[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",5975053,"mediaKeyId","5829587-b9b08e450eb4c56bd983b7d684690ef5","parentId",5829587,"title","Calvert schools outline response to Maryland's new math policy after mixed MCAP results","audioSeconds",215,"startMs",2569000,"endMs",2784000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829587-b9b08e450eb4c56bd983b7d684690ef5&start=2569&end=2784","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829587-b9b08e450eb4c56bd983b7d684690ef5/thumbnail_2569000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5975053/Maryland/Calvert-schools-outline-response-to-Marylands-new-math-policy-after-mixed-MCAP-results","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975053-c4dbb061121bb4a4009b25d24cc6e13e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447747&Signature=g8MEXBDRBbRKm8n6L-sQrNoDrrmcb~mZgJj~5cTwLEBFNRFVs-Eomr42p679IMKXC3tLCpDRF3qGyzPoYwhY81U4I5ewGI2Kil3Gv~XIewFeh6BNitoQF8OKUn4lMJTF45gNTmTYorvjcHr41XpVhfXJBJKKWoFxjSzamFolqTnxTUT8k2M7XuFPk~rv8fVhmSkqT-4rHqaARaYuYOYbP9elW89ZGcLfrN2FCnZ0mhTntf1Xho99Q9iTUu7HLiCS4QLG6nK8lfAit7RStRlBs4E97vOrYaVK-WUaDHLSt0p8Llmqmy5mTu8JOC70VD46fgkuDDc4rYo9MBU0YTVg1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Calvert County Public Schools","date","2025-09-25T00:00:00Z","article","Calvert County Public Schools leaders briefed the Board of Education on the Maryland State Board of Education's new preK–12 mathematics policy, reviewed the district's Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) results and described local plans to align instruction and supports with the state timetable.

\"The policy is designed to ensure that all students across the state have equitable access to rigorous, high quality mathematics instruction that prepares them for college and careers,\" said Joe Sutton, secondary supervisor of mathematics. Sutton and Julie Morrison, elementary supervisor of mathematics, summarized policy provisions that include earlier exposure to key concepts, a phased transition to an integrated algebra sequence, elimination of exclusionary tracking practices, and a requirement that schools provide the weekly equivalent of 60 minutes of daily math instruction for grades preK–8.

District staff described the state timeline as phased over several years: by the 2027‑28 school year Maryland will transition to an integrated algebra pathway (integrated algebra 1 and 2) and by 2028‑29 the state will administer a new mathematics assessment aligned to the integrated courses. The district will begin implementing revised preK–8 standards next school year and train algebra teachers in advance of the integrated algebra rollout, staff said.

Sutton and Morrison presented district MCAP results and analysis. They noted strong elementary outcomes in several grades where Calvert outperformed statewide averages (for example, third grade performance ranked third in the state, and several other elementary grades ranked in the top five). District leaders also identified weaknesses: Algebra I performance drew attention as an area needing improvement and eighth grade proficiency rates were flagged as a concern (the presentation showed an eleventh‑place ranking for grade 8 versus statewide results).

The district described concrete next steps: expand and refine an integrated multi‑tiered system of supports (MTSS) for math across grade levels, provide targeted professional development focused on modeling and reasoning, pilot tools and processes for tracking student progress, formalize an acceleration framework in collaboration with gifted and advanced learning, and explore instructional coaches to support interventions and progress monitoring.

Board members asked about honors classes, the fate of tracked courses and the district's ability to support accelerated students within inclusive classrooms. \"Part of the policy is taking a look at removing inequitable practices, such as tracking and qualitatively inferior math courses,\" Morrison said, adding that the district expects to retain acceleration models such as telescoped courses while eliminating duplicate versions of the same course.

Members also asked whether Calvert had examined high‑performing Maryland districts for promising practices; district staff said site visits to counties such as Howard and Worcester are planned. Board members pressed for follow‑up on resource needs, including whether the district should consider math coaches or other budget priorities; staff said they will return with more detailed proposals and that the board had invited a deeper presentation in October to examine cohort and subgroup growth data more closely.

Dr. Scott McComb, director of system and instructional performance, said the district will report further on cohort measures, subgroup performance and the specific actions the district is taking to address Algebra I and grade‑level proficiency shortfalls. \"We want every student to progress at least 12 months over a 10‑month school year,\" McComb said.

No formal action or vote was taken; the session was a briefing and Q&A and district staff were asked to return with more detailed analysis and proposed resource requests.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Calvert County Public Schools - Board of Education","oneSentenceSummary","Calvert County Public Schools leaders briefed the Board of Education on Maryland's new preK–12 mathematics policy, reviewed MCAP results and described district steps—training, expanded MTSS and piloted tools—to align instruction for a phased transition to integrated algebra.","taxTitle","Calvert County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",17515,"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},5975057,"Calvert County accepts $95,000 donation to modernize Arthur Stohr Planetarium; board approves $94,074 purchase",464,1770000,2234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829587-b9b08e450eb4c56bd983b7d684690ef5&start=1770&end=2234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829587-b9b08e450eb4c56bd983b7d684690ef5/thumbnail_1770000.jpg","/articles/5975057/Maryland/Calvert-County-accepts-95000-donation-to-modernize-Arthur-Stohr-Planetarium-board-approves-94074-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975057-87d2f7254db20e44d9eaf8612fd75ed0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447747&Signature=I8lto4vqRp2Yh~sFAqxgxWrpKL582FSKdamj2uYDFmLvm61h-4MBws9rjd9aIY3a8Tk3nxNDgA0hj6JU24RDR~KW0eg2zdO0-RagBoFAx9qbp53CzfNQ4zChvTCJm-IDlRVBgSYszPgzczFOqXlOxySp1NQGe9bB263vk8NXE85CYv8w7z2zEBKOVmj000chb~6wbdSh4xVyIdjDSVtBV10v7Dw9mL6bcotQmJM00-pl5aUZN1eR6ldutdccxMlae0F2TyJL3YvZDHufO1DTSQvYGk~HjUf8Y3wpyhNlMBU9-itZ-hr4vogkqBKN3r6RhQkFl8O-Sc2cBTyS3zjU4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calvert County Board of Education approved using a $95,000 donation from retired planetarian Jack Bell to purchase a Lambda 2 projection system for the Arthur Stohr Planetarium, a project district staff and the donor said will modernize the facility and expand STEM learning.

\"My wife was a lifelong educator,\" Bell said, describing the gift as a way to continue his wife's teaching legacy. Bell said he selected hardware and software from Digitalis Education Solutions to bring the planetarium to 21st‑century technology and enable immersive 360‑degree programming.

Crystal Ricks, supervisor of gifted and advanced learning, presented the recommendation and said the Digitalis system will support grade‑level, standards‑aligned planetarium lessons and hands‑on follow‑up activities. Ricks said the district plans to reopen the planetarium in the spring, noting that several ordered items were on back order and that additional funding needs remain but were \"not specified\" at the meeting.

Staff recommended purchasing the Lambda 2 projection system from Digitalis Education Solutions for $94,074; the board voted 5‑0 to approve using Bell's donation for that purchase. Board members thanked Bell and characterized the gift as a lasting tribute to his late wife and an investment in district STEM offerings.

Ricks and Bell said the Arthur Stohr Planetarium had not been used regularly in recent years and that equipment in the facility was outdated. The donation and purchase, district staff said, will enable curriculum‑aligned programming for students and public evening/weekend shows for families once the installation and other updates are complete.

Board members asked whether district funds beyond Bell's gift would be required for safety‑proofing, seating, or other physical improvements; Ricks said there is additional need and she would follow up with the director of instruction to provide cost estimates and a plan for any further work.

The board motion carried 5‑0. The approval authorized staff to use the donor gift to purchase the Digitalis system; staff did not request additional capital funding at the meeting.","A $95,000 gift from retired planetarian Jack Bell will fund a Lambda 2 projection system from Digitalis Education Solutions to modernize the Arthur Stohr Planetarium; the board approved use of the donation and the purchase 5‑0.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5975062,"Calvert County schools approve $237,523 districtwide Zendesk help‑desk contract",90,1583000,1673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829587-b9b08e450eb4c56bd983b7d684690ef5&start=1583&end=1673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829587-b9b08e450eb4c56bd983b7d684690ef5/thumbnail_1583000.jpg","/articles/5975062/Maryland/Calvert-County-schools-approve-237523-districtwide-Zendesk-helpdesk-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975062-ad600679ca24c10f4389fda8ca84a1e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447747&Signature=VS0lgU4xlDkj7NwjBcS1WNV~9RuflqHN5ZgkYmLx7OE9~MCTEiyDCDSjjp4qdYPEl3tf2pJ-oNjHfY6DYOBNDIStcAoDSuXtvzEfMBgB1l6PR3zLBZxRpQVssB7pQc3eiOukgK5w~0Q07R-Nbw1xEu9XlqLs8vn4PjVDJGksZUu43lBjpDmGNVA4iT87WRApNkSsvy2lqPGVtxqIYYdb9QzAmQimlBCCsS7tOaP-fxcpTXiLyO~QWshAnitN~~I1YdkK2pr5pIKHI1wuVvByQnR3MENXnLrDOLxSYeZikoEsgnIh6N-p6qOuPc9E0Vl~2BKj6-JPjdsuYLpnJKVVEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calvert County Board of Education voted to award a three‑year contract to CDW Government of Vernon Hills, Illinois, for Zendesk Suite Pro help‑desk software, a move district staff said will expand an existing tool now used by IT and transportation to cover the whole school system.

Sheldon Taylor, supervisor of purchasing for Calvert County Public Schools, told the board the award uses the Omni Partners National IPA Technology Solutions Education Cooperative contract 2018011 and that the district would pay $237,523 over three years from CCPS software and data processing accounts. \"Today, I have two recommendations for your consideration,\" Taylor said during his presentation.

Taylor said a competitive comparison showed the Omni/IPA contract provided at least $36,000 in savings compared with the next‑lowest bid over the three‑year term. Staff explained the vendor proposed a lower first‑year installment and higher second‑ and third‑year installments; board members asked whether the district pays the full three‑year amount up front or in annual installments. District staff said payments will be made annually, with the first installment due in the current fiscal year and the second installment due 07/01/2026.

The board moved and seconded the item and approved it by a 5‑0 vote. Board members did not identify a mover or seconder on the public record during the meeting. No amendments were offered at the meeting.

District officials said the contract would fund the licensing through 06/30/2028 and that all costs would be charged to the CCPS software and data processing accounts; no new local tax or bond funding was requested during the presentation. Staff who answered board questions said the vendor pricing structure concentrated margin in years two and three rather than spreading it evenly across the three years.

The approval authorizes the purchase and upgrade of the Zendesk license to a districtwide Suite Pro package and does not itself create any new district policy. Staff said they will return to the board if any subsequent approvals or budget changes are required.

The board chair called for the question, and the motion carried 5‑0.","The Calvert County Board of Education voted unanimously to award a three‑year contract to CDW Government to expand Zendesk Suite Pro districtwide, paying $237,523 from software and data processing accounts.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5975048,"Community speakers press board on consent agenda and demand anti‑racism policy be restored",437,6249000,6686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829587-b9b08e450eb4c56bd983b7d684690ef5&start=6249&end=6686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829587-b9b08e450eb4c56bd983b7d684690ef5/thumbnail_6249000.jpg","/articles/5975048/Maryland/Community-speakers-press-board-on-consent-agenda-and-demand-antiracism-policy-be-restored","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975048-595a496fb37ecd5065aae0463c2e9ad5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447747&Signature=kVB9y~KyJK1bLzBCbnTPqmlddT9CJAEsslFae28K3MUJ8f3CVE16Cwx9zjcnzV0R0JTlQ0s43aJuWVUTZkND~LkQnHgyA~YaVOFLqEANzP3X2ANUkcFmyFSgfckrYq8A6yImZ4kXGATNUECVlzazcJooeNWku5ksbxMd-WGkvl8voMnI620GhEC9f9u~jYvH6XyZHhF5g0P6urzDMsRiGUK3IRqvu~poCaLZ~6cUf2D~6Fs0kIUkuiDKOc-fngtUFlJJH-O5dJZGBdCIC5NsH2f5k-mccZElNPyHminyXXkaE836HI~bEr-Q8zexk8DiPjArW-u3gxeUWQcJpQPGGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members of the public used the meeting's public‑comment period to urge the Calvert County Board of Education to reinstate an anti‑racism policy and to change how the board handles public comment and consent‑agenda items.

Danielle Puck described moving contested or controversial items onto the consent agenda as a misuse of the process and urged the board to allow meaningful engagement before votes. \"Yes. Pushing public comment to the end really kinda defeats the purpose of this whole civic engagement thing,\" Puck said during her two‑minute comment.

Sherry Tardio and Deborah Harris, representing community members and the NAACP of Calvert County respectively, urged the board to recognize that racism is distinct from general discrimination and to restore a policy that names and addresses racism explicitly. Harris told the board that incidents such as racial slurs, spray‑painted symbols and other race‑based attacks have occurred in the community and argued the existing discrimination policy does not adequately cover those harms.

A student speaker, Lola Wyatt, said the current public‑comment arrangement prevents students from speaking before board votes on agenda items that affect them and asked the board to consider adding an early public‑comment slot or splitting public comment into agenda‑related and general sections.

Several speakers praised district educators and asked the board to consider the equity implications of policy decisions, while the NAACP speakers offered to partner with the district. The public‑comment period concluded with several speakers asking the board to reconsider recent policy changes affecting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Board members did not take action during the public‑comment period. The board recorded the comments and acknowledged the speakers but noted that the meeting rules do not permit board discussion during public comment. Several board members later said they were reviewing public‑comment procedures and consent‑agenda usage and that staff had provided materials for the board to consider possible changes.","Multiple residents, students and community groups urged the Calvert County Board of Education to restore an anti‑racism policy and to change public‑comment procedures; speakers criticized use of the consent agenda for contested items and the board's timing for taking public comment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Calvert schools outline response to Maryland's new math policy after mixed MCAP results

Calvert County accepts $95,000 donation to modernize Arthur Stohr Planetarium; board approves $94,074 purchase

Calvert County schools approve $237,523 districtwide Zendesk help‑desk contract

Community speakers press board on consent agenda and demand anti‑racism policy be restored