Board Reviews Preparations for New School Year,
Reviews Update on a Career Lattice for Teachers

The Board of Education met on Thursday (August 23) and, among other items, engaged in an oral presentation on readiness for the opening of school and reviewed an update on a career lattice for teachers. The Board also approved four administrative appointments and recognized Mrs. Flora M. Singer and Mr. Donald R. McComb.

Readiness for Opening of Schools

The Board reviewed preparations for the 2007–2008 school year. The new school year brings the opening of one new and one modernized school, full-day Head Start, and a range of other initiatives and changes. Middle school reform is in the forefront this school year, as the school system begins implementing this three-year, $10 million initiative. The five Phase I Middle School Reform schools, along with the newly modernized Parkland Magnet Middle School for Aerospace Technology and eight other middle schools scheduled for technology modernization, are beginning the year with more than 250 ActivClassrooms and building-wide wireless infrastructure. More than 137,000 students will be greeted by more than 11,000 teachers—about 800 of them new to the school system this year. In addition, school gets under way with 32 new principals, 90 assistant principals and 10 assistant school administrators (A separate news release will provide more detail.)

Update—Career Lattice for Teachers

The Board reviewed an update on a Career Lattice for teachers that will provide educators with opportunities to move through three stages of professional growth—Induction, Skillful Teacher, and Leadership in Teaching. Teachers who have demonstrated instructional mastery and leadership skills and have chosen to move into the Leadership in Teaching stage will be able to apply for lead teacher status. Lead teacher status would encompass a variety of opportunities to take on professional development and leadership responsibilities that promote student learning and achievement. The Career Lattice identifies teacher leadership roles that encourage accomplished teachers to remain in the classroom and provides educators with incentives to work in high-need schools. The panel responsible for the design and implementation of the Career Lattice comprises teachers and administrators recommended by the Montgomery County Education Association and the Montgomery County Association of Administrative and Supervisory Personnel and assigned by the superintendent. The Career Lattice is scheduled to be fully implemented by the 2009–2010 school year.

Appointments

The Board approved the following administrative appointments:

Sherwin A. Collette, currently acting chief technology officer, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, as chief technology officer, Office of the Chief Operating Officer

Kay K. Williams, currently supervisor, Special Initiatives, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs, as director, Division of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction, Department of Enriched and Innovative Programs

Terri McCauley, currently coordinator of physical education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, as supervisor, Health and Physical Education, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs

Barbara Armstrong, instructional specialist, Department of Enriched and Innovative Programs, as coordinator, Special Initiatives, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs


Recognition of Flora M. Singer

The Board of Education gratefully recognized Mrs. Flora M. Singer, Holocaust survivor and former teacher of foreign languages in the Montgomery County Public schools, for her exceptional work as a teacher and her contribution to the body of world knowledge through her memoir of the Holocaust, Flora—I was but a Child.

Recognition of Donald R. McComb

The Board of Education expressed its appreciation to Mr. Donald R. McComb, retired high school science teacher in the Montgomery County Public Schools, for his generosity in donating copies of Mrs. Flora Singer’s memoir to the school system.