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Schools

$500K Budget Addition; Middle School Math Credits Solved

The Harford County Board of Education is expected to make adjustments to the fiscal year 2012 budget Monday.

During a three and a half-hour meeting Monday night, the  approved a budget increase, discussed changes to the math curriculum and recognized several students for their academic and athletic achievements. 

The board passed a $515,393 addition to the fiscal year 2012 budget, with a vote of 4-3. The increase mostly accounts for bus transportation costs due to rising fuel prices. 

But the board spent the largest portion of the meeting discussing the suggestion to allow students taking algebra and geometry in middle school to receive high school elective credits. After almost 80 minutes of debate, the board passed the decision, with a goal in mind to increase the opportunity for students to take more than four years of high school level math.

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The board then received a presentation on 2011 Education Facilities Master Plan, but due to the lengthy discussions earlier, could only receive brief descriptions of the capital improvement and facilities plans. 

In addition to the budget and curriculum discussions, the board recognized several staff members for promotions or new appointments in the upcoming school year. 

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Several middle and high school students were also given awards at last night's meeting, honoring their accomplishments in sports and musical composition, as well as students' involvement in Bel Air High School's global competition champion Destination Imagination team.

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10:17 p.m. The meeting is adjourned. Tomback made no comments because the meeting ran so late.

10:12 p.m. The final presentation has begun. If the board sticks to its rule, there are only five minutes remaining in the meeting.

10:02 p.m. The board has added 15 minutes to tonight's meeting limit. It cannot start a new agenda item past 10 p.m. without unanimous consent.

9:59 p.m. The first presentation has ended and the presenters are taking questions from the board.

9:48 p.m. The board is receiving the first of two presentations, in order: 2011 Educational Facilities Master Plan and Benefits Advisory Committee Status on 2010-2011.

They were scheduled to begin at 8:20 p.m.

9:49 p.m. The board has approved a $515,393 increase to the budget  by a vote of 4–3.

9:42 p.m. For a list of proposed expense changes, click here. The biggest change is a $500,000 projected increase in transportation costs because of rising fuel prices.

9:41 p.m. The board will now condsider more than $500,000 in additional expenses to the fiscal year 2012 budget.

9:39 p.m. The board has passed the motion by a vote of 5–2 with Frisch and Osman against. That was a debate of nearly 80 minutes.

9:35 p.m. The amendment failed by a vote of 4–3, just like the first one.

9:34 p.m. Frisch is now proposing a fourth amendment, which would grant general math credits for passing math courses in middle school be awarded as high school math credits as opposed to high school general credits.

He said this is different from his first amendment because that was for specific course credits in math instead of general math credits.

9:33 p.m. Wolkow miscounted the votes, and when he was corrected, he joked that it was because the board members had not had the proper math credits in their background.

9:31 p.m. Frisch presented a third amendment requiring that students maintain a graduation-worthy GPA, even while taking a middle school course. No one seconded the motion and it died.

Board member Alysson Krchnavy has called the issue into question, which would end the discussion. It needed a two-thirds majority, which it did not get. The call into question failed.

9:30 p.m. Frisch's proposed amendment not to require passing of HSA exams by middle-schoolers for the credits has failed 5–2. He and Osman voted in favor.

9:27 p.m. The latest part of the debate is about what happens if a student fails Algebra I or Geometry in middle school. As stated in the proposal, the student would simply repeat the course in high school. It would essentially be a fresh start.

9:21 p.m. Coming up on an hour focusing on the same item, the school board still has not voted on the math credit item. They voted down one of Frisch's amendment's. The second amendment from Frisch is still up for discussion.

9:18 p.m. If the students do not pass the HSA, they would be remediated—through after-school and Saturday programs—and have opportunities to retake the exam.

9:13 p.m. Frisch has offered another amendment so that credits are rewarded even if middle students do not pass the High School Assessment to earn credit for a course.

Lawrence said the HSA is being used as the final exam and is required for the credit. Frisch said passing the HSA is not required for high schoolers to receive the same credit, and thereford is not fair.

9:12 p.m. Frisch's amendment failed 4–3 to reward specific high school math credits, instead of electives, subject to passing the final exam.

9:10 p.m. Wolkow said this ultimately may not change the way a number of students decide their schedule.

9:07 p.m. Frisch has moved to amend that proposal that the credits are more "specific" based on grades and final exams. He said the original proposal is "insisting" instead of "assisting."

9:05 p.m. Wheeler has moved that the credits are granted as high school elected credits, as recommended by Tomback, for Algebra I and Geometry in middle school. It has been seconded.

9:03 p.m. Board President Mark Wolkow is recommending the board pass part of the proposal but hold off on the rest. But Frisch said he doesn't want to do "this half-baked sort of thing."

9 p.m. Grambo is proposing that the vote is postponed because they have "so many members leaving and the board in flux." He wants to wait for the nine-member board, instead of seven, to take effect before voting.

8:56 p.m. All the board members favor giving high school credits for certain middle school math class achievements, but they are still at ends about whether the credits should be math or electives.

Tomback is again pleading his case that they should be elective credits so that students are still required to take four years of math in high school and enable students to "aim high."

8:48 p.m. Tomback said a discontinuous math program is "detrimental to a student's progress."

"There's no doubt, this is all about more math. More complex math at an earlier age," Tomback said.

The superintendent is advocating that elective credit is given for math classes completed in middle school, instead of high school math credits. This would require students to take four math classes in high school, instead of allowing them to skip a year of math classes. He said it is in order to set the bar higher and help students succeed.

8:44 p.m. The math credit debate continues with Superintendent Robert Tomback presenting a number of factors the board should consider before voting on the decision.

8:35 p.m. "It allows juniors and seniors to have different options along the way," Lawrence said.

8:34 p.m. "I'm concerned the middle school is [too] early to make these decisions," board member Rick Grambo said. "Math is so important. ... I really see this as a choice issue as these children and that they should be allowed to choose ... what's the best path for them."

As it stands now, the Algebra I and Geometry classes are good for an elective credit, instead of a math credit.

8:32 p.m. Board member Donald Osman said approving the proposal could allow students to take more classes in high school that they may not have room for otherwise.

8:29 p.m. Board member Robert Frisch said he wants to make sure the program is consistent. He is concerned the burden for middle schoolers may be greater than that of high schoolers for the same credit.

8:24 p.m. Associate Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Bill Lawrence is recommending crediting middle schoolers for high school credits after completing certain courses.

8:19 p.m. Tomback also recognized a number of recently-promoted administrators in the county, including the new principals.

8:17 p.m. Superintendent Robert Tomback is recognizing a pool of candidates for replacement positions throughout the county, should openings arise in the next 10 to 12 months.

8:15 p.m. The contract for Toshiba was unanimously approved.

8:14 p.m. Board member Robert Frisch is asking LaPorta about the fairness of the process and why he stated that Elkin was told the vendor would “probably” be changed.

Carnucci said Advance technicians were telling the school systems staff that they were probably not going to be back to work on machines after their contract was up.

LaPorta and Carnucci emphasized that the process was fair.

8:11 p.m. “Did we do the due diligence of looking into other clients that [Toshiba is] serving?” said board member Alysson Krchnavy, who also wanted to know the feedback from other Toshiba clients.

“It was very positive,” Carnucci said.

LaPorta said he is concerned that too much time could be wasted repairing old machines if they are not replaced.

“We don’t want downtime at the schools,” LaPorta said. “We don’t teachers having to stand around at a copy machine, we want them in their classrooms instructing."

8:07 p.m. Carnucci said the machines have operated between 500,000 and 1.3 million copies and that keeping them for five more years “makes no sense whatsoever.”

He added: “Those 80 copiers would not be up-to-date technology.”

“It’s not only a cost issue, it’s a total value issue,” LaPorta said.

The school system leases its copiers. It does not own them.

8:04 p.m. Schools Supervisor of Purchasing Jeff LaPorta said Elkin was not given a cancellation notice, rather a notice that the five-year contract was expiring, which is normal procedure. He is joined by Purchasing Agent Samuel Carnucci.

LaPorta said the contract with Toshiba is a “piggy-back” that has been bid out for another project.

LaPorta said it would cost $37,251 per month with Advance to replace the entire fleet, but just $31,706 per month with Toshiba. The current cost with Advance is $55,534 LaPorta said, adding that Advance gave a non-solicited proposal not to replace 38 percent of the fleet.

LaPorta said that option was considered, but was not the specifications of the contract requested by the school system.

"Five years is a good lifespan for copiers and it's time for them to be replaced," LaPorta said.

8:01 p.m. Board member Rick Grambo has asked for an explanation on the Toshiba recommendation.

8:00 p.m. The board faces a decision on a copier contract. The school system's five-year contract with Advance Business Systems will expire July 10.

The Chief Operating Officer for Advanced, Jeff Elkin (unsure of spelling), is making the case for his company to be retained.

Advanced is not being retained "based on a minor incident that took place five years ago," according to Elkin.

He said the proposed contract with Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. would cost $135,857.40 more. He said he is under the impression that his company would not be considered for renewal regardless of performance. 

7:55 p.m. Board President Mark Wolkow also praised Bel Air’s biomedical sciences program. He acknowledged Edgewood High School’s initial hall of fame class induction ceremony, too. It took place the same day as the school’s graduation.

“We recognized some true giants in our community,” Wolkow said.

7:50 p.m Leonard Wheeler is also praising students around the county for graduation and Bel Air High School’s .

7:47 p.m. Thomas Evans said this will be his last public board meeting because he will be out of town June 27. He term ends June 30 and he will not seek another appointment.

He also thanked board-elect Cassandra Beverley for attending so many meetings recently and said he believes she will “hit the ground running.”

7:45 p.m. Robert Frisch said he “pleased to say that everyone is correct” in calling graduations the best time of the year.

He also said he wanted to clarify an issue that came up in recent meetings regarding promotions.

He said he did not vote against because he thought anyone appointed was not qualified, he just did not agree with some of the assignments. He said he and the rest of the board will see that all the people will be successful in their new positions.

7:43 p.m. Rick Grambo reminded the community that “these are trying financial times.” He said the board should look at all its resources and think outside the box.

Donald Osman echoed Krchnavy’s sentiments regarding student accomplishments and graduations. He also ran through a number of community events he attended recently.

7:38 p.m. During board comments, student representative Caitlin Dooling noted that she is happy to be a recent HCPS graduate. She went to .

Alysson Krchnavy praised the school system’s athletes and other students who were honored for achievements Monday. She also recognized recent graduates. She said it is the best part of being a Board of Education member.

7:35 p.m. Denise Brant, a Youth's Benefit Elementary School parent who lives in the 1900 block of Swift Fox Court in Fallston is sharing her concern for her two childrens' health.

Both of her kids have asthma.

“Asthma is a life-threatening disease and I fear for their health and safety every day,” Brant said. "This is especially unsafe for my children to be in [buildings without air conditioning] at this time.”

has been this month due to excessive heat.

7:32 p.m. Riverside Elementary School PTA President Denise Mobley is praising the work of the school principal, Creighton P. Leizear

Leizair fosters "child-centered teachers," Mobley said "This is due to Mr. Leizear's open-door policy [and] hard work. ... He puts his money where his mouth is."

She said parents are sad that he is moving to another school.

7:29 p.m. Public comment is open. There are three speakers signed up.

7:27 p.m. The six HCPS Musical Composition Contest winners were honored.

  • 1st Kevin Long
  • 2nd Megan DiGeorgio C. Milton Wright High School
  • 3rd Zoe Jean Tanner North Harford High School
  • 4th Chris Bauer Patterson Mill High School
  • 5th Michael Shindledecker North Harford High School
  • 6th Prawit Siriwat Aberdeen High School

7:22 p.m. The Destination Imagination team is being honored for winning recently first place at the global competition in Knoxville. It is the first Maryland public school team to ever win at the global level.

The team is comprised of students from Bel Air and Patterson Mill:

  • Carolyn Conn, senior, Patterson Mill High School
  • Jordan Huna, freshman, Bel Air High School
  • Kelly Manning, junior, Patterson Mill High School
  • Grace Mumby, senior, Patterson Mill High School
  • Jacob Rose, sophomore, Bel Air High School
  • Cassidy Schirmer, seventh grade, Bel Air Middle School

7:20 p.m. Zorbach spoke when the athletic presentations ended.

"It really does show a lot of what our coaches do and what they really emphasize for the kids," he said. "Not only about playing hard, but playing fair and respecting your opponents, too."

7:19 p.m. Two teams were honored for state sportsmanship awards:

  • C. Milton Wright softball
  • North Harford baseball

7:16 p.m. Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference team sportsmanship awards are now being presented. The following squads were honored in the Chesapeake Division among Harford and Cecil County teams:

  • Bel Air boys lacrosse
  • girls lacrosse
  • Harford Tech baseball

Susquehanna Division honorees:

  • Edgewood boys lacrosse
  • Havre de Grace girls lacrosse
  • Havre de Grace baseball
  • Edgewood softball
  • Joppatowne girls track
  • Edgewood boys track

7:10 p.m. Meghan Schott from North Harford High School was honored for her state championship in the 3,200-meter event. She will attend Mount St. Mary's University.

7:08 p.m. Willie Austin from Edgewood High School was honored for state championships in the long jump, triple jump and 100 hurdles. She set county records in all three events. Zorbach said no athlete has ever won three gold medals at the state level.

“You’re a triple crown winner, so to speak," Zorbach said.

7:06 p.m. Paige Chapman, Kayla Watson, Marietta Corbin and Charice Corbin, also of Harford Tech, were honored for their 4 X 100 and 4 X 200 relay state championship.

The team has two freshman and a sophomore, and set county records in both events.

7:05 p.m. Erica Coley, a Harford Tech senior, was honored for her state championship in the discus.

7:04 p.m. The school board is about to present a number of recognitions to Harford County Public School students. County athletics supervisor Ken Zorbach is here to help present.

6:58 p.m. One of the main items on Monday's agenda is hundreds of thousands of dollars in adjustments to the fiscal year 2012 budget. The meeting is expected to begin shortly.

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