Board of Education Receives Update on Opening of Schools; Discusses FY 2015 Operating Budget Interests

September 10, 2013

The Montgomery County Board of Education met on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. Among other items, the Board received an update on the opening of schools, discussed its top 10 Fiscal Year 2015 Operating Budget interests, and received an update on MCPS’ community engagement efforts. The agenda for the meeting, with links to related materials, can be viewed on the Board of Education website. You can also watch video of the meeting by clicking here.

Opening of Schools
The Board of Education heard a report from MCPS staff on the opening of schools. MCPS welcomed more than 151,000 students on Monday, August 26, 2013, an increase of more than 2,000 students from 2012. The first day of school was highlighted by the opening of four newly modernized schools: Weller Road and Glenallan elementary schools, Herbert Hoover Middle School and Gaithersburg High School. MCPS hired more than 800 new teachers and nearly 200 supporting services staff over the summer to support the district’s growing enrollment.

Read the press release

Fiscal Year 2015 Board Operating Budget Interests
The Board concluded its discussions on its Operating Budget interests and has adopted, as amended, its top 10 interests for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015. This is the third year that the Board has shared its budgetary interests with Dr. Starr as he begins the process of developing a budget recommendation for the next fiscal year. Dr. Starr will present his FY 2015 Operating Budget recommendation to the Board in December.

Read the Board memo

Update on Community Engagement
The Board received an update and held a discussion on MCPS’ community engagement efforts. The Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships (OCEP) was created in 2012 to increase the effectiveness of MCPS’ community engagement efforts. A significant focus of OCEP’s work is leading the effort to create a systemic, coherent approach to community engagement and building the capacity of local school staff to establish and maintain effective partnerships between home, school, and community. OCEP has developed a three-pronged strategy that will help take MCPS’ efforts to the next level for the core purpose of preparing all students to thrive in their future:

• Building Capacity: To build capacity by investing in our human capital (e.g., staff, families, community stakeholders) to assure that all staff, administrators, and leaders have the capability to engage families and communities to support student achievement at local schools.

• Enhancing/Expanding Partnerships: To build a larger table for engagement, inviting new partners to the table, while strengthening existing relationships. Focusing on leveraging
MCPS’ family-facing resources to build community and create and strengthen networks of support.

• Engaging with Purpose: To engage with purpose by building consensus around priorities for
student success that are shared by MCPS, parents, and community stakeholders, with a particular emphasis on eliminating the academic achievement gap.

OCEP will continue to share information with the Board and the public as the district implements this new framework.

Read the memo

Administrative Appointment

The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointment:

Sally Dorman, currently team leader, School Climate and Safety Team, Division of School Psychological Services, as coordinator, Division of Psychological Services, Office of Special Education and Student Services.

Other Action: The Board also took action on several items, including:

-Passed a resolution declaring September 15 to October 15, 2013, to be observed as “Hispanic Heritage Month”

About the Board of Education

The Montgomery County Board of Education 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: Mr. Christopher Barclay, president; Mr. Philip Kauffman, vice president. Members: Ms. Shirley Brandman, Dr. Judy Docca, Mr. Michael Durso, Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, and Mr. Justin Kim, student member. Dr. Joshua P. Starr, superintendent and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617.

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