BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CARROLL COUNTY
WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
JAMES L. DOOLAN, PRESIDENT
STEPHEN H. GUTHRIE, SUPERINTENDENT
BOARD MINUTES (UNAPPROVED)
December 9, 2015
Location Change: Westminster High School
Recording Secretary: Cindy Patterson
PRESENT BOARD MEMBERS
James Doolan, President
Jennifer Seidel, Vice President
Virginia Harrison
Devon Rothschild
Bob Lord
Commissioner Weaver
Matthew Saxton, Student Representative
Stephen Guthrie, Superintendent
Rochelle Eisenberg, Legal Counsel
Board President Jim Doolan convened the Board of Education in regular session on
Wednesday, December 9, 2015, at 4:06 p.m. at Westminster Mill High School, 1225
Washington Road, Westminster. Mr. Doolan led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance
followed by a moment of silent meditation.
The agenda was amended by removing item 3.1 – Award
APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
of Bids. Moved by Ms. Seidel, and seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board voted unanimously,
with student representative agreement, to approve the amended Board agenda.
A motion was made by Mrs. Harrison to appoint Mr. Doolan
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
as President of the Board of Education, seconded by Mrs. Seidel. With no other nominations,
the Board voted 4-0-1, with student representative agreement and one abstained, to
appoint Mr. Doolan as President of the Board of Education.
A motion was made by Mrs. Seidel to appoint Mr. Lord as Vice-President of the Board
of Education, seconded by Mrs. Harrison. With no other nominations, the Board voted
unanimously, with student representative agreement, to appoint Mr. Lord as Vice President
of the Board of Education.
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Moved by Ms. Harrison, and seconded by
APPROVAL OF BOARD
MINUTES – November 11,
2015.
Ms. Rothschild, the Board voted unanimously, with student
representative agreement, to approve the minutes of
November 11, 2015. (ADDENDUM #1)
Ms. Harrison reported that she attended the East Middle
BOARD MEMBER ACTIVITIES
AND CORRESPONDENCE.
School’s fall fest. Ms. Rothschild reported that she attended the State’s Attorney’s Drug
Assembly. Mr. Saxton attended the MASC Fall Leadership Conference in Gaithersburg.
Mr. Lord attended a luncheon prepared by the students at Crossroads Middles School. He
also attended the Good Scout Award Ceremony honoring Virginia Harrison. Mr. Doolan
stated that it was good to hear of all the awards that were given to employees at
the Employee Recognition. He also attended the Good Scout Award Ceremony honoring
Virginia Harrison.
PERSONNEL
APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL
Superintendent Guthrie brought to the Board 2 new hires, ACTION ITEMS.
2 leave of absences and 1 decrease. In addition, a new Coordinator
of Special Education, Special Programs, was recommended for appointment.
Moved by Ms. Seidel and seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board voted unanimously,
with student representative agreement, to approve the personnel action items.
(ADDENDUM #2)
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
The monthly Financial Report provides budget,
MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT.
revenue, and expenditure information for the Current Operating Fund for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2016 (FY16). The Budget Variance column on the report reflects a shortfall
in State funding due to the Governor’s decision to not release the second 50% of the
Geographic Cost of Education Index funding. If savings cannot be achieved
during the fiscal year to offset this amount, the report will be brought back to the Board
later in the fiscal year with a request to utilize Fund Balance to offset this one-time funding
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shortfall. (ADDENDUM #3)
The School Construction Report highlights
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION REPORT.
activity from ongoing projects. A report for each project under construction provides
information regarding the budget and any issues that need to be noted or addressed.
Information, in the form of a narrative, is provided for those projects in design, as well as
short term capital renewal projects. This includes projects funded through the Aging Schools
and Supplementary Appropriation Project programs or those requested by groups
associated with the school system. (ADDENDUM #4)
The Transportation Services Benchmark (TSD)
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
BENCHMARK REPORT
Report compares CCPS to the national pupil transportation
standards, other Maryland counties having similar operations, and to ourselves from year to
year. This report highlights operations for the school year ending June 30, 2015, and marks
the ninth year of TSD benchmark reporting. The use of benchmarking data has been
instrumental in assisting the TSD to evaluate progress and to identify areas of focus for
continued improvement and efficiency. (ADDENDUM #5)
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
There was no citizen participation at this meeting
CARROLL COUNTY STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
Mr. Andrew Boone, President of the Carroll County
Student Government Association, reported that on November 14,
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.
CARROLL COUNTY
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
REPORT.
CCSGA sent 51 students to the Maryland Association of Student Councils, Fall Leadership
Conference. This is the highest number of students to attend this conference in many
years. The team met to discuss the holiday adoption, finalize the upcoming General
Assembly agenda and plan for the legislative session. This year, CCSGA adopted a CCPS
family through the Student Services Department for Christmas.
Mr. Boone invited everyone to the General Assembly that will be held on December
18, 2015 from 9-1:20 p.m. A presentation on the “Children Support Fund of CCPS” and
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“Kids Helping Hopkins” will be presented.
Mr. Boone thanked Mr. Steven Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, for
providing an overview of the Boundary Adjustment Committee’s report for the members of
CCSGA. In addition, CCSGA Officers attended the High School Principals’ meeting and gave
a presentation on the importance of student leadership in the high school setting.
Mr. Boone thanked the Board members and school staff for their support as
they continue to grow and provide leadership opportunities to the students of
Carroll County.
EMPLOYEE GROUPS
Ms. Teresa McCulloh, President of the Carroll County Education Association,
addressed the Board and thanked them for their time, effort and energy that transpired in
one of most difficult challenging and uncomfortable positions facing CCPS.
During American Education Week, Maryland State Education Association President,
Betty Weller, visited North Carroll Middle School, Manchester Valley, High School, and Ebb
Valley Elementary School. She spoke with members on current topics and issues in the
education world and extended her appreciation to members for their commitment and
dedication to our students. State Education Association Secretary/Treasurer, Princess Moss,
joined Ms. Weller and Ms. McCulloh, along with two NEA staff members at Ebb Valley
Elementary later that day to present a $1,000 check to Mr. Robert Mitchell, principal at Ebb
Valley Elementary. President Weller will also present checks to members at North Carroll
Middle School and Manchester Valley High School.
Diane Deal, CASE President, thanked and echoed Ms. McCulloh’s comments.
She
stated that whatever decision is made, CASE knows the decision is in the best interest of
our students and all staff. Members of CASE fully support the Board’s efforts to secure the
school’s budget students deserve.
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DISCUSSION
It was recommended that Board Policy JFA: Course Selection - Non-Discrimination
and its accompanying administrative regulations be eliminated due to the fact that they are
redundant with the Administrative Regulations for Board Policy AC – Non-Discrimination.
This ensures compliance with law, policy, and procedure and eliminates redundancy.
ACTION ITEMS
There were no action items at this meeting.
INSTRUCTIONAL REPORTS
There were no Instructional Reports at this meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS
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Budget work session;
Wednesday, December 16, 2015, at 3:00 p.m.,
125 North Court Street, Westminster
Board Meeting (with Citizen Participation),
Wednesday, January 13, 2016, at 4:00 p.m.,
125 N. Court Street, Westminster
FY 17 Operating Budget Hearing
Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at 6:00 p.m.
125 North Court St., Westminster.
Upon motion by Ms. Seidel and seconded by Mr. Lord, the meeting adjourned
at 4:41 p.m.
December 9, 2015 Closed Session Summary for Approved Minutes
In attendance: Mr. Doolan, Ms. Eisenberg, Mr. O’Meally, Mr. Guthrie, Ms. Harrison,
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Lord, Ms. Patterson, Mr. O’Neal, Ms. Rothschild, Ms. Seidel.
At 3:14 p.m., after it was moved by Ms. Harrison, and seconded by Ms. Rothschild, the
Board unanimously voted to go into Closed Session in accordance with Section 10-508 of
the Annotated Code of Maryland to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment,
promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance
evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; consult with
legal counsel; and consider matters that relate to negotiations .
Board members discussed one item relating to personnel.


Board members discussed two legal items.
Board members discussed one item relating to negotiations.
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December 9, 2015 – ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTION
The Board received information on the following items.
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


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FY17 Budget Work Session.
FY17 Budget Adoption.
Student Data Work Session.
Scheduling a Closed Session to discuss negotiations after Budget work session in
December.
Property expansion of South Carroll business.
2015 enrollment and projections.
MPIA requests.
Overview of PARC Scores.
__________________________
James L. Doolan, President
________________________________
Stephen H. Guthrie, Secretary/Treasurer
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