The Board of Education of Charles County met Dec. 12, 2023, for its regular meeting. A meeting agenda is posted on Board Docs here. Board meetings are streamed live on the school system website at www.ccboe.com and archived on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) YouTube page.
The following are important meeting updates.
Superintendent update
In her report to the Board, Superintendent of Schools Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., recognized staff members who have been instrumental in the implementation of Oracle, the new CCPS financial and staff data management system. Staff from CCPS budget and finance, technology and human resources departments were recognized for their support in the Oracle launch. Navarro encouraged community members to attend upcoming school and sports events, and thanked staff for their participation in recent food drives and meal deliveries for families in need. She also highlighted the accomplishments of CCPS high school students who recently competed in the It’s Academic county competition. Additionally, Navarro reminded the public of CCPS’ winter break operating schedule. To read Navarro’s full report, click here. Watch the full update on the YouTube recording here.
FY2025 budget request
Superintendent of Schools Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., along with CCPS Chief Financial Officer Karen Acton, presented to the Board an overview of the 2025 budget request. The presentation included assumptions of the budget such as salary increases for staff, strategic enhancements, increases in student enrollment and costs to continue current operations. Acton presented on the budget development and approval timeline and its mandatory cost increases in each budget cycle.
Navarro discussed strategic enhancements to the budget such as the expansion of the Early College Program and Dual Enrollment at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), opening of the Early Learning Center, Waldorf campus and additional costs that support expanded academic options. She also discussed other enhancements such as the expansion of supports to students and families, including after-school programs and transportation for middle and high school students, and increases to transportation staff to support growth. The full report can be found on Board Docs here. Watch the full update on the YouTube recording here.
Eligibility policy update
Marvin Jones, Ed.D., CCPS chief of schools, and Richard Pauole, CCPS director of student activities, athletics and aquatics, provided to the Board an overview of the current eligibility policy in place for students and the recommended changes for students in Grades 9-12.
Under the current policy, students must carry at least a 2.0 GPA from the previous quarter, have no failing (F) grades in the previous quarter, and have no more than 4.5 days of unexcused absences per quarter. During the presentation, Jones and Pauole presented the Board with recommended changes to the policy to include students would be eligible if they have no more than one F and have a 2.0 GPA or higher and eliminating the attendance requirement. Jones and Pauole presented additional information such as the eligibility status with recommended changes. To view the full presentation, click here. Watch the full update on the YouTube recording here.
Project status update
Steve Andritz, CCPS director of planning and construction, presented to the Board a project summary on current projects happening in the school system. He highlighted that CCPS received funding recommendations for the fiscal year 2025 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The original ask was 11 projects and CCPS has current approval for three projects: T.C. Martin Elementary School, Elementary 23 and the HVAC replacement at General Smallwood Middle School. Staff filed an appeal to request additional funding for five additional projects. To view the full report, click here. Watch the full update on the YouTube recording here.
School naming update
Shelley Mackey, CCPS director of communications, presented an update to the Board for the Elementary 23 naming submissions. Mackey shared that there were 50 total submissions, the committee timeline, with the first meeting being held Dec. 13, and that the committee will continue to meet in the new year until the committee comes up with finalized suggestions to present to the Board in the February/March timeframe. To view the full report, click here. Watch the full update on the YouTube recording here.
Legislative update
Eric Schwartz, staff attorney, presented to the Board a legislative update on the Blueprint funding for next year. He stated that the Blueprint funding is guaranteed but that Blueprint issues will not be addressed through the funding. The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) has proposed legislation that would mandate local boards to provide more transparent wording on the funding. Watch the full update on the YouTube recording here.
Recognition
The Board recognized outstanding students and staff.
Students
Timothy Knight, senior, Henry E. Lackey High School.
Le’asiah Savoy, Grade 8, John Hanson Middle School.
Fatou Njie, Grade 5, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School.
Jamison Sturdifen, Grade 5, Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School.
James Harper, Grade 5, T.C. Martin Elementary School.
Staff
Keyanna Williams, first-grade teacher, Barnhart.
Christina White, PreK instructional assistant, Brown.
Alexandra Pobst, fourth-grade teacher, Martin.
Jill Locco, science teacher, Hanson.
Stephenie Wash, business education teacher, Lackey.
Unfinished business
The Board took time to discuss a draft operational handbook. The draft is posted to Board Docs. Chairperson Lukas suggested the Board to take some time to review before the Board retreat in March.
Action items
The Board acted on recent meeting minutes, personnel, and vans transportation. The Board did not take action on the Policy 1820: Educational Equity and asked staff to receive additional feedback.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 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 Kathy Kiessling, 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).