The Board of Education met on Monday, May 22, and, among other items, appointed four administrators, approved an amended agreement with SEIU Local 500, and took final action on a policy on board staff operations. The Board discussed the commemoration of George Washington Carver High School and Junior College. The Board also recognized the winner of the Margaret Cutler Interages Award, Champions for Children award winners, and scholarship recipients through the Asian American Education Association and George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy.

Appointments

The Board approved the following administrative appointments:

• Sandra Reece, currently principal intern, Harmony Hills Elementary School, as principal, Bradley Hills Elementary School

• Laura S. Colgary, currently principal, Gallup Hill School, Ledyard Public Schools, Ledyard, Connecticut, as principal, Darnestown Elementary School

• Deborah E. Taylor, currently acting supervisor, Special Education Instruction, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs, as supervisor, Special Education Instruction, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs

• Melissa White, currently instructional specialist, Secondary Reading and English Language Arts, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, as coordinator, High School Literacy, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs

Amended Agreement with SEIU Local 500

The Board approved an amended agreement with SEIU Local 500 for the period July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007.

Policy BNB, Board Staff Management and Operations

The Board took final action on Policy BNB, Board Staff Management and Operations, which establishes the framework for the management and operations of Board of Education staff, including hiring, evaluation, and professional development.

Carver High School and Junior College Historical Commemoration

The Board discussed the significance of a new historic exhibit in the lobby of the Carver Educational Services Center (CESC). “Carver: The Heart of a Community” focuses on the pivotal role of George Washington Carver High School and Junior College in the lives of African American students in Montgomery County. This multimedia exhibit about the school was opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at CESC on Wednesday, May 17, 2006. Among the attendees were teachers, administrators, and students who were part of the Carver community from 1951 to 1960 when the school was open for African American students in Montgomery County.

Margaret Cutler Interages Award

The Board recognized the winner of the Margaret Cutler Interages Award. Gregory H. Bowman, National, State, and Local Government teacher at John F. Kennedy High School, received the award for his support of programs that bring together students and senior citizens.

Asian American Education Association Scholarships

The Asian American Education Association awards scholarships each year to outstanding Asian American students who are committed to becoming future educators. The Board recognized the four recipients of $1,000 scholarships. The students are Xiaowen Hu (Montgomery Blair HS), Nancy Lim (Albert Einstein HS), Hannah Sohn (James Hubert Blake HS), and Olivia Wong (Col. Zadok Magruder HS).

George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy Scholarship Recipients

The Board recognized 15 outstanding students who are receiving $1,000 scholarships for their academic achievement and contributions as tutors and mentors at the George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy programs on Saturday mornings. The students are Sierra Carter (Gaithersburg HS); Benjamin Green (Montgomery Blair HS); Mahi Varma (Northwest HS); Wing Hei Chan, Adri Chaudhuri, Edwin Fernandes, Christa Kizito, Jean-Yves Lubin, My-Phung Pham, Regina Stern, Todd Wright (Paint Branch HS); Derick Joynes (Rockville HS); Megan Jacobs, Ernika Quimby (Sherwood HS); and Steven Santos (Wheaton HS).

Champions for Children

The Board recognized the recipients of awards at the 2006 Champions for Children gala and the Montgomery County Business Roundtable for Education for sponsoring the awards program. Award recipients included Dr. Robert Bastress (Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision), Robert Dahlin (Montgomery County Teacher of the Year), Oliver Riggs, Jr. (SEIU Local 500 Supporting Services Employee of the Year), Stedwick Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (Volunteer Champion for Children), and Doubletree Hotel (Business Champion for Children).