Chestertown, Maryland

May 4, 2010

The Kent County Board of Education approved the negotiated agreement between the Kent County Board of Education and the Kent County Teachers Association at the Board of Education meeting on May 3, 2010. The one year negotiated Agreement included: 1) no salary increase for 2010-11; 2) no benefit changes for 2010-11; 3) change in contract days from up to 191 to up to 188; 4) one year salary and language contract. The Board also approved the negotiated two year agreement between it and the Kent County Educational Support Professionals Association which included: 1) no salary increase for 2010-11; 2) no benefit changes for 2010-11 and a one year salary and language contract. In other business the Board approved the relocation of the Alternative Program “IBALC” to the campus of Kent County High School (KCHS). It will be located in a four (4) classroom relocatable building on the KCHS campus. Those present at the Board meeting heard the Garnett Elementary School INSPIRE CHOIR sing two selections which were followed by a standing ovation from those present!

The Kent County Commissioners today announced they had received no bids for the School Board property at 213-215 Washington Avenue, Chestertown. Bid opening was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. today. According to the Maryland State Department of Taxation and Assessments, the 4.47 acre parcel is being used as ‘exempt commercial’. The ‘primary structure’ was built in 1915. The land is assessed for $560,200 and the ‘improvements (building)’ for $1,557,200.

A new group, “Task Force 4 Kids”, sent a letter to the Kent County Commissioners and the Kent County Board of Education advising of their intention to file an appeal regarding the recent decision by the Board of Education to consolidate schools.