The Board of Education met on Tuesday [May 11] and, among other items, approved a change in the implementation schedule for the Grading and Reporting policy. The Board also ratified agreements with employee organizations and approved changes in the 2004-2005 school calendar. The Board appointed eight administrators and approved a change in the fee for Outdoor Education. In addition, the Board recognized recipients of NAACP scholarships and saluted school food and nutrition services personnel.

Update on Implementation of Policy IKA, Grading and Reporting

The Board reviewed an update on Policy IKA, Grading and Reporting, that modifies the multi-year implementation plan initially approved on January 13, 2004, to allow high school principals an additional year to prepare their school communities for implementation of the academic meaning of the grade. High school principals will develop detailed plans for policy implementation in the 2005-2006 school year.

Amended Agreements with Employee Organizations

The Board joined the presidents of the three employee representative organizations in signing multi-year contract agreements on wages, salaries, and working conditions for personnel of the Montgomery County Public Schools. The employee organizations are the Montgomery County Association of Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (MCAASP), the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), and SEIU Local 500.

Revisions to the 2004-2005 School Year Calendar

The Board approved revisions to the 2004-2005 school calendar and contingency calendar to eliminate some professional days for teachers, combine certain early release days into single days, and add new early release days for planning and grading. As the result of the changes, the last day of school for students will be moved from June 16 to June 15, 2005.

Outdoor Education Student Fees

The Board approved an increase in the student fee for the residential portion of the Outdoor Education Program by $8 for a total fee of $76.

Appointments

The Board approved the following administrative appointments:

· Susan B. Barranger, currently principal intern at Highland View Elementary School, as principal of the school.

· Janet B. Lopez, currently principal, Sligo Creek Elementary School, as principal, Cloverly Elementary School.

· Dollye V. McClain, currently assistant principal, Montgomery Village Middle School, as principal, Neelsville Middle School.

· Jan J. Riley, currently acting principal, Brown Station Elementary School, as principal of the school.

· Alison L. Serino, currently assistant principal, Parkland Middle School, as principal, Col. Joseph Belt Middle School.

· Kay K. Williams, currently interim program supervisor, Secondary English/Language Arts, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, as program supervisor.

· Eric A. Wilson, currently principal intern at Stonegate Elementary School, as principal of the school.

· Christopher Wynne, currently principal intern at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, as principal, Greenwood Elementary School.

Salute to School Food and Nutrition Services Personnel

The Board recognized food and nutrition services personnel in honor of the 19th Salute to School Food and Nutrition Services Personnel Day, recognizing contributions made by these valuable employees in serving more than 11 million meals annually.

NAACP Scholarship Recipients

The Board congratulated the nine recipients of $1,000 NAACP scholarships on behalf of the superintendent, staff, students, and parents of Montgomery County Public Schools.