The Board of Education met on Monday [March 22] and, among other items, approved several facilities and boundaries decisions, a revised policy on student rights and responsibilities, and four administrative appointments. Also approved was a field test of materials for the Grade 10 General Health Curriculum. In addition, the Board approved the observance in April of Arab American Heritage Month and the National Week of the Young Child.

Facilities and Boundaries Decisions

· The superintendent's recommendation, as further modified by the Board's alternative option, was approved. The decision assigns portions of the Fairland Elementary School service area from Benjamin Banneker Middle School to Briggs Chaney Middle School.

· The Board made effective as of August, 2004, a change in the articulation pattern and grade organization for East Silver Spring Elementary School to Grades K-2 and the grade organization for Piney Branch Elementary School to include Grade 3 from East Silver Spring. The original decision was made by the Board in November, 2003.

· The Board voted to amend its Requested FY 2005 Capital Budget and FY 2005 - 2010 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to include a revised FY 2005 Capital Budget appropriation of $308.3 million and a revised six-year total of $955.2 million to include building a replacement Seven Locks Elementary School at the Kendale Road site to be completed by September 2007. The Board further authorized the exploration of opportunities through a Memorandum of Understanding with the county for using the value of the current Seven Locks site to provide construction funding for the replacement project and using the value of the Edson Lane parcel to provide additional funding for the CIP.

· The Board also voted to defer a recommendation on the disposition of the Brickyard Road site until an evaluation of alternative future middle school sites for the Wootton, Whitman, and Churchill clusters is completed.

Final Approval of Policy JFA, Student Rights and Responsibilities

The Board approved a revised Policy JFA, Student Rights and Responsibilities, following a period of public comment. The policy sets forth parameters for the rights and responsibilities of students, adding the scope of disciplinary actions to include the times of transport by the school system to and from school and school-related activities. In another revision, denial of attendance at commencement ceremonies was included as a disciplinary sanction on a case-by-case basis at the principal's discretion, but may not be included in a school's zero tolerance policy.

Apppointments

The Board made the following administrative appointments:

· Zadia T. Broadus, currently acting principal, Takoma Park Elementary School, as principal of the school.

· Dawn E. Ellis, currently principal, Neelsville Middle School, as consulting principal, Office of Staff Development.

· Jeffrey M. Martinez, currently principal, Stonegate Elementary School, as consulting principal, Office of Staff Development.

· Carolyne E. Starek, currently principal, Forest Knolls Elementary School, as consulting principal, Office of Staff Development.

Instructional Materials Evaluated by the Citizens Committee on Family Life and Human Development

The Board approved a list of instructional materials reviewed and evaluated by the Citizens Committee on Family Life and Human Development. A video production, Protect Yourself, and related instructional materials for the Grade 10 Comprehensive Health Education Curriculum were approved for use in a limited field-test during spring 2004.

National Week of the Young Child

The Board approved the observance of the National Week of the Young Child in April, citing the importance of language and literacy experiences during the first five years of life. A joint proclamation with other county agencies is scheduled for April 21 at the Aspen Hill Library.

Arab American Heritage Month

The Board approved the observance of Arab American Heritage Month in April, recognizing the many contributions of Arab Americans and their valued presence in the community.

Board of Education: Ms. Sharon W. Cox, president; Mr. Reginald M. Felton, vice president. Members: Mr. Kermit V. Burnett, Dr. Charles Haughey, Mr. Walter N. Lange, Mrs. Patricia B. O'Neill, Mr. Gabe Romero, and Mr. Sagar Sanghvi, student member. Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent and secretary treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617.