Minutes MCCPTA Delegates Assembly
March 28, 2006
Carver Educational
Program
Program Welcome: Vicky Strella, Chair MCCPTA Parent Leadership Committee,
Maryland Parent Leadership Institute
Vicky summarized her work as
a coordinator for the statewide Parent Leadership Institute (PLI) and noted
that fifty-eight parents have been trained across the state to bring back
resources, programs and practices to their local PTAs. Twelve of these parents
are from
Program:
Parent and Family Involvement In Our Schools – Rules of Engagement: Giving
Parents Back Their Schools; A Shared Responsibility – Recommendations for
Increasing Family and Community Involvement in Schools; MCPS Family and Community Partnership Goals;
Parent to Parent Outreach – Networks and Empowerment in
Speakers:
Dr. Mike Hickey, Director, Center for Leadership in Education,
University
Barbara Scherr, Maryland State Department
of Education (MSDE), Family Involvement Specialist
Jane Butler, MCPS Division of
Family and Community Partnerships
Susan Fleck, Piney
Program Summary:
Dr. Hickey stated that “No
Child Left Behind” (NCLB) has given parents nearly equal power to that of
school officials in making educational decisions about their children,
therefore, schools and parents must seek a relationship based on the full
engagement of true equals for the benefit of all children. He discussed: the
changing engagement paradigm. He commented on Linda Lambert’s eight rules of
engagement:
1. state explicitly your schools high expectations of
parent participation
2. engage parents in developing a shared vision
3. make language transparent
4. establish relationships that are reciprocal in
purpose
5. develop structures and processes for parent
leadership and advocacy
6. assume that parents have the right to be responsible
for and the ability to struggle with
tough issues
7. keep parent participation broad based
8. ask parents to asses their own leadership skills
He reviewed Joyce Epstein’s
(
1. activities emphasizing reading
2. learning through discussion
3. informal learning activities at home
4. contracts between teacher and parent
5. developing teaching and evaluation skills in parents
He concluded by reviewing
Lambert’s eight traditional and reciprocal roles for teachers and parents.
Barbara Scherr, MSDE, gave a
history of the Maryland Parent’s Advisory Council (MPAC). She distributed
copies of the MPAC summary report and MSDE’s Maryland’s Plan for Family, School
and Community Involvement. She described the charge of goal number five,
“families will be involved in education” from MSDE’s strategic plan,
Achievement Matters Most, adopted in fall 2001, and the structure of MPAC.
MPAC’s tour of all twenty-four jurisdictions produced twenty-one
recommendations with five themes:
1. communication – MSDE’s website redesigned to be more
accessible for parents; inventory parent publications; inventory parent
representation on state-wide committees and task forces
2. leadership – development and implementation of MSDE action plan; two
staff parent involvement specialists; renamed division of student, family and
school services; introduced HB 141; established Superintendent’s Family
Involvement Council
3. training – Towson University providing professional
development in family studies; accessibility of training modules for parents,
educators and community members; working with Parent Information Resource
centers (PIRC) to develop and expand training opportunities
4. partnership – inventory of successful partnerships
and inclusion of parent/family involvement in all state award applications and
recognitions
5. accountability – drafting regulatory language for
Family Involvement Policy; developing survey questions for incorporation by
local school systems
The Maryland state board of
education accepted all twenty-one recommendations.
Jane Butler, MCPS, outlined
the guiding policies (NCLB; MSDE Achievement Matters; MCPS “Call to Action”)
and goals for the Division of Family and Community Partnerships: provide family
and school outreach and involvement, strengthen business and community
involvement, and ensure two-way communication among families, businesses,
community groups, and MCPS. She discussed outreach for curriculum and
instruction, support systems and resources, partnership schools, and the Comer
school development program. Communication initiatives include: the MCCPTA
delegate packets; a parent newsletter, the MCPS call center and the website.
Five different languages and FAQs are available. Direct services to schools and
families include school and community presentations, supporting individual
family needs, the Parent’s Place, Summer Search and Extended Learning
Opportunities (ELO) SAIL . She mentioned the Montgomery County Business
Roundtable for Education (MCBRE), Conquista tus Suenos, Saturday School, and
mentors. Strengthening collaborative efforts will include: revising the
community involvement policy (FAA) and developing a parent resource “tool kit”
among others.
Susan Fleck, PTA parent and
member of Piney Branch Elementary School outreach committee, described the
outreach program at Takoma Park Elementary School for herself and Rosa Sanchez
(who could not be here tonight). She shared their PTA vision of and strategies
for parent involvement. The vision includes all parents being welcomed and
involved, whether at home or at school. Strategies shared: communication;
dedication to diversity; recognize cultural differences and adapt; and the role
of PTA leaders to mentor and identify new leaders and work with school and
community resources. Susan briefly outlined Rosa’s PLI project for Hispanic
parent outreach at Takoma Park including her keys to success, parent concerns
and the results. She mentioned the improvements that MCPS has made and
suggestions to overcome problems. The importance of translation for school
communications, including report cards and curriculum, and the need for parent
outreach coordinators was noted. She concluded her presentation with the unique
obstacles that foreign born parents have, and how to take the initiative for involvement
and advocacy.
Business Meeting
Call to Order: President Cindy Kerr called the meeting to order at 7:45 PM.
Pledge:
Sharon St. Pierre, Vice President Educational Issues
PTA Mission: Victor Salazar, Vice President Administration
Agenda:
Cindy noted additions to tonight’s agenda, including a resolution concerning
MCPS media regulation from Rosanne Hurwitz, the proposed amendments to the
MCCPTA bylaws regarding running for elected office and open meetings, and a
report from Ted Willard on the media work group.
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes from the
February 28, 2006 Delegate Assembly were reviewed. A revised grading and
reporting committee report was shown on the overhead and read. The report was
amended to read as follows:
Committee chair Shirley
Brandman had to leave early tonight, so Sharon St. Pierre reported for her. A
grading and reporting update on new language for grading and reporting is in
your packets. Please review the modifications in homework for completion and
practice. When a student has turned in “homework for completion” by the
deadline, and when it appears to the teacher that the student has made a good
faith attempt to perform the assignment, the student should receive full
credit, regardless of the accuracy, quality, or even completeness of the homework
submitted. Only if, in the teacher’s professional judgment, the student has not
attempted in good faith to perform the assignment, the teacher may then give
partial credit for the homework. Please review these changes with your schools.
The minutes stand approved
as amended.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Juan Johnson
presented the treasurer’s report of March 1 through March 28, 2006, the profit
and loss budget vs. actual for July 1, 2005 through March 28, 2006, and the
balance sheet as of March 28, 2006. Report copies were shown on the overhead
transparencies and written copies were available for those who wanted them. Juan
also distributed copies of insurance premiums due by local units as of March 28
and missing dues payments. There are twelve schools with outstanding insurance
payments. Invoices have been sent out four times. Twenty-five schools have not
paid their dues. Notices will be sent out to cluster coordinators, so they can
help to rectify the situation. Juan has received the 2005 audit draft report. He
will be meeting with the committee to review it. It is a long process because
it was a two year audit. Juan reported that we currently have about 35,000
members. The balance sheet shows $43,000 in the bank, which includes approximately
$25,000 held in reserve for insurance payments for next year. He noted that the
spring training workshop line item shows $1,100 that is actually from last year,
but the bills didn’t come in until this year. We’ll have to do an adjustment. There
is money budgeted for this spring’s training. Any change of dues will be set at
the annual meeting in April as required by the bylaws. The treasurer’s report
will be filed for audit.
Business Items: Presentations of Pending Resolutions/Motions
Sharon St. Pierre presented
the Gifted Child Committee resolution.
Sharon St. Pierre made a motion to
set a time limit of five minutes for discussion of the resolution. It was
seconded and passed by a show of hands.
Sharon St. Pierre made a motion to
allow the Gifted and Talented Committee Chair for White Oak Middle School who
helped write the resolution, Fred Stiknott, to speak to the Gifted Child
Committee resolution. The motion was seconded and passed by a show of hands.
Sharon and Fred referred to
the resolutions distributed on the blue sheet in tonight’s delegate packets.
The resolution comes from the committee. It has been approved by White Oak, A.
Mario Loiederman and Cabin John Middle Schools. Fred gave background
information. The resolution would make a small contribution to the middle
school reform project. If it’s adopted MCCPTA would ask the middle school
reform committee to ask MCPS to formulate a higher level Gifted and Talented
curriculum. Currently the curriculum guides provide items called “extensions”
that are available to the GT students, but they are sporadic, largely optional
and don’t build upon one another. These extensions can occasionally enrich
education, but they don’t build upon one another in a progressive way. Teachers
and parents are frustrated by the lack of a guide.
This resolution would have a
sequence and systematic higher level curriculum. The idea is to build
progressively as with the regular curriculum. Teachers and parents would see a
firm curriculum and students would see a progressive curriculum. The resolution
began as project at White Oak and was adopted by two other middle schools.
While it is aimed primarily at GT students, it should not be seen as limited to
those students. Now, the curriculum is “one size fits all” and there are small
differentiations off of it. What this does is create a second progressive track
of curriculum to help teachers to match all children’s needs by being better
guided in differentiating between the two tracks for all children as appropriate. A delegate asked for an example of an
extension. Fred answered with the example of a “blip” extension in history of
asking students to write a paper on John Adams. If this happens only once a
month it’s not progressive enough for students who could handle more. Also,
with the English curriculum parents are concerned with books for students who
can read at the eleventh and twelfth grade level, but the books are at the
fourth grade level, and teachers are frustrated because they can’ vary off the
track. Teachers would like to have more options. A delegate asked about the
elementary level, and Fred responded that he was focused on middle school, but
he’s hoping that if MCCPTA supports a well developed GT curriculum, it will
ultimately affect the elementary level, too. Fred responded to a delegate
troubled by the GT identification and label, that teachers could apply these
two tracks with guidance to whatever student is ready. He wants to preserve GT
education, not the name.
Sharon St. Pierre made a motion that the delegates support
taking this resolution back to their local PTAs and bringing it back next month
for a vote. It was seconded and passed by show of hands.
The resolution as written
below will be posted on the list serv.
Resolution proposed by the
MCCPTA Gifted Child Committee Recommending Development of a Gifted and Talented
Curriculum:
WHEREAS, a Montgomery County
Public Schools (“MCPS”) Middle School Reform Steering
Committee (the “Steering
Committee”) has been charged to formulate a comprehensive plan (the “Plan”)
that will produce a rigorous and challenging middle school education program
that improves teaching and learning, promotes continuous improvement in all
middle schools, and ensures that all students are prepared for rigorous high school
standards; and
WHEREAS, Policy IOA, recognizing
that gifted and talented students require instructional and curricular
adjustments that can create a better match between their identified needs and
the educational services they typically receive, provides that MCPS will
prepare a scope and sequence of objectives and activities as well as materials
that accelerate and enrich the regular curriculum in Pre-kindergarten-8, in
mathematics, reading/language arts, science, and social studies; and
WHEREAS, the National Association
for Gifted Children’s Pre-K-Grade 12 Gifted Program Standards (with which the
components of the MCPS gifted and talented program are to be aligned) require
as a minimum standard that instruction objectives and strategies provided to gifted
learners must be systematically differentiated from those in the regular classroom;
and
WHEREAS, Policy IFA requires that
curricula promote continuity and cumulative acquisition and application of
skills and knowledge and allow teachers and students to understand what is
expected and required of them; and
WHEREAS, this Committee finds that
the middle school MCPS Curriculum Guides provide extensions and enhancements
for optional and periodic use in enriching gifted and talented education, but
that such extensions and enhancements neither sequentially and systematically
ground the acceleration of gifted and talented education, nor allow teachers
and students to understand what is expected and required of them; and
WHEREAS, as a part of a multiyear
plan for development of strong local gifted and talented programs, MCPS has
determined to strengthen differentiation in the instructional guides;
BE IT RESOLVED, that this
Committee recommends to the Steering Committee that there be included in the
Plan the recommendation that MCPS add as soon as possible to the middle school
Curriculum Guides sequenced and systematic higher level gifted and talented
curricula, in mathematics, reading/language arts, science and social studies.
Resolution Concerning
MCPS Media Regulation:
A delegate made a motion that we allow a five minute time
limit of discussion for this resolution. It was seconded and passed by a show
of hands.
Rosanne Hurwitz (AVP for
area 4) introduced the resolution developed as a collaborative effort, and
adopted by the Richard Montgomery High School (RMHS) PTSA. It’s crafted from a
position piece beginning with a parent’s concern and an article written by a
student for the school newspaper, “The Tide”. Rosanne explained that because of
a snow cancellation of a PTSA meeting that it’s late getting to the delegates.
She has circulated it to other high schools through the high school committee,
with the result being support from Churchill, Bethesda Chevy Chase, Seneca
Valley, and Blake in addition to RMHS. Also, Quince Orchard and Northwood have
endorsed the concept without identical language. Rosanne gave background on the
cause for the resolution being the new MCPS policy on following age
restrictions for film media as used by the Motion Picture Association of
America (MPAA) for media in whole or in part shown in classrooms. This means
that no part of an R-rated film can be shown in a high school classroom. This restriction particularly impacts
English, social studies, and higher level foreign language classes (which often
use unrated films, e.g. French level 6 class at RMHS). Northwood’s and other
county film studies classes are also impacted. The resolution was vetted
through the PTSA and staff at RMHS. This resolution gives the discretion back
to the staff to review the films, select the appropriate content and inform the
parents. Rosanne
apologized if she missed any
high schools. Steve Crowley, delegate from Rockville High School, asked for the
logic in not going to all locals, but just the high schools. Wendy Williams,
delegate from RMHS, replied that it was marketed to high school parents because
they were most familiar with the curriculum issues. Rosanne has not restricted
support to high schools and regrets this breakdown in communication. The focus
was to make sure that this was what the other high schools wanted before we
circulated this down to the elementary and middle schools. The Magruder High
School delegate stated opposition because his school needs time to study it, so
he would offer an opposing resolution if there’s a timeline restriction on
action tonight.
Ted
Willard made a motion for an additional five minutes of discussion. It was
seconded and
passed by a voice vote.
Ted Willard, media work
group participant, stated that the last committee meeting was this afternoon.
The work group report will go to Dr. Lacey and other senior executives for
their reactions. Because of spring break it’s unlikely that action will take
place before the April delegate assembly. Parents and PTAs can testify at the
Board of Education meeting on April 20. The next delegate assembly is April 25.
The Walter Johnson High School PTSA president stated that the motion has merit
and it needs to be brought back to the locals.
John
Moriarity made a motion that we defer action on this resolution until the April
meeting. It
was seconded.
Discussion on this motion
included: In response to a concern about time and deferral, Ted stated that
it’s a MCPS regulation, not a Board of Education policy, so it falls under Dr.
Weast’s control. PTAs can testify to the Board of Education on their own
behalf. Ted’s concern is if the MCPS leadership team was taking any action. Ted
was told it’s very unlikely that even the report will have been put together to
go back to the work group before spring break or before the next delegate
assembly. Cindy added that MCCPTA can go to Dr. Lacey’s office and ask that
MCPS to allow time for us to comment. This doesn’t stop any high school from
commenting. MCCPTA could state how many
high schools are commenting. An elementary delegate spoke if favor of deferral
to give elementary school PTAs a chance to discuss the resolution.
Rich Edelman made an amendment to the motion to defer action
that MCCPTA specifically ask MCPS to delay any action pending our organization’s
position. The amendment was seconded and passed by a voice vote.
John Moriarity’s original motion as amended passed by a
voice vote.
Resolution Concerning
MCPS Media Regulation: As adopted by
the Richard Montgomery HS PTSA March 13, 2006
WHEREAS,
MCPS recently revised Regulation IIB-RA to ban the showing of R-rated movies as
well as excerpts from these movies
in high school classrooms throughout the county, and
WHEREAS, this regulation has the
effect of blanket censorship which undermines many high
school subjects, including but not
limited to history, English, foreign language and film classes,
without regard to the educational
assessment of the usefulness of the motion pictures relative to
the classroom objectives, and
WHEREAS, Regulation IIB-RA adversely
impacts the quality of student instruction, therefore,
RESOLVED, that MCCPTA requests that
the Board of Education immediately rescind Regulation
IIB-RA, section four, and
RESOLVED, that the replacement
regulation incorporate a system for exceptions, whereby
teachers apply or request to have
certain films exempted from the policy for educational purposes,
and
RESOLVED, that teachers who request
materials that are R-rated or un-rated for classroom use
should provide information to
parents to form their own assessment, and that a system of signed
permissions from parents should
constitute sufficient authorization to permit the use of R-rated or
un-rated motion pictures, either as
excerpt or in their entirety, in high school classrooms.
Following this media
discussion, Ted Willard, MCPS media work group participant, outlined the four points
that the work group had agreed to:
1. the goal is to have a
waiver process for films that would not normally be allowed by just looking at
their rating
2. film clips or segments can
be used if the content is not violating the R, PG or PG 13 rating
3. an entire film could be shown
if advance notice and parental permission had been given
4. Students 17 years or
older can sign a permission form themselves since 17 year olds are allowed to see
R rated films
Ted held back from endorsing
the last point about the 17 year olds until he knew what the delegates wanted.
He needs clarification on this last point. A question about the waiver process
was answered that if a film clip if not the reason for the R rating then no
permission needs to be granted. Films rated PG-13 for middle school or R for
high school would need permission slips. Currently this policy limits films to G
rated for elementary school, PG for middle school and PG-13 for high school.
This would permit you to make exceptions to that. A question from Chris Barclay
about what happens if a parent doesn’t sign the waiver was answered that alternatives
are up to the teacher. To clarify, the vote will go out to all locals, not just
high school. Unrated foreign films area gray area. Ted’s recollection is that
under the existing policy that a judgment of where the film would fall under the
categories of appropriate or inappropriate would have to be made. In response
to the concern about movies being shown the day before vacation break Ted
answered that the guiding principle is that films should be related to the
curriculum not shown just for entertainment. These recommendations will be
posted on the list serv.
Sharon Schulman made a motion that we direct Ted Willard to
endorse the work group recommendations that students who are 17 years old be permitted
to sign permission for themselves to see R rated films. It was seconded. It passed
by a voice vote.
Sharon Schulman, Walter
Johnson High School delegate, stated that the MPAA rating system isn’t appropriate
as a guide for what films or parts of films to show. MPAA is a non-school,
non-family group. If we are going to use it then we must be consistent. For
example, it’s inconsistent to say that a 14 year old doesn’t need permission to
see a PG-13 movie, but the 10 year old cannot see it; and then say that a 17 year
old can’t see the R rated film without permission. Because the same body says
what’s appropriate for a 14 year old if it’s PG-13 and a 17 year old should be
consistent, yet 17 year olds can see these films in theaters. She expressed her
opinions about protective parents and trusting our children. Cindy reminded
that delegates use their best judgment. Please contact Ted and Rosanne for more
clarification.
New Business Item:
Juan Johnson stated that in
the bylaws our annual meeting is designated as the April meeting. The bylaws
state that if we need to raise the membership dues that this should be voted on
at the annual meeting. Our budget is running a deficit again this year. About
four years ago we had about $50,000 in extra cash and we’ve spent it down. It’s
time to do something about that now. Unfortunately with our membership down
from about 50,000 to about 35,000 now we’re not in the financial position that
we were several years ago.
Juan Johnson made a motion to raise the membership dues to
$1.00 per member up from $.75. No second is required. This will be included in
the minutes. Please take it back to your locals and it will be voted on at the
annual meeting in April.
Cluster coordinators can see
the list of schools missing membership dues. Our bylaws state that to vote you
must be a member of a PTA in good standing and that requires payment of dues. Invoices
are sent out at the beginning of the year. Juan said that the final deadline
for dues payment is March 31. We follow state and national PTAs. The dues of
$3.25 are asked to be at the state one week before the deadline. If this wasn’t
done send it in now anyway. Juan reminded delegates that unused membership
cards must be returned to MD PTA in Glen Burnie by March 31 or the local will
receive a bill. Every November 1 your first membership is due to us and to MD
PTA, but it can continue to be paid until March 31. You’re required to submit
membership money when it’s received. Juan answered a request to post this
information the website by stating that it is there, but he will post it more
prominently. He responded to the question of the increase in dues being made to
balance the budget or increase spending by saying that it is a result of a
significant decrease in membership since even with 50,000 members we were
deficit spending. Cindy noted that there is a discrepancy of 15,000 between MD
PTA saying that we have 50,000 members and our records showing 35,000. We’re
still the largest PTA council in the state. Invoices were sent out. Juan will
send the cluster coordinators a final notice list of schools needing payments. Related
questions about bylaws updates were answered by Cindy saying that the state is
still updating its records with the new MD PTA bylaws chair. Improvements have
been made, but let us know about your bylaws report so we can make corrections at
the state if necessary. Jane de Winter thought that the discrepancy in the
numbers between the state membership and our membership may be a result of the
locals getting their first dues payment in around November 1 and then locals
continue to take memberships. As a reminder dues need to be sent in another
payment as you get new members. It was suggested by another delegate that an ad
hoc committee be formed to pursue this issue. Cindy replied that we have a
committee chair that is supposed to be working on this. MD PTA will be focused
on membership, too. Cindy also informed us that MD PTA is considering using a state
insurance policy with forward funding like MCCPTA. Now MD PTA is required to do
this by National PTA to make sure that all PTAs have insurance. MD PTA was
trying to put this on the councils, but not all councils can afford to do this.
This should save each of our locals about $100 or $120. Montgomery and Howard
counties were concerned about riders for some of the activities that we do, so
they’re going back to examine that.
We’ll report any of these
changes back to you. In answer to a question about increasing membership Juan
answered that we still need increase in dues by $.25 each even if we increase
membership because of $11,000 deficit spending even with 50,000 members. The
budget needs to be changed to reflect membership. Cindy added that we have
expenses of an office and one employee. MCCPTA has had rent free office space
from MCPS at Connecticut Park and then North Lake. We have advocated for and basically
been approved to move to an MCPS office suite building. An office suite from
MCPS would save us money by staying in one place, not changing stationery, and
sharing their copying machines. We would also be able to have night meetings,
use conference rooms and not be restricted on our office hours. The vote on the
dues increase will be taken at the April meeting. Budget work will be done this
summer and the written budget will be brought for a vote in the fall. In answer
to a question about how our dues compare to other PTA jurisdictions, Cindy and
Juan answered that they are comparable to other counties our size.
President’s Report:
Cindy Kerr reported on
policy ABA – the Board of Education policy on community involvement which has
been mailed to you for public comment. Cindy encourages locals to look at
closely at this policy. When this policy review first started last year, Cindy
had been asked to co-chair with Jane Butler. After three meetings Cindy had
stepped aside as the co-chair for the committee working on this policy because
she didn’t believe it was in the best interest of our organization to co-chair
because of the direction that the policy language was taking. Cindy is working with
the Vice Presidents and will be coming to you with a resolution and prepared
testimony to speak to the parent involvement. It’s her opinion based on her
experience that MCPS is trying to sanitize every policy and removing any
reference to PTA. The new language of saying that they want to solicit input
from groups “particularly those who are under represented” is disturbing. It’s MCCPTA’s
duty and responsibility to make sure that we are inclusive because we speak for
all children. We must always remind MCPS that we are a group with a structure,
that we are elected, that we represent 50,000 members, that we speak all
children and that we partner with many groups. Cindy has already spoken with
the NAACP. She’ll be speaking with Latino parent groups, Asian parent groups
and Special Education parent groups to present a united front for community
involvement. The way it is stated now in the policy MCPS can ask for, but is
not required to have community involvement. We need a strong statement for
community involvement.
Cindy’s grading and reporting
comments included her reference to the pioneers and wagon train analogy. If we
don’t see some changes in grading and reporting, then we’ve been left in
heinous position of being taken from homes, put out on a trail, promised a
destination, but now we have nowhere to go – therefore there’s no
accountability. We’ll report back on this. There’s a new policy on Board of
Education staffing that’s of concern and we’ll report back on this. Cindy added
that it’s been her pleasure and honor to work with the delegates and it’s been one
of the highlights of her work with MCCPTA. Her best advice is to listen to the delegates.
She leave this job knowing that she was one of the luckiest people to be able
to speak on behalf of the children of Montgomery County and with parents like
you to work with.
Officer Reports:
Vice President – Educational
Issues:
Sharon St. Pierre reminded
delegates of the committee updates included in their packets.
The presidents and
principals dinner is May 24 at 6 PM at the Indian Spring Country Club. Invitations
are coming out soon. Tickets are $38 per person. PTAs typically pay for their
principal to attend. The deadline for the life membership and partners in
education awards is April 21. The Reflections Awards Ceremony is April 27 at 7
PM at Loiederman Middle School. Flyers (contact information on the back) for
Prom season and underage drinking were distributed tonight. There is a
community forum for children ages 8 and up on underage drinking Thursday from 7
to 9 PM at Carver.
Vice President – Programs:
Please complete the survey
sheet on middle school reform. I t can be given to us tonight or sent to the
MCCPTA office. Ted will try to put in on the website, too. Tomorrow night
there’s a middle school forum at Montgomery Village Middle School at 7 PM and
there’s another one on Monday night at Francis Scott Key Middle School. The
next curriculum meeting is April 20. The Associate Superintendent for
Organizational Development will discuss how curriculum is set up and
implemented.
Vice President –
Administration:
Victor Salazar asked that
locals let incoming PTA officers know about the June 7 MCCPTA spring training. As
he ends his job as Vice President, he enjoyed helping to start new units at
Clarksburg High School and Little Bennett Elementary.
Committee Reports:
Nominating:
Acting officers -
Chris Barclay, nominating
committee chair, last month nominated Sharon St. Pierre to finish the term as
Vice President, Educational Issues and Ted Willard to finish the term as Vice
President, Programs.
Chris Barclay made a motion for the body to vote on these
nominations (hearing no other nominations from the floor for either position).
No second was needed since it came from committee. A voice vote passed for both
nominees to finish their terms.
Presentation of slate of FY
’06-’07 officers -
Cindy reminded delegates
that nominations from the floor can always be made. The April election will be
overseen by either the president or the president elect from the MD PTA.
Chris recognized and thanked
his nominating committee members – Ana Janckson-Curtis, Allyson Morrison, Lori
Merrill, Leslie Ridgway, Lauren Haven and Terri Salus. He referred delegates to
their packets and the list of officers, Area Vice Presidents (AVPs) and cluster
coordinators. The consensus of the delegates was not to go through the cluster
coordinators and AVPs. The nominations for officers are:
President Jane
de Winter
Vice President: Educational Issues Sharon St. Pierre
Vice President: Administration Cassandra Abdelmeguid
Vice President: Programs April Keyes
Vice President: Legislation Victor Salazar
Recording Secretary Liz Wheeler
Recording Secretary Kay Romero
Treasurer Juan Johnson
The openings for AVPs and
cluster coordinators will be announced from the floor at the April 25 meeting.
Suzanne Weiss said that the bylaws state that nominee names and qualifications
be listed thirty days in advance, too. Cindy and Chris replied that names met
this requirement and that qualifications will be sent out, too, but it won’t be
thirty days in advance. AVPs qualifications can be sent out, too. Cindy and
Chris reminded the delegates of the process for nominating cluster coordinators
and AVPs. For AVP a committee of six must be formed from the quad cluster, so
that one cluster does not dominate the process. Chris Barclay and Cindy talked
about cluster coordinators. Many clusters have monthly meetings to discuss
positions on CIP and Operating Budget, etc. these meetings can be a helpful
preparation for boundary studies or new schools. The advantage of clusters and
councils is a united voice for advocacy. Remember that cluster coordinators,
AVPs and the Board of Directors don’t dictate to locals. Information is given
to locals to make decisions. If decisions are made because of a time sensitive
issue it is done only on behalf of the Board of Directors, not the full MCCPTA.
Bylaws:
Because of actions at our
last meeting and by the Board of Directors regarding running for elected
office, we need to make some changes to our bylaws. Cindy Kerr also thanked delegate
Thomas Hearn for pointing out something missing from our bylaws. Cindy, speaking
as the MD PTA Vice President for Councils, noted that other councils had
noticed this omission, too. The MD PTA template for bylaws was missing the open
meeting statement. He brought it to the bylaws committee attention that it did
not specifically state that our meetings are open. It’s been our practice to
allow anyone to attend our Board of Directors meetings since our bylaws have
been passed. The vote on these changes will be at the May meeting. Vicki Rafel,
bylaws committee chair, made a point of personal privilege to assure us that as
chair she and the bylaws committee members worked diligently to make sure that
the bylaws revisions reflected the unique character of MCCPTA and did not in
any way damage that. The bylaws the delegates approved in January are good
bylaws regardless of what you read anywhere.
By direction of the MCCPTA bylaws committee, Vicki Rafel
made a motion that the bylaws amendments as shown on the overhead (see below) now
be accepted.
Proposed Amendments to
MCCPTA Bylaws:
Vicki Rafel, Bylaws
committee chair, explained the distributed proposed amendments.
At the February 28, 2006 Delegate
Assembly a motion was adopted directing the bylaws committee to draft the
following amendments to the MCCPTA Bylaws:
Article VI Officers and their Election: Insert a new Section
4e which reads, “Any officer of MCCPTA shall resign within a week of filing for
candidacy for public office.”
Article VIII Board of Directors: Insert a new Section 5 and
renumber the following sections.
“Section 5. If a member of the board of directors (other
than an elected officer –See Article VI,
Section 4e) files for candidacy for public office, he/she
shall not speak publicly on behalf of
MCCPTA. If elected to public office, a member of the board
of directors shall resign immediately.”
The Bylaws committee is
proposing as an additional amendment a section that had been left out of our
recent revision of the bylaws because it was not included in the Maryland PTA’s
bylaws template. The suggestion has been made that without this language,
members might be excluded in the future even though this has been our practice
for many years.
Article
VIII Board of Directors: Insert a new Section 11 to read, “Regular meetings of
the board
of directors shall be open to all
members of local PTAs.”
Thirty days notice of
proposed bylaws amendments is required. These proposed amendments will be voted
on at the May Delegate Assembly since the April Delegate Assembly is less than
thirty days away.
Vicki noted that the Section
11 piece was in our previous bylaws and we now believe that MD PTA will
probably approve this. No questions were asked of Vicki following the showing
of the amendments.
Cindy explained that you may
have read on the list serv that there was a complaint sent to the MD PTA about
our bylaws. Cindy, as MD PTA Vice President for Councils recused herself so
there was no conflict of interest. The letter and issue was reviewed by the State
and Local Relations committee, of which Cindy is not a member. They returned a
decision to the sender of the letter that the allegations were baseless and
that our bylaws are in compliance. Cindy added that our bylaws are being
overseen by the MD PTA president and president elect along with the state and
local relations members, so that Cindy recused herself and is not involved with
our bylaws approval. At our next meeting we should hear back about our bylaws approval.
Rosanne Hurwitz asked about a waiver of the 30 days notice for the change in
bylaws, but Vicki requested that we not do that since we need to follow the
bylaws for the 30 day requirement and the April meeting is 28 days. Cindy added
that per Robert’s Rules, we have to abide by the 30 day rule.
Operating Budget:
Jane de Winter, committee
chair, said that cluster testimony before the county council is next week on
Wednesday, April 5 at 7 PM. The PTA testimony starts at 7:30 PM. There will be
a reception for the members of the Board of Directors and the county council
members from 6 PM to 7 PM or 7:30 next to the hearing room. The County
Executive has recommended fully funding the Board of Education operating budget
and the amendments made after our January operating budget testimony. This
includes the Poolesville High School magnet program, staffing to bring full day
kindergarten for all the remaining elementary schools, four more ESOL parent
community outreach coordinators and increase ESOL teacher staffing. Please
remember to change your testimony to reflect these developments. The County
Executive’s budget does not include the $17 million that the county maintains
the state owes them if the Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI) is passed.
The county council members have said that if the GCEI is not in place at the
end of the legislative session that money will be put in the budget by the
county council. It’s still important for us to show the public the case for our
schools. Please come Wednesday or watch it on TV. Victor has put out the list
of times to the cluster coordinators. Please send him the speaker names ASAP if
you haven’t done so already. Speakers are limited to three minutes, but written
comments are unlimited in length. Bring fifteen copies of testimony. Local PTAs
can staple their written comments to the cluster comments.
Adjournment:
The business meeting was
adjourned at 9:15 PM.