Board Meeting Summary: Board Elects Officers, Approves Kindergarten Curriculum Revision and Temporary Changes in the Student Transfer Policy

December 14, 1999

The Board of Education met yesterday [Tuesday, December 14] and, among other items, elected a president and vice president of the Board and approved three administrative appointments. The Board approved suspension of Policy JEE and directed the superintendent to revise Regulation JEE-RA on student transfers. The Board also voted to redesign the Kindergarten curriculum. The Board discussed Academic Milestone H: Disproportionate Representation of African American Students in Special Education Programs and a process for development and funding of signature and special programs. The Board approved the dissolution of all but two Board advisory committees and voted to create new standing and ad hoc committees as needed. The Board also approved the calendar for election of the student member of the Board.

Board of Education Officers

The Board of Education elected Patricia O'Neill as Board president and Kermit V. Burnett as vice president, each for a one-year term.

Transfer Policy

The Board voted to suspend Policy JEE, "Student Transfers," until further action in order to comply with the Fourth Circuit Court's decision prohibiting the use of race or ethnicity in the school system transfer policy. The Board also voted to direct the superintendent to revise Regulation JEE-RA to allow transfers on the basis of documented hardship, the presence of an older sibling simultaneously in attendance at the requested school, and/or the continuation of a feeder pattern at school transition points.

Administrative Appointments

The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments:

Louis Martinez, currently principal of Watkins Mill High School, as community superintendent, Office of School Performance and Accountability

Pamela Y. Hoffler-Riddick, currently senior director for Research, Testing, and Statistics at Norfolk City Schools, as community superintendent, Office of School Performance and Accountability

Darryl L. Williams, currently assistant principal at James Hubert Blake High School, as executive assistant, Office of School Performance and Accountability

Kindergarten Curriculum

The Board voted to move forward with the redesign of the existing Kindergarten program for both half-day and full-day. The accelerated curriculum design focuses on literacy and numeracy and sets high standards for student performance.

Academic Milestone H

The Board discussed an update on Academic Milestone H detailing the school system's progress toward eliminating disproportionate representation of African American students in special education programs and providing an outline of improved approaches to address disproportionality.

Signature and Special Programs

The Board discussed the report of the Work Group on Signature Programs which addresses the process for the development and funding of signature and special programs.

Board Advisory Committees

The Board voted to dissolve all but two Board of Education advisory committees, effective June 2000. Consistent with State regulation, the Advisory Council on Career and Technology Education and the Advisory Committee for Family Life and Human Development will continue as advisory committees. New standing or ad hoc committees on issues and concerns identified by the Board will be created as needed.

Timetable for Student Member Election

The Board approved a calendar for the election of the 23rd student member of the Board of Education. The election will take place on May 4, 2000.

Board of Education: Mrs. Patricia O'Neill, president; Kermit V. Burnett, vice president. Members: Mr. Steve Abrams, Mr. Reginald M. Felton, Mrs. Beatrice Gordon, Ms. Nancy J. King, Ms. Mona M. Signer, and Ms. Laura Sampedro, student member. Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent and secretary treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617

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