The Board of Education met yesterday [March 8] and, among other items, approved an amended agreement with SEIU Local 500 and tentatively approved a policy on long-range facilities planning. The Board also rescinded four policies and approved positions on items of legislation. Preliminary plans for the Seven Locks Elementary School replacement and fees for summer school, evening high school, and adult education programs were approved. The Board also reviewed an update on the Administrative and Supervisory Professional Growth System and honored the Carver High School class of 1955 as it celebrates its 50th reunion.

Amended Agreement with SEIU Local 500

The Board approved an amended agreement with SEIU Local 500, representing supporting services personnel, for the period July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2007, following ratification by SEIU Local 500 membership.

Tentative Approval of Policy FAA, Long-Range Educational Facilities Planning

The Board tentatively approved Policy FAA, Long-Range Educational Facilities Planning, which articulates a commitment to long-range planning for the development of educational facilities. The planning process addresses changing enrollment patterns, sustains high quality educational programs, and encourages input from the public. The policy will be sent out for public comment before final Board approval.

Rescission of Various Policies

The Board rescinded four policies that are either outdated, do not rise to the level of a policy issue, or are addressed in other ways. The four policies are Policy FBC, Modular Construction in School Facilities, Policy IHA, Independent Study, Policy JPC, Administration of Medication to Pupils, and Policy JPE, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS/HTLV-III Infection).

Items of Legislation

The Board voted to approve positions on a number of items of legislation before the Maryland General Assembly relating to education.

FY 2006 Fees for Summer School, Adult Education, and Evening High School Programs

The Board approved changes in fees for the following programs due to increases in the costs to operate them and, in the case of the minimal fee-based program for middle school intervention and focus on math courses, changes in the length of the courses :

· Summer school revenue-based full fees increased by $15 for elementary courses and for high school core and non-core courses
· Summer school reduced fee for revenue-based increased by $5
· Summer school minimal fee-based program for middle school intervention increased by $30
· Summer school middle school focus on math reduced by $10
· Adult education tuition increased by $4.

Preliminary Plan - Seven Locks ES Replacement

The Board approved a preliminary plan for the Seven Locks Elementary School replacement.

Update on the Administrative and Supervisory Professional Growth System

The Board reviewed an update on the Administrative and Supervisory Professional Growth System (PGS), now in its second year of implementation. The report included a summary of progress and next steps in creating this comprehensive system to support administrators in developing and expanding their leadership skills.

Carver High School Class of 1955

The Board honored the Rev. Cyrus Taylor and other members of the Carver High School class of 1955 as they celebrate their 50th class reunion this year. Carver High School was the first senior high school for African Americans in Montgomery County, opening before the Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools violated the 14th Amendment.