001lose your your fingers or just don't use your fingers. You can just say it. 80 + 3 = 83. I just say by myself, I can do it. Being in this program is not always about finding the smartest kids. It's it's mostly about finding talent, what they're good at, what their strengths are. If you're able to maybe play an instrument, if you can dance, if you can draw, if you can sing, all those are forms of that we look out look at and that we scope out to see what we can do and how we can nurture those gifts. Morning. I'm Mindy Bera. Thank you for joining us on this Purple Monday. And help us welcome the newest member to our 11 News Today team, Jason Newton. Good morning, Jason. Good morning. Thank you, Tony.
002I appreciate it. I'm from Baltimore. I'm a Baltimore City College graduate. I went to the University of Maryland, worked over in Salsbury, and now worked my way through Milwaukee and back here in Baltimore. It's great to have you. Thank you. Good to be here. It's a lot of fun. It's good to leave the cold temperature of Milwaukee behind. You're going to love this guy. He's a Ravens fan. Born and You don't even have to train him to be. Every day across the world, city school students make their mark, shaping their communities, pursuing their passions, and building their futures. Take Jason Newton, a trusted anchor and reporter for WB TV, bringing the stories that matter to Baltimore. But journalism wasn't always part of his plan. Like so many City Schools graduates, Jason's path took unexpected turns.
003He credits his teachers for helping him find his way, guiding him, inspiring him, and opening doors to new possibilities. This was not where I was supposed to end up. I I wanted to be a doctor, and I went to the University of Maryland. I studied biology and I was a horrible biology student. I was a great college student as far as going to basketball games and football games. U but organic chemistry uh taught me that that wasn't going to be my thing. You know, I I've been fortunate that I ran into a lot of teachers that were really good teachers who were able to connect with us. So, if you're talking about Roland Park, I'll never forget Mr. Rappa, uh the math teacher who just made things fun or like Miss Ray was another math
004teacher again who sort of brought it home to you. Um, and there's so many there that city. Um, I think Mr. Henderson, I will always say their names because they taught me that I could do things. Um, and journalism ended up being what I could do. Welcome to 11TV Hill. The birds, they're back in town and rebuild in full swing. Even though reading and writing is now a major part of his career, Jason once found English class to be a challenge. But during school, he found the love of reading, a skill he relies on every day, helping him craft the compelling news stories that inform and inspire his community. Of all the classes, I think English and became the hardest. I don't know why. Uh I think that I just was not a good reader,
005believe it or not. Growing up, I just didn't know how to read for fun. Um and so that became a challenge to me. Um and I think high school Miss Gyra, I think that in that class we had to read The Great Gatsby. And that may have been the first book that I read uh cover to cover and I felt like, "Oh, I get now. I get it. I understand understand why this is such a thing." My parents are huge readers. Uh and so it changed the conversation at the dinner table all of a sudden. Dad reads the newspaper every day. Still does. That's a cross word puzzle every day. Uh and so now I find myself in a job where I am constantly consuming or just being a student what's going on around you.
006I can both come in pockets. Jason has this advice for current city school students. My advice would be to try things. Uh if I have a regret in life, it was hanging on to the side of the pool too much. Um try things and see what works and see what you like. Do internships and you might know that you want to be a news anchor and then you get in a newsroom and think there's no way in the world I want to do this. Or you might be a news anchor, you see how a producer works and maybe producing is my thing. Or maybe you get in the building it's just not your thing. Uh but you don't know uh until you give it a shot. uh even if it's something that seems like it
007isn't cool or isn't something that your friends are doing, that might make it even sweeter. So, I guess my advice would be to try it. Jason reminds us that the lessons that shape us most aren't just about subjects. They're about relationships. Like the relationships we build between students and teachers. Education is finding confidence in our voices, strength in our stories, and purpose in our paths. And that's what City Schools is all about. helping students uncover their potential one lesson at a time. We're proud of the many amazing graduates of City Schools and the impact they make on the world every day. Hi, I'm Jason Newton, anchor and reporter at WB TV and I am City Schools. The Heart of the Schools is a year-round program to celebrate and support the principles of Baltimore City Public
008Schools. We know how important their job is and we also know how challenging it is. And so we want to make sure that principles know that their community supports them, the Baltimore community and their school community. And one of the ways we do that is through the heart of the school awards where we name five principles heart of the school awardees each year. Um awardees are selected based on nominations from their school community. So we hear from the folks in the schools, teachers, students, parents, volunteers, anyone who can tell us about why their principal is so special. Um and we we take those nominations, read through them, come out and visit the schools and select five schools to highlight that year. Winning the heart of the schools award. uh was just the the greatest honor
009that I know about uh as a principal because it means uh the community staff, students, parents, um community members have taken the time to say nice things about me. Um and recognize the work that we do here at Mount Royal. I am deeply humbled. I am honored to be your recipient of this year's Heart of School Award. Um but as I tell everyone, um I do not do this work alone. I have an amazing administrative team. I have an amazing staff uh who all galvanized around a mission to support the young people at Anderson School here at Reach Partnership High School and they do it on a daily basis and they do it with comp with their hearts uh and they do it with their spirit and their mind and they pour all themselves into
010the work that we do collectively and I just happen to be uh the leader who is going to accept this award on the behalf of our school community. It is so exciting. Um but most of all I'm really um really just excited for our school community. Um Maravia Park's been working really hard uh the students, the staff, uh families, community all coming together and um you know it's been it's been a journey. So for them to be recognized for all the great work that is happening, it is uh it's just an honor. I'm really humbled um but I'm really proud of my school community. So I I'm honored. I feel uh I'm overwhelmed. I feel um I feel appreciated and loved. Definitely loved. Uh it was a 100% a surprise and doubt. I feel good.
011Oh my gosh. I don't even know if it's set in yet completely. But um maybe overnight uh I'll have that um that reality to set in. But um ever so grateful, ever so grateful of my staff, my students, and I do this every day because my students deserve the very very best. I think it's it's just so meaningful that the schools appreciate this award. The schools appreciate their leaders and they want this award for their leaders and that means the world to us. Hello everyone. It is teacher appreciation week and I just want to thank each and every teacher in Baltimore City Schools. You are some of the most important people in our district. We are thrilled that you were here in Baltimore City teaching the young people of Baltimore City how to lead, how
012to discover what their talents are. So, thank you and happy teacher appreciation. I love days like today um because they are a total surprise. These are teachers who were nominated um by their administrators, supported by their staff, and I think it's just important as we heard from one person, you know, I never expected this and you know, I was just doing my job, but just doing your job when you're a teacher and doing it well means really powerful things for young people. They deserve to be recognized. We're thrilled that they are and just thank you. It's wonderful. Da Ei has been um part of the alternative program 18 years, which is a long time to be a teacher and even longer to be in the alternative program. She does great work and she really does
013all the things that we talk about in terms of like instructional practices, climate and culture. So, she's really amazing um teacher and she just fills in the gaps when necessary. I'm really really happy and I'm about to cry of giving this special recognition. This recognition will be my stepping stone to continue my desire, my commitment and my mission to help my students at middle alternative program. Thank you so much. Monica Padet is her name. She teaches science, all sciences and uh she is really really effective and they students really really love her because what she does is she allows the students to own their learning and to communicate what they have learned to their peers. I would say the kids are what keeps me motivated coming to work every day. I I just I really
014enjoy interacting with kids and helping them learn and grow and develop as people, not just uh science stuff. We are extremely proud of Dr. Barakio. She does an excellent job every day showing up for our students and doing the best that she possibly can and really just prompts them to excel and learn mathematics. We wish her the best and in um bringing in more students that would excel at Poly. Thank you. Congratulations. Congratulations, Dr. B. Y'all have your pencils? Good. Perfect. Who does not? That's fine. I got you. Good morning, y'all. How are y'all doing today? Did you sleep well? All right. Did you get enough to eat? Have you heard the term never judge a book by its cover? Today we are tell your first impression based on that front cover. I want you
015guys to be able to know what books we have in the library. Make sure you're reading, reading, reading. You won't know if you like it until you try it. Every day, Baltimore City Public Schools graduates make an impact on the next generation. Patrice Johnson, a proud Mervo alumni, is doing just that by inspiring students to love reading and writing. Baltimore City Public Schools is a powerhouse. We really produce champions. We really produce people that are going to go above and beyond. Sometimes I like to think that we are underestimated but highly duplicated. Sometimes when you hear Baltimore City, you automatically think less than or you have negative connotations. Being someone from Baltimore City public schools, that's not what Baltimore City means to me. It means greatness. It means being amazing in spite of so many
016things that are put up against you. Baltimore City Schools is a powerhouse of Oakland. Patrice understands the experience of being a student in Baltimore because she grew up here as well. I went to Cecil Elementary School number seven. After that, I went to Roland Park Elementary, middle for sixth grade, 7th grade, and eighth grade. And then I went to Mvinthaler Vocational Technical High School for my high school years. Her path from the classroom to library wasn't a straight line, but she always knew she wanted to go to college and become the first in her immediate family to graduate. I remember telling Miss Lawson, "I'm only applying to one school because at that time you only you had to pay for your uh college applications." And she said, "Cast the net and see where you go."
017I was determined to make sure that I go to Howard University. I studied broadcast journalism. I studied print journalism. I wanted to be the next Oprah. I was pregnant with my son and I had to put a big pause to finish my education and to become a mom. I paused my education and transferred to Talson University where I finished. And then the next thing I know, I became a mom to my son. Patrice has this advice for current city school students. Be your authentic self no matter what. Read, read, read, read. Find something that you love and keep learning about that. Find something that you enjoy and keep learning about that thing cuz that's how you learn and that's how you grow. We're proud of the Manet City School students who discover their passions, embrace
018unexpected journeys, and ultimately make a difference. I am Patrice Johnson. I'm the library media specialist at Henderson Hopkins, and I am City Schools. teacher of the year. I get emotional every time I think about this work. This year we had over 400 nominations across the district and over 50% of those nominations came from parents and students. So we know that our parents are recognizing the great work that's happening in city schools and most importantly our greatest stakeholders, our students recognize the great things that teachers are doing for them each and every day and they're excited to share the Baltimore City Public School 2025. [Applause] Mr. Lou is a person who pushes students and shows them the way. And this is why I think he truly deserve this honor and way much more. I've known him
019since middle school and he's just been helping me so much and he's just amazing. He's so supportive and he's so humble. Like he'll tell you like I don't know everything but he really does. I want to congratulate him. So thrilled about this honor for Mr. Lou. He's so deserving. He started the AP calculus program here at ACE which is enabling so many young people to pursue engineering but at the same time he is an amazing teacher of special education. He's a special educator and the fact that he has this range and is so passionate so um emotional and allin when it comes to young people in Baltimore City. Mr. Lou represents why we have teacher of the year. This is one of my favorite days of the year and always will be. I know nothing
020can say about Mr. L. Uh he is truly a teacher that believes in all students as a special education teacher also as a calculus teacher. He pushes students to as far as they can go. I've been spent all my years here, all my six years here at ACE. I've been incredibly blessed to have students who work so hard and they need us teachers to push them in toward help reach the research success that they want. Our students need a voice. Our teachers, our educators in the school building need voices and I'm going to do my best to leverage this platform in order to help build bridges to be in tune with what's going on in our schools. Every day in neighborhoods across Baltimore, students from city schools are dreaming, building, and becoming. They're not just
021preparing for the future, they're shaping it. Graduates like Angelo Parali are proof of that. Baltimore City Public School means to me opportunity. I immigrated from Trinidad and uh got a a lot of exposure to a lot of different things. I went to Northeast Middle School, also went to school at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. In high school, I got exposed to architecture, which uh some of the projects forced me out into the city to visit a lot of the historic buildings to learn about why they were there, how they were constructed, who constructed them. Also gave me the opportunity to meet my wife in the after school program at at Baltimore School for the Arts Twigs program. And all of those opportunities, I think, helped me uh become the person that I am today. For Angelo, City
022Schools was more than just a place to learn. It was a launchpad, a space where mentors encouraged him. Was always interested in architecture. My father was um in construction in Trinad. So I was always wandering around the job site, but I also loved to draw and those just seemed like a natural marriage. Sawyer, who I believe is the principal of Poly right now, ran the CAD or computer AED drafting class and again um gave me the tools to learn how to think about drawings technically. then went to um Penn State and even though I always was interested in architecture, I took that as an opportunity to explore a lot of other things. So, one point was an English major, was one point an art major, uh one point was a featuring major, but none of
023it really uh sang to me. And so, when I transferred to College Park, Maryland, um applied to the architecture program, got in and really just enjoyed the challenge. just helped me kind of center my life and create things that'll be here for a long time. Architecture became more than a possibility. It became a calling. Today, his work helped shape the future of education in Baltimore. And as he looks back, he has one message for the students who are walking the same halls he once did. Everyone has talent. Um, but how you cultivate it comes from that hard work and discipline. And and by that I mean just kind of showing up every day, working at it, working at your craft or or what you're trying to learn. And if you put in the time and
024the effort, usually you will see the results. Um, and so that's the advice I would give almost anyone is that just be consistent, identify what you want to do, and then work at it. My name is Angelo Pali. I'm a project manager and architect at Morgan State University and I am City Schools. Today is ASCDC spring general assembly. It is the third and final assembly of the ACDC for the year. This is also ASUS's nominating convention which is triggered whenever there's more than three candidates for any given positions. It's an exciting year. It's the first year we've done this. It's a sign that we are building momentum and more and more students are interested in leadership roles. A lot of our candidates are campaigning today. Students are learning about what it means to engage in
025and support the ASC election process and how they can engage their peers when they go back to their school. Well, the first step is really just showing up, really looking for the other folks in the school who are a part of SGAA or ASBC and being a part of an event. You don't always have to have a leadership title to be a part of these organizations. You can join a committee. You can join an event. You can just share your ideas. That's really the first step is just being there and showing up. Students voice need to be heard. I'm especially to the board of education because for the board of education we vote on what their next policy and what their upcoming school years will look like. If they're going to school, they should have
026an opinion on what their curriculum should look like. It is critically important to have student voice and all that we do. Our young people have numerous opportunities. They face new challenges. And for us to understand how to better serve our children and students, we need more student perspectives. I live by the slogan that I live the mission. I have my own nonprofit called the giving back club and I go and do initiatives to the different schools and I do a bunch of stuff because I want to get opinions from students. I want to you know live in their shoes. I'm friendly and I'm always willing to talk. Um I also have leadership roles. For example, I'm the CEO student. I'm the founder of the multilingual community digital. Um, I'm also the class of 2026 secretary
027at digital. I've had connections already with adults and I've spoken to them like for example with Dr. Stanis and if I can do it with the CEO of Baltimore City public schools. What's stopping me from doing it with the school board of commissioners? I'm currently my sophomore tax. I'm currently making a big impact in my school. I'm carrying a 4.5 GPA. So I'm ready. So let me be your voice. There is an opportunity to help shape the way in which our young future experiences and touch points with with city schools. I think today was a great success. As I went through the day and talked with student after student, they were sharing stories of how they were able to make an intentional, strategic, and specific connection with an employer that would facilitate what they're going
028to do in the summer and how they see themselves planning for the future. So, we were intending to put them on a pathway to a career that will set them on a trajectory for economic mobility. We're here just spreading the word about a lot of the programs, making sure that the students apply for youth works and are able to participate in the fiveweek summer job program that we have. We also have different training and career opportunities, internships, and apprenticeships. We have two programs that we tell them about. First, we have our 12th grade career program where high schoolers are taught internship, career readiness skills. In the second half of the year, they are working and getting their hands in the field. They have big dreams and we are setting them up for success as well.
029You can have like a lot of opportunities here. Things that I didn't even know. I'm not really sure. I'm not really sure what I want to do, but this program helped me figure out what I want to do. I think the event overall was pretty good. It gave me a lot of opportunities to see a whole bunch of different things. Exposed me to a lot of things I never knew about. I went to a table was about construction. And then I went to the coffee table and then the youth works. It really gave me different outlooks on different jobs. I think events like this are important because a lot of people like a lot of kids especially in Baltimore you ask them what they want to do and they don't know. But the schools bringing
030us here so we always have answer to that question with multiple choices. take a lot. What I'm hoping they take away, first of all, is inspiration, energy, and and awareness that there are people out here that they know not of, who really are pulling for them, who want to show up and open a door, nudge them through, give them information that's going to make a difference for them so that they can make good decisions in good faith, that somebody's on the other side cheering them on. President, make it pay. Commissioner Cory present. Thank you. Commissioner Esposito. Commissioner Espazito present. Thank you. Commissioner Kinyatta Bay. Commissioner Kinyatta Bay present. Thank you. Commissioner Muhammad. Commissioner. Yes. Welcome. Commissioner Simmons. Commissioner Simmons present. Thank you. Commissioner Slater Harrington. And I'm present. Is there a motion to reopen the
031meeting? So move. Kinyatta Bay. Thank you, Commissioner Kinyatta Bay. Is there a second? Second, Espazito. Thank you. All in favor? Commissioner Messenger? Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Koy. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner. Yes. Commissioner Kenyatta Bay. Yes. Commissioner Reading Lawinger. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Simmons. Yes. And I This motion passes. Um, in recognition of the JRTC from Reach Partnership High School, I'd like to turn it over to the team to lead us through our opening um, ceremonies this evening. I believe I'm going to welcome all of my commissioners to stand, I believe, for this part. Okay. Present armrest. arms to the flag of the United States of America. Order. Oh, And I'm going to turn it over to Commissioner Simmons to read our moment of silence this evening. I'd like to take the time to recognize the
032passing of City Schools employee of a city schools employee. This committed this individual was committed to supporting our students through her work. The greater city schools community will fondly remember this employee. And tonight we send our deepest condolences to the fam to the employees family and friends. It is with deep regret we inform you of the passing of Kimberly Fowler. Kimberly Fowler started her career with city schools on August 12th, where where she served the staff and students for two years most recently at Edgewood Elementary as a pareducator prek. Miss Fowler unfortunately departed on May 20art departed this life on May 20th, 2025 and will be missed by her family, friends, and city schools. On behalf of Principal Harris and the Kip Baltimore community, we thank you for your kind message and for honoring Amari
033Martin at the upcoming board meeting. Please find below the requested bio. Amari Martin was a fourth grade student at Kip Harmony and a proud member of the Pride of 2033. A part of our school community since kindergarten, Amari was known for his kind spirit, intelligence, and for standing up for others. He loves to compete, support his friends, and bring joy to those around him. Omari will be deeply missed by his family, classmates, and the entire Kip Baltimore community. Thank you, Commissioner Simmons. Is there a motion to approve the prior open session summaries? So moved. Espazito. Thank you, Commissioner Espazito. Is there a second? Second, Cassander Bay. Thank you, Commissioner Kinyat Bay. All in favor? Commissioner Ames Messenger? Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Chica Squezman. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Koi. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Espazito. Yes. Thank
034you, Commissioner Kenyatta Bay. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Reading Lawinger. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Simmons. Yes. And I'm in favor. This motion passes. Is there a motion to approve the close session summaries? A messenger. So moved. Thank you. Is there a second? Second, Esposito. Thank you. All in favor? Commissioner Ames Messenger? Yes. Commissioner Chica Guzzman. We got you. Uh, Commissioner Koy, yes. Commissioner Esquazito, yes. Commissioner Kinyatta Bay, yes. Commissioner Vinger, yes. Your mic is not on. That's even better. We've got a lot of stuff up here tonight. Um, we want to thank um all of our staff um in city schools from our school level down to our central district administration for helping to support not only the operations of the board, but making sure that each and every one of our scholars receives an excellent
035education. Um tonight, um I just want to read a couple of things that are housekeeping. Although the school year is ending, the board, the CEO, and district staff will continue to host meetings, virtually share information, track progress, and prepare for the next school year. The public is invited to the full set of meetings that we'll have over the course of the summer. Um, we'll post all of the information on our city schools website as we have a couple of dates that are going to transition and shift as we get ready for summer. Um, last month, and this is probably one of our exciting announcements, is that the district held a citywide election for the new student commissioner and ASBC officers. More than 3,900 students in grades 6 through 12 voted for the student commissioner who
036would help them advocate for educational needs and well-being. I'd like to take a moment to formally welcome the winning candidate to the school board, Zyra Chica Speman. So before I turn it over for a few remarks, um just a headline like Commissioner Chica Guzman attends Digital Harbor High School as a junior. um was elected for this upcoming school year, which will cover her term starting today all the way through school year 2526. Um along with Zyra, the ASBC president, vice president, middle school executive treasurer, secretary, and the diversity chair will all announce. Um I'd like to take a moment just to turn it over to Commissioner Chica Guzman for welcoming remarks. Hello everybody. My name is Zara Chica Guzman and as they mentioned, I'm the newly Oh, okay. Thank you. I'm the newly elected student
037commissioner. I'm very honored and very eager to be a part of Baltimore City's board of commissioners for this upcoming school year and I just want to thank you all for having me. I'm really excited to work with you all and I mean I'm sorry both with the community in Baltimore City Schools. So yeah, thank you so much for having me. I can't wait to work with you guys. Thank you. And as we celebrate uh the new beginnings uh with our new student commissioner, we'd like to take a moment to honor our outgoing uh student commissioner, Dylan Rooks, who's with us here today. And you want to have you come on up, but I'm going to turn it over to Commissioner Koi to lead us through um our recognition, our thanks and appreciation. Yeah, you get
038to sit on this side of the of the table today, but uh so appreciate you being on the board this past year and you know certainly want to to give time and space to recognize we had the opportunity in exact session to also say a few words. Um but you know during your time on the board for the past year you know just always have been so impressed by how intentional about the impact that you're creating the way in which you have shown up and given voice to your fellow uh students the insights uh that you've gained in listening um and and just the the all of the things you have brought as a as a commissioner to the board. Um you're there's so many things that we could talk about. I'll give others a
039chance on the on the board to also say a few a few words, but just your unwavering dedication to your fellow students, uh to the purpose of this the school system, um and in the various ways you've shown up um in the policy committee, various board forums. Uh thank you for the time, effort, energy. It is a lot. Um and we appreciate all that you've brought. And to celebrate your accomplish, we have a video that we'd like to to share. Thank you. I feel honored to work with Commissioner Rooks this year. Um, he's been just a force of good energy. He's been a force of good. He's been a force of like helping understand um, helping me understand, you know, what are the opportunities um, and keeping me honest in all of my work. [Music]
040Hey, hey, hey. [Music] So, we have a couple things that we're going to do. I have a couple things here uh for you. Um, but before we before I lift those up, perhaps I'll just give a second for fellow commissioners if they would like to say anything in this uh in in public forum here. Yeah, I just want to say congratulations on being the first elected member, the first uh student commissioner to be sworn in and definitely uh you did an amazing job being a trailblazer and like setting the standard for uh like just enhancing like the community or the student engagement cuz just like having an election process, I think that we're going to see like more robust community enga or student engagement and um yeah, I think you just did an amazing job.
041So, congratulations. Thank you. Just as I mentioned upstairs, it's been um awesome these last couple of months that we've been working together, but I'm really truly looking forward to the great things that I know you're going to do um once you leave us and as you grow. Thank you. First of all, it is hard to find an advocate in today's world. And you have advocated for the students of Baltimore City, for the citizens of Baltimore City, for the families of Baltimore City. You have been a very strong and steady advocate. when other people would fail or shrink back, you've stepped forward. And it's more than just, you know, the fact that you were chosen. It was because you were willing to pick up that mantle and watch forward with it. And whatever it brings to
042you, tomorrow can only be stronger and can only be better because you're up with us. Thank you. Thank you, Dylan. I've been really appreciated being able to sit next to you this last year. Um, I think just have been over um kind of struck by your your wisdom and the fact that you like know your mind and are willing to stand firm in that um kind of despite whatever adult pressure is going on around you. and um I just have uh gives me a lot of hope for kind of where we're heading as a city that we have um that you are leading the way in that. So I have also appreciated personally your humor and your perspective and your ability to not speak up when doesn't need to be said but to really stand
043in the space when um you need to. And so just also how you've managed to juggle all the things that you do with work and school. I I don't know how you do it, but I am grateful that you will be leading leading us all in a couple of in decades. So, keep us on the right track. Thank you. And I'm going to offer my thanks. Um I got an opportunity to do a lot of ASBC events with you this past year. Um and just the opportunity to see you lead, to command a room, to command a space, um to welcome other folks to bring their ideas was just an amazing opportunity. and for me to learn, like I said in that video earlier, for me to learn what the issues are of young people
044today. Thank you for being my guide through this journey. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all your commitments. Thank you. Um, one of the things, Dylan, that I said upstairs that I'll repeat down here is, um, oftent times the we skip over the student part of commissioner. And the student doesn't necessarily reference your age. Um, but it does reference the fact that you have a whole other body of responsibilities and the fact that you served, you were at meetings, you read up on the issues at the same time that you were in the craziness that is junior year with AP classes with a rigorous um, course load, but yet and still you got all of that done and you balanced this work too. And that is not a small feat. Not everyone does
045that well, but you did and you did it by amplifying the voices of fellow students across the district. Thank you. Thank you. If you'd like to say something, you have a chance to do so and then I'll I'll uh share what's up here. Oh, absolutely. Um first off, I just want to say thank you to the entire board for having me throughout the school year 2024 2025. Um, it's been my pleasure to be on this board advocating for city students and advocating for city staff. Um, although at the beginning it was it was a rocky start. I was silent most of the time, but um, throughout the year I've actually opened up, expressed my opinions on most things. Um, being on the board has actually taught me a lot and it inspired me to do
046more and do more of advocating for city students and students around the the country technically. Um, being in this position, it meant a lot to me and um, what the what us young people would say it gave you so much aura. Um, so I just want to say thank you all for having me on this board. It's been my pleasure. I will most definitely keep in touch with all of you and to the new student commissioner. Like I said upstairs, the students chose you for a reason. Now it's just time to show everyone in this room and everyone in Baltimore City what that reason is. So, thank you everyone. It's been my pleasure. as Commissioner Espazito had referenced uh you know while we've had student commissioners for a long time there was a change uh
047in in Maryland state law and the election process uh you know you were the first fully elected by uh by that new process and had additional rights responsibilities and also were the first it was not the tradition that the mayor where swearing in of new commissioners would include student commissioners. So, uh certainly excited for those ways that you have been first and um happy to read this citation uh this certificate of recognition from the city of Baltimore and the mayor. On behalf of the people of Baltimore, I am pleased to present this certificate to Dylan Rooks in recognition of your dedicated service as the student commissioner for the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners. You are to be commended for your unwavering commitment and leadership during your term. Your hard work has helped to improve
048and enrich the educational experience of all students enrolled in the Baltimore City public school system. On behalf of the people of Baltimore, thank you for your dedication and efforts to build a better city. Uh June 10th, 2025, Mayor Brandon M. Scott. And additionally, um, we as the school board have a proclamation, a proclamation of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, whereas Dylan Rook served as student commissioner on behalf of Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners throughout school year 2024 and 2025. And whereas Dylan Rooks served on the policy committee, the safety and wholeness committee, and the Strawber Committee during his tenure as student commissioner. hand. Whereas Dylan Ropes has demonstrated extensive leadership ability as as a past SGA president, a member of the Elijah Cummings Youth Program, and president of the Men of Cities
049mentorship organization while also acting as an effective advocate for student voice and meaningful participation in school and district decisions. And whereas Dylan Roges has performed outstanding service to the students, staff, and families of Baltimore City public schools and the city of Baltimore. Now therefore, the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners does hereby proclaim our thanks and best wishes to Dylan Rooks in grateful recognition of his dedicated service to public education in Baltimore City. Thank you. A gift for you here. Um I actually don't gift you open up and buy that. Um, but I take a photo with you with these uh in front and then give you the Yeah, please take a moment to take a seat. Um, and we just want to as um still banks, we want to offer just um a note
050of thanks for letting us borrow Dylan's time throughout this year. I mean, the amount of time and dedication it takes for a student commissioner to engage in this work um as Dr. Santelis has mentioned while balancing all of their other responsibilities is no short-lived. But his dedication throughout this entire past year was here. It was present. It was full. It was more than full like overtime like emailing, engaging, asking questions. Like it takes a lot of time for a student commissioner to represent his entire student body. So, we're appreciative of that. we continue with for some remarks. Okay. Thank you so much. Yes. I I just want to say thank you. Um Dylan has shown me that he is capable. He is definitely capable of doing all of these things. At some point I was
051like, "Dylan, I think you're doing a little bit too much. Like you slow it down a little bit." He's like, "No, ma'am. I have it." And I was like, "Okay, only thing I can do is support." Um, I just want to thank you guys for allowing him to have this opportunity to do all of the things that he clearly loves to do. Um, working with the student body, working with you all has given him just like this boost of life and he is truly a man of city and he shows it in everything that he does. um with this program um the Elijah Cummins program like he has just amazed me at so many things that he has succeeded in and I just want to say Dylan I'm just so proud of you and just
052continue to reach for the stars and just never underestimate yourself. You are capable of doing whatever you strive to do and we'll be right there to support you in everything you choose. love you. [Music] Well, I just wanted to um piggy back off of his mom and just say thank you for uh for having him um through this process. I've seen him um grow tremendously um not just um not just as a young man, but just um knowing himself and getting to know himself and his strength and his weakness. And um he he truly amazes us. Um just like his mom said, you know, we used to say, "Hey, why don't you just slow down for that?" He just keep going. He's just like a a Energizer buddy. Um, but I'm truly truly um I'm
053truly proud of him. Um, where is he? Um, truly proud of him and I think he knows how how proud uh we are of him and I just wanted to say thank you for having him and I'm quite sure you will see him again. Trust me, he will see him again and thanks for your time. Thank you so much for letting us do that. Um, I also want to spend my time here honoring two additional uh superstars uh students this school year. We do this on a monthly basis as a way to lift up the academic the extracurricular honors um the leadership the public service honors um and contributions of our young people to their school communities and to the broader Baltimore city. So last time we honored two extraordinary um students, one from Baltimore
054International Academy and the second from Joseph Jose Joseph C Brisco. Um you can learn more about the scholars super schol super scholars page that we've set up this month. We've got two additional students. The first is Rodrigo Quentella um Delid with us. Welcome. Come on up. So Rodrigo is an eighth grader at John Roer Elementary and Middle School in East Baltimore, which I've had an opportunity to go to several times since I've been here on the board. Your family come. My parents are up, too. Okay, we're gonna invite everybody up. Bring some more cheers. So Rodrigo was nominated nine times by different city school staff because of his academic excellence and positive impact on the school community. In the classroom, Rodrigo has shown remarkable growth in exceeding his IEP goals to exit the self-contained special
055education program and to go above and beyond his inspirate on his accomplishments. The communications office visit the school at John Burn to capture this amazing some team. We don't have any sound just yet. If we could play that back with sound, that'd be great. My apologies. It's all good. I like to make people smile. That's that's a very big part of me. I love to make people happy, too. My name is Raia. I am this month's scholar superstar. Excited. I was nervous. I was nervous at first. But I was so excited. I I broke down in front of my teachers. I was like, "Miss, this is so excited and I can't believe I got this." I gave him my all hugs. They was happy for me. I love that too. I I was I was
056like, "Thank you." I guess hard work really paid off when when I change. I'll say loving. Loving and caring and good. I'll say I'll say caring because I I got a big heart and I really do care about people and I just don't like people seeming sad. I just I just want to like help them if they ever need help. And loving is I really I really do love like I said I care about people a lot and I really loves love them. And good is that I'm respectful. I'm good to my teachers and I I do kind I do kind things for my teachers and for my friends out there. I like uh social studies and science because um I get to learn some new things and do new like do things that I
057never uh seen before and it it's pretty cool. I get to be a mascot last year. Last year when um my Miss Miss Oliver, she she asked me to be a if you want to be a mascot and I said yes, I would love to be a mascot. I love to see people, you know, hyped up. Make them hyped up and happy. I'll say, "Keep it up. We got this." And and I love you guys all. And I hope you guys I hope everyone here be successful in life and happy, man. That's what I'll say. All right. Way to go. Way to go. So, I'd like to turn over to you, Rodrigo, first for a couple of remarks and then have your family speak and um anybody from the school community as well. Um I
058would just like to say thank you. It's really special to be here and I'm kind of nervous so a little bit. I just want to I just want to say thank you all for being here and everything. And my bad. I'm nervous. I'm nervous. I just I just wanted to say thank you. That's it. Thank you. Thank you a lot. Thank you a lot. I love you all. I love you. And they are they both speak Spanish. Okay. Yeah. I want to give you I want to thank you for the support and it's such a great detail that we had today for him. I'm very nervous as well because I have never gone through anything like this in my life before and thanks to my son as well. Thank you and my blessings to all
059of you. Dad, do you want to offer a couple comments? Fore speech. More than anything, I want to say thank you to all of you for this great opportunity that you have given my son. We have never had anything like this before in our lives but we are very proud of him especially he has made this happening for him for us and um since we haven't had the opportunity to have what he's doing today it makes us even prouder to do that teachers as well. Speaking of which, thank you so much. Anybody can join committee. Hi, I'm Steve Peterson. I'm uh Rodrigo's assistant principal at John Rura. And um I met Rodrigo this year and I'm just very proud of him. He's made a lot of progress. Um, it's just in a year and I'm
060Thank you for having him here. It means a lot to present with this certificate, this award. We'd like to take a quick photo that's in a photo. Okay. Yeah. Yes. just want to acknowledge and welcome Commissioner Muhammed to the meeting this evening. Welcome joining us. Um and I'm going to turn it over for our second uh super scholar awardee to the commissioner can lead us through this. Our second winner is Naima Robinson. Naima is a ninth grader at Reach Partnership School. Na's a determined and resilient student, inspiring others to try their best and never give up. With the support of her family, teachers, and friends, Naima continues to show growth in her studies, and as an athlete on the school's track team. To learn more about Naima and personally congratulate her on her accomplishments, the
061communications office visited Naima at Reach Partnership School to capture this amazing video. I am Naima Robinson from Reach Partnership and I am this month scholar superstar. I feel awesome. It's like it's great. It means a lot to me cuz like I never had this before. Like I was extremely excited. Like I was like I couldn't stop smiling. Couldn't stop talking about it. Um when we do the XYZ's like we read a article and then we have to like support it. We have to do a paper and have like a claim. Then we have to support the claim. Then we have to elaborate on it. You have to keep up with your work and just push yourself and turn in all your work on time. Caring, nice and helpful. She always advocates for herself and others.
062She brings her personality and humor to everything. And I just want to see her succeed. And I'm so happy to see her win this award. She exemplifies our mission. She works hard. She's dedicated. and she's always willing to help any other student that needs it. We are thankful and grateful to have Naima here at our academy at Reach Partnership High School where we are moving from good to great. [Music] I like track because like it keeps me in shape and like it just helped me escape from everything and like it's just like joy. It brings joys to me and I love running uh me getting first place at one of my track meets in the 100 meter. So, first like I was scared cuz like the competition but then like when they said on your
063march get set like I just blocked everything out and it just like I just kept pushing myself and then when I saw I had got first place I was just happy and if anyone think that they can't do something don't think like that and you can do anything that you put your mind to. turn it over to Na for a couple of remarks first and then Hi, I'm a little nervous, but I just want to say thank you and just thanks for having me. Um, I'm nervous, too. Uh, where do I start? Uh, since Na been in prek, I always volunteer at her schools, field trips, uh, PTA, PTO meetings, uh, everything. And one thing I told her is never give up. Um, shoot for the stars. There's no it's no ending. No, no stopping.
064Whatever you want to be, go for it. Uh, this my baby, my fat rat. I call fat rat. Um, sorry. It's my baby. Uh, no matter what. Thank you. She know that me and mom is there for her and I reach. Thank you guys for recognizing her, bringing stuff that all of her that I couldn't do. I mean, I could do it, but she you guys did the big part, and I appreciate that. And I appreciate you guys recognizing her. Thank you. Not sure who partnership is up here. Hi. Hi. Thank you. Sure. Sure. Oh, I I just want to say real quick, my name is Mark Fino. Oh, yeah. I And I teach ninth grade English. I nominated Naima and and I gave her the the print out of the email, you know, that
065said that, you know, that you guys had gotten it. And I told her, I said, "Look, this might be a long shot, but the reason I nominated her, and I wanted everybody to know this, is that as a ninth grade student, you know, it's just natural that you get kids that are made fun of, they're picked on, whether it's their clothing or the way they look or whatnot. I've had some of that experience in my first period with her. So, I approached her and another young man that work really well, and I asked her, "Will you guys help me out by please working with these these kind of kids in groups because they're being ostracized?" And her response was, "Of course, Mr. Patino." And that's what I love about her. Her empathy that and I,
066you know, mom and dad, you guys have done an incredible job. She is incredible. But just the empathy that I see in her at such a young age knocked me out. And she and she's she's been like that all year. She's been nothing but respectful and and helpful. She's focused on her academics and her athletics. But just the empathy that I that you guys have instilled in her really stood out for me. So, uh, and I can't speak, uh, I mean, I I could sit here for hours and just talk her up. She is a good person, and you know, we got a lot of good things going on in this district. So, um, so Naima, thank you so much. Okay. Okay. All right. In recognition of your contribution, we have both certificate and a
067trophy. We'd like to let you go this evening. Are you ready? So, um, thank you so much to all of our family and friends and our teachers and educators and our young people education. I'd like to turn over to Dr. San Lisa for CEO comment. Thank you very much, Chair Sally. Um and again as um our chair said this is an evening of celebration. So I will continue with that celebration. Um and we had a number of uh spring state uh sports champions um this year. We have a lot of them. I'm going to ask them to come in so we can celebrate them. These are some of the young people that I was also um with as Mayor Scott recognized them in city hall. So, first congratulations, and I think they're outside. We'll have
068them come in. First, congratulations to the 3A boys basketball state champions from Baltimore City College. And I'm gonna ask you to come forward first, Coach Omar Smith, then Jordan Hammond. You guys can come right along here. Jordan Hammond, Omar Smith, Jordan Rowlet, Tamari Stewart, Aral Pascal. Did I say that right? No. Huh? Wait. Okay. Who Who do we have first? I thought we had basketball first. Which one? Oh, you guys don't have to sit down. We'll just change up. Which school? Digital Harbor. This is Digital Harbor. Thanks. City. This is City. Okay. So, I do have City. Okay. All right. From City College, we have Coach Omar Smith. Jordan Hammond. Can you raise your hand at me? Jordan Hammond. Omar Smith. Jordan Rolette. Camari Stewart. Markeel. Is it Pascal? Okay. Jaden Harrove. Dwayne Campbell, Kaman
069Horton, Ethan Shina, Marcus Smith, and Nicholas Carol. Congratulations. Thank you all. You represented well. We're going to get a quick picture. And again, our 3A boys basketball state champion I'll take my mic with me. Thanks. Great. Thank you. Congratulations to stay. Congratulations everyone. Thank you, coach. Next, we have congratulations to the 2A 3200 meter relay state champions from Paul Lawrence Dumbar High School. We have coach Dale Sally, Keith Meikings, Meakans, Tyion Folks, Germaine Parker, William Karanza. also have the principal with us. First of all, you deem um next we have congratulations to the 4A track and field state champions from Morgenser Vocational Technical High School. We have Coach Von Devon, Justin Devon, who also, by the way, won the individual state championship in the 4A 55 hurdle. Andre Thomas, Jaden Adams, um, is it Kyrie
070Kier? Okay, good. I agree. Kyrie Brown, Deonzi Eldridge, Donovan Winslow, Jaden Thornton, Casier Hicks, and Brandon Folks, the manager. Congratulations to you all. Congratulations you all. We got two more. So next, congratulations to the 3A 55 meter individual hurdle state champion um Aria Edwards from Baltimore City College. And finally, congratulations to the 3A 4x400 Relay state champions from Digital Harbor High School. And we have coach who just making sure I say your name right. Coach um Utaro Bakari, Shaim James, Javante Williams, Maris Johnson, and Lamont Johnson. And a special shout out to Lamont Johnson for his remarkable individual achievements. Two times 3A 300 meter state indoor champion. two times 3A for 100 meter outdoor champion and Baltimore City record holder three and the honors don't end there. 3A 500 meter indoor champion and the 400
071meter AAU national champion. Congratulations everyone. I want to thank the board for being willing to celebrate, particularly our athletes today. And to round out this evening celebration, I am going to ask um if Roger Shaw could come forward to the table. I need you to come to the table, Roger. probably she said. So in true style, we knew if we told you you wouldn't come. So we didn't tell you and a number of folks helped prepare for this evening. Um, but I take great pleasure in recognizing you through our first lifetime achievement award. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Now, I think what's really important is for folks to know that Roger Shaw has been a member of the Baltimore City Public School leadership team for more than 37 years. He was a high school principal for 19
072years, deputy chief academic officer, executive director, director of multiple pathways, the ILE for secondary schools, and the executive director of re-engagement from 2022 to the present. In the past two years, the re-engagement center under Roger Shaw's leadership has conducted more than 3,100 intakes, more than 4700 home visits, 64 outreach events, 325 online recalls, supported more than 400 homeless students, supported nearly 250 pregnant and parenting students supported nearly 625 students involved with the department of juvenile services. And while all of that is absolutely amazing, Roger Shaw's special sauce is the fact that he believes in relationship. Yes. that Roger Shaw does not just think community is a word. It's not a political leverage. For Roger Shaw, community is a way of life. And the other piece about Roger Shaw that is a rare rare gem not
073just in Baltimore City but anywhere these days is Roger Shaw walks his talk. I have been privileged to see not only his work with young people, but that that work with young people reflects who Roger is as a husband, a brother, a father, a brother-in-law, a son, and a grandson. Your family is here this evening because I have seen how you have raised your children, how you love on Joyce, and it is the same Roger I see when a young woman comes in and frankly has experienced things that she should never have experienced and has had has at times been abused in a number of ways. and you still cherish her like she is one of your own. I have watched how you have worked with young men and you bring them up to my
074office and many of them have done things that others would turn away from. But you bring them up to my office because you want them to know that they are worthy of walking in any space. You love them. You guide them. You hold them accountable just like you do your own children. And I have watched you. I call you the re-engagement whisperer because Roger, you will take the children that other people push out. You will take the children who other people say they are gone. And when they spend time with you, they believe in themselves. They believe that life is worth living. And I want you to know you are a gem. You for me have been a gift from God. I thank Joyce for lending you to And before I turn the mic over
075to you hopefully and Joyce, you can come up to the table because you know you do this with him. See, I I know y'all at home as well as here. This actually is the power couple. But I do want you to know that uh the faith that we share says that men ought to be living epistles. That we are to be the lives that his power and his love are written on. that all men and women may be able to see his love and his glory through our acts on behalf of him for other people. You are that living epistle. You do not need credit. You are not out front. You would rather be in the back. You don't seek applause. And but I want you to know we see you. And I will end
076with this. My husband was supposed to be here today, but he had to do some parent pickup. But he was going to say to you what I say to him all the time. If I had a thousand men like Roger Shaw, I could take this city tomorrow. Am I supposed to speak then? You actually don't have to. You absolutely can. Um, first of all, um, I am I am just so grateful for the opportunity to work in Baltimore City Schools with so many wonderful people. And the person to my left, which is my wife, for how long? 38 years, 35 years. And um uh I I I thank her for allowing me the flexibility to do this work, coming home late. Um she sacrificed her career to raise our children at home. Um and so
077this doesn't happen without you understanding what this work entails. So, I appreciate you and I love you and I know I'm not the perfect husband for me. you got your perfect and then um the work we doing in the re-engagement doesn't happen without um to have the re-engagement staff stand because it doesn't happen without them. Um they take the craziness in my head and they make it like the song said, boots on the ground. They make it happen. They make it happen. Um, and so let's let's give the re-engagement center staff. Um, and then um guys, I just give me a moment. Um, first of all, I am I I am just so grateful and I didn't expect this, doc. And so I want to just say thank you. It's been a pleasure working with
078you and uh you supporting the work and you supporting um the the young people and and all that you do. So I don't take this moment for granted and we we we don't take re-engagement for granted. Today there was a storm, right? And that storm continued all the way I got to work. Matter of fact, I was trying to go home because I wasn't feeling well. But, you know, with support from people and doing what I had to do, the sun came out. And I'm here today to tell you that the children come with storms in their lives. And we got to be the sun. And so, we make hopelessness turn into hope. We make the invisible visible. We turn I can't into I can. I won't into our wills. And it doesn't happen without
079the support of people like Dr. Santisa, uh Dr. uh To uh the chief of staff office. It's so many people you all that do that do this work and make it happen. I'm just a vessel and I'll say this, a instrument used by God. That's it. and he put all of the wonderful people in this room in my life to make this work happen. Is it a struggle? Yes. Principles and I, we go back and forth. But at the end of the day, you make it happen for young people. So, I want to thank you, Dr. Santaas, for all that you've done. I want to thank the board comm school board commissioners cuz you all support this work. is Kenyatta Bay comes to the re-engagement center probably more than than I do. Uh but he
080supports this work and I want to thank you all uh for supporting the work that we do and it doesn't happen. So again, I'm grateful. I'm humble. I want to thank my children. Uh they're stand up. These are my young people. Thank you. And and then I then I have my sister Angela and her husband Henry stand. These are the people that support me. And then Then I have uh and I'm shocked that you all here. I'm gonna deal with this when I and Joe uh Stan these are Yes. And then uh I got there so many people. Then I have Wow. Oh, you got my You got my family here. Stand up. Miss Jenkins, Joe, Joe Evans, all of you all stand. Thank you. And then the last thing that I'm going to let
081you all me and then I want the district office departments to stand. Dr. Jose, all of you stand. Everybody stand because you make it happen. Thank you again. Thank you. Now, before we go, we have this lifetime achievement award for you. And the inscription reads, "For his vision, dedication, and tireless efforts in re-engaging youth and reigniting hope. Your commitment to empowering young minds is changing lives and shaping brighter futures. We are grateful." And this is a lifetime achievement award for Roger Shaw. Thank you. And a as we come forward um for a photo, I am going to read the proclamation signed by the board chair and myself. Whereas Roger Shaw has served as a member of the Baltimore City public schools team for more than 37 years. And whereas Roger Shaw has faithfully executed his
082responsibilities as a high school principal, deputy chief academic officer, director of multiple pathways, instructional leadership, executive director, and executive director of re-engagement. And whereas Roger Shaw has dedicated himself both personally and professionally to supporting the academic and personal success of thousands of city school students who might otherwise have fallen behind. And whereas Roger Shaw has exemplified the highest standards of public service to the students, staff, and families of Baltimore City Public Schools and the city of Baltimore throughout his career. Now therefore, the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners does hereby proclaim our thanks and best wishes to Roger Shaw. You done? Oh, you're famous. Okay. I think. Christ and Josh say this is Elijah Hunter, one of our young men that we re-engage and our next theme in this whole week is what is your
083next and so Elijah will be going to uh what BCC and God has a federal job coming. [Music] Elijah, while we're waiting on Dr. S to come back, do you want to offer a couple of remarks just on your journey getting through the facility? I'm not going to hold y'all too long cuz obviously the proof is in the pudding. But I just want to thank Mr. for everything that you did for me. The re-engagement center, BCPS community, uh the movement team, just everybody. I could go all day, all week, all night, but just thank y'all for everything, chair. and the the final um business for the evening because that is the end of my remarks, but I will invite um Chief Nielsen for this evening's prep agenda. Thank you, Dr. Santis. Although it's a little
084hard to go after the Roger Shaw Lifetime Achievement Award. Good evening, commissioners on uh if you are uh being recognized on tonight's PEP, if you can stand up when I read your name so we can acknowledge you or if you're joining us online, if you can turn on your camera from the office of the chief academic officer appointments recommended that Sarah Dukshshire, currently educational associate 12-month ESOL be appointed school success liaison. Asison multilingual learning effective June 28th, 2025 recommended that Hannah Gorton, currently educational associate 10-month ESTall, be appointed school success liaison multilingual learning effective June 28th, 2025. Recommended that Natalie Lebar, currently educational associate 10-month ESOL, be appointed school success liaison multilingual learning effective June 28th, 2025. Recommended that Peter Lamusio, currently educational associate, 10-month, Esau be appointed school success leaison multilingual learning effective June
08528th, 2025. recommended that Kevin Oaken, currently educational associate 10-month ESOL, be appointed school success liaison multilingual learning effective June 28th, 2025 and recommended that Christine Silv, currently educational associate 10-month ESOL at Digital Digital Harbor High School, be appointed school success leazison multilingual learning effective June 28th, 2025. Now from the office of the chief of schools, I see joining us online recommended that Ivon Anderson, currently principal America Academy, Queens Public Charter School, be appointed principal at Beachfield Elementary Middle, effective June 28, 2025. recommended that Oilia Arcio, currently educational associate 10-month at Vanguard Collegiate Middle, be appointed school success liaison math Maddox, effective June 28th, 2025. Recommended that Sarah Dexter Thornton, currently interim principal at Vivian T. Thomas Medical Arts High School, be appointed assistant principal at Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School, effective June 28th, 2025. recommended
086that William Dyer, currently assistant principal at Clover School District in South Carolina, be appointed principal at Stadium School effective June 28, 29th. Recommended that Mich, currently interim principal at Vanguard Collegiate Middle School, be appointed principal. recommended that Kiwana Kiana Floyd, currently on track to graduate coordinator at Excel Academy, be appointed assistant principal at Excel Academy effective 2025. Recommended that Marlon Quillins, currently school success liaison, special education, be appointed assistant principal at Academy for College and Career Exploration effective June 28th, 2025. Now for reassignments, recommended that Ryan Goolson, currently assistant principal at Kip Harmony, be appointed assistant principal at Calvin M. Rod Rodwell effective June 28th, 2025. Recommended that Lee Golden, currently assistant principal at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, be reassigned assistant principal at Tench Tilman Elementary Middle, effective June 28th, from the Office of the Chief
087Information Technology Officer and Appointment. Nicardo Smith, currently director on loan, be appointed director process, policy, and systems in the office of the chief information technology officer effective June 28th, 2025. And from the office of the chief operating officer and interim appointment, Katherine Harris Taller, currently special assistant in the office of the chief operating officer, be appointed interim director of community and public relations effective June 14th, 2025 through September 19th, 2025. Congratulations to everyone on tonight's agenda. Thank you, Chief Nielsen. And then finally, as we conclude another successful graduation season, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped make the graduation ceremonies of more than 4,57 seniors truly memorable occasions for our young people and their family. Special thanks to our board commissioners for their participation and support. And a special shout out to
088Mayor Brandon Scott who took time from his incredibly busy schedule to attend nearly every centralized graduation ceremony. I am especially grateful for the efforts of our district office and school staff who worked many hours, often behind the scenes, to make graduation day a joyous occasion and a special memory for our seniors and all those who care for them. Thanks to everyone for your commitment to our young people and congratulations to the class of 2025. Back to you, Chair Sally. Before we move too far down the agenda, I just want to kick it over to Commissioner Kinyatta Bay for just an additional note on graduation. Well, it was graduation season and it was some sort of fun. We were at um quite a few places, but the most important thing that I wanted to get out
089there is a big thank you for the staff that actually made things run so smoothly. Um Mr. Jefferson, Eric Jefferson, and Sahara um Valentine. How can I forget Valentine? But these two people were the nicest, most congenial, help us m make get through difficult and easy times. They were working very very hard. We gra there were close to about 4,000 over 4,000 maybe 4,500 for um graduates this year. And before we get into the numbers about, oh, we had 4,000 some odd. No, let's think about each and every graduate that went across that stage this year had their own struggles. They had their own ups. They had their own downs. They were individuals that conquered something but not by themselves because they also represent families and they are represented friends that conquered something for them
090to make this step the next step in their journey. So I give a great big applause to everybody that helped make this a successful graduation season. Thank you so much, Commissioner Kinyatt. Turning back to our agenda this evening, uh we will now review the personnel, employment, and payroll. Is there a motion to approve the papa shared by Chief Emily Nielson and the appeals and hearings this evening? So moved. Kinyatta Bay. Thank you, Commissioner Kinyat. Is there a second? Second, Simmons. Thank you, Commissioner Simmons. All in favor? Commissioner Ames Messenger. Um, yes. Thank you, Commissioner Koy. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Espazito. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Kenyat. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Muhammad. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Reading Lawinger. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Simmons. Yes. And I'm in favor. This motion passes. We will now review our consent
091um agenda for this evening. Board colleagues, please let me know if you'd like an item removed. And please state your question for staff. At the top, u we will be pulling item 9.01, which is the new charter and school applications for presentation and separate vote this evening. 9.01, gifts and donations. 9.03, policy BDB, board officers, second reader. Item 9.04, policy JKA, behavioral interventions and student discipline. also on second reader this evening. Item 9.05, the Public School Administrators and Supervisors Association contract extension. Item 9.06, the City Union of Baltimore Local 800, AFT, AFL CIO, the CUB contract extension. Item 9.07, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge number five, contract extension. Item 12.01, 01 Simply Math Engagement Center LLC. Item 12.02, North Bay Education. Item 12.03, Root Branch Media Group. Item 12.04, the University of Maryland, Baltimore,
092Baltimore County. Item 12.05, Wilson Language Training Corporation. Item 12.06, the Wilson Center for Educational Products and Services Incorporated. Excuse me. Yeah. Would you like uh do you have a specific question for staff or for a separate vote? Commissioner. Okay. Um I do I have a question about the I'm sorry I was catching this thing. uh looking just about the um sorry looking at the model and the access results and how those align and then kind of just a little bit more information and context about um the purpose of the three tests. Got it. Okay. Um so for the chief academic officer, we'll have her and about uh the volume of testing for multil- language learners. Got it. Thank you so much. Um item 12.07, 07 Power School Group um LLC. Item 12.08 Junior Achievement of
093Central Maryland. Item 14.01, Application Software Technology LLC. Item 16.01, Public Impact LLC. Item 19.01, Expanded School Behavioral Health Program. Item 19.02, Continuous Growth LLC. Item 19.03, Holistic Life Foundation. Item 19.04, the movement team. Can we pause there? Uh, can we pull item 1902, 1903, for the awareness of the public? Can we uh speak towards the effectiveness and uh the impact that these programs bring to our district? Yep. um perhap for 19.02, 1903, and 19.04. Um I'll invite um our staff up for presentation on those items. Item 19.05, consent holdings. Oh, okay. So, based upon that, we'll move into public comment and come back and review those items that were pulled this evening. Um I'll um believe we'll start with um our recognized groups this evening. So, we'll invite the Baltimore Teachers Union uh Dian Desert
094to present. Are they video or they live video this evening? Tanisha, Tanisha, we don't have sound. You can restart. Yes. Sorry. Can you not hear? Uh, we didn't just now. If you can restart it. Yes. Hello, I'm Diana and I'm a speech language pathologist and serve on the BTU Exec board. I'm speaking to express my concerns about issues affecting our international educators and our related service providers. As we prepare to welcome a new group of international educators through the J1 H1B visa programs, I'd like to ask the district's plan regarding several critical areas to ensure a smooth transition. It's important to have a clear plan in place to support them for and after they arrive. As we have experienced, this messy process continues to present challenges every year with delays in social security, visa processing
095and lensures, late arrivals, and lastminute changes in placement. That's why it's crucial to have proactive communication, contingency plans, and dedicated support specifically for our international educators. Schools should provide guidance on professional development, content area expectations, and classroom management, as well as participate in Nessie. As a reminder, the BTU continues to demand that the BCPSS adopt the code of ethical international recruitment and employment of in of teachers. Adopting this code is essential to avoiding the predatory predatory fees and bribes paid by BCPSS international educators to the brokers and traffickers who use their positions as BCPSS employees or partners to take advantage and profit from them. Before they arrive, it's important to have regular touch points like Zoom meetings and dedicated virtual or in-person orientation week in July where they can get their laptops and other essentials.
096Logistics like airport pickup, housing, furniture, utilities, groceries, transportation should also be discussed. If any teachers are not processed in time by human capital, there should be a backup plan like a special meeting just for them. A well ststructured and adaptable onboarding process helps international ed educators feel welcome, supported, and better prepared to succeed. We're asking that school leaders working with our international educators implement several best practices to support a smooth transition and successful integration. These include assigning a designated point of contact, not an admin or new teacher mentor, to help international educators navigate day-to-day challenges. is essential for international staff and their contacts to meet before the school year begins to establish wrapper and and provide clarity. Two, provide a clear list of key BCPSS personnel including Nessie contact benefit and administrators payroll and more
097communication and guidance is crucial. Transparency around salary, how was their offer calculated based on education and experience is also important. Schools should also assist with initial logistics such as obtaining social security numbers and completing required paperwork. Additionally, explaining workplace cultural norms and avoiding overwhelming situations like splitting the teacher between two schools or placing international teacher with too many pair of professionals in the classroom can ease the adjustment. Regular one-on-one weekly check-ins and ongoing support and clear communication about performance expectations, including what it means not to be on a performance improvement plan, helps build trust and clarity. Prioritizing placement of international educators in schools that are doing well collectively with international teachers and avoiding charter schools where they do not have access to district supports or encouraging their networks to assist with trainings. Most of our
098international educators are placed with special in special education classrooms ranging from self-contained to early learning programs. The turnover of leadership in our office of special education creates gaps in standard procedures and training for all educators but but especially for our international educators. They often arrive with limited familiarity with the US special educations education system including IEP processes and documentation expectations. When a district of office of special education itself is disjointed or lacking clear structures, the challenges multiply and with without support, international teachers feel overwhelmed, isolated, and set up to fail. Our students need structure and clear expectations to succeed. International teachers do too, especially when they're thrown into a messy and unclear environment. Being new to this country, learning a new system and trying to meet high expectations without proper guidance is tough. That is
099why it is important to give our international educators the same kind of clarity and support. If we want them to do well, we need to set them up the right way. In addition, our speech language pathologists who are vital members of the special education team, we are facing a serious shortage across the state. The district is scrambling to fill SLP roles and students are going without the support they are legally entitled to. The shortage is causing delays in time-sensitive uh time sensitive services, assessments, coaching, paperwork, and an overall delay in the entire flow of the IEP process. It is critical that the district takes steps to attract and retain qualified SLPs. We need to create incentives like manageable case loads, competitive pay opportunities for career advancement, hire SLPAS, or offer part-time positions, and partner with
100local universities to bring back the bachelors to masters program. We also need to build supportive environments where SLPs feel like they're valued members of the team, not overworked service providers, just like what is happening in the county next door. If we don't invest in this now, the gap will continue growing and our students who rely on these services will be the ones who pay the price. Thank you. Thank you so much. Um we'll welcome uh Sheila Phillips from uh the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee. Welcome, Miss Phillips. How you doing tonight? Good evening. Good evening, Commissioners. Dr. Sant Lisa's all those that's in the room and those who are virtual. I come to um talk about the um staffing plan that um was supposed to report on to the special ed. We haven't done it
101as of yet. We looking to forward to having a revision copy that we can help the special ed department provide feedback so that that plan will be successful this school year coming in. Also, I have given a copy of our public meetings. You have your own personal copy. I look to see what I look to see a few of you stop in. Um, we don't we don't have our agenda yet. That will be discussed June 25th and then I'll be able to push it out in September when we have our first our second Tuesday meeting that month. Also, I wanted I'm coming to this forum cuz more people here in this segment. Anybody that want to um come and present at the CCAT meetings is welcome to any concerns you have, you're welcome to bring
102to the CCAT meeting, but you cannot show up the night of my meeting and be put on the agenda. That's just not the way it it functions. Our agenda is made four to six weeks in advance. If you like to come and support, contact the CECAD office or even the special ed office. We welcome anyone that wants to have dialogue with us in supporting our students is receiving special education. Wasn't it a nice presentation tonight? special education matters. If the services are there and they get it early enough, they will be successful. So, I sat there and I cried. I wanted to get up and get in the picture cuz I felt like my advocacy matters. And I want you all to know I appreciate you all. But tonight, I was overwhelmed with everything that
103happened here tonight. I am so overwhelmed. I'm so honored. Roger Shaw, everything that happened tonight, it made me sat back there and had tears in my eyes. This has been a very emotional, successful, loving, compassionate night. Thank you all. I appreciate you all. Like any of our groups, we just want to honor just the work that you do. um the honor of the work that you've done this past school year as we close out school year 2425 and we look forward to working with you again school year at 26. So thank you. Thank you for all your advocacy. You'll be you'll passing the torch. Thank you so much, Miss Bis. We'll make sure that each and every board member um has a copy of the um the notice of committee. Everyone is welcome. Um that
104is um our last public recognized group. I'll turn it to Dr. Jensen for public comment. We actually have no public comment this evening. I know public comments. All right. So given that we have no public comment this evening based upon comments are there any additional items that board members would like to pull from the consent agend There's no I'd like to pull uh 1901 for a vote. Separate vote, please. We can do Thank you, Commissioner Muhammad. And I like to pull 1905. Um I know we're just pulling so many of these ones tonight. There's there's certainly a lot in the procurement agenda, but for 1905, some of my questions um relate to uh just wanting to understand how the district is um is ensuring the accuracy and the um uh sort of the delivery of
105services. Thank you. So for the team that manages 19.05, 05 will bring you up um towards the end for questions on Commissioner Koy. Before we vote on the remainder consent agenda, I'm going to return to the top this evening. Um we are going to hold 19 I'm I'm so sorry. We're going to hold 9.02 for a moment. Um let's start with 12.06. will invite the chief academic officer and chief Joan Drosski up for questions from Commissioner Ames Messenger. We have an additional sub in um our sub in just represents the entire team from academics. Welcome. Good evening. Good evening. How you doing tonight? I am wonderful. How are you all? I'm great. Great. Julima Alisa, executive director, teaching and learning. Hi. Uh, thank you. Some that is good. It gives us information and data to
106be able to have the needs. I think just looking specifically at to be able to speak to um both of it. So, in this particular procurement, you'll do a better job maybe explaining this than than I hopefully. Um, but looking at kind of the formative versus the summitative assessment and that at some point you're having them taking their states for or summitative assessment and then taking another formative assessment after that at a test season where the kids are also coming out of a ton of statewide testing. Um, so just kind of looking at this specific partner um, both for teachers that are then pulled out of instruction in order to be able to do that. Um, and just kind of speak to kind of the strategy of this work um, for this large number of
107our students that are impacted and staff. Yeah, absolutely. Um, so our multilingual learners take three different types of assessments. um they take the weeders screener which is mandated by the state and that's at the beginning of the year and they only take that one time and then in January they take the access which is also the state assessment that's like the MCAP um and so they're required to take that in January it's mandated by MSDE and we actually don't get the results of that until May um additionally so that we can understand um the language ac acquisition and the progress for our multilingual learners from the beginning of the year to the end of the year they also take the VA model assessment and that is really important for us because again we don't get
108those results from access until the end of the year and when we get that at the end of the year it's um data from from January and so it's not as actionable as we would like and it also doesn't give us a real true comparison from the beginning of the year to the end of the year on that language acquisition. Um and so we use the WEDA model assessment. Um there are several components of the assessment, but they're very quick, 15 to 20 minutes. Um and depending on the student skill set, not all of those components need to be given. Um but we use that in order to determine progress and growth, adjust um instruction, as well as schools use that at the end of the year for scheduling and um resource allocations for the
109upcoming school year. Perfect. You're welcome. Thank you so much. Um, I'd like to move forward to item number um 19.01 um for vote. This is the expanded school behavioral um health program. I'll go through the roll call for vote on that particular item this evening. Is there a motion to approve 19.01? So move commissioner koi. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Can you Thank you. All in favor? Commissioner Ames Messenger? Yes. Thank you. Commissioner Chica Guzman. Yes. Thank you. Commissioner Click. Yes. Commissioner Espazito. Yes. Commissioner Kenyatta Bay. Yes. Commissioner Muhammad. I've recused myself from this vote. Thank you. Noted. Um, Commissioner Reading Lawinger. Yes. Thank you. Commissioner Simmons. Yes. Thank you. And I'm in favor. This motion passes. Now like to move to items 19.02, 19.03, and 19.04. Um, I'd like to invite the
110whole team up for presentation this evening. And I will let Commissioner Muhammad drive questions that are important. Welcome. Welcome. How you doing today? First time up here with the new system. Good evening everyone. Good evening. Hey, I got that part right. So, for the sake of uh our public, I ask uh for you to come up because there are are organizations and there uh is work being done for the sake of our young people, the sake of our district that uh remains effective. And when I see those items, I like for our community to be aware. So, if you could speak towards the work that's being done in these different uh items and give us some insight into their effectiveness for our young people in our schools. Of course. Thank you. Uh Katya Stokes, the
111director for student wholeness. Uh so I will speak. The first one is continuous growth. And before I start there, I just want to note that none of this work is possible without us being able to be in partnership. And so some some of what is spoken to in the spirit of this meeting that we've held so far. I think I like to call him the godfather Roger Shaw as he spoke to the partnerships and the connections that are made with our community partners. Um, what I really will be speaking to in the effectiveness here is how our community partners are really helping to make our wholeness work come to life. Um, you can see who on my shirt, our wholeness work is about belonging here. I'll stand up in case you can't see it fully,
112but it's about belonging. It's about well-being. It's about individuals being able to show up, I'm sorry, as their bestelves. And it's about school climate. And so the work that I will speak to here, each one of those organizations touch on one of those tenants in some way. So the first one is continuous growth. Continuous growth really is a mentoring school-based program. Uh they really are helping to implement restorative practices. And so one of the things that's really exciting about the work that they're doing in the schools is that they're really giving students an opportunity to be able instead of being the the punitive route towards discipline, they have a system that's a reflection room and students are able to go to the reflection room and work with their staff. Um, one of the key things
113that has been a highlight in the schools that they've been working with, they are seeing an increase or a decrease in referrals that are going to the administrative route and more are being diverted and really directed by this team, the continuous growth team in the school. So, as a result, students are able to in that reflection room or with those opportunities, they're able to gain skills, pro-social skills, learn how to do conflict management and able to resolve their challenges there. The next organization that we have is Holistic Life Foundation. Uh Holistic Life Foundation has really been integral into ensuring that our young people are learning breath work, yoga, and mindfulness. Yes. One of the things I love to do, um one of the things that I will really note here is that it really is
114an opportunity for our young people to cultivate self-awareness, self-regulation, and emotional intelligence through their work. One of the things that they speak highly of and the schools speak highly of is um the students really look forward to being able to go to the room. I'll just share a little bit briefly of some of the success that they I won't name the school but I'll share briefly some of the success. And one of the things we really look for is that when we are exposing our young people to new skills, we don't want it to just be something that they're doing just within the four walls of the building. We really are hoping for these skill sets to be something that you are also doing outside of the school building. I think that's one of the
115most powerful things about the work that they're doing. So in one school, 42% of the students reported applying their mindfulness strategies beyond the school setting. So that the things that they're learning inside of the mindfulness room, they're actually taking outside. One particular story is not particularly through holistic life but um sharing how students were able when they learned breath work in the school they went home and the parent called back to the school and said I'm not sure what's going on with my child because they keep doing this to me right but I think there I say that story because I think that is the powerfulness in the work right um the work that they're doing through holistic life, the skill sets that they're learning, they're also now able to pay it forward and teach
116within their school, within their communities as well. And then the last organization I'll speak to is the movement team. Uh the movement team has been particularly powerful in our work as it relates to wholeness. They do a lot of our mentoring work. They also are partner with our school-based violence intervention program that is a partnership with the mayor's office of neighborhood safety and engagement. And then as you heard today a little bit we had uh doc Dr. Shaw I'm going to go ahead and say Dr. Shaw acknowledged um but part of the big part of the work that they do um while they also serve and support individual schools they also do a huge part of the work in helping to support the DJS program that's through the re-engagement center. So I'll just highlight uh
117since 232 24 with the DJS program specifically through the movement team they have had 73 73 students or 27% of the students in that 23 24 year had approved attendance 115 were promoted or graduated and 269 were enrolled in their program. Um for 20 school year 2425 304 345 students were enrolled in the program. 103 had approved attendance and 60% of of the students who were in their program either were promoted or graduated. So those are just some of the highlights of the work that we're seeing through those partnerships. Thank you. I appreciate it. Uh I think that this is important for us as board is currently uh uh creating opportunities for the community to give its thoughts around the work around holiness and what's working. And some of the things that we are hearing
118are things that exist currently in our schools and there is opportunity for growth for us to expand on it but there's a lot of the work being done. I think when we have the opportunity we should be loud about the areas of effectiveness that we have in so thank you. Well I appreciate the opportunity to do that. Yes. Yes. Um, in full disclosure, uh, at one point I was a homeless coach and for one of these organizations actually, but the thing is is I noticed and this is like immediate notice of students that not only had hope build up in them, I saw students that may have wound up in conflicting sort of situations. s learn how to self-mediate themselves, how to um handle themselves in a better way. So I think sometimes what does
119not happen is the big news. Yes. You know, and um a lot of these students I've seen personally I've seen them personally turn around and look at themselves and before they start looking outwardly. So I think this is a very valuable um methodology for not only looking in the schools but looking outside the schools in the communities in the neighborhoods wherever the environment takes these students. So I applaud um the work that's being done here. Definitely. Absolutely. I just wanted to commend you all for the work that you are doing in partnering with community based organizations. Oh, you hear me? Y'all got me. Got you. But I just want to commend you all on the work that you're doing with community based organizations who are living and breathing breathing in the neighborhoods that our young
120people are in. Um, you could partner with anybody, right? Some of the biggest agencies in the city, but you all choose to keep some really longl lasting relationships like with Holistic Life. It has to be at least a 20-year relationship, right? Yes. and then um with some of the other organizations too who um are really doing the work that young people can identify with. So I just wanted to you know commend you all for that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Additional comments this evening on those items. Okay. None. Thank you Miss D. We appreciate your presentation. Oh I didn't see well for 1905. Okay. Ask me too. Oh my. Thank you for presentation on first three. We'll move to 19.05 which is consent. And I guess maybe one comment first um before I then
121reiterate my question. What is in front of the board today is purely a contract extension. Is that correct? Where the the funds that are are noted here are previously um uh pre-qualified, you know, approved funds. But what is of of note is an extension of the the contract term. Is that correct? That is correct. That's accurate. So we're just extending for one more year, but we're not asking to increase the cap. There's enough available there for them to do the work that they need to do for next school year. Yeah. And that's a good lead in then to my question about some of the accountability and the the um reporting and metrics. What are ways that uh City Schools is is ensuring uh accuracy, timeliness um of the reporting uh for for this uh vendor?
122Yep, great question. Uh so one thing we're doing, we are working in partnership not just with the schools, we're working in partnership with our uh city schools data team and with the chief of schools office. So one thing that will be different moving forward for the next school year um all any schools that will work directly with this vendor will be selected through our chief of schools office. Um during that time we will have a process in which we will be meeting with the vendor as well as our attendance team as well as our data teams on a monthly basis to just review the data and have conversations about the impact. um during that time because it will be coming through us centrally that will allow for us to have the monitoring that is needed
123up front just to make sure one we're looking at the data to see impact but then also making sure that anything additionally we need to make sure is being done timely. We're also monitoring that as well. And one followup, um, what would happen if, uh, if you weren't, um, satisfied with what you were seeing in terms of the timeliness or accuracy of reporting? So, we would follow up with the organization to have courageous conversations around what what our expectations are. Um, and then we uh move forward with putting corrective measures in place as well if they're not following that. At that time of course the contract is is for one year. So after that if there are any additional concerns then we will at that time um if we have to come back to the
124board to request an extension or not request an extension we will address that matter at that time. Just want to clarify. So typically when we have contracts that have there may be concerns around performance. that believe that there are measures in there that have probably the most extreme set of consequences if those the performance is not rectified. That is correct. And that would be a part of I'm not sure if someone else started speaking, but that would also be a part of their contract and their corrective action plan. Any additional comments or questions or concerns on 05? All right. Thank you, mister. Thank you. Thank you. believe that is the majority of the items that we have. Um so based upon that is there a motion to approve the remaining consent agenda minus item number
1259.02 which will be a separate presentation following so move. Thank you. So was that commissioner Kinyatta Bay. Thank you Commissioner Kinyat. Is there a second? Second Espazito. Thank you Commissioner Esposito. All in favor? Commissioner Ames Messenger? Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Chica Scubisman. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Koy. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Esposito. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Kenyatta Bay. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Muhammad. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Reading Lawinger. Going to skip him for now, but he may be back. Commissioner Simmons. Yes. Thank you. And I'm in favor. Um, just one more check on Commissioner Reading Lawinger. This motion passes. Um the remaining of those consent agenda items do pass. I do would like to now invite the team from the office of new excuse me the office of new initiatives up for item 9.02 on our
126new charter applications and other school applications this evening. Um this will be for both a presentation and a series of separate votes for um the public the public to general awareness. Um yeah just one thing that is unrelated but I'm going to forget if I don't do it now. Sorry Commissioner Muhammad there's art behind you from Augusta Fels. I'm going to forget if I didn't say that. That's why I kept trying to look at you. I sent you a quick email but it's right behind you. Okay, sorry. Um, I'm Angela Alvarez, the senior executive director of the office of new initiatives. Good evening. I am Kendra Banks, manager of office of new initiatives. Um, and we want to thank there's a lot of um work that goes into the process of evaluating these applications. Um
127we have a um an advisory board uh meeting the volunteers who are participating reading uh lengthy applications um as internal external stakeholder group. So I just want to thank them. Uh I also want to thank our applicants um regardless of the outcome um wanting to serve the children of the city is admirable and uh it takes uh a year and a lot of work um at least a year to put together an application. Uh so I just want to thank all of the people who um have applied. Um I'm going to go ahead and get into the presentation without much ado. Um the this presentation and this uh uh item u relates most uh um to board priorities 5, six, and seven. Um so it's an opportunity for us to uh increase access to resources
128um to in ensure and increase the number of of school type of school programs that are providing a high quality educational experience and that undergurs the decision-m here. Um and um throughout the way that we manage the process, we're trying to ensure that we are operating in an equitable manner uh and involving um the community and different voices um to get to the point and provide advice to um the board and it came through applications with um letters for members of the community. Um the uh testimony at the work session. Um so in a variety of ways uh different members um provided voice for tonight. Um this aligns to our policy that governs our work with charter and other operator schools. Um and so uh we're seeking um to provide high quality learning opportunities to
129our students through this work. Um for folks who are successful, we're expecting a higher level of individual school accountability in exchange for autonomy. Um and um uh a big key and big commitment that people make uh if they take on this work is to be one of the vehicles that helps us accelerate improvement in student achievement in school excellence. Okay. So I'm going to briefly uh go over some key dates uh that are involved in the process overview and uh timeline. So on the 6th of March, the applications were due and on April 22nd, the uh new applications were presented to the board. Then uh May 15th is the day we had the work sessions where applicants were able to present to the board and answer any questions that may have come from their presentations
130and their applications. Uh May 21st was the deadline where they were able to present any supplemental information that addressed the uh weaknesses or questions posed. And the 9th we uh sent out the final recommendations to the applicants and today is the board vote. The participants who are involved in the re review pro process uh one is the charter operator uh schools advisory board. It includes internal and external stakeholders and they advise uh the CEO on any information they need about the applicants and um any type of um issues that have ar arisen they basically address that and share the information. Uh then our CEO determines official recommendation uh to the board based on the information received from the advisory group as well as testimonies from the work session and supplemental information that has been submitted
131and of course the board of school commissioners. you will have the ultimate uh deciding authority and that decision is based on the recommendation of the CEO, the supplemental information, testimonies uh provided by the applicant and any uh supplemental information. So up first we have uh Charm City Garden Montouri School. Uh the applicant is Charm City Garden Montouri School, a wildflower school which is the organization. Um the type of school that they're proposing is a new charter school opening enrollment 75, proposed grades 9 through 12, and their focus is environmental Montasuri education located on the west side of Baltimore. and the CEO's recommendation was do not approve. Excuse me. Some of the strengths included uh that they presented a clear mission and innovative model in their application. Uh their plan of support for diverse learners was
132a strength. Uh they also have the support of the Wildflower Schools Network as the organization that provides uh technical and funding assistance as well as advice to member Montouri schools. They also received a grant from Wildflower of 1 million through the CSP grant pending authorization. Uh and their founders have expertise in leading uh urban schools as well as teaching. Their weaknesses were reflected in the fact that the group uh demonstrated limited direct experience with the Montori model for the secondary level of education. Um they were unable to provide adequate evidence of the success with the model at the secondary level. Uh their initial budget heavily depends on the grant and um the model that is presented to um is a reimburseable uh grant and it requires them to identify funds so that they are able
133to um basically function and operate on their first year. And so they spoke about acquiring loans and grants in order to do so. But it wasn't a concrete plan of how this would work to fund the expenses. And their budget projections included unrealistic assumptions, especially with a proposed small size of 75 students at launch and 224 by year five. And their enrollment um plan to it would not generate sufficient revenue uh for the school to meet their required expenditures. And for members of the public, some of what you're going to hear tonight sounds formulaic. the board has the full authority to vote in any way that they want, but it's a technical thing to make sure that we read into the record all of the requirements. Um, so it is for the reasons that we
134presented on behalf of Dr. Sonia Brook and Santis, the recommendation is to not approve the Charm City Garden Monator School to open uh and operate Charm City Garden Monasuri, a wildflower school. I concur with the recommendation colleagues who may have any questions if you're special. Can we speak the impact not having lack of combination of lack of impact? Yeah. um they likely would not be able to fund the number of secondary courses. So like part of what we saw as a weakness was the the budget had some unrealistic assumptions in terms of costs in it. Um and education it kind of works you know where um elementary is less expensive than middle than high. So as you go up towards secondary it's even more expensive. Um as a district we have been um looking at
135closely schools that are under 300 um students and we've been closing schools because um those schools don't have enough funding to support all of the programmatic elements that students need. Um so we would be approving a school at the beginning that we know does not based on that plan have the structure to fully do all the things that would be required to actually run a successful high school. same vein as my colleagues. Could you speak a little bit to I read that they were considering this structure of um teachers who are also administrators? Yeah. And so part of their plan um you know particularly in the opening years to help them with the cost saving was to have the um you know the school leader also uh teach courses. Um uh I think that is
136very difficult. So like you know one of the challenges we see in small schools is that school leaders do end up having to wear multiple hats. And when you're the job of a school leader is one of the most difficult jobs that we have in our district. Like I don't think we talk about that enough. There is just a lot that a school leader in and of itself in a fully staffed school has to do. Um it you're the instructional leader of the school. You're the main point of contact for parents. You have to have relationship with the community and elected officials. You have to be overseeing the finances. You have to have strategy. You have to have vision. Um, and so it's a very um timeconsuming uh uh job. And so the notion of
137planning to wear more hats than you need to um you know where in some ways you know you can see oh it's admirable to want to stay connected that in that way to students. Uh but uh may not be realistic given the need especially if you're launching a brand new school that's going to have a lot of needs in the initial term. chair, can I hop in with the questions? Sorry, we can't always No problem. Um I was particularly interested um in and we've we've spoken about this a little bit before the the the sort of secondary model of Montasauri this 912 um model. Do you can you speak to a little bit the plan for student um recruitment? Uh, and can you confirm that the students that they're planning to recruit to the school
138are not students who necessarily would have had previous experience in the Montasauri model? Is that correct? Yeah, that is correct. They did mention um you know they're aware of our Baltimore Minasuri that has you know students in preK through 8 and so hoping that they would attract some of those students but you know there would be it's a citywide lottery so they would be open to to the you know to the district and so one of the things we asked them a lot about was how they would prepare students especially secondary students who are unfamiliar with the monastery uh model which is very self-directed um how would prepare students for that. Um, and that that was an area where it wasn't like sufficiently addressed by the applicant. Is there a motion from the board? I
139move that based upon the consideration of the recommendations and rationale of the CEO, the testimony given at the board work session, and the application of supplemental materials provided by applicants that the board accept the CEO's recommendation as stated. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Hessenger. We'll now pull the roll call. I will start with Commissioner Messenger. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Chiefman. Yeah, you can speak for just a moment. Commissioner, yes. Thank you, Commissioner Espazito. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Kenyan Bay. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Muhammad. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Regaler. Yes. Thank you. Um, say yes. He said yes. Okay. Thank you so much, Commissioner R. Yes. Commissioner Simmons. Yes. Thank you. And I will circle back to just our student commissioner on your vote. Uh, yes. All right. Thank you. And I'm in
140favor. This motion passes. Turn over to Commissioner. I'm so sorry, Miss Alvarez for Callus Academy. Let me turn it over to Miss Banks. Okay, so we're on to our second vote and this uh academy is called Catalyst Academy proposed by the Juvenile Afterare Incorporated organization. Uh they are proposing a new contract school with the opening enrollment of 150 students serving grades 9 through 12. Uh their focus is an alternative education and vocational training program in the area of West Baltimore and the CEO's recommendation is to not approve. The strengths that were demonstrated in their application were uh their mission to serve. They were very committed in uh their advocacy for the group of students. So they wanted to provide uh structured and wraparound support to help them transition. Um extensive experience working with uh the
141legal system uh youth involved in the legal system and so they have a deep understanding of their challenges. Uh and then the reference to restorative type processes and supporting them in transitioning back into a school setting. uh they also took initial steps to build community connections with organizations and various stakeholders. Um and then the weaknesses. So the application uh demonstrated that the founding team does not really demonstrate that they have experience in the different areas that are needed to operate a school. Uh their plan didn't demonstrate that it meets the needs of the student as well as the district. uh and their accountability plan did not uh display goals that demonstrate that they understand how goal setting drives the school work and their behavioral system when they spoke about it came from a space of
142correction and consequence and not being proactive or preventative. So there was concern around that. Um additional weaknesses were that uh they didn't demonstrate an understanding for planning and managing uh operational responsib uh for operational responsibilities. Uh their financial model did not sufficiently support true expenses of operating a school and it also did not provide sufficient evidence of uh direct community student and family involvement in the support of their mission vision or school model. Um, just to add some contextual information, their application or the initial application talked about eventually getting approval to add a boarding component to their program which will probably uh require state approval. It is for the reasons that we presented on behalf of Drs. Sonia Brook and Santis that the recommendation is not to approve the contract for Juvenile Afterare Inc. to
143open and operate Catalyst Academy. Th this is the recorder. Could you please talk into the microphone, please? I can't hear anything. Please speak into the microphone. Thank you. Thank you. It's just a quick reminder our mics don't get as great as you. Um I do want to acknowledge that we do have a segment of be considered in different ways. Um that I do concur with what we see here as far as weaknesses that were present in this application, but just want to acknowledge that we do have a lot of different needs, a lot of our young justice who do need additional support in the system. Any additional comments question and we'll turn it to commission for a motion. I move that based upon the consideration of the recommendations and rational offices. Okay. The testimony given
144at the board session and the application and supplemental materials provided by the applicants that the board accepts the CEO's recommendation as stated. Thank you. Is there a second? Second, Espazito. One more time. Sure. Oh, second Espazino. Thank you so much, Commissioner Espazino. Um, I'll now read your roll call. Commissioner Hasser, yes. Thank you, Commissioner Tasman. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Point. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Espazito. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Kenyan Bay. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Muhammed. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Reinger. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Svens. Yes. Thank you. And I'm also Um in favor of the motion as presented. Well, now we move to our third school which is D Academy. [Laughter] And as setting up that we will have several as this um each one will be moved separately. That is correct. Okay. Um, Dream
145Academy. So, the name of the organization is Arts for Learning Maryland. Um, this is a proposal to convert Thomas Jefferson Elementary Middle School uh into a neighborhood charter. Um, uh, it's an elementary middle. Um, and, uh, the recommendation is to improve the conversion of the school. So, next next slide. uh strengths. Uh so this is an experienced organization with decades of experience in arts in integration uh and expertise in each of the areas needed to successfully operate a school. Um they in their application included evidence-based practices um in multiple methods to support learning uh including gradual release, small groupoup instruction interventions. Um they also piloted um and I think other people applying should take note of that. They piloted their model um with Thomas Jefferson um and use what they learned from that pilot to
146inform their application. Um uh their plan includes a scaffolded professional learning structure um and uh with uh bi-weekly co-planning time, monthly professional development, leadership retreat, arts integration. Uh and so those are important things. Um they were awarded a 1.4 million charter schools um program grant pending authorization and some other things that we'll talk about later. Uh uh one of our um earlier weaknesses they cured in the supplemental um was just around um how they would really support um teachers and teaching artists um in making modifications to lessons. And so they provided a more detailed plan um that included recurring coaching um and a layered approach uh to build that in instructional coherence and ro um ro definition. Um another area that we had concern of that they cured with supplemental materials was just around the
147mindset the mindset shift that would be needed to um uh bring about this model. Uh and so they um submitted a comprehensive plan around how they would support the leader who would be responsible for that minds um shift mindset shift sorry I don't know why I'm uh fumbling my words tonight. Uh and and that included a structured evaluation process um for the school leader. Um regular coaching and support from arts for learning senior team. Um and I continue to like build on a plan around that with uh specific goals. Um uh one area of weakness that remains is around u middle school. Um so um you know uh their uh organization has worked primarily with um uh within city schools elementary um students. Um they did um in a uh provide some information about u
148a study um in a school they worked with called Bates Middle School in Anna Ronda County. um that was uh that's promising, but there still were like a lot of gaps in the application around um what the programming would look like at the middle school level. Um and so um uh if approved, they would need to continue to develop the planning specifically for that grade level um to kind of address the unique needs. they kind of talked about general things they would have in place um and you know um for that but you know there were concerns particularly with this school around suspensions and chronic absenteeism um and inconsistent SST that are things that really would need to be thought about um uh in terms of this application um and thus um it is for
149the reasons that we have presented on behalf of Dr. Sonia Brook and Santis that the recommendation is to approve the charter um conversion application uh for arts for learning to operate Thomas Jefferson Elementary Middle School effective July 1, 2026 can't app until you know what happens. taken care of with their recommendation before we entertain a motion to be on the board. Questions or thoughts? Commissioner McCoy? Yes, I do have a question relating to you referenced this uh the $1.4 4 million uh charter schools program grant and that there are uh other um I guess items that that that funding is dependent on. Uh my question is to what extent is the viability of the conversion dependent on receiving the 1.4 million and the other items that are subsequent for our discussion. Yeah, not sure if
150that's a question for me if it was allowed for the the applicant. I know the applicant shared that that money was really important to the application, very necessary for the application. Um they are also in a unique position in that um unlike some of the other applicants that apply, they are an existing organization with existing staff seeking to um convert an existing school. So a lot of times um uh new schools what they need the startup funds for are things like acquiring a facility, writing a building, purchasing uh materials like books and furniture. Uh and so those things are are are less of a need in this case because there's an existing school. Um but still there, you know, they have a plan around and need around that funding. Um so for the chart. Uh
151I move based on the consideration of the recommendations and rationale of the CEO the testimony given by the board at or given at the board work session in the application supplemental materials provided by by applicants that the board accepts the CEO's recommendation as stated. Thank you. Is there a second? Messenger second. Thank you commissioner messenger. I'll now do the roll call and begin. Commissioner, Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Boy. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Es. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Muhammed. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Redinger. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Simmons. Yes. and I'm in favor. This motion passes. [Music] Our second item of business related to Dream Academy is a waiver request to change the school name to Miss Holland for Yep. Um so the school and this actually started this has been a
152a hope of the school community for a little bit of time. Um and so they shared their school community supports renaming the school dream academy to represent a place where young minds are nurtured. Ambition ambitions are encouraged and success is attainable. um they conducted a multi-pronged um community outreach and campaign uh around um considerations um for um renaming and you can see some of the other names that they considered um uh and they did additional engagement like I had some check-ins with the school leader to make sure there was robust engagement um and um they did that and so our recommendation is um uh u because of the multi-prong process and the support um that um for these reasons um we are presenting on behalf of Dr. Sonia Pinantis that the recommendation is to approve
153the request to rename Thomas Jefferson Elementary Middle School Dream Academy effective July 1, 2025, thus waving the May deadline requirement in the naming policy. I concur with the recommendation as stated. Thank you so much. We vote this evening. And there's been a motion. Any questions or comments from board commissioners? Hearing none. Is there a motion for I move that based upon the consideration of the recommendations and rationale of the CO the testimony given at the board work session the application and supplemental materials provided uh by applicants the process and steps taken by the applicants meet the requirements outlined in board policy FFA including meeting the standard that the names of school programs and facilities should honor the culture experience and humanity of the community and that the voices and aspirations of students and school communities
154should be empowered in the in the renaming process that the board accept the CEO's recommendation as stated. Thank you, Commissioner Quay. Is there a second? Second, Esposito. Thank you. There's a second. Our mics are Oh, second. Esposito. Thank you so much. Um I'll now read a roll call. Commissioner Basser. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Splin. Yeah. I mean, yes. Thank you. She'll have it down to a science. Commissioner, yes. Commissioner, yes. Thank you, Commissioner Kiny. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Muhammed. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Mcinger. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Simmons. Yes. And I'm in favor of this motion. Passes. Next item pertaining to the academy is a waiver request of the name change for the library ter. Yep. Um at the same time that they were um um doing considerations around renaming the whole school. Um they
155also um uh um conducted the process to rename the library for Porsche Leavonne Stokes Williams who is a beloved educator who unexpectedly passed away in 2021 after giving birth to her son. Um she served the school community for many years and her death was um devastating to the school community. Um she taught elementary and middle school students and was passionate about serving her school and community. uh and she advocated for the children in the community. Um and thus um for all of those reasons um we have presented on behalf of Dr. Sonia Brook and Santelisas that the recommendation is to approve the request to name the school's library for Porsche Leavonne Stokes Williams effective July 1, 2025 waving the May deadline requirement. I concur with the recommendation as stated. Thank you so much. Are there
156any questions or comments? Is there a motion for library? Oh, I move based upon the consideration of the recommendations and rationale of the CEO, the testimony given at the board work session and the application and supplemental materials provided by the applicants requirements outlined in polic board policy FFA. Specifically, that request to name a unique portion of the school facility after an individual should reflect the individual's established record of service, contributions to the people of Baltimore, and the power of their legacy to empower school students. That the board accept the CEO's recommendations as stated. Thank you, Commissioner. Second, thank you, Commissioner Bay. I'll now read a roll call. Uh, Commissioner Amester. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Chicaman. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Point. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Espino. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Kenyan. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Smith.
157Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Mcinger. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Simmons. Yes. Thank you. And I'm in favor of this motion passes. Yeah. Last time for the extreme academy is a waiver request on removal of the zone and geographic attendance area request. Yep. And so this is connected for members of the public um to uh a requirement that uh was imposed by the grtor um on the applicant um sort of days before uh the applications were due to us and to um that organization. Um, and so the request is to eliminate the neighborhood enrollment zone for Thomas Jefferson Elementary Middle, uh, and instead install a geographic attendance area preference for 35% of the seats. Under this scenario, the school would admit students based on a lottery that will give preference to 35% of students living in the
158geographic attendance area. um when schools submit that request, one of the first tasks we need to do is to make sure that the median income of the community is below uh the median income for um the city of Baltimore um which is $59,623 and and the median income for the Thomas Jefferson Dome uh meets that requirement. Um again, uh the rationale for this request is that um the Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools, who's the custodian in the federal charter school program grant, um requires this structure, uh in order for them to receive the funds. Um some of the things that the board uh needs to consider is that uh if you approve this, the school would effectively cease to be uh the neighborhood school and instead would become basically a citywide charter school. Um
159families uh while families who are enrolled in the school will be able to remain I want to u make sure that that is clear families who live in the community who have not yet enrolled in the school will not have a guaranteed right to seats at the school. This scenario would require uh reszoning the families who live in Thomas Jefferson zone elsewhere to ensure just like other uh members of our community that they have a neighborhood school. um uh with guaranteed seats. A geographic attendance area uh only offers a randomized opportunity for seats for a specific community. Is not the same guarantee for each individual family that lives in a neighborhood zone. Um uh if the board approves it, it's not reversible. So we can't say, "Oh, okay." And then three years later, we can
160put back its own. it completely severs that um uh relationship. Um I know there were some considerations the applicant put forward that maybe they could grow so they could kind of do both things serve the zone and have the geographic attendance area. um the likelihood of growing to 550 students just doesn't meet what we're seeing in terms of enrollment trends uh in West Baltimore generally and in the um surrounding zones including Thomas Jefferson uh who you can see their enrollment for the past 5 years has been decreasing. Uh, I also just want to be really clear for members of the public. Arts for Learning was very sincere in their um application to convert and operate consistent with other neighborhood schools. So, this was a a a very shocking thing that happened right before they had
161to turn in applications and we started this process. Um, so I just wanted that to be very clear on the record. Um, but for us, the purpose of a conversion neighborhood charter school is to improve the quality of an existing underperforming neighborhood school for that community. Um, that's what it means to convert a school. Uh, and it requires the support of that community. We have to show that there's full support to to to garner your approval as a board. Um, and so it's for all of those reasons um that we have presented on behalf of Dr. Sonia Brook Santis. The recommendation is to not approve the request to eliminate the neighborhood enrollment zone for Thomas Jefferson Elementary Middle School and install a geographic inter uh attendance area. Uh instead, we believe the school should remain
162uh and maintain the current neighborhood zone with a lottery for out of zone families consistent with other uh conversion schools. I can I concur with the recommendation as stated motion questions or comments present on the information here? Yes, I have start with Thank you very much. Um, uh, Miss Alvarez, can you, um, tell us a little bit about, uh, approximately what percentage of current, um, uh, current students at the school live in this zone? Yes. Uh, I want to say it's 44%. So could you give us a little bit of a an indication or a prediction um assuming that 44% of current students are in zone and the uh priority for the zone would go to 35%. Um what is the likelihood that there are students in that zone who ultimately would not uh be
163able to get into that school? um that be that becomes a very much a possibility. So like for our charter schools that have geographic attendance areas, right? They um uh are serving students that are coming from a broader uh amount of the community. Um and I think the you know the thing here it would be different if we were like a growing district. I think there might be like more capacity. The challenge is that we're shrinking and so there's there's a there's a smaller number of um students within the district and so the ability to uh serve at a higher serve students at a higher than that cap and that's an absolute cap based on state law just to be clear where that 35% comes from to be able to serve more students than that
164cap and guarantee a seat at any time for um students that move into the zone. I think that's the other thing people need to understand. For neighborhood schools, at any point where a family moves in or decides they want to go to their neighborhood school, they have an absolute right to that seat. That is not the case for um schools that don't have zones or for families that are going out of zone. And so um there's kind of three kind of layers of consideration that we have to think about when we're talking about this. One is the capacity of the building. The building absolutely has capacity to grow. There is space within the building. The building has a modular or portable that um gives uh increased capacity. Uh the other piece of that is how
165schools serve communities and are ready is also how you set your budget and budget for conversions and traditional schools are set based on projections. So trending down your budget will be set at an at a in a way that gives you less staff. Uh and so that there's staffing implications too. So you have to be able to serve all the students. And then the third thing is the likelihood of being able to have um uh uh enough capacity to be able to serve more students um from the number of people um position. And so those are kind of the three things that you have to weigh. I appreciate that response. Uh and and to my board colleagues, um I guess I'd like to voice two concerns that I have. On the one hand, um I'm
166concerned that we could take a unilateral action tonight that would take $1.4 million off the table for uh a school that we've all just approved. um that would likely uh set it back uh in the plans that it's presented to us about how it might serve these students. On on the other hand, uh I am concerned for students who live in that neighborhood uh who would want to attend the school and would not have the opportunity to. Although I will admit that I still don't quite uh fully understand the projections and I would like to understand those in greater detail. And so, um, I'm I'd like to entertain a motion. Before I do that, I want to hear from other board colleagues, but I just want to, um, preview to my board colleagues that, uh,
167I'd like the opportunity after folks have had the chance to, um, offer questions and comments to, uh, put forth a motion for us to entertain, uh, a delay of this specific vote for one month for us to gather some more information u before making a decision. that is that is not reversible. Thank you so much, Commissioner Long. I just want to make sure we grab perspectives here. We'll start with Commissioner Simmons. I I I have the same concern that my colleague just mentioned. I have my same the same concern that my colleague just mentioned, particularly for the families that live below Athl. Um how will those families be connected? I feel like this blocks them out and forces them to Wildwood Parkway and not to be able to take part in what you guys are
168planning for Thomas Jefferson, right? It um yeah, it just not it's not playing into the equity game for me. Well, um considering that I live in the district, I live in the ETH. I actually live in Emerson Village. Um I know it's happening in the neighborhood as well. And so, are we even considering what's happening with Upland, right? like are we looking for more families to come and if if this happens then those families are forced to I would right along with all the other families below um Athol and we know folks that live in the area we know the difference between the top of Athol and below Athol. So let's let's be real with that conversation as well. Thanks. Thank you Commissioner Simmons. Commissioner Quint. Yeah, a few questions um and comments on this
169one. Uh in terms of the like just making sure my understanding is accurate here and I guess that it's it's a generally understood process with the 35% geographic preference. A student that lives in in zone or in the current zone that would live in that geographic area um they would only be eligible to be considered in one or the other. In other words, that if they randomly were not selected as part of that 35%. So currently you said the number is about 44%. Uh there's you know that that percentage that that may not be selected of and I know for the current students all are are transitioned in but in in the future projecting forward. um if they're not selected in that process, they cannot then enter into the the citywide lottery. Is that accurate?
170That's correct. So, how the lottery process works is there's a series of sort of individual steps that lead into the lottery. Um and so, um um all charters have like preferences for certain categories of people. Children of founders, children of staff, siblings, right? And so those slides go to the fir those are the first people to get available seats. Then if you have a geographic attendance area, you then run a lottery for folks who apply that are coming from those neighborhoods. And so then they get um seats capped at that 35%. And then the remaining seats go to then you run the citywide lottery and it goes to the folks in the citywide lottery. And that's for each grade. So if you approve it, the first lottery will have to be structured in this way.
171Yeah. And then in terms of the this this waiver request, you can you share with me when the RAR request was initiated in terms of like they've been in this process for a long time of applying for the charter. Um, and I guess when was this when did this become a part of the request? Yeah, I think we learned and they were uh about it probably at the same I think they told us right away. I want to say it was like a week a week before applications were due to both us and to the granttor. The granter flagged it in that time period and that and we we met about it and we're like we don't know what to do. Uh and so um that's when we all learned about this uh requirement and
172I guess I I highlight that just to underscore that that this request comes specifically because of the restrictions or the the current understanding of the restrictions on the funding. That's correct. Um and and as it relates to to the funding, um I guess is there uh that interpretation um is their ability to work to resolve this in a different way that this is this is certainly what is being requested currently? Um are are there any possibilities of resolving in a different way? I hear what my colleague, Commissioner Ren Lawinger, suggested and and I guess I would be open to and interested in seeing additional time if I felt that there was the possibility for uh for a resolution. Um, based off of the precedence that this would set, based off of, uh, the implication this
173has more generally, um, I'm not inclined now or in the future to approve the waiver as presented. If, however, there is a different way to resolve this. uh and if the other parties involved are willing to work uh with city schools to explore that um and that we felt like with because this needs to be resolved in a timely manner like we um everybody needs to know the answer to this question. There are certainly you know my earlier question about the viability and sustainability without this funding. Uh certainly there there are decision everybody has to make decisions and time is of the essence and so my question is do would you have confidence um that that a month would reveal I guess the degree to which um there's a possibility and it it comes back
174to us for a vote. Um but I'll I'll just stay here for my my colleagues right that uh a month from now based off of what is what you have presented my understanding and the the precedence this would set it's it's I'm looking for the other parties to to be more clear about what what is actually required to see where there is the ability to find a different solution um you know and give time for that to happen. um you know but but certainly I I know time is of the essence. Yeah. And and this is a big deal just remember to the public. This is um we have been uh we've had conversion um schools in our district from the beginning of having charter schools. So 20 years and actually before we had charter
175schools we had this is kind of the namesake of my office. Most people don't know this is the origins of the name of my office but we had um schools called new school initiative schools. City Springs as an example. They were and that started in the '9s. They were talking about 30 years of um working with outside entities to strengthen neighborhood public school serving a a community. So, this is a this is a big kind of request and vote. Um I don't know like there's there's no guarantee. There's we we did try um to sway um that organization before we got to this point and you know said hey you know hey this is very different than how the state used to be the um custodian of those funds uh and the state had granted
176those funds to to neighborhood conversions and in the same way they did to citywide charters. So it was a shocking um thing for for us and for arts for learning to to learn about this requirement and so we did try to already to try to convince them uh I have talked to my colleagues um in other places um who um expressed a willingness to help. So there's a possibility but there's no guarantee and there hasn't been movement with our um our the outreach that we have done already. And so I just want to sort of name that. The other thing, just to be really clear for members of the public, if the board approves this, not only is it a big shift in terms of policy and what it means to have neighborhood charters in
177our district, um the board can't delay this indefinitely, not just because we all need resolution, but because if you approve this, then we have to immediately in the fall do a process to actually designate new neighborhood schools. for the students of Thomas Jefferson uh and many of the the way their zone is situated and where students live many of the schools that surround them are uh between uh I want to say 1.2 to and 1.7 miles walking distance. I think 65% of the student population at Thomas Jefferson are elementary students. Um by policy we consider a mile or less walking distance and so this is a greater distance. So there's these other implications too that have to be um um considered and um we're at a point in time where uh our transportation um budget
178is really short. So we don't really have the capacity to add uh more like yellow bus transportation which is the kind of transportation you give to elementary students uh who need transportation to school. So these are some of the other um sort of impacts of this particular request. And so I guess just to to underscore what my hope would be is that some of the additional partners such as the state MSDE could could really help in uh advocating and in sort of working to find a solution, a way to interpret and understand that that doesn't require this waiver. uh and to provide time for that to be worked on uh would be my my hope if if my board colleagues uh and we all concurred that a delay was was beneficial in our vote on
179it. Thank you, Commissioner Cory and Commissioner Mohammed. Thank you. you actually uh address uh my concern in your answer to Commissioner Cy, but I will say um that this is a really tough issue. Uh last week we had a listening tour in walking distance to at uh Evans and this concern came up. There were some community members there that uh brought this concern up and it is one that is hard uh to really grapple particularly for myself because I'm empathetic in the need for these funds. I'm also empathetic that we have the ability to serve who we initially intended to serve. This makes this pretty tough. So in that uh I think that there are ripple effects if we improve this that impact not just Thomas Jefferson. Oh well I have to change that now.
180I'll get used to saying don't worry. Uh however the ripple effects uh impact other schools and impact us as a district. My hope, my push is how do we address this in uh future years because we have the ability to come back to this. Um because when we go through our school reviews when it comes back up and how long before it will come back up? Five years. The initial contract is a fiveyear contract. So, we would have a five-year uh contract before we review. And in that time, there are opportunities for growth within the within the district, within the communities that you initially hoped to serve. uh and that time might resolve things that we can't necessarily resolve immediately. So I say that to say um I am in the mind of accepting while
181also being in my partnership saying that this is a concern. This is an issue that does not have to end tonight that was exacted. This is something that we can continue to work to be able to find a resolution that allows you to continue to serve all of our community in a a real real uh true way. So yeah, if I can um I just want to be really clear about the charter startup funds that is time bound. So that is for startup. So that's not a thing that would be available five years from now. It's only available in this window. So I just want to be really clear on the record about that part of this. Yeah, I appreciate that. And in response, it's um those funds would not be available. However, being able
182to reach out as Commissioner McCoy identified uh with MSD and other partners that fund within the church space that there are opportunities that may still arise to be able to uh fit the bill for the concerns that we have. Uh but my call on my board members is that as our hearts are heavy, I want us to remain thoughtful around the ripple effects that this will have on us as a district, not just in this zone. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Muhamad. anything official I'll share just two things I'm I'm wrestling with this evening as we we um approach a motion both of which have been understood by board colleagues here so one when we're looking at rejections those numbers there are really important for the people to consider in terms of the ability of
183a chart school to grow based upon demographics and so that's a concern that I'm signing this thing secondarily for the purposes that are outlined here the considerations you know schools are in better oxalate communities and recognize that the purpose of the emerging school to rules are to make sure that they serve these neighborhoods. And so we know that disin happens in a lot of our neighborhoods across Baltimore City and in other underserved communities across the United States and we want to make sure that in our roles on the board and working with communities and families and partnerships that we recognize the importance of how our schools can anchor communities. And so this is something that I'm thinking a ton about tonight. Um, as it's written now here, as it's presented to the board, you know,
184I'm looking for some other way to really grapple with this. This is something I'm struggling with tremendously here. And so it's difficult for me as it's written now to say that this is the best path forward for this particular consideration. So just something I'm grappling with. Given that I'm the last go, is there anything additional from my board colleagues? Trisho, I guess I'm going to ask like the same question that's been asked like is there any flexibility with the grant? Um, are the conditions of the grant solely based on whether or not this waiver is accepted based on the current interpretation of the custodian of the grant? I guess in that in that sense like would time allow for a I guess at least allow for a conversation to try and um and explore that
185interpretation. It will allow us to try it again. But they gave us a very strong no with our first attempt. So I just want to be really clear on the record, but we could try again. And we had some positive uh conversations with outside colleague that might be able to help us, but I don't know. I just want to be really clear. There's a real possibility they won't move off of that position or interpretation. Um, if I may, um, I think a month's time would at least give some board members the opportunity to do some due diligence. And so my my position would be and I I you know really appreciate the comments of my board colleagues is the real message coming from this board is there's a this is a very skeptical board um
186uh about whether or not this board should in fact uh disagree with the recommendation put forth by the district and and um and the CEO. Uh but I for one am willing to um do some due diligence to see if we can better understand the interpretation or if there is a creative solution to this issue before we unilaterally make a decision that takes $1.4 million off the table. But uh the bar is very high. Um because I think what you're hearing from members of this board is that uh the intent of conversion charter schools is to serve the communities in which they're they are. Uh and so um uh chair, I'm looking to you. I would like to introduce a motion, but I don't want to uh interrupt anyone who may have other comments. Motion.
187Um, so yeah, Commissioner Messenger, just one final point of clarification on extension. As the parent of small children who are doing the summer school dance of figuring out where you're going, functionally that looks like we are now in mid June. So that would put us in mid July. So hi students who are returning to school at Dream will be returning to school at DREAM. it would impact by waiting and not making this decision until July that would impact preK and K enrollment coming in. No. No. So remember um Dream Academy does not become a charter school until school year 26 27. School year 25 26 is Arch for Learning's opportunity to plan and further prepare for that transition. Um and so um for uh students who will be enrolled for school year 2526 who are
188already enrolled or already planning to to be at that school. It is still a neighborhood school called Dream Academy uh for school year 2526 regardless have your vote. Your vote is about 26 27. If you approve it, it does, just so very clarity, it does impact the application process that does take place during school 2526 for school year 26 27. It in for um for tours, the applications, they can start taking applications on day one. The lotteryies are uh typically the second week in February. Great. So I'm gonna um entertain a motion. I believe Commissioner Ben. Thank you, Chair. Uh I move to that based on the consideration of the recommendations and rationale of the CEO, the testimony given at the board work session and the application and supplemental materials provided by applicants, requirements outlined
189in board policy IHBJ, including considerations of requirements for establishing the geographic attendance area and requirements outlined in board policy IBHJ for establishing charter and operator schools specifically that a conversion charter school must provide guaranteed placement to students who live in the geographic zone established by the district and offer seats to out of zone students on a space available basis that the board defer the CEO's recommendation for further study uh and vote on this matter in July. And I want to make sure we're clear which meeting um just so that because time is of the essence first meeting that's scheduled I believe is Tuesday July 11th. Tuesday July 11th Dr. Sorry. The first one in July is I'm sorry. Yeah. But it's virtual and procurement. Did you want it? Yeah. So, Commissioner Binger, I just want
190to double verify just because time is of the essence on this motion and we want to time bound that to July 11th. Sorry, July 8th. 8. Yes. Uh, amend my words to to reflect July 8th. Got it. Thank you so much. Is there a second? Second, Espazito. Thank you, Commissioner Esposito. I'll then read a roll call. Commissioner Ames Messenger. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Chica Scoozman. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Point. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Esposito. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Kenyan Bay. No. Thank you, Commissioner Mohammed. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Reading Lawinger. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Simmons. Yes. Thank you. Um, and I'm also in favor of this delay until July 8th. That motion passes. That is our last item related to creative gathering. We do have a couple minutes. We just need to finish up this
191evening. Just want to make sure as we have allowed public to transition we will let me see at this point in the evening um we have concluded all the items here. I just want to remind the public um of our notice of upcoming public meetings. We have um this month remaining we have the operations committee meeting which will meet on Tuesday June 17th policy on the same day in the afternoon. Safety and wholeness I believe will be the 18th Commissioner Muhammad. Is that correct? We'll have a special board meeting on Tuesday, June 24th. And as mentioned earlier, we'll have a meeting on Tuesday, June 8th. July 8th. What is going on with me? I'm just ready for summer. Ready for summer? Before we conclude this evening, um I just want to take an opportunity to
192thank uh my board colleagues for their work um this past school year in school year 2425. I'd like to thank our entire staff here in Baltimore City Public Schools from our district staff um to our our teachers and our school leaders for their relentless pursuit of excellence in all of our all of our schools to make sure that our young people have um an opportunity for an excellent education. I would like to thank um everybody for the distinct honor and pleasure of serving as the board chair for school year the remainder of school year 2425. It's been a sincere honor and pleasure to collaborate with my entire board. Um the board will be holding um elections for board chair and vice chair. Um as we stated when we had a shift um at the middle
193of the school year um so we'll provide an update on that. Uh the board will hold its annual business meeting on Friday of this week um where a number of topics will be discussed. Um given that are there anything additional that the board would like to lift out before we conclude this evening? Commissioner Muhammad. Yeah. Uh I just want to take the opportunity I uh I missed the earlier part of the meeting as I was at city neighbors graduation. So, I don't know if it was stated, but if it was, I'll restate. I want to thank the board office for its work, for all of the board office staff and admin support that we receive. We would not be able to be effective at what we do as a board without you. Thank you. They
194are really the heartbeat of this operation. So, we appreciate that. Um, anything additional this evening? Is there a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Espazito. Thank you, Commissioner Espazito. Is there a second? Second. Kinyatta Bay. Thank you, Commissioner Kinyatta Bay. All in favor signal by saying I. I. Thank you. We are journ for the evening. Yay.