Board of Education Parent Community Advisory Council Meeting November 5, 2025

001Okay. Good evening, everyone, and welcome to our November. 5th, 2025 Parent and Community Advisory Council meeting. Um, I'm excited, I apologize that we… We were not able to meet in October, um, due to a scheduled holiday that was on the PGCPS calendar, but here we are, so welcome back. Um, at this time, I want to call the meeting to order. 703 p.m. And Ms. Smith, if you can do roll call. I need to pull up the… I'm sorry, not… not Ms. Smith. Lawrence, where's the Kimbra? Is she here? Ms. Lawrence. Yes, Ms. Lawrence is here. Ms. Lawrence, we can't hear you. Are you… Are you having difficulties? No? Okay, well, I'll do roll call. Um… I'll do roll call. Um… Dolores Milhouse, here. Teresa Smith. A Kimbra Lawrence… She's here… Akeembra? We still can't hear

002you. Um, but we see that you're present, but, um, all other members of the Council, um, you need to provide a verbal. Dr. Sheila Jackson. present. James Williams. Trayvon Suki. Reverend Dr. Evelina Huggins. Carletta Lundy. Will Bronson? present. Garcia Jurreta. Kamika Harris. Christopher Smith. Yesida Henson? Candace Parker. Present. Perkins. I'm… Candace, I'm sorry. For some reason, it's Parker on this agenda. Perkins present. So we need to make that. Um, and so at this time, we do have a quorum. So, welcome, everyone, to our… November 5th, 2025, um, PCAC meeting. And at this time, we'll move into, um, item 3, Adoption of the… Um, agenda. for today's meeting. At this time, we'll… We'll go into vote for it. Can I get a motion that we will adopt? Go move, Parletta Lundy. the agenda… I just wanted

003to say before we do that, I can… I'm on a different… um, audio now, so I… I can thank you for doing that. I'm on two different devices, but I can hear now, so hopefully you all can hear me. Yes. Thank you, Ms. Lawrence. Yes. Uh, so moved by Carletta Lundy. Okay, perfect. Okay, thank you. Is there any opposition? Hearing none, um, the adoption of the agenda has been moved. We're moving on to item number 4. the approval of the September 2nd, 2025 meeting minutes. Can I get a vote and motion to… approve… the September 2nd, 2025 meeting minutes. Dr. Jackson, I move that the minutes of the September meeting be approved. Need someone a second. Thank you. If there are any oppositions… Hearing none. the September 2nd, 2025 meeting minutes have been approved. Um,

004we will now just do a quick welcome. I want to thank our board member liaison, Board Member Walker, um, for being here tonight. I want to thank, um, and she represents District 9. Um, is she here? Did she leave? Okay, I can't see every one of my screen. Um, I want to also thank, um. Board Member Brown for District 5 representative for being present, and also our, um, board support, um. Ms. Barton, do you have your hand up? I do, I do. Board member Amy Olivo from District 4. She is an attendee. Can I bring her over as a panelist? Sure, yes. Yes. Um… in director, um… Adeline, thank you for being here. board member Amy Olivo, District 4, welcome. And I want to say that we have, um, been… we're being honored tonight to

005have. Um, additional board member representatives, because we do have some discussions around policies, um, and they may be able to lend some further insight, um, as Robin reports out. Um, on those. So, at this time, um, I want to thank you all for being here. We'll move into the report of the PCAC Chair. We… the… Leadership and I, we've been meeting over the past couple of weeks, just trying to establish how, um. We ensure that the Council. is in a position to meet with the board and the superintendent, um, to identify ways for us to engage with each other outside of our monthly meetings, because we are under… OMA. So we have to be very careful and adhere to the guidelines so we're not in a position that we, um, have a quorum when we

006are meeting. Um, I know at the last meeting, we talked about some subgroups that. came from the transportation, as well as special education, um. I know the two individuals for special education, uh, were Ms. Smith and Ms. Harris. Um, I'm not sure if you all were able to get together yet, and then we had one individual for transportation. And so, um, we are still. you know, not really moving in that area yet, but it's okay, um, because we're also waiting, um. to… determine what it will look like as it states in Policy 1500? How will we move forward with our quarterly meetings? Um, I want to thank Board Member Walker, our liaison, for engaging in a very robust discussion on our behalf to, um. move forward with… a point of understanding as it relates to

007what a quarterly meeting needs to look like. We were. asked to present, um, quarterly. Um, which the PCAC leadership has, um, declined because we have not met. as a council with. the Board of Education, so… Oh, at this point, we don't have anything to report out on. in a quarterly manner. And so we are still hopeful that we will be meeting with the board as a whole, and the superintendent, um, quarterly, as it is outlined in Policy 1500. Ms. Smith, Ms. Lawrence, did I miss anything in regards to that? I think that you… pretty much covered it all. Okay, um… I would like Ms. Smith to just add, um. in doing this report period, she and Ms. Lawrence are representing PCAC on the calendar committee. And, um, the calendar committee has met 3 times, I

008think, um, thus far, 2 or 3 times. And a survey is coming out. Um, in a couple of days for the community to vote on, um, but… Ms. Smith, if you can just add… you know, um, your… experience what you've been doing with the committee over the past couple of weeks. Sure! So, um… Yes, we have actually been meeting weekly. We did not meet today. And we have been planning for this upcoming school year and the next one, um… From my understanding, this is… this is how most school districts. Um… establish their calendars, they… they do two calendar years at one time. Um… two… I guess, two big items is… is surrounded around… the Christmas holiday break, um, I think lately we've had. nearly two weeks, um, but moving into the 27-28 school year, that

009may be unlikely. Um, and then another item is dealing around parent-teacher conferences. Um… I think last school year, there was only one on the calendar. Um, so we're trying to determine, you know. how best to still get conferences in. Um, for families. And… Akeembra, am I missing anything? I don't think so. Um, I think, uh, Chair Milhouse mentioned that this week. Uh, the calendars will be shared with the public, along with the feedback survey. Um, and that'll include the options for 20… 26, 27, 27, 28. Um… But I think that's all that's been… that has been mentioned. I'm trying to think of if there's anything else. I don't think, um, there's really anything else. I think you covered it all. Vice Chair. Thank you, Akambra. Dr. Actually, let me pause. Ms. Nailhouse, I have a

010question. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Well, let me just give a little context about the, um, the parent-teacher conferences. Um, it did change last year that it went back. to having one on the calendar, um, but there is a note that. goes along with that adjustment. Um, that based on the student handbook, parents, um, can request a meeting with the teacher at any point throughout the year. And so, um, those parent-teacher conferences does give the school system, um, a better opportunity to kind of maybe group all the teachers in the session at the same time. Um, but if a parent needs to meet with the teacher. Um, at any given time, there is no stipulation, and you do not just have to wait until there's a parent-teacher conference. Ms. Smith, what's… what's the question that you have? And

011it's actually surrounded that. I was wondering, Dr. Jackson, does… is there any data available as it relates to the effectiveness of. the parent-teacher conferences, as well as barriers. Um, because it appeared… at least from what I'm hearing in the discussions, that there are concerns. for the parents that really need to be reached, they have not. So I'm just kind of wondering, is there any data surrounding. what the barriers may be, and then in addition to the effectiveness of having. I can definitely look into it, uh, for our district. I don't keep that data. But I'm pretty sure our, uh, Chief of schools does, because that is one of the. um, measuring tools, uh, for evaluating staff. Um, so I'm sure that there is some data that can be found. But I will ask Dr. Merrill

012about that. Thank you. Um, and just the last update is, um, we're part of the community, um, schools. advisory board, um, as PCAC as a whole. Um, in our last meeting that we had, um, Ms. Smith and I, um, had a meeting with, um. Dr. Horton? Williams Horton, to get a better understanding of the role for PCAC on this council? And, um. what I walked away from the discussion that Ms. Smith makes sure I'm not leaving anything on the table. It really is to make sure that our voices are heard from the parent perspective, as well, um, as community members, because there are a lot of community members that are on. The, um, Advisory Council, but we are able to. add other voices from PCAT. to that council to talk about how we make sure

013that the wraparound services are available to the community schools. And how are we reaching the parents, making sure that they are aware of these services. y'all community partners to identify, um, if this would be of interest of you, we will send some information out, um, because it was a bit of a misunderstanding of what exactly we're doing as PCAC on this group. Um, we will be providing them with a presentation, because they're asking all the members, and I think Dr. Jackson, your office, will be presenting something as well, but everyone on the… Um, advisory group for the community schools is asked to present what they offer, um, what they are, um, providing as a council, so we will be sending out information to get feedback from everybody about your skill set, your expertise, what can

014you do to support the work with community schools. Any questions? comments? That concludes the report of the chair, but I want to utilize some of this time. Um, Board Member Walker. Do you have anything to provide from a liaison perspective? Do you want to share my time? Um. Oh, thank you so much. Um… I do recognize that we have not yet met as a board. It is a priority for me. I did respond, um, to the chair, who's been… out of the country, he is back now, so I am anticipating, um, a response so that he can be in compliance. I know you mentioned that as your first bullet. Um, I'll listen in to see if there's any additional input that I can add. Um, I do see other board members that are on the

015call tonight, so Robin and Amy. And I know that they are also, um. supporters of ensuring not only that we're in compliance, but we do hear, um, the parent and community advisory, um, information. That's needed. Um, I know you all haven't met with us, but I hear some things that would be great to come to the board, even if it's just from the notes from tonight. Um, I heard a couple of things. One, from community schools, the work that you all are doing there, also the concerns that's coming out of the calendar, um, specifically around parent-teacher conferences. But my point is that there's some things maybe in the notes that we can take back. Um, and make sure that we get that in front of the board as well while we wait for our chair

016to give us direction on compliance. So, do you want to share anything about the, um… what was the event that was had a couple of months ago? Um… No, we shouldn't. Um… legislative day? Legislative. Legislative day? Okay. Okay. Oh, you all… Oh, absolutely. Um… Yes. So, uh, majority of you all were there, but just for the public, we did present. I don't have it up now, but we did present four key priorities, um, for the Board of Education, and we're looking forward to the Peacock playing a vital role in that as we go to, um, advocate. You all played a role in that, um, before with our Advocacy Day, and really, um, gathering other parents. We want to make sure that we get some letter writing, really, this year. And make sure we are in

017the faces of our legislators. I know special education. is the core priority. We have, um, construction and our CIP dollars. multi-language learners are another priority, and what's the last one that I'm missing? Um, it's a record. I'm sorry. Safety? Safety? Safety? Safety. Thank you so much. How can I forget safety? Yes, safety and security for our scholars. Um, and that really is surrounding a lot of talk, and I think you. I think it was in its form, it was brought up too, was around… vaping, so we do have metal detection at our high schools, but vaping continues to be an issue in bathrooms and things like that in our high school, so we want to make sure that we can really push. for, um, um, dollars to be able to do that in the schools.

018So those are the four. Uh, how can PCAC play a role? As I mentioned, we're gonna hopefully have some letter writing. Also, we know our four priorities, so you all, um, come into Advocacy Day and partnering with your respective. So, for instance, I can use Candace Perkins, for instance. I just had her at my District 9, um, one of my community chats, and then ensuring that, um, our PCAC members tapped in with the board members so that then we can go see our. responsive, uh, responsible legislators as well, so that we can tap in at the micro level, as well as the macro level. level. Hopefully that's helpful. Yes, thank you. Um, and there was, you know, you all would still be providing, I guess. something that provides a little bit more. insight on, um,

019what positions. that, you know, you're looking… for individuals to support. Um, I mean, you got the topic areas, but, you know, there's still a lot of information about. the impact and the dollars that are needed and, you know, how are we lending our voice to that? Yeah, so you're talking… yes, so that we can give you… arm you all with it as you all talk to your legislators, as well as our community, so… Yes, the, uh, I'll talk to the P&G chair. Um, about making sure we can get out a one-pager on that. And Amy is the Vice Chair, so Amy, maybe we can take away making sure we not… we have, like, a… two-pager, because I'll say, like, a two-pager that talks about each of the four. As well as breaking it down on

020what talking points will look like. Thank you. Um, and so at this point… Ms. Smith, your hand is up. I have two questions. Is it okay to ask? Okay, um… Board Member Walker, I don't know if I missed it, but what's… what's the date for Advocacy Day? Okay. You didn't miss it. I didn't mention it, because we are working on our calendar, but we will let you know. As you know, legislative season is between January and April, and we will be there 1 or 2 or 3, 4, 5 of those times. But we do have a MAID legislative day. We have, um, our own PGCPS Legislative Day, so I'll definitely keep. keep you all in the loop. Okay, great. And, um… I have a follow-up question regarding… Board Policy 1500. So. I know that the

021point that is being made is about us being in compliance with that policy. In… in my reading of the email traffic, it seems to be… Um… different levels of understanding on how this policy is currently written. The question is, where in the policy does it state that PCAC is required to do quarterly. um, reports. a quarterly report. It doesn't say a report. Um, specifically, but what it does say is a meeting. It doesn't. Um, with the whole board, as well as the superintendent. So, I think the assumption. And rightly so. You don't have to give a sheet of paper. But because the idea is that you'll be advising, the food is that you'll have something that's associated with it. Normally, we have things that get uploaded into DiligentNow, not board docs. But it doesn't say

022you have to do a report, like a written report, if that's what your question is. What the policy states is that there needs to be a meeting for advisement. Um, at least quarterly. I think, also, I did see a message that went through about, um, the request of any updates to Policy 1500, and I can tell you that. I would love for additional clarity as the board liaison. It's up to you all, but I would love for additional clarity to be around not only PCAC policy, quite frankly, but also around, um, dyad policy. Any, any. policy of volunteers that are working for advisement to our board, I think that there should be additional clarity for reasons that you just asked, there's just gaps in understanding for those, and I think that. get to it without

023being so strict will really, um, avoid what we've been seeing about needing. It's been years. quite frankly, since I've been on a board that we've had a real functioning, not by any means of you at all trying, but really had the partnership that we need and deserve. for our parent voice and our community voice really happening. And, um, I think that this is the opportunity to do that. So I'll continue to. press for that. And if I… I want to jump in, because we, um… We have a time and a section for that, so we can have more of a robust conversation. on the agenda here, um, and so, Dr. Jackson, I see your hand up. And if we're going into any further discussion about 0105, 8100, or 1500. If we can put that in

024the parking lot until we get to item 7, but I'm gonna give you the floor to ask your question. Thank you. I just wanted to ask our board members about the fabulous community liaisons. That you all have now as part of the board office. Could you all talk with us a little bit. So, can I… can we… let me just pause on that. about them? Sure. Um, I want to pause on that, Dr. Jackson. Um, because I want to close out the report of the chair piece. Okay. Um, I do want to go into the report of the superintendent and the designees. So, I would like you to hold that question, um. And so, um, we get… um, you know, through your report. And we can kind of add that. response in the back of

025your report. Sure, sure. Can we do that? So you have that time, um, because I want to give you about 5 or 10 minutes to get through your. Okay. Thank you. So, Ms. Borton is going to show… share with you all, and it's already shared, I think, a PowerPoint. I am not going through this, but what I wanted to do was just share some points that I've been sharing in some of our family institutes. sessions, so if you could just go first, go right on through, um, and we will just keep rolling through. Of course, I always like to start with relationships. We had to make sure that most of our work. is always rooted in trying to build effective relationships between home and school. That's my team. You can keep going. Um, what I

026wanted to do, there's information about what my department does in there for you. Next slide. Um, of course, uh, I think we've talked about the big… the big rocks. that Dr. Joseph has introduced, and our work as a department, actually all of the work. of anyone working in Prince George's County Public Schools. has to have focus on these five systemic big rocks. And I'm hoping that, um. We have, as PCAC, have had a time to explore what they are and what they mean, and what our role is in helping. to implement these. Next slide. This is just a slide of a reminder of the Family Institute sessions that happen biweekly. Uh, so, so far, we've had 5. Uh, we have one on the 18th that's coming up, and it's actually called Navigating Your Child's Math

027Journey. So, our Department of Mathematics. Uh, is going to be talking about, especially pre-K to middle school, because those are our areas of large, greater need. And so they want to share some strategies with families. Um, to help them. And then, of course, we have two more in December before winter break. So you have this in the PowerPoint. Also, I was in a meeting today, um. As you all know, uh, we are struggling as a community with food scarcity. Um, um, parents, hopefully, will have SNAP. Uh, resources restored. But until they are, uh, the Capital Area Food Bank. is offering major support for our families and our communities, so I wanted to put this slide in so that we could click here to find out where the food. Um, centers are where people can go

028and pick up food, uh, to support their families. And you can find pantries all over. Prince George's County and DC, so I wanted to share that information and the contact information is there. Uh, if anyone needs to reach out to, uh, the Capital Area Food Bank. Next. This month, November, is National Family Engagement Month. And so we are doing a lot of things across the district to really highlight. This work, uh, the school system comms team actually has created a landing page. Just to talk about, and they'll be constantly posting. Some of the wonderful activities that are going on across the district, in schools, in offices. that remind everyone how important our families are. So you all know that. Families are the first and most important teachers, advocators, and nurturers for our children. And we're

029doing our work across the district with an evidence lens. We want to look for research-based best practices. And that's what we're doing. Uh, in my job, just introducing those to schools. We're running a, um, a, um. Book study this year with our principals, one of Dr. Karen Mapp's books. called Powerful Partnerships. And every month, we're talking about and helping them develop strategies. look at their practices, explore their mindset about family and community engagement, because the goal is. That we want to make sure that every school is a welcoming school, a partnership school. So next… We also… just the themes of the company, the… I mean, the agency that created Family Engagement Month could not decide on one theme, so they gave us a lot of options to think about. As families in partnerships with schools,

030our job is to make sure that we rise together, and schools know that they cannot improve. without effective family engagement. We want to make sure that we are making sure that we're building connections between home and school, so. I'll be honest with you, every time that I hear about a school that's not welcoming. families, I go visit that school, because we have to make sure we're changing. the climate and the culture in our schools to ensure that our families feel welcome, ensure that our families feel valued, ensure that our families feel. heard. And so that is the power of partnerships. Next! I know I only had 5 minutes, so I… I'm not reading these slides. There are 3 slides. that are… have some challenges for National Family Engagement Month, and it's all about. Thinking about,

031as families, what is it that we can do more of, or do better to make sure that our children. are, uh, in the learning mindset. So playing board games with children. We're in the MDV. I tell parents all the time, we have all those free museums. Down in DC, we should be taking our children there for that out-of-school learning. You can click again, so it's 30… 30 tips there, 30 challenges of things that we can do. And the last challenge just talks about things that are going on in our school system right now. Uh, we have children writing letters, uh, to their parents, thanking them for their engagement and their support. Uh, we… and they're doing the opposite of it, too, writing to school staff, thanking them for working to build that partnership between home

032and school. Uh, but, you know, we're trying to increase our numbers of volunteers. We know that we have challenges because of what. you know, what it costs us to become a volunteer in Prince George's County, but we try to help parents understand that that's all about safety. Uh, everybody… well, not everybody was here when we had that huge scare robin. That's when we started. fingerprinting and safe schools training, because we never want to have happen again in our school system. Uh, the sexual abuse, um, situation that we had a few years ago. Then this slide is about just some fun parenting tips. Uh, because we are a district that honors social-emotional learning, we spend a lot of time asking individuals to be mindful, and help children understand what mindfulness means. And mindfulness also has to

033do with those social skills of kindness, of love, of… you know, engaging with others effectively. So you have a slide there. Next slide. Because I think I'm coming quickly to the end. This is the biggest thing that's in this document. Parent-teacher conferences are next week. And so, in this PowerPoint, there are lots of strategies. For before, during, and after parent-teacher conferences, that was one of our Family Institute sessions that we just led for parents. We had over 70 parents participate in that. Lots of good feedback, and like our vice chair said, yeah, we do hear a lot of concerns raised about. how parent-teacher conferences are done. Please understand, parent-teacher conferences are usually. Um, parents are usually invited, but like Mrs. Milhouse said. As a parent, you can call and make an appointment to talk to

034your teacher, and if the teacher doesn't respond, talk to the principal. We don't want any parent to feel that they don't have an opportunity. to meet with a teacher and talk about their child, their progress, or their environment, what's happening with them. And so all of that, I'm not… you can just skip through all of these slides. These are all about, um… and I took your term, Mrs. Milhouse, about jumpstart. Because we really do need to push a button to make sure that we are thinking when we go into our parent-teacher conferences. We need to be armed with our questions that we want to ask. I always say to parents to understand we need to be prepared. I have 14 questions in here that you can read through and choose. what you want to talk

035about with your child's teacher. This is not a dog and pony opportunity for teachers when you come in for a parent-teacher conference. It's really about you having one-to-one time with that teacher. One of the things I always like to, um… remind parents is please be on time. Uh, if you're… if you're on time, oftentimes you're late, so we want to make sure that you don't miss any of that time. And then after you have your conference, talk to your child. Actually, the research says we need to talk to our child before the conference and after, to make sure before the conference that we understand what their questions and concerns might be. And after the conference, let them know what you talked about with the teacher. If you've made action steps. What is it that, you

036know, you two can do together, or you can engage the teacher to help you with. Um, and then other resources, if you need interpreting services. Uh, information is here about how to access them. Next slide. All of that, yep, just reminders, if you're gonna go to your parent-teacher conference, make sure you have been into ParentVue. you have done the research, you've looked at your child's records, you've, you know, looked at your, uh, you've had effective. two-way conversations with teachers about the work. That's being assigned, or that's being graded. Um, but we just want to encourage you to have a good. parent-teacher conference, and then all the rest of this is just reminders about, you know, making sure that everything's updated, uh, looking at all the resources that are available. We want every school to have

037an effective parent leadership organization. We want every school to be a welcoming… we call it a partnership school. Uh, we know that some schools are still fortress schools where you can't get in. We want all schools. to, uh, be open. Uh, we know we went through a period of time after COVID where everybody thought that they still needed to have. closed doors. We want every school, and we're training every school on that aspect to make sure that it's not just an open-door policy, but it is actually a partnership environment. Where you can be heard, you can be seen, and you can work. So, that's it! That's quick. I just wanted to share with you all some resources, and you have this. PowerPoint and those resources, those are yours to share with other parents. And I

038apologize for talking so fast. No, thank you, thank you, thank you, Dr. Jackson. Um, and so, I don't know whose hand was up first, so I'm just gonna go with Ms. Perkins. Are you just handle this first. And uh… Okay, Ms. Smith. I'm gonna just… I have one question and one comment. Um, Dr. Jackson, regarding. Um, the school meals. I think I saw something online. Where some schools are doing an additional meal in the evening time. is it specific schools that's doing this? If you can email me, I'll find out for you. I know that a lot of our community schools have the resources to be able to… do that. And sometimes Title I schools do, too. Okay. So we just need to get information so you all can know exactly who's doing that. Okay,

039that'll be great. And then, just a comment regarding parent-teacher conferences. Um, you… I love how you said, be on time, but even with being on time, um, it appears sometimes to be one-sided, where the teachers just. filtering out information, and it's not really engaging with the parent and the teacher. So I don't know if there's a way, you know, for this. this, um, feedback. can get to the schools to make it more engaging, especially if we're limited. to just this session. I know Ms. Millhouse said that we can schedule more, but if the parents are actually showing up, let's make it engaging between the parent and the teacher. email me, and I will… I will say this to principals next month. At the principal's meeting, that's where we're doing our training about family and community

040engagement. And that is one of the key. points that we need to make, you know, that… Yeah, we need to make sure that we're engaging families. We're not just treating them like a brain on a stick, open up the head and pour stuff in. No, we need you to be engaged. And so, thank you. Thank you for sharing that. And I also struggled as a parent, you know, 10 to 15 minutes is really short, so that's why they saw me so much, because. Uh, again, our teachers are as responsive as really as we make them. And so we have to be unafraid, you know, to go and say, no, I need a conference, I need more time. Um, and, you know, you know, hey guys, take them a sandwich. No, not a sandwich, but take.

041Take them a gift. I'm talking about… kind of smooth the waters sometimes, just to build that relationship, uh, because teachers are people, too. And sometimes they don't understand the power of this relationship. that they have. You all are powerful as parents, and so, you know, yeah, we need you to be unafraid. to ask for what you need from our teachers. Thank you, and I just want to make sure that I clarify very quickly, I know, Dr. Jackson, you're asking Ms. Smith to email you, um, but in this form, since you're bringing it up… with PCAC, if we need to. make a recommendation, let's move forward and do that. Okay. And if the information that is being emailed. that we share it with the group, so that way it can also become public knowledge, so the

042whole community. is, um, more aware of what is happening, and where… meals may be available to families. And, um, any tips, tools, because we all are dealing with parent-teacher conferences, we all may have fees. feedback that we can collectively can bring that forward, so it's just not… a dialogue. That's one-sided. Got it. Okay. Ms. Perkins? Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Dr. Jackson, for, um, this plethora of information. This is always a great presentation. So my question is, this is a two-fold. Um, on slide 7, when we're talking about the checkpoints for all of the virtual family institution sessions. How successful have they been across the county? Do you have data to support whether or not. this is a good date, um… We're having representation across the entire county, um, and the community. Do you have

043anything. That you could share with us, um… in reference to that, and then I have another. Question or two. While that question's being answered, can we put slide 7 back onto the screen for reference? So, we actually collect data on all of the sessions, and I can share that, um. at… I'll talk with Dr. Milhouse. I've made… doctor now. Uh, Mrs. Milhouse, about going forward. I would love to share that data with you, because we are data-driven. We collect. data all the time about what it is that we're doing. Our challenge, because it's virtual, is that sometimes families just don't… Well, we encourage them to log in, tell us where you are, tell us. where your child is… well, not about your child, but what school you're in, and we've been able to see that

044parents come from all over because it's virtual. Uh, we have more trouble when we were doing it in person. Uh, because it was, you know, that. You just had to drive to John Carroll. But now that it's virtual. virtual, we actually get a more diverse. Uh, number and range of people who come. So we'll make sure we share that data. Okay, and then my next question is, how is this information shared? Because I have… children in different grades, um, throughout the county, and I'm just trying to make sure that the right comes. is sent out to our community in its totality. Um, because this is really great, but I've actually never heard about it. Um, so I'm trying to figure out how this is filtered to the schools. So, when the communications team develops our

045flyer. We were told that they were going to be put on every school's landing page. So I need you all to let me know if you see it on your school's page, because it's part of. Um, making sure that we're, you know, being transparent and communicating. It's also on a school system website under the parent page. Um, as an opportunity, it's on the school system calendar. Every time that there's going to be one. Uh, but we've asked every school to make sure it's on. Their homepage, so that it communicates to parents and families. That this is important in support of that particular school as well. So, a suggestion I have, um, because I get random, um. message… text messages and emails about buses being late. When these are approaching, a suggestion would be for the

046committee, um. to send a communication out to our PGCPS scholars. you know, whatever the timeline is, at least two business days ahead of time as a reminder, because. This seems like some really great topics. Um, especially, you know, you're talking about the November 18th one, where you're focusing from pre-K to middle school. I just want to make sure that the community in itself. really just trying to figure out where we're missing the mark with making sure that what the county is providing, which is some really great information. is getting down to, um, you know, our community. Thank you! I will definitely look into that. Uh, I know that the comms team tells me we're doing a major blast. And I'll… I'm not a comms person, so I'm not even sure what that means. So, I

047will ask to find out for sure how these are advertised, and how they… I know that it's gone social media. Again, on the school system webpage. I was told that it was put on every school's page, but I don't know that for sure, so I'll find out. Thank you so much for being open to that. Thank you, and so we have a lot of hands, and see, that's why Dr. Jackson, I was like, let's… let's get to your presentation. And I will let you know, I just pulled up a couple of schools' websites. And it's not on there. It's not even showing up on the calendar. Okay, that's what I need to know. It's not on a school system calendar? No. No. Right, to, like, the schools have the PGCPS calendar linked on their homepages,

048but I don't see any of that, yeah. Okay. Okay. I will… I will fuss about that tomorrow, okay. Yes, it's not on there. Yeah, so it's not… You have a couple of other things. And so, again, I don't know who Han went up first, so I'm just gonna call your name and just go ahead and… Talk. Ms. Harris. Okay, thank you, Dr. Jackson, for your presentation. Um, you provided a list of questions. Now, these lists of questions, do you have a PDF copy of it in both English and Spanish that you could forward the copy to us. So we can actually distribute towards parents. Um, another suggestion or recommendation. Can these questions be given to the teachers so they can actually. before the actual parent conference, be able to fill this out for each student.

049I know for my kid, I get some of these responses on his actual parent view, because the teacher would add the comment, like, if something happened in class, she would add the comment. He needs to read more, or something of that sort, which would cover. some of the questions that are actually on your sheet. to… is there a specific way in which each school decides on how they select parents? For example. On average, it's about 6 hours, each family getting 15 minutes. That's about 24 students within those 6 hours. However, some classes go to as far as 30. what is the… Some schools choose to do those students that are below a certain level or below a certain average, while others just try to fit in as much as. registered to actually have a parents

050conference. So is there a sex guideline? to say, you stick with persons who required more attention, or is it that? it's a free-for-all, that sort of thing. I will speak from a parent perspective. Um, one of the things that I learned is that. Teachers tend to. Ask parents whose children might be struggling in some way to come to the parent-teacher conferences first. but also give other parents the opportunity to schedule another time, because they may not be able to get everybody that day. Like you said, it's 10 to 15 minutes each. That's not a lot. You can't get through all of your children, all your students that day. Um, so a lot of schools that I've been associated with as a parent have been. very flexible about, you know, making sure that if I couldn't

051get in on parent-teacher conference day. I'm gonna get a conference at some point. Uh, by just asking. just scheduling. Um… But… but in the past, what I experienced as a parent is we tend to look. for the students whose parents they may not have had an opportunity to talk with before. or students who are really struggling to make sure we can get them back on track. the various institutes. sessions that are held, what happens at my school and a couple other schools within my district is that the PA. or the community coordinator is the one that usually posts it on ClassDojo. And then whenever we have PTO or PTA meetings, we will also present that list during the meetings. Thank you! And that is a wonderful strategy. We need, you know, everybody helping. with us,

052uh, and I… Appreciate that. I know I take flyers with me everywhere I go, uh, but you're right, a lot of times, we just need schools to help us out more to make sure that they're. families are informed. Thank you. And Mrs. Milhouse, I'm sorry. I'm taking up a lot of time, so… Okay. No, no, people have questions, and that's why I just wanted to kind of really stay on topic for what you had to. present. So, um… Um, whose hand… Gracia? Am I right? Hi, yes. Um, yeah, I just wanted to make a quick comment on what Dr. Jackson mentioned about, um, the advertising. And how the information is getting out. to parents, and not just parents, family members, aunts, uncles. Um, with the most recent email that was sent out to the PCAC

053team. Regarding the low parent response to that survey. Um, I did find that a lot of close friends, family members, and just community members, even other parents that attended, um, my kids' school, they were not really aware of the survey. Most of them had a lot of comments, a lot of opinions, a lot of suggestions. So, um, I definitely think that it would be a good idea to invest. time and effort into making sure this information is being spread to. all groups of families, you know, there's a lot of diversity, there's a lot of full-time parents that. information, because these are all good things that parents should know, but most don't, is what I found. So, yeah, that's just the comment that I wanted to make. Thank you! Thank you, thank you all for your

054comments, and I'll definitely take them back for us to be really more mindful. of, you know, how we communicate, how we advertise. So that we can make sure it reaches as many families as possible. Thank you. It seems like we may need to have a meeting with communications. I think that would be great, um, because… Because, yeah, I really think that would be good. I know Megan Thornton can talk about… all of the different ways. that they do their best to advertise, but everyone can learn, and everyone can, you know, hear the feedback about what's being… what's being sent out, what's being received. And what we can do differently. So, yeah. Yeah, Ms. Barton, do you have a question? I just wanted to say that the presentation that Dr. Jackson just gave. I just emailed

055it to all of the PCAC members, so you guys will have it in your inbox. Thank you. Um… And I will ask our Office of Language Access to… for translation. As well. Thank you. Ms. Lawrence? I keep forgetting I'm on two devices, sorry about that. Um, so just wondering, Dr. Jackson. I know you said, like, that the, um, the announcement should be on all the homepages, and then we all went and checked really quickly and discovered that it was. present. What, like, what… is in place, you know, like, do they have spots… the communications department? I would assume that they have spot checks where they're going through and checking? Um, to make sure that it's there. If not, I would suggest that, you know. Uh, maybe that's something that PCAT can kind of just do

056for our own school communities if we know in advance that something is supposed to be posted. Um, and you let us know to check our school's, uh, home pages. That could be something that we can just quickly look at really quick. Um, but just wondering, like. Is there someone that's responsible for going back to make sure that information is posted on the school's homepage? I would assume that there is. There is. I will say, however, though, that team has been cut severely in our budget cuts. So, I couldn't name the person. who's doing that work now, but I know they do, um… they have to do quality checks. So, I'll share that with them. And I just want to add, um, Ms. Lawrence, I want to thank you for volunteering. Um, what you may want

057to do with District 5, but… I can say that we probably don't have the capacity. to go through. Um, and… and do that. So, with all these paid positions in PGCPS, I'm quite sure they can find somebody to do that. Look at this. Yes, agreed, and I just meant, yes, let me be clear, I did not mean for all the schools in our district, I meant for… Like, I checked my kids' school really quickly to see if it was there. Yeah, yeah, it definitely don't have the capacity to, um… So, Ms. Perkins? To do that. I appreciate that. Um, so one more thing in reference to comms. It would be nice, though, if we can get some type of. Um, shared… either a folder, or an email that has the links to all of the

058updates from comms that has happened over the last month. or X period, just so that we have the source data. Um, and then we can make sure that we. you know, share it amongst our community, I think that would be, um, a way for us to reiterate what you guys are doing when it comes to a support capacity. Um, but yes, Ms. Flores, we don't have the capacity to go check all of our district schools, but we could, um, utilize that information, so I don't know if it's a liaison that, um, you know, forwards us all of the updates, hey guys, these are all the latest comms updates as of this. date, sharing for awareness, that would be helpful, because again, there's a lot of great. things that are going on, but we don't know.

059what to check for if we don't know what's been updated. No, Ms. Milhouse, I'm not giving us a tag. I'm just saying, it keeps us in the loop as to what the latest information that the PGCPS comms. Can I just say that the new director. Sure. And the point I… Let me… can I just… let me move on the fact that I… when I'm looking at PG… CPS's page, there is now a parent page. Yes. And so, all of this… Sending us this, and just update the parent page. Like, I mean, you know, and… There it is. Um… you know, and then you have the board members who are always sending out newsletters every month, and so if the newsletters have the information. You know, then people on that listserv have the information, so… you

060know. Yeah. Yeah. So, you have the floor again, you were saying? I was just gonna say, um, I just… I got a text from, um. Denise Douglas, who's our new. Associate Superintendent for Communications. And she was just appointed, uh, with us to be the liaison for the superintendent. She texted me that she could not get in tonight, and she's, um… She's trying to find a… yeah. She said, please mention that I'm on. So she's here, uh, but so she's hearing all of our comments. And thank you for pointing out the new landing page, uh, Ms. Milhouse. You're absolutely correct. They just shared that with me. They're actually, actually, uh, updating my website as a fa… as a matter of fact, too. Just to make sure that we have everything right there in front of people.

061So thank you. And so, if Ms. Douglas has an opportunity to… some time for individuals who may want to meet with her to give all these great… Jessions and some feedback. Um, because we did meet with her when we met with Super, um, the interim superintendent. Um, and so she was on that call. So, yes, great information. I appreciate that. Are there any other questions, comments, concerns? No, the only question that I have are the parent leader. quarterly, um, sessions. I emailed you all a while back. So, when are those starting? Are you all having those this year? We actually had one. Um. This year? Interesting. Wow. Yes, in October. Yeah, um… Okay, well, we didn't get the email. I… I am so confused, because I thought you did, but I will check with Ms.

062Shannon. I'm sorry, did anybody on here get it? I don't… I didn't get it. about that? Okay. Anybody on here? Get the… Yeah, I was at the meeting. Mm-hmm. You was at the meeting? Did anybody else get it? No? Okay, did Peacock get it? Did it come out to Peacock? No. Okay. I just know I gave her everyone's contact information, but I apologize if you did not get it, we'll make sure going forward, there is a session coming up. Uh, and I will find it, uh, after my report, I'll just have to go to my calendar. Uh, for, um… parent principles are coming to talk with Mrs. Shannon about. developing parent leadership organizations. Uh, part of our job is making sure that every school has a parent leadership organization of some sort. Uh, when we

063sent out our request for data, um, in August. We were very disappointed that, um, the response has not been good, and. We've been, you know, kind of hammering and beating the streets. trying to figure out what's going on. So she's actually working directly with schools that did not respond. So that we can develop a full database. of all of our schools by board district. A lot of our board members, though, are much more organized than I am. They have that. But a lot of our schools have not responded, and so she's… actually hosting a session with parents. I think she's calling it chat… I mean, principals are pa- a chat and shoe. to really go deep about why don't we have one, and… Why have you not communicated? Because everybody wants to know, you know,

064what's happening, uh, for parent leadership organizations. Our superintendent, our board wants to know, and of course, PCAC wants to know as well. Yeah, and so I just want to make sure that, um, what I heard you say is you're going to make sure that you email PCAC. Um, because we were… we were… we were getting it before, so I'm not sure. So I do appreciate you making sure that the PCAC. email account receives that, and we'll make sure that we send it out to all of the members. Um, as well, um… So, thank you. Any other questions? Thank you. things that I hear loud and clear is that there is, uh, continuing to be a gap of overall communication. I mean, Dr. Jackson, one of the things that I think is imperative to us, and

065we can take it back as board members, I know I'll take it back as the liaison as well, is that this is our parent and community group, and you do such a phenomenal job at all of the activities that you do in the community, but as you know, there's a million things happening in the communities, and we just don't know about all of them. So if we can help by streamlining it on a website, I know Ms. Denise is listening in, that parent website, so that board members can actually start putting in their newsletters, communicating on their socials about this parent, um, site. That way, it is a one-stop shop of all of the activities that they can begin to engage in. Also, Mr. Neese, I know you're listening in, but, um, each of us

066have our PTA and PTO leader names. We can leverage that, streamline it, and be able to send that out to, um, our parent organizations. Those in charge. Um, there's just so many ways, so I just think that there's an opportunity for us to continue to increase the communication for it, because there are missed opportunities, and you're doing so much work, there's no reason why there's only a limited participation, and people can say that they still don't know. So, I think that from the board perspective. get this added to… we're gonna, uh, Mia's on a call, but we also have Tashina, who is our… Ms. Woodridge is our liaison, I think. That way, as we see them, we can put them into our newsletters. There's just so many different opportunities for us in our limited capacity

067to be able to give it up, get it out, and then also, now that we have this parent. Um, uh, website. Um, or URL, we should be pushing that. So any communications we have, Mr. Neese, who's listening in, if there's a, um, a social that says, hey, guess what, we have this new parent website, go here, send it to us, let's send it to PCAC, let's just… push it, push it, push it, so that people can, uh… All right, and I'm happy to help to do that when we're, um, when we have it. Thank you very much. Um, we'll now move on to… Ms. Welsh. policy presentations, and… Your time is 5 to 10 minutes. Do what you can, Ms. Welsh. Do what you can. Okay, um, good evening, everyone. First, I just wanted to

068give you an update of what policies are coming up that are either out already for public comment, and when that time period is going to come to an end, as well as policies that'll be discussed in the. The Policy and Governance Committee meeting, uh, on this coming Tuesday, November the 11th. So, the, um, the first… And the first group of policies, these are ones that have been out for public comment, and that public comment period does close. This coming Friday, uh, at 5 o'clock, so if there's things that… there's a good group of policies that are being, uh, rescinded, because either they're a duplication of other policies, or they actually. Like, for example, newspaper advertising is really not the best way to get information out to people anymore, since we do have. of the internet

069and websites and everything. Um, and then the rest are policies that the board… there's a new, uh, policy that the board. enacted called… that is in the process of developing the employee use of social media and personal electronic devices, as well as revisions to. the business policy and the board members voucher reimbursement expenses. And then home and hospital teaching and board of education standing committees and focused work groups. And then for this upcoming Tuesday at the policy meeting, um, if you could scroll down. Uh, may I please, to the November 11th. There's 3 policies that are up for discussion. The first one is the prede… pre-K literacy promotion and retention policy. This is a brand new policy. Um, that we will be discussing this… Second one is, uh, Policy 8100, which is actually coming back

070for discussion, um, and that, again, is the one on standing committees and focus work groups. And then the last one is the policy 1700 Disabilities Issues Advisory Board. And then the one, three, that'll be the board… the committee's gonna vote on for sending out for public comment. is the Policy 0104, Title IX, and then Policy 8103, which is Participation in meetings electronically, and this is a… Just so you know, when you see the 8,000 number on the policies, those are the board's internal policies. their sort of working policies of how they operate, and so that, um, 8103 will be discussing. the possibility of when a board member has a, um, an emergency type of situation and needs to be able to… wants to be at the meeting but can't, the conversation is about being able

071to ask. get into the meeting virtually, and at least be able to participate that way, and then the last policy is 8265, which is evaluating the superintendent of Schools. So there's… well, the committee will vote on those this upcoming Tuesday to determine whether they're ready to go out for public comment. Saying that, so the public comment period runs for two weeks. When Paul C is out for public comment, but it's critically important that you always have the opportunity, any policy and governance committee meeting, to come, because there is a public comment section. of that meeting, that you can come and you can provide, um, be right there virtually, and provide your public comments, or if you can't make it virtually, you can always send in written comment also. The committee is very, um, open and

072receptive to receiving public comment, and I can't tell you how many times we've made revisions to policies just based on. The comments we've received from the public. So, it's an important opportunity for. Parents and community members, too, you know, provide input as they… as the committee works. works on putting these policies together. So that… that is the first piece of the agenda of… for my report, I guess. And then, I know where next… the next part of the agenda, um. is, uh, is going into the actual policies. If anyone has any questions about the policies or up for public comment, we might as well just go into the policies, if you're okay with that. I do have a question. I'm sorry, that I missed your hand, Ms. Smith. Can I just jump in? The pre-K

073literacy, the promotion and retention. How is that different from what MSDE is moving forward with, with their new literacy? Um, policy. Like, what's the purpose. what gap are we filling with this. pre-K literacy promotion and retention, and was this something that was introduced. Um, by the, um… Dr. White's team, like, what's the purpose of this? This was a, um… well, first of all, it's a recommendation. of, um, a committee member to bring it to the policy committee to discuss. Um, for the possibility of moving it forward. Um, and it's… and the policy of the MSD policy has some very strong language, also. Well, first of all, there's a lot of requirements in the MSD pop… literacy policy, a lot of requirements. that are really critically important that we will be required to follow. And it's

074backed up by education, the education article, as well as COMAR. So. There, I mean, these are the very important pieces to the… to ensuring that our students are. Walking out the door in second grade, going into third grade, and they can read at their grade level, so… Um, it's gonna be very important. So part of it is. The purpose for this policy, and the committee's going to discuss this in much more detail on Tuesday. They have not had a chance to talk about it at all yet. This is just. a proposal. It could very well be they decide they don't want to move forward, since the MSD does have a policy. You know, I would never speak for the committee, because it's their… it's their job to make those determinations. But it will definitely… that

075policy will definitely reinforce all the requirements. Um, that were being… are being required from MSDE, because a tremendous amount of training… is now required of our teachers, as well as a tremendous amount of the specific type of training, because it's a major focus on the science of reading. Uh, where they're looking at phonemic awareness, phonics, uh, you know, comprehens… comprehension, syntax, all those types of things. Very different than the approach that was used in the past. Um, and the research bears out that students have tremendous amount of success. using, um, the approaches through the science of reading versus, um, the other approaches that they used to use, so… Ideally, if we do it correctly and follow everything, we should… we should be… we should see some very nice results with our students. for reading. Right,

076and… Okay. Thank you. Ms. Smith. I just had a quick question, um, about… Board Policy 82… um… 65! um, evaluating the superintendent of schools. I was just curious. Um… Within the policy itself, maybe the question is, historically, have we identified. the areas that the superintendent will be evaluating on. Is there an opportunity to have that information. Um… I… spelled out in the policy itself. I'm just curious. So the policy, as the way it stands right now, is that the, um… And actually, it's being revised to include an ad hoc committee on the superintendent's evaluation, and the. purpose of that ad hoc committee would be to determine, working with the superintendent to collaboratively, to determine what would be his goals for the year. And then it would… these would… his performance goals, basically, of which then

077these would be things that he would be evaluated on. And once the ad hoc committee and the superintendency Evaluation. develop these things, they will then take it to the full board for the full boards of… vote on so that there's an agreement that this is what the superintendent's being evaluated on for the school year. Okay, alright, thank you for that information. Ms. Lawrence? I was just wondering if there is an opt-in or some type of, uh. alert system for families or community members that are interested in, like, policy updates. Or opportunities to comment. Again, with the communication, like, I feel like… I heard you say that the, uh, the committee's very open to public comment, but I don't know that the community, um, knows that. So, just wondering if there's a way that folks can

078opt in. I know you can go to the website and, you know, look at the. uh, the policy revision tracker and all that, but… outside of going to the website, is there some way that. people can just opt in to have information come to them. That's… that's a very good question. I would have to talk to the board office about making that a possibility. I mean, certainly anything is possible, so… I would have to talk to them. I will say that currently on the board's website, that they actually list out now the policies that are up for comment, and all you have to do is. click on it, and you can submit your comments right there. So they have made… Uh, a lot of changes in attempting to make it easier for the public to

079provide their comments. Um, from an electronic standpoint, but as far as… I hear what you're saying, getting the attention of. of the public to let them know, hey, these policies are out there, please. Please read them and, you know, provide any comments that you might have. That's something, certainly, that the Policy and Governance Committee could discuss. as a possibility. Great, thank you. Um, I… Um, Cindy has her hand up, uh… Um, Ms. Millhouse, maybe she has a response. to the question. Okay. Thank you for recognizing me. Um, regarding advertisement for the policies, it is usually announced at every board meeting which policies are coming up for public comments. And we also have board members who, um, added in their newsletters. So, I would say subscribe to the board members' newsletters. But if you can, um,

080Director Adeline, you know, take into consideration. that, um, everybody may not be. subscribed, and getting that out, and… So, you know, if people are signed up via Messenger or however, that you all can identify a way to. Um, as Board Member Walker mentioned, let's help close some of these communication gaps. to help, um, spread the information and get people more involved, and I would like to know, do you all plan on doing any type of. training video on how to navigate this new system, um, and since we were on board docs for so long. And we have this new system. Um, it's still a learning curve, especially for me, and I'm very familiar with navigating board docs. So, that would also be helpful, um. Because when we say it's on the website. you know, unfortunately,

081PGCPS website has not been one of the easiest things to navigate. Thank you. Ms. Lundy? Yes, thank you, um… Remember meals, um, president. So, with regarding policy, um, 8265. Um, what is done with the evaluation? How is it used? Absolutely. I'm not so sure. I totally understand your question. So, they evaluate… once the, you know, the policy is approved and everything. Everything like that in the evaluation of the superintendent. I'm whomever that may be is done. Um, how is that information used? Where does it go? Is it… what is it… how is it used? How's the evaluation used? So, and I'm gonna probably… I've put… like, the purpose of it, I guess, Ms. Walker, Member Walker can address that, I guess, I don't know. I was just gonna say, I was gonna refer that to,

082uh. to board member Walker only because she has gone through this process, and she could probably share that information. Cool. Sure, I'm sorry, I just caught the last end. I just had… no worries, I'm happy to answer it. Was the question, what do we do? Okay. Understood. the evaluation once we've rated the superintendent. Oh, okay. So we use our… we use the, um, evaluation, it's just like in any corporation, we use the evaluation to determine, um, how he's rated, and based on that rating, um, he'll get a raise, not get a raise, decide if. We're going to… if he's met expectations, if he hasn't met expectations. But the good news is that I think that the superintendent's. him on, or already online. I'll double check that, but it's a public record. Um, so you'll know

083what he's being, um, rated on and against, and everybody has access to that, but I'm happy to send it out. I just can… I can do it in a second. Um, as a matter of fact, Cindy, is that something, or Ms. Woodridge, is that something we can send to PCAC? It's right online. I'm assuming that's a yes. We can get it to you all, but you all can also go to PGCPS.org, but I know there's a lot of navigating to where you can see it. So, Ms. Woodridge, if you can send that over to the PCAC address so that they can have it. Um, and at least know how to see the superintendents, um, what he'll be rated on, his top goals, and that's what he… that's what he's rated on. And so the process

084of what happens is that. Each board member, he has a self-evaluation that he presents to the Board of Education. Um, in that… after that, we take a look at it, and we rank it against what the outputs are. We then, in each individual then gives him a rating, and we have a collective rating. Then we go back and we give him feedback, anonymous feedback, on who said what, and we actually talk about it inside of a room. We give him his evaluation, and then just determine what next steps are. I think all of this is outlined in a policy that Robin just talked about. So, hopefully I've answered that question, but it determines if he's meeting expectations, or if. he or she, sorry, is not meeting, um, expectations, and where we go from there. Okay,

085and so, Ms. Walsh. I want to go ahead and give the floor back to you, and um… So we… unless there are any other questions about any of the policies I've presented, so we can go into Policy 0105. I know, Ms. Harris, you have, um, some questions on that. Policy 8100, Ms. Smith. And then 1500. Okay, I'll be glad to. I'll just do a quick recap on each of the policies, and then if there's questions, we can… we can discuss them. policy, um, 8105, which is Parent, Family, and community involvement, was actually. The board, um, had, um, made revisions to that policy, some very extensive revisions to the policy, in March of 2024. So, it's slightly over a year old, and the changes in the policy were really to try to be as comprehensive as

086possible. When I was listening to what you were talking about earlier this evening in terms of parent conferences. Making it inviting and allowing parents to feel comfortable enough to ask questions, as well as knowing it's their responsibility to ask questions and be more engaged. This policy actually goes into great detail about what are the responsibilities of everyone. When it comes to ensuring that parents are engaged. Um, and it first begins with a whole section in the standards about effective school, family, and community collaboration. And as extensive, like, there's many different standards listed in terms of what the responsibilities of the PGC employees are. Um, for example, employees will interact respectfully with parents and families, so they're involved in their child's education. Um, there's a demonstrate a commitment to parent and family community involvement in the

087educational process. There was language added in this last go-round to ensure that communication is in terms of how students are doing to parents who may… who are incarcerated. So that they're at least informed about their students. Um, then there's, um… No, it's about addressing the concerns of parents, furnishing information to parents about all the kinds of services they could access. Uh, providing parents with information concerning what the expectations are for their children in that particular grade level. Um, let's see, what else? Uh, providing specific information about the actual instructional programs, and then helping parents understand how they can access their child's educational records. Because that is a right of parents to have the records, and oftentimes parents don't go about how… do not know how to go about getting that. Also, um, an important piece

088is really providing the parents the opportunity, um. to participate in decision-making related to both their student, um, also the school their child is enrolled in, as well as district-wide decisions. And then offering training and, um. materials to help parents monitor and support their academic achievement for their children, because sometimes parents really don't know what their role is and what they're supposed to do, or how to go about that. So the idea was that that would be another piece the board would like to see that happening. Uh, and of course, this would all be picked up in the administrative procedure. There is, because also an ESEA. elementary, secondary education act, there are definitely some requirements as it relates to what needs to be done, um, for working with parents, and that was included. in this policy.

089And then, the conversation about how frequently should PCAC be engaging with the board and everything, there's language specific in this policy that says. The board and the superintendent will consult regularly, but not less than quarterly. with the Parent Community Advisory Council, and may meet more frequently by mutual agreement. So that language is in there, and then there's some… just as an aside, there's similar language to this in 1500. So the two coordinate. Um… And then it talks about that we'll conduct an annual climate and cultural survey, which we do. Um, so that's the first piece. Then, um. Then… and it also says, treat parents and community members with courtesy and respect, and that is extremely important. Um, so then it goes into two-way communication, and it talks about the superintendent being responsible for developing, um,

090effective communication methods so that. And again, this sort of goes to the earlier conversation, uh, this evening, and in terms of that there's actually a conversation. It's not just the teacher telling the parent everything, you know, that's going on in the classroom, but that there's a back-and-forth communication so that the parent feels. Like, they are an equal partner in that communication when they come to have their parent conference with the teacher. And also, of course, that all these communications need to be provided in a language and a format that parents and families can understand, and in this county, in Prince George's County, it's extremely important when you look at just the. Just in general, the percentage of students that are Latino and the parents who English is not their first language. And then the other

091thing, which is important, and we have received complaints about things like this, where it says, provide adequate notice about meetings to parents, families, and communities. Just recently, I received a complaint where a parent said, I didn't even know this was going on. Why didn't someone communicate? So, just those basic things. But then, there's a whole other section in the policy that addresses building capacity of the parents. So that they… they can… it's really our responsibility to provide assistance to them, to help them understand the academic assessments, and be able to monitor their own child's progress. Um, and, um, work with their children to improve their achievements, really helping the parent, again, be a full partner and doing their part. And doing that, which requires a lot of training also on the part of our staff

092to be able to have that capacity. And it says that PGCPS and each school will provide professional development to school personnel. on how to work with parents as equal partners in their child's educational process. And then there's a whole section on equity. In terms of ensuring that we are working to get feedback from all of our parents. We provide all, you know, the same opportunities for all of our parents, the same cultural experiences, all those types of things. Um, and then, of course, there's a whole section then in about, of course, no discrimination. Then there's a section that talks about system decision making and ensuring that our parents, that we are engaging them, and parents and the community members, the stakeholders in general. and district-wide initiatives, issues, and programs, and getting them involved in… prior

093to final decisions being made, so that we have included all that information. And so this is, again, the board is saying in this policy that they're… they would like to see every school have their own. parent, uh, group. And then, at least once, uh, every year, each school must hold a public meeting at a reasonable time. for all their stakeholders, um, invited to learn about school-level priorities, academic standards, information that helps families. become stronger partners in the education of their children. Then there's a section that actually talks about the responsibility for parents and families' responsibilities. Like, what are their responsibilities? Uh, in terms of, for example, ensuring that their child attends school regularly, um, making sure that, um, they respond to requests for information, um, you know, just basic things that parents are required to,

094um. that do, as parents, for their children as they come into school. There is also a section there under implementation responsibilities, it does say that the superintendent is. Directed to implement this policy by enacting, um, administrative procedures. And then it also says the superintendent shall report to the board annually on or by July 31st. on the implementation of this policy, of what things have been done. Um, so this was the… the committee had worked on this, um, and spent a lot of time on it, and then it went to the board, and the board did vote on this, and, um. Back in March of 2024. So that… now, I do know that, and Sheila probably can talk much more about this, because I know she's been working with the superintendent. Because the superintendent would like

095to have a new policy on parent, family, and community involvement, so I don't know, Sheila, maybe you can. share a little information. If you're still on, I don't see you. But before we… Will we pass that baton. I want to ask Ms. Harris, um, because I know that she had emailed some questions, and that's why this policy was, um, put on the agenda. So, Ms. Harris, do you have any questions that you need clarified, any comments? Um, that you want to share. Thanks for the floor. Um, as it relates to the policy, I did read through it. Um, I noticed that the policy. tend to be very general. What the parents want. is for there to be specifics, meaning. There's specific areas that needs to be covered, and it's like you're just skimming the top

096and not getting to the actual point, which is what the parents need. Clear guidelines in the policy as to what. Exactly. Define exactly what is the involvement as it relates to the parents. For example, stuff such as meal planning, security management, the actual details. Like, for example. at one of our Parent Teachers conference. There was a big debate as to if the parent can actually visit the student. at school, during lunchtime, because the student required a special diet. Now, some schools allow it, other schools don't. So there needs to be a clear guideline. what level of involvement does the parent have. within that school district, within that school. So that's straight across the board, everybody's on the same page. So my question is, can some of these items be. detail or clarify in the policy

097that everyone is on the same page. So, um, Ms. Harris, I will say, what you're asking for is actually the information that is usually provided in the Administrative Procedure that goes along with the policy. So you're… you are correct. Policies are written in a more global fashion, and then… and what it is, is the Board of Education is saying to the school system, this is what we want to see. And then the administrative procedure goes into the detail about how are they going to… how is the school system going to do these things? So I hear exactly what you're saying. It really is things that would be then included in the administrative procedure, and at this point, I don't know what the. status of that administrative procedures. I know… I'm guessing also that Miss, um.

098Dr. Jackson has been working on that, and along with the new policy, so that she could probably give us an update, because I haven't been involved in that process. Okay. The reason why I made it… is because I've reviewed all the state's policy, and most of these items are included in the policy, not just in the admin procedure. So that's the reason why the suggestion was given. Is it a possibility that Prince George County could. Okay. we're not saying going into the fine print, but at least there's a general heading for those specific areas to be covered within the policy. So, what I would recommend is that, um, because this policy is, um, going to be coming up for review. This year that you would go ahead and submit public comment. about this, so that

099way the committee could, could, you know, consider your… your concerns. That is the best thing. Either come to the meeting and provide it, or put it in writing either way, but actually come, you know, provide the public comment on that policy. So they can consider those… the suggestions that you're making. I mean, I don't have any authority. Okay, so… No, that's fine, but I'm saying a public comment can only be submitted through the public comment on the board page, and that's the only way public comments can be submitted. for it to be reviewed on the policy. No. Okay. No. public comment… you could be… you could write up your public comments and send them in for Tuesday's meet, the next Tuesday's meeting that doesn't have to go through the board page at all. It can

100just go, you know, go directly. Uh, to the board office, where they would have it as your comment is for… I think, and maybe I should ask Cindy the actual mechanics of that. Well, I wanna… I want to add, Ms. Harris had sent. Um, if she's still on the call. some concerns in in writing, um, to the board member Moss. via email. And so, those considerations that she sent as a community member. Oh, okay. you know, right. And so, you sent it in to the leadership of that committee. It is now a documented. concern, or, you know, recommendation. Okay, I didn't realize that. Okay. And then there it is. Right? I mean, that's still a viable way to submit information, you know, yes, she can also submit it, you know, as a public comment. Um,

101but if she's sending it and submitted it with her board member. on the email as well. That's a communication. Mm. Mm-hmm. Um, I mean, a way to submit, um, your questions, comments, concerns, but also, as you stated. administrative procedure 4217. is the complement to 0105. 4217 has not been updated since 2008. And so, I know this has been a long-standing conversation for us on PCAC about. 0105. In 4217. So, Dr. Jackson, that's… I'm gonna pass the baton to you right now. Because it would be great to hear what's the status of 4217. So, the status of 4217 is on hold because our new interim superintendent. is doing a deep review of Policy 0105. Um, he actually teaches. Districts, how to do policies. And he's got real concerns about how that policy's written, not to change

102it as much because the board is the one. who decides what the policy should be. Uh, but after this review and his drafting, um. He's gonna take it to the Board of Education to talk about what next steps should be. Um, we know, again, it was just approved, and I made that comment. It's just been approved. Uh, but he's… He's a little different, just because of that's what he teaches. So we'll see. Uh, I will just say, uh, please don't hold your breath. Because right now, we're going into a really tough budget season. And so that's where the primary focus. And the school system is right now. Uh, but it is being worked on. Okay, so I just want to add this to what you said, um, to make sure that we're all on the

103same page. Um, Ms. Harris. Um, I would definitely suggest, if you and the community members, or if you want to introduce this to PCAC as a recommendation. that we move forward with suggestions on Policy 0105, as well as AP4217. We, at this point, are going to always be in a very tough budget season. And if we are staying, because I just heard you all state. that, um, the engagement and how you are partnering with parents is… It's very important. It is not… it will always be the priority to make sure that we are closing the gaps with communication. In that we are building the bridges to make sure that we have clear, um, opportunities to establish. a partner in education framework. that parents are seeing. as equal individuals in this movement to get our children

104from good to great and over the finish line to graduation. And so, um, Ms. Harris. If you could just, you know, get the information, your questions and concerns on anybody. You send that in to us for PCAC if you want to move forward as a recommendation for PCAC, we will bring that forward at the next meeting and vote on it. But as a community member. You can also do it individually as well. Any questions about… about that, Ms. Harris is… Oh, I just wanted to confirm what was the final date for public coming for that, because a parent… couple parents were asking what was the… actual date, final… yeah. Was there… the final date of the 8th… so the policy is actually going to be coming up in the December. Policy and Governance Committee meeting.

105Um, so, uh, you actually have the whole month of November as, um, I have… hold on a second, let me get on the calendar up here, and I can check. or when that date is. It's usually, like, the second or third week in December that I'll get the actual date in one minute. So that's just the reason part. So is that the first time that the committee will be reviewing? Yes. Okay, so you, you, yeah, okay. So this is the beginning stages, Ms. Harris. So, there's a lot of time for continued. community input, um, and feedback, and, you know, submission of public comment. Um, so… And the December… December meeting is December 16th. Okay, so this, this is a great time to bring this up. So, it gives time to gather. Um, a lot of

106information, and if we want to move it forward as a recommendation from PCAC as well. you know, based on the community members. we can do that as well, but we have the time. So this is to review policy. C, uh, 4217, correct? No, 0105. 0105 is December 16th is the first time it'll be up for review. Okay. Yes, in… administrative procedure is 4217. It does… that go through review. Gotcha. from, um, the P&G Committee. That is something that's done internally. Um, with administration. Gotcha. Thank you. Any other questions? Ms. Lundy, I thought I saw your hand up. Did it? Was it up? Okay. Um, and if there are no more questions on… Policy 0105. We can move to $8,100, and if I can do this a little different, Ms. Welsh. I know Ms. Smith had,

107um, bought this up. I know she sent an email. to Board Member Walker. And I believe Board Member Brown. And so, Ms. Smith, if you could share, um, what you had submitted. Um, and then… Robin, you can kind of put some context around it, and… Board Member Walker Brown, if you want to jump in at that time. Ms. Smith. Sorry, couldn't be quick enough with, uh… The mute button. So, Ms. Welsh, I think you and I, um, talked about this brief. Hopefully, but, um… When I was looking at… the changes for Policy 8100, I noticed that there was. A new section added. And… as far as the proposed language. Um, and it stated, at least one citizen's advisory committee and at least one special education issues advisory. committee, and when I saw that language, um,

108and it might be broad, I was just. concern that… it might be a move to replace or restructure the existing. um, councils or boards that are in place, such as those that's under. Policy 1500 and 1700. So I wanted to get some clarity. surrounding the proposed language, the new proposed language. Um, and then how will the existing councils fit within that language? basically, I want to ensure that these. These councils are not dissolved. So basically, so first of all, let me just share. This is, again, you're correct, is proposed language. And the committee did discuss it at the last committee meeting, and then I was actually asked to go back and, um. review of… not specific to this, but to review, um, how others committee… how other school systems do their standing committees and stuff.

109So right now, we're looking at what's happening across the state at each of the different school systems. As it relates to it. This is… so the committee hasn't voted on this to move this forward at all, so I just want to make sure you're clear. This purely just some recommendations that could easily get changed with the… And by the next committee meeting, depending on what the committee decides to do. But basically, the language is just saying that, yes, by law, they… actually, the Board of Education is required to have two things. They are required to have. The, um, Citizens Advisory Committee, that is actually in the law for every Board of Education in the state must have a Citizens Advisory Committee. And then, um, there is also another requirement which has to do with the

110MSDE requirement, which is also in the law, which talks about the fact that every school system must have a CCAC. And so those… those are required things, but this is saying. In essence, that basically we may have these things, but it's not limited to just this. There could be other… other advisory committees. So, and in my research, and I'm not dying yet, but in looking at other, uh, what other… school systems do. There's some school systems that have, like, 5 advisory committees. So, I'm just saying, there's a wide variety, so I… I think the intent here was more not to limit, but to. Just say, these are all possibilities. Again, though, I'm glad you're sharing your thoughts on this, because the committee is… they will be discussing this in more detail on the 11th, next

111Tuesday. I was gonna… I was gonna add commentary behind it, but I think I could, um, send it via email. My… because… I'll say it real quick. Um, I think for clarity purposes, it would help that if we do need to identify. those statute-mandated. councils that… maybe there's some language that preface that, you know, at a minimum. We have to have these councils in place, but it doesn't preclude us from. having additional ones. Just some language. So that it's clear why we are explicitly calling out some and not others. And I'll… I'll stop. Thanks, Ms. Mailhouse. Okay, any other quote? Okay, um, Board Member Walker, and then Ms. Perkins. Thank you so much, and this will be really short. Um, I think, um, Robin and board member Olivo, we have an opportunity to kind of

112work offline to determine how we can ensure that each of our committees. gets the relevant information from policy and governance, but at times, it feels like this becomes a separate policy and governance committee meeting, and I just want to do a watch out for Ms. Welsh, because she's taking information from now what seems like DIAB. from our policy and governance and specific… information from here, then she's going to take that information, and you all have been clear on what you want. Now, she's gonna take that and take it to policy and governance, and if there's any question, now she gets inside of this, well, I gotta go back to them. And so, I'd love to be able to ensure that. about as a reminder to give input so that we can have it on a

113collective call, but I… I start to feel just a little concerned in Ms. Welsh being the holder of all this amazing information you all are giving, and then her maybe not being in a position to relay that information adequately and effectively when it comes to policy and governance committee. And we don't have any, um… real details in writing. Now, I did hear that Ms. Harris has sent something in. I haven't seen that, but I'll definitely double-check with what that looks like. But if there's recommendations, like, I think it would be amazing if there was a recommendation based off these policies for us to look at X, Y, and Z. That can serve as your public comment. for then the Policy and Governance Committee to take that as a whole and incorporate that in that meeting

114right there. But I'm a little… Ms. Welsh, I don't know how you feel, but it feels like you are the conduit to make sure all things are being pulled together, and I just don't know if it's a fair position to put you in in all of these committee meetings. But we can take it offline. No, I… I… I actually appreciate that, because. Because, um, as I had reinforced with Ms. Harris, please put your public comment in, because. I work at the Policy Committee, and I will, you know, it's all about the Policy Committee making determinations, but they can't do it if they haven't received the public comment. So it really needs to come through the avenue of the public comment, so I appreciate what you're saying. At this point, um, you know. I do appreciate

115that. And I wanna… I wanna… Yeah, but PTAC is a big voice, and so if you all have something and say, this is coming from the PCAT committee, which is powerful in itself, then at least we'll have that to be able to hear. or see or read that public comment to make sure we're adding that, but it kind of feels like a different P&G committee without the right people being on the phone to be able to take all this stuff. Oh, so I want to make sure that we're clear on what's happening, because there were questions that were asked. outside of PCAC, and um… and it would be helpful. that when, you know, they pull me in on something, that they're bringing the liaison as well into the conversation. But this right now is not

116for. Ms. Welsh to gather all this information. and then go back and feed it back to anyone. It is to get the understanding, and the individuals know, Ms. Harris, Ms. Smith, or anyone, if there is any question or concern or comment that you have, you need to put that in writing. For PCAC as a whole, we have to vote as a whole council on what we send forward as a recommendation. No one can say, oh, well, I thought this, and I'm gonna send it forward as the vice chair of PCAG. If Ms. Smith sends it forward. She is sending it forward as Ms. Smith. I would like, as I'm saying to… to everyone, that if it is a recommendation that you want us to collectively to discuss. and go into deeper, and then have more

117context around it that you all need to do that. So then, as a council, we can vote on it, and then move a recommendation forward. It is not to have a lot of conversation and, you know, Ms. Welsh is being a scribe, and then. walking away? Absolutely not, because it's… There are a lot of things being asked, said, recommended. In anything that we're doing right now, if we want to recommend something as a council, we are going to send it forward as a recommendation, so no one. is, you know, any additional work on them. Ms. Smith? You touch… you… you touched exactly what I was gonna say. I just wanted Ms. Walker to know that, as an individual, I actually did send my comments about. the question that was posed just now related to Policy

1188100. Um, I sent the comment in, but I did want some clarity, some edification. And that's why I was added to the agenda tonight, but I definitely… submitted comment just as an individual. Yeah. Mhm. Yeah, so we do appreciate our superintendent liaisons that are here, and in no way. Um, as you all will hear me say consistently, like. I do not have the capacity to… you know, add on anything extra, and so I will not allow. us to burden anyone else with any additional tasks. But making sure that it is written out clearly, so the collective voice is heard, but any individual on here. has the right to send anything forward as an individual, but be mindful, you cannot send it forward. If we did not vote on it as part of the council. Okay?

119Any other questions? I do have a question, Chair Milhouse. If we have a suggestion for a resource that would, um. aid our Board of Education. less than that to you and the vice chair. How would that work? Yes, if you… if you would like the Council as a whole to discuss and talk about it, and would like us to vote on it and move it forward, and the recommendation. Yes. So just send it to the PCAC, and then let us know, and then we will ship. The PTAC email, we'll share it with the group. Um, just make sure that you let us know what you are recommending. give us any context behind it so we… You can have a robust conversation at the next meeting. And then we vote to move it forward or not,

120and… you go from there. Okay? Ms. Perkins. Thank you, Chair. I do have a question, Ms. Welsh, um… Where… where on these policies are amendments identified? Like. where can one click on, like, if you Google the board policy, right? Where can you have a quick reference as to what the suggested amendments are? So, as the board… as the policy committee works on the policy, the changes that are made are usually track changes, and they keep the… and I will also refer to, um. Cindy, Adeline, but they normally would keep those track changes up until the very end when the policy's actually enacted, so that way, you can actually see when the policy's being posted. what changes are being recommended for the change… for the policy? So, I'm looking at one of the policies, and I

121don't see anything bolded or anything visible to the, you know, normal common eye. My recommendation would be that, um. the Peacock do a vote, so that when policies are implemented and amended, that they are easily identified by the community. Whether that be a subsection, or in bold, some outliner way of being. easily, readily identified. Ms. Welder? It's this emotion. I think Ms. Walker… Yeah, it is, though. I don't know if Ms. Welsh has already said this, but it is so… throughout the… through the process, what happens is that we get the original. Um, how the policy is currently written. And then, on the call, we get the mocked-up one. And it's literally mocked up. of what Ms. Welshingle. Right. goes back based on our feedback, and then she mocks it up, and then we give

122feedback again. So by the time you all get it for a public comment. Ms. Walsh, isn't it already mocked up, or is it not mocked up? Yeah. Yes. I, I, I thought that they posted with all the truck changes on it up until the very end. So you… Right. I'm looking at one, and I can see all the versions history, yes. But my issue is I don't know what exactly was updated. There is… Nowhere on here where I can just… like, board policy 8100, I'm just looking at that one. I don't know without… having to cut and paste all of these versions, and maybe I'm miseducated, and Cindy, I see your hand up, but I don't know where I can quickly refer to all of the changes. for this document, so it's easily read, um,

123by the general public. Ms. Adeline? I think I understand your quest… your… well, your issue. So, usually, where all our Mac. mocked up, um, policies on diligent, and that goes to what Ms. Milhouse was saying. That is very hard to navigate. But to help you guys and, you know, streamline the process. How about when we have the policies, we send it to the generic PCAC email, and then it can be. share with the committee. But if you're asking for public comment, you're talking about our whole entire population, not just. each representative. I think the onus is on the county to make sure that that's a transparent piece, um, to have asked. So. Like, if I can click on the board policy and see. you know, all of the versions, I should be able to have

124one link or some version somewhere where I can see exactly what am I looking at. That are the changes so that I can easily digest this. Because if you're not familiar with it, and you're trying to educate yourself on how this policy impacts my household. It would be nice for it to just be easily read. Okay, are you on the board webpage right now, under proposed policies? on the PGCPS website, I'm looking at Board Policy 8100. Um, because that's the one that we were just talking about. And I see, um… all of the references, so in the reference section, I see it, I see the history, um, where it was adopted, and. revise, I see it all. Um, and then I see the document that links, you know, the board policy 8100, I see it.

125I see it was updated November 14, 2024, but I don't see what the actual change. is that you're asking for comment on, if any… Uh, she's that? Uh-huh. Okay, I got you. So, on the web page, if you go over to… There should be a box that says… comment on proposed policies? It should be box number 12356. Mm-mm. I don't even see… sorry to jump in, but I'm not even sure I even see where Candid… so I was looking… Looking at the revision tracker, trying to find this. Now I'm at the actual policy. I don't see any of… Even what Candace was saying, I don't see that either, so… I think that's the issue. Can I jump in for the sake of time and say this? you know, back to my request to maybe have

126a video or something that goes out. Intelligence. Yeah, um… Um, you know, it usually is an attachment on the agenda, and you can see. that policy that's being discussed with the track changes. Mm-hmm. The problem is, I don't know how to find that attachment anymore, and so I think it goes back to Board Member Walker, what you stated, you know, how do we kind of close some of these gaps with communication and making sure that people. know how to access information. And it's hard to know what you are providing public comment on. I understand what you're saying. if I can't easily, like, find the document. And… and… Yeah, and so Director Adeline, I'm not sure how that can be resolved. I know it's not going to be resolved. If I just make a quick comment,

127if you don't mind? Tonight, because it's 8.58. And, um… Yeah, so I hear everyone's issues, right? Um, I hope, um… Ms. Douglas is still on the line, on the call, because… In the past, what we did, what have the policies go out through the PGCPS Express. alert parents that these were the policies, and these were the track changes. But I want to say, for the past couple months, I haven't seen it in the Express, so maybe that's something I could follow up with Ms. Douglas on. Because I usually ask that it be put in the, um, newsletter, so that when it's sent out to parents, parents have that option as well. But one thing I was saying earlier is that when it goes out, I could also send you guys copies. of the policies and

128the links to the public comments. That way, it's easier for you to have it right. Um, at hand. Mm-hmm. I mean, that would be fine for PCAC, but just as, you know, was stated for the whole… and I just, I appreciate you talking to, um, um, Director Douglas about. the, you know, how to make sure that the global community gets it, because I'm looking at the agenda package. I clicked on agenda, and I don't see any attachment that I can open up when I see the track changes. So that would really be helpful. Um, but I can click on Request to Speak. I see that, but button. But, um… in a system be built. Can a system be built where each policy… in this system, a policy that's being worked. We can see the different

129revised, um… Additions, including the mock-ups. Um, so you, like Ms. Perkins said, just keeping track. It's like building a house, right? You don't want to lose records. you kind of want to have reference what was built and what was changed. So, can that… can a system like that be built so… It's kind of online-based, where people can access it, and we have a nice archive of things. Another dashboard. Yeah, yeah, basically. Basically. And with all this AI software, why don't we just figure out, make the students, um, figure out a system for us that's… I think that's some great online… I mean, on-hands training that… Something like that can really be built. Yep. Yeah. I would also say that until something's built the way it could be done, Cindy, is on the page where it

130says, comment on proposed policies. So you click on that, and it says, click here to provide your comments. But it would be good to have the policy attached there, because. That means you have to go back, and I do agree, and you know I agree with Ms. Milhouse, because I've said to you many times, I need training on diligence. Because I'm spending a lot of time trying to find my stuff. So, but if you had to at least have the policy attached to where you're asking for the comments, it would be a lot easier for the general public to be able to go and read all the… and that's the one that would have all the track changes. They could see all the changes, and then they could provide… fill out the. the comment page.

131It is? Actually, it is. So if… right, so if you click on the link below the policy that says, um, click here, let me go back… Back to the board webpage quickly. Uh-huh. Oh, I see it. It's a highlight, a highlight, it's underlined. Got it. Right, please consider it that way. Exactly. Inside… inside the Google Form is the link that says, click here to see the policy revisions. The deadline for the comments, blah, blah, blah, blah. So if you click on that link that says click here to see the policy revisions, it will take you to Diligent, where the policy that I backed up is located. Okay, so you just proved that point, so someone's gonna do a quick training video, or some quick video that's going to be out there, because we just spent.

132You know, a good amount of time. And, um, I… I… I'm lost, and I didn't find it, and so… Um, I… I'm so excited with all these brains on here that we've got a solution to one of our problems. As well as your hand is still up. Oh, I'm sorry, I'm… I'm clicking on… the things that she told me to do. Yeah, you're trying to figure it out, you're still looking for it, aren't you? Ms. Barton? What I would like is if you all could, you know. put it together like a quick training or something to send it out, if that would… you know, I mean, you can do it real quick. I mean, I… I mean, we're here. But, um, I don't think that that… kind of takes away from the global community that

133needs to know what's happening. Okay, so everyone knows, uh… When you go to PGCPS.org. If you click on the board, and then you go to the board home page. You move down, and Cindy was talking about this sixth. tiles, so 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. This is the tile she was referring to. You click on Read More. And then these are all of the policies. that you can click on to give public comment. Question? Um… Ms. Barton Fuji? And it's here in Spanish. Go ahead. Could you share your screen? Since this is recorded, could you share your screen and literally do the process, and then… Um, one of us… I can take up the task. I can literally create a train, um, a training video as kind of, like, point and click. Mm-hmm. And

134it'll be like, how to access… the documents we're requesting. So, I'll follow the exact same steps using the video from this. Okay. So, can you guys see my screen? create a small training, sends it up. Oh, okay. She's sharing the screen now. Uh-huh. Yes, yes. Yeah. Okay, so we can go back to the beginning. I'll just go all the way to the very. Cool. tip-top PGCPS. dot org. Can I just say this? I'm excited that Mr. Suki is willing and available to do this, but this should absolutely be something that we should be able to provide for. Um, from our board office. I think we should take this offline. The request is simply to do exactly what you're doing, literally, on a video, and I do appreciate us doing it tonight for just the board

135policy, but there's other things, like navigating diligent. Um, how you get in. There's just… just random… just… we need to share our screen. Somebody in the board office, exactly what you're doing right now, walk it through, you can do it right on Zoom, let it hear you, and then put up a video of how we navigate Diligent. And that's something that. we should take on. Mr. Suki, I totally appreciate your offering it, and maybe you can partner if there's a gap in. No, we should be able to do this. Um, Cindy, do you agree that this is something we can do? We should be able to do this in 10 minutes. So, in reference to the, um, video guide for the policies. Perfect. that I could do. intelligent. It's a little tricky, because diligent… we're

136still learning diligent ourselves. And we learned it by the self-paced videos. that diligent offers, so I could send those links out. to have the… No, what I'm… what I'm suggesting is we know that folks are struggling right now in order to use diligent, and so are we. But we have learned a way to at least get in there to see our board documents, to be able to navigate it for our board meetings, and to… be able to get some policies. And if those are the three key things that we can put on video, because we are experts, at least in that space, then I think that that's something that we can do that is relatable for a human to be able to say, hey guys, look at this. This is how you do X, Y,

137and Z. At least for us to get out. If we can commit to those three things, which I think you know really, really well, how you get on diligent from PGCPS. how you navigate to get the board documents for a board meeting, and then how you get to the policies. If we could just do those three, I think that would be amazing for our general public, because what I hear now. is… it's not only PCAC. It's us too, right? We struggling too, but we know those three things from the board perspective, so we could share that, and then we can share in the community. Ms. Denise, who might still be on, can share broadly, and now that she knows that there continues to be a gap, then that's something that she can really help us

138to do. I just don't think that this is something that the community should pick up when we have a board staff to be able to help us with this. Yeah, we got… Is that… are those three something that you feel comfortable doing a quick video on? Sure, we got you, we'll put it together. Oh, thank you, and it doesn't have to be super professional. We're… we're parents, too. We just want to talk to somebody that can walk us through while they're doing it. I really appreciate you doing that. Thank you so much. Perfect. The three… the three you ask is very… Very simple to put together. As far as navigating diligent, yeah. We are gonna have to be on that class. I got you. Absolutely, but those three, I think, will help the big population

139now, and then we can figure out what the deeper ones are that we can come back with a version 2, 3, 4, and 5. I gotcha. I'll do it right up on the screen as you guys have it. And I'm trying to just jump… Thank you, and I want to just jump in and ask this, since… Mr. Suki did, you know, and I agree with everything Board Member Walker said, um, is that he has, from an advisory perspective, can provide some. input from how he sees it from a parent perspective. Right? That… that will be great. Right, so he's offered himself. But absolutely, yes. You all take it, you all… make it happen so all of us and be okay. But we're gonna quickly move forward. We don't have anything else on 8100 or Diligent

140right now, do we? Yeah, I have a few questions. Um, the f-. Okay. First, that… I think the training video thing would be a whole… that's a whole, like, rabbit hole. Um, having integrated into the site. having, like, translations, options, um… have words on the screen, like, welcome to this… this training video. You know, we can go deep with that, but um… My biggest question is. What is diligent? And… is… if you guys paid so much money for it, why aren't they sending out reps to train y'all? Because I know it's a pretty penny. I know it was a pretty penny, if you guys just switched systems. Yes. So, what is diligent? No, that was a question. What is the history of diligent? I don't… I don't know what it is. Is that something you're

141looking for an answer to right now, or are you telling us that we need to optimize the system? I'm just trying to make sure that… I'm kind of walking into this bureaucracy kind of blind. Okay, would you like for me to answer that, Ms. Milhouse? Okay, great. So, the history of Diligent is that we've been using a software, or I don't even know if it's not even software, a platform, um, for communications for our board documents and our board meetings, and it was originally called, um. board docs, and that then transitioned into what's called now Diligent, which is a platform that we move from. Word docs too diligent. So that is what Diligent is. Um, and that's been communicated. Okay, so diligent is a platform that holds board documents so that the public is able

142to get to that, to navigate it, and to know what the board. documents are for our meetings, etc. That is what diligent is. That sounds pretty… And that's the online now for PGCPS. That does explain it all, and that has been communicated for that one there. That is what Ziligent is. Okay, okay. Well, I guess I have to… Take some training on as well. Appreciate that. Yeah, no problem. Those links do exist right now, so you can… anybody in the public, anybody watching tonight can literally go through a self-paced. Uh, how to use Diligent. we can all do that today. Because of time, because of how it's done, because it is, like, their corporate training. Right, right. what we're suggesting tonight is, hey, we know the corporate training exists, but these three things are… imperatives

143just to get us going, because we knew how to do it on the old system. So, can we have a person that we know and knows what we need, go through and do a do-it-yourself video and make this happen? Why isn't diligent doing it? Well, Diligent will say, yes, it is, we did do it. Matter of fact, click on this link, and the whole world can see it. It's available. But what we're saying is, let's put that in a simplified form for what we know we used to have, so that we could at least have that and get that out to the parents in the community. And to your point, there might be some optimization opportunities that might come easy to you, that you might, as you see these wonderful videos. when you have time,

144you might come on and say, you know what, I got this, I could do this in 5 minutes. It will be more than happy to be able to take that and push it out to the community on something that PCAP was able to do for us. But it's available now. Yeah, absolutely, no problem, and thank you for whatever you're able to offer. We say yes to all things. All right, appreciate that. Um… Um, my last question on that would be, is… Can you provide the link for the, uh, the training? I know you said you can find it online, but if you have, like, a bookmark anywhere. I'll send it out, Mr. Suki. I'll send it. If not, I'll look for it. Appreciate that. Thank you so much, and um… No more questions on Diligent,

1458100. And I think that we can probably quickly breeze through 1,500. Um, the biggest thing about 1500. is the board… meeting with us quarterly. as the policy states, they should. Um, there probably are some other suggestions. Ms. Walker, you and I have. had some discussions about. It doesn't state that a parent… needs to live in the district. that they are representing, um, in… you know, we just thought it was a written unknown, because the board members live in the district that they serve. And so it's kind of challenging if the parent is not living in that district, and how are you really engaging with your district members? Um, but… Does anyone have any questions, comments, concerns about 1500 other than the items that we've talked about over and over again? that Board Member Walker is

146already working on handling and strongly encouraging the board to be in compliance. with meeting with us as a whole council, so we could hear what the concerns are, what they would like us to provide feedback on, advice. whatever it is that they need, but it's not just one voice. that they're hearing, um, and we've also determined that doing, or asking us to do quarterly presentations is not a requirement. And what are we presenting if we haven't even sat down and met with. the board or the superintendent. So, any questions? I just wanted to see if there's any clarity… I didn't raise my hand, did I cut anyone off? I apologize. Comments? Miss… If I did. Okay. Um, just wanted to see, uh, if there's… if anyone can provide any clarity. Ms. Smith. as to what

147the roadblock is. Um, as far as… this policy being adhered to. with the board, meeting with PCAC quarterly? Um, I… I… I don't. I cannot. Um… I cannot. a vice chairman… So what I can tell you is that, um, so what I can tell you is that this is… Um, over time, there's been continued transition. with, um, a number of committees. One of them is PCAC, and when I don't… let me just say leadership. Let me not say PCAC. Um, Peacock has always been a volunteer group who's here to do the work of, as parents and community members, so that we're very clear. Leadership on a Board of Education has changed, I think, since. I've been here, um, we've had 3, 1, 2, 3, 4 chairs. Since I've been here since December of 2022, with

148each chair, um, comes, uh, priorities when it comes to, um. Hold on, I'm sorry. Let me say, uh, parental engagement, and what I can… there's been different stumbling blocks along the way between each one. I can talk to my specific term when I was… I was the chair for 6 months. And in that term, when I was the chair, uh, what was really important is to ensure that we had, uh, processes and systems in place that we could adhere to. Um, and that was the focus within those 6 months. So, as we stand of where we are right now, our chair was out of the country, he's back now, and the reality is we need to adhere to it. Um, and I don't have an excuse as to why it hasn't happened. I can tell

149you that as your liaison, I'm front, loud, and center about it happening. We have some board members on a call now, and we'll just continue to. less than orderly, or something to that effect. I don't have it up right now. Um, but it lends us to believe, yes, that every quarter we need to be meeting with you all. Yes. At the beginning of the school year. And so, because they're in my… estimation is some gray area inside of there. There's some thoughts that. APAC meeting, and that will satisfy, or there's some thoughts, you all come to a board meeting, and then that'll satisfy it in your… in a time frame where you can do a presentation. Or, let's make a separate meeting where we all come together. So those are only 3 of the potential

150possibilities of what a quarterly. meeting could look like. I believe, as we look at this policy again, we have the opportunity to now go in and make that a structured approach so that. it's not an option on how it happens. It's an option on… it is happening, but we won't get caught up in how is it happening, so much so that. we don't have a meeting. So, in my estimation, there's always something to talk about from PCAP. Like, there's… you all are so tapped into the community that on here, I swear I can make a list between 5 and 10 things. that needs to be brought to the forefront. I recognize that there's an ongoing… like, you all have to vote on what it is that you bring. Right? So it's always feeling like there's

151the chicken and the egg. We, to me, we need to make this policy where it doesn't have the ability to do that. It is… this is what needs to happen in the manner that it needs to happen, get it on a docket. We have some things in writing where we have. January… I'm making it up… December… first quarter is gonna be this month, second quarter is gonna be this month, third quarter's gonna be this month, fourth quarter's gonna be this month. And in my estimation, that's what it should be. I would love to be able to hear from PCAT to say, hey, this is what we would like. for it to be, so it won't be… it will be black and white. But minus that, because there hasn't been that structure yet. I, as the

152board member liaison, and probably some other board members, are going to look at it and talk about it in whatever public comment comes in, and formulate it in a way that we don't have the chicken and egg. So that's Lolita's perspective on what's happening right now, but I want to alleviate that gray space. I wanted to be clear on where… not where, but the quarters that we're meeting, like, when we're meeting, and then how the meeting is going to take place. So there's not any… kind of back and forth on what that looks like. We need the content, and we're missing the content, because. In Lolita's estimation, we are worried about the how. And I want to jump in, and Ms. Welsh, you know, as the, um… I guess, gatekeeper of the document, you know.

153I mean, it states that we're supposed to meet with the superintendent and the board. at the beginning of the school year, and then, um, at a minimum, quarterly. Um, and Board Member Walker… I hear you saying and mentioning that how, um, and there's some gray area. I'm not sure. you know, whose perception is, you know, for the gray piece, but when it says in black and white, the meeting, the meeting is the meeting, right? And so when we present, if someone is presenting. You're not meeting or engaging with the entire council. You're meeting with the individual who's presenting, right? Like, I presented before in the beginning. it's not really a dialogue of all of these beautiful minds on here to get that engaging. conversation, what the board is saying, hey, these are some of the

154things that we're thinking about, the goals. going into the school year. So we're then in these monthly meetings, and we're just like, okay, well, what are we gonna grab to talk about this month? Right? Um, and so… You know, yes. I agree with you, actually, on that. I agree with you. So it is the, you know, and I'm not more so on the why hasn't it happened. Right? Because you can go down the rabbit hole. The reality is, the board is responsible to follow their policies. It doesn't matter who's sitting in the seat. I do want to commend you and thank you that you have been a constant. even being… before being the liaison. that you have showed up when we were having meetings. And you were the sole, you know, representative that came. Um,

155the concern is. If the board, which is a self-governing group, is not following their own policies. then who do we report noncompliance to? Right? And so, we want to get to the point. that if we are talking about parental engagement, community engagement. Then all it says is that, hey, from an advisory perspective. group knows, like, it already has a focus of what it's doing. Um, and so, um, it's more not about the why for me, it's like what you said. Let's, let's… let's do it. Let's just do it. It's not hard. Let's just do it. Let's pick a date, let's… Come together, and we've already missed. some quarters, and so let's just, you know. Find a date, and just meet. And every… all these minds can talk about, you know, um, their perspective on what

156the board is looking at from. where we sit and the goals. Um, and so, Ms. Smith, your hand is up. I just wanted to put out there that. PCAC is also still waiting to… know what… what this will look like as it relates to meeting with the superintendent. I know that we had… Um, one meeting with. the interim and the chief of staff. And there have not been any subsequent meetings since then, so… I think that's another, um, component to this that is still unaddressed. Thank you, Ms. Smith. Okay. Any other comments? And so, to close out, I think the biggest thing that. that kind of resonated was communication and how we are engaging and closing gaps. We have a lot of ideas, a lot of questions. that, um, are still floating out there, but

157what I'm hearing is that we are all definitely committed to work. Um, collectively to move things forward, to identify how we make sure that the community has the information that they need so they can be involved. We're helping them build capacity. Um, to stay engaged, connected, and to really, um, support, uh, the student and where they are, but also be a true partner with the school system, especially the teachers. And, um, so I want to close on that, unless someone else wants to add a last and final word. I would like Ms. Ms. Walker, but after Ms. Walker speaks. Um, I'll… I'll take one more, because I want you all to go to your families, because I want to go to mine. And I made it through this meeting, I'm… I'm at 75%, but I'm

158here. be… you might feel as though the board might have barriers up. Um, I want you to know that, honestly, you all are appreciated. When we go through that list and choose our parent liaisons, we don't take it for granted. Um, the work that you all do, and the partnership that you all bring. I am a parent. We have a number of parents that sit on our board, and to even sit on a PTA, let alone sit at a district level, in order to effect change, is a big deal. So we know that, you know, you all are parents, you all are community members, you all want what's best for our scholars, and I hope that you all walk away. I don't know if we need to do an affirmation tonight or something, but I

159hope that everybody walks away knowing that, seriously, you are appreciated. These might feel tough, but at the end of the day, we're all working toward the same goal, and the goal is to ensure that we can hear the parent voice, we can hear the community voice, and that we're coming together as a collective to hear the advisement that you all have for us. If we had it ourselves, we wouldn't need an advisory committee. And I know. I'm frustrated, so I know you all are frustrated at the fact that this meeting hasn't happened. I'm really clear on how. I think it should be, um, had. I think I actually am aligned with Ms. Mailhouse on how she did state what this meeting looks like. I think it just needs to be outlined in a policy, and

160I aim to do that and bring that up for… recommendation as we look at Policy 1500, um, coming up. And I do hope that you all will have. or have someone on your PTAs and PTOs for you all, if available, to do public comment, because this is something that I think, um. really should be very clear as we move forward to get you guys advisement, so… Look alive, we're doing work, um, and we do appreciate you all. Thanks. Thank you. And on that note. I'm actually going to close the floor for any other discussion, and I am going to move to adjourn this meeting at 925. PM. Can I get a motion from the floor, please? quickly. Anybody. Uh, is that when we have to just say yay or nay, or… No, just, just… No,

161let's move. I move that we close this meeting at 925 PM. Absolutely. And now you can say, okay, that's the second… And thank you all, have a great night. making you a part of it. You too, have a great night, everyone. Have a greatBye-bye