper (CRHS) | Mr. Jared Sherman |
Lisa Thomas (CCTC) | Ms. Courtney Handte |
Stacey Gardner (NCHS) | Mr. Matt Spiker |
Ms. Nicole Fisher, Supervisor of Student Services, will update the Board on September enrollment figures.
Dr. Tara Downes, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction will give an update on class sizes for the 2023-2024 school year.
The Caroline County Board of Education encourages your input in the process of developing the school system’s budget for the 2024-2025 school year. The following is a schedule of budget discussions that will take place at upcoming Board Meetings as well as with the County Commissioners and CCPS stakeholder groups.
DATE | ACTIVITY |
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 | Budget development discussion – Board Meeting - 6 p.m. |
Tuesday, January 9, 2024 | Budget development discussion – Board Meeting - 6 p.m. |
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 |
Board Work Session with County Commissioners – 6 p.m. |
Tuesday, January 23, 2023 | School System Improvement Council and Citizens Advisory Council – Board of Education - 6 p.m. |
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 | Preliminary Budget Approval – Board Meeting – 6 p.m. |
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 | Submit approved proposed budget to Caroline County Commissioners |
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 | Budget discussion – Board Meeting – 6 p.m. |
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 | Budget discussion – Board Meeting – 6 p.m. |
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | Budget discussion – Board Meeting – 6 p.m. |
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 | Final Budget Approval – Board Meeting - 6 p.m. |
The Board of Education of Caroline County does not currently have a policy in place that governs how materials are distributed from outside agencies to our students and families. This policy seeks to implement standard procedures governing this practice throughout CCPS.
As this is a new policy, the recommended course of action shall be:
Date / Time | Event / Where |
October 9 - 13 | RES Fall Book Fair |
October 11 6:00 p.m. | RES PJ Story Night - Family Engagement Activity |
October 24 at 6:00 p.m. | PES Title I Academic Night |
October 26 at 7:00 p.m. | County Spelling Bee at Denton Elementary |
October 26 at 10:00 a.m. | AMP Project Initial Presentation - Dart Board Cabinets |
October 31 | Elementary Book Character Parades |
November 10 at 2:00 p.m. | PES Veterans Day Assembly |
November 17 at 9:30 - 11 & 1:30 - 3 | DES Parent Day |
November 20 at 5:30 p.m. | DES Fall Academic Night |
November 20 at | Board Workshop |
November 21 | Rotary Youth Career Fair at The Frettard Center |
December 14 at 10:00 a.m. | AMP Project Final Presentation - Dart Board Cabinets |
March 22 | PES Parent Day |
April 27 | PES Springfest at Preston Firehouse |
The next meeting is a work session on October 17, 2023.