Harford County Board of Education Oct. 22: Special Election of Board President; Approval of $16 Million Energy Performance Contract

The Harford County Board of Education plans to elect a new president and vice-president at a board business meeting set for October 22, 2012. The special election follows the sudden death of School Board President Leonard Wheeler in September. The October 22nd agenda also includes the award of a $16 million energy performance contract to improve energy efficiency in 27 schools.

Also on the October 22nd agenda, James R. Murdza will be inducted into the Educator Hall of Fame. Murdza will be recognized for 30 years of extraordinary service as a music teacher, including his role in bringing jazz improvisation, music theory and piano lab to HCPS.

Ring Factory Elementary School will be recognized as one of only ten elementary schools in the nation to be named a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School. Ring Factory Elementary was recognized in the “Exemplary High Performing” category, with students scoring in the top ten percent on state tests in reading and math for the past three years.

On the consent agenda, board members will approve the monthly report on employees who have left the school system, been placed on leaves of absence, or are newly employed by HCPS.

American Education Week will be observed this year during the week of November 11 – 17. Board members will approve a resolution inviting parents, grandparents and interested citizens to visit classrooms during the week. Please check with individual schools for visitation schedules.

Superintendent Robert Tomback will recommend approval of an energy performance capital project, and a related $16 million contract award to Johnson Controls, Inc. The capital project is intended to reduce energy consumption and costs, and to improve air quality in 27 designated schools. Planned capital improvements have a “payback guarantee in energy savings within the next fifteen years,” according the published agenda documents, with a portion of contract funding to come from energy savings from prior energy performance programs. Johnson Controls is being recommended for the $16 million contract award following a review of solicited proposals conducted by representatives from the HCPS Facilities, Budget and Purchasing departments.

Financial reports for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 will be presented by Jim Jewell, assistant superintendent of business services. The independent accounting firm of SB & Company, LLC issued an “unqualified (‘clean’) opinion” on the school system’s financial statements for the fiscal year, according to the HCPS financial report filed last month with the Maryland State Department of Education.

A proposed policy on epinephrine availability and use will be presented by Patrick Spicer, legal counsel. Local school systems are newly required by Maryland law to adopt a policy on training staff to recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis; procedures for administering auto-injectable epinephrine; and emergency follow up procedures.

Spicer will also present a minor revision proposed to the policy on gang-related activities. The revision specifies the use of a standardized form for gang-related incident reporting.

Proposed revisions to the policy on school activity funds will also be presented. School activity funds include fundraising proceeds, cash donations and other funds maintained in school bank accounts but not derived from the HCPS budget. The policy revisions include “strict management guidelines” for cash receipts and disbursements in accordance with accounting practices, according to the presentation. The proposed changes follow a move last year by Superintendent Robert Tomback to tighten procedures after a series of unsolved felony thefts of school activity funds at Patterson Mill High School.

Nearly 70% of the HCPS Class of 2011 enrolled in college immediately following graduation, according to a planned presentation by Bill Lawrence, assistant superintendent for instruction, curriculum and assessment. The figure was down slightly from 2010. During the 2011-12 school year, a total of 266 students were concurrently enrolled in HCPS and Harford Community College, down slightly from the previous school year, according to the published presentation. For the Class of 2012, 75.7% of HCPS high school graduates completed the minimum coursework required for admission to the University of Maryland, down from 78.4% in 2011.

As always, the meeting will conclude with a report from Harford Schools Superintendent Robert Tomback.

The October 22nd meeting of the Harford County Board of Education is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the boardroom at the A.A. Roberty Building in Bel Air. The public comment period is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Below is the published meeting agenda. Please note that published agendas are subject to change.

Agenda
Monday, October 22, 2012

Board Business Meeting – 6:30 PM – Board Room

*Times are approximate

6:30 PM Call to Order – Dr. Robert M. Tomback, Superintendent of Schools and Secretary-Treasurer to the Board of Education

Quorum Roll Call
Election of Board of Education President
Comments of Newly Elected President
Election of Board of Education Vice President
Comments of Newly Elected Vice President

Opening – Newly Elected President
Adoption of Agenda
Pledge of Allegiance

6:50 PM Recognition: (Goal 2)

– Hall of Fame – Mr. James R. Murdza

– 2012 National Blue Ribbon School – Ring Factory Elementary School

7:05 PM Public Comment
7:15 PM Introductions
7:20 PM Board Committee Reports and Comments
7:30 PM Superintendent’s Report

Old Business
Action Item(s):

7:40 PM A. Consent Agenda:

1) Monthly Personnel Report – October, 2012 (Goal 3)

2) Minutes of Previous Board Meeting: October 8, 2012 (Goals 1 – 4)

3) Proposed Resolutions: (Goal 2)

– American Education Week

– American Patriotism in Harford County Public Schools

– Impact Area Aid Assistance

– National Educational Support Professionals Day

– National Family Week

New Business
Action Item(s):

7:45 PM B. Decision on Phase 3 Performance Contract, Master FIM Matrix, Phase 3 Performance Project Summary, Ms. Patti Jo Beard (Goal 4)

8:00 PM C. Approval of Energy Performance Contract and Capital Project, Mr. James. M. Jewell (Goal 4)

Presentation(s):
8:10 PM D. Presentation on the Annual Financial Report and Auditors Report for the Year Ending June 30, 2012, Mr. James M. Jewell (Goal 4)

8:25 PM E. Presentation on Board Policies, Patrick P. Spicer (Goals 2 and 4)

– Epinephrine Availability and Use

– Gang Related Activities

– School Activity Funds

8:40 PM F. Presentation on Postsecondary Data, Mr. William A. Lawrence (Goal 1)

Closing
9:00 PM Future Meetings Review
Adjournment