The Board of Education of Charles County met Dec. 14, 2021, for its regular meeting. A meeting agenda is posted on Board Docs here. Board meetings are streamed live at www.ccboe.com and archived on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/c/ccpsmd/videos.
The following are important meeting updates.
Superintendent update
Superintendent Maria Navarro updated the Board on mental health supports in place for students and families. She also updated the Board on recent communications shared with parents about monitoring their child’s social media access and use. Read the complete report here.
Equal Opportunity Schools
Deputy Superintendent of Schools Kevin Lowndes provided an update to the Board about the expansion of advanced coursework to high school students. Joining Mr. Lowndes for the presentation was Danielle Knox with Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS). CCPS has partnered with EOS to expand rigorous coursework, such as Advanced Placement (AP) classes, to high school students in underrepresented categories. The presentation is posted here.
Virtual programs
Mr. Lowndes provided an update to the Board about the school system’s plans to expand virtual learning opportunities for students. Lowndes indicated that CCPS is focusing on expanding the high school Virtual Academy for the 2022-2023 school year. The expansion will include advanced coursework, flexibility for students to participate in athletics and extracurricular activities, and infuse mentoring services for students. Enrollment criteria will also focus on attendance versus academic performance. The full presentation is posted here.
Bus patrol program
Assistant Superintendent of Supporting Services Mike Heim and Bradley Snow, director of transportation, provided an update about the Bus Patrol program. CCPS has partnered with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and Bus Patrol to support a school bus safety program in Charles County. The program provides external cameras on school buses to deter drivers from illegally passing stopped school buses. Through the program, drivers who violate bus safety laws could receive a citation or ticket. Starting Nov. 18, any driver who violates bus safety laws received or will receive a citation through CCSO and Bus Patrol. Sgt. Juan Morales from CCSO joined staff for the presentation and said as of Dec. 1, the program has resulted in more than 279 warning citations. Starting Jan. 17, 2022, drivers will receive violation fines. The presentation is posted here.
Project status update
Mr. Heim and Steve Andritz, director of planning and construction, provided an update on CCPS projects in progress. The update is posted online here.
Recognition
The Board recognized four students and five staff members from Mary B. Neal and Walter J. Mitchell elementary schools, Mattawoman and Matthew Henson middle schools and North Point High School.
Action Items
The Board approved the following items.
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).
The following are important meeting updates.
Superintendent update
Superintendent Maria Navarro updated the Board on mental health supports in place for students and families. She also updated the Board on recent communications shared with parents about monitoring their child’s social media access and use. Read the complete report here.
Equal Opportunity Schools
Deputy Superintendent of Schools Kevin Lowndes provided an update to the Board about the expansion of advanced coursework to high school students. Joining Mr. Lowndes for the presentation was Danielle Knox with Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS). CCPS has partnered with EOS to expand rigorous coursework, such as Advanced Placement (AP) classes, to high school students in underrepresented categories. The presentation is posted here.
Virtual programs
Mr. Lowndes provided an update to the Board about the school system’s plans to expand virtual learning opportunities for students. Lowndes indicated that CCPS is focusing on expanding the high school Virtual Academy for the 2022-2023 school year. The expansion will include advanced coursework, flexibility for students to participate in athletics and extracurricular activities, and infuse mentoring services for students. Enrollment criteria will also focus on attendance versus academic performance. The full presentation is posted here.
Bus patrol program
Assistant Superintendent of Supporting Services Mike Heim and Bradley Snow, director of transportation, provided an update about the Bus Patrol program. CCPS has partnered with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and Bus Patrol to support a school bus safety program in Charles County. The program provides external cameras on school buses to deter drivers from illegally passing stopped school buses. Through the program, drivers who violate bus safety laws could receive a citation or ticket. Starting Nov. 18, any driver who violates bus safety laws received or will receive a citation through CCSO and Bus Patrol. Sgt. Juan Morales from CCSO joined staff for the presentation and said as of Dec. 1, the program has resulted in more than 279 warning citations. Starting Jan. 17, 2022, drivers will receive violation fines. The presentation is posted here.
Project status update
Mr. Heim and Steve Andritz, director of planning and construction, provided an update on CCPS projects in progress. The update is posted online here.
Recognition
The Board recognized four students and five staff members from Mary B. Neal and Walter J. Mitchell elementary schools, Mattawoman and Matthew Henson middle schools and North Point High School.
Action Items
The Board approved the following items.
- Minutes
- Personnel
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).