Dear Supporters of Public Education in Annapolis,
As you may know, the past several weeks have seen an outpouring of controversy concerning Annapolis High School's proposed "Heterogeneous Grouping," a plan that would have placed 9th Grade students from all levels next year into the same Honors classes. In part due to the many voices who expressed their concern over the lack of parental involvement in the the decision, the school today announced that it will NOT implement this policy for this fall. Please read AHS Principal Don Lilley's letter announcing the decision:
http://www.
Thanks to everyone who weighed-in -- either pro or con -- on this issue. Although sometimes clunky, the system does respond to parental inputs and concerns.
Those who wished to comment on Heterogeneous Grouping at the Board of Education tomorrow (Wed 6/1) may conclude that their testimony is no longer needed.
Please let me take this opportunity to invite all concerned citizens to our next Annapolis Education Commission meeting, Monday 6/6, 5:30 pm, in the City Council Chambers at Annapolis City Hall, 160 Duke of Gloucester Street. Mr. Chris Truffer, Assistant Superintendent for the Annapolis Cluster of Schools, will attend. Our agenda includes:
(1) Review of Lessons Learned from "Heterogeneous Grouping" issue.
(2) Update on Capital Budget & Proposed future renovations for Annapolis Cluster
(3) Strategic Vision for Anne Arundel County Public Schools over the next decade. Superintendent Dr. Kevin Maxwell has asked for parental inputs on the following statement; please submit inputs for discussion no later than Monday afternoon: “Imagine it is 2017. You have been away from Anne Arundel County for six years. You have just arrived back in the county and find its schools changed in every possible way – all for the better. Anne Arundel County Public Schools is now everything you ever dreamed it could be. What do you see?”
(4) Election for next year's officers - nominations currently being accepted for next year's Chair, Vice-chair, and Secretary - forward nominations to Ms. Terena Rouse (rousedr@aol.com)
Draft minutes from our May meeting are pasted below. Please note that we are NOT planning to meet during the summer months; next meeting will be in the autumn.
Thanks to everyone for your active involvement in public school issues in Annapolis - working together we can raise the bar for public education in our capital city!
Very best wishes,
Jeff Macris
Annapolis Education Commission
jrmacris@hotmail.com
cell 410-693-6913
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DRAFT MINUTES
Annapolis Education Commission
Minutes May 2, 2011
The A.E.C. meeting was held was held in the city council chambers on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 5:30 to 7:00. Jeff Macris chaired the meeting.
In attendance: Elizabeth King, Mike Busch, Speaker of the House, Enid Collison-Lee, Jeff Macris, Solon Webb, Chip Seymour, Diane Bragdon, Terena Rouse, Steve Conyer, Sue Myers, Chris Stelzig, Rani Jenkins, Monique Jackson, Karen Walkinshaw, Nuria Williams, Chris Trumbauer, Kevin Jackson, Janice Haynes-Williams(representing the Mayor).
Everyone introduced themselves.
Discussion on school renovations and the upcoming budget hearings. One of our goals as a committee is ensuring our Annapolis cluster schools get the renovations they need. Now they are finishing Germantown, renovating Green Street. Phoenix Center will move into the old Germantown.
Jeff asked? How do we do this?
We discussed the feasibility study and how schools are prioritized. At last years budget hearing, Severna Park became #1 on the list because they attended budget hearings to testify and showed great unity by including their CAC, PTA, etc.
2 tier approach
-we have to have a unified approach and show that we are more deserving.
-we need to encourage full funding for the capital budget for all Annapolis schools.
-urge them to continue to follow the MGT study.
Budget deliberations started today.
What percentage are we of the total budget?-50%
Hearings:
May 11, 2011-County Chambers at 7:00 and May 9, 2011 , Old Mill H.S./ at 7:00.
Maybe have representatives from each school wear their school colors.
The only thing they can add back in is education funding, which they have to take from something else.
This was the 1st year they have had a collaborative meeting with finance people between the county and the Bd. of Ed.
The school system has been under budget for several years.
Jeff will send out a follow-up email to principals and he will attend the hearing on the 9th.
Proposed improvements to Bates Middle School thanks to a grant made possible by Mike Busch :
-replace lockers, most which are broken.
-scoreboards-old one doesn't work.
-new sound and lighting system.
-restrooms-not ADA, so they are under code.
- TV capability
There is also $5,000 in grant money which St. Margaret's Church donated.
Greg Acholonu, Annapolis native to form chess club. This has already started at Bates with hopes to grow and expand next year.
Mayor Cohen arrived. He talked about the budget process, how can we be successful, and how can we hold on to what we have, because things are tough.
He agreed with the steps we had established earlier and added to bring out the kids with stories since everyone was competing for the same dollars.
The new Phoenix Center will have kids out of county that can now be served in the county. They have cut back every where but the schools.
You could also use ARC. to speak.
Question? Why not make a law to make the council go by the MGT study?
-you do want some flexibility as things occur since the studies are 3 -4 years old.
Nominations: Jeff -chairperson
Lisa -vice chair
submitted
by EC Lee/Sec.
