[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6620780,"mediaKeyId","2804082-16c99b8c109680c5fadc4d0bf49e8862","parentId",2804082,"title","Board debates strategic plan wording and unanimously agrees to review the district's 50% grading policy","audioSeconds",893,"startMs",1103000,"endMs",1996000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2804082-16c99b8c109680c5fadc4d0bf49e8862&start=1103&end=1996","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2804082-16c99b8c109680c5fadc4d0bf49e8862/thumbnail_1103000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6620780/Maryland/Board-debates-strategic-plan-wording-and-unanimously-agrees-to-review-the-districts-50-grading-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620780-85c254a6b165747ad65feec057e47d43/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553388&Signature=fjymP9m-VjmBpIgPK-4OhZHjIykJnjq8UXh5Svvenv~dyHWldPZjZWFQZH-ixIe4QDrucuLfTn2kyc5cARKAwAzWZ7y9LDx0dWzliRp6vmexYj~iQoJ9fk0vWf-0EIO5tdgeIawA2Mcv~e4Lbly-IibezjcBGe61U1Txmga85HoDKT65FjnSBFzFj171MUnc3KqwUdW7Ui5iZ-wt1c8P0X8CycHZeMxFfFBtlE0FZcmX3UfoZuofpy~EGhfc83yoMO45-H1nr8udr17YlmR1wkhm2eE6ZccmmJh8RrDTytIdXvkNN7HoTxjwPgTt76VUyYg9h1tX4LU95aZVFL1shw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Calvert County Public Schools","date","2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","article","Calvert County Public Schools leaders gave the board a detailed presentation on a draft strategic plan and the board held an extended discussion about the plan's priorities and the district mission statement.

Chief Operations Officer Susan Johnson, Chief Academic Officer Jackie Jacobs and Chief Financial Officer Scott Johnson outlined four strategic priority areas: student excellence, a culture of learning, organizational accountability and community engagement. Susan Johnson described the process and said the planning work produced a ‘‘journey of a graduate’’ framework intended to define the skills students should have on graduation.

Board members spent much of the meeting debating a proposed change to the district mission statement. A motion to adopt amended wording that would have read in part, \"CCPS will raise the bar for excellence in education by empowering students with a rigorous academic and career foundation,\" failed on a board vote. Several members argued for a shorter, more academically focused statement; others said language about an \"inclusive and supportive school community\" should remain because it recognizes families and community roles in student success.

The strategic plan presentation described specific objectives and strategies under each priority area, including targets such as raising early‑reading proficiency and college‑and‑career readiness and expanding project‑based learning, apprenticeships and dual‑enrollment pathways. Board members repeatedly pressed for more concrete, measurable actions, clearer timelines and accountability: questions included how progress will be monitored, which offices will be responsible, and how the plan aligns with state initiatives such as the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.

During discussion of instructional goals, a board member made a motion to schedule a future meeting to consider Policy 3415 — the district's provision that can allow students to receive 50% credit for missing work — and to invite Scott McComb to present options for revising the rule. The motion passed on a 5–0 voice vote. One board member said the change would aim to ensure that students who do not do the work do not receive a de facto passing grade; another member emphasized ensuring the process accounts for good‑faith efforts.

Other substantive topics raised during the planning discussion included:
- How to measure college‑and‑career readiness (state rules and local GPA/algebra requirements were discussed);
- Whether Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses at the county's technology center should receive GPA weighting comparable to AP courses (administrators said the prior district decision was to weight only AP at this time, and the issue has been discussed in curriculum committees);
- Concerns about chronic absenteeism and how much the district can influence attendance metrics affected by family choices or medical reasons;
- Requests for clearer metrics, fewer but more meaningful indicators, and more explicit timelines for professional development and implementation;
- Calls for reviews of administrative job descriptions, targeted social‑emotional learning interventions, and the creation of a comprehensive operations manual.

What's next: Staff will continue work on the strategic plan implementation details, produce clearer timelines and metrics, and the board will schedule the Policy 3415 review with district staff. The meeting concluded with the board approving a motion to move into a closed session to discuss personnel matters under Maryland law.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Calvert County Public Schools - Board of Education - Mar 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Administrators presented a multi‑year strategic plan; the board debated proposed changes to the district mission statement and broader strategic priorities and voted 5–0 to schedule a future review of Policy 3415 (the \"50%\" grading rule).","taxTitle","Calvert County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",17515,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6620786,"Calvert County schools told some FY26 federal grants reduced; one‑time supplement provided",227,609000,836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2804082-16c99b8c109680c5fadc4d0bf49e8862&start=609&end=836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2804082-16c99b8c109680c5fadc4d0bf49e8862/thumbnail_609000.jpg","/articles/6620786/Maryland/Calvert-County-schools-told-some-FY26-federal-grants-reduced-onetime-supplement-provided","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620786-38fd36c4c2570830ee75649f17bb9468/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553388&Signature=NCienbur7EgO~2m2~vrlVeF17~r~eegy7QczreMYf4-3O4OY72mUAF5eD3FWgyrXzx3iRcltg4HEW7Piatkv1yCQvSwLoYrcxLBSxo3TBuhD-US3PaTiNE9NZwqqQL8GjcuXlfYMX-WqdE4v88E15C5vJf6Px9VNBR58FA-PxHj5ikUsvoNo8bfK4uuNqcrNAboJ2OwgJF5DogHS9L~ed4gAWIapIkuUyWcghlj4CkmIRyhMSqJ0RKXpcM7H1CV3hw0VlqSRBW76d5Sn42R~8D2prixs4rid9Y9PvDJQqMio2YFCvyPGE8ZqC~eq5V9WKQcLFOA0cHrCXe93dihOuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Calvert County Public Schools administrators told the Board of Education that anticipated federal grant allocations for fiscal 2026 have changed and that the district expects reductions in some programs.

Kendi Anderson and Chief Financial Officer Scott Johnson presented the update, saying there are no changes to FY25 grants but that several FY26 allocations originally expected were wiped out and, in at least one instance, replaced by a single one‑time supplement of $164,414.

\"I want to start by saying there are no changes to FY25 grants. They are holding steady,\" Anderson told the board. She said updated allocations were provided by the Maryland State Department of Education earlier in the month and that the district had budgeted carryover in some grants that could be used to cover shortfalls.

Anderson and Johnson said the fiscal‑year‑26 reductions included the secondary transition grant and the grant the presentation referred to as Access, Equity and Progress (AEP/AAP). Those allocations were reported as zeroed out in the most recent update; the state instead provided a one‑time supplement of $164,414, roughly half of the prior allocations, the presentation said. Staff said they expect the final allocations to be somewhat fluid during the application and approval process.

Board members asked whether special‑education funds were included; staff said the review covered federal grants and pass‑through funds from the state, inclusive of special education programs. Administrators also noted deadlines: several grant applications are due around May 15, and the district will still apply even for reduced allocations.

Personnel implications: Anderson identified a 0.5 full‑time equivalent job‑developer position tied to secondary transition supports that had been funded as a 1.0 this year but is currently vacant. She said the district could fund a 0.5 position for the coming year and that for FY27 it might use Medicaid reimbursement or local funds to maintain the role if federal support is not restored.

What’s next: Staff said they will continue to apply for available funds, monitor updated allocations from MSDE, and use grant carryover where feasible to bridge gaps. The board did not take formal action on the presentation.","District staff told the board that certain federal grant allocations for fiscal 2026 were reduced or eliminated; the state provided a one‑time supplement of $164,414 and staff said carryover funds may cover gaps.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6620790,"Calvert County Board approves cafeteria disposable-supplies contracts and Zendesk help-desk renewal",431,64000,495000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2804082-16c99b8c109680c5fadc4d0bf49e8862&start=64&end=495","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2804082-16c99b8c109680c5fadc4d0bf49e8862/thumbnail_64000.jpg","/articles/6620790/Maryland/Calvert-County-Board-approves-cafeteria-disposable-supplies-contracts-and-Zendesk-help-desk-renewal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620790-da66d2afe751e80eaa1af916fac5de60/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553388&Signature=onf5ymJ9rQJNSymcjdGRtJuoXPkU6Hps9FuONw-0iou1tBSJVxFMkFmFzs6M9-6AAp0QM5Y0VqrNz6DU0V7Kv6nErhyg4uX11Bo4otkuWaVwDNTJbS53cXhk7ekdeEvd1iQykFsPqQEIbpboD~PAtVtOMuDYE04aEJW9FU817UI0dbFOrwjfoV8wYa55kKxbVghnmo5C7GjV8OZQVbi0o-x61gdwXn~usGdptU5NCoJX026zXaeZxRsXfGixUUSQASPdh2l7G~1-W8uyjNxDqirUogArtWrDrh8fijO54cC04hQvze9guKHi4QyPR2D-jI~CYvkUfldrIwsJ~0yr3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calvert County Board of Education on Thursday approved awards for cafeteria disposable supplies and a renewal of the district’s Zendesk help‑desk software.

Board members voted to accept the low responsive, responsible bidders for disposable cafeteria supplies, with pricing valid through June 30, 2026, and to buy Zendesk Suite Pro through CDW of Vernon Hills, Illinois, for $43,750. The disposable supplies contract will be funded through the Child Nutrition grant; the Zendesk purchase was procured using cooperative pricing through the Maryland Education Enterprise Consortium and the National IPA cooperative contract 2018011, the district said.

Why it matters: The disposable supplies purchase replaces an older contract and reflects lower prices than prior bid cycles, district staff said. The Zendesk renewal funds the district’s help‑desk ticketing and knowledge‑base functions used by students, staff and parents.

Sheldon Taylor, who introduced the disposable‑supplies recommendation, said Calvert County Public Schools issued an invitation to bid in January 2025 and received 13 vendor submissions. \"We respectfully request that the board award the contracts for the purpose of cafeteria disposable supplies with pricing valid through 06/30/2026 to the low responsive, responsible vendors as detailed within the board memo before you,\" Taylor said during the meeting.

Taylor and Valerie Palmer, supervisor of Child Nutrition, described how some schools have shifted between disposable and hard trays since the COVID‑19 pandemic and noted that dishwashing capacity and staffing influence usage. Taylor said most kitchens that prepare food have dishwashers and that only facilities under construction or with equipment problems are fully reliant on disposables.

On Zendesk, IT staff explained the district solicited three quotes through the Maryland Education Enterprise Consortium and that CDW offered the lowest price on the National IPA Technology Solutions Education Cooperative contract. A staff presenter said the quote covers the Zendesk Suite Pro license through July 15, 2026, and that the vendor ‘‘sweetened’’ pricing in light of the district’s ongoing renewal.

Board procedure and outcome: A motion and second were made for each award; both were approved on voice votes during the board meeting. Board members asked clarifying questions about unit pricing, vendor responsiveness and whether the disposables bid was joint with neighboring counties; staff said the disposable‑goods bid was undertaken independently by Calvert County Public Schools.

What’s next: The Zendesk contract will be implemented by the Department of Information Technology; the disposable supplies contracts will be used by the Child Nutrition program through the 2025–26 fiscal year, per the pricing validity date noted in staff materials.

Details at a glance: Zendesk Suite Pro purchase — vendor: CDW (Vernon Hills, Ill.); amount: $43,750; contract term in staff memo through 07/15/2026. Cafeteria disposable supplies — 13 vendor submissions; pricing valid through 06/30/2026; funding: Child Nutrition grant.","The Calvert County Board of Education awarded contracts for cafeteria disposable supplies paid from the Child Nutrition grant and approved a one-year renewal of Zendesk Suite Pro through CDW for the district’s IT help desk.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board debates strategic plan wording and unanimously agrees to review the district's 50% grading policy

Calvert County schools told some FY26 federal grants reduced; one‑time supplement provided

Calvert County Board approves cafeteria disposable-supplies contracts and Zendesk help-desk renewal