Board of Education Approves Modernization of Three Schools; Hears Update on Superintendent's Transition Report

September 14, 2011

The Montgomery County Board of Education held its regular business meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011, in the Board Meeting Room of the Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville. You can view the agenda for the meeting online, and, in the near future, minutes and video of this meeting will also be posted on the Board website. Below is a brief summary of the meeting:

Oral Update on the Opening of Schools
The Board of Education received an oral update from MCPS staff on the opening of the 2011-2012 school year. The enrollment of approximately 147,000 students is slightly above MCPS staff projections, due mostly to higher than expected enrollment at the kindergarten level. Staff also reported that 738 new teachers have been hired.

Fiscal Year 2013 Operating Budget Issues
The Board of Education discussed broad interests and goals for the Fiscal Year 2013 budget process. Superintendent of Schools Joshua P. Starr led the Board in the discussion to ensure that MCPS staff and the superintendent are fully aware of the interests of the Board as they develop recommendations for the operating budget for Fiscal Year 2013.

Modernization of Wheaton High School and Thomas Edison High School of Technology
The Board of Education, in an 8-0 vote, approved the superintendent of schools’ recommendation to modernize Wheaton High School and Thomas Edison High School of Technology by constructing two buildings on a single site. The two schools currently share an aging, single facility. The completion date of the entire project would be August 2018, pending approval of funding by the Montgomery County Council for construction funds in the Fiscal Year 2013–2018 Capital Improvements Program.

Modernization of William H. Farquhar Middle School
The Board of Education, in an 8-0 vote, approved the superintendent of schools’ recommendation to modernize William H. Farquhar Middle School by building a three-story replacement facility on property adjacent to the current facility. This "land swap" arrangement allows students to remain in the current facility during construction of the new middle school and would eliminate the need to bus students to the Tilden Holding Center during the two-year construction period. The modernization of William H. Farquhar Middle School is scheduled for construction during the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 school years, with completion in August 2015.

Oral Update on Superintendent’s Transition Report
Superintendent of Schools Joshua P. Starr provided the Board an update on his transition report, which will be ready for final release to the Board and the public by Monday, September 19, 2011. Dr. Starr highlighted five key themes in the forthcoming report, which are differentiation within and among schools, classrooms and students; communications and relationships with stakeholders; implementation of vision, mission and policies in practice; design and delivery of professional development initiatives; and issues of race and equity.

Administrative Appointments

The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments:

Dana M. Tofig, currently director of strategic communications and outreach, Achieve, Inc., as director, Department of Public Information and Web Services, Office of Communications.

Final Action, Policy IOD, Education of English Language Learners
The Board of Education, on a vote of 8-0, approved a resolution to adopt Policy IOD, relating to the education of English language learners.

Non-Substantive Changes to Four Policies
The Board of Education, in an 8-0 vote, approved non-substantive changes to the following policies: Policy HDA, Designation of the MCEA as Exclusive Representative; Policy HDB, Designation of the MCAASP as Exclusive Representative; Policy HDC, Recognition of a Supporting Services Employees Organization; Policy HDD, Designation of the MCAASP as Exclusive Representative of Noncertificated Supervisory Employees.

Hispanic Heritage Month
The Board of Education, in an 8-0 vote, approved a resolution to declare that September 15, 2011—October 15, 2011 be observed as Hispanic Heritage Month.

Superintendent’s Annual Mark Mann Excellence and Harmony Award
The Board of Education, in an 8-0 vote, approved a resolution congratulating Ms. Catherine A. Jasperse, principal of Rock Creek Valley Elementary School, for being chosen as the 2011 recipient of the Mark Mann Excellence and Harmony Award. The award is presented annually to a Montgomery County Public Schools administrator who has shown exceptional performance in promoting academic excellence, positive human relations, and community outreach.

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