Board of Education Approves Revised Strategic Plan, Sets 2009–2010 Tuition for Nonresident Students

The Montgomery County Board of Education met on Monday, June 22, and, among other items, approved revisions to the school system’s strategic plan, Our Call to Action, Pursuit of Excellence, and set non-resident tuition rates for FY 2010. The Board also appointed administrators, approved appointments to the Montgomery County Collaboration Board for Career and Technology Education, and recognized Vietnamese scholars.

Strategic Plan—Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence
The Montgomery County Board of Education approved the annual revisions to the school system’s strategic plan, Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence. The updates to the 2009–2010 strategic plan include the Board’s revision of the core values to highlight MCPS’s commitment to viewing all students as unique learners and doing whatever it takes to ensure that every child learns and succeeds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, limited English proficiency, socioeconomic status, or disability. The revised strategic plan also includes a new Framework for Equity and Excellence, aimed at ensuring there is a firm commitment to high standards and expectations for all students. The plan reinforces initiatives to raise the bar for student achievement and close the gap in student performance. The Seven Keys to College readiness, a trajectory of high standards, guide school staff and parents to ensure that all students achieve at high levels.

Tuition for Non-resident Students
The Board approved tuition rates for nonresident students for the 2009–2010 school year. Each year’s rates are based on the approved operating budget, cost of debt service, and current revenue funding for the capital budget. The new rates for FY 2010 are:
Elementary (including kindergarten) $14,431 (an increase of $29 over the current school year)
Secondary: $14,131 ( an increase of $63)
Special Education: $30,418 (an increase of $850; rate may change to reflect cost requirements of implementing the IEP)

Administrative Appointments
The Board approved the appointment of six new MCPS administrators, including two new school principals:

Casey B. Crouse, currently principal intern, Argyle Middle School, as principal, Eastern Middle School

Cheryl L. Smith, currently principal intern, Clearspring Elementary School, as principal, Strathmore Elementary School

Sylvia Morrison, currently principal, Northwest High School, as director, Department of Instructional Programs

Philip A. Lynch, currently acting supervisor, Division of School-based Special Education Services, as supervisor, Division of School-based Special Education Services

Charlene M. Parilla, currently instructional specialist, Division of School-based Special Education Services, as supervisor, Division of School-based Special Education Services

Ellen L. Schaefer, currently director, Division of School-based Special Education Services, Office of Special Education and Student Services, as coordinator, Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program

Appointments to Montgomery County Collaboration Board for Career and Technology Education
The Board approved appointments to the Montgomery County Collaboration Board for Career and Technology Education, subject to the concurrence of the Montgomery College Board of Trustees, which makes the appointments of nominees to the 11 Career Cluster Advisory Boards jointly with Montgomery County Public Schools. Appointments are for a one-year term, beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2010. Thomas DeGonia (formerly president of the Law, Government, Public Safety, and Administration Cluster Advisory Board) will continue as president of the Collaboration Board for Career and Technology Education for a term due to expire June 30, 2010.

Recognition of Vietnamese Scholars
The Board congratulated recipients of this year’s Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association academic awards and scholarships. The association recognized 159 MCPS students for excellence in academic performance, leadership skills, and community involvement and awarded $1,000 scholarships for academic achievement to two students: Lin Huynh, Albert Einstein High School; and Kim Xuan Nguyen, Montgomery Blair High School.

# # #
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, 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 countywide but run at-large or from the Board district in which they reside.