Board of Ed: 2 New Board Members, New HCPS Logo

The welcomed two new members prior to Monday's meeting.

Havre de Grace resident , , and senior Panashe Mutombo, the student representative for the 2012-2013 school year, were sworn in Monday.

Mutombo, with his family in the audience, was excited and grateful for this new adventure as Student Representative to the Board of Education.

"I'm happy to be here," he said. "I'm happy to initiate a good year with all of you. I've seen all the good work that you guys have put in here and I see the effects through the schools and I'm just proud to be here."

Items Approved
All 15 items on the evening's agenda, including some contracts, were passed.

Find the .

Presentation and Discussions
Assistant Superintendent of Operations Cornell Brown presented the board with a presentation concerning the Capital Improvement Program FY14.

Find the full presentation included with this article in a printable PDF file.

The presentation outlined improvements to various schools in the county, including HVAC systems, roofs, equipment and furniture. 

Brown explained that such things as implementing a new computer lab at Edgewood Middle School are needed in order for students to have the appropriate technology for the yearly tests that students are required to take.

New Business 
A unanimous decision was made to pass the 2012 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan presented by Patti Jo Beard.

Beard explained the planned needed approved in order for it to be forwarded to the state. The main objective of the plan is the upkeep and maintenance of buildings, grounds, and fixed equipment whether it be through repairs or replacement during the 40 year life expectancy of the building.

Also, a decision on the HCPS branding initiative, presented by Teri Kranefield, was passed. The decision of implementing a new logo came with a lot of questions and concerns from board members.

The logo was approved by a 6-4 vote, with Board of Education members Cassandra Beverley, Nancy Reynolds, Robert Frisch and James Thornton voting against.

Find the new logo and background information included with this article in a printable PDF file.

President Leonard Wheeler, who voted for the logo, shared with board members how rebranding is a "sense of identity, just as your family name."

"We spent considerable time, more time than we do on other issues because it's emotional to us. It's something that means a lot," Wheeler said.

Kranefeld noted the logo would be phased in as materials are used, and that materials with the current logo would not go to waste.

TELL US: What are your thoughts on the new HCPS logo? Leave a comment.