Board of Education Approves Resolution on Maintenance of Effort Waiver Request, Discusses AP, IB Programs

The Montgomery County Board of Education met on Tuesday, April 14, and, among other items, approved a resolution expressing conditional support for Montgomery County’s request to the State Board of Education for a waiver of the Maintenance of Effort requirement regarding the level of local contribution for funding next year’s school system budget.

The Board also discussed Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate high school programs, approved presentation plans for a school modernization and a school addition project, and discussed the implications of the County’s Shady Grove Sector Plan on Montgomery County Public Schools operations.

FY 2010 Maintenance of Effort Waiver
Due to the fiscal constraints facing Montgomery County, the County Executive and County Council have requested a waiver from the State Board of Education of the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirement for Fiscal Year 2010 school funding. MOE determines how much local funding must be provided in order for a school district to receive its allotted amount of state support, as determined under the state funding formula. In response to the County’s request for the waiver, the Board unanimously approved a resolution noting its conditional support, provided the MCPS budget recommended by the County Executive is fully funded by the County Council, with the possible exception of an adjustment on costs for the pre-funding of retiree health benefits. (See FY2010 Maintenance of Effort Waiver Memo below)

High School Programs—Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate
The Board of Education discussed the school system’s various Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, which have expanded to provide opportunities for more students to take the most challenging courses available. The number of AP courses offered in each MCPS high school has increased dramatically over the past seven years, and the number of AP tests administered in MCPS has nearly doubled during that period. MCPS has 14 schools offering IB programs (at elementary, middle and high school levels), up from only three schools in 1999.

Presentation Plans—Garrett Park ES Modernization and Whetstone ES Addition
The Board approved the preliminary plans for the Garrett Park Elementary School modernization project and for the Whetstone Elementary School addition project.

Implications of Shady Grove Sector Plan on MCPS Transportation Operations
Facilities Management and Transportation staff provided a briefing to the Board regarding the County’s Shady Grove Sector Plan, with its possible implications for the relocation of some MCPS facilities, including the Transportation Department headquarters, a bus depot and other units. Montgomery County’s Smart Growth Initiative will force the Shady Grove transportation and maintenance depots to relocate, as the land use changes from county service park to Metro-centered mixed use.

Legislative Update at Conclusion of Maryland General Assembly
Staff provided a briefing to Board members on some of the most significant legislative outcomes from the Maryland General Assembly session.

Secretaries Week
The Board approved a resolution proclaiming the week of April 20 as Secretaries Week in MCPS and April 22 as Secretaries Day. The Board recognized the competence and dedication of MCPS’s secretarial and clerical employees, and expressed appreciation for their efforts in the effective, courteous and efficient operation of the school system.

National Volunteer Week
The Board approved a resolution observing the week of April 19–25 as National Volunteer Week in Montgomery County Public Schools. More than 30,000 MCPS volunteers—parents, community members, businesspersons and students—help ensure that every student has the opportunity to receive extra academic guidance, mentoring, support and encouragement.



Montgomery County Board of Education: Ms. Shirley Brandman, president; Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, vice president. Members: Mr. Christopher Barclay, Ms. Laura Berthiaume, Dr. Judy Docca, Mr. Phil Kauffman, Ms. Nancy Navarro, and Ms. Quratul-Ann Malik, student member. Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617.

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 county-wide but run at-large or from the Board district in which they reside.