The Board of Education of Charles County met for its regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The meeting agenda is posted in the latest news section of www.ccboe.com. Board meetings are streamed live at www.ccboe.com and archived on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) YouTube page. To view the Nov. 12 Board meeting, visit the YouTube page.
The following are important meeting updates from the Nov. 12 Board meeting.
Superintendent’s report
Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., opened the meeting with her report. She touched on first-quarter grades available on ParentVue, the breakfast the Board hosted for elected officials the morning of Nov. 12, and the recent election to determine who will be the Board Member At-Large. The report also highlighted the introduction of Canvas, a learning management system, upcoming Early College Program information nights for families and a Turkey Trot 5K run/walk set for Thanksgiving Day. Navarro’s report starts at the 54-second mark.
Early childhood performance update
Kevin Lowndes, CCPS chief of teaching and learning, was joined by Beth Sorsby, CCPS coordinator of early childhood programs, Sheila Myers, CCPS early intervention coordinator, Jennifer Gimmel, Judy Center specialist, and Candice Vallandingham-Adam, coordinator of the Early Learning Center, La Plata, to give the Board an update on Early Childhood programs. The report touched on how the prekindergarten program aligns with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, enrollment data and processes, professional learning for staff, accreditation and performance data. Watch the report on the CCPS YouTube channel.
Blueprint update
Lowndes and Chris Miller, CCPS coordinator of district innovation, updated the Board about the Blueprint. Miller mentioned the information housed at the Blueprint’s Accountability and Implementation Board’s website. Different school districts’ plans are available on the site and a meeting schedule. Miller also touched on the CCPS Blueprint site which contains information related to the school system’s implementation of the Blueprint. View Lowndes and Miller giving the report on the CCPS YouTube channel.
Revisions to 5000 and 6000 Policies Series
Staff Attorney Eric Schwartz spoke about the revisions proposed for Board policies in the 5000 and 6000 series. The 5000 series deals with student rights and responsibilities, while the 6000 series stretches from the school system’s vision and mission to field trips and professional learning schedules. The Board will review and discuss policy changes at a future meeting before voting on the edits. Following the vote, CCPS staff will review and revise Superintendent’s Rules to align with the policies and ensure practices in schools are in line with the policies and rules. Watch the portion of the meeting regarding policy revisions on YouTube.
La Plata High School modernization/addition design
Mike Heim, chief of operations and supporting services, briefed the Board on the proposed modernization and addition design at La Plata High School. He was joined by Ran Ilkovitch, president of Smolen Emr Ilkovitch Architects (SEI), Disha Sharma, a project manager with SEI, and Steve Andritz, CCPS director of planning and construction. The proposed design site, building and exterior designs were among the subjects touched on, along with project goals and existing design challenges. The aim of the project are to meet the needs of a growing community and design a school for an ever-expanding educational landscape. View the report of La Plata’s modernization and addition on YouTube.
Recognition of students and staff
The Board recognized outstanding students in the areas of academic achievement, personal responsibility and career readiness. Honored were Conley Onyeador of La Plata High School; Jennifer Ipina-Guerra of Milton M. Somers Middle School; Aaliyah Lopez of Gale-Bailey Elementary School; Arth Hirpara of Mary H. Matula Elementary School; and Muhammad Rayyan of Arthur Middleton Elementary School. Staff members honored by the Board were Brian Chase of Gale-Bailey, Maria Farnham of Matula, Brandi Youmans of Middleton, Erin Rhoades of Somers and Christopher Howard of McDonough. Watch the recognition portion of the meeting starting about three hours in.
Renaming of Gen. Smallwood Middle School
Following months of community engagement, the Board voted nine-to-one to go forward in renaming General Smallwood Middle School. The renaming was first suggested in February by community members concerned with the school bearing the name of an enslaver who was governor of Maryland from 1785 to 1788. The Board’s school renaming process will follow guidelines outlined in Board Policy 7230.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).