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Board Meeting Summary: 1/11/2000 Board Approves Effort to Strengthen Grading, Adopts Policy on Naming Schools, Appoints Senior Staff, Discusses Youth Safety with Police

January 12, 2000
The Board of Education met in public session yesterday [Tuesday, January 11] and, among other items, approved an effort to gain more consistency in the grading of students systemwide. The Board also amended the policy for naming of new schools, and appointed new senior-level administrators.

The Board also engaged in a dialogue with Chief of Police Charles Moose about youth safety in motor vehicles and the use of School Resource Officers to improve school security. The Board also discussed student service learning and community service and reviewed county financial status with Montgomery County government officials.

The Board amended the guidelines for student choice in the Northeast Consortium. The Board also approved the observance of February as African American History Month.

Grading and Reporting

The Board approved the superintendent's recommendation to form a work group to identify ways to improve consistency among schools in the grading of student performance. The Board focused on variability in grading standards among schools and within schools, especially on final exams. The Board discussed the overall process of grading and the reporting of grades to students and parents.

Naming of Schools

The Board amended the policy on naming schools to establish an equitable process by which new schools are named. The new process allows community representatives to add up to two names to a proposed list of four potential school names provided by the Board. Communities also will make priority recommendations for final name selection.

Dialogue with Chief of Police

The Board met with Montgomery County Chief of Police Charles A. Moose who presented preliminary ideas regarding the establishment of a countywide program of School Resource Officers to assist schools in safety and security issues and law enforcement education, including driver and vehicle education.

Personnel Appointments

The superintendent announced the administrative placement of Judie A. Muntner, currently principal of Beall Elementary School, as interim associate superintendent, Office of Instruction and Program Development.

In addition, the Board approved the following administrative appointments:

  • Dr. James A. Williams, currently retired superintendent, Dayton Public Schools, as deputy superintendent, Office of Organizational Development.

  • Pat Abrunzo, currently principal on special assignment, Office of School Performance and Accountability, as performance director, Office of School Performance and Accountability.

  • Donna S. Hollingshead, currently assistant principal, Seneca Valley High School, as performance director, Office of School Performance and Accountability.

  • LaVerne S. Kimball, currently principal, Burning Tree Elementary School, as performance director, Office of School Performance and Accountability.

  • Cynthia A. Rattley, currently principal on special assignment, Office of School Performance and Accountability, as performance director, Office of School Performance and Accountability.

  • Angelia E. Saunders, currently assistant principal, Quince Orchard High School, as performance director, Office of School Performance and Accountability.

  • Dr. Donna J. Weldin, currently principal, Strawberry Knoll Elementary School, as performance director, Office of School Performance and Accountability.

  • Mark X. Burke, currently director of construction, Loudon County Public Schools, as director, Division of Construction.

    Northeast Consortium Preferred Choice Guidelines

    The Board amended the guidelines for preferred choice student assignments in the three high schools of the Northeast Consortium (James Hubert Blake, Paint Branch, and Springbook). The guidelines include a standard of 80 to 100 percent of school utilization or 80 to 100 percent of projected enrollment based on official September enrollment data or the spring update, whichever is available at the time of choice assignment decisions.

    Student Service Learning

    The Board discussed the requirements for student service learning credits and the practices among schools and students for earning those credits in middle schools and high schools, including the trend away from earning credits only through activities imbedded in courses.

    County's Economic Outlook and Financial Prospects

    The Board received a briefing on most recent information on the Montgomery County economy and how it is likely to affect potential revenues available for future school operating and capital budgets. The presentation included data about inflation, job growth, housing growth and real estate projections, and population increases.

    Legislative Items

    The Board strongly opposed a proposed local legislative bill, Montgomery County Public Schools 12-00 "Public Hearings on Transportation of Students," which would require the Board to hold a hearing on an appeal of the superintendent's decision to add, delete, or move a bus stop or route.

    African American History Month

    The Board approved the recognition of February as African American History Month to "encourage staff, students, parents, and community to actively engage in the observance of the contributions of African Americans in Montgomery County, the state, and the nation and enhance the awareness of the impact of attitudes and expectations on the achievement of African American students."

    Board of Education: Mrs. Patricia B. O'Neill president, Mr. Kermit V. Burnett vice president. Members: Mr. Steve Abrams, Mrs. Beatrice Gordon, Mr. Reginald M. Felton, Ms. Nancy J. King, Ms. Mona M. Signer and Ms. Laura Sampedro, student member. Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent and secretary treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617

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