Board of Education Update

At its May 21 business meeting, the Montgomery County Board of Education tackled a heavy agenda shaping the upcoming school year, centered on solutions for a $36 million budget gap and the introduction of a temporary voluntary staff retirement incentive. The Board also approved an adjustment to student meal prices and finalized critical new guardrails for educational technology and AI in the classroom.

The Board was also proud to celebrate its community during this meeting, honoring Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Teacher Appreciation Week, and Pupil Personnel Worker Week, alongside recognizing the 2026 School Counselors of the Year.

Read the Board of Education Update: May 21, 2026

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En su reunión de trabajo del 21 de mayo, el Consejo de Educación del Condado de Montgomery abordó una agenda extensa que definirá el próximo ciclo escolar, centrada en soluciones para un déficit presupuestario de $36 millones y la introducción de un incentivo temporal de jubilación voluntaria para el personal. El Consejo también aprobó un ajuste en los precios de las comidas escolares y finalizó nuevas directrices importantes para la tecnología educativa y la inteligencia artificial en el salón de clases.

El Consejo también se enorgulleció de celebrar a su comunidad durante esta reunión, con el reconocimiento del Mes de la Herencia Asiática Estadounidense y de las Islas del Pacífico, el Mes de la Herencia Judío-Estadounidense, la Semana de Apreciación a los Maestros y la Semana de los Trabajadores de Asuntos Estudiantiles, además de reconocer a los Consejeros Escolares del Año 2026.

Lea la actualización del Consejo de Educación: 21 de mayo de 2026

Celebrations

National Volunteer Week

Board Member Julie Yang recognized National Volunteer Week (April 19–25, 2026), honoring the impact of volunteers across the district. Empowering the Ages, led by Leah Bradley, was recognized for supporting students in multiple schools. Honorees included Principal Daniel Walder and Yelica Barrera-Laverde (Diamond Elementary School), Kasey Merrey (Kensington Parkwood Elementary School), Sally Cameron (Northwood High School) and Winona Lennon (Flower Valley Elementary School).

National Student Leadership Week

Student Board Member Anuva Maloo recognized National Student Leadership Week (April 24–30), celebrating student leaders who uplift their school communities. Honorees included Hali Duong, Tracy Espinoza, Thandi Labor and Krish Putta, with special recognition to Ms. Shella Cherry for her leadership of student programs. 

MCPS State Champions

The Board celebrated state champion athletic teams for their outstanding achievements, including the Walt Whitman High School coed wrestling and girls’ basketball teams, the Quince Orchard High School girls’ wrestling team and the James Hubert Blake High School’s boys’ basketball team, recognizing their excellence, teamwork and success. 

Middle School Update: New Dedicated Support Time

In a significant move to bolster student success and equity, the Montgomery County Board of Education unanimously passed the Dedicated Student Support Time Item introduced by the Student Member of the Board, Anuva Maloo. The resolution asks for a standardized, weekly "Advisory Period" across all MCPS middle schools.

What This Means for Students:

• Guaranteed Time: A weekly blocked time dedicated to student needs.
• Flexible Support: Students can use this time to seek academic help, dive deeper into subjects they love, or explore high school opportunities.
• Clear Schedules: To ensure everyone can plan ahead, schools would provide a quarterly schedule outlining these dedicated sessions.

By formalizing this time, MCPS aims to increase student agency and ensure that every middle schooler, regardless of which building they attend, has the support necessary to succeed. The Superintendent will review the program's impact after one year, with the potential to expand the model to high schools in the future. Read the memorandum. 

Upcoming Meetings

Meeting Calendar

*Agenda will be available seven days prior to the Board Business meeting.