The Montgomery County Board of Education met on Monday, June 27, and, among other agenda items, bid farewell to outgoing Superintendent Jerry D. Weast and considered two applications for charter schools. The Board also took action on tuition rates for nonresident students, set prices for school breakfast and lunch, approved administrative appointments, made appointments to two advisory committees, awarded facilities contracts, and recognized Vietnamese scholars.

Farewell to Dr. Weast
The Board of Education bid farewell to Dr. Jerry D. Weast, outgoing superintendent of schools, who is retiring on June 30 after serving as superintendent for 12 years. The farewell presentation was highlighted by expressions of appreciation from each Board member  and a slideshow featuring outstanding moments in Dr. Weast’s tenure with the school system.

Consideration of Charter School Applications
The Board discussed the superintendent’s recommendation to approve the application for Community Montessori Public Charter School, a proposed Pre-K–3 Montessori school with wraparound services; and to deny the application of Seneca Creek Public Charter School, a proposed K–8 school with an emphasis on using the environment as an integrating context for learning. If approved by the Board, the Community Montessori Public Charter School would be the first charter school in Montgomery County. Superintendent Jerry D. Weast’s recommendation was made after an extensive process containing four levels of review and input from numerous content experts, including final recommendations by the review panel of internal and external stakeholders on June 2 and concurrence by Deputy Superintendent of Schools Frieda Lacey. The Board is scheduled to take action on the proposals at their meeting on July 7, 2011.

Tuition for Nonresident Students
The Board set the tuition rates for nonresident students for FY 2012 at the same level as FY 2011: $13,594 for elementary (including kindergarten) and $13,584 for secondary students. Tuition rates for special education students in FY 2012 will reflect the cost requirements of implementing the Individualized Education Program—a change from the current practice of charging a single standard rate for special education students.

Recommended Fiscal Year 2012 Fees for the Food and Nutrition Services Program
The Board voted to maintain the current FY 2011 prices for school meals for FY 2012. Lunch prices will remain at $2.50 for elementary students, $2.75 for secondary students, and 40 cents for all reduced-price eligible students. Breakfast for elementary and secondary students will be $1.30; students who are eligible for reduced-price meals will receive breakfast at no cost. The Division of Food and Nutrition Services will continue to focus on outreach to students and parents as part of an ongoing marketing plan to increase average daily student participation for breakfast and lunch.

Human Resources Appointments
The Board approved the appointments of the following administrators:

· Denise M. DeFiore, currently staff development specialist, Department of Instructional Leadership Support, as director, Staff Development Teacher Project Team

· Loretta M. Favret, currently principal, S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, as director, Administrative and Supervisory Professional Growth System—Elementary

· Krishnanda A. Tallur, currently senior specialist, Position and Salary administration, as director, Functional Administration, Department of Financial Services

· Amy S. Cropp, currently coordinator, Preschool Education Program, as supervisor, Child Find/Early Childhood Disabilities Unit

· Mildred L. Charley-Greene, currently assistant principal, Albert Einstein High School, as principal, Takoma Park Middle School

· Irina LaGrange, currently assistant principal, A. Mario Loiederman Middle School, as principal, Tilden Middle School

· Ruschelle Reuben, currently principal intern, Paint Branch High School, as principal, Benjamin Banneker Middle School

· Carla Glawe, currently principal intern, Stonegate Elementary School, as principal, Olney Elementary School

· Katherine W. Lertora, currently instructional specialist, School-Based Special Education Services, as coordinator, Stephen Knolls School