The Board of Education on Monday reduced its fiscal year 2015 budget by $5.5 million to cover its funding shortfall due to the opening of a new high school. The reductions include student transportation, temporary and part-time employees, teacher substitutes, athletic trainers and staff library materials. Additionally, two teaching positions were eliminated from St. Charles High School. The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) fiscal year 2015 operating budget of $327.3 million reflects an increase of $5.3 million, or 1.7 percent. State funding increased $2.4 million and county funding increased $2.9 million, or 1.8 percent. The budget requires a $3.2 million Read more…

The Board of Education of Charles County is holding a public work session at 6 p.m., Monday, June 23, in the Board room at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building. The agenda is as follows and is subject to change: Executive session – 5:30 p.m. Call to Order – 6 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Public Forum Work session FY2015 operating budget Action items FY 2015 operating budget Board policies on non-discrimination  Executive session Charles County Public Schools provides 26,400 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 Read more…

The Charles County Public Schools FIRST Robotics team is sponsoring a robotics-based science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) summer camp for students entering the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grades. The Robo Raptors STEM Summer Camp will offer activities and challenges as part of the LEGO Robotics program and technology. The camp is available in two sessions at Maurice J. McDonough High School: July 7-10, or July 14-17. Both sessions are from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the cost of the camp is $100 or $190 for both weeks. Registration forms are available at http://www.roboraptorsfrcteam3650.com/ for download. Registration and payment can Read more…

Charles County Public Schools is offering courses through the 2014 Space Institute this summer to interested teachers. Participants can learn about space-related topics through exciting lessons and hands-on opportunities. Topics featured include meteorology and weather in space, early childhood space exploration, space travel and research, and a study of Earth. The school system is sponsoring the courses through its partnership with the Space Foundation. The Institute is available for Charles County Public Schools teachers and certificated staff, as well as out-of-county teachers. Courses will be held at Theodore G. Davis Middle School and during two sessions: July 28 through Aug.1, Read more…

The Board of Education honored several Charles County Public Schools employees at a June 12 retirement ceremony. Honored were employees who have retired since June 30, 2013, and those who have already announced their retirements at the end of this school year. Retirees are listed below by name, last position held, location, and years of service. Larry Adams, ROTC instructor, Henry E. Lackey High School, 30; Susan Adams, English as a Second Language (ESOL) teacher, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School, 24; Edward Baker, ESOL teacher, Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School, 40; Paige Baker, special education teacher, Dr. Read more…

Mark Howell, a longtime history teacher at Westlake High School, was recently named one of two Maryland finalists for the National History Day Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award. Participating states can select one middle- and high-school teacher for consideration of the national award and state finalists are chosen for excellence in the classroom. Howell is representing Maryland at the high-school level, and state finalists must demonstrate the use of creative teaching methods and a commitment to get students interested in learning about history. Howell’s selection to represent Maryland was announced during the Maryland History Day event held last Read more…

Daniel Seyler, a fifth-grade student at Mary H. Matula Elementary School, was recently named an Outstanding School Safety Patrol Award recipient by the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education and the American Automobile Association (AAA). Award recipients are nominated by their schools and recognized for excelling in the areas of leadership, dependability and academics. Seyler is one of 13 students from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area selected for the award this year. Seyler was nominated for the award by Matula Vice Principal Jean Ritter for serving as a role model for his peers and for demonstrating outstanding behavior, academic achievement Read more…

The Board of Education honored six Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) employees with Outstanding Classified Personnel Awards on June 10. Honored were Doris Hawkins, building service worker, Milton M. Somers Middle School; Darlette Smith, food service manager, Somers; Kristen Sackman, special education instructional assistant, La Plata High School; Roy Kline, electrician, Charles County Public Schools Maintenance Shop/Radio Station Road Annex; Suzanne Alpert, secretary, Piccowaxen Middle School and Somers; and Richard Day, computer analyst, North Point High School. Hawkins is the 2014 Outstanding Building Service Employee. She has worked as a building service worker for the school system since 2006 and Read more…

Brenda Tillotson, a vice principal at General Smallwood Middle School, is the 2014 Charles County Public Schools Vice Principal of the Year. She was recently selected for the annual honor and was recognized for her dedication to student success. Tillotson, who has served as a vice principal at Smallwood since 2010, has a longtime career in education that spans a period of more than 20 years. Upon learning of her selection as this year’s award recipient, Tillotson was humbled by her selection and proud that her accomplishments earned her special recognition. “I am fortunate to work at General Smallwood Middle Read more…

Superintendent Kimberly Hill on June 10 announced the appointment of three new school principals, four principal transfers, five vice principal appointments and 15 vice principal transfers. Schools affected by principal changes are Theodore G. Davis, Piccowaxen, Milton M. Somers and Benjamin Stoddert middle schools, and Dr. James Craik, Eva Turner and William B. Wade elementary schools. New principal appointments are Carrie Akins, vice principal at North Point High School, has been named as principal of Milton M. Somers Middle School. Akins began her career as an educator in 2002 as a high school English teacher in Virginia. She started with Read more…