Annual Mandatory Compliance Training

Dear Colleagues:

Our school system is committed to providing every student we serve the opportunity and preparation necessary to be successful in college, career, and life. All of our actions are guided by the district’s five core values—Learning, Respect, Relationships, Excellence, and Equity. As you begin the 2017–2018 school year, we want to make sure you get off to a great start and that you clearly understand your role and responsibility in serving our students, your fellow staff members, and our community. We strive to establish and maintain a positive, safe, healthy, and lawful climate and culture in which all adults and students are able to thrive and do their best work. It is our expectation that every employee has the necessary information to maintain a safe and respectful environment for students, co-workers, and themselves.

As part of our commitment to all students, staff, and community, we have created a Compliance Unit within the Office of School Support and Improvement. The Compliance Unit, in collaboration with the offices of Employee Relations and Engagement, the General Counsel, and Human Resources and Development, will provide the infrastructure for the oversight, monitoring, and coordination of applicable federal, state and local regulatory compliance.

Beginning with the 2017‒2018 school year, as a Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) employee, you are required annually to complete a series of compliance training modules that will make clear what is expected of you and will prepare you to be an excellent employee and team member. Based on your MCPS position, you may be required to complete job-specific trainings that are separate and in addition to these modules. For example, for school staff, there are additional trainings for anaphylaxis, blood-borne pathogens, and diabetes. You will be notified by your principal or supervisor of such requirements. A critical aspect of compliance is communication of the mandatory requirements, as well as the necessary training for all employees to ensure compliance.

All teachers, administrators, and supervisors, will complete online the mandatory training consisting of two sections comprising multiple modules, all designed to be completed within one-half day. Depending on your job classification and location you may receive this training in a modified format in a group setting versus online.

Each 15- to 30-minute module is designed to be interactive, engaging, and also includes a brief assessment of the participant’s mastery of critical content as well as multiple resources. To access the appropriate modules (“Refresher” for current employees and “New Hires/First Time Completers” for new employees) on the MCPS homepage under the Staff tab, click training, and log into the Professional Development Online (PDO) Platform. After registering for the course, you will receive an automated e-mail message with additional instructions on how to enroll, tips and suggestions for successful completion, and a link to a support site for assistance, if necessary.

An outline of the course content follows.

I. Building a Respectful Workplace Course

a. Employee Code of Conduct
b. Equal Opportunity in the Workplace
c. Workplace Bullying
d. Ethics, Conflict of Interest, Expectations, and Guidance

II. Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment for Students Course

a. Student-to-Student Sexual Harassment
b. Gender Identity
c. Religious Diversity
d. Suicide Prevention
e. Bullying
f. Gangs and Gang Behavior
g. Preventing, Recognizing, and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

Sample modules were previewed by approximately 200 staff stakeholders, representing multiple job classifications. Their feedback was carefully considered and, as a result, modifications were made to the final product. A schedule with deadline dates for completion of the online courses are displayed in the following chart.

Please note that while completion of these modules is not required prior to the dates listed in the preceding chart, for your convenience, the modules will be available online beginning August 1, 2017.

Failure to complete these requirements will result in progressive disciplinary action. In addition, school-based staff will not be permitted to work with students until they complete the training. In these rare cases, the Office of Employee Engagement and Labor Relations and the Office of School Support and Improvement will work directly with principals and supervisors to determine specific actions to be taken, up to and including unpaid suspension from work and recommendation for termination.

For further information regarding this memorandum or related content, please contact Dr. Donna S. Hollingshead, associate superintendent of school administration, at 301-279-3253 or Ms. Linda K. Johnson, compliance coordinator, Office of School Administration Compliance Unit, at 301-279-3444. For technical support in accessing and viewing the modules, please contact the MCPS Help Desk, at 301-517-5800.

Sincerely,
Jack R. Smith, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools