The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) conducted a hybrid (virtual and in-person) business meeting on Tuesday, May 25, 2021.  During the meeting, the Board received an update on MCPS’ recovery plan; discussed student absences and took action on Policy KEA; received an update on the district’s 2.5-Year Project Plan; made several administrative appointments; and approved a resolution regarding the beautification of the Carver Educational Services Center. The agenda for the meeting, with links to related materials, can be viewed on the Board of Education website.

Watch the recording of the May 25, 2021, meeting.

Recovery of Education
The Board received an update and held a discussion on Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) recovery of education plan. All MCPS schools will be open for traditional, in person-learning for students and staff in the 2021–2022 school year. The school year will be more than the 180 days as required by the Maryland State Department of Education, and students and staff will be expected to attend school in person, five days a week. MCPS will share a detailed fall reopening plan with the Board and MCPS community in June and July 2021.

View the PowerPoint Presentation.
Read the Community Update.

Student Absences and Policy KEA, Political Campaigns and Political Materials

MCPS Regulation JEA-RA, Student Attendance, establishes the permissible reasons for excused absences in accordance with the law; however, no Board policy on student absences currently exists. On September 22, 2020, the Board adopted a resolution requesting that the Board’s Policy Management Committee (Committee) review all relevant Board policies and MCPS regulations and explore the possibilities and impact of explicitly permitting excused absences for mental health issues. The Board has directed the Committee to develop a Board policy on student absences for the review and approval of the full Board. The Board also voted to direct the superintendent of schools to revise Section 3(d)(3) of MCPS Regulation JEA-RA and replace “Illness of the Student” with “Student Illness and Well Being.” Additionally, the Board voted to suspend Board Policy KEA, Political Campaigns and Political Materials, Section C(2) regarding student release time for political activity and directed the Committee to review and revise Board Policy KEA in its entirety.

Read the memorandum.

View MCPS Regulation JEA-RA.

View Board Policy KEA.

2.5-Year Project Plan
The Board received a presentation from MCPS staff and discussed the district’s 2.5-Year Project Plan. The MCPS 2.5 Year Project Plan is a critical component of the district’s efforts to meet the needs of all MCPS students.  The project plan, which will enable the district to more accurately identify the level of need and strategically target resources, has four main components:
 

• Mitigate Learning Disruption Across Schools
• Focus on Most Poverty Impacted Schools
• Well-being Support; and
• Digital Learning and Support

The priority areas of this project plan will provide a strategic foundation for the district’s budget priorities over the next 2.5 years. It will help lay the groundwork for how to best serve and support MCPS students and families. As the district develops this targeted plan, it will:
 

• focus on student data; 
• determine how the budget fits into and supports the work and the needs; 
• understand the intended impact of the work, while evaluating the effectiveness of the system’s efforts along the way; and
• ensure that the work aligns with the Board of Education’s strategic plan for the system. 

MCPS will provide more information on the 2.5 year Project Plan and other systemwide strategic priorities through the summer and fall of 2021. 

See the PowerPoint presentation.

Appointments

The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments:

Eugenia S. Dawson, currently director, Department of Materials Management, Office of Operations, as chief of finance and operations, Office of the Superintendent of Schools

Dana E. Edwards, currently director, Department of Certification and Staffing, Office of Human Resources and Development, as chief of districtwide services and supports, Office of the Superintendent of Schools

Ruschelle Reuben, currently associate superintendent, Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement, as chief of teaching, learning, and schools, Office of the Superintendent of Schools

Stephanie S. Sheron, currently executive director, Office of the Deputy Superintendent, as chief of strategic initiatives, Office of the Superintendent of Schools

Stephanie Proctor Williams, currently acting general counsel, Office of the General Counsel, as general counsel, Office of the General Counsel

Rhoshanda M. Pyles, currently principal intern, William H. Farquhar Middle School, as principal, Rockville High School

Dr. Nikisha L. Blackmon, currently principal intern, William Tyler Page Elementary School, as principal, Capt. James E. Daly Elementary School

Recognitions

The Board approved a resolution recognizing Loretta Woods, principal, Whetstone Elementary School, as the 2021 Superintendent’s Annual Mark Mann Excellence and Harmony Award winner.

New Business

The Board of Education approved a resolution regarding the beautification of the Carver Educational Services Center.  The Board directed the superintendent of schools to collaborate with Boy Scout Troop 264 of Brookeville-Olney to beautify the front entrance of the Carver Educational Services Center.

Read the adopted resolution.

Future Meetings

The Board of Education is scheduled to hold its next business meeting on Thursday, June 10, 2021.  The Board will meet in a hybrid format (in-person and virtually).  The agenda is subject to change. 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. Brenda Wolff, president; Ms. Karla Silvestre, vice president.  Members: Dr. Judith Docca, Mrs. Shebra Evans, Mrs. Lynne Harris, Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, and Mr. Nicholas Asante, student member. Dr. Jack R. Smith, superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer, along with Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, deputy superintendent. Office of the Board: 240-740-3030.