Talbot County Board of Education Meeting
January 15, 2020 at the Talbot County Education Center in Conference Room 2
TCPS Board Meetings are live-streamed. Click link below to view the archived video of the January 15th meeting.
Work Session
Easton Middle School Update
Easton Middle School students demonstrated the Study Sync app for the Board during the January Work Session. StudySync, a digital curriculum platform, is in its first year of implementation at Easton Middle School. The students worked with the board members on one of the pieces of the program called a "Blast." A Blast is a quick reading on various thematic or current event topics where students respond to a question in 140 characters or less. Students are learning how to clearly and concisely answer a question while also using evidence from the text. The Blast we worked on at the Board Meeting answered the question, "How well does social media reflect real life?"
Thank you to EMS Students: Olivia Wise, Nash Robinson, Aashreya Govindu, Parker Jimenez, John Parker, Braxton Cain, Ayden Jimenez and EMS Staff: Dr. Jodi Colman (Principal), Dr. Rachel Strang (Literacy Coach), and Erin Crouch (Language Arts Teacher)
Public Budget Hearing
The Board scheduled a Public Hearing to receive comments on the FY21 Proposed Budget. The Board will vote to approve the FY21 Budget in February.
Public Recognition
Student Page Program
The Board recogniozed Easton High School seniors Dillon Prochnicki (Student Page) and Trevor Andrews (Alternate) for being selected to represent Talbot County in the Maryland Student Page Program.
Student Board Member Reports
Student Board Members Lily Roser (EHS) and Nathan Simpkins (SMMHS) presented an update on activities, accomplishments and upcomiong events at their schools. View Presentations: Lily Roser EHS, Nathan Simpkins SMMHS
Board Committee Reports
Susan Delean-Botkin updated on the Property Tax Referendum Committee. The committee's purpose is to review the County's current property tax revenue cap and make recommendations to the County Council for possible amendment(s) to the revenue cap. The next meeting will be held January 23, 2020; all meetings are open to the public. For more information visit: http://www.talbotcountymd.gov/index.php?page=property-tax-referendum-committee.
Otis Sampson gave an update on the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) Confence Planning Committee.
Unfinished Business
FY21 Budget Discussion
Dr. Griffith reviewed the Summary of the FY21 Budget and announced that the presentation to County Council will be Tuesday, March 3rd at 4PM. Public comment on the FY21 Budget will remain open through January 31, 2020. Click link below to review the proposed budget and leave feedback.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated Strategic Plan Update
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. Helga Einhorn informed the Board the TCPS ESSA Consolidated Strategic Plan was approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. The letter from MSDE stated, " ...the review revealed staff in Talbot County Public Schools are reviewing data, implementing goals, establishing objectives and strategies, and using funds to increase student achievement and eliminate achievement gaps."
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) 2018-2019 Report Card Update
Superintendent Dr. Kelly Griffith presented an update on the Maryland Report Card to explain how report card results were calculated.
New Sports Program Update: Adminstrative Rules and Regulations for Intersholastic Athletics, Policy 9.14
County Athletic Director Bill Keswick reviewed the current Board Policy 9.14 and explained the procedures followed to add a new sports program.
Easton Elementary School Project Update
TCPS Plant Operations Manager Kevin Shafer presented and update on the Easton Elementary School Construction Project.
Monthly Budget Update
Ms. Robin Landgraf, CPA ( Finance Consultant) presented the monthly budget update and reported that finances are tracking as expected.
New CFO Introduced
Board welcomed Sarah E. Jones, CPA as new TCPS Chief Financial Officer.
