School Board Approves Comprehensive Master Plan Update, Appoints Three Administrators

The Montgomery County Board of Education met on Monday, July 28, and among other actions, approved a preliminary update to the Comprehensive Master Plan and approved three administrative appointments. The Board also approved a series of categorical transfers for the FY 2008 Operating Budget, as part of fiscal year-end actions to align budgeted appropriations with actual expenditures. The Board also voted to reconstitute its Audit Committee as the new Fiscal Management Committee.

Comprehensive Master Plan Update
The Board tentatively approved the update to the Comprehensive Master Plan, required annually by the state in response to requirements of the Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act of 2002. The strategic plan for Montgomery County Public Schools, Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence—revised on July 15, 2008—has served as the basis for updating the Comprehensive Master Plan. Final action on the plan will be taken before October 15, 2008, when the plan must be submitted to the Maryland State Department of Education.

FY 2008 Operating Budget Categorical Transfers
The Board approved categorical transfers of $12 million—representing approximately 0.6 percent of the total operating budget—among state categories in the FY 2008 Operating Budget, to align budgeted appropriation with actual expenditures. Overall, the MCPS Operating Budget ended FY 2008 with an expenditure surplus of $14.5 million; in addition, revenue was $3.4 greater than budgeted, resulting in a total savings in local contribution of $17.9 million. The County Council assumed $17.9 million of savings from FY 2007 to fund the FY 2009 Operating Budget. The FY 2008 expenditure surplus was due in part to comprehensive expenditure restrictions and a hiring freeze imposed in November 2007. Offsetting the savings were deficits in special education, student transportation due to rising fuel costs, pupil personnel services and fixed charges.

Appointments
The Board approved the following administrative appointments:

Linda Sato Adams, currently staffing specialist, Department of Recruitment and Staffing, Office of Human Resources, as supervisor, Fine Arts, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs

Rhonda L. Dedmond, currently assistant principal, Sligo Middle School, as coordinator, Human Resources, Department of Recruitment and Staffing, Office of Human Resources

Travis J. Wiebe, currently a teacher, grades 3 and 4, Burning Tree Elementary School, as coordinator, Human Resources, Department of Recruitment and Staffing, Office of Human Resources

New Fiscal Management Committee
The Board voted to reconstitute its Audit Committee as the new Fiscal Management Committee, expanding the scope of the committee’s responsibilities and its ability to monitor fiscal matters on an ongoing basis.

Board of Education: Mrs. Nancy Navarro, president. Ms. Shirley Brandman, vice president. Members: Mr. Steve Abrams, Mr. Christopher Barclay, Ms. Sharon Cox, Dr. Judy Docca, Mrs. Patricia B. O’Neill, and Ms. Quratul-Ann Malik, student member. Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617. 

The Montgomery County Board of Education 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.