PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – During the start of the April 25, 2024, Calvert County Board of Education work session, board member Lisa Grenis made a motion to direct Superintendent Dr. Andraé Townsel to develop a specific plan for addressing the violence, drugs, vaping, and safety concerns at Calvert High School. These concerns were brought to the Board’s attention during the prior meeting.
“I appreciate that the Dr. has met with the teachers. Meetings are nice, but I am submitting a formal action plan for Calvert High School for you to report back to the board,” said Grenis. “I think we need an action plan. What resources can you add? What additional personnel? I think we need a plan.”
However, some board members believed that all the attention shouldn’t just be focused on Calvert High School.
“My concern is that, first of all, we are singling out one school out of the 24 schools we do have. Our job is to, if he does not come up with a plan that does not result in any success, then that is our job,” said board member Dawn Balinski.
Grenis responded by stating, “I don’t think we can put our students and staff in danger by waiting. I think we need a plan of action, and we need it now.”
Vice President of the board, Inez Claggett did agree with the plan but wanted to make sure that it would be comprehensive.
“I can agree with the plan. However, I think it needs to be comprehensive. In saying the word comprehensive, I don’t think in two weeks our Superintendent will be able to come up with such a plan to be able to remedy something that has been brewing and festering over many years and is manifesting itself in the way it is,” said Claggett.
“I believe it takes true intensive work at Calvert High School to alleviate concerns and issues staff may have.”
Claggett also made note that she knows of a divide in the schools between the staff who feel the “issues are not as vast as some come to describe to the board.” She also stated that she does not want to discount those who do come to the board, noting everyone’s perspective is not the same.
Grenis then made it clear that she has a “sense of urgency about this.” She also stated that she does not think issues are being exaggerated based on discussions she’s had with teachers.
Board President Antoine White shared that he visited Calvert High School where he discussed these concerns with teachers and staff.
“Since the Sheriff’s Department and the Community Mediation Center have been in the school, they said the climate has changed. I’ve been there, I spent several days there working with the students and talking to the students,” said White.
White also made note that the school is actively working on a plan, stating, “They just had their meeting on Monday. Today is Thursday. Give them an opportunity to put forth some energy and effort to come up with a plan to fix some of the problems. Everyone in that school, the parents, the educators, the principals, it’s going to take everybody to be a part of this.”
Dr. Townsel then shared his experiences at Calvert High School with the Board. Townsel described conversations he had with educators and staff during a meeting and his tour around the school and in the bathrooms.
“I do trust the team, I truly do. I do want to work collaboratively with the teachers that are there, that have major concerns,” said Townsel.
Claggett then proposed a modification to Grenis’ motion to extend the plan’s review from two weeks to four to give the Superintendent and the school community more time.
“I would like to leave my motion as is. We might not be able to put 10 things in place in two weeks, but we can certainly put three or four things in place and get an update. I am not saying in two weeks it is done and we walk away. I think we can come up with some strategies to help the situation there,” said Grenis.
The motion was then voted on unsuccessfully, failing 2-1.
Claggett explained her reasoning for voting no on the motion, stating, “I believe Dr. Townsel is well aware of the concerns and issues at Calvert High School. He went there and visited without anyone asking him to do so…If we allow him to do his job and hold them accountable for that, I believe the issues will resolve themselves.”
During the board comments, Grenis noted that so far this year, Patuxent, Northern, and Huntingtown High Schools have reported between 15 and 19 drug-related referrals and out-of-school suspensions. In comparison, Calvert High School has reported eight referrals and six out-of-school suspensions.
“Please investigate to determine if there are fewer drug problems or if we have an enforcement issue at Calvert High School,” said Grenis.
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“something that has been brewing and festering over many years”
aka;
The Boards of Education have become inundated with so many woke ideals, they have lost track of their purpose, EDUCATION not indoctrination.
Make parents aware and responsible for their child’s behavior. I was born in 1952 and believe me, something has happened.
I do know this , the commencement speech Townsend provided last year for Huntingtown High was the worst ,most ignorant speech I have ever heard ..
I’m not the only one with this same opinion more like a majority consensus of those I have spoke to about it …
Maybe if those disruptive students were able to go the the Super Bowl, there wouldn’t be as many issues.
There is no divide among teachers. All the teachers are abundantly aware there is a discipline problem. The divides are between the teachers who want something done and the administration that doesn’t want to be accountable for doing something. The Superintendent’s visits to schools are a farce. The visits are brief, choreographed, and unproductive.
Dr. Townsel visited CHS without being asked. WOW! Now I am impressed. Where has he been all year? CHS is just a walk across the street from his office. IT’S MAY PEOPLE! School’s out.
PG County wannabes. Advice: if you have kid in elementary school, run. This is going into free fall and unlike PG, Calvert does not have the same opportunities in volume and access as neighboring areas.