The Board of Education met on Tuesday (January 10) and, among other items, tentatively approved two policies for public comment and approved the name Roscoe R. Nix Elementary School for Northeast Consortium Elementary School #16. In addition, the Board approved five administrative appointments and engaged in a dialogue on current issues. The Board also approved preliminary plans for a gymnasium at Burning Tree Elementary School and recognized the observance of African American History Month.

Naming of Northeast Consortium Elementary School #16

The Board approved Roscoe R. Nix Elementary School as the name for Northeast Consortium Elementary School #16. Mr. Nix was a member of the Board of Education from 1974-1978. He served as president of the Montgomery County branch of the NAACP from 1980-1990 and is a long-time civil rights activist. He was associate director of community relations for the United States Department of Justice and is the recipient of numerous honors for civic achievements, including an honorary degree from Montgomery College. The gymnasium at the school will be named for Donald Morgan, a teacher at the former Brookview school that occupied the site of the new building.

Tentative Action on Policy JPG, Wellness: Physical and Nutritional Health

The Board tentatively approved a new policy for public comment. Policy JPG, Wellness: Physical and Nutritional Health, includes goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness; nutrition guidelines for foods available on campus; and a plan for measuring policy implementation.

Tentative Action on Policy JEB, Early Entrance to Kindergarten

The Board tentatively approved revised Policy JEB, Early Entrance to Prekindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade, which creates a process by which decisions regarding early admission to prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade are made in Montgomery County Public Schools. The Board of Education Policy Committee further revised the policy after a period of public comment and following additional information provided by the Maryland State Department of Education so as to incorporate a window for consideration of waivers of the cutoff date for admission. The Board considered the revisions to be substantial and desired additional public review and comment before final action is taken.

Preliminary Plans -- Burning Tree Elementary School Gymnasium Addition

The Board approved preliminary plans for a gymnasium addition to Burning Tree Elementary School.

Appointments

The Board approved the following administrative appointments:

Pamela Ann Meador, currently instructional specialist, Student Service Learning, as coordinator, Student Service Learning, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs

Shawn D. Miller, currently principal, Woodfield Elementary School, as principal, Clarksburg Elementary School #7

Janet L. Dunn, currently coordinator, Extended Learning Opportunities, Department of Instructional Programs, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs, as principal, Downcounty Consortium Elementary School #27

Annette M. Ffolkes, principal, Galway Elementary School, as principal, Northeast Consortium Elementary School #16

Gregory S. Edmundson, currently principal, Darnestown Elementary School, as principal, Northwest Elementary School #7

African American History Month

The Board declared the month of February to be observed in Montgomery County Public Schools as African American History Month. The observance honors the contributions of African Americans in the county, state, and nation.

Appointment to the Citizens Advisory Committee for Family Life and Human Development

Dr. Ruth M. Jacobs was appointed to serve a term on the Citizens Advisory Committee for Family Life and Human Development ending June 30, 2007. She will represent Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum.

Dialogue on Current Issues

The Board engaged in a dialogue on issues surrounding Montgomery College's request to acquire the Carver Educational Services Center to expand its Rockville campus. The discussion touched on the relationship between the needs of the school system and the college and the costs of moving versus remaining in the current location. A response to the County Council was approved that requests a full feasibility study of expansion needs and options for Montgomery College and the consequences of those options upon the school system as the next step.