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Board of Education Hears MCPS Operations Update and Update on Mitigating Learning Disruption; Discusses Feasibility of Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement; Receives an Update Regarding Safety, Security, and Well-Being of Students; Approves 2022–2023 Traditional and Innovative School Year Calendars; Took Action on a Board Policy; and Made Appointments to Board Committees

January 27, 2022

The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) conducted a business meeting on January 13, 2022. During the meeting, the Board heard an update on Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) operations; heard an update on mitigating learning disruption; discussed the feasibility of a financial literacy graduation requirement; approved the 2022–2023 traditional and innovative school year calendars; took tentative action on a Board policy; discussed the safety, security and well-being of students; approved recognitions; and made appointments to Board committees.

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

MCPS Operations Update

The Board heard an update on how MCPS staff is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting students. During the update, MCPS staff presented instructional plans for any students not in school due to isolation and quarantine.

Mitigating Learning Disruption Update

The Board received an update on the efforts of MCPS staff to mitigate learning disruptions that occurred as a result of the pandemic. Evidence of Learning (EOL) data indicate that virtual instruction in the pandemic had the greatest impact in literacy and mathematics on primary students and students in transition grades at the secondary level. The overall district goal for students in Grades K–12 is to perform at or above grade level in literacy and mathematics as evidenced by EOL measures.

In response to the impact on learning and to mitigate learning disruptions, an instructional response plan has been implemented that includes six components: School Improvement Planning, Literacy and Mathematics Instructional Foci, Assessment of and for Learning, Acceleration of Learning, Tutoring/Intervention, and Professional Learning.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Feasibility of a Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement

On November 9, 2021, the Board approved a resolution requesting that MCPS 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 (Class of 2027) and that the interim superintendent of schools provide a report to the Board about the feasibility of this requirement no later than January 2022.

MCPS staff is gathering stakeholder feedback from students, parents and guardians, teachers, and counselors. Staff shared preliminary feedback and will continue to gather input through mid-February via surveys, student focus groups, and stakeholder organizations, including the Curriculum Advisory Assembly and Montgomery County Council of Parent Teacher Associations. This spring, staff will share the feedback and bring a recommendation for Board approval that includes the proposed financial literacy credit requirement, total credits required for graduation, and if necessary, what changes are needed in graduation requirements to allow for a new .5 credit requirement.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

2022-2023 Traditional and Innovative School Year Calendars

The Board adopted a calendar and contingency plan for MCPS for the 2022-2023 school year. The traditional school year calendar will begin on August 29, 2022 and end on June 16, 2023. The innovative school year calendar (Arcola and Roscoe R. Nix elementary schools) will begin on July 6, 2022 and end on June 16, 2023.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Policy IDA, School Year Calendar

The Board voted to reinstate Policy IDA, School Year Calendar, which was suspended in December when the Board directed the Policy Management Committee to seek additional public comment on the 2022-2023 traditional and innovative school year calendars.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Policy ECA, Energy Conservation

The Board took tentative action on Policy ECA, Energy Conservation, and it will be sent out for public comment. The policy establishes energy conservation actions and practices to preserve natural resources while providing a safe and comfortable learning environment for students and staff. Last revised in 2002, an update of this policy is necessary to encompass all areas of long-term sustainability, environmental stewardship, and environmental educational leadership.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Safety, Security and Well-being

The weight of the past 21 months has had an impact on students’ well-being, ability to navigate conflict, build relationships, and overall social emotional development. The Board discussed what MCPS is doing to support the safety, security and well-being of students.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

Recognitions

The Board approved the following recognitions:

Appointments to Board Committees

Dr. Scott Joftus was appointed to the Board fiscal management and strategic planning committees. Mrs. Shebra L. Evans was renewed as the chair of the Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Committee. SMOB Hana O’Looney was added to the Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Committee.

Future Meeting

The Board is scheduled to hold its next business meeting on February 8, 2022.   The agenda is subject to change. Please check the Board 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, Dr. Scott Joftus, 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.

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