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Board hears calendar amendment request for a grant-funded professional day and updates on health center and Easton renovation
Summary
Administration requested moving elementary conferences to Nov. 12 (half day) and making Nov. 13 a full professional-learning day to host Dr. Jim Lehi under an MSDE grant; construction updates said the employee health center targets a fall opening pending a hired provider and Easton Elementary phase three is underway with minor delays to gym flooring.
Dr. Einhorn asked the board to approve a calendar amendment that would shift elementary conferences to a half day on Nov. 12 and make Nov. 13 a full professional-learning day for staff in order to host a national learning-science expert (Dr. Jim Lehi) under a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) grant. She said the change would not affect the end of the school year and described the professional learning as a rare, high-leverage opportunity that would include a large-group presentation and smaller breakout sessions for grade levels.
Board members discussed logistics and equity concerns for parents who cannot attend daytime conferences and suggested exploring evening conference hours or flex options. Administrators confirmed that the professional learning day would be required attendance for staff and that the calendar amendment was presented for consideration; a board member moved to approve but the motion was held for the consent-agenda vote on Wednesday (the motion was carried over to the consent agenda rather than voted on at the work session).
Separately, staff updated the board on the district employee health center project (Marathon Health): construction completion is expected by Sept. 15 with a targeted fall opening, but the district has had limited response to physician-assistant recruitment and added a signing bonus to improve the applicant pool. Administrators said they prefer hiring a permanent provider rather than temporary staffing.
Administrators also reported on Easton Elementary construction: phases 1 and 2 furniture are installed, the project is entering phase three (media center, administrative areas and some classrooms), the gym flooring may be delayed about two to three weeks, and only one classroom trailer (two teaching spaces) remains in use. A joint tour with the county council is being planned for board members and county officials.
The calendar item and facility updates were informational and slated for the consent agenda as appropriate; the calendar amendment will be on Wednesday’s consent agenda for a formal vote.
