The Harford County Board of Education plans a number of public meetings on January 13th, starting at noon in Aberdeen with a public input session on the fiscal year 2015 budget, followed by another such session in Bel Air that is also the target of a “Day of Action” by the teachers’ union. The Board’s busy day will end with a business meeting including a presentation by the union on teacher compensation, and the results from a bus transportation study that identifies inefficiencies and makes cost-saving recommendations.
Kicking off the day’s events, the Board will host a public input session on the superintendent’s proposed $457.5 million operating budget for fiscal year 2015, planned from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Center for Educational Opportunity in Aberdeen.
At 6:00 p.m., the Board plans another budget-only input session, this time at the A.A. Roberty Building in Bel Air that the teachers’ union plans to attend in a “Day of Action”. The action is described in a Facebook message from Harford County Education Association President Ryan Burbey as follows:
“HCEA is calling all community members to help us demonstrate our collective frustrations arising out of the Board of Education failing to fund our Negotiated Agreement for 4 out of the past 5 yrs. Monday January 13th will be our 1st Day of Action. Rally at the A.A. Roberty Building at 6 PM, prior to the Board of Education meeting. Arrive by 5:45, to sign-up if you plan to speak. Please attend and speak on behalf of your teachers at the Board of Education Meeting on Monday January 13th.”
Following the public input session on the budget, a regular board business meeting is set to begin at 8:00 p.m.
First on the agenda, Burbey will make a presentation comparing teacher salaries and benefits in HCPS with neighboring counties.
Under new business, Jean Mantegna, assistant superintendent of human resources, will present promotions and appointments recommended by Interim Superintendent Canavan for Board approval.
Next up, the Special Education Citizen Advisory Committee will make its annual presentation and recommendations to the Board.
The published report calls for expanding program options for students with disabilities to support the sensory and behavioral needs of students, and finalizing the committee’s new brochure and web site. Other recommendations include enhancements to classroom support programs and programming for students transitioning into kindergarten, and for students on the autism spectrum.
The results of a $25,000 student transportation study by School Bus Consultants, LLC (SBC) of Annapolis will be presented next, sure to draw interest from parents upset over budget-driven service cuts this school year.
The study gives the HCPS transportation department high marks in many areas, including safety, but found inefficiencies in the bus route structure, particularly in capacity utilization, resulting in higher costs:
“The comparative cost analysis of the HCPS transportation operation in relation to other SBC clients is within expected ranges in most areas, with the notable exception of the cost per student. HCPS’s value in this category is $1,113 per student per year with the comparable systems ranging from $720 to $891 per student per year. HCPS also has a higher rating in the number of buses it takes to transport 100 students with a rating of 1.5 buses per 100 students. The national comparative is 1.0 to 1.3 in this rating. These higher ratings are due to lower capacity usage rating overall of regular route buses and a significant number of countywide bus runs (ex. Magnet Programs) with lower capacities.”
Harford County’s large geographic area and sparse population in the north and west are partly to blame, according to SBC. However, the study concludes that savings can be achieved through the purchase of school transportation routing software to improve the routing structure and increase capacity utilization:
“A fully implemented routing management system will enable HCPS personnel to enhance analysis of the current routing structure including actual versus planned capacities, route timing, student assignments to stops before school starts, effective and efficient routing of buses and automatic assignment of students to stops. These processes are all currently performed manually and involve a significant expenditure of effort while failing to yield the benefits that would derive from an automated system.”
SBC also offers a low-tech recommendation that could mean longer walks to the bus stop:
“SBC recommends that the HCPS establish a walk to stop distance based on the eligibility requirements for transportation. In other words, an elementary student is not eligible for transportation unless he lives more than one mile from school and a secondary student is not eligible for transportation unless he lives more than 1.5 miles from school. Therefore, SBC recommends that a maximum walk to stop distance that is equivalent to eligibility for transportation is established. HCPS may, in practice, employ a distance less than this recommendation but the recommended distances do allow for reductions in the number of required stops and allowing for further streamlining of bus routes to assist in creating more time and capacity.”
In addition, SBC reviewed the school system’s bus contract agreements and recommends enhanced contract language regarding performance expectations and standards, and reconsideration of the comparatively low limit (10%) on the number of total bus routes that can be operated by a single contractor. SBC also notes that the standard approach to contractor compensation in Maryland school systems “treats almost all compensation as a direct pass-through of actual cost, rather than a competitively obtained, contractor proposed rate of compensation.”
However, SBC recommends “a market-based, competitive procurement of services based upon a total price per bus per day, which is the industry standard approach followed throughout most of the country.”
The complete SBC report appears in the link on the agenda below.
Next on the agenda, Kathy Carmello, HCPS facilitator of governmental relations, will present a brochure listing the Board’s legislative position briefs for the 2014 Maryland General Assembly Session. They include:
• support for local control of schools
• full funding for education, including increased state funding to cover inflation
• opposition to unfunded and underfunded mandates
• opposition to mandatory pre-K unless costs are fully borne by the state
• board authority to make final determinations in contract negotiations
• support for making architectural, engineering, and site design costs eligible for state reimbursement
Finally, the meeting will end with the superintendent’s report from Interim Superintendent Barbara Canavan.
Below is the published business meeting agenda, which includes a public comment period at 8:25 p.m. Please note that agendas are subject to change.
Agenda
Monday, January 13, 2014
Board Closed Session – 5:00 PM – Board Executive Conference Room
Board Work Session – 6:00 PM – Board Room
Board Business Meeting – 8:00 PM – Board Room
*Times are approximate8:00 PM
Call to Order – Mrs. Nancy Reynolds, PresidentQuorum Roll Call
Adoption of Agenda
Pledge of Allegiance
8:05 PM Presentation by Harford County Education Association (HCEA), Mr. Ryan Burbey, President8:25 PM Public Comment
Old Business
Action Item(s):
8:35 PM A. Consent Agenda:1) Affirmation of Monthly Contract Awards (Goals 1 – 4)
2) Minutes of Previous Board Meeting: December 16, 2013 (Goals 1 – 4)
3) Special Education Staffing Plan (Goal 3)
New Business
Action Item(s):
8:40 PM B. Decision on Appointments and Promotions, Mrs. Jean A. Mantegna (Goal 3)
Presentation(s):8:50 PM C. Presentation on Special Education Citizen Advisory Committee, Ms. Ann-Marie Spakowski (Goal 3)
9:00 PM D. Presentation of Student Transportation Study, Mr. Cornell S. Brown, Jr. and School Bus Consultants (SBC) (Goal 4)
9:20 PM E. Presentation on Legislative Platform and Approval of 2014-15 Brochure, Mrs. Kathy Carmello (Goals 1 – 4)
– Legislative Brochure 2014-2015
9:30 PM F. Superintendent’s Report
Closing
9:35 PM Future Meetings Review
Adjournment
“SBC recommends that the HCPS establish a walk to stop distance based on the eligibility requirements for transportation. In other words, an elementary student is not eligible for transportation unless he lives more than one mile from school and a secondary student is not eligible for transportation unless he lives more than 1.5 miles from school. Therefore, SBC recommends that a maximum walk to stop distance that is equivalent to eligibility for transportation is established.”
So the consultants want elementary school kids to walk up to a mile to their bus stops (isn’t the current standard a half mile?)? Expect more “snow days” with zero snow due to the impoverished not having winter clothing.
I was surprised that the report made no mention of switching to vans or even sedans for the smallest runs, such as buses taking students to/from alternative placements or students who are in transitional housing outside their school’s normal attendence area, where there might only be 1-3 riders.
Its good to see WSJES is converting from oil to natural gas, the savings should be incredible once completed and the upgrade will quickly pay for itself in reduced operating costs.
DAY OF ACTION = Pay us more money so we can donate more money to Democrats running for office.
HCEA – We have all had to make due with less and so should you!
The school system spent $25000 for a report that told them that the cost of bussing in Harford County is higher than the cost of bussing in other areas and that the bus routes are currently not optimized to reduce cost.
The report makes no mention of how much HCPS could potentially save if they implemented the recommendation of employing a transportation management system, nor does it state the cost of such a system or the cost of personnel to run it. I guess this information will be provided after the county invests more money!!
Cost Benefit Analyses are very common in business in order to justify expenditures. I would have expected that a $25000 transportation study would have made an attempt to estimate potential cost savings to justify the recommendations.
Also – How can we expect elementary students to walk one mile to a bus stop? At least when they are walking to the school, we know that the school will be there when they arrive. Once they walk 20 minutes to a bus stop they will still have to wait for the bus to arrive (unless they miss the bus and have to walk 20 minutes back to their house).
I totally agree with you. Parents fighting with transportation pointed out the waste for over a couple of years. And parents from those kids walking to a bus stop are told “you are responsible for the walk to and from the bus stop and at the bus stop for your kids, if you do not like like or cannot do it timewise, you always can ask a friend, hire someone or drive your kids directly to school”. So, any whining now from other parents should stop! The company doing the study offers service to set up hcps, that is why they do not mention a price. But HCPS listen up, you have the software for FREE from the state for a cihple of years now, if the office of transportation cannot do it, there is the door! Hire someone who is smart enough and you do not have to hire another person; transportation office has enough bodies. The GPS fleet management is paid off very fast and will save us money very fast. No more idling of school buses etc. Just google all the success stories. I have not found yet one study which did not save any money and HCPS is throwing out a lot of money for transportation see the study, so worry about the return.
This County has become the I do not care about anyone but myself County. At least that is what I see from these posts. Education and safety of the people should always be a top priority. Shame on anyone who tells a teacher they should do without a basic pay raise for 5 plus years. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!
There is no shame is saying no to a pay raise to public employees based upon raised taxes. The State of Maryland is over 80 Billion in debt. More cuts need to be made.
Ridiculous post made by Concerned Citizen2. There are lots of people who haven’t had a raise in many years while others have lost their jobs, including very educated people. Those of us who have a job should be grateful. With a state structural deficit still looming (unlike you and me, when the state knows it can spend x, it goes ahead and spends y). Look out this year for more cuts in programs and services, which is unfortunate, but necessary. Similarly, on the local level, we shouldn’t be spending more than we have and then going back to the taxpayers to pony up. I’m changing my post name to “Can’t Stand the Narcissism and Greed.”
Your argument is ridiculous. To say you do not want to pay your fair share is being greedy and selfish. It is not unreasonable to assume that costs increase. Look at the minimum wage. It has increased based on the idea that things cost more. Costs go up and therefore taxes will and should always increase with inflation. To think that someone can pay the same exact taxes year in and year out for the next 30 years is delusional at best. Where is the common sense and understanding of how the fiscal economy works. If you want everything to be privatized then you are correct we should not pay taxes. Oh wait, private companies will still charge you for the same exact things except they will charge you to make a profit and take even more of your money. Just admit that you as a tax payer are being selfish and do not want to pay a fair share for the good of the county. Anyone who says that paying teachers is a waste of money is ridiculous.
Where is it that I said paying teachers is a waste of money? Your illogical thinking is astounding. Yes, from an economic point, products and services cost more today than they did years ago and cost of living has traditionally been tied to inflation. We are still on a state of economic recovery not seen since the depression. Who do you think you are to call me selfish and not wanting to pay my fair share…oh, wait a minute, I know who you are. How many names on this site do you have. Let’s be clear about one thing – spending within one’s means hardly qualifies them for being selfish. What is so very startling to me is the socialist rhetoric by you and other similiar minions.
I need to get my shoe slip from my county supervisor my feet are getting cold. I haven’t bought a pair of work shoes in 25 years please don’t take my shoe money! Lol almost ready to retire it’s been so much fun!
Spending within youreans is neither selfish or greedy. Fiscal responsibility has to do with having a plan, making priorities and sticking to it with expenditures. The school system commands half the county taxpayer revenue and yet it cries poor. The BOE must first use their current resources wisely before another penny is requested in increases. The spending is insane and neither you no I could successfully manage our own resources in such a manner.
I only wish the school system commanded half the county’s revenue. Board of Education = 45%. http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/Budget/Download/2232.pdf
I do not think you truly understand what the BOE budget looks like or what they have been cutting. They have cut millions of dollars worth of growing expenses by eliminating over 200 teaching positions, and they have also eliminated central office positions, which nobody would notice unless they walked through central office and saw all of the empty desks. They have cut PD for employees and are probably looking to close schools within one to two years. I know it is easy to say that they spend too much money, but often I do not feel people have a real handle on what they are spending their money on and how much they have downsized. They cost so much of the taxpayers money because the school system services some 38,000 students which is not a small amount. You have to dissect the expenses and realize that HCPS is just a big system servicing a growing population of people. We are still building housing developments during the great recession and they are not cheap homes that are being built. When you see a large amount of these homes selling quickly over the summer time it makes me question the comments of how Harford County is suffering in this great recession. REALLY!!!!
Why doesn’t anyone ever mention how if the county had raised the rate on builders–which was just a proposed minimal increase– for new construction it would have helped raised some revenue for this county. In this county only the developers get a free pass.
Because that would just get passed to the individual buying the house and the cost of a new house would just increase. Revenue, as you call it, ALWAYS originates from the lowest common denominator-that’s the individual citizen/taxpayer. It doesn’t not originate from Local, state or Federal government, it does not originate from small mom and pop businesses or mega-corporations; it will always come from the individual-someway,somehow.
You make it sound like the individual doesn’t have a choice to pay any increases passed onto them by a developer, when in reality they don’t have to buy a new home. That’s how the free market works. If the individuals don’t want to pay the excess fee for a new home, don’t buy one. If the developers can’t sell the new houses with the increased fee added onto them, then they’ll have to absorb them by reducing their profits. In this case, the addition of a fee on developers for new construction makes perfect sense. Anyone that wants a new house will have to pay for the increase in services that come along with new development. Unfortunately in this county, the developers have the politicians in their back pockets.
but If I, as you say, choose not to buy a new house–the county will lose almighty property tax revenues… For someone whose name is “raise revenues”, wouldn’t you want me to get a new high dollar house so I would pay higher property tax year and year after year. Wouldn’t that be the forward way of thinking, instead of just a one time measley fee for building a new home. Got to think about the future you know–we need more money for education..
Nobody wants to pay more than they have to. I sure don’t, but the bottom line is that David Craig has taken his ideals to the extreme and has purposefully starved the county of revenues by cutting taxes 3 times. That is the other reason why we do not have revenue. When we as a county develop and grow we should expect to receive more in revenues. But when you purposefully cut taxes while growing we end up with a flat budget. If David Craig would just have left the tax rate at what it was we would have plenty of revenue to pay for modest things.