The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) held a business meeting on May 10, 2022. During the meeting, the Board approved the appointment and contract of Dr. Monifa B. McKnight for a four-year term as Superintendent of Schools; approved amendments to the association agreements; discussed student support and mental health services; adopted Policy JPH, School Food and Nutrition Services Programs; named Gaithersburg Elementary School #8; made several administrative appointments; and approved a previous New Business Item regarding the convening of a work group on school meal quality.

The agenda for the meeting, with related links, can be viewed on the Board website. Watch the meeting recording.

Appointment of Superintendent of Schools and Contract Approval

The Board approved the terms and conditions of the employment contract and appointed Dr. Monifa B. McKnight to serve as Superintendent of Schools for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) effective July 1, 2022. On February 8, 2022, the Board unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. McKnight for a four-year term as superintendent contingent upon final negotiation of an employment contract and the approval of the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Mohammed Choudhury. Mr. Choudhury has approved the Board’s appointment.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Association Agreements

The Board voted to approve amendments to the agreements between it and MCPS three employee associations: Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP/MCBOA), Montgomery County Education Association; and Service Employees International Union, Local 500. The amendments offer wage increases.

Read the memorandum to the Board regarding MCAAP/MCBOA.

Read the memorandum to the Board regarding MCEA.

Read the memorandum to the Board regarding SEIU.

Read the memorandum to the Board regarding positions not on the salary schedule.

Read the letter to the community.

Student Support and Mental Health Services

The Board received an update on student services provided by staff from the Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement in a collaborative effort with other offices and community agencies, as well as how these services are communicated to staff, students, and families.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

View the PowerPoint presentation.

Policy JPH, School Food and Nutrition Services Programs

The Board adopted Policy JPH, School Food and Nutrition Services Programs. This new policy was developed to comply with federal requirements that all recipients of school meal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service have a policy that addresses specified elements of the system’s meal charge policy. Prior work on the policy was suspended for a period of time because of temporary changes in the provision of food services necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Naming of Gaithersburg Elementary School #8

The Board voted to name Gaithersburg Elementary School #8 as Harriet R. Tubman Elementary School.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Appointments

The Board approved the following administrative appointments:

• Anthony R. Alston, currently national facilitator and designer, The Leadership Academy, as director II, Equity Initiatives Unit, Office of Strategic Initiatives
• Ryan D. Forkert, currently principal, Luxmanor Elementary School, as liaison for MCPS Professional Growth Systems­–MCAAP
• Kristie L. Clark, currently principal, Kenilworth Elementary School, Prince George’s County Public Schools, as supervisor, Accelerated and Enriched Instruction, Department of College and Career Readiness and Districtwide Programs, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs, Office of Teaching, Learning, and Schools
• Rosanna T. Haywood, currently coordinator, Career and Postsecondary Partnerships, College and Career Readiness and Districtwide Programs, as supervisor, Pre-K–12 Science, Department of Pre-K–12 Curriculum, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs, Office of Teaching, Learning, and Schools
• Daniel Princiotta, currently senior education researcher, SRI International, as supervisor, Applied Research and Evaluation, Office of Shared Accountability, Office of the Chief of Staff
• Jada Langston, currently acting principal, John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents, as principal, John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents

Previous New Business Item

At the April 7, 2022, Board meeting, Ms. O’Looney brought forward a resolution on behalf of the full Board to direct the interim superintendent to convene a School Meal Quality Work Group to meet from spring 2022 to winter 2022 to review school meal quality; inclusiveness of diverse cultural, religious, and medical dietary restrictions; portion sizes; nutritional value; and cost to present their recommendations for the Board of Education’s 2024 Operating Budget, no later than December 31, 2022.  The resolution also directed that the composition of the work group be at least 40 percent students from diverse school, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds, especially from the restaurant and culinary arts specialty programs.  The resolution was accepted and was laid on the table for final consideration at the May 10, 2022, Board meeting.  After further consideration, the Board unanimously approved the proffered resolution. 

Read the adopted resolution.

Recognitions

The Board approved the following recognitions:

• League of Educators for Asian American Progress Scholarship Recipients
• Pupil Personnel Worker Month

Future Meeting

The Board is scheduled to hold its next business meeting on Thursday, May 26, 2022. The agenda is subject to change. Please check the Board website and meeting calendar for further information.

About the Board of Education

The Board is the official educational policymaking body in the county. The Board is responsible for the direction and operation of the public school system. The Board consists of seven county residents elected by voters for a four-year term and a student elected by secondary school students for a one-year term. Board members are elected countywide but run at-large or from the Board district in which they reside.  Montgomery County Board of Education: Ms. Brenda Wolff, president; Ms. Karla Silvestre, vice president.  Members: Dr. Judith Docca, Mrs. Shebra L. Evans, Ms. Lynne Harris, Dr. Scott Joftus, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, and Ms. Hana O’Looney, student member.  Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, interim superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 240-740-3030.