The Board of Education met on Tuesday [June 10] and, among other items, approved a strategic plan for Montgomery County Public Schools and a staffing plan for special education. The Board also approved revisions to the 2003-2004 school calendar and final changes in the FY 2004 Operating Budget following County Council action. In addition, the Board ratified negotiated agreements with two employee associations that had been amended, made six administrative appointments, and approved preliminary plans for Wheaton Middle School #2. The Board also recognized Leadership Montgomery Youth Community Service Leadership award winners.

Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence

The Board approved, as amended, Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence -The Strategic Plan for the Montgomery County Public Schools 2003-2007. The plan reinforces the initiatives that have been implemented since the Board adopted Our Call to Action in November 1999 and establishes the direction and priorities of the system for the next five years. The plan also serves as the basis for The Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act master plan which requires local school systems to integrate state, federal, and local funding and initiatives into a comprehensive master plan to improve student achievement for all students and narrow achievement gaps among subgroups of students.

Special Education Staffing Plan

The Board approved a multi-year special education staffing plan for FY 2004-2008 that will be submitted to the Maryland State Department of Education. The plan, which incorporates public input, sets forth staffing patterns of service providers of special education and related services and includes a plan for local accountability and monitoring.

Revisions to the 2003-2004 School Calendar

The Board approved revisions to the 2003-2004 school year calendar resulting from final action on the FY 2004 Operating Budget that requires the elimination of two professional days for teachers. There will be no professional days on October 17 and March 19, the May 5 professional day will be moved to April 30 to accommodate AP exams, and the last day of school for students will be June 15, 2004, changed from June 16. The last day for teachers will be June 16, changed from June 17. The contingency calendar also was altered to extend the school year by as many as five days to make up instructional days lost to weather and other emergencies.

Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget

The Board approved the final changes in the Fiscal Year 2004 operating budget, incorporating, among other changes, $17.5 million in additional reductions through cuts to central office and non-instructional support services and employee compensation. The County Council had approved a $1.5 billion budget appropriation, approximately 99 percent of the Board’s request.

Negotiated Agreements

The Board ratified agreements that had been amended to reflect budget reductions with the Montgomery County Education Association (employee association representing teachers) and the Montgomery County Association of Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (representing administrative and supervisory personnel).

Appointments

The Board approved the following administrative appointments:

§ Carl L. Baskerville, currently assistant principal at Wheaton Woods Elementary School, as principal of Rolling Terrace Elementary School.

§ Charlotte Chakan Boucher, currently coordinator, International Baccalaureate Program, Richard Montgomery High School, as principal of Eastern Middle School.

§ Amy D. Bryant, currently assistant principal at Rachel Carson Elementary School, as principal of Germantown Elementary School.

§ Catherine Ann Jasperse, currently principal intern at Broad Acres Elementary School, as principal of Rock Creek Valley Elementary School.

§ Peter Ostrander, currently computer science teacher at Takoma Park Middle School, as coordinator, Upcounty Middle School Center Program.

§ Jim Slemp, currently assistant superintendent, Eugene School District, Eugene, Oregon, as principal of Gaithersburg High School.


Preliminary Plans for Wheaton Middle School #2

The Board approved preliminary plans for Wheaton Middle School #2, which will be located at the former Belt Junior High School.


Leadership Montgomery Youth Community Service Leadership Awards

The Board recognized the five winners of Youth Community Service Leadership Awards from Leadership Montgomery. The students were honored for their leadership in contributing to the community.
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Board of Education: Mrs. Patricia B. O’Neill, president; Ms. Sharon W. Cox, vice president. Members: Mr. Kermit V. Burnett, Mr. Reginald M. Felton, Dr. Charles Haughey, Mr. Walter N. Lange, Mr. Gabe Romero, and Mr. Mihyar Alnifaidy, student member. Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent and secretary treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617.