2017 Montgomery County Public Schools
Investing Our Dollars Wisely to Ensure Academic Success for All
In June, the Montgomery County Board of Education unanimously approved a final $2.457 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2017. This budget includes $37.9 million in targeted funding that allows Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to further our commitment to Academic Excellence for ALL.
To do this, we are using the resources to make strategic investments toward—
- Targeted staffing and reducing average class size to provide closer monitoring and supports for students;
- Increasing staff capacity to meet student needs in schools with the largest learning disparities;
- Focusing efforts on increasing the academic success of Black/African American students, Hispanic/Latino students, and students impacted by poverty to mitigate disparities in learning opportunities;
- Developing instructional supports and programmatic options to increase learning opportunities for students who receive special education services and those who are English language learners;
- Providing enhanced curricular and instructional options; and
- Increasing programmatic access by removing barriers and increasing opportunities for learning.
We know that this investment in our students and schools required the residents of our county to take on an additional tax burden. But we believe this investment now will ensure a stronger future for our county with a workforce that is leading global innovation and action.
How This Investment Pays Dividends in Our Schools
 Each investment we make for a school is customized to best support learning in that specific community. For instance, at Cannon Road Elementary School, a classroom teacher was added to their staff, along with two half-time positions— an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher and an Academic Focus teacher. These additions allow Cannon Road to reduce class size and provide targeted support to students who may be falling behind. At Julius West Middle School, a literacy Focus teacher is now on staff to provide tailored, small group learning opportunities while the classroom teacher simultaneously works through a lesson with other students. And at Walt Whitman High School, resources were allocated to provide an additional teacher for both English and social studies to reduce class sizes in these core subjects.
While executed differently in each school, these investments all help MCPS meet its two-pronged goal of maintaining excellence for students who are already achieving at high levels and raising to excellence those who are not. We believe these investments today will yield students who are more prepared for college and career tomorrow.
Watch our video on how resources are being used in schools
“Thanks to the decreased ratios provided for in this year’s budget, counselors at our school of more than 800 students can better get to know the kids as individuals, spot problems early on and take action to help a child or a family in need, and be proactive instead of reactive. “In some cases, this may mean the difference between a child falling through the cracks or blossoming to reach his or her potential. I’m so incredibly grateful for the increased staffing provided to Garrett Park this year.” -Jim Bradley, Garrett Park Elementary School parent
You can read more about how MCPS spends its resources at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/budget/fy2017
Respectfully,
Jack R. Smith
Superintendent of Schools
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