ROCKVILLE, MD—The Montgomery County Board of Education met on Thursday, July 8, and, among other items, discussed corollary athletics for students with and without disabilities and adapted physical education. The Board approved seven administrative appointments; took tentative action on Policy FKB, Modernization/Renovation; and passed a resolution to refine criteria for assessing facilities for modernization. The Board also approved preliminary plans for the Beverly Farms Elementary School modernization project.

Corollary Athletics and Adapted Physical Education
The Board of Education discussed a presentation on corollary athletics and adapted physical education. In response to the Fitness and Athletics Equity Act passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2008, MCPS recently established the Corollary Sports Program, designed to create additional opportunities for students with and without disabilities to participate in competitive athletics. Five high schools piloted allied softball teams during the 2010 spring season. Unified track and field will be offered at seven high schools this fall, and unified bocce will be offered at seven high schools in winter 2010–2011. Beginning in the 2011 spring season, allied softball will be an option at all 25 MCPS high schools. MCPS has published adapted physical education guidelines and will train all physical education teachers on procedures and delivery models by January 2011. All schools are expected to fully implement the guidelines for adapted physical education by the 2011–2012 school year.

Human Resources Appointments
The Board approved the appointments of the following administrators:
- Scott R. Steffan, currently principal intern, Highland Elementary School, as principal, Highland Elementary School
- Stephanie D. Brant, currently principal intern, Fox Chapel Elementary School, as principal, Gaithersburg Elementary School
- John D. Ewald, currently principal, Westbrook Elementary School, as principal, College Gardens Elementary School
- Stanislaw S. Damas, currently attorney in private practice, as director, Department of Association Relations
- Moriah A. Martin, currently staff development teacher, James Hubert Blake High School, as Administrative Assistant, Office of Human Resources and Development
- Helen A. Nixon, currently coordinator, Roberto W. Clemente Middle School, as coordinator, Teacher Recruitment and Staffing, Department of Recruitment and Staffing, Office of Human Resources and Development
- Kisha Logan, currently arts resource teacher, A. Mario Loiederman Middle School, as magnet coordinator, A. Mario Loiederman Middle School

Tentative Action, Policy FKB, Modernization/Renovation
The Board tentatively approved updated Policy FKB, Modernization/Renovation. The focus of the policy was shifted to sustaining schools in good condition through systematic life-cycle asset replacement, as well as modernization. The revisions acknowledge that improved initial construction methods now enable MCPS to extend the useful life of school buildings and the length of time before full modernization/replacement of schools is required.  Policy FKB will be sent out for public comment.

Recommendations for Facilities Assessment with Criteria and Testing (FACT) Assessment Parameters
The Facilities Assessment with Criteria and Testing (FACT) instrument is the tool the school system uses to assess schools for modernization. Following FACT committee recommendations in April and the superintendent’s recommendation in June, the Board on July 8 passed a resolution to further refine the process, including identification of measures, weights and overall scoring approach, with stakeholder input.  The Board also voted to include the stand-alone special education centers in the list of schools assessed for modernization, with the caveat that the superintendent may consider collocation before modernization.  The complete FACT methodology will be presented to the Board in September for review, and the school assessment process will be conducted in FY 2011 for identified schools. Newly assessed schools will be added at the end of the list of schools already in the queue for modernization so the schedule for previously assessed schools will remain unchanged.

Preliminary Plan—Beverly Farms ES Modernization Project
The Board approved the preliminary architectural plans report for the Beverly Farms Elementary School modernization project.


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Montgomery County Board of Education: Ms. Patricia O’Neill, president; Mr. Christopher Barclay, vice president. Members: Ms. Laura Berthiaume, Ms. Shirley  Brandman, Dr. Judy Docca, Mr. Michael Durso, Mr. Phil Kauffman, and Mr. Alan Xie, 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.