Updated to clarify that HCEA is not a party to the November 21 memorandum of understanding on the proposed employee bonuses.
When Harford County Executive David Craig announced in October that funding was available for a proposed $1,250 bonus for all county employees, Randy Cerveny, president of the union representing county school teachers, argued that the county executive could not dictate how money placed in the Harford County Public Schools budget would be used.
Instead, Cerveny said that the use of the funds slated for HCPS, totaling $7.5 million, had to be negotiated between the school board and the bargaining unions representing all school employees. Those negotiations have been in progress and now the school board appears set to approve a memorandum of understanding with at least one employee union regarding the distribution of the proposed bonus, which is described as a “stipend” in the published November 21 meeting agenda for the Harford County Board of Education. HCEA President Randy Cerveny has told The Dagger that his organization, which represents 3,200 of the school system’s 5,300 employees, is not a party to the November 21 memorandum. Please see related story from the Harford County Education Association on the status of labor contract negotiations with the school board.
Board members will receive an informational report indicating that system-wide enrollment as of September 30 was down from last year by 192 students to 37,835, continuing a downward trend that began in 2006. The actual 2011 figure was within 0.57% of projections. According to the published agenda exhibits, there are four elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools that are either at or slightly over capacity, despite the lower overall enrollment and comprehensive elementary school redistricting that took effect this school year ; further details on capacity utilization were not published prior to the board meeting. Elementary enrollment was down in by 13 students to 17,131. Middle school enrollment dropped by 21 students to 8,623. Bucking the trend, high school enrollment was up by 143 students to 11,953.
Board members will vote on a recommendation to defer by one year a planned HVAC upgrade for Norrisville Elementary School. Budgeted state reimbursements for the Norrisville project in the amount of $836,000 are recommended to be redirected to the technology infrastructure budget for the fiscal year 2013. The recommendations by school officials are among a series of proposed amendments to the FY13 Capital Improvement Program and were prompted by advice from state officials that the state does not fund improvements to school facilities until they have been in service for more than 15 years. Norrisville ES underwent a major renovation in 1996.
Contract approvals slated for a board vote include architectural engineering services for the modernization of Havre de Grace High School. Also planned for Havre de Grace High are contract approvals for upgrades to the school stadium and for the second phase of a planned HVAC system replacement.
The 2012 Legislative Platform is up for a board vote. The platform, which is not fundamentally changed from 2011, drew criticism from Board Vice-President Rick Grambo at the November 14 board meeting for giving “lip service” to local control over education.
Ms. Renee A. McNally will be recommended to fill a vacancy on the Board Ethics Panel.
The November 21 meeting also includes a first quarter financial report and number of recognitions and resolutions. The meeting will conclude with a report by Superintendent Robert M. Tomback
The published November 21, 2011 meeting agenda appears below. Published agendas are subject to change:
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2011
HCPS A. A. ROBERTY BUILDING
102 S. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014Board Open Session – 5:25 P.M. – Board Room
Board Closed Session – 5:30 P.M. – Board Executive Conference Room
Board Business Meeting – 6:30 P.M. – Board Room6:30 P.M. Call to Order – Dr. Leonard D. Wheeler, President
Quorum Roll Call
Adoption of Agenda
Pledge of Allegiance*6:35 P.M. Recognition
• HCPS Educator Hall of Fame – Deborah J. Heiberger, Ed.D
• 2011-12 Simon A. McNeely Award Winners: Ashley Bowker, Courtney Cullison, Mark Puckett
• 2011-12 Maryland Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Emerging Leaders Award Winners: Tara Buecker, Ryan Zimmerman, Wendy Feight
• Maryland State Demonstration School: Ring Factory Elementary School
• 2011 Maryland Center For Character Education School of the Year Award, Bakerfield Elementary School*6:55 P.M. Public Comment
*7:05 P.M. Introductions
*7:10 P.M. Board Committee Reports and CommentsOld Business
Action Item(s):
*7:25 P.M. A. Consent Agenda:
1) Monthly Report on Personnel, Tenure Recommendations (Goal 3)Old Business
Action Item(s): Consent Agenda (continued)2) Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with Bargaining Units Regarding Distribution of Stipend (Goal 3)
3) Proposed Resolutions: (Goal 3)
• School Psychology Week
• Inclusive Schools Week
• International Education Month
• Retiring Employees4) Decision on Contracts:
• Havre de Grace High School HVAC System Replacement Phase II, Bid Tab Sheet, List of Alternates, (Goal 4)
• Architectural/Engineering Services William Paca/Old Post Elementary School HVAC Upgrades (Goal 4)
• Architectural/Engineering Services Youth’s Benefit Elementary Primary Building Air Conditioning Installation Project (Goal 4)
• Architectural/Engineering Services Jarrettsville Elementary School Comprehensive HVAC Systemic Replacement Project
• Architectural/Engineering Services Havre de Grace High School Site Master Planning and Scope Study Services (Goal 4)
• Architectural/Engineering Services Havre de Grace High School Comprehensive Design Services Stadium Upgrades (Goal 4)
• Playground Equipment for William S. James Elementary School (Goal 4)
• Fleet Vehicles (Goal 4)
• Parking Lot Resurfacing Project at The Hickory Annex Facility (Goal 4)5) Decision on Audit Committee Charter Revisions, Audit Committee Charter of the Board of Education of Harford County, Ms. Jennifer Birkelien (Goal 2)
*7:30 P.M. B. Decision on FY2013 Capital Improvement Program Amendments, FY2013 CIP Summary and Worksheets, Mr. Cornell S. Brown, Jr. (Goal 4)
*7:45 P.M. C. Decision on 2012 Legislative Platform Informational Report, Legislative Platform Presentation, Mrs. Kathryn M. Carmello (Goal 3)
New Business
Action Item(s):
*8:00 P.M. D. Decision on Recommendation of Candidate for Board of Education Ethics Panel Vacancy, Patrick P. Spicer, Esquire (Goal 3)Presentations(s):
*8:10 P.M. E. Presentation of 1st Quarterly Report for FY12, Mr. James M. Jewell (Goal 3)
*9:00 P.M. G. Superintendent’s Report
Closing
Future Meetings Review
Adjournment
Updated to clarify that HCEA is not a party to the November 21 memorandum of understanding on the proposed employee bonuses.