The Board of Education met on Tuesday [January 13] and, among other items, approved an implementation plan for the policy on grading and reporting, approved a policy on school trips, and tentatively approved a policy on informational material and announcements. The Board also approved an administrative appointment, approved preliminary plans for an addition to Rosemont Elementary School, and voted to establish the Montgomery County Collaborative Board for Career and Technology Education.

In addition, the Board approved a cost-neutral amendment to the superintendent’s contract, approved the observance of African American History Month, recognized the expansion of the Summer Food Service Program, and discussed the proposal for tiered high school diplomas made by the Maryland State Department of Education. The Board also approved a certificate of achievement for students completing the IB Middle Years Programme and a study of county demographic patterns, and designated the student member of the Board as the liaison to the Student Advisory Committee.

Implementation Plan for Grading and Reporting Policy

The Board approved a multiyear plan for implementing Policy IKA, Grading and Reporting. Partial implementation is scheduled to begin in the 2004-2005 school year by establishing procedures to support the meaning of the grade as a reflection of student achievement. The following year, procedures will be established to support the meaning of a grade based on course or grade-level standards. Critical points of the implementation process in elementary, middle, and high schools will be identified and reported to the Board in May 2004. Components of the implementation include a professional development plan, professional development schedule, and specific deliverables for each year of the plan. Full implementation is expected by 2009.

Policy IPD, Travel Study Programs, Class, and Student Organization Trips

The Board adopted revised Policy IPD, Travel Study Programs, Class and Student Organization Trips, after a period of public comment. The policy provides guidance for planning and approving various types of school trips.

Policy CNA, Advertising Material and Announcements

The Board tentatively approved for public comment amended Policy CNA, Advertising Material and Announcements, that sets forth the criteria for posting or distributing informational material or announcements. The revised policy has been renamed Informational Material and Announcements to properly reflect the scope of the policy.

Appointments

The Board approved the following administrative appointment:

§ David S. Cross, currently instructional specialist, Division of Placement and Assessment Services, as coordinator, Autism Waiver Project, Department of Special Education.

Preliminary Plans for Rosemont Elementary School Addition

The Board approved preliminary plans for an addition to Rosemont Elementary School.

Montgomery County Collaboration Board for Career and Technology

The Board, in tandem with the Montgomery College Board of Trustees, voted to establish the Montgomery County Collaboration Board for Career and Technology Education to serve in an advisory capacity to both boards. The Board of Education also voted to dissolve the Montgomery County Advisory Council for Career and Technology Education in light of the formation of the new advisory group.

Cost-Neutral Amendment to Superintendent’s Contract

The Board approved a cost-neutral amendment to the contract of Superintendent Jerry D. Weast setting forth the terms of his participation in the Montgomery County Supplementary Pension Plan.

MSDE Proposal on Diplomas

The Board discussed the proposal by the Maryland State Department of Education to provide tiered diplomas for high school graduation and the repercussions of the varying criteria for earning these diplomas.

African American History Month

The Board approved the observance of African American History Month in Montgomery County Public Schools during February 2004, and encouraged staff, students and community to honor the contributions of African Americans in the county, state, and nation.

Certificate of Appreciation from USDA for Summer Food Service Program

The Board of Education recognized County Council Member Michael Subin and the Division of Food and Nutrition Services for their commitment to community outreach in expanding the Summer Food Service Program. The United States Department of Agriculture has recognized these efforts with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Middle Years Programme Certificate

The Board voted to provide a certificate of recognition to students at Richard Montgomery High School who complete the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, the first program of its kind in Montgomery County Public Schools.

Demographic Changes in Montgomery County

The Board authorized its Subcommittee on Research and Evaluation to participate in a cooperative effort with county agencies to examine patterns of demographic change in Montgomery County.

Student Advisory Committee

The Board recognized the Student Advisory Committee as a Board advisory committee and designated the student member of the Board as liaison to the Committee.

Board of Education: Ms. Sharon W. Cox, president; Mr. Reginald M. Felton, vice president. Members: Mr. Kermit V. Burnett, Dr. Charles Haughey, Mr. Walter N. Lange, Mrs. Patricia B. O’Neill, Mr. Gabe Romero, and Mr. Sagar Sanghvi, student member. Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent and secretary treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617.