HCPS Board Meeting Highlights

December 8, 2003

Introduction

New Board Members Thomas L. Fidler, Jr. and Salina M. Pleasant-Grice were introduced by Board President, Robert S. Magee and each expressed their dedication to providing services to students and members of the HCPS staff.

Action Items

• The Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda which contained one item - Affirmation of Monthly Contract Awards.
• The Board unanimously approved the proposed Family Involvement Policy which updates an existing policy which converts the policy from its previous emphasis on parent involvement to family involvement.
• The Board unanimously approved the 10 concepts of secondary school reform with the stipulation that the faculty, Harford County Education Association, community, parents, and students be involved in the development of the concepts which are to be brought back to the Board of Education for their review.
• The Board voted unanimously to table until the first meeting in January (January 12 - 7:15 p.m. Bel Air Middle School) consideration of a proposal to provide a depot system of pickups and dropoffs for the magnet schools of Harford Technical and the science/math academy at Aberdeen High School.
• The Board unanimously approved the engineering design services contract for the Edgewood Middle School heating/ventilation and air conditioning project. The contract was awarded to Siegel, Rutherford, Bradstock and Ridgeway Inc. for a total lump sum fee of $156,450.00.
• The Board uanimously approved the appointment of Raymond H. Brown to be Chief Administrative Officer for the Harford County Public Schools. Mr. Brown is to begin his duties on January 7, 2004.

Discussion

Superintendent Jacqueline C. Haas presented her superintendent's report including four items:

1. Reviewed the inclement weather days used thus far - 4 days have been used, one of those days has been waived by the State Dept. of Education (Hurricane Isabel). This means schools would now end for students on June 10, 2004 if no additional inclement weather days are used. The system incorporated nine inclement weather days into its 2003-04 schedule.
2. Mrs. Haas revealed that a letter had been received from State Superintendent, Nancy Grasmick, noting that the HCPS Master Plan had been approved and will be subject to annual updates.
3. The Maryland State Board of Education approved by a 9-2 vote the incorporation of 4 High School Assessment Tests (Algebra, Biology, English 9, Government). The Board will consider draft regulations in February with a final vote on implementation of HSA due in May, 2004. Mrs. Haas discussed various proposals for diplomas associated with the high school assessments.
4. Mrs. Haas noted that two Harford County public high school football teams will be involved in MPSSAA state championship games on Wednesday, December 10th - Joppatowne vs. Beall and Aberdeen vs. Potomac.

Board Comment

• Mr. Thomas pointed out that there may be a need to change the schedule which calls for the Board to approve the proposed 2004-05 operating budget on January 26, 2004. Board President Magee will work with Mrs. Haas to develop a new schedule.
• Student Representative Michael Morey reminded the Board that the Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils (HCRASC) will hold the election for the 2004-05 student representative on December 15 at C. Milton Wright High School.

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This document contains a summary of issues that came before the Board of Education of Harford County and actions taken by the Board at the public business meeting at the meeting date referenced on the document. These are not official Board-approved minutes. Board minutes are not posted on the HCPS web site because of the time lapse that occurs between the meeting, their preparation, and ultimate approval by the Board.
For copies of approved Board minutes, please e-mail Lynn.Hutchinson@hcps.org