EDUCATION COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

 

April 10, 2003 – City Hall, room 214

 

 

Discussion:

 

Minutes from the meeting of March 13th, 2003  were distributed.

 

Alderman Ramsburg introduced Ralph Mobley –Chairman of the Task force for Community Facilities for the City.  Mr. Mobley updated the commission members on the comprehensive plan that is currently in progress for the city.  He explained how the comprehensive plan was broken down into seven departments and how individuals from all aspects of the city were a part of this department.  He proceeded to discuss how this task force has met with Mr. Barnes of the Frederick County Public School system and how they provided information with regard to current and future enrollment and future needs for facilities.  He also explained how he wanted to speak with the Education commission to see if possibly they could take the lead and be the liaison for some policies that they believe should be drafted on the comprehensive plan.  Ms. Ramsburg asked the commission how they might like to be involved in the future comprehensive plan. 

 

Mr. Mobley went on to explain the draft policies that were developed by the Task Force pertaining to the schools within the Frederick region.

 

 Policy No. 1 -  It was decided that the Education commission needed to get more information on lobbying efforts and how to become united with regard to renovation and modernization of schools notably North and South Frederick Elementary and West Frederick Middle School. 

 

Policy No. 2  -  Alderman Ramsburg recommended that whoever was the Lead Agency would work very closely with the Education commission and recommendations would be heard with regard to the planning, design and development of recreational, as well as library and social services.  Mr. Mobley suggested that the wording could possibly state that the Lead Agency would be the City of Frederick Planning and Community Development with consultation of the City of Frederick Education Commission.

 

Policy No. 3 -  Discussion was held regarding the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) and how this task force does not support this ordinance. Mr. Mobley went on to explain what this task force proposed instead.  Alderman Ramsburg explained further what the APFO really entails and would like everyone on the commission to get a copy of the city’s APFO for schools and discuss this issue at a future meeting and see whether everyone supports that document.  Ms.Ramsburg suggested that we get Mr. Barnes to come in for a future meeting as well. 

 

Policy No. 4. -  This policy states that the City of Frederick will work with Frederick County Public Schools to promote the conversion of Frederick City Schools into magnet schools particularly Frederick High School and West Frederick Middle School.  Alderman Ramsburg felt that this issue was vital enough to ask Mr. Alan Imhoff, Mr. Ray Barnes and Mr.  Hank Bolander to come to a future meeting to help clarify policy numbers 3 and 4.

 

Alderman Ramsburg stated that she would like to get a copy of the APFO and any education information from Aspire Frederick to bring forward to a future meeting. 

 

Mr. Mobley stated that the task force meets only twice a month with a different topic every time and suggested that maybe the education commission could use the policies that the task force brought forth, develop them to meet the city’s education needs and then bring them to the task force to incorporate them into the comprehensive plan. 

 

More discussion continued regarding why certain schools were singled out with regard to the magnet program.  The discussion continued on why community schools have higher achievement levels and why policy no. 2 is a very important aspect with regard to community facilities and services for the children.

 

Review of last meeting:

 

(1)   The funding request update has not been passed yet but it looks good for getting more money. 

(2)   A letter was sent to the schools explaining Frederick 101 (Kids Academy).  The commission is looking for schools ( 7th graders ideal) that would be interested in this program including pilot programs.  

(3)   Title one funding and calculation need to be reviewed at a future meeting.  Alderman Ramsburg asked if Dr. Krantz could send information on how the county makes the calculations and rules regarding the specifics on how those calculations are made.

(4)   Alderman Ramsburg would still like to have elections for the commission to begin in June.

(5)   Ms. Ramsburg revisited the volunteer program for city employees and suggestions were made on how to improve the success rate for this program.

(6)   Ms. Marti Cifrese brought to the meeting a draft of an application for funding packet for the commission to look at and comment at a future meeting probably in June for the next budget year beginning in July.

(7)   Mr. Dave Markoe passed out information regarding funding that has been cut for programs that will impact the YMCA and how it will impact children in the city.

 

 

The next meeting will be held on May 8th at 3:00 p.m. in room 214 at City Hall. 

 

Minutes submitted by Eileen Farrar