ROCKVILLE, MD—A committee charged with updating the methodology used to assess schools for future modernization has released its report and is seeking public comment on its recommendations.

The Facilities Assessment with Criteria and Testing (FACT) Review Committee included a diverse group of stakeholders whose expertise led to the development of a list of school characteristics—termed FACT assessment parameters—that should be assessed when a school is being evaluated for future modernizations. The committee conducted their work at the request of the Montgomery County Board of Education.

An update on the methodology is needed because Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is nearing the end of the list of elementary schools in the queue for modernization. A new round of 47 facilities will be assessed in FY 2011 for future modernization, including 29 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, and one high school.

Members of the public who wish to provide comments on the recommendations are asked to submit them by May 28, 2010, to Bruce Crispell, director of Long-range Planning, Montgomery County Public Schools, 2096 Gaither Road, Suite 201, Rockville, Maryland 20850, or via email to Bruce_Crispell@mcpsmd.org. The Board of Education is scheduled to hold a work session on modernization and FACT methodology on June 22, 2010, and take final action on the FACT assessment parameters on July 8, 2010.

The FACT Review Committee Report