Watch Meeting by Agenda Item

Full Agenda (PDF)

Acknowledgement of a Quorum

Approval of the Agenda

The Board of Education recognized the recipients of the 2012 Montgomery County Public Schools Counselor of the Year Award. The School Counselor of the Year Award highlights the many important contributions of school counselors and the essential role they play in the social, emotional, and educational development of students. One counselor from each school level is selected for the award. The 2012 awardees are:

• Mrs. Deborah L. Danielson, counselor, Sargent Shriver Elementary School
• Mrs. Ellen P. Fellows, resource counselor, Rosa Parks Middle School
• Mrs. Theresa M. Dethlefsen, resource counselor, Northwest High School

The Board of Education approved the following resolutions:

• A resolution recognizing the 2012 Champions for Children Award recipients
• A resolution acknowledging the Asian American Education Association Scholarship Recipients
• A resolution recognizing MCPS higher education partners and graduates

Public Comments

Board/Superintendent Comments

Consent items

Human Resources and Development

The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments:

• Kimberly A. Statham, currently principal, Wheaton Woods Elementary School, as deputy superintendent of teaching, learning, and programs
• Deborah C. Ryan, currently principal intern, Oakland Terrace Elementary School, as principal, Rosemary Hills Elementary School
• Gay E. Melnick, currently principal intern, Cloverly Elementary School, as principal, Flower Valley Elementary School
• Nina Y. Khouri, currently acting coordinator, Division of
ESOL/Bilingual Programs, as coordinator, Division of ESOL/Bilingual Programs.

MSDE Technology Credit

The Board discussed the current Maryland State Department of Education technology education credit graduation requirement and the challenges it has presented for MCPS students. Effective with the class of 2012, all Maryland high school students must earn one credit in technology education in order to graduate. There are only four courses currently offered in MCPS that fulfill the technology education credit: Foundations of Technology, Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and Designing Technology Solutions.

Members of the Board of Education have been contacted by students and members of the community who feel the requirement is too narrow and focuses only on International Technology and Engineering Education, and may have a negative effect on students who desire to pursue computer science study and/or other technology related coursework.

The Board also expressed concern over the inflexibility of the requirement, and committed to pursuing multiple avenues of advocacy including appealing to the Maryland State Board of Education to expand the definition of technology education and the selection of courses offered to fulfill the requirement. Read the Board Memo.

Board of Education Items

Adjournment