Launches Corrective Actions Webpage to Publicly Show Progress on Inspector General’s Recommendations

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) today announced that Jessica Boone, J.D., and James Koutsos are stepping in to spearhead the reform efforts in the MCPS Department of Compliance and Investigations (DCI).  

Ms. Boone, a seasoned legal and investigative professional, brings a wealth of experience to this work. Her proven track record, which includes successful stints at the BlueCross BlueShield Special Investigations Unit and the D.C. government’s Office of Risk Management, will be invaluable in ensuring that the school system operates within the bounds of established law, policy frameworks, and ethical guidelines, and that DCI’s work will be executed swiftly and professionally.

Mr. Koutsos is a seasoned educational leader who left an indelible mark on MCPS during his years working in the system – as a high school principal and as Associate Superintendent – and through his service as President of the Montgomery County Association of Administrators & Principals (MCAAP). His experience provides him with a deep understanding of the principal’s role, the intricacies of school operations, and a keen eye for identifying areas for improvement. 

“The arrival of Jessica Boone and James Koutsos marks an important step in our commitment to upholding the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and integrity in our internal investigations,” said Dr. Monique Felder, Interim Superintendent. “They will collaborate closely to implement our recently developed corrective actions aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of our compliance and investigations processes.” 

Ms. Boone and Mr. Koutsos will begin their work today, Monday, April 29, 2024.

In addition, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) recently launched a new webpage to inform the community about the vital work to correct process deficiencies identified by the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The Corrective Actions Progress Report webpage is a platform that features the findings and recommendations of the OIG, as well as the district's responsive actions, including an indication of the status of that work. It also provides updates on policy work by the Board of Education and the recommendations from the Community of Practice workgroup. MCPS is committed to appropriately addressing complaints of any kind, particularly those related to bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct.

While quarterly updates on the status of the OIG’s recommendations will continue to be made directly to the Board of Education, OIG, County Executive and County Council. The new webpage will be updated frequently as work on each recommendation progresses. 

You can visit the webpage via a link on the MCPS homepage or by utilizing the website's search function. The direct link is www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/report/