The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) held a business meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. During the meeting, the Board elected new officers, adopted the 2023-2024 school year calendar, and discussed an overview of the superintendent’s recommended fiscal year 2024 operating budget.

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

Election of Board Officers

Karla Silvestre was selected by her colleagues to serve as president of the Board. Shebra L. Evans was selected vice president. Both officers will serve a one-year term.

2023-2024 School Year Calendar

The Board approved the school year calendar for 2023-2024. The calendar is responsive to community input by offering limited instructional disruptions and highlights the system’s continued investment in our employees by including six professional development learning days. Highlights for the 2023-2024 school calendar include:

• For Traditional Calendar schools: First day of school for students is Monday, August 28, 2023 and the last day is Thursday, June 13, 2024.
• For Innovative Calendar schools: First day of school for students is Monday, July 10, 2023 and the last day is Thursday, June 13, 2024.
• Districtwide professional days include Monday, October 9, 2023, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 and Monday, April 22, 2024. April 22, 2024 aligns with Passover.
• In addition to the three districtwide days of professional learning, a new designated “professional development and instruction” day will allow staff to participate in learning while students continue to participate in school or other enrichment opportunities. These dates will be November 10, 2023, February 15, 2024 and May 15, 2024. Detailed information will be provided to the community later in the school year.
• There will be five scheduled early release days, three less than the current school year. Half days include: September 22, 2023, November 20-21, 2023 (designated for student conferences), March 1, 2024, and June 13, 2024.
• Extending winter break by one day, beginning Saturday, December 23, 2023 and ending Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
• Spring break begins on Saturday, March 23, 2024 and ends Monday, April 1, 2024.

The calendar maintains 182 days of instruction, including six built-in contingency days within the school year. These dates are in addition to holiday closures required by state law.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

View the PowerPoint presentation.

Overview of the Superintendent’s Recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget

The Board heard an overview of the superintendent’s recommended fiscal year 2024 operating budget, which will be presented for the Board’s consideration on December 19, 2022. The recommended budget will continue the focus on the needs of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students, classrooms, and schools.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

View the PowerPoint presentation.

Future Meeting

The Board is scheduled to hold its next business meeting on Thursday, January 12, 2023. 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. Karla Silvestre, president; Mrs. Shebra L. Evans, vice president.  Members: Ms. Lynne Harris, Ms. Grace Rivera-Oven, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, Ms. Brenda Wolff, Ms. Julie Yang, and Mr. Arvin Kim, student member.  Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 240-740-3030.