The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) met on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville.  During the meeting, the Board received a presentation and discussed options for the 2019–2020 school year calendar; and approved the preliminary plans for Montgomery Knolls Elementary School and Pine Crest Elementary School Addition Projects.

The agenda for the meeting, with links to related materials, can be viewed on the Board of Education website.

Presentation and Discussion of Options for the 2019–2020 School Year Calendar

The Board received a presentation regarding the development of the 2019—2020 school year calendar.

On November 14, 2017, the Board voted unanimously to “request that the school system conduct a comprehensive calendar survey of staff, parents/guardians, and the community regarding their desired operational closures for use in developing the 2019–2020 calendar” (Resolution 463-17).  In spring 2018, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) staff worked with Hanover Research Council, LLC, to develop and administer the comprehensive calendar survey as approved by the Board, an unprecedented step to communicate individually with every staff member and family in the MCPS community.

The Committee reviewed the results of the survey at its July 19, 2018, meeting. The overview presentation report detailing the results is attached to the October 9, 2018 memorandum to the Board (Attachment A) and also is available on the MCPS website.

In August 2018, staff in the Office of the Chief Operating Officer began the process of developing the instructional calendar framework for the 2019–2020 school year.  The development process also included forming and obtaining feedback from an internal work group with representatives from MCPS offices and a focus group comprised representatives from several entities.  General parameters of the calendar are based on Governor Larry Hogan’s Executive Order, which remains in place for the 2019–2020 school year, as well as closings mandated by state law.

Two primary scenarios were presented to the Board, which are included with the memorandum referenced above as Attachment C.  The Board is seeking community feedback regarding both draft calendars prior to taking any action.

In addition to the 2019–2020 school year calendar, the Board discussed the innovative school year calendar for Arcola and Roscoe R. Nix elementary schools, including the approval of the waiver submitted to the Maryland State Board of Education to start the school year earlier than the Tuesday after Labor Day.

The Board and staff members will continue to seek input from stakeholders in consideration of the recommended school year calendar and the implementation of the innovative school year calendar and instructional program.  It is anticipated that both calendars will come before the Board for final approval later this fall.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

View the PowerPoint presentation.

Preliminary Plans Presentation for Montgomery Knolls Elementary School Addition Project

The Board approved the preliminary plans for the Montgomery Knolls Elementary School addition project.  The architect for the proposed Montgomery Knolls Elementary School addition project prepared a schematic design, and the Facility Advisory Committee for the addition project provided input for the proposed schematic design.

Read the Resolution.

Preliminary Plans Presentation for Pine Crest Elementary School Addition Project

The Board approved the preliminary plans for the Pine Crest Elementary School addition project.  The architect for the proposed Pine Crest Elementary School addition project prepared a schematic design, and the Facility Advisory Committee for the addition project provided input for the proposed schematic design.

Read the Resolution.

Facilities and School Construction

The Board of Education awarded contracts for the architectural appointments for the Silver Spring International Middle School Addition and the Charles W. Woodward High School Reopening projects.

Recognition

The Board approved the resolution recognizing October 22 to 26, 2018, as National School Bus Safety Week.

Future Meetings

The Board of Education will hold its next regular business meeting on Monday, October 29, 2018. Please check the Board of Education website and 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. Michael Durso, president; Mrs. Shebra Evans, vice president. Members: Ms. Jeanette E. Dixon, Dr. Judith Docca, Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, Ms. Jill Ortman-Fouse, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, and Ms. Ananya Tadikonda, student member. Dr. Jack R. Smith, superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 240-740-3030.