Board of Education Meeting: July 15, 2008

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Full Agenda (PDF)

Approval of the Agenda

Public Comments

Board/Superintendent Comments

Newly released Maryland School Assessment scores: Superintendent Jerry D. Weast reported to the Board of Education information released by the Maryland State Department of Education that MCPS students in elementary and middle school posted significant gains on the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) while achievement gaps between African American and Hispanic students and their white and Asian American peers continued to narrow.

Among elementary students, 89.9 percent scored at the proficient or advanced level for reading and 87.2 percent for mathematics. Among middle school students, 86.3 percent scored at the proficient or advanced level for reading and 76.9 percent for mathematics. All grade levels and all subgroups achieved positive growth in student performance.

Baldrige in MCPS

The Board of Education heard a report on the current status of Baldrige initiatives in MCPS. More specifically, the Board received an update on the use of the Baldrige-guided School Improvement Planning (BGSIP) process. The BGSIP process has moved all schools to a more systematic process for addressing the needs of all students. The director of the Division of Materials Management briefed the Board of Education on efforts to ensure “gold plated” customer service by his staff.

Consent Items

Recommended FY 2009 Supplemental Appropriation for Diesel Fuel: The Board approved a supplemental request that will be submitted to the Montgomery County Council for $5,682,000 to offset an expected deficit due to rising diesel fuel prices. When the FY 2009 budget was developed, fuel was $2.75 a gallon and now averages $ 4.50 a gallon. Efforts to conserve fuel, such as monitoring bus idling times and reviewing bus routes, have resulted in fuel savings of 68,474 gallons in FY 2007 and 44,672 gallons in FY 2008.

Human Resources

The Board approved the following administrative appointments:

• Renee Foose, currently principal, Earle B. Wood Middle School, as director of school performance, Winston Churchill, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, and Thomas S. Wootton clusters, Office of School Performance
• Steve Simon, currently director of communications, Montgomery College, as director of public information, Department of Communications
• Elizabeth L. Thomas, currently assistant principal, Kingsview Middle School, as principal, Kingsview Middle School
• Stacy E. Gray, currently assistant principal, Francis Scott Key Middle School, as supervisor, Middle School Programs, Department of Enriched and Innovative Programs, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs
• Joanne C. Hoffman, currently assistant principal, Rosa Parks Middle School, as supervisor, Special Education, Office of Special Education and Student Services
• Jennifer S. Lane, currently instructional specialist, Title I programs, as magnet coordinator for A. Mario Loiederman Middle School, Office of Curriculum and Instructional

Strategic Plan—Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence

The Board of Education, following a review and discussion, approved changes to the Montgomery County Public Schools Strategic Plan, Our Call To Action: Pursuit of Excellence. The plan has been revised and strengthened in order to guide the work of schools and offices for the next four years to achieve the strategic goals approved by the Board of Education. These changes also will enable the Board of Education to continue its work to create a school system where student success will no longer be predictable by race. There is stronger language in the plan covering items such as middle school reform, smaller learning communities, and higher-level mathematics, among others. There are changes to the strategic plan to strengthen the work done to support special education students and to focus on rigorous performance standards for accelerated and enriched instruction.

Board of Education Items

Adoption of Professional Growth Tool: The Board of Education adopted a revised evaluation tool for 2008 for the position of Superintendent of Schools, including the timeline for its annual review and update.

Items of Information

• Board Meetings & Calendar
• Board Members
• Public Participation