Anne Arundel County Board of Education Policy Committee met Jan. 17.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
The Board of Education Policy Committee met at 1:00 p.m. on the above date at the school system headquarters, 2644 Riva Road in Annapolis. Policy Committee Chair, Maria Sasso opened the meeting with approval of the minutes of December 13, 2018. The minutes were approved by consensus. Mr. Reinhard and Ms. Cole were absent due to inclement weather, transportation and child care issues.
Others present were Jeanette Ortiz, Legislative and Policy Counsel; Bob Mosier, Chief Communications Officer; Walter Federowicz, Director of Internal Audit; Tiffany Clarke, Legislative and Policy Support; Molly Connolly, Executive Assistant to the Board; Holly Rodger, Collaborative Decision Making Facilitator; M. Stephanie Kelly, Senior Manager, Instructional Technology; Greg Barlow, Chief Information Officer; Mike Borkowski, Technology; Sally Eagan, Assistant Superintendent for Student and Support Services; Darren Burns, Board Counsel; Mary Tillar, Assistant Superintendent; Michele Batten, Assistant Superintendent; and Karen Siska, Anne Arundel County Health Department.
The first item under consideration was JCC-RAA – Technology Resource Use By Students. Ms. Sasso had several recommendations for changes to the Regulation, including removing the word “Resource” from the title and revising the definition of “Technology.” Ms. Sasso provided her recommendations to staff and Mr. Mosier noted that regulations are under the authority of the Superintendent. Ms. Sasso’s recommendations will be reviewed by staff. Mr. Burns, Board Counsel, suggested a review of the Policy JCC to ensure that language in the policy does not conflict with the proposed changes to the regulation. Ms. Ortiz explained that Policy JCC was overarching and proposed revisions are consistent.
The second item under consideration was JEC, Administering Medicines to Students. Ms. Ortiz noted that first proposed change is to replace the word “medicines” with “medication.” Mr. Burns expressed concern that the correct application of the policy be used in the policy and that those terms used be consistent with the regulation. Under “purpose,” he suggested expanding the phrase “medication at school or at a school sponsored activity,” to include “medication at school, on school property, or at any other school school-sponsored activity.” Ms. Ortiz stated that she would add language, regarding school sponsored activity, consistent with other policies.
Ms. Ortiz reviewed proposed changes to the Regulation, made note of clean-up language and clarification of certain changes throughout.
Ms. Sasso brought to the committee’s attention two concerns that Mr. Reinhard had communicated through an email since he could not be present at the meeting.
• It appears that the section addressing monitoring of pill counts is now removed. Is this addressed in another regulation or included under more general language? It seems important to make sure medications are not going missing.
Ms. Siska explained how medication is controlled, noting that medications must be counted every month and narcotics must be counted every day. Mr. Burns recommended having a cross reference to the policy that addresses inventory of medications. Ms. Ortiz indicated that she would include appropriate language to address the concern.
Mr. Reinhard’s second questions follows:
• Are disciplinary actions for students self-administering over the counter medications, such as ibuprofen or tylenol, included elsewhere in Board policy?
It was noted that disciplinary actions are included elsewhere in Board policy and it was suggested that a cross reference to the Student Code of Conduct be made to JEC reflecting this.
The last item under consideration was JECB – Storage and Use of Naloxone or Other Overdose- Reversing Medication. Ms. Ortiz noted that this is a new Policy and Regulation due to State law and she reviewed its contents with the Committee. Mr. Burns suggested that the “Background” information found in the Regulation be added to the Policy under “Issue.” He believes that expanding the policy this way would be beneficial to understanding the seriousness of this public health challenge in the State of Maryland. Mr. Burns’ suggestion was well taken. It was discussed to add the definition of overdose to the regulation.
It was determined that all policies discussed at the meeting are to go to first reading on February 7, 2018. Ms. Siska agreed to make a presentation to the Board on that day, specifically on the naloxone to educate the Board members and the public.
Adjourn: 2:00 p.m.
http://aacpsschools.org/boardpolicies/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/FINAL-PCM-Minutes-011718.pdf
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