The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) met on Monday, February 10, 2020, at Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. During the meeting, the Board tentatively adopted a Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 operating budget recommendation; voted to renew Superintendent Jack R. Smith’s contract; received a presentation on the annual report for the 2018–2019 school year; and discussed items of legislation.

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

Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget

The Board of Education voted unanimously to tentatively adopt a $2.805 billion budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. This includes an increase of $124.1 million from FY 2020, which will allow the district to manage significant enrollment growth and focus on strategic investments to address disparities in student achievement. The recommended budget includes $23.7 million to expand and implement strategic key bodies of work.

The Board’s tentative adoption of the operating budget reflects input from an array of stakeholders, including staff, parents, students and community members. The Board held two budget hearings and two work sessions. Following the hearings and work sessions, the Board proposed and tentatively approved amendments to the FY 2021 budget at the meeting. These amendments total $1.0 million and include the following:

• three additional counselor positions to support schools and students;
• the restoration of three learning and academic instructional specialists that were realigned in the recommended budget; and
• one staffing specialist to support the hiring of new personnel.

The Board will submit its budget request to Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council by March 1, 2020. County Executive Elrich is expected to release his budget recommendation on March 16, 2020. The Montgomery County Council will hold public hearings on the county budget in April before passing a final budget on May 21, 2020. After the County Council’s action, the Board of Education will vote on June 11, 2020, for final adoption of the FY 2021 operating budget.

Read the Board Memorandum.

Read the Press Release.

Superintendent’s Contract

The Board unanimously voted to offer Superintendent Jack R. Smith a new, four-year contract. Dr. Smith’s first contract will end on June 30, 2020. The new contract will run through June 30, 2024. The details of the new contract are under negotiation. Dr. Smith thanked the Board for their support and shared his vision for MCPS for the next four years. As part of his plan, Dr. Smith outlined significant changes to the district’s central administration structure. To view the details of the plan and the new draft organizational chart, click here.

Annual Report for the 2018–2019 School Year

The Board received a presentation from MCPS staff and held a discussion on the district’s interactive online 2019 Annual Report to the Community. The Annual Report to the Community includes highlights from the 2018–2019 school year and the factors driving change in the district. The report provides the community with information about who we are, student performance data, operational performance data, and the steps MCPS has taken to fulfill its vision and mission.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Positions on Education Legislation
The Board discussed proposed legislation that could impact MCPS, as well as the recommended positions and whether the bills are consistent with the Board’s legislative platform.

Read the Recommended Board Positions (NOTE: Actual Board voted on these legislative bills may differ from staff recommendations)

Positions on Educational Legislation

The Board discussed legislation that will be considered by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2020 Maryland legislative session.

Recommended positions

Preliminary Plans Presentation for the Northwood High School Addition/Facility Upgrade Project

The Board approved the preliminary plans for the Northwood High School addition and facility upgrade project. The architect for the project prepared a schematic design and the school advisory committee for the project provided input for the proposed schematic design.

Read the resolution.
 

Recognitions

The Board approved the following resolutions:

A resolution recognizing February 2020, as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month;

A resolution recognizing February 3–7, 2020, as Career and Technology Education Month

Future Meetings

The Board of Education will hold its next regular business meeting Monday, February 24, 2020.  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: Mrs. Shebra L. Evans, president; Ms. Brenda Wolff, vice president. Members: Ms. Jeanette E. Dixon, Dr. Judith Docca, Ms. Karla Silvestre, Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, and Mr. Nathaniel Tinbite, student member. Dr. Jack R. Smith, superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 240-740-3030.