[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6289149,"mediaKeyId","2532856-42bda7aa063cdb7035aa0f5d8f807139","parentId",2532856,"title","Calvert commissioners approve Commission on Aging bylaw revisions to extend terms and officer length","audioSeconds",360,"startMs",3600000,"endMs",3960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532856-42bda7aa063cdb7035aa0f5d8f807139&start=3600&end=3960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532856-42bda7aa063cdb7035aa0f5d8f807139/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6289149/Calvert-County/Maryland/Calvert-commissioners-approve-Commission-on-Aging-bylaw-revisions-to-extend-terms-and-officer-length","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289149-d4a1f8bf1fa1f80d238b4ace9a3f97f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770595070&Signature=PD97Op54NpCexeKisdb1BPdebgxDoXHxUs4EEoUSqghQ05AEmeTO~502bYNvgHVDNdx~fCL4THjL2GSoi4d6E-v58tLyAKHw8FLTb9gD8oYDAtqhheeNdvLyMEKHra2gp4eTltEuCuBzGi5SEpIKBI4j1tclwplLwN5SR6QWsLi7rlL5lSNrIq3mc88VQcwQAd55Do~gmDj3bc5bLwmHzTDpv7tOKDVZXetxuFBsJpyRqZXM-fJOB0G3R3Zqc9LsZoEwJJFT2DkFGgV3Z4JiZUPDQ~xsTCR3J31zhDa9Jv4r925oDlfguY275irgGxE0xPRT5238H3lEjYaI8hkmKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Calvert County, MD","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners voted Feb. 25, 2025 to approve changes to the Calvert County Commission on Aging bylaws that adjust membership criteria and extend term lengths.

Ed Sullivan, division chief of the Calvert County Office on Aging, presented the recommended amendments on behalf of the commission. The board authorized the changes by voice vote.

Key revisions approved include:
- Membership: the number of voting regular members remains limited to 16, and members must be Calvert County residents or maintain a principal place of business in Calvert County unless included by virtue of representing a designated entity or stakeholder (the change explicitly allows nonresident representatives of local partner entities to serve).
- Terms: regular membership was revised from two consecutive four‑year terms to three consecutive four‑year terms (extending the maximum service time as a regular member). The bylaw also states that certain elected‑official members who serve by virtue of office have no fixed term and serve at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners.
- Officers: the term length for elected officers on the commission was increased from 12 months to two years.

Sullivan explained the rationale: commissions often benefit from continuity because learning county processes and program operations takes time, and some nonresident appointees represent agencies that do substantial work in Calvert County (for example, regional transportation and disability service organizations). Commissioners expressed support for the changes and thanked Sullivan and Office on Aging staff for their work on behalf of older residents.

A motion to approve the bylaws changes and authorize the board president to sign the updated bylaws passed by voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting - 02/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of County Commissioners approved updates to the Calvert County Commission on Aging bylaws, including allowing some nonresident members who represent local organizations, lengthening regular member terms, and extending officer terms to two years.","taxTitle","Calvert County, Maryland","taxId",61673,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289154,"Commissioners review school capital projects and direct short‑term search for ADA‑accessible restrooms at athletic fields",1337,3599000,4936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532856-42bda7aa063cdb7035aa0f5d8f807139&start=3599&end=4936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532856-42bda7aa063cdb7035aa0f5d8f807139/thumbnail_3599000.jpg","/articles/6289154/Calvert-County/Maryland/Commissioners-review-school-capital-projects-and-direct-shortterm-search-for-ADAaccessible-restrooms-at-athletic-fields","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289154-87ee65998b32fb0fee585160a51d8a8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770595070&Signature=j5ClLqxte-dj78yE5JTZICnSmjR~0DuRlVjBVtsoXfb5J66G7utssZa0zr0VfDR2KjHnmbP76tWGceTrkOG2Yiz733ZTnHn5YmNnw7ycX4WJBRh5Ezni-iTwyEa3xEa1tjMelmjRe3FGu2tJErXYJfTA~TDjdNh4o6Uv5eFiq8oNn-7mi205-eQ0gmYS6vGvlINvld2M5fnjyEvJOU6GZJdpYMPNDCBZGa~Dly45BRCYRCTJI0SzM42DVOrhAlwpXsKO8een24JLbqN98YhiAFGELCtUFf0OCojgKi0w62aD2ZGIDemG851ffouSzpp8W~-lV6GRzoIN5ALo8YuOlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners reviewed the Board of Education portion of the county’s FY 2026 capital improvement plan during a work session on Feb. 25, 2025 and asked staff to identify short‑term, ADA‑accessible restroom options for school athletic fields while planning longer‑term facilities.

Danielle Russell, acting capital and grants management specialist in the County Administrator’s office, and Shichida Warner, director of planning and construction for Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS), presented the six‑year capital plan for school projects and the State’s Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) recommendations. The IAC’s 90% recommendations (pending the governor’s budget) fully funded the Northern Middle School replacement project and covered Maryland Stadium Authority Built to Learn (BTL) funds in the presentation; other projects did not receive recommended state funding for FY 2026.

Key school projects and figures discussed:
- Northern Middle School: full modernization and replacement of a 1976 facility; includes IAC funding and Built to Learn funds (presentation listed $13,570,000 in BTL funds).
- Mary Harrison Center: HVAC replacement and installation of an independent heating plant; IAC funding approved in FY 2025 so no additional FY 2026 state funding was requested.
- Sunderland Elementary School: full HVAC replacement and electrification project paired with a Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) decarbonization grant; an estimated $784,000 in additional local funds is needed for FY 2026 to avoid risking an MEA grant award (the MEA grant discussed in the presentation is approximately $987,000).
- Playground equipment replacement: a recurring project; the FY 2026 allocation of $350,000 is expected to fund one school (Plum Point Elementary was cited as the planned recipient for this allocation).

Commissioners pressed staff on how to cover the $784,000 local share for Sunderland and whether reallocations from closing projects were possible. Russell and Warner said staff were reviewing closing project balances and other options to avoid jeopardizing MEA grant funding.

The meeting included extended discussion about restroom access at school athletic fields. Commissioners expressed concern that many athletic fields lack ADA‑accessible restrooms and that portable toilets commonly used are not suitable for people who use wheelchairs. Commissioner Hart described repeated requests over several years and urged the county to act on dignity and access for older residents and people with disabilities. Commissioners directed county staff to:
- Research short‑term options and costs for ADA‑accessible portable restrooms and report back, and
- Prepare to discuss longer‑term ADA compliance, including pathway/access improvements and whether field‑house projects or larger capital work would trigger required ADA upgrades.

The board did not take a formal vote to fund a specific ADA solution during the Feb. 25 session but asked that the superintendent be prepared to address the issue when school budget discussions resume. \"So in the short term, we're looking at porta Johns, accessible porta Johns, and what that would cost,\" a commissioner said during the discussion.

Staff noted that fixed, nonportable accessible restrooms and the required accessible pathways would be more expensive and would need capital planning; portable accessible units may provide an interim solution while long‑range CIP planning addresses permanent access.","Board members reviewed the Board of Education portion of the FY 2026 capital improvement plan, discussed state funding recommendations and an MEA grant at risk, and directed staff to identify short‑term ADA‑accessible portable restroom options for athletic fields while longer‑term solutions are planned.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289159,"Calvert County commissioners receive state performance audit of schools, direct follow-up with superintendent and school board",1579,1053000,2632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532856-42bda7aa063cdb7035aa0f5d8f807139&start=1053&end=2632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532856-42bda7aa063cdb7035aa0f5d8f807139/thumbnail_1053000.jpg","/articles/6289159/Calvert-County/Maryland/Calvert-County-commissioners-receive-state-performance-audit-of-schools-direct-follow-up-with-superintendent-and-school-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289159-c34ab7e035c048fe072c315f4fe168d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770595070&Signature=lPA4rxgK7PQo764Rhr1ow9Hsd7AvpyV~QuHqWWAUNs0cl8pyKPh69vvWSnF3vhMZqqL~Hl5iVl8cqZ4w41UtOp4jD4P6EHjArSI1iTntJ5OZIGaEHnU7-aakiGSKnbHCqVJwsL28CP1jP7wbi2q6YUIdmOd2flnp7ydo4-EE4jL56K7uxdma-svJj-E3pl6v-qqSWyydPIg0oM221OblK9xFemvgDtBUzrHwrAClDlpixHFGytHUGyPckHcf8yJDK7r-wa4uv1-rl4K5KkpcVANuaAySc1XhLScn5MF9l~Lo4rxsXfy3Q8LMKJR~jZGj4PPBzFAGIQjhCH3YZX8ssw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners received a final performance audit of Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) on Feb. 25, 2025 and unanimously voted to reconvene with the superintendent and the Board of Education to develop a timeline for implementing the auditors’ recommendations.

The audit, conducted by Premier Group Services under a state contract, reviewed procurement actions in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 and assessed prior findings from a January 2022 Department of Legislative Services report. Premier’s representatives said the review used a random sample of 40 procurements and applied generally accepted government auditing standards. The task order from the State Department of Education set a not‑to‑exceed amount of $90,801 for the work; that cost will be borne by county taxpayers, the county attorney said.

The auditors reported nine prior findings from the 2022 review, two of which repeated in the current audit and were related to procurement practices. Premier identified instances where CCPS did not consistently obtain board approval for purchases exceeding the applicable threshold and where supporting documentation (competitive-bid support, suspension/debarment checks) was missing in sampled procurements. The audit also flagged the Child Nutrition Program for operating at a loss in part because banking/transaction fees and under‑charging customers were not fully accounted for.

Premier representatives recommended structured procurement training, use of checklists and internal monitoring, and at least semiannual internal reviews to reduce recurrence. They also advised applying industry best practices for governance and procurement; the auditors told commissioners they did not recommend raising the $25,080 procurement threshold because that level aligns with federal and industry standards.

Commissioners questioned the auditors about the magnitude and frequency of the procurement exceptions. The auditor said the exact counts and dollar amounts above the threshold would be provided in follow‑up work papers and committed to deliver those details later in the week. \"We will send a follow‑up with the number of vendors that were over the 25,000, the amount and the number,\" a Premier representative said during the meeting.

After discussion, a commissioner moved that the board meet with the superintendent and the Board of Education within a month to review the audit recommendations and establish an implementation timeline; the motion carried on a voice vote. Commissioners asked the auditors to supply backup documentation and the additional data requested so that the joint meeting can consider specifics of staffing, procurement sample coverage, and potential cost savings.

The audit cited applicable authorities including the Maryland Code (Education Article section 5‑110), the Government Auditing Standards used by the Government Accountability Office (GAGAS), and state interagency guidance for school construction and procurement cited in the final report. The Premier report also referenced the Department of Legislative Services’ Jan. 5, 2022 report on CCPS practices.

The commissioners directed staff to schedule the follow‑up meeting with the superintendent and the Board of Education and to provide the auditors’ promised supplemental materials in advance.","A state-contracted performance audit found procurement and internal‑control weaknesses at Calvert County Public Schools; the Board of County Commissioners voted to meet with the school superintendent and school board to develop a timeline for addressing the recommendations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Calvert commissioners approve Commission on Aging bylaw revisions to extend terms and officer length

Commissioners review school capital projects and direct short‑term search for ADA‑accessible restrooms at athletic fields

Calvert County commissioners receive state performance audit of schools, direct follow-up with superintendent and school board