The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) met on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. During the meeting, the Board elected Board officers and appointed Board committee members; received a presentation and discussed the superintendent’s recommended Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Operating Budget Framework; took tentative action on Board Policy IEA, Framework and Structure of Early Childhood and Elementary Education; and discussed career education and opportunities. 

The agenda for the meeting, with links to related materials, can be viewed on the Board of Education website.
 

Election of Board Officers, Appointments to Board Committees

The Board of Education elected Mr. Michael A. Durso for his third term as Board president and elected Mrs. Shebra L. Evans as the Board’s vice president.

The following Board members now serve on the Fiscal Management Committee:  Jeanette Dixon (chairperson), Patricia O’Neill, Shebra Evans, and Matthew Post.  Read the adopted resolution.

The following Board members now serve on the Policy Management Committee:  Patricia O’Neill (chairperson), Jill Ortman-Fouse, Judith Docca, and Matthew Post. Read the adopted resolution.

The following Board members now serve on the Committee on Special Populations:  Rebecca Smondrowski (chairperson), Judith Docca, and Michael Durso.  Read the adopted resolution.

The following Board members now serve on the Strategic Planning Committee:  Jill Ortman-Fouse (chairperson), Jeanette Dixon, and Rebecca Smondrowski. Read the adopted resolution.

Presentation of the Superintendent’s Recommended Fiscal Year 2019 Operating Budget Framework

Superintendent Jack R. Smith presented the framework for his recommended FY 2019 Operating Budget, emphasizing Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) core values of learning, relationships, respect, excellence, and equity as compelling factors for MCPS to act and unite around the goal of academic excellence for all students.  The presentation consisted of an overview of the FY 2018 budget; the FY 2019 budget process; key components of budget expenditures; budget revenue and the timeline for the FY 2019 budget.  Also highlighted in the presentation were the key bodies of work, including efforts to improve programs; increase access to strong academic and career opportunities; extend learning; provide language opportunities; focus on physical, social, and psychological well-being; hire and retain an effective and diverse workforce; and strengthen operational excellence and efficient business systems.

The superintendent is scheduled to present his recommended FY 2019 Operating Budget to the community on December 19, at Rockville High School.   More information about the budget process and the schedule for upcoming public hearings and work sessions can be found on the MCPS website.

View the presentation.

Read information about the budget process and public participation.

Read the FY 2019 Operating Budget Guide.

Tentative Action: Policy IEA, Framework and Structure of Early Childhood and Elementary Education

The Board of Education’s Policy Management Committee proposed revisions to Board Policy IEA, Framework and Structure of Early Childhood and Elementary Education. The proposed amendments affirm the Board’s commitment to promoting the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth and development of children in their early learning years through high quality, developmentally appropriate, challenging, and comprehensive early childhood and elementary programs.  The revised policy updates language to highlight MCPS’ commitment to vertical integration of the curriculum; reinforces the Board’s commitment to utilizing county, state, and federal resources effectively, in coordination with community partners; and highlights MCPS’ role to identify children in need of services, and to facilitate student development, transition, placement, and program continuity at each stage of a child’s development.

Read the Policy Management Committee chair’s memorandum to the Board and the Committee Recommended Draft of Policy IEA.

Spotlight on Career Education and Opportunities

At its meeting on September 12, 2017, the Board received an update on the comprehensive review of Career and Technology Education (CTE) Programs of Study (POS) in MCPS conducted by the Education Strategy Group (ESG). The study was approved by the Board as part of its FY 2017 Operating Budget. A comprehensive list of findings and recommendations is explained in the full report.

The presentation before the Board highlighted MCPS’ plans to expand the current Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs, and initiate new programs, all of which align to high-demand careers in the labor market.  These new programs will enroll their first cohorts of students in the 2018–2019 school year with funding proposed in the FY 2019 Operating Budget.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Facilities and School Construction

The Board approved the contractual agreement for the preconstruction services for cost estimating, value engineering, constructability reviews, and the development of construction implementation schedule for the proposed Potomac Elementary School revitalization/expansion project.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Calendar of Major Events for the Election of the 41st Student Member of the Board

The Board approved the calendar of major events for the election of the 41st student member of the Board. 

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Future Meetings

The Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Please check the Board of Education website and meeting calendar for further information. 

About the Board of Education
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.

Montgomery County Board of Education: Mr. Michael Durso, president; Mrs. Shebra L. Evans, vice president. Members: Ms. Jeanette E. Dixon, Dr. Judith Docca, Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, Ms. Jill Ortman-Fouse, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, and Mr. Matthew Post, student member. Dr. Jack R. Smith, superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617.