Harford County Board of Education Feb. 14: Legislative Update, Attendance Area Policy Revisions

A legislative update and minor revisions to the policy on school attendance area assignments are among the items on the agenda for a meeting of the Harford County Board of Education set for Monday February 14, 2011. The board business meeting is scheduled to begin earlier than usual at 5:00 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. by the board’s final public hearing on elementary school redistricting.

Proposed revisions to the Assignment to Schools in Attendance Areas Policy would base school attendance on the residence of the parent(s) rather than that of the student, except in cases where the student is an adult or an emancipated minor.

The school board’s first update on proposed legislation in the 2011 Maryland General Assembly includes one bill that would cut state education aid to local school systems and another that would make changes to the state teachers’ pension program.

According the legislative update attached to the board agenda:

HB 26 would cut state funding to local school systems by adjusting the state funding formula to reflect local rates of absenteeism. The loss for Harford County has been estimated at $7 million.

SB 6 would close the State Teacher’s Retirement system after June 30, 2011, and replace it with “a defined contribution program for a more narrowly defined population (superintendent, principals, teachers, clerks, and helper teachers).”

In keeping with a previously established legislative platform, the school board would oppose both bills.

Here’s the full Valentine’s Day agenda, which also includes upgrades to the outdoor lighting at Havre de Grace High School and the purchase of seven school buses equipped for students with special needs:

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2011
HCPS A. A. ROBERTY BUILDING
102 S. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014

Board Business Meeting – 5:00 P.M. – Board Room
Board Closed Session – 6:15 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. – Board Executive Conference Room

5:00 P.M.
Call to Order – Mark M. Wolkow, President
Quorum Roll Call
Adoption of Agenda
Pledge of Allegiance

*5:10 P.M.
General Public Comment

*5:30 P.M.
Board Committee Reports and Comments

Old Business

Action Item(s):
*5:45 P.M.
A. Consent Agenda:
1.) Affirmation of Monthly Contract Awards (Goal 3)
2.) Monthly Report on Personnel (Goal 3)
3.) Decision on Appeal Case Results July through December 2010, Case Information (Goal 3)
4.) Decision on Contract Award for School Buses (Goal 3)
5.) Decision on School/Organization Sponsored Project:
Havre de Grace High School – Upgraded Lights for Outdoor Tennis and Basketball Courts (Goal 3)
6.) Minutes of Previous Meetings: (Goal 3)
– January 15, 2011 Board Work Session

*5:55 P.M.
B. Decision on Board of Education Policies, Patrick P. Spicer, Esquire (Goal 3)
– Assignment to Schools in Attendance Areas Policy No. 20-0035-000, Current Policy, Revised Policy

New Business
Action Item(s):

*6:05 P.M.
C. Legislative Update and Possible Action, Mrs. Kathryn M. Carmello (Goal 3)

Presentation(s):

*6:15 P.M.
D. Superintendent’s Report

Closing
Future Meetings Review
Adjournment

*Times are approximate