Board of Education Discusses Enrollment, Career Readiness

October 20, 2014

Board also approves Comprehensive Master Plan; takes tentative action on policies

The Montgomery County Board of Education met on Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. Among other items, the Board received an update on enrollment and the Capital Improvements Program, gave final approval on the district’s Comprehensive Master Plan, and discussed career readiness. The agenda for the meeting, with links to related materials, can be viewed on the Board of Education website. You can also watch the video of the meeting by clicking here.

MCPS Enrollment and Capital Improvements Program

The Board receive its annual report on enrollment and demographic trends for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Preliminary enrollment in MCPS this year is 154,230 students, a one-year increase of more than 2,800 students and an increase of 16,000 students since 2007. Most of the enrollment increase since 2007 has occurred in elementary schools, although that growth is now moving into MCPS secondary schools. This will result in significant enrollment increases and space shortages in middle and high schools in the coming years. Superintendent Joshua Starr will submit his Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Capital Budget and amendments to the FY 2015-2020 Capital Improvements Program on October 28.

View the PowerPoint presentation

Comprehensive Master Plan

The Board of Education gave final approval to the district’s Comprehensive Master Plan (Master Plan). Under the state of Maryland’s Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act of 2002, each school district must submit a Comprehensive Master Plan that links budgetary decisions to school improvement efforts. Bridge to Excellence requires the Maryland State Department of Education to set academic content and student achievement standards and to ensure that schools and students have sufficient resources to meet those standards. By design, the legislation requires school systems to integrate state, federal and local funding and initiatives into the Master Plan.

View the Comprehensive Master Plan Executive Summary

Career Readiness

The Board received a presentation from MCPS staff and held a discussion on the district’s efforts to ensure that all students graduate ready for college and the workplace. MCPS’ vision for 21st century college and career readiness is to increase the number of options a student may have upon graduation. The district is working to improve and increase these opportunities through four key initiatives—the implementation of Career Readiness Skills in all curricular areas, the expansion of project-based and problem-based learning, renewed support for diverse career pathways, and expansion of externships for MCPS staff. Success upon high school graduation will be defined as—

· Enrolling in credit-bearing college courses with no need for remediation,
· Earning a living wage,
· Entering the military,
· Completing technical school,
· Receiving industry training and certification,
· Earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree after graduation, and
· Earning college credits or an associate’s degree before graduation.

Staff members in the offices of School Support and Improvement, the Chief Academic Officer and the Office of the Chief Operating Officer are working to finalize an action plan that will guide the district in its efforts to innovate and engage students, staff members and the community and improve teaching and learning.

Read the memo

Policy GHC: Salaries and Other Benefits of Professional Personnel

The Board took tentative action on Policy GHC, Salaries and Other Benefits of Professional Personnel. Policy GHC provides guidelines for publishing salary schedules; assuring placement of administrators and supervisors; business and operations administrators, and teacher-level employees; rehiring retirees; and establishing anniversary dates. This policy has been updated to align the policy with negotiated agreements and current practice. The recommended revisions also include updated directory information and references to current law. The Board’s Policy Management Committee reviewed Policy GHC in May and July 2014. The proposed amendments were developed in consultation with employee associations. Policy GHC will now be distributed for public comment and will be considered for final approval at a future meeting.

See the changes in the policy

Policy GIH: Funding Other Postemployment Benefits

The Board also took tentative action on Policy GIH, Funding Other Postemployment Benefits. Policy GIH sets forth the priorities of the Board regarding funding of post-employment health benefits for eligible retirees, also known as Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB). The policy has been updated to align with actions taken by the County Council related to MCPS’ trust to fund the current retiree OPEB and contributing money to the countywide trust. The Board’s Policy Management Committee reviewed Policy GIH in February and July 2014. Policy GIH will now be distributed for public comment and will be considered for final approval at a future meeting.

See the changes in the policy

Resolutions: The Board approved the following resolutions:
- A resolution declaring the month of November to be observed as American Indian Heritage Month, and to celebrate November 28, 2014, as American Indian Heritage Day
-A resolution declaring October 20 , 2014 through November 21, 2014 as the period for participation in the Montgomery County Public Schools Employees Charity Campaign
-A resolution declaring October 20-24 as National School Bus Safety Week

Future Meetings

The Board will meet on Monday, October 27, 2014, for its next regular business meeting. Please check the Board of Education meeting calendar for further information.

About the Board of Education

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.

Montgomery County Board of Education: Mr. Philip Kauffman, president; Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, vice president. Members: Mr. Christopher Barclay, Ms. Shirley Brandman, Dr. Judy Docca, Mr. Michael Durso, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, and Ms. Dahlia Huh, student member. Dr. Joshua P. Starr, superintendent and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617.

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