* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: President Rawlings-Blake
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Informational Hearing - Baltimore City Public School System - Preparedness for the 2008 - 2009 School Year
FOR the purpose of inviting the CEO and other representatives of the Baltimore City Public System to brief the City Council of school preparedness for the upcoming school year by reporting on principal and teacher vacancies by school and discipline area; the status of facilities management and progress toward completing the Capital Improvement Program; the status of school budgets submitted by individual principals as part of the funding decentralization process; as well as the development of a uniform suspension policy.
Body
Recitals
Students of the Baltimore City Public School System have made significant improvements in last school year's State-wide test scores. This Body lauds these accomplishments and recognize the diligent work of school administrators, teachers, parents and most importantly, of our City students.
While we commend the progress that has been made, a new school year is right around the corner. Therefore, the Council in exercising its role of oversight, would like to be briefed on certain outstanding issues. First, the Council would like data on the number of principal and teacher vacancies. Specifically, which schools and disciplines have positions that remain vacant, percentages of teachers without certification, and a presentation of a strategy for retention as well as recruitment of those open vacancies with qualified applicants.
Second, the Council requests a report on the progress of all capital improvement projects and their projected completion date. The Council would like to know how ongoing projects will affect the students learning environment.
Third, Dr. Alonso has presented an ambitious plan to decentralize the school budget process. The Council requests a report on the progress of that plan and how it has impacted individual schools, principals and the teachers.
Lastly, there have been five City Schools that have been designated as "persistently dangerous" by the State. This designation goes to schools with high numbers of suspensions or expulsions for violent offenses over a three-year period. While we know this problem persists widely beyond just those five schools, this Body would like a report on the development of a City-wide uniform suspension policy.
These hearings are meant to insure that the City Schools are ready and fully operational on the first day of school. The City is extraordinarily proud of its students for the major strides that have been made. Absolute preparedness will allow us to give the City students the tools they need to build upon that success for this upcoming school year.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the CEO and other representatives of the Baltimore City Public School System brief the Council on school preparedness for the upcoming school year by reporting on principal and teacher vacancies by school and discipline area; the status of facilities management and progress toward completing the Capital Improvement Program; the status of school budgets submitted by individual principals as part of the funding decentralization process; as well as the development of a uniform suspension policy.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the CEO of the Baltimore City Public School System, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the Council.
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