The Board of Education of Charles County met Jan. 9, for its regular meeting. A meeting agenda is posted on Board Docs here. The January Board meeting took place virtually due to inclement weather. Student and staff recognition, presentation of resolutions, and public forum for the Jan. meeting was postponed. The meeting was streamed live on www.ccboe.com and archived on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) YouTube page.
The following are important meeting updates.
Suspension of Board Policy 1133
Due to inclement weather, the Board converted the Jan. 9 meeting to a virtual format, condensed the meeting agenda and voted to suspend its policy, Policy 1133, on Public Forum.
Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
The Board of Education of Charles County elected Yonelle Moore Lee, Esq., as its chairperson and Nicole M. Kreamer as its vice chairperson at the start of the Jan. 9 meeting. The Board votes annually in January to elect a chairperson and vice chairperson. The chairperson and vice chairperson each serve a one-year term. Click here to read more. Watch the election on the YouTube recording here.
Superintendent update
In her report to the Board, Superintendent of Schools Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., shared that CCPS recently launched a partnership with Hazel Health to offer short-term telemental health services to students in sixth through 12th grade. She reminded the community of how CCPS communicates changes to the operating schedule in case of inclement weather, and that Karen Acton, chief financial officer for CCPS, and Sherri Fisher-Davis, CCPS budget manager, would present the Superintendent’s formal budget request for next year later in the meeting. Navarro also mentioned the upcoming scholarship fair and Early College Program information sessions for families of current sophomores and juniors who want to apply for the program. View the full update on BoardDocs. Watch the full update on the YouTube recording here.
Superintendent’s Proposed FY2025 Operating Budget
CCPS Chief Financial Officer Karen Acton and Sherri Fisher-Davis, CCPS budget manager, presented to the Board a detailed breakdown of the 2025 proposed operating budget. Acton shared priority areas that the budget is set to cover such as minimum wage increases and continued implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future requirements. Fisher-Davis presented on specific areas of the budget, including how the budget supports CCPS strategic priorities, a breakdown of where the money comes from, cost per pupil expenditures and revenue planning. View the full presentation here. View the proposed operating budget here. Watch the full update on the YouTube recording here.
Eligibility policy update
Marvin Jones, Ed.D., CCPS chief of schools, and Richard Pauole, CCPS director of student activities, athletics and aquatics, provided to the Board with an updated presentation about recommended changes to the eligibility policy for students in Grades 9-12. In their presentation they included additional data from other Maryland counties.
Under the current policy, students must carry at least a 2.0 GPA from the previous quarter, have no failing (F) grades in the previous quarter, and have no more than 4.5 days of unexcused absences per quarter. During the presentation, Jones and Pauole presented the Board with recommended changes to the policy such as removing the F provision, increasing permitted absences per quarter and including redemptive language for when students take a class in summer school or when interims are issued. To view the full presentation, click here. Watch the full update on the YouTube recording here.
Grading and reporting
Kevin Lowndes, CCPS chief of teaching and learning, Melissa Miesowitz, CCPS director of secondary education, and Meighan Hungerford, CCPS director of elementary schools, presented to the Board an overview of current grading policies. The presentation highlighted Board policies, Superintendent rules, and grading practices and guidance given to secondary and elementary schools. View the full presentation here. Watch the full update on the YouTube recording here.
Legislative update
Eric Schwartz, staff attorney, presented to the Board a legislative update on Bill 151 recently filed by State Del. Delegate Patterson. The bill concerns details on the Board vacancy filling process. Watch the full update on the YouTube recording here. View House Bill 151 here.
Action items
The Board approved meeting minutes and personnel.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 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 M. 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).