The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) conducted a hybrid (virtual and in-person) business meeting on October 26, 2021.  During the meeting, the Board approved a cost-of-living adjustment, step and longevity increases, and retention and recruitment incentives; discussed Regulation KLA-RA, Responding to Inquiries and Complaints from the Public; conducted a facilities and boundaries work session on the interim superintendent’s recommendations on boundary studies for Gaithersburg #8, and Bethesda, Somerset, and Westbrook elementary schools; received an update on mitigating learning disruption that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic; made administrative appointments; discussed three proposed scenarios for the 2022–2023 school year calendar; and deferred action on previous new business.

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

Cost-of-Living Adjustment, Step and Longevity Increases, and Retention and Recruitment Incentives

The Board approved a 1.5 percent cost of living increase for all MCPS employees, as well as step increases and longevity increases for eligible employees.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Regulation KLA-RA, Receiving Inquiries and Complaints from the Public

The Board received a workgroup report with a recommendation to improve the ways the district receives and processes inquiries and complaints from the public.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

View the PowerPoint presentation.

Facilities and Boundaries Work Session on Boundary Studies for Gaithersburg #8, and Bethesda, Somerset, and Westbrook Elementary Schools

The Board heard a report on the boundary recommendations for these school clusters that preserved walking areas, articulation patterns, and reflect significant family and stakeholder input.

Gaithersburg Cluster Elementary School #8

Bethesda, Somerset, and Westbrook Elementary Schools

View the PowerPoint Presentation.

Mitigating Learning Disruption

The Board received information about the 2021 summer school program, as well as a report of fall academic performance data. As part of Montgomery County Public Schools; (MCPS) learning recovery efforts following the 2020–2021 school year, MCPS implemented a summer program for more than 50,000 students, nearly tripling the participation from traditional pre-pandemic summer programs. Both in-person and virtual programs were offered at no cost to all students and in all schools/clusters.  As a school system, MCPS’ instructional response to these data includes school improvement planning, focusing on literacy and math instruction, and professional learning for teachers to tailor instruction to meet the needs of all learners.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

View the PowerPoint Presentation.

2022–2023 School Year Calendar

The Board reviewed three calendar scenarios for the 2022–2023 school year. They reflect different start and end dates; additionally, one scenario (Scenario C) shows spring break at a different time than the other two (Scenarios A and B). All draft scenarios include:

• A minimum of 180 instructional days
• Full spring break
• Contingency days
• Early release days on Sept. 14, Dec. 7, and March 15 for professional development

Learn more, view the options and provide feedback.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

View the PowerPoint presentation.

Recognitions

The Board approved the following recognitions:

• National School Bus Safety Week
• National Native American Heritage Month and Day
• National School Psychology Week

Appointments

The Board approved the following appointments:

• Dr. Dan Kelley, currently acting director, Division of Financial Services, as director, Division of Financial Services, Office of Finance (OOF)
• Ms. Phoebe Kuan, currently acting director of investments, as director of investments, Department of Strategic Planning and Resource Management, OOF
• Ms. Gina F. Ripoli, acting coordinator, Department of Employee and Retiree Services (ERSC), as director, ERSC, OOF

Previous New Business Items

At the October 5, 2021, the Board brought forward a resolution to direct the interim superintendent to explore the possibility of identifying and offering a .5 credit financial literacy course that will be required for all students, beginning with students entering Grade 9 for the 2023–2024 school year, and that the interim superintendent provide a report to the Board about the feasibility of this requirement no later than January 2022. This item was to be revisited at this meeting, but the Board deferred the vote on this item until its next business meeting on November 9, 2021.

Future Meetings

The Board is scheduled to hold its next business meeting on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. The Board will meet in person. The agenda is subject to change. Please check the Board of Education website and meeting calendar for further information.

About the Board of Education

The Board 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: Ms. Brenda Wolff, president; Ms. Karla Silvestre, vice president. Members: Dr. Judith Docca, Mrs. Shebra L. Evans, Ms. Lynne Harris, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, and Ms. Hana O’Looney, student member.

Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, interim superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 240-740-3030.