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Board of Education Approves Change in 2021–2022 Traditional and Innovative School Calendar; Approves Annual Legislative Priorities; Receives Update on Strategic Recruitment and Talent Acquisition Efforts; Hears Interim Superintendent’s Recommendations for FY 2023 Capital Budget and FY 2023-2028 Capital Improvements Program; Approves Change in Graduation Requirements for Class of 2025; Hears Update on Financial Literacy Requirements; Approves Identified Pilot Courses; and Approves Previous New Business Item
The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) conducted a hybrid (virtual and in-person) business meeting on November 9, 2021. During the meeting, the Board approved the closure of schools and offices on November 24, the day before Thanksgiving; discussed annual legislative priorities; discussed strategic recruitment and talent acquisition efforts; discussed the recommended FY 2023 Capital Budget and the 2023–2028 Capital Improvements Program; approved a change in graduation requirements for the Class of 2025; received an update on financial literacy instruction; approved identified pilot courses; and approved a previous New Business Item regarding financial literacy.
The agenda for the meeting, with links to related materials, can be viewed on the Board website. Watch the meeting recording.
2021–2022 Traditional and Innovative School Year Calendars Adjustment
The Board approved the closure of schools and offices on November 24, the day before Thanksgiving. November 24 was originally scheduled to be an early-release day for all staff and students. Schools and offices will now be closed from Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26.
Read the memorandum to the Board.
Annual Legislative Priorities
The Board voted to approve its annual legislative priorities for the 2022 session of the Maryland General Assembly. These priorities are to indicate what issues are most relevant to the Board and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The priorities are based on the Board’s five values—learning, respect, relationships, excellence, and equity.
Strategic Recruitment and Talent Acquisition Efforts
The Board discussed efforts to attract, recruit, develop, recognize, and retain a high-quality, diverse workforce to meet the needs of all students. One significant effort is a GYO, or Grow Your Own, initiative to attract, recruit, and excite MCPS students about the possibility of a teaching career with MCPS.
View the PowerPoint presentation.
Interim Superintendent’s Recommendations for the FY 2023 Capital Budget and FY 2023–2028 Capital Improvements Program
The Interim Superintendent’s Recommended FY 2023 Capital Budget and the FY 2023–2028 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) total $1.738 billion, an increase of $119.4 million more than the previously approved CIP. The recommendation includes maintaining the completion dates of all capital projects included in the adopted CIP, as well as additional funding for the following: Seven previously approved capital projects to reflect increased construction costs and prevailing wage rate premiums; two new addition projects—Burtonsville and Greencastle elementary schools; two new major capital projects (planning funds only)—Piney Branch Elementary School and Eastern Middle School; and new countywide initiatives and countywide systemic projects to address aging infrastructure. The Board will take action on this item at its November 18, 2021, meeting.
Read the Interim Superintendent’s Recommendation for the FY 2023 Capital Budget and the FY 2023-2028 Capital Improvements Program. View the PowerPoint presentation.
Board of Education Strategic Plan
The Board reviewed and approved an updated Strategic Plan that has been adjusted to support students affected by nearly two years of virtual and hybrid learning. The revised plan includes objectives, indicators, performance targets, and strategies in three critical focus areas: academic excellence, well-being and family support, and professional and operational excellence.
Read the memorandum to the Board. View the PowerPoint presentation.
Change in Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2025
The Board approved a reduction in the elective credits required for graduation from 2.5 to 2.0 for 2021–2022 first-year Grade 9 students.
Financial Literacy Requirements
The interim superintendent and staff presented recommendations of the MCPS Personal Finance Work Group, formed in March, 2021, in response to student interest in expanding personal financial literacy learning opportunities for students. In light of Ms. O’Looney’s October 5, 2021, New Business Item concerning financial literacy course offerings within MCPS, the Board is expected to receive a subsequent presentation in January 2022 to explore the possibility of offering a .5 credit financial literacy course that would eventually be required for all students beginning with students entering Grade 9 for the 2023–2024 school year (Class of 2028).
Identified Pilot Courses
Pilot courses are submitted to the Board as required by Board of Education Policy IFA, Curriculum, approved February 13, 2001, and its accompanying MCPS Regulation, IFA-RA, Curriculum. The policy requires that initial information regarding proposed curriculum development or significant revisions be presented to the Board for approval. The Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs (OCIP) continues to implement a process for pilot courses and is recommending six new noncore high school pilot courses, three continuing in the pilot process and seven exiting the pilot process. OCIP also recommends four courses become active at high schools with specialized programs and one course to become active and available at all high schools. The Board approved these pilot courses.
Previous New Business Item
At the October 5, 2021, Board meeting, Ms. O’Looney brought forward a resolution on behalf of the full Board to direct the interim superintendent to explore the possibility of identifying and offering a .5 credit financial literacy course, that will be required for all students beginning with students entering Grade 9 for the 2023–2024 school year (class of 2028), and that the interim superintendent provide a report to the Board about the feasibility of this requirement no later than January 2022. This resolution was to be revisited at the October 26, 2021, Board business meeting, but the Board decided to waive parliamentary procedure and deferred the vote until the next Board Business meeting on November 9, 2021. After receiving a presentation earlier in the evening from the interim superintendent and staff regarding the feasibility of introducing financial literacy coursework for students at all grade levels, the Board approved the resolution.
Read the adopted memorandum.
Recognitions
The Board approved the following recognitions:
Future Meeting
The Board is scheduled to hold its next business meeting on December 2, 2021. The Board will meet in a hybrid format (in-person and virtually). 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, 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.
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