A new gang policy was approved for Harford County Public Schools Friday night, but not before the school board vice president said the policy could have "unintended consequences."
The policy update — of the gang-related activities portion as well as new procedures in how possible gang activity is reported — is required under the Maryland Safe Schools Act of 2010.
The policy change was introduced by the board's lawyer, Patrick Spicer, at the August meeting, with a month to pass for public input and board questions before its adoption.
The school board's policy, which was approved by every member but Board Vice President Rick Grambo, is based on Maryland's Model Gang Policy. During the presentation, Grambo pointed out several "holes" in the policy that worried him because they could have "unintended consequences."
When Spicer confirmed to Grambo that reports could be made anonymously, which is not "atypical," Spicer added, Grambo said that could make the new section on dealing with those who give false reports difficult.
Spicer acknowledged that anonymous reporting would make it difficult to "ferret out" people who give bad information, but that the policy as a whole was required by the state.
He reiterated this again when Grambo said the policy was "well intentioned," but could have "potential pitfalls" for Harford County.
"We do the best we can and we'll see how things go but that's sometimes a feature of the legislative process that is not always a positive," Spicer said.
Board member Cassandra Beverley made a suggestion in her comments, specifically referring to a section in the Maryland policy that wrote, in the event of an investigation into suspected gang activity, school administration should inform parents of the offender "and/or victim of the allegation."
To Beverley, notifying the parents of the victim should not be an option and the board policy was adopted to reflect that modification.
Appointments
Assistant Principal Jake Little, of Youth's Benefit Elementary School, was approved for the position as coordinator of Title I Supplemental Education Services and Parent Involvement.
Financial report
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services James Jewell presented the quarterly financial report for the fourth quarter, which is also available online.
This year, the school system finished with $6 million in the fund balance, down from the $8 million in the unreserved fund balance last year, but is still in "pretty good shape," he said.
The loss ratio, which shows if the estimated premium will cover costs, for CareFirst/ING declined in the last two quarters, Jewell said, adding that next year's rate increase should be better than last year's.
"All funds ended the year in good shape and we're ready to start this fiscal year in good shape also," he said.
Other business
Associate Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessments William Lawrence, along with Coordinator of Professional Development and Curriculum Jacqueline Tarbert, gave a presentation on "Continuous Improvement" of classroom instruction that involves a new way of conducting classroom observations.
Coordinator of Intervention Programs Susan Brown gave a presentation on the Educator Effectiveness Academy, which was held statewide over the summer, including one session at C. Milton Wright High School.
Board members approved monthly contract awards, minutes of previous meetings, school bus contract awards, the 2011 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan, a personnel report and a continued contract for electricity supply.
The school bus contracts were awarded to separate businesses, both at approximately $55,000 each per year, according to the school communications office. One is for Anderson Bus Service Inc. for an additional bus for the Natural Resource and Agricultural Science Program, effective July 1.
The second contract was awarded to Ryan Transportation Inc. for one bus to serve the International Baccalaureate Program, also effective July 1, 2011.
The buses were added as the school system's magnet programs took on another year's worth of students, according to the school communication office, and if time allows, may be used for elementary school runs as well.
In addition, board members approved the extension of the school system's electricity supply contract. In 2006, board members approve an agreement to purchase electricity directly from the producer, with the Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee, which expires in January 2012.
Monday evening, members approved a one-year contract with four one-year renewal options, from Washington Gas Energy Services Inc., at 80 cents per megawatt hour and a continued agreement with the Baltimore committee.
The next board of education meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the A. A. Roberty Building, when Manager of Communications Teri Kranefeld said they will posthumously induct the late superintendent Jacqueline Haas into the Harford County Public Schools Educator Hall of Fame.