001Okay, good evening everyone and welcome to um the prayer and community advisory council's um September 3rd, 2025 meeting. The time is 7:01 and I want to call the meeting to order. Um the purpose of this meeting is for the committee to discuss um any recommendations that we um may want to bring forward today um or any district conversations that we need to have. Um but since this is our first meeting at the beginning of the new year as we are moving forward um and we are rooted in purpose what I would like us to do is move forward to roll call. Miss Lawrence, can you do roll call? I do apologize. This meeting is being recorded um and it will be on the PGCPS web page which is now diligent if I'm I'm mistaken. It's
002now diligent. It's no longer board docs. Miss Lawrence, can you do roll call, please? Give me one second. I apologize. I'm pulling it up now. Okay. Um, Will Bronson >> present. >> Thank you. >> And I apologize if I am um mispronouncing the names. Um, Gresa Heretta Okay. Gracia Hereta, District 2. No. Okay. Kamika Harris, >> present. >> Christopher Smith, Christopher Smith, District 4. Akimbra Lawrence present. Teresa Smith >> present. >> Dolores Milhouse present. >> Thea Rojas Hinton. Yosida Rojas Hinton. District 8. Okay. Candace Perkins present. >> Okay. Uh do I need to call also the >> Yes. >> leaison? >> Yeah. Well, no, you need to um the attendees, the superintendent appointees. >> Okay. Dr. Sheila Jackson, >> present. >> Mrs. Robin Welsh. Robin Welsh. Okay. Um, Travon Suki. >> Good afternoon. Present. >>
003Thank you. Miss Carletta Lundy. Carleta Lundy. >> Okay. James Williams, >> present. >> And Dr. Eveina Huggins, >> present. >> Thank you. We have quorum. >> Thank you. Thank you. and welcome everyone to our first meeting of the 2025 2026 school year. I am excited to see you all in boxes, but it was very exciting to see you all in person at our retreat to kick off the new year. Um, at this time we will move into item 3.1, adoption of the agenda. At this time, um, can we have a motion to adopt the agenda as it stands for the June, I'm sorry, September 3rd, 2025 meeting. >> So moved. >> I second. >> Thank you. Are there any objections to adopting the August um I'm sorry, this the September 3rd, 2025 agenda. Hearing none,
004the agenda is approved. We will now move into the approval of the June 4th, 2025 um meeting minutes. Are there any objections to approving the June 4th, 2025 meeting minutes? Hearing none, the meeting minutes are approved for June 4th, 2025. Um, at this time we will move into the report of the um committee chair, which would be myself. And I would want to say first, welcome everyone. I am very excited that we actually have a full council starting off this school year. So, this is a huge um um accomplishment for us as a committee. And I want to just go around rather quickly to introduce um everyone. We have District 1 representative, Mr. Will Bronson. We have District 2, who is not present today, Miss Garcia um Ureete. Um district three, Miss Kamika Harris. just
005do a quick wave in the screen. We have District 4, Mr. Christopher Smith, who is not with us this evening. Um, we have District 5, Mr. Kimber Lawrence, our recording secretary. We have District 6, our vice chair, Miss Teresa Smith. We have myself representing District 7, Dolores Milhouse. Um, District 8, who is not present with us, Miss Ysida Hinton. Um, District Nine, Miss Candace Parker. We have that um for our faith-based representative, Reverend Dr. Eveina Huggin. For our civic and community representative, Miss Carletta Lundy, who's not here today. We have our nonprofit representative, Mr. James Williams. And we have our business representative, Mr. Travon Suki. Welcome everyone. You all look so excited. Um I know it would rather be in person, but we're here, right? We're here in the Magic Squares and we are going
006to move forward and just doing a um brief summary of what we went through this past weekend for our retreat. It was very exciting. and we have some highlights that we will go into later on in the agenda. Um, but I want to say to the public that it was an opportunity for us to come together. I want to thank Miss Tasha Woodridge who is our um, board support from the board office who was there. I also want to recognize Miss Mia Barton who is also our administrative support from the board office who is transitioning Miss Woodridge in and um we can't do much of anything without them and hosting these meetings um is a lot of work and they support us in that but I do want to say that we are here representing
007the work that's happening and our um liaison for the superintendent Dr. Jackson and um Robin Welsh who is coming on um they help create a conduit for us in connecting us to what's happening on the operational side as well as making sure that we understand the impact in what we do on the policy and governance side with the board of education. So I'm very excited. Um, we we can't really see the excitement on these boxes, but I am very excited about us being here and what we will accomplish tonight and just really talking about the work that we did at the retreat and then getting some highlights from Dr. Jackson and Miss Welsh about what we will do in moving forward. And so, um, I do want to say that this agenda tonight is not
008very packed, but I wanted to make sure that we had enough time to talk about the retreat. So, I did ask Miss Welsh and Dr. Jackson to limit their presentation today. They did provide a presentation. Um, but we will have about five minutes and if you have any questions from what they're sharing, we will do so at the time. Um, we don't have our liaison with from the board who is board member Walker who she is not present tonight, is she, Miss Barton? >> No, she's coming. She's finishing up another meeting and she'll be here shortly. >> Okay. Um, and so we are also privileged to have her supporting us um this school year. And so at this time, I want to move um into the report of the superintendent designate. I want to hand
009this over to Dr. Jackson. Thank you so very much. Mrs. Milhouse has a timer started. I have five minutes. Um, I just want to thank everyone uh for being here. Uh, I have a long PowerPoint. I am not going through it, but it is your property. Now, uh, I wanted to skip down to the slide. Uh, thank you, Mrs. Milhouse for reminding me of my promise at the retreat. There's a slide, slide seven, that has the list of what we call CSI schools. um those are the schools that are going to be primarily addressed. So if you could click uh two more times I think um but it's in your PowerPoint. Um so there are u 14 I'm sorry 24 schools two of them are high schools uh and when we get into the deeper
010data dive it actually tells you why they're low performing in this last uh round of assessments. uh most of them have uh low performing student group of some kind whether it's uh uh title one whether it's um MLL uh whether it's a special education group that data will be available uh shortly it is being analyzed uh so that uh Dr. administrator can turn it into uh a presentation for the entire district for our parents. Um and on September 16th, there will be a a session, a virtual session like this one where the office of testing will review this data with the community to talk about it uh in depth as what it means and what are some of the strategies going forward to address it. Um, the another important update, uh, uh, yes, you will
011receive, uh, invitations to, and Miss Barton, I'm so sorry. I guess you're trying to find the slide. There's a slide in there that talks about the upcoming in-person uh, meetings in the community uh, with the super right there. Um, so these are the remaining ones for the rest of the year. I mean, rest of the fall. His plan was to get all of these done. uh in his first 100 days. So he has done virtual ones um covered all nine districts. Now he's beginning to do them in person. And as you look at this slide, you can see they're broken down by district and the board members will be present. A couple of them, even though they have a date, had another uh conflict. So some of them won't be present, but all of you
012are invited. you will be uh I will I am the moderator of these meetings. So, I will definitely uh recognize our PEAC members. You will have an opportunity to speak. I'm just not sure what the setup is going to be um because usually Dr. Joseph likes to walk and talk, so he may not be on a stage or anything, but we will make sure that our PCA members are are recognized and acknowledged that night. Uh so that that's the schedule that lasts through um September 30th. And I was trying to think uh if there's anything else in this PowerPoint that I need to highlight. I guess the big thing is uh we I've heard it on the radio that students need to be immunized. If they are not immunized, they will be um placed on
013the you know cannot attend school list on September 16th. So, if you all can help us get the word out in your communities that students need to be immunized and we do have free immunization clinics going on that's in this PowerPoint as well so that families can know and you can share any of the information that I have here uh with any of the members of your community. So, yes, the next slide shows where the last ones are, but parents can still uh attend. I think it's Chevrolet. Uh where they can go. Um can you click to the next one? I think that one was hidden. There we go. This is the one. So um September 13th, there are free sessions for vaccinations at James Madison Middle School on the 27th, High Point High School,
014and then people can still go to Chevrolet um health center to get free vaccinations as well. Thank you, Dr. Jackson. >> You're welcome. >> Um I I did want to You mentioned the um comprehensive support improvement um schools. >> Yes. >> Said it was in your slide deck. I don't >> Yes. Slide seven. >> Slide seven. >> Um >> just keep going. You're almost there. Can you get to it, Miss Barton? >> I have slide seven. >> Oh, I'm sorry. You know, I'm looking at my computer and it says slide seven, so I'm not sure what number that is for you. Oh, go back. Go up one slide >> right there. >> No. Oh gosh. You know what? >> What does it say? I can >> No. No. It's not in your slide deck. It's
015in mine because I added it after we started our conversation. So, everyone has the updated slide deck in their email that has the slide in it on the comprehensive uh schools, CSI schools. Um, let me see. Can I share? Can I share? >> Yes, because I don't see it in the slide that that was sent. Could you share? And and can we stop sharing? >> Okay. And if you could let me share, Miss Barton, and I'll open mine up right to that slide. And while while you're doing that, is is it possible um for the community members as well who may attend one of the listed um um sessions, inerson sessions? Should they email you to let you know that they would be in attendance? That would be perfect in that way. >> Yes. Email
016SJ SJ lowercase SJOS at PGCPS and just let me know which one you're attending and we will make sure that you are greeted effectively and I can make sure that you are recognized and I'm pretty sure the superintendent will allow you to ask questions or answer questions if you'd like to as well. So there we go. So these are the CSI schools and so there are 24 schools total. Uh 15 of them are elementary, three are middle, three K8 and three high schools. And if you look at the high schools in particular, they are on they are in this category because of low graduation rates. Um, also to the far right you'll see that the majority of these are title one schools. And so we're fortunate that um, Title One is helping to develop uh,
017the grant that's going to bring additional resources to address the needs in these schools to help them move the needle toward improvement. >> And so we have a hand raised. Um, Miss Perkins, >> it was it was in reference to the immunization. So, I can wait till we go back to that. >> Okay. And is there another list for the targeted support and improvement schools? >> There is. That's a bigger list. I will find that one and send it to you as well. Um, these are the CSI schools. The other ones are TA I mean ATSI schools. So I'll send those to you as well. And it's a total of 63 schools in all that are in the needs to improve category this year. >> So >> can you say what ATS I didn't mean
018to cut you off. Um chair >> ATS is additional targeted support and improvement. >> Exactly. um and other schools that are doing exceptionally, you know, based on exceptionally badly for any group of students um um as the bottom 5% of schools for all students. And then there's another t category for targeted support and improvement schools that are consistently underperforming for any group of students as defined by the state. And and that's what I was asking about the TSI. Um and so >> and I'm sorry I heard CSI I will get you the I will get you all all of them so that you can see them all >> and and I and I'm asking the question in this way seeing the list but understanding I I see it's also mentioned for the CSI and TSI
019and the 100 day plan what is the actual um um what are the activities that are going to be put in place to ensure that families are equipped and building their capacity and the community is also in place to support whatever initiatives um have been identified to help those students, you know, close those gaps. I know that that's going to be shared on September 16th uh when they have their um um session that's going to be they're calling it a family institute session simply because it's open to all families virtually. But that is the point of that session to talk about the strategies that are going to be put in place. >> Dr. Jackson, I had a follow-up question to this um in reference to CSI. So what it's a two-part. So what support has
020the I guess what is the date of this data? >> This data came from last year's Maryland comprehensive assessment program test of students. And so we just received it. It was embargoed until last week. Um and so parents should have received it for their children via the mail this week. Um and so it's last year's school data um from last year's assessment. However, um you know, I'm going to leave it up to the experts to really explain all this because I am not a testing expert, but I want to make sure you get the right information about them. >> No, that's fair enough. And then my second question, and this is probably for the experts, too. It sounds like this data was just given to the families or on the way. Um school's already started,
021schedules are already already in place. What is this? what does actual support look like? Um so that families can work on tangible actions to be able to help correct these, you know, disparities that these scholars have. >> Absolutely. Uh that too is going to be rolled out on September 16th. They just got the j the data. The school system just got it August like the first week of August and they had to go through it. they had to organize it so they can share it. And then meanwhile when that data came uh the superintendent started mobilizing teams to come up with first of all look at what what are the needs areas and then what are the strategies that we can put in place. And so that all will be discussed on starting September 16th.
022And and it is unfortunate um that the data again took all summer to get here. Um, so the school system didn't even have time to to react to it. When it did come, it was embargoed, so we couldn't even start talking about it uh with the public until now. So, you're right, schedules had been set, you know, all of that um information. And so, one of the reasons that we were able to squeeze a a session in in September uh was because of that. We want to make sure when parents get that data, they know early on uh and this is early according to the beginning of the school year early on what additional support uh we might need to put in place for their children. So I already know that we're increasing tutoring programs.
023We're increasing uh targeted support for different subgroups of students who may be struggling. Um but I don't have the details for that yet. Could I take that question also be Dr. Jackson, will this additional support, what does this look like financially for the county? Is it going to be that we will have to add additional staff to support parents at the beginning of the school year? What exactly is the black and white when it comes to support? What are the resource count? What is the mobilization? What is the followup? Um that sort of things. Can we add that to the questions for the SME to hopefully answer for the community? >> Absolutely. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. >> And so, thank you for recording this meeting because I have those questions and I can make sure they're
024going to be answered. >> Thank Thank you so much. Are are there any other questions? >> Okay. Um, next we'll move on to Miss Welsh. Welcome, Miss Welsh. >> Hello. I'm trying to stop sharing. I'm sorry. Let me stop. >> Oh, >> there you go. >> I apologize for being late. I could not find my link. So, I emailed I text, I called finally, and Muriel sent it to me, so I was able to get on. So, I apologize. I I did send um actually Muriel Muriel sent out for me uh several things to all the members of Pac. Um but very briefly because I know our time is short is to share I'll go through each of the items very quickly. I think at the last PAC meeting there was a question about what
025are the the u policies that will be worked on for this upcoming school year. So just to give you a little background, the policies how they're determined is the superintendent first is required to provide recommendation on policies he think should be addressed and then board members absolutely um as well as the policy committee uh come up with any other policies that they feel that need to be addressed. And many times the policies that they recommend to be addressed are based on what they have information or requests from their constituents. And so then that goes on the list. So, Muriel, if you'll go to the second page, please. Um, oh, no, that's not the second page. Is there sec? There's three. Yes, thank you. Scroll down. Thank you. So, this is the list for this upcoming
026uh school year. Uh, and several of these are also on the list because of um legal requirements in in terms of they have to be updated. But these are the Oh, sorry. These are the ones that would be um included. This right now does also include the what the um board of education members had asked have included. And then if you scroll down a little bit further uh to the ne keep going there's a whole section of uh policies that we are requesting that they will be rescended. And most of these are they're they're either redundant because they're already addressed in another uh policy. So there's no reason to have a second policy or else they um they're not they no longer up to date. for example, uh newspaper advertising. We don't do any advertising
027through the newspaper anymore. Everything is on the website, you know, electronic things like that. So, those are the ones that are um the the recommendation will be to resend them. And then if you scroll down further, this section uh and this is all in the policy um the policy undeveloping policies. What are the requirements? So, these meet the requirements what's in that policy. Then there's a whole section component three which has to do with what administrative procedures need to be developed to to um align with the policies and most of these policies are policies that were addressed this past school year. And so now the administrative procedures need to be updated to so that they're aligning with the new policies or the revised policies. And then the last section is um I think there's one
028policy that um that is a recommendation um that we have an AP on immunizations but we have no policy on that. So we need to have a policy but that drives the actual AP. So that will be another policy that will be addressed this upcoming school year. So that's that's it for what the recommendation is for this upcoming school year. Um do you want me to just keep going and then if there's any questions we can stop at the end. Miss Milhorse. Okay. And then um if you would go then uh Mia to the page that has what you there. There you go. So, at the August 19th committee meeting, um they did address that work plan we just shared. And then we did talk about um policy 8100. And that's an important policy that
029I wanted to bring up tonight only because in the conversation that the committee had, they actually so the the the board of education has several um committees that are standing committees. Uh there's policy and governance. There's the Balfo committee which has to do with operations. There's the academic uh policy and the audit uh comm I mean um academic uh committee and then there's the audit committee. And so um and in the past it talked about f like five usually it's like four or five board members that sit on each of these uh committees. And so the recommendation came up for um the possibility of having a parent or community member sit in each one of these standing committees. So there this policy will be coming back up um in the September 16th meeting. Um I
030have put in language to address their request the committee's request as well as some other language in terms of the should be there should be a committee that um addresses the evaluation of the superintendent and actually a committee that addresses the evaluation of the board of education and that has not been in place and so we have added it to 8100 to ensure that it for the future moving forward those those things will be happening. So um that that was one that we discussed but it will be coming back up again. And then evaluation evaluating the superintendent and the participation in meetings electronically. Neither of those actually ended up coming um up for in the August 19th meeting. So they'll be at the September 16th meeting. And then these other meetings are ones the other
031policies are ones that where the request is to resend which is exactly what I just showed you on the other page. And then we had no policies right now that are out for community for public comment. And then we have policies that are moving to the board for first reader and that will be telealth and community schools. So that that was basically um in terms of policy the conversation at the August 19th policy and governance committee meeting. And then um that what what took most of the time in the policy and governance committee was the next item uh um Mia can you share? Yes. So, um, this summer I spent a lot of time, uh, meeting with each of the chiefs and getting information from them on what they thought were should be the priorities
032for the school system, what areas of concern they have, areas that um, where we have need and we will probably need more than anything financial support to address many of the issues. And so, a wide number of things came up. But then uh the committee asked that we identify uh four major priorities and of them the four that came to the surface were special education uh which is an important one. First of all, we have over 11% of our students receive special education services. And if you look at their test scores and um and their needs and stuff, that is an area that we continue to need assistance, resources, additional funding to be able to pro provide the kinds of programs that these students need so they can be successful. And then I'm going to
033jump down to number three, which has to do with programs to address multilingual students academic achievement challenges. And so that's the sec second priority and that is actually um critically important also because 40.1% of our population is actually um uh considered to be a multilingual students and they and they face not only do they face trying to learn the content in their classes but many of them it's learning the mastery of the English language and when you learn English you first learn it socially and then the academic language comes later and that's definitely much harder and much more complex. So, the school system faces not just the regular instructional challenges of making sure the students master the content but also master the language and that's a a critical piece uh for us. So, that is
034another priority and then construction of facilities is one and that's was a a priority identified last year but we we still have issues with you know healthy school buildings and renovating aging school buildings. over 50% of our schools are 40 plus years old. And so even though we want to get into renovations and we want to build new buildings, when you have a building that the HVAC system breaks down or whatever, you absolutely have to repair it and of course that costs money and then that's pulling money from our ability to move forward in doing renovations and building new buildings. So, it's an ongoing problem that we really need to have need assistance with financially uh because of so many old buildings we have. And then the last major priority is safe and secure environments
035for students and staff because ultimately if a student is not in a safe and secure environment and they don't feel safe and secure, it makes it 10 times harder for them to learn if they are stressed by what's happening in the school. And so, uh, the the the safety and security services, uh, department, they're looking at, uh, replacing of the cameras. Right now, we have analog cameras and they're moving to digital cameras because they they those types of cameras have much more capability as well as then um more um, uh, security enhancement devices they're looking at for to move into some of the middle schools. And then they have tried vape detector sensors in two of the high schools and have noticed that they're seeing uh not it does pick up students who smoke, but
036it also has picked up students who are doing um drugs and stuff. And so that's been helpful in in reducing those students um reducing the number of those students. And then finally the um emergency response at the elementary level. They're looking at alert systems for that. So that that is that's a major area and we continue to need the grant funding that they offer and more of it so that we because our needs are are pretty significant in this area and we need to do it. And then the ongoing priorities which uh we labeled as key measures for um future success are of course maintain local board autonomy because the board the board is really um responsible for the governance of the school system and then implementation of the blueprint and then overall adequate school
037funding. As you know, last year they they were a lot of it got reduced but they really made they were moving forward the legislature was moving forward to making bigger cuts in the blueprint funding and fortunately uh not as much was cut but still some was cut. So ideally we'd like to have that funding replaced. Um and then a recruitment and retention of teachers is always an ongoing uh issue under educational enrichment. We really the purpose of that one is to really point out that we don't want legislators dictating curriculum that that is the responsibility of the state uh department of education first of all to provide the content standards and then it is the responsibility of the school system where we have uh staff um working under the direction of um the uh the
038chief of academics to put together write the curriculum to so that it addresses the content standards and then um and then the board of education that approves that. So that's a local function that should not be dictated by legislators. And then of course student welfare, which goes to things like um counselors and uh mental health uh providers um like even drug addiction uh providers um therapists uh those types of things as well as like um I'm just trying to think some the immunizations that's another area of concern. just making sure that it's available for students. And then sustainability goes to the whole issue of ensuring that we um have our schools are green, that we are using green cleaning products, that we are and the new schools as they're being built, they're set up in
039a way so that they are conserving energy. uh the electric buses which cost a lot more money and then the infrastructure for those and then information technology really goes to getting we the recommendation is some guidance from the um from the MSTE related to for example the dos and don'ts of um AI and also accessibility and then charter schools have to do with of course the accountability both fiscally and academically and then shared solutions really go to addressing um um past legislation where that it was passed or wasn't passed. Legislation that wasn't passed that we wanted to have passed that we maybe we can work together with legislators to move that forward. And also some legislation that did pass that was not um that the school system was not uh pleased about and actually had
040some negative consequences for the school system. So that is the big picture. It's a summarization and the board of education on the 21st then at the board of ed meeting they did vote and they did approve these legislative priorities and I do believe that you each of you did receive an invitation to legislative day which is on September 19th of which will then be an opportunity to work with the legislators to really talk about these priorities and identify ways of moving forward with them. >> Thank you Miss Miss that was a lot. Well, I you said talk fast because >> I mean I I Yeah, that was a lot. Um, Miss Miss Smith hand. Miss Smith, are you are you with us? >> Oh, I didn't realize my camera was off. I am definitely with
041you all. >> That was a lot of good information. And and because of time, I want to just throw this over to Miss Smith and have her to ask her question. Um, but as always, Miss Welsh, it you you bring a wealth of information. Um, and we probably just need to have a session for you so we can kind of dig in to understand how is that really a key measure for future success because it just looks like a list of things, but there is nothing that shows how you are actually, you know, doing anything specific and it's, you know, measurable and it's, you know, all those things that should go with it. But I want to throw it to Miss Smith. Can can I just tell you one quick thing about those that list
042of key measures? So that that was a quick summary for the board, but the platform itself is developed. It's in draft stage right now, but it will be finalized and it will have many of the details you're requesting. >> It's just not there yet. So >> measurable details because maintaining local board autonomy, I I would love to see how that that measurement impacts what's happening in the classroom. Miss Smith. >> Okay, great. I going back to mute. >> Got two questions about um the first legislative priority dealing with Oh my goodness. Can you guys hear me? >> Yeah, but in and out. You're going >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Hopefully you guys can hear me. Not sure what's going on here. got two questions about um the first legislative
043priority dealing with special education. I wanted to know if you could share if there is um a legislative proposal or partnership that's currently being discussed at either the county or state level to ensure that the funding and the workforce priorities are actually going to be achieved for special education. Then the second question is given that we have these ongoing shortages for special educators as well as the related service providers. I wanted to know how is PGCPS planning to use you know their advocacy um efforts on legislative day to secure long-term solutions for both staffing and funding stability. So um the f well first of all we have uh Trenel Bowman has put together uh in detail the different um the expenditures that we have that are the things that are not funded currently but absolutely
044we need in terms of the programming for students as well as for compliance. Um and so that is a critical piece that uh we will be uh sharing with those legislators on legislative day and having conversations with them. Uh you know that all the conversation occurs on legislative day. Of course, there's no guarantees of what ends up happening, but it is provides us with an opportunity to at least really express what our needs are so that they they have a better understanding. And it's not like we're just saying, "Oh, we need this," but that we can give documentation for what that uh and the data to support why it is that we need those types of things. As far as ensuring they won't take funding away, um I mean that that is actually in the
045actual booklet that I'm working on right now that that's that shows up several different places because we don't want them to touch any funding. But often times it's it's uncertain how it will play out because there's many other uh out things out there unrelated to us even that will impact what's happening in the overall state budget that could ultimately come to you know impact us. Uh but we will continue in working with the legislators and our goal is in having the conversation we have with the legislators at legislative day that we do get receive some type of commitment that they are willing to you know really work for us to move forward and ensure that we continue to receive and continue to get more funding in the world of special education. >> Thank you. Dolores,
046are you still here? >> You're muted. >> I am. I'm sorry. I'm I'm I was talking. I'm sorry. I said, "Were there any other questions?" Miss Perkins, I see your hand. >> Thank you, Miss Milhouse. Um, this was a lot. Thank you for the information, Miss Welsh. Um, in regards to legislation day, um, would it be possible for you to put or I'll just say the county to put together some point pointers or some tips or something for parents to understand how to digest all of this information. I think we have an understanding because of our level of involvement when it comes to um advocating, but for the average parent that is trying to be aware and educate themselves on what they can do to help move this on a state national level. It would
047be nice if you guys if the county was able to provide just some quick tips and if they can't show up, how can they write in and who do they write to? So that would be super helpful for us to be able to share back with our community. So because let's be honest, everyone's not going to be able to participate in person. However, if we can get them to activate their voices in multiple ways, I think that would be just as impactful. But they need to be able to understand this. >> You're on mute, Robin. >> Okay. Well, I um I I want to state something as well for um and what Miss Perkins was stating. Um I I think it's important to make sure that um the community also understands the um you know
048I I see here the legislative priorities and then when you see this key measures for future success there's not always going to be an alignment with the community um with what the board has um approved as a priority. So, um I I think it would be very impactful for the community to understand um the why these are priorities and how they resonate um or impact the classroom directly. And then when we're looking at key measures um you know really identifying the these key measures that really impact the classroom um and and and provide the um the support and resources where um they are definitely needed and we've had a very robust discussion during our retreat about um special education itself and and the work that's going on around it and the support that's needed um
049especially in the realm of accountability. So, when we're talking about pushing for legislation, that really moves into that role of um having some things in place that support the accountability aspect of it. And when we're talking about um supporting legislative priorities um understanding that the individuals that are being impacted by this day in and day out um are the families in the classrooms or the families in the school community um itself and the school houses and what this really means um because there may be a difference of opinion between what the board has decided to push forward um and what does that legislation mean these are priorities, but what are we asking for in the legislation as a whole? Um, are are there any other questions, comments? Board member Walker, I see that you you
050are here. Are are you you you have your hand up? I'm not sure. Um, okay, maybe not. Um, so if there are no other questions about the legislative priorities as well as the policy and I want to state this is a very important piece for the policy. Um, if getting individuals to not only review the policies but provide feedback is very very important. Um, the policy meetings happen at what 5 p.m. I think. I think at 5:00 p.m. Um, and so making sure that when the policies go out and and I'm confused a little bit about the new platform that's being used, Diligent, so I'm not quite sure how to tell people how to navigate Diligent, but um, we're no longer on board doc. So those board policies um they are uploaded on the new
051diligent site for you to review. You have to submit um and maybe that's something that we can work on getting and putting in place. Um making sure that people understand the process and navigating how to access the policies, right? And then also how to submit a request to um speak at the policy and governance meeting to provide input. Um, I think that's very important right now, especially since there's been a change that happened during the summertime. So, I'm not sure what's being rolled out, but board member Walker, thank you for coming. Did you have something to add quickly before we move to um the next item? >> Yes, absolutely. I'm going to make this really short. Thank you so much for having me. Um, I know I'm not a member of the committee. I just
052wanted to add into the legislative platform. So, I think there's a couple good nuggets that I can add here. The first is good news is that um there was a survey that was sent to Peacock for input. Um but I can resend it because it was over the summer I feel like and you all might not have gotten it. I know you all have like a lot of stuff going on. So I can resend that to make sure that we can populate that within the legislative platform. So one of the things we push for as a board cuz we were doing legislative day in November. That's way too late. We need to get to our legislators very early. So, we pushed to have it in September and it will be September 19th. So, what I
053can do is send you guys um sorry, the link to the survey again. I'll send it to you. I'm not going to send it to everybody, but I'll send it to you to be able to send out and if people wanted to add into that, um I'll be the facilitator at the event. So, I'll be able to at least incorporate that input into um what I speak on there um from the perspective of parents, at least from you all right now. And then I did hear Candace talk about um what we can put together as kind of a one pager on how parents can advocate throughout the course of the year. I think that was an excellent idea. So uh I don't know that it'll be PGCPS that does that versus like the PG PNG
054committee, but I love that idea. So I'm happy to work on that as well. Um if there's anything I mean you can send me a targeted note like hey based on I didn't hear when Robin was talking about them but based on these four priorities and these other shared uh I think we call them like shared leadership priorities this is what we want in incorporated and I can make sure I add that into the talk that I do for um legislative day as well. And then I'm also happy to talk to the committee about um the goal of the discussion. Like for instance, there's topics like the topic called shared leadership or I forget what it's called. I think it's called shared leadership, but the topic of that is really around looking at legislation that
055didn't go through and talking about are there ways to amend this um based on what it currently says so that we can make the best use of PGCPS dollars and resources for instance. So you might not get that just from looking at the title is my is my point. So it might be great for just an understanding of what those things are. I'm not sure what Robin went through today, but I'm happy to do that if needed. So that's all I was going to add. Thanks >> Robin. Miss Wilshine >> and and just to follow up that we um that you will be um probably by the next meeting receiving the full platform that has much of the detail and a lot of the data to support what how the board and the administration came
056together to identify these as the priorities. And the other thing you asked about was finding policies on diligence. So I must say that I was on the phone today with Cindy Helen saying help me through this thing. I can't even find the past meetings. where are they? And because I use that a lot. I go back to archive meetings to pull information up. So, what I will do is talk to her about um maybe we can put like a cheat sheet together that would lay out like the steps to find things because it it is I I mean I was having difficulty trying to find things. So, we and I'm sure for for parents and stuff, it's even more difficult. So, we can go ahead and and get that worked out. >> Yeah. And and
057I won't even call a cheat sheet. I mean some videos, some information videos like we just need to do a better job. >> Important that when it came out, all of these things are rolling out, but they're rolling out during the summertime >> and and parents are on summer break, right? And so when when there's a roll out on information, that creates a gap >> for people that don't really understand what's happening. >> Um and so um that would be great. But you said having the information by the next meeting. If this is taking place on the 19th, that's not a much time. Um, it is the 19th, correct? September the 19th. >> Like that's not me. Just an FYI. >> That was the timer. >> Okay. All right. Um, but you It's September 19th,
058correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. So, um, you you're saying that we would have some information about the development of these priorities and some background information by you said the next meeting. Uh, >> so we could we could um certainly share that information and and board member Walker might uh have some thoughts on this too, but share information as we pull. Right now, I'm gathering a lot of data for each of the different priorities and we could certainly share that information. and the actual platform the the finalized the actual whole version I part of it is um I had spoken with Dr. Collins today about this and she thinks it would be wise to wait till after the actual um um legislative day because in the conversations with the legislators there may be information that we
059gain from it that will help us actually um add more to the platform. So, but the committee will be meeting on the 16th and that will be they are the decision makers so they can final I mean I'll be working on the platform the whole time put adding things into it so they can make a you know final decision how they want to do so um and maybe um board member Walker wants to speak to that. So, yeah. So, here's a couple things I can commit to, especially having heard the latter part. What I can commit to is sending you guys information tomorrow. That information will be directly to the chair, uh, chair mailhouse, and it will talk about what, um, Robin talked about tonight. I wasn't on the phone for it, but I do
060know our four priorities, and I know, um, the remainder. So, I'll get with Robin tomorrow. I will send a um, a message to the chair to say, "Hey, this is what it is." Because we're so early on, it hasn't happened like this before. you guys like legislative day has been like November and what we recognize is that's way too late to influence and so we're at this point of pulling it together because it's right around the corner, okay? Like literally right after the summertime into right now. So what I will do is I will send the priorities and I will send like a little blurb under each one. I will talk to the chair and we'll get you um you all's input or at least for her to be able to send it for you
061guys input and I can commit to making sure that I intertwine that all of you all are invited. I hope you all got the invitation for that. If not, we'll make sure you all get the invitation for the legislative day. Okay? And inside of that, I will make sure that you all have a blurb of what it is we're going to be talking about or what we mean at the legislative day itself. And mind you, this is not in stone, okay? As we're talking, these are just priorities of what we're talking to legislators about from January to April, okay? Like, we're going in, we're going hard on these top priorities. The other ones are very important. and they're part of the legislative platform. We will also have for you all what we give to legislators
062which is a little packet. It's not designed yet but it will be not only the topics but the blurb for each one. You all will have access to that. Okay. The reason why you all are invited is because this year specifically this year it's the first time we're going to have a working session which means that you all will be involved with the legislators. Those of you all who are able to come will be involved with the legislators to talk about the key topics. Okay. So that is important to know too. It's the first year ever that that has been done and so we want to make sure that PAX voice is heard. So we're going to do that. Um what other points should I talk about about legislative day? Did you all have any
063other questions chair that was about legislative day that I should talk about or >> No. Um if you know what one of the things that you didn't hear when you know um is that >> you know as I shared from my perspective um having an understanding of the background and how these priorities came about the how they align with of course the Maryland state plans the various plans that are out there that align with the classroom but based on what the board came up with it doesn't always mean that the community is going to line with that and so I I am not big on here. Here's some talk points and say this especially if you know there has been no opportunity to really understand >> the the the method behind the reason behind none
064of that. So that's really it. So whatever you said that you were going to provide that would very helpful. >> Um Miss >> and let me add this to Oh, I'm sorry. >> Okay. So, let me before you add anything, I want to get to Miss Smith and Miss Perkins because I don't want to um belabor this too much, but Miss Smith, >> just real quick, um in light of hearing that there will be a work in session this year, I would like to recommend that the disability issues advisory board is also invited to legislative day considering that special education is one of the top priorities. I believe that there are members um of that board that will have fruitful information information to be shared >> in CCAC because CCAC that's that's their focus area
065and in D is supposed to be ADA with a piece of special education. So the the special education group is CCAC, right? So if we're talking about the other advisory groups, DIAB and CCAC, if we're talking about the invitation of um other advisory groups, Miss Perkins, >> thank you. Um Miss Milhouse, um Miss B, Miss Walker, maybe I hope that you can answer this. Don't mean to put you on the spot. Um, last year there were students invited to legislation day. This year, will there be scholars invited as well? Um, and if so, will there be a mix of some sort of representation from the county this year? Is it available for me to speak? >> That's just to the chair. Sorry. Is it time or you going to go through? Miss Perkins is she's
066yes she's presented the question. >> Oh absolutely. So thank you so much. So the um invit so where we're having it is cross high school. Okay. And their specific space that they have available to us is very limited. And so we were very strategic on who we were inviting which is why I pushed for Pac to be there because I want to hear the parents voice. So what I will do now is based on the RSVPs that have come in, take a look at what additional opportunities we have in order to invite additional people and take into consideration with the committee about the DIAB in the in the in the CCAP um and see what can be there. But was what was important to me quite frankly was to make sure PCA was there. And
067so if we can um vice chair if we can submit the questions that PCA might have and be able to talk to that and I will on a back end see how many additional invitations we have. I am absolutely happy to welcome the community um specifically around those advisory committees. But for for for sure my um commitment and push was to ensure PAC was there to be able to bring the parents voice and I was successful at that and that's why and we're ensuring that that happens. The other thing I wanted to tell you all is another thing I pushed really hard for was to have this earlier so we could get influence into the legislative um the legislative discussion which was from um January to April. Right? So we know we need to influence
068from January to April, but we know that some type of discussions are happening within um like the summertime months, etc. So that did happen. Now we're in September and we're having it even earlier. What the problem is that we're recognizing which we didn't recognize before is that guess what? September is right after the holiday. And what that means after the summer break is we didn't have time. So what we have to decide now, don't forget this is the third time we're having a legislative day. Okay? only the third time, the first time, the second time, and we learn each one. So now what we recognize that in September, even though I want to get earlier, and we push for earlier, it's right after the holiday. So what do we do? Do we say no, not
069September when we can influence because we know that's the time or do we wait until November, which we know is too late. So what do we do? So as a board, as a PNG committee, which I'm on as well, we have to balance that. And so the balance was no, we want earlier. What that means is that now because we want earlier, we got to get information and access to y'all during the summertime, which nobody likes. This is the first year and we're going to get better every year. So, I apologize. Honestly, I really apologize for the lateness or the summertime when parents aren't available. Maybe we can move it to October and take our chances, but we really want to get input from you all. So, I will commit to the things I committed
070to and um and be diligent with that. Okay. Okay. So, I do apologize that we pushed it earlier and we pushed it to the edge of the summer time. >> So, I do apologize for that, but I just wanted to get in early because we experienced legislative day before and sometimes it's too late for impact >> and we needed early impact. And it it would be good to know for the last two legislative days that I attended. um you know um I I would like to know um what what was the success um what were the goals going in and what was the success rate and Robin I don't know if you have what you your office did and what that looked like and what was pushed and what legislation was um approved or you
071were able to kind of stop and what un unfunded mandates but it would be good to see um what the success rate was for the last two years. That would be very helpful as well. Miss Lawrence, thank you, Miss Board Member Walker. Miss Lawrence. >> Um, so I just wanted to board member Walker just to go back to clarify what you said. So you said, um, well, one point of what you said, you would like for questions from DAB and CCAC to come to you and you will see I just want to make sure I got that correct. you will see if there's space to then invite them based on the questions or did I misinterpret that? >> No, you didn't misinterpret that. What I was saying is that at Crossland High School, we have
072about 80 people who can come. Okay. So, what we recognize is that for legislative day, we need to get in front of our senators and our delegates because they're the ones who are putting together the legislation. So, we got to count those people. Then, I pushed to ensure or we pushed to ensure that there was the parent voice there. And what's the parent voice going to be? PCA. So, we wanted to make sure all of y'all were invited because that represents our entire community and our and our um community partners. So, yes, you're at the table. Then, we had to rec then we had to make sure that PGCPS experts were also there because we're going to be talking about legislation that's around curriculum. Like, don't legislate on curriculum, but let me tell you what
073the data is. Then I got to have all the people there for the chiefs because they represent those departments for special education, etc. But the point is with 80 total seats that we have and why did we choose to have it at a location that only had 80 seats? I know somebody might say that. Well, we've had it at other locations before, but what was important to us that we had to prioritize was to have it at a school number one and then to have it where CTE locations are as well. So, Crossland is the hub in the south and to have it in the south. >> Okay. So, it doesn't usually happen in the south. Miss uh Milhouse, Chair Milhouse can let you know. So now this is in the south. Okay. So there's
074a lot of my point is that there's a lot of different facets to where it is we have it thus constrained. Okay. So now I want to make sure the right people are in right room. So to answer your question directly I do have to because we have 80. So I do have to wait for those RSVPs to come in so that I can see who's not able to come. Not all legislators are able to come. So I do want all the voices at the table. So the recommendation I had was, hey, since there is a member on this committee that is a DIAB representative, let's just get all the input that they might have too, so you could potentially ask those questions when we open a dialogue around special education in the event that
075they're able to come. In the I'm sorry, in the event that they're not able to come. If they are able to come, I think it's great. But because we haven't had a connection um before then because everything happened in the summer, because guess what? We pushed to bring it earlier. It's all a ripple effect. And so now we're learning and we recognize that maybe we need to have this in October to have you all's voice. I Lolita pushed to have it as early as possible, which equals September. So I did that without having talked to you guys. My bad. So let me apologize. But I did it because what I recognized the gap was is that we were doing it way too late for influence. So I'm trying to influence early. And so I'm going
076to try to get you guys voice as much as possible, but we are limited on seats. Thanks, chair. >> Thank you, Miss Walker. Um, are there any other questions? I I know it's still I guess we'll get back to see how many students because it's definitely important for the student voice to be present. Um, I know we have the student board member. I don't know if anyone else from pregrass is going. >> Yeah, there's going to be I apologize. There will be scholars there. We haven't opened it up because what we're what we're we're not able to pay for this year is be able to be bust in as they were last time. So, we will have scholars there that probably represent Crossland and then our PE our um student board member would be there,
077but we'll be taking all of the feedback. So, there absolutely will be scholars there. I just next year what we can do is get you guys input which is going to be phenomenal in order to move into bringing scholars from across the districts. Honestly, this year you guys I was trying to make up for the gaps that we've had in previous years. This is only year three so we only get better with time. Okay, >> Miss Perkins, >> one more thing board member Walker then I will stop talking about this topic. Perhaps if we can just get um the PGAS um scholar board member involved in creating a survey to send out to the peers so that they that those people, you know, that representative can still have the voice of the scholars so that
078they're aware that this is happening. We don't necessarily need everyone in the room physically. I get that. I understand that with space constraint, but maybe that's another way that we can continue to have voice representation as well. >> That's amazing. Yeah, I'll take care of that. Thank you so much. That's a great um solutions focus idea. Thanks. >> Are there any other comments, questions, suggestions? >> Board board member chair house. Um I'm sorry to have my hand raised, but she says suggestion. I'm just going to just put this out here. legislative day I think is very important and I would hate for us to have a barrier as it relates to space limitation considering we got we have tons of schools in this district. Um, so I I I would like us to just consider
079if we have to switch a location due to the number of attendees that we we keep that in mind that we consider that. >> Thank you so much. >> Okay, so let us move on. Um we are now on item 7.1, the PCAC August 30th, 2025 board retreat. Um we had some really robust conversations that came out of that and um some of that also included making sure that people voices were heard. Um we um discussed items um about forming subcommittees to provide um focus attention recommendations to the following areas. Um, one of the areas was transportation which aligned with PGCPS strategic outcome goal number one, the interim superintendent 100day plan goal number six. Um, we spoke about special education, PGCPS strategic outcome goal number one, and interim superintendent 100-day plan number three, academics. Um,
080we also spoke about accountability. How are we monitoring and evaluating implementation? We meaning PGCPS implementation of goals and um commitments that they have. >> And so what I would like to do is put a pin in that right there so we can begin to formulate some more conversation around the subcommittees. And as we're talking about legislative day and one of their priorities is special education. That was a very big topic for us. Um, at this point, um, I just feel like we've just gone over a bunch of information in to transition into this next topic. Um, almost seems as if I'm not doing um, due diligence to what we just discussed. But when we're thinking about the subcommittees and the areas that are impacting us um or pain points in the community um transportation, special
081education, accountability um for all of these things um we also mentioned the youth summit, right, a student night. So what does that look like um as we even move into preparing to participate in legislative day? So, I want to open the floor up for discussion if anyone was having any thoughts outside of the meeting about um subcommittees. Um what were some of the things that you took away from our retreat and um what would you like to suggest as a subcommittee um that we can begin to move on? Chair Milhouse, just wanted to um correct the fir the transportation aligns with uh strategic outcome goal number three. >> Okay, so they're both active. >> Um no, the transportation alignment is strategic outcome goal number three and then um 100 day plan goal number six. >>
082Okay. >> Operations. >> Okay. Thank you for that. >> Sure. questions, comments, the floor is open. We're not going to be here all night. So, Miss Smith, yeah, I don't want to be here all night. Um, so if the question I don't know if the question is, should we have the sub committees? That's the question. I absolutely do think that PAC um it would be good for PAC to have these two subcommittees as it relates to special education and transportation. Um special educa as it relates to special education. It's a broad term. Um, and I don't know if we as a council would like to break it down a little further on what we believe we could um try to tackle under that umbrella. Um, nationwide there's an attack on special education and there is
083um there are barriers that we have here at the state level as well. So I think that there are a lot of things that can be addressed but we want to have some wins. Um so I guess my suggestion would be that that we consider if we have these two subcommittees um what it is that we feel that PCA could actually achieve and perhaps even collaborate with the other two board council groups. Um and so from an advisory standpoint, um it, you know, the the presentation that the special education department had done a couple of months ago, um to me is always a great starting point in looking at the policies and any administrative procedures that are out there. Um we're not here to reinvent the wheel or anything, but really just address some of
084the pain points. And so if we take the strategic plan and we look at the 100 day plan as well as that presentation that was done by Miss Bowman or Dr. Bowman and her team um to me that's a great starting point to identify where there may be a lack of alignment with um legislation um since we're moving into legislative priority one um and then really talk about the impact of that. Um, one of the big things when we're talking about the targeted um, um, support improvement schools and the comprehensive support improvement schools, um, many of those schools are now, um, under this oversight with the state, um, MSDE because of the students that fall in the category of special education, right? And and so um one of the things that would really be helpful
085is to understand as we're asking the question about CSI and TSI, what does that look like? Um as it relates to the support system and Mr. Williams, if I can, you know, I want to piggyback on you real quick because of what you do with college track. I don't know how many students you have that may have a IEP or a 504 plan, right? and then the support there. What would that look like for the families who their child is focused on the career track for college? What are we doing as a community? So, we're hearing resources. We're hearing oversight. We're hearing support. But as I'm reading, there's a disconnect between what the school system continues to present in how this relates to the family engagement piece, Dr. Jackson, your piece. Right. And so in
086the advisement piece on where we sit, how do we help identify opportunities for that? So I want to um if I could put a pin in you, Miss Smith, then Mr. Suki had his hand up and then Mr. Williams, I believe that was the order. Um >> good evening everyone. Um so this is a lot. It's like drinking from a fire hose here. >> Um, so I'm just trying to take it all in. >> The first my first question is then is what is an immediate to-do list for us as uh I guess board members. Um, excuse my informalities with with bureaucracy. my first time doing this, so I apologize for um any proverity, but what is our to-do list for um you know, so we can acclimate ourselves to what's going on. We can
087prepare oursel because it sounds like their big our first big meeting is on the 19th and we want to um we definitely want to be educated or equipped to make proper decisions or to guide the legislators in the proper decisions. Um and uh so what do we have to do immediately? I one of them sounds like review the special education research plan and the next question after that do we have a repository of um data that has been that data from past actions and the output and the outcome that has happened from them. for example, maybe a policy that's happened 10 years ago and and how we've seen how it actually affected us in this long term because let's be real, policy doesn't really affect us in the first year, second year, or third year.
088It's a you have to think decades long for these things to build up off one another. >> So, do we have a a library of that information? Um, >> and yeah, just a way an organized an organized areas for us to go to acclimate ourselves to what's going on. Mhm. So the first part of the question um was our first big meeting and how we get prepared for the this is our first big meeting. Th this is our meeting. Legislative day is not our meeting. Um the invitation to legislative day is um something we've done in the past and we're we're in the room to really highlight what we're doing as you know the family stakeholders and community stakeholders collectively to advise on a lot of things that's happening. Um I I can say um
089what just happened with legislative the priorities that were introduced was was new to everybody tonight. We we got that for today's meeting. Um, there are some things that I will make sure that I bring you up to speed. Prior to the 19th, you asked about policy. Policy 1500 governs what we do as PACA. Um, the policy was recently updated when we were brought back into place what, 3 years ago? Um, yeah, three years ago, cuz this is my fourth year. And so, um, I also have a report that I can share with you so you can see what we presented. I would say definitely one of our first priorities is based on policy 1500 is to meet with the board and the superintendent how it's outlined. Um, yeah, I think we can cut those off.
090Think um outlining a policy because that will really help guide what we're doing. Um to be honest with you, when we're not having those meetings, we're really shooting in air based on the pain points that we hear in the community and what our own experiences have been. Um and so right now um we have not unfortunately been able to meet as a committee with the board as a whole um or as with the superintendent um and historically it just has not happened over the past three years. So, um, one of the big thing things that we will need to do is, you know, we will send another email as we've always done in requesting for the board to provide a date that we will all meet um, as a collective whole so we can understand
091what the priorities um are for the school year. And I'm I'm assuming right now that we know the legislative priorities are the four that were introduced. >> Okay, cool. and and so this is a lot that's happening. Um and so yeah. >> Okay. >> Um it does it does. Um but the second question is do I'm think I'm missing dates and other information that's coming down the pipeline. Um, do we have like a Google calendar subscription or a Google calendar with where everyone can just connect to that one calendar and you have all your events listed and what's going on or is it just we have to um sort through our emails to see what what's available? >> So, Miss Barton is is there a way that we can connect everybody? So, we only have
092one PCA account, one PCA email box, and so we can send the calendar invites and you can just add them to your personal calendar. >> Um, that way, Miss Barton, right? Because the meeting should have gone out that way already. >> Yes. So, >> what I mean other than just referring to the board's web page to see what meetings are coming up, um, legislative day will be on that meeting on on the web page. Um, but as far as like events with Pekk, I don't know if you guys have that. >> We don't have any. >> Okay. >> So, you you just have your meetings and then you had your retreat. >> Just the meeting. We had the retreat. So, Mr. Suki we don't have what generally happens is we will get an email or
093invitation to meet with a particular group right and they are just saying hey we would like to present you know um a proposal that we're submitting to the board we would like your feedback um let's just say it's from the academic committee they may send something um well not the academic committee but the office and they may want to talk to us or it's special education that may want to provide, you know, a example of their presentation before they present to the board to get feedback. That's how it has typically gone. We don't have a set um calendar of meetings other than our standing meeting for the first Wednesday. >> Correct. >> Um we >> Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. Um because if you if we do use the G Suite or the Google Google mail,
094you if you do have a calendar, um you can share it with us and then um we can add it to our and it'll be in we can add it to our calendar list. So we can definitely see everything if we just select that one calendar. And that was just suggestion if um because if again if someone misses a meeting or that or they don't know that they can check the uh the website for upcoming events then that can be a solution for that. Um and then that was um technology wise asked about a library of information. Do we have that? We have that library information from past. I know you talked about >> So we do have the Google drive which you know you you all well let's just be clear about that. It
095was my personal drive that I'm now moving over now that we have a PAC email box. Um, and just for background and context, we don't have a budget. Um, you know, we we we did, you know, get an email account for us. So that stuff will be migrated off of my account. But Miss Wood um Ridge and Miss Barton, I'm not sure if you all would be able to go forward and make sure that the invites for our the Google calendar um you know, everyone has access to that for so it can go on their dates. I'm not sure because our administrative team um helps us out. So, you know, the leadership for PCA, we we don't send out the meeting invites or anything like that, but Miss Barton and Miss Woodridge help us out
096to keep us on track. >> Okay. >> So, if I can interject just a little, uh, as far as the Peek email, I don't have access and password to that. It's only you, Miss Milhouse, and I believe Miss Smith, you guys have full control. >> Oh, Miss Lawrence. Oh, yeah. You all gave me the email. Um, you all gave us the login, but okay. >> Yeah. Well, I think it was from two directors back, so I I don't have the password for that. Um, >> yeah. No, we didn't have two directors back. We we just we just got it the last year, but it's okay. We will figure it out, Mr. Suki. Right, Miss um Lawrence and Miss Smith? >> No, I appreciate it. >> The other thing I wanted to share was that I
097just emailed everyone policy 1500. I know you have a lot of new members here, but I just sent them policy 1500, which is specifically for the parent community advisory council. So, if you wanted to read over that policy to see exactly um what it entails, I did email that. >> Yeah, that that's also included on the emails that I sent out and the link for the um our website. We do have a website um and so one of our past report that we submitted in is on there as well um but past minute meeting minutes um agenda items that that really is all we have >> fair enough you're working with limited resources understandable understandable >> with a smile >> and I believe u one touch bases with uh what I think Miss Perkins said
098um some creating a lame man's document for furthest the uh the the the parents the parents I personally have a son in the CRI program in Lamont and um quite frankly I have two two different uh perspectives from it and one is that >> parent from the teachers parents aren't right they're not motivated um and that's a whole another topic in itself and how can we build up that motivation and teaching you know teaching the child Um I get that all the time to say hey like we we just don't get that type of engagement. And then the other thing is uh when I did ask for information on what other programs or what can we do to you know help supplement uh my child's uh education outside of what I do personally with him.
099>> Yeah. I don't get any good information. >> School doesn't have any good information. Um, like for example, the PG Parks has a fantastic disability program in the summer like for a few weeks and nobody knew about it. But so I had to, you know, once I found out I sent it to the school and I and I didn't um say, "Hey, pass this out to the other parents." But if no one tells them anything, they're kind of stuck in their bubble. And let's be real, um I'm always very candid with the the educ special education program. Um because it is a minority program. There doesn't it doesn't have a lot of attention because it is what it is. Like it's not the majority of people. So only so much finite resources can go to
100these these um to this or this part of the the school system. But it does kind of frustrate them because they just it feels like they have no help. They feel like no help. Um, and honestly the LA PG County let me down the other not too long ago where I had a great advocate for my no a great support specialist for my son and she was asking for a few more thousand and they were like, "Well, we don't have the budget." So now I lost one of the greatest aids he's ever had because they couldn't give her five grand more. >> Come on, dude. I'm sorry my my colloquialism. Like really? And and so it's like with these little small things that again finite resources even we are working with this right now >>
101is how do we how do we put fire to the people that control the money to give us the money that's necessary >> and I think that's always the the biggest question right because money is always the issue. Um and we have it. We have it. Let's be real. PG County is still pretty rich. Like we have it. So, um, sorry I'm ranting a little bit, but yeah, just go back to the point. I think what Miss Perkins even said, creating something lame man to give them immediate information that's very elementary um, then they understand it and then they can take action to then we can have more people aligned with us to say, hey, we have the people, we have the parents on our side and this is what they need and what they
102want. Mhm. And and you that's a great segue into what you're saying because when you say talking to the people who have the money that they will be there well who who have authority to approve, right? They will be there on legislative day, right? And so those individuals need to hear a very rich authentic experience that we're having um versus something that's manufactured, you know, as if everything is all well and good, but to really understand this is the impact when we're losing funding and and this is what needs to happen and this is why we need those resources. So when we look at the spe special education priority, you know, I see systems of support to address the individual needs of students receiving special education services, incentives to attract and retain special education educators
103and related service providers, you know, or it says increase funding to start off, >> right? And so um I I don't need too many talk points from the board to say, well, say this. No, I don't. This is my experience. So I can speak from a more enriched place because I can say what's happening and and that was a part of the conversation that we had at the retreat. Um when we're talking about special education um the you you have so many people who are saying the same thing. >> Why is there such a gap? What is happening between what you say you're going to do and what is actually happening? And where's the accountability? So, when we're talking about increased funding, you can throw more money at something, but who's making sure that it
104is going to where it's supposed to go to and where's the accountability layer, right? And so, I think um when we talk about do we need a special education committee, there are several members on here um that you all may collectively come together to say, hey, you know, here's something that we want to focus on. I will be there on the 19th or I won't be there on the 19th, but this is something that we can talk about doing. um when we get there we we're listening for X Y and Z and if we don't hear it let's introduce it from this perspective. >> Does does that help? >> It does. It doesn't. It makes perfect sense. Okay. Appreciate that. Appreciate the wisdom on that. >> Welcome. And then and we you and I also
105need to connect. >> Yeah, we definitely do. I appreciate that. >> Welcome, Mr. Williams. >> Yes. Um thank you. So um wanted to get to the um the two points you brought up for the discussion at hand. um wanted to offer this um so thinking about the best use of time maybe identifying the folks that are interested in being in the special education and then also the transportation um sub uh working groups and then from there it's the responsibility of those working groups to identify you know their objective their um one to two goals they're interested in focusing on and then in our either our next meeting or when we determine that next time is that's when we come back to discuss those things um just to kind of keeping us like, you know, steadily
106moving along and and and, you know, putting some minutes to to to action. Um, because I don't know if it's necessarily the best use of the group's time for everyone to be sharing input into what those groups should be focusing on. Um, because that could get a little all over the place unless we already had like a framework or a road map coming into this conversation. I I don't think we had one. So, just offering that as um some some next steps. um folks want to you know identify those groups and then we move forward from there >> and then I'm more than willing to support with a um like a framework or a road map again of like the responsibility of those groups identifying objectives one or two goals um you know some element
107of uh student and family engagement within each one of those groups and then you know they can create whatever the deliverable is. Mhm. >> No, that that that is um that is perfect and that's why I want us to identify do do we want to even continue the discussion right now about the subcommittees um you know we we mentioned it at the retreat we're having it here and if we want to move forward with um move if we want to move forward with identifying transportation and special education as the subcommittees we will need to move forward with the vote. Um but we are not trying to at this point in time go into the details of what those subcommittees should be focusing on. And like Mr. Williams said what will happen is if um we
108identify now that we are going to move forward with those two subcommittees then the individuals who want to be a part of them once we have identified them can then move forward after the call. Um but we do have to have a limited number because we are under OMA. Correct Miss Welsh? We do we cannot have more than eight members on the committee. So we got to keep them to about five >> sub >> so that you don't have a quorum. >> Yep. So Miss Lawrence and then Miss Smith, you're muted, Miss Lawrence. Apologies. Um so I just wanted to go back to we haven't met with the full board or the superintendent. So, while yes, these subcommittees are great, I feel like we're going to continue to produce recommendations that don't get acted on
109because we don't know we have what we think the priorities are and as with our expertise um and as parents, you know, that should be trusted. However, the reality is that um I feel I'll just say this, a first step I feel before we start to decide what committees we're going to form and that thing is to really push for this meeting to happen. Um so that way we're not just working in silos in isolation. Um, also we need to establish our why and I feel like um we need to do that with together with um the superintendent, interimm superintendent and the board. Um, so just wanted to throw that out there um as a thought. >> Came house, you were on mute. Miss Smith, I'm sorry. >> Um, have to respective respectfully disagree with
110the past comment only because of my tenure with PAC and I know that we have um worked hard to get these meetings in place and they did not happen. So I believe that we need to continue the work that needs to get done um in light of a lot of urgent things that is occurring with our families and scholars. So with that said, I would like to move that PAC establish two committees that that respectfully that respectively focus on special education and transportation. We have a second. >> Can you repeat that? Sorry, you went out a little bit. I just want to make sure I get it verbatim. >> Sure. I move that PCA establish two subcommittees that respectively focus on special education and transportation. >> I second. So, at this time, um, we'll take
111a vote. All in favor, we do a roll call vote on it, please. Miss, um, Lawrence. Okay. And excuse me if I call folks that aren't here. I'm just trying to move us. Um, uh, Will Bronson I know is not here. Gracia. >> Will Bronson is here. >> Oh, sorry. Will Bronson, I apologize. >> Yay. >> Gracia Hereta, >> she's not here. >> Okay. Kamika Harris. >> Yeah. Christopher Smith. >> He's not here. >> Thank you. Um myself, um I'm going to abstain. >> Um Teresa Smith, >> yay. >> Dolores Milhouse. >> Yes. Yaya Rojos Hinton is not here. Candace Perkins. >> Yay. >> And then apologies learning. Um Dr. Jackson and uh Mrs. Welsh. >> Yes. >> Okay. Dr. Jackson >> I Mrs. Welsh. >> Hi. >> All right. >> You have a community.
112>> Yes. Have it. >> You have your community members. >> Oh, I'm sorry y'all. >> Mr. Suki. >> Um, uh, it's going to take a second. kind of been outvoted already, but if I say no, but um I just want to understand the implications of it. Uh I understand it seems like Miss Lauren is saying it doesn't matter if we meet with them if if we have no rapport or if we have no um solid foundation is coming to them. But also at the same time, it sounds like from Mrs. Smith angle, it's well, it's now or never. Is that correct? I'm kind of just breaking it down. Um is that is basically >> so at vote >> we we should have done this prior to the vote for discussion. Um um but but at
113this time Miss Miss Lawrence did give her opinion that we should wait till we meet with the board as a whole and the superintendent and his team. Um, Miss um, Smith perspective on that is in the past three years, the board has not met with us um, as a whole, nor have we met with the superintendent and what we've done in the past is still submitted in um, an advisory report where some of the things were acted upon. Um and at this point um it is really more so about um what we all are experiencing the community's pain points to then move forward with the recommendation to the board and the superintendent um about special education as well as transportation. Um >> Okay. Um I like to I like to break things down in in
114small pictures. It sounds like we're you write the letter, you knock on the door and give it to them. That's what it sounds like. >> Um well uh I have to say yay because it seems like that's the only thing that's going to work on them unfortunately. So yes, I'll approve. >> Miss Lundy is not present. Mr. James Williams. >> Yay. >> And Dr. Huggin. >> I'm going to say yes, but I have a question. Does this committee follow Robert's rules of order for protocol for voting? Because there ought to be some uh you you can express an unreiness in a vote, but it has to be done in a particular order. So, I just I just want to know what's governing us, what's guiding us. we talk about processes and so if we if
115we put a vote on the floor it's it's yes or no but then I can come back and have unreiness. >> So I I'd like to know what what what's governing >> yes we are Dr. Huggin we are >> this is an interesting one but nevertheless I'm I'm Yeah. >> Yes. and and and I'll say that some of the informality is to, you know, after the first couple of meetings to give people, you know, some comfortability with the process. Um, and so, yes, we are, but but I'm also not going to kind of penalize people too much right now. It is. Yeah. >> You don't have to penalize us at all as we move forward. But I just kind of wanted to know because I feel like Mr. Suki um I I just wanted to
116know either either way. And if I had said no, cuz in our retreat, I was the one that said, you know, I was the one that was a little bit apprehensive of just wanting to put committees on the floor without having some scope of what those committees would be about, much in the way that Mr. Williams has suggested. Um, so it seems like we're doing the work after we put the committees together as opposed to before. um determining what what what what's the goal of that committee, what what what are some things we're trying to achieve? Um and then with a full picture be able to say I'd like to be on this committee or I'd like to be on that committee. We're kind of working a little bit backwards. And so I I was
117just asking um >> that's all. No, I I and and I hope that you felt that the space was safe enough for you to ask and and then you know was to have um the discussion for it. Um and so you know what I will say with everything that we're doing it it has not been we have been flying the plane and building it at the same time and kind of being thrown into the midst of stuff like it is not what it should be. It is not how easy it could be. Um, unfortunately with the educational realm that we're in, it is still a lot of politics with it. So, the fight to get to where we are right now to have at least a policy in place and still needing to change that
118policy because one of the things that we need to focus on with the policy is for the district members. The policy doesn't say that the parent has to live in the district that they represent. And that's a loophole because your child may attend a school in a certain district, but you should be living in the same district that your board member also is voted in. But that's not right now what's happening. So, there's so many things that are outside of the the norm and the order that it should be in. And um I I've worked not to be so rich and if it doesn't happen this way, I am trying my best to keep smiling and keep my head above water. Um but we we will get there and I am always open and welcome
119like hey we need to make sure that we got a we need a parliamentarian. We somebody make sure that we stay in order. Um, so I do appreciate that and I I do understand as well as when we're talking about the special education and creating the subcommittees, what I do know and we all know that's a pain point for PGCPS. That's a huge pain point. Now, what happens in the special education committee and what happens with transportation, I appreciate Mr. Williams and what you stated and shared about helping with the framework of it. Um, you know, and it may also change, but right now I want to say let's finalize the vote because I did just jump in with some explanation. Miss Lawrence, can we get the count for the vote? Did you call everyone?
120>> Yes, I I did call everyone. So, the A's have it. Um, the motion is adopted to establish two subcommittees that respectfully focus on special education and transportation. >> Okay. Um, and what I would also Thank you. Thank you. So, at this time, we will move forward with the subcommittees for special education and transportation. And who's ever interested in those subcommittees, please email PCACpcps.org and let us know. And so, we will make sure that you all remember it's only five slots per each one. Mr. Bronson, >> you're on mute. You're you're on mute. Forgive me. Good evening. I appreciate all the robust discussion. I think what's interesting that um I would just offer is um there is a difference between advisement, advocacy and oversight. And I would just offer to the group I'm pretty familiar
121with this policy 1500. I've you know read it over several times and I would just offer the group especially when we're talking about meeting with the superintendent and again I am a little bit more measured than than others and I will probably be somewhat contrarian but I will offer anyway from the systems perspective I have been that person from the government in the community and there's always a fine balance in making sure that the group is offering themselves to be productive and constructive. And when you are advising, >> um, we should just always be mindful that there are different hats that people are wearing. And advising is one thing, advocacy is another. They meet sometimes, but but they are different. And I am just trying to again I am new to the advocacy perspective of
122this and I'm just trying to wrap my head around just some dis the group may be having some discussion about where that where those lines meet and that determines what actions need to happen, what your level of effectiveness is. And it just seems to me the discussions have been much more oversight of the school system than advisement to the board. And I would just offer may maybe some sidebar discussion about that may be warranted, maybe not. I may be totally offkilter, but I felt like I just needed to say it even just because that's how I'm feeling. So, thank you very much. I appreciate it. Thank you. And and so I I appreciate that. And I I want to add to you stated advisory, oversight, and advocacy. And sometimes they they may connect and and
123I will say in this role um they they will connect a lot um because we're all bringing our experiences especially from the um parental perspective in in what's happening in our daytoday. And so when you talk about advisory to the board and to the superintendent, the policy talks about that in a whole, we are advising the board and we are advising the superintendent. we provide advisement and when you're talking about the oversight piece when people are talking about their experience and I'll just use me and my child has a 504 and one of the things are making sure that the school is following the 504 plan that that's where the oversight lies for me and when we're listening to the the concerns and the experience of people um or families who are in in this
124special education realm you know some of what will come out is what we are saying from an advisory as a group but also what we're saying that's not happening from an oversight perspective. And so when when we talk about the advocacy piece, to me that will always be the underlying component um because we we are here because of our goals to really focus on how do we advocate, elevate the voices of the community, um families, stakeholders, parent I mean um community stakeholders, but everyone as a whole. And so I I do hear and welcome your perspective on it in um there is there's always going to be um a connection between the three. And so what we do if you go back and look at the report that we submitted some years ago um giving
125them some advice in from an advisory spec perspective of why they should focus on updating policy X Y and Z and the impact of that why they should look at engagement in this way and the impact of that. Um, and so if you have something to offer as a particular example of what you would like us to do as it relates to how the advisory should be written out, the advocacy piece and the oversight, that would also be of some help and guidance. But I can say that the the work that I have done from an advocate perspective um has always lined up with me using my voice to build capacity in this school system but also providing some advisement at the same time and also as a system person. I I understand that things
126are happening that I may not always see. So I go in with the perspective of let me understand what is happening. I can tell you what my experience is, but first let me be open enough to understand all of the dynamics that you need to make sure that I understand for so I'm not just saying, "Oh, it should happen this way." And so I'm hoping that we as a collective we understand that that we're not going in telling the school system what they need to do and why they need to do it. But it's more so this is an experience that we are having or others may be having having. inherit some guidance on what we see as lowhanging fruit best practices that we've pulled from other school districts laws that may you know there
127may be some gap analysis that we perform to say hey the law says you should be doing this and it's not happening and so I am hoping for any and everyone when we're talking about what we're doing that we we we are supporting the work as a collective and what we need to do we we all we always can improve on it, right? But there is an opportunity for us to understand collectively what's happening, understand individually where we're coming from and how do we present that so we're not just talking about what's not working, but we can identify an opportunity, as I said before, to move us from good to great. questions, comments. Miss Perkins, >> I just wanted to say one more thing in the um in reference to the subcommittees and any work
128that we do as a group. Um if you read like how things are written, they are not very specific for a reason. But the topics, right, transportation, um you know, safety, special education, those are standing needs. And I think that's a mutual understanding. So the hope and I think that this this group will pull this together in any capacity that we do whether it's subcommittee or as a holistic decision that we make it will move a needle right and I think that's what the whole purpose of us and the beauty of this quorum is that we can continue to move the needle of the large bolded topics in their agendas that don't have any true definitions in it for probably a reason because there's still trying to iron it out, but our kids don't need
129to be penalized in the midst of everyone's administration trying to figure things out. So, I think that is why this needs to continue to move forward. So, I look forward to the reports of the subcommittees and such. Thank you. Um anyone else um would me at the end and what will happen is um Mr. Williams um we the leadership team will get with you and kind of frame out for the subcommittees to begin to um begin the work on how they will move forward um and um discuss what that framework needs to look like. And clearly I'm hoping um everyone will be able to attend legislative day because that will give further insight um on um you know some of the things that we've discussed tonight or something that we may also need to add.
130Um but we will be pushing for a meeting um with the board and um the superintendent as it relates to policy 1500. And so if there is no further discussion, um is there any further discussion on item 7.1? No. Okay, great. Um I I think that we um we have 2025 2026 advisory and that really is the email and the request to meet. Um, that's what that topic was about because we don't um really know what the superintendent, the interim superintendent or the board um how they need us to advise them, what what are some of their focus points? Um, and so we will um work to get that in the letter. Um, are there any other questions, comments, anything you want us to add? Um, 7.2 to going once, going twice. >> Okay, one
131more thing. Sorry. Um, I just got out of another meeting before this and this is not in reference to transportation or special needs. Can we require May May I speak to it? I'm sorry. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And then I know it's time to go. Um, can we ask that there be coordination of scheduling of back to school nights for next school year and going forward? Um, the reason why I say that is if you look at the PGCPS calendar, there's multiple schedules, schools on the same night. Um, and if you talk about engagement, if we're talking about parents and being actively able to go to all their kids' schools and the board members as well, they can't if they're being pulled all over the place on the same day. Um, I see your hand,
132Dr. Dawson. I'm just smiling because I love that question. As a parent who had four children, I'm humbled at five today. Four children come through the school system many times. Their events were the same nights and I thought my husband and I we had to enlist his his parents, my sister to try to cover those schools. That is a very important question and it is asked every year. Um, there has been work to make sure that like schools that are in the same feeder pattern don't have theirs the same nights. But if your children are in a specialty school in one area and then they're in another school in another area, um, I would just suggest that this could be a recommendation that PCAT could make. >> I would like to bring it up as
133one. If we can add it to next agenda, that's fine. But we talk about low fruit. This is something that I think is fixable and could be a planning process that the county can really implement. >> Thank you. Thank you for that suggestion. I I will let you know they do plan. However, they need input and your input is always welcome. >> So is it possible, Dr. Jackson that maybe you can um um bring back or share something with us to understand the process of of >> so I can just tell you it's it's planned by the calendar committee that meets all year they interview principles they interview inter I mean the IDs instructional directors and they they do try to coordinate um but um it it we have the same conversation every year it
134impacts families in different ways depending on where their children are. >> So, >> oh, that that would be interesting because I' I've been on the calendar committee for a couple of years and so um they they never brought up back to school night. It's always just the holidays as well as the parent teacher conferences. So, um that that would be great. I know. Um, so if if we could do that, if if that could be something and maybe someone from PCA could, you know, be a part of the the committee itself to kind of um because I'm done. I've my last year I I'm I give up the >> I would love to support. >> So if we could do that um not to belabor it, but if you could kind of help us understand
135what the process is or get someone to provide us that information, that would be help. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Um, is there anything else? I saw Miss Smith, your hand went up, then it went down. >> You touched it. You said it exactly what I was going to say regarding the calendar committee. Thanks. All right. >> And so um if there is no other um topic for discussion at this point, it is 9:00 and we are in item 8.1 and I am moving I am I need a someone to recommend us closing this meeting out at 9:00 p.m. >> Not a not a problem. Love you that guy. Um, yeah, I recommend we uh we end and um come back with fresh minds um and brighter days so we can tackle these issues a little
136bit better. Um I think it was a fantastic meeting though and um it's a pleasure speaking and meeting all of you all. It feels like I'm not alone in this in this in this uh county. So thank you. I just want to say that I appreciate that >> you are not alone. Wait a second. >> A second. Okay. And if no objections, hearing none, we will adjourn this meeting at 9:01 p.m. Thank you very much. >> Thank you guys. Good night. Good night. Great. Thank you everyone.