Board of Education Disability Issues Advisory Board Meeting May 20, 2025

001If there's no objections, the Rousey Board shall adapt. The May 20th, 2025, meeting agenda. Any objections? Okay. Approval of the meeting, approval of the minute meeting, approval approved for April 8th. 2025 meeting minutes. Is there any corrections? The Ramsey Boy Show approved April 8th. 2025 meeting minutes… as distributed. Do anyone have any objections to the minutes from that meeting for April the 8th? There being no corrections on April 8th, 2025 meeting, the minutes are approved. Report, um… I am very pleased to announce that the disability issue of Rosby Board has filled the two open vacancies. In District 5 and 9, Christopher Dyer, I hope I said that correctly, from District 5, and Tangela Myers from District 9 has been selected as our newest representatives These appointments will be officially announced at June 12th Board of

002Education meeting. So, yeah, we hit those positions filled. Um… now I have… I have liked to review… recognize to briefly introduce themselves to share the inspired them to join the DIEB. Mr. Dryer, would you like to speak? Introduce yourself, please. Sure, I can go first. Yeah, let me, uh, turn on the video. Can you guys see me okay? Well, I hope so. My name is, uh, Christopher Dwyer. I work for PGCPS. I work at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts over in District 5. Um, and, you know. Well, we received an email saying that they were looking for people to fill District 5, and I believe it was District 9. And I was like, well, let me check my district. Let me start with that. You know, I was in District 5, which is

003the Bowie area. I have two daughters that are in PGCPS school right now, both of them at Tulip Grove, which is a wonderful elementary school. One of them is actually receiving disability services. She, um, actually has kind of a rare genetic, um, deletion. It's called a syndrome, is what they call it. Which just makes, um, retaining knowledge a little bit harder for her. Uh, and… I figured that I'm in District 5, I have I've attended many IEP meetings. We also… she also has mild hearing loss. So, um, we're in Dr. Kron's office over in Mitchellville very often, and there's a really nice collaboration between, um. That office in PGCPS, and I figured that I could… I could contribute to this. Organization, and um… you know, I want to start off by listening and learning and

004seeing how you all like to operate, and… And then putting in my two cents when it's appropriate. So I really appreciate the appointment and the opportunity to give to the community and give to the students at Prince George's County Public Schools. Thank you. Um, Ms. Tangela Myers? Sure, let me turn on my video as well. So, uh, first I'd like to say thank you all for trusting me with this, uh, opportunity. Um, I've lived in Prince George County since around 2010. Um, I have two grandsons who are Um, in the Prince George's County School System. Uh, both of them are, um, either other health-impaired or, um, in the Autism Awareness Program. Um, I will tell you that… can be a handful when it comes to advocating on behalf of my grandsons to ensure that they

005get services. Um, I am… I currently work for the U.S. Department of State. Foreign Service Information Management Specialist. Um, I usually travel overseas. I'm also… a US Navy veteran. Um, my son is also joined the police department, so we are vested within this community now. We hadn't been before. Um, and I do want to continue advocacy for, you know, uh. Persons with disabilities, especially in the education environment. For both the students and the providers. Um, to ensure that they have what they need in order for everyone to be successful. I think that's a particular challenge. Um, in this school system, and so I want to do what I can to contribute positively to that. So, thank you once again. Thank you. I'd like to think it's safe to say we are glad to have you

006on board, and we are looking forward to working together. Thank you. So, thank you so much. Um, next on the agenda is a report of the subcommittees. Um, the chair recognized that Rasmary Board subcommittee leads for their committee reports. Give me one second… Hi, uh, Chair Blackwell, this is Brittany Patrick. Pardon me all, I'm taking this from the car because traffic was rough. Okay. Um, I'd like to ask Chair and Vice Chair, we have about 8 recommendations related to board policy 1700 to review. In addition, we have one request. Um, what is our preference for how we might go about that today. Would you like for me to introduce each one, and then we open to discussion, or…? You can, um, um, present each one, and then we can open it up for discussion for

007the committee to… if they have anything else to add to it, or anything about any changes, and see what perspective that Board Member Brown has about those, um, suggestions. Recommendations. Okay, okay, great. So I'll start with our first recommendation, um, that we'd like to present to, um, the board, and that is to change the name of the disability Issues Advisory Board, specifically to change the name to something more positive. Our rationale is that, um. The current name, Disability Issues, reflects, um. You know, a negative connotation, and language matters when we're talking about disability and disability rights. We know that there are, um, different views of disability, one of which is the medical model. Which is okay, right, when we are going to the doctor. Um, but that model tends to view disability as a problem

008to be fixed. And so, our first recommendation would be to change the name, and in the document that has been shared. We, um, have proposed two examples for consideration. One of which is the Advisory Council on Disability Affairs. And the second is advisory board on disability rights. So I will pause there in case we need to open the floor. To anyone… Ms. Vickery? I'm sorry, just, um, point of order, Ms. Patrick, can you repeat the last one again? Sure. Um… Let me see, one second. So, the second, uh, it would be the Advisory Board on Disability Rights. Is there any discussion about what, um… Ms. Patrick has, um, proposed. Any discussions? Can we hear the first one again, please? Mr. Dreyer? And then, Ms. Meyer. Sure thing. The first one… Advisory Council on Disability Affairs.

009Advisory Council on Disability Affairs, and the second Advisory Board on Disability Rights. The community would like to recognize Ms. Myers. First, I applaud your efforts on, um, suggesting a possibility of renaming it. My only comment is that And what you stated was about the war, uh, surrounding disability, and the two titles that you've proposed still have the word disability. It's just a comment. Um, Ms. Dole, Rachel? Hi, um, I love the idea of changing the name, and I would also say that disability isn't a bad word. Right? It's a descriptive word. Um, so I don't have a problem with them still having disability. In the name. Um, I love rights, because That's what we're fighting for, right, is, um… people's rights. Um… people's rights are being violated, and we need to make sure that they're

010not. Ms. Patrick? Just wanted to clarify that, um, disability, again, to reiterate, uh, would not be considered the word that we can… we, um. Would think is negative, it's the term issues that's present within the terminology. So, disability issues, we believe, um. Is a negative connotation in the context. Okay, anyone else have, um, like, Mr. Dreyer? Does the, um… thank you for recognizing me. Does the… An acronym matter, so an example would be Uh, the Bowie Regional Vision Association's an acronym is BRAVA. Um, is there anything, um. Any weight into coming up with… like, I like both of the names, so I just wrote down the… the first letter of each one to see if there was any kind of, uh, ring to it that's sort of like that, so does… is that something that

011interests everyone? I do like the two names, I'm just curious if that… Anyone else like to, um, have a discussion regarding the name change? Ms. Smith? So, um, I don't know if Ms. Patrick wanna… add on to this, but we actually did think about acronyms. Um, because that's just kind of the way of the world. Like, you set a name up, and then it instantly turned into an acronym. Um, so I'm not… I think for me, I'm not against an acronym, as long as whatever that acronym is. Um, it does not create. This negative perception about the name of the group. And then, uh, Ms. Blackwell, I think I do have a question on process, so… The recommendation has two names. Do we need to take a vote on each name? Or is… is the

012process for us to just propose the name. And then it goes further down the line. How is this going to be handled? Um, I would propose a vote. In a name change? Um, do I have any objections to, um, proposing a vote from the committee? We could do… no, we can do it… yeah, we can do it now, so Ms. Ms. Vickery will have to present it. Okay, so we'll go for a vote for the name change, and we'll put it… and a Google… a Google… oh, we could… Ms. Dickery would need to take the role, let me say it like that. Yeah. Okay. Um, Board Member Brown, you had your hand up? Yeah, so real quick. Now, is this a proposal named to put Ms. Patrick? Oh, go ahead. Great. Oh, let me… let

013me get back in my seat. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! Okay. Thank you for your question. Board Member Brown. Um, so all of these recommendations related to Board Policy 1700 are simply recommendations, um, that we are proposing to move forward to the board Okay, and, um, Sarah… Brian, is it Bain or Brian? I want to make sure I pronounce everybody's last name correctly. Okay, thank you. That's okay. Uh, but you can just go Sarah B. That's… That's, uh… yeah. Um… I just want to note, and I think it was helpful what, um, Mr. Dwyer said regarding acronyms. So if we go for the second one, or at least propose that as The one with the kind of most weight behind it, your… your ABDR, which… which doesn't really roll, but… but it

014rolls better than ACDA. I think. Right? I know these… we're all on the same page. Everything becomes an acronym. So if we just maybe give mine, because as it is now, we call this DEB, right? Um, so ABDR. If we want rights in there and disabilities. An advisory, which seems consistent. It's either Advisory Council on Disability Rights, ACD… no, ABDR, I think, works. Anywho, that's… that's my… points for consideration. Thank you. Oop. Um, okay. Um… So we're at this point now, um, if we take a vote, I have to ask Ms. Vickery. To call for a vote on the name change, if we agree as a committee, and what that name change will be. Point of clarification, um, Chair. Um, do you want the entire advisory board to vote on each name? So, one vote

015on one name, one vote on another, and then we're comparison voting. Or how… how… would you like this? Because… while I do have 3 screens, I gotta at least set up one of the other screens to prepare for this. Wow. That's a great… okay, got you. Um… Vice Chair. Some suggestions. How should we take this vote? Yeah, I think we should just get a count on both names. Okay, gotcha. We can take a vote on both names, Ms. Vickery. Please. Mm-hmm. Yes. Okay, um, excuse me, uh, Chair, may I interject? So, um, you're gonna have to, um. State the motion, um. Before… oh. Um, Ms. Jawson, I was just about to… I was about to get the chair together. I got you, I got you, John. Okay, okay, okay. Okay! Okay, got it. Okay, go

016ahead, Ms. Bakery. Um… Make a motion? I got you, I got you. Sure, Blackwell, what I need you to do is actually, um, make a motion that we, uh, vote, but you're gonna have to do… I need you to do one motion for the first one. Okay. So I'm gonna give you the first name, the first title, and then I'll… after we do that vote, then I'll give you the next one for this next motion, okay? Okay, can you give me the limit? So I needed to make a motion on… a potential name change of the advisory board. To the Advisory Council on Disability Affairs. That's the first one. Disability Affairs, hold on one second. The Advisory Council on Disability Affairs. Advisory Council on Disability Affairs, Advisory Council. Disability for years. Okay. I'd like to

017make a motion for name change from the DIAB. To change of the… Advisory Council Disability Affairs. All in favor? No, you talk… I got you. Okay. Nope, I got you, I got you. Okay, so we're going to, um, do a roll call vote. When you hear your name, please, um, say aye, or nay, or abstain. Depending on your vote. Um, Ms. Amaya. Ms. Blackwell. Um… I would say yes. Ms. Bowman. Ms. Byrne? I'm gonna say nay. Ms. Dorsey? Ms. Doyle? I'm gonna say nay. But beyond that, like, pretty much all the buildings I'm gonna abstain. Mr. Dwyer. Mr. Jongo? Abstain. Ms. Cottrell? Ms. Myers. It's my first meeting. I'm going to abstain. Ms. Patrick. Ms. Payne? Ms. Smith? Nay. Ms. Vickery? Nay. And down at the bottom with me, Ms. Wingate Robinson. Nay. Okay, um…

018we have voted, and the motion has not carried. Okay. We have a total of… 6 nays, three abstentions, and 1 aye. Okay. Um… Mm-hmm. The second name, please? Your next motion? Yes, Advisory Board on Disability Rights. A Raspberry board… disability rights. Okay. Okay. On disability rights. Okay, um, motion to, um, make name change from the DIAB to the Advisory Board Disability Rights. Okay, I'm ready. We'll now do a roll call vote. Ms. Amaya? Ms. Blackwell. Nay. Ms. Byrne? Ms. Mercy? Yay. Ms. Doyle? Mr. Dwyer. Yes? Yay. Mr. Jungle. Ms. Cattrell? Ms. Myers. Again, abstain. Ms. Patrick? Ms. Payne? Yay. Ms. Smith? Ms. Vickery? Yay? And Ms. Wingate-robinson. Motion as carried with 8 ayes, 1 nay, 1 abstention. Okay. Um… Oh, excuse me, um, Chair, may I inter… interject? Um, Cherise, I'm sorry, did you say

019there were 8? In the affirmative. Okay, so, there needs to be 9. So, the motion didn't. Thank you. Sorry, we have to meet warm. Sorry about that. The motion didn't occur. Mm-hmm. Um, past… yes. That's okay. Um, Ms. Patrick? I'd like to make a motion to present both names to the board for consideration. Um, Board Member Brown, is that, um… feasible for us to do that? Okay. Okay. Okay. I don't see why not. I think go for it. The name change would be brought before the board for, um, their approval. Go ahead, Ms. Wrigley. Um, and you want… Ms. Smith? We need… Chair, we need a second. I think I want to amend the motion. Um… I move that… We recommend both names to the Board of Education. And that… how do I want to

020say this? And that… The Board of Education… alerts… D-I-A-B, if they would like to propose a different name. Okay. Is there a second? Gotta ask, is there a second. Is there any seconds to Ms. Smith's, um… Second, Brittany Patrick. Mr. Vickery, can you record that, please? Ms. Blackwell, didn't you say the motion has been moved, seconded? The most… Okay, the motion has been… Okay, the motion has been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Regarding, um, recommend it to the board. So I say, am I in agreement? Did I say that the, um… this is still new to me. Do I say that the, um, second motion has been… Well, I think what you can say now is that if there are no objections, the motion passes. Okay, if there's no

021objections, the motion has passed. I probably don't get it. Okay? Um, Ms. Um, Pat? That's great to call you, Ms. Patrick. Would you like to continue? Thank you so much. Mm-hmm. Yes, ma'am, that's what I was raising my… hand to do. So our second recommendation related to board policy 1700 is around the scope. Of the policy. Um, the existing policy is limited in scope in that Um, it… only states that the… that DAB is supposed to address Um, structural, uh, ADA compliance-related matters, as well as hiring. Um, issues, etc. We are recommending… a recommendation to the board to expand the scope and the charge of Diab. Specifically, we like to expand the scope to address the following disability issues. One, a free and appropriate public education and discipline. Of students with disabilities. To accommodations specifically

022related to Section 50 And Title III of the ADA. So these accommodations would be those that affect both students Um, as well as educators and employees. Third, the inclusion of electronic and information technology accessibility. Which is addressed under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Fourth, physical accessibility. Which is related to the architectural Barriers Act, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act. Fifth, continuing to include hiring. Specifically under Title I of the ADA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. And lastly, seclusion and restraint. Uh, and this would fall under IDEA and ADA. So our rationale here, all, is that expanding the board scope to cover these areas ensures comprehensive oversight and compliance with critical disability rights laws. Each of these issues, we believe, is vital to ensuring equity, safety, and inclusion for individuals of

023disabilities. Um, including students and educators. So I know that's a lot, and so I would advise you all, um, if you have not. Access the document where our recommendations are located, please do, but I'm also happy to repeat anything. Are there any discussions or anything that Ms. Brittany… Ms. Patrick has presented? I'd like to provide some discussion, and I think it's more for, um, Mr. Dwyer and, um. Um, why am I… Ms. Meyers, excuse me, I was looking at the roll call, and I was like, why am I not finding your name? Um, I think, um, because you guys are just joining us, um, to give you just a brief history, um, so DAB is charged with following the scope of Board Policy 1700 at this time. But as Ms. Patrick was indicating, $1,700 is…

024light, at best. It's about… for synthesis. And so, we have this charge as an advisory board, but we are kind of in this, um… situation where we… the recommendations that we have really don't fit the charge of board policy 1700. And so, this particular subcommittee, um, was born out of the idea of, like, hey. Um, we're asked to do these things, but some of these things are not within the policy. And so, how can we do these things without first having the charge to do them? Even though the charge is, like, kind of there, it's just not really explicit, and Board Member Brown is, like, shaking her head yes, because Um, we've had many, um, discussions prior to us getting here. Um, at the start of the, um, advisory board. And so. If you're wondering,

025like, wow, that's a really hefty thing, it's when you actually see the policy, you'll say, oh, that's why. Um, this recommendation is there. Um, so I just wanted to kind of give you guys a little background, because… I know that you're walking into a lot of work that has kind of been done, but it's just… this is actually just foundational work. We have… we… we have to… we're setting the foundation. In order to go forward, and that's kind of what all the subcommittees are doing. Do we have any discussions? Um, Ms. Patrick? Just to add some, uh, one more piece of context here. The existing policy is limited in that it does not allow the current board to really address Um, any challenges facing students directly. Much of it is related to hiring. It is

026related to, as I shared earlier, you know, accessibility of buildings. However, when we think about the, um long-standing challenges. Of our students with disabilities in K-12 education space. Um, I think it's important, and this committee found it important for this policy to also be able to address, uh, challenges that students were experiencing, civil rights issues that students were ex… Experiencing within the public education space. Um, Board Member Brown? Yes, and thank you so much, um, Ms. Patrick, you… eloquently put it, and Ms. Vickery, the explanation was great. Um, yes, as a new board member, we have been dealing with this. I went back to my emails, and I'm like. Oh, we had an inquiry about this in January. Um, and so, what I can tell you is that I'm… can continue to work with the

027Policy and Governance Chair, who is Dr. Felton-moss. Um, he gets a lot of his directions from the state, but one of the concerns that I do recall of us discussing in January is it bleeding over CCAC, um, and the work that they do, and so… just for situational awareness, CCAC is a special education citizens Advisory committee in Prince George's County, and so, um, he wanted to make sure that it didn't overlap their efforts Um, and that we had separate efforts you know, from CCAC. Um, but yes, it does, uh, primarily talk about accessibility in buildings. Um, and we have discussed that, and so I will… be that squeaky wheel again for y'all, and say, hey, you know, Dr. Moss. This is a recommendation, um… I know you all probably don't have a lot of time

028when you give your presentation on… in June for the June meeting, um, but that is definitely something that I would kind of slip in there as well. Thank you. Um Ms. Smith? So, this is a recommendation. Thank you. I have some background noise, so I hope that you guys will be able to hear what I'm going to say. So, Ms. Brown. I totally heard you. Um, but CCAC has been placed under IDEA, so… Their purview… It's only from that regulatory perspective. Um, Ms. Patrick identifies several different, um, statutory sections that apply to people with disabilities as well as students. So, I would just… caution… caution us from having the mindset of deferring things to CCAT, knowing that They are limited in scope. Then the other thing is that CCAC is a voluntary-based group. They have

029to be in place because of the regulatory requirements. But if that… I hate to say this, but if their exec board decides to just walk away one day. And it takes the school system 6 months to regroup that… that team. We may be putting our population at a disadvantage, so I think that this policy, making the changes to this policy will help us have that governing body in place, so I'll just state that. Yes. Okay. Ms. Vickery? We can't hear you, Ms. Bickery. Oh, I'm sorry. Got you. And no, I was trying to catch the last part, Ms. I'm sorry. Um, I just wanted to say, additionally, um, a lot of the work, because I am on, um. On this subcommittee. A lot of the work that we did when we were looking up some

030of the things that the policy pointed to it would, um… It would point us back to… county regulations and county policies. That are frankly out of date. There is one county policy it points us to that is from 1990. And the ADA Act was updated again in 2010, but it's pointing us to 1990 ADA. Um, it would point us to Comar regs that are no longer existing, and that the COMARC reg has been changed, or it has been truncated. So, just so that everybody on the advisory board understands. That the way that it is written now really does kind of, like Ms. Smith said. Put PGCPS at risk. Because where it is pointing us back to. Either no longer exist. Or severely out of date by 20 years. Um, I like to… Thank everyone on

031the committee, especially Ms. Patrick. These are the things that have been fighting for for years. My son would be 40 years old. And as Smith Vickery has pointed out, things are so outdated. That parents like myself. Have had to fight and get things in place. At that particular time, but it was not put in place the right way. You know, when you go through this… When you go through this process and trying to advocate for services for your child. That it's only… taking care at that particular time at a meeting. And then after that, it's like, okay, we go on to the next thing. But now, at this junction, we can have things put in place. In writing to address these issues, because it should not have taken 40 years. To get this in place.

032My son's been in school… was in school at the age of three and a half years old. And for these things to be put in place and to be addressed. It shouldn't have taken this long to get those things addressed. So, I thank the committee for coming together and trying to get these things put in place, because 40 years, when we talk about employment. Hiring and other… other issues that we are trying to address as a committee. It shouldn't have taken this long. It really shouldn't have. Um, Ms. Myers. I just wanted to say, sort of echo what you're saying, I applaud what you all are doing. Um, it's been a difficult road. Um, and I'm happy that there is some forward motion, and I'm not the only one That's advocating in this space. For

033our children, and not just my children. But everybody's children. Um, I fight that fight all the time. Um, and I know you all are proposing these updates. But like Ms. Vickery mentioned. You know, some of these things are referring to policies or things that have gone out of date a long time ago. Is there not a mechanism in place? That requires a periodic review You know, I can tell you that from some of my experiences, it seems like they rest on, oh, this old thing that they know is out of date, but they will still stick to it. Um, so it's just… it would be helpful if there's something in place. For a periodic review beyond our time. Ms. Smith? Just to that question. The… the policies do have a timetable for review. I think

034what has… what has happened, and I don't… I don't know if this is accurate, this is an assumption. That this particular… this particular policy, I think, was deactivated? That might be the term. And as a result. Um, it wasn't in the queue, it was not getting in the queue for that review process, which… which is really unfortunate. Um… So yeah, so there, to answer your question, yes, there is a policy in place for the review of policies and procedures. Um, but this one, we… I was petitioning with the board to get this particular policy back up and running, hence why we're here today. Um, but I think the issue was because it was deactivated. Um, Chair, I think, um, we might be over our time. Ms. Vickery? And we might need to, um… Keep going.

035Ms. Johnson? Okay, let me keep moving. Yes. Are we good to move to the next? Sure. Yeah. Okay, um… I'm sorry, Chair, I didn't raise my hand real quick. I think I need some clarity, so… And this is just for any of the sub-working groups. The recommendations are being presented tonight, do we have to take a vote on each recommendation moving forward? So is it just presentation, or… Are we having to… because we're presenting them to the entire board, if… I guess I'm concerned there may be members here that may not want that particular recommendation. To go forward. So, is it just presentation, or do we need to take a vote? Uh, can I, um, I'm sorry, Chair, if you wouldn't mind, if I could just interject. Um, Mr. I was gonna ask you to

036give more clarification on that, Mr. Johnson. So, what… I guess what you all could do is you could present all the recommendations And then take a… vote at the end to move forward, to have it presented to the board. Um, versus one by one. And if there's any objections, um. To the recommendations, all of them. Moving forward, then… You'll probably have to break them out and see which ones, um, were objected to, or you can… Or you could do, um You could probably give their recommendation, and then if there aren't any objections. To it, you don't necessarily have to take a vote, because if there aren't any objections, you could just move forward. That one would be sent to the board, and then just go down the list. So it kind of depends how you

037all want to how you want to do it, if you want to continue this format, um… Because I'm… my guess is that… If no one is objecting to… the recommendation moving forward to the board, you don't need to take a vote on it. Okay, Ms. Patrick had her hand up. Thanks, Ms. Johnson. For clarification. Um, Ms. Patrick? Yes, um, I would like to present all of the recommendations, if possible. Um, and then allow, um. Us to discuss if there are any specific recommendations that, uh, members may have questions about, if possible, Chair. Okay, thank you. Ms. Myers? Uh, just… just a comment. I'm gonna self-identify as a visual learner. Well, I've appreciated all of the reading. It's harder for me to grasp it if I don't see it. And so, because I'm new tonight. I

038don't want to delay any of the work that you all have been doing. But I'll just put that out there for future information. That I'm a visual learner, so it's harder for me to grasp it if I'm just hearing it. But I'm willing to listen, thank you. Okay. Ms. Patrick, I'm gonna go to Ms. Vickery real quick. Ms. Vickery? Yeah, it was just a point of clarification for, um, Ms. Myers and Mr. Dwyer. Um, because of the Maryland Opens Meetings Act, um, there's some… in just some of the ways that PGCPS is set up because of policies, and legalities. We do not have, um, a visual document that we do, and we're not Um, using the chat and things like that. Um, I think that… we may, um… Um, I think it might be… I

039see Ms. Smith, she's probably gonna jump in with some great information. Go ahead, Ms. Smith. Yeah, so I hear you, Ms. Myers, um, and one thing that we just have to do administratively is get yourself as well as Mr. Dyer, connected to our Google Docs. Drive, or our Google Drive, I'm not sure how each subcommittee created their document. Um, and that'll perhaps satisfied the need to visually see the information. So we can definitely do that. The only thing… is that we cannot discuss the document offline. We have to bring all of the discussion to the meeting. Okay, Ms. Patrick, real quick, quickly, and we're gonna move on. Okay, alright. Um, Ms. Smith, are you finished? Oh, I think that's a legacy hand, pardon me. Okay, we're gonna move on to… we're gonna address everything that

040we have in the agenda tonight, then we're gonna, uh, discuss how we're gonna hand… address how we're gonna… approve it, or move on. Um, I'd like to move on to… Go ahead, Ms. Smith. That's okay. I'm so sorry for interrupting you, Chair. So, what I heard from Ms. Patrick is that she would like the opportunity to present present each recommendation individually and have discussion. So I think what we need from you is that if we're okay to proceed in that regard And I think that that would apply for every subcommittee. You could just tell us yes or no. I think that's fine, this is your call. Okay, um… So what I need to do is… states that we… Okay. Yes, I think it's… yes, I think we should address each one, one by one. For

041each committee to address it that way. To present that way. Is it okay for me to go ahead, chair, just introducing the other… Recommendations? Yes. Okay, great. Um, so recommendation number 3, uh, we'd like to suggest to the board to modify the policy to allow flexibility in reporting Right now, board policies 1700 states an annual, singular, annual. Report from DIAB, but we like to suggest flexibility in reporting, um, and to clearly define the deliverable. While allowing reports to be issued as needed. We would like to suggest a minimum reporting standard not to exceed a specific frequency. In addition to reporting flexibility, um, as Ms. Vickery mentioned earlier, we like to recommend that the Board update the policy to reflect accurate authority and include references to broader disability-related laws beyond ADA. We want to recommend that

042the board ensures that these laws Are mentioned in the introductory paragraph of the policy. Number 5, we'd like to suggest that the board consider implementing staggered appointment terms for DIAD members. In order to maintain continuity and avoid starting from scratch with a new group each term. Mm-hmm. Number 6. We'd like to recommend that the board consider either increasing the board by one member to include a compliant specialist who is well-versed in IDEA, Or to omit ADA from the existing compliance officer role. To… that is listed as a recommended board member in the current policy Um, by omitting ADA from that existing compliance officer role, it will… it could… could ensure that this position on DIAB represents broader compliance concerns, including IDEA and ADA. So not limiting the scope of the compliance officer so that they

043can advise us on ADA as well. Number 7, uh, we'd like to recommend that the board mandate the establishment Um, and adoption of bylaws that govern the operations of the board. So for many of us, learning Robert's Rules of Order was a learning curve. It is not specified in the existing board policy. And so we like to recommend that, um, the policy be amended to include the adoption of Robert's Rules of Order and stating clear compliance with the Open Meetings Act. And lastly, number 8… We'd like to recommend that the board clearly distinguish the roles and responsibilities of Diab versus the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee. So whether this is done in the policy. Or outside of the scope of the direct policy, we believe it's important to distinguish Um, our role in addressing civil

044rights concerns for both students and employees Um, versus, um, CCAC's role and their focus on special education. Lastly, we do have a request, and this is not necessarily a recommendation. Um, but we would like to request that the Board consider expediting the evaluation and revision. Of board policy 1700. Um, as mentioned before, it is not currently in the queue, and so we would like an opportunity to either, you know, present and talk to them about why this needs to be expedited. Um, or make the recommendation that they consider expediting. And I'd be happy to yield the floor to any other committee members if I am missing anything to expand. Ms. Smith? Um, Ms. Patrick, I'm over here trying to find a language, but we also would like the board to consider Um, it be written

045in a policy where there is some type of frequency, whether it's quarterly or not. That this board has an opportunity to meet with the superintendent, as well as with the board… Board of Education, because we are considered an advisory board, and currently the policy does not speak to us having any level of engagement with those two bodies. So maybe that's… maybe that's number 10. I think we had 9. I like that, I like that. Um. Okay, can't, um… as I said, we address all of these at the end, but I like to keep moving. Ms. Vickery, is that okay with you? Because I know you're taking notes. Okay. Um, I'd like to move to 5.2. Um… new construction and accessibility of buildings and facilities. Um, Ms. Bowman, um… Are you here? She's currently not here.

046Okay, anyone from that committee that can report out? That might be me, but I wasn't sure what she wanted to read for. Or out, oh my goodness! One thing that I can state is that, um, we have met. Um, she has a… this particular committee has a run-in document of questions and concerns as it relates to access… accessibility to facilities. And, um, Ms. Bowman was working directly with the internal stakeholders to get all of the items addressed. Um, so I… I don't know the status of that gestiat, so that's pretty much it. We have consolidated Everything that has come up as it relates to accessibility, and we've just been trying to work through Um, the channels to make sure that The SMEs can address the questions, or give commentary to the concern. Um, Ms. Johnson,

047can I ask you a question? Uh, I'm not mistaken… if I'm not mistaken, did, um… I think Ms. Bowman sent, like, a report. Did you get anything, Ms. Smith? Yeah. Okay, okay. I don't remember her sending a report specifically to DIAB. Again, I know that she's been working internally to get information addressed. So maybe, um… We can just table… Um, any action items as it relates to this particular subcommittee until we meet again. Um, next month. Okay. Okay, Board Member Brown? Yes, this is just, um, to your point, um, Chair Blackwell. Uh, Ms. Bowman did send an email regarding the Office of General Counsel. Um, and how they've responded to the question whether facility Um, it's not accessible, is a denial of FAPE. So I don't know, did you want to present that, Teresa? Um.

048Or… Okay. I don't think we… do we… I don't think we got a response yet. She did forward it on… But that kind of underscores some of the information that was coming over from Ms. Patrick, so… Yeah, board policy? Okay, no worries, I just… was… I wanted to make sure that Stephanie knew that, yes, she did send something, and that's what I received, yes, okay. I did get that. Mm-hmm. Okay, um… I like to address… I did go out to one of the schools. Over. Thank you. Yeah. To see about accessibility. Um, which was Duval High School with, um, board member, um, Dr. Anafore. To look at Duval's field, and to look at the condition of the bleachers. For accessibility and the sidewalk. Um, when the parents… Was that a game that my granddaughter played

049in at, um, for Law High School. And my main concern was… that last year, that field was condemned because it was not in proper order for anyone to play on the field. So I went back out there with Dr. Anafore, and, um, she came out in the field, and she… So what I was talking about, the condition of the field. Um, this… they did say that they're getting new bleachers, because the bleachers are 61 years old. So they're supposed to be getting new bleachers this year. Um, the condition of the field, the athletic director came out as well, as well as the vice principal, and… the principal, to look at the field. One thing that I did appreciate from Dr. Anafore that She took the time to come out to the school, and it was

050during the week of Teacher Appreciation. So, it was good for her to come out to the building to… to… see what I was inquiring about. And as well as to meet the staff in the building, because one of the vice principal said that The last board member they represented in that district had only been in the building one time. One time. And I felt really good that she took the time to come out and to be visible for people to see what's going on. So, um, I did let the athletic director know, and the principal know that I would be back to see what the field looks like and what the new bleachers will look like, and the corrections of… the concrete sidewalk that needs to be corrected for accessibility to the field. For people

051who are in wheelchairs and walking, with any type of, um. Assisted walking, devices like walkers or anything of that nature. Um, Ms. Patrick? I believe Ms. Vickery was before me. Okay, Ms. Vickery? Um, I just wanted to add that, um, the committee also, um, made a suggestion very similar to that of the, um. Board Policy 1700 Committee around the language Um, for… for Policy 1700, and how it relates to new schools, um, there was… Oh, gosh. Ms. Smith, it was, um, AP… 4512, right? It was an administrative policy. Um, that we are recommending, um, that we have that one updated. It is specifically around school construction, um… And that, too… was another administrative policy that we found to point to, um. Ada compliance from the 1900s. And Ms. Vickery, that's another one that we made

052note of. Um, for follow-up. So basically, we need to… do this consolidation as it relates to policies that may touch board policy 1700. Um, and make sure that everything is updated. So, yeah. Mm-hmm. Um, Ms. Patrick? Thank you, ma'am. I did want to clarify, we received communication from, um, Ms. Bowman in a response from Prince George's County, uh, PG County Public Schools Office of General Counsel. Um, clarifying that, um. An inaccessible building does not equate to a denial of FAPE. So, denial of free, appropriate public education. Um, and an example that… that was given, um, in this email Um, I'm not sure if it was directly from Ms. Bowman or from OG… the Office of General Counsel. That's true. Um, was that if a school library is inaccessible to a student using a mobility device,

053like a wheelchair, um, that would not be considered a denial of fate per IDEA, Because they could give a list of the books that were in the library to the student. To select, and the student would not need to physically go. Um, to the library, and so I want to de… I want to… put on record here. Um, that while that may be true. Prince George's County Public Schools, which I'm a proud alumni of. Should not be in the practice of normalizing ableism. So we talk about racism, we talk about sex, sexism, um, but when we talk about ableism and discrimination against individuals with disabilities, I think that's a perfect example. And so I do hope that, um. This group and the Board of Education considers practices like that. As we are ensuring that public

054education in Prince George's County is equitable fair, and that our buildings are accessible to all of our students. So I just wanted to share that. Thank you, Ms. Patrick. Um… I will make sure that this gets back to… because I… perfect example that you just provided here. So, I will make sure that this gets back to the subcommittee. I know that, um, she and I had a lengthy discussion about Fape, and it relates… as it relates to, um, the accessibility of buildings and… Um, what was mentioned was that The school system could also find another school site for that student. So, to your point. You know, what other disadvantages are we making for a person with a disability when we don't have accessible sites. So, so thank you for that. I'll make sure, um, we

055take it back. So, I will yield the floor, Ms. Blackwell. Back. I don't… and in doing so, I will also just mention, I know that we have to prepare hair… well, maybe we don't. I'm gonna just stop. I yield the floor back Okay. Um, as you mentioned, we will table that, um… report, and Timothman can make that report. Okay? So we're gonna move on to 5.3, which is employment and hiring. Um, Ms. Payne is not with us this evening, so Ms. Dole, will you be able to report out for… That committee for Employment and Hiring. That's right, I'm ready to do so. Whenever you guys are ready. Okay, can you present for, um, present, please? Sure. So, we have… 5 recommendations, okay? The first one we have spent a lot of time talking about the

056dedicated aide position. Um, this is a really important position, especially for, you know, some of our… Most behaviorally challenging kids, and it's one of the most undervalued, systemically. And underpaid, uh. They're considered temporary positions, they don't receive any paid time off, they receive little to no training. Any training they receive is just kind of up to the school, so they may receive some, or they may receive none. Um, additionally, they… Make minimum wage $15 an hour. Um, they don't get any… again, any vacation time. If their kid Uh, doesn't show up to school. And, um, the school doesn't have anything for them to do. They get sent home with no pay. People can work for McDonald's making more money and having more stability, so… Um, we need to make this a more attractive position. Our

057children deserve better. Uh, there are several ways to achieve this. We can increase the wages beyond the state minimum wage. We could make the position benefit eligible, we could pay DAs, even if their charge is out sick. We also need to provide robust paid training to our dedicated aides. They need to attend Professional development is, along with our teachers. And we were also told that PGCPS does not recruit deliberately for DAs, it's just kind of listed on the website, and Again, our kids deserve better. They need to recruit deliberately for that. Um, if none of this can be implemented, then PGCPS must consider hiring, um… ISEAs, adherence special education assistants, they, at least are benefits eligible. And have, um, more stable income. And they must also make non-public placement, more streamlined so that parents don't

058feel like they have to hire special education attorneys to do so. So, that's recommendation one. Sorry, can you, um… We went through that pretty fast. Sorry, it's been… I just uploaded it, I had emailed it, but I just uploaded it to the Google Drive. Okay, all right, thanks. So it's, like, written out, but… Um, so you guys can go through all that. Um… I see some hands, some questions. I'm sorry. Um, um, I don't know who raised their hand for Ms. Smith, can I recognize you, and then go to Mr. Dreyer And then go to the fire. Okay, Mr. Dreyer, can you, um… you have a discussion? Sure, and it has to do with what was just read back. So, um, I work with PGCPS, and we Um, I work with a lot of temporary

059employees, so I'm wondering if this would be a discussion with comp and classification? Um, because they are the ones, typically, and I'm not sure if it's… if it's done in this instance. Um, that set the pay rates for, um, temporary employees for PGCPS. Um, and I'm not sure what their criteria is. I know that at the building that I work with, for example, we have 3 levels of of theater technicians, one's at 15, 25, one is at 1832, and the other is at 22. Um, all of those are set by comp and classification, which is a subdivision of the human resources. And, um, so what I have to do is I have to apply for those positions every year and hope that they get approved. And then they set the, um… the wage, so I'm

060wondering if it's a similar situation, and I think if we want to find a solution. Um, for that, that perhaps going through comp and classification as this board. Might be the best option. Um, Ms. Smith? Um, so the first… recommendation item is related to the AIDS, and I think I have been struggling with trying to make the connection I think it's a legitimate concern, it's a legitimate recommendation, but I'm struggling with the connection. To the policy as currently written. So, if… I don't know if somebody from the subcommittee could help me there. And I… I'm putting my vice chair hat on, because I just want to make sure that when these recommendations go forth. They really can go forth and be something that they could take action to. And I don't want it to get

061kicked back, so if it means that we need to tweak the language some. You know, we can do so, but I just want to make sure that there's a direct connection Okay, um, Ms. Myers? I think I'm probably gonna follow up with Mrs. Doyle, because it's… it's… The recommendation one, I hear part of what's happening. I guess I also need to understand Because I know their dedicated age for our students. Um, and I know that they're usually listed, um, as a provider in the IEPs. And what I found in reality is, they're listed in the IEPs. Mm-hmm. But they're not actually present. So… there has to be a way that we marry that up. So that the kids are actually getting what's listed in the IEP, And that these dedicated aides are being compensated. To

062make sure that they are showing up for the kids. So, I'll probably follow up with you a little bit later. It's a… it's a point of contention. With me about the dedicated aides not being available. Um, can I add to that, Miss, um, Patrick? In your recommendation, um, for… is under IDEA, wouldn't that fall under reasonable accommodations? Within the IEP? Okay. Um, yes. It could, it could, yes. Mm-hmm. That would fall under reasonable accommodation. Um… Because I know that I… I proposed, if it's a problem in hiring a, why can't we combine that position with an ICEA? Because this has been, like I said, this has been going on so long when it comes to filling a position for a… for a child who has it in an IEP, and sometimes when a dedicated aide

063is hired, if it's a child in the same classroom who needs aid, sometimes that aide had to work with two children. So, um… maybe, uh, my Women Smith, maybe we can change the language as far as when it comes to the dedicated aid asking, um… I know that Ms. Dole and Ms. Payne had a meeting with the head of HR, Dr. Murphy Baldwin, regarding that That position. So, my thing is, because that position's always so hard to staff, and you don't get any benefits. Um, and it's been like that forever. Um, that position be a combined position, or take that money from that position to combine it to ask… IESA, um, position. Ms. Smith? So, a few things. Um, the first thing, I know you just asked Ms. Patrick about the tie-in to IDEA, so

064yes, IEPs fall under IDEA. Got you. But IDEA is not a component of Policy 1700. So, to my… my point. So, Ms. Doyle, and even Ms… It's like, well, whoever from the subcommittee. Yeah, I'm on the subcommittee as well. If we don't check… if we don't change… the language as currently written for the recommendation. Was there any discussion with CCAC? Like, could this item move to be pushed to get pushed through CCAC? Ms. Dewel? Um, so, Janie, our chair, is… Ms. Payne is… on CCAC. We haven't… gone into that, but I think just kind of under the umbrella, we were thinking about this under the umbrella of employment and hiring issues, which is kind of our charge this… Is it… This is a position that is always… got vacancies, um, and… As Ms. Blackhaw's saying,

065you know, it's just always been that way. Um… you know. So, if… and I hear you, so maybe… maybe we do just tweak the language some. That's fine. Um, it's a dedicated aid, but maybe we don't tie it in to IDEA, um, or FAITE, because… FAP is… I don't think FAPE falls under this either, but… is just strictly… this is a position type. That's not attractive. But is needed for the school system. Um, and I know that I'm… I'm… I'm… I'm dumbening it down, and I'm not trying to do that intentionally, but I really… Want to make sure that it fits in so that it gets the traction that it needs. Okay, Ms. Vickery? Yeah, I just want to, um, suggest to the, um, hiring, um. An employment committee that you kind of, like, work

066backwards from that, just because we haven't even presented the recommendations from BP1700. Okay. Committee yet, and so if… like, if those… if those recommendations aren't presented to the board, and the board doesn't accept those recommendations, or they don't vote to approve them, or they don't… update the policy, then it's kind of out of scope. I would suggest doing a concurrent planning, right? So kind of Plan B, start talking to CCAC, And seeing, is this something they want to take up But at the same time, maybe tweaking the language on that recommendation to make sure it squarely falls underneath employment, and it doesn't get… kicked out in this, so to speak, you know, like… You know, hiding the eggs underneath. Mr. Dreyer. So I've sort of been listening to this discussion and wearing two hats, my

067PGCPS hat and then my father of the father of a child who receives these services hat. Um, and with the dedicated aid, I know as a father, it's like, oh man, I wish that they were… could be there all the time. And then it gets to a point where it's like. If she's having trouble reading, well, anyone, like, I wouldn't care if it was a student teacher who was helping her read, like, anyone who's available to come in and just… just add a little… support to it. And then from the PGCPS perspective, and I'm just thinking from the technicalities, because I have to apply for temporary positions all the time. I think the problem with the job is that it's classified as a temporary position. And that's the problem. I mean, we could be asking

068them to change the pay rate of the temporary position, but they're still not going to have benefits, because temporary positions don't get benefits. Now, what I do know about what we could potentially request is that there is part-time positions with benefits. I have a custodian who's part-time with benefits And that's… that's technically 4 hours per day, so 20 hours per week. If they work more than 4 hours per day, they get paid time and a half. Which is the overtime, and that's really not a bad deal if, you know, if you go over the 20. They actually do also have a 3 quarters time employee, and that's very rarely used, and I know this because my custodian has been 3 quarters time, half time, 3 quarters, it's bounced back and forth, and that's 30 hours

069a week. And, you know, these positions with part-time, with benefits, or three-quarters time with benefits is certainly a more attractive, because it has the word benefits. At the end of it. And then secondly, if they work more than their allotted time, so if they work 24 hours that week. They get paid time and a half, which is also an attractive, um… Uh, which is also something that people could desire when applying for a job. So to me, the issue is that it's a temporary employee job. And, um, temporary employees have to go through the same hiring process as a teacher or a substitute, they have to get screened. It all happens the same way. So, um, my suggestion would be, if we… if we want to get this position, benefits would be to try to

070steer away, and we would have to request that a position be created for a dedicated aide that is, um, 20 hours or 30 hours a week, or even full-time. Um, I don't know that they could do full-time, because it's probably a cost thing, but the part-time with benefits is a thing. Um, that PGCPS does, and then they can work more than those 20 hours. So that's just something I just wanted to put out into the universe. Let you guys know from my experience. Okay, Ms. Myers? Just a quick comment. I think, and I'm gonna learn as I go along and do my research. But my understanding is things that are listed in the IEP are not options. If the IEP It says that a student gets a dedicated aide. It's not an option So… If

071it's listed in an IEP, the person or position is needed. And so I guess… Um, it seems like what Mr. Dwyer says that, you know, maybe what we should recommend is something that leans more towards the fact that the IEP does not allow for the option of a dedicated 8, if it's listed. As a reasonable accommodation or a resource that's needed for a child with disabilities. So… I did not realize that they were temporary positions. I'm learning that today, but I think that if the IEP lists this as what's needed. Then we should put recommendations forward that will ensure that the children get what they need. Ms. Vickery? Thank you, Ms. Myers. Oh, Ms. Patrick, I'm sorry. Thank you. Um, I would just… I just wanted to add that, to my knowledge, um, there is

072nothing that precludes us from communicating this type of concern with CCAT. Um… In addition, I do think that this is one of the issues that straddles the scope between what is… the intent and charge of DAB versus CCAC. Because, you know, the presence of a dedicated aide, yes, would fall under IDEA or, you know, even Section 504, um, however. There are some issues that I have heard shared in the county related to you know, students actually receiving a dedicated aid. Um, in a timely manner, and that, then, is a civil rights issue, right? And so, you know, again. I just think this is one of those topics that we really need more direction from our board members on related to our charge versus the charge of CCAC and who would address something like this. Thank

073you, Ms. Patrick. Ms. Vickery? You know what? We gonna just put this hand down and keep going. Because I forgot. Okay. Okay. Um, Ms. Dole, can you, um, continue, please? I sure can. Thank you all for your comments. I've been… Taking notes while we talk. Um… Next recommendation… sorry, let me get my view. Um… We need, um, human resources to, um, become more creative to hire new talent. Our PGCPS Human Resources currently has a reputation of being slow and not being transparent. About their hiring timelines. Uh, there are other jurisdictions in the area that do things like provide promise letters to graduating students. Features, so, you know, they know where they're going to be working. And, um, they have that promise letter, but PGCPS doesn't really do that. Um, we acknowledge, um, PGCPS has student-based

074budgeting, so that does make things a little more challenging for PGCPS to be able to guarantee where teachers are going to teach. Um, but… We have an incredible teacher shortage nationwide. Pgcps is no exception, and We really need to be recruiting and retaining um, talented teachers. Also, underneath of this. Pgcps needs to offer competitive salary and benefits. Basic, um, it is not currently competitive. Um. That… I'm not sure… The opinion you… the opinion you get depends on who you ask, but people… teachers are telling us that the salary and benefits packages are not competitive. Um, we also need to see PGCPS supporting students with more of the non-teaching staff, such as social workers and counselors. Um, when when those positions are appropriately staffed, then… teachers can do more focus on teaching. Um, PGCPS does currently

075have some therapists available to students, but they're only available to… Uh, certain students who have health insurance through particular companies, this isn't equitable, and it's not a long-term solution. Um, one interesting tidbit we heard in our conversations was that PGCPS is kind of known in the DC area As the jurisdiction that trains great teachers, provides great professional development. And then they get their, you know, they get their experience, and they go off somewhere else to make more money. And this is such a shame, and our students deserve to have teachers who have stayed in our jurisdiction for a long time and, um, our students deserve to have uh, the teachers have benefited from that professional development. Any discussions? On what Ms. Dole has presented to the committee? If there's no discussions, we're going to move

076on to 6.0 to new business. Um, is there any new business for the committee this evening? Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were done, I'm sorry. My apologies. Ms. Blackwell, I still have more recommendations. Nope, okay. Um… No problem. Number 3, staff members requesting reasonable accommodations are not receiving prompt responses to their requests. Uh, for the first half of 2023, Average days to a determination stood at about 32 days. It's okay. Um, but now… Since that time, it stands at more than 100 days since the third quarter of PGC. A third quarter of 2023, PGCPS has got to do better. Um, and a reasonable interim goal? Would be PGCPS bringing its average back down to 30 days, but really it should be a maximum of 30 days for staff to be able to receive a

077response to their disability determinations. Our staff members deserve their reasonable accommodation requests, and they deserve not to have to come out of pocket. We heard about somebody, um, who took 5 months to get an accessible keyboard. Um, and our students, our students with disabilities deserve to see themselves represented in the staff of Prince George's County. I have a couple more, but I want to leave space if people have questions or comments. Do anyone have any discussions or comments on, um, what's that topic number 3, Ms. Abdul? Yes. Mm-hmm. Um… Wow. Um, Ms. Smith, did you have your hand up first? Because all of them came up at the same time. Miss Vickery can go. Ms. Vicky, go ahead, please. And did you, um, Ms. Doyle, that the subcommittee come up with, like, a cadence, uh,

078for any reporting back on, um, reasonable accommodations. Requests. Or was it just a recommendation to the board to bring the average down? We… we didn't dig deeper than that. We don't have… we… We spoke to HR, but then they told us that those kind of accommodations are through legal. The legal department, and we have been trying and, uh, not yet been able to meet the legal department to talk about this issue. I would suggest, um to update the recommendation, um, to actually give a cadence. Um, so that they give a prescription to them. Um, so I'm… I'm recommending back to the subcommittee to give a prescription out to to your essential… your recommendation to the board to consider, instead of leaving it open-ended for the board to come up with their own. Or even for

079central office to come up with their own. I suggest you guys make it prescriptive and say, you know, a report should come out every… quarter, and it should… the timely metrics should be this. You know, SMART goals, make them… you know, easy, accessible, attainable, things like that. I think that should be added to that recommendation. So the 30 days, you think, is not… Okay. Well, no, I just… it's… you're saying bring it down to a maximum of 30 days, but how do you expect them to report that out, and how do you expect them to do that? Uh, Ms. Smith? Or was it Ms. Patrick? I want to make sure I don't call anybody that's turn. I think it's… yeah, I think it's me now. So, I guess, sort of on the same lines of

080Ms. Vickery, um. But I'm just kind of curious, is there any insight As to why these timeframes are so long. I know you just mentioned that you guys are trying to work through legal, but, like, what's the bottleneck? And then I'm wondering… Could the recommendation also include What do… what should staff do, or is there some type of, um, autonomy that the supervisor can have in providing some reasonable accommodation to a staff member Knowing that it's taken X amount of days to… Get a request. Reviewed. I mean, because again, we're dealing with a person with a disability, and they may need an accommodation immediately. So… so I would just only… If there is no additional insight as to why I think we should also add some type of information. Where the supervisor has some type

081of autonomy to address it, while is formalized. We don't know why, but what I can tell you is that… Not trying to call anybody out, necessarily, but the switch in timelines happened, uh, with our switch from, uh, Dr. Goldson to Dr. House. Ms. Patrick? Yep, thank you so much, Chair. I just wanted to share that this is information that we uncovered Um, based on a FOIA request that I submitted to the district around these specific timelines. And, um, thank you, Ms. Doyle. Um, what was also uncovered from that request is There is an administrative procedure Um, that requires the equity officer to report to the superintendent Um, specific data points around reasonable accommodation requests within a given year. Mm-hmm. It was shared that this administrative procedure is not being followed, and that a report is

082not being given on an annual basis. And so. I do believe that there just may be some oversight. Um, gaps… related to knowledge of this timeline. And, um, resolutions for expediting reasonable accommodation requests for staff. So I think it's an oversight Thank you, Ms. Patrick. Ms. Duell? Sorry, let me unmute. Um… This one hit me as a social worker, but I recently discovered that, uh, social workers, we are… We have master's degrees, most of us, and we are… well-trained, we have a supervision and a licensure process, and, um, I've recently discovered that you need to Pgcps, this is not all school districts. Uh, social workers are not allowed to provide resources to parents that have not been vetted through the legal department. Um, what… it's such an incredible way of time and resources, and this…

083slows down, um, social workers in doing their jobs, and… Um… We have advanced… again, we have advanced degrees. We also… this also, like, if a food referral comes up quickly. It's… it's gone. It's not something that social workers can provide to, um. Families, because legal will take time to… I have to review it, and so we need to allow professionals to do the jobs that they have been trained to do. In this respect. Uh, Mr. Speaker Ree? They… Ms. Doyle, I'm sorry, what? As your fellow social worker, I'm sorry, what? Like, it has to go through the legal department first. Okay. It… it is. Mm-hmm. It's kind of insulting to social workers, too, like, we're not good enough at our jobs, right? Like. It is. We have to go through almost 8 years of training,

084we have to do 4 years of undergrad, 2 years of graduate school, and then we do an additional three years of licensed training, and then when we go to get our LCSW, our LCISW, we do an additional 2 years of training. So we essentially go to medical school. So I'm… I'm… it has to go through legal. Yes. But I can bill insurance. And I could have a private practice, but I gotta talk to legal to tell you that the food bank is open. Yeah. Okay. Board Member Brown, okay. And again, this is not, uh, this is… This is not typical. Uh, social workers are… licensed healthcare professionals. Mm-hmm. For those of you who are not social workers. Okay, um, Ms. Dole, any other recommendations? Last one… the last one is surrounding parent volunteers. Um… Parent

085volunteers are a valuable addition to the school community. They bring diverse skill sets and bridge the gap between home and school environments, but Um, a lot of Prince George's parents Report being told that they're not allowed to volunteer at their kids' schools. This isn't acceptable, and, you know, there are things that parents could do that could make… you know, we can't be teachers, but we can maybe help fill in some gaps. To give teachers more ability to focus on teaching. We would like, uh, PGCPS to do an analysis, determine which schools make maximum use of volunteer policies, and you know, provide formal recognition on the PGCPS website and social media of schools who To utilize parent volunteers well. Any, um, discussions on the points that Ms. Um, Dole has brought up, um. Board Member Brown?

086Thank you so much, Chair Blackwell. I just want to, just for situational awareness. Um, for anyone who does volunteer with PGCPS, they do have to go through an extensive background. Application, screening, and they also have to do training, um, related to student safety, and so, um. Just for situational awareness, when I was a teacher, there were parents who wanted to volunteer, however, they did not want to take the necessary steps in getting fingerprinted, they didn't want to take the necessary steps to take the training, and so I think part of the recommendation would also If you all want to do an analysis. To also see if those steps and those guidelines are being presented to parents prior to them wanting to volunteer. Um, because I will say, when my kids were Uh, in elementary school,

087during back-to-school night, they gave us, like, a checklist, like, this is how you can volunteer, and they gave us the address, and they gave us exactly what needed to be done, um, especially for parents like me, when I had… well, my kids are in high school now, but when they were in kindergarten, I didn't know where to start. I thought I could just come into the school. Um, and so I think there needs to be, um, an analysis on that, and of course, um, just a continuous education portion on how Parents can get more involved to volunteer, because we love our volunteers. We love our parents who… Who take charge. Thank you. Thank you, Board Member Brown. Um, Ms. Myers, and then Ms. Smith. Just really quickly, on the volunteer, um. Policy. Um, I understand

088the policy. I am a school volunteer, I've done all of the background check and everything else. Uh, so was my mom. Um, but… I wonder if part of that policy creates a barrier Uh, to access and support. I think that I understand the background check, I understand the fingerprinting. Understand the basic safety. Classes, but I think there's another way to present it so that it's not so cumbersome. For parents to be able to volunteer, especially if they are volunteering to uh, supervise the kids while you're on the trip to the zoo. Um, or, you know, some basic classroom… you know, management, you know, some things like that, but I think that… the policy should not create those barriers. And then once you do all of that. The school still has to… reach out to have

089you volunteer. And so, I am a volunteer in waiting. I've made myself available. So, um, we do this every year. We've done it every year for the last, at least 5 years. Um, and we're still volunteers in waiting, so… Thank you, Ms. Myers. Ms. Smith? Them as Vickery, and then Ms. Doyle. So, I would say that I absolutely love this recommendation. I think that you guys are thinking outside of the box. I also think that there are a group of volunteers that's out there that won't… want to be utilized, not just… and I've provided public comment on this, not just to chaperone on a field trip, or… look at the lunch room when the kids are eating, like. We are group… there's a group of people who literally have a good skill set that want

090to be utilized in the schoolhouse So, to Ms. Brown. I do think that one of the barriers that we have when it comes to volunteers are the schoolhouses. Like, we need our administrators to see us more than just a parent or Um, a person from the community. You know, really. You know, have that conversation with us to see how can we be best utilized. So, I'm really for this particular recommendation. Ms. Vickery? I have a point of clarification for Ms. Brown, and then a comment. Um, which would you guys like first? Um, Board Member Brown? Um, Board Member, you said… You said that there… you're suggesting the subcommittee do an analysis between those who volunteer I don't think I… Gotcha. Okay. Those who… yeah, so essentially those who actually do take the next steps to

091get the fingerprints, do the trainings, because it is extensive to become a volunteer. Okay. Um, like I said, now that my kids are in high school, they don't even want me volunteering, but for those who are, you know, starting kindergarten, I think it's important, right? Can you imagine me being in the high school? Um, yeah, so I think that it is gonna be, um, vital for us to kind of get an understanding. If the schools are giving the information, are parents following through? Are they able to go to get their fingerprints done, taking the, um… the background trainings needed, um, those type of things. So, does that help, Ms. Vickery? Yeah, thank you, and Ms. Doyle, um, I wanted to suggest, um. Okay. I want to suggest, and I guess this is a question for,

092um, Board Member Brown and Ms. Johnson. When we have a board policy, does it always have an administrative policy that attaches to it? Procedure. Mm-hmm. It does. I see a lot of yeses. Okay, so my suggestion to Ms. Doyle is that Um, do you guys update the recommendation to have an administrative policy And I would suggest two things. One, an administrative policy that maybe the local schools keep a list of those Who are approved and can add them into those time slots, right? Like. Ms. Myers said they went to the to the zoo, all the teachers wanted to go, but they needed somebody to… to watch the kids during lunch or something like that. Um, also, I would add into that… that administrative policy, um. An option around, um, oh gosh, did I just lose

093it? Yes, I did, adding that example. Um, oh, here it goes. Um… around the marketing. Of it, because I thought about accessibility and how it was for me to get all the way from down here in District 8, all the way up to Largo while I'm… you know, able to do that, but to get all the way up, it's… Business hours, it's 8 to 5. You know, I just happen to have a… job that I can maneuver that way, but not everyone does, right? So they want to volunteer to maybe, um. Adding that the volunteer office does, um, volunteer days at different schools. Or different districts, or even at district meetings. Something like that. To make it more accessible. And thinking around that, around, hey, we are DAB, Um, so making it more accessible to

094volunteer. Um, thank you, Ms. Pickery. Ms. Duell, and then Mr. Dreyer. Again, I appreciate all these comments. I've been taking notes I was literally told when my… child was in kindergarten that the school did not allow volunteers. Um… For field trips or whatever, but then, you know, COVID shut everything down, but I was literally told. No volunteers in the school, um… Turned out it was because there were problems in that school, they were probably trying to hide them, but, um… I just wanted to make sure you knew that, Ms. Brown. Like, it's not… I believe there's an accessibility issue, I believe there are people… People don't want to do it all. Um, I think… somebody maybe can correct me if I'm wrong? If a child design. Free lunch, parents can get fingerprinted for free, and

095if your child is on reduced lunch, they can pay a lower fee. Yeah, I see head nods, that's good. Okay, so there is some, but… I agree, the timing, and just because we're not on free or reduced meals doesn't mean We're living large, so, you know, if they're a way for that fee to be more accessible, I hear that, too. Thank you, Ms. Dole. Um, Mr. Dreyer? Yeah, so this is… this has been a really excellent conversation. I'm really… happy to be a part of this board. In this first meeting, so, uh, thank you for the appointment. So… My wife and I are go-to's for, you know, things like field trips. She got fingerprinted and all that. I'm already an employee, so I take a day of leave to go on a field trip. You

096know, that's kind of… kind of where we're at. And the way that… My wife communicates with the first and second grade teacher, because I have two, is she's like, oh, I'm not going to be able to come this time, but my husband is going to be able to come and do this. And that sort of communication is really building community. And I think each school and each district has their own culture of how they Um, communicate with their students and how they communicate with the, uh. The community. So build each school can build a commu- uh, build… you know, just build their community in a way that, um, they recognize these people that are volunteers, you know, like, what… not that these volunteers really need an incentive to volunteer. But it's like, if we have

097a relationship with the student's teacher, it's easier for us to volunteer Um, with that particular, um, school, even. Um, so really, um, part of it to me is… that the schools can go out of their way to be more welcoming for these volunteers so that they do pay the $62, $63, or whatever it is to fingerprint, so that they know when they're in the system, they can be available for first grade, second grade, third grade. You know, all the way up until middle school as they're needed. So it's really, to me, like. We have a pretty strong, um, volunteer following at Tulip Grove Elementary, and I think it's because the principal and the vice principal All of them are very welcoming to parents, and they want parents to be there. And I think each school

098has their own sort of culture and how they welcome the students, or welcome the volunteers. Should be considered carefully. We don't want people to think that they're… that they're volunteers in waiting. Um, to use a phrase that Ms. Myers had talked about, because that kind of turned my head a little bit. You know, you put in the work for it, and you're… you seem committed. So, uh, I guess a question for me is, is there sort of a list? Does each school have a list of people that are volunteers, that are certified? Does each district, is it school-wide? Like, how does that work? If anybody knows. Um, Board Member Brown, you had your hand up. So, I don't know. How it works on the admin side, I can tell you anecdotally. My experience, um… is

099that one would assume after you've gone through the volunteer process, and you've watched the videos, and everything's been approved, that that approval then gets sent to the district and to the individual school. Um… However, I was told… That, you know, that did not happen, um, because I did reach out just to cover all bases. Um, to our local school, and say, hey, just a heads up. This was approved just in case you didn't get it, and sometimes there's time delay, blah blah blah. Um, and so I was told anecdotally, this was 2 years, or 3 years ago now. That they do not get notified. Um… So, again, this is… this is one… example, but… If that is to be the case, that seems like a glaring… Omission, um, but also something that could with some

100back-end kind of web-developing updates, which always sound easy, but I know are… Never really easy. Um… But that… that should be relatively seamless. Um. But yeah, so that's… I don't know. Hopefully that's… that's helpful, but… In my experience, like I said, it… it was, like, that information went into a black hole. Um, Board Member Brown, and then we will hear from Ms. Vickery, and then, um, Erka… I'm sorry, I didn't see your last name. So, Board Member Brown? Okay. Board Member Brown, you had your hand up. Yeah, no, just, um, just for situational awareness regarding the volunteer. Um, parents, once they do get their fingerprints, there is a receipt that they actually have to present to the school, um, as collateral, just basically showing proof it cannot go through a system, uh, because they have

101to actually see the physical proof. That, uh, you did get fingerprinted, and that PGCPS is aware that you are able to go into the school. So just kind of for situational awareness, that's part of the security to ensure that families are showing the valid proof. That they are eligible to volunteer. Over. Oh, and I did want to say one more thing, Ms. Doyle. Um, you are valid in what you are… what you said. I think, um, I just wanted to make clarity. I didn't want it to seem as if I was saying, oh, that doesn't happen. No. It does happen, and you are valid, and I appreciate you all sharing over. Um, Ms. Vickery, and then Ms. Erica, please. Um, so… like Board Member Brown said, once you show your, um, fingerprints. Um, my understanding

102is then that the school, um, whomever they have identified in their front office staff. Then has to, like Ms. Burns said, pull you from the black hole. Um, you are not essentially assigned right away, although you do identify your school that you are, um, volunteering for, and you do identify, um. The school year that you're volunteering for, um, and even if you get the, uh, 12… what is it? 11 years during school, they're in school, I don't know how many years these kids are in school. Even though you get that full timeline of $65 fingerprint. Um, you still have to go in and be pulled back out every single time. Um, so I agree with Ms. Byrne, and I would say to just Ms. Doyle, that maybe adding a suggestion that there's some type of

103back-end web update done, so that when someone does apply. To Tulip Grove, they are automatically attached or pushed into a queue for Tulip Grove to see. Um, and then that… that would… probably solve… Um… like, solve the situation there, because then it's already attached. And they can just see whether or not they've tracked along. Um, because right now, you have to do the fingerprints. Then finish the trainings, then email the training certificates to school. And then wait for somebody to find you from the black hole. Um, Ms. Erica? Thank you, Ms. Vickery. I was just gonna comment, I think that, um… I guess every school is operating differently, and the schools that I've been able to volunteer in, like, they've… after they've received my… Where I've submitted everything. Like, they normally email me to confirm

104that I've, like, gone through the process, and I can start volunteering. So I don't know if there should be a better system. To allow or inform volunteers that they have gone through, and they can now start. Thank you. Ms. Smith? Um, Ms. Wingate Robinson pretty much just touched on the point that I wanted to make. So… Yes, we… we get to a list. I am a parent with children in two different schools. And one of the school, I guess, one of the schools, I believe, is, like, the lead and basically pulling me out of this black hole and assigning or checking off in a system that I'm good to go. And sometimes it can be frustrating, because now I'm ready to volunteer at the other school, but now I'm waiting on the… this other school

105to take the action. So yeah, on the back end, I think that the process can definitely be improved. Thank you, Ms. Um, Smith. I'd like to add to that process, um. I was looking at some of the school websites throughout Prince George's County. I only saw one school Um, which was, um, the Academy of Health and Science. Located Prince George's Community College. They had on their website that the process that you go through to become a volunteer. So for parents who want to become a volunteer, I think… I thought that was really good to see that on their website So parents can see the information there and know how to go through it. But then. On the back side of that, when you go to get fingerprint, it takes forever. More than 45 days to

106be fingerprinted to get your appointment to be fingerprinted. So that, that kind of holds up the process of a person becoming… to be able to be a volunteer as well. Dole, do you have anything else you'd like to add to your recommendations from the committee? That is the end of our recommendations. Thank you for your time. In the subcommittee? Anyone else like to have any other comments? Um, I'd like to move on to 6.0 New Business. Are there any, um, requests by the advisory board for new business? Um, both hands came up at the same time, so I'm gonna go with Ms. Myers and then Ms. Smith. Mine is just a quick kind of comment. Um, especially for new board members. Um, and I don't know if you all do this, is there, like, an

107orientation session Um, for the new board members to help us get better acclimated, um. Some kind of process, uh, to make sure that we're connected to the Google Drives, to make sure that we are getting the right information. Because I wanted to prepare for this meeting, because I did not necessarily know what you all had already gone through. And it would be great if we could get some kind of orientation and access to historical information. So that we can come better prepared. Um, I mean, this has been great so far. I've learned a lot, but still I feel like I'm… I'm lacking. I do agree, because it's still new to me as well. Ms. Smith? So, to address your question, Ms. Myers, yes, we will have a… onboarding session. Um, we threw yourself as well

108as Mr. Dyer, right into this. Um, the request came over from the board member's office. And I said, since you all are filling vacancies, and the meeting was here, yes, allow them to come on. So yeah, we're there. We're gonna make sure that you all are onboarded, um, but I will also say, we all were thrown into this fire, so… We're learning and operating operating together. But yeah, we'll make sure that you guys are up to speed on where we are thus far. I will also say… Um, as far as historical… information. We're trying to get better at that, hence of creating these… the Google Drive. Um, it has been… or having access or knowing where historical information has been housed has been a little difficult. Um, but when… when the board office does find

109it, they do make sure that it comes over to us. So, we will make sure that you have access to whatever we have already been. Privy to. So thank you for that question. Ms. Blackwell, um, I have a few things. Is it okay if I have the floor? Yes. Sure, yes. Vice Chair. Um, the first thing… okay. Thank you. So the first thing, uh, Ms. Brown, this is for you. I'm not sure if I saw a date for DIAB to go to the, um, to go to the board. So, I wanted to know, is there a date yet? And then, do we know how much time we have? And so those two questions are for you, and then for the board itself. Um, I think we need to decide what's… what's our tangible thing? I

110know we've already talked about not doing our annual report just yet, but… Is there any preliminary information that you all wish to be shared at that time, so that, um… You know, Chair Blackwell and myself would know how to document that and make sure that you all are well represented. And actually, there's another question… for you, Ms. Brown. Because I… we were talking about it with Ms. Johnson. Is D-App doing the presentation, or are you… is it a talking point from… okay, I figured it'd probably be BS. From my understanding, it is… I… I like when you guys present. I can do it, but I feel like the voice is better when it comes directly from you all. Um, so they could see the, you know. The emotion, they could understand, and it doesn't just

111come from my biases, or whatever that may look like. Um, but it actually comes from constituents who care, who do this work, who are constantly on the ground doing this work, and so it was my understanding that you all will be presenting. I will check back with, um, the board office to see, um, what exactly… I think the time, because typically, I don't think… when they do presentations, they don't have more than 5 minutes, Tia, from my understanding. Um, and so it has to obviously be a very impactful 5 minutes. Um, and Teresa and Chair Blackwell, excuse me, Vice Chair Smith and, um, Chair Blackwell. If you all want to, um, we can kind of have, like, a side conversation on exactly what you all would like to discuss, and I could just give recommendations,

112um, based on what I hear from other board members, what they would like to hear. Um, and based on the information we have been tracking, I'm asking from the administration, we can actually discuss those as well. Um, I hope that answered your questions that you had. There was something else I feel like you asked, but… Okay. No, I think you covered it all. Um, then the other thing that… I don't want to call it new business, but I think it's a point It's a point that needs to be said, because I was sitting in, um, a session for my district. And there seems to be a misunderstanding on what CCAT does, as well as what is DIAB. Um, because a comment was made there, and I'm like, uh, no, that's not… that's not it. So…

113I think that we need to… I think that the public needs to be aware about both of these councils or advisory boards. Um, I think that that… We need to handle that, and let me just say it like that. It needs to be handled so that there is no confusion. Outside of the policy, I mean, plain language, what do these… what's the intention of both of these, um, groups? Then, um, the other thing that I wanted to mention… We went over recommendations tonight, um, some of this information may go forward. Um, when we have this presentation. And I just want everybody to just really think of these recommendations in the… in the site of, or in the context of. Governance. Um, what is acceptable How are we as a district, planning to be consistent? What's

114the legality behind everything? You know, our intention is not… to remove the authority from other groups at all. It's literally to build this consistency, it is… It's a policy document, and when you think of policy, or maybe let me say it like this, we need to think of it in the context of policy. It's as simple as that. You got Statue, you get regulatory, um, you get the regulations from the statute, then you get the policy. So, I just wanted to also mention that, and I yield the floor. Thank you, Ms. Smith. Vice Chair. Um, Ms. Vickery, you had your hand up, and then Ms. Patrick. I actually wanted to ask for a point of clarification from the Chair, Vice Chair, and Board Member Brown. Um, it was my understanding that subcommittees were coming back

115this meeting to present the recommendations. To prepare a potential presentation for the board for June. We're at May 20th. Do we… Do we need to identify a second meeting? To put together that presentation. And to essentially vote on what we're putting forward, or is that… Something that the chair, vice chair, and Board Member Brown Um, plan to discuss, um, at that get-together, and I do apologize. Um, the two PGCPS students have arrived home. Okay, um, Ms. Patrick, and then Ms. Smith. Okay, thank you, Ms. Patrick. Ms. Smith? So, um… First, Ms. Vickery, you just reminded me that I think you were going to be taking the lead on this item. But, um… To your point, I think tonight. We need to decide if what was presented is what we want to move forward for these

116recommendations. I do realize that the subcommittee from, um, facilities did not present anything, but… I hope I'm not speaking… Um… I hope that I'm representing my subcommittee. I'm not the chair, but I don't think that we even have recommendations at this time. Um, but we may have some information that maybe we may wish to share. So, in that said, I think tonight… Alright, we do need to… decide from the other two subcommittees, are we okay to move forward with that information? And then in my mind. That gives us the op… us as the exec board to have the discussion with Ms. Brown. This is what we want to go forward with. Um, especially so that she can communicate with her board members in case they have questions, she'll have that level of insight to be

117able to be our voice. So, I think we just need to decide tonight what's going forward. Um… Both hands came up at first, so I'm gonna go with Ms. Patrick first, and then I go to Board Member Brown. This is actually a question for Board Member Brown. Um, is there an opportunity for us to actually have dialogue with the board, um, around some of these recommendations. I think that's a… that's an excellent question. Um, so the first thing that I want to address, Ms. Patrick, and to Ms. Um, Vickery, is that, um, we have to be very careful about, um, scheduling meetings because we don't want to have any OMA violations. Um, and so that's why I kind of just said, hey, you know, we have two people, I can basically speak to them, and,

118you know, it can take it from there. However, if we need to make an additional meeting. Um, we have to go through the board office to put that on the schedule. When it comes to having a dialogue with the full board. That will be a recommendation that I would have to give to the chair of the board. Um, he would have to accept that, and he would actually have to put that on the calendar. Um, and so that's not a decision that I would make, that's actually a decision that the board chair would make, but I could make a recommendation on that. Ms. Vickery? Um, Chair, I'm just asking if we can have some discussion, um. Provided the information we just got from Board Member Brown, um, so we can have the discussion. Yes, um,

119that's… Yeah, as a committee, can we discuss the recommendations that has already been put forth before the committee? And then I have a, um, a kind of question for Board Member Brian and myself. Ms. Blackwell, may I be recognized? Okay, so I think that we've had the discussion. Oh, yes, um, go ahead, um, Vice Chair. I think we just… From a procedural standpoint. I guess I feel like the chair or the subcommittee chairs just need to make the motion, and we… we move forward from there. Mm-hmm. Um, Ms. Myers? So, I guess my question is, again, about the procedures and the process, because when we started. With the first set of recommendations. Um, you put forth a motion about the name. And then the motion didn't pass. So now, are we gonna move into a

120phase where we're talking about moving what forward? The motion didn't pass for the name change, then what are we moving forward? Okay, uh, Ms. Vickery? Chair, if I could be recognized. Um, so… so that motion didn't pass around the name change, but there's several recommendations that have been discussed. My question, um, and to clarify my question, because I think it will help Ms. Myers out. My question, um, to the Chair and Vice Chair is, do we want to go through and have motions on… every single recommendation, or do we want to have a motion on a block of recommendations from board? Um, from subcommittee 1700, and then the block of recommendations from hiring committee, I'm asking for, like, some structural structure here, so… How would you like to do it, so that I could set

121these screens up and prepare for it, one, but also two. Um, just kind of so we have going forward, and then… I am saying this for the rest of the advisory board. Um, you also to be… to recognize that if the motion doesn't sound the way you would like it, and you would like to amend it, you do have the option to Asked to be recognized by the chair or vice chair so that you can amend the motion, I'm not making a motion, I'm just asking a structural thing here. So then that may be different advisory members can decide which way we're gonna go. Does that make sense, Ms. Blackwell and Ms. Ms. Smith, I'm asking, do you want us to do… Each recommendation, or blocks of recommendation per subcommittee. Ms. Smith? So I was

122trying to get this clarified myself early on. So, what I… what I think we should do is, if the subcommittee chairs and Chair Blackwell, if you are okay with this. Yeah. That the motion is based on the block. Of recommendations, with the exception of the motion that we had earlier related to the name change. So we already clarified how we were going to move forward with that. I… I'm in agreement with you, Vice Chair, to move along in blocks. And I do it one by one. Definitely, um… Um, can I… I'm sorry, Chair, if I may interject. So, yes, you can do it that way. You don't have to do it one by one. You could just… um, do all of the recommendations together as a block. And then just, um… say the language could,

123um, would be The question is, shall the committee… whatever the motion's gonna be, move forward with the recommendations to the board, and if there aren't any objections, then… the motion is adopted. But if there are, um, an objection, then there would be a discussion, and then it will have to proceed to, I believe, a roll call vote would happen next. Okay. Um… Vice Chair. So, we… um, if the committee agrees that we move, um. Regarding recommendations, we addressed them in the block. And then someone can make a motion, and then we can… decide on a vote. So, will you be doing numb… It essentially… I think it's just going to be two motions up front initially. Okay. Um, Mr. Bakerie, before we move on… Yes. So, I'm sorry, Matt, may I, um, Chair, if I

124can just kind of clarify, and I don't know, maybe we're saying the same thing or not. What you could do is just… run down all of the recommendations as one motion. And if anyone objects to that. Then there would be discussion. Then they'll have to be a roll call vote. Because the objection would be a new motion. Mm-hmm. And then, um, you'd have to do an actual roll call vote. But if no one objects, then the motion would… be adopted, and you can move. Forward after that. Okay. Um, Ms. I'm sorry. So, Ms. I was just gonna ask, so Chair Blackwell, do you need each subcommittee chair to run… to do their list? Do you need… do you need the subcommittee chairs to do the motion, I guess is the question. Yes, I need a

125cell committee chance to do the motion. And, um… Ms. Vickery, can you, um… Read the recommendation from each, I guess how one of them, Ms. Vickery read the recommendation from each committee? Thank you, uh-huh. Yes. Go ahead, Ms. Yeah, that… that's… I actually was going to suggest that, Chair. First Chair, if I could go back and… So, I'm sorry, can I just interject one more time? Because this is… the Board of Education, I know. How they do it is usually the chair would read. Um, would do the motion, um. Oh, no, I wasn't… Ms. Johnson, I wasn't doing a motion, I was just going to refresh everybody's memory. If there's, like, a recommendation… I'm sorry, go ahead. Oh, okay. Oh, got it, okay. Then they can do the motion. I just… because we… We've been

126here for 2 hours, I just… I wasn't doing… just bringing back to the notes to kind of just say. Got it. Mm-hmm. This is what Subcommittee 1700 talked about, and then whoever is going to do the motion can go from there. Okay. Um, but Miss, uh, Chair Blackwell, Ms. Doyle has had her hand. Yes. Dole, I was gonna address her. Thank you, Ms. Vickery. Just a quick question, because I think the substance of my group's recommendations will be unchanged, but based on feedback. From folks here, um, I think there will be some tweaks, so… I'm wondering, like. Is it okay to vote on it and then have some tweaks? Afterwards, or do we need to make the tweaks first, and then… vote. Like I said, I don't see the substance. We're not flipping… opinions, you

127know, we're just tweaking. Um, Ms. Vickery? Um, you could make the motion in a way where you say, um. Wait a sec… We are presenting the recommendations, um. With the knowledge that we will be adding, or making some additional change… I wouldn't say changes, but, you know, like, there's a way you could say it where… We will be adding the recommendations received tonight to those. Already identify recommendations. Like, that's how you could say it. Take it there. Oh, with, um, do that, and then, when tweaking it, we can say with necessary changes. Correct, correct, correct. Okay, Ms. Rickery? Whenever you're ready. Sorry, I had to find what page we were at, because we're… we're on, like, 6 pages, guys. Okay. Okay. Okay, um… Um, subcommittee 1700, um, made a recommendation, um. I'm just mentioning this,

128it's not… but made a recommendation to change the name. Um, that motion… was, um, did not pass. On either name changes, the one thing that did pass and carry was to present both name changes to the full board. So, that will be part of whatever document and presentation we provide to the board. Um, recommendation 2 was to update the scope of Board Policy 1700 to expand the charge of the app, um, to ensure that it's inclusive of ADA Title 504 IDEA, and several other, um, federal locally. Local and federal statutory requirements. Recommendation 3 was to amend the policy to change for flexibility in reporting. Provide a prescriptive, um. A flexible but more prescriptive reporting timeline, um, there was, along with a minimum standard of the report. Um. Recommendation… 1, 2, 3, 4… 4 was to

129update the, um, accurate authority. Of War Policy 1700, and make sure it is beyond ADA. 5 was, um, a recommendation of standard… staggered appointments terms for DIAB members. 6, increasing the board the advisory board by one member to include a compliance specialist Uh, specifically versed in IDEA, um, and to omit just specifically focus on ADA. Um, to coincide with the expansion of Policy 1700. And, um… Additionally mandate the establishment and adoption of bylaws that govern the adoption of the board. Um, and it… because it's not specified currently that the or it follows Robert Rules of Order and compliance with Maryland open rules. Open Meetings Act, and clearly distinguish roles between DIAB and CSAC, And consider the… and, um… add a cadence for DIAB to meet with the superintendent, and the full PGCPS board Um, to

130provide feedback. Uh, Ms. Patrick? Yes, I'd like to motion to accept Um, the… or to move forward with the Board Policy 1700 recommendations as they are presented. Will that be anyone to second that motion? Second. I second the most. Ms. Vickery, did you capture that? Ms. Um, Sarah B, did you, um… You had your hand raised. Ms. Vickery, did you record that? Yes, yes, I did. Ms. Mcgree? Okay, I didn't hear you. Okay, you was on mute, uh-huh. Um… Can you go to the report from, um… Ms. Jewell? Mm-hmm. Sorry. Chair, you have, um… You have to ask whether or not there is any Is there any objections to the motion? Put a committee? If there's an emotion, it is accepted. And our, um… Vice Chair Smith, I just want to point of clarification. We

131are… are we moving… are we going over, um… No, got you. We're… I just wanted to make sure I remembered that. The students came in when… when you were talking about that. Okay, thank you. Um, so we are… moving past, um, new construction and building subcommittee at this time. Um, as they're… are not recommendations to add to the report, but there will be, um. Maybe, uh, uh… what do I want to say? Enhancements to supply. Forthcoming. Yes. Mm-hmm. To, um, the report that's provided to the board. The recommendations from the Employment and Hiring Subcommittee were to make the position of the aide, um. Benefit eligible, robust paid training, professional development. Availability, um, deliberate recruitment, um. And potential change in the type of aid that is retired. Secondary… suggestions, um… Hr to be more, um… transparent

132in their hiring and hiring timelines. Provide promise letters, stu… promise letters to new incoming staff. Offer competitive salaries and benefits, support students with more non-teaching staff, like counselors and social workers and therapists. Um, look at the way that therapists are within the schools and ensure that it is more equitable. Recommendation 3, staff members requesting accommodations. To ensure that accommodations requested by staff members. Are met within a 30-day timeline. As well as following the current policies and administrative procedures surrounding, um. Reasonable accommodation requests from staff. Recommendation for… review the policy around social workers. Providing resources to staff and students. Um, currently the policy requires that all resources are vetted through the legal department, which can cause delays. Recommendation 5, update and provide additional services to ensure that parent volunteers are available, um, to schools and to

133students in need. Did I miss anything, Ms. Doyle? No, okay. That was great. Oh, would you like to make a, um, motion? I'd like to motion to… adopt these recommendations? Anyone like to second that motion? Miss… Ms. Smith, you have your hand up We got the motion on the floor, but I think the motion needs to be amended, um… And I guess I may need to amend it. Um… I move that… We amend the motion to accept the recommendations as presented. And considering the additional changes from the discussion. Anyone would like to second that, um, amended motion, second motion? I second that. Any objections? Any objections? It is moved that is accepted with the amended Second motion. Ms. Vickery? Nope, I have it captured. Um, we… both motions carried. Um, with no objections. Okay, thank

134you. Okay. We, um, I'd like to move on to… we didn't discuss new business, 6.0. New business, do we have any new business for the committee this evening? I'm sorry, I'm sorry, this is his new business, I'm sorry. Chair, we're in new business now. Stand correctly, Ms. Wickery. Um… Um, since I like to… is there any other… Go ahead, Ms. Um, Vice Chair Smith. We're… So, um, Chair Blackwell, I guess… Um, one of the items that I presented was about… you know, having some comms around the two groups. So I guess, um, I wanted to know where do we stand with that? Moving forward with that regard. Is the board… I guess the question is, is the board okay If the two groups worked… Together to develop messaging. And then it's somehow shared with the

135community. Uh, what is the pleasure of the committee? So I guess the question is, are there any objections with CCAT and DIAB working together to draft language as it relates to our functions. So that our community stakeholders can be aware. Is there any discussion with, um, Vice Chairs brought up? Ms. Patrick? This is an area that I'd really like our board members to weigh in on. Um, you know, I think the very nature of our board policy 1700 recommendations, one of them is for the board to provide clarity on the role of Diab. And so I think… even when I'm thinking about approaching a co-constructed. Charge, you know, with CCAC, which would be great, um, we can't do that if we are not… we don't have clear direction from our… board on the role, and

136so… Yeah, I'd be open to that. Um, but I would really like some clear direction, and a more expansive policy that clarifies I'm thankful that you said that, Ms. Patrick, so I'm right there with you. So, Ms. Brandt… No, any initial Mm-hmm. I do agree, uh… Ms. Patrick and Vice Chair, um, Smith. Um, I'd like to, um, get some feedback from the, um. From the board, the committee? I'm sorry, did you want me to give feedback, or… I don't know. Should we com… Um… it would be welcomed, and then Ms. Vickery. I'll let Ms. Vickery go, because she had her hand up, my apologies. Okay, thank you. Ms. Vickery? Um, I think I'm with Ms. Patrick. I really… So, my concern is that… Because CCAC is a volunteer, um. Organization, although mandated by Comar regs…

137I'm… I'm concerned that, um… that without the changes to Policy 1700, coming up with this language, we might still be in the same situation where we are right now. Um, so, so I don't know. I might be straddling the fence here, because I want I prefer that the policy be updated. Before we do that, but then I also don't want to not do that Um, and then what if the… the… the… the items… developed by CCAC, and… DF are not accepted by the board. I'm not… I get to miss Board Member Brown. Yes, so I did, um, make… Uh, Dr. Moss, who is the chair of the Policy and Governance Committee, he's fully aware Um, of the ask, um, even prior to… you all coming to present with the recommendations. Um, uh, policy number, board

138policy number 1700, is going to be up for review next year. Um, right now, we, again, like I had stated before, we want to make sure that CCAT and DIAB do not overlap each other, but do the work that is needed to be done. Um, whatever that looks like from a legal standpoint, of course, we'll definitely make sure that we consider that. Um, but also from a community standpoint, because we don't also want it to look like these groups are competing, because we're all fighting for our children, right? And so We want to make sure that individuals are not coming out thinking that, oh, well. Diab is trying to do this, and we're doing… we're doing competing efforts, um, and that's not what this is about. Um, this is about community members. You know, holding

139each other up, holding each other accountable, holding each other's hand, and fixing things, um, that are able to assist in different areas. And so. I will say that, like I said, Dr. Moss is fully aware. We're gonna make sure that there's clarity. On what Diab does and what CCAC does, uh, moving forward, but in the… in this… because we're talking about DIAB, I want to make sure that Um, yes, it was, Board Member Brown. It's not a question. That I had to ask you, but, um… Me always doing… being a mom and doing investigation, you know how we look through everything. Um, as I was investigating accountability and transparency that the county has out. On the website, as well as some of those things that are listed there, it still is outdated, like 2018. For

140my past. Um, superintendent, so… I feel that anything that we're trying to accomplish through our committees. That everything had to be transparent. And account… accountability. Um, I just went through this with my, um, my granddaughter's advocate and her proxy. I had to do that same thing at her high school. And… but one thing I like that the compliance officer worked with… with us as a family. To have that transparency. And the accountability, because at this present time. It's like, I've been fighting this battle for such a long time. And things need to change. And that takes forever to get those things changed, because that's the purpose of having procedure and policy. But nothing should be outdated in this county. We talk about, like I said, my son would be 40 years old come December. And

141everything that the parents here are asking for, and we want in place. It shouldn't I have taken over 30 plus years to get this accomplished. That transparency and accountability have to happen. Um, Ms. Smith, and then Board Member Brown. Some, um, Board Member Brown, thank you so much for what you just stated to us. So, yes, I do think Um, we should move forward in that regard, but… I do also believe… Y'all just bear with me, that there probably should be some language, even if it's just stated… well, let me also say. In regards to what Ms. Patrick put on the floor. Yeah, we need this policy changed, but in its current state, I do think that there is some language that could perhaps be shared with the community. So this is now my question.

142I know that the board office sent out communication to the principles? But do we know, did it go beyond that? Was that shared further? Look, I go… My children are in two different schools, and I… have not seen any communication about this group, so I just want to know, did it die? In our black hole. So… Um, Chair, if I may, um… respond to Vice Chair, because I, um… because myself and, um, at the time. Yes, yes, I'm a person. Um, our director at the time. Mr. Ravel Fitzpatrick, we did send out communication through our dual, um, our internal communication system, and I was told that it was posted in the To the principals, that it did go out to the principals, but I believe at one of the early meetings with Diab. When you

143all first, um, came together. Mr. Fitzpatrick at the time mentioned that you all could reach out to your schools. Pta, PTO, parent groups, parent organization groups, as well, and spread the word about the organization. In fact, I believe he mentioned that that would probably be one of your best bet… bets, because they are out there in the school communities, and they have a lot of contacts as well. But yes, um, the information was shared to principals months ago. Um, and that was… that was pretty much it, but I believe you all, too, were encouraged to speak with your schools parent organization groups as well. Board Member Brown, and then Ms. Vickery, and then Ms. Sarah B. Board Member Brown? Mm-hmm. Yes, thank you so much. Thank you so much, Chair Blackwell. So, um, I just

144also want to make sure that you all are aware even in the process of choosing the wonderful Ms. Myers and Mr. Dwyer, we got over 100 applications. And so, in that application process. Were tons of principals. And teachers. Um, and so please know that even based on the correspondence that was sent. People know that Diab is a group that is not to be reckoned with, you know? And so, just… just… for your situational awareness, of course, I'm new on the board, but other board members Uh, i.e, you know, um… Board Member Walker, she was like, she's never seen anything like this, as far as the amount of applications that were sent. So, I think… Us continuously communicating with the community the way that we did through the board, of course, with your PTSOs, PTAs, and

145PTOs. Um, that's gonna continue to get the word out and continue to have an opportunity for us to have advocacy. Even as a board member in my, um. Newsletters, I do also put down when Diab will be meeting. Um, I do let people know for other committee meetings that are going to be happening, and so just know that, yes, we are definitely putting in the work, um, but By all means, feel free to let organizations know and let people know what we're all about, and once we're committed to the language, um, of course, we'll definitely make sure that we share that amongst you all. Ms. Vickery, and then Ms. Irby. It actually was, um, my understanding that we were advised that our individual board members would kind of work to invite us to their, um,

146constituent meetings, not that we were going to reach out to the individual schools, um, because the Communication was taking quite some time to get out to the principals. And we did it… they didn't want to… there was… Um. A former board member, um. Staff… staffer, right? Yeah. Shayla. She didn't want us to get hung up, because we had gotten, I think, to, like, meeting two or meeting three. Like, it was… getting out there. So it was my understanding, actually, we were supposed to have been invited By our respective board members to their constituent meetings to discuss. Anything. And to either get updates from our board members, from constituents. Um, Ms. Sarah B, and then Board Member Brown. Thank you. Um, yeah, my comment was going to be… along similar lines, um, I do recall… a

147discussion in our, kind of, early meetings about some sort of formal announcement, and then there was a… it was a, no, no, don't say anything yet, we are going to put something together, and I do believe it was Dr. Moss at the time Or… Mr. Fitzpatrick, is it? Uh, sorry, I sometimes can't remember my kids' names, so… Um, but the position… was to kind of hold, and also based on the fact that we were still determining the scope. Of our work, so it's hard to… tell, um… Like, I don't want to go out there and be like, hey, I'm, you know. Sarah B in District 3, and we can help you in this way, and that way, when we're still navigating that. Um, so I just wanted to… like, I want to make sure I'm

148not dropping the ball. Um, have others already been doing this outreach? Did we actually get the green light? And I… Missed it. Um… Um, either way, today being today, what should we… Then be doing. I'm still of the position that we are defining that scope. Um, and would feel more comfortable proceeding once that has narrowed, or at least been defined. Um. Yeah, I just want to make sure I'm… I'm executing and living up to what I've… been put on here to do, but I'm feeling a little bit in the dark. On that average part. Thank you, Sarah B. Um, Board Member Brown? Yeah, so as the policy stands now. The… die of job is accessibility when it comes to buildings. So, because we're trying to expand the policy, our goal is to expand the policy.

149The language is going to be expanded. So if there is outreach that is going out, hey, I'm a part of DIAB, what we do is we look into ADA, um, compliance when it comes to our student buildings. So if there is an issue, as a… as a… Liaison for District 5, I'm saying District 5, because that's where I live, um, I can speak to my board member, and we can discuss it, and so I love that Chair Blackwell talked about how she had her board member aside her. Walking through the field at Duval with Dr. Addernful, and talking about those type of issues. So if there are parents, a lot of times what people, like, board members, we can't be everywhere, and so that's why we have you all to be our Our ears and

150eyes and mouthpiece sometimes, because we can't see everything sometimes the way you all see things. And so, um, Sarah B, if you were like, hey, I went to this school, please talk to your board member representatives so that we can hopefully move it up to the chain a little bit faster, but then talk to parents, you know, if you are a PTO member. Um, that's a best… the best opportunity. So I'm a part of my PTSO, um, at Bowie High School, because that's where my child goes. Um, and so sometimes they do give me an opportunity to be able to speak about things that are going on and what I'm able to do. And so, um. I also have what is called coffee and conversations one Saturday every single month, um, January through June, and

151so basically what happens is those are other opportunities that board members are able to speak. Now, not every board member has weekend opportunities. Not every board member Does start, so everybody kind of navigates it differently, so I definitely encourage you ought to go directly to your board member and say, what does this look like as far as a partnership, and as far as We all navigating, and… Advocating for our students who have disabilities. Um, I'd like to add to that, um… Now, one thing I'm very, uh… I work well with my principal in my building, so when the communication went out, um, the principals do meet once a week, so they did get the communication. Um, because I had my principal to check, and he did get it, so he was able to tell me

152that, you know, the principals did get it, so they… they… all the principals get the communication at the same time. About DDAP. So… It's out there, and, um, parents are like, oh, you do this? Okay, and I had people in my building that ask me. You know, um… Can, um, one of my coworkers asked if he could come as a guest today, because he's getting ready to apply to be a principal, so… People know that we exist, but we do still need to get the word out. Some schools do not have a PTO, some schools do not have a PTA. So, that would be… the downside of that, of getting that school community to know that we exist, but we do have community liaisons in the building that do things in the community and within

153the school. So, that's another way to get that out, too, as well. And get, um, the community liaison in the school to put us on the listserv to be able to go… their message to go out to the parents. To be… to let them know that we do it… that this committee does exist and what we do. Um, is there any other comments or suggestions that we need to discuss this evening? With… with that said, um… if we're all in agreement? Vice Chair, do you like to, um, bring up anything else for the well-being of the committee? I don't have anything else. I think that this has been such an amazing meeting this… this… tonight. There was a lot of substance put out on the floor. I'm excited about The work that we're about to

154put forward, and everything that's coming forward. Forth behind this, my daughter got a lot to say, too. Because my hair hurt. But yeah, I have nothing else. Just, I thank you all for your dedication. For your, um, efforts in volunteering to do this work, you know, I just want to extend my thanks. So, nothing else for me, Ms. Chair Blackwell. Okay. Ms. Vickery? Um, I just want to, um… make sure I have a point of clarification for Board Member Brown. Um, on our last meeting minutes, you identified that June 26th would be possibly for us to present, are we still… there. I will double-check on the correspondence, but I think that the chair was… is aware of it, the request. Um, and so I can definitely confirm, but I… I believe we are confirmed, but

155I will… I will definitely make sure that I confirm that with you all. Okay, sorry, I just wanted to make sure everybody's calendar was okay, because, you know, we're getting into field days and stuff like that. Yeah. Yep, yep. I'm just… okay. Mm-hmm. Okay. Um, with that said, anyone having any, uh, discussions, anything that we'd like to bring forth to the committee before we adjourn our meetings this evening? With that said, um, 7. Um, we will adjourn this meeting. The chair informs the public that the next virtual meeting of the Disability Issue Advisory Board would be on June 9, 2025, Please continue to check your Prince George's County Public Board of Education website for meeting details and updates. I'd like to thank you for all your great discussions in attendance. To our viewers, thank you

156for watching, and there will be no further business. For the committee. The time now is 8. 39 p.m. And the May 2025 Disability Issue Advisory Board meeting has been adjourned. Thank you, everyone, for, um, coming tonight, and it's greatly appreciated.