Agenda
PCAB Public Meeting Agenda
Thursday, May 16, 2024 | 6:30 pm
Join the meeting directly in Zoom.
I. Welcome and Introductions 6:30 PM
Angie Winder, PCAB Chair
II. Conversation with the CEO 6:35 PM
Special Guest: Dr. Sonja Santelises – Baltimore City Public Schools
*NOTE: Questions from parents and community members were submitted to her office.
III. PCAB Updates 7:45 PM
Jayson Green, PCAB Vice Chair
IV. General Announcements 7:55 PM
V. Adjournment 8:00 PM
Questions
The State of City Schools:
What is the status of your contract? Will you be remaining as the CEO after June 30th?
School District’s Role in Individual School Funding & Organizational Support:
When will additional schools be renovated or up for replacement? Many outdated schools lack efficient lighting on school grounds and have broken doors/windows, etc. What are your plans to see that they receive the funding needed for building infrastructure and the necessary updates?
What is being done to address the backorder of building maintenance work orders?
What is the district’s approach to improve the CTE programs? Has the district considered working with the Mayor’s office to have CTE students complete apprentice-level trade work like repairing electrical switches, repairing holes in walls, changing the oil on city cars, etc.?
Digital Equity:
Can you speak to City School’s vision for the Portrait of a Graduate from the lens of digital equity?
Chronic Absenteeism and Enrollment:
With more students enrolled in City Schools from various ethnicities, what are your plans to support students and their families in achieving their academic goals, etc.? By 2027, nearly 1/4 of BCPSS students will be from a Spanish-speaking family. What is your plan to improve staffing to meet both the EL need and the demographic change?
What strategies and/or supports do we have for students who are chronically absent? I have 3 middle school students at current who are not coming to school regularly--some have some tough barriers, including babysitting and housing issues. Especially for my 8th-grade student, I am incredibly concerned that she will go to high school next year and quickly drop out as she has missed a great part of 8th grade. Are there any system-wide supports to help students in these situations or as a way to communicate concerns--especially as they are moving on to a new school community?
Safety:
What actions are being implemented to prevent bullying and/or violence in schools? We receive quite a few emails from parents from various schools that complain about the ongoing fights and violence, as well as the lack of control within the school buildings?
Cyberbullying has been a real issue in schools and a threat to our scholars' safety and well-being. What is the district doing to be proactive in addressing this matter? Also, has the district considered banning cell phones / cell phone use in the school buildings?
Teachers / PSRP:
How do you plan to attract and retain educators in areas with the greatest need, especially considering the challenges they face regarding workload, compensation, and support?
In light of the high turnover rate among teachers, paraprofessionals and principals, what specific measures are being taken to address the root causes of this issue within Baltimore City Public Schools? Has the district considered a tracking system for principals with high turnover and resignations?
How come the district is not doing a better job to work with principals to avoid constant turnovers? Some schools have seen 3-4 principals within the last 4 years. And, are the ILEDs held accountable and/or evaluated?
Support staff do not get paid if they call out for emergencies or even being sick. How do you plan on helping all of your support staff who play a big part in these schools that can not afford to call out for important reasons?