A legislative update and a presentation on collaborations between Harford County Public Schools and Harford Community College are on the February 13 meeting agenda for the Board of Education of Harford County. Also planned is approval of a previously announced tentative agreement reached with the teachers’ union on the distribution of an employee bonus.
With the 2012 session of the Maryland General Assembly underway, Kathy Carmello, government relations coordinator for HCPS, will update school board members on legislation affecting education, including the state budget. Looking to close a $1 billion revenue shortfall, Gov. Martin O’Malley has proposed a combination of budget moves that include shifting a total of $239.3 million to local governments next year to cover a portion of the cost of teacher pensions. According to the published legislative update, the local share of the pension costs is proposed to be borne directly by the counties and would be in addition to the required local education funding known as Maintenance of Effort.
School board members will hear a presentation on collaborations with Harford Community College for 2011-12. Joint activities between the school system and the college are intended to increase educational achievement and meet the job skill needs of the community.
Also on the agenda is a decision to approve an addendum to the Harford County Education Association 2011-12 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The addendum calls for the distribution of a “one-time, non-precedent setting, $1,250 stipend” to be paid to the 3,200 school employees represented by the teachers’ union. Union members overwhelmingly ratified the tentative agreement late last week. The agreement to distribute the funds as a one-time payment is conditioned upon funding by Harford County Government. Please see related story.
A $287,070 contract award to American Truck & Bus of Annapolis is planned for the purchase of three school buses, each with a flat floor, wheelchair lift and air conditioning. Also up for approval is a $200,000 stream restoration project proposed by the Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation. According to an informational report by school officials, the stream is experiencing “extreme erosion” and runs through a 17.8 acre property known as Box Hill South. Undeveloped except for recreational fields, ownership of the property was transferred to the school board from Harford County Government in 1991.
As always, the meeting will conclude with a report from Superintendent Tomback.
Below is the published, February 13 meeting agenda for the Harford County Board of Education. The meeting is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. in the A.A. Roberty Building in Bel Air. The public comment period begins at 7:05 p.m. Please note that published agendas are subject to change.
AGENDA
February 13, 2012
Board Open Session – 5:40 P.M. – Board Room
Board Closed Session – 5:45 P.M. – Board Executive Conference Room
Board Business Meeting – 7:00 P.M. – Board Room7:00 P.M. Call to Order – Dr. Leonard D. Wheeler, President
Quorum Roll Call
Adoption of Agenda
Pledge of Allegiance*7:05 P.M. Public Comment
*7:15 P.M. Introductions
*7:20 P.M. Board Committee Reports and Comments
Old Business
Action Item(s):
*7:45 P.M. A. Consent Agenda:
1) Affirmation of Monthly Contract Awards (Goal 4)
2) Minutes of Previous Meetings: (Goal 1-4)
• January 23, 2012
• January 30, 2012
3) Decision on School/Organization Sponsored Project Box Hill South Stream Restoration Project (Goal 3)
4) Decision on Contract for Purchase of School Buses (Goal 3)
5) Decision on Contract for Board Legal Services (Goal 3)
6) Decision on Approval of Addendum to the Harford County Education Association 2011-12 Collective Bargaining Agreement Regarding Distribution of Stipend (Goal 3)
• Addendum to the 2011-12 Collective Bargaining Agreement between HCPS and HCEANew Business
Action Item(s):
*7:50 P.M. B. Legislative Update and Possible Action, Mrs. Kathryn M. Carmello (Goal 3)Presentation Item(s):
*8:10 P.M. C. Harford County Public Schools and Harford Community College Collaborations 2011-2012, Dr. Robert M. Tomback, Mr. William A. Lawrence (Goal 3)*8:30.P.M. D. Superintendent’s Report
Closing
Future Meetings Review
Adjournment
Enough already with the bonus. The HCEA messed up and Randy messed up big time. Why are we still reading about this and isn’t there any other news that the dagger can print!