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Board of Education Meets Virtually and Discusses the Recovery of Education Plan; Approves Amendments to Associations’ Agreements; Approves Three Resolutions During New Business Items; Appoints a New Member to the Ethics Panel; and Makes Administrative Appointments

July 8, 2020

The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) conducted a virtual business meeting on Monday June 29, 2020.  All Board members participated remotely, given the current health and safety concerns due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis.  During the meeting, the Board discussed the recovery of education plan; approved amendments to associations’ agreements; approved three resolutions to during New Business items; appointed a new member to the ethics panel and made administrative appointments.  

The agenda for the meeting, with links to related materials, can be viewed on the Board of Education website.

Watch the recording of the June 29, 2020, meeting.

At the start of the meeting, Board President Shebra Evans, on behalf of the Board, voiced concern over the recent allegations of sexual assault and racism shared by MCPS students over social media and correspondence shared with the Board. Mrs. Evans urged victims and their families to contact the Montgomery County Police Department, Victim Assistance in Sexual Assault Program, the confidential Montgomery County Hotline, or Every Mind and stressed the district’s commitment to investigate the allegations. Superintendent Jack Smith also reiterated this message and stressed his commitment to follow-up on these allegations and to and protect the well-being of students, particularly those who are disadvantaged.

Recovery of Education Plan

In the wake of COVID-19 and as part of ongoing efforts to address the academic and social-emotional needs of all Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students and students’ overall well-being, the Board, Dr. Smith, and MCPS leadership continued the discussion about the Recovery of Education Plan, a discussion that began at the Board’s June 11, 2020, Board meeting.  Dr. Monifa McKnight, deputy superintendent, offered an update on the work being done and shared the focus on priorities, including partnering with the Department Health and Human Services and County Operations Team on managing COVID-19 and efforts to give students a “real school experience.”  Dr. McKnight and staff members offered highlights on the vision and goals for summer programs; the meal program; innovative school programs guiding principles for teaching and learning, innovative calendar schools, Extended School Year (ESY) program for special education students, professional development, and the importance of engaging students and stakeholders throughout the planning process. The plan will continue to be developed and implemented through an equity lens, as the cornerstone of the work.

It was stressed that the presentation and discussion at this meeting represent initial thinking and an exploration of the possibilities for remote and in-person instruction in accordance with local health officials. Staff shared guiding principles for the framework for fall recovery, a robust program that includes: planning, strong first instruction and assessments by teachers—all within a context of moving into a new space of organizing and deploying models of teaching and learning through a remote environment. Focus on the essential components presented in the Maryland Together: Maryland’s Recovery Plan for Education will be included in the School Year 2020-2021 fall re-entry planning.

View the Power Point presentation, which includes these essential components.

The Board will continue the discussion on the Recovery of Education Plan at its July 14, 2020, business meeting and will approve a plan to be posted online and submitted to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) by August 14, 2020.

Amendments to Associations’ Agreements

Board members briefly discussed the amendments to the associations’ agreements presented by staff.  The amendments extend current 2018-2020 negotiated contracts with Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP), Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU Local 500) for one month to July 31, 2020.  Board members approved the superintendent’s recommended amendments.

Read the superintendent’s recommendation to approve the extension of the Board of Education’s negotiated agreement with the MCAAP for the 2018-2020 School Years:

Read the superintendent’s recommendation to approve the extension of the Board of Education’s negotiated agreement with the MCEA for the 2018-2020 School Years:

Read the superintendent’s recommendation to approve the extension of the Board of Education’s negotiated agreement with the SEIU Local 500 for the 2018-2020 School Years:

Read the 2018-2020 agreements for MCAAP, MCEA and SEIU Local 500 on the MCPS website at the following link: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/associationrelations/

New Business

The Board adopted the following resolutions to address  educational equity, to review the names of awards and to expeditiously rename Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School :

The Board approved a resolution to expedite the community engagement and renaming process for Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School so that the facility is renamed by the Board no later than its November 10, 2020;

The Board approved a resolution directing the superintendent to take steps to support the academic achievement of struggling students; and

The Board also approved a resolution to conduct a comprehensive review of the names, titles and/or history of all awards and honors given to staff, students or community members by or in the name of MCPS and report findings and recommendations to the Board no later than January 2021.

Ethics Panel Member Appointed

The Board appointed Ms. Susan F. Beard to serve a three-year term on the Ethics Panel, effective July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2023.

Read the resolution.

Human Resources Appointments

The Board approved the following administrative appointments: 

Dr. Helen A. Nixon, currently assistant superintendent for Human Resources, Fairfax County Public Schools, as associate superintendent, Office of Human Resources and Development;

Dr. Kecia L. Addison, currently acting director, Office of Shared Accountability, as director, Office of Shared Accountability;

Troy E. Boddy, currently director, Equity Initiatives Unit, Office of the Chief Academic Officer, as director, Equity Initiatives Unit, Office of the Deputy Superintendent;

Christopher C. Cram, currently business operations supervisor, Public Information and Web Services, as director, Department of Communications;

Pete Dejtisakdi, currently supervisor, Help Desk and Technology Services and Support, as director, Business Information Services, Office of Technology and Innovation;

Dr. Rotunda Floyd-Cooper, currently principal, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, Prince George’s County Public Schools, as director of learning, achievement, and administration, Office of Teaching, Learning and Schools;

Nicole A. Sosik, currently principal, A. Mario Loiederman Middle School, as director of Special Programs, Innovation and Outreach, Office of Teaching, Learning and Schools;

Dr. Jeffrey K. Sullivan, currently director, Systemwide Athletics, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, as director of Systemwide Athletics, Office of Teaching, Learning and Schools;

Shella B. Cherry, currently coordinator, Student Leadership and Volunteers, Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement, as director of Student Leadership and Extracurricular Activities, Office of Teaching, Learning and Schools;

Dr. Karen D. Crews, currently supervisor, School Counseling Services, Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement, as director of Student Well-Being and Achievement, Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement;

Stephanie S. Sheron, currently principal, Briggs Chaney Middle School, as executive director, Office of the Deputy Superintendent;

Jaclynn M. Lightsey, currently assistant principal, Thomas S. Wootton High School, as supervisor, English Language Arts and Secondary Literacy, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs;

Rose S. Alvarez, currently assistant principal, Earle B. Wood Middle School, as principal, Lakelands Park Middle School;

Holly A. Hill, currently principal intern, Ashburton Elementary School, as principal, Wayside Elementary School;

Dr. Stacy L. Smith, currently principal, Adams Traditional Academy, Choice Academies, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, as principal, Bells Mill Elementary School; and

Elizabeth Lacoursiere, currently principal, St. Francis Middle School, Minnesota Independent School District 15, as principal, Carl Sandburg Learning Center.

Recognition

The Board shared words of appreciation and farewell for the outgoing student member of the Board, Nathaniel Tinbite. 

Facilities and School Construction

The Board approved the architectural appointment for Burnt Mills Elementary School Major Capital Project.

The Board approved the architectural appointment for Neelsville Middle School Major Capital Project

The Board approved the architectural appointment for South Lake Elementary School Major Capital Project

The Board approved the architectural appointment for Stonegate Elementary School Major Capital Project.

Future Meetings

The Board of Education is scheduled to hold its next business meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2020.  The virtual format of this meeting will continue, given the current COVID-19 crisis.  The agenda is subject to change. Please check the Board of Education website and meeting calendar for further information. 

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: Mrs. Shebra Evans, president; Ms. Brenda Wolff, vice president.  Members: Ms. Jeanette E. Dixon, Dr. Judith Docca, Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, Ms. Karla Silvestre, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, and Mr. Nathaniel Tinbite, student member. Dr. Jack R. Smith, superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 240-740-3030. 

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