Harford County Board of Education Dec. 19: Operating Budget Proposal With Salary Increases for Fiscal Year 2013; Decision on Partial Voting Rights for Student Representative

On the December 19 meeting agenda for the Harford County Board of Education, Superintendent Robert M. Tomback is set to propose an operating budget for next year that contains salary increases for employees, and reflects increases in healthcare costs and the cost of doing business. The total unrestricted operating budget proposal for the fiscal year 2013 is $447 million, up 4.3% from the current fiscal year. An additional $24 million is being requested from Harford County government; revenue from state and federal sources is expected to decline. Approval of the operating budget is planned for January 23, 2012.

Board of Education members will make a decision on partial voting rights for the student representative to the school board. Students have proposed a partial vote that would exclude collective bargaining, budgetary and personnel matters, among other limitations. The students are seeking a vote of support from the school board as they pursue the necessary enabling legislation in the 2012 Maryland General Assembly.

School board members will receive an informational report on class size and staffing in each elementary, middle and high school. The average kindergarten has 18.4 students per class this school year, up slightly from last year. The average class size in elementary school grades 1 through 5 was also up slightly to 20.9 students per class. The average middle school class size is 22.5 students. The average high school class size this year is 22.2 students per class; individual class sizes can vary widely in high school.

Donna E. Lewis will be inducted into the HCPS Hall of Fame. Danielle King, a senior at C.Milton Wright High School, will be recognized as a national finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. Bel Air Middle School 8th grader Brandon Daugherty will be recognized for his drawing of a puppy, which is featured on the 2011 HCPS Board of Education holiday card.

Action items include the approval of a proposed $116,920 contract to replace the 45-year-old chiller at Homestead Wakefield Elementary School and approval an updated board policy on bullying, cyberbullying, harassment or intimidation of students.

As always, the meeting will conclude with a report from Superintendent Tomback.

Below is the published December 19 meeting agenda for the Harford County Board of Education. Published agendas are subject to change:

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2011
HCPS A. A. ROBERTY BUILDING
102 S. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014

Board Open Session – 5:35 P.M. – Board Room
Board Closed Session – 5:40 P.M. – Board Executive Conference Room
Board Business Meeting – 6:15 P.M. – Board Room

6:30 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 Hall of Fame – Donna E. Lewis
• Wendy’s High School Heisman Award National Finalist, Danielle King, C. Milton Wright High School
• 2011 HCPS Board of Education Holiday Card, Brandon Daugherty, Bel Air Middle School

*6:55 P.M. Albert P. Close Foundation Grants Presentation to the Board of Education

*7:05 P.M. Public Comment
*7:10 P.M. Introductions
*7:15 P.M. Board Committee Reports and Comments

Old Business
Action Item(s):
*7:25 P.M. A. Consent Agenda:
1) Minutes of Previous Meetings: (Goal 1-4 )
• December 5, 2011
• December 12, 2011
2) Monthly Report on Personnel (Goal 3)

Old Business
Action Item(s): Consent Agenda (continued)
3) Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with Bargaining Units Regarding Distribution of Stipend (Goal 3)
• Memorandum of Understanding – HCESC
4) Proposed Resolutions: (Goal 3)
• African-American History Month/Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Maryland Reading Month
• National Mentoring Month
5) Decision on Contracts:
• Decision on Contract Award for Chiller Replacement at Homestead Elementary School Building (Goal 4)
• Decision on Contract Amendment for Emergency Contact Messaging Communication Service (Goal 2)

*7:30 P.M. B. Decision on Board Policy, Dr. Jonathan D. Brown, Patrick P. Spicer, Esq. (Goal 3)
• Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment or Intimidation of Students (Policy No. 24-0006-000)

*7:45 P.M. C. Decision on Partial Student Voting Rights, Mr. Anthony B. Cofrancesco (Goal 2)

New Business
Presentations(s):
*8:00 P.M. D. Presentation on Elementary, Middle and High School Staffing and Class Size Report, Mr. William A. Lawrence (Goal 3)
*8:20 P.M. E. Presentation on Recommended FY2013 Budget, Mr. James M. Jewell (Goal 3)
*8:40 P.M. F. Superintendent’s Report

Closing
Future Meetings Review
Adjournment