[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6607069,"mediaKeyId","2956576-4cdc17362b0ca6c648c15db8f85dc120","parentId",2956576,"title","Votes at a glance: board approves appointments, proclamations, consent agenda and bus contracts","audioSeconds",1072,"startMs",124000,"endMs",1196000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956576-4cdc17362b0ca6c648c15db8f85dc120&start=124&end=1196","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956576-4cdc17362b0ca6c648c15db8f85dc120/thumbnail_124000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6607069/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-board-approves-appointments-proclamations-consent-agenda-and-bus-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607069-4d407fb521bb0d33c63b3b6f996df722/orig.mp4?Expires=1770911247&Signature=IuLBUli7Hvnmz0tPn4vzkQi~zW7nptB~6dvCj7X8DOfAEicy6tLrjHVIt9OjUWQAt9PIPuu34PeDzHEKkmopL0A1wt6ex2eAHRm86pxTt2giM4thok~BVxoY9T0LJgHZKi8bD~AaaCFzip6DGoex-eW7yi4rTqcEFxqxHBjexZulW9Y09Tw0MYLBoL~qWClPZysOjupux0RBp942Y-aaJarU0PIM4oiK4pjpno-GHIOVMqJgYNlLkcNbVf4FadYvh6AQ1zv0h95UVcz3PKV5AZuVDyZsdTUAFrDAdSo1R6UJpsnuBCt4nJoe7YORhN7Yr7197Oqcr93bQKjroIrQFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Calvert County Public Schools","date","2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","article","At Tuesday’s Calvert County Board of Education meeting the board recorded the following formal actions during the session.

- Huntingtown High School wrestling team proclamation: The board read and approved a resolution commending the Huntingtown Hurricanes for regional and state athletics achievements. Motion carried on voice vote.

- Individual recognition: The board approved a resolution honoring Will Buckler after his Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association 157‑pound wrestling championship and congratulated him on his commitment to Frostburg State University. Motion carried.

- Career & Technology Academy SkillsUSA recognition: The board adopted a resolution recognizing CTA students who earned medals at the SkillsUSA Maryland championships and congratulated those advancing to nationals. Motion carried.

- Appointment of Charles Davis: The board affirmed the appointment of Charles Davis as Supervisor of School Construction after a motion and second; the motion carried.

- Consent agenda: The board approved the meeting consent agenda on a motion and second; motion carried.

- Bus contracts: The board approved eight school-vehicle contracts to replace aged buses; vendors were listed by the transportation director and the motion carried.

- Tentative board meeting dates: The board approved the tentative meeting dates for the 2025–26 year on a voice vote.

- Motion to review travel-reimbursement policy: A board member moved and the board agreed to bring Policy 5,600 (travel reimbursement) back to a future meeting for review.

Where recorded, votes were carried by voice; no roll-call tallies were included in the transcript for most items. The board did not adopt new policies or appropriate funds at this meeting; several agenda items were posted for 30 days for public review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Calvert County Public Schools - Board of Education - Apr 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Calvert County Board of Education voted on several routine and ceremonial items, including proclamations recognizing local championship athletes, affirmation of a construction supervisor appointment, the consent agenda and multiple procurement items.","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},6607073,"Board approves eight replacement bus contracts; staff discuss contractor model and driver benefits",448,6266000,6714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956576-4cdc17362b0ca6c648c15db8f85dc120&start=6266&end=6714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956576-4cdc17362b0ca6c648c15db8f85dc120/thumbnail_6266000.jpg","/articles/6607073/Maryland/Board-approves-eight-replacement-bus-contracts-staff-discuss-contractor-model-and-driver-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607073-bb124c7e297617c687aa0aafbb85945b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770911247&Signature=HmzgTSPVGwoLu-mknaK7k3K1Lqm1qkd4RVZACY24whSabh5A7cyvFYIAcYabukk25DrsNCYrM~CllUJMhNf6iT0EFzmVMbJKvoJoDimNqgN0BRI780~WymK1Oy0CWdeFv0Q96YwTyigN9SFccI~OeAaHvRxit15zEb7OQ7-BY~B5nle0DoieykgXLNunZKaJDnPH-iZPpPrTZikWJEw4yhwTulL00L3bsyq6kCDKvI9OvDvAlSzv55dVHQkxeGKCe3nMYaLLQaVcoIOy9yEWMHdxO3UYpprpCREvORNVQGGxggYildRfrArTOrP~HjZK0TxjrWqM9cqUXYR4cXtpog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calvert County Board of Education approved eight school‑vehicle contracts on Tuesday to replace buses that have reached the district’s 12‑year replacement threshold.

Director of Transportation Kevin Hook presented the awards and said the eight contracts are replacements for aging vehicles; the recommendation included contracts with Bishop Bus Service; Hutchins Bus Service; Johnson's Bus Service; Jones School Bus Service LLC; Ladies Enterprises Incorporated; Reed School Bus Service Incorporated; and two contracts for Swan Transportation Incorporated. The motion to award the contracts passed on a voice vote.

Board members and staff discussed operational details. Hook told the board the district currently manages roughly 163 separate bus contracts. He said bus contractors are treated as independent contractors under current agreements, and routes are paid by miles driven with a minimum-hours payment per route; contractors also receive payments for equipment (GPS and video surveillance), operations fees and a prorated bus purchase allocation under existing formulas.

The board asked about driver benefits and historical arrangements. Hook described a longstanding local practice, dating to the 1990s, in which the district provided paid sick leave pay for drivers as part of the contractor relationship and discussed a healthcare benefits trust established years ago to address driver needs. Directors noted most routes run fewer than eight hours daily.

Board members also asked about the cost and tradeoffs of purchasing buses and operating an in‑house fleet versus the current contracting model. Hook said multiple studies have shown owning a fleet can be more efficient over a 10‑ to 12‑year horizon but that the upfront cost, the need for bus storage and maintenance staff and benefit costs make contracting more practical in the short term. He said other Maryland counties are split on the model: Frederick County recently switched to owning its buses outright, while Anne Arundel and Charles counties use hybrid approaches.

Hook provided per-bus purchase data: a single new bus was priced at approximately $154,000, and the formula that includes financing and related factors results in a per-unit cost in the roughly $200,000 range when spread over a 12‑year life. The board asked for further analysis comparing long-term lifecycle costs and for clarification of legal and procurement citations for food-service fund inclusion in another policy under review.

The contracts were approved; the director said deliveries replace buses that had reached the district’s 12‑year age limit and will put new vehicles into service for the coming school year.","The board voted to award eight school-vehicle contracts to replace aged buses. Directors answered questions about the existing contractor model (currently 163 contracts), paid sick leave arrangements and the potential long-term costs of owning a fleet instead of contracting.",{"_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},6607077,"District proposes calendar change: move late arrivals to early dismissals; committee recommends 2026–27 calendar",944,9374000,10318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956576-4cdc17362b0ca6c648c15db8f85dc120&start=9374&end=10318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956576-4cdc17362b0ca6c648c15db8f85dc120/thumbnail_9374000.jpg","/articles/6607077/Maryland/District-proposes-calendar-change-move-late-arrivals-to-early-dismissals-committee-recommends-202627-calendar","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607077-7b20667e2c3b42f403784e767e0a820c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770911247&Signature=Bggeb8xafo9Y656driqLV7otWWmyS-pDK9ASABdQzwV~ujhyjB5oZ~VmI9W9fmpVjM4K22b1VGpjMLPVTV~nMpjrETmvhjH5zr7LpEMYjVWv2M7K1R0Vq4fRn4Ut95nqj5H1YQF0fkdyaxaDBxoIHBC78EnjO09SIjP1FYu37P8S0vACWm-qPjS9B0Ws3hvj1ItcjgtveNqb3Zmv8eJtMexrYxHt4nnSn6Cqj9BwxE9MZjcPeVyBfOZ3FPRYopqctu1xgFbjIzf4Y~kZF0Rqwqw0HGspBgNdlGh5xNA273FBi-j4TN3GQFOxCfoIAuldmwkwG7-CfeH29UV4SB5ntQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Calvert County Public Schools presented a proposed change to the 2025–26 calendar and a draft calendar for 2026–27, asking the board to post the proposals for public review.

Director Scott McComb said the district received 4,409 survey responses from parents, staff and students and that the largest group preference was to use early dismissals rather than late arrivals for teacher work time. Based on that feedback, the district proposed converting late-arrival days in the 2025–26 calendar to two-hour early dismissals.

McComb also presented the 2026–27 draft calendar: staff would begin Aug. 17 and students would begin Aug. 25, with a proposed student last day of June 9 (teachers’ last day June 10) and election-day closure on Nov. 3. The draft includes an April 23 weather makeup day and two additional makeup days at the end of the year; the proposal keeps the required 180 student days and retains contractually required teacher work days.

The presentation noted that early-dismissal proposals affect half‑day pre-K (three-year-old) programs: half‑day pre‑K students would not attend on two-hour early-dismissal days unless their program is full day. District staff said they had consulted special-education leaders and did not expect the change to be unduly disruptive to these learners, but acknowledged the scheduling change is an operational detail parents should watch.

Board members asked for context on how CCPS compares to peer districts and for more information about how early-dismissal and professional‑development days were placed through the year. McComb said CCPS is in the middle of peers for total professional-development time and that many neighboring systems use more such days; he explained the committee placed most teacher-work-time days on Fridays and larger professional-development half/full days on Wednesdays to maximize staff attendance.

The draft calendars and the proposed 2025–26 change will be posted for 30 days for public comment as part of the district’s normal calendar process.","Calvert County Public Schools staff presented survey results (4,409 responses) and proposed switching late-arrival professional days to two-hour early dismissals, plus a draft 2026–27 calendar with start, end and built-in weather make-up days. The calendar will be posted for 30 days for public review.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6607082,"Board hears overview of behavior interventions as staff training increases",766,6838000,7604000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956576-4cdc17362b0ca6c648c15db8f85dc120&start=6838&end=7604","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956576-4cdc17362b0ca6c648c15db8f85dc120/thumbnail_6838000.jpg","/articles/6607082/Maryland/Board-hears-overview-of-behavior-interventions-as-staff-training-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607082-886cde9287f4415529dbcdd7fdc05150/orig.mp4?Expires=1770911247&Signature=j~zx6Uwr7lkMNA2A~2LoTl3cQHkcasAEuX6D8z2O7DJwNSU438ikAuERPqdmNbXzrOLnIrdiZ0edp-uXKN5pJgeK~iTskfObzcgyNs5IPhAH46TT8u-FN2YRTUVEA2K0Enu5KV-hYGrqbDmaS1AvlkBlXW7opab9-D5HCSwNRV51XiYtJw-9bd5PBQF1bb8Mt5gl7QDcxjsrUy5770h~3rPgSmek2EoKd6tAh24zy3GWw2rIFj4KpMRzVqUk0lISFzL94pUnOrWuDEH~S8QrvDO21gJg50jWOu8EY2K5V2u5z27BZhlH5ukxT6Br~X2Xebp0KNGSkXsXdHX8SZpw9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Calvert County Public Schools officials told the Board of Education on Tuesday that the district is expanding staff training in tiered behavior interventions to respond to an increase in student dysregulation across grade levels.

Suzanne McGowan, supervisor of student services, and Dr. Kendi Anderson, director of special education, presented the framework the district uses — a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) — and described three evidence-informed interventions that staff are being trained to use: Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS), TEACCH-style structured teaching (an approach from the University of North Carolina), and Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI). They also described crisis-prevention training and a restraint-reduction strategy that uses padded mats for safe blocking rather than seclusion.

McGowan said CCPS has trained staff to build local capacity: roughly 100 staff took University of North Carolina TEACCH trainings in August 2024; about 300 staff have received two- or four-day LSCI training countywide; and district teams have participated in CPS implementation cohorts at eight schools. The presenters said some trainings were funded by federal grant dollars so that district employees could be trained as future trainers and provide in-house continuing professional development.

Officials described CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) as the system’s formal nonviolent crisis-intervention training; McGowan reported 8 initial CPI trainings and 11 renewals this school year, supporting 205 staff, and additional CPR certifications tied to CPI. Separately, the district reported 65 staff completed training in a restraint-free crisis management program and the district maintains padded “blue pads” at multiple schools for safe blocking when necessary.

The presenters supplied historical restraint and seclusion figures and said that seclusion was prohibited starting in 2022. McGowan said the district now uses seclusion alternatives and a restraint-review committee reviews incidents and videotape to coach staff and refine practices.

Board members asked about day-to-day implementation, the burden on classroom teachers, staffing levels and how the district monitors fidelity. The presenters said strong tier-1 schoolwide practices (consistent rules, trauma-informed strategies, routines and SEL instruction) reduce downstream needs for intensive intervention, and that teams of trained staff in schools are necessary to support teachers implementing tier-2 and tier-3 plans. Dr. Anderson said IEP teams remain responsible for individual placement decisions and the district’s aim is to make placements fluid and skill-based rather than “place”-based.

Board members asked for additional cost and staffing estimates as the district plans future budget requests. Officials said initial grant funding covered many of the training sessions but that ongoing maintenance—retraining, coaching and specialized staff—will require budget planning and continued grant-seeking.

Supervisors said they would follow up with more granular fidelity measures and suggested reporting back to the board with needs and cost estimates during the next budget cycle.","District special-education and student-services staff outlined tiered behavior supports — CPS, TEACCH-style structured teaching, LSCI and CPI — and reported training numbers and historical restraint figures as student dysregulation rose in recent years.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6607087,"Residents, advocacy groups press board after removal of 'inclusive' from CCPS mission",3449,1361000,4810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956576-4cdc17362b0ca6c648c15db8f85dc120&start=1361&end=4810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956576-4cdc17362b0ca6c648c15db8f85dc120/thumbnail_1361000.jpg","/articles/6607087/Maryland/Residents-advocacy-groups-press-board-after-removal-of-inclusive-from-CCPS-mission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607087-8625851c969fe012004e03323d9b4303/orig.mp4?Expires=1770911247&Signature=TXvh2n1936O3GwOzUlj00QPcvdFKCRxssb5DGLmbFTNc-WPhHb2bWWRzDmeJfN02T5yn8Tv3fFyMsK2OYpqZujxOXN4l4VK5YnEzK3ojfw3kEq0fo8s6clrMqMdmU~1DHfNN~lB5vBtKNYUSgydA1nuB5QMz96J43AUOJ~~wSTKMpqhJpI0BMBU8mfwOH0kMeMJz~QOQJyazz4LOouwdiwRwNj4Gz8FFAwS2dtvswM80gjTxnkNDPqAuVPRxRIwYs8MjE3HeT6oUCQFPvaRvAC1i2hlEmg0HDFVNA5ENxaXgyxUZtLyhRIyBFiih39T~kfoux8-PkNQGkVgEhkA44A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents, teachers and advocacy groups urged the Calvert County Board of Education on Tuesday to reverse a recent vote to remove the words “inclusive” and “supportive” from the district’s mission statement, saying the change signals diminished commitment to special education and equity.

Speakers said the revision, adopted at a prior meeting, came without adequate community involvement and could conflict with state guidance and existing district policy. “Removing these principles from our mission could exacerbate the challenges faced by students with disabilities,” said Peter Sinclair, representing CBW of Calvert. “Inclusion and equity are essential components of a well-rounded education.”

Public commenters included parents of children who receive early intervention services, special education advocates, and the Calvert County branch of the NAACP. Multiple speakers cited the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act when describing obligations to provide a free appropriate public education; others raised concerns about alignment with state administrative rules and district policy 10-15. “Inclusion is not just a buzzword. It is the foundation for equitable education,” said Danielle Park, a Huntingtown parent whose son received services from the Infants and Toddlers program.

Several speakers described firsthand reliance on programs and services that they said would be undermined if the board diminished its language on inclusion. Abigail Stevens, a CCPS graduate and mother of two children in special-needs programs, said the removed language carried real meaning for families who depend on additional staff and specialists. “This run-of-the-mill morning would be a miracle for my family,” she said, describing daily routines that many parents of children with disabilities must manage.

Opposition came from multiple organized groups. The NAACP of Calvert and the League of Women Voters delivered a joint appeal to “reconsider your vote” and asked how the board would determine which students might be deprioritized if the mission’s language is narrowed. Several speakers urged the board to consult its attorney about the action and to clarify whether the change aligns with Maryland administrative rules referenced by commenters.

Board members heard a mix of views. Some residents and veteran educators supported the board’s intent to tighten the mission around academic achievement and career readiness, saying a focused mission supports measurable outcomes. Others said the strategic-plan process that produced the mission involved thousands of community inputs and questioned spending on outside consultants if the board would then alter the product quickly.

The public-comment period ended with appeals for more dialogue and clearer explanations of how the board’s action will affect policy and day-to-day services. Multiple speakers urged the board to restore language or to hold a formal review with community participation. The board did not take a new vote on the mission during the public-comment period; speakers said they expect follow-up and asked for written answers to several legal and procedural questions.

Several speakers referenced recent local events and awards—such as the CCAC awards and inclusive track-and-field events—to illustrate how the district currently supports students with disabilities. “We saw students, both with and without special education needs, grow, learn, find community, and most of all, have fun,” said Joseph Cormier, who praised staff and volunteers who coordinate district inclusive events.

The board did not respond to individual requests during public comment but members later heard other agenda items, including administrative appointments and presentations. Several speakers asked for explicit follow-up on three questions: whether the mission revision reflects the intent of the participants in the strategic-plan process, whether it aligns with policy and state guidance, and whether the board will open a formal process for additional public input.

The district’s legal and policy implications were raised repeatedly but no formal legal citations or rulings were provided during the meeting. Board members were asked to circulate answers in writing and to consider additional community engagement before finalizing changes that commenters said affect vulnerable students.","Dozens of speakers told the Calvert County Board of Education that removing language such as “inclusive” and “supportive” from the district mission would harm special-education students and undermine community input. Board members and legal questions about state policy were also raised during the public-comment period.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: board approves appointments, proclamations, consent agenda and bus contracts

Board approves eight replacement bus contracts; staff discuss contractor model and driver benefits

District proposes calendar change: move late arrivals to early dismissals; committee recommends 2026–27 calendar

Board hears overview of behavior interventions as staff training increases

Residents, advocacy groups press board after removal of 'inclusive' from CCPS mission