1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,150 >> it is five o'clock. I'm going to call to order the april 24th, 2 00:00:05,560 --> 00:00:09,455 2024 board of education of cecil county work session. We have all board members and our student board member in attendance. 3 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:16,720 we have a quorum. Ms. Rogers, will you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance. 4 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:41,040 first on the agenda, we have the blueprint for maryland's future update. Dr. Lawson. 5 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:48,220 >> thank you, ms. Holly. Just a few things before I turn it over to dr. Hammer and buckley. 6 00:00:51,345 --> 00:00:51,345 we are in the second year of the blueprint implementation. 7 00:00:56,210 --> 00:00:56,210 we've known for a few years now that there's a lot of pieces to it. 8 00:01:01,860 --> 00:01:03,660 I think on the surface, most people will agree on things like improved pay for our teachers, 9 00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:11,675 expanded pre-k for four-year-olds, more college opportunities for our high school students. 10 00:01:15,890 --> 00:01:18,700 there's a cost associated with that, and I think that has certainly probably caused some sticker shock around the state. 11 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:23,840 I will give credit to the interim state superintendent. 12 00:01:29,220 --> 00:01:32,460 she has been very aggressive, I'd say, in the last two months. She has assembled a work group of eight county superintendents, of which I'm one, 13 00:01:38,115 --> 00:01:41,030 as well as representatives from the aib, rachel hise, brit kirwan, 14 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:46,655 and ike leggett, as well as carey wright, the interim superintendent herself. 15 00:01:48,460 --> 00:01:48,460 they've really had an open ear to some of the challenges that we're facing, 16 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:55,880 and I'm optimistic that they are in a position where they understand that for this to be successful for the next five, 17 00:02:00,385 --> 00:02:02,015 10, 15 years, there may be opportunities along the way to take a step back 18 00:02:06,180 --> 00:02:06,180 and tweak the way the implementation was thought it would be back in 2021, 19 00:02:12,950 --> 00:02:15,545 '22 when the legislation passed. We have a presentation for you this evening. 20 00:02:18,630 --> 00:02:21,625 encourage you to ask questions along the way. We'll go through pillar by pillar where we 21 00:02:24,150 --> 00:02:27,015 think we are and where some of the challenges are. Feel free to have as much of a discussion about this as a presentation. 22 00:02:31,365 --> 00:02:34,455 with that, dr. Hammer. >> thank you, dr. Lawson. Good evening, everyone. Thank you. 23 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:37,000 we literally a year ago in march were together and made 24 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:42,360 a copy of this exact presentation to present this for you today. 25 00:02:48,185 --> 00:02:51,240 I can see us doing the same thing year after year, just giving you updates as the changes are being made to the blueprint. 26 00:02:57,180 --> 00:03:00,650 our goal today is that we're going to just give you some of those updates, as dr. Lawson shared with you. 27 00:03:01,985 --> 00:03:04,150 just a little bit of history on blueprint. As you know, this really is education reform. 28 00:03:08,010 --> 00:03:08,010 the goal of this is to really have an impact that is comprehensive in terms of changing 29 00:03:13,810 --> 00:03:16,990 what education looks like in the state of maryland to make it a world class education system in the nation. 30 00:03:21,105 --> 00:03:21,105 the recommendations for blueprint were made by the commission on 31 00:03:26,110 --> 00:03:28,560 innovation and excellence in education known as the kirwan commission that was chaired by brit kirwan. 32 00:03:31,330 --> 00:03:34,220 the legislation was passed in 2021. Updates have been made year after year to the blueprint, 33 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:41,160 as dr. Lawson mentioned. As we're putting it into implementation, 34 00:03:44,730 --> 00:03:47,500 things may not be working as it was planned in the legislation. Those adjustments are being made as we go. 35 00:03:49,530 --> 00:03:53,330 those adjustments really are timelines and some of the language. Funding needs to be attached to this. 36 00:03:55,530 --> 00:03:58,430 this is a very expensive proposition to make this comprehensive change in the state of maryland, 37 00:04:02,010 --> 00:04:02,010 with over 3.1 billion over 10 years in the state of maryland. 38 00:04:07,065 --> 00:04:10,050 as you know, it is monitored at the state level by the accountability & implementation board, 39 00:04:13,460 --> 00:04:16,660 which is pillar 5. Just a little history lesson before we get started with our updates in cecil county. 40 00:04:22,235 --> 00:04:24,840 to get started, just as an overview, as you know, there are five pillars. 41 00:04:27,380 --> 00:04:30,270 pillar 1 is early childhood education. Our goal is that we're going to go 42 00:04:31,740 --> 00:04:35,080 through each one of these in a little more detail with you. I have some of our staff here with us today to answer 43 00:04:37,840 --> 00:04:41,040 any specific questions that you may have. Pillar 2, high quality and diverse teachers and leaders. 44 00:04:44,220 --> 00:04:45,580 you'll hear a little more about that, as well as our college and career readiness, pillar 3. 45 00:04:48,900 --> 00:04:51,720 pillar 4 are supports for students. Finally, the foundation really talks about 46 00:04:55,140 --> 00:04:55,140 the minimum adequate funding at the 75% level, 47 00:04:59,640 --> 00:04:59,640 which in terms of a timeline has been pushed another year. 48 00:05:05,140 --> 00:05:08,490 one thing of note is that there are many valued services and programs that are not a part of the blueprint. 49 00:05:13,150 --> 00:05:15,530 you can see several of them that are listed here, including making sure class sizes stay at 50 00:05:18,570 --> 00:05:21,730 a reasonably appropriate level to meet student needs. You can see safety and security are not included in the blueprint. 51 00:05:25,090 --> 00:05:27,060 neither are arts and music programs, world languages, extracurricular and athletics. 52 00:05:29,540 --> 00:05:33,190 technology is limited in terms of its inclusion, as well as employee benefits. 53 00:05:34,990 --> 00:05:36,530 the funds are flowing, but not necessarily to these very valued programs and services that are 54 00:05:41,070 --> 00:05:42,530 very much a holistic part of the educational program that we want to develop for our students. 55 00:05:46,510 --> 00:05:46,510 that's something that's important to know. 56 00:05:51,210 --> 00:05:53,825 >> real quick. Sorry. >> go ahead. >> have you had any discussion as to why class size, 57 00:05:56,530 --> 00:05:59,025 being one of them that I would think really important, was never added or discussed? 58 00:06:02,130 --> 00:06:05,710 has there been any conversation about that? >> not directly. I think the thinking is that really it's been 59 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:10,080 said in many locals that they expect class sizes to go up. 60 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:15,920 these are some of the unintended consequences, I think, that have happened. 61 00:06:20,610 --> 00:06:24,060 what we do know is that english learners, students with disabilities, compensatory education, 62 00:06:27,420 --> 00:06:31,290 college classes, pre-k, the workforce issues, apprenticeships, there are certain things that 63 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:36,545 are absolutely being addressed and funded. This is what has me so concerned about the 75/25 split, is that the 25, 64 00:06:42,300 --> 00:06:45,680 I don't think as we move through this in the out years that the 25% is going to be enough because the 25% has to cover all of these. 65 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:54,020 I worry that as we move through this, the 75/25, the math isn't correct. 66 00:06:57,995 --> 00:07:01,030 but again, I do think whether it's the state department, msde, or aib, 67 00:07:03,260 --> 00:07:06,130 aib is the accountability implementation board, I think they're in a position to pay attention to that and to listen. 68 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:13,455 we will see. Take for instance, employee benefits. We know about the charge to have first year teachers at $60,000 a year by july 1 of 2026. 69 00:07:20,070 --> 00:07:20,070 nobody brought up the fact that what comes with that are increase in fixed charges. 70 00:07:24,645 --> 00:07:28,410 our fixed charges are upwards of probably close to 20%. As the salaries go up, 71 00:07:30,490 --> 00:07:31,910 so do the fixed charges, but there's no funding coming in just for the fixed charges. 72 00:07:35,350 --> 00:07:37,810 well, where is that money supposed to come from? From the foundation money. 73 00:07:39,370 --> 00:07:41,460 that's what I'm saying, this limited pot. Dual enrollment, dr. Buckley and dr. Hammer will talk about that in a minute. 74 00:07:46,650 --> 00:07:50,410 we know that dual enrollment funds have been cut almost in half, but yet we're going to be expected to deliver 75 00:07:52,410 --> 00:07:56,160 dual enrollment opportunities for our seniors going into next year. Frankly, the revenue is just not there. 76 00:07:58,470 --> 00:08:01,050 time after time, what we're seeing is that the revenue is not there to cover the things that the community is used to. 77 00:08:04,950 --> 00:08:04,950 the community is accustomed to having sports and these opportunities, 78 00:08:09,270 --> 00:08:10,430 whether it's world language, whether it's music, and there is no specific callout for that funding in the blueprint. 79 00:08:15,830 --> 00:08:17,550 I do think that's something that's going to have legislative attention in the coming years, 80 00:08:20,390 --> 00:08:20,390 as well as from the state and the aib. 81 00:08:26,730 --> 00:08:29,890 >> to get started, and again, please stop us with any questions. 82 00:08:31,390 --> 00:08:35,260 thank you, mr. Fernando. Under the leadership of dr. Johnson, pillar 1 is early childhood education, 83 00:08:38,065 --> 00:08:38,065 and this provides expansion opportunities for pre k of students ages 3 and 4. 84 00:08:46,525 --> 00:08:49,390 it also provides opportunities for public and private partnerships with the school system in private schools. 85 00:08:55,690 --> 00:08:55,690 there's also an increased number of early childhood qualified educators, 86 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:04,270 not only teachers but also paraprofessionals who have certain credentialing to make sure that they 87 00:09:06,685 --> 00:09:10,045 have the skills and understanding to meet our youngest learners. Finally, a scaling impact and increase in the number of jd centers. 88 00:09:14,695 --> 00:09:16,465 we're going to show you next just where we are in terms of our implementation in cecil county. 89 00:09:22,870 --> 00:09:26,230 to start in 2022-23 school year, you can see the number of early childhood students we had, 90 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:29,440 we had over 700 early childhood students, 91 00:09:33,550 --> 00:09:36,925 and four year olds were qualifying for a pre k program who were 185% of the federal poverty line. 92 00:09:40,930 --> 00:09:44,575 those students were qualified for the program. We also have three year old half day programs across the district then and 93 00:09:49,510 --> 00:09:49,510 only five judy centers at the time in 2022-23 school year. 94 00:09:56,530 --> 00:10:00,070 we had one private provider that provided 30 seats. That private provider is mount aviate academy. 95 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:06,730 go ahead, miss dixon. >> does ccps pay mount aviate? 96 00:10:09,335 --> 00:10:09,335 >> ccps does pay mount aviate to have those seats there. 97 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:17,290 23-24 school year, you can see the increase in students are slowly starting to creep up in our early childhood programming. 98 00:10:20,875 --> 00:10:24,655 four year olds at 300% of the federal poverty line. The three year old program is still half day program, 99 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:29,890 but we've increased, we've doubled our judy centers in cecil county, and we're really seeing a tremendous impact of that birth to 100 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:33,280 age five programming to support those families and students. 101 00:10:37,765 --> 00:10:41,125 that scaling has been really quite influential. Again, we still only have one private provider who has 102 00:10:44,290 --> 00:10:47,680 come forth because the credentialing for that programming it's challenging and many people don't want to engage in it. 103 00:10:56,430 --> 00:10:56,430 >> why do we have a private providers there no room for those other 30 seats with us. 104 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:03,490 >> it's part of the law. The law requires us to. >> I think, particularly some of the bigger counties, 105 00:11:06,355 --> 00:11:08,470 is that the school systems aren't equipped to deal with all the four year olds from a pure space perspective. 106 00:11:11,905 --> 00:11:13,825 I would say in cecil county, we have some challenges as it relates to space, 107 00:11:16,450 --> 00:11:20,140 building capacity, not as bad as some of these other systems. They're talking about having to add actually 108 00:11:22,180 --> 00:11:24,550 bricks and mortar to accommodate four year olds. As the bill was being drafted, 109 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:29,605 the thinking was that we would rely on private partnerships, and what's happened now is that this has become in practice 110 00:11:34,270 --> 00:11:34,270 is that because the standards and the rigor of the program implementation is so high, 111 00:11:39,865 --> 00:11:39,865 a lot of the private partners don't want to touch it because 112 00:11:43,990 --> 00:11:43,990 they can't pay their people a certain amount of money because it's too costly. 113 00:11:48,190 --> 00:11:48,190 across the state, everybody is struggling to have enough private providers. 114 00:11:52,450 --> 00:11:52,450 >> cecil county has been described as a childcare desert by some, 115 00:11:57,385 --> 00:11:59,650 to have these qualified programs, and there's an excels qualification that you have to go through all of these standards. 116 00:12:04,690 --> 00:12:08,560 there's specific standards that you have to go through to be a childcare provider to have credentialing that includes space, 117 00:12:13,015 --> 00:12:16,540 number, student teacher ratio, training that you're required to have. Doctor johnson, I'm missing anything else? 118 00:12:18,415 --> 00:12:21,130 >> curriculum and instruction and assessment. >> curriculum and instruction and assessment that are all part of this excels qualifications. 119 00:12:23,995 --> 00:12:23,995 >> do your teachers in the private provider schools have to have certain credentials? 120 00:12:30,820 --> 00:12:34,255 >> I believe so. >> more so than just a daycare? >> yes. 121 00:12:34,930 --> 00:12:37,630 >> that's part of the cost. >> that's what's been turning all, 122 00:12:39,505 --> 00:12:42,700 many of the private providers. I'm sorry. >> step in. >> say that again. >> can you talk a little bit about head start and how that may influence this? 123 00:12:47,125 --> 00:12:47,125 >> you got [inaudible] 124 00:12:54,310 --> 00:12:56,650 >> our head start students and the seats they have right now, the struggle is the headstart program doesn't meet 125 00:12:59,470 --> 00:12:59,470 the maryland excels criteria for a level 5. 126 00:13:03,610 --> 00:13:03,610 because keep in mind, a private provider is offering a public school seat, 127 00:13:08,980 --> 00:13:11,290 so these students are public school students, they're just receiving the service that a private provider. 128 00:13:13,915 --> 00:13:13,915 one of the issues has been the federal legislation that protects headstart 129 00:13:18,325 --> 00:13:18,325 has kept those programs from meeting the excels criteria. 130 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:24,550 that's an ongoing priority to try to get that corrected to make sure they have a chance to on board to the program, 131 00:13:28,030 --> 00:13:28,030 but right now they don't work together. 132 00:13:33,570 --> 00:13:36,910 >> what you'll see moving into next school year, we anticipate a lot of the same as what we've had in the past, with less expansion. 133 00:13:43,150 --> 00:13:46,135 we are looking to have an additional duty center, at least one more additional duty center that would qualify, 134 00:13:49,675 --> 00:13:51,595 but still only one provider, private provider is what we're forecasting for next school year. 135 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:59,410 >> we've already been told that we will not receive funding for tier 2 students next year. 136 00:14:03,670 --> 00:14:06,805 mind you, tier 1, tier 2, tier. Tier 1 typically are students from poverty, 137 00:14:09,865 --> 00:14:09,865 and we are now going to include students with disabilities and english learners. 138 00:14:13,975 --> 00:14:16,525 those students will all be considered tier 1, and so they will have a seat in a four year old program. 139 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:22,045 tier 2 and tier 3, this current year we're in, 140 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:26,770 we did receive some funding for tier 2. Next year we're being told we won't, 141 00:14:28,975 --> 00:14:28,975 so that if we want to provide services to tier 2 next year, 142 00:14:33,130 --> 00:14:36,040 we are going to have to do that from the foundation money. Yet again, another example of not having the money, 143 00:14:38,890 --> 00:14:42,640 so it's going to have to come from the foundation cost. The board's position, we'd be interested in some feedback. 144 00:14:46,375 --> 00:14:49,315 right now, about three quarters of our students are tier 1. The other students that are in our current program are either tier 2 or tier 3, 145 00:14:53,530 --> 00:14:56,520 and it's all income based. I guess we could hold out hope and hope that 146 00:14:59,500 --> 00:15:02,320 some funding does start to follow these students. I think as we move into preparing for fy 26, 147 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:08,920 there is going to be what's called a sliding scale where we will have the opportunity to start charging tuition for some tier 2 and tier 3 students. 148 00:15:13,270 --> 00:15:13,270 dr. Johnson and miss olpa on your toes back there, if I'm wrong. 149 00:15:17,430 --> 00:15:17,430 the state is looking at hiring a third party vendor to do the income qualifications, 150 00:15:24,670 --> 00:15:26,740 as well as tuition collection. Schools are not in the business right now of going to a family and saying, 151 00:15:30,835 --> 00:15:33,250 you haven't paid us your hundred $80 this week, your child can't come starting monday. 152 00:15:35,125 --> 00:15:37,390 that's nothing we've ever done. But right now the state is looking at picking up 153 00:15:39,700 --> 00:15:43,075 a third party to do it statewide to handle that for. To summarize this, we have concerns moving into next school year that 154 00:15:47,260 --> 00:15:47,260 there isn't funding to support any tier 2 and tier 3 students. 155 00:15:51,430 --> 00:15:54,520 I would not be surprised as we move into next year to see our pre k numbers go down to some extent. 156 00:15:57,700 --> 00:16:00,880 >> is there a formula already for the charging of the tier 2, or is that something to steel tbd? 157 00:16:02,245 --> 00:16:05,425 >> it is articulated the sliding scale, dr. Johnson. >> the overall recommendation right now is 3-7% of the family's adjusted income, 158 00:16:11,515 --> 00:16:14,980 and that's based on their federal poverty line percentage. For families that are 301% to 600%, 159 00:16:18,625 --> 00:16:20,920 that's that 3-7% range, and then families that more than 600% of the federal poverty line would pay tuition. 160 00:16:25,750 --> 00:16:25,750 >> the 300% is 300% of the poverty line for a family of four, 161 00:16:29,920 --> 00:16:29,920 which is $31,000 so that a family can make up to 162 00:16:35,170 --> 00:16:38,620 $90,000 for a family of four and they come as a tier 1 for pre k. Families that make more than that, 163 00:16:42,415 --> 00:16:46,375 a percentage of their income comes to the school system to cover, so you follow me on this? 164 00:16:47,860 --> 00:16:47,860 you can see how dicy it would get for the lead secretary asking, 165 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:54,700 well, how much does your family make and then taking 3%. Well, now you have to pay, 166 00:16:55,900 --> 00:16:58,020 it puts us in the bill collection business, and again, something we are not equipped to do. 167 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:02,240 >> do we have seats for those tier 2 and tier 3, if we. 168 00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:09,600 >> yes, we could make it happen [inaudible] 169 00:17:15,670 --> 00:17:18,040 >> do we have teachers for those? >> as we continue with expansion, 170 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:21,900 that does remain a priority for us as recruiting early for those early childhood settings, 171 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:27,165 both pre k3 and pre k4 settings, both of which need to expand. 172 00:17:29,460 --> 00:17:29,460 I would say getting teachers will be a challenge because across the state, 173 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:33,840 every one across the state will be recruiting for more early childhood teachers. 174 00:17:41,170 --> 00:17:44,380 >> good question. Thank you. >> that's a nice segue into pillar 2. 175 00:17:47,405 --> 00:17:49,700 where in pillar 2, we're going to focus and talk about high-quality and diverse teachers and leaders. 176 00:17:52,505 --> 00:17:54,230 out of pillar 2, in comes the increase to the starting salary for teachers at $60,000, 177 00:17:58,355 --> 00:18:00,845 and that is effective july 1, 2026, so fy27, we have to be at that $60,000 mark. 178 00:18:05,900 --> 00:18:09,530 we have successfully negotiated with our teacher association so that we should hit that mark on july 1, 179 00:18:13,040 --> 00:18:15,230 2026, so that should not be an issue. The next piece to that is the career ladder and incentive focusing on teacher leaders. 180 00:18:20,090 --> 00:18:22,310 I'm going to talk a little bit more about that on a graphic on the next slide where we get into what the career ladder is going to look like. 181 00:18:26,165 --> 00:18:29,990 that all has to be negotiated. We'll sit down with the association, we'll work through exactly how we're going to structure 182 00:18:32,630 --> 00:18:36,335 those levels that are spelled out on the career ladder. Overall, it's about raising expectations for teacher preparation and induction. 183 00:18:40,310 --> 00:18:42,350 based upon the conversation that we just had about early childhood educators and the scarcity that exists there, 184 00:18:45,860 --> 00:18:45,860 we're faced along with every other lea in the state of trying to find 185 00:18:50,915 --> 00:18:50,915 teachers at a time when colleges of education have a dwindling enrollment. 186 00:18:56,750 --> 00:19:00,095 so not only across the state of maryland, we are an import state for our teachers. 187 00:19:02,330 --> 00:19:04,160 primarily, we import our teachers into the state of maryland because we don't produce enough, 188 00:19:06,530 --> 00:19:08,810 but other universities throughout the country are also dwindling enrollments in their education programs. 189 00:19:12,410 --> 00:19:15,230 so at a time when we're trying to raise up the level of expectations and diversify our workforce, 190 00:19:18,170 --> 00:19:20,330 there's a decrease in those going into education, which is why we've got to grow our own programs and 191 00:19:22,670 --> 00:19:22,670 various other initiatives to develop and grow teachers here in cecil county. 192 00:19:27,995 --> 00:19:27,995 this next graphic, it's a little busy. 193 00:19:32,540 --> 00:19:35,360 this comes straight out of the blueprint. You'll note at the bottom, 194 00:19:36,815 --> 00:19:38,810 those first three levels there, that has to be negotiated and submitted by july 1 of this year, 195 00:19:44,360 --> 00:19:44,360 so we'll be sitting down and negotiating with the teacher association, and basically, 196 00:19:48,410 --> 00:19:51,110 what those first three levels are going to spell out, when you sign a contract and you come to work with us, 197 00:19:53,585 --> 00:19:57,060 you are a certified teacher, so you're going to be level 1. Where we have to then negotiate is, 198 00:20:00,415 --> 00:20:00,415 what does pursuing a master's or pursuing nbc, 199 00:20:04,750 --> 00:20:06,280 national board certification, or pursuing 30 credits of approved credits in a course of study, what does that mean? 200 00:20:11,470 --> 00:20:15,070 does that mean I take a class or I enroll in the program, whatever that looks like? They would then advance to level 2. 201 00:20:17,460 --> 00:20:17,460 then once they have completed either their master's or course of study or an nbc, 202 00:20:22,745 --> 00:20:22,745 the nbc only would advance to level 3. 203 00:20:26,750 --> 00:20:29,270 so why only the nbc? The national board certification has a certification process and the state has 204 00:20:35,165 --> 00:20:35,165 committed to paying $10,000 for every teacher that earns the nbc status. 205 00:20:41,045 --> 00:20:44,525 currently, right now, we have teachers that have a master's, they have an advanced professional certificate, 206 00:20:47,990 --> 00:20:50,915 they have a master's plus 30, a master's plus 60, and for each level of that, 207 00:20:53,210 --> 00:20:56,330 they receive an addendum to their salary. For example, if I have my master's degree, 208 00:20:58,865 --> 00:21:02,645 I receive an additional $1,975 currently. If I have my doctorate degree, I receive 5,425. 209 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:10,700 with the implementation of the blueprint, they set a standard of $10,000 for national board-certificated teacher. 210 00:21:16,160 --> 00:21:18,890 you'll see on the next slide here an uptick in the number of people that we have pursuing that. 211 00:21:21,635 --> 00:21:23,210 you can, go ahead. >> does that mean that the master's and the doctorate 212 00:21:26,135 --> 00:21:29,660 isn't giving them anything extra, just the board-certified? >> correct, and that's spelled out in the blueprint. 213 00:21:32,165 --> 00:21:35,870 right now, we have negotiated those rates for the master's, the master's 30, the master's 60, and the doctorate, 214 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:41,240 so that would be up to us to sit down and negotiate what that would look like. But by law, we're compelled to give $10,000 for a nationally board-certificated teacher. 215 00:21:46,895 --> 00:21:49,025 then as they earn renewals, they would earn an additional 8,000 for the first, 216 00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:53,975 7,000 for the second, 6,000 for the third. Further, if they work in a high-poverty school or a school improvement, 217 00:21:59,060 --> 00:22:01,775 a school identified as a school of improvement status, they would receive an additional 7,000. 218 00:22:03,905 --> 00:22:03,905 for example, we will have two teachers next year that will have their base salary plus 219 00:22:09,965 --> 00:22:12,800 $17,000 because they're nationally board certified and they're working in a school improvement that's been identified. 220 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:19,925 automatically, they will get that because of that certification. If they have a master's or master's plus 30, 221 00:22:22,415 --> 00:22:25,490 they would also receive that addendum as well. There's a lot of caveats buried within here, 222 00:22:31,655 --> 00:22:33,650 where we'll sit down again and we'll negotiate this with the association to work through that. 223 00:22:36,560 --> 00:22:39,350 we have to have those first three levels done this year, and then we'll advance forward from 224 00:22:41,900 --> 00:22:44,930 there into level 4 where we get into the lead teachers, distinguished teachers, and so forth. 225 00:22:46,580 --> 00:22:48,950 then there's also a leadership track there that would kick over on a license principle and distinguished principles. 226 00:22:51,695 --> 00:22:54,680 again, they would have to have an nbc in order to qualify in advance beyond as we go forward. 227 00:22:57,830 --> 00:22:57,830 but that's eight years out where that has to be fully implemented. 228 00:23:01,955 --> 00:23:01,955 >> how much does it cost to get nationally board certified? 229 00:23:05,975 --> 00:23:08,945 >> I'm going to forward to mr. Zimmerman, 2,000. >> two thousand. >> does the school system pay for that? >> $2000 230 00:23:09,995 --> 00:23:11,015 >> do we pay for that? >> we pay a third of that. 231 00:23:14,075 --> 00:23:14,075 correct. We pay a third of that. Advance. Yeah. 232 00:23:21,500 --> 00:23:23,360 >> dr. Buckley and maybe, mr. Zimmerman, can you speak to how the pay stipends for national board-certified teachers are covered? 233 00:23:30,695 --> 00:23:34,295 is it local money? Is it state money? What's the breakdown? >> the way that it's funded, 234 00:23:36,170 --> 00:23:37,970 it's about a 50/50 split. When a teacher is going to receive $10,000, 235 00:23:42,230 --> 00:23:42,230 the state will cover approximately 5,000 of that up to the 10,000. 236 00:23:46,865 --> 00:23:48,890 we can negotiate more than that, but the state would only cover that 50% of it up to the 5,000 threshold. 237 00:23:53,825 --> 00:23:56,555 the 8,000 for the first renewal, again, they would cover half of that, is that correct? 238 00:23:59,045 --> 00:24:00,485 they would cover half of that. If it's $8,000 that we negotiate, 239 00:24:03,125 --> 00:24:04,565 the state would pay 4,000, so we would be on the hook for the balance of that. 240 00:24:07,670 --> 00:24:07,670 on this slide, what you'll notice is this year, in fy24, 241 00:24:14,435 --> 00:24:14,435 we had 29 teachers that received that $10,000 stipend, 242 00:24:18,590 --> 00:24:18,590 so $290,000 of which half we paid for through our funds, 243 00:24:25,250 --> 00:24:27,995 through the state funds and local funding, and then the other half of that came directly as 244 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:33,485 a pay go from the state to support that, and so that's the uniqueness that's there. 245 00:24:36,665 --> 00:24:39,440 again, you can see on this slide, prior to the blueprint, 246 00:24:41,135 --> 00:24:43,250 we had a practice where we would have two participants each year because we felt that we could support them, 247 00:24:46,760 --> 00:24:49,100 and once they earned their nbc, they would receive a stipend of $2,000. 248 00:24:52,295 --> 00:24:54,935 that was prior to the blueprint. Since the '22-'23 school year, 249 00:24:59,660 --> 00:25:01,190 we had the 29 teachers, we had none that we're working in low-performing schools, 250 00:25:03,710 --> 00:25:06,650 and then next year as we get into next year, we have 32 teachers, 251 00:25:08,195 --> 00:25:11,480 so that's $320,000 plus the two teachers that are going to be working at a low-performing school, an additional $14,000. 252 00:25:15,380 --> 00:25:18,710 right now, we have 79 teachers that are in the pipeline to become national board certified. 253 00:25:22,070 --> 00:25:22,070 that's $790,000, of which we'll be responsible for paying half. Approximately. 254 00:25:28,940 --> 00:25:32,390 >> this is a probably a good time to point out, and we've all heard it, particularly from county leadership that says, 255 00:25:36,275 --> 00:25:38,270 the blueprint is funded. When we pay local share, 256 00:25:40,880 --> 00:25:43,445 that that's enough for the blueprint. I would argue that's probably not untrue. 257 00:25:46,685 --> 00:25:50,000 but what it's doing is it's paying for the blueprint, it's not paying for anything else that we saw in those three or four slides ago. 258 00:25:54,095 --> 00:25:54,095 when we come to you on may 8th with a recommendation, not for a vote, 259 00:26:00,605 --> 00:26:00,605 but with just a model that we think will make ends meet, 260 00:26:04,985 --> 00:26:07,700 you will see the cuts will not be coming from those areas that are protected through the blueprint. 261 00:26:11,210 --> 00:26:14,195 >> but it's really [overlapping]. >> that is just fundamental to keep an eye on. >> it's really not paying for the blueprint if it's only 50%. 262 00:26:17,825 --> 00:26:19,775 >> special ed is woefully short, I would argue el has plenty of money, 263 00:26:21,980 --> 00:26:24,125 comp-ed is somewhere in the middle, dual enrollment is a mess, 264 00:26:26,120 --> 00:26:29,420 so it's hit and miss. >> so to your point, ms. Holly, those 79 teachers, 265 00:26:31,835 --> 00:26:35,540 you're looking at approximately $800,000, half of which is 400,000, that's going to have to come out of, I would assume, 266 00:26:37,550 --> 00:26:41,525 our foundational programming, so that would come from our foundation program, which, again, the earlier slide that we had, 267 00:26:44,150 --> 00:26:47,015 those pieces there where it's taking away from the other components that make our system go, if you will. 268 00:26:52,385 --> 00:26:55,520 >> can I ask what the threshold is for the low-performing schools? What is that? How many schools fall into that category, low-performing schools? 269 00:26:59,780 --> 00:27:01,860 >> right now it's just one. >> [overlapping] next year one. >> okay. >> right now, we just have one that's identified as next year. 270 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:07,715 >> for next year. >> yes, the state does identify and they give us 271 00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:12,200 some flexibility to self-identify certain schools. >> correct. There's specific criteria around that the state uses to identify. 272 00:27:16,070 --> 00:27:19,190 >> the state defined low-performing school as one or two stars for two out of three years. 273 00:27:22,760 --> 00:27:22,760 that's why we're on the merit, yes. 274 00:27:31,230 --> 00:27:33,070 >> pillar 3. >> moving on to pillar 3. This pillar is chaired by dr. Foy, 275 00:27:37,045 --> 00:27:39,790 and this is college & career readiness. Some of the things you're going to see in pillar 3 are the importance in the goal, 276 00:27:44,515 --> 00:27:44,515 which is having all students meet college and career readiness standards by 10th grade. 277 00:27:50,095 --> 00:27:53,860 we also wanted to make sure to get to that that all of our curriculum resources and assessments are completely aligned to get to that metric. 278 00:27:58,465 --> 00:28:01,105 post college and career readiness, pathways and support pathways for students who 279 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:06,475 do meet the mark and students who do not meet the mark to make sure that we're supporting all students through this process 280 00:28:09,580 --> 00:28:12,745 in their secondary education specifically high school. Then finally, the goal, 281 00:28:14,875 --> 00:28:17,350 long term, I believe it's in 2030, wes is that we have 45% of our students 282 00:28:20,440 --> 00:28:20,440 engaged in a youth apprenticeship program within the community. 283 00:28:24,910 --> 00:28:27,220 big goals and dreams, so we're going to show you right now just where we are in terms of process of that. 284 00:28:30,955 --> 00:28:34,930 how do you identify a student as college and career ready? >> dr. Hammer, what was that percentage? 285 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:36,760 >> forty-five percent in youth apprenticeship programs by 2030, I believe. 286 00:28:41,170 --> 00:28:44,410 >> do we have enough businesses? >> we're working on it. 287 00:28:45,310 --> 00:28:47,290 >> in cecil county to do that? >> that's a problem, 45% is almost 500 students and 288 00:28:51,760 --> 00:28:51,760 currently we're probably closer to 25 students. 289 00:28:58,140 --> 00:29:00,190 that's a big, big lift, and again, across the state, it's a concern. 290 00:29:04,410 --> 00:29:08,245 >> for a student to be deemed college and career-ready, there is a new college and career readiness standard that will be utilized by the state. 291 00:29:12,130 --> 00:29:14,890 this was recently passed by the maryland state board of education. You see two options here. 292 00:29:16,450 --> 00:29:18,235 option 1 is at the top. If a student will be considered college and career-ready, 293 00:29:21,070 --> 00:29:22,810 if they achieve a grade point, average of 3.0 or higher that is unweighted. 294 00:29:26,395 --> 00:29:26,395 as for and, they also have to have math mastery, 295 00:29:30,490 --> 00:29:32,020 which means they have to have an a, b, or c in algebra or they have to have a proficient or above score on the algebra mcap. 296 00:29:38,185 --> 00:29:41,365 that's one path for ccr. The other option is that they score proficient or above on ela 10, 297 00:29:46,585 --> 00:29:49,660 mcap 10, or the algebra 1 math. The first option brings in gpa and grades, 298 00:29:53,230 --> 00:29:56,410 the second option does not, it's straight assessment scores. Those are the two pathways for students to be identified as ccr. 299 00:30:01,540 --> 00:30:04,165 with that comes funding. Let's show you where we are and where we have been. 300 00:30:07,420 --> 00:30:07,420 the fy23 and fy24 school years, 301 00:30:13,570 --> 00:30:13,570 we were using a previous ccr standard that was based on 2019 data, 302 00:30:18,820 --> 00:30:21,085 and that is because of covid impact. We have been using that standard for 303 00:30:23,740 --> 00:30:27,130 multiple years and you can see the dollar value that attaches to that. We had certain number of students that met that standard, 304 00:30:29,770 --> 00:30:32,710 and there is a dollar value that comes with each one of those students that met that standard that equals $737,000. 305 00:30:37,585 --> 00:30:40,840 as we have moved into next school year, we're still using the previous standard, 306 00:30:42,670 --> 00:30:42,670 but it's now based on the 2023 post covid data. 307 00:30:47,040 --> 00:30:47,040 you can see the significant decline in the ccr numbers that we 308 00:30:52,060 --> 00:30:52,060 have and the money that we have coming in to support those ccr students. 309 00:30:58,170 --> 00:30:58,170 what we see moving forward and beyond, 310 00:31:03,085 --> 00:31:03,085 it's going to be almost like a two-year lagging situation on our hands where data 311 00:31:08,155 --> 00:31:10,720 is going to come in from one year and we're going to have to use it to calculate the number of students. 312 00:31:14,065 --> 00:31:14,065 it would be from the past looking to fund students moving forward. 313 00:31:21,330 --> 00:31:21,330 we're trying to estimate the funding, 314 00:31:25,690 --> 00:31:27,490 we think moving forward, the funding is going to be pretty similar to what it looked like back in 315 00:31:31,360 --> 00:31:34,540 the fy23 and fy24 school years because the new expectations for ccr qualifications will be used. 316 00:31:38,950 --> 00:31:42,625 we believe that's going to be very helpful to us moving forward. I want to share what our participation looks like right now as 317 00:31:46,540 --> 00:31:50,215 a part of some of our pathway work, advanced placement courses. You can see how it has steadily increased from the '22, 318 00:31:55,330 --> 00:31:58,270 '23 school year to this current school year. The number of students and the number of courses those students have taken. 319 00:32:02,590 --> 00:32:02,590 dual enrollment is another area you can see that is slowly starting to increase, 320 00:32:07,735 --> 00:32:11,470 and then the career and technical education certifications that our students are earning at this point. 321 00:32:13,270 --> 00:32:13,270 it's in progress for this year because those assessments are happening as we speak. 322 00:32:18,055 --> 00:32:21,910 moving forward, you see we're in an upward trajectory here. However, we're going to have less money next year, 323 00:32:24,340 --> 00:32:24,340 half as much money to be able to support these initiatives. 324 00:32:31,290 --> 00:32:31,290 any questions about pillar 3? 325 00:32:35,370 --> 00:32:39,370 >> less money, but if we have to reduce the number of courses offered because of funding as well. 326 00:32:44,370 --> 00:32:48,025 >> that's a fundamental decision. If you honor all the requests, 327 00:32:50,065 --> 00:32:50,065 you're going to need to grab probably $300,000-400,000 additionally out of, 328 00:32:55,660 --> 00:32:58,445 once again, the foundation money. There's only so much foundation money to make this work. 329 00:33:01,965 --> 00:33:04,650 doctor foy has put together a model that I don't want to use necessarily the word restrict, 330 00:33:08,200 --> 00:33:08,200 but does provide some criteria for students to take courses. 331 00:33:12,865 --> 00:33:16,735 we know we have a certain amount of money that we can operate with. This is an area being discussed with 332 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:22,330 the interim superintendents work group on the blueprint. We've made very clear, the local superintendents, 333 00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:28,600 that this is an issue for all of us because this is just a bad year because they're counting the number of 334 00:33:31,060 --> 00:33:34,890 students who are college and career-ready. Our funding has basically been cut in half. 335 00:33:38,575 --> 00:33:41,560 but we're going to apply, and this is the tricky part. We know the number of students are going to spike when we 336 00:33:44,080 --> 00:33:46,885 start using the 3.0 gpa minimum, you're going to see more kids, 337 00:33:48,400 --> 00:33:50,785 but that pot of money is staying the same. It's something we're really going to have to work hard to get through fy25. 338 00:33:54,970 --> 00:33:54,970 everything we're being told is that fy26 will be more favorable in this pillar. 339 00:34:00,265 --> 00:34:02,440 but yeah, it's going to take some creative work. Keep in mind that that money is intended to go for student certification exams, 340 00:34:06,955 --> 00:34:10,075 ap exams, as well as dual enrollment. >> do you know what enrollment looks like or anticipated for '24, '25? 341 00:34:16,315 --> 00:34:18,600 >> dual enrollment or overall enrollment? >> for apc and for dual because I've heard some kids talking about maybe not doing 342 00:34:22,540 --> 00:34:24,250 dual enrollment because of concerns about funding not be available to and they'd have to put more out of pocket. 343 00:34:27,190 --> 00:34:30,300 >> that's for sure. Doctor. >> as it stands now for high school students because they are in the scheduling process, 344 00:34:37,105 --> 00:34:39,865 we've had counselors reach out to students. Our numbers this year compared to last year, 345 00:34:42,520 --> 00:34:45,250 they are a little down just from the requests. There has been conversation probably at the school level in 346 00:34:48,490 --> 00:34:52,315 reference to dual enrollment and those things from experience. Our final number, what we have for request comes in in two weeks, 347 00:34:57,100 --> 00:34:57,100 actually, which report back to me the number of requests for dual enrollment. 348 00:35:02,500 --> 00:35:04,810 I'll have that final number in two weeks. >> dr. Foy, when they're going to their counselor to sign up for their classes, 349 00:35:09,025 --> 00:35:12,160 what are we telling them that's available for dual enrollment now? Is it less than what was before? 350 00:35:14,065 --> 00:35:16,030 >> we provide them four options. Last year, we had schools 351 00:35:19,510 --> 00:35:19,510 who had dual enrollment courses taught on the main campus at the high school, 352 00:35:24,010 --> 00:35:26,395 and I mean last year, meaning this current year, we also allowed students to take courses at cecil college remotely, 353 00:35:30,280 --> 00:35:32,605 and we covered the price of that. Next year, seeing the crunch that we're in, 354 00:35:35,725 --> 00:35:38,710 what we've shared with schools is that we will be able to support and cover those that are in house who meet a certain criteria, 355 00:35:42,370 --> 00:35:44,335 and we've laid that out to schools, mainly looking at students who are in poverty as being part of that criteria. 356 00:35:50,695 --> 00:35:50,695 but it's looking at the four options we have available, english 101. 357 00:35:56,080 --> 00:35:58,825 we also have available statistics, environmental science, and sociology are the offerings kids get for dual enrollment. 358 00:36:04,240 --> 00:36:04,240 however, if they choose to take other courses outside of the home school, 359 00:36:08,665 --> 00:36:11,530 that would be, of course, their parents' responsibility to cover. 360 00:36:13,690 --> 00:36:17,155 >> if a kid asked the question like, how much of this will be covered? They're not able to give them a real answer right now, 361 00:36:20,035 --> 00:36:21,580 like a short thing answer. >> once the final numbers come in, we could see. 362 00:36:24,580 --> 00:36:27,535 >> has it been like that all the time, though, because if 1,000 kids signed up, we wouldn't be able to support it, right? 363 00:36:29,245 --> 00:36:29,245 >> this year is unique in the sense that everybody is uncertain about the funding. 364 00:36:33,415 --> 00:36:36,640 I'll say it now, I was going to probably wait till a little later. This is what worries me most about the blueprint right now is that 365 00:36:40,090 --> 00:36:43,780 there is just some built-in structural inequities. It's not the kind of inequity that we're used to talking about, 366 00:36:47,740 --> 00:36:50,500 this inequity is really based on where you live. If you live in some counties who are robustly funding their public school system, 367 00:36:55,090 --> 00:36:55,090 their students are simply getting more opportunities. That simple. 368 00:37:01,170 --> 00:37:03,670 you have to question, what's the fairness in that? 369 00:37:05,710 --> 00:37:07,270 that if your student, let's just say baltimore county or carroll county, they get x. 370 00:37:11,800 --> 00:37:15,220 but because we live in a county that doesn't necessarily invest in the way other counties do, 371 00:37:19,405 --> 00:37:21,865 our students are limited in dual enrollment. Our four-year-olds are limited. 372 00:37:23,695 --> 00:37:27,655 can they come to school? You just go right down the list. I understand about being frugal and 373 00:37:30,805 --> 00:37:34,000 certain financial principles and all those kind of things. But try telling that to a 13-year old. 374 00:37:36,805 --> 00:37:40,720 what you end up with is a child who is simply not getting the same level of opportunities as a child who lives 26 miles down in 95. 375 00:37:45,040 --> 00:37:47,470 it's just that simple. We can rationalize that it's right or it's wrong or it's this or that, 376 00:37:50,380 --> 00:37:53,200 but what I'm saying is just the cold hard facts. I really truly worry about that. 377 00:37:59,570 --> 00:37:59,570 >> pillar 4 is chaired by mr. Raj, 378 00:38:04,485 --> 00:38:07,240 our director of student services and safety. Pillar 4, what you're going to see is concentration of poverty schools. 379 00:38:11,645 --> 00:38:15,020 you may have seen that flying through our budget reports. This is restricted funds that are coming to 380 00:38:17,540 --> 00:38:21,160 our school system that are to be used for a specific purpose, and these are in targeted schools so we'll go through some of 381 00:38:23,940 --> 00:38:27,600 the qualifications for concentration of poverty in a moment. These are, as I've said, 382 00:38:29,730 --> 00:38:33,120 targeted supports for historically underserved students and also supports for erels and our students with disabilities. 383 00:38:36,780 --> 00:38:40,755 this is what is supposed to be investing in in this pillar. The first piece is concentration of poverty. 384 00:38:44,085 --> 00:38:47,985 we're going to show you some of the qualifications for concentration of poverty first. There is a concentration of poverty personnel funding that first comes in, 385 00:38:52,200 --> 00:38:54,030 and that essentially pays for what's called a community school advisor in each school that's identified as well as a school nurse. 386 00:38:59,730 --> 00:38:59,730 those two positions are restricted positions that are coming in with state money. 387 00:39:04,185 --> 00:39:08,085 the qualifications for it. You can see right here, starting at fy '23, 388 00:39:09,720 --> 00:39:13,320 any school that was 65% over of the farms rate would qualify for the concentration of poverty. 389 00:39:17,850 --> 00:39:21,060 fy '24, this year, if you're at 60 or above, you're qualifying, so we've added a couple more, you'll see in a moment. 390 00:39:24,015 --> 00:39:26,610 next year, which is the final year, any school that's 55% or above the farm's rate will be 391 00:39:30,870 --> 00:39:30,870 considered a concentration of poverty school and receive the personnel funding, okay? 392 00:39:35,925 --> 00:39:35,925 there's another pot of money that comes in as well that's all required and restricted. 393 00:39:40,980 --> 00:39:44,730 this is the same phenomenon. This started in fy '24, that if you had 70% of your schools at the free and reduced rate, 394 00:39:49,065 --> 00:39:51,540 you received some a little bit of additional funding, which is called the per pupil funding. 395 00:39:53,565 --> 00:39:55,680 it's an additional pot of money that goes specifically to those extremely high poverty schools. 396 00:39:58,785 --> 00:40:00,975 so fy '25, it drops down to 65%, 397 00:40:03,390 --> 00:40:05,610 so that's what we're planning for for next year. It drops in 26 to 60%, 398 00:40:08,250 --> 00:40:10,290 and then it by '27, any school that's 55% or above is going to get this per 399 00:40:13,500 --> 00:40:16,620 pupil additional funding to support wrap around services and other things in those schools. 400 00:40:20,295 --> 00:40:20,295 so you may be curious to see how things have shaken out in cecil county. 401 00:40:25,005 --> 00:40:27,660 so using that criteria that you saw, there are four schools in fy '22-'23 school year, we received restricted, 402 00:40:32,835 --> 00:40:32,835 $1.1 million that came in for concentration of poverty to put that csa, 403 00:40:38,850 --> 00:40:41,730 as well as a school nurse in those four schools. Okay? This current school year, 404 00:40:44,235 --> 00:40:44,235 you can see the dollar value that came in from the state for the restricted funds, 405 00:40:48,240 --> 00:40:51,345 and it's the same schools, okay? Next year, what we are anticipating. 406 00:40:54,225 --> 00:40:57,720 you can see it's going to be a 2.7 amount of money that's coming in, not for class sizes, 407 00:40:58,830 --> 00:41:01,620 not for athletics, but for specific purposes, and it's for the csa and the school nurse. 408 00:41:04,455 --> 00:41:08,160 we have three schools that are going to qualify because of their poverty rate for the per pupil funding, 409 00:41:11,520 --> 00:41:13,515 and you can see the chunk of money that's coming in to those three schools for those wrap around services. 410 00:41:17,325 --> 00:41:17,325 you'll see gilpin manor over here started as a per pupil school, 411 00:41:22,380 --> 00:41:24,390 but then the state took it away this year, but they're going to be back next year in the per pupil. 412 00:41:27,570 --> 00:41:31,380 >> when you look at our state revenue in the budget reports, it will show that we have a $1.7 million increase in funding. 413 00:41:36,570 --> 00:41:39,330 right away, a typical person goes to the place, well, we can get more teachers with that. 414 00:41:41,460 --> 00:41:43,065 we can bring back middle school sports. We can do a whole hodgepodge of things. 415 00:41:45,495 --> 00:41:49,170 no, it has to be spent on concentration of poverty. It can only be spent on community school advisors in those nine schools and their nurse, 416 00:41:54,735 --> 00:41:54,735 and then some wrap around services just in those schools. 417 00:41:59,280 --> 00:42:01,995 that's just one of the more common things I see that's not fully understood by so many people. 418 00:42:05,235 --> 00:42:08,250 we did not get a lot of extra money from the state this year, but one point- miss hope, 419 00:42:09,945 --> 00:42:09,945 do you know off the top of your head, what's our state revenue increase year over year? 420 00:42:14,055 --> 00:42:16,470 well, 4 million total. >> probably not, but I can look it up for you. 421 00:42:18,720 --> 00:42:18,720 >> but the bottom line is it's in the neighborhood of 3.5- four million. 422 00:42:23,775 --> 00:42:23,775 but 1.7 goes to those nine schools for just those reasons. 423 00:42:29,570 --> 00:42:32,310 >> you said nurse and then what was the other one? [overlapping]. >> community school advisor? 424 00:42:33,675 --> 00:42:37,260 >> oh, silly. Okay. >> then some wrap around services which are tutoring, and those kind of things so this is so central. 425 00:42:40,950 --> 00:42:44,355 last year, we received $18 million. Today, I still see people on social media saying, 426 00:42:48,585 --> 00:42:50,565 well, they didn't buy any new teachers with that. Well, of course, we didn't because every single line is accounted for for something else. 427 00:42:55,365 --> 00:42:58,605 >> quick question for the wrap around services so if we have the extra money and say we have wrap around services like tutoring, 428 00:43:02,190 --> 00:43:05,970 that would be we could actually pay for a tutor to be in that school? I know we have tutors currently. [overlapping]. 429 00:43:08,540 --> 00:43:10,970 >> yeah. There's a needs assessment that has to take place. Schools would determine how they're going to be utilizing those funds. 430 00:43:13,970 --> 00:43:16,490 it can be for health care services, support, access to resources in the community, 431 00:43:19,880 --> 00:43:22,595 consultation, things like that. There's specific guidelines that came out from the state 432 00:43:25,400 --> 00:43:28,730 recently that they hadn't had in the past so there's going to be some more oversight from the state about the requirements of 433 00:43:31,550 --> 00:43:34,795 concentration of poverty that we will be in line with, for sure. >> well, will it be able to be used towards paris then? 434 00:43:38,175 --> 00:43:40,740 >> no. No. It's it's not for personnel. It's for wrap around services really. The personnel are [overlapping]. 435 00:43:43,590 --> 00:43:44,910 >> even though they wrap around the kid [overlapping] >> wrap around services means wrap around the traditional school day; 436 00:43:48,360 --> 00:43:51,900 before, after, outside the typical content; math, science, english, social studies. 437 00:43:53,190 --> 00:43:56,490 the wrap around services. >> if I can say something real quick to that, too, I think from what I'm hearing, 438 00:43:58,005 --> 00:43:58,005 this pillar is one of the one thing that a lot of people are confused about, 439 00:44:02,085 --> 00:44:05,460 and they really don't pay attention enough to this. I don't know if that's because it's not been socialized enough or people just aren't paying attention, 440 00:44:07,620 --> 00:44:07,620 but this might help people to really understand that those services are restricted. 441 00:44:15,200 --> 00:44:17,895 people are merging things together, and I think this is really important to get that information out going 442 00:44:21,090 --> 00:44:24,630 forward about these schools and criteria for them and so forth. >> I agree. I think that it's bonked into one number. 443 00:44:27,165 --> 00:44:27,615 >> yes. >> you see an increase of one number and you automatically think, well, 444 00:44:31,365 --> 00:44:31,365 there's more money, and it's really not unrestricted. 445 00:44:35,430 --> 00:44:38,625 >> another great example of that is prek at judy center, we've received considerable increases in prek, judy center. 446 00:44:43,095 --> 00:44:46,785 it's not doing a darn thing for class sizes at elkton high school, rising sun, northeast middle, 447 00:44:48,555 --> 00:44:51,920 not doing a darn thing for those class sizes. >> the total state increase is 1.3 million. 448 00:44:56,040 --> 00:44:58,155 that's because some things went up. Like concentration of poverty went up 1.7 million, 449 00:45:00,720 --> 00:45:00,720 but foundation went down 1.5 million so when you take all the pluses and minuses, 450 00:45:05,325 --> 00:45:08,925 the total increase from the state is 1.3 million at this time, for what we know for fy '25. 451 00:45:12,640 --> 00:45:12,640 >> that was over the 18 million from last year? 452 00:45:16,685 --> 00:45:20,345 >> this is just comparing this year going into next year, so from fy24-fy25, 453 00:45:23,060 --> 00:45:25,670 it's a 1.3 million dollar increase. >> but I think the answer to question is yes. 454 00:45:28,190 --> 00:45:30,710 the $18 million from last year hasn't gone away. It's still there. But again, it's spoken for. 455 00:45:33,860 --> 00:45:33,860 the things it was there to cover are still there to be covered. 456 00:45:38,560 --> 00:45:38,560 >> this final slide in pillar 4 shows the support that 457 00:45:43,190 --> 00:45:46,880 we have provided for our multilingual learners as well as our students with disabilities, and there's not a whole lot of change that's happening here. 458 00:45:49,565 --> 00:45:52,370 we are still within the confines of the law. But you can see moving from the 22-23 school year to the 23-24, 459 00:45:58,520 --> 00:46:01,700 you can see that we added a multilingual csa, which is, we have a staff member who has been engaging 460 00:46:04,925 --> 00:46:08,435 our students and families who don't speak english. She's been out in the community and rocking it out there, I will tell you. 461 00:46:12,890 --> 00:46:16,145 we've also added some additional special education staff, and expanded slightly our el teachers. 462 00:46:19,010 --> 00:46:21,830 I will tell you the last check, I think we just got an email, dr. Lawson, we have 416 students who do not speak english fully. 463 00:46:25,880 --> 00:46:28,250 their english as a second language. We do need to show some expansion in this area for sure, 464 00:46:32,210 --> 00:46:35,165 but I will reinforce that we are within the confines of the law, but this does have to expand as the blueprint moves along. 465 00:46:39,320 --> 00:46:42,065 any questions about pillar 4? Mr. Rasch just walked in, 466 00:46:43,670 --> 00:46:44,840 so he can answer them for you. [laughter]. 467 00:46:57,685 --> 00:47:01,580 >> [inaudible] . >> I'm going to repeat that on the microphone. Mr. Rasch explained that some of the wraparound support can be 468 00:47:04,190 --> 00:47:04,190 behavioral services as well that would be provided in terms of wraparound. 469 00:47:09,170 --> 00:47:09,170 >> which is helpful. That's helpful. 470 00:47:14,384 --> 00:47:18,380 >> [inaudible] >> then does that pull in the paris then? Does this behavior? >> they would not necessarily be mental health support. 471 00:47:20,870 --> 00:47:20,870 those are trained mental health practitioners is what we would need. 472 00:47:31,810 --> 00:47:31,810 >> pillar 5. With pillar 5, 473 00:47:37,865 --> 00:47:41,735 this is the dot the is cross the ts, make sure all the boxes are checked, and there's one little caveat in there, 474 00:47:43,460 --> 00:47:44,885 and I'll talk a little bit about that. It's the aib, the accountability and implementation board. 475 00:47:47,810 --> 00:47:51,275 it is our local plans that we develop and we submit each year, and that it's monitoring and 476 00:47:52,610 --> 00:47:54,975 technical assistance from the maryland state department of education. However, the one piece that's in here that's buried within 477 00:47:58,675 --> 00:47:58,675 is that accountability piece and that's the 75%. 478 00:48:03,225 --> 00:48:05,960 this is the piece that you'll look at the bottom there and you'll see the different funding categories that we have. 479 00:48:08,150 --> 00:48:10,400 if you remember back to when we were talking about our budget, each student gets a foundational program dollar amount. 480 00:48:13,385 --> 00:48:16,400 if they're compensatory education, they get compensatory, if they're el, special education, 481 00:48:18,470 --> 00:48:22,355 they get additional dollar amounts. With this accountability measure, what they're saying is 75% of the dollars that come in with 482 00:48:26,540 --> 00:48:26,540 that student must follow that student to specific schools, 483 00:48:31,115 --> 00:48:31,115 and therein lies the challenge because what you're left with then are foundational kids, 484 00:48:36,200 --> 00:48:39,620 students, and dollars that aren't as free flowing for them in schools where there is also need. 485 00:48:44,075 --> 00:48:47,600 24-25 next school year, the baseline for that is to be there. 486 00:48:51,320 --> 00:48:54,590 it's a no fault year, so we are not compelled to do that. 25-26, it's required currently. 487 00:48:58,565 --> 00:49:02,495 I know that during this past legislative session that recently wrapped up, there has been a great amount of discussion and 488 00:49:05,300 --> 00:49:08,090 debate and back and forth around this piece. I think doctor lawson spoke to that earlier when he said, 489 00:49:10,805 --> 00:49:14,000 it was just a number that was thrown out there and I don't know that folks fully understood the ramifications of the 75%. 490 00:49:18,050 --> 00:49:20,525 I think now as they've dug into it, a lot of that due to doctor lawson's leadership at the state level, 491 00:49:24,350 --> 00:49:27,995 we've seen the impact that that has. Leas across the state are really struggling with how do we make it 492 00:49:32,060 --> 00:49:32,060 work when these dollars for the compensatory education, 493 00:49:36,545 --> 00:49:39,500 el, special education, have to follow those students? They essentially become unrestricted dollars, 494 00:49:43,400 --> 00:49:46,970 and that's the challenge. That's something that we'll be monitoring, that's something we'll be working on as we move forward. 495 00:49:50,525 --> 00:49:53,120 but it's a no fault year next year. As of right now, it has to be implemented 25-26. 496 00:49:56,165 --> 00:49:59,000 we'll see what the next legislative session brings. Questions about pillar 5? 497 00:50:01,730 --> 00:50:04,280 >> I have one. >> yes. >> I'm going to make this very simple. 498 00:50:06,350 --> 00:50:06,350 if little susie comes in and she's a poor regular student, 499 00:50:12,390 --> 00:50:15,650 and she gets x amount of dollars. >> correct. >> from what I've understood in the past, 500 00:50:17,660 --> 00:50:17,660 that x amount of dollars doesn't necessarily stay with her, you would hope it does. 501 00:50:22,235 --> 00:50:25,810 does that money stay with her in her school? >> the local school systems have 502 00:50:28,370 --> 00:50:28,370 tremendous flexibility with how the money is dispersed across the county. 503 00:50:33,830 --> 00:50:36,365 we try to base it on student need, class size, needs of our students with disabilities. 504 00:50:40,595 --> 00:50:42,890 moving forward, once the 75, 25 split becomes in effect, 505 00:50:45,320 --> 00:50:48,755 that will now be predetermined for us. Probably the best way to put it. 506 00:50:51,310 --> 00:50:51,310 >> would it be safe to say it's really about those three put? 507 00:50:56,900 --> 00:50:57,605 >> yes. >> constitution of poverty, english learning and special ed. That's the money. 508 00:51:01,190 --> 00:51:04,505 >> there are four chunks. >> four here. >> the first is the foundation. Every child that walks in is a foundation student. 509 00:51:07,280 --> 00:51:09,500 the second is a student with disability. That student gets an extra chunk of funding that comes with that child. 510 00:51:12,830 --> 00:51:15,515 the third is students from poverty. That student gets an extra chunk of funding when they come in, 511 00:51:18,545 --> 00:51:20,450 and the fourth is english learner. You're non english speaking students, basically. 512 00:51:22,685 --> 00:51:25,910 there are four buckets, if you will. Every child gets something and then they get 513 00:51:28,280 --> 00:51:31,220 extra if they're part of an identified population. >> to simplify that question, 514 00:51:32,525 --> 00:51:34,775 the foundation is always there? >> everybody get foundation, it's probably [inaudible]. 515 00:51:37,430 --> 00:51:41,150 >> it's the other three that we need to worry about moving, right? The other three? >> correct. 516 00:51:42,440 --> 00:51:42,440 >> but you could have a student who comes in who has all three of the bottom ones. 517 00:51:47,420 --> 00:51:51,230 >> you're correct. >> all of a sudden, that money goes to one school. >> 75% of that, yes. 518 00:51:52,760 --> 00:51:55,220 that's where we had run models earlier this year, and that was some of the consternation that we had 519 00:51:57,230 --> 00:52:00,020 earlier as we were going through the budgeting process and talking about the differences in like elementary schools, 520 00:52:05,375 --> 00:52:09,155 I think it was a model that we had up there with similar enrollment numbers, but different diverse populations and 521 00:52:12,110 --> 00:52:15,305 the dollars would have to go with one school versus the other school. >> the concept is right, really good, 522 00:52:18,185 --> 00:52:21,290 because obviously the school that has more of those kids have more needs and it's harder to educate so the more money should go to that school, 523 00:52:24,380 --> 00:52:27,140 but just the limited flexibility. You guys know better what school needs 524 00:52:29,420 --> 00:52:32,465 the more help than somebody in annapolis telling us that. >> correct. I brought this slide back up because these are those other components 525 00:52:38,180 --> 00:52:40,580 of the day-to-day make the school system go forward that have to come out of those foundational dollars. 526 00:52:45,020 --> 00:52:48,530 when that 75% rule hits those dollars that come with those students based upon their need, 527 00:52:53,615 --> 00:52:57,515 it leaves minimal dollars left that are unrestricted to dress the totality of what 528 00:53:00,140 --> 00:53:00,140 we have to do as a system to make it go forward. 529 00:53:06,180 --> 00:53:06,180 >> it basically leaves the foundation kids lacking for what they need. 530 00:53:11,140 --> 00:53:14,230 >> I don't know that it leaves them lacking what they need, but it certainly creates a challenge for us, 531 00:53:16,420 --> 00:53:18,160 and that's something that we've been talking about, I think, probably since october when we started having discussions around it. 532 00:53:21,295 --> 00:53:23,890 that would be understanding that that would be a challenge. >> that would be on top of instead of comment that you've made a lot. 533 00:53:28,585 --> 00:53:32,350 >> if it was on top of instead of. >> people have been pounding the drum for years 534 00:53:35,605 --> 00:53:39,430 about needier students getting more funding. It was never really I was always expected that it would be in addition to. 535 00:53:45,595 --> 00:53:48,280 now what we're finding is kind of instead of, and that's a lot of what we're seeing right now. 536 00:53:50,140 --> 00:53:53,350 >> if we had enough, then it would be okay if we had more going to these schools. 537 00:53:56,225 --> 00:53:59,020 >> that goes back to the inequity piece that I mentioned, when you receive money above local share, 538 00:54:01,900 --> 00:54:04,120 there's more flexibility with that money. Some of our counties that are funding their schools at a higher level, 539 00:54:08,710 --> 00:54:12,415 those students are benefiting in a number of different ways. >> doctor lawson, to your point, though, 540 00:54:14,410 --> 00:54:16,450 what would happen is that it will start being, these folks against those folks if you don't get. 541 00:54:21,660 --> 00:54:24,370 >> it's the natural thinking. Sure. >> that's what's happening now, two why are they getting more, but. 542 00:54:34,240 --> 00:54:37,795 >> you moved to a county that they're getting more. >> I was going to say it harkens back to what dr. Lawson said when we're talking about 543 00:54:40,540 --> 00:54:44,410 ccr and you've got students in different leas based upon funding that have greater opportunity to access a variety of courses and experience. 544 00:54:52,450 --> 00:54:54,985 >> it shouldn't be lost on everybody that our neighbor four miles to the east is new castle county. 545 00:54:58,930 --> 00:55:00,880 they have five school districts. Colonial red clay, brandy wine, christine and appoquinimink. 546 00:55:04,255 --> 00:55:07,165 four of those five in the last eight weeks, have passed referendum from their communities for a tax increase. 547 00:55:12,295 --> 00:55:15,040 the community has just yesterday in appoquinimink it came out and it won 7,500 to about 5,500. 548 00:55:18,505 --> 00:55:18,505 the community voted to increase taxes for additional funding for schools. 549 00:55:23,245 --> 00:55:23,245 and so we can die on the hill that will never spend more for schools. 550 00:55:29,830 --> 00:55:32,155 other counties aren't taking that approach. What happens is children in cecil county don't get the same benefits advantages, 551 00:55:37,675 --> 00:55:40,285 and that's particularly frustrating for an educator. >> I hate to say it, but it's already that way and it's only going to get worse. 552 00:55:43,135 --> 00:55:43,135 go to hartford county with your sports team and your kids walk into the school and say, 553 00:55:47,635 --> 00:55:50,860 oh, my gosh, this is so nice. They walk on the sports field and they say, wow, this is amazing. 554 00:55:52,405 --> 00:55:52,405 that's not including the classes that they get offered. 555 00:55:56,530 --> 00:55:59,125 my daughter went to university of maryland and she had roommates and friends from montgomery county, howard county, 556 00:56:03,010 --> 00:56:03,010 obviously, the counties around there and the the opportunities that they had, 557 00:56:07,750 --> 00:56:07,750 the ap classes that they were afforded that they could do. 558 00:56:11,880 --> 00:56:11,880 >> when you look at the total per pupil funding on that state on the list, 559 00:56:18,760 --> 00:56:20,260 and you see where we are, we're being asked to do the same exact thing as 560 00:56:23,110 --> 00:56:26,515 all these other counties with considerably less funding. I think that's really in a nutshell. 561 00:56:29,200 --> 00:56:31,120 >> diane, not to make it about sports, but we just played apo yesterday. 562 00:56:35,220 --> 00:56:37,615 we played and one, yep. You walk back on that field and it's like it was like a college field. 563 00:56:41,095 --> 00:56:41,095 I mean, they really have some it's apoqinmic it's in middletown. 564 00:56:45,415 --> 00:56:48,550 then we were at patterson mills last week, and again, another school that's it's like a college campus. 565 00:56:51,685 --> 00:56:55,180 one of their fields, and we won. >> that's enough. >> today, we play that 566 00:56:57,190 --> 00:57:00,690 >> that's enough. >> we won. >> do we want to move on? 567 00:57:03,070 --> 00:57:06,385 >> thank you to the board. >> as we close out our presentation, where we are and where we're going. 568 00:57:09,265 --> 00:57:09,265 march of 23, we had to submit to the aib the initial implementation, 569 00:57:14,710 --> 00:57:16,750 that was approved in june of 23. We did submit phase 2, 570 00:57:18,775 --> 00:57:18,775 part 1 response was submitted in march and next week. 571 00:57:22,795 --> 00:57:24,580 that plan will be submitted. We've had mr. Zimmerman has been working closely with 572 00:57:27,400 --> 00:57:27,400 our representative to work through the final pieces of that plan. 573 00:57:33,715 --> 00:57:37,570 everybody has been contributing to that. It's ready. It's just under review, if you will, at this point in this time. 574 00:57:41,940 --> 00:57:45,910 the final slide is, as we move forward, we will put together one page updates for each pillar, 575 00:57:49,480 --> 00:57:52,660 similar to the presentation that dr. Lawson made at elkton high school, where everybody was turning in unison with 576 00:57:54,490 --> 00:57:54,490 their pillar pages to provide an idea of where we're at what we're doing. 577 00:57:59,635 --> 00:57:59,635 we will update the strategic plan to align with the blueprint, 578 00:58:03,720 --> 00:58:03,720 and then it will be submitted on a yearly annual basis. 579 00:58:07,735 --> 00:58:11,155 that ties into that governance piece of pillar 5. That, I believe, 580 00:58:13,390 --> 00:58:13,390 other than if you want more information about the blueprint, you can log in. 581 00:58:20,100 --> 00:58:20,100 >> if 2025 for the 75 25 things a no fault year when it's not a no fault year, 582 00:58:25,330 --> 00:58:27,385 what's the fine or what's what happens? >> I believe this state can withhold up to 25% of your state revenue. 583 00:58:32,880 --> 00:58:32,880 >> correct. That's massive. 584 00:58:38,790 --> 00:58:42,265 >> thinking about rebelling, are we? Yeah. >> wow, joe. 585 00:58:43,210 --> 00:58:43,210 >> we'd be rebelling up to $35 million or so. Thank you. 586 00:58:50,140 --> 00:58:53,260 >> thank you. Miss heath, do you have a motion? 587 00:58:56,260 --> 00:58:59,440 >> I do. I move that the board of education enter into closed session to discuss personnel matters as 588 00:59:01,570 --> 00:59:01,570 pursuant to maryland annotated code general provisions, article 3-305b1. 589 00:59:09,420 --> 00:59:12,445 >> is there a second. >> second. >> any discussion? All in favor? 590 00:59:15,370 --> 00:59:15,940 >> aye. >> any opposed? We are entering into closed session. 591 00:59:20,545 --> 00:59:20,545 thanks for being here, guys. 592 00:59:33,610 --> 00:59:37,315 at this time, I'm going to reconvene in open session, the april 24, 2024, 593 00:59:39,160 --> 00:59:39,160 board of education of cecil county work session. 594 00:59:46,680 --> 00:59:49,000 the adoption of the agenda, is there a motion to adopt the meeting agenda as presented? 595 01:00:00,840 --> 01:00:00,840 >> a motion to adopt the agenda as amended. 596 01:00:06,190 --> 01:00:09,175 >> as presented. >> yes presented. >> there's a motion. Is there a second? 597 01:00:11,635 --> 01:00:14,380 >> second.. >> any discussion? >> all in favor say aye. 598 01:00:16,030 --> 01:00:17,185 >> aye. >> any opposed? Motion carries. 599 01:00:20,035 --> 01:00:22,735 consent agenda. Would anyone like to remove any items from the consent agenda before there's a motion? 600 01:00:28,720 --> 01:00:28,720 hearing none. Is there a motion to adopt the consent agenda as presented? 601 01:00:36,220 --> 01:00:38,380 >> I move that the board of education of cecil county adopt the consent agenda as presented. 602 01:00:40,345 --> 01:00:42,115 >> is there a second? >> second. >> any discussion? All in favor? 603 01:00:44,980 --> 01:00:48,145 >> aye. >> any opposed? Motion carries. Incoming student member of the board. 604 01:00:52,050 --> 01:00:55,885 we need a motion from a board member, please. >> I move that the board of education of cecil county appoint 605 01:00:59,080 --> 01:00:59,080 jazelle griffin as a 2024 2025 student member of the board. 606 01:01:03,910 --> 01:01:06,295 >> is there a second. >> second. >> hearing a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? 607 01:01:11,020 --> 01:01:14,380 >> aye. >> any opposed? Motion carries. Congratulations to jazelle griffin. 608 01:01:17,590 --> 01:01:19,690 as the new 2024, 2025 student member of the board, 609 01:01:21,910 --> 01:01:21,910 she is from perryville high school. 610 01:01:26,100 --> 01:01:29,020 next, we have an intergovernmental bid, value carpet 1, dr. Lawson. 611 01:01:31,150 --> 01:01:33,220 >> thank you, ms. Holly. As the board can see, there are six flooring projects with four of them coming from an aging schools grant, 612 01:01:39,775 --> 01:01:42,670 and two, those being kenmore and perryville high, will come from our fy 25 operating funds. 613 01:01:46,255 --> 01:01:46,255 with that, I recommend that the board of education of cecil county approve a contract 614 01:01:50,560 --> 01:01:50,560 with value carpet one for a total amount of $110,828. 615 01:01:56,800 --> 01:02:00,250 >> you've heard the recommendation. Is there a motion? >> so moved. 616 01:02:01,720 --> 01:02:05,590 >> second. >> any further discussion? All in favor say aye? 617 01:02:07,420 --> 01:02:10,900 >> aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Contract for utility equipment simulator, dr. Lawson. 618 01:02:14,305 --> 01:02:17,710 >> thank you, ms. Holly. I recommend that the board of education of cecil county approve a contract with cm labs for the purchase of software, 619 01:02:21,190 --> 01:02:23,530 equipment, installation, and training of a utility equipment simulator in the amount of $243,800. 620 01:02:28,775 --> 01:02:31,680 >> you've heard the recommendation. Is there a motion? >> so moved. 621 01:02:33,285 --> 01:02:36,180 >> second. >> any further discussion? >> all in favor? Any opposed? 622 01:02:39,375 --> 01:02:39,375 motion carries. Next step. 623 01:02:44,065 --> 01:02:47,245 I just want to briefly mention a press release that was issued by the county executive on april 23, 624 01:02:51,850 --> 01:02:51,850 accusing the superintendent of an ethics violation. 625 01:02:56,125 --> 01:02:59,605 we would ordinarily not comment on that matter except the county executives press release violated 626 01:03:02,650 --> 01:03:02,650 the confidentiality provision of the cecil county public schools ethics regulation gbcra, 627 01:03:09,490 --> 01:03:09,490 which is consistent with the state provisions and,19a05. 628 01:03:16,300 --> 01:03:16,300 ms. Hornburger's complaint has been forwarded to the ccps ethics panel, 629 01:03:21,040 --> 01:03:23,980 and pursuant to the confidentiality provisions, there will be no further comment by the board on the matter at this time. 630 01:03:30,090 --> 01:03:30,090 seeing we are at the end of the agenda. 631 01:03:34,105 --> 01:03:37,405 I want to thank everyone for their work, their long evening tonight and have a nice night. Meeting is adjourned.