Interesting 'insertion' in the KENT COUNTY NEWS today from the Kent County Teachers Association. They are issuing a "Call to All Interested Candidates" ... "In our Endorsement for Board of Education and County Commission. Individuals who are considering running for one of (these) offices and would like to seek our support must complete a campaign questionnaire and return it no later than May 1, 2010. Please contact Terri Mullikin, KCTA President..." May 1 is fast approaching ... According to the Maryland Board of Elections the following have filed for Kent County Commissioner: William W. Pickrum, Walter T. Coryell and Timothy J. Lloyd, Jr.; no one has filed to run for the Kent County Board of Education. Primary Election Date: September 14, 2010;
General Election Date: November 2, 2010.
Rebuilding Together Kent County, MD reported in a recent fundraising letter they had more than 80 volunteers who worked 2500 hours and completed 17 projects including wheel chair ramps, window replacements, roof repairs, insulation and new siding. Their efforts represented more than $77,000 of help to Kent County residents. All work is done at no cost to the homeowner. Their Board of Directors: Robert Haist, President; Michael Auth, Vice-President; Charles Ross, Secretary and George Burris, Treasurer;
other Board members: Linda Culp, Armond Fletcher, Angie Heinold, Courtney Sjostrom, Ronald Souders, Edwin Toole and Mary Walker. Advisory Board members: Rob Comfort, Mickey Elsberg, Tot Strong, Airlee Johnson, Alex P. Rasin, III and Sara A. Holben.
MTA Off Track and On Trail was the headline in the Editorial of the April 22, 2010 issue of the KENT COUNTY NEWS...The Editorial says "The idea of putting a trail on the old railway has been discussed since at least 1994." The following letter was dated June 10, 1994 and written by David H. Taylor, Director of Kent's Economic and Tourism Development Advisory Board to Charles D. MacLeod, County Manager, Kent County Commissioners: "The Economic and Tourism Development Advisory Board voted at their last meeting to go on record as opposed to any plans or developments that would interfere with the Rail Line in Kent County. The rail system passes through two industrial parks in Chestertown and it would be short-sided to deny rail service to these areas. In our search for desirable businesses to lcoate here the availability of rail is an important asset to have in our presentation to prospects. We all know that rail was one of the moving factors that prompted Cellulose Fulstoff Fabrik (CFF) to build in Kent County. The Board asks that you not entertain any ideas or plans that would cripple the rail system."
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Chestertown, Maryland
More about the Kent County Board of Education Resolution No. 2010-1...There will be five (5) community elementary schools comprised of students in Pre-K through 5th grade: Garnett School (existing); Worton Elementary School (existing); Millington Elementary School (existing); Galena Elementary School (NEW - to be located in the current Galena Middle School building); Rock Hall Elementary School (existing - to be relocated to the current Rock Hall Middle School building). There will be one (1) middle school comprised of students in grades 6, 7 and 8 located at the current Chestertown Middle School building. The new consolidated middles school will be named Kent County Middle School. Rock Hall Middle School and Galena Middle School students in grades 6, 7 and 8 will be relocated to Kent County Middle School.
In-School Suspensions from Kent County Public Schools for the school year 2009-10 (as of 3/10/10): Class cutting - 38; Tardiness - 10; Tobacco - 3; Physical Attack-Teacher/Staff - 2; Physical Attack-Student - 10; Verbal Threat-Teacher/Staff - 1; Fighting - 34; Sexual Harassment - 2; Disrespect - 35; Insubordination - 28; Classroom Disruption - 44; Inciting/Participating in Disturbance 5;
Academic Dishonesty/Cheating - 1; Portable Communication Device - 1; Theft - 3; Refusal to Obey School Policies - 15. Total In-School Suspensions - 232. (Note: Total In-School Suspensions for 2008-2009was 292 and for 2007-08 it was 121.)
Out-of-School Suspensions from Kent County Public Schools for the school year 2009-10 (as of 3/10/10): Class Cutting - 14; Alcohol - 4; Tobacco - 7; Other Weapons - 1; Physical Attack-Teacher/Staff - 9; Physical Attack-Stuff - 21; Verbal Threat-Teacher/Staff - 7; Verbal Threat-Student - 8; Fighting - 39; Sexual Assault - 1; Sexual Harassment - 2; Sexual Activity - 1; Disrespect - 41; Insubordination - 27; Harassment - 1; Classroom Disruption - 24; Inciting/participating in Disturbance - 8; Portable Communication Device - 1; Theft - 2; Vandalism - 1; Refusal to Obey School Policites - 23. Total Out-of-School Suspensions - 242. (Note: Out-of-School Suspensions for 2008-09 was 455 and for 2007-08 it was 717.)
In-School Suspensions from Kent County Public Schools for the school year 2009-10 (as of 3/10/10): Class cutting - 38; Tardiness - 10; Tobacco - 3; Physical Attack-Teacher/Staff - 2; Physical Attack-Student - 10; Verbal Threat-Teacher/Staff - 1; Fighting - 34; Sexual Harassment - 2; Disrespect - 35; Insubordination - 28; Classroom Disruption - 44; Inciting/Participating in Disturbance 5;
Academic Dishonesty/Cheating - 1; Portable Communication Device - 1; Theft - 3; Refusal to Obey School Policies - 15. Total In-School Suspensions - 232. (Note: Total In-School Suspensions for 2008-2009was 292 and for 2007-08 it was 121.)
Out-of-School Suspensions from Kent County Public Schools for the school year 2009-10 (as of 3/10/10): Class Cutting - 14; Alcohol - 4; Tobacco - 7; Other Weapons - 1; Physical Attack-Teacher/Staff - 9; Physical Attack-Stuff - 21; Verbal Threat-Teacher/Staff - 7; Verbal Threat-Student - 8; Fighting - 39; Sexual Assault - 1; Sexual Harassment - 2; Sexual Activity - 1; Disrespect - 41; Insubordination - 27; Harassment - 1; Classroom Disruption - 24; Inciting/participating in Disturbance - 8; Portable Communication Device - 1; Theft - 2; Vandalism - 1; Refusal to Obey School Policites - 23. Total Out-of-School Suspensions - 242. (Note: Out-of-School Suspensions for 2008-09 was 455 and for 2007-08 it was 717.)
Friday, April 16, 2010
Chestertown, Maryland
Noticed a nice Farmer’s Market sign going south on Rt. 213 into Centreville. It is similar in style to the new Welcome signs that have appeared on the outskirts of many towns. Not sure if Chestertown has one of these but they should if they don’t!
The Kent County Board of Education meeting last night began about ten minutes late at 6:40 p.m. and lasted until close to 10:30 p.m. All members of the Board were present as were Assistant Superintendents Fay Miller and Mary Etta Reedy and Board attorney Chip MacLeod. Most of the seats were filled with concerned parents but also included some teachers and Board of Education staff as well as interested Kent County citizens. Among others attending were Trish McGee of The KENT COUNTY NEWS, Tim Lloyd, candidate for Kent County Commissioner and Rock Hall Mayor and Candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates Jay Jacobs. Kent County School Board President Dr. Michael Harvey read the nine page Resolution No. 2010-01 in its entirety. The ‘reading’ was followed by comments from Board members Al Hanifee, Sarah Brown and Dr. Harvey who presented a brief power point presentation showing Kent County’s place among what he referred to as the “Nimble Nine” or nine smallest school systems in the State. At least sixteen (16) citizens spoke – all against the proposed Resolution otherwise referred to as Option 2 – during the Public Participation period. A motion to accept Resolution No. 2010-01 amended with some minor spelling corrections was made, seconded and each Board member then stated their position during the discussion period before the vote. The final vote was 4 to 1 in favor of adopting the Resolution. Board member Sarah Brown cast the dissenting vote. Following the Resolution vote, a motion was made and seconded to move the Central Office to the Rock Hall Elementary School effective July 1 or as soon as possible thereafter. The final vote on this motion was also 4 to 1 with Board member Sarah Brown casting the dissenting vote. Approximately 37 employees will be moving from Chestertown to Rock Hall. Chestertown’s loss will be Rock Hall’s gain!
The BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL reported ‘largest layoffs in the Baltimore area’ in its March 5-11, 2010 issue. Among the largest layoffs were: M & T bank lost 521 jobs; Aramark Management Services lost 454 jobs; Black & Decker lost 250 jobs. The same issue also reported the ‘largest charitable foundations in the Baltimore area’. The largest foundation is the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Inc. with 2009 total assets of $2.5 billion; followed by the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation with $1.8 billion, the Abell Foundation, Inc. with $180 million and the France-Merrick Foundation with assets of $166.7 million. Kent Center in Chestertown was the recipient of funds from the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.
The Kent County Board of Education meeting last night began about ten minutes late at 6:40 p.m. and lasted until close to 10:30 p.m. All members of the Board were present as were Assistant Superintendents Fay Miller and Mary Etta Reedy and Board attorney Chip MacLeod. Most of the seats were filled with concerned parents but also included some teachers and Board of Education staff as well as interested Kent County citizens. Among others attending were Trish McGee of The KENT COUNTY NEWS, Tim Lloyd, candidate for Kent County Commissioner and Rock Hall Mayor and Candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates Jay Jacobs. Kent County School Board President Dr. Michael Harvey read the nine page Resolution No. 2010-01 in its entirety. The ‘reading’ was followed by comments from Board members Al Hanifee, Sarah Brown and Dr. Harvey who presented a brief power point presentation showing Kent County’s place among what he referred to as the “Nimble Nine” or nine smallest school systems in the State. At least sixteen (16) citizens spoke – all against the proposed Resolution otherwise referred to as Option 2 – during the Public Participation period. A motion to accept Resolution No. 2010-01 amended with some minor spelling corrections was made, seconded and each Board member then stated their position during the discussion period before the vote. The final vote was 4 to 1 in favor of adopting the Resolution. Board member Sarah Brown cast the dissenting vote. Following the Resolution vote, a motion was made and seconded to move the Central Office to the Rock Hall Elementary School effective July 1 or as soon as possible thereafter. The final vote on this motion was also 4 to 1 with Board member Sarah Brown casting the dissenting vote. Approximately 37 employees will be moving from Chestertown to Rock Hall. Chestertown’s loss will be Rock Hall’s gain!
The BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL reported ‘largest layoffs in the Baltimore area’ in its March 5-11, 2010 issue. Among the largest layoffs were: M & T bank lost 521 jobs; Aramark Management Services lost 454 jobs; Black & Decker lost 250 jobs. The same issue also reported the ‘largest charitable foundations in the Baltimore area’. The largest foundation is the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Inc. with 2009 total assets of $2.5 billion; followed by the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation with $1.8 billion, the Abell Foundation, Inc. with $180 million and the France-Merrick Foundation with assets of $166.7 million. Kent Center in Chestertown was the recipient of funds from the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Chestertown, Maryland
Rick Dempsey will be the graduation speaker at Kent County High School in June. Rick is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who layed from 1969 to 1992. He is best known for his years with the Baltimore Orioles. He also played for the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers. Dempsey served as first, third and bullpen coach for the Orioles and he is currently a game analyst for the MASN network.
Kent County real estate report as of April 14, 2010: According to the Metropolitan Regional Information System there are 388 active residential listings in Kent County. Subdivisions (areas) with homes for sale include 9 listings at Kinnairds Point; 7 in Chesapeake Landing; 3 in Chesmar just outside of Chestertown; 6 in College Heights, Chestertown; 9 in Coventry Farms, Chestertown; 4 in Crestview, just outside of Chestertown; 6 in Dogwood Village, Galena; 8 in the historic district of Chestertown; 5 in Kentmore Park; 8 in Knights Landing, Worton; 8 in Millington; 5 at Rigbie Bluff, Betterton; 3 at Scott’s Point, Chestertown; 5 in Shorewood Estates, just outside of Galena; 7 in the Village at Chestertown; 12 in Tolchester Estates and 8 in Waterman’s Estates, Rock Hall. There are also 166 lots for sale, 42 commercial properties for sale and 5 multi-family properties for sale.
Kent County real estate report as of April 14, 2010: According to the Metropolitan Regional Information System there are 388 active residential listings in Kent County. Subdivisions (areas) with homes for sale include 9 listings at Kinnairds Point; 7 in Chesapeake Landing; 3 in Chesmar just outside of Chestertown; 6 in College Heights, Chestertown; 9 in Coventry Farms, Chestertown; 4 in Crestview, just outside of Chestertown; 6 in Dogwood Village, Galena; 8 in the historic district of Chestertown; 5 in Kentmore Park; 8 in Knights Landing, Worton; 8 in Millington; 5 at Rigbie Bluff, Betterton; 3 at Scott’s Point, Chestertown; 5 in Shorewood Estates, just outside of Galena; 7 in the Village at Chestertown; 12 in Tolchester Estates and 8 in Waterman’s Estates, Rock Hall. There are also 166 lots for sale, 42 commercial properties for sale and 5 multi-family properties for sale.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Chestertown, Maryland
It's worth a trip to the Kent County Commissioners office to see the beautiful orchid plant on the desk of Kathy Wirtz!
Did you know there is 100% funding available to replace failing septic systems in the critical areas of Kent County? So says Kent County Health Department representative John Beskid! Kent County has some 1800 systems in the critical areas and one half of these systems belong to people who use these as second homes. As of April 2010 Kent County has paid for the installation of 76 new units.
From the Minutes of the March 10, 2010 Kent County Commissioners Meeting:
Education Facts – Statistics for County Enrollments under 10,000 Students- Dr. Michael Harvey, Chairman, Board of Education, made a power point presentation regarding the Nimble 9, which is his descriptive term for the nine counties in the state with enrollments of less than 10,000 students (Allegany, Garrett, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Somerset, and Worcester). Of the Nimble 9, Kent County has the smallest enrollment with only 2,200 students. Dr. Harvey presented data as released in the 2009 MD Report Card and the latest edition of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) The Fact Book. Dr. Harvey compared Maryland State Assessment (MSA) scores for Kent County, with those of other counties in the Nimble 9, for 5-8th grades, in the subjects of math, reading and science. Dr. Harvey informed that based on MSA scores for 2003-2009, it appears that Kent County is on an upward trend; however, he feels that the Kent County School system has many opportunities for improvement. Dr. Harvey addressed the Middle School Gap, and informed that Kent County has the highest drop off rate in the Nimble 9 from Middle School to High School at 15.1%. He informed that there has been a 3% overall decline in Maryland school enrollment, and a 13.5% decline in Kent County enrollment. He opined this could be attributable to fewer families moving into Kent County with young children, and parents choosing alternate education options for their children. Dr. Harvey informed that Kent County’s three middle schools have the smallest student populations in the Nimble 9 (Rock Hall, Chestertown, and Galena). He stated that if the Middle Schools are consolidated as proposed, the Kent County middle population would be approximately 472 students, which is close to the average middle school size. Dr. Harvey reviewed the High School Assessment Scores for Kent County and encouraged the students to bring the scores up to first place across the board.
In response to a question raised by a student in attendance, Dr. Wheeler stated that class sizes at Rock Hall Middle School are now 13-14 students or less. The school system is no longer able to afford to staff the very small class sizes. She added that if nothing is done to address this situation, the educational opportunities for the students will be compromised. She stated that the school system would like to provide Kent County students with an education that will allow them to compete globally in the job market.
Information Technology (IT)- Scott Boone, Director, appeared and informed the students of the substantial wireless network that has been developed in Kent County and which will allow greater opportunities for the students. Commissioner Crow commended Jim Corns, IT Director, Kent County Public Schools, for working with Mr. Boone to develop the network for the school system and the county. Mr. Boone noted that the network runs from the High School to the Community Center, then to the R. Clayton Mitchell County Office Building.
Did you know there is 100% funding available to replace failing septic systems in the critical areas of Kent County? So says Kent County Health Department representative John Beskid! Kent County has some 1800 systems in the critical areas and one half of these systems belong to people who use these as second homes. As of April 2010 Kent County has paid for the installation of 76 new units.
From the Minutes of the March 10, 2010 Kent County Commissioners Meeting:
Education Facts – Statistics for County Enrollments under 10,000 Students- Dr. Michael Harvey, Chairman, Board of Education, made a power point presentation regarding the Nimble 9, which is his descriptive term for the nine counties in the state with enrollments of less than 10,000 students (Allegany, Garrett, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Somerset, and Worcester). Of the Nimble 9, Kent County has the smallest enrollment with only 2,200 students. Dr. Harvey presented data as released in the 2009 MD Report Card and the latest edition of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) The Fact Book. Dr. Harvey compared Maryland State Assessment (MSA) scores for Kent County, with those of other counties in the Nimble 9, for 5-8th grades, in the subjects of math, reading and science. Dr. Harvey informed that based on MSA scores for 2003-2009, it appears that Kent County is on an upward trend; however, he feels that the Kent County School system has many opportunities for improvement. Dr. Harvey addressed the Middle School Gap, and informed that Kent County has the highest drop off rate in the Nimble 9 from Middle School to High School at 15.1%. He informed that there has been a 3% overall decline in Maryland school enrollment, and a 13.5% decline in Kent County enrollment. He opined this could be attributable to fewer families moving into Kent County with young children, and parents choosing alternate education options for their children. Dr. Harvey informed that Kent County’s three middle schools have the smallest student populations in the Nimble 9 (Rock Hall, Chestertown, and Galena). He stated that if the Middle Schools are consolidated as proposed, the Kent County middle population would be approximately 472 students, which is close to the average middle school size. Dr. Harvey reviewed the High School Assessment Scores for Kent County and encouraged the students to bring the scores up to first place across the board.
In response to a question raised by a student in attendance, Dr. Wheeler stated that class sizes at Rock Hall Middle School are now 13-14 students or less. The school system is no longer able to afford to staff the very small class sizes. She added that if nothing is done to address this situation, the educational opportunities for the students will be compromised. She stated that the school system would like to provide Kent County students with an education that will allow them to compete globally in the job market.
Information Technology (IT)- Scott Boone, Director, appeared and informed the students of the substantial wireless network that has been developed in Kent County and which will allow greater opportunities for the students. Commissioner Crow commended Jim Corns, IT Director, Kent County Public Schools, for working with Mr. Boone to develop the network for the school system and the county. Mr. Boone noted that the network runs from the High School to the Community Center, then to the R. Clayton Mitchell County Office Building.
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