[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6529420,"mediaKeyId","3802020-82df9930ff46dd10c2638038576a862c","parentId",3802020,"title","Board OKs conversion of Thomas Jefferson to Dream Academy but defers vote on neighborhood-zone waiver","audioSeconds",5160,"startMs",6240000,"endMs",11400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802020-82df9930ff46dd10c2638038576a862c&start=6240&end=11400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802020-82df9930ff46dd10c2638038576a862c/thumbnail_6240000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6529420/Maryland/Board-OKs-conversion-of-Thomas-Jefferson-to-Dream-Academy-but-defers-vote-on-neighborhood-zone-waiver","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529420-841f234200cf6bf7a0376191f8158d7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998007&Signature=T6cbCqKxha6KW2puUiCWGwEXmfNBMDuCqyaFD90ixBH8wEaHWjTUwBdwdNIYtd8syRxdn6CTbXm9lqVA5k0uogswH0plFG4Db9DCMf2Psy7DG2Z8ldtqzdeMx8bAUDwzGJ0poW5tDRRylgGD6psM43Kz68GjY3ZS6qHRfQGvSkxPGlN48oX~qDBryjFtyV3B0U1jbN5hk3yXq~G3PQTVJPNfs5FqGnWRYEff0vmCBhB9xo1JLimFI~VU-saP1Cwud7Uh0gkAQ~vpBdEEWHMz-4SjSyhL46xBY~dzNSQXBawTjv6i1n0Mk5dVn6pWU5l1w3oR8Zj2j4VZrrFyi4R6Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Baltimore City Public Schools","date","2025-06-11T13:26:05Z","article","The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners voted June 10 to approve Arts for Learning Maryland’s application to convert Thomas Jefferson Elementary/Middle into a charter conversion called Dream Academy effective July 1, 2026, but delayed a separate, contested waiver request that would eliminate the school’s neighborhood enrollment zone and substitute a 35% geographic attendance-area preference.

The CEO’s office recommended approval of the conversion after finding Arts for Learning demonstrated experience in arts-integrated instruction, a piloted model at Thomas Jefferson, a layered professional learning/coaching plan, and a pending $1.4 million federal Charter Schools Program grant (pending authorization). Board staff also identified remaining work required on middle-school programming, but presented those as developable conditions rather than disqualifying weaknesses.

Why it matters: conversion charters change how a neighborhood school serves local families. A conversion ordinarily preserves guaranteed placement for children who live in the school’s neighborhood zone. The pending waiver would have turned Thomas Jefferson into a citywide charter for admissions purposes and limited guaranteed seats for neighborhood families, an irrevocable change that prompted concern among board members about equity, student access and transportation implications.

Board debate and deferral: Board members questioned the timing and consequences of the waiver request, noting the waiver was tied to a federal grant custodian’s interpretation announced shortly before the district and applicant had to file materials. Commissioners said the waiver could remove a guaranteed seat for neighborhood children and could have ripple effects on nearby schools and transportation. Some board members also expressed concern that turning the school into a citywide enrollment model without a clear, realistic enrollment-growth plan risked undermining neighborhood access.

Because the charter start-up grant is time-sensitive, several commissioners noted the district and the applicant had already tried to resolve the grant custodian’s interpretation and that there was no guarantee the custodian would change its view. Still, a majority supported more time to pursue potential alternatives and additional information.

The board therefore voted to defer the specific waiver decision until a specially scheduled meeting on July 8 so the district can pursue further conversations with the grant custodian and other partners, and return with any feasible alternatives or clarifications.

What the board decided and next steps: the board approved Arts for Learning Maryland’s conversion application (Thomas Jefferson → Dream Academy) and separately approved the school’s requested renaming and the naming of the school library for the late Portia LaVonne Stokes Williams. The waiver request to eliminate the neighborhood zone and institute a 35% geographic attendance preference was not approved and was deferred to July 8 for further review and possible reconsideration. If the waiver were approved later, the change would be effectively irreversible and would require the district to designate new guaranteed neighborhood seats for displaced families.

Votes at a glance (board actions tied to the charter conversion agenda item):
- Approve conversion: Arts for Learning Maryland to convert Thomas Jefferson Elementary/Middle into Dream Academy — outcome: approved by the board (roll-call vote).
- Approve school renaming to Dream Academy and name school library for Portia LaVonne Stokes Williams — outcome: approved by the board.
- Waiver request to eliminate Thomas Jefferson neighborhood zone and install a 35% geographic attendance-area preference — outcome: deferred to July 8 for further study and potential vote.

Notes: The CEO’s recommendation and staff analysis cited the applicant’s pilot work at Thomas Jefferson and the pending federal grant as a strength; staff also flagged remaining gaps around middle-school programming and the financial model that would require continued planning. Board members emphasized that conversion status typically carries an expectation of guaranteed neighborhood placement and that any change to that status requires careful weighing of equity and community impact.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Board Meeting 06/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners voted June 10 to approve Arts for Learning Maryland’s conversion of Thomas Jefferson Elementary/Middle into a charter conversion called Dream Academy effective July 1, 2026, but deferred a separate, contested waiver request that would eliminate the school’s neighborhood enrollment zone and replace it with a 35% geographic attendance-area preference until July 8.","taxTitle","Baltimore City Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",70831,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6529400,"Baltimore teachers union raises concerns about international educator onboarding and speech-language pathologist shortages",210,6480000,6690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802020-82df9930ff46dd10c2638038576a862c&start=6480&end=6690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802020-82df9930ff46dd10c2638038576a862c/thumbnail_6480000.jpg","/articles/6529400/Maryland/Baltimore-teachers-union-raises-concerns-about-international-educator-onboarding-and-speech-language-pathologist-shortages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529400-c90c5cc282559928537643aa54dba946/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998007&Signature=I6n2oNmO1fyGHZWiH~cQo9nv~aFaJ8O5diJ8yJBg-KKEzotYFMqw6xrxDrOxBOvNtW8NM~1KRVhyJounHzZyRkNjQHmTxOd24S5Cf5mN4vzjmxKnCGfvCDjpYkZqR39QfqWjpI5JiklLqpChc10YGXUvno1OA2oCEZYfUfutSaODdyO~qd0-fKKNc9~~9FunhyArK~GvTEJ2FoeSPVgi4U8JEyKXRLP9s~qhhmWmjMbRDDeh83a1UpuftCPlzN8FDOp4mrDcZ6BMnFnd-7-RLvGMShQicqkGixCnzWd1D7WDpAyLjgAKw1dvdBKbGOVn2VQR-YTH9PzIC4szw4B8yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public-recognized comment June 10, the Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU) told the board the district’s process for bringing international teachers to Baltimore — typically on J‑1 or other visa pathways — is inconsistent and places new educators at risk of delayed pay, missing benefits and licensure hurdles without sufficient supports.

BTU representatives asked the district to adopt the Code of Ethical International Recruitment and Employment of Teachers, provide structured pre-arrival orientation (virtual or in-person), designate a single point of contact for each international educator, clarify salary calculations and benefit enrollment, and reduce last-minute placements and split-school assignments that leave international staff without necessary support in their first weeks.

The BTU also said Baltimore City is facing a statewide shortage of speech-language pathologists (SLPs), creating delays in time-sensitive services, assessments and Individualized Education Program (IEP) timelines. The union asked the district to pursue strategies including competitive pay, hiring speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) or part-time positions, and partnerships with local universities to expand master’s-program pathways. BTU said delays in SLP services are causing students to miss legally required supports.

Why it matters: International educators and related-service providers are integral to staffing, especially in special education settings; failures in onboarding or chronic shortages of SLPs can cause service delays that the district is legally required to provide under special-education law.

District response and next steps: District staff acknowledged the concerns and invited further collaboration. Staff said they would consider improved onboarding structures and contingency plans for late-arriving international staff and promised to escalate SLP recruitment and retention strategies as part of human capital planning.","Baltimore Teachers Union urged the district to improve onboarding for international educators arriving on J‑1 visas and called for steps to address a districtwide shortage of speech-language pathologists that is delaying legally required services for students.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":80,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6529405,"District highlights community partnerships for student wholeness; staff cite reduced referrals and outcomes",480,6000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802020-82df9930ff46dd10c2638038576a862c&start=6000&end=6480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802020-82df9930ff46dd10c2638038576a862c/thumbnail_6000000.jpg","/articles/6529405/Maryland/District-highlights-community-partnerships-for-student-wholeness-staff-cite-reduced-referrals-and-outcomes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529405-52e759b379b8e861cb8c9b82ddfaf801/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998007&Signature=nzq0UtBZGo0NSq1Koh42YiI-Ua37n0xWQoVLMx40EGRS924Q4kyDdO5u0BmLHbjYa~DtKhaQz44BUa1msG8-jdUTKr0PR0Gu~QTTACHC2qpyj2XpvYhnTd7U7MV5AqxoiEOlMyAMNvC89urKDYNzEofEQU1uQlyuX71HodKKYuxb18zb4OIiMFNjMZMKI9-bhtD~vRVGHxqHQIe2gmf6yWweEBgouVX5xj8xJnf5XeZv7m3S4h1-sK-dLtw3xz7mybzTu75QMbzvX2eDxCobCEn-4~ocU8VqOTQiZJuykmu3pmCYNgyjp3FfEC0fOzzqwl94XI5rIUtR3RW230BlOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff reported June 10 on three community partnerships the Baltimore City Public Schools said support student wholeness, restorative practices and reengagement: Continuous Growth (mentoring and school-based restorative practices), Holistic Life Foundation (mindfulness, breath work and yoga) and the Movement Team (mentoring, supports for homeless students and partnership with the mayor’s violence-intervention programs).

Katia Stokes, director for student wholeness, told the board that Continuous Growth’s school-based restorative work has led to students spending more time in reflective settings with staff and fewer referrals to the administrative discipline route. Holistic Life Foundation programming has introduced breath work and mindfulness practices; district staff reported that in one school 42% of students said they applied mindfulness strategies in the school setting. The Movement Team’s partnerships were tied to the district’s work serving students who are homeless and students involved with juvenile services; staff cited enrollment and promotion figures for students engaged by the Movement Team’s DJS program for recent school years and reported increases in promotion or graduation rates among participants.

Why it matters: The district framed these partnerships as part of a broader strategy to reduce punitive discipline responses, strengthen social-emotional learning and reconnect students to school. Board members praised the partnerships and encouraged the district to highlight areas of measurable impact publicly.

Next steps: District staff said they will continue monthly monitoring and partnership coordination, and they noted that the partnerships are integrated into the district’s wholeness strategy and school climate work.","District staff described partnerships with Continuous Growth, Holistic Life Foundation and the Movement Team to support student well-being, restorative practices and reengagement; staff cited reductions in administrative referrals and reported outcomes for students in partnered programs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6529410,"New student commissioner sworn in; board and community thank outgoing student commissioner Dylan Rooks",604,1976000,2580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802020-82df9930ff46dd10c2638038576a862c&start=1976&end=2580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802020-82df9930ff46dd10c2638038576a862c/thumbnail_1976000.jpg","/articles/6529410/Maryland/New-student-commissioner-sworn-in-board-and-community-thank-outgoing-student-commissioner-Dylan-Rooks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529410-179521691bec75bd53bd9b1e3be65e96/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998007&Signature=TN6Uw1-LZ51dICIA-EkSoQGnQIUJDPDsFaO3MAGUw~SCpspYzyhH3cYXWqsuwW~yBSqKGa-qfBMNpj7YjwIuIdhQDIlNLutLBLzN2hx46UoM6ZVKB-ndeKhf~OXU8K5Oig9XGHfMUg~Y-ukRh~MC3rRCiELAhIwO0DBQD2wggcxZG~63HL4z7IV4ZSxvpFiDzaqTWMR5XVFnZ7zZ8jOXw7UjTez6oTv6CGnfYKQXcMpVfxagTWlXnZVxdByVUs3IijlUJ9t5~Mcchel09ddOvH5vvxABpNzAKI~rJ8s1hT6sv1aWq9LDMvv-hipqM9PuUBDP3DhNgAz7x757w0zDNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners formally welcomed the newly elected student commissioner, Zaira Chicas Guzman, and recognized outgoing student commissioner Dylan Rooks for his year of service during the June 10 meeting.

Zaira Chicas Guzman, a junior at Digital Harbor High School, was elected citywide by students in grades 6–12 during a district student election in which more than 3,900 students voted. She gave brief remarks expressing eagerness to work with the board and to represent student perspectives.

The board recognized Dylan Rooks for his service throughout the 2024–25 school year. Commissioners and staff praised Rooks’ advocacy, attendance at committee meetings and work as a student voice on policy and safety committees. The mayor’s office provided a certificate of recognition dated June 10, 2025, signed by Mayor Brandon M. Scott acknowledging Rooks’ dedicated service. The board also issued a formal proclamation that listed Rooks’ committee assignments and community service roles and thanked him for his leadership.

Why it matters: The student commissioner role gives a voting or advisory seat (as provided by district practice) to a student representative whose term is elected by their peers; the position is intended to bring student perspectives into board deliberations. The board noted that recent changes to Maryland law had updated the election process and expanded the student commissioner role, making the campus-wide student election a districtwide, student-run vote.

Next steps: The board and district staff pledged to work with the new student commissioner for the coming year on policy committees, student engagement at work sessions and initiatives around student voice and programming.","The board welcomed newly elected student commissioner Zaira Chicas Guzman and honored outgoing student commissioner Dylan Rooks with a mayoral certificate and board proclamation recognizing his service.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":92,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6529415,"Baltimore City Schools honors Roger Shaw with lifetime achievement award; reengagement center reports thousands served",1330,4670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802020-82df9930ff46dd10c2638038576a862c&start=4670&end=6000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802020-82df9930ff46dd10c2638038576a862c/thumbnail_4670000.jpg","/articles/6529415/Maryland/Baltimore-City-Schools-honors-Roger-Shaw-with-lifetime-achievement-award-reengagement-center-reports-thousands-served","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529415-56054d71b69617aa5f5d4bb0cea2592e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998007&Signature=MCvfWkXwgh68Gj22i-twjM9hUOOph4QVKKCGWiNu~JBNn~fTE0J3pNNj5GqZOWwztTknh3b1lVBooZX3CXBRalxdLtKMhAP0TTPj81ZB99AWaXUsKFzZsHBtCoqJ-zkdsc8O0je1-UJ0Nqgq1jUX1IaVWmnCOk0~gpb2SUUK4qNV1awygXwiGPeObUptsduv6d5mSrEOjXRehaKhpBKP0bekSpou~7iNQ1Wyp1xpW8--dZSKOwixhzEE~uuV0m5-~PSwSWLhdCSv~YEviss1xwG9uDNDWiCcAQUHbIcBx9Qq~Fe5jHVJHzI9DQLG~udZj0mZKPWUmdD64LU9bT3WSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners presented a lifetime achievement award June 10 to Roger Shaw, executive director of the district’s Reengagement Center, recognizing more than 37 years of service in Baltimore City Public Schools and detailed the reengagement effort’s recent activity and outcomes.

During remarks, district leaders described Shaw’s work reengaging students who have dropped out or otherwise disengaged from school. Staff cited program-level figures: over the past two years the reengagement center conducted more than 3,100 intakes, more than 4,700 home visits, 64 outreach events and over 325 online referrals; they reported support for more than 400 homeless students, nearly 250 pregnant and parenting students and nearly 625 students involved with the Department of Juvenile Services. Shaw and district leaders emphasized relationship-based support, attendance work and individual case management aimed at reconnecting students to schooling or alternative pathways.

Shaw, who spoke briefly, credited his colleagues and family, and called the work a team effort. Board members and several colleagues offered testimony describing Shaw’s long tenure as a principal, deputy chief academic officer and director of multiple district initiatives and praised his approach to serving students who are otherwise marginalized by the system.

Why it matters: Reengagement centers coordinate case work, attendance supports and alternative pathways for students who have left school or who are at risk of dropping out. The board’s recognition highlighted the district’s emphasis on reengagement and the scale of the center’s work in the last two years.

Next steps and context: Staff asked the board to continue supporting the reengagement teams and reiterated that the center partners with community organizations and district offices to expand capacity. The presentation also preceded related discussion about programs serving students involved with juvenile services and partnerships with community organizations presented later in the meeting.","The board presented Roger Shaw with a lifetime achievement award and staff outlined reengagement-center metrics including intakes, home visits and student supports for the past two years.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board OKs conversion of Thomas Jefferson to Dream Academy but defers vote on neighborhood-zone waiver

Baltimore teachers union raises concerns about international educator onboarding and speech-language pathologist shortages

District highlights community partnerships for student wholeness; staff cite reduced referrals and outcomes

New student commissioner sworn in; board and community thank outgoing student commissioner Dylan Rooks

Baltimore City Schools honors Roger Shaw with lifetime achievement award; reengagement center reports thousands served