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Board approves appointments, grants Head Start van purchase and posts AP African American studies textbook for review
Summary
The board approved several personnel appointments (including the new supervisor for student services and an OPEB committee member), authorized a $49,987 Head Start cargo van purchase (grant-funded), and agreed to post an AP African American studies textbook for 30-day public review.
At its regular meeting the Calvert County Board of Education approved multiple personnel appointments and routine purchases, and it placed a textbook selection on public review.
Appointments: The board approved the appointment of Dr. Lisa Jankanich as Supervisor for Student Services (voice vote, announced 5–0) after Superintendent Dr. Newsom recommended her extensive district experience. Dr. Jankanich thanked the board and said she has worked in Calvert County Public Schools in multiple school and district roles.
The board also approved the appointment of Christine Jewett (Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operational Officer) to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) committee to replace the previous member, and it approved the appointment of Diane Farrell as a citizen member of the Calvert County Blueprint Implementation Committee (both motions passed 5–0).
Purchases: The board approved purchasing a 2026 Ford Transit cargo van for exclusive Head Start program use after the district reported three competitive quotes and identified Prince Frederick Ford as the low responsive bidder at $49,987. The district said the purchase is fully funded through a grant and that the van will centralize transportation of instructional and nutritional supplies, reducing reliance on multiple smaller vehicles.
Curriculum: Nicole Panix, supervisor of social studies, asked the board to place the textbook From Slavery to Freedom on a 30-day public review as the primary resource for an AP African American Studies elective; the selection committee found the text aligned to the College Board framework. Board members asked where the public could review the book; staff said a review copy would be available at the board office during the 30-day period.
Votes: All formal motions recorded in the meeting (appointments and the van purchase) passed unanimously by voice vote, with an announced tally of 5–0.
What’s next: The posted textbook and draft policy will be available for public review for 30 days; staff will return to the board to consider comments and any formal adoption motions after those review periods.
